Students filed into the bus outside the university as Mr. Garcel looked over his clipboard and a couple teachers kept attendance.
"Okay everyone settle down!", he called out, "We're all going to get to the airport in time."
Students settled as the Bolton boys got on the bus and seated quickly.
"I can't believe we're going to Mexico City for our Spanish class trip.", Slammu said as he adjusted his backpack, "We could've just-"
"Slammu!", hissed Ripster quickly looking to see if anyone was listening, "We would've given ourselves away and Mr. Garcel would have us expelled in a second before we could even look around."
Streex placed his pack on his knees and brushed his hair.
"Just be happy we got the credit needed to even attend this trip.", he said, "I hear the Spanish have good looking models."
Jab rolled his eyes.
"There's no way I'm spending a whole week in Mexico just to keep the principal off our backs.", he griped.
"Really?", Streex asked raising an eyebrow, "I hear the Stromboli circus is gonna be there."
Jab brightened up instantly cause knowing that circus was in the area would only mean one thing: a reunion with El Swordo.
"Well when do we head out?", he asked in a more eager mood.
That was when Mr. Garcel took a seat in the front and the bus started out. While Dr. Bolton was seated near the front, he made a call to Bends and Lena back at the hideout.
"Everything up and running?", he asked.
"We'll have eyes on you at all times.", Bends reported proudly, "Paradigm won't try anything while we're on the job."
As the bus headed through the streets, students were heard practicing their Spanish in case they forgot anything. Ripster got out his own Spanish dictionary to polish his own Spanish up on the first five minutes. Before long, the bus got to the airport and Mr. Garcel led the group up to the desk where the luggage would be placed. Everyone got out their identification passes while the Bolton family presented their own passports. After getting their boarding passes, the whole class had gotten to the plane just in time. Soon everyone was getting seated in their rows while the Bolton boys kept close to each other and Dr. Bolton was seated nearby also.
"Hard to believe we have to fly there with the class.", Jab said as he fastened his seat belt.
Dr. Bolton rolled his eyes comically.
"Just be happy you all did your Spanish homework enough to actually get the grade to go.", he answered.
"Attention passengers, we'll be deporting to Mexico City shortly. Please make sure your seat belts are fastened and refer to the emergency pamphlet in case of emergency."
/
Paradigm pressed a sequence into the dashboard and the plane fired up as the girls filed in with Diva at the helm.
"We'll meet up after you meet up with the rest of the class.", Diva instructed, "If anyone asks, what do you say?"
"We got extra credit and were allowed to come on the trip.", all four girls said in a voice like they were robots.
Paradigm smiled devilishly.
"Be sure to send the special delivery makes it's way to where it needs to go.", he added before Slash and Slobster came out with a large tank and Repteel helped Kilamari load it up. Once it was on board, the two seaviants got off and closed the hatch. Th girls seated themselves as Paradigm took the pilots seat with Diva taking the seat next to him. The seaviants will meet up with them after the trip, but it was the best course of action.
"Preparing for lift off.", Slash radioed.
The roof opened up into the open air allowing the plane to rise above and hover in the air like a helicopter. A screen opened up on the window and an image of an airplane showed up along with the details of the passenger's passes. Paradigm looked over the list and paused at the Bolton family passes.
"Looks like we're destined to cross again."
In the back, the girls flinched as if something in their minds clicked. Diane however looked confused afterward.
"Coop will be there?", she wondered.
Sarah looked her way sharply.
"We're not ment for them.", she said firmly, "They're the enemy."
Amber looked unsure.
"I don't know. Bobby does kind of look cute."
Harriet looked Sarah's way and noticed that she was blushing a bit though she was trying to hide it.
"You know, this could work in our favor."
Sarah looked thoughtful.
"Okay, but we don't tell anyone okay?", she said quietly.
The other three nodded, but they were cut short as Diva looked behind her seat.
"No! You have your orders and you will follow them! Now promise me you won't try anything unless we tell you."
The girls all huffed annoyed.
"Fine.", Sarah griped, "We promise."
Diva raised an eyebrow.
"Promise what?"
"We promise not to do anything unless told to okay?", Amber answered.
Paradigm hit the gas and soon their plane was in hot pursuit of the one the Bolton family was in.
/
After what felt like hours, the plane landed in the Mexico City airport and the class met up at the baggage claim to pick up their stuff.
"Man I thought my legs were gonna fall off if we flew any further.", Jab said as he stretched a couple times.
Dr. Bolton rolled his eyes comically as the class got their stuff. Mr. Garcel then took out a bullhorn and started talking.
"Okay people, time to head out. Our bus is right outside ready to take us to the resort where we will be staying during our week."
The students then filed up to the bus outside that looked pretty fancy. Once everyone was on board and the bus started off, Mr. Garcel then spoke again.
"Now this trip is costly for our school so to ensure further charges, I'm placing some ground rules while we stay."
The students groaned, but Mr. Garcel ignored it.
"As you know, this resort has a curfew of exactly ten o clock every night. So every student is required to report back to the resort by nine thirty. Also, in your assigned rooms you will find a small refrigerator, but do not eat anything from it as it is outrageously overpriced. Also there will be no ordering of room service or pay per watch movies during our stay."
The Bolton boys started feeling the pressure as Mr. Garcel continued.
"Finally, the currency exchange is right beside the resort entry so everyone will be required to write a five page report on the locations and history the day we get back. Now everyone will abide by the rules otherwise you will receive a failing grade for the remainder of the school year. Thank you everyone and enjoy your brief recess."
The Bolton boys shuddered.
"I think Mr. Garcel is just letting us on this trip so he can see if we can toe the line with his crazy rules.", Streex said.
"Hey, at least we're here aren't we?", Ripster asked.
Dr. Bolton smiled.
"And an old friend of ours is here too."
That got his sons into a cheerier mood as the bus rolled into a really fancy looking hotel and Mr. Garcel gave out room assignments. Luckily for the Bolton's they all got the same room together. After Dr. Bolton got the card key, the whole family went up to the room and settled in.
"I need a drink.", Slammu said as he went to the sink for a glass of water.
"I'm taking a rest.", Jab said flopping on to the sofa.
Dr. Bolton smiled as he headed to the bathroom to wash up. The room was large enough for the family and clearly this place was on the top hotels for tourists due to the way it looked.
"We'll take a rest and we'll see where the circus is so we can meet up with El Swordo.", Ripster said smiling.
"Sounds like a plan bro.", Streex put in, "I'm heading out deck for some sun tanning. It'll help me blend in."
"Just use the sunscreen okay?", Dr. Bolton called after him, "You don't want to get burned."
/
Paradigm landed the plane on the ground near the resort as the sun sank lower creating darkness over Mexico City which began to light up.
"Te class will be out by now.", Paradigm instructed, "Time for us to make a reservation."
They all filed out and headed inside to the front desk.
"Hi there, will you be checking in?",the clerk at the desk asked.
"Yes.", Paradigm answered, "Luxury suite with a spare room in case we have guests."
The clerk typed into the computer and after a bit, he took out two card keys and handed them over.
"Thank you. Enjoy your stay."
Diva took the keys and gave the clerk a wink as the group left for the room they requested.
"When are we gonna meet up with the class?", Harriet asked clearly showing she was growing impatient.
Diva gave her an icy look as they got to the room and unloaded their luggage.
"The other seaviants will arrive shortly Paradigm.", she mentioned, "And they'll be dropping off the delivery before coming back here."
Paradigm smiled.
"I know. Still I have to keep up appearances and what better way to do that than a respected member of society to take his favored students to the circus?"
The girls all shuddered, but looked confused.
"What's a circus?", Amber asked.
Diva looked thoughtful.
"A tent full of fun.", she explained, "You four go with Paradigm and have fun, but remember one thing: keep away from the sharks."
None of the girls said anything and kept silent as Paradigm led them outside to where a bus was waiting. Luckily for them this bus wasn't bringing back anyone from the university and after a brief instruction, the driver took them through the now festive streets to a large square where performances were dancing and playing music in the street. The driver stopped and Paradigm led the girls out.
"I'm heading off to meet up with the seaviants.", he said to them, "Keep an eye out for anyone particular."
He left and Sarah led the group through the musicians and acts until they came to a huge gathering that was circled around a couple of gypsies performing with one playing on a flute, another on a lute while a couple more were dancing while one was breathing fire to provide excitement. As the music wore down and the dancers paused to give a bow to the applauding crowd, El Swordo appeared in a flash of smoke making the crowd applaud again.
"On behalf of the Stromboli Circus, I would like to thank you all for seeing our latest addition to the family: the Familia Estralia."
The gypsies all bowed nobly before El Swordo continued.
"Now we must bid you adieu and good-night."
As the crowd parted and El Swordo left with the performers alongside him, Sarah took out a phone and made a call.
"Doc, I think we found something."
/
Back to where the circus was setting up, the sharks met up with El Swordo as the Familia Estralia was getting into their trailer.
"Great performance El Swordo.", Jab said, "This act will draw crowds in no time."
El Swordo blushed.
"Thanks.", he said proudly, "This family is going through some hard times and needed a home so I talked to the manager and as long as they perform well and get along with everyone, they can stay."
"That's nice.", Ripster said, "So what brings you here?"
"It's all in our schedule.", El Swordo answered, "But personally, it's where I sent most of my childhood."
"You grew up in Mexico?", Slammu asked.
El Swordo nodded.
"I lived under my grandparents cause my folks were always busy, but it was a roof over my head and bread on the table. I learned fencing at a circus act and you could say I made an impression."
Hew paused a moment to sigh.
"My youth."
Dr. Bolton looked amused.
" Well we're here on a class trip, but I'm keeping an eye out in case Paradigm-"
He was cut off as the sounds of screaming rang out not far away. The boys all turned to Dr. Bolton who gave a knowing look.
"Shark time.", he said before turning to El Swordo as he and his sons removed the clothes they wore above the waist, "Sorry you have to see this."
El Swordo observed as the Boltons all turned their watches a notch and shift into their shark forms and grew interested.
"Hey Doc, mind if I lend a hand?", he asked drawing his rapier.
Dr. Bolton smiled.
"The more the merrier."
They shark dived into the ground and were swimming through the hard earth( I have no idea how they did that) and come up to see a bunch of the snail/crab things along with the same kelp that had come into the school play thrashing the joint.
"Oh no not these things again.", Streex groaned.
El Swordo looked confused.
"Again?", he asked.
"We fought them after you left.", Dr. Bolton answered, "The snail/crab things are sensitive to salt and the kelp feeds on water so we need to de-oxidize it asap."
El Swordo looked thoughtful.
"There's a lot of salt in the storage area.", he mentioned, "And our new oxidizing machine can suck up oxygen like no tomorrow."
Dr. Bolton gave a nod.
"Ripster, you take El Swordo and Slammu and come back with what he mentioned. The rest of us will handle things here and help evacuate the area."
/
As the fighting went on, a snake slithered out of the darkness of the nearby alley. This wasn't a snake however. It was a cleverly disguised camera that was capturing the whole fight and sending the feed to Paradigm who observed as the seaviants helped set up the latest lab. The girls had not arrived yet, but Diva had gone out to fetch them to ensure they wouldn't wonder off or get ideas of their own.
"Clever ploy sharks.", he muttered, "But this will prove effective in my latest mutation and I'm sure it will cause quite a shock."
Slash and Slobster placed the final panel into place and the whole thing lit up. Kilamari walked up to Paradigm's side and looked sour.
"Why couldn't we join in and serve up some shark soup?"
"And give ourselves away?", Paradigm countered, "Don't be such a piece of plankton. I'm not trying to beat the sharks here. I'm just finding any weak points that we can use."
Repteel observed the kelp being drained until it no longer moved and thrashed about before turning to Paradigm.
"So why use these at all if we have-"
"Silence!", Paradigm snapped as his face grew it's familiar piranha features, "Don't question my methods!"
He took a couple breaths as his features returned to normal.
"Repteel, the new mutation needs time to grow and when it does, the sharks will have something far to great to take down and the gene washing will be that more effective once they're worn down."
Diva arrived in the room looking dreadfully ill. Paradigm tossed her a vial of greenish liquid and she gulped it like she was dying of thirst.
"Luckily for you I had some of the stabilization liquid on hand in case your form came in contact with our weapon.", Paradigm said plainly.
Diva gave his back a cold glare.
"My creations did well to inform us that El Swordo is in the area.", she said, "Why not gene was him and let him fight for our cause?"
Paradigm frowned.
"His will is too strong for us.", he said as he observed the monitor now showing the sharks in their human form and helping clean up the mess the fight had left, "The swordfish I originally mind controlled got the serum out when he and his friend merged. Still, the new mutation will settle nicely and even this band will be rendered helpless against it."
His face grew a fiendish smile.
"Enjoy your hallow victory sharks. We'll see who laughs last when what I have in store rises."
He clicked off the screen before he and his seaviants let out a cackle that echoed off the walls and into the night.