A/N: Hello again! My spontaneous mind has come up with a new chapter for you! It's short, but I hope you like it anyway.
Dr. Bravado sat at his desk and pressed his fingers against his tired eyes. He'd been going through thousands of applications for this internship program, trying to decide which annoying children he would be spending the summer with. If it was up to him, he wouldn't accept any of them; Dr. Bravado worked solo, thank you very much. Unfortunately, the only way for him to gain more funding was to show that he was encouraging 'the advancement of scientific education and research,' which apparently meant letting a bunch of nosy students poke around his lab for three months.
The researcher sighed and picked up the next manila envelope in the pile, sent from the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. It was thicker than the others. Inside were four more applications.
"A fifteen-year-old prodigy," Bravado muttered to himself as he scanned the first one. He scoffed. "Gimme a break." He tossed it aside and glanced at the next few. "Plasma laser technology, electromagnetic disks — chemical-metal embrittlement?" He made a face. "Geez, what do students do with all this crap?"
There was a fifth paper in the group of applications, and the scientist quickly realized it was a letter. He opened it with a skeptical laugh and began to read:
Dear Dr. Bravado,
Wow, it is a pleasure to meet you! (Well, I suppose I haven't met you yet, but you know, when I do, it'll be awesome!)
I, the official mascot and science enthusiast of SFIT, have bestowed upon you the team of students you need! You'll find their applications in this envelope. These four innovative minds are uniquely qualified to work with you this summer. They, along with myself, have been through several exciting adventures together, and with our combined brilliance, we will be able to help you find what it is you are looking for.
Sincerely,
Fred
P.S. Proof of identity is inside the box.
Dr. Bravado stared at the letter completely befuddled. What insane person would include such a bizarre letter along side these applications? This Fred person was not one of the applicants. There was not even a last name given. He was — what did he call himself? A science enthusiast? Dr. Bravado shook his head, and made to toss the letter aside with all the other applications. But for some reason he hesitated. His eyes lingered on that one line:
We will be able to help you find what it is you are looking for.
The researcher felt his chest tighten uncomfortably. Surely that couldn't mean anything, right? The writer probably meant, like, the next great innovation in science or whatever. No one knew what Dr. Bravado was really doing up here in Montreoslo. Or what he was looking for.
He glanced inside the manila envelope again, and found a small square box inside. When he opened it, there was a marble-sized metal ball swirling with green gas.
This is what Mr. Fred called 'proof of identity?'
Dr. Bravado picked up the ball and studied it carefully. It felt almost like glass in his hand. For a moment it grew warm. Then suddenly, the ball exploded like a firework. The researcher coughed as the gas steamed into his face. A distinct aroma filled his nostrils, and Dr. Bravado gasped. A vague memory of the past flooded his mind.
I love the smell of Zippleback gas in the morning!
The scientist froze. It couldn't be possible, could it?
He turned back to the box frantically, looking for any other clues as to who might have sent this unexpected gift. There was something else inside! Dr. Bravado reached in and pulled out —
An almond and a pecan.
What the heck?
The scientist was beyond confused. Was this some sort of sick prank? Maybe it was his mind playing tricks with him. No one knew, no one. He must be overly paranoid. And yet he had the weird sense that there was a deeper meaning here. Some sort of message. Surely it couldn't be...
Dr. Bravado took a deep breath to calm himself down. Then he slowly looked at everything he had just received:
Four applications from young SFIT students, one bizarre letter from a friend of theirs advocating for them, one metal ball filled with what smelled like Zippleback gas, and two nuts.
Zippleback gas and two nuts.
Everything clicked into place instantaneous, and his heart leaped in excitement. Dr. Bravado didn't stop to wonder if he had gone crazy. Instead he collected the four applications, placed the letter on top, and stuffed them into a file folder. With a large stamp, he imprinted the top of the folder with one word in red ink:
ACCEPTED.
"Well Hooky," the researcher murmured aloud. "Looks like we're getting some help after all."
A/N: Okay then! I guess this is happening! We'll head up to Montreoslo in the next chapter. If you have any ideas for what you'd like to see in later chapters, don't hesitate to let me know in the reviews :)