CHAPTER 1

Several years had passed.

It was morning in the big city of Ocean City. The sun was shining brightly, cars driving on the streets getting to where they needed to be, and people already out and about. All ready to start their day. Ocean City was a lively place to live.

Just miles from the big city, nestled the suburb community known as Barrier Reef. It was a nice little suburban town compared to Ocean City, not as much hustling and bustling like in the big city, but a nice little town and just as lively and active as any other place. Already everyone was ready to start their daily routine of the day. Whether it be their usual routine to start the day, like their morning exercise, to going to work or dropping their kids off at school.

However in one little home, someone as refusing to wake up and start the day.

There a figure of a man was nestled up in his bed enjoying more sleep, until his alarm clock went off. The buzzing of the alarm kept bugging the man, he groaned at the sound of the annoying device. He then poked his hand out from his large comforter and reached out to hit the snooze button, silencing the sound. He returned his hand back under the comforter cocoon he was wrapped up in, and continued to sleep. Soft snores escaped him as he continued to dream.

Until...

His door was swung open with a loud noise and following a young voice chanting "First day of school! First day of school!" there a young boy raced into the room.

The boy was just about seven years old, and very small for his age. He had a mess of reddish orange hair and bright orange eyes, a mixture of his father and mother. He was none other than Nemo Clowfisch.

Nemo kept chanting 'Time for school' as he rushed over to the bed. He climbed up and jumped on the bed, trying to get his sleepy father to get up. "Wake up! Wake up! C'mon first day of school!" Nemo chanted as he pulled the comforter off "I don't wanna go to school! Five more minutes..." Marlin mumbled, turning over trying hard to go back to sleep. Nemo chuckled "Not you Dad, me! C'mon get up! Get up!" he shook him to get up.

That did it, seeing no point of returning to sleep Marlin began to wake up slowly. Nemo still jumping on the bed full of excitement. "Time for school! Time for school!" "Alright, I'm up. Time for school" "Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy! Whoa-!" Nemo soon lost his footing and slipped off the bed. "Nemo!" Marlin shot out of bed and ran over to where his son fell.

Nemo was lying on his back, he didn't look hurt, he just looked up and smiled "First day of school!" he chanted his mantra. Marlin rushed over to Nemo, picking him up and placing on the ground. There Marlin began to check his son frantically "Alright, where's the break? Do you feel a break?" "No" Nemo replied nonchalantly.

However Marlin continued to check to see if there was anything wrong, Nemo just stood looking board, knowing how his dad was overreacting.

"Well sometimes you can't tell because of rushing fluids" Marlin inspected, turning Nemo to check "No any rushing fluids?"

"No"

"Are you woozy? Have a sudden fever?" Marlin placed both his hands to his head and his's son's to check temperature.

"No" Nemo replied, continued with his board expression

"How many fingers am I holding up?" Marlin then held up 3 fingers, Nemo tried to reassure nothing was wrong. "I'm fine-" "Answer the finger question!" Marlin interrupted. "You're holding up three!" Nemo answered "No! See something's wrong with you!" Marlin cried beginning to panic. He then turned to his hand "I'm have one...two...three...that's all I'm holding up?" Marlin looked and began to calm himself "Oh, you're okay" he said and slowly got back up. Nemo just gave a knowing smile, as if telling his dad there wasn't anything to worry about.

"How's the Lucky Hand?" Marlin asked, leaning forward to see "Lucky!" Nemo replied, showing his right hand and waved it. There Marlin got a good look at his son's hand.

Marlin recalled what Dr. Blu informed him of Nemo's medical issue, seeing that Nemo was born with a condition called Ectrodactyly. A somewhat rare condition during a child's birth, having been born with 3 fingers, that being the only fingers Nemo has was his middle, ring and pinky. Over time Nemo was also given a special glove with two titanium stainless steel prosthetic fingers of a thumb and index finger. Seeing the two prosthetic fingers did help Nemo, but it was a lot tougher than it looked to operate the two fingers. Remembering Dr. Blu said that having a hand with only 3 fingers would be challenging for a child, even with finger prosthetics, there are some things that would be hard and challenging for Nemo as he grows up.

However Marlin didn't want his son to think of his hand being a disability, yes there were some things Nemo couldn't do with it like his normal left hand. Yet he wanted his son to see hand was different and special, just like him. Thus calling it his Lucky Hand.

Marlin just smiled at his son, as Nemo showed his hand with the 3 regular fingers and 2 prosthetics trying to move and flex his fingers. "Let's see" Marlin then held up his hand, there Nemo tried giving him a high five. It was a little ritual they do so often.

"Now are you sure you want to go to school this year?" Marlin asked his son, having his hands on Nemo's shoulders. Nemo sighed at his father's question "Cause there's no problem if you don't. You can wait five or six more years, I can give Miss Swanson a call and have her come home school you again if you like-" "Come on Dad, get dressed! Let's get ready!" Nemo interrupted trying to get him moving. Seeing his son's impatience Marlin chuckled "Alright! Do you need any help getting dressed?" "No, I'm a big boy! I can do it!" Nemo than ran out and into his room.

Marlin just chuckled and began to get dress for the day. The clothes Marlin picked out was an orange polo t-shirt with a white collar and a white horizontal stripe and khaki pants, and black loafers. Once dressed Marlin looked into the mirror to see his reflection. Marlin sighed as he looked, turning to the side and stared at his temples. Seeing that his temples have already started to turn white.

It was very uncommon for his age to have his hair to start turning, being he was only thirty-five years old. But the doctor informed him that most men would have their hair start changing color around a certain age, that or he also mentioned it was due to stress. Whatever the reason, Marlin just looked at the white temples of the side of his face, tracing the side of his face. Marlin then turned to his dresser and placed his glasses on his face. Now there wasn't anything wrong with his eyesight, the doctor even telling him it was all in his head. However Marlin wasn't gonna take any type of chances to come, given the years have change him physically, emotionally and somewhat mentally.

It had been years since the Barracuda attack, and during which affected Marlin more than he showed. He had made his promise to never let anything happen to Nemo. That he would always be there to protect Nemo, and made sure no danger fell onto his son. As his Nemo began to grow, Marlin had to be visual with his son, making sure that nothing bad would happen to him whether be injury or catching an illness. During the passed years, Marlin had to make some changes in his life, for him and his son. Marlin even had to give up his dream of being a comedian. And there he took up a suitable job in Marine Biology, doing researching and teaching on marine life and ecosystems just as his father did. Seeing that this was what his father wanted, and that it was suitable pay and lifestyle for him and his son.

As much as Marlin missed performing on stage, he had to think of Nemo, his son came first after all. And today Marlin had to try not to show how much of a nervous wreck he was. Being that it would be the first day Nemo would go to a regular school.

While Marlin may be a Marine Biologist, he'd prefer to stay home and do his research and work, not wanting to be away from Nemo and to keep a watchful eye on him. For years his neighbor Miss Swanson, a kind and elderly lady, would always come and be Nemo's homeschool teacher. However Miss Swanson began to notice Nemo's behavior seeing as he would daydream from time to time, and seeing how big he was getting each day she sees him. That one day Miss Swanson gave a reasonable suggestion let Nemo go to a regular school. Hearing this Nemo was beyond excited to hear and liked the idea, while Marlin was unsure of this idea. But Miss Swanson kindly spoke that it would give Nemo an opportunity to make some new friends his age. Hearing that it would help his son make new friends, he reluctantly agreed to let Nemo attend a regular school.

And so it was that day today.

Once Marlin was dressed he turned to the picture frame on his dresser, a picture of Coral, he gave a sad smile "Oh Coral...if only you can see how much I miss you" he said to the picture. He stared at the photo and traced the frame.

He then went downstairs and into the kitchen to make sure breakfast was ready. He soon began to make Nemo's lunch ready, putting together a PBJ sandwich, some carrot sticks, an apple, juice box, and a cookie. Once he made Nemo's lunch, Marlin spotted his son's backpack and went to place the lunch in the bag. However Marlin then heard a squeak sound, looking confused he opened his son's bag, there Marlin noticed his son's stuffed clownfish toy.

Seeing this stuffed toy brought a smile appear on Marlin's face, this stuffed clownfish was a special toy to Nemo. Ever since in the hospital when Nemo was born, one of the nurses who brought him to Marlin gave him a stuffed clownfish as a gift to the baby. Upon seeing this toy, the baby was already attached to the toy. Since then as Marlin can remember, the stuffed clownfish had been Nemo's favorite toy, always playing with it, sleeping with it, always goes everywhere with it. In a way the stuffed clownfish was basically like a security blanket to Nemo. And seeing the stuffed clownfish in his son's bag, Marlin figured that underneath the excitement Nemo might be a little nervous today.

His son was doing a lot better of hiding his nervous emotion than he was.

Marlin then placed his son's lunch in the bag and zipped it back up. "Nemo are you sure you okay?" Marlin called out "I'm fine! See, all ready!" Nemo replied, running down the stairs. There Nemo was dressed in a orange shirt underneath his orange and white striped hoodie, wearing blue shorts and orange, black and white sneakers.

There the two ate their breakfast, Marlin taking his time while Nemo rushing a bit. Once the two finished, Marlin grabbed their dishes and washed them. "Okay Dad, let's go! It's time for school!" Nemo pulled on his dad's arm, wanting him to hurry "Ah-ah-ah! Forgot to brush" Marlin tutted, seeing what Nemo forgot to do. Hearing this Nemo groaned "You want to make new friends, right?" Marlin asked, loosely crossing his arms. Nemo thought for a moment "Yes!" "Brush" Nemo rolled his eyes and ran back up to brush his teeth.

After a good thirty seconds Nemo came running back down the stairs "Okay I'm done!" he answered as he grabbed his backpack and ready to leave. However Marlin pulled him back by his hoodie and kneeled down to his height "Wait! Missed a spot" "Where?" Nemo tried in vain to see "There!" Marlin playfully poked his son's face. Nemo laughed as Marlin joined as well. "And there! And here! And here and there too!" Marlin began to tickle his son's neck, under his arms and his sides, making Nemo laugh even more.

Their tickle fight lasted for a good few minutes, both father and son trying to catch their breath. Marlin then smiled down to Nemo, having a good look at him. No doubt even if Nemo had his hair color, he sure did inherited have his mother's eyes and heavenly laugh. No matter what they did together, whether if it was playing or their tickle fights, Marlin always loved to hear his son's laugh. Telling him his laugh was his favorite sound to hear. Marlin ruffled his son's hair, Nemo smiled up at his dad and began to follow him to the window.

Marlin pulled back the curtains having a good look outside, he had a nervous and anxious look on his face while Nemo had a look of readiness and excitement. Both had a good outside of their neighborhood home.

Ever since what happened that day, Marlin couldn't bare to live in that house he and Coral were about to call home. As it brought back too many sad memories. So Marlin began to look for a new home where he and Nemo could live. Somewhere that was safe. It was there he found this little house in the suburban Barrier Reef. It was not close to the city and not close to the forest area, but it was a peaceful little suburban community, not anywhere near crimes or dangers, but a safe and peaceful suburban environment. A perfect and safe place to live. Just how Marlin like it.

"Alright! We're excited," Marlin spoke, trying to hide his worriedness "First day of school, here we go! We're ready to learn to get some knowledge!" he gave a small fist pump to sell it. "Now, what's the one thing we have to remember about the outside world?" Marlin asked, making Nemo roll his eyes "It's not safe" he replied, remembering what he was taught since he can remember. "That's my boy!" Marlin ruffled his son's hair once more. Both turned back "First we check to see if it's clear, we take a peek...and slowly back away" Marlin and Nemo began to peek out and back away.

Marlin and Nemo then headed to the door "And then to the door, we take a peek, go out...and slowly back in!" both did the actions again to the door, heading out and back in their house. "And one more time. Take a peek, go out...and slowly back in" Marlin repeated again, however Nemo didn't. Nemo just stood outside the door and rolled his eyes "And sometimes, if you want to do it 4 times..." "Daaad..." Nemo groaned slightly annoyed, and walked away from the door. "Alright come on boy!" Marlin was ready, well ready as he'll ever be at least, he walked out the house, turned and locked the door. Already Nemo ahead of him, Marlin rushed over to his side.

Both walked on in their neighborhood heading to the school by foot. It would roughly take a good 10-15 minute walk to reach to the school. There Nemo was more excited and tried to run forward, only to have his dad stop him and have him remain by his side. With a 10-15 minute walk, was always a good time to ask certain questions, and boy Nemo had plenty.

"Dad, maybe while I'm at school I'll see a gangster!" Nemo exclaimed "I highly doubt that" Marlin replied, with a slight chuckle, seeing a couple jogging by pass them. "Have you ever met a gangster?" Nemo asked his father, turning slightly "No! And I don't plan to!" Marlin answered straight away. "Dad, you're a Marine Biologist right?" Nemo asked "Last time I checked" Marlin replied, as a man and his greyhound walked by, Marlin directed Nemo away from them.

There Nemo turned back to his dad, asking him a new question "How old do you think Sea Turtles are?" "Sea Turtles? Why I don't know?" Marlin replied back, seeing he had no answer for that. And so Nemo continued "Sandy Plankton, from next door. He said that sea turtles th-that they live...they live to be about 100 years old!" Nemo said, however he spoke too fast and stuttered a bit. "Is that so?" Marlin said with a slight chuckle, eyeing his son's excitement "Yeah! And Sandy also said that a Sea Romani knows how old a Sea Turtle is, and could tell stories about the whole ocean, sea life and other stuff" Nemo added, hearing this surprised Marlin a bit of the information his son heard and told him.

The Sea Romani were an ethnic group of people, Gypsies of the Sea they were often called. Always traveling where there are oceans and seas are from place to place. It was said that in the stories told by old, that the Sea Romani were once people of the sea and came from there, even to believed to be mermaids. And that when they pass away, they will join their sea brothers and sisters back in the ocean, their spirits even become seafoam. There was a certain trait to look at to tell if people ever had a chance to meet a Sea Romani, for that they will wear talisman and bare a tattoo of a certain marine or ocean animal. And that the certain ocean animal is said to be their own personal spirit guide.

Hearing this, Marlin was always fascinated of the Sea Romani when he was about Nemo's age. Always wanted to meet one even. To a Marine Biologist, hearing stories of the Sea Romani was either fact or fiction on their types of work in the field. Thinking they were just Fishtale stories. Whether they be true or not. They were the same people but different outlooks of the sea.

Marlin smiled and turned to his son, who just like himself was fascinated by these group of people. "Well, if I ever meet a Sea Romani, I will ask him about hold old Sea Turtles are," Marlin told his son "After I'm done talking to the gangster, okay!" he added.

They made it to the road, Nemo about to cross but Marlin held him back "Whoa! Wait to cross! Wait to cross!" he said, seeing a couple of cars driving by pass. There a crossing guard held up her 'Stop' sign and blew her whistle, stopping the cars. She turned back and waved for them to cross. Both walked across "Hold my hand! Hold my hand!" Marlin said, taking his son's good hand "Dad, you're not gonna freak out like you did at the petting zoo are you?" Nemo asked, eyeing his father "Hey that goat was about to charge!" Marlin retorted back.

Both walked on for a bit until they finally reached the elementary school. The two walked around the school yard for a bit, Marlin began to look around "I wonder where we're suppose to go?" he asked out loud to himself, wondering where would be the safest place.

Nemo looked around with a big smile on his face. He had never seen so many kids around, seeing them all meeting and playing together and their parents talking to one another. He continued to look around the schoolyard, turning to see a van parked as a couple of kids left the vehicle "Bye Mom!" they called out "I'll pick you up after school!" the mom called out to them and drove away. Nemo then turned to see two bratty kids playing 'keep away' to a nerdy kid's backpack "C'mon you guys, stop that! Give it back!" he cried, trying to get his bag back as the two kids laughed and continued.

Nemo had never seen so much fun and excitement from all the kids around, he too wanted to go and join them, but his dad kept a good firm grip on his hand and remained close to him. Marlin continued to look around "Come on, we'll try over there" he said, spotted some parents nearby, wondering if they would help them.

As the two walked close they looked at the trio of fathers, all laughing to one another. One man was tall and lean, had brown hair, he wore a brown t-shirt and dark brown colored jean pants. His boots and hat he wore made him look almost like somewhat of a cowboy in a way. The second man beside him had blonde spikey looking hair and was a bit skinny built, he wore a yellow shirt and jeans and runners. And the third man was somewhat of an overweight man, had thinly auburn colored hair, and wore a purple-pink shirt and beige shorts and sandals. The three fathers were laughing to one another until they turned their attention to the man with reddish orange hair walking over to them.

"Excuse me, is this where we meet his teacher?" Marlin asked them, getting their attention "Well, well, look who's out and about in the world, rejoining society at last" the cowboy man said, giving a crooked smile. Marlin returned and nodded "Yes I know, shocking right?" "Marty, right?" "Marlin. Marlin Clowfisch" he corrected. There the other fathers decided to introduced themselves.

"Bob" the lean man said.

"Ted" the overweight man said next.

"Phil" the blonde said last.

There Phil then got a good look at Marlin "Hey wait! You said Clowfisch? As in Marlin 'Clownfish' Clowfisch? The comedian!" he pointed to Marlin, in which he returned with a slight nod. Phil laughed slightly "You're funny right! Come on, tells us a joke!" "Yeah!" Bob and Ted turned, wanting to hear as well. Marlin looked a bit sheepish and turned for a few seconds "Actually, I retired from comedy. I haven't performed in a long time. I've been working more into my research as a Marine Biologist" Marlin explained to the fathers, however they still weren't budging to it. "C'mon Clowny!" Phil nudged him, trying to coax him "Yeah do something funny!" Ted said to him "Yeah!" Bob agreed and nodded.

Seeing this Marlin caved in "Well, I do know one joke from the old days" he smiled, the fathers smiled as well getting ready to laugh at a classic Clownfish joke. Marlin cleared his throat and began "There is this doctor, not a bad or serious doctor but a doctor more less. It doesn't have to be a doctor, he could have a name too, but in the joke he's just a doctor. And he's in his office dealing with a patient, cause well where else would a doctor be? I mean in a joke he can be anywhere, but he's usually in his office." Marlin tried telling his joke.

It had been years since Marlin performed and told a joke, and he was a whole lot rusty, and from the way he was telling/or rather explaining the joke, he wasn't doing so good.

During which as Marlin was telling/describing the joke to them, the smiles of Bob, Ted and Phil began to slowly drop as Marlin continued to butcher the joke, seeing as it wasn't getting any funny. Nemo stood beside his dad watching him rambling on the joke. Nemo knew his father was a funny man but seeing him like this, just seemed out of touch with himself, like he lost his confidence in a way. Nemo just looked up and gave an embarrassed smile to the trio of fathers.

However Marlin was still rambled on his joke that he didn't see the looks of the fathers "And a then a pony-wait sorry I mixed it up" he apologized for a second. He continued on and started over trying to tell the 'joke.' "There was a doctor and a pony in his office, cause now that you think about it why would a pony be in a-" "SHELDON!" Bob interrupted, getting his attention to something else.

"Get out of Mr. Johannsen's yard, now!" Bob called out, turning their attention over to 3 kids. There the 3 kids were over on the other side of the fence, laughing and playing on a lawn. When suddenly a cranky old man ran out of his house "Alright you kids!" he shook his cane at them. The 3 kids ran and hide under his porch, confusing Mr. Johannsen "Where'd you all go? Where'd you all go?" he tried looking for the little hooligans, as he can still hear them laughing.

Seeing the kids Nemo smiled while Marlin seemed nervous and concern "Dad, I can go play too? Can I?" Nemo whispered excitedly to his father. "I would feel better if you'd go play over by the sandbox" Marlin told him. Both turning to the sandbox. There the sandbox had 2 little toddlers playing in the sand, as their mothers stood by watching them as they chatted with eachother. Just then one of the toddlers fell over face first in the sand, and began to cry. The mother rushed over, bending down and cooed her baby.

Seeing this play out from afar, Nemo turned back to his father and gave him a 'Are-you-kidding-me?' kind of look "That's where I would play" Marlin replied simply with a smirk, giving him a small nod.

Just then the 3 laughing kids began to make their way back over. Seeing the kids making their way over, it excited Nemo to want to make new friends with these kids. But at the same time, made him feel a little shy and leaned into his father's side, trying to hide a tiny bit. Marlin smiled down at his son, and placed a reassure hand on his son's shoulder.

There the 3 kids gathered back over to their fathers. Nemo getting a good looked at each of them. Seeing that the kids were about his age. One of the kids as Bob referred as Sheldon was somewhat like his father as he was lean like him, he had the same colored hair as his father as well, he wore a long sleeved brown shirt, dark brown pants, brown runners, and on his face was a pair of glasses. The second boy as Phil introduced to as Tad, was a spitting image as his father, he had blonde spiky hair had a goofy smile, he wore a yellow shirt with purple stripes going down the sides, yellow shorts and runners. The third kid was a girl, which Ted introduced his daughter Pearl, she was a little chubby, her hair was tied in pigtails and she had interesting hair color being as it was pink rather than her father's auburn hair color, she wore a pink shirt and wore dark pink shorts under her pink skirt and matching pink flats.

The 3 kids looked at the new boy in front of them, until Pearl spotted his hand "What's wrong with his hand?" she asked, pointed to Nemo's right hand, seeing the 3 normal fingers and 2 titanium stainless steel ones. Tad and Sheldon noticed as well "He looks funny!" Tad laughed a little. Before Sheldon got to speak, he was smacked in the back of the head by his father "Ow! Hey I didn't say anything! What did I do? What did I do?" he rubbed his head "Be nice! It's his first time at school!" Bob told him, giving a stern look to his son and friends.

Nemo leaned into his dad a bit more, but Marlin turned to the kids, pulling Nemo out to meet them. "He was born with it kids. He has 3 fingers and 2 prosthetic fingers" Marlin explained "We call it his Lucky Hand" he added, telling the kids. "Dad...!" Nemo quietly hissed, as his cheeks turn red. Being slightly embarrassed by his father for telling the kids of his hand, afraid that they might laugh at him and pick on him because of it.

Pearl smiled and walked over "It's alright. We're all born differently" she told him, placing one hand on his shoulder. She then show him one of her fingers "See this finger? It's actually a little shorter than my other fingers" Nemo tried to look "But you can't really tell, especially if I twirl them like this" Pearl began to twirl and wiggle her fingers. Sheldon then walked over "I have some slight allergies and-achoo!" Sheldon then sneezed making him fall backwards. "I'm obnoxious!" Tad said, leaning close to Nemo as he was in his personal space.

Just then the kids perked up as they began to hear someone singing. The kids smiled as they turned to see a man with dark blue hair stepping out of the school. The man had thick framed glasses, wore a white shirt with a pocket, dark blue dress pants. The man also wore a dark blue and white polka dot bowtie and wore a white lab coat. To the kids, it was none other than their favorite and eccentric teacher, Mr. Ray. There Mr. Ray wandered over to the school yard still singing a little song of his about the sea.

"Oh, let's name the zones,

the zones,

the zones!

Let's name the zones of the open sea!"

"Mr. Ray!" the kids excitedly cheered and ran to join the other kids. "Come on Nemo!" Sheldon waved to him and joined the others. Nemo was about to join too "Whoa, you better stay with me" Marlin pulled him back to return to his side.

Sheldon, Tad, Pearl rushed over with the other students, waiting for Mr. Ray as they were excited and cheered for him. There Mr. Ray made his way over still singing his little diddy.

"There Epilagic,

Mesopolagic,

Bathyal,

Abyssalpelagic,

and all the rest are too deep for you and me to see!"

Once Mr. Ray joined his class, the kids decided to play a little game as they all stayed quiet and hide behind their teacher. Mr. Ray opened his eyes and gave a mocking smile "Huh? I wonder where my class has gone?" he playfully looked around for them, turning around as his class quickly turned behind him not letting him see them. "We're here! We're here!" they called out, showing themselves and gathered in front of Mr. Ray. "Why there you all are!" he exclaimed, he then pulled out his clipboard "Climb aboard for the bus, explorers!" He called out, as the bus came to a stop. There the kids began to hop on the bus as Mr. Ray checked off the list and continued to sing.

"Knowledge exploring is,

oh, so lyrical,

when you think thoughts that are empirical"

From afar, Nemo and Marlin watched the kids getting on the bus "What's going on there?" Marlin asked one of the teachers walking by "Mr. Ray's taking them on a fieldtrip today" the teacher, Mrs. Pike, told him. "Isn't it kinda early for him to take kids on fieldtrips?" Marlin asked, being concern as it was early in September to have a fieldtrip this early. Mrs. Pike smiled at the man "Not to worry it's normal, Mr. Ray likes to take his students on fieldtrips ever so often. Says it helps his students to grow and learn more first hand in seeing what they can learn." she exclaimed with a smile. Nemo smiled as he heard this "Can I come too?" he asked Mrs. Pike.

Mrs. Pike was surprised by this. Hearing what his son asked, Marlin's worry began to rise and was freaking out on the inside, disguising it real good in front of the group. "Well, if it's okay with your father and Mr. Ray of course" Mrs. Pike smiled down to the boy. "Can I go Dad?" Nemo turned to his father.

Marlin looked down to his son, sill showing his concerns and nervousness "I don't know? I mean it's his first day of school, don't you think it's a bit much for him to suddenly go on a fieldtrip?" Marlin said to the teacher, showing his concerns. "Oh come on Marty, it'll be fun for the kid. Better than staying while all the other kids get to have fun" Bob told the man "Plus gives him a chance to make more new friends and learn while there" he added. Marlin still had to think for a second, knowing what Bob said was true, but still there were possible 'what ifs' to think about.

"Please Dad, please!" Nemo begged, looking up at his father. He gripped his dad's shirt, looking up giving him a pleading look. Marlin looked at his son's orange eyes, begging to wanting to go. Looking into his son's eyes, he Marlin couldn't help but smile. "Alright, you can go" Marlin said with a defeated sigh. "Thank you! Thank you!" Nemo hugged his dad's waist.

So Marlin and Nemo followed Mrs. Pike to the bus, watching as Mr. Ray finished his head count. "Dad, you can go" Nemo whispered to his father, letting go of his hand. Nemo walked over to Mrs. Pike and Mr. Ray "Well hello! Who's this?" Mr. Ray smiled, noticing the young boy in front of him "I'm Nemo. Nemo Clowfisch" Nemo introduced himself, still feeling a bit shy. "I know you're running on schedule, but Nemo here is new to school. And he's interesting in coming on your fieldtrip with you and your class" Mrs. Pike explained to Mr. Ray, as he nodded to every word. "I-is it alright if I can come?" Nemo looked up, stuttering a big, feeling nervous and shy.

Mr. Ray just smiled brightly at the young boy "Well, there's always room for one more explorer!" Mr. Ray said, making Nemo smile.

"I'll let you come Nemo. Just so you know, all new explorers of mine must answer a science question" Mr. Ray told him "Okay..." Nemo replied, feeling nervous about the question will be. Mr. Ray looked at the boy and asked "What kind of home do clownfish live in?" hearing this question about his favorite fish, Nemo beamed. "In an anemo-none. A nemenem-menome-nememen-nenemone!" Nemo answered, trying to say the word 'anemone' but was having trouble with the word and tongue tied. Mrs. Pike couldn't help but giggle at how cute the boy was right now. Mr. Ray looking a bit dryly "Okay, don't hurt yourself kid" he told him.

"Welcome aboard explorer!" Mr. Ray proclaimed, Nemo smiled and climbed on the bus. Once Nemo was on the bus, he looked around seeing the kids playing with their seat buddies, or chatting with them. Nemo began to feel a bit nervous as he slowly made his way, trying to find somewhere to sit. During which a couple of kids eyed him, making Nemo more nervous and shy. Feeling like this, Nemo gripped his backpack tightly, knowing his stuffed clownfish was inside his bag. "Nemo! Sit with us!" Nemo looked up to see Pearl, she waved over, patting an empty spot beside her. Nemo smiled and walked over and sat with her. He turned to see Sheldon and Tad sitting behind them.

Mr. Ray began to climb up on the bus "Alright, everyone present and accounted for!" Mr. Ray called out as the children cheered. Before they can start the bus, Marlin walked on and over to Mr. Ray "Just so you know, he has a bad hand. I find if he has trouble, give him a break 10 or 15 minutes" Marlin said. "Dad, it's time for you to go now!" Nemo called out to him and hid back in his seat. Mr. Ray smiled at the concerning father "Don't worry, we're gonna stay together as a group" he told him. This did ease Marlin's concerns just a tiny bit.

Once Marlin was off the bus, the doors slammed shut and the engine began to motor. Soon the bus began to make a turn, getting ready to go to their location. "Okay class, oculus uterques up front, be seated. And remember we keep our digiti manus to ourselves!" Mr. Ray told the class from his seat "That means you Jimmy!" he added "Aw man!" Jimmy cried out.

Marlin watched as the bus began to drive away, he could hear the kids chattering and Mr. Ray's singing. He then spotted a familiar reddish orange of his son's hair "Bye Nemo!" he called out. Nemo stuck his head and hand out "Bye Dad!" he waved to him. "Bye Son!" Marlin waved back, as he watched the bus driving further away and turning the corner. "Be safe..." he whispered, hoping Nemo will be alright on his own.

"Hey, you doing pretty well for a first timer! Even allowing your kid to attend a fieldtrip on his first day" Bob spoke, being impressed with Marlin. As so he, Phil and Ted walked over to Marlin and stood by him. "Well, what are you gonna do?" Marlin asked, still keeping his eyes out where the bus turned "You can't hold onto them forever, can you?" he added, still trying to reassure to himself everything was alright and there wasn't anything to worry about. "Yeah, I had a tough time when my oldest went out at the Dropoff Aviation Museum on his first fieldtrip" Ted told the fathers, recalling what happened to him before.

"They just gotta grow up...the Dropoff Aviation Museum?!" Marlin exclaimed shockingly and turned back to the 3 fathers "They're going to the Dropoff Aviation Museum?!" yelled, still shocked by this news, beginning to have a somewhat panic attack. The 3 fathers just eyed him and nodded slowly in reply. Marlin's shock was soon replaced with frustration. Thinking what kind of class would take a fieldtrip to that place? He even was a fool to allow Nemo go with them.

"What are you all, insane?!" Marlin shouted in frustration, turning back to where the bus turned "That's almost close to the city! That place is too big and dangerous for little kids! They could get lost, or worst!" he exclaimed. Marlin didn't know what he was doing, but he was soon beginning to follow after them "Why don't we just have our kids wear numbers like cattle! And stick a sign on the bus that says 'Free kids for taking!'" he yelled as he ran as fast as he could. "Hey Marty, calm down" Bob shouted trying to calm the man down. "Don't tell me to be calm, Cowboy!" Marlin shouted back, already blocks away from the fathers.

Bob stood there looking a bit baffled "Cowboy?" he repeated, raising his brow in confusion. "No wonder he retired of being a comedian, he's not that funny anymore" Phil stated, before the 3 fathers looked to where Marlin ran off. "Pity" was all Ted could say.

However Marlin was already further blocks away, having not heard what they had said. He didn't care, what he cared about right now was getting Nemo and bringing him back home. He managed to spot a suburban taxi, and asked to get to the Dropoff Aviation Museum as quick as possible. Marlin tried to calm himself, hoping nothing bad has happened to Nemo at the moment.

For all Marlin knew was he just had to bring his son home before something worst was about to happen. What little did he know, that something worst was about to happen...

To Be Continued...