Bubbletucky University Chronicle 1: Blast From The Past
Based on Bubble Guppies by Jonny Belt, and Robert Scull and the story Bubble Guppies High School Life by PPTTBG22. Original story by Multiversal Productions. All copyrights belong to their respective owners.
Background
This is a part of my Mainline Head cannon. Which follows the story of the Hybridion siblings, in particular Milo and Jude 'Goldy'. Hybrids are the protectors of the greater multiverse that connects many different animated series' universes together. Long ago there were thousands of Hybrids guarding the many universes, possibly even millions. But an unknown force soon wiped out the entire species, barring the four royal children. Cupid, the eldest child. Milo and Jude, the middle twins. And Diego, the youngest. But after flying through space for a few months all the siblings were separated and spread across the multiverse.
Our main focus is on Goldy and Milo, travelling from universe to universe trying to find their siblings. By this point in the timeline they were approaching their 20s and have been on the search for many years. But at the advice of some friends, they decided to put a pause on their search in order to gain back some nearly lost years of education. But little did they know, the universe they were heading to was one from their golden years. A place that brings both happy and sad memories. That place is… Bubbletucky.
Onto The Main Event!
A portal opened in front of an underwater university. The evening sun was showing its last bit of light as the moon slowly peaked up on the horizon. The water was calm, there was not too much in terms of traffic, the currents were undisturbed. In a swirl of bubbles and traces of yellow and black, two creatures come through the portal, and instantly are thrown off by the water physics they weren't used to. Both were identical in face, height, and brown eyes.
They were unusual creatures, one stood up right like a human, whilst the other swam around like a St Bernard using all of his legs to keep them afloat. Both creatures had the back legs of horses, hooves and all, and a long brown spider monkey-like tail protruded their backs where their tailbones would be, swaying around like cats in the ocean's viscosity. Their hands resemble orangutans', very chubby yet flexible, and whilst they didn't appear to have fur their skin was a light pinkish hue, almost Caucasian like but with a hint of different non-human colours, with the male having a hint of yellow almost like a light tan, and the female sharing the same hue only a bit more pronounced than her twin. Human-like faces, different coloured hair with the male in brown and the female in golden, and other parts all added to the siblings' apparent clash of outfit styles.
The male wore a black tie, white buttoned up shirt underneath a black blazer with a chain of gold hung on the outside of the top pocket, black velvet trousers on the legs with shiny black slip-on shoes posing as fancy laced shoes. And a top hat on his head of brown hair with the hat having a single strand of yellow velvet wrapped around the hat's shape. Around his neck are a pair of yellow headphones customised with a small decal of a 9f class steam locomotive on one side and a Tyne paddle steam tugboat on the other. He looks around at his new surroundings with curiosity and enthusiasm.
The other, the female, wore a more casual get up, with a shirt sporting both a light and dark shade of orange and purple on the top and bottom of the shirt with a single strand of white going across the middle all underneath a cyan zipper jumper. Many would recognize the shirt as a representation of the lesbian flag. A pair of jeans stretched across her legs with rips and tears in the area the jeans were supposed to cover the knees. Cyan socks and grey running shoes on her feet, and her golden blond hair all tied up in a French braid tied together with a cyan bow. She looks around like her brother full of curiosity but also a strange sense of Deja Vu.
These two were named Milo and Jude. Or Goldy as her friends like to call her for her golden locks. On both of their backs were school bags sporting the logo of the school they were going to be attending. Bubbletucky University. Now both of them have been here before. Long ago back when they were in primary school, they went to a school in Bubbletucky, they made many new friends and with the music badges on their uniforms suggesting they also made a lot of music together, but that was all in the past, whilst their love of music, games, and friendship never died, they never did return to the place so core to them in many years.
The two marvelled in their surroundings looking as coral lamp posts light up as three small orange groupers swim by their faces. A crab scuttled by carrying a suitcase in his claw as he did his best to hurry back home before the night fully set in. They were very shocked by all of this new activity.
Milo: Talk about new discoveries, huh Jude?
Goldy: Yeah. But the funny thing is it all feels familiar, like this doesn't seem new to me. Don't you feel like that?
Milo: I guess, but I don't remember seeing a place like this before. At least, I don't think I remember. What was the name of this place again?
Goldy: (takes her bag off her shoulders to look at the logo and gasps upon seeing it) Milo, look!
Milo was confused by his sister's request, but upon taking his bag off and seeing the logo, his heart shot up into his throat. The logo read 'Bubbletucky University' and he started having flashbacks to his early childhood, the friends, the adventures, the music, it all came back to him.
Milo: No Way!
Goldy: Dude! We finally made it back!
Milo: Oh, my word! After all these years, we finally get to see them again! Well, what are we waiting for!? Let's go!
Goldy: Woah, easy there broski. We still have to get our living arrangements in order first. Where did you say the place was?
Milo: We should be right in front of it.
The twins looked in front of them and sure enough there was. A big building standing strong and proud against the star lit sky.
Milo: And I was right. Now, when did they say we can put our stuff in our dorms?
Goldy: (reaches into her jeans pocket and retrieves their acceptance letter) It says… (but upon reading the letter she finds a detail they completely overlooked) We can start in our dorms on the 17th.
Milo: What!? But that's tomorrow! You said we would start today!?
Goldy: I guess I must have read wrong because of my excitement. (Facepalms) Great. Now we have nowhere to go.
Milo: What do we do now?
Goldy: I don't know Milo. I really don't…
Voice: Are my eyes deceiving me?
The twins turn to their left, there they see an orange elderly grouper, his face was surprised yet calm. He examined the twins carefully as they did with him. Then the twins realised who the mystery fish was.
Twins: Mr. Grouper?
Mr. Grouper: Milo? Goldy? Is that really you?
The twins are shocked, Mr. Grouper was their old primary school teacher when they were younger. They remembered his kind, gentle, bouncy, and wisely fun nature, often joining in with other students' games during recess. As soon as they realised that now, many years later, they are once again talking with their old teacher. There was no doubt about it, there was excitement from both parties.
Milo: (Cackles with excited laughter)
Goldy: Oh, my goodness! It's so good to see you again, Mr. Grouper! How are you!?
Mr. Grouper: I'm fantastic! I just can't believe it! Where have you both been this whole time!?
Milo: Travelling the Multiverse trying to find our siblings. An incident happened back at home. Them and us are all that's left of the Hybrids. Our parents aren't with us anymore.
Mr. Grouper: Is that so? Oh, I'm so sorry you two.
Goldy: It's ok Mr. Grouper. We've learnt to deal with it.
Mr. Grouper: Are you both gonna be going to university here?
Milo: Yes, but as it turned out. We arrived a day early. Now we have nowhere to go.
Mr. Grouper: I see, well why don't you stay with me tonight?
Goldy: Are you serious?
Mr. Grouper: Yes, I am. Anything to help out my old students. Come along, I will show you the way.
Goldy: Oh, Thank you Mr. Grouper. You are a lifesaver.
Mr. Grouper: Not a problem.
Without any more haste the trio started to swim back to Mr. Grouper's place, Milo caught him up on all the adventures he and Goldy had during their travels. Soon they were all talking like old friends. But of course, Milo eventually plucked up the courage to ask Mr. Grouper a very important question.
Milo: Um, Mr. Grouper?
Mr. Grouper: Yes Milo?
Milo: How have the others been? Molly, Gill, Zooli, Goby, all of them. How are they doing?
Mr. Grouper: Ah, I was wondering when you were going to bring that question up. You see Milo, Gill. He actually moved away to the Big City during grade 5. His father got a new better paying job in the city and they moved away a few days before Halloween. Didn't help that apparently he and Molly left on bad terms.
Goldy: Is that so? Oh. Wow. That's a bit of a shame. I was really hoping to see him again.
Milo: Same. But is he at least doing alright?
Mr. Grouper opens the door to his house, as the twins leave their bags on a nearby table. The old orange fish swam to a cd rack, and pulled out a CD and popped into a CD player on his fireplace. (Yep, you heard that right. Fireplace. Just act like this is SpongeBob and don't worry about it) he smiles as he sits at a nearby chair.
Mr. Grouper: Oh yes, he is doing very well for himself. He started to take his singing to the next level and began making albums with the help of his grandmother. Now he's a very talented musician. Have a listen.
The twins turn to the cd player and listen to the song being played.
CD: (Oh-ooh-whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-ooh-whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-ooh-whoa-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh)
Gill: You know you love me (Yo), I know you care (uh-huh)
Just shout whenever (Yo), and I'll be there (uh-huh)
You are my love (Yo), you are my heart (uh-huh)
And we will never, ever, ever be apart (Yo, uh-huh)
Are we an item? (Yo) girl, quit playin' (uh-huh)
"We're just friends" (Yo), what are you sayin'? (Uh-huh)
Said, "There's another" (Yo), and looked right in my eyes (uh-huh)
My first love broke my heart for the first time, and I was like (Yo, uh-huh)
"Baby, baby, baby, oh" (As the chorus kicks in, the twins start vibing with the music, bopping their heads and showing great enjoyment in what their old friend managed to make.)
Like, "Baby, baby, baby, no"
Like, "Baby, baby, baby, oh"
I thought you'd always be mine, mine
"Baby, baby, baby, oh" (Milo: Bro This Be Popping Hard!)
Like, "Baby, baby, baby, no" (Goldy: You saying Gill made this? Hot dog! Did Bro Cook!?)
Like, "Baby, baby, baby, oh"
I thought you'd always be mine, mine
Oh, for you, I would've done whatever (uh-huh)
And I just can't believe we ain't together (Yo, uh-huh)
And I wanna play it cool (Yo), but I'm losin' you (uh-huh)
I'll buy you anything (Yo), I'll buy you any ring (uh-huh)
And I'm in pieces (Yo), baby, fix me (uh-huh)
And just shake me 'til you wake me from this bad dream (Yo, uh-huh)
I'm goin' down (oh), down, down, down (uh-huh)
And I just can't believe, my first love won't be around, and I'm like
"Baby, baby, baby, oh" (Milo: Yeah!)
Like, "Baby, baby, baby, no" (Mr. Grouper: Yeah, but he isn't the only one on this song.)
Like, "Baby, baby, baby, oh" (Goldy: Sorry, what?)
I thought you'd always be mine, mine
"Baby, baby, baby, oh" (Mr. Grouper: Just keeping listening.)
Like, "Baby, baby, baby, no" (Goldy: Ok.)
Like, "Baby, baby, baby, oh" (The hybrid was very confused, wondering what the old fish had up his scales. Until…)
I thought you'd always be mine, mine (Grouper!)
Mr. Grouper: (On the CD) When I was 13, I had my first love
There was nobody that compared to my baby
And nobody came between us, nor could ever come above
She had me goin' crazy
Oh, I was starstruck (Both Hybrids' mouths dropped down upon hearing Mr. Grouper's voice rapping along to the song.)
She woke me up daily
Don't need no Starbucks (woo)
She made my heart pound
And skip a beat when I see her in the street and
At school on the playground
But I really wanna see her on the weekend
She knows she got me dazin'
'Cause she was so amazin'
And now, my heart is breakin'
But I just keep on sayin'
"Baby, baby, baby, oh" (The Hybrids continued to dance to the music practically moving their feet perfectly in sync with the song, Milo managed to even get Mr. Grouper to get off of his chair and join in on the fun.)
Gill: Like, "Baby, baby, baby, no"
Like, "Baby, baby, baby, oh"
I thought you'd always be mine, mine
"Baby, baby, baby, oh"
Like, "Baby, baby, baby, no"
Like, "Baby, baby, baby, oh"
I thought you'd always be mine, mine
I'm gone (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Now, I'm all gone (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Now, I'm all gone (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Now, I'm all gone (gone, gone, gone)
I'm gone
(As the song comes to an end, Mr. Grouper ejects the CD from its player, popping it back in its case before stacking it back on the CD rack. As the two hybrids sat down on a nearby couch, panting from their extensive amount of dancing.)
Milo: That was epic.
Goldy: Yes, indeed. I'm glad Gill's doing well for himself.
Mr. Grouper: I agree, and the rest of the crew should be joining you tomorrow, leaving many an opportunity to reunite.
Goldy: Speaking of which, it's best that we turn in early so we're ready.
Milo: Right.
Mr. Grouper: There is a shed that can act as a guest room in the backyard.
Milo: Best we get to it. Thanks again Mr. Grouper. You really didn't have to do that.
Mr. Grouper: Well, hey. Considering we all haven't seen the both of you for a long time, I felt it was right to help you out when the opportunity arose.
Goldy: Yeah, thanks again.
Mr. Grouper: It was my pleasure.
Goldy: Welp, time to hit the hay bro. Night Mr. Grouper.
Mr. Grouper: Goodnight you two, good luck on your first day.
Milo: Thanks. (Under his breath) We'll need it.
And the two hybrids made their way outside, mentally preparing themselves for the surely hectic day to follow tomorrow.
A Grand Re-Entrance!
The next morning soon came, after thanking Mr. Grouper… Again, the two picked up some nuts for breakfast from the old Grocery Store. Afterwards they made their way (Back) to the Uni, and this time, there were guppies all over the place. Some crustaceans made their way inside the building ready to start work, some guppies chilled by a flourishing fountain (You read that right) either just talking in person or tapping on their phones. Some guppies were walking in and out of the school chatting about their daily events.
Milo: Now this is more like it.
The twins made their way to the dorm rooms, and a teacher welcomed them warmly before she told them about the rules and what to expect from their time there. After leaving their stuff in their respective rooms, Milo met up with Goldy at a bench very close to the school entrance.
Milo: Well, how are you feeling?
Goldy: Fine, fine. Just a bit nervous.
Milo: We faced danger head on numerous times, and this is what starts to scare you? School algorithms?
Goldy: Hey man, we haven't been to Uni before. Everything here is so different. Out of the four of us, I don't think even Cupid has gotten this far. We're jumping headfirst into something completely different and unfamiliar. How come you are so calm about this!?
Milo: Because I know that no matter what happens in this new environment, you and I will always stay together. That'll never change. We are siblings, through and through. And guess what. I learned that from you.
Goldy looks to her twin, showing a face of confidence and certainty that she hadn't seen from him before. Throughout their adventures, she was always sort of leading the charge, making sure that Milo is taken care of every step of the way. And now many years later, it is the person she had been helping since the very beginning. Who was helping her. She wouldn't lie and said that a strong sense of pride bubbled inside of her as her eyes teared up.
Milo: Um, um, um, um, um, um, um, I didn't mean to make you cry sis, I'm so sorry!
Goldy: Hey, it's ok. It's liquid pride. I'm just very proud of how far you've managed to come.
Milo: Ah! Right. (Ding) Hey, why don't we play a song together, if this school is gonna have Hybrids, then we best make sure to tell them what they are in for. Ay? (Grabs a cane seemingly from behind the bush next to them)
Goldy: (Chuckles) Yes, indeed they should.
And the two duck behind the bush to discuss their performance. On the other side of the yard, a guppy is 'pacing' back and forth. The girl had flowing pink hair, light brown skin, and a blue top stretching across the top of her chest separated by her tail in the same shade of blue. Near her, a pile of books and a large duffle bag sat on the ground as she swam past causing a current to open the top book to a blank page, the girl swam by again causing another current to close the open book.
Voice: Hello Molly.
The girl turns to see a boy guppy, with orange hair, white skin, and light green tail. Wearing blue goggles on his eyes, barring a neutral expression on his face, and carrying even more books than the girl's little pile came swimming up to her. She smiles upon seeing him.
Molly: Hi Nonny. You look very ready. What is with all those books?
Nonny: Just for my studies, and notes, and more notes, and you get the idea.
Molly: (Chuckles) I should have guessed. Man. I'm so ready for this. We are so gonna ace College.
Nonny: You mean University? Right?
Molly: Ok, now you are sounding like how Milo used to talk.
Nonny: Perhaps. (Chuckles)
Voice: Hey Molls!
The two turn to see four more guppies swimming up to them. Three girls and a boy, all seemingly different from each other. The boy sported a black but short and fuzzy hair on his head, dark skin and dark blue tail.
One girl was of skin similar to Nonny but her face showed she descended from people originally far away. Having purple hair matching her top and tail having a little starfish clip in it. Another had blond hair like Goldy but in a triangle Afro sort of style as fuzzy as the boy's hair, an orange top and equally orange tail.
The last had brown skin like Goby. She had purple hair like the first girl but in a unique large bun almost like the second girl's hair being fuzzy like her's and the boy's, with a pink tail going up to her chest. They smile and giggle when approaching the duo.
Nonny: (Jokingly rolls his eyes whilst smirking) Nice to see you all again.
Boy: Aw! Come on Nonny. You know you missed us.
Nonny: Glad to know you still can read me like a book Goby.
Goby: Well, how else are you emote bro? Seriously, it's been years and yet you keep that neutral frown.
Purple Girl: Yeah, you can be the happiest mother blubber! And you still have the face that says something is wrong.
Blond Girl: You ok bud? (Doing a bad impression of Nonny's bland speech) "Yeah, I'm Great! What the Sea Buck?"
(The group laughs as Nonny chuckles and adjusts his goggles.)
Nonny: Why does the bad impersonation sound worse Deema? I thought you were an (speaks imitating a classical actor) professional actor?
Purple Girl: Oh, lighten up. We know you love us.
Nonny: I'm sure I don't know what you are talking about Oona.
Molly: Ok everyone, best lay off him.
Goby: Fine. (Jabs Nonny in the shoulder)
Molly: So, Zooli. How's Casper?
Zooli: Oh, he's going fine, took me out on a special Italian themed date, even said a love poem in Italian! (Squeaks for joy) He's the best.
Deema: (Looks confused) He can't speak English, but he can speak Italian?
Oona: Don't question it, Deema. We'll never get a satisfying answer.
Molly: So is everybody ready… (Gets knocked over by a random guppy brushing past her) Ow!
Goby: Hey! What gives man! Why'd you run like that!?
Random Guppy: Oh, sorry about that, everyone is apparently gathering over, I wanted to find out why. Gotta go, see ya. (Swims away without another word)
Zooli: What was that about?
Oona: Beats me. (Sees Nonny swimming in the same direction as the random guppy) And just where do you think you're going?
Nonny: School isn't gonna start for 7 minutes, I wanted to know what he was on about.
Deema: Admittedly, I want to know what he was talking about too.
Molly: (Goby helps her up) Well, let's go and see what he's on about.
The group nodded in agreement as they made their way to where the young guppy said he was going. And sure enough, he was right, many guppies were gathered around… something. After kindly pushing through the crowd, they saw they were all gathered around… A bench. A bench with an old radio on top, as they started to question the radio's sudden appearance, suddenly it began to play some static before an instrumental track started to play. As shadow puppets on sticks started to appear on the school walls telling the story of a sad little bunny sitting by what would be presumed was a pond with the bunny's reflection shadow until a lively fox came up from behind them.
Fox: Hey pal, hey friend, hey buddy
Why so sad, so downright unhappy?
That's not my cup of tea! (Takes a sip from the pond before diving headfirst into it and swimming in circles before the bunny)
You know that this could be
Your last day here on Earth, so buddy please
Won't you smile just for me? (Jumps out of the water and pats the bunny on its head before walking away with the bunny following close behind)
My dear, my dear, no, you don't have to cry
That ain't a pretty legacy to leave behind
Stop and smell the roses while you've got the time
Pretty soon you'll be pushing up daisies where the sun don't shine
Pretty soon you'll be pushing up daisies where the sun don't shine
The crowd was amazed, the mini shadow puppet show was kind of cute and the music was very pleasant to hear. A few people were quickly flipping their tails and bobbing their heads to the beat. As for Molly and her friends…
Deema: Anybody feel a sense of Deja vu?
(The group nod in agreement)
(Meanwhile the fox had led the bunny to a wide open flower field, with badgers, groundhogs, Squirrels, other rabbits, all sorts of creatures. And they came across a big dark cave. With his new friend they explore the cave full of all sorts of gemstones)
Fox: You know I just gotta say
That you might not have a lot of time to waste
So lose that long face (The two friends swim in the pile of rubies, emeralds, gold and Iron nuggets.)
None of us are here to stay
So, treat every day like it's a holiday
Until the day you slip away! (A portal opened underneath them, sucking the two animals into a vortex transitioning the two hybrids rolling out of the bush, standing up facing the wall dusting themselves up.)
Milo: My dear, my dear, no, you don't have to cry
That ain't a pretty legacy to leave behind
Stop and smell the roses while you've got the time
Pretty soon you'll be pushing up daisies where the sun don't shine
And the two hybrids turn to face the crowd dancing like they haven't got a care in the world. The other students were amazed at such talented and unique creatures. Meanwhile Molly and the gang were at a loss for words. After many years of thinking Milo and Goldy, two of their oldest and best friends, were dead. They had suddenly reappeared and were still making music together as if nothing had happened over the last decades. Some fica to say, their jaws hung wide open.
Milo: Pretty soon you'll be pushing up daisies where the sun don't shine!
When the last note concluded the crowd immediately bursted into a flurry of cheers and applause. The twins took a bow, thanking anyone close for watching their performance, until all that was left that the twins could see was a very familiar group of guppies.
Goldy: (Whispers to Milo) I gotta hand it to Mr. Grouper, what he said the previous night about Gill is starting to get to me. Look at them. It just feels wrong not having him here.
Milo: (Whispers back to Jude) Maybe, but let's not have that detract from the reunion of our lifetime. C'mon. (Grabs her by the arm and pulls her to the group stopping a few feet away) I hope you all enjoyed that, shadow puppets are not easy to manipulate. Trying to keep your hand underneath the light so as to not have it get it caught in the shadow.
Goldy: It wouldn't have been so hard if you actually took my advice a bit earlier on in the rehearsal, you wouldn't have struggled so much.
Milo: You know how I am, I see something new, I have to fiddle with it. Besides, it was your idea to do shadow cut-outs.
Goldy: Oh-hoh-hoh, So it's my fault?
Milo: Give Over! You know that's not what I meant!
(The two argued as the guppies looked over at the scene before them.)
Zooli: You think it's really them?
Nonny: There's no question. It's definitely them.
Goby: I could have sworn they had died.
Deema: There goes that false memory, Thank God!
(Oona hovered up and down trying her best to contain her excitement. Until she just couldn't hold it back anymore. She swam straight at Goldy.)
Goldy: And another thing… Wait! Oona! Oona Wait! (Oona tackles Goldy to the ground, hugging her tight.) Hi.
Oona: (Giggles in excitement) It's You! It's You! It's Really You! (Squeezes Goldy tightly)
(Goldy looks at Oona and couldn't help but smile and return the hug, as Goby and Milo start to laugh like crazy.)
Zooli: Bro! You Both Are Insane!
Goldy: What else is new? Still, fantastic to see you all.
Nonny: You could have sent us a letter.
Goldy: Don't blame me, blame him.
Milo: Hey! That's how I like to surprise folks, you should know this by now. But like she asked, what's happened with you all? (Goldy in the background: That's not what I meant when I asked that!) Shush.
Zooli: Well, I have a boyfriend.
Goldy: Is that so? Well, what's the fella's name?
Zooli: Casper, he came from the waters of Seoul. And is a girl's perfect dream. (Sighs lovingly)
Milo: Seoul, huh? That's in… Thailand?
Nonny: Seoul is the capital city of South Korea.
Milo: Ah. I didn't know. Sorry Zooli.
Zooli: Don't worry about its bro.
Deema: My… mother abandoned me.
Milo: Oh! Oh No! Oh, you poor child. I'm so sorry.
Deema: It's fine. I've learned to deal with it.
Goby: With a little from us of course.
Deema: Yeah, I know.
Milo: Good on you. (Looks over at the end, at Nonny)
Nonny: Oh, my bad. (Nonny moves out of the way so Milo and can make eye contact with someone else)
Milo looked on at Molly as she did with him, if there was one memory that Milo could remember the best, was that between him, Gill and Molly, the three of them had the strongest bond. The both of them could remember the amount of times they worked together in stories they would act out in the outside area, the beach party, the 'Fin-tastic Fairy Tale', the costume boxing dress up match, Buddy the dolphin, their magic show, and many, many more. Whenever Molly needed any help, Gill and Milo would admittedly step up to the plate, it was clear the two of them had very good chemistry.
And now there they were, seeing each other for the first time in years. Molly covered her mouth in surprise from the very start, obscuring her mouth, but Milo could tell from her eyes she was both surprised and overjoyed. He's had a lot of experience reading emotions despite some difficulties over the years. He could just tell that she was just trying to process everything all at once.
Milo: Heh, Hey Molly. What's up?
Molly could barely utter a word, Milo understood. It had been a long time, and from what Goby said before, she had thought for a long time that he was dead. Of course, she would be at a loss for words.
Milo: You uh… look… great…
Molly: You too… Where… have you been…?
Milo: With Jude trying to find our siblings after we were separated long after we lost the rest of our species. And parents.
Molly: So sorry to hear. Why… aren't you standing like Goldy?
Milo: Only the female hybrids develop a straight back allowing them to walk on two legs. I'm practically stuck like this.
Molly: Well, hey, it suits you, you always were like a little bear cub.
Milo: Yeah, I guess. Now are you going to continue floating there like a buoy or are you gonna hug me already?
(Molly quickly swims to Milo like Oona and tackles the hybrid to the ground, and the two embrace like never before. And never quite after. No word of a lie, there were some tears from both ends.)
Goldy: How long were you waiting to see a scene like this?
Deema: Oh, Years! And now that it has happened, (sigh) it is just as beautiful as I thought it would be.
Goby: I swear, if you two had stayed longer, I can picture the two of them making quite the good couple.
Milo: (Swims up to Goby with Molly following close behind) Yeah, well that ain't happening anytime soon sport. I prefer that we remain good friends.
Molly: Agreed. This feels more natural. But it's still really good to see you two again.
Goldy: The feeling is mutual.
Milo: Now how's supposed it that we get to class.
New Faces & A Great Idea!
And the group swam inside the university, just the bell to start the first day began to ring. After a meeting with their teacher advisor, (where the twins would find out they share a TA with Nonny, Deema, and Zooli) Goldy and Milo went to their lockers, to put their stuff away. After introductory classes of English and Religious Studies, the two went to their lockers again. Goldy was fine, but Milo would encounter a very new and rude face.
As he finished putting away and collecting class relevant books, he turned to see a guppy who seemingly had been in that school for a long time. She had a red bushy Afro, and clam earrings line with gold with a silver chain suspending a small pearl in the air. Dark skin with a dark green outfit like Zooli's, a handbag hung around her right shoulder stretching to her left side like a mail bag, her face seemingly having many layers of eye shadow, concealer, eyeliner, foundation and powder on her face.
As she collected her books Milo stared at her in awe at the creature before him. In his head, he thought she seemed to be a nice girl, maybe she would want to be friends with him and the rest. He did want to appear friendly to others so perhaps this might be a good place to start.
Milo: Hello there.
The guppy turned to him and backed away for a second whilst maintaining eye contact back at Milo, it was clear to him she had never seen a hybrid before, so he thought for a moment before speaking again.
Milo: Hello There. I'm Milo. What's your name?
Guppy: I'm… Charlotte. Charlotte Abigail Taylor.
Milo: Well nice to meet you, Charlotte. Judging by your reaction, I'd take it you have never seen someone like me before. Right?
Charlotte: Yes, you are a hybrid?
Milo: That's right, You've heard of us?
Charlotte: My father is the president of the Bubbletucky International Customs Agency, he never liked hybrids. Found them too disruptive and annoying. With them often taking people from other universes to ours all Willy Neilly without any regard for the ramifications of such risky ventures.
Milo: Ok, in our defence, which is an operation no longer in practice, considering the fact we don't know what would happen if creatures from other worlds were to cross the inter dimensional rift without any sort of safety net.
Charlotte: And he hated his superiors, who were hybrids. They were very strict about being open, honest, and friendly with any sort of conversation. And I'm starting to think he was right, with how much you like to babble on.
Milo: Ok, ouch. No need for that. I just wanted to be friends.
Charlotte: You want me to be friends with you and your kind. Pah! Don't make me laugh. Like I would be friends with impulsive, graining, self-conscious busybodies. You and your kind are part of the working class, ergo you are beneath me. So run home young one. As far as I am concerned, you don't and will never have a place here.
Milo: Wait hold on. I just wanted to…
Charlotte: Boys!
At that moment, two other guppies came in and acted as a shield between Milo and Charlotte. They looked at him with bucket loads of superiority. Milo tried to get a sense of their characters and relationships.
The first one was tall, had black spiky hair with red highlights with a red and black leather jacket. With a black tail at his bottom, white skin and sunglasses covering his eyes. Milo looked at him getting a sense of him possibly being an edge lord, with the frown to prove it.
The other had dark green spiky hair, almost the same green as Charlotte. With a rainbow vest over a long sleeve brown camouflage shirt. With a light brown tail, light brown skin and no sunglasses. Despite his frown, Milo sensed an aura of idiocy and sympathy.
Charlotte: Teach the pipsqueak why you shouldn't mess with the most beautiful and popular girl in Bubbletucky University.
Boy 1: Right away luv. Ready Clive?
Boy 2: Ready Liam.
Milo: Oh snap.
Voice: If you are going to hurt my friend, you'll have to go through me!
At that moment, Goby came swimming in, punching Clive in the jaw, he lunged at Liam, but he simply held Goby by the head watching him try to punch again pathetically. At that moment, a teacher was coming down the hall, when the three saw them, they dropped Goby and made a swim for it. Milo went forward to pull his friend back up. Later they met up with the others at lunch inside the school gym now full of instruments on a pop-up stage.
Milo: Wait, you all have had run-ins with her too?
Deema: (In a rough country accent) That's right Partner. That girl has been a snake in our boots too. Constantly saying how we were never gonna make it as a band. (Giggles to herself before quickly composing herself and talking again in her normal voice) Yeah, she's really mean.
Nonny: Well joke's on her, for we have managed to become quite well known over town and have had up to 47 different gigs.
Goldy: Nice dude, we can't wait to hear ya.
Molly: Actually, would you like to join in?
Milo: Sure, I'll provide both dancing, and backup vocals.
Goldy: And I'll provide some additional jazz instruments.
Goby: You both have never heard the song before, you sure about it.
Goldy: Relax bro, we are fast learners.
Milo: Stupid fast.
Goby: … Ok, if you say so.
Nonny: 1 2 3 4.
Milo: Welcome to the Roaring 2020s!
Roll up, all you bigshots and babes! You palookas and pinkos!
Welcome to the party!
Molly: Hey! What 'cha doin'?
Feelin' lonely? Feel that beat
You speakin' easy, don't be sleazy
On my street
Hey, what 'cha doin'?
Come on over, come in style!
You in the corner, we'll keep swingin'
For a while!
Guppies: Tonight we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party!
Tonight, we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party like it's 1929!
Milo: All right, play that horn
That's right you bad boys, listen up!
Deema: Hey, every gangsta'
Every pranksta', on the juice
Goby: Hey, Mrs. Grundy, this ain't Sunday
Let it loose
Oona: Hey, little kitten
Keep on purrin', don't be shy
Zooli: Tonight's celebration's a constellation
In my sky!
Goldy: The days are short
The nights are long!
Milo: Your dames can dance
To any song!
Guppies Goldy and Milo: Tonight we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party!
Tonight, we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party like it's 1929!
Deema: (Impersonating a 1920s salesman) It's tonight
Not tomorrow or yesterday
Tonight, it's 1929!
Milo: That's right
There's never been a better time (Goldy: chka-chka-chka-chka!)
Guppies: Tonight we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party!
Tonight, we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party like it's 1929!
Tonight, we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party (Milo: Woah!)
Tonight, we're gonna party!
Tonight, we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party
Tonight, we're gonna party like it's 1929!
Goldy: Told you we were fast learners.
Zooli: That was so cool. Those ad libs were perfect Milo.
Goby: I'll say, And you were very good too Goldy. Sorry if I'm underselling you.
Goldy: It's all good bro, I've pretty come to accept that out of our siblings, Milo is the most talented. But it doesn't mean I'm not as cool.
Goby: Yeah.
Milo: Exactly! … Hmm.
Oona: Ooh, wait! I remember that face! You have an idea, Milo?
Milo: It was just that song. I never got to do such teenage stuff like going out on the town with friends, me and Goldy were too focused on finding our brothers. So, what if… and I'm just spit balling here, what if we took some time out of the night and we went out, you know, see the old town, go ape crazy, just have plain old fun.
Nonny: That. Actually, sounds like a good time. (Smirks)
Goby: If it makes Nonny smile, then it really is a good idea.
Nonny: (Reverts back to his frown and looks at Goby with annoyance) Oh, Ha, Ha. Very funny.
Zooli: All joking aside, it does sound like fun.
Molly: Yeah, but my question is, when should we do it?
Goldy: As an old friend of ours across the multiverse said, there is no time like the present.
Molly: Tonight, it is. Everyone, meet up by the fountain after curfew. Be sure to bring money to get some dinner.
Goldy: That will be challenging for me and Milo considering we are in separate buildings, and we rarely do things on our own.
Deema: In that case who are your roommates?
Goldy: We don't know. Do you?
Oona: We don't know either.
Nonny: I saw a posting of the room assignments after I booked my spot, Molly has Oona, Deema is in a three-person room at the end of one of the hallways with Zooli and Goldy, Goby is currently on his own until a student from abroad arrives, and I am paired up with Milo.
Deema: Hear that Goldy?
Goldy: Let's go!
Zooli: Hell, yeah Sister! (Hi fives both Deema and Goldy at the same time)
Oona: That is so cool.
Molly: Right back at ya.
Goby: So, I'm a lone wolf for a while, Huh? Neat.
Milo: With that settled… (School bell rings) See you later tonight.
We All Be Gangsta! Until…
The moonlight shone down on the quiet building as security cameras in the hallways of the dorms slowly moved from left to right to left again on the lookout for suspicious activity. Meanwhile in one of the rooms, a window to the outside opened up as Nonny and Milo climbed through it and booked it to the fountain where the rest of the crew were waiting. When they met up, they went out to an Italian restaurant Nonny knew, the food was good and afterwards the group was just going along the streets just talking about anything that came to their heads, be it new or old. That was until…
Goby: Ayo! Should we go inside that club?
Goldy: We've been clubbing before.
Oona: Neither have we.
Zooli: In that case. Let's do it!
Group: Yeah!
The crew swam inside the club, and inside was just as they expected. The place was packed with patrons either drinking or dancing on a dance floor with a DJ blasting tunes at the far end. Bartenders moved from left to right taking orders and delivering drinks to others who were sitting on the stools. The group split up, the girls hit the dance floor whilst Goby and Nonny introduced Milo to a little something called a shot of vodka. Coincidently Charlotte and her lackeys were at the club too along with one of Charlotte's friends.
Charlotte: Seriously? They are here too? Lord, save me.
Liam: Relax babe. I got this, just follow along. Clive, go and mess around with the bartender's clock. If these newbies want to be like us, then they shall learn to party like us.
Clive nodded before making his way to a nearby clock at the bar and moving the hour hand ever so slightly to 2:00 before leaving to join his friend. When the bar came around and saw the time, she got lots of bottles, containers, and cans up on the counter. The camera panned up to a sign above a wall of bottle tops reading "Drink Spiking Every Even Hour For 20 Minutes! That's How We Do It At Spike's!"
The Guppies and Hybrids really did enjoy their time at the club, it was fun just dancing like crazy and letting your true personalities shine. As that was happening, Liam gave Charlotte some sort of signal. She nodded before shouting…
Charlotte: Drinks are on me everyone!
The crowd responded with a chorus of cheers and whistles. Many clambered to the bar, the girls quickly found a spot, ordered some drinks and peacefully chatted away whilst waiting, with Liam, Charlotte, and Clive looking at them from the back. A short time later, their drinks came and the girls drank up, Goldy and Deema managing to chug their entire glasses. Then almost instantaneously, the girls began to feel nauseous and dizzy, their speech was slurred and everywhere they looked made them feel like they were on the Graviton ride at a carnival. When the three noticed, Liam leaped onto the DJ set, asked for a microphone and came back down to the dance floor, making sure the girls would see him.
Liam: Ladies and gentlemen, this is Mambo Number Five.
One, two, three, four, five
Everybody in the car, so come on, let's ride
To the liquor store around the corner
The boys say they want some gin and juice
But I really don't wanna
Beer-bust like I had last week
I must stay deep because talk is cheap
I like Angela, Pamela, Sandra and Rita
And as I continue, you know they getting sweeter (uh)
So, what can I do? I really beg you, my Lord
To me is flirting is just like a sport
Anything fly, it's all good, let me dump it
Please set in the trumpet
(Begins twirling the girls around as he says their names with them blushing the whole way)
A little bit of Molly girl in my life
A little bit of Deema doll by my side
A little bit of Oona's all I need
A little bit of Zooli's what I see
A little bit of Goldy in the sun
A little bit of Mary all night long
A little bit of Charlotte babe, here I am
A little bit of you makes me your man
Clive: Ah!
(The girls were smitten and danced whilst Charlotte and her friend laughed in the back corner of the dance floor)
Liam: Mambo Number Five!
Clive: Ah!
(The crowd is dancing with Molly and the girls none the wiser to their manipulation.)
Liam: Jump up and down and move it all around
Shake your head to the sound
Put your hand on the ground
Take one step left and one step right
One to the front and one to the side
Clap your hand once and clap your hands twice
And if it looks like this then you're doing it right
A little bit of Molly girl in my life
A little bit of Deema doll by my side
A little bit of Oona's all I need
A little bit of Zooli's what I see
A little bit of Goldy in the sun
A little bit of Mary all night long
A little bit of Charlotte babe, here I am
A little bit of you makes me your man
Clive: Ah!
(Meanwhile Goby and Nonny are just chilling at the bar when Milo walks in quite peeved.)
Goby: (Cheekily) Are you all done with vomiting?
Milo: Screw you bruv! I never tasted that stuff before. Why does society love beer so much? It tastes terrible.
Nonny: Try asking that to the girls, they've been plastered for nearly 7 minutes.
Goby: What? That can't be right. What gives?
Bartender: They drank during Spike Hour.
Nonny: Their drinks were spiked?
Milo: Why is that dude so close to Molly?
Nonny: What?
Goby: WHAT?
(The trio see the girls dancing with Liam)
Liam: Trumpet, the trumpet!
Milo: Oh, Hell No!
Goby: Come on boys!
Liam: Mambo Number Five, hehehe
A little bit of Molly girl in my life
A little bit of Deema doll by my side
A little bit of Oona's all I need
A little bit of Zooli's what I see
A little bit of Goldy in the sun
A little bit of Mary all night long
A little bit of Charlotte babe, here I am
A little bit of you makes me your man
Clive: Huh.
Liam: I do all to fall in love with a girl like you
'Cause you can't run, and you can't hide
You and me gonna touch the sky. Ha-ha!
Mambo Number Five
Clive: Ah.
(The crew swim through the crowd to reach the girls and pull them away from Liam and out of the club, with the trio smiling as it happened.)
Clive: I don't know, you think we went a bit too far?
Liam: Don't you worry your little head bro. I'm sure they'll all be fine after all that.
(Cut to Goby and Nonny helping the girls wash out their spiked drinks.)
Oona: (Dazed) Oh, that… feels wrong…
Deema: Agreed. Yuck! Where's Jude?
Nonny: Round that tree. Hurling her guts up.
Zooli: Poor thing. At least we didn't do anything too stupid.
Goby: (Looks at Nonny with an uncomfortable look) Um…
Molly: Ok, What did we do?
Goldy: (Coming back around with Milo) And why the uncomfortable expression?
Milo: All 5 of you were dancing and getting all chatty with Liam, Clive, and Charlotte. And I believe one of her friends too. They were sort of taking advantage of you.
The girls looked at the male hybrid, at first, they thought he was having a laugh, but when they saw the serious expression on his face, they realised what he said was true.
Zooli: We did… what?
Goldy: (Gulp) I think I'm gonna be sick again.
Deema: Right with you girl. Holy hell!
Oona: I… feel so… unclean…
Molly however said nothing, she just looked at the floor before quickly swimming away, she had a lot to think about. As she left, Milo followed close behind, just wanting to make sure his friend was ok. He followed till she sat on a dock stretching out into a lake. He sat down beside her. Molly seemingly had no idea Milo was even following her to begin with.
Milo: You good?
Molly: To be honest. Not really. (Sigh) All of this is reminding me… of… of what happened between me and Gill.
Milo: Excuse me if I sound a bit insensitive, but what even happened between you two? Never did I think you two would just… separate like this.
Molly: I don't know if I should tell you. Considering our past, I'm not sure if you would even understand.
Milo: That might be true, but at the very least I can be sort of a wall if you ever wanted to get something off your chest.
Molly looked at the hybrid and smiled, something about it told Milo that she hadn't smiled like that in a long while. She took a deep breath, before looking back down to the lake. Her and Milo's reflections looking back to them in a waverly mirror.
Molly: It all started after you and Jude went missing. Believe it or not, we searched all of Bubbletucky for 4 months, just trying to find any sign of where you went off to. And it was very hard when we had to give up and assume the worst. Gill helped me a lot to cope. And a few days after we started going out, I was starting to feel happy again. Then he told me about him and his family moving away in grade 5. I was very angry at him and lashed out, but it felt like I was actually lashing out at myself for thinking I could find happiness. With you, with him, with anyone. It's all my fault, I will admit, but at that moment, I never felt so alone. After he left, I made a promise to myself to make sure that everytime me and the rest of the crew, so in some sort of way, I'll still have them.
And trust me, I can hear what you might say. You might say "It's gonna be ok, you can pull through this. After all you were and still are the leader." But to be honest. Being a leader is just too draining. And yet I still have to do it. That's what everyone is used to, that's what I should be used to. But I'm not! I'm not! Organising every meetup, every group camping trip, every gig. I'm trying to keep up, I am! But I just can't take it anymore!
Milo: Molls…
Molly: But do you want to know what the hardest part is? Before we entered the club, we were having the most wonderful time, it almost felt like being a kid again. And yet… I still feel so empty inside. I just want life to be simple again. And yet no matter what I do, when I want to feel like my life is great. God just decides, "Screw you!" And take away anything I hold close!
Is that I am? Just some sort of joke to him? What is my existence to him? They say that God has a plan for everything and everyone. But if I'm being honest, his whole plan is very patronising! AND I DON'T WANNA STAY IN IT FOR ANY LONGER… I don't wanna… I don't…
Molly burst into tears, her teardrops making little wakes in the lake water as they dropped down. Milo just sat there; he dared not say anything in fear that he might mess up. There was his old childhood friend, in the middle of the hardest period of her life, all started after he apparently went missing. She must have been holding all that in for years.
The hybrid's expression turned into one full of sorrow and pity, he gently tapped his hand on Molly's shoulder. The guppy turned to see her old friend extending the offer for a hug. She inched slowly for a bit before just jumping right into his arms. And began to let it all out. As Milo just sat there, carefully stroking her back.
Hiding in a nearby bush, Goldy and the rest were watching the scene play out, Deema and Goldy were being a bit over dramatic with their weeping, but it was clear they were doing this out of love for the scene before them. Goby and Nonny looked on, nodding their heads with warm smiles, and Zooli and Oona watched with excitement before hugging each other and quietly squealing to each other.
A short while later, the pink haired guppy and fancy hybrid got up and began making their way back to the group. But soon heard the sounds of Goldy and Deema and turned to the bush the rest of the gang were. Knowing that they had been found out, the group rose up immediately causing the two to blush. Milo quickly got defensive.
Milo: Were you watching us the whole time!?
Goby: Yes… I mean… No, no, no, no, no, no, We weren't doing that? (Laughs nervously)
Nonny: Yes, but only the last part where you both were hugging. … Ok, we saw everything.
Goby: (Looks to Nonny with a look of disappointment) Really bro?
Nonny: What? It's just in my nature to state the correct facts.
Milo: For the love of Hamlet. (Facepalms himself)
(Molly tried to hide her blush under her hair)
Oona: Don't worry about us shipping the two of you, we won't go that far. (Looks at Zooli, notices that she is writing a ship name for the two (Milloy) and quickly snatches it out of her hands and throws away)
Goldy: (Does her best to pull herself together) We're… we're ok. Just… so proud!
Milo: (Smirks) More liquid pride I take it?
Goldy: (Walks up to her brother lightly punching him in the shoulder smiling all the while) Shut up you stupidly kind goofball!
Deema: Ahem. Molly, I'm sorry that you are dealing with… all that. Just know, we will all not only help you out anyway we can if you so ask, but we also all won't be going anywhere, anytime soon.
Goby: Here, Here!
Oona: Yeah!
Zooli: Group Hug!
The guppies quickly join in the big embrace. The two hybrids originally stayed back before being grabbed by Zooli and Goby and dragged in to join in. And all were laughing like a pack of hyenas. All were glad that the group was at least mostly back together. And no one was more than Molly. For the first time in a long while, she finally truly felt like she was not alone.
The Band's Back Together
The next day, things returned to a semblance of normality. Goldy and Milo adjusted to the water around them and figured out how to move much better than just constantly swimming like normal.
Despite the trick that Charlotte and her crew played, the gang didn't hold any ill will against them, which was a surprise to the three of them. Whilst they knew that they probably weren't going to give up that easily, showing them their ability to move on did wonders in the marketing department.
People started seeing them as the hottest thing to come to Bubbletucky since lava. Even though the crew laughed at the notion. It was true. By the end of the first week, they had already secured a little show at a place called the Cavern. (No relation to the pub in Liverpool)
Milo: (Tuning a guitar) How many people now?
Goby: I lost count after the 46th.
Goldy: Have you ever had this many people come to your performance?
Oona: Unless you're counting a dream I had where we performed for everyone in the Mediterranean. Then no. This is our biggest turnout yeah.
Zooli: Nonny, how did you even secure this place? What did you have to do?
Nonny: A magician never reveals his secrets. But let's just say, I can be very good at negotiating.
Molly: Ok, let's go through everything to make sure we don't have any faulty equipment. Deema, got the checklist?
Deema: Ahem. (Grabs it off a nearby table whilst Oona tunes a bass) Drums?
(Nonny performs a quick comedic rimshot)
Check. Guitars?
(Goby and Milo do two quick solo)
Check. Bass?
(Molly and Oona pluck some strings)
Check. Keyboard?
(Goldy plays some old ragtime music)
Check. We are all set.
Molly: Great.
Milo: Now before we go on, everyone doing alright?
Everyone Else: Yeah!
Milo: Everybody ready?
Everyone Else: Yeah!
Milo: Then let's give those people a show!
(The crew cheered as they grabbed their instruments and drumsticks before running onto the stage, the crowd below echoed with the sound of cheers and claps. Meanwhile in the crowd, Charlotte, Liam, and Clive watched on from their seats)
Charlotte: Look at them. Just pathetic. Like they will be any good.
Liam: They say that they've got talent. Pah!
Clive: Yeah, there's no way that they'll ever top you Charlo–
Milo: It's been a hard day's night,
And I've been working like a dog.
It's been a hard day's night,
I should be sleeping like a log.
Milo and Molly: But when I get home to you,
I find the things that you do
Milo: Will make me feel alright.
Goby: You know I work all day,
To get you money to buy you things.
Oona: And it's worth it just to hear you say,
You're gonna give me everything.
Zooli and Deema: So why on earth should I moan,
'Cause when I get you alone,
Goldy: You know I feel okay.
Goldy and Zooli: When I'm home
Everything seems to be right.
Goby and Deema: When I'm home,
Feeling you holding me tight, tight, yeah.
Milo: It's been a hard day's night,
And I've been working like a dog.
It's been a hard day's night,
I should be sleeping like a log.
Molly and Goldy: But when I get home to you,
I find the things that you do
Milo: Will make me feel alright. Yow!
(Charlotte and her crew watched on in shock as The Guppies played, and the crowds ate up the music and their personalities like drugs. It was like they were casting some sort of magic spell over the whole crowd and they were the only ones that wore enchanted armour.)
Goby and Molly: So why on earth should I moan,
'Cause when I get you alone,
You know I feel okay.
Girls: When I'm home
Everything seems to be right.
Goby: When I'm home,
Feeling you holding me tight, tight, yeah.
Milo: It's been a hard day's night,
And I've been working like a dog.
It's been a hard day's night,
I should be sleeping like a log.
The Guppies except Nonny: But when I get home to you,
I find the things that you do
Will make me feel alright.
Goby: Will make me feel alright.
Milo: You know I feel alright!
(Milo jumps right into the air wink before the screen fades to black)
TO BE CONTINUED…