Wayne Takes TEO: Episode One: The Debt

The pale orb careened through the decadent expanse of space, carried forth by a spew of pulsing azure across inky darkness. It was a small enclosure, little more room than necessary for its sole occupant who normally stared out through the single window into the eternity of that void. Somewhere far behind him lay his true body in the care of his debtors, every day racking up more fees and charges for Prime delivery of care. Here, in this orb, he was something different. In the reflection of that looking glass he saw his amazing shape, the glistening white fur of an entity known only as the Game Chimp. Though no suns peered through that thin frame, he wore his glasses proudly. The only true reminder of who he was, what he fought for in this isolated place.

Suddenly his view changed, the windows view stolen from him as a familiar face appeared and filled him with a growing rage. A pale face with a nearly bald head, only growing at length about the ears like a semicircle around an oblong egg. A defined and powerful soul patch matched only by sinister and narrowed eyebrows. He saw no eyes, this creature had no use for such petty things. Instead only the dark and hateful rings of sunglasses covered his eyes, held in place not by the thin arms of metal nor plastic, but purely by this beings sheer force of will. Orbulus Raymon, better known by his crime name, the Fushigi Freak. The handler of his debts, and the one he was to take instruction from on this voyage into the deep void of space. "Monkey boy!" Screeched the sunglassed figure, both palms performing dazzling stunts with clear orbs that glowed with mystical power. "You near your destination! TEO! The Other Earth!"

"The Other Earth?" Wayner Adio responded incredulously. "Doesn't that spell TOE?" He narrowed his eyes at the nefarious portal. Something did not feel right here.

"Do not question me, monkey boy! Or your body gets it!" Out of thin air a third fushigi appeared in a raised hand, the two orbs dancing together as shimmering light and sparks emanated from within. Few could contain such power single handed, none could survive such a blast created by its discharge. Already he had seen a powerful child and his two strange pets succumb to the might of the Fushigi Freak, marking him the favored handler of his Dark masters. "Now listen closely, as I am not want to repeat myself." His eyebrows shifted menacingly. "Upon this wretched planet is a creature of great power, one my Dark masters demand you capture for me!" He held up a crude sketch done in a mixture of crayon and marker. It depicted a curious creature, one of light blue with a white underbelly. The proportions of a penguin marked it, though its smooth sharklike wings carried it upon the air as easily as the water, and the toothed fangs of a dolphin leered back at him. Impossibly deep blue eyes seemed to observe him from the drawing, and Wayner felt his revulsion rise.

"You told me I was to capture artifacts! Not animals!" I protested despite the risks. "What is this creature anyway?"

"I have altered the deal, monkey boy!" The Fushigi Freak laughed, the audio distorting as the vile noise peaked the microphone. "This creature is known as Fin-Fin, an integral part of several ecosystems. I suggest you start with the Lemo Valley, where the foul beast consumes its wretched meals!" The screen faded, and Wayner was once more faced with the view of space. Only this time something rapidly approached, a bright blue orb of a habitable world. TEO. The Other Earth. "Just remember, monkey boy!" The haunting voice called to him as he breached the atmosphere, towards a verdant and grand jungle. "Capture the beast and be freed of your debts, or fail and become as dirt beneath my orbs, it makes no difference to me!" The foul laughter followed him as the pale orb landed.

And TEO awaits.