As A Unit Chapter 1

The last of the sun was sinking behind the skyline. Coney Island Aquarium had just closed. The final tourists exited. None of them, nor any of the employees saw the Puffin frozen in a "take off" pose. When there was no one around, the sea bird toppled over and relaxed. All day he had been standing absolutely still. Hans the Puffin rested his aching muscles. This had better be worth it.
When he could, Hans slipped from his perch. A large sign caught his eye. There was an image of a dolphin and a vibrant red arrow pointing left. Hans turned around, seeing the arena he was looking for. He made his way there, landing with a fluid jump on the rim of the pool inside.
"Psst," he dared. There was no answer. "Is anyone here?"
After a moment, a familiar head barely broke the surface of the water. The dolphin blinked, while his other mechanical eye adjusted focus. Hans grinned, sitting back on the rim. "Oh, good, it's finally you," he breathed a sigh of relief. "You don't know how many brain-dead dolphins I had to go though to find you!"
The dolphin brought his entire head above water. "Wait, who are you?" he asked, not sure whether to be angry, annoyed, or scared. "And what do you want with me?"
Hans's smile faded. Oh, right. The Mind-Jacker did its job well. "Hans. Hans the Puffin? Haven't the effects worn off yet?"
"Effects of what?" the dolphin scowled. "Look, I don't have time for games with strangers. I'm exhausted." He turned away and sank back into the pool.
"But, but," Hans settled himself like a duck in the water. "You don't understand. You're the villainous mastermind, Dr. Blowhole. Can't you remember?"
"You've got the wrong porpoise," the dolphin answered. "My name is Flippy," he shuddered at his childish name. "As long as I can remember, I've been here at Coney Island doing humiliating tricks for the humans. So, leave me alone."
"You're mind was viped clean by von of your own inventions. You have to remember that you live for exacting revenge on the humans and vhat they've done to you. Don't you vant revenge?"
"Of course I do," Blowhole snapped. "But, what can I do? I'm pretty much stuck here."
"You'll think of something," Hans assured. "Somevhere you're still a criminal genius."
Blowhole didn't pay any attention, circling the bottom of the pool. Hans dunked his head beneath the water. "Come on," he begged. "Can't you just bare vit me?"
"No."
Hans sighed. "This is not going to be easy." He got another gulp of air and paddled further under water. "Vell, too bad. I am not leaving until you remember everything."
Blowhole groaned. "Fine. If it'll make you get out of my sight."
"Okay. For starters, you wanted revenge on the humans for the endless humiliation. So, you tried to extinguish the sun. You almost did, but Skipper-"
"Wait," Blowhole interrupted. "Who's…Skipper?"
"Vhat?"
"Who's Skipper?" the dolphin repeated himself.
"Only you're arch-nemesis," Hans explained. The two of them surfaced. "You two have been fighting for years. He and his team have foiled you at least three times already."
"Do you know him, too?"
"The entire reason you and I worked together was because of Skipper."
"I see."
"So, you get it?"
Blowhole rubbed his head. "It's coming back to me…yeah, I think I remember now."
"And, you vant to know the best part?"
"What is it?"
"Skipper vas the one that locked you back up here!"
Blowhole felt hot anger rise in him as he took another look around the rusted stage with bright, colorful paint and the word "Flippy" on a neon yellow sign in blue letters. He had zero tolerance for this place. And if he had a chance to destroy it and/or the person who put him here, he was all for it.
"But, how do I know I can trust you?"
Hans frowned. "Because, I'm the only puffin who's WALKED miles and miles and miles to find you and brake you out of this place, and I'm not about to leave vithout you," he snarled. "Do you know how hard life is for a Puffin who can't fly?!"
"Then we'll find this Skipper guy and show him that you don't mess with Flippy the Dolphin!"
"Um," Hans interrupted. "Most prefer to call you Dr. Blowhole."
"I don't see how it's a step up from Flippy, but very well," Blowhole replied. "I'll take revenge on what he did to me!"
"You've already taken revenge."
"I have? Well, then I'll strike back!"
"You've done that, too."
"Then this'll be the comeback of the revenge of the revenge of Dr. Blowhole!"
"The name needs work," Hans added. "But, ve'll focus on that later."
Silence.
"So, what now?"
"I dunno. Evil laugh?"
"Why not?"
The two villains cackled manically, echoing though the aquarium. Hans stopped short, hauling himself back onto the rim of the pool.
"So, Hans, when do we get out of here?"
Hans's bones felt like each one was broken. "Tomorrow." He face planted on the rim. Blowhole drifted away.
Hans clenched one wing. "You hear that, Skipper?" he muttered. "We're back."