Chapter XCIII: Scorpion's Decision

Chapter XCIII: Scorpion’s Decision 

Florida comes home angry one day, throwing her bookbag across the room, and it bounces off Scorpion’s leg. “Is everything all right?” Scorpion asks. 

“I’m so stupid!” Florida says, upset. 

“Why do you say that?” 

“I failed another exam!” She hands him a B- exam. 

“This isn’t a failure.” 

“Yes it is! I’m supposed to be smarter than this!” 

“So what’s the problem?” 

“I have trouble retaining all of the information!” 

“I think you’re a little hard on yourself. Arizona, babe, could you come in here?” Arizona enters the room. 

“What’s wrong?” Arizona asks. Scorpion hands her the test. 

“I’m a failure, mother!” Florida says, as Arizona reads over the test. 

“This is a satisfactory grading level, especially since you’re in the advanced class.” 

“I don’t find it satisfactory, not at all, mother!” 

“You’re still a first year, you have much to learn, little one. You’re too hard on yourself.” 

“I don’t need coddling, mother, I require punishment!” 

“Denied. This is how life is, you can try your hardest and still fail your own expectations.” 

“I just want to make you proud, mother.” 

“I am proud of you, because you are my daughter, and your self discipline will definitely come in handy later in life. As long as you don’t become a degenerate, I will always be proud of you.” 

“Thank you mother, I love you.” Arizona gives Florida a hug. 

“Are you ladies hungry?” Scorpion asks. They both agree. Scorpion goes to the kitchen and starts cooking. Arizona enters. 

“Are you ok, dear?” Arizona asks. 

“Whatever do you mean?” 

“You were quiet during our family discussion.” 

“You seem to have had it covered. Besides, I’ve got something on my mind.” 

“What’s that?” 

“Well, you know that I’m the son of Scorpious.” 

“Yeah...” 

“I feel like I have to do more than just be a minister for a church with no followers. I think I have to preach the word of Scorpious around the world.” 

“What makes you think that’s your purpose?” 

“In most religious texts I found on this planet’s various cultures, a son of the creator is mentioned, who preaches the word of his father. I feel that may be my purpose as well.” 

“What makes you think people will follow you?” 

“That’s another problem, the messiah is usually ignored or portrayed as a blasphemer and killed for his beliefs and teaching.” 

“But that’s where you’re different, we know for a fact that Scorpious exists, He’s talked to us personally.” 

“And who’s going to believe me?” 

“Well, everyone who lives in this building believes.” 

“Which is why I feel I need to spread the word.” 

“So, you’re just going to leave us behind?” 

“Would you like to come along?” 

“Wouldn’t that interfere with your teachings?” 

“As a witness, you’d actually help.” 

“Ok, but what about Florida’s school?” 

“That’s a good point. I don’t know.” 

“Well, if you can figure that out, we’ll leave as soon as you’re ready.” 

“Really?” 

“Of course, I knew what I was getting into when I got together with you.” 

“I love you, Arizona.” 

“I love you too, Scorpion.” They kiss, and Florida walks in on them, rolls her eyes, and walks right back out. The next day, Scorpious is in Serge’s lab. 

“What’s up?” Serge asks. 

“So, you know that journey Dad wants me to take?” 

“Yeah.” 

“Yeah, I’m going through with it.” 

“I had a feeling you weren’t gonna stay here long.” 

“Sorry, bro.” 

“Nah, it’s all right, when do you plan on leaving?” 

“Well, that’s the thing, I can’t unless I find appropriate schooling for Florida. That’s going to be hard to pull off if we’re going to keep moving around.” 

“I might be able to help you with that.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Just give me a few weeks.” 

“Ok, I’m heading to preach to nobody again.” 

“Look, everyone here already believes, that’s why nobody shows up, they don’t need reassurance or to be convinced, they’ve seen and heard from Scorpious themselves. That’s why you have to go out there and spread the word to the masses.” 

“Makes sense.” 

“Just take the time off and relax, you’re going to do a lot of wandering, so rest up while you can.” 

“All right bro, I’ll see you later then.” He heads back to his room. “Hey, babe.” He gives Arizona a kiss. 

“Hello, dear.” Arizona says. 

“So, I talked to Serge, and he says he’ll be working on something for Florida to be able to study with while we’re moving around.” 

“Oh, that’s good!” 

“Yeah, he said it’s going to take him a few weeks and that I should rest in the meantime.” 

“So, where are we going to go, and how are we getting there?” 

“I have no idea, I guess wherever Dad takes us, and we’re going to walk.” 

“Walk?? Why don’t I just transport us places?” 

“I suppose we could, but we’d have to know where we’re going first.” 

“Fair enough. We should let Florida know.” 

“Yeah, I wonder how she’ll take it?” 

“How I’ll take what?” Florida says as she enters the room. 

“So, in a few weeks, we’re going on an adventure as a family.” 

“For how long?” 

“I don’t know, I was charged by my Father Scorpious to spread His word.” 

“Oh...why do we have to go with you?” 

“Your mother wanted to come with me, and we’re not leaving you alone.” 

“What am I supposed to do about my schooling?” 

“The Ultimate Ruler is working on it.” 

“Oh ok, good. I refuse to give up my education.” 

“You’re too serious for someone your age.” 

“I strive for perfection.” 

“Ok, but remember what your mom said about your expectations.” 

“Understood, when do we leave?” 

“At least a few weeks while Serge works on his solution for your education.” 

“Should I continue to attend?” 

“Yes.” There’s a knock on the door. Scorpion opens it up, and there’s Ballester. 

“Hey, can I talk to you?” Ballester asks Scorpion. 

“Sure, come on in.”  

“So, you guys are leaving?” 

“Man, word travels fast.” 

“So it’s true? Arizona, you’re going with him?” Arizona nods. “What the f**k? First Manboutu, now you guys. Who’s next? Chimmy? The kids?” 

“I’m sorry, it’s just something I have to do.” 

“Who says?” 

“Father.” 

“Oh, that son of a f**k! He’s taking everyone from me!” 

“I’m sorry, I have my own story to tell, I can’t hang around here forever.” 

“Sure you can, what’s your Father going to do about it?” Ballester takes a saw, and saws his junk off, and throws it in the garbage disposal. “Aaaaah! Fine!” 

“Anyhoo, if you’re done being a clown...” 

“Sorry. Arizona, are you really going with him?” 

“Yes I am, Ballester.” Arizona says. 

“Well, I just want to take this moment to thank you one more time for saving our asses.” 

“Like I said last time, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” Florida comes in the room. 

“Mother, father, who is this?” Florida asks. 

“This is Ballester Sallone, your grandfather.” 

“My grandfather?” 

“Yes, you and Nallester are brother and sister.” 

“That explains our rivalry.” 

“Rivalry?” 

“He says he’s the best in the class, and I’ve been trying to be better than him, that’s why I try so hard to achieve perfection in my studies.” 

“Well don’t worry about competing with him, he’s going to be a hunter like me and your father. You’ll probably excel in a different field of study. Besides, why are you so obsessed over your grades? You’re in your first year of school.” Ballester says. 

“You sound like my parents.” 

“Well, they’re right.” 

“Wait, so everyone in my class is my sibling?” 

“At least 39 of them are.” 

“That explains a lot, do they know?” 

“Possibly.” 

“It’s nice to meet you, grandfather.” 

“It’s nice to see you again too, Florida.” 

“How do you know who I am?” 

“I was there when your mother Arizona adopted you.” 

“I see.” She turns around and leaves the room. 

“Good kid, kind of on the serious side, huh?” 

“Yeah, that’s Florida for you.” Scorpion says. 

“So, how long do you have left here?” 

“About a few weeks.” 

“Ok, if I don’t see you guys again, good luck on your journey.” 

“Thanks, Ballester.” A few weeks later, Scorpion and his family are ready to go, they’re in Serge’s lab. “So, how did you solve the school problem?” 

“Well, you remember 101?” Serge asks. 

“Yeah.” Arizona says. 

“I programmed every curriculum that Florida will learn, along with whatever branch of study she chooses. It prints assignments, which can be then refed through this slot here, and the instructor will get Florida’s assignments and exams.” 

“Excellent.” Florida says. Serge looks at her with surprise on his face. 

“Is she always like this?” 

“Yeah.” Scorpion says. 

“Well, ok then. 101 is equipped with a communicator so you can contact the lab and talk to anyone you want, or if you need help or whatever. It also has a built in defense system, so it’ll be helpful in combat. Good luck, and safe journey, I hope you open a lot of minds out there.” 

“It will be difficult without Father’s help, but I’ll try. Goodbye, brother.” 

“Goodbye Scorpion, Arizona, Florida.” 

“Goodbye!” They all say as they walk out of the lab, hand in hand into the distance.