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The white walls caused him visual pain, those doors seemed endless, the more he walked, the more he thought he would go crazy if he spent the time he planned to stay there. After several missions and his impeccable performance, Cellbit had managed to trick Cucurucho into infiltrating the federation.
At that moment, the detective wandered the corridors searching for information, trying to peer through the metal doors in search of any tiny clue. He even tried using some of the keys his now-boss had given him, but without success.
He saw a somewhat isolated room, with some strange noises coming from it, like machines dispensing liquids or something like that. Once again, Cellbit strained his eyes into a cramped space to try and see through the white door, catching a glimpse of some tubes containing green substances.
Without waiting long, he took out one of the cards and tried to swipe it, but all he got was a negative "beep," emitting a flash of red light before turning gray again. Today certainly wasn't his lucky day.
However, that room was truly the most promising one so far, so he really wanted to explore it further. Cellbit took his pickaxe from his inventory in order to break the wall next to the door.
— Hello? What are you doing?
Cellbit almost jumped when he was surprised by an unfamiliar voice behind him, turning quickly and coming face to face with a man. He quickly hid the axe back in his inventory.
Unlike all the federation employees he had known, this one had an actual face and looked just like an ordinary human — well, not exactly ordinary considering his paleness, but unmistakably human.
The man was wearing a somewhat dirty lab coat, his dreadlocks had green tips, and his posture made him seem a little unsettling, with his hands behind his back as if he were examining an insect.
Judging by his accent, he seemed to be from some Slavic country, which was strange considering Cellbit didn't know anyone on the island coming from there. Moreover, he had never seen that man before.
— Sorry, I was... looking for the bathroom. I'm new to the job here, and by the way, I've never seen you on the island.
The seemingly scientific individual took about two seconds to speak again, not appearing very convinced but deciding not to insist.
— Yeah, I don't usually go out. You know? Too much light, too many people, I prefer working with radiation and stuff, alone.
Cellbit gave a small, polite laugh, trying to piece things together. How could this man even be there, if he wasn't on the boat and apparently no one had ever seen him, since no one ever mentioned him? Perhaps he had arrived long before everyone else, even before the first train?
— So you're the Federation's scientist or..?
— Something like that. Don't worry, I won't tell Cucurucho that you were snooping around, I just advise you not to get too close to my lab, you might hear and see some... disturbing things. — The man reached out to swipe a pink card through the lock, and Cellbit noticed a gleaming silver ring on his finger, which seemed very intact for someone who works manually. — Well, I'll be here in this room if you need anything.
With that, he closed the door, and Cellbit could only watch the figure move away from his field of vision into the laboratory. Does he think he's mysterious or what?
The detective didn't even remember to ask his name, perhaps he should ask Foolish if knows anything about the man. Or maybe some of the people who came on the train, maybe they knew something.
Cellbit arrived in the Favela using his Warpstone, leaving some purple particles in the air and immediately going to his office in the Ordo Theoritas. He scratched a few things on the board.
Scientist from the federation.
Hair kind of greenish. Uranium?
Apparently has his own laboratory.
Maybe arrived before everyone else.
He most likely conducts experiments, maybe he has something to do with the eggs?
He really needed more information about him, perhaps that man held the key to finally discovering the federation's true objective. Cellbit was about to send a private message to Forever but stopped himself in that instant, it was still too early to ruin his infiltration plan, and he doubted Forever wants to see him now.
A sigh escaped his lips, he couldn't ask any member of the Ordo Theoritas anything. He needs someone who doesn't mind that he works for the Federation and who arrived early on the island...
Quackity.
Of course. Quackity also tried to enter the federation to bring Tilín back to life, although Cellbit suspected that this wasn't the whole truth. He had also helped Cellbit destroy Forever's XP farm, so he probably wouldn't mind helping him find out more about the federation.
Despite not really trusting Quackity, Cellbit didn't really have many options.
Before doing anything, he should probably return to his office at the federation and see what the scientist was doing now.
Crouching in the narrow corridor next to the laboratory, Cellbit grabbed his spyglass and aimed it directly at the opening in the metal door, trying to detect any movement.
The man had his back to the door, one hand holding a bistoury and the other steadying a petri dish glowing with an eerie lime-green luminescence. Through the lens of his spyglass, Cellbit could see the scientist’s shoulders moving with precision, his posture unnervingly relaxed for someone handling what appeared to be highly volatile substances. Tubes snaked from the dish into a complex apparatus that pulsed with a soft, rhythmic hum, like a heartbeat.
The detective adjusted the focus, trying to catch a glimpse of the workbench. There were vials labeled with symbols he didn’t recognize, stacks of papers covered in cramped handwriting, and a small cage in the corner containing something that moved in quick, jerky motions. He couldn’t quite make out what it was.
Cellbit held his breath as the scientist suddenly paused. The man’s head tilted slightly, as if sensing he was being watched. But he didn’t turn around. Instead, he reached for a syringe filled with a shimmering liquid and injected it into the petri dish. The reaction was immediate: a soft sizzle, then a puff of pale green smoke that dissipated into a ventilation grate above.
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯?
The detective pulled back, pressing himself flat against the wall. His heart pounded, not from fear, but from the electric thrill of discovery. Whatever he was working on, it was important, there was no reason for the Federation to hide him in there unless there was a very serious reason.
Cellbit’s mind raced. The eggs. The codes. The strange occurrences on the island. Could this scientist be the one behind it all? Or was he just another pawn in Cucurucho’s twisted game?
In any case, he had seen enough for today, now he just needed to leave carefully. Cellbit crouched to the other side of the base so as not to draw attention with his teleporter and headed towards Spawn.
𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙩𝙮: 𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘶 𝘯𝘰𝘸?
The response took about twenty seconds.
𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶: 𝘷𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘥
With that, Cellbit headed towards Morro do Xerê, where he knew the small village that Quackity had built some time ago was located. It didn't take long to spot the duck, along with Richarlyson, Talullah, and Chayanne.
— Chayanne, quítate de ahí! Si Philza me mata porque te rompiste un brazo, te seguiré hasta el infierno, pinche huevo culero!
The scene before him was quite peculiar, to say the least. Chayanne was building a tower out of dirt blocks while Quackity started pouring water on the ground in case the little egg fell from the top.
Cellbit chuckled softly, and that was enough for Richarlyson to run up to him with his yellow sign, being quickly followed by Talullah.
"Oi pai! We're helping pa Quackity build the roof" The sign said, written in English so Talullah could understand as well.
— This doesn't seem like helping. What is Chayanne doing?
—He's being a little shit, that's what he's doing! —Quackity yelled, still holding the water bucket, his eyes fixed on the tower where Chayanne balanced precariously on a single dirt block, arms outstretched like a tightrope walker. —¡Bájate de ahí ahora mismo, o te juro que le digo a tu papá que te encontré robando a su tridente!
Chayanne froze, then let out an exaggerated groan that echoed through the small village. He began climbing down slowly, deliberately taking his time, his little egg feet kicking at the dirt blocks as he descended. Upon reaching the ground, he picked up his sign and quickly wrote: "i will be happier when you die".
Quackity muttered a string of curse words at the child before turning to Cellbit, who was now crouched down to pat Richarlyson and Talullah on the head.
—You're telling me this is what you do all day? Babysit eggs? —Cellbit asked, a smirk tugging at his lips.
— Babysit eggs? —Quackity repeated, scoffing as he finally set down the water bucket, placing his hands on his hips. — I'm parenting. There's a difference. Anyway, what brings you here? Did you come to get Richas?
— No, actually. I came to talk to you. — Cellbit straightened up, brushing off his knees, but his eyes remained fixed on the duck hybrid. — Got a minute? Alone?
Quackity narrowed his eyes, looking at the detective as if he had grown a second head. — You don't have any bombs, do you? Last time you blew up my house, by the way, you owe me-
— No, I'm not going to blow anything up. Not for now. — Cellbit interrupted before Quackity could give a long and tiresome speech. — I just need some information.
Quackity stared at him for a long moment, his little yellow wings twitching behind his ears. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Favela, and somewhere in the distance, a parrot squawked.
— Okay, but make it quick. — Quackity finally relented, gesturing toward a small wooden structure that served as his makeshift office. — I have to finish the roof before it rains.
He turned to Chayanne, who was now attempting to build a smaller tower with Talullah's help, and pointed a stern finger. — You. Stay on the ground. If I see you more than three blocks high, I'm telling Philza about the trident.
Chayanne's egg form seemed to slump in defeat, and he wrote on his sign with exaggerated slowness: "i hate you."
Cellbit followed him to the small house and closed the door behind them. There wasn't much furniture besides a wooden table, considering the village is still under construction.
— Okay, what's up? — Quackity asked, leaning against the wall.
— I need to ask you about someone. A scientist. Works for the Federation, but I've never seen him before on the island nor anyone mention him. — Cellbit pulled out a small notebook from his inventory and flipped through a few pages, stopping at the notes he had scratched earlier. — Slavic accent. Green-tipped dreadlocks. Wears a lab coat. Pale as hell. About the same height as me. Sound familiar?
Quackity's expression changed immediately, but he quickly masked behind a neutral facade, however, Cellbit noticed that he seemed a little nervous during the description.
— Why are you asking about him?
— So you do know him.
— I didn't say that.
— You didn't have to, it's written all over your face. — Cellbit closed the notebook and tucked it back into his inventory, taking a step closer. — Look, I know you don't like the Federation and apparently you know this man. So why are you avoiding it? Are you hiding something?
Quackity's wings fluttered nervously behind his ears, a tell he couldn't quite suppress. He crossed his arms, looking away toward the window where Chayanne and Talullah were now drawing in the dirt with sticks, Richarlyson supervising them like a tiny general.
— I'm not hiding anything. — Quackity said, but his voice lacked conviction. — I just... don't think you should be poking around that guy, okay? He's bad news.
Cellbit raised an eyebrow, leaning against the rickety wooden table. — Bad news how? You know him personally, or just heard things?
The duck let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair, his beanie slipping slightly. It was curious, when Cellbit interrogated him about perhaps working for the federation and sending invitations to the people on the island, Quackity genuinely seemed confused and didn't appear to be truly involved, but now? Now he was definitely hiding something and was frustrated by being questioned.
— Just stay away from him. That's all I can say.
Cellbit studied him for a few seconds, determined to extract information from him by any means necessary. He took another step, trapping Quackity between the wall and his body, keeping one hand positioned on the wall beside his head.
— That's all you can say, or that's all you're willing to say? — As expected, Quackity didn't seem too intimidated by the height difference or position, crossing his arms in a stubborn gesture. — Because I've been working my ass off to get inside the Federation, and I finally find something, someone, that might actually be important, and you're telling me to just drop it? That's not how this works, Quackity.
— You're annoying, you know? Okay, his name is Multi, you can ask him yourself whatever questions you have. I don't know him well, but I don't like him, so there's no point in questioning me about this guy.
— Multi.. — Cellbit repeated the name, letting it roll off his tongue as if tasting it for the first time. He studied Quackity's face, searching for any crack in the duck's defenses, any flicker of something he wasn't saying. — And you just... don't like him? That's it? No reason?
Quackity's wings twitched again, and he looked away, his jaw tightening. — Not everything has to have a grand reason, Cellbit. Sometimes you just look at someone and think, "Oh, you look like shit, i kinda don't like you."
— Fine. Keep your secrets. — Cellbit said, tucking his hands into his pockets and taking a step back. — But I'm going to find out what he's doing in that lab, with or without your help.
The detective pushed open the door and stepped out into the fading afternoon light, his mind already churning with possibilities. The name "Multi" echoed in his thoughts like a half-remembered melody, familiar yet frustratingly out of reach. He watched Chayanne and Tallulah for a moment, the eggs now engaged in a game of hopscotch they'd drawn in the dirt while Richarlyson kept score with his little sign.
"Pai, você vai ficar?" Richarlyson wrote, running up to him with his sign held high.
Cellbit crouched down, ruffling the egg's hair gently. "Hoje não, filho. Eu tenho alguns trabalhos pra fazer. Mas logo eu volto, tá?"
Richarlyson nodded, though his egg form seemed to droop slightly. Cellbit felt a familiar pang of guilt, the constant weight of being a father who was never quite there enough. He pushed it aside, as he always did. There were more pressing matters at hand.
He pulled out his Warpstone, the purple particles already beginning to swirl around him as he disappeared in the air.
Inside the wooden structure, Quackity let out a trembling sigh and put his hand in one of the pockets of his blue sweatshirt, twirling his silver ring on his fingers. 𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬, 𝘪𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪...
He turned around and almost stepped on Tallulah, who was so close that he nearly jumped in fright. — Tallulah! You want to give me a heart attack?!
The little girl jumped and put a small sign on the ground. "Sorry! Are u okay mr.smiley? u look sad :("
Quackity blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the child's perceptiveness. He forced a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, crouching down to Tallulah's level.
— Sad? Me? No, no, i'm fine, mija. Just thinking about... adult stuff. Boring stuff. — He reached out and gently stroked her brown hair in a comforting gesture. — Look, how about i take you and Chayanne home? We can get ice cream on the way.
Tallulah's face lit up at the mention of ice cream, her little egg form practically vibrating with excitement. She quickly scribbled on her sign: "Can we get the one with sprinkles??"
Quackity chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. — Yeah, Tallulah, the one with sprinkles. And extra chocolate.
It was practically night when Quackity left the vecindad with the three eggs, leaving Richarlyson with Pac and Mike while he headed towards the wall where Philza had built his house.
While Talullah and Chayanne argued about which ice cream flavor was better, Quackity was lost in thought about the situation he was in.
He remembered when he first saw Multi, during the island's first week. Quackity was snooping around the spawn when he saw a man slightly taller than him, dressed in a lab coat.
Being as sociable as he was, he talked with the man for quite some time, and quickly, with their secretive meetings — because federation employees weren't exactly allowed to befriend the islanders — they became close enough for Multi to give him information that no one else knew.
Quackity knew that Multi had arrived on the island about two weeks ago through an invitation from something called the "Council". Even the scientist didn't know exactly what it was, but he had accepted because he was offered a unique experience.
Quackity knew Multi's work was confidential, but he still helped him obtain DNA samples from some residents whom the duck disliked.
In any case, they had become close enough to move beyond the stage of just being "friends".
The mere idea of Cellbit wanting to meddle in a matter he wasn't invited to made Quackity shudder.
What if he discovered Multi's weaknesses? What if he discovered information that would put Multi in danger? What if...?
After dropping off Chayanne and Tallulah at Philza's house — the crow hybrid giving him a suspicious look that Quackity pretended not to notice — he made his way back toward the Federation building. The night had fully settled over the island, the moon casting pale silver light across the white walls that seemed to glow in the darkness.
Carefully, he opened the laboratory door with the extra card Multi had given him, spotting the doctor sitting in his chair, watching some camers footages.
— Multi! — Quackity exclaimed, an inevitable smile spreading across his face.
Multi quickly turned his head, his expression softening as he stood up and went over to the duck. His gloved hand gently touched Quackity's cheek. — What are you doing here at this hour?
— It's a disaster, Multi! — He whimpered, dramatically. — Cellbit kept asking me about you, and i screwed up, he knows I know you!
— Don't be such a kurwa drama queen. He was going to find out anyway. — Multi's thumb traced a slow, deliberate path along Quackity's cheekbone, his pale blue eyes studying the duck's face with an intensity that made Quackity's wings flutter despite himself. — But are you okay? He didn't hurt you, did he?
Quackity gave a mischievous little smile, tilting his head. — I'm fine, but he insisted a lot. He even pinned me against the wall, can you believe it?
— What? He... what? — Multi's hand stilled on Quackity's cheek. The pale blue eyes, which had been soft just moments before, sharpened into something almost desperate. — And you just let him do that?! Do you want me to kill him?
Quackity's smile widened at Multi's reaction, a flicker of satisfaction dancing in his eyes. He reached up and placed his hand over Multi's, pressing the gloved fingers more firmly against his cheek.
— Hey, chill, I was just teasing you, sweetheart. — Quackity's voice dropped to a softer register, his thumb tracing circles on the back of Multi's hand. — He just cornered me against the wall to ask questions. Standard detective interrogation or something like that, nothing special.
— "Nothing special" he says. — Multi repeated bitterly, making Quackity laugh at how ridiculous he looked now. Nothing like an intimidating scientist. — Okay, okay. Anyways, a few hours ago my radar picked up that he was nearby, so I assumed he was watching me. Here, come take a look.
Multi took his hand and guided him to his chair, making him sit down while the scientist searched for his device and placed it in his hands. — See? The radar shows up everyone within a radius of up to thirty blocks.
— Wow, that's really useful! Can you make one for me?
— I can see what I can do, kaczuszka.
Quackity leaned back in the chair, spinning the radar device in his hands, a thoughtful look crossing his face. — So he was watching you. That means he's already suspicious. We need to be careful.
Multi hummed in agreement, moving to stand behind Quackity, his hands resting on the duck's shoulders. — He's persistent, I'll give him that. But he's also predictable. He'll be back, probably tomorrow, with more questions.
— Then we give him answers. — Quackity said, tilting his head back to look up at Multi. — Just not the right ones.
A slow smile spread across Multi's pale face. — That's why I like you. Always thinking.
— One of us has to. — Quackity grinned as he reached to grab Multi's face, their lips connecting in a soft and passionate kiss.
Outside, the Federation walls gleamed under the moonlight, hiding secrets that would soon unravel.