From this point on, in the fish story, we will be seeing what happened from within the walls of the aquarium, with far less actual real world observations. The reason this is important is because we are boring compared to our fish.

The weeks went on, the 3 remaining fish living their happy little lives. Or so it seemed. Horizon was never able to actually wrap his fin around the entire situation. He still could not figure out why under the sea that Bugout had acted so maliciously. Unfortunately, he was not the only one who had questions.

Mayor Sharkfin had been completely outraged at the death of the Doctor. Because of his death, it had brought light to the fortification process that the Mayor had instituted. He could no longer get his bunkers solidified for the great war of the “New Arrivals”. The Mayor every day had gone thru the painstaking process of drawing up plans for the perfect way to deal with the predicted war. The Mayors thinking was this – in every encapsulated situation he has been in, there has always been a constant influx of new arrivals, and of course the regular residents. The residents would sometime disappear (as he once did) and then the new arrivals would come – and the battles would start.

It was inevitable – there were always new arrivals, and always a war for supremacy. Plecostamus kind new this, and there would always be one of their kind in every tank, every ocean, every pond. This is why they were the natural leaders of the fish society. Due to his knowledge, and predictions of coming events, it was imperative that the castles be protected until the peace treaties and laws of the town could be explained to the new arrivals. Or in the least that the new arrivals would be out casted, or destroyed to make way for progress of the existing eco-quarium dwellers.

For the above reasons, this is why the Mayor was so bothered by the bunkers constant destruction – and there could be only one true reason for it. The great guardians and watchers were displeased with the Doctors death, and blamed the bunkers. The Mayor had faith in guardians, and watchers. He would never do anything to oppose them. However he must find a way to live in balance, for he knew there would be no watchers, no guardians to observe the great wars, and in the unlikelihood that there were (it had happened once in a great while) the watchers and guardians would do what they always did, watch but never interact.

The Mayor setoff to find out how one of the rocks could have caused the Doctor to get caught in the filter. He made his way to the top, using his powerful maw to cling to the wall as the current rushed by him. His tail flipping back and forth in jet stream of life giving water that blew by him, attempting to sweep him off the walls of the eco-quarium. Then one at a time he started to move back and forth with small rocks, and not a one would ever get caught. Not a one would strike him, as they would all be pushed back to the bottom quickly. The current was not enough to move even a single rock. They were too heavy and the suction of the filter was not nearly enough. This means of course, that the Doctor did not get “Sucked in” nor did a rock strike him while he was close to the filter.

The Mayors discovery took him back to Horizon, who had originally reported what had happened. “Horizon, something is wrong, and I think you know what… The Doctor could not have been sucked into the Filter – not with his skills… and a rock could have never hit him!” The mayor said probing for Horizons reaction. “I am not sure how it happened sir; I just know what I saw.” Horizon said nervously, looking for Bugout.

“Horizon, level with me, tell me what happened or by Poseidon’s Trident you will be the next up there!”

“Honestly, sir, I have no idea, I didn’t actually see it… I don’t know... I don’t remember that was weeks ago!”

“You’re no goldfish boy – I know you remember who would forget something that monumental!”

“Sir …. I think… I know something but...”

Horizon was cutoff as Bugout swam over. He eyed Horizon carefully and then turned a cold glance to the Mayor. “Mayor Sharkfin,” he said with a cool demeanor, that not unlike the arctic current, “what do we owe the pleasure sir?” “I wish it were a social call” the Mayor responded, “However it is apparent that the Doctor did not die by accident, and sadly I believe that Horizon is to blame!” Horizons eyes got wider than Bugout's, and he exclaimed “NEVER! I would never hurt a scale on…” Bugout cut him off, as Bugout likes to do. “Mayor – perhaps we should go privately... into the main castle. There we can discuss this without interruption, and figure out the facts.” The Mayor looked from horizon to Bugout, and then nodded (No small feat for a scum sucker) and started to make his way towards the ivory castle.

Bugout looked at Horizon. “Don’t worry about it my friend; I wouldn’t sell you out… I will make this whole thing go away…” Bugout stated with the same cold cadence. “Bugout, this has gone too far, perhaps we should just tell the Mayor what happened, and pray to the watchers that they show us leniency. “ Horizon stated his voice horse and broken. “No my friend, Horizon, My advisor, my loyal companion – fear not. I’ve a solution that will ensure there is no retribution, not worries, no fears. Just do me a favor, stay at the Neon Palace until I can work this out with the Mayor. I will send for you once it is safe.” Horizon looked at Bugout and then kind of smiled “I guess… I guess that’s fine Bugout – I know I can trust you; I was silly to have thought otherwise. I am sure you will talk the mayor out of this. It will be fine.” Horizon left off towards the neon palace, and gathered up some food, while he awaits word from his dear friend.

Bugout raced straight away to the castle. Upon entering he saw the Mayor enjoying a snack of algae’s that hat built up within the walls. “So Mayor, you honestly think that Horizon is involved in the Doctors death?” Bugout stated clearly, whilst watching the mayor like a hawk. “I don’t know what to think Bugout” the Mayor said between bites. “I am sure it must have been an accident, but we need to get it figured out before the Arrivals.”

“About that – I don’t think there will be arrivals. I think it’s just something you have said to keep us on our fins.”

“Don’t be silly Bugout, they are coming. They always come. This is what my people have seen for generations, for many great journeys, thru many migrations. Even at the walls of the grand light the same things happened.”

“Yes well, your people have oppressed us for a great time. Electing yourselves leaders, dictating the actions of the many tanks!”

“Bugout what are you getting at?”

“What am I getting at??? Do you not see it? WHO DECIDED THAT YOU SHOULD BE POSEIDON’S MESSENGERS, THE KINS OF OUR KIND?!” Bugout drew closer to the Mayor.

“Bugout please calm yourself, it was not decided as such, it is just logical.”

“Well we are not in the GREAT TANKS anymore my friend. This is not your community, there is no information network. No great prophets. Only us three now.”

“Yes but the arrivals they…”

Bugout cut off the mayor, in his trademark style. “No Mayor there shall be no arrivals, and if they are I shall deal with them… as I dealt with the Doctor.” The mayors eyes got wide and he took in a great breath. “Yes Mayor Sharkfin, It is I who stopped the blue finned menace. He would have appreciated how truly Fishspearian his destiny has become. You see, if not for his death, and your incessant need to build bunkers for things that will not come to fruition, and then you would not be here, questioning me on his death. And on that subject, I think its time for you to find the gloried way after.”

Bugout never gave the Mayor another chance to react before he was upon him. The Mayor may have been a great leader. He may have been the ambassador at numerous peace talks with the many arrivals, in the many tanks. However he always had guards, cichlid guards, and strong fish to protect him should things go awry. Fish that would die for him, but these fish would not be present on this day. Bugout’s orange fin slammed the back of the Mayors head against the ivory ceramic of the castle. Fish juice oozed from his head and passed his cat like whiskers. The mayor looked up at Bugout, his eyes blurry, his head dazed, and his expression one of total surprise. His head hit the castle repeatedly, as he tried to collect what thoughts were left. Bugout’s powerful fins were far too much for the mayor. His relentless strikes went undefended as the Mayor had no chance to survive. The mayor finally got up enough strength to finally eek out a barely audible “Why?”

Bugout stopped and looked at the bleeding and broken Mayor. He stared at his limp body for a moment, as if pondering the question. Bugout then took a long breath, and his mouth turned into a fishy grin (which looks more like an O then a grin) “Why? You ask…. Why?” Bugout stopped again before letting the breath out slowly and swimming his face close to the mayor. “Because I CAN!” Bugout shouted as the final blow was committed. The Mayor went black, and would never question Bugout again.

Knowing the dangers of the guardians finding the Mayor in such a state (And the possibility of him being replaced) he quickly dug the bottom rocks of the ivory castle out. Once a deep trench had been created, Bugout dropped the corpse of the Mayor in, and buried it completely. He stopped for a moment appreciating the irony, of the trench he created. The Mayor would have been proud of the perfect tactical angles of the trench, and how efficiently Bugout had dug it. Bugout then shrugged off the feeling and smiled. He was however worried about what Horizon would think, so he decided he would give it some more days. Let Horizon think that he was discussing this with the Mayor. Besides – this would give him time to come up with a reason as to why the Mayor had disappeared… Maybe he could even get the watchers involved. Yes, Horizon would buy that- that the watchers had punished the Mayor for the transgression of the tank… Horizon is superstitious enough to buy into that spiritual mumbo jumbo – plus he would need an aid, should the arrivals ever come. You can’t rule a kingdom that has no subjects….

We – The humans involved, had not seen Mayor Sharkfin for some time, however he used to hide in the Ivory castle, so we did not think much of it. Although one interesting thing we noted. There were no longer any bigger deep fishy trenches being dug everywhere. Not a big deal as we had to level it out all the time. We would look for Mayor Sharkfin later. In the mean time we fed the fish, and cleaned the tank as necessary. Never knowing what was going on inside the tank.

Little did any of us know that this was actually a start, to what would become a war of wills, between man and fish…..? Keep checking back for the next exciting installment of “My Fish”