The Greatest Show on Earth! (Mission)

[VEE MENU]

"COME ONE, COME ALL!! TO THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!!" A large, powerfully built fishman called out to his audience in a magnificent cry of excitement. "COME ONE, COME ALL!!" The voice beckoned once more only to simmer to a grumble. Large bug like eyes slowly opened, wearily scanning their surroundings, reminding the wannabe ringmaster where he truly was.

There weren't any cheering crowds, any flamboyant circus performers or even the smell of cotton candy in the air. It was simply the dark, dank alleyway the fishman had reluctantly called home ever since abandoning the circus many weeks ago. Glancing over his torn rags and filthy living area, Vee let loose a pained sigh. He'd desperately wanted to become a circus ringmaster, but Illusia's wealth attracted far too much competition for a rising fishman act to compete with. Day after day Vee struggled to survive the harsh streets while practicing his act, not knowing when his next meal would be or if he'd see enough coin to buy the things to actually start a show. To be honest, Vee had grown tired and was prepared to do whatever it took to make his dream a reality.

Moments later, a scream sounded in a moderately crowded street just beyond Vee's alleyway. A woman with a child, riddled with jewelry, fine clothing and prizes from a day at the newest traveling carnival in town, one would think the nature of the incident involving the scream would be that of murder, or worse.

A flocking group of pedestrians watched as Vee stood next to the frantic woman, tearing into a large stuffed animal with his razor sharp teeth. Like an untamed animal he was, trashing the womans prizes before snatching a large lollipop from her childs lips only to shove it past his own. After his moment of mayhem, Vee made his way back into the alley from wence he came, gnawing at the lollipop like a starved beast..

Placing a stolen carnival prize next to an anorexic mouse in a plastic ball, Vee threw his arms up and shouted at the top of his lungs. "COME ONE, COME ALL!! TO THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH!!" If things kept going the way they were, Vee's dream to become a ringmaster would eventually drive him to madness..

[VEE MENU]

"Oi, Oi!" Came a gentle voice from the alleyways opening to the street. "Vee Menu.. Is that you causing all this ruckus? You're a good boy, Vee.. You just need to get yourself together, maybe find yourself a nice girl to take care of you.." The voice continued. Moving further into the dark alley, a small elderly woman stopped several meters away from the bug eyed fishman. She had grey hair, glasses and a grocery bag filled with goodies.

A slight frown made it's way to Vee's lips as he was rudely interrupted during his secret practice. Large eyes rolled to the side and down at the elderly woman. Believe it or not, Vee hated that old bitch and she knew it too, or atleast he thought she did. She was the type of person that saw the good in everyone no matter how nasty they were on the outside, or atleast that's how she portrayed herself to be. "What brings you my way Ms. Becky?" His eyes rolled to the bag she was holding. "And.. What might you have in that bag?" Vee's irritable expression turned into a curious one.

"Ah, what's in the bag you ask?" A smirk curled along the woman's lips before she removed a black t-shirt and a pair of black denim jeans. "The clothes you wear are so worn out, Vee.. So I brought you these! Here, try them on.." The elderly woman took a step forward.

Vee was literally appalled by the sentiment, but for all those who knew the elderly woman for who she truly was, they couldn't say no to her, ever..

[VEE MENU]

Pushing past a wretched tarp hanging over his personal space, Vee stepped out wearing the black t-shirt and black denim jeans. They were kind of snug, but all in all, he looked okay even if he wouldn't admit it. Glancing down at the elderly woman, Vee had to ask. "So what do you want Ms. Becky?" Knowing every gift she gave came with a steep price.

Still wearing the same friendly smirk, the elderly woman paused for a moment before a venomous demeanor took its place. "Vee! Someone has disrespected me!" She snarled dangerously, her voice changing from kind and gentle, to gruff and ferocious. "At the carnival today, they told me I was too short to ride the Dancing Tea-Cups! AND I WANT THEM TO PAY!!" She roared, clenching her tiny fists.

"What exactly do you want me to do?" Vee asked with a slight tremble in his voice.

"I want you to go to that carnival tonight, find their main attraction AND DESTROY IT!" The woman growled, slamming her fist into a nearby brick wall, leaving an imprint and forcing the building to quake violently. "YOU GOT THAT, VEE!?"

All Vee could do was nod and slip from the alleyway. To the unwise, Ms. Becky was just an ordinary old lady, but to those that knew her, she was the most violent mob boss this side of Illusia. And, for anyone under her protection like he was, they knew better to say no to Ms. Becky..

"Such a good boy.." She said kindly, watching Vee disappear into the cities polluted darkness.

[VEE MENU]

Making his way along the sidewalk, Vee's feet felt heavier with each and every step. It had been many weeks since he set foot anywhere near a circus, let alone a carnival. Not only had he committed a crime which forced him under the protection of Ms. Becky, but he had developed an unnerving pheobia of anything that resembled a circus. His dream was to become a Circus Ringmaster, yet for one reason or another, he was far too intimidated to truly become one. The 'man' that can hold his breath forever, that's him. He was never anything more then that, save for a common thug owned by Ms. Becky.

Following the scattered crowds of happy, prize winning families and the parade themed music, the carnival wasn't hard to find, nor was it very far. But, not only was there a line to get in, there was a cover charge. In a casual manner, Vee acted like he was headed for the line only to dart off to the side, following the carnivals fence away from any would-be onlookers. Vee showed no signs of stopping and wouldn't have let up if it wasn't for a couple of punk kids up to no good.

"Hurry! Get under there!" A boy wearing a brown hat called out to a boy with a blue hat whilst he pried a wooden plank away from the fence.

Racing forward and glancing over his shoulder in an act to spy anyone who dared follow him, Vee clumsily tripped over the wooden plank before falling hard to the ground.

[VEE MENU]

"What the heck was that?!" One boy called out from the other side of the fence. Poking his head through, he saw what he thought to be a large man laying over the other boy. "Hey you get off him! You hear me!?" He called out frantically.

Pushing himself up, Vee rubbed his head before glancing at the boy he was currently sitting on. "You really should watch where you're going kid!" He barked.

"Me? You're the one who ran into.." The boy with the brown hat crawled to his feet, only to pause. "Say, I know you.. Ya, you're the 'man' who could hold his breath forever! From the freakin circus downtown a few months back, arent'cha?"

"Whoa, for real man? A real life celebrity! What the hecks he doing out here?" The other boy called out.

Moving to his feet, Vee looked the boys over. While being afraid to become more then what he was, the idea of having fans praise him for the only thing he was ever good at made him warm inside. In many ways, he needed their compliments. "The 'man' that could hold his breath forever! That's me alright! Rahahaha!" Vee laughed, placing both fists on his hips like a modernday superhero.

Both boys jumped in praise with stars in their eyes. "Awesome!" They said in unison.

[VEE MENU]

"So.. Why are you out here?" The boy with the brown hat asked.

Staring down at the kid and snapping out of his moment of glory. "Well you see, I.. I'm scoping out the competition! Ya, that's it! I'm looking for the shows biggest attraction to see how much longer I'd have to hold my breath to beat it!" Vee created a lie, considering the idea that these children hadn't heard the story involving him being fired due to him being a fishman, a phony in the eyes of many. "Sooo, what are you two up to?"

"Well you see.. We dropped our tickets, ya that's it.. And.. We're going back inside to get them!" The boys both smiled in unison, obviously telling a lie just like Vee. "Hey! So you wanna see the main attraction huh! We'll take you to him! It's a freakin' frog that.."

"SHHH! You'll ruin the surprise!" The other boy responded. Pushing the wooden plank out, he waved the two inside. "Come on, get inside!"

With that, the second boy crawled past the fence with Vee right behind him.

[VEE MENU]

Vee was unusually curious about what the boy had told him, 'a frog that what?' He thought, trailing after the kids as they made their way into the heart of the carnival. At that moment, Vee's eyes lit up to the bustling crowds, masked performers and the heartpounding music. Even if he'd been around such things for over 32 years, he never could get tired of it. Such shows were the only things he cared for in this world. "It's been far too long old friend.." Vee muttered in awe.

Tugging at his shirt, the boys pointed their fingers in the direction of a large stage layered with scantilly dressed women wearing feathered masks. "THERE HE IS!" They both cried out in unison.

Looking up, Vee's bug-like eyes widened in disbelief. The main attraction was without a doubt, a frog, but at first glance it was merely a frog half his size. "That's it? That's the main attraction?" Vee prematurely judged it in an unimpressed manner. No matter how he looked at it, it was just a frog, and he'd seen far better acts over the coarse of his life.

In the midst of the cheering crowds and loud music, the frog seemed to look Vee right in his eyes as if he had heard what the fishman had said or by some unlikely chance, actually understand what he said.

Turning with a groan, Vee prepared to leave. If this was their greatest attraction, then he was wasting his time. He would find something much better somewhere else to destroy, or so he thought. Ignoring the drum roll and the dying cheers, Vee shoved his way through the bustling crowd, only to stop after hearing a voice.

"Hello everyone, my name is Jacob.."

[VEE MENU]

Turning in a horrified manner, Vee could only stare at the frog as he began to talk.

"When I was but a wee tadpole, I lived in a jar on the end of my masters desk. He would often tell me stories, stories I could only hear but never truly understand.. As I grew, so did my passion to learn this art known as speech. It took me several years to.." The frog spoke in a casual manner with an english accent. Pausing for a moment, the frog glanced over at his master shrouded by curtains in the back. He seemed to be considering something, something he was afraid to do. "Forgive me for I have told a hanous lie.. I was born on an island with my own family and friends up until I was stolen from them, forced to perform for human scum like you!" Jacob growled, attempting to raise his arms in anger, but the now apparent shackles held him in place. "RAHHHH!!" He screamed.

The once entranced crowd was terrified by the frogs sudden show of rage, throwing them into a panic and forcing them to run from the stage. Only Vee remained.

Vee watched with a frown as the frog was pulled from the stage by several stage hands before disappearing beyond the curtains. A talking frog was indeed worthy of a main attraction, but unlike him, the frog had no desire to be part of an act. Puzzled and taken aback, Vee couldn't believe anyone would object to being part of a show with so many onlookers praising him as the frog had. It was the only life Vee knew.. "Jacob.." Vee murmured. In the end it really didn't matter, the frog had proven to be true main attraction, thus giving Vee a job to do..

[VEE MENU]

"Hey! That frog was crazy wasn't he? Who would've believed he could actually talk! Ha, we're going to hit the rides, you comin' man?" A boy tugged at Vee's shirt once more. "Let's go!"

Moving from the boys grasp, Vee made his way towards the side of the stage as if in a trance. His wanting to deal with the frog there at that moment greatly outweighed his desire to hang out with a couple of punkass kids. Besides, Ms. Becky wanted the shows greatest attraction destroyed, who was he to make her wait.

"Suite yourself! See ya around man!" The boys ran off in high spirits, racing towards the rides.

As Vee reached the corner of the stage, he peeked around the bend to spy the same group of men forcibly pulling the frog into a nearby tent. A struggle occurred before an important looking man entered the tent. Dressed in a large cloak, flamboyantly fashioned and colored black and red, the man's appearance seemed quick to end the struggle. Vee watched as the other men left the tent and went off to handle other business.

Ducking down low, Vee made his way towards the tent once the coast was clear. He could hear a man talking to the frog, not in an angry manner, but in an unusually pleasant one. Telling Jacob that he loved him and how Jacob had no where else to go without his protection. Amidst the banter, Vee could hear something else, a whipping sound of some kind. Whatever it was, it lasted for several minutes. Peeking through the corner of the tent, Vee saw the frog laying submissively on the ground as the man rolled up a brown whip before making his way out the entrance.

Assuming the coast was clear, Vee stepped inside.

[VEE MENU]

"Hey Jacob.. You'll only cause problems for yourself if you don't perform.." Vee commented, inspecting the area before looking down at the large frog. The fishman was in the circus for over 32 years, so he knew the consequences for not performing. From his experience, the frog deserved whatever punishment he was given. But then again, Vee wasn't there to hold a conversation with the creature, he was there to destroy it.

"Here to rub it in, are you.. Well you can leave, thank you very much. I will not be badgered by the likes of you.." The frog spoke, his english accent possessing a charming quality to it.

Picking up a large flamboyant, blue and purple cloak very similar to the one the man was wearing, Vee draped it over his shoulders. "I won't and you will.." Vee responded casually, looking himself over in the mirror. "Believe it or not, I was actually sent here to destroy you.. But then again, who am I to deprive you of a life so glorious? The main attraction, wow, you must really have it good here. So why resist? What don't you like about fame?" He asked curiously with his back to the creature.

A sense of angst could be seen in the frogs eyes. It looked upon Vee in a different way after his last comment. "You.. You would kill me? Why? What have I done to you? Please, release my shackles! I am no performer, I am a prisoner, please! I will leave this place and you'll never hear from me again! You don't need to hurt me! Please, I'll do anything!!" The frog begged, struggling against his shackles.

"Anything?" Vee repeated. It was there at that moment that a sudden burst of ambition tempted Vee to become more then what he currently was. The main attraction of a grossly popular carnival was within his grasp, and all he could think about was destroying it? What the hell was he thinking? If he was going to become a ringmaster with the greatest show in the world, he would have to start somewhere. Stroking his chin, Vee looked at the frog through the mirror. 'The Great Vee Menu! And his story-telling frog!', oh he did like the sound of that.

Turning and stepping forward, Vee released the frog from his shackles. "Then you work for me now.." He grinned.

[VEE MENU]

Upon removing the last shackle, the frog gasped as a shadow lurked over Vee before throwing a whip around the fishman's neck. "Ha! I knew I saw a fishman in the crowd, I knew it! What? Did you think you could just come in here, flaunt my clothes and steal my precious Jacob! Ha, not a chance! Ha! Not a chance in hell!" The man cried out, attempting to choke Vee unconcious.

Struggling against the mans grasp, Vee rammed him against the tent's layering, ripping through it before sprawling outside, losing the cloak he'd tried on in the action. Thrashing and swinging, Vee was having a very difficult time resisting the mans stranglehold. "Ho..w?!" He muttered painfully, prying at the whip. How was this man stronger then a fishman?

The flamboyantly dressed man chuckled. "Not so easy is it fishman? I used to be a star act just like Jacob, only I was a strongman! Ha! I used to bend steel for a living!" Forcing Vee to his knees, then to a kneel, the strongman straddled him, pulling at the rope with all he had. "Now I'll have two main attractions! Ha! A fishman and a talking frog!" He cried out proudly.

Glancing to the side, Vee could barely make out the figure moving in from the side before it lunged at and toppled the two over. Feeling the whip unwind from around his neck, Vee coughed sporadically whilst attempting to stand, only to fall on his ass. "Jacob?" He cringed, watching the large frog fight in his stead. Glancing over his shoulder, Vee could see several stage hands rushing towards them. If they were anything like the strongman, then there was no way they'd fight them all off.

"Jacob! Get out of the way!" Vee called out, swinging a board he'd pried off the side of the stage and batting the strongman in the side of the face. "Now, run!" Vee added, racing off with Jacob.

Staggering back in a disoriented manner, the strongman pointed after Vee and Jacob. "GET THEM!"

[VEE MENU]

"Hey man over here!" A pair of voices called out in unison. Standing next to the carnivals fence were the same kids from earlier, holding up a wooden plank for the two to escape through. "Hurry!" They squeeled.

Rushing under and through the fence, both Vee and Jacob ran into the night with all they had, only looking back to see the boys climbing through after them.

"Breaking the rules is awesome!" The boys cried out in unison before they too disappeared into the darkness.

"My word! What have we gotten ourselves into?" Jacob asked, shaken up by the situation. Hopping and crawling to keep up with Vee.

Vee didn't answer right away, he was too busy enjoying himself. Not only had he assaulted a man for the second time in his life, he had obtained an attraction for his upcoming show whether Jacob desired it or not. "LET'S GO JACOB! THE SHOW MUST GO ON! RAHAHAHA!" He cried out, the adrenaline only adding to his ambition.

"Huh, what!? What show!?" Jacob beckoned after the fishman as they disappeared into the night.

[VEE MENU]

Awaking in what Jacob believed to be a backalley ditch, turned into the shithole Vee called home. Not only had the frog awaken with a rash, but a rat inside a ball died before his very eyes, of hunger from the looks of it. Moving towards the street and away from the wretchid smell, Jacob stumbled into Vee as he conversated with a tiny old woman just around the corner.

"Then I hit him over the head with a stick and told him.. You don't fuck with Ms. Becky.." Vee explained, telling a bold faced lie about the night before. He was quite proud with his story, leaving out the part about Jacob being the main attraction for personal reasons of course. Vee made it seem like he'd beaten the carnivals owner half to death to teach them a lesson, he figured Ms. Becky would like that even more.

"Ohh, Vee! You make an old woman smile.." Ms. Becky responded with a gentle smile. "If that man comes looking for vengeance on my turf you let me know. Okay sweety?" She smile before making her way along the sidewalk and around the corner.

Vee gave a nod as the elderly woman left. Even if he disliked that old hag, she would always be there to watch his back, a trait he actually liked about her. With that, Vee dusted off his hands before glancing over at Jacob with a smile. "Hey Jacob.. We need to work on our act.."

[End]