Anjalverse Mayhem (Book One of Anjalverse Saga)

(Day; at Anjal school; at 9B class. The class is having an ordinary L.A session, but the teacher stops the session since the class has got a conference to attend.)

L.A teacher (Mr Essam): Ok. Line up.

(The class lines up and heads towards the bus)

Abdo: Oh, hey guys! No no; it’s not a school trip. We’re headin’ off to some conference in… uh… I don’t know where. But now that you’re here, lemme introduce you to the gang. Startin’ off, we’ve got Omar! My brother, mi hermano, mon [pauses]

Omar: Enough!

Abdo: Ok ok! Jeez. Next up is Bader! The “fun” boy and the last one you’d need in a serious situation.

Bader: (unamused) By the way, who are you talking to?

Abdo: Don’t mind him. He isn’t used to breaking the fourth wall. Anyways, say hi to Nawaf! I really like to get on his nerves.

Nawaf: AND YOU’RE DOING A GREAT JOB AT IT!

Abdo: Loser of the class says what.

Nawaf: What?

Abdo: Got ’em.

Nawaf: Get away from me!

Abdo: C’mon, man. I know you like me. You’re just being stubborn and cute as always.

Nawaf: (grumbles)

Abdo: Maybe not cute. Catch ya later, Waf!

Nawaf: BYE AND SEE YOU NEVER!

Abdo: (chuckles nervously) Next on the list (and last in everything else) is Huraib.

Huraib: Thank you. Thank you. As you know, I’m the best [pauses]

Abdo: Bong Bong Bing Bong!

Huraib: I’m the best [pauses]!

Abdo: Bong Bong Bing Bong!

Huraib: I’M THE BEST [pauses]!!!

Abdo: Bong Bong Bing Bong! You know, let’s just ignore this blockhead.

Huraib: I heard ya!

Abdo: Anyways, the rest are Azzam, Mohammed Khamees, Ali Al-Khamees, Mubarak, some other forgettable side characters not even worth a mention, and finally me! Wew. Oh, there’s the bus. It’s been fun, guys, but let’s just skip to the part when it gets interesting.

(A while later)

Abdo: And we’ve arrived! Now let’s see what that’s all about. Oh, the entire school is here. Looks like it’s really important.

(The students are taken to a grand stage, where a man is getting ready to make a presentation)

Abdo: No food or movies. What good is this theater?! Ok ok. Let’s not rush it. Heh; maybe this guy has something interesting to say. What I know about this guy is that he graduated from Anjal (no wonder the school’s so pumped about this); his name’s Salem; and he made a “revolutionary” discovery. Let’s see if he’s worth the hype.

Salem: Greetings, my enthusiastic attendees.

Abdo: (whispering) No one’s enthusiastic about you. This class is only enthusiastic for sport sessions.

Salem: Not so long ago, I came across a shocking discovery on my recent expedition. I discovered a revolutionary power source, one that could accelerate humanity’s plans in the near future considerably.

Abdo: (whispering) Nobody asked for your resumé. Just get to the point already! To be fair, arts session would’ve been worse.

Salem: I present before you the Shockwave Gem!

Abdo: (whispering in an unamused expression) Oh, wow! Here’s a worthy addition to my collection of meaningless instruments. What does it do, other than being ridiculously expensive, of course?

Salem: This gem has the power to send shockwaves that extend to beyond our universe, and through traversing through these shockwaves, multiversial travel is possible!

Abdo: (whispering) From the perspective of someone who’s already seen ghosts, zombies, aliens, and stuff all sorts of absurd, yeah, that seems pretty real.

Salem: May I have a volunteer?

(Nobody raises their hands)

Salem: Anyone?

Abdo: (whispering) I don’t wanna let this guy leave empty-handed, and while I do share the lack of enthusiasm permeating from the theater, I don’t see why not. (loudly) Hey; over here! I wanna try!

Salem: What’s your name?

Abdo: Name’s Abdulrahman, but you can just call me Abdo.

Salem: Then step forth, kid.

Abdo: (whispering) I’m 15 for God’s sake!

Salem: I have designed this spacecraft to withstand the immense power of the Shockwave Gem. You may step inside.

Abdo: Why, thank you.

Salem: You will be teleported into an alternate dimension for a minute, and here’s a camera for you to take pictures. So…where do you wanna go? Or should I pick?

Abdo: How about (clears throat) Earth-838?

Salem: Very well, then. Safe travels.

(The spacecraft opens a portal and passes through it, taking Abdo to the void between dimensions and into Earth-838)

Abdo: So the guy wasn’t bluffing, after all. You know, Imma call it the Anjalverse. You know, ’cuz “Abdoverse” would make me look narcissistic. Besides, the term “Anjalverse” makes us all equally represented.

(The spacecraft lands on Earth-838, and all Abdo sees is a dystopian environment devoid of any sentiment of joy; only bleakness and emptiness)

Abdo: (nervously) Ok. Not the sight I was expecting. Just gotta take some pictures and leave. Heh; Salem would owe me one if I return with these pictures and prove him right. I wonder if he’ll win a Nobel prize.

(Abdo takes some pictures)

Abdo: Guess that’s enough. Time to head back.

(Suddenly, a horde of robots swarm Abdo)

Abdo: Oh, yeah! Don’t get me wrong; it’s always fun when something unexpected happens. Besides, I’ll go back home after I give these robots a nice beating. Now, take this, robozos!

(Punches a robot, but it is of no effect)

Abdo: Ouch! Ok, now that these robots turned out to make John Cena look like small fry, time to do the sensible thing that unprepared-for-adventure 15-year old schoolboys would do and…RUN!

(The robots chase after Abdo)

Abdo: Me? Running away from robots? Boy, am I glad the other guys aren’t here to see this. Just gotta hurry up before Salem does the next funny thing and [pauses]

(The spacecraft teleports back to Abdo’s world)

Abdo: …teleports the ship outta here. Great. Juuuuust great. Now my chances went from slim to none. Okay, now that I’m doomed either way, time to kick some ro-butt!

(Abdo gets knocked unconscious quickly and is taken elsewhere. Meanwhile, a variant of Omar is watching)

?: That explains it.

(Back on Abdo’s world, the spacecraft returns)

Salem: There he is! How was your trip, Mr. Abdo?

(The spaceship is revealed to be empty, and Salem reacts with a horrified expression)

(Some time later, back on 9B class, Omar is concerned about Abdo, while the others display an appalling indifference towards the safety of their friend. Enraged by this, Omar attempts to convince his class to do something about the current state of affairs)

Omar: Come on, guys! Won’t you do something about it?!

Bader: With little to no shame…NO!

Ali Almubarak: I really wanna help him, but I also like staying alive.

Nawaf: Your brother’s a goner. Good riddance.

Omar: Seriously?! There’s no way you hate him that much. Yeah, he’s annoying, but he’s our friend.

Nawaf: Sure; why not? I love throwing myself into danger.

Omar: If so, then [pauses]

Nawaf: I WAS BEING SARCASTIC, YOU DIMWIT!!!

Huraib: Don’t worry, Omar. I’m sure the government would rescue your brother. Or maybe Abdo will rescue himself.

Omar: He can’t even make breakfast. And besides, how would they know where Abdo is?

Azzam: It’s not like we know either. Just let the professionals do it.

Omar: (enthusiastically) How could you forget all the things we’ve been through?! We’ve survived Squid Game! We’ve repelled a monster invasion! We can achieve anything together! Now who’s with me?!

(Omar gets kicked out of the class)

Omar: (unamused) Yep. Shoulda seen that comin’.

(Shortly, Bader, Nawaf, and Huraib follow)

Omar: Bader? Nawaf? Huraib? I knew I left an impression on y’all!

Bader: Yes and no.

Nawaf: Well, whatever it is you’ll be doing, it’ll take us away from school.

Bader: My sentiments exactly!

Huraib: I’m just here ’cuz I want to discover an alternate universe where I’m given the respect I deserve!

Omar: Nobody asked you! And you know you won’t find such a universe.

Huraib: You never know.

Omar: So none of you are here to rescue Abdo?

Bader: Yep

Omar: I’m screwed.

Nawaf: Just shut up!

Omar: Anyways, we need Salem’s spacecraft, as well as the Shockwave Gem, so Salem is the best chance we’ve got.

Huraib: You mean the guy who’s currently on the run with the Shockwave Gem, lost the spacecraft to the government, and is nearly undetectable? How are we gonna find this guy?!

Omar: It’s gonna be easy. We’ll just go wherever we find police.

Nawaf: You’re saying that as if Salem is the only one who would possibly be chased down by cops.

Omar: Come on; he’s a top priority. How hard can it be?!

(Omar and his friends are unable to find Salem despite following a lot of cops)

Bader: Guess the cops are just as clueless as we are.

Omar: Patience, Bader. We’ll find him… eventually.

(Nawaf spots Salem on the run)

Nawaf: He’s right [pauses]

Omar: Don’t just say it out loud!

Nawaf: (whispering) I saw him.

(The others nod, and they chase after Salem)

Salem: Phew! I think I’ve lost them.

(He gets knocked unconscious by Omar)

Huraib: Great. Now back to the class.

Bader: Yeah, sure; let’s just walk around with what looks like a dead body, let alone Salem’s body, and hope it doesn’t blow up in our faces! Can you stop being an idiot for a minute?!

Huraib: Nope; thirty seconds is my limit.

Bader: 😒

Omar: Hold on. I’ve got an idea.

(The quartet place Salem on an empty trash can and disguise themselves as sanitation workers. The ruse works, and the quartet return to their class. They wake up Salem for interrogation)

Salem: (whispering) Not now, mom. Just… five more [pauses]

Nawaf: Morning, sunshine!

Salem: (shouting) WHERE DID YOU TAKE ME?! WHAT DID YOU DO?! (sniffing) WHY DO I SMELL THIS TERRIBLE?!

Huraib: To Anjal School, 9B specifically; we only tied you up for interrogation; and you smell terrible ’cuz we placed you on a trash can to hide you from sight.

Salem: How could you do that to a scientific prodigy?! That’s way past uncool!

Omar: Well, you tossed my brother into a random dimension, so…we’re even.

Salem: I’m trying to fix this; okay?!

Omar: And by “fixing”, you mean running away. Last I checked, that’s called being selfish.

Salem: And last I checked, what you’re doing is called extortion! I could sue you right now…well…not quite.

Bader: Guys, lemme handle this. Okay, hotshot; we’ve got some questions, and you better answer, or else!

Salem: Or else what?

Bader: (opens his phone)

Salem: Seriously?!

Bader: (opens the phone app)

Salem: What are you doing?

Bader: You’re smart enough to guess.

Salem: You can’t scare me off!

Bader: Fine! Have it your way! (Enters 9)

Salem: Not working!

Bader: (Enters 1)

Salem: You wouldn’t!

Bader: I would. (Enters 1). Now should I call this number or not?

Salem: No no no no! Fine! I’ll help you out.

Omar, Huraib, and Nawaf: (clapping)

Bader: Thank you. Thank you.

Omar: Now where did you take my brother?

Salem: To Earth-838. Now don’t tell me you’ll be going after him!

Omar: We will. And you’ll help us.

Salem: Of course not!

Bader: (shows Salem his phone, ready to call 911) Will that change your mind?

Salem: I mean…it’s too dangerous, and …. I honestly can’t get into more trouble!

Bader: Okay. Want some trouble?! I hope the police are enough trouble for ya.

Salem: STOP!!!

Nawaf: It’s simple; we’ll bring back Abdo, which will be enough defense for you. Perhaps you won’t be charged for what happened after you fix it.

Salem: [pauses] Fine! But it’s at your own cost. And I won’t accompany you.

Nawaf: I accept these terms; you’d be a liability anyway.

Salem: How dare you, mister?! If I come with you, I will guarantee you total victory!

Nawaf: Sorry; no cowards allowed!

Salem: Fine! I’m coming!

Nawaf: (whispering) Got ’em.

Omar: Now where can you build us a spacecraft?

Salem: There are several prototypes at my main laboratory. I could adjust them a bit, then you’ll be good to go. But it’s probably confisticated by the government.

Huraib: Not a problem!

Salem: You can’t be that reckless!

Omar: You obviously don’t know about us.

Salem: Even if you turn out to be impudent enough for something as dire as this operation you propose, I’m not! I could already be getting a five-year sentence at best, and I’m not willing to end up with something worse by stealing from the government AND teleporting you out! You hear me?!

Bader: (shows Salem his phone, ready to call 911…again)

Salem: Can’t you just knock it off?! That gag is getting longer and less funny as we speak!

Bader: Sure! You can say that to your lawyer.

Salem: (grumbles then while whispering) I’m so screwed! (Aloud) Fine! I’ll do whatever you want!

Bader: You and your brother owe me one now, Omar!

Omar: I’ll repay that debt at some point.

Bader: You better!

Omar: No time to waste. Abdo is counting on us, so let’s get going!

(Omar and the rest sneak into Salem’s laboratory, which is heavily guarded)

Omar: Looks like stealthy approach won’t help out. Time to [pauses]

Salem: Don’t you say what I think you’re gonna say?!

Nawaf: Please say what I think you’re gonna say

Omar: … go loud!

(The team starts to beat down the guards and proceeds to the spacecraft)

Omar: Guys, hold ’em off while Salem does something smart!

Salem: What’s that supposed to mean?!

Omar: I dunno! You’re the genius! Figure something out!

Salem: (whispering) That, ladies and gentlemen, is the perpetual mistreatment of geniuses.

(Omar and his friends struggle to hold off the security. Just when all seemed over, the rest of 9B shows up to help out)

The entire class: Charge!

Omar: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but boy, am I glad to see you guys!

(The class manages to overcome the security, buying Salem enough time to work his magic)

Omar: Hurry it up, Salem!

Salem: Oh ye of little faith.

(Salem activates the spacecraft, and Omar and his friends quickly enter)

Salem: I’ve given you the path towards Earth-838. I have to warn you, though; there’s no autopilot in here.

Omar: We’ll figure out how to fly this thing…after a bit of trial-and-error…eventually. Thanks for the help, Salem.

Salem: (grinning) I finally get the appreciation I deserve.

Omar: Don’t let it get to your head. I still owe you nothing.

Salem: My disappointment is immeasurable.

Omar: Bye, class! And don’t forget; keep Salem safe until we return.

The rest of the class: Bye! Good luck!

Azzam: Don’t worry. We’ll keep Salem safe.

Omar: Now for takeoff!

(Using the power of the Shockwave Gem, Omar and his friends open a portal and pass through it. They successfully reach the void between dimensions).

Huraib: Woo-hoo!

Omar: Hang tight, bro! We’ll bring you back home!

(Meanwhile, back on Earth-838, Abdo awakes.)

Abdo: That was one crazy [pauses] oh wait; it’s not a dream.

Robot 1A: The unparalleled emperor bids you meet him.

Robot 1B: We are tasked with escorting you.

Abdo: (thinking) This is getting weird. Gotta play this right. Gotta play this safe.

(Abdo allows himself to be escorted by the robots)

Robot 1A: The traveler from another dimension is here, just as you demanded.

??: Is that so? Bring him forth.

Abdo: Okay. Hope you have an explanation for what’s goin’ on here.

??: Indubitably. I trust you can also explain your unprecedented presence ?

Abdo: You bet! Now tell me -or show me- who the heck you are!

??: You may call me ABDO 2.0. It is indeed an honor to meet you, my variant.

(Abdo meets with an individual full of mystique, who claims to be his variant. How will this confrontation go? Will

(End of Episode 1, Time for a Shockwave)