I had done it. The second Meeseeks Box sat on the workbench in my room, shiny and ready to fulfill my every whim. This one wasn't like Rick's—it was mine, a streamlined, more precise version. No existential crises, no emotional spirals.
The collar on my wrist glowed faintly red now, its modification complete. What had started as Snuffles' old invention had become something much more. With the press of a button on the collar, I could now control the newly built Meeseeks Box from anywhere. This wasn't just a mere gadget; it was freedom.
I leaned back in my chair, looking at the box with satisfaction. It was smaller, sleeker, and less prone to Rick's usual overcomplications. This was mine to control—my first step toward creating the life I wanted in this chaotic world.
The faint hum of activity from the collar reassured me. It was a subtle, constant reminder that I now held the power to handle almost anything. But even with this new tool, there were some things only Rick could do.
I glanced at the crumpled flyer on my desk as I stood: Flu Season Dance – Friday Night. I headed downstairs to the garage, clutching a small vial of DNA I'd discretely collected earlier. It was flu season and Rick was at his workbench, tinkering with a half-disassembled portal gun. He didn't even look up when I walked in.
"Hey, Rick," I started, trying to sound casual. "I, uh, need your help with something."
He grunted, still focused on his project. "Yeah, yeah, Morty. What is it now? You clog the toilet again, or are you here to ask me to solve some mundane teenage problem?"
"No, it's… something different," I said, holding up the vial. "I was wondering if you could make a love potion."
That got his attention. He swiveled around, eyebrow raised. "A love potion? Seriously, Morty? What, you think life's some kind of cheesy rom-com where a magic potion solves all your problems?"
"Look, Rick, I know it sounds dumb," I admitted, "but I've thought this through. You're the smartest guy in the multiverse, right? This is easy for you. Just whip up a little something, and I'll be out of your hair."
Rick squinted at me, his expression unreadable. Then he snatched the vial from my hand, examining it under the light. "This is Jessica's DNA, isn't it? Geez, Morty, you're more desperate than I thought."
I felt my face flush, but I stood my ground. "Yeah, okay, maybe it's a little desperate. But come on, Rick, you've done way crazier stuff for dumber reasons."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "You're not wrong there, kid. Alright, fine. I'll whip something up. But don't come crying to me when this inevitably blows up in your face."
As Rick started gathering supplies, I glanced at the collar on my wrist. The faint red glow pulsed rhythmically, almost like a heartbeat. This wasn't just about Jessica or some fleeting teenage crush. This was about control—taking charge of a world that had thrown me into its chaos.
For now, though, I'd play along. Let Rick think I was just another lovesick teenager. After all, the real journey was just beginning.
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The lab filled with the lingering scent of Rick's concoction as he poured the final ingredient into the beaker. A plume of purple smoke erupted, accompanied by a series of sparks that cast jagged shadows across the walls. Rick leaned back with a smug grin, holding up the vial of freshly brewed serum.
"There you go, Morty. One love potion, straight from the twisted brain of your genius grandpa. Or, you know, just the result of me slapping together some vole DNA and pheromone amplifiers. Same difference." He tossed it to me with casual disdain, and I barely caught it before it hit the floor.
"Thanks, Rick," I said, slipping the vial into my pocket. "So, uh… no side effects, right?"
Rick barked out a laugh, wiping his hands on his stained lab coat.
I nodded quickly, forcing a grin. "Yeah, of course. Got it."
Rick waved me off, turning back to his workbench. "Whatever. Go ruin your social life. Just don't come crying to me when the whole thing backfires. I'm not your therapist."
I left the garage, the vial burning a hole in my pocket. I could still hear Rick muttering to himself as I climbed the stairs, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He had no idea what I was planning.
Upstairs, I locked myself in my room and sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the glowing collar on my wrist. Everything was in place. The Meeseeks Box, the modified collar, and now the potion. Tonight at the dance, I'd set it all into motion. If I played this right, the timeline would unravel just as it had before, but this time, I'd be ready for what came next.
The thought of Jessica briefly crossed my mind. For a moment, I wondered if this was all too cruel—using her as a pawn in a game she didn't even know was happening. But I pushed the thought aside. This wasn't about Jessica, not really. It was about control. About survival. If I was stuck in this insane world, I wasn't going to be its victim.
The hours dragged until it was finally time. I was well dressed, checked myself in the mirror. I wore a crimson red suit tightly fitted on my body with a maroon pocket square and a pair of matt black shoes and grabbed the vial. At the front door, Jerry was waiting, grinning like an idiot in his favorite sweater.
"Wow, Morty! Big night, huh? You got a date with Jessica?" he asked, practically vibrating with excitement.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "Not exactly, Dad. It's just the dance."
Jerry's face fell slightly, but he quickly recovered. "Well, you know, Morty, if you need any advice about girls, I'm your guy. I mean, I did win over your mom, didn't I?"
"Yeah, sure, Dad. Thanks," I muttered, sidestepping him and heading for the door. The last thing I needed was Jerry's brand of wisdom slowing me down.
Outside, the cool night air bit at my skin, but I barely felt it. My mind was on overdrive, calculating every possible outcome. The dance was a pivotal point. If I timed everything right, I could force Rick's hand and set the plan in motion.
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As I walked toward the school, the faint sound of music drifted through the air. The gym was already packed with students, their voices and laughter blending into a chaotic hum. I hesitated for a moment, the vial heavy in my pocket.
This was it. No turning back.
I stepped into the gym, the fluorescent lights flickering overhead. Jessica like the rest of the teens was across the room, laughing with her friends, her red hair catching the light like a beacon. Brad loomed nearby, his arm possessively draped around her shoulders.
I tightened the collar around my wrist and activated the Meeseeks Box. A faint hum filled the air as a red figure popped into existence beside me.
"I'm Mr. Meeseeks! Look at me!" it chirped, grinning ear to ear.
keeping my voice low, I whispered, "I need you to release the vial through the air vents, somewhere no one will notice. Make sure it's out of sight, and don't let anyone see it. Got it?" I said calmly until some people began to stare.
"Oh, crap," I muttered, realizing someone was approaching our location.
"Can do!" the Meeseeks said, saluting before darting off, and blending into the drunk crowd.
I approached the dance floor waiting out the time when I suddenly bumped into Jessica, my heart steady, still focused on the task ahead.
She turned to me with a smile. "Hey, Morty," she said, her voice warm. "Having fun?"
"Uh, yeah! Totally," I said, forcing a smile. a faint breeze stirred in the air.
The Meeseeks had done its job. The vial slipped into the air vents, releasing the potion silently into the room.
I smiled, knowing everything was set into motion. This was the moment I'd been waiting for.
My heart raced as the faint purple haze from the vents began to filter through the room. I glanced around nervously, watching as the crowd's mood began to subtly shift. Smiles grew wider, laughter grew louder, and the gym started to feel like it was charged with an almost tangible energy.
Jessica leaned closer, her bright eyes locking onto mine. "You okay? You look a little… intense," she said, her voice tinged with concern.
I forced a grin. "Yeah, yeah, just, uh, soaking it all in, you know?"
"If you say so," Jessica replied, laughing lightly before being pulled away by one of her friends. My smile faltered as I refocused on the mission.
I glanced over at Jessica, who was talking with her friends, but as soon as our eyes met, something changed. Her smile grew softer, her gaze warmer. The potion was taking effect—just like I had hoped.
But then it happened. Brad, the arrogant jock who I could barely tolerate, looked over and did a double-take. His smirk melted into something… almost affectionate, and before I knew it, he was walking toward me.
"Morty," he said, his voice full of awe. "I never realized how amazing you are. Can I… can I hold your hand?"
It was happening just as I'd envisioned. Every single person in that room was now focused entirely on me.
The crowd surged toward me, their voices blending into a unified chorus of adoration. They called my name, each one proclaiming their love for me. "Morty, we love you! You're the greatest!" they chanted, as if I were some kind of hero, a deity.
I slipped through the crowd heading towards the gym door, confident and calm. The Meeseeks Box had done its job—releasing the potion unnoticed through the vents. And now the crowd was paying the price.
As son as I opened the door the crowd still hot on my tail I sprinted down the street towards my parked ship.
hoping in the ignition still hot I fired up the car and made my way to the garage.
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By the time I reached the garage, the sound of distant shouts from the love-crazed mob pushed me to slam the door behind me. Rick was hunched over his workbench, tinkering with some unrecognizable contraption.I prepped my voice ready for the"Rick!" I shouted, my voice cracking. "We… we have a problem!"
Rick barely glanced up, his expression a mix of annoyance and mild curiosity. "Jeez, Morty, what now? Did you accidentally summon Cthulhu at the school dance, or is this about some dumb teenage drama?"
"It's the love potion! Everyone at the dance is obsessed with me! It's spreading, Rick!"
Rick's eyes narrowed, and he set down his tools with a heavy sigh. "Goddammit, Morty. I knew this was a bad idea. Love potions never end well. They're like tequila—a few shots seem fun until you wake up in Tijuana missing a kidney."
"Can we skip the lecture and just fix this?" I begged, pointing toward the door as muffled voices drew closer.
Rick groaned, reaching for a vial of blue liquid on a nearby shelf. "Alright, alright. This should neutralize the pheromone crap in their systems. Stand still."
He sprayed the antidote directly at me, the cool mist settling on my skin. For a moment, I thought it had worked.
luckily though the frantic pounding on the garage turned into sounds or groans But then the murmurs turned into a chorus of impassioned declarations.
"Morty…" came a voice from outside. "We love you, Morty! Let us in!"
Rick's face twisted into a grimace. "Welp, that's not good. Looks like the antidote just amplified the effect. Great job, Morty. Now you've got the whole planet trying to jump your bones."
"What do we do?!" I cried, gripping the edge of the workbench.
Rick rubbed his temples, muttering a string of expletives. "Alright, Plan B. We'll nuke this timeline and hop to another one. Grab your stuff, Morty. We're pulling the classic reset."
He grabbed the portal gun and calibrated it with practiced ease, the green vortex springing to life in the middle of the garage. The pounding on the door grew louder, the mob's fervent cries sending a chill down my spine.
"Move your ass, Morty!" Rick barked, stepping through the portal.
I hesitated, the enormity of the moment hitting me. This wasn't how I'd envisioned it. I'd planned to turn this place into full Cronenburgs but thinking more cleary this might just be a better outcome. But there was no time to dwell on it now.
I plunged through the portal after Rick, the swirling green light enveloping me. The last thing I heard before the vortex closed was the sound of the garage door splintering under the weight of the crowd.
We emerged into a nearly identical lab, the only noticeable difference being the faint smell of ozone and the slightly brighter fluorescent lights. Rick immediately began tinkering with the equipment, muttering something about stabilizing the timeline.But as I scanned the new lab, I felt something heavy settle in my gut. Something wasn't right. A presence seemed to lurk in the shadows, a silent weight pressing against me.
My eyes drifted to the floor, and there, on the cold cement, lay Rick and myself—motionless, lifeless, sprawled out on the ground.
I froze, a rush panic surging through my veins as my breath caught in my throat.
I let out a shaky breath. As the collar's effect steadied my pulse, I turned back to Rick, who had been unbothered by the bodies on the floor. His expression was calm, and his body neutral. A sinking feeling filled my stomach.Rick turned to me seeing the slight panic in my expression "Calm down morty, we've just entered another reality where we solved the love potion crisis, and we coincidentally died the same day." he turned back around grabbing something from the garage." Here," he tossed a shovel my direction, my reaction flaring up I caught it feeling the weight of it. "I'll burry myself you'll burry yours, we need to hurry a bit before someone sees."
I was prepared, or so I thought but there was no turning back now. It was time to face the consequences and the potential benefits.
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