Rick & Morty: Science is Power (SI)

I adjusted the strap of the bag slung over my shoulder, the weight of the freeze ray and the laser digger both reassuring and a little terrifying. They were my ticket out if things went south.

I hung around the family living room, where most of the family was scattered, each doing their own thing on their phones. Summer was sprawled on the couch, scrolling through whatever the latest social media nonsense was, her face illuminated by the bright screen. Beth was sitting at the kitchen table, her head buried in a medical journal, probably reading about some new breakthrough that could change the world, if she could ever get Rick to take anything seriously. Jerry, of course, was sitting on his recliner, staring blankly at the TV, probably looking for some dumb, meaningless distraction to get him through the day.

"Hey, Morty," Summer said, glancing up from her phone with a bored expression. "You look like you've got something on your mind. What's going on?"

I sighed, not in the mood for a conversation about whatever random thing Summer was obsessing over today. "Nothing," I muttered, trying to brush it off.

Beth, overhearing, gave me a sideways glance. "Are you sure, Morty? You've been acting a little... off lately. Something going on with you?"

I forced a smile. "Nah, I'm fine, Mom. Just tired, I guess."

Beth raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but didn't press it. She returned her focus to the journal in front of her, and Jerry. 

The holiday season had just rolled around, and while everyone was mildly preoccupied with their phones and their own thoughts, Jerry seemed extra nervous today.

I overheard bits and pieces about him planning some big family dinner with his parents, but honestly, I didn't have time to focus on that. I had bigger problems—like Anatomy Park. And whatever it was that Rick had in store.

I didn't have time to hang around here for too long.. I wasn't going to waste this chance, and I certainly wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to change my life—or whatever was left of it.

Just as I was about to sit down next to Summer, Rick's voice boomed from the garage. "Morty! Get in here!"

I sighed, rolling my eyes.

Rick had to love his dramatic entrances. But I couldn't ignore him—not when everything was about to change. He needed me for his crazy theme park idea, which would undoubtedly end disastrously, just like everything Rick did. But this time, I was determined to be more than just a passive participant in the chaos. I had my gadgets, and I had my head on straight. I was going to make something of this.

Without saying another word to the family, I stood up, slinging the bag over my shoulder once more. The weight of the freeze ray and laser digger made me feel like I actually had a chance in this messed-up universe. It was time to make my move.

I headed toward the garage, my steps quickening with a mix of anticipation and nerves. As I reached the door, I paused, glancing back at the living room one last time. Summer was still absorbed in her phone, Beth was skimming through her journal, and Jerry... well, he was Jerry. The usual.

I took a deep breath, then pushed open the garage door, stepping into the madness. There he was: Rick, hunched over his workbench, surrounded by scattered tools, half-finished experiments, and what looked like the wreckage of a failed invention.

Rick didn't look up as I entered, still fiddling with some device that looked like it could explode any second.

"Uh, Morty, get over here! "Get your gear. We're going to need it. And no time for questions, Morty. You're gonna fix something for me." Rick grumbled, clearly distracted.

I adjusted the bag on my shoulder and pulled it closer, feeling the weight of the freeze ray and laser digger. These were my backup. My insurance policy in case things went sideways in this whole mess. And considering this was Rick we were talking about, I fully expected things to go sideways.

"What are we doing this time, Rick?" I asked, trying to sound calm even though the unease was building in my stomach.

Rick looked at me, his face twitching in what could only be described as a manic grin. "You're going inside a guy's body, Morty. Anatomy Park needs a little maintenance, and you're just the person to do it."

I stared at him for a moment, blinking in confusion. "What the hell is Anatomy Park, Rick?"

"You'll see," Rick said vaguely, before yanking open a nearby drawer and pulling out some weird syringe.

Before I could ask what that was for, Rick shoved it into my hand. "You're gonna be injected into Reuben here," he said, nodding at a scraggly-looking homeless man who was passed out on the floor of the garage. "You'll have to fix the park from the inside, Morty. Anatomy Park is one big mess, and we need you to clean it up. Think of it as a really weird video game, but in real life."

The thought of shrinking down and entering someone's body made me want to throw up. And to top it off, the idea of being inside a infested body—let alone fixing a theme park inside it—was making my brain disgusted. 

"You want me to do what?!" I choked, my stomach lurching, some of it being an act, while a little being real.

Rick shrugged nonchalantly. "It's not like you have a choice, Morty. You wanted adventure, right? Now you've got one."

Before I could protest any further, Rick grabbed me by the arm and steered me toward the table, where the syringe was waiting. I wanted to argue, but honestly, I didn't have the time. This was happening, whether I was ready or not.

With one last, terrified look at Rick, I took a deep breath, then injected myself into the device. The world swirled around me. I could feel the rush of the shrinking process pulling at my molecules. Within seconds, I was a tiny, insignificant speck in a strange new world.

When my vision cleared, I realized I was no longer in Rick's garage. In fact, I wasn't even in the garage anymore. I was... inside someone?

The walls around me were no longer metal or concrete—they were fleshy, pulsating organs, each with a strange, sickly hue.

The air smelled faintly of something medicinal, like the inside of a hospital mixed with something far worse.

"Oh god..." I muttered, a wave of nausea washing over me. This was not what I signed up for. But there was no turning back now.

The collar still on my wrist unfortunately didn't help only increasing my focus on the stench,

I could hear Rick's voice, distorted but still audible through the soundproofing of my new environment. "You're in there, Morty! Now go fix the mess in Anatomy Park. I've got other things to do."

What the hell was that supposed to mean? I didn't have time to question it; I had to focus. Anatomy Park wasn't just some weird theme park inside a person's body. It was alive, and dangerous, and I was stuck in it.

Just as I was about to take a step, a massive organ throbbed nearby, causing me to stumble.

I quickly steadied myself.

But as I tried to focus on what to do next, I was interrupted by a booming voice. "Well, well, well, looks like someone is ready for their first tour!"

I froze. What the hell?

And there, emerging from a nearby organ, was none other than a towering figure—one that looked eerily similar to Rick's work.

The introduction to Anatomy Park had begun, and this was only the beginning.