" The Boss .. " - A Shark Tale Story ( Mr Sykes x Don Lino )

The Gathering

Sykes had spent the next few days recovering, both physically and mentally. The argument with Ernie and Bernie still weighed heavily on his mind, but he knew they only wanted to protect him. And they weren't wrong—getting mixed up with Don Lino was dangerous. Still, something had shifted inside him, and the pufferfish couldn't ignore the pull. He had to face the shark again.

By the time Sykes felt well enough to leave his quarters, the call had already come in—a meeting. Don Lino had summoned him, along with a few key members of his organization, to discuss matters beyond the reef. The very thought of being in the same room with Lino again made Sykes' insides churn, but he knew he had to go. There was no avoiding it.

Sykes took a deep breath as he entered the private chamber in Don Lino's underwater fortress. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls as the soft current rippled through the water. Lino's men were already assembled—grizzled sharks, eels, and other sea creatures of a less savory sort. At the far end of the room stood Luca, always a picture of cool confidence, his tentacles moving in a way that made him seem like he was floating above it all.

And there, in the center of it all, was Don Lino himself.

The massive shark cut an imposing figure, his cold eyes scanning the room with a predatory calm. Even seated, he radiated authority, every inch the mafia boss that controlled the ocean with an iron fin. Sykes hesitated for a moment at the doorway, his heart pounding in his chest. You've faced worse, he reminded himself. This is just business.

Lino's gaze shifted as Sykes entered the room. His eyes softened, just for a moment, though his expression remained unreadable. "Sykes," he rumbled, his deep voice filling the chamber. "Good to see you're back on your fins."

Sykes nodded, trying to keep his nerves in check. "Thanks, Lino. I appreciate the... uh, balloon and the letter."

Lino waved a fin dismissively. "Forget about it. Just wanted to make sure you were alright." He motioned to an empty spot beside Luca. "Take a seat. We've got business to discuss."

Sykes floated over to his place, his stomach doing somersaults as he settled next to Luca. The octopus gave him a sly smile, his tentacles draping lazily over the edge of the table.

"So," Lino began, his voice low and commanding, "we've been having some trouble beyond the reef. Whispers, shadows, the works. I don't like it, and I'm not letting anything threaten my operation. That's why we're all here."

Razor, the grizzled hammerhead from earlier, nodded. "We've been tracking movement in the deeper waters. Something's stirring out there, boss. But it's like nothing we've ever seen."

Lino's eyes flicked toward Luca. "What do you think, Luca?"

Luca leaned back, his tentacles idly twisting in the water. "I think we've got more than just rival gangs to worry about. This feels... off. Like there's something else at play. I've got some contacts in the eastern trench who've been hearing the same things."

Sykes shifted uncomfortably, memories of the voices he'd heard in the darkness flashing through his mind. He'd never told anyone about them, not even Lino. But now, as the conversation turned toward the strange happenings beyond the reef, he wondered if he should speak up.