Written in Pen

Great Loss

Rocky just arrived at his house along with Pen and Rose. While getting the front door open, he questioned Rose's attire. Rose was thinking this to herself too since her memory was still clouded. She told Rocky that she might have sensitive hearing, but doesn't remember how she got it. Rocky then said that he'll find earplugs for her so her ears don't sweat off and see if he can get in contact with an otolaryngologist.

Meanwhile at a secret facility, the instructor was looking through security footage that his team stole from the zoo. He noticed a clip in which an unidentified creature battled the once rampaging ape. He then saw the creature leap into Rocky's pocket. Now having more info, he summoned Mark to him. The instructor asked Mark if he indeed inspected every house thoroughly. Mark said that he did, to which the instructor showed him the clip. Mark knew who the person was. He was in shock, but tried his best to keep his emotions hidden. The instructor asked him why he was unable to find the specimen if he searched the man's house. Mark had no words, with the instructor telling Mark to bring that person to him.

As Mark exited the office, he started to contemplate over his career path. He wanted to protect others just like Rocky protected him, which is why he went to be a cop. When the day came when a few agents came to his house, they told him he would be able to do more good with the job they had planned for him. At first he believed that the agency that hired him had good intent, but then noticed his fellow coworkers assaulting, kidnapping, and even killing off innocent lives in the later of his career. There were also public executions of coworkers who failed their missions or disobeyed orders, which horrified him. Executed civilians who saw too much were replaced by androids that also acted as surveillance cameras.

He then remembered being tasked to hunt down a prisoner that broke free before she could be executed. He was given a multi-purpose gun, capable of disintegrating, teleporting, stunning, brainwashing, and other stuff to targets. When he found the prisoner, he had her stunned and reported to the instructor that he found her. The instructor told Mark to disintegrate her on site and record it so other prisoners will know that escape will always be in vain. Mark looked at the unconscious body, and realized what he was actually doing. Not wanting to be caught however, when he fired his gun, he switched it to teleport at the last second, which conveniently has the same particle effect as disintegration. Now that he realized he was putting his best friend in danger, he knew what he had to do.

Rose was in the living room with earplugs provided by Rocky. She was stroking her earlobes as if she haven't felt them in a really long time. It was also a while since she cleaned her ears, hence the bucket of wax next to her. Rocky then entered the room and told her that he scheduled an appointment for her, but they'd have to leave now. He then saw Rose stroking her earlobes and questioned her about it. She said that it felt weird. Rocky then asked where Pen was, to which Pen revealed himself to be playing inside the bucket of wax. Rose herself was unaware of this as she and Rocky looked at Pen's dirty body in disgust.

Later, when Rocky and Rose arrived at the otolaryngologist, Mark was given orders to search the house as Rocky will be taken care of by one of their androids. Worrying now for Rocky's safety, he hung up and went towards the otolaryngologist instead of the house. He also turned off his tracking device so he couldn't be tracked. The instructor then called and demanded to know an explanation for his actions, with Mark tossing away the communication device. The instructor has witnessed enough and placed a bounty on Mark, saying that he was such a great agent, but he too can and will be easily replaced by another.

He summoned Henry Scott to his office, who was just about to be executed. He told Henry that he noticed great potential in him after seeing his lust for revenge on the zoo's security footage. The instructor then pulled out Henry's record from middle school, which was obtained through "usual methods." He then reached into the file and showed Henry his history as a bully towards Mark. The instructor said that he'll give Henry the privilege to decide how to take care of Mark if he captures him and that he'll give him Mark's current rank. Henry accepted the offer as he still thirst for revenge, but the instructor told Henry that there was a catch involved. Asking what it was, the instructor told Henry that he needed a few "adjustments" before he could be put to work.