(A year later)
Arlo and his team of scientists were currently in the upside down measuring it's size. Sam Owens, the new head of the Hawkins National Laboratory, had taken advantage of Arlo's immense and formidable power, capable of potentially protecting anyone from anything in the dimension, to change the team of the reborn teen from agents in hazmat suits equipped with guns to actual scientists tasked with discovering and experimenting, using the blonde teen's assistance, about the size, structure and inhabitants of the separate plane of existence.
Thanks to the asset that was the transmigrated man, these same scientists didn't need to worry about about defending themselves and bringing guns.
"It seems like this place is expanding," one of them theorized, finally breaking the silence.
"Now that you mentioned it it does make sense. But by expanding it violates multiple laws of physics. " another stated.
"Come on Joe, the mere existence of this place already violates multiple laws of physics. What's breaking a few more."
This statement earned a few laughs from the rest of the group.
Arlo spoke up, interrupting the discussion that his peers were having. " All this is fun and all, but if you're done, we're going to have to head back. "
The others didn't object and followed the eighteen year old's lead as he escorted them back towards the alternate version of Hawkins lab.
___
(A few hours later)
*Screech*
Arlo watched as his fellow colleague burned the spreading vines and tentacles from the gate, the orange flames shining brightly. He had dyed his hair brown and grown his beard to avoid being recognized by the kids if they ever saw him, considering that it would be too troublesome for them to interrogate him if the situation ever arose.
"Arlo, buddy! Stop brooding in the corner on your own, " the currently brown-haired man averted his gaze from the flames to direct his field of vision onto the person currently calling him. "Doctor Owens? Is there anything else you need from me?"
"Never one for small talk are you, Arlo. You should learn to relax a little ... Life isn't only about work. So... about that mission report, tell me what's going on. Your group has apparently theorized that Dimension X is expanding. Can you elaborate, tell us a bit about what you think is going on? " The head of the building questionned, his curiosity palpable.
"In all honesty I couldn't tell you much since I'm not exactly the uhh... expert on the subject. However my 'senses' -The barrier user gestured with both his index and middle fingers - are 'warning me' that something might be coming, and I doubt its good."
The short white haired scientist reflected for a moment. Carefully considering the next best course of action he could envision. "... I see, that's rather worrying. It seems like it might not be wise to let anyone venture out with you anymore," Sam concluded with an audible sigh.
"Sorry bud, you're going to have to go back out alone." Arlo heard him say.
"Is it okay with you," Owens checked, despite both knowing that such a question was inherently useless and only a formality, as Arlo could refuse to comply and would, by extension, not adhere to the former's demands.
The eighteen year old responded, "Yeah sure, it's fine with me. I'll try to give you detailed reports on what's taking place in there. "
He then added, "I guess I will see you tomorrow Doc, " whilst leaving.
___
[Arlo's P.O.V]
Leaving the lab, I went in the direction of the most fun place I knew; the arcade. It was in my opinion the best place in the whole town, and despite the fact that the original Arlo would probably never go to the arcade if there ever still was one back in the unOrdinary World, I was in desperate need of entertainment in the form of games.
After all I did love playing games in my past life, whether they were video games or board games didn't matter. I simply adored the entertainment that came with it.
After entering my car and starting the engine, I drove away, putting a nice soft music. ~Life could be a dream, life could be a dreeaammm...
___
(A few minutes later)
After finally arriving in front of the arcade and finding a decent parking spot, I got out of my car. It was late at night and the place was bustling with activity. Quickly getting my coins ready, I prepared myself for a few moments of fun. Not far from the entrance, I could see a scrawny boy with a bowl cut, gazing into the distance with an absent minded look.
Walking up to him, I placed my hand on his shoulder, trying to bring him back to reality. Why would I start shaking a kid that I didn't know? Because I was getting the same feeling ominous feeling that I got from being in the dystopian version of the town of hawkins.
After noticing that my efforts to shake him from his trance didn't seem to have any effect, I tried the next best thing, I activated my ability and tried pouring some of my aura into his body. My goal was to try and create some kind of mental barrier between him and the upside down. It was an idea that just came in the spur of the moment and it proved to be a good idea seeing as I has succeeded. As he jolted awake, I asked. "you alright kid?"
"Y-yeah," the boy hesitated.
"Aren't you supposed to be inside with your friends? Unless you came here alone, which I doubt." I questionned gently or at least that is what I thought I did.
The boy, growing increasingly nervous, replied half-heartedly. "Yeah, I'm supposed to, I-I just left to get some fresh air. Besides, my mom told me not to talk to strangers," he added.
"I'm sure she's a good mom. By the way, what's your name? Mine is Arlo." I asked while chuckling, before realising just how awkward the situation must be for the kid.
"Will... Will Buyers." He responed
"Nice name, I guess I'll stop bothering you then, Will" I finally let out before leaving to enter in the arcade, seeing one of the kids that were with Eleven come out just as I went in.
Will Buyers huh? Isn't he the kid that got kidnapped by the Demogorgon? He seems fine, but the trauma still has a strong effect on him. Especially seeing as he possesses a connection to that place.