Professor Farnsworth's Last Stand

The sun was just beginning to rise over the neon-drenched city of New New York as the crew of the Planet Express gathered in the ship's control room. The usual chaos of the ship was absent; instead, there was an air of tension and concern. The news of Professor Farnsworth's sudden disappearance had sent shockwaves through the universe.

Leela, the ship's co-pilot, leaned against the console, her eyes scanning the holographic map of the city. "Professor's last known location was the Time Travel Institute," she reported, her voice tinged with worry. "But he hasn't been seen since yesterday afternoon."

Fry, the ship's engineer, furrowed his brow. "Could it be related to the cloning project? I heard they were working on a new prototype that could alter the fabric of time."

Bender, the ship's robot, chimed in, his metallic voice devoid of its usual sarcasm. "The prototype was supposed to be a breakthrough in time travel technology. But if it fell into the wrong hands..."

Zoidberg, the ship's medical officer, nodded solemnly. "We need to find him before someone else does. The professor is a genius, but he's also a liability."

The crew's plan was straightforward, though the execution was anything but. They had to track down the professor's last known location and prevent whatever disaster was brewing. Time was running out.

The Planet Express set course for the Time Travel Institute, a towering structure that loomed over the city like a time-bending monolith. As they approached, the ship's sensors picked up a strange energy signature.

Fry adjusted the ship's controls, bringing them into orbit. "Something's off. The energy signature is fluctuating, like it's being manipulated."

Leela's eyes narrowed. "It's as if someone is using the prototype for something more dangerous than we thought."

The crew descended to the Institute's parking lot, where they found a sleek, futuristic car with a holographic license plate that read "P.F. Farnsworth." The car was locked, but the doors were ajar.

Inside, they found a makeshift lab with equipment scattered across the floor. The professor's cloning chamber was in the center, its doors open and empty. A note lay on the console: "To save the universe, I must become the universe."

The crew exchanged worried glances. The professor had always been a man of many contradictions, but this note was a stark departure from his usual eccentricity.

Bender's eyes widened. "The note... it's a clue. The professor is trying to tell us something."

Zoidberg nodded. "He's using the cloning technology to create a clone of himself. But why? And what does it mean for the universe?"

Fry's eyes narrowed as he examined the lab's equipment. "I think I know what he's trying to do. He's using the prototype to create a new timeline, one where he never disappeared. But if he's right, it means the original timeline is in danger."

Leela took a deep breath. "We need to find the professor before he completes his plan. If he succeeds, the universe will be in chaos."

The crew split up, searching the Institute and its surrounding areas. They had no idea where the professor had gone, but they knew they had to find him before it was too late.

As they ventured deeper into the Institute, they encountered a group of mysterious figures. The figures were cloaked in black, their faces obscured by hoods. They moved with a silent, calculated precision, as if they were part of a well-orchestrated plan.

"Who are you?" Fry demanded, stepping forward.

The leader of the group stepped forward, revealing a face that was both familiar and unsettling. "I am the keeper of the prototype. And you are in way over your heads."

The keeper gestured to the lab behind them. "The professor has already started the cloning process. He's creating a new timeline, one where he is the universe itself."

Fry's eyes widened in horror. "But that means the original timeline will be destroyed!"

The keeper nodded. "Yes. And once the clone is complete, the professor will be gone forever."

Leela stepped forward, her voice filled with determination. "We can't let that happen. We have to stop him."

The keeper chuckled. "You think you can stop a universe? You're just a small group of misfits."

But the crew wasn't deterred. They had seen the professor in action before; he was a man who defied the odds. And now, they were determined to do the same.

In a final, desperate bid, the crew attacked the keeper and his associates, using their wits and the equipment in the lab to disable their weapons. The fight was fierce, but the crew held their own.

As the keeper was subdued, Fry turned to the keeper's associates. "You're free to go. But remember, the professor's clone is still out there. And he's dangerous."

The keeper's associates nodded, then disappeared into the night.

The crew returned to the lab, where they found the professor's clone in the final stages of creation. The clone was a perfect replica of the professor, but there was something cold and calculating in its eyes.

Leela stepped forward, her voice steady. "Professor, this isn't what you wanted. You're not the universe."

The clone's eyes narrowed. "You're right. I'm not the universe. But I am the future. And the future is mine to control."

The clone reached out, its hand glowing with a strange, otherworldly energy. The crew moved to intercept, but it was too late. The clone's hand touched the professor's cloning chamber, and a blinding light enveloped them all.

When the light faded, the professor was gone. In his place stood the clone, its eyes now filled with the same eccentricity and brilliance that had always characterized the professor.

The clone turned to the crew, a strange smile on its face. "Welcome to the future. I'm here to protect it."

The crew exchanged worried glances. They had stopped the clone, but they had also lost the professor. The future was now in the hands of a man who could be as dangerous as he was brilliant.

As they prepared to leave the Time Travel Institute, Fry turned to Leela. "We have to find the professor. He's still out there, somewhere."

Leela nodded. "We'll find him. And when we do, we'll make sure he knows what he's done."

The crew set course for the unknown, determined to bring the professor back and prevent the clone from altering the fabric of time. The universe was at stake, and they were the only ones who could save it.

The Planet Express continued its journey through the stars, a beacon of hope in a universe that was teetering on the edge of chaos. The crew knew that the professor's disappearance was no ordinary mystery; it was a battle for the very future of the cosmos. And they were ready to fight.