Prologue, 3 years After Chaos
A soft wind blows through Inkopolis. The beautiful, dead leaves are shifted from place to place, exploring the rebuilding city. Neighborhoods were almost whole, as several more homes were still being repaired. The fire caused an enormous amount of damage, physically and emotionally, but the inklings refused to give in. Grass were once again green and alive.
Buildings were still in repair, but most offices and businesses continued on. Turf Wars, Tower Control and other modes were shutdown for the time being, however. It was discovered that the Splat Mode Systems' were...compromised by debris. The systems were the only thing that allowed inklings to respawn in battles.
Sheldon's shop was closed down until the systems could be fixed. In order to make ends meet, he worked as a technical producer on Inkopolis News, working alongside Callie and Marie. Sean and Annie were still in business, despite their products not giving any sort of ability. The clothes and shoes were fashionable, allowing them to stay in business. Spyke, however, wasn't so lucky. He decided to help Annie and Moe at Cooler Heads.
Jelonzo still resides in Inkopolis Country, leaving Annie and Moe to sell clothing at the Booyah Base. Kex...well...his location is still unknown. No one knows if he is dead or alive, but some hope he returns. Leon's eyes still glow red and no one knows why. At times, it seems that a ghostly shade of red seeps from his eyes after thinking about Venus for too long. Her death really affected him. Octavio stripped away a part of him and now he's left as an abomination.
Cuttlefish decided to go into hiding, looking for new talent in case of any further...problems between inklings and opposing forces. No one has seen him since. No one but the group, of course. He's kept in close touch with most of the brave heroes.
Vee graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Ink and Inkgun Sciences, landing her a job in Splat Corp. as a Junior Researcher / Weapon Tester. Even though there were no battles involving inkguns, they were still used for sport, involving hunting, racing, and especially target practice. Splat Corp. was on the top of the inkgun researching world, so she had to work her ass off to not get the pink slip. She reminisces the good old days from time to time. The days Remy and Kex were still with her.
Lee made a full recovery and decided to not seek work. He bummed around, staying at Callie and Marie's house. Even though he had no job, he wasn't useless. From time to time, he helped out the community by helping with construction and debris removal. And every time he left his house, inklings all showed their appreciation. High fives, gifts, cheers. Sometimes, inkling girls sneak a kiss and run away laughing. Not like he liked being kissed by strange inklings, but Lee knew well enough to not tell Vee about it.
This city's been through a lot. Seen a lot. Felt a lot. And, unfortunately, heard a lot. But it still stands tall, as resilient as its people. Virtually indestructible...
It's now 5PM. Callie and Marie invited everyone to their house for the celebration of the day that Lee and the rest saved Inkopolis. It was aptly named, "Hero Day" after the heroes that saved Inkopolis. A well-deserved holiday, which everyone enjoyed. We go to them now, as this new arc in our heroes' lives makes it's debut.
"Here's to the 3rd anniversary of our victory against the octarians!" Callie shouts.
Cheers emitted from the heroes, clapping their hands and stomping their feet.
"The day where we saved all of Inkopolis and the inkling race." Marie said.
"And let us remember our...fallen comrades...Remy...and Venus." Leon said, choking up.
"They..will be missed. Greatly missed. On a lighter note, the inkling race hasn't been threatened by Octavio, Xavier, or any form of villainy." Sheldon said.
"Aye. Haven't heard a tick of any mongrel plottin' ta do harm. Been quite peaceful, actually." Spyke said.
"Thank Squid Jesus. The last thing I'd want is more trouble." Sean said.
"It's the last thing any of us want." Annie said.
"Sadly, I think we all know that...that this..thing we have here ain't gonna last." Vee stated.
"Yeah. Even though it's been 3 whole years, we know Octavio and Xavier will be back and yet none of us have made any preparations for it." Moe said.
"The last time we saw that bastard, Xavier, he had a hole as large as a basketball hoop for a stomach. Even though Lee distracted me and allowed his escape, I doubt he's doing anything harmful." Callie said.
"What about Octavio? Did he have a hole in the stomach? No. He's definitely still out there, waiting to dive in on us. Only a matter of time." Moe pointed out.
"We can take him. If Agent 3 could, we damn sure can." Lee said.
"Agent 3 was an excellent marksman that easily and single-handedly took out Octavio and his army. All we really have is Callie and Marie, who, mind you, did approximately jackshit in taking Octavio down the first go round."
"You've got Me. Vee. Leon-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You all still wouldn't have been able to take him down."
"But we did."
"With your powers that were sucked outta you like Callie's dates after the first night. They're gone, Lee. What can you do now? You're a basic human."
"Alright! Enough of your shit, both of you. It is obvious that whatever evil that lurks will come and come hard." Cuttlefish intervened.
"Also like Callie's dates." Moe said.
"Shut it, Nemo!" Callie spat out.
"The preparations are as follows: Lee training once more under my tutelage while the rest either helps or train yourselves. This is a problem for tomorrow, however. For now, we enjoy the rest of this day." Cuttlefish said.
Everyone's eyes looked around, searching approval and acceptance of this plan. They all turned to Cuttlefish and nodded.
"Good. Now, sweetie, would you care to bring out the booze?"
"We only have champagne, granddad." Marie sighed.
"I think he was referring to me." Callie said, raising an eyebrow.
"Um, no. He was talking to me."
"Pretty. Sure. He was talking to me."
"Not this shit again. I'm talking to both of ya. There. Happy? Now come on! Gramps needs some stiff ones." Cuttlefish said.
Marie brought out the champagne and glasses. She generously filled each glass halfway, receiving multiple forms of gratitude.
"Cheers!" They all said, clinking their glasses together.
"To the new hell at the front door of tomorrow!" Cuttlefish said.
A figure sulks in a dark cave illuminated by only several shards of glowing green rocks. His anger radiates off of himself as he bandages his abdomen. His sharpened canines stuck out of his snarl. His hands easily clenched the bandages as hard as they could, locking themselves onto it. He stood as one of his fists smashed against the rock wall, leaving nothing but cracks in its wake. With his nails, he carved into the rock, 'EEL.' It's him. Xavier.
"Damn you, Eel! Damn you, inklings! Damn you, all of you inferior creatures that occupy the space humans had taken! Damn you, all the oppose me and the rebirth of the humans! You all should've ended me when you had the chance. When I get back to full strength, I'm killing you all. Especially you, Eel." Xavier said.
He walked out into the night sky which lit up with stars of various bright colors. The wind that blew by was violet with a tinge of red, aggressively pushing Xavier's hair from his face. The cave he was previously in is perched above a large city inhabited by bipedal two-eyed aliens. The society they have built was almost identical to the humans. Bustling with life at almost every street corner. Vehicles vrooming through the city. Stores storing the supply for the aliens' demands. All these creatures...ripe for the reforming.
Xavier jumps from the perch, landing in someone's backyard. He winced slightly as this caused pain in his abdomen. He snuck out through several alleyways that were connected to a path not far from the backyard. The grass he trampled was of a green that pulsated every 3 seconds. It didn't leave a trail. He heard a sound coming from the other side of the last alleyway he was in. He wanted to escape, but figured it would be best to start the reforming here. A secluded area is the best place for sin.
As the sounds drew closer in the slightly dark alleyway, Xavier faked some groans. The voices he heard rushed towards him, gasping at the sight of him. They were shocked, seeing an injured alien haunting their sanity. Their legs quivered and shook, frozen still by fear. One of them extended a hand and asked if he was alright. Xavier weakly nods as he walked towards her, ready for the attack.
"Callissa, stay away from that thing!" The other girl shrieked.
"Maranda, he is a living being! A hurt living being." Maranda said.
"Damn it, Callissa. You're gonna get us killed! Whatever he is, he's gonna attack us. We need to leave."
"No. We need to help him. He deserves life too, doesn't he?"
"Oh, enough of your bullshit treehugger quotes! Not every life is worth saving!"
"...Life is a beautiful mistake that must blossom into a horrid tragedy that fulfilled itself while it existed. His, mine, yours, ours."
Maranda groaned and rubbed her eyes, still shaking from Xavier's appearance. Xavier, in his mind, decided that he should at least keep Callissa the way she is, for now. He figured he could target Maranda some other time.
"Please...hide me." Xavier said.
"Why, creature, why?" Callissa asked, grasping Xavier's tired face.
"So other Inkmites don't bi/dissect him?" Maranda sarcastically asked.
"I can heal myself...at..your home." Xavier explained.
"Oh hell no. HELL no!"
"Maranda!"
"No, Callissa! Are you daft?! We can't bring some alien to our home!"
"We have to. He's not safe here. He's not safe anywhere. Besides, just think of all the things he knows. Such valuable information in such a creature. Maybe he'll tell us what happened to himself."
Maranda mulled the idea around in her head. She sighed and moved closer to Xavier.
"Fine. We'll give him a safe haven, where you can jerk him off all damn day. BUT if we get caught with him around, I'm blaming you." She said.
Xavier laughed in his head, knowing full well his genitals were as real as Santa Clause's.
"But how are you two going to sneak me out in this lively city?" He asked.
"I know just the thing. Maranda, give him your cloaking device." Callissa said.
"What? No! i'm still testing it out." Maranda firmly told Callissa.
"We have no choice. If we're getting him out of here, we need that device."
Xavier rubbed his head and asked, "Why do you have a cloaking device?"
"Maranda tinkers here and there in all sorts of gadgets. I'd like to think it's a form of stress relief, but Maranda tells me it's only for practical preparation." Callissa explained.
"Yeah. Emphasis on the word practical."
"This is practical. Please, let him use it...preeetty please?"
Maranda muttered to herself as she threw her cloaking device at Xavier.
"If you break it, I'll dropkick you in the nuts." She told Xavier.
Xavier looked all around the device, finding an 'ON' button on the side, right beside the 'OFF' button. He pressed the 'ON' button, turning invisible.
"Now we have to hurry back. That cloak only lasts for 20 minutes." Maranda said.
"Thank you, Maranda." Xavier said, bowing his head.
"Blow me."
Maranda turned away and started to walk out of the alleyway. Xavier and Callissa followed suit. As Callissa and Maranda awkwardly make their way home, Xavier's plan was changing once more. He thought that maybe he should postpone the reforming. He's in no condition to actually take on the entire race of Inkmites. Besides, Inkmites aren't so bad. Their culture is nearly identical to the humans', not to mention that these two Inkmites remind him of how Lilac and Kovanna acted. Xavier decided to study them and see the differences between them and humans. To see if they are worthy of defying the humans' existences.
A figure loomed over an orb. He tapped one side of it and zoomed into it. It was a planet. A deserted, dry planet, barely fit for life. The figure zoomed closer into it, finding a body laying face down. The figure held his position with a finger and was transported to the exact location of the body. In an instant, the figure was over the body, cautiously staring at it. With a deep breath, he pulled out a silver cube and crushed it in his hand.
"Earth's in danger and all the council wants to do is wait for its demise. All of the members. Even Mordecai. Even after seeing how close Earth is to its death. Even after getting elected as Head Councilman. Even after ignoring my pleas!...It's come to this...If I die for this...at least I died a man and not a god." The figure muttered.
He sprinkled the powdery crumbs of the cube on the motionless body. The crumbs sunk into the body, almost as if melting into it. After it had been absorbed through the skin, the creature's hair changed from bright blue with midnight blue streaks to dark gray with navy blue streaks. The creature slowly opened its now hazel eyes and stands up. It groans from the brightness of the planet's sun.
"Kex Balthazar. I am Rami Salyers. You have been brought back to life to serve one purpose." Rami tells Kex.
"Huh? I..I serve no one..or thing." Kex says, wincing.
"You do now. Now-"
"W-Who the hell do you..think you are? I'm not doing a damn-"
"YOU WILL OBEY ME, MORTAL! HEAR ME NOW AND SPEAK NO MORE! YOUR WORDS ARE GRAVEL IN THE PLANETARY SCALE OF MINE! HEED MY BENEVOLENCE, FOR UNDER IT, MY ANGER LINGERS TO THE FOOLISH!" Rami yells in a booming voice.
Kex covers his ears as Rami's voice pierced his head. Rami snapped his fingers, immobilizing Kex. He grabs Kex's head as he begins to speak.
"As I was saying, you have been brought back to life for one purpose. This purpose you fulfill shall be of great importance. Do not stray from my demands. Your purpose is to find Xavier Commons and kill him. Through any means! I will transport you to Earth so that you may find Lee Commons to assist you."
"Yes, master." Kex says in a deadpan, almost robotic-like tone.
"Eh...And once you get to Earth, lose that tone. You must blend in."
"What will I tell to those that I meet?"
"Ignore everyone but Lee Commons and his allies. And as for what you tell them...Tell them Rami sent you...but...leave out the part where you become my slave."
"I will, master."
Rami releases Kex from his grip.
"Then take these gifts...and fulfill your purpose."
A woman dressed in dark purple and pink sits on a throne, sipping from a shot glass. Her minions fan her with a large leaf, package and ship precious jewelry and chops off octoling soldier heads, one by one. Each kill was preceded by a scream of varied emotions. An octoling captain was put on his knees, two guards behind him. The woman takes one last sip of her drink before glancing at the captain.
"Thanks again for your treasury contents. Quite a stronghold Octavio's acquired. Too bad he keeps a large sum of his war booty here with little protection." She said.
"This was. One of. His best strongholds. He had more guards here...than anywhere else." The captain said through gritted teeth.
"Oh ho ho!" She laughed.
Her guards chuckled to themselves as the woman raised her glass.
"Then I am very disappointed in daddy Octavio. I left him alone for long enough...He should've been able to create an army worth destroying."
"What are you going on about?!" The captain asks.
"Nothing that concerns you, boy. Though, seeing as how you're here because of him, I guess it does. All you need to know is that Octavio became lazy. He built a decent army and slept, whereas I have amassed an army that topple empires on a weekly basis. He's failed me the same way you've failed him."
"God have mercy on the octarian race..."
"Oh ho ho! I'm sorry, dear, but Vendini's fresh out." Vendini replies.
The woman finishes her drink as she snapped her fingers, instructing a guard to take the captain's head off. As the head crashed against the concrete floor, the sinister laughs of Vendini and her guards fill the room. A thick smoke was erupting from a section of the room as the inkmites start to clear out. A searing hot fire followed close behind as the stronghold slowly crumbled.
A guard approaches Vendini with a message. Vendini takes the parchment and carefully reads it.
"Well, well, well. Things just keep getting better. It appears that there's a living human. And after all this time, i thought those primates were good 'n dead." She said.
"What will you do, milady?" The guard asks in rising concern.
"Well what else do you do with weaklings?"
"Kill them."
"No..."
Vendini takes out a inkgun that has a grappling hook attached to it and shoots it straight into the thick, dark clouds. It hits the bottom of an aircraft and falls back down into Vendini's hand. Not a second later, a ladder was lowered down to their position. Grabbing on firmly, Vendini tucks her inkgun away in her holster.
"You control them."
Here it is. The start of the next arc in An Inkling's World. An Inkling's World II. Schedule for future chapters are undecided, so stay tuned.