The Octoling's Trials

Chapter 1

Inkopolis News…

"And that's all the news we've got for ya today." Pearl finished announcing.

"But we'll see you next time…" Marina said.

"But actually we won't…" Pearl corrected her. "Cause we gonna be on our union mandated vacation!"

"Eeeeeek!" Marina squeeled. "I can't wait!"

"So, after our hiking trip tomorrow, what're you gonna do, Marina?" Pearl asked.

"I'm going to get my boating license!" Marina told her and the audience. "Imagine it, going out on the open sea, wind blowing in my hair, the sounds of the motor in the air…swoon~"

"Well, I'm gonna check out that new restaurant in Shellside!" Pearl announced.

"Oh, speaking of restaurants, how'd your blind date last night go?" Marina asked.

"Meh, not good." Pearl grumbled. "Dumb squid was a no-show."

"Aaaaww…I'm so sorry to hear that, Pearlie." Marina tried comforting her.

"But silver lining is I'M SINGLE AGAIN!" Pearl's attitude instantly changed. "So come one, come all anyone who wants a piece of the Pearl!"

"Wow, Pearl, you should probably try rephrasing that…" Marina felt a little embarrassed.

"I'll accept all but Gold Diggers! Get outta here!" Pearl shouted. "Aw, I'm kiddin', PEARL LOVES ALL! Come here, I'll be yer sugar mama!"

"Aaaand our show's rating just went from a G, to PG." Marina commented.

"And that's all the time we've got." Pearl said. "Until next time…"

"Don't get cooked…" They said in unison while striking a pose. "Stay off the hook!"

Pale summer moonlight shimmers on the sealoor.

An octopus, unaware that dawn will bring capture,

Rests within a trap, dreaming fleeting dreams…

Somewhere Else…Someone Else's POV

"AHOY! OCTOLING!" A mysterious voice said

My eyes slowly opened to see an elderly squid hovering over me.

"Up and at 'em ta lazy whiffle-whaffle!" He said. "This fight ain't over! Prepare for a royal whoopin'!"

Fight? What fight? Are we going to fight?

…Is he going to kill me?!

"But there's no honor in defeating an unarmed opponent…" He admitted. "And you seem to have lost your weapon somewhere around here.

He looked around.

"And just where is…here…anyway?" He asked.

I have no idea either. I just woke up.

"Last thing I remember, you were battling my protégé, Agent 3, in Octo Valley…when both of you were suddenly attacked by someone." He explained. "And somehow we got marooned here…So, uh…hows about we call a temporary truce while we find a way to escape?

"S-sounds good, sir." I replied.

"But where are my manners…I haven't even told you my name!" He was sounding a lot less threatening this time. "I'm Cap'n Cuttlefish, leader of the legendary New Squidbeak Splatoon!"

Cap'n Cuttlefish…that sounds familiar somehow…

"And you are…?" He asked.

I was about to answer…but…

….

…

*psst*

"This is the part where you tell me your name." He whispered.

"I-I don't know…" I couldn't believe it. "I can't remember…"

By Kracken…You lost your memory when you hit the ground?!" He was surprised. "You can't remember anything about yourself? Anything at all?!"

I saw a piece of glass on the ground and reached for it. I looked into my reflection.

I am definitely female, though I could kind of tell that already...

Pretty tan.

Green eyes.

Red hair…though I think that's common…

Is this me…yes…that's one thing I do know.

"Most interesting…" The Cap'n spoke again. "I noticed you were humming the Calamari Inkantation right before you came to…Could it be? Has this heavenly melody been etched into your very soul?!"

I…I wasn't sure how to respond to that…how do I respond to that...?

"I'll take your stunned silence as a YES!" He answered for me. "I've heard tell of Octarians whose sould were etched by those squidtastic grooves…But that was a couple years back during Agent 3's battle with DJ Octavio. Still…I can't shake the feeling that this is related somehow."

Could it be…?

"In any case, sorry for siccing Agent 3 on you back there." He apologized. "Any fan of the Squid Sisters is a friend of mine! I mean that with all of my hearts.

"Th-Thank you, sir." I said.

"Now dust yourself off and find your land legs. We need to get moving!" He said in a motivated tone. "Let's find a way outta here!"

I got up, brushed myself off, and we started looking for a way out.