Author's Note: I'd like to thank SoftWare Publishing, who messaged me with some AU ideas. We're both giving our own takes on some of these ideas. If you want to see what he has, check out his stories.
This is my first attempt at an AU for my stories, so please give me your thoughts if this should be a one-story thing or if you want me to do some more AUs. If you have any AU ideas you'd like to see, leave some in the reviews.
A Different Path: Interloper's Cut
Chapter 1
Somewhere…
I was lying on the ground…I felt like I should wake up…but I was still tired…maybe just a little lon-
"AHOY! OCTOLING!"
My eyes shot open.
I saw a beady-eyed old squid looking right at me. I immediately scooted away until I hit a wall.
"Hey, this fight ain't over!" He shouted, raising his cane. "Prepare for a royal whoopin'!"
I…feel like I should have something in my hands to defend myself with.
"Hmm…there's no honor in defeating an unarmed opponent though…" He admitted. "Have you dropped yer weapon around here?"
We both looked around.
"Where is…here…anyway?" He took the words right out of my mouth.
"I…don't know…" I finally spoke. "I thought you'd know."
"Nope." He shrugged. "Last I remember…Agent 3 and I were investigatin' some strange sightings around Mount Nantai, she found something and we followed it, and we were suddenly attacked by someone…"
I wanted to say how I got here…but I couldn't remember…
"So, uh…hows about we call a temporary truce while we find a way to escape?" He suggested.
"Sounds good to me…" I shrugged. "Um…"
"Cap'n Cuttlefish, leader of the legendary New Squidbeak Splatoon!" He introduced himself. "…"
What?
"Psst…this is the part where you tell me your name." He told me.
I was about to speak, but I stopped. I was trying to think, but nothing came up. I then felt a bump on my head.
"By kracken…" His eyes somehow widened. You lost your memory when you hit the ground?!"
"A-apparently yes…" I nodded my head.
"Is there anything you can remember?" He asked. "Anything at all?"
I looked down.
"I'm…definitely female…" I told him. "And I've seen some action if these tattered clothes are a sign of anything…"
"You'll probably need a new set…" He acknowledged. "Well, for now, we should try to find a way outta here."
"Right…" I got up and walked with him.
As I walked through the broken down…subway trains I think they were…I did get a good look at myself…
Red hair…looks like I cut it myself or something…and it shows…
Blue eyes…kind of a standout feature…
Later…
We found this phone thing that was speaking in a way I couldn't somewhat understand. Something about getting to a…Promised Land?
(ENABLING CONTEMPORARY SPEECH MODE)
Huh?
"What is crackalacking, home skillet?" It…what? "Let us bounce to the promised land fo sho. I am bout it bout it, so listen while I (SLANG_NOT_FOUND) you the facts."
Um…
"You have spent your entire life in the dark." It continued. "Your eyes closed to the new hotness that awaits."
Hot…like wasabi?
"The promised land." It named that again. "A utopia of light beyond your wildest dreams. It is all that and a bag of cool beans."
Okay, the old quid here is fresher than you. Stop trying…
"I will take you to the promised land now." It said.
"Yes!" I got excited.
"NOT!" What? "HA HA HA Psyche out."
Serves me right for getting my hopes up…
"Only cats who have proven themselves can (ERROR) THE PROMISED LAND." It stated. "Do you dig, dog?"
"I actually think I know less about what I have to do now." I mumbled.
"There have been 10,007 applicants so far, which makes you applicant 10,008." So other people have done this? "This opportunity comes once in a lifetome, yo. Good luck and (SLANG_NOT_FOUND)."
"Can you just be helpful, please?" I begged.
"Calm down, missy." Cuttlefish interrupted. "I'm sure it's here for a reason."
"This is the Deepsea Metro Central Station, the realio dealio central hub of the facility." It actually decided to be helpful. "Here is your CQ-80 and CQ card. They are so bad."
"Of course I don't get good stuff…" I sighed as it spat the items out.
The Cap'n looked at me, a little concerned.
"Guard them with your lizzife," It told me. "Because if you lose them, you will be (ERROR). Now come on ride the train. Outie 5000.
Wait, I'll be what if I lose them?
…Phone?
"Applicant 10,008, eh?" Cuttlefish was thinking. "That's a beakful. I think I'll just call you Agent 8."
"I guess it's a start…" I shrugged.
"This 'promised land' must be the surface." He guessed. "I wonder how deep underground we are…"
I shrugged at that too.
"There's no time to waste!" He got determined. "C'mon, Agent 8! Grab those new dealie-dos and get moving!"
A train arrived as soon as I picked them up…
I guess it's time to do these tests…
We got on and Cuttlefish took a seat.
"I'm pooped, Agent 8." Cuttlefish sighed. "Gonna rest my cuttlebones here for a bit."
The door opened and a sea slug in a hat inched its way in.
"Thank you for using the Deapsea Metro today." It spoke? "I am your humble conductor, C.Q. Cumber."
"You've gotta be squiddin' me!" Cuttlefish was surprised. "A talkin' sea slug?!"
I was shocked as he was…
The tiny blob went on to explain that in order to reach the Promised Land, we had to pass the tests and collect the four…Thangs?
I guess whatever gets me out of here…
I selected the first…and only…station availavle on my CQ-80 device.
Not sure why they share the same name, but okay…
...I wonder…
I reached out my hand, sticking out a finger.
Before I could touch him, he grew extremely long legs.
I got so shocked I fell backwards. He then returned to his normal form.
"Please no touching." He requested. "Metro code of conduct says no touching Employees while they're on-duty."
"S-sorry…" I apologized. "I just thought you'd be very squishy…"
"You are correct," He confirmed. "But please follow the rules."
"Er…right…" I nodded my head.
Well, let's see what stations I can go-JUST ONE?!
…I mean…I guess…
I selected it and the train started moving."