Woo hoo! First chapter is here, yaaaay! I won't lie, I have been waiting to finally start this story since the end of my recent story. Welp, time to start showing!

Enjoy the first chapter everyone! :D


Silence. Deep silence was heard throughout Octo Canyon. While Inkopolis Square had everyone doing their busy stuff like always, Octo Canyon at least had some stuff going on every day.

But not as of today. There was usually a couple Octarians that would go out of their kettle hideouts and try to attack fellow Inkling wanderers. Luckily, none of that was going on right now.

But for the Squid Sisters, who spend some of their time here every day to relax... it was more quiet than usual. But there was one thing that really surprised the both of them in their time off.

Every day in their time at Octo Canyon, Redd would come and visit. Usually, whenever he comes, it'd be for one of a couple reasons: just for a normal conversation or if it is just an emergency situation that they'll really need, whether it would be Octarians, or just something really dire.

Or it could just be a request. After all, since Marie and Redd are dating a lot now, it just seems that time to come to Octo Canyon to pick her up and go on a small date.

But today... Redd didn't come. Not once, or even just for a little bit. He just... isn't here. This worried the Squid Sisters.

Especially Marie. She didn't see him at all since the incident last time Redd was at Octo Canyon, where Marie realized that Redd hates pie not only because he dislikes it... but because it spawns in a bad memory.

"Where's Redd at...?" Marie asked herself.

"I know, right, Marie? He hasn't come! He always comes to visit us at least one time!" Callie exclaimed.

"Always, Cal. But he just... isn't coming for some reason." Marie sighed.

"Are you sure he's not dead, Marie?" Callie asked.

"Don't be ridiculous, Callie. Of course he's not dead." Marie replied.

"Then... why is he not coming? Is he really sick? Or is he just... not feeling up to it?" Callie gave some suggestions on why Redd isn't even coming.

"Well, when I came to visit him... he's feeling... depressed." Marie confessed.

"Really?! Why is that?" Callie exclaimed.

"He doesn't want me to tell you. He'll get... even more sad. Trust me." Marie said.

"Okay. I understand." Callie responded.

"But still... Redd should've came. He came every day before, he should've visited," Marie explained, "Trust me on this, Cal. I tried calling him on my cell phone. No matter what day I try to call him, no matter what time... he would always answer as soon as possible."

"And what happened?" Callie asked.

"I tried to call him 10 times. He didn't even pick up..." Marie responded with a sigh.

"Whoa! This depression must be VERY big if he doesn't call back!" Callie shouted.

"I'm just hoping he is feeling alright, Callie. Hopefully..." Marie said. She has a lot of hope in seeing how Redd is doing. If he's acting very off, she knew it couldn't be good, not only for him... but for her as well.

"No, you know what? I'm gonna go see him. He's feeling depressed, an I'm gonna try and help him." Marie said as she stood up.

"Depression is a huge thing from what I've heard." Callie said with a sad look.

"I know. Hopefully that memory doesn't affect him... too much." Marie said, a bit of worriness in her tone.


*scene change: Redd's apartment*

The bedroom looked a bit nicer than last time, but Redd still is the same. He was lying down on his bed, his hair no longer spiky since he didn't bother to comb it today, which is unusual since he likes his hair to be spiky.

"Ugh... why... why did this have to happen..." Redd mumbled. Ever since he has been reminded of pie, there was the one memory of his parents' deaths. They were struck by lightning, and Redd never got the chance to see them since that day.

Eventually, Redd heard his phone buzz. He sighed and walked over to the small desk to pick it up. He realizes his text message was from Joel.

*Message App*

PowerOfRap: Hey, Redd! You wanna do some Turf Wars?

SquidBits101: I don't really feel like it...

PowerOfRap: That's impossible! You're ALWAYS up for Turf War!

SquidBits101: I know... I'm just not feeling up to do it...

PowerOfRap: You feelin' okay, dude?

SquidBits101: I'm fine... just leave me alone...

PowerOfRap: Would you like to do one later?

SquidBits101: I don't know...

PowerOfRap: Well, I'm gonna do some Tower Control. Feel free to text me later on, Redd!

SquidBits101: Okay then...

PowerOfRap: Wanna not get hit?

SquidBits101: Be one with the Squid Bits! ;)

*end chat*

Redd only slightly smiled after typing that sentence before frowning again. As much as he loves saying his signature phrase and doing his signature pose whenever around his friends, depression is a huge thing that can take a lot of time to recover.

The memory begins to play in his head again. When he and Mia saw their parents, on the grass of their backyard, lying dead with no signs of waking up. And the amount of crying the twins had when they found out.

Redd shut his eyes tightly and clenched his fists. He didn't want to be reminded of the one memory that has haunted him for a long time.

"AAAAAGH!" Redd let out a scream as he stood up, then he punched a wall roughly, leaving a tiny hole in the shape of his knuckle.

"This is why I moved to Inkopolis in the first place!" Redd thought angrily, "I wanted to forget my past and THAT memory just to start over! And it's never gonna go away from me, no matter what I try to do!"

Then he fell to his knees and slammed the floor, a mixture of shouting and crying was heard in his voice.

"Ugh... my past... I'm never gonna forget it." Redd mumbled. Then he heard a knock on his bedroom door.

"Come in." Redd said. And it was Marie. She was wearing some casual clothing, consisting of a green sweater and a black shirt, along with regular, green shoes. And she still had her signature headpiece on when doing concerts.

"Hi, Redd." Marie greeted.

"Oh. Hi honey..." Redd said quietly as he looks down.

"Still feeling down?" Marie asked. Redd just slowly nodded.

"Hey... I know how you feel, Redd. Losing the ones you love the most is a really big thing that can leave you very sad and not wanna happen." Marie explained.

"Yes, it is a very sad moment, and I didn't expect it to happen," Redd replied, "Like when I said that sentence to them, I meant it as some kind of over-exaggeration. I didn't actually expect it to happen."

"I know you didn't, Redd. But your parents are in a better place now. It will get better. Trust me." Marie said, trying to cheer him up.

"How? There's nothing possible that could." Redd asked.

"I mean, look at you now! You're an Agent of the New Squidbeak Splatoon," Marie responded, "You saved Inkopolis Square, defeated DJ Octavio, saved the Great Zapfish and Callie, and now you have so much friends by your side! You're even the leader of a music group!"

"Yeah... I know. But, I'll admit something to you, Marie." Redd started.

"What do you want to tell me?" Marie asked.

"When Mia and I turned 17, we decided to move out of Calamari County, which was our original home," Redd confessed, "Mia and I decided to go to Inkopolis Plaza, since it is the popular place before Inkopolis Square was a thing. I wanted to go there to start over. To forget my past. I wanted to start a new life as the person I was striving to become today. And... that's why I'm here."

"Wow, you used to live in Calamari County? That's cool!" Marie complimented.

"When Mia and I used to live there together, our home was small. But good enough for me, her, and my mom and dad to live there." Redd explained.

"Plus, um... you don't have to forget your past. We all have some good memories from that." Marie said.

"The bad memories I want to forget. But since my parents' deaths, I cannot stand trying to forget my past. It's coming to haunt me." Redd cried.

"Like I said, Redd... everything will be better. Don't worry." Marie said while putting her hand on Redd's back.

"*sigh* Thanks, Marie. But I want to deal with this alone..." The Squid Bits leader said as he turns away.

"I understand. Call me if you need me, ok? I'll be there." Marie said with a small smile. Redd just slowly nods.

"At least have a better day, Redd. Stay Fresh." Marie said with dong her signature pose. And then she walks away, back to whatever plans she decides to do for the rest of the day.

Redd pulled up his squid phone. He scrolled through his photos. There was just the one that made his memories spawn back in. His mom and dad, along with himself and Mia when they were younger.

"How I wish you two were her to see how much I have grown up..." Redd thought. And then he began to hear chattering from somewhere. The sound came from nearby his apartment entrance.

Redd opened his apartment door, and he saw three different people. The first two were grown ups. The mom had green eyes and blue hair, and the dad had blue eyes and green hair. They wore similar traditional clothing.

And then there was an Inkling similar to Redd's age. Just like the mom, the kid had blue hair and green eyes. He wore a Black V-Neck Tee, and cyan trainer, and he had designer headphones around his neck.

"Oh, hey! You must be my neighbor!" The Inkling greeted.

"Um... yes actually. I assume you all are... moving in?" Redd asked.

"Yes actually! We just got here a few minutes ago. My parents are helping us move in. And my apartment is right next to yours!" The Inkling replied with a chuckle. His parents were holding some boxes, and they put in the key to their new apartment.

"So... what's your name?" The Inkling asked the Squid Bits leader.

"Redd." Redd responded.

"Red? As in the color?" The blue-haired Inkling asked again.

"Yeah. But with 2 d's instead of one. To make it more interesting," Redd said, "Anyway... what's your name?"

"The name's Sonic. Like I said, I just moved right next door. I can't wait to get to know more about you!" The Inkling squealed excitedly.

"Heh... same here." Redd said. And since the first time, not counting the texting he had with Joel, he truly smiled.

"Anyway, I'm gonna finish moving in, and then we should get to know more about each other! How does that sound?" Sonic requested.

"Sure. There's a table I usually like to sit at with my other friends, so we can talk there." Redd responded.

"That sounds good! Well, I'll see you later. Have a good day!" Sonic said while waving as he walked into his new apartment. The door closed, showing the apartment number "703".

And Redd looked at his number, being "702". (Coincidence?)

Redd went back inside his room, and slouched back to his bed. As seemed happy to make another new friend, but he felt guilty as well.

"I don't want him to find out about my issue. I just can't. I'm too depressed to do anything right now." Redd groaned. As he was lying down in his bed, he grabbed one of his pillows and dug his face under it.


*meanwhile*

Nearby the Grizzco shop, there was something... odd about something by the walls. While Inklings and Octolings were going in to do some waves in Salmon Run, they noticed there was some... soapy, teal ink.

When night arrived... the ink moves a bit. The ink moved over to the manhole, and then stopped before it could go in. For some reason, it had a mind of its own and decided to wait before going in.

"KRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH"


Author's Note: Well, that's the first chapter :D! Also, there's two things about my new OC (yet again XD): Sonic is not made by me. Even though I put him in, he belongs to Sonic14612, so I'm giving him credit for appearing on this story.

Also, there's a Sonic by the exact same user in Pokemon Brick Bronze: An Admin Story. This Sonic is NOT the same Sonic in the Admin Story, so don't confuse these two for one another.

But that's all for now. Stay Fresh, everyone! Have a great rest of your day! :)