Disclaimer: I do not own Splatoon.


Prologue

High above the tallest peaks; far above the clouds, there was an object. Its silver-blue colored surface lightly reflected back the magnificence of the planet it was orbiting. Its silhouette against the blackness of space looked to be in the shape of a large block-like submarine. On the object was a name painted on its side that read Ending Light in bold light blue letters. Large shaded windows that lined up and down on its sides could be seen. In one of the many windows a masculine figure could be seen staring out onto the planet below. His hair was as black as the darkness of space and long enough to reach his lower back. His round face and brown eyes were average among his fellow kinsman that continued walking past him; some sharing a glare at him as they walked by. The only thing that made him stand out was the markings on his face.

They are very prestigious markings among his people. Thick light blue symmetrical lines that started on his cheeks and went up over his eyes ending just above the brows. Only the social elite may wear this colored markings in such a way. But here on this ship, he was an outcast. His mark just singled him out for those who see it. The armor on his body didn't help to much either. He was wearing a skin tight black bodysuit with the same type of markings from his face on said suit running from the shoulders to his wrists. It also held special attachments like silver armored shoulder padding on his left shoulder that signified his rank... His old rank. He had similar padding on his chest that made him look more muscular than what his actual appearance was.

He continued on standing in that spot starring as if the planet would be the last thing he would see. In many ways this will be the last time he will see such a thing with his own eyes.

"Earth... What a magnificent sight; to see the homeland of our ancestors. To bad for you that you will never see it like this again or any other planet for that matter." Said an old scruffy voice from behind.

The man behind him was dressed in a similar appearance, but had light green marking instead of blue along with thin swirls, signifying him as the captain and owner of this ship. His gray hair also reached to his back, even with the receding hairline being prominent on his head. His blue eyes looking to where the person he was speaking to starred at.

"Yeah... Too bad..." He replied in a sad tone.

"Some say that your punishment should just be the airlock and let you burn up in the atmosphere as we pass by." The captain said, not taking his eyes off the planet. But after a few minutes of silence the old captain decided to ask a question.

"So why did he chose Earth?" "..Why?.." "I mean out of all the choices to be banished in the Orion arm, he chose a world of our ancestors." He turned to look at the man for a moment, but then turned back to his original gaze. "To be honest I do not know myself. I thought that my past transgressions would warrant the prison planetiod Xela or at least an execution." The old captain took his gaze from the planet and looked at the man next to him. He decided to ask something else.

"Jafn... I and many of my fellow captains and kin have known and helped you and your brach family for over many centuries. I am just wondering why you never asked for our-" The captain begun but was quickly interrupted by the communications link going off in his ear. The man known as Jafn could already guess what's going on.

"Is it time?" Jafn asked "Yeah it's time... I'll escort you to the hanger" Replied the captain.

They both then turned to their left and walked in the direction of the hanger. As they walked Jafn found it difficult to keep on going with the thought that he would spend the rest of his days alone on that planet. Would he go insane from the loneliness? Commit suicide from the depression of loneliness? It didn't help that he went under genetic augmentations that have increased his lifespan for up to seven centuries and that was without the aid of the armor he was currently wearing. It also didn't help that he was also only twenty-five, so old age is nearly a millennium away. He was scared, not of what was down there of course. No, he was scared of losing his sanity that comes with isolation. He read on what happens to those in isolation. He has even seen an ancient film about a man on an island with a bloodied ball as a friend to slow the progression of insanity.

"I hope you've made your peace, we're nearly there. Any last parting words or requests, Jafn?" Said the old captain.

Jafn looked toward him and manage to put on a forced smile. "I am glad it was you and your ship that is seeing me off to my exile Captain Louis."

The captain looked at him and nodded in understanding."Indeed, I too am glad that I was able to do this. The others that wanted to do this never intended to even enter this system, they most likely would have throne you out the airlock near a star." Jafns smile quickly turned into a frown at hearing that.

"I really wished you would have shared your plans with us before you did that stupid stunt of yours all by yourself. That other kinsmen of yours that will take your place is not a person I look forward to serving under." Captain Louis continued.

"... Me too..." Jafn replied in a more saddened tone.

As they walked in to the hanger Jafn could see a two armed guards looking at him. One gave him a sympathetic look, the other a look of anger and mistrust. They were standing next to a large vehicle, it was an atmospheric transport.

"This was your father's personal transport during the lunar wars at Zeta Reticuli. It was a gift from him to me before he left on that expedition. It will be your ride down to the surface where we will leave you at a suitable hunting ground to live out the remainder of your days. If there are any finale requests lets here them." Said the captain.

Jafn just stared at the ship before saying "Can I have a-" "No! You can't have any guns." Captain Louise quickly interrupted him in a serious tone. "Then can I at least keep my armor and have an Rotter-Spear." Jafn said to the captain in an equally serious tone.

"Very well, hand him an R-Spear after you drop him off." He looked to one of the soldiers guarding the craft.

The guards quickly did a salute over their chest acknowledging his order. They then quickly went into the ship through a hatch on the lower right side. Jafn preceded to follow after. He stopped just for a seconded to quickly turn around and give a final salute over his heart to the his elder.

"I am glad of your continued loyalty to my family Captain Louise... I will miss you all."

The captain said nothing but returned the salute in kind. Jafn could have sworn he saw something coming down his face but brushed it off. He quickly turned back to the ship and went in. Once he was aboard he quickly took a seat next to one of the guards that previously showed a look of concern earlier. The one that showed a scowl on his face was there too.

"Why are we not putting him in chains?" Asked the angry guard from earlier.

"His actions may have been dishonorable, but his intentions were true." Replied the concerned guard.

"Traitors should be hung or put to the Pike not banished. Especially to our sacred world." The angry one replied back with his tone slightly raised.

"It's just a rock, there are many more like it. The thought of it being sacred is ludicrous." This seemed to have made him angrier.

He was about to say something when the cockpit door opened. The figure who stepped out was feminine and held a demeanor of superiority. Her green and white markings signified her as the captains second in command.

"Enough with the chit-chat! We are about to take off, you can continue on how punishment should be dealt with and other religious interpretations in the mess hall or your quarters later." She said in a very annoyed tone like this was not the first time they were arguing about this topic.

She walked over to Jafn and took a seat across from him on the other side strapping herself in for the ride. She looked towards Jafn and gave a small smile.

"We have meet before... During the feasts your family would hold. It's a shame we have to meet again in this situation."

Jafn recognized her now that she is across from him. Her light blond hair was braided into a thick pony tail. Her tight black body suit left little to the imagination, but it to was covered up in a similar type of armor he was currently wearing. Her blue eyes where staring at him, seeing that he has recognized her. He was going to say something till he felt the craft move.

"Looks like we are moving. We will be there in twenty minutes." She said while getting comfortable.

"Kiki was it?" Asked Jafn unsure if he remembered her name correctly.

She looked back at him. "Yeah, glad that you remembered." she said with a smile. "I remember that we use to play together during the parties with the other children."

"I remember that. So why are you escorting me to my own little prison planet?" Asked Jafn trying to make light of his situation.

"Because I want to know something." Said Kiki quickly showing a serious expression on her face..

"What is it you want to know? Why I'm hear? Every one already knows." Replied Jafn wondering why she was really here.

"No not that. I just wanted to know why. Why would you try and kill the Emperor? You aren't even close to being next in line. And the one that is next in line is one of your rivals. What did you think you would accomplish?"

The two other guards who where not doing anything quickly lifted up their heads and stared at him in anticipation to his response. Jafn thought to himself on whether or not he should answer.

"I had my reasons." Jafn deciding not to answer.

"Obviously." The angry guard chipped in.

Jafn just gave him a glare before turning back to Kiki. "If you really want to know, ask your father. It should be obvious to those in command on why I did what I did." Jafn said before turning and leaning back in his seat trying to get comfortable for what he assumes would be the last seat he may every sit in.

Knowing he was not going to say anything else she decided to change the subject. "So it has been what twelve thousand years since any one has checked up on this planet?" She asked no one in particular.

The guard that was calm through the hole ride decided to reply. "Actually it was twelve thousand five hundred years ago when we last received contact from those that stayed behind. Plus there has been a group stationed on mars that have been monitoring the planet for the past century. My friend that works there said that the planet is suitable for recolonizing, but is not fully healed. Something about the sea level being to high still"

"But there is land there already I can see it from hear, why are we not creating new settlements?" Asked Kiki.

"The Empire is busy with building up three other colonies and their infrastructures at the moment. It also doesn't help that the raids from the Argons keep setting back the colonies every few years." Replied the angry guard.

"Plus from what my friend has told me, multiple primitive species has evolved enough to start building civilizations on a small island chains from what used to be my ancestors homeland. That has also been one of the many causes to the delayed recolonization of Earth."

"Hue, I did not take you to be some one so well informed. Seeing as you are always with Jack there." Said Kiki.

"Hey!" Shouted the angry guard from whom Jafn assumed to be Jack.

"Though it is surprising that multiple species could evolve such intellect in such a short amount of time" Said Kiki.

"Our modern species have held this form for over a few million years, our recorded history only goes back twenty-four thousand years ago. Who's to say they weren't already intelligent before we left. Our absents probably aloud them to flourish."

Jafn opened his right eye taking note of the conversation. He quickly lost interest once they started to share war stories. He may have been military, but he was born into it. He found the sciences more interesting. It wasn't long till he felt the ship starting to decelerate. He looked out in to the monitor to see that they were coming up to a large mountain.

"This mountain was one of the many staging areas during the mass exudes of the planet. I think they called it Mt. Everest." Said Kiki. "You will be dropped of here. I'm told that it is still capable of running its old fusion power generators, and it still has its food stocks partially filled of twinkles or something like that."

"You expect me to eat ten thousand year old Twinkies?" Asked Jafn with surprise in his voice. The thought of eating something so old made him a little queasy.

"No. But what ever is in there will last you long enough till you do find some fresh food when hunting. Plus you shouldn't be complaining.

Jafn remained silent. He knew he got off lucky for what he did and that he should be thankful, but the thought of loneliness from earlier crept back up on him. This is going to be hell. It wasn't long till the ship came to a complete stop. He stood up with the guard in tow and walked to the end of the door. Once it opened he quickly added to his last thought out loud. "A frozen Hell"

He then stepped out of the craft and took ten steps away from the rampart. As he turned he saw the Rotter-Spear he asked for earlier shoot past him near his feet. He didn't know whether he flinched or not due to his shivering from the cold.

"There's your R-spear. I'm also sending you the the access codes to all of the old basses on this planet to your armors computer system so you won't be bored here for the next few centuries."

"The other basses are on different continents. Not to mention how would I get to ones on this one?" Ask Jafn feeling the gravity of his situation pulling him down the more he stares at the craft in front of him.

"You can walk to the ones on this continent and swim to the others" She said in a dry humorous tone. "maybe you'll get lucky and find one of those ancient flying vehicles in the garages of this base or the others nearby. But in any case I hope you live out your life in peace. Want me to send anyone a message before I go?" she finished.

"Tell my family I am sorry for the shame I brought them. And tell the Emperor I hope he chokes on his-" He was cut off by the noise of the door quickly closing and the speakers of the ship turning on.

"Will do Jafn. Will do." Said Kiki.

And with that the ship rose and ascended up into the sky. He stood there for what felt like hours just staring up into the sky. It got to the point where he couldn't feel his face from the icy winds that kept blowing on it.

He then decided to go and find the nearest entrance to the mountain behind him. He looked towards his wrist and out popped a holographic display of the surrounding area. He then located the entrance and proceeded to make his way towards it. Once he made it to the entrance he notice some archaic form of Mandarin Chinese on the walls. He payed them no mind for now and continued towards the entrance. Once there he found an ancient terminal linked to the door. He pressed the buttons on it and without surprising him it didn't work.

"No power to turn on, that is just great." He said in frustration.

He then looked through his armors systems and attempted to reroute its power to get the terminal to turn on through a wireless link... "This is ancient tech of course there would be little to no wireless power transfer units installed on a terminal." He quickly thought to himself. Lowering himself he tore open the side of the terminal and grabbed from what he assumed to be the power cables and directly hooked them to his armor. He then grabbed his rotter-spear and made the attempt to fix the terminal. He was glad he asked for it and thankful it doubled as a tool and a weapon. When he thought he was done he pressed a button and just as it was turning the exposed wiring blew out on the sides both shocking him and knocking him down to the ground. He sat backup to look out into the cold wilderness.

"This is going to take a while." He said in a more frustrated tone as he went back to work.


It was early morning in Inkopolis and many of its residents were up and about getting ready for the day. Some people where walking or riding to work still trying to wake up, yawning here and there and others were up with a more chipper attitude with eyes wide open focused on their tasks at hand. For Silica she was in the latter.

She woke up earlier than she normally would have, and needed the time to get ready and double check all of her packed luggage. She would be taking them with her on the expedition to the new lands across the sea to the west of Inkoplolis. She was ecstatic about this opportunity not just to explore new lands but to study with the top archaeologist that has taken her on as an apprentice. She will be spending most of her summer in those new lands and won't be able to play Turfwar with her friends, but the opportunity was to big to miss. She always loved looking at the foils in the museum and now she hoped to go out and find her own. Maybe if she gets lucky she will find one the will be on display.

She was almost finished now. All that needed to be done was to check herself in the mirror and make sure she looked alright for the travle. Her orange tentacles where tide back so they would not get in the way. She wore plain green shirt with brown shorts that ended above her knees. She then put on a small brown vest that would be able to hold her tools once she started to dig. Her hazel eyes perked at seeing that she was ready. Hearing a honk outside twice she quickly put on her brown boots and grabbed her luggage. In it was nothing but cloths to last the rest of the year and a few books to pass the time while she sailed to the new land. She was out the door when she saw the taxi ready to pick her up. But before she got in she heard someone call out to her.

"Mourning Silica!" "You off to the new lands?" It was her friends Lier and Clare.

Lier was the same age as her being at fourteen years wearing a white shirt with a design that said Splatfest on it in bright blue which matched his blue tentacles and eyes. His black jean were bagging a little over his white shoes. His older sister Clare being at twenty-three years of age was wearing a similar shirt, but was wearing black short shorts reviling a good portion of her thighs. Her silver eyes look at her waiting for a response.

She quickly replied with a nod. "Yep! And I can't wait till I get there. Not only will I be exploring the new lands I will be doing it with professor Merlin one of the best in her field."

"Bring us back a fossil and make sure its a cool one like the ones at the museum." Said Lier

"We'll get you something from the Splatfests you'll be missing and hold it for you." Said Clare.

"I'll make sure it will be a cool one buddy, and thank you Clare." Replied Silica as she took her seat in the cab.

"Mind if we ride with you to the pier, we have some things to do over there. We'll split the fair." Said Clare.

"Sure why not. I could use the company." Silica said with a smile.

With that they all went into the cab squeezing together in the back. The ride to the pier would take ten minutes or so she wanted to pass the time with some chat.

"So what business do you two have at the pier?" Asked Silica.

"We heard that there was a light in the sky last night to the west." Said Lier. "So a bunch of people are setting up to see if its there again."

"Like aliens!?" She asked again.

"I told him its going to be a waste of time. The chances of it happening again are low." Clare said while stretching in her seat, purposefully knocking into her little brother.

"Hey! Well it could, you don't know that." He said getting annoyed by his sitters antics.

"So what is so important over in the new lands that is worth the attention of so many archaeologists?" Asked Clare, "I heard that even the Octlings are chipping in on the expeditions. Are you going to be alright working along side those things."

Silica frowned at her friends choice of words. She always said things like these about Octlings, but she chose to ignore it for now and try to relive her friends worries.

"There is no need to worry, I'm told the camps are separate further inland. Only the first few camp sites are integrated just for sharing information with each other. Mainly because there is no communications network set up yet, except for the growing port there." She then looked out the window of the cab thinking of how to answer her first question.

She could see the port coming up along the coast with the ship she was supposed to ride in the harbor. It looked like it was just now pulling in to port. She kinda feels bad for the crew, they have been going back and forth for weeks without stop. She hopes that they switched people every time they reached land.

"As for the reason, I heard that there are old ruined cities there... Every where! Though they are so old they are covered up by most of the jungles and forests. Me and my new boss will be going to set up a new campsite further inland though. Something about wanting space from the other archaeologist." She finished.

"Looks like were almost there. Dang that ship is bigger up close!" Lier exclaimed happily. "So who built the cities and are they as big as Inkopolis?" He added.

"I wasn't told who build them and as for their size we don't know either. Partly due to the fact that the trees are obstructing the surveyors." Silica replied.

It looked like he was about to ask another question till they all felt the cab stop.

"Here's your stop little ones" Said the old cab driver.

She looked out side the cab and could see that they were indeed here. She handed her share of the fair to diver and got out to get her things. She could see that there were people getting on and off the boat bringing supplies back and forth. She then saw on the pier a bunch of people whom she assumed to be the sky watchers all setting up there telescopes. Why they would come so early for something that would happen latter in the evening stumped her. She had reason to come early mainly because the ship will leave in the hour. She then turned to say her good bye to her friends.

"So this is it, you wont be seeing me till the end of the year." She said sadly stretching out her arms for a hug.

"Have a safe journey Silica." Said Clare.

"And find me lots of cool stuff, like the skull of them things at the museum." Said Lier before getting elbowed in the side by Clare. "And stay safe Sil." He sheepishly added while giving her a hug with his sister.

"I will, but I have to ask. If I do find one of those skulls, what would you do with it?" She really wanted to know.

"What any normal person would do with a skull of course." He answered vaguely.

She stared at him wondering what he really planed to do with a fossilized skull. She didn't even want to put much though in to it. She then let go of the hugs and turned to head towards the ship.

"Well until you tell me, all you're getting is a rock. Bye, see you guys next year!" She said as she walked away.

"So long Silica!" Said Clare as she waved goodbye.

"See ya latter!" Said Lier waving goodbye as well.

She turned one more time to look back towards her friends and smiled. She was happy that they saw her off, and that they'd offer to get her something from the Splatfest she would be missing tomorrow. She was glad to have them as friends. She then turned back towards the boat and proceed towards it. As she got closer she could see an old inkling with a big white beard greeting the people as they went up the rampart.

"Ello lil'one. Who are you and what be your business on this here vessel?" Asked the old Inkling in a thick yet clear seamen accent.

"I am Silica Bloteye under archaeology team thirteen headed by professor Merlin." She said with confidence.

"Bloteye... Bloteye... Ah! There you are! Miss Bloteye." Said the old inkling. "Allow me to welcome you to the Scuttling Crab. I am First Mate Keltpton of this ship and I make it a point to know who is aboard said ship. Your cabin is on the lower deck of the ship; just take the stares and go to the right, room 203." He said as he pointed to the direction.

"Thank you Mr. Kelpton. If I may ask, who is the Captain of this ship?" She said as she picked up her luggage again ready to go up the rampart.

"Ah that be Captain Octavio" Said Kelpton in a matter of fact tone. "She's the granddaughter of General Octavio and she runs this ship with an iron tentacle. I'd stay out of her way if I were you lil'one. She doesn't like to be bothered about "mundane" things like archaeology. No offense of course" Said Kelpton.

"Non taken. I know a lot of people aren't that interested in digging, but I'll keep it in mind to not bring it up when around her. Thank you." She said as she walked past him up the rampart.

"Your welcome lil'one. Next!" He said as he turned towards a tall Urchin.

The walk to the cabin was short, as she quickly found her quarters. Once there she opened her door and found the room to be small and cozy. She quickly put her things away and decided to lie down and start reading up on her archaeological and anthropological books. After an hour of reading she heard the ships communication system go off.

"Attention everyone this is your Captain Octavio speaking. Everyone is aboard and we will now begin our journey towards the growing settlement of New Inktown. We will be there within seven days. It you haven't brought any form of entertainment we will be holding game nights every night from five to ten till we get to our destination and have a pleasant mourning. Octavio out."

After the speakers went silent she went back to reading her books. A few more hours pass until she felt hungry from not eating this morning. She put her book down and decided to go to the dinning area and eat something.

"I wonder what they have to eat?" she thought out loud as she stepped out of her room.