I've decided to start a brand-new story based on Splatoon. While browsing fanfiction, I noticed there were no stories based on Inklings below the age of 14, the age when they gain their humanoid forms. According to lore, Inklings go through what I like to call stages as they grow and develop. Pictures of what they look like can be found on the internet.

Someone asked me to do a Harry Potter influence based story on Splatoon and I decided to use characters from my other Splatoon story called 'The Outcasts' which was abandoned.

Quartz will be the main character in this story as she was in The Outcasts, it's nice to see my characters come to life in a new way after having to abandon the project.

The story will follow Quartz and her friends as they go through each year at Voyage Academy. I assure you it will not be a carbon copy of Harry Potter, just influenced by it.

And to those wondering about Touching the Sky, Chapter 13 should be uploaded either tomorrow or the next day. I just need to read through it and make any tweaks where needed.

P.s.. this story is over 50 years from the events of Touching the Sky. I'm sure you can all guess who Quartz's ancestor are!

Chapter One ~ A new Journey

Tiara Sparkles considered herself a rare gem among the other Anemone of her kind, even her name was self-given to separate herself from the common drabble.

Everything she did, she did with glamor, passion and of course wearing the latest fashion. Most Anemone at her age would be already settled down with families but not Tiara.

At the age of 35, the Anemone had no intention of finding a male Anemone and popping out little brats. No… her life was for her to live the way she wanted.

Indeed… the way she dressed and acted, most of the aquatic-based creatures that lived in Inkopolis considered her to be no older than 20.

Beautiful pale pink tentacles that slowly turned to a soft purple at the tips adorned her head, tied up in an elegant bun and covered in her favourite silvery glitter to give them that extra pizzazz! A tight pale purple tank top made by the top Designers and an Angelfish fin influence mini-skirt that glimmered in amazing shades of lilac and opal. Numerous silver bangles on her wrists and pale pink strapped heels.

Yes, Tiara dressed herself everyday just like how she lives her life. What more could a famous model and actor desire?

That morning Tiara left her fancy apartment in the early hours and headed towards the train station, she caught the train that took her to central Inkopolis and soon arrived at the Interstar Studio for another day of work.

"Morning Tiara!" greeted Jania when Tiara had entered through the large double glass doors, a 28-year-old green-tentacle coloured Inkling that worked at the studio as a part-time support Tech in the studio after quitting the Squidbeak Agency some three years ago, the Inkling also happened to be one of Tiara closet friends.

"Morning to you too Jania darling!" cheered Tiara as she pulled her friend into a hug.

"Gu!"

Tiara blinked at the sound and turned her head towards the floor, a pink baby squid surrounded by colourful toys looked back before gurgling again in delight.

"J-Jania… it that?" Tiara asked in wonderment as Jania pulled back from the hugged and looked at the little baby squid with pure joy and pride.

"Yep, my little Quartz. I struggled to find a baby-sitter today, so the boss said I could bring her to work. Everyone's been dying to meet her."

Tiara squealed loudly and dived towards the startled baby, scooping her up to bring her into a hug.

"She. Is. ADORABLE! So PINK! I love her Jania!" gasped the Anemone as she nuzzled her face against Quartz who squirmed and wriggled, her tiny fat little tentacles waving wildly.

"So, does she make you want any of your own?" asked Jania with a smirk. Tiara stopped aweing over the baby and snorted.

"Heck no. Like I'm going to ruin this beautiful figure. Why have a baby when I can just fuss and spoil yours without the hard-messy work of raising her?"

Jania rolled her eyes as she started to gather up the toys from the floor and packing them away in her bag.

"I know… but she's so worth it. A day doesn't go by when I don't regret having her despite having to quit the Squidbeak Agency when I fell pregnant."

"Karma stills works for them, right?" asked Tiara as Quartz began to gurgle happily, her little tentacles slapping against the Anemone's arms.

"Yeah… considering his parents and grandfather were in the Agency before him."

Quartz started to whimper as she held out her tentacles towards her mother, Tiara handed her over to her friend.

"Well his grandfather was the famous Agent 3, and isn't his grandmother an Octoling?" asked Tiara as she started to walk towards the recording studio, Jania walked beside her while carrying Quartz.

"Yep, and his parents are the famous Agent 4 and 5. I think Karma always felt like he had a lot to live up too, it must be hard having everyone expect great things from you. The fear of disappointing people…"

Tiara slung an arm over her friend's shoulder and gave her a dazzling smile, Jania blinked before returning the smile back. They stopped walking as they reached the recording studio doors.

"Time to shine my darling!" cheered Tiara as she threw open the doors with a flourish, gaining the attention of all the crew members inside who had obviously been waiting for her.

"I mustn't keep my adoring fans waiting! Let's start this show sweetie!"

Jania laughed as she headed over to her station, drawing the attention of the nearby Inklings and Octolings as they came crowding around to awe and coo over her daughter. Quartz seemed a little uncertain at first, but soon liven up due to all the attention she was gaining.

Tiara allowed herself to be swept away by her aides to prepare for her shoot, a growing smile of excitement on her face. Everything was perfect…

And life just couldn't get any better.

But it can get worse… much worse.

A year later Tiara is abruptly woken up at 2am in the morning by loud frantic banging at her apartment door. Now who the stinging hell could that be!? Didn't they know she needed her sleep to be fabulous in life?

The Anemone charged at her door in her pale lilac dressing gown and flung it open after unlocking it to give whoever it was a piece of her mind, but she froze when she saw Jania standing there crying hysterically. A screaming year old Quartz who was desperately clinging to her mother's top.

"J-Jania!?" gasped Tiara in horror and fear for her friend. Her green tentacle that were normally tied in a neat ponytail, hung limp and lifeless over her shoulders.

"H-he g-gone!" Jania choked as she took an unsteady step. "Karma's g-gone! They killed him!"

Tiara's eyes grew wide as she tried to wrap her head around what the Inkling had just said. Karma's dead!? The Anemone quickly ushered Jania inside her apartment and locked the door before leading her over to sit at her sofa.

After brewing a quick cup of Inkberry fruit tea and placing it on the end-table for Jania, Tiara sat next to her friend and pulled her into a tight hug. Quartz seem to have tired herself out and fell asleep, curled up in her mother's arms.

"Feeling better?" asked Tiara gently as Jania grabbed the cup of tea and took a sip, some of spilled due to her trembling hand.

"A little…" whisper Jania, her hand reached down and softly patted her daughters head.

"Ok, so what's this about Karma? You said he was… that he was… killed?"

Jania lowered her head and sobbed. "They killed him, he was trying to protect me and Quartz."

"Who?" asked Tiara as she grabbed the Inklings hands with her own.

"I don't know!" wailed Jania as she buried her face in Tiara's shoulder. "We were heading to the base to meet up with Karma's parents but… but the base was gone! T-there had b-been an explosion… everyone was gone."

Tiara wrapped both her arms around her friend and began to stroke her back in circular motions to try and comfort her. The Anemone didn't know what else to do to help the Inkling.

"Then these strange people wearing odd bio suits appeared, we couldn't see their faces due to their helmets. One of them tried to shoot me but Karma pushed me out of the way and told me to run and protect Quartz. Oh Tia! They killed him! I know they have!"

"Wait… so you didn't see them actually kill Karma? Then… he might still be alive Jania darling!"

"Here..."

Tiara blinked in surprise as Jania leaned back and picked up Quartz to place her gently on the Anemone's lap.

"I'm going back. I have to know so please, take care of my daughter for me."

"Wha!? You can't go back! It's too dangerous Jania!" yelled Tiara, her loud voice made Quartz startle awake in her lap. The little squidling began to cry, reaching out with her tentacles towards Jania who shook her head and stood up.

"I have to, I may not be Agent 12 anymore but I still remember my training. I need to know what has happened to my husband and my parents-in-laws." Jania bent down and grabbed Tiara by the shoulders, a determined look in her brown eyes.

"Promise me you'll look after Garnet if I don't come back. Please!"

"I.." Tiara glanced down at the screaming Inkling infant in her lap and then signed deeply. She was scared for her friend but, it wasn't like there was anything she could do. Jania WAS a former trained Agent of the Squidbeak Agency.

"Fine darling. I promise I'll take care of her. It's the least I can do."

Jania smiled sadly and pulled the Anemone into a hug, then she released her and bent down to nuzzle her face against her daughter and plant a loving kiss on her head.

"Take care my little Quartz gem. Be a good girl for Tiara ok?"

Quartz giggled at her mother's kisses but soon began to whimper when she pulled away.

"Please be safe darling." Whispered Tiara as she watched Jania head over to her apartment door where she unlocked it and swung open the door. The Inkling looked back with a fearful face, she nodded her head and the next second… she was gone, the door closed behind her with hardly a sound.

Tiara looked down at the now wailing infant on her lap, little Quartz had tears in her eyes as she waved her tentacles at the closed door.

Jania would come back… right?

It was only when a full month passed that Tiara realised… her friend was never coming back.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Quartz! Are you still asleep!?"

Quartz groggily opened her eyes before hissing at the bright sunlight that streamed through the tiny gap in her curtains.

Suddenly she squeaked in alarm as the thick cosy duvet that she had been cocooned in was suddenly whipped away, exposed her to the chill air that came with the morning.

"Mooooom!" moaned Quartz as she sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"It's too early!"

Tiara stood at the foot of the bed and glared at her adoptive daughter. "Quartz Sparkles, you should have been up half an hour ago, Bathroom. NOW!"

Quartz screwed up her face in displeasure and jumped off the bed to stalk over to the bathroom. The little Inkling was now 10 years-old and had only recently reached the fourth stage of Inkling growth.

Inklings, like the Octolings go through phrases or as most people like to call them, stages as they grow. As babies, they start off in stage one as a little squidling. There were five stages in all, the humanoid one being the final stage.

Inklings that had reached the fourth stage look like a cross between the squid form and the humanoid form that Inklings gain control over when they reach 14 years of age.

In the fourth stage, the whole of their skin is the colour they are born with (In Quartz case, pink.) and they don't have any kind of tentacle hair style on their heads which still retain the triangle like shape.

"Quartz darling." Huffed Tiara as she entered the bathroom where said Inkling was busy taking an ink bath.

"Please tell me you haven't forgotten. Today's your last day of school and you know what that means."

Quartz stared at her mother in confusion. So?

Then it hit her as she gasped, her eyes growing wide in horror.

Of course, the last day of school! How could she have forgotten!? Today was the day when she finds out if she had had been accepted into the famous Voyage Academy, a boarding school built specially to educate Inklings and Octolings that was founded by the Cuttlefish family over fifty years ago!

"I'm such an Inker!" yelled Quartz as she leaped from the bath and began to race around the bathroom naked in a panic.

Tiara rubbed a hand over her face in expiration before grabbing the frantic Inkling by the arm.

"Just relax darling. I already have your breakfast waiting for you downstairs; your cloths are on your bed freshly ironed." Tiara smiled as Quartz took a deep breath and nodded. The Anemone grinned and placed a hand on the girls back, pushing her towards the sink.

"Now brush your teeth, we don't want those fangs of yours looking dull on this special day. Make them sparkle darling!"

Half an hour later, Quartz stood outside her school gates waving goodbye to her mother as Tiara drove away in her typical expensive pale pink sports car. An easily affordable luxury due to her job as a famous actor.

An out-dated and worse for wear black car pulled up to the school gates seconds later with a loud rumble of its engines. The back door swung open to reveal a rather plump looking Inkling the same age as Quartz, the girl's skin was a light blue and she wore a pair of black shorts and a loose green tank top.

"Quartz!" yelled the Inkgirl as she waddled over to Quarts and hugged her tightly.

"Aren't you excited Peebee?" grinned Quartz after returning the hug and stepping back.

"Excited? Heck yeah I am!" exclaimed Peebee happily. Peebee and Quartz had been the best of friends since they were four years old with the light blue Inkling being three months older then Quartz.

They had become friends after Quartz had chased away a bunch of bullies that were picking on Peebee because of her weight.

"I have to admit though, it's so weird seeing you in clothes!" said Peebee as she glanced at the simple black skirt, brown boots and navy blue turtle-necked jumper her friend was wearing.

Quartz tugged at her clothes with an irate expression. "It feels weird wearing them, and I was looking forward to finally wearing clothes too."

Inklings and Octoling didn't need to wear clothes until they reached the fourth stage of growth where their bodies developed into a more humanoid-like figure, because of this they had too, required by law to wear clothes. For obvious reasons.

"Ha! You'll get use to them! They look totally fresh but what do you expect when your mom's the famous Tiara Sparkles?" laughed Peebee as she and Quartz linked arms and began to head up the path towards school.

Other students swarmed around them chatting away in excitement, it seemed there was at least one person who represented every species here just by looking around. Jellyfish, crabs, sea horse, anemone, Inkings, Octolings, Urchins…

"I'm just glad mom didn't force me into something sparkly… urgh…" said Quartz as she shuddered slightly. A bell in the distance caught everyone's attention, the mass body of students suddenly started to move in the same direction.

"Hey…" said Peebee with a slight look of worry. Quartz turned to look at her friend and tilted her head slightly in question.

"Do you think… we'll both be accepted into Voyage Academy? What if you get accepted… and I don't?"

"Don't be stupid Peebee. You're just as smart as I am, If I'm accepted then you'll definitely be accepted." Quarts said as she removed her arm and linked her hand with the slightly chubby one of her friend.

"Like I'm just going to leave my best friend behind."

Peebee gave a dazzling smile and squeezed Quartz hand gratefully. The pair raced off towards the assembly hall to receive their final reports and the letter that would tell them if their chosen secondary schools have accepted them.

As usual, the morning assembly was so boring as Headmaster Catwhiskers droned on and on, that nobody even paid attention anymore, their heads turned towards their friends instead to chat away in hushed voices. Even the teachers looked dazed to the point where they failed to tell off students for talking.

"And finally, a word to those students who will be leaving us today to embark on the next journey of their education…" warbled Mr. Catwhiskers, an elderly Catfish who peered over his large horn-rimmed glasses at the last-year students who now gave him their fullest attention.

"It has been a pleasure having you here for the last several years, I know that… whatever your path may lead you now… I know you will do great things. I'm proud to have called you students of Finmore. At the end of assembly, head over to the mess hall where Miss Everblue will hand you an envelope containing your end of year reports and the letter with details of your new school."

"This is it!" whispered Quartz excitably, the other students in her year all had the same looks of excitement on their faces as they chattered away to their friends.

Peebee smiled, but the look of worry was still etched in her plump round face.

"Now to conclude assembly…" said Mr. Catwhiskers as the teachers who had been falling asleep suddenly gave a start and leaped to their feet. The students followed their example, when everyone was on their feet, they all began to sing the Finmore's theme song.

Quartz noticed the fear on Peebee's face and gently took the Inklings hand in her own, Peebee gave a jump at the contact but smiled warmly when she saw it was only Quartz. The two-stood hand in hand as they sang the schools song, their free hands behind their backs with their stubby fingers crossed awkwardly.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Ah! I'm so scared!" laughed Quartz as she sat down on one of the benches situated outside, a thick envelope clasped in her hands. Peebee sat next to her with her own envelope, her face expressionless as she stared at the sky.

Since this was the last day for Quartz and the rest of the students in her year, the teachers had decided to allow them free periods for the morning.

Quartz quickly opened her envelope with her pink hands and practically ripped the two letters out that rested inside. The first letter contained her grades, her eyes widening as they zoomed over the words.

"Squid yeah! Straight A's!" cheered Quartz loudly, throwing her stubby limbs into the air with joy. Peebee didn't react as she continued to stare emotionlessly at the sky.

"Come on Peebee! Open your letter and tell me what grades you got!" encouraged the pink Inkling as she nudged her blue friend. Peebee gave a start and quickly opened her envelope, with trembling hands she pulled out the two letters and quickly scanned the first page.

"Well?" asked Quartz while trying to ignore the twinge of worry creeping up. Peebee only stared at first before…

"A's… all A's…" she whispered in wonderment.

"YESH!" screamed Quartz in delight as Peebee suddenly laughed with joy, both girls embraced each other in quick hugs.

"I told you those all-nighter study sessions would be worth it!" yelled Quartz.

"Are you squidding me? I felt like the walking dead after those sessions! They're horrible!" moaned Peebee, trying to look offended but failing due to her huge grin.

They both looked at each, then burst into loud laughter that caught the attention of nearby students who stared at them strangely.

The laughter died away however when they realised they still had one very important letter to read.

"Ok." Said Quartz as she swapped the letters around. "Let's read this together ok?"

Peebee nodded as the old fear crept back into her plump face, she swapped the letters around as well.

"After the count of three." Said Peebee as Quartz smiled.

"1… 2… 3!"

Quartz looked down at the letter and read the contents. She felt her heart stop as she read and read the letter repeatedly, she couldn't believe it…

Voyage Academy, which offers the best education possible for Inklings and Octolings has accepted your application form Miss Quartz Sparkles, and offers you a place as one of its students.

We look forward to seeing you on the 1st of September. More details will be deliver to you over the course of the summer holidays.

They had accepted her… She's going to be a student at the Voyage Academy! SHE DID IT!

Her attention was caught when she realised Peebee had yet to say a word, the pink Inkling felt alarmed when she saw her friend crying silent tears.

"Oh no! Peebee… did they not accept you? Oh Peebee…"

Peebee looked up and to Quartz surprise, she smiled brightly. It was then the pink Inkling realised the inky tears were through sheer happiness!

"They accepted me… I'M GOING TO VOYAGE ACADEMY!" the chubby blue Inkling cried as she leapt to her feet and started to dance.

Quartz yelled in pure joy and grabbed her friend's hands, both began to jump around screaming as they swung each other around.

Quartz couldn't wait to go home and tell her mother that she had been accepted and celebrate. To think for the next eight years, she'll be mostly living in the Voyage Dormitories and studying at the famous boarding school known for producing the most academically and skilled Inklings and Octolings Inkopolis had ever seen.

It was like a dream come true… this summer holiday is going to be so fresh!