Author's note: Welcome to my newest story. I've seen that my last story wasn't as popular as some of my other ones, so I'll try harder for this one! Hopefully it'll peak more people's interest. Also, this is a continuation from my previous stories, so reading them is advised.

Life in Inkopolis: Heir to the Throne

Chapter 1

Inkopolis News Time!

"Y'all know what time it is!" Pearl shouted.

"It's Off the Hook, coming at you LIVE from Inkopolis Square."

"We've got an Inkredible news story for ya today!" Pearl told the audience.

"A sizable group of cephalopods held captive by Salmonids have broken free and arrived in Inkopolis!" Marina revealed. "They're currently being held in medical facilities getting wounds treated and reconnecting with their families."

"They were found and carried to the shore by a group of Salmon Runners known as Gregory Pire, Denise Nidae, Oscar Tunic, and Mia Parate of a community service group known as "The Defenders." Pearl read the names on a list. "Nice bunch of squids, huh?"

"I've met Gregory before…" Marina said. "I wouldn't exactly call him 'nice'…"

"He was probs in a bad mood." Pearl shrugged. "Just like I was when all of my besties either left my party early or didn't show up at all."

"Sorry, Pearlie…" Marina felt bad. "I had some…errands to do…"

"It's cool, I already forgive ya!" Pearl told her. "And if he's mean to ya again, he'll have to deal with the Pearl!"

"So what kind of name is Defenders, anyway?" Marina wondered.

"I'm guessing Inkopolis Defenders." Pearl guessed. "Not every group gets the name right the first try. Remember some of the names we came up with at first?"

"Maritime Melodies wasn't bad." Marina told her.

"Yeah, if you don't mind sounding like a recording studio for nursery songs." Pearl quipped.

"Ouch…" Marina felt that burn. "Well, it was better than the name you came up with."

"What was wrong with Pearl Jam?" Pearl was confused.

"Well, other than the fact that I'm pretty sure that name's already taken," Marina explained. "Shouldn't the name include both of us?"

"It includes both of us." Pearl assured her.

"How so?" Marina wanted to hear the explanation.

"Easy." Pearl sat up straight. "I'm Pearl, and we Jam to your beats."

Marina put a hand to her face and inhaled.

"…Makes sense." Marina supposed.

"Hold up, Marina!" Pearl almost jumped. "We've got breaking news!"

"Breaking news?" Marina was curious. "What'd you break this time?"

"…Seriously, Rina?" Pearl sighed and stared at her. "Every time?"

"Oh…but we already announced the Splatfest topics the other day." Marina was confused.

"Not that!" Pearl shook her head. "This is brand new news! Some UFO was seen flying towards Inkopolis Plaza of all places earlier today."

Blurry images showed up on the TV screen.

"Wait…is that…?" Marina's eyes widened.

"It flew into the city, disappeared into the Plaza, and left a few minutes later." Pearl continued. "No one knows what it was, why it was there, or why it left so quickly."

"It was probably one of those drones young squidkids are playing with these days." Marina shrugged.

"Whatever it was, it actually brought some tourists to the Plaza." Pearl said. "From nostalgic squids, to curious newcomers, and an ambulance called brought local authorities too. Wait, does that mean no more Limitless Battles?"

"Limitless Battles?" Marina was confused by the term. "What are those and why haven't you invited me to one?"

"I can neither confirm nor deny what they are." Pearl stated. "I also can't confirm nor deny participating in or gambling on these battles."

"Um…okay…" Marina was a little unsettled.

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

They both got ready.

"Don't get cooked…" They struck a pose. "Stay off the hook!"

Octo Canyon…

Octarians were gathering in the hangar, awaiting the Octobot King's return.

Sure enough, the Octobot King flew in.

A kimono-wearing Octoling came out with her entourage of guards. They stopped as the machine landed I front of them.

"Great DJ Octavio…" The lead Octoling bowed. "We are grateful you have returned to us…and so soon…"

There was silence.

"…Umm…Hello?" She waited for an answer.

A pair of hands then grabbed the edge, pulling someone up.

"Um…where am I?" A confused young Octoling asked.

"…Who are you?" The kimono-clad Octoling asked, very confused. "Where's the DJ?"

"…I'm Octim…" The confused, and somewhat scared boy answered as he climbed out and pulled down his sleeves. "DJ's…back at the Plaza…"

"Arrest the traitor." She ordered her guards.

"W-wait…" He then got an idea. "Look!"

He removed his goggles, revealing the King's eyes.

"A Royal?" She was pleasantly surprised. "My apologies…You must be his…?"

"Grandson…apparently…" He was still processing that.

"Another one?" The Elite tilted her head. "Whatever…My name is Julia. I am Commander of Octo Canyon."

"A-and I'm Octim…" He said again. "Or…well…l-let's just go with that for now…"

"Very well." Julia shrugged. "Follow me to my central dome."

"B-but I want to go home." Octim objected.

"Silly boy…" Julia patted his head. "You are home."

Elsewhere…Beth's POV

"Agent 8, hurry!" I shouted. "We've gotta go!"

"Where?!" She was startled.

"Octo Canyon!" I told her. "Agent 2 needs us!"

We rushed as fast as we could to the Cabin in Cuttlefish Canyon.

"Alright, what's the situation?" I asked Agent 2.

"Octavio has been found." She told us. "He's been apprehended in Inkopolis Plaza."

So we really should've looked there…

Note to self: Actually look in the first place we'd look.

"And we needed to come here for that?" Agent 8 was confused.

"There is more." Two assured us. "Yet another Inkopolis resident was captured. This time, it's one of Sarah's squadmates from the Tournament."

She then showed us a picture.

"He goes by Octim." She told us. "However, he has caught the eye of our DJ friend. In fact, Octavio had been teaching him music ever since he went missing."

"Why?" Eight was confused. "He never teaches anyone."

"Tim's a special case." Agent 2 sighed. "As it turns out, he's DJ Octavio's long-lost grandson."

"What…?" I was shocked to hear that.

"He's…a royal?" Eight looked at the picture. "Hmph…well, he's home now!"

"Eight!" Agent 2 glared at her. "Your feelings towards the royal family aside, I've met the kid. Twice. He's not his grandpa. He's a nice boy who likes music. He had literally nothing to do with the bad parts of your life."

"…Sorry…" Eight felt guilty now.

"It's fine." Two assured her. "I know you and a lot of Octolings may have some hostility towards them, but no one's born a mind-controlling tyrant. Now, we're going to get him back. Any questions?"

"Why save a royal?" I wondered. "He'd be treated well, right?"

"Tim hasn't spent a single day in the Octarian settlements." Two told us. "The experiences he's had make him as much an Inkopolis resident as the rest of us. Also…frankly…I'm getting pretty tired of Octarians squidnapping people. From Callie…to 3.5…to Alice…to 3.5 again….and now this kid. We have to draw the line somewhere!"

"…Hm…you know, you're actually sounding a lot like the Cap'n." I noticed.

"I am?!" She was shocked to hear that. "Well…I guess his more philosophical ramblings rubbed off on me…I just hope I don't end up as a sad old squid watching these Octos…That'd be…well…sad…"

I snickered a bit at the thought of that.

"Well, anyway," She got back on track. "We believe he'll be at the Central Dome of Octo Canyon. Any objections to this mission?"

"…No." Eight shook her head. "If Guyver and 4 like him…then he must not be bad…I'm in!"

"Me too." I nodded my head.

"Alright then…" Agent 2 then mimicked the Cap'n's pose. "Let's move out!"