Chapter 3

Another POV

Hm…Amphia's not answering my texts…

Maybe she's just seeing a movie with Tim or something…

Well, if she needs anything, she knows where the hotel is…

I opened the door.

"Amphia?" I was surprised. "What're you doing here?"

I could see she was crying.

"What happened?" I asked as I walked over.

"He's gone, Stanley…" She answered.

"Who?" I was confused.

"Tim….he's gone…" She replied.

"Where?" I was more confused now.

"Octo Canyon…" She told me. "He met his grandpa and he sent Tim there…"

"Why?" I was beyond confused.

"…There's a lot I haven't told you…" She admitted. "There's a lot I haven't told Gerald either…"

"Well…tell us." I told her. "We'll understand."

"No you won't…" She sighed.

I gave her a hug to calm her down.

"Try us." I shrugged.

Later…

"Well then…" Dad was twiddling his fingers. "That…puts a whole new perspective on things…"

"Why didn't you go back?" I wondered. "Aren't the royals treated better?"

"I knew that Octavio would've just tried to turn my boy into a mini-him!" She said, crossing her arms. "I didn't want him to be another Octavio."

"And yet you named him Octavio." I pointed out.

"That…was a promise I made…" She sighed. "We disgussed what we'd name our child if we…had one…We decided if it was a girl, I'd name it and if it was a boy…we'd give it him and his father's name…"

"Is there any way you can contact him?" Dad wondered. "Surely there's some way."

"…His goggles!" Amphia shouted and ran for the closet. "We can communicate with these! I completely forgot about that!"

She found them on her old uniform and turned them on.

Meanwhile…Tim's POV

"Please, I just want to see my friends!" I begged. "I don't even know anyone here!"

"You'll get to know people." Julia said, reaching into a closet. "Now, put this gi on. We have a dress-code here."

"You really have a thing for old fashion, don't you?" I said as I took the gi from her.

"It makes me feel important." She replied.

"Aren't Commanders already important?" I asked.

"Well, more important." She shrugged. "I mean, we all do what we do to get ahead in the world. I'm hoping a passion for the past will get me ahead."

"But aren't the only higher positions Adviser and Leader?" I remembered that lesson.

"…I mean, yeah…" She nodded her head. "Some of us relatives desire Lord Octavio's favor. 14 years since his previous heir was murdered and he still hasn't named a new one. He needs to pick a new one soon."

"Er…right…" I felt uneasy as I put the gi over my clothes.

"Do you think I'd be a good leader?" She asked. "Theoretically, of course…my chances are as good as yours."

"I wouldn't know." I replied. "Wait, aren't…I…in the way of that?"

"He can choose anyone who's related." She told me. "Most aren't interested. I'm just one of the few making an effort to be chosen who isn't just waiting for him to die."

"Heh, I'm sure it'll be fine…" I wasn't. "…What would you do if someone else was chosen?"

"As if that would happen." She hand-waved. "I mean, I helped him with his Zapfish heist and squidnapping. Aaaand I gave his costar all she needed to put on a good show. I've helped the most out of anyone! He said he'd reward me handsomely after the Zapfish heist, though I suppose that'll have to wait until the next time he breaks out."

"…Well, I hope that works out!" I said, a little nervous. "Huh…I actually look cool in this…"

"Imagine how you'll look when you wear it properly." She quipped. You can't wear it over a jacket!"

"Can I keep everything else?" I asked.

"Sure." She shrugged.

"…Can I get a little privacy?" I sheepishly asked.

"Oh Octo, you really have lived with Inklings." She groaned. "Fine, prude."

She turned around.

I quickly took my jacket off and put the gi over myself. Luckily I had a long-sleeve shirt on too.

"Is this better?" I asked.

She turned around.

"Ugh," She rolled her eyes. "Let me tie your belt properly."

I then saw my goggles buzzing.

"Can I get that?" I asked.

Julia reached over, grabbed them, and put them on my head.

"Hello?" I called out.

"Tim!" I heard mom's voice. "Are you okay, sweetie?!"

"Mom!" I was relieved to hear from her. "I'm fine…I-uh…I'm getting a gi apparently."

"Aaand looking amazing!" Julia added.

"Who's that?" Mom asked.

"Julia." I answered. "She's supposed to watch me until she can get people to take me to Octo Valley…"

"That's not going to happen!" Mom assured me. "The Splatoon's going to get you back and I'll take you back to Cirrina!"

"What?" I heard a man's voice ask. I think it was Stanley.

"Whazzat?!" Gramps' voice could also be heard.

"But I want to stay in Inkopolis!" I reminded her. "I like it here!"

"And look where that's gotten you!" Mom replied.

"Octavio did that to keep us from leaving!" I pointed out.

"He wanted us in one spot!" Mom pointed out. "He wanted us all to go back to the domes! He tricked us!"

"What about you?" I asked. "Why didn't you tell me any of this? It's kind of an important thing to know!"

"What was I supposed to tell you?" She asked. "Hi Tim, I just wanted to tell you that you come from a crumbling oppressive society run by a madman who brainwashes people who's also your grandpa! Would you tell anyone that?!"

"I…guess not…" I admitted.

"Well, no one else is going to know when I take you home!" Seriously?!

I don't want to go back to Cirrina!" I told her again. "I've lived in that house with no friends my entire life! I don't wanna live like that anymore!"

"I just want to keep you safe!" She said.

"But I'm happy in Inkopolis!" I remarked. "All of my friends are there!"

"You can make friends at home." She replied.

"No I can't!" I shouted. "You don't want me to make friends! You're just going to lock me in that house and chase everyone off again, aren't you?!"

"Tim, don't talk back to me!" She shouted. "I'm taking you home and that's final!"

"I'd rather stay here!" I told her.

"Why would you want to stay there?!" She couldn't believe it.

"BECAUSE IT'S FAR AWAY FROM YOU!" I yelled and turned off the goggles.

…

"…Oh carp…" My eyes widened.

"What?' Julia asked.

"I just said that…to her…" She's gonna kill me…

Stanley's POV

"Tim?" Amphia tried reaching him. "Tim! If you hung up on me, I swear you'll be grounded for a month!"

"Excuse me, but what was that about takin' him back to Cirrina?" Dad asked. "What happened to getting a job here and movin' to the city?"

"Plans change…" Amphia replied.

"Oh no you don't!" Dad said. "Ya can't coop him up forever! You gotta let him go sometime!"

"Let him go?!" Amphia's eyes widened. "He admitted he's been in danger! He came here and did everything I told him not to do! As soon as the…whoever it is…gets him back, I'm taking him home!"

"Do that and I'm cutting you off!" Dad told her.

"What?" That caught me off guard.

"You'd…you'd let us starve?" Amphia was staring at him.

"Starve?" Dad tilted his head. "From what I've seen, Tim can take care of himself. You on the other hand…"

"Why?!" Amphia was dumbstruck.

I had no idea what to make of this.

"Amphia, I can't take care of ya forever." Dad sighed. "What'll you do when I'm gone? What'll you do when Tim's an adult? Have ya thought this whole thing through at all?!"

Amphia fell silent. It looked like she wanted to respond, but didn't know how.

She then ran out the door.

"Wait!" I wanted to follow.

"No!" Dad stopped me. "She needs to figure some things out on her own."

I still wanted to talk to her, but decided to nod my head and sit back down.

I just hope she can figure things out soon…