Chapter 4: Reveal

Agent 3 sat up from his bed and looked out the window. He could see the buildings of Inkopolis from far away and recalled last night's events. He felt conflicted about going out into the city and seeing everyone's reactions and hearing their conversations. He also didn't feel too sure about whether he was ripped from his title as "Agent 3" officially. Would Cap'n have made it known to everyone in Inkopolis? Then Octoling crossed his mind, was she safe wherever she is? Would Cap'n let him through the entrance of Octo Valley? Agent 3 didn't want to waste time pondering, so he got up and decided to get ready to head over to Inkopolis. After putting on his clothes and hat, to ensure his face was hidden from the crowd, he headed out the door.

Arriving at Inkopolis, Agent 3 noticed the large screens flashing over and over the word "Missing" with Cap'n's image at the bottom of it; Agent 3's heart sunk instantly. He hoped it hadn't been his and or Octoling's fault for Cap'n missing.

"I bet that Octoling last night had something to do with it," Agent 3 heard from a voice behind him. He glanced over and noticed two girl Inklings talking to each other.

"Who knows? What I want to know is why Callie and Marie took the day off," the other girl Inkling replied, "I want them announcing the levels, not Judd. They're a lot more fun to watch."

As they walked off, Agent 3 began to wonder, "Where are Callie and Marie? Does it have something to do with Cap'n's disappearance?"

When he looked into the distance, the kettle entrance to Octo Valley caught his attention. He quickly approached it and noticed a heavy metal grate covering the entrance. There were also various signs of "KEEP OUT" and "DO NOT ENTER" posted all over the metal grate. How was he supposed to check Octoling now? He knew he couldn't move the metal grate on his own, he would need help, but who would be willing to?

"Mrrow, no one is allowed to enter"

Agent 3 turned his head to the direction of the voice and noticed Judd staring at him. Judd was lying on his stomach and used his arm to hold his head up as he eyed Agent 3.

"I know…" Agent 3 replied as he turned his body towards Judd.

"No one saw Cap'n look out of the kettle this morning," Judd explained as he then rolled over to lie on his back, "I happened to check inside Octo Valley and saw that he was gone. Then right after, Callie and Marie went missing too. So I took the precaution of closing up Octo Valley till we get official word of what's going on."

"I see," Agent 3 answered, "but I have to enter Octo Valley and see for myself what's going on. It's probably my fault Cap'n is missing."

Agent 3 slowly raised his hat brim to reveal his face to Judd. The cat hopped on all fours and his back tensed up.

"Agent 3?!" Judd whispered and hissed in surprise. Agent 3 pulled down his hat brim and placed his index finger to his lips to motion "SHHHH!" to Judd.

"Judd be quiet!" Agent 3 harshly whispered back, "Look, you know I need to change this situation. You've been announcing the levels every 4 hours and I can tell you're not having fun doing it. You want to spend time all day sitting on your box!"

Judd huffed in response and stretched himself out. As he calmly rested his stomach on his box once more, he turned his head away from Agent 3, giving him the cold shoulder.

"Judd please," Agent 3 begged, "I'm the only one who can do this. You have to help me."

"Mrrrr…." Judd mumbled as he contemplated.

"You want to keep announcing levels?!" Agent 3 pointed out again.

"Fine fine!" Judd snapped in agreement, "but under one condition!"

Judd turned his head back to look at Agent 3 with a smirk.

"What is it?" Agent 3 asked raising an eye brow.

"You get me 3 fish for dinner," Judd responded with a large grin.

"Deal," Agent 3 agreed. Luckily he had fish in the fridge back at home.

"Arrive here late at night and I'll open the entrance for you," Judd replied licking his chops as he imagined eating all three delicious fish, "Oh! And with the fish too! You got that?"

"Yes, we have a deal," Agent 3 concluded as he tipped his hat.

Late into the evening, Agent 3 squid hopped from one rooftop to the other towards Inkopolis. He was adorned in his usual Agent gear and in his left hand, he carried the small bag of fish he promised Judd. As he neared the plaza, he caught the sound of running footsteps from the alleyway below. He stopped and looked down into the alleyway. He recognized Octoling instantly, her bright red tentacle "hair" shining from the street lights. She was running away from two silhouettes that were chasing her. Agent 3 quickly hopped down and followed right behind the silhouettes.

Octoling ran into a dead end and as she turned around she quickly knelt to the floor and raised her hands in the air.

"Please!" she begged as tears ran down from her eyes, "I don't mean any harm!"
Agent 3 saw the silhouettes pull out their guns and point it towards Octoling. He quickly drew out his gun and dashed forward towards them.

"HOLD IT," Agent 3 yelled aiming his gun.

The silhouettes stopped and turned around to face Agent 3. They held their guns up and aimed it towards him instead.

"Agent 3…" Octoling sighed as she looked up. She felt relieved to see her friend again.

"Stop right there Agent 3," spoke one of the silhouettes. The voice sounded very familiar. Agent 3 stopped running and paused. He continued to hold up his gun in defense. As he squinted to take aim, the details of the silhouettes began to make sense. He couldn't believe it for a second. Standing in front of him was Callie and Marie, both adorned in their respective colors of Agent gear.

"No way," Agent 3 breathed as he lowered his gun.

~to be continued….