Chapter 9: D10: Labyrinth Station/ Remember #4
To plant a tree's its own reward.
After you're gone, it will grow on
In memory, initials scarred.
"This station is crazy," said Owen, takes cover behind a crate from the Sanitized Octarians. "Come on. The goal is just up ahead," Pearl transmits. "So close," Marina transmits. "Agent 8. If you get the last mem cake from Line D, you can remember another memory," Cap'n Cuttlefish transmits. "Got to stay brave. I need all my memories," said Owen, catching her breath. She sneaks by the Sanitized Octarians with slides on the floor and summersaults. When she made it to the goal, she super jumps back to where she started and received a mem cake version of a Tree. "Finally, I got it. I'm getting tired of these tests," said Owen. "Well, come on in and lay down," said Cap'n Cuttlefish to takes her into the subway train.
In the subway, Owen is chugging down a bottle of water. "That's a lot of water, Agent 8," said Cap'n Cuttlefish. "Watch how fast you are drinking," said Marina, from the walkie-talkie. "Yeah. Don't want you to be a water hog," said Pearl, from the walkie-talkie. "I took a lot of tests, people. I need a break and all the water I can drink," said Owen. "Chill, Owen Eight. You need to relax and smooth it down a notch," said Pearl. "What does that even mean," said Marina. "No idea." "Sh! Girls! She's passed out or maybe beginning her memory trance," said Cap'n Cuttlefish, sees Owen had fallen asleep.
In Owen's mind, she flashes back to…. the night when she first heard the Calamari Inkantation. All the Octolings comes out of the arena from where Terry (aka Agent 3) battling DJ Octavio. "That song," Owen continued. "It's catchy. Why am I battling the Inklings can we at least at peace?" Then she saw Elliot in his fighting uniform being picked up by 3 Octolings. "Put me down! I saw the entire battle. Fat chance to kick me out now! I just started leaving," said Elliot, trying to fight back. "Excuse me, girls. I'll take it from here," said Owen, defending him. When they put him, leafed and as he stands up, Elliot blushed and said, "thank you so much. I'm Elliot." "Owen," said Owen, shaking his hand. "I know. Congrats on getting the Golden Octopus." "Thank you. What's Octoling boy like you doing here?" "For years, I tried to join the Octarian Army, but I manage to sneak here and watch the battle. I want to prove that male Octolings can fight." "I'll help join." "You would?" "Yeah. I have a guy that wants to join the army too. But his father won't let him." "Sad." "Don't worry, Elliot. I got your back." Owen escorts Elliot from the area, and he blushed as he follows her.
When the flashback ended, Owen wakes up. "Please don't say anything about Prince Octavius, Owen. Cause it's breaking my heart," said Marina, from the walkie-talkie. "Stop being jealous and move on," said Pearl, from the walkie-talkie. "You remind of my granddaughter, DJ_Hyperfish," said Cap'n Cuttlefish. "Callie and Marie?! How?" "They're boy crazy. They once fell in love with Agent 3.5." "Who's that," said Owen. "Agent 3.5 or better known as Taylor. He's Agent 3's boyfriend. They have been dating each other for two years straights." "Ooooh! Agent 3 sounds lucky," said Pearl. "Yup! She is. Callie moved on except for Marie. She's having trouble with moving on." "Are we forgetting about what Owen's memory is," said Marina. "Oh yeah! Sorry about that Owen Eight. Please tell us what you remember," said Pearl. "Remember the time after Agent 3 defeated DJ Octavio. I was free from his musical mind-control. Then I first met my best friend named Elliot." "Who's Elliot?" "He's an Octoling boy who wants to join the Octarian army, but they won't let him. So, I helped him sneaking in to join the army." "Oh! I get what you mean," said Marina. "You do," said Cap'n Cuttlefish, curious. "Yeah. Octoling males aren't allowed to join the army. The only female could." "Seriously?! Why," said Pearl. "I'm not sure. I heard the boys can't join because the army needs them to help the female breed more daughters. And the males are scarce. Even though, there are hundreds of them. The boys work in jobs that involve building, engineering, paperwork and any office jobs." "That's not fair. Back in my days, the male Inklings are allowed to fight and anything they wanted to. Why would DJ Octavio come up with that rule," said Cap'n Cuttlefish. "Because he wanted to protect Prince Octavius. He deserves to learn who to fight. He's too dreamy for not doing it." "I sure hope this Elliot guy got his wish," said Pearl. "Me too, M. C. Princess. Me too," said Owen.