Welcome to the final chapter of this story. I first want to start this with personally thanking my beta reader, The King of Emerald, and second to thank everyone for reading this story and reviewing it, especially D3lph0xL0v3r and pokemonking0924, two regular readers of mine who continue to support my stories!
I would like to take this time to announce two things. First, expect the sequel to this story, which takes place during the events of Splatoon 2, to be out sometime late July to early August. Second, and speaking on Splatoon 2, I am starting to stream more often on Twitch, and will be doing some Splatoon 2 streams coming in the future. If you want to check it out, my Twitch name is the same as my FanFiction name: BloodWingdAngel. It would mean a lot if you guys at least went to take a look at it.
This chapter is pretty short in length, but I couldn't think of a way to lengthen it without ruining the overall atmosphere of the chapter. Regardless, enjoy the chapter!
"Grounded for an entire month from Turf War," Kai moaned, leaning back on the couch. "Mom and Uncle Toru even locked our weapons away."
Coral sighed as well, clicking the remote and changing the TV channel. Toru and Taki returned from their out of town trip to Teal Bay, and immediately were greeted by both Captain Cuddlefish and General Bay, who explained what had happened while they were gone. Certain details were omitted, such as the identity of Octola, cause if Toru know Octola was still alive, he'd probably rush into Octo-Valley and never return until she was found. After they found out everything that happened, Coral and Kai got the lecture of their lives, and their weapons were locked away after they were declared grounded from Turf War. A fitting punishment, Coral bitterly thought to herself.
"Well, look on the bright side," Coral sighed, watching the news, which was temporarily being managed by two regular squids, as the Squid Sisters seemed to be disappearing from the media eye. "Dad is going to be giving us some training on the side, so at least we can still use our weapons during that time."
"I think Uncle Toru is only doing that because of your fight with Aunt Octola, not that he actually knows it was Octola," Kai shrugged, yawning a little. "Just in case we need to fight for our lives again, he wants us to be better prepared... not that I see us fighting Octolings anytime soon."
"You seem to be taking this better then I thought you would," Coral said, raising an eyebrow at Kai. "Any reason you're so mellow about all this?"
"Well, I'm grounded from Turf War, not leaving the house," Kai pointed out. "I've been finding Turf War less and less fun."
"What are you gonna do for cash then?" Coral asked.
"I might see if I can find a job as a manager somewhere or whatever," Kai shrugged. "I dunno, I'll figure it out. I'm not like you, who already has a job."
Coral frowned, looking at the TV and watching as a news interview with Sheldon appeared on the screen, where he was talking about how he was developing some new weapons and that Inklings should be ready for them in about a month's time. "This sucks... Dad even went as far to let Sheldon know about this, so we just can't buy new weapons until we are un-grounded."
"I mean, he's got a point," Kai stated. "If it were me itching to go back into Turf Wars, I'd be picking up another blaster or something to use for filler."
"Whatever," Coral sighed, turning off the TV. "I'm gonna go out for a bit." But just before she reached the door, a knocking was heard. An ominous feeling washed over the two of them, as the last time this happened they discovered General Bay had been kidnapped. Coral opened the door slowly, to see Orabelle standing there once again, though this time she wasn't crying, or panting as if she ran to get there, though a sad frown was etched on her face.
"Hi, Orabelle," Coral greeted. "What's up?"
"Please don't tell me something happened again," Kai begged, walking up to the door.
"Um... yes and no," Orabelle stated. "Dad is fine, but... it's Mako."
"What about him, did he get stuck in a pipe?" Coral teased, with a small grin.
"He suddenly told me he's leaving Inkopolis, and wants us to meet him down at the station in an hour," Orabelle said. It was as if Coral was punched in the gut, her face falling as she absorbed the words that Orabelle had said.
"Why is he suddenly leaving?" Kai asked, looking confused. "Did something happen?"
"I'm not sure," Orabelle admitted. "But you guys might wanna come with."
Coral opened her mouth to respond, but could only nod in response to what was said, her voice mysteriously gone. Why would Mako suddenly want to leave them, especially after all they had been through together? It didn't make any sense to Coral, but she was hoping that answers would be found when they got to the station. About 7 minutes before the train was about to leave, after getting ready and walking over to where Inkopolis Station was located, Coral and the others meet up with Mako and Brooke.
"Hey Mako," Kai greeted him. "Mind telling me what is with the sudden decision to leave the city?"
Mako grinned excitedly, pulling Brooke close to him. "Brooke got a modeling deal in Calamari County, and believe it or not, they want to also allow me to try out my hand at modeling as well!"
"It's a once in a life time opportunity, but poor Mako here couldn't make up his mind until just this morning," Brooke sighed, shaking her head. "Since the sessions start tomorrow, we need to be there by this afternoon if we want any rest before hand."
"Yeah, it was a hard choice," Mako admitted. "But in the end I though to myself, 'When would I ever get to go to Calamari County?', and since this is such an opportunity, I wanted to take it."
"That's great news! When did you get offered this?" Orabelle asked.
"About a month ago," Mako shrugged.
"So, you have plenty of time to talk to us about it, but never did?" Coral finally spoke, her voice almost cracking. Everyone there turned to look at her, as the voice she spoke in barely sounded like hers at all.
"I'm sorry, Coral, I really am," Mako apologized. "But, I figured that I was surprise you guys... sadly it looks like I took too long deciding, cause the next thing I knew it was the day Brooke was supposed to leave. Then I decided to just go with my gut, and well here I am."
"We'll miss you," Orabelle said sadly. "You better text and call often, and maybe plan a visit or two!"
"I will, don't worry," Mako promised, pulling Orabelle into a hug before turning to Kai.
"By the time you come back, the ladies won't be able to stay away from me," Kai grinned. "So when we hangout, don't be surprised if I got a posse of girls."
Mako laughed, shaking Kai's hand, "I'll keep that in mind." Finally, Mako looked at Coral, who didn't even make eye-contact with him. "Coral, thank you."
"For what?" Coral asked, crossing her arms and turning slightly away, the pit of her stomach twisting inside of her.
"For being a part of Purple Rain," Mako said. "For teaching me, wither you know it or not, a lot during my time with you guys. My experiences here will really help me down the road."
"Whatever," Coral sighed, still refusing to look at Mako, her eyes beginning to burn. "Don't you have a train to catch?"
"Still the tough bean, huh Marshmallow Mascot?" Mako teased, pulling her into a hug. Coral's eyes went wide, before finally accepting the hug and hugging him back, although it was only for a second before Coral pulled away.
"Get out of here," Coral's voice cracked. "And for the love of shrimp, don't do nude modeling. I'd rather not have my name embarrassed or slandered by association with you."
"Wasn't planning on it," Mako grinned, giving them all a thumbs up before getting on the train with Brooke, who waved at them all before the train doors closed, and the giant metal machine roared into life, rolling away slowly before picking up speed and getting faster and faster. Coral bit her lip, unable to contain her emotions anymore. Before the train was completely out of sight, Coral turned sharply around and bolted out of the station.
"Coral, wait!" Kai's voice behind her shouted, but Coral didn't stop sprinting. Her eyes were burning more then ever, tears building up inside and occasionally leaking out, falling as she ran. How could he just leave them like that, not let them know that he was offering a modeling deal and was thinking about taking it? She felt as if she could no longer trust anyone, that the whole world was slowly but surely going to start turning on her. She continued to run, not caring where she was going, barely able to see. She rounded an alleyway and suddenly tripped, falling to the ground. Her glasses flew off her face, shattering feet in front of her. Coral lay there, finally letting everything she had built up come out. She sobbed on the ground, resting her face in her arms, a mixture of different questions and emotions dancing around in her head, causing her to cry more.
"Coral?" Orabelle's voice asked. She felt the touch of Orabelle's hand on her own, her hand pulling away to pull her to her feet. She obeyed it without thinking, as if Orabelle's hand was going to lead her to solace. "Come on, we shouldn't stay in the alleys." She felt Orabelle's hand pulling her, and like before she obeyed without really thinking. They walked on, but Coral couldn't see where she was being taken, her eyes blinded from tears, though she still obeyed Orabelle's hand, trusting it to guide her to where she would be safe. Finally, Coral calmed down enough and blinked out the sea of tears, finding herself on the top of Moray Towers with Orabelle, who was sitting on the ledge overlooking Inkopolis. Coral sat down next to her and wiped her eyes, though she didn't need to see herself to know her face was stained with tear trail makings.
"Here, you... dropped them," Orabelle sadly stated, handing Coral her glasses. Coral took them without a word and examined them. The lenses were almost completely gone, only a few shards of glass remaining within the frame. Though she didn't need them to see, her heart sank even more looking at the face accessory.
"I u-used these... to hide my m-markings a bit better from the world," Coral explained to Orabelle, looking at them. She sniffled, taking a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. "They were my crutch. I thought that as long as they were on my face, my identity was safe and that no Inkling could see what I really was... I guess that was a fool's dream, my markings are still visible even with these on. It's a childish fantasy that these would magically make everything better..."
Orabelle didn't reply for some time, watching Coral, holding her close. Finally, when she spoke, her voice was slow and calming, as if choosing her words carefully. "I know how you must be feeling, Coral... but this is a great opportunity for Mako. It's a once in a life time opportunity for him, to go with Brooke to Calamari County and take up this modeling deal."
"Doesn't change the fact that he is a jerk for not telling us," Coral bitterly snapped, tightening her fist around her glasses.
"No, it doesn't," Orabelle agreed. "But think about it, he struggled with his choice probably because he didn't want to leave us behind, but in the end he must've realized that this chance is too good to pass up. He still promised to visit us and stay in touch... cause he's our friend after all."
"I don't need friends," Coral sighed, almost wanting to run again, but something keep her rooted there. Not Orabelle's arm that was around her, but a feeling of comfort and kinship. It was as if her emotions wanted to run from Orabelle to stay safe, but her heart wanted to stay there and be with her, to be with the only person it felt like it could find comfort in.
"Funny," Orabelle chuckled a little. "You said the same thing the day we met, didn't you?" Coral could only nod at that realization, new tears streaming down her cheeks. Orabelle pulled her into a hug, and Coral sobbed into the shoulder of her best friend. Emotions rose up inside of her as if she was in a tank with raising water, realizing that she needed her friend. She didn't want to lose Orabelle like she was losing Mako, that if that happened she would be nothing more then a shell of her former self. She continued to sob until nothing more came out, and when Orabelle pulled away to look at Coral, she could see that Orabelle was crying as well, her cheeks also stained with the markings of tear trails.
"I... I don't w-want to lose anyone else," Coral hiccuped. "I don't w-want you l-leaving me too."
"I won't," Orabelle promised, drying her own eyes. "I'm not going anywhere for a long time, Coral."
"I'm glad," Coral said, looking down at her glasses and sighing. Just barely two weeks ago, she was on top of the world, having just won the Squid Leagues with Purple Rain, but now she felt as though she was at the bottom, with everyone pushing her down. The only one she felt was trying to help her get back to the surface was Orabelle, the only one attempting to save her from drowning in her own sorrow.
"Hey, Inkopolis Square should be opening some shops today!" Orabelle suddenly said, gripping Coral's hand. "You want to go? Maybe we could get some new clothes and accessories."
"Yeah, that might be fun," Coral nodded, looking at her glasses. "Though I don't think I want anything that covers my eyes this time." Coral then stood up, looking down at the city below, and then at her glasses. "I have used these as a crutch my whole life, thinking that as long as I had them on, everything would be ok... that I wouldn't be judged for my appearance, but all they did was give me the illusion that I was hiding my face... well, no more. I don't care if people see my face, and I don't care how many people guess what I really am." Coral sighed, before tossing the glasses away, causing them to fall down into the streets below, where they could no longer been seen as they passed through the fog that always seemed to be hanging out below Moray Towers.
"Come on," Orabelle smiled, standing up and holding onto Coral's hand again. "Maybe while we are out we can harass Sheldon into telling us what he's working on. There might be a new roller he's working on that you could kick some serious butt with once you can get back into Turf War."
"Yeah," Coral smiled. "I'd like that..."