1
Are you all okay?
4
We're all heading back now.
3
We didn't take it back, though.
1
Why not?
3
The Octobot King blew up.
4
Octavio is with us.
2
He wasn't trying to kill me. That much was obvious.
—
Callie was letting those last few statements sink in. Why? Why was Octavio being merciful?
She didn't trust him. Not one bit. He did hypnotize her, after all.
Good thing he didn't recognize she was Agent 1. That would make for an interesting encounter.
She just left the appointment that was scheduled for before the incident. Neither of the people there, including Callie, cared at all. Too bad it was mandatory. It was so insignificant and boring, she forgot the topic when it ended.
Her mind, of course was constantly preoccupied with the Agents. She felt guilty for not being there with the rest of them. If she left the appointment suddenly, people might follow her, possibly blowing her cover as an Agent. The communicator looked like a phone, so it was never questioned.
Once she returned to the apartment, she pulled out the communicator.
—
1
Where do we meet now?
4
Give us a sec, Two is finding somewhere to park the Eagle without anyone noticing.
—
Agent 2 didn't bother flying towards Inkopolis when escaping from the bomb. She just flew away.
Shrapnel from the Octobot King and the Outpost flew in all directions. Agents 4 and 3 both had their makeshift shields to block that.
The wooden one caught some flying pieces, and one nearly impaled Agent 3. It was a long rod. After he let it sit there for a few seconds, another piece materialized on the other end. He kept it.
The Boss Kettle lid was scratched. A lot.
Octavio was the farthest from the scrap, so he was fine. His headwear was forced off because of the ink.
"Where are you going to park this thing?" He yelled.
"I don't know, she's the one driving!" Agent 4 said, still holding on to the Lid.
Agent 3 dropped the wood and pulled out the communicator.
—
3
Can we park it in the woods?
2
Good idea. The trees are tall enough.
—
The Eagle turned around and flew towards the dark woods.
It came to a landing, scaring away any life nearby.
Once they all jumped off, they looked around.
"That's the Hero Brella, right?" Agent 2 asked.
"Is it? It flew into the wood I was holding." He held it outwards and the Brella opened. "Okay, it's the Brella."
"Good. Now we have five of the weapons." She turned to Octavio. "You better be careful. We're all armed."
"Hey, did anyone pay attention to which way was Inkopolis?" Agent 4 asked.
"I was busy on my communicator," Agent 3 said while shooting in a random direction with the Brella.
Octavio remained silent.
"We don't have to," Agnet 2 said, looking at a large stone nearby. "Remember this rock?" she asked.
"This is the one where we found the Wild Tentacle, right?"
"These woods?" Octavio asked.
"Yep."
"It's this way," Agent 2 said.
She took the lead, with Agent 3 behind her. He kept an eye on Octavio, who was walking like a spider with his tentacles.
Agent 4 took the rear.
A familiar gurgling sound broke the uneasy silence.
"Run!" Agent 4 said.
"It's here!" Agent 2 finished.
They all increased their speed. The light of the exit to the woods was close.
Bursting out of the woods, Agents 2 and 4 stopped and turned around. The tentacle was more cautious this time. It didn't step out of the woods.
"You can slow down," Agent 4 told the other two, "it's afraid of light."
Then they began their long walk to Inkopolis. On the way, they discussed how they would get by with Octavio. Nobody would recognize him as the Octarian leader, but having an overdeveloped octopus crawl through the city would rouse some suspicion.
"There is a simple solution," Agent 2 said.
"What?" Agent 4 asked.
"Tell him to revert back to his Octoling form."
"No," he said before allowing the other two to react.
"I knew it," Agent 3 said, while still on his communicator.
"What!? His what now?" Agent 4 asked in disbelief.
"No," he said again, but more forcefully.
They all stopped. They were close enough to jump back to Inkopolis, but Octavio had to agree first.
While Agents 2 and 4 tried to convince him, Agent 3 was discussing a new meeting place with Callie on the communicator.
—
3
There's no Outpost left.
1
I'll get in touch with the Cap'n. He might know of somewhere else.
3
Okay, thanks.
—
He looked up to find a grim looking Octoling. He was obviously elderly, but in great physical condition.
"Hmm..." Agent 3 looked at him suspiciously.
"Are we ready to jump over?" Agent 2 said slowly, making sure Octavio can hear every syllable.
Agent 3's communicator vibrated. "Give me a second."
—
1
He said we could gather at his house. Not much option, here.
3
Did you tell him about Octavio?
1
Yes.
3
And?
1
He said Octavio would be fine coming in.
3
That's odd. Let's meet at Inkopolis Tower. Bring your disguise. You can be our guide.
—
"Alright, ready."
They all jumped to the closest jump point. They all landed in an area none recognized.
"There." Agent 3 pointed at a tall tower nearby. Inkopolis Tower rose beyond the other skyscrapers.
—
Agent 1, already at Inkopolis Plaza, stared into the old studio. She spent a lot of time there, announcing stages and chatting with Marie.
"Hey! We're here!"
She spun around and tried to look natural while leaning on the railing.
"She said we would meet at the Cap'n's house."
"Really? With him?" Agent 2 said with a hint of disbelief.
He nodded.
"We're ready!" Agent 4 yelled at her.
"Okay," Agent 1 responded. "This way. Who's that?"
"Octavio."
"Oh. Right."
She squinted at him. Not that anyone could tell. She had sunglasses on.
She decided to save all of her questions so Cap'n Cuttlefish could also hear the answers.
They all departed from the old center of Inkling culture. Agents 2 and 4 walked side by side in the front while the other two did the same in the back.
This time, Agent 1 broke the silence. "Have you guys noticed there have been a lot more Octolings in Inkopolis?"
"Since when?" Agent 3 asked.
"It was like that when I got here," Agent 4 said. It was true. She arrived in Inkopolis, then it only took her a few days to find the Manhole leading to Octo Canyon.
Agent 2, being the only one there to witness, answered, "A few months now."
It clicked in Agent 3's mind. He couldn't say anything about it, though. He was on strict orders from Cap'n Cuttlefish.
Octavio, once again, stayed silent.
What was he hiding?