Disclaimer: Shout out to Factual Fantasy for giving me the idea for this chapter!
BANBD
Thirteen years ago…
It was a warm day in Mactaquac. The Octo-Base was stationed in the water, while Barnacles, Atlantis, and Balthazar were wandering the beach. It was their first mission since Seacliff had been fired.
"There's broken glass and wood chips all over, Cap," said Balthazar. "People could hurt themselves on these."
"You're right," said Barnacles. "We've got to get this cleared up."
And that was exactly what they did. Barnacles picked up wood chips, Balthazar brushed for broken glass, and Atlantis inspected any suspicious bits to confirm if they belonged there.
"Whatcha doing?" A little voice piped up from behind them. Barnacles turned to see a little girl no older than five watching them.
"Clearing dangerous objects off the beach," said Barnacles. He looked around the beach and saw a family nearby. This little girl wasn't lost; she was just curious, as children are.
"Is it like saving the planet?" The little girl cocked her head.
"You could call it that." Barnacles shrugged.
"Miss Frances from preschool taught us to pick up litter we see so we can save the planet," said the little girl.
"Miss Frances is teaching you right." Balthazar came over to see her. "We're Octonauts, sweetheart. We protect sea life from harm."
"Can ladies be Octonauts?" The little girl asked.
"Of course they can," said Balthazar, giving her a wink.
"Then I think I wanna be an Octonaut." The little girl beamed with pride.
"Deborah!" The little girl's father was now behind her. "What did I say about wandering off and talking to strangers?" He took her hand and pulled her back over to the rest of the family without letting her say bye-bye.
Barnacles wasn't exactly sure how to respond, but he did feel confident that he'd inspired that little girl.
"Captain," said Atlantis, "Niall is calling me saying there's an issue up the river. We should go see."
"Way ahead of you," said Captain Barnacles.
BANBD
I don't want to do an outro and you can't make me.