Welcome back to another chapter of Giant of the Past. I managed to get some time to upload this chapter to you guys! Almost three months since the last update to be exact! Yes! I am aware of the coronavirus and all. As a matter of fact, my college had recently moved classes off campus and online. I could get some time now to focus writing upcoming chapters at least. Hope your all safe out there and I hope you enjoy this long overdue chapter. Some of the writing in this chapter might turn you off but I don't blame you.

Oh! By the way, during the time of working the chapter, I managed to buy myself a Switch as well as Splatoon 2 and Octo Expansion. Yeah! Shocking isn't?! That I hadn't played Splatoon 2 myself until now. I took some time off to complete both the story modes of Agent 4 and Agent 8 as well as some time online. I had now experienced what both the Agents had to go through in order to achieve their goals. Hopefully, this experience would influence future chapters.

Chapter Six: The Journey

October 7, 2040

Mark surveyed the location of the titans on the screen, silently watching for any changes. Twenty years had past since that battle and everything had seemed to slow down. It was his duty to track the titans, more or less warn about the day the titans will turn against humanity. Unfortunately for humanity, he couldn't tell how to think. The ones that were in charge were so ignorant of the threat of the titans.

He thought back to that day in front of the United States congress. He saw himself slamming his fist down as the United States congress listened to his statement. "Do any of you remember the events that occurred from 2014 to 2019?"

"That time has long since passed, Mr Russell. The titans are no longer a concern to us."

"After the countless sacrifices we made to keep the monsters in check, you decide to screw us over?"

"Do you remember that your wife was the one that caused this?"

"Ex-wife!"

"Whatever..."

Mark was trying to convince the congress that Monarch still had a role in making peace with the titians. Because of the ignorance of leaders from throughout the world, funding had been cut drastically as of result. Monarch was a former shadow of itself in it's heyday, having been scaled down to just noting. Only continued funding from the Japanese and United States Governments have kept the organization going. It wasn't going to be for long though as the answer was in front of him. Despite his convincing over the years, he inevitably didn't want to reach this point.

"This is a bad decision! If you cut funding now, We'll be unable to keep our coexistence together!"

"Oh, we could just manufacture more of those oxygen destroyers if they decide to attack us."

"Your not understanding the consequences! The titans will destroy humanity!"

"That is enough, Mr Russell. The organization has gotten nowhere since day one. Your dismissed!"

Being escorted out of the congress building and being put into a car to be sent back to Monarch sent Mark into depression. This was the final straw for him, he was tired of trying to convince the ones in charge. He felt like humanity wasn't worth saving anymore because of it and was screwed now. Memories of that day hadn't left his mind and had been there as Mark saw himself back in the control room he was in, still looking at where every titian was located. A knock and opening of a door had him look over to see Madison with some food.

"Hey, dad... I made you something."

Mark overlooked at the contents for the day; bread, apples, and eggs. It wasn't the best food combo but it was what it was. Taking a bite of a bread, he wondered what his life meant. If humanity wasn't going to listen to him anymore then what gives. While support was still coming from the Japanese Government, it was limited. Monarch's days were numbered; days, weeks, months, or years.

"Dad...we need to keep trying to convince them, they'll eventually see the point."

"Why does it matter anymore! If they don't give a crap about us then why should we give a crap about saving humanity. The evidence had been in their eyes for years and still they refuse." It was tough for Madison to see her father broken like this, coming so far only to be beaten in defeat. She had to think of how to convince her father that his goal of fighting was worth it.

"If humanity is screwed then... Is the next lifeforms worth saving?"

"What?"

"I mean, if you don't want to save humanity now, would you save the ones who come after humanity is gone or any humans that do survive?"

Mark went deep into thought about her words. There were a lot of risk taking involved with the idea, not for themselves but monarch. "Maddie, you know it is not that simple...we can't just time travel or anything like that."

"Maybe we can..."

"It may take years to build a time machine... even if we do, there is a small percent of it being successful."

"Maybe we don't have to build a time machine, we can think of another way."

Madison looked down at the eyes of her depressed father like an eagle. "Do you want to live the rest of your days wasting your life away in here or do you want to make sure the mistakes of humanity doesn't repeat itself?"

Mark looked up at her, she was right that it could work.

"You know... maybe you are right, maybe I can make a difference."

Mark stood up and walked over to a map that was posted on his left. On the list was the number of bunkers that Monarch still processed. He scanned the map, looking for the location that might work best.

If they were going to try to somehow time travel, the best opinion would to be at a place where it is always mountainous and isolated. Europe didn't seem like the best opinion, nor was North or South America.

Mark picked up a phone and began dialing a number. Several moments later, the line on the other end picked up.

"Hello... is Llene or Ling there?"

Several weeks later, Mark and Madison were directed underground, coming to a door with a sign that read. Having been relocated to Japan, they were redirected to Bunker 1954, the newest bunker that was recently finished.

"After some discussion with Llene and Ling about their idea, the two agreed to have Mark and Madison transferred. Both of them had heard of Mark's failure to convince Monarch to be funding further. Japan was ultimately chosen the place to start their idea since the Japanese Government were directly funding the organization.

Though it would take time to complete, it would a plan to ensure the survival of the next race. The people had became ignorant that the titans won't do anything and voted for leaders that though the same.

May 31, 2050

Almost ten years had passed since construction had began and was finally completed. Instead of a time machine being built, It was decided to invest in a project that crated a cryonics chamber that could hold two or more people. It was kind of like a time machine, only it was permanent until the humans reawakened.

There was the issue such as temperature control and the amount of power needed to operate the chamber. If this thing worked... the goal would be worth while. In the nine years since, Madison with the help of a few others within Monarch had successfully built an AI supercomputer that could recognize her and follow her and her father's commands. As well as following commands, the AI was responsible for managing the facility and continuous recording of history.

Now the question was... would it work?

In a few days time, Monarch was to be disbanded by the governments of Earth. The budget were slowly decreased over the years all to nothing. Despite this, Monarch had spent most of it's budget into building this machine and making this bunker able to withstand the elements of time including floods, earthquakes, and nuclear war.

The countless scientist and fellow friends of Mark and Madison were gathered around as the two walked into the room that had the machine all set. They believed that their future and the human race was set to end in failure. If humanity was going to go down in the far future, perhaps the next race could learn from the mistakes.

All the scientist were lined up as both Mark and Madison approached to the platform where they will be lowered into the chamber. Both looked at each other, maybe for the last time they will see each other alive.

"You ready?"

"As I will ever be."

Both Madison and Mark stepped onto the machine as several scientist began running the program. Once the platform was lowered, the effects were taking effect as the scientist began powering up the machine.

"50% and climbing."

"80%"

Their breathing slowed as the freezing began to take effect. Slowly but surely, the two humans were frozen in place, ever to awaken until the time came. Soon after, everyone involved remained in that facility, checking to make sure everything went smoothly. Eventually, every scientist involved in the project slowly began to switch the facility to the AI, it taking over to record any important off the internet even as the two were frozen.

Back in the Present

Right after the splatoon had led the two humans out of the facility and out onto the open world. Mark began to tell their side of the story to the splatoon along the way. Both of them talked about how the events and kept them occupied. By the time they reached Inkopolis, both the humans were amazed at how beautiful the world was. Peaceful, Calm, and Trilling. Undisturbed by the threat of giant monsters attacking. Mark thought back to that day bitterly and hoped that the cephalopods wouldn't make the same mistakes.

Both Mark and Madison wanted to be able to know more about the Splatoon, mainly the history and the agents. Both were sure that the AI had this information back at the facility, but they preferred to hear the story personally from the ones there.

Another thing that both could figure out why water was toxic to the cephalopods. Three mentioned that inklings would dissolve in water since they were made up of ink. A possible would have been that evolution part in their DNA, much like humans. The ability of cephalopods to successfully live in water was traded in the ability to slip through tight corners and travel in ink, sort of a loss and win situation.

It was noon by the time they arrived at the city so time was already limited. They had to get to Marina and Pearl over in the studio to provide some ideas on what to do. Once they got to Inkopolis Square though, the two humans were quickly surrounded by a few Inklings and Octolings. Even if the city was still on lockdown, some were going to be out in the open. Add to this meaning a halt to matches such as Turf Wars, Ranked Battles and the Salmon Runs. What was noticeable was how taller the humans were and etc. Questions was being asked like; What, Where, When, and How.

Only convincing by the agents and some time restraining kept the contact to a minimum. By then, word would spread fast about the two humans appearing as well as it contributing to the recent battle earlier. Respectfully, after a long talk, the inklings and octos have agreed to keep the knowledge of the two humans privately to themselves. The city is on edge and sharing information about the two would further wild up the crowd.

Marina and Pearl examined the two humans carefully from head to toe before making or saying anything. After the two stars of Inkopolis Square and the humans introduced themselves to each other. Some small talk was started by the four, mostly about how the humans came to be and how they thought about their world now.

Madison was more spoken about both of them and offered to work with Marina as a better way to understand the new species. Mark for the most part had remained silent, observing the surroundings and culture carefully.

Through a computer that Mark had brought along, and connecting to the Monarch AI. Marina was able to access the countless memory banks that had held the history of humanity. It would take months or years to fully go through everything, but only the recent fact could be brought forward. The question of what the future holds between Godzilla and the cephalopods. Many opinions where considered such as trying convincing the octarians about Godzilla. That was if they were willing to listen. Ever since both 3 and 4 had sent the octarians into chaos and with the recent loss of their king. It was sure that they wouldn't. Not wise, that it would be just that simple, just to walk in on the octarians just for that.

All of them agreed that going to the octarians was not the brightest idea. Otherwise, the other opinion was to try to find Godzilla and reason with him. In this case, the humans agreed as well. That raised a bit of a problem for most of the splatoon though... It was what Mark would do. He could still have bitterness against Godzilla; Maybe still having intentions of killing Godzilla.

In the corner of the studio, Callie, Marie, and Three watched the older human from afar, careful not to show their suspension.

"I still don't trust Mark."

"Nether do I..."

"How are we going to work it out with him?"

"You think you might be able to reason with him, Three?" Three looked down to the floor and took a deep breath. "You think he would still hold a grudge after learning that humanity hit the shell."

"Good point, but we got to make sure... Three."

"It's always right to be mindful! And besides! Your the toughest squid we know."

"If you say so then alright, I'll see what I can do about him."

Three observed Mark as he was putting his laptop away into the bag he brought along. He was well fit despite his age; not the typical short, overweight type, more like the opposite. It was going to be an effort to convince him, if he still had that negative thoughts.

The next morning, the Cuttlefish was there to greet the three agents in the middle of Inkopolis Square, right by where Crusty Sean's food truck was. Cuttlefish remarked to the three agents, standing perfectly in line side by side.

"It's unfortunate that One and Two can't go along with you, but somebody has to help me keep an eye on the Octarians if they try anything."

"Don't worry, Cap'n...we got this."

"Okay...lass, I wish you all a safe journey then, good luck."

Three, Four and Eight watched as Cuttlefish walked off to the manhole that led to Octo Canyon. The other area that the agents had to keep an eye on.

The wait for the two humans wasn't long, it was around a minute or two before the two humans had arrived into the square. The two humans were packed for the long journey, which was pleasing. Three, being of course the one leading had everybody's attention. "Okay, I think we can get ready to go... Now it's just how are to going to find Godzilla?"

"Four, Any ideas?"

"I dunno but if we're gonna have to go exploring out in the ocean for him. I could suggest going to Mr Grizz."

"Him?"

"Lets face it Three, since I AM an employee after all, we'd end up have to resort to stealing a boat from somebody I know."

"Umm... who is Mr Grizz?" Madison asked Four.

"Just the owner of Grizzco Industries."

The agents looked to where the entrance of the Salmon Run was. Somehow, the gate to the Salmon Run entrance was open. It could have meant that it was running back in business. Three slowed and waited everyone to pass before walking a bit faster to catch up to the older human, using all her strength to pin Mark against the wall beside the entrance. Mark was a little surprised by the strength that she processed, despite her size. Her crossed eyes intimidated him a little bit as well but not much.

"I am putting trust in you to help us find Godzilla... just promise me that you won't try anything that will harm him." Mark looked down at the inkling, knowing what she interpenetrated him as. "Do you see me with any weapon powerful enough to kill him?"

"No, but just so you know that I won't joke around if you try anything; The second I see you doing something, your out."

"Look, I know your not fond of trusting me whether of my past, but all that matters to me is right now. I might have started off hating him but that doesn't mean I'll keep those feelings forever."

"What is your goal then?"

"It's helping the next species learn from humanity's mistakes; I just want to make sure that he isn't going to turn against you for all for that reason."

Agent 3 loosened her grip on the human as she knew he was right. She was quick to see that almost or all of the land on Earth was occupied by the inklings, while the Octarians suffered below. That was what the Great Turf War was about, battling for land on their world. Agent 3 thought back to the computer at the facility which was beginning to make a little sense more that she thought about it. Humanity had fought those World Wars for land, resources and etc. Similarly, both the Octarians and inklings weren't far behind.

So far, they held Octavio out two times but, the Splatoon won't be able to stop all the other Octarians around the world. The truth wasn't greater to her! The inklings were not ready for an all out war while the Octarians were. If the Octarians end up winning the next war, it would be a continuous cycle. The Inklings would be forced to comply with demands from the octarians, which will anger the inklings and lead to another war and so on. It was just a rinse and repeat.

This was something that the two humans wanted to stop from happening. They were all that was remained of a race that had died long ago, their knowledge of the mistakes would improve the relationship.

Agent 3 kind of regretted her decision to bring both her and Mark into this position. They still had a common goal, to find Godzilla and try to work out a plan. A plan that made Godzilla that boundary between the mistakes of the past and future.

"I am sorry..."

"Don't be, I did a few things back in the past and I am not proud of them."

Three and Mark turned to inside the room where everyone would sign up for a shift. A inkling employer was at the counter inside, staring down at the book he was reading. It took Four to pound the counter to get the attention of the inkling. He looked at the now five that were in front of him.

"Umm... Can I help you?"

Four showed her fake employee Identification Card to the employer. of course she wasn't gonna show her real one. Otherwise, their cover would be broken and trouble would have started.

"We wanna sign up for a shift.. we discovered that there are Salmons at several locations from where they would usually come out... We need a boat that is capable of traveling across the ocean." Four boasted to the employer. "Oh! Uhh... Just one moment... let me see if there is a boat available." The inkling looked at Four for a few seconds before typing on the computer. He didn't question the motives of the group which was odd. It could have been because he was a new guy or was lazy to verify their information.

"I'll let you get on a shift that is just about to start and get the largest boat I have here."

"Well, isn't that fantastic!"

"You better hurry! It leaves in five minutes."

"Thank you!"

"Yeah! No problem..." The employer kicked his legs on the counter and went back to reading his book. The three agents and the two humans hurried out the door that took them to the docks. There they got on the boat, getting on just in time.

"Well, that was easier then I thought it was gonna be."

"I thought so as well."

The boat began to slowly unlock and make it's way to open water, getting prepared for the upcoming Salmon Horde. Inklings dressed in sailor suits were walking about, pulling on ropes, making sure the nets were tight for the eggs that were going to be collected. While so, the two humans along with eight made their way to the bridge where they would convince the inkling at the wheel to follow where to go. Four and Three were the only ones on deck as they stood watching as the city behind them fade away.

"Four? Who's boat did you plan on stealing if we failed?"

"Oh! Some guy named Berry..."

Four stopped short of the last name as, Three's mint eyes looked straight into Four's for a few seconds. Nothing was said as Three walked away without incident. Three too had also known who Four was going to steal from. Thank Cod, her friend Madeline had stepped down and passed the title of being Agent Three. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been pretty for Four. Faintly, Three could overhear Mark as he talked to the inkling at the helm about their plan.

"Where do you want to look first?" The inkling asked.

"We could search the charted islands we labeled on this map."

Mark pointed the map, two places where Godzilla could have gone. The two likely places would be Infant Infant and Skull Island, the safe heavens for some monsters. "Since this island is closer so why don't we search there first." Night had set it's course slowly as they continued steaming slowly south. By this time, everyone was already asleep, except for Three. She was the last one up, looking at the stars as they dotted the dark sky.

She wondered what awaited them tomorrow or a few days from now. Could it be a sudden monster attack or a peaceful path to an understanding. She continued watching for a few more minutes before stepping under the deck and into her assigned room. Unknowingly to her, as the boat exited into deeper water. A strange looking submarine slowly began to go active, silently following the boat, catching up and suctioning itself under the hull. With the three agents and the two humans were already asleep, no one could have felt the boat drop a few inches into the water.

The only indication that anything was wrong was the slight decrease in speed. The last one who failed to notice was the last inkling sailor at the helm of the bridge. Being tired and out of energy, he just took it as rough waves before setting the boat on autopilot and heading off to bed. As the submarine powered down under the boat, itself was unaware that another submarine of a different organization was not far behind.

Two submarines following our heroes? What a surprise right? I hope you also caught the hint of a certain splatoon youtuber I find to be entertaining. Had to put him in somehow.

Back to the topic of Splatoon 2, I really struggled at Octo Expansion, especially at the countless testing, battling Agent 3 on the elevator and preventing Tartar from destroying Inkopolis within three minutes. I felt relieved when I finally got to the ending though.

Anyway, Hope to see your reviews and as the squid sisters would say, Stay flesh!