Arc 1 Chapter 10
The inklings got ready for the battle ahead of them. They rested for the night with thoughts running through their head worried whether or not if they would take back the valley from the octarians, but two figures were still awake, unable to sleep, pondering about what tomorrow would bring.
Blake was sitting next to the campfire filled with worry. He didn't want to see his friends get killed, but he knew that the inklings needed to take back their homes.
Blake sighed and looked down, uneasy about the situation. Just then a figure caught the corner of his eye walking towards him. It was Cuttlefish, like Blake he couldn't sleep and was also fearful about the coming battle.
"Cuttlefish? I don't you were asleep," asked Blake.
"I couldn't, thinking about tomorrow and the inklings," said Cuttlefish distressed.
"I can understand that. I just...pray for a miracle that everyone will make it through this, Captain," said Blake with his head down.
"well Bucko, all we can do is try, hopefully, all the training will pay off," says Cuttlefish to lighten the mood.
"yeah...but, I'm worried for Mimi, she's a sweet girl and I hate that she's getting dragged into this," said Blake sadly as he sighed.
"the lass is braver than you think, she's a pretty good soldier and I'm sure she'll hold her own in battle...speaking of battles," Cuttlefish smirked as he spotted the bite mark on Blake's neck.
"look's like someone's got a battle scar already," said cuttlefish still smirking.
"huh? what are you talking about?" asked Blake confused as Cuttlefish motioned as his neck.
"oh...yeah, something bit me when me and Mimi slept at... wait, you mean to tell me that was Mimi!" said a stunned Blake.
"what else could it be bucko, the lass really likes you," chuckled Cuttlefish.
"wait, Cuttlefish! this happened in my sleep, we didn't..." explained Blake as he was cut off.
"just messin' with ya' bucko! But the lass does like you," said Cuttlefish trying to compose himself.
A moment passed as Cuttlefish and Blake remained silent for a little bit.
"Not to change the subject captain, but back to the matters ahead, I...wanna leave and head back to the village to talk some sense into Octavio," said Blake.
"Bucko! you can't be serious! He drove us away from our homes, attacked us, and sent that octoweapon after us! and you wanna reason with him!" said an irate Cuttlefish utterly angry and shocked by Blake's decision.
"Cuttlefish! I know! but... I don't wanna see any more inklings get killed," said a stressed Blake.
"Blake you know he's set in his ways, he won't stop until were either caught or killed," said a cuttlefish as his anger started to resolve.
"I have to try, captain," said Blake as he looked Cuttlefish in the eye.
"Bucko, just think on it before making a rash decision, I just don't want nothing to happen to you, knowing that you've been helping the inklings, he may capture you or even have you executed," exclaimed Cuttlefish fretting over Blake's idea.
"your...right captain, I just... (sigh) wish there was another way," said a saddened Blake.
"I know, bucko...just head to bed and get some rest for tomorrow, your gonna need it," recommended Cuttlefish with his hand on Blake's shoulder.
"Alright...good night, captain," said Blake as he yawned and left for bed.
When Blake walked inside his tent, he saw that Mimi was awake looking at him with deep concern. He looked at her and sighed, then laid down on the sleeping pad with Mimi.
"I know a lot has been running through your head about tomorrow and the fate of the inklings as well as mine, I just want you to know...that I'm here for you and the captain and that a have faith that we'll beat those octarians and take back our home," said Mimi with confidence.
She started to lean in on Blake and looked him in the eyes.
"And I know after we defeat Octavio, maybe we can...start...a family," said Mimi meekly.
Blake was unsure how to respond to Mimi's insinuation, never thinking of even getting in a relationship with an inkling more less starting a family with one.
"Mimi I..." was all Blake could get out before Mimi kissed him. Blake didn't resist as she embraced him forcing him back down on the mat. She had one thing on her mind before the battle tomorrow and she was determined to show how much she loved her human lover.
She was on top of him kissing his neck while holding his arms, after a while, she sat up and started to disrobe, but conflicting thoughts were running Blake's mind. After a moment he sighed and stopped her.
"Blake what's wrong?" asked Mimi as her robe was halfway off.
"It's just, not right now...I wanna wait until after the battle...and plus I don't wanna wake the whole camp up with all the noises," said Blake hiding his blush.
"Oh, It's just...you're right, that would be embarrassing...and I guess we would have to explain," said Mimi also hiding her blush and rubbing her tentacles.
"We need to rest for tomorrow," said Blake.
The two of them decided to hold off on their escapade until the war was over. The both of them fell asleep, hugging each other hoping they survive the coming battle with Octavio and the Octolings.
The octoling detachment made it back to the village without the giant octoweapon in tow. The black tentacled octoling approached them sternly and demanded, "Report! Where are the inklings and where is the octostomp that was assigned to you! Explain yourselves!"
"Ma'am! the inklings have rearmed themselves, Cuttlefish has reorganized the squidbeak and they took down the octostomp, even the human survived the attack!" exclaimed the octoling leader.
"What!" shouted the black tentacled octoling.
"Yes! We even lost some of our troops to fire! We had bo choice but to retreat, there were too many of them!" said one of the octolings.
"You didn't stay and fight! I should splat you myself! Now the inklings will think we'll be easy pickings!" scolded the black tentacled octoling.
The octolings looked down in defeat. "Get out of my sight! before I have you all executed!" demanded the black tentacled octoling.
The octolings hastily left before she changed her mind. "This is startling news, I must report this Octavio," muttered the black tentacle octoling as she headed to see Octavio.
Octavio was making his way back to the village to find out about the inklings, he was approached by the black tentacled octoling as she saluted.
"Sir! I have disturbing news, the inklings appeared to have reorganized and rearmed themselves, they managed to take down the octostomp and splatted some of the octoling detachment you sent to apprehend them," said the octoling.
"That is not what I wanted to hear soldier, gather the troops and prepare to move them out. I've had enough of these inkstains, splat them all if you must and don't forget to use the octobombers, that hipster Cuttlefish has been a thorn in my tentacle for the last time," commanded an agitated Octavio.
"if you should fail, then I'll be sure that you get splatted like those inkstains!" roared Octavio put his face in front of the black-headed octoling.
"y...y...yes, sir" the octoling replied as she shook.
Octavio then headed back to his base to get the preparations of his DJ booth ready. He expected the inklings to push there way back into the valley to reclaim their homeland. Octavio readied the DJ booth and prepared the troops that he held back at the octarian base and the domes, Octavio intended to use them as reinforcements for when the inklings attempted to retake the village or if there was an uprising when the inklings were put into labor.
Cuttlefish, Blake, and the inklings made their way through the valley towards the village. They were walking in a forest near the farmlands of the valley. The inklings were spread out keeping a lookout for any octarians. Cuttlefish and Blake took the lead watching the front of them and the sky above them for any air threats.
"Keep your eyes peeled squids! We'll be arriving at the village in a couple of hours," said Cuttlefish still being cautious.
minutes passed as they almost reached the farms. They could see the edge of the forest ahead of them as the sunlight beamed through.
As they got closer, Cuttlefish could hear movement ahead of them in the forest around. "hold up! I hear something!" said cuttlefish as he signaled the inklings to stop.
"what is it captain?" asked Blake. The two paused to listen as things got still for a moment.
Suddenly a shot of ink streaked toward one of the inklings and splattered him on impact. The inklings went into the shock seeing one their own burst into ink.
"Ambush!" yelled Cuttlefish as octotroopers and octoling grunts popped out behind trees and bushes as the shot at the inklings.
A few more inklings got splattered during the skirmish. others dove for cover and returned fire. The skirmish lasted for minutes as octarians and octolings were also picked off at every given opportunity. One of the inklings threw an ink bomb at a group of octarians on platforms as they moved in on their position. They were splattered instantly in a burst of ink.
Blake and Cuttlefish returned fire towards the octoling grunts trying to pin them down. Cuttlefish managed to drop three of them while Blake managed to drop two with the third evading the fire and taking cover behind a tree. The octarian turned to the side of his cover and saw a window of opportunity, and shot Blake in the arm when he popped out of cover.
"Bucko!" yelled Cuttlefish as he gritted his teeth and took out the octoling that shot at his friend.
Cuttlefish rushed over in squid form evading enemy ink to check on Blake. He saw him sitting up behind a tree clutching his arm. "man that stings!" said Blake as he was in pain.
"Blake, thank god, you're ok," said Cuttlefish with relief.
"yeah...I'm fine...but my arm is numb, I'm not...sure I can fight for a little while though... dammit this hurts," said Blake trying to get his words out while clinching in pain.
"Bucko, you stay here, I'll get help as soon as we thin out the octarians," said Cuttlefish heading back to get a good vantage point on the enemy.
ten more minutes pass as the last remaining octarians are finally killed with the cost of eight inklings killed in action. When the coast was clear and the battle finally ended, the inklings gathered up the wounded to be treated. Cuttlefish escorted Blake over to where the inklings were getting tended to. Mimi rushed over to see that Blake had gotten hit in the arm.
"Blake! Are you ok!" shouted Mimi in concern.
"Yeah...I'm fine Mimi, just hit in the arm is all," said Blake trying to calm her.
"You're lucky Blake, that you didn't take a hit to the head, those ink guns like our bamboozlers shoot ink at a high velocity, It can immobilize you since your a human which the ink has some effect on, but a headshot wound could cause brain damage or even kill you at a close enough distance," explained Ammoses with concern.
"Good to know, I'll be careful next time," said Blake.
Mimi started to treat Blake's arm and wrapped it up.
Cuttlefish was stuck in thought think seeing, he almost lost his friend and battle buddy twice now. Cuttlefish sighed and walked away with conflictions running through his mind. Blake and the others looked at him with confusion and concern.
Moments later Cuttlefish was sitting on a log deep in thought when he heard footsteps approach him. As a reflex, he jumped up and he picked up his bamboozler and aimed at the direction of the sound. He saw a figure appear, it was Blake. "Bucko?... I almost shot you! what are you doing out here?" questioned a stressed Cuttlefish as he laid the bamboozler down
"I came to check on you, captain, I saw you walk away and me and the others were concerned," explained Blake in a soft voice.
Cuttlefish gave a long sigh and sat back on the log with his head facing the ground. "Blake I... just don't want to lose another friend," was all that Cuttlefish could say.
Blake stepped up and sat on the opposite end of the log trying to console Cuttlefish. "Captain, you know as well as I do, that It wasn't your fault back in the village when you confronted Octavio," said Blake.
"I know lad, I just... don't want to see you die, you're the only true friend I've got," said Cuttlefish as he turned to Blake with tears starting to form.
Blake looked at Cuttlefish and downed his head unsure what else to say. A minute passes and Cuttlefish finally spoke up.
"Blake?" asked Cuttlefish.
"Yeah?" responded Blake.
"You don't have to fight, you don't have to be a squidbeak agent...you can leave, go find you're family Blake, this isn't your battle," said Cuttlefish with his head turned away.
"But Captain I..." responded Blake as he was cut off.
"THAT'S AN ORDER DAMMIT! I WON'T LET ANYONE I CARE ABOUT DIE UNDER MY WATCH, SO...GET OUT OF HERE!" screamed Cuttlefish as tears were flowing from his eyes.
Cuttlefish sat back down with his back turned away from Blake. Blake was utterly speechless and conflicted by Cuttlefish's disposition and command. After a few seconds, Blake meekly approached Cuttlefish wanting to say something. Blake went to place his hand only to stop himself and just close his hand clenching it and turned his head away from Cuttlefish. He laid his Bamboozler against the log next to Cuttlefish and walked away leaving him and the inklings.
An octoling was talking to the black tentacled octoling back at the base. "Ma'am, we haven't heard from the unit that was tasked to intercept the inklings near the farmlands," reported the octoling grunt.
"We can only assume the inklings have broken through our lines and are advancing towards the village, we'll fortify the village and try to slow them down, use the octobombers if they get too close, I'll be sure to inform Octavio, permission to leave soldier," said the black-headed octoling.
"Yes, Ma'am," saluted the octoling as he left.
"Let's hope that we'll stop them, but if not, I wanna be sure that Octavio can spare some reinforcements," said the black tentacled octoling to herself.
She made her way deeper in the base to find Octavio while the octarian forces constructed fortifications and obstructions to stop the inklings from reaching the village.
After hearing about the Octostomp being defeated, it seemed futile to send another octoweapon to go fight off Blake and the inklings.
Octavio was watching the octarian army march toward the valley from the underground base still awaiting any reports from the underground domes. "(sigh) so, that human survived the octostomp, I'll have to devise a plan to deal with him. I can only assume Cuttlefish is leading the inklings back to the valley to retake their village," said Octavio as he closed his eyes and got stuck in thought.
After a moment the black tentacled octoling approached him. "Sir! The inklings have pushed through our forces in the forest, they're heading this way!" reported the black-tentacled octoling.
"Hmpf, expected, I'd knew as much knowing Cuttlefish. Rally up the troops and let the village defenses know the inklings are pushing to their direction," ordered Octavio.
"Yes, sir! I'll let them know immediately," saluted the black-tentacled octoling.
Octavio looked at the octoling as she walked away. Thoughts were running through his head remembering the times when He, Blake and Cuttlefish were friends. He pulled out an old photo of the three of them with Cuttlefish flashing a peace signal with his hand. All three of them were smiling with Octavio giving an awkward smile feeling embarrassed by the situation.
Meanwhile back in the forest the inklings gathering their stuff and preparing to move out and head towards the village.
"Where's Cuttlefish and Blake?" asked Mimi.
"Well Cuttlefish still hasn't made it back and I'm not sure where Blake ran off to," said Ammoses.
"Well we need to keep moving," said a male inkling.
After a moment passed they saw a figure come from out of the woods. It was Cuttlefish carrying Blake's bamboozler with him.
"Cuttlefish, there you are...wait have you seen Blake?" asked Mimi with concern.
"He's...gone," answered Cuttlefish sadly with his head down.
"Gone!, but...why?" asked Ammoses who was stunned.
"I told him to," answered Cuttlefish. As he handed Blake's Bamboozler to Mimi.
"Cuttlefish, why would you do that?" asked Mimi in a distressed tone.
Cuttlefish didn't answer and turned and walked toward the edge of the forest towards the farmlands. "Let's get a move on squids," he said in an emotionless tone.
Ammoses, Mimi and a group of inklings just looked at each unsure how to make of the situation.
"what do we do now?" asked Mimi upset that her boyfriend had left them.
Ammoses thought and looked back at Mimi, "Mimi, you have to go find Blake," said Ammoses.
"But, I... what about you guys?" said Mimi in distress.
"There's no time Mimi, go find Blake...I'll take his bamboozler," said Ammoses.
"But, Ammoses...I don't know where he could've gone off to," exclaimed Mimi.
"Mimi I don't think he could've gotten far, plus I heard you marked him the night y'all were gone," smirked Ammoses.
"yeah...uh...what about it," said an embarrassed Mimi hiding her blush.
"Ummm... you inklings put out a pheromone on your mates when you mark them don't you?" questioned Ammoses.
"Ooohhh... right, I should've known that, duuuhhh," said Mimi smacking herself.
Ammoses face-palmed and gave a sigh. "well, you better find him soon, catch up with us when you do." said Ammoses.
"Right, I'll find him, don't you worry," said Mimi confidently as she left, tracking the scent of the pheromone back to Blake.
"Uuhh... that squid," said Ammoses shaking his head. he soon turned his head back to the direction of Cuttlefish and sighed.
He slung Blake's bamboozler and an ink tank on his back and walked with the inklings to take back the valley.