Arc 2 Chapter 5
The room was dark and cold. Voices could be heard echoing through the walls of what appeared to be an abandoned building. Two squids could be slithering through the doorway of the building going inside. The squids made their way down a dark hallway and towards the basement. When they got into the basement they changed back to their bipedal forms and walked toward the center of the basement and were faced by more inklings.
"Well, what did you find out?" asked a masked inkling that confronted the other two with a gang of inklings behind him.
"Camper, we found out about the figure that escaped from the institute a while back," said one of the inklings.
"So, what is it?" demanded Camper.
"An inkling tried to subdue it at the Urchin Underpass but wasn't phased by the ink that was shot at it, They couldn't tell what it was being it wore a disguise that covered its face and body," said one of the inklings.
"That's all the information you ink heads could get!" said Camper in irritation.
"not exactly, the inkling that tried to subdue the creature was none other than your ex-girlfriend, she was talking to two other inklings but I didn't recognize them," said one of the inklings.
"Reeeally? hmm...interesting, maybe we should pay her a visit then," said Camper raising an eyebrow sneering.
Camper pulled out two bags of coins and threw them in front of the two informative inklings.
"Thanks, Camper," the two inklings said.
"Now, get outta here, I've got a squid girl to deal with," said Camper as the two inklings squid formed and left.
Camper turned towards his gang with his hands behind his back.
"You heard them, my ex-girlfriend Cassie is the last one to see the mysterious creature, I'm assuming it was in that metal pod the octolings badly wanted back at the Shellendorf Institute. Let's see if she knows anything else then and I know exactly where she stays," said Camper with a sinister smile as the inkling squid formed and headed off.
"Looks like me and you will going out again whether you like it or not," said Camper as he squid formed and left along with his gang.
The squid sisters had left the plaza hours ago unsure about their gramps behavior. They decided to head to the new square and look around seeing the new stores and Deca tower. The great zapfish had not made to the new tower yet until tomorrow. The square was still under final preparations for the opening and didn't have crowds of inklings in it yet.
Marie then spotted the new studio on the side of the street and looked through the window.
"So this is the new studio, I wonder who will be replacing us?" said Marie.
Just then a figure walked up behind them and said, "Hey! You know the studio is not open yo," in an uppity tone.
The squid sisters turned around and looked down at a short inkling with white and pink tentacles and gold eyes with x-shaped pupils similar to theirs. She was wearing a white zip-up jacket with pink tight pants. her boots matched her jacket and she was wearing a white and pink crown on her head that also matched her clothes.
"Who are you?" asked Marie.
"I'm pearl yo, also known as the MC princess," said pearl giving her signature pose.
"Pearl?" said Marie confused.
"you never heard of me! What rock did you crawl out from? you know what, you do seem familiar, you sure we haven't met before," question Pearl looking hard at Marie.
"Yeah I'm sure, it's just uh... were new and just exploring the new square," said Marie nervously.
"Hmmm...ok, well you're looking at the star of the new pop duo that's gonna be giving the Inkopolis news, I just might sign an autograph for you," said Pearl.
"I hate that my cousin Marie and Callie couldn't give the news reports anymore, all well, what can I say, the people want fresh new pop idols," said Pearl bending her arms up.
"ummm...that's ok we gotta get goin'" said Marie as she was in rush to get away from pearl.
Pearl glared at them with her arms crossed as they were walking away. "Hmmm... I'm pretty sure I know her from somewhere, pfff, all well," said Pearl as she threw her arms up and walked into the new studio.
"(sigh) that was close if pearl is gonna give the Inkopolis news they in a rude awakening," said Marie.
"So that was your cousin pearl, I almost didn't recognize her in that outfit," said Callie.
"Seems she's always changing music genres, now she's a pop princess, what next?" said Marie.
"So when will we ask gramps about that squid badge?" asked a concerned Callie.
"tonight I guess, hopefully, he'll be over that fit he had, he knows something but why won't he tell us," said Marie.
"Maybe it has something to do with his past, he did fight in the great turf war," said Callie trying ease the tension.
"Yeah, he's told us that story about a hundred times, but he didn't seem bent out of shape about it, I think there's something more to it," said Marie.
"gramps wouldn't hide anything from us, would he," said a concerned Callie.
"I don't know Cal, gramps isn't always straightforward on stuff, you should know that being out in the field, he's always leaving stuff out," said Marie.
The squid sisters soon left the square and were greeted by a figure. The squid sisters turned toward the figure in front of them. It was an octoling with black and teal long tentacles. Her eyes were teal with pink hourglass-shaped pupils. She was wearing a black revealing leather top with teal tights over her legs and boots.
"I'm looking for the new studio, do you know where it is?" asked the Octoling meekly.
"Um, it's down this street to the right, who are you and why are you asking?" asked Marie confused why an octoling was asking directions to the new studio.
"oh, my apologies, my...my...my name is M...Marina and I'm part of the new duo that will be broadcasting the Inkopolis news," said Marina as she shook hands with Marie and Callie.
Marie and Callie were bewildered that an octoling was in the city and how polite she was. Marie and Callie look at each other then back to Marina.
"oh, now you're a bit surprised about me being in your city, I left the valley wanting to come here, I met pearl a while back and since then we've been friends. She started a music career and asked me to join her, so here I am, " said Marina.
Marina started to walk off as Callie and Marie looked at each other.
"She really very friendly, that seems odd for an octoling" said Marie raising an eyebrow whether she should be concerned.
"she seemed nice, maybe not all octolings are bad," said Callie.
"Maybe not, but we should still be mindful treaty or not, we don't know what they're up to being we have Octavio sealed up in a snowglobe, she could be some kind of spy, " said Marie.
"I hope not, I'd like to see the two races get along for once, maybe their's more like her," said Callie.
"Yeah, sure Cal (sigh), let's head to the mall and think about what to do next," said Marie as they both left the square unsure about Marina's behavior.
Cassie and Izzy were on their way to the new Inkopolis square. They took the bus that was driven by a jellyfish since there was no tram station. They got off at the bus station and walked toward the square. The square was vacant and the shops weren't open yet.
"well I guess the square hasn't opened yet," said Cassie.
"I thought the square was supposed to be open today," said Izzy.
"It won't be open until tonight when off the hook performs for the grand opening," a voice said from behind the squid girls.
Cassie and Izzy turned around and were greeted by a small humanoid creature with a shell on its head and wearing brass goggles.
"oh, hey Sheldon," waved Cassie.
"Sheldon, I've heard of you, you build weapons for turf war games," said Izzy.
"That's right, I build weapons for the turf war players and other things, I dig up human artifacts and get the designs from whatever I find, My family has been doing this since my grandpappy Ammoses fought in the great turf war," explained Sheldon.
"Woah, your grandfather fought in the great turf war," said Izzy in excitement.
"you bet your tentacles he did, he built weapons for the inklings and defeated those octarians with his help of course," said Sheldon.
"ok Sheldon enough with the history lesson, your shop wouldn't happen to be open would it?" asked Cassie.
"I'm afraid not until the next morning, the great zapfish hasn't even left Inkopolis tower yet, so no power for the square yet even if I wanted to open my shop," explained Sheldon.
"Why do you ask?" asked Sheldon.
"Izzy, came into Inkopolis a couple of weeks ago and hasn't picked up a weapon for the turf war matches yet, we were hoping your shop would be open," said Cassie.
"Sorry, I don't know what to tell you but I can hold onto a starter kit for her though and she can pick it up when my shop opens," said Sheldon.
"That would be great Sheldon, I appreciate it," said Cassie gratefully.
"Anything for you Cassie, it's no bother," said the blushing Sheldon rubbing his head.
"Hey Sheldon, I think I'm going back to playing turf wars," said Cassie shocking Sheldon.
"Really? that's great Cassie, I thought you had stopped competing after that splat tournament a couple of years ago," said Sheldon.
"Thank Izzy, she talked me into getting back into the matches and to look past my lose at the tournament," said Cassie.
"You're the one I should thank Cass, you let me stay with you last night," said Izzy after she gave a blush.
"Well let me get back to unpacking and getting the store ready for tomorrow, see ya girls," said Sheldon as he waved and went back into his shop.
"Well Izzy, I guess we should head back to the bus stop and go somewhere else, sorry the square isn't open," apologized Cassie.
"It's ok Cass, I'm not upset," said Izzy putting her hand on Cassie's shoulder.
The two inklings left the square and back to the bus stop but didn't realize they were being watched. Two figures could be seen spying on them from around the corner of a building. It was two inklings from Camper's gang and they were contemplating how to capture Cassie without arousing attention.
"there she is but what do we do about the other girl," asked one inkling.
"we'll deal with her too, let's just focus on the green one. C'mon let's catch up with them," said the other inkling.
The two inklings squid formed and followed the two girls out of the square.
Blake had wandered around staying out of sight, avoiding anyone he saw nearby. Now that he lost his cloak from that confrontation at the underpass, Blake had to be extra cautious as to try not to attract attention. Up ahead Blake stumbbled into a large warehouse that was cluttered with crates and platforms. Conveyor belts could be seen going around the warehouse for transporting items.
Blake walked around and saw what looked like jellyfish mingling around in the center of the warehouse. He walked behind the crates to stay out of sight as he managed to get around them. Blake tripped on a wrench and yelped as he fell getting the attention of the jellyfish.
"What was that?" said one of the jellyfish in a high pitched voice.
"I don't know, it came from over there," pointed another jellyfish.
Blake panicked and ran behind a metal container to avoid them. He panted as he hugged the wall and peered around the corner.
The jellyfish were soon where he tripped and looked around. "hmm... I wonder what made that noise?" asked a jellyfish.
"I don't know, it's gone whatever it was," said another jellyfish.
The three jellyfish soon walked away and gave up on figuring out who was behind the crates.
Blake gave a sigh and continued exploring the warehouse.
After a while, he stumbled across a crate with the top partially open. Curiosity got the best of him and he decided to quietly open it up. Blake's eyes glittered as he drooled. it was full of fruit. Apples, oranges, bananas, and more.
"I don't believe it. FOOD!" shouted Blake as he started grabbing the fruit quickly and starting scarfing down the fruit as fast as he could. Blake eventually got full and propped himself on the crate.
"aaahhh... I feel much better since I'm not starving anymore," said Blake patting his stomach. He then gave a loud belch as he covered his mouth. But it was too late a jellyfish spotted him.
"Hey, you! What are you doing here!" shouted the jellyfish as it pointed at him. The jellyfish soon pulled out a radio and called out on its radio.
"Crap! It's time for me to leave," said Blake as he struggled to get up and ran as fast as he could out the warehouse.
He heard police sirens approaching down the street and spotted an alleyway to the left. Inkling police cars stopped and police officers jumped out with ink guns drawn.
"Stop right there!" yelled an inkling policeman.
Blake ignored him and bolted towards the alleyway to his left to get away from the police. The inkling police shot at him hitting him in the back of his shoulder and leg. Blake fell but got up fighting the pain from the hits.
"Don't let that thing get away!" yelled a female inkling cop as they started to pursue Blake down the alleyway.
The alleyway intersected into a T and Blake was quickly looking both ways to see where he should go as the inkling police were closing in on him. Blake decided to go left again as he was starting limp from getting hit in the leg.
"I can't let them catch me!" shouted Blake as he continued on struggling to keep pace. The inkling police were getting closer as Blake fell again from exhaustion but by luck, he ran into a drainage canal. He remembered that inklings couldn't swim and were vulnerable to water. It was his only way out as he looked back to see the police point their ink guns at him.
"Stop and put your hands up! This is your final warning!" shouted one of the inkling police officers.
Blake then looked back toward the drainage canal and decided to jump. Blake dove down in the canal as the inkling cops rushed toward the ledge to see that he was gone.
"What was that thing?" asked one of the inkling police.
"I don't know but our ink seemed to have little effect on it," said another inkling.
"Well, it couldn't have survived in the water whatever it was, let's head back to the station and give the report out," said another inkling.
The inkling police left thinking the figure probably drowned in the canal but unbeknownst to them, Blake was a human and can swim in water. after a moment Blake finally surfaced to catch some air as he was caught in a current. The current was getting stronger and Blake was struggling to keep his head up out of the water. There was nothing to grab a hold of as Blake was thrashed trying not to drown. He soon saw why the current was picking up; there was a vortex of water leading back down toward the sewers. Blake was fighting to stay away from the whirlpool as he soon got caught in the undertow.
"Help!" shouted Blake as he got pulled down and into the vortex. Blake could no longer hold his breath as he was getting pulled down further. air escaped his mouth as he closed his eyes and went unconsciense. He was sucked into the vortex back into the sewers; Blake was sure he would die as he could see nothing but darkness.
Callie and Marie were at Arowana mall hanging out at the food court. They had just got done eating when they had gotten word on a news report from the pop duo on a large flat screen overlooking the food court.
The new Inkopolis news broadcasts came on showing two figures. one was pearl sitting on a bean bag chair and Marina standing behind a DJ booth. Between them was a large tv screen.
"Y'all know what time it is!" shouted Pearl.
"It's Off the Hook coming at you live from Inkopolis square," exclaimed Marina.
"Just in case y'all were wondering, We're the new pop duo Off the Hook, We have taken over for the Inkopolis News, unfortunately, for the squid sisters we have taken over for them, well I guess out with the old and in with the new as they say," said Pearl swinging her arm.
"I loved the squid sisters and they've inspired me to get into the music business, I'm hoping other octolings will feel the same way as we will be seeing more of my race come up to the surface," said Marina as she shuffled a record.
"Yeah, Rina, you've shared that story with me after we met and yes we've been hearing talks about the octolings coming to visit Inkopolis yo," said Pearl.
"Don't worry everyone, the octolings mean you know harm since we had the peace treaty signed and their leader apprehended," said Marina trying to ease tensions.
"Well anyway, even though the square is still closed the studio will still be giving the news and updates on the opening of the square. We will be performing for the grand opening in front of Deca tower tonight as the great zapfish will perch on the tower, powering the square and opening the new turf war lobby," said Pearl as she pumped her fists in the air in excitement.
"Pearl, don't forget about the incident at the Walleye Warehouse an hour ago," said Marina changing the subject.
"Oh yeah, there was a police report on a tall figure that broke into the warehouse and was eating our food, by what the police described it appeared inkling like with arms and legs, but it didn't have tentacles on its head. Its head and face were also different with small eyes with no markings around them and small ears. people believe the creature is related to the one that escaped the Shellendorf Institute a couple of weeks ago," explainer Pearl.
"I wonder what It could've been?" asked Marina.
"Who knows, the thing jumped into a canal and the police assumed that it drowned," said Pearl throwing and bending her arms.
"I wonder why on earth it would do that," said a sympathetic Marina.
"maybe because it was ugly and didn't want to get caught," responded Pearl.
"I guess we'll never know," said Marina.
"well, that's all the time we got, until next time!" shouted Pearl.
"Don't Get Cooked... Stay Off The Hook!" shouted both Pearl and Marina as they got up and gave a pose in front of the camera.
The screen went black as the squid sisters looked at each other and the inklings went back to walking around the mall.
Marie shook her head as Callie looked at her cousin. "She hasn't changed a bit (sigh)," said Marie with exasperation.
"She didn't do too bad Marie, and I like Marina, she seemed nice," said Callie.
"well time will tell but I didn't expect her to give the news with an octoling though," said Marie slightly annoyed.
"I think they're a good pair," said Callie trying to relieve Marie.
The two got up and made their way out of the mall. Marie seemed to be stuck in thought as she walking. Callie looked at her cousin with concern and then looked in front of her.
After a moment she faced Marie. "Marie, when are goin' to talk to gramps?" asked Callie.
"Maybe tomorrow Cal, I've got a lot on my mind," said Marie as she still looking in front of her not facing her cousin.
"about what?" asked Callie.
"Just... stuff Cal, why are you asking?" said Marie in an irritated tone.
Callie looked out Marie with a saddened face as tears started to form. Marie looked at Callie with distress feeling guilty for her outburst and downed her head.
"I'm sorry Cal, It's just... everything has been changing lately. With gramps, us losing our careers with the Inkopolis news and now with this mysterious figure running around that Cassie encountered," said Marie depressed.
"It's ok Marie, things will get better, I'm sure gramps will come around and..." said Callie as she was cut off.
Marie's squidphone went off as she reached into her pocket to answer it. "Hello," replied Marie.
"Hey Marie, this is Cassie. did you hear about the creature the police tried to catch at the Walleye Warehouse," said Cassie.
"Yeah, Off the Hook gave a report about it on the TV screen at the mall," said Marie.
"I have my friend Izzy with me, I'm going to drop her off at my place and head down there to investigate," said Cassie.
"Well, be careful and good luck, let us know if you find something," said Marie as she hung up.
"what do we do now?" asked Callie.
"We might as well meet up with Cassie at the warehouse and help her look for clues," said Marie.
"ok, then let's go!" said Callie as the both of them headed to Walleye Warehouse.
Meanwhile, at the bus stop, Izzy was pacing back and forth and Cassie had just got off the phone with Marie.
Cassie turned toward Izzy. "Hey, Izzy I just got a phone call, I've got an emergency to go deal with," said Cassie.
"oh, ok then, I hope everything is alright," said Izzy a little concerned.
"It's nothing, I'll drop you off at my place whenever the bus decides to get here," said Cassie.
The two inklings that were watching Izzy and Cassie in the square were now around the corner of a building near them waiting for an opportunity to catch them.
"Alright, let's get them before the bus comes," said one inkling.
The two inklings squid formed and slithered near the two girls. When they got close enough they changed back and grabbed the two of them.
"Hey! What's goin' on!" screamed Cassie as she was grabbed from behind.
"Shut up! Our boss would like a word with you!" shouted the inkling that had a hold of her.
"Cass! what's going on? Who are these guys?!" yelled Izzy.
"Quiet you! and you won't get hurt," ordered the other inkling that had a hold of Izzy.
Cassie managed to break free from the inkling's grasp and elbowed him in the face. She punched the inkling that had a hold of Izzy
The two girls managed to get away from the two inklings and dashed down the street as fast as they could.
"Let's get them!" yelled the inkling who had Cassie rubbing his eye as the other inkling got up from Cassie's punch.
The inklings chased after Izzy and Cassie who bolted around the corner of a building. They ran down an alleyway only for it to be a dead-end. Izzy and Cassie looked back and saw the two inklings who had gained on them.
"Izzy get behind me!" shouted Cassie.
the two inklings changed back and approached the two girls and pulled out ink guns.
"Alright you two come along peacefully or else!" shouted one of the inklings point his weapon at them.
"What do you want?!" demanded Cassie.
"For you two to come with us, that's what!" shouted the inkling.
"Cassie, do you know those two?" asked Izzy scared.
"Heck no! I have no idea who they are! But I do know we're not going with them!" said Cassie glaring at the two inklings baring her teeth.
"Oh, but our boss knows you and you have no choice!" shouted the inkling as he shot Cassie in the chest knocking her back and unconsciense.
"CASSIE!" yelled Izzy. The other inkling aimed at Izzy and shot her, knocking her out.
"Get a hold of the crew, we got the squid girl and her friend," commanded the inkling to the other one.
The inkling got on his squidphone and after a while a van showed up with two more inklings as they loaded the unconsciense squid girls in the back of the vehicle and drove off. Things were not looking good for Cassie and Izzy.