Arc 2 Chapter 8

The squid sisters were speechless and weren't sure what to say with a human standing in front of them.

"Bucko, I like you to meet my grandsquids, Agent 1 and Agent 2," said Cuttlefish.

"N...Nice to meet you...I'm B...Blake," said Blake as he was holding his hand out for a shake.

The squid sisters stared at the human not knowing how to react or what exactly he was. He had small eyes with no marks. He had hair instead on tentacles and his teeth were different as well. The two of them were intimidated by his apperence and height, being he was just a little taller than them. Blake looked at them and laid his arm down and looked away rubbing his head feeling awkward.

"Grandsquids, their's nothing to be afraid of, this is Blake and he is the first squidbeak agent, agent zero," said Cuttlefish turning back to the girls.

"Agent Zero!" shouted the girls in unison.

"Gramps, their's no way he could've been a squidbeak agent, he's not even an inkling!" shouted Marie in shock and confusion.

"It's true, I... was recruited by Cuttlefish back before the great turf war," explained Blake.

"Wait, great turf war! you can't be that old and what was a human doing in the great turf war!" exclaimed Marie trying to cope with the fact a human was standing before her and hearing about him being a squidbeak agent and fighting in the great turf war.

"Gramps, why haven't you said something about this? As many times you told us about the great turf war you never mentioned Blake," exclaimed Marie still in shock.

"I guess because it drudged up so much remorse, I just repressed those memories, lass, seeing that old squid badge it was just a grim reminder of the past, of Blake, I didn't want to say anything," said Cuttlefish with a saddened look downing his head.

"wait... the squid badge, you were the one that escaped the Shellendorg Institute and was shot by agent 3," said Marie looking back at Blake.

"Yeah, that was me," said Blake rubbing the back of his head. "Wait, agent 3, that was the squid girl that shot at me?" said Blake with slight confusion.

"Well, we didn't know what you were at the time, we thought you might have been an octoling in disguise," explained Marie. "Wait, did you come out of that pod from Pirahna Pit?" asked Marie.

"Yeah, and it's called a cryostasis pod, It froze me in time, that's how I fought in the great turf war with your grandfather and how I'm standing here in front of you," explained Blake.

"you mean to tell me that pod allowed you to survive all this time," said Marie in disbelief.

"yep, It sounds unbelievable, but it's true, your grandfather is the one who found me in it years ago," said Blake.

"This is so, fascinating, humans have been extinct for thousands of years, what do you think Callie? Callie?" said Marie noticing Callie hadn't said anything during the conversation and turned toward her cousin.

Callie's face was red as she was locked on Blake seeing him shirtless and being the only live human she ever saw.

"Callie? are you...ok?" asked Marie.

Marie waved her hand in from of Callie's face. Callie soon shook head and pressed her hands together with stars in her eyes. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! This is so fresh! A real live human!" said an excited Callie. She rushed over to Blake blushing with awe.

"How was life like when humans were around? What were humans like? Are their more of you? I have soooo many questions," said Callie unsuccessful at containing her excitement as she was incredibly close to Blake.

Blake was unsure how to take Callie's expression and started lean back from Callie being so close. Blake chuckled awkwardly. "Woah Woah Woah, one question at a time, I've been hiding out all this time," said Blake trying to calm Callie down.

"I sorry but this is so exciting! It's just..." said Callie as she was pulled off by Marie.

"C'mon Cal, the human's had enough, I'm sure he's tired and doesn't know what to think about us since he's been frozen this whole time," said Marie as she pulled Callie to the side.

"Maaarieee, you didn't have to pull me by the ear in front of Blake like that, I'm not a hatchling," said Callie frustrated and blushing.

"you act like one sometimes, Cal, and you sure it isn't because he's a guy," smirked Marie crossing her arms.

"I do not and no it's not that, it's just he's the only human that we've seen alive," said a flustered Callie soon sticking her tongue out at Marie and turning her head away from her cousin.

"I'm sorry about her, my name is Marie and that's Callie, we're known as the squid sisters," said Marie as she turned towards Blake with both of them giving their signature pose.

"Nice to uh, meet you gals," said Blake rubbing the back of his head.

Blake shook Marie's hand and Callie blushed as she meekly shook Blake's hand. They were both puzzled as to why Blake's hand was warm.

The both of them were curious about Blake's hair and felt it as Blake felt a little awkward and blushed when Callie "accidentally" ran her hand across his chest.

Marie turned back to Cuttlefish and Blake. "It's just hard to take in that a human was the first squidbeak agent, I don't think Cass would believe this one, speaking of Cass, we gotta go find her Cal," said Marie as she turned back to Callie.

"As gramps said, maybe she'll turn up and besides we don't know where else to look," said Callie.

"Well we have to go look for her anyway, I just hope she's not in any danger," said Marie.

"Aww, but I wanna stay here and..." said Callie as she saw her cousin give a wide smirk. "...keep gramps company!" finished Callie with an irritated look toward her cousin.

"yeah, sure Callie, it ain't because of Blake is it," said Marie grinning at her cousin while Callie was trying to hide her blush.

"Girls, enough!" shouted Cuttlefish tapping his cane. "Go ahead and see if you can find the lass, Blake will stay here with me for the night," said Cuttlefish.

"Well, he does need some new clothes, we'll see if we can find him some clothes while we're at it," said Marie seeing Blake's clothes were dirty and tattered.

"Marie, isn't the opening of the square tomorrow night?" asked Callie.

"You're right Cal, that would probably be a good place to look, surely Cass wouldn't miss the concert by off the hook," said Marie.

"Go on girls, me and Blake will stay here and catch up on things," said Cuttlefish.

"Ok, gramps," said Callie downing her head.

Marie smirked and shook her head. "C'mon let's go Cal," said Marie as they headed out the door.

"We'll be back!" shouted Callie. Marie mumbled something that Callie caught. "Shut up Marie!" shouted Callie irritated at her cousin.

Cuttlefish shook his head. "Those girls can be something else," said Cuttlefish as he gave a sigh.

"They seemed nice, at least they didn't shoot at me," said Blake unsure about his encounter with the squid sisters.

"They would've if I didn't do something, now bucko you got some catching up to do," said Cuttlefish as they sat back down at the table.

Camper and Cass were trekking through the sewers with two other inklings taking point scanning the tunnels ahead of them. It had been minutes and there was still no sign of the creature they were hunting for. Camper soon received a phone call and answered it.

"Yeah, what is it?" asked Camper.

Camper's face soon turned to anger as he gritted his teeth. "What!" shouted Camper enraged. "What do you mean she got away, you idiots were supposed to be watching her!" yelled Camper.

Cass looked at Camper overhearing the conversation and thought if Izzy had gotten away, now was her chance to get away when the opportunity came.

"Who!? Cleo? I don't know any Cleo!...whatever! Just find them now!" yelled Camper as he hung up the phone, irritated as he pinched the top of his nose.

"Problems?" asked Cassie.

"Don't you worry about that! Just focus on the hunt!" barked Camper as he gestured her to keep moving.

As Cass, Camper, and the other inklings came across an intersection they looked around wondering what direction they should take. "Boss, where do we go?" asked one of the gang members. "Just, guess," replied Camper.

The inklings turned to the left and as they got out a little farther. Cass saw her window of opportunity and thought of a plan.

"Well, get a move on," barked Camper.

Cassie turned toward Camper for a moment. She then pointed behind Camper. "Look there's the creature!" shouted Cassie.

"What!" shouted Camper as he turned around then Cass punched him when Camper went to face her knocking him to the floor. She then squid formed and went to the right. The other inklings came back and saw Camper lying on the ground. Camper slowly sat up and looked at the inklings gritting his teeth.

"Get that squid!" commanded Camper. The inklings squid formed and chased after Cassie.

Camper managed to get up and kneel over trying to recuperate from the blow. "That little... Just you wait, Cass, I'm not done with you yet," said Camper as he squid formed and pursued after Cassie like the other two inklings.

Cassie made her way down the end of the tunnel. As she looked around she noticed it was the tunnel from the plaza drain that connected to Cuttlefish's. She heard the other squid coming and continued on back to Inkopolis not wanting to get the other agents and Cuttlefish involved. She made it to the drain grate and climbed up and saw no one around. The inkling girl soon shifted back to her humanoid form.

Cassie panted trying to catch her breath. She scanned for a place to hide since the plaza was empty. She decided to hide in the alleyway where Spyke hung out at and saw Camper and the other two inklings come up from the grate.

They looked around and Camper got agitated as he clenched his fist in the air. "Find her now!" yelled Camper. The two inklings squid formed and slithered away. Camper stayed back and kicked the ground in anguish.

Cassie turned around and gave a long sigh behind the dumpster. "It's too bad Camper's goons took my squidphone so I'd call Marie and tell what's been going on. I'll hang low until they give up and leave," said Cassie as she sat down.

Hours earlier, Cassie and Callie were in squid form slithering down the tunnel back towards Inkopolis. When they emerged they stretched and looked at each other.

Marie smiled at Callie. Callie looked at her confused and red-faced. "What?" asked Callie.

"Seems like you took a liking that human or should I say...crush," said Marie smirking at her cousin.

"It's not like that Marie, It's just seeing a human for the first time and him being the first squidbeak agent. Gramps sure does look up to him," said Callie.

"Yeah, It's just...I wish gramps would've said something. It's too bad Inkopolis would freak out if they saw him," said Marie.

"Well how about we introduce him at Off the Hook's concert," insisted Callie.

"Cal that might not be a good idea, I don't think Inkopolis would be ready to see that a figure of an extinct race is alive and living among them," said Marie.

"Well he can't just stay hidden forever," said Cassie with concern.

"Well, I can't..." Marie said as she stopped and looked back at her cousin with her smirk coming back. "You do have a crush on him," said Marie teasing her cousin.

"No! It's just... oh, stop it Marie!" shouted Callie in a fluster.

"I'm just squiddin' with ya Cal, lighten up," said Marie bending her arms in surrender.

"Marie, sometimes you just don't know when to quit tugging my tentacles," said Callie irritated with her arms crossed.

"C'mon Cal, let's head to the square before the concert starts, hopefully, Jelfonzo's may be open and we can get Blake some new clothes," said Marie.

"Oh...I wanna pick out his clothes!" shouted Callie. Marie just rolled her eyes. The two of them soon left the empty plaza and made their way to the square.

Cleo and Izzy were running down an alleyway toward the new square. "C'mon we're almost there," shouted Cleo as she had Izzy by the hand rushing down the alleyway.

Just then a whoosh sound emitted in from of them as squid landed ahead and formed back. It was one of the gang members pointing an ink gun at Cleo and Izzy. "You're not going anywhere!" shouted the inkling.

The two of them froze and looked at the inkling as another inkling caught up with them in squid form and changed back, pointing an ink gun at them as well. "You two have been a pain in the tentacle! Now let's go or we'll splat you both!" yelled the inkling.

"What do we do?" asked Izzy scared.

Cleo turned back to Izzy and gave her a serious look. "(sigh) Izzy, I want you to get out of here, I'll handle these two squids," said Cleo.

"No, Cleo...I," said Izzy with pleading eyes.

"Just go, Izzy! I can take care of myself, find Camper and Cass," ordered Cleo pulling out her ink gun.

"O...Ok, just be careful," said Izzy in distress as she squid formed and took off.

"Oh no, you don't!" shouted the inkling pointing his ink gun at Izzy. Just then the inkling was shot by Cleo and knocked backward.

"You little!" yelled the other inkling as she shot Cleo in the back. Cleo gave a yelp and fell down on her stomach with her gun sliding away. "Cleo!" shouted Izzy wanting to go help her but knew Cleo would want her to get away and she was unarmed herself. Izzy kept going until she could no longer see them and prayed that Cleo would be alright.

Cleo laid on the ground moaning in pain. Just then the inkling that shot her stepped on her back as she yelped. He then pointed his ink gun in the back of her head. "I should just splat you right now! But I'm sure Camper would love to talk to you and find out who you really are," sneered the inkling.

The inkling gang member that was shot slowly sat up moaning in pain and shook his head. "Get up!" shouted the inkling on top of Cleo toward the other inkling.

"That little yellow squid got away!" shouted the inkling on Cleo to the other inkling. The inkling that was shot finally stood up limping and walked over toward his buddy and Cleo. The inkling glared at Cleo and bared his teeth, he then kicked Cleo. "Little brat squid!" shouted the inkling as he balled up his fist ready to punch Cleo when the other inkling stopped him.

"That's enough! Let's get her back to base, then we can deal with her," advised the inkling holding back the inkling that was shot by her.

"Fine!" yelled the inkling. The two them grabbed the half-conscience Cleo and carried her back to their base. Cleo looked back and mumbled. "Please, Izzy don't forget me," she said weakly as she soon blacked out.

Pearl and Marina were making preparations for the square opening concert tomorrow night. Pearl was on the stage practicing her vocals while Marina was checking her equipment. Jellyfish workers could be seen carrying stuff for the concert and cleaning up the square for the audience. Just then a jellyfish with headphones and a clipboard approached the stage.

"Alright, girls, I hope you're ready for tomorrow night when the square and the new tower will be opening," said the jellyfish manager.

"We got this yo," said Pearl waving her hand.

"We're ready," said Marina looking at the jellyfish.

"Best of luck you two," said the jellyfish as he slithered away.

"I don't know what he's worried about, We're off the hook! We'll be ready, won't we Rina," said Pearl crossing her arms as she soon looked toward Marina.

"yeah Pearl, It's just he's making sure everything goes right, this is the grand opening of the square," said Marina.

"I think he's worrying too much," said Pearl with her arms crossed with a pensive look.

After a moment, Pearl spotted two tall inkling girls coming out of the new clothes shop. "It's those two again, hmm... I know they look familiar," said Pearl putting her thumb on her chin.

Marina walked up beside Pearl and looked. "yeah, come to think of it they do seem familiar since we met them a week ago," said Marina. "How about we go talk to them, Pearly," suggested Marina.

"We got work to do Rina, remember, jellyhead wants us to make sure everything is ready," said Pearl.

"Oh, c'mon, A few minutes won't hurt, we need a break anyway," said Marina.

"you want a break? Rina, you sure your feeling ok?" asked Pearl as she was surprised at Marina being she was a workaholic. "Fiiinnne" whined Pearl as the two of them walked over toward the squid sisters in disguise.

The squid sisters walked out of Ye Olde Cloth Shoppe, the new clothes store run by a jellyfish named Jelfonzo.

"I'm glad Jelfonzo let us buy clothes, even though his shop isn't open yet," said Marie.

"I hope Blake will like these, Marie," said Cassie holding up the new clothes she got for Blake.

Marie just rolled her eyes and gave a slight smirk as just then Off the Hook walked up. "Hey you two," waved Marina.

"Oh hey, It's you two again," said Callie.

The squid sisters were still in their disguises to hide their identities as Pearl and Marina still didn't figure out who they really were.

"We're sorry that we didn't meet you properly from before, It's just me and Pearl had our tentacles tied up setting up the new studio," apologized Marina. She then elbowed Pearl to say something with her arms crossed.

"Yeah, yeah we were busy and all, you two so familiar to me for some reason, I can't put my finger on though, you sure you're not from around here?" asked a suspicious Pearl.

The squid sisters got nervous as they looked at each other. "As we said before we're new here," said Callie nervously behind her sunglasses.

"Hmm... you sure about that?" asked Pearl narrowing her eyes.

"Pearly, don't be so rude, I'm sorry you two, It's just you do seem familiar to us," explained Marina.

"It's ok, we get that a lot, um...we still have some shopping to do, we have to go before it gets late," said Marie.

"Oh ok, well it was nice meeting you two, again," said Marina waving at them.

"hey before we leave, we can't find our friend, her name is Cassie, you don't mind if you two could keep an eye out for her, she's got lime-green tentacles and yellow eyes, she normally wears a white squid T and pink tennis shoes," asked Marie.

"Sure, we'll keep an eye out, hopefully, she'll be here, it is the grand opening of the square and Deca tower," assured Marina.

"We really appreciate it, well don't let us keep you from preparing for the concert," said Marie as she waved off to the two.

"Bye you guys," waved Callie as she and her cousin walked away.

"I've got my eye on those two, I know I've seen them somewhere," said Pearl in suspicion.

"Pearly, you're just being paranoid, C'mon let's get back to the stage and get ready for the concert," said Marina as the two of them walked back to the stage to continue getting ready for the upcoming opening.

The squid sisters managed to get away from Marina and Pearl and continued shopping for Blake.

"That was a close one, I'm glad we got out of there before pearl figured us out," said Marie wiping her forehead and sighing.

"Yeah, me too, I wanna continue shopping," said Callie.

"Well, all we got left is shoes and a hat," said Marie.

"Marie, what do you think of Blake?" asked Callie out of nowhere.

"Where did that come from?" said a surprised Marie.

"I just wanna know?" asked an anxious Callie.

"Um... I guess he seems ok, being gramps thinks highly of him, so I trust him even though I just met him," answered Marie.

"oh...ok, so you like him as a friend," said Callie.

Marie turned to her cousin with an eyebrow raised. "What? what is it?" asked Callie seeing her cousins's facial expression.

"Why are you asking such a question Cal?" asked Marie.

"Nothing, just wondering Marie," answered Callie slightly nervous.

"uh-huh, I think you like him," said Marie with a smirk narrowing her eyes.

"No! It's not that! It's just...Oh there you go again Marie," said Callie flailing her hands, then getting flustered and red-faced from Marie's expression.

"Yeah, you keep saying that, C'mon let's finish shopping for your boyfriend," said Marie.

"He's not my boyfriend!" shouted Callie getting irritated by her cousin.

The two of them continue walking through the square heading into the shops.

Back at Cuttlefish's shack. Blake was sitting on the old couch as Cuttlefish was informing about everything that had transpired while he was gone. Blake was amazed at everything Cuttlefish had told him about the city, the octarians stealing the great zapfish and the inklings getting it back.

"Wow, a lot has happened," said Blake.

"Yeah, bucko, times have changed, oh that reminds me, here's your squid badge back lad," said Cuttlefish giving Blake the old brass squid badge back to him.

"Yeah, I threw this at that squid girl that shot at me, I think you said she was a squidbeak agent," said Blake.

"That'd be agent 3, she's a strong lass bucko, she's the one that got the great zapfish back and captured Octavio," explained Cuttlefish.

"Wow, she captured Octavio, I hope your granddaughters find her, I hate to hear she's missing, even though she shot me in the back," said Blake.

"I hope so too, but she can take care of herself," said Cuttlefish.

"yeah, she seemed like she could take care of herself, I wish I could help your granddaughters look for her," said Blake.

"I'm sure they'll find her, They're agents 1 and 2 after all," said Cuttlefish.

"I'm a bit surprised you recruited your granddaughters on the squidbeak squad, Don't you worry about them, captain?" asked Blake.

"Of course I do bucko, it's just I entrusted them to protect the inklings from the octarian threat, they were honored to become squidbeak agents and took the responsibility of their role," explained Cuttlefish.

"They seemed like nice girls, I hate for something to happen to them," said Blake.

"seems Callie has taken I likin' to ya lad," said Cuttlefish raising his eyebrows.

"Huh? No, she's just overly excited about seeing a human, after all, humans are extinct, unfortunately," said Blake downing his head.

"Bucko, don't let it get you down. I've taken care of you and so can my grandsquids," assured Cuttlefish.

"Thanks, captain, I...just hate what I've been through, I've wished at times wondering why I survived and didn't die with the rest of my species," said Blake.

"Bucko, you should be thankful you survived, I'm glad I met you and fought by my side through the war. I couldn't live with myself losing you in that pod years ago," said Cuttlefish.

Blake just remained silent as he was stuck in thought. Cuttlefish looked at Blake with some concern and wanted to get his mind off things. "Hey, bucko! I'll be right back, I have something for you," said Cuttlefish as he walked in his bedroom. Blake had a curious look on his face.

Cuttlefish came back out with Blake's old Bamboozler in his hand. "I think this belongs to you," said Cuttlefish handing Blake the bamboo gun.

"Wow, you held on to it," said a shocked Blake.

"Of course Bucko, you might want to wipe the dust off of it though," said Cuttlefish.

"Gee, thanks captain," said Blake as he hugged Cuttlefish before he examined his old weapon. "reminds me of the good ole' days. I just wish Ammoses was still around, maybe I'll get to meet his grandson one day," said Blake aiming down the bamboozler.

"Maybe in time, Bucko, but first let's wait for my grandsquids to get back with some new clothes," said Cuttlefish.

Callie and Marie were walking down the tunnel back to Cuttlefish's. The walk was long as usual and the cousins hadn't talked since they left the plaza. As they approached the end they hopped out of the storm drain. "Hey, Marie? Do you think Blake will like these clothes we bought for him?" asked Callie.

"I'm sure he would, anything's better than what he's wearing right now," said Marie.

They walked towards the shack and opened the door. They saw Cuttlefish sitting down and Blake holding his old bamboozler.

"Grandsquids, your back, have any luck finding the lass?" asked Cuttlefish.

"No gramps, but we did ask the new pop duo to keep an eye out and let us know something," said Marie.

"Hey, Blake! We got you some new clothes," said Callie as she handed the new clothes to Blake.

"Wow, thanks you guys, I appreciate it," said Blake gratefully.

"I picked them out," said Callie as Marie rolled her eyes with a smirk.

Blake laid his bamboozler down and went into the bedroom to put on his new clothes. After a moment he walked out wearing new clothes. "Wow, you look fresh Blake," complimented Callie. He was sporting a red designer T-shirt and black cargo shorts. He also had a camouflaged baseball cap covering his hair.

"I'm sure you feel better wearing clean clothes, but you look good, Blake," also complimented Marie.

"Yeah, I'm glad to be out of those dirty smelly clothes, and thanks, I feel fresh," said Blake blushing a little.

Within an hour Cuttlefish and Blake shared their adventures from back before and during the great turf and how Cuttlefish found Blake and how Blake ended back up in that metal pod he was found in. The squid sisters were perplexed by what they had heard and were utterly in shock and awe. Marie was amazed by Blake's valor as well as Callie who was blushing and glitter-eyed from Blake's courage and taking on Octavio with her grandfather and fighting the octarians.

"Blake, I'm impressed. You fought alongside gramps in the great turf war and took on Octavio, I hate that Octavio threw you in the metal pod gramps found you in, you must hold a grudge toward that old octopus," said Marie.

"(sigh) No, I don't... I forgive him, I just wished he didn't declare war and the inklings and octarians would've lived peacefully," said Blake.

"It must have been so hard, being frozen in that pod not knowing if you were going to see gramps and the others again, it's so sad," said Callie sniffling.

"It was, But I'm glad I got to see Cuttlefish again and meet you guys, I just wish I got off to a better start when I came out of that pod," said Blake.

"Well, I'm sorry agent 3 shot at you, we weren't sure who or what you were and Agent 3 is pretty protective and committed, she's been through a lot and I have been a little hard on her," said Marie.

"I hope she shows up at the concert tonight," said a concerned Callie.

"I hope so too, Cal. Pearl and Marina will let us know something," said Marie.

"You two aren't going?" asked Cuttlefish.

"We thought about it but it seemed Pearl was pretty suspicious of us, I hate for our covers to be blown and get swarmed by our fans, I'm really not up to dealing with all those inklings that'll be there for the concert," said Marie.

"Me neither, I'm getting tired anyway," said Callie as she started to yawn.

"It is getting late, you girls better get back before it gets later," said Cuttlefish.

"Hey! how about we stay here, like a sleepover," said Callie excitingly.

"Cal, are you serious?" said Marie raising an eyebrow at her cousin.

"Well, like gramps said, it is getting late and the plaza is going to be creepy with no one around and besides, It's been a while since we've slept over at gramps, He could use the company," explained Callie.

"uh, Cal, Blake's here to keep him company, you sure it's not because of him," said Marie raising an eyebrow and smirking.

Callie blushed at her cousin's comments, while Blake was unsure how to react to the squid sister's behavior and Cuttlefish just sighed and shook his head at his granddaughters' behavior.

"Alright, I'll go get the sleeping bags," said Cuttlefish in slight annoyance.

After a while, the gang made their way to their beds. Callie and Marie slept in their sleeping bags on the floor in the den. Cuttlefish slept in his bed with Blake laying on the floor in his sleeping bag in his room. Soon everyone was asleep except for Blake or had much running through his head remembering back when he and Cuttlefish slept in the same room. Blake gave a sigh and rolled over until his eyes slowly closed and he drifted to sleep.