Arc 2 Chapter 15

It was early in the morning for the next day, Callie and Marie had gone back to the studio last night to get some rest from fighting Camper and his gang. They managed to save Cleo but lost Blake in the process. Hoping to get some shut-eye and hatch a plan the next day to find Blake, one squid sister had a hard time sleeping and was awake on top of the studio looking down at the plaza.

Marie rolled over when she noticed that Callie was gone. She slowly opened her eyes and sat up noticing Callie wasn't there. "Callie?" said Marie wondering where Callie had gone. Marie got out of bed and looked around in the studio and didn't see her. She walked to the back and saw the hatch for the roof was open. "Cal?" responded Marie looking up the opened hatch.

She climbed up the ladder and looked around. A figure is seen hunched over the ledge of the roof, it was Callie with her back turned. "Cal, you...ok?" asked Marie as she climbed up and walked over by her cousin. "Oh... hey, Marie," said Callie depressingly as she gave a long sigh.

"can't sleep huh, I'm sure you have a lot on mind," said Marie.

"I... (sigh)just wish things could go back to the way they were, I miss the plaza being filled with turfers, I miss our job, I miss when being out in the field was simpler, I...miss Blake," said Callie burying her head in her arms.

"Cal, I understand how you feel, It's just...things are different now, things will get better, and we'll get Blake back," said Marie placing her hand on Callie's shoulder.

"Marie?" said Callie turning her head back to Marie. "Yeah, Cal?" asked Marie.

"You think...me and Blake could start a family, would our family be ok with it back at the county?" asked Callie with Marie with a bewildered look.

"Umm...Cal, I'm not sure, you're thinking way too far ahead to even think of starting a family, I mean you don't know if Blake feels the same way," explained Marie surprised at what her cousin had said.

"Maybe I am, (sigh) It's just I'm tired of being a squidbeak agent, I love gramps but I wanna do other things, Marie," said Callie.

"I understand Cal, maybe when we defeat Camper and rescue Blake, Then maybe we can see if we can get out of the squidbeak squad. I'm like you Cal, I wanna do other things too," said Marie looking back over toward the plaza.

"Marie?" asked Callie looking at her cousin.

"Yeah, Cal?" asked Marie looking back at Callie.

"Have...you ever thought about getting a guy and starting a family?" asked Callie with an anxious tone.

Marie gave her a pensive look and sighed. "I... don't know, I haven't thought about it Cal, we've been busy with other things, it's never crossed my mind," said Marie.

"Really?" said Callie.

"Cal, I just... don't think about stuff like that, if the right guy comes along then maybe I would consider it, for now, I'm just focused on our mission on getting Blake back," said Marie with a serious tone.

"Oh, ok Marie, I was just...curious is all," said Callie.

Marie turned her head away while Callie was sorry that she brought the topic up to her cousin. "Well, it's still pretty early, I'm heading back to bed Cal," said Marie as she headed for the roof hatch. "you coming, Cal?" asked Marie.

"yeah," replied Callie rubbing her arm as she followed her back down and they both headed back to bed. Callie had thoughts racing through her mind before she finally fell asleep beside her cousin.

It was very early in the morning as Blake was sitting on the deck of the Saltspray Rig. Around him were Camper, his girlfriend Loppy, and the rest of his crew guarding the platform. During the boat ride to the rig, Blake remained silent and just watched from the guard rail of the boat as Inkopolis got further and further as the boat went out. After a couple of moments, Blake heard footsteps behind him. He turned and saw Loppy looking at him curiously.

"So, what's your name?" asked Loppy.

"What's it matter," said Blake with a critical tone.

"I'm just asking? I've never seen a human before now," said Loppy with a relieving tone.

"(sigh) It's Blake... if you have to know," said Blake indifferently.

"Blake...that's a nice name, Camper said you were in this metal pod they found at Pirahna Pit, is...that true?" asked the curious inkling girl.

"yeah... it's true, why ask?" replied Blake.

"How did you survive, weren't humans extinct?" asked Loppy.

"It's a long story, I'm sure you wouldn't want to hear it, your fearless leader is going to turn me into the octo rebels anyway," said Blake no longer caring about his situation.

The inkling girl remained quiet for a moment, feeling uncomfortable about their conversation until she spotted the old bite mark on Blake's neck that hadn't quite healed up yet. "Hey, what's with the love mark on your neck," asked Loppy pointed at Blake's neck.

"Love mark?" said a confused Blake rubbing his neck. "Oh, It's...nothing," said a saddened Blake.

"You...have a mate?" said the inkling with a look of shock and confusion.

Camper decided to walk over to the two after he watched their conversation from the other side of the boat. "Hey Babe, why are you talking to the fossil?" questioned Camper giving Blake a slight glare.

"I was just wondering about him, he's got a love mark on his neck," said the inkling girl pointing at his neck.

"Huh? What inkling gal would hook up with a fossil like you, how disgusting, she must've not had good taste," sneered Camper.

Blake shot a glare at Camper and bared his teeth. "SHUT UP! At least she loved me for who I am unlike someone who is as manipulative as you!" shouted an angered Blake.

"I'd keep my mouth shut if I were you fossil, I can still throw you overboard and tell that scarred octoling that you took a swim," sneered Camper.

"Go ahead! Then I guess I'd be joining the rest of my race then," said Blake not caring.

Loppy downed her head in sympathy feeling bad for Blake being the last of his kind. "Hmpf... I almost feel sorry for you, but you're too valuable, unfortunately," said Camper indifferently as he walked away.

Blake's anger soon turned to grief as he downed his head. A tear ran down his cheek and turned away looking at the sea. Loppy had a saddened look on her face and walked away following Camper.

Twenty minutes later, Back on the Rig, Blake was still tied up sitting on the platform waiting to be taken by the octo rebels. Camper paced back and forth waiting for the elite to arrive. "Where is she!" gritted Camper.

After a moment a figure approached the group out of the shadows from the far side of the platform. It was the Octo rebel leader, the elite with the scar on her eye. "I'm right here Inkling," said the elite.

Camper turned and saw her approach with two armed octoling guards on each side of her. Then some octotroopers were also following behind scanning the platform. An octosniper also appeared on a small tower on the corner of the platform overlooking the group.

"So, this is the human," said the elite snidely.

"Well, where's the rest of my payment?" asked Camper with slight irritation.

"Relax Inkling, I have your payment," said the elite.

After a moment Camper looked at Blake and then back at the elite. "You know, I've been thinking, He's been a lot of trouble to get and I lost many of guys getting him, how I see it. I want double for him or I keep him Octoling!" said Camper.

The elite was furious and gritted her teeth as she clenched her fist. "You'll get what we agreed to inkstain, the human should've been in our possession weeks ago, but you squids screwed it up, It's not my problem you lost some of your crew catching it!" shouted the angry elite ready to do away with the inkling.

"Not your problem?... IT IS A PROBLEM! WHY IS THIS...FOSSIL SO VALUABLE TO YOU ANYWAY!" yelled Camper infuriated at the elite's remarks.

"That's none of your concern squid! Now hand the human over and take the payment you don't deserve!" demanded the elite as one of the guards handed her a briefcase full of coins.

No deal... Butch! take the human away to the back of the rig!" ordered Camper.

"Ok, Boss," replied Butch as he picked Blake up and lugged him away.

"You sorry excuse of a squid! I want that human! Hand him over or I'll have you all splatted!" shouted the furious elite as she signaled her unit to prepare to attack. The octoling guards held their weapons up as well as the octotroopers. The octosniper aimed its's gun down on the inklings below.

Camper's crew then aimed their weapons back at the octarians ready for a showdown. Butch and Blake turn and stopped as they were watching the inklings and octarians point their weapons at each other. "I won't ask again...hand over the human...Now!" yelled the elite.

The air got incredibly tense as the inkling and octolings stared at each other waiting for one or the other to make the first move. After awhile Camper gave the infuriated elite a smirk and looked at Blake and then back at her. The elite's angered look lightened up as she was wondering what Camper was up to.

"This human means a lot to you, doesn't it," sneered Camper. The octoling raised an eyebrow as she looked at Camper. Camper then slowly approached Blake with his N-Zap in hand.

He then got beside Blake with Butch backing up. In a split second, he pointed the N-Zap at the side of Blake's head. "It would be a shame if something happened to him, wouldn't it," said Camper snidely.

"You wouldn't," said the shocked but angered elite gritting her teeth.

"You ain't got the balls," sneered Blake with the N-Zap against his head.

"Shut up human! You might have survived that inkstrike back at the hideout, but I don't think you'll survive taking an ink shot to the head," jeered Camper. The inkling gang member then turned back to the elite. "I'm betting he'll either get brain damage or get killed, try me octoling!, Don't think I won't do it!" jeered Camper to the elite.

The elite growled in defeat not wanting any harm to fall on the human. She clenched her fists until she signaled her unit to stand down. "Very well then, let's work out a deal," said the aggravated elite narrowing her eyes at Camper.

"Now, that's more like it," sneered Camper arrogantly.

Back in Octo Valley while many of the octarians were sleeping and domes were displaying a nighttime sky on the screens that covered it's walls, on octoling regular was at sparing at one of the training grounds fighting a sparring dummy. She was practicing her hand to hand combat on the dummy, trying to improve her fighting skills after the encounter with the scarred elite that attempted to stab her back at Camper's hideout.

She stopped as she was tuckered out after sparring for nearly half an hour. sweat running down her face as she panted heavily trying to catch her breath. She gained her composure and stared at the sparring dimming with a serious look, "Major... you may have gotten away from me last time, but next time I'll be ready for you, don't think I'll go easy on you... old friend," said the octoling.

She turned away and headed toward the showers to wash off the sweat. She made her way down the locker room where the showers were located and sat on a bench thinking for a moment. She placed her goggles down beside her and took off her metal chest piece. After that, she kicked her boots off and stood up to slide down her black tight shorts and belt. She pulled over her black tank top and was completely nude heading over to one of the showers.

Turning on the shower she wiped her self all over and then placed her face in front of the water. She then hunched over backing herself against the wall of the shower exhausted from earlier. She had thoughts running through her mind about her fight with the major the day prior. It was after midnight for the octoling as she didn't care that she should've been in bed but was only focused on training for her next confrontation with the major and retrieving the human back from the rebels.

After ten minutes in the shower, she got out and dried off. Though she was a little shorter than your average octoling only by a few inches, she was by no chance weak or puny. She had a feminine physique, closely she had a muscled tone to her from rigorous training she does to stay up with the other octolings that she fought alongside. After she wiped herself off she heard a noise coming from the doorway to the locker room.

She pulled out a knife from off her gear laying on the bench. She got in a fighting stance even though she was still uncovered. "Who's there? Show yourself!" shouted the octoling regular.

After a moment a footstep could be heard with the shadow of a figure appearing at the floor of the doorway. The figure hesitantly peeked around the corner and the octoling could make out the head of a male octoling soldier with a bright red face seeing her nude.

"Melvin? WHAT ARE YOU DOING SNEAKING AROUND THE FEMALE LOOKER ROOM!" screamed the octoling.

"Ma'am! it's not what it looks like, Honestly!" exclaimed the octoling male waving his hands out then covering his eyes so as to not look at the nude octoling in front of him.

"YOU SLIMY PERV! I thought you were better than this! I should cut off every tentacle on her head for spying on me!" shouted the infuriated octoling.

"Sergeant, please understand that's not what I was doing! I was ordered to find you! The base had picked up a radio signal from an unknown source somewhere off the coast of inkling territory, we believe to be the rebels submarine, but were unsure why there out there and what they plan on doing?" explained the nervous octoling male still shielding his eyes.

"A submarine? What could they be planning? unless... the major," said the nude octoling putting her knife down with a look of realization on her face.

"Melvin, inform the lieutenant I'm on my way, they may be heading over to the drop point to meet with those band of inklings that had apprehended the human... oh, and another thing Melvin...DON'T YOU EVER COME BACK IN THE FEMALE'S LOCKER ROOM AGAIN! OR I'LL CUT OFF EVERY LITTLE TENTACLE ON HER HEAD AND MAKE YOU DO LAPS AROUND THE COURSE IN YOUR OCTOPUS FORM! GOT IT!" yelled the furious octoling female.

"YES MA"AM!" shouted the octoling male as he gave a salute and rushed off as fast as should in his octo form.

The octoling shook her head and gave a sigh. she turned back around to get dressed and placed the knife back in its sheath. She sat down after she got dressed and pulled out a picture of her and major and their old unit from before when they were battle buddies. She looked at the picture sternly and gave a short sigh.

"I'm sorry that it's come to this old friend but I have a job to do. I'd wish that things could go back to the way they were and you could see reason that Octavio wasn't thinking what was best for the octarian people," said the octoling as she soon placed the picture back in her pocket.

She got up and walked off towards the command center to retrieve new orders for her next mission with the lieutenant. She had conflicting thoughts running through her head knowing she would have to face her former friend the major and do what was necessary to stop her and the rebels from achieving their goals.

It was morning in Inkopolis as it was still way too early for any inkling to be out of bed. Back at Flounder Heights, two inklings were still asleep laying on their sleeping bags in the living room of an apartment. One of the inklings, a female with lime green tentacles turns over in her sleep and shortly opens her eyes. She sits up and groggily looks around. She spots another inkling female with short yellow tentacles laying across from her still asleep. The green tentacled inkling stretches and yawns, she decides to get up to go get a soda out of the fridge.

"What a night," said the inkling placing the soda on the counter.

She looks back at the other inkling and finishes her soda off and walks over, looking down at her. She kneels down and rubs the other inkling. "Izzy?" she says quietly.

"Mmmm..." the inkling mumbles.

"Izzy, get up, let's head down to the square," said the green tentacled inkling.

"come back later," said the other inkling girl turning over placing her pillow over her head.

"Izzy, c'mon, if you wanna be the first inkling to go through the new turf war lobby, you gotta get up," exclaimed the inkling girl.

"Go away, Cass," said Izzy with the pillow over her.

"(sigh) alright then, I guess Marina and Pearl won't watch you compete in the turf war arena then," said Cassie baiting Izzy to get up.

"Fine, I'm getting up," said Izzy irritated as she tossed her pillow.

The two of them ate breakfast and got ready to leave for Inkopolis Square. As they were walking Izzy looked over at Cassie. "Hey, Cass, you think we'll have enough time for... you know, If you can teach me some pointers?" asked Izzy.

"Pointers? Umm...sure, Izzy," said Cassie.

"Great, I think the square has a tutorial area for new turfers, maybe if we get there early enough I can train a little bit," said Izzy excitedly.

"Wait a minute, what kind of turf weapon do you use?" asked Cassie.

"Turf weapon? I... uhhhh" said Izzy as she just froze in realization that she didn't have one.

"Izzy?" asked a confused Cassie.

"Cass, I just realized I never got a weapon! I was supposed to get one, back when the plaza was open and totally forgot! We've been caught up with everything else and forgot to go to Ammo Knights! What am I gonna do!" shouted Izzy in sheer panic.

"Izzy calm down! Let's hurry and get to Sheldon's new shop before the square starts getting packed," said Cassie as she grabbed Izzy's hand rushed down the street to the bus stop.

Back at the Saltspray Rig six hours earlier, The octo rebels and Camper's gang were at a standoff on who would keep Blake. Camper had told the octoling elite that he wanted his payment doubled for losing his guys back at the hideout while the elite was agitated at Camper's request. She couldn't help but oblige, being Camper had his N-Zap pointed at Blake's head. She would be willing to make a deal with the inkling if it meant taking the human back with her.

"Very well Camper, I'll increase your payment and even throw in some octoshots with it, just hand over the human," asked the elite.

"Can I trust you octoling? If you double-cross me, so help me I'll cover this platform with you and the rest of those octopuses ink!" barked Camper.

"You have my word," said the octoling.

Camper slowly drew his weapon off Blake's head and walked back to the center of the platform staring at the octoling elite but unknown to the octarians and Camper's crew, Loppy had snuck over behind where Blake and Butch were when nobody was paying attention and focused on Camper and the elite. She pulled out her ink brush and hit Butch in the back of the head with the handle and pulled Blake away. Blake was confused as he tried to yell the inkling girl covered his mouth. "Shush!" she said. "I'm getting you outta here, but only on one condition," said Loppy as she pulled Blake up and drug him out of sight.

Both groups didn't notice as their eyes were locked on each other. Camper and the octoling were staring at each worried one or the other would pull something. "Fine octopus you can have the fossil. Butch! grab the human, were..." said Camper as he noticed that Butch was lying on the floor and Blake was missing.

"WHAT! WHERE'S THE FOSSIL!" yelled a shocked wide-eyed Camper.

Butch rubbed the back of his head and sat up looking at a disgruntled Camper. "What!...Happened!...WHERE'S THE HUMAN!" roared Camper.

Butch was in utter fear at Camper's uproar. "B...B...Boss, I don't know?! I was here watching the human then one second someone knocked me out from behind! I swear!" exclaimed a panicking Butch.

"Useless squid! FIND HIM NOW! ALL OF YOU FIND THAT HUMAN!" yelled a displeased Camper as his gang squid formed and spread around the rig hunting for Blake.

Camper turned by to an infuriated elite giving him a death stare. "If this is some kind of trick, squid. Beacuse if it is then I'll throw you off this rig and watch you splat down in the water!" shouted the angered octoling elite.

"Can it octopus! I don't know where that human's run off to! But I'll find it and break both it's bony legs!" jeered Camper.

"I want that human intact, you better find him and in one piece," said the elite.

Just then one of Camper's guys rushed over to him and informed him that Loppy was missing as well. "What!?" said Camper with concern. "if that human harms a tentacle on her head, I'll beat every inch of its pathetic little life," said Camper as the inkling left.

"You and your crew better not be up to anything, or I'll be sure you and those inkstains don't make it off this rig," sneered the elite.

"You think I care, I'm only concerned about Loppy, don't worry I'll find that fossil, I can't guarantee you'll get it back in one piece or not!" sneered Camper back at the elite.

Camper walked away with the elite crossing her arms. "Ma'am what do we do?" asked one of the octoling guards.

"Find the human and ensure no harm comes to it, we need it alive, do whatever it takes," ordered the elite.

"yes, ma'am" saluted the octoling guard. The octarians soon spread out through the rig hunting for Blake, hopefully before the inklings do.

That following morning back at the plaza the squid sisters woke up. They got ready to head off to Cuttlefish's hoping that he recompiled himself overhearing about Blake going missing. They left the studio and headed for the storm grate. They hopped in and squid formed as they slithered down the tunnel toward their grandfather's.

Once they reached Cuttlefish's they knocked on the door but there was no answer. They opened the door looking around. "Gramps!" shouted Marie and Callie.

They looked through the shack even the bedroom and saw that he wasn't there. "Where is he?" asked Callie. "I'm not sure Cal," said Marie.

They walked outside and looked around until the spotted a figure looking over at Octo Valley. It was their grandfather, staring at the valley with a pained look.

He heard footsteps behind him as he downed his head and gave a sigh. "Hey, grandsquids," said Cuttlefish knowing who it was without turning his head.

"Hey...gramps, whatcha doin'?" asked Callie.

"Oh nothing, just looking at Octo Valley... I just hope the octarians don't have the lad," said Cuttlefish with some distress in his voice.

"I hope not either, gramps, I hope we find him soon," said Marie.

Cuttlefish picked his head up and looked at Octavio and the snowglobe over near the ledge. Cuttlefish's face soon turned serious as looked at the giant snowglobe, he walked over and stared at Octavio for a moment. Octavio was asleep but Cuttlefish gave the glass a hard tap with his cane to wake him up.

"Octavio!" shouted Cuttlefish with his grandsquids behind him, a little unsure what their grandfather was doing. Octavio jumped awake and stared at Cuttlefish with anger.

"What is it hipster!" shouted an angry Octavio glaring at Cuttlefish.

"Where's Blake!?" asked an upset Cuttlefish.

"Who? You talkin' about bonehead? you woke me up for that! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW!" roared Octavio distraught by Cuttlefish's questions.

"What do the octarians want with him! talk Octavio!" commanded Cuttlefish waving his cane.

"I've been imprisoned in this giant snowglobe, How would I know what they would want with him?!" jeered Octavio crossing his tentacles.

"Octavio! I know you have something to do with this! Now talk you oversized..." ordered Cuttlefish ready to hit the glass again until he was disrupted by Marie placing her hand on his shoulder.

"Gramps, stop, He wouldn't know," said Marie with a reasoning look.

"yeah, gramps he's been here this whole time, I''m not sure he knows anything about the octo rebels and their plans," said Callie.

"You're...right girls," said Cuttlefish downing his head as he turned toward his granddaughters in defeat.

Octavio pondered on what Callie had said, he was wondering why they wanted Blake too. He remained silent as he watched the three and decided to keep his thoughts to himself.

"Let's go, gramps, We'll think of something, let's go eat some Krabby cakes," said Marie trying to get Cuttlefish's mind off things.

The three of them left Octavio and headed back to the shack. Octavio looked as they left, he thought why the octarians would want Blake and how he could get out of that globe. Octavio closed his eyes and gave a sigh. He turned away from the shack and looked back at Octo Valley. "Wonder why they want that bonehead, what do they plan on doing with him?" said Octavio to himself. He then closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.