Arc 2 Chapter 22
It was morning in Inkopolis as the sun was beginning to rise. Blake and the squid sisters were going to Calamari County today to visit their family and Blake wanted to see if Mimi was still around. Cassie the night prior went home and saw that Izzy was fast asleep when she got back to her apartment. Izzy was tuckered out from the training she had with her new friend Flash, a rank B+ turfer who had volunteered to train Izzy. Cassie had felt bad that she couldn't see Izzy play and wanted to make it up to her the following day.
Back at the studio, Callie had gotten up earlier than she usually does and decided to make breakfast for herself, Marie and Blake. Blake was still asleep as a smell jarred him awake and he slowly opened his eyes and sat up. Callie was almost done when she heard footsteps coming from the hallway towards the rooms where Marie and Blake were still sleeping. Blake soon appeared rubbing eyes as he walked up. He stopped to yawn and stretch and was wondering what he was smelling.
"Hey! Good morning Blake," said Callie as she was fixing breakfast.
"Morning, Callie, I had wondered what I was smelling," said Blake looking over to the food that Callie had just done cooking.
"Oh, yeah, I thought that maybe you and Marie might wanna eat some breakfast before we left," said Callie rubbing the back of head giving a smile.
"Thanks, Callie, I didn't know you could cook," said Blake who was ready to eat.
"Yeah, my mother taught me how to cook back when I lived with my parents in the county. I can't wait for you to meet them, Blake," said Callie happily.
Blake froze when he heard the word parents. He thought about his parents from his visions and a saddened look appeared on his face. Callie noticed this and was concerned by Blake's expression. "Blake, what's wrong?" asked Callie.
"Oh, it's...nothing, let's eat," said Blake trying to cheer back up. "What did you cook Callie?" asked Blake unsure what Callie had made.
"Oh, it's fried salmon eggs with rice. It's good Blake, go ahead and try it," said Callie handing Blake a plate.
Blake sat down and dug in. He loved the food and complimented Callie on her cooking. "Callie, this is delicious!" exclaimed Blake as he finished.
"Wow, you finished that pretty quickly," said Callie stunned by Blake's fast eating.
"Well, I haven't eaten for a while, so yeah, thank you," said Blake handing her the empty plate.
The two heard footsteps come out of the room Marie was in. Marie walked in groggily and yawned. She saw Blake and Callie then smelled the food Callie had cooked. "Morning, Marie," said Callie giving her a smile.
"Morning, Cal, what'd you cook for breakfast?" asked Marie who still hadn't woken up yet.
After a while. Marie and Callie had got done eating and were gathering their luggage. Marie and Callie were in the room they slept in while Blake was in the studio waiting for them to get done. Marie looked over at her cousin who had just got done packing. "Cal, did...you get up in the middle of the night or something?" asked Marie.
"Um...yeah, I couldn't sleep," replied Callie.
"Where'd you head off too? It was a while before you came back to bed," said a curious Marie.
"I...uh...walked out," said Callie hiding her lie.
"Cal, I can tell when you're lying, tell me the truth, It was Blake wasn't it," said Marie giving her cousin a serious look with her hands on her hips.
"No, I um...(sigh) yes, Marie...I snuck into Blake's bed, I just wanted his company is all," explained Callie trying to keep her composure.
Marie shook her head and looked back at her cousin. "Cal, all you had to do is tell me, I understand you have strong feelings for him. I don't know why you're trying to be sneaky about, I have no problem with it," explained Marie.
"It's not that Marie, I guess it's because he's a human and I'm an inkling," said Callie.
"Cal, what's that matter, as long as he's a good guy and treats you right, that's all that counts but yeah I guess I could see where you're coming from," said Marie who sat on the bed next to Callie.
"Well, Blake woke up last night and so did I, we got to talking about things and I finally told him how I felt," said Callie looking back at Marie.
"And so, how did it go?" asked Marie.
Callie had a distressed look on her face and looked down at the floor. "He said...he didn't feel right about it, he said that me and you were more like family because he thought of gramps as a brother. I was saddened by it and I was hoping we could be a couple and that he would accept my feelings, Marie," said Callie switch her head down.
Marie placed her hand on Callie's shoulder. Callie picked her head back up and looked at Marie. She gave Callie an expression of reassurance and hope. "Cal, how I see it, he did accept your feelings. He said that you felt like family to him and that's something I would garner. We have been like family to him, look at what we've been through for the past couple of weeks. I wouldn't get upset about it, in fact, I would embrace it and maybe Blake will have a change of heart sometime later after he settles down," said Marie.
"That's exactly what Blake said, that he might consider us being a couple in the future and that he wasn't ready," said Callie.
"See Callie, You just have to be patient, If Blake's not ready, then he's not ready. Be glad that he considers you family," said Marie as she gave her cousin a hug.
The two of them hugged and smiled at each other. "You're right Marie, I...shouldn't rush a relationship, I'm glad Blake sees us as family," said Callie getting her composure back.
"Well, let's get our things together. The tram to Calamari County will be here soon," said Marie as they got up and gathered their luggage. Soon the three of them left the studio and headed to the tram station for Calamari County.
Outside of Octo canyon was some kind of station that was near the coastline. There was a group of octolings waiting on a pier for the sub to return with major and hopefully the human as well. After a moment they spotted the sub surfacing out of the water and toward the pier. The sub stoped and the hatch opened up. One octoling jumped out followed by the major who hoped on the pier. They noticed that a piece of her tentacle was cut off. "Major, are you alright?" asked an octoling who was waiting on the pier.
The major glared at the octoling which had the octoling startled. "I'm fine, let's hurry and get back to the base," said the elite irritated.
"What about the human, were you successful?" asked another octoling.
"We were unable to obtain the human, thanks to that sergeant, she's becoming a real thorn in my tentacle. We have no choice but to fall back to plan B," said the major.
"Plan B? Will we be able to pull it off? What happens if we get caught?" asked one of the octolings.
"It's our only option, now assemble the troops and prepare for the initial stages. We can only hope for the best and know that those traitors are preparing to halt any further operations we're planning, now go!" commanded the major.
"Yes, Ma'am!" the octolings saluted as they left for the canyon.
The two octolings that rode with her in the sub stayed back and looked at the major in question.
"Are you sure plan B will work?" asked one of the octolings.
The major glared at them and the octoling just gulped. "questioning my decision making private?" asked the agitated elite.
"N...N...No Ma'am, what are our further orders?" she asked.
"Your orders are for us to head back to base and inform Red Queen that we failed to obtain the human and that we no choice but to commence plan B even though she may reject the idea but Hopefully, I can coax with her about it and we can continue with Operation Teal Dawn," said the major.
"The Red Queen has kept her identity from us for a while, can we even trust her?" asked one the octoling.
"Listen here, private, She is making our plans possible and has been pulling strings behind the curtains in the octarian capital. Like us, she is putting herself at risk and has proven a loyal leader and I trust that she believes in our cause. If you ever have doubts again, I'll be sure to throw you off the ledge of the canyon and see you splat when you hit the bottom, now get going!" roared the elite as she shoved the octoling.
The three of them left the small station and made their way to the rebel base in Octo Canyon.
At Flounder Heights Izzy and Cassie had just woken up. Cassie headed to the fridge to grab an ink soda when she saw she was out. "Hmm...I gotta make a trip to Mako Mart," she said.
Izzy was sitting on the couch messing with her squid phone. She had gotten Flash's number from yesterday and wanted to see if he wanted to hang with her and Cassie. She called his number but got no answer. She left a message and hoped he would pick up sometime soon.
"Hey, Izzy whatcha doin'?" asked Cassie.
"Oh, just trying to get a hold of my friend," replied Izzy.
"One of your friends that were going to stay with, when you came to Inkopolis?" asked Cassie.
"No, I met him yesterday, his name is Flash, He helped me at the tutorial area train for turfing. He showed me how to shoot my splattershot jr., I've gotten better at thanks to him," said Izzy.
"Well, that's great Izzy, good for you and I'm glad you made another friend," congratulated Cassie.
"Yeah, I'd wish you were there though but thanks to him I got over it. I wasn't sure if I wanted to compete anymore," said Izzy.
"Izzy about that, I wanted to make it up to you, for bailing on you yesterday," said Cassie rubbing the back of her head.
"Cass, it's ok, I'm not mad at you, I understand you had to go on a mission and all," responded Izzy.
"Yeah but still, I wanna do something for you, we can go to the square and do some shopping or get you some more gear for when you do compete in turf battling," said Cassie.
"That's ok, Cass, but I did want you to meet Flash. I wanted to see if he wanted to hang out with us. I just hope he answers back soon," said Izzy.
"I love to meet Flash, He sounds like a cool guy, how about we get ready and meet him at the square, that oughta' give him time to call you back," suggested Cassie.
"Ok, Cass, I'll go change and get the starter kit," said Izzy as she headed to Cassie's closet for her stuff.
When the two of them got done they headed toward the square on a bus. On the bus, Izzy was anxiously waiting for Flash to call her. Cassie looked over and gave Izzy a reassuring smile and let her know that he'll probably get in contact with her soon. They were almost at the square and Izzy was still waiting for Flash to call back. They got off and headed inside the square.
Sergeant Maxie was heading back to the command center to receive any further orders from her commander. She had a rough night's sleep and was fighting her drowsiness. The sergeant was recanting her dream about fighting the major on the rig but in the dream, she was losing the fight with the major and was mortally wounded from being stabbed. She fell down on the deck and looked up to see the major smiling down on her with Blake being held by two other octolings. The sergeant was bleeding out and losing strength as she watched the major and the octolings take Blake away as she held her arm out toward them. "Blaaakkke!" she yelled as she blacked out. This made her jar awake, covered in sweat when she woke up.
The sergeant walked into the command center and approached the lieutenant who had her back turned. She turned around when she heard footsteps behind to see the sergeant approach her. "Have a hard night's sleep?" asked the lieutenant seeing the sergeant's groggy expression.
The sergeant just moaned and looked at the lieutenant. "I'm fine, ma'am," she responded.
"Well as of now, our priorities are tracking the octo rebels movement and preparing for any retaliation they may use against us. Let's hope they don't try and recapture the human since someone allowed him to go back with the inklings," said the lieutenant directing toward the sergeant.
"I have faith that the inklings will ensure that never happens and he is carrying a communicator if something should happen," said the sergeant.
"hmm, maybe so, for your sake. But enough of this discussion, let's focus on the mission at hand. You and a small team will be on a reconnaissance. You are to track the octo rebels every movement, report their activities and ensure that the human doesn't get captured again," commanded the lieutenant.
"Yes, Ma'am," saluted the sergeant.
"Hurry and gear up. Your team will be waiting for you at the bay for an octoseeker to transport you and them to Octo Canyon, oh and Sergeant..." informed the lieutenant.
"Yes, Lieutenant?" asked d the sergeant.
"Specialist Melvin will be on your team," continued the lieutenant.
"What?!" shouted the sergeant as she went wide-eyed behind her goggles.
"Oh, I know about the showroom situation, he told me how he got punched in the nose. I know how you won't enjoy the pleasure of having him on the team but he is intuitive and would prove useful on your team if you should be compromised and I know you'll keep him in line. He's smart but he is a perv, I trust you'll keep him straight sergeant," said the lieutenant giving a smirk.
The sergeant gave her a displeasing look and growled. "Fine, but he better not even look in my direction, or so help me I'll strangle him until his face matches the color of his tentacles," threatened the sergeant not eager to work along the octoling that was spying on her in the shower room.
"Well, head out and rendevous with your team," ordered the lieutenant.
The sergeant just gave her another salute and headed back to her quarters to gather her gear. She sat on her bed and shook her head. "I can't believe she placed that little creep on my team. (sigh) well, it is what it is. I need to focus on the mission at hand. That dream I had...when I saw Blake get taken away, I felt..." said the sergeant as she quickly shook her head as she drifted into thought.
"Why am I feeling like this? Is it because he saved me back on the rig from that inkling. The same inkling that held his hand on the octozeppelin. (sigh) focus Maxie. The mission" said the sergeant as she got up and headed out the door.
Thoughts about Blake and Callie were spiraling in her head and she struggled to get her mind off of it. She had reached the bay to meet up with her recon team.
As she examined her team she had noticed that a certain octoling was missing. "Hey! where's Melvin?!" she asked irritated.
"I'm coming Sergeant!" shouted a voice running behind them.
"Specialist you're late! Where were you?!" demanded the sergeant who glared at him.
"I had to get my gear together. this is my first time going out in the field, I..." said Melvin as he was cut off by the sergeant.
"Shut up and get into formation!" shouted the sergeant.
"Y...Y...Yes Ma'am," replied the startled Melvin rushing over with the rest of the octolings.
"Alright, you should all know that we are to conduct recon in Octo Canyon. We are to spy on the rebels' operations and ensure that they don't initiate a retaliatory assault on us. We are to remain undetected and report to command on any of their activity," said the sergeant.
All the octolings nodded with a delayed nod from Melvin who had the sergeant give him a death stare.
"Good, now let's get on the octoseeker and move out for the canyon," said the sergeant. All the octolings loaded onboard the quad rotor aircraft that was piloted by one of the new twintacles. A twin-tentacled octotrooper that was smarter and stronger than their single tentacled counterparts. The octoseeker lifted up and flew off to Octo canyon.
Callie, Marie, and Blake were outside the tram station waiting to head to Calamari County. Callie and Marie were in their disguises and so was Blake. Marie managed to get Blake a fake tentacle wig and fake inkling eye masks and fangs. She had gone to Anne the sea anenome's shop to see if she could make these items. Though she questioned Marie about it and Marie replied that they were just for props for the studio. After a while, the tram arrived that was heading for Calamari County.
"Well, this is it," said Marie. "You guys ready?" she asked.
"Yep! I'm ready!" said Callie excitedly.
"I guess so," replied Blake.
Then all of a sudden a figure approached them from behind. It was Cuttlefish. "Alright grandsquids, remember to make sure the Bucko stays incognito, I don't feel right about the lad goin' with ya' but I trust he'll manage," said Cuttlefish to the squid sisters. He looked over at Blake resolving his concern. "I know you wanna go and see if your old girlfriend is still around lad, I just hope she is and maybe you two could make up and catch up on good times. Don't worry Bucko, I'm sure she's there and tell her I said howdy for me," said Cuttlefish to Blake.
"I will Captain, I mean if she's still alive, what do I say? I mean its been years and..." said Blake in slight distress when he was waved off by Cuttlefish.
"Bucko, you'll know what to say when you met her, I'm sure she'll be showered in joy to see that you've been alive this whole time," said Cuttlefish reassuring Blake.
"She's...probably moved on and forgotten about me," said Blake depressingly. Callie had seen Blake's saddened expression and felt uneasy about his predicament hoping that things may turn better when they got there.
"Lad, you didn't choose to leave her or me for that matter. You didn't decide your fate, it's just that's how it was and I forgave Octavio and moved on, there was nothing you could've done about," said Cuttlefish trying to give him peace of mind.
"I know Captain, this...isn't going to easy," replied Blake.
"Life isn't easy Bucko, we all have good moments and bad ones, you just gotta face them when you do, I have faith in ya lad that things will be right," said Cuttlefish.
"Thanks, Captain, your the best friend I could ever have," said Blake as he hugged Cuttlefish. Both Callie and Marie gave a warm smile as they saw the two hug from the heartwarming moment.
"Well, you three get a move on, tell the family that Cuttlefish says hey," said Cuttlefish as he let go of Blake and waved at his granddaughters.
The three of them boarded the tram and waved at Cuttlefish. The tram moved forward and made it's way to Calamari County.
Onboard Callie and Marie sat next to each other on one side and Blake in one seat on the other. Blake had still dwelled on what he and Cuttlefish were talking about and how we would present himself to Mimi if she was still around. It would be heartbreaking to know if she had passed, but on the other hand it would very uneasy to meet with her and letting her know he's been alive this whole time. Blake gave a deep sigh and slouched in his seat deep in thought.
Callie looked over who was sitting next to the window on the other side of the aisle. Marie was between them on her headphones listening to some music. Callie wanted to go sit next to Blake and console him when all of a sudden female inkling walked up to Blake and asked if she could sit by him.
The inkling had yellow tentacles with one long wavy one that dropped down and covered almost half her face. It was one of the new inkling hairstyles that was becoming popular. Her eyes were brown and she wore a red t-shirt with a black long sleeve shirt underneath it. She was also wearing black tight pants and white and black converse style shoes. She gave Blake a smile and Blake moved over so she can sit next to him.
She had noticed that Blake was wearing a similar attire and his fake tentacles were the same color as hers. Blake slouched back over and just stared out the window. The inkling turned and looked at him. "My name's Sunny by the way, what's yours?" she asked.
Blake looked back at her. "Umm, my name's Blake," he answered.
"Blake. that's a nice name," she said. "So where ya headed?" she asked him.
"I'm just headed to the county to meet a friend, if she's still there," said Blake as his tone was starting to get gloomy.
"A friend, not a girlfriend," she asked curiously. Just then Callie glanced at the two and gritted her teeth at the inkling girl who she felt was flirting with Blake.
"Well she...used to be, but I'm sure she's moved on," said Blake in a melancholy tone.
"Moved on huh, well you know, I just got in a break up about a week ago and I've moved on," she said.
Blake just gave her an uninterested look and turned back to the window. "You know I just noticed the love mark on your neck, it looks pretty old, you wanna new one?" she asked promiscuously as she leaned over toward Blake ready to bite his neck. Then all of a sudden Callie clenched her fists and jumped up.
"I don't know who you think you are but leave him alone! he's been through enough as it is and he'd appreciate it if a loose squid like you didn't fraternize with him! He doesn't even know if his friend is still around and this isn't easy for him to take in! So back off!" shouted Callie.
Marie and Blake were stunned by Callie's outburst. Sunny looked over in shock as well not expecting the black-tentacled inkling girl across the aisle from them to get hostile to their conversation. She shook her head and sat up giving Callie a narrow-eyed expression. "Who are you? And why do you care? What is he taken?" Sunny sneered.
"No! It's just he's been through enough and your not helping matters!" Callie exclaimed.
"Well, I found him first squid! and it looks like he could've used some company," said Sunny snidely.
"What! he doesn't need your company, he needs..." said Callie as her and the inkling girl were face to face with sparks shooting between their eyes. Callie was cut off by Marie grabbing her arm.
"Callie, leave it alone and sit back down," said Marie as she directed her cousin. "And you, go find another seat to sit in, like she said he's been through enough and he doesn't need a yellow-tentacled floozy to comfort him and get in his pants," said Marie giving the inkling girl a glare.
"Hmpf, fine! I can go find another squeeze to hit up on!" sneered Sunny as she left and headed to the back of the tram.
Blake looked at the two cousins and was utterly surprised at them defending him and running off the inkling girl.
"Blake you ok?" asked Marie.
"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks for running her off, I wasn't sure what to do," said Blake.
"She didn't need to work on your emotions like that Blake," said Callie.
"yeah, I just wanted some time to myself, I'm glad she's gone," said Blake.
"Do you want me to sit next to you, Blake?" asked Callie.
"Thanks, but no, I just wanna be to myself, Callie," said Blake as he turned back to the window.
"Oh...ok, then," said Callie depressingly as she sat back down.
Marie looked back over to her cousin with a smirk. "Smooth move Cal, Seems you got pretty defensive of Blake especially when she tried to bite him," replied Marie to her cousin's actions.
"What?! She was messing with him, I wasn't let her get to his..." explained Callie to be cut off.
"Relax Cal, just squiddin' yeah, he's family and we don't let people mess with our family, I'm glad you did what you did," said Marie giving her cousin a smile.
Callie started to gain her composure again and looked down with a gloomy face. "Yeah...family," said Callie depressingly.
The tram ride to Calamari County remained quiet and peaceful without anymore outburst or moments. The squid sisters stayed on their side and Blake on the other dwelling on what he would do once he got there. Blake is yet put in another difficult bind that proves to be almost as bad as getting kidnapped by Camper and his gang.