Arc 3 Chapter 22
Deep in Cephalon HQ, Octavio was rallying the cheers of his octarian audience after giving a speech mixed in with his notorious DJ performance with Callie the hypnotized squid sister riding on top of the octobot king. "Now is the time to take Inkopolis and put an end to our suffering my octarian brethren! It's time to extinguish the inkling scourge once and for all! Today will be a day of reckoning for those inkstains and once they have been defeated we will set our sights on the valley and knock the empress of her throne! No one will stop us and the surface will belong to the true octarians!" shouted Octavio as the crowds gave a standing ovation.
"March forward my army and let no squid stand in your way! Those hipsters will get a beat down they'll never forget! Let it be known that the reign of the octarians is here! Go forth and fight!" shouted Octavio as he ascended above the staging area and pulled ahead of the fleet. Callie's bomb rush blush was playing but was remixed by Octavio's beats as Callie lip synced to the song. The ground around the staging area rocked and opened up revealing the octozeppelin fleet as the octarians boarded, preparing for their assault on the inkling capital.
The airships ascended and followed Octavio's octobot king toward inkling territory but one octozeppelin stayed back. Inside it was Major Octsana going over the plans with what octarians and octolings that proved more loyal to the major and the red queen. "Everyone knows what to do. Once the hypnowave emitters are in place, we reset the signal from Octavio's wave to the Red Queen's. Once that is done and the inklings are under our influence we move in on the giant octopus and knock him off along with that brainwashed inkling," said the major.
"Me and my platoon will split up into teams and act like we're placing reinforced security around the emitters. As soon as you give the signal we'll tamper the emitters and the octotroopers will provide watch to ensure no inklings will spot what we are doing," said an octoling regular.
"Ensure you're octolings are in place before Octavio gives his performance sergeant," said the major.
"Soon this will be another big step to victory and the promised land the red queen said she would establish. No more living underground waiting for the power to go out. We take surface by storm and show those inkstains what we're made of, let's go octarians!" shouted the major as the rebels cheered as the octozeppelin took off to catch up with the rest of the fleet.
Meanwhile, an hour later. Marie had almost fallen asleep but the sound of rumbling caught her attention as her tea cup vibrated off the table, causing her to quickly sit up. "What the shells going on!" she exclaimed. She got up and ran out of the shack to see Octavio and the airship fleet heading for Inkopolis. "Oh no! It's Octavio and their headed for the city! I gotta do something!" shouted Marie.
She rushed toward the radio. "Sheldon! Sheldon! This is an emergency! Pick up the radio you dumb crab! Octavio and the octozeppelins are headed for Inkopolis! Warn everybody! Please pick up! Damn it!" shouted Marie as she threw down the radio after not getting a call back. "I've got no choice, it's up to me to stop them," said Marie. She ran back into her shack and suited up into her agent outfit and grabbed her charger along with some splat bombs.
"I won't let you octopi attack the city! Be prepared Octavio! This is for my cousin you bastard!" Shouted Marie as she headed for the training grounds to get Octavio's attention. As she got near the ledge she aimed her charger at the octobot king flying overhead with octozeppelins behind him.
"Soon the city will be ours for the taking! No one will stop us! Not that old hipster Cuttlefish, not that inkstain agent, or that cousin of yours!" shouted Octavio.
"I beg to differ!" yelled Marie before shooting her charger at Octavio. A stream of green ink shot out and struck beside Octavio as a few drops hit him in the face. He stopped the octobot and wiped the green ink off as he looked around with an malicious glare. "Who dares shoot at me!" roared Octavio.
"I DO!" yelled Marie. Octavio looked down and gave the squid sister a narrowed deathly gaze. He descended downward getting closer to Marie who stayed on guard. "So...if isn't the old hipster's granddaughter. Do you seriously think you can stop me inkstain! Think again! Me and my army will take over your precious city and no pathetic squid is going to stop me! Still got hard feelings over the kidnapping of your cousin do ya'" taunted Octavio.
Marie gave a scowl and bared her fangs at the towering octopus. "Where's Callie! I demand you let go! NOW!" demanded Marie who pulled her charger on Octavio.
"You really want your cousin back? Then here she is," said Octavio as Callie stood up revealing herself to Marie. She was still wearing the spandex and sequin outfit from before revealing a red octopus tattoo on her stomach. Marie's eyes lit up seeing her cousin almost dropping her charger. She was a little joyous at seeing the sight of her cousin but also deeply troubled, sensing something wasn't normal. She shown no emotion when she saw her cousin Marie and why was she wearing that outfit.
"Cal!" Shouted Marie, trying to get a response from her cousin. "Cal?" she followed up.
"I'm not so sure wants to go back with you though," sneered Octavio.
Ignoring Octavio she continued to get her cousin's attention. "Callie! Listen to me! It's your cousin Marie! Why won't you answer!?" she shouted but still got no response or anything as Callie just stood there with her arms crossed. Marie then set her attention back to Octavio. "Octavio! What have you done to her!?" shouted Marie as she held the charger up to Octavio ready to end the hulking octopus.
"Ha! She won't listen to you! I've scrambled her brain to follow my orders. She doesn't remember you, Cuttlefish, Agent 3, or that bonehead human! Speaking of which where is that walking fossil!? and don't dare try and get the drop on me because I'll fry the little inkstain's brain if I have to!" sneered Octavio snidely.
"Let her go Octavio! This is your last warning!" demanded Marie applying more pressure to the trigger.
"You know what, that's a great idea," said Octavio before turning toward Callie. "Assistant! Let her know how much you've missed her," commanded Octavio.
"You got it Octavio," said Callie with a grin. She jumped off the robot and cut a flip before landing down in front of Marie on the ledge of the squidbeak training grounds.
"Cal! Listen to me! You gotta break out of Octavio's mind control! I'm your cousin and I don't wanna hurt you and I don't think you wanna hurt me. Please come back to me Callie. Me and gramps miss you and so does Blake," pleaded Marie.
"Blake?" replied Callie as she was starting to become herself as she was starting remember the human she had a crush on.
"Yes, Cal! I know you're in there and got to fight it! Please Callie I know you can!" exclaimed Marie, feeling relief of seeing her real cousin as she gave a smile.
"Marie...I...I..." said Callie as tge memories of her cousin, grandfather, and friends were slowly trickling back.
"C'mon Cal!" shouted Marie trying to win over Octavio's control.
"oh no you don't hipster!" yelled Octavio as he pressed a button on the robot causing the hypnoshades to shock Callie back into submission.
"AAAAAHHHHH!" screamed Callie as the shades shocked her. She fell to her knees and was back under the influence of Octavio once again.
"CAAALLLL! Damn it Octavio!" shouted Marie in anger. She pulled her charger out on Octavio and shot but missed due to Callie grabbing the barrel of the charger. Callie slung Marie to the ground and threw the charger aside. Marie was sitting on the ground and shook her head. She spotted her cousin walking toward her with ill intent. "Callie! Please don't do this!" shouted Marie in distress but it was no use. The mind-controlled inkling picked Marie by her collar and threw her toward the ledge but Marie managed to get her footing as she almost fell off.
"Finish her!" shouted Octavio.
Callie rushed at Marie who then dodged her cousin from grabbing her. Callie turned her sight back on Marie and launched a series of punches at the inkling agent. Marie squid formed and swam off toward the exit but was stopped once Callie squid formed and jumped in front of her cousin to stop her from leaving. They both changed back with Callie giving a grin before launching a punch at Marie's face but she evaded and countered it knocking Callie back.
"Cal, don't make me do this," said Marie getting into a fighting stance. Callie wiped her mouth and got into a fighting stance as well. The two rushed toward one another and exchanged attacks with most of them being evaded. After a moment, Marie was seeing that Callie was faltering but trying to keep her composure. Callie was knocked back yet again and bent over to catch her breath before recovering to launch another attack on Marie. She tried to land another punch to Marie but her cousin grabbed her arm and threw across the ground but she squid formed before landing. She changed back and rushed Marie followed by a flying kick that Marie didn't expect. Marie flew back against the rock wall by the shooting range. Marie was finally neutralized and lost all of her strength and will to fight her cousin. She coughed up green ink and looked up at her cousin standing over her.
"Cal...please...I'm your cousin...don't you...remember?" replied Marie weakly. Callie showed no remorse and grabbed her cousin again dragging her back toward the ledge of the training area. Marie had no strength to resist and was heart-broken at the fact that she couldn't get through to her cousin. Callie then picked Marie up by the bottom of her neck and hoisted her over the ledge.
"Now drop her!" ordered Octavio.
"Cal...I love you...don't listen to him," pleaded Marie weakly as Callie was holding her.
Their was moment of stillness between the two cousins. Callie still had not let go of Marie and Octavio was losing his patience. "I ordered you to drop the inkstain!" ordered Octavio.
"Do it Cal," said Marie with a tear running down her cheek. "I don't... wanna see you suffer anymore," said Marie who was getting weaker and weaker. Callie soon had a look of regret and concern on her face behind the shades. She very slowly pulled Marie toward her and away from the ledge. "Marie," she said with a tear running down Callie's cheek. "I'm...sorry," cried Callie.
"It's...ok Cal, it wasn't you..." said Marie as she gave a smile to her cousin who in then smiled back with tears in her eyes.
"I won't ask again!" shouted Octavio as he pushed the button causing Callie to shriek and throw Marie off the cliff. Marie screamed on the way down as Callie had just froze in place before she was subjected to Octavio's control again.
"Good work, squirt, now come. We've got a city to command," said Octavio as he dropped down to pick up Callie.
"Yes...Octavio," said Callie as tears could be seen running down her face seeing what she had done. She didn't have the will to cry over her cousin's demise and instead hopped on the octobot king, reverting back to her subjective demeanor.
Marie fell, watching her cousin hop on Octavio's robot as she plummeted to the bottom. She was sure this was her end and she would never see Callie again until she landed on some hard and metal that flew in and caught her before she reached the bottom. It was Sheldon and his truck. The landing was still hard and Marie was still weak unsure what had just happened as she felt herself move on top of the flying truck. "Sh...Sheldon," she replied realizing what had just happened.
"Marie...don't worry, I've got you! I'm about to land in the canyon down below just hold on!" shouted Sheldon. Marie went to sit up but she fell as she fainted from the near death experience. As soon as they landed, Sheldon hopped out of the truck and climbed up top to check on Marie.
"Marie! Marie! Answer me!" shouted Sheldon frantically.
Marie mumbled and blinked her eyes. "Sheldon?" she said seeing the crustacean looking over now with a smile before jumping for joy.
"Thank god, I made it in time. I got your radio call out but I was tied up. I rushed over to the truck and left as soon as I could!" explained Sheldon.
Marie sat up and held her head. "That's another close call Sheldon but thankfully I can always count on you to rescue me just in the nick of time," said Marie as she gave Sheldon a hug. Sheldon blushed but then looked toward the rebel fleet. "I hate to spoil our moment but... I wouldn't give up a celebratory hug just yet. We gotta stop them!" exclaimed Sheldon.
"Yeah...I...gotta get Callie back," said Marie sadly as she hugged her knees.
"Callie? Wait...what happened up there Marie. Did I just see Callie throw you off the cliff? Surely I don't need new glasses," commented Sheldon.
"No...it was her but she's being manipulated by that...that...bastard! I'll make sure Octavio pays for this!" shouted Marie whose demeanor turned from saddened to angered if not enraged. Sheldon stumbled back a little seeing how furious Marie was.
"Marie, I've never seen you this upset," said Sheldon a little worried.
"Me and Callie have always been together. We might have separated when we had to go to Calamari county for family matters but this time...it's different. I saw Callie the real Callie...Then...Octavio took her away from me...again," said Marie reverting back to saddened state.
"Marie...don't worry, we'll get Callie back and save the city but right now we gotta think of a better plan. Octavio's got Callie on that robot and we're no match for them all by ourselves. Even my truck is just a big target for those rebels," said Sheldon.
"Then what can we do? Cassie and gramps are unreachable and on that Kamabo mission. Blake and Izzy...speaking of which have you heard from either of them. Blake was captured by that octoling but Maxie, surely had rescued him. What about Izzy? Did you ever locate her?" asked Marie.
"Izzy...oh, right, agent 4...yes as a matter of fact...back at the city dome. I had the drone fly all over the place. I had no luck until I spotted three figures down below just outside the city. What I could make out was two octolings escorting what I think was Izzy. I was sure it was her but I couldn't reach her. The head set must've gotten damaged at some time," said Sheldon.
"Wait...Izzy's been captured as well!" exclaimed Marie.
"I don't know but it sure seems like it," said Sheldon.
"Then, we're on our own. It's up to us Sheldon. I promised gramps that I would lead the squidbeak squad and ensure the safety of Inkopolis and to get Callie and the great zapfish back. Now it's time to put my promise to the test. We got to beat Octavio back to Inkopolis without drawing attention. Once we get their we'll head to your shop and gather up what weapons we can to stop Octavio and fleet," said Marie as she hopped down off the truck.
"Marie, even with all those ink weapons at my disposal. The two of us wouldn't be enough to stop Octavio anyway. We're gonna need help," said Sheldon as he jumped down.
"Help, Cassie and gramps are gone and Izzy and Blake have been captured. I know the odds are stacked against us but who else could we possibly recruit at a time like this. Besides enough people have gotten hurt over this and I won't let anyone else get involved," said Marie.
"Oh, Marie...you were always headstrong but let's face it. We're gonna need a little army of our own," suggested Sheldon.
"Like who?" asked Marie bluntly.
"Well I...don't know," said Sheldon meekly as he rubbed his shell.
Marie had a look of pure annoyance before face palming. "You tell me this and then you don't have a solution! Ey...yei...yei, I'm not sure if I'm thankful for you saving me anymore. Let's just get to Ammo Knights and come up with a real plan," said an aggravated Marie.
The truck lifted up and the two of them headed back to Inkopolis without being spotted by Octavio and the rebels. As soon as they reached the docks the truck descended down and the jets reverted back to tires as Sheldon drove Marie back to the square before Octavio had arrived. They drove down a alleyway where the bay door opened for the truck behind Ammo Knights and into a garage. Sheldon and Marie hopped out and hurried to the weapons along with devising a full proof plan to stop Octavio from taking over the city.
Two hours ago, Marina hopped out of the storm grate in Inkopolis Square. She saw that the once bustling square was empty like the plaza, due to the mandatory curfew. Turf war matches were postponed and the shops were closed down. Marina talked through the grate for the octolings to come out since their was no one around. When Melvin came out with Serena in her arms. The neon lights and signs caught the attention of Melvin as he scanned around. "Whoa...so this is Inkopolis, it's so...colorful," said Melvin who was awe by the scenary.
"Let's focus Melvin. We need to get to Pearl's before we're caught. Theirs a mandatory curfew in effect and us being octolings. We can't afford to get seen, especially how things are right now," said Marina.
"Oh, right... it's just I've never been in Inkopolis," said Melvin. "No wonder you left for the surface...," he continued.
"Yeah, it's nice. It's home...or at least I hope it stays like that," said Marina but then she got stuck in thought as they walked out of the square. "Pearly...I hope you don't me for leaving you like that. We've been friends since I left Octo Valley. You taught me the ways of surface life and accepted me even though where I came from and who I was before I left," said Marina to herself.
"Marina?" asked Melvin as this broke Marina out of her state of mind.
Uhh ...yeah, what is it?" she replied.
"Thank you again...for helping Serena. I just hope...that me and her will get a chance to come back to Inkopolis...like you did when you left the underground domes. I don't want war. I wanna our races to leave in peace," said Melvin.
"Me too Melvin but right now I'm not sure if that will happen. Everything rests on the squidbeak squad and hopefully the neo-octarians will stop them too," said Marina.
They finally made it to pygmy mansion. "Melvin you stay out here with Serena. I guess I better face the music with pearl and explain our situation," said Marina. She opened the door and peeked inside. She slowly walked in and looked around. "Pearly," cried Marina. It appeared that her friend wasn't anywhere as she spotted an empty jar of mayo on the counter. She picked it up and examined it. "Pearl, where are you?" she asked herself.
She plopped on the couch with her head down. Feeling guilty for leaving Pearl by herself. A figure approached from behind seeing her sitting on the couch. They slowly approach the unsuspecting octoling ready to attack her. The octoling heard quiet footsteps from behind her and turned.
The figure jumped over her and landing in front of Marina. It was pearl doing some goofy karate moves and shouting "Hi-ya!" as she got in fake fighting stance. "Get out of my house yo! Or face my...Marina?!" shouted a stunned Pearl.
"Get out of my house you...Marina!" shouted Pearl thinking Marina was an intruder with a broom in her hand.
"Pearl!" shouted Marina.
The two of them stared at each other before rushing into a hug. "Marina! Why'd you leave me like that yo! You had me worried sick!" shouted Pearl with slight anger. She pulled off with her arms crossed glaring at Marie for an explanation.
"Pearly...I'm so sorry, with everything going on I didn't want you getting taken in for hiding me. I know what I did was wrong but I thought I felt it was best," said Marina defending herself.
"You know damn well I would never let that happen! We're best friends and I'd never let the authorities take you away. We're off the hook! Inkopolis loves Us!. Who cares if your an octoling Rina! Another thing, why would you..." said Pearl as something caught her eye. Behind Marina toward the front door appeared the octoling Melvin peering in.
"Marina," said the octoling boy which caused Marina to quickly turn around. He looked at her with worry in his face.
"Melvin, I told you to stay outside with Serena," said Marina.
"But she's having trouble breathing. You gotta do something! " said Melvin in distress as he laid Serena on the floor.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up...uh, Marina, who are these two?" asked Pearl with suspicion.
"Pearl, I like you to meet Melvin and Serena. I met them at Mt. nantai but Serena was hurt and I decided to bring them here to treat her," explained Marina before kneeling down and checking on the octoling girl.
"Wait, a minute, you left because you didn't want me to get in trouble for housing an octoling but yet you bring two more back with you...that's pretty hypocritical don't you think," said Pearl with a displeased look as she placed her hands on her hips.
"Pearl, I had no choice. She was hurt and Melvin wanted to tag along because he is her friend, I couldn't say no!" exclaimed Marina.
"Fine! But our talk is still not over with! I'm still angry at the fact you left and didn't tell me anything!" said an angered Pearl.
Marina picked Serena up and carried her to the lab in her room. Melvin followed her and gave a quick look at Pearl who's expression startled him and he continued following Marina. In the lab, Marina placed Serena on a hospital bed and checked her vitals. She was weak and the supplement was wearing off. Marina hooked her up to an IV and gave her a shot of painkiller. "So...Is she goin' to be alright," asked Melvin.
"She'll be fine, she needs rest more than anything right now. In the morning I'll check on her again and see if she's done any better," said Marina.
Melvin sat on the floor and stared at Serena who was unresponsive. He was deeply worried whether or not she would fully recover from the charger shot. "She's lucky to have a friend like you," said Marina. Melvin looked back at Marina who was smiling at him. Melvin downed his head staring a the floor.
"Yeah...some friend, I couldn't save her from the rebels back at the octoweapons factory or where you guys found her. (sigh) I'm grateful that inkling agent saved her. I guess that goes to show you that our races can live in peace but that bastard Octavio and those rebel scum are willing to keep us apart... all because of payback," said Melvin as he started to feel angry.
He clutched his fist and his anger built up. "Mark my words those rebels are goin' to pay. I won't let them hurt anyone else," said Melvin coldly. Marina was troubled by his change in tone and worried that the octoling would do something drastic. His anger subsided as he looked back at Serena. "So...I guess I'll be staying here then," said Melvin.
"Well, of course, you're my guest and I don't want you to leave your friend, Pearl has a guest room you can stay in for the night," said Marina.
Melvin turned his head and stood up. He had a lot on his mind and he decided to walk out. When he didn't see Pearl anywhere he decided to walk out on the balcony to clear his thoughts. He saw Inkopolis in the near distance and stared at the city that was once a beaming light of its former self. He thought about when he dreamed of coming to the surface and exploring the culture of the surface-dwelling inklings and leaving the octarian army. It seemed his dream came true but not how he wanted. Serena was hurt and octarians were pulled into war by the rebels over the theft of the great zapfish.
He gave a deep sigh and laid his head on the railing on top of his arms. After a few minutes he decided that the city peaked his interest and wanted to go explore. He octo formed and hopped over the balcony to the ground below. He didn't care if he was an octoling soldier in uniform and wanted to see the city some more before he had to head back to the valley.
Two hours earlier about 10:00 PM in Inkopolis. Melvin had left Pgymy Mansion to explore Inkopolis since the curfew was in effect and the inklings wouldn't be walking around on the streets. He watched his surroundings just in case he spotted any authorities that were enforcing the curfew. Seeing an octoling in uniform would probably not go well with Melvin and risk Serena and Marina getting caught too.
He backtracked to the square without running into anyone. The square was beaming with light but empty, so he decided to sit down and observe the square around him. He spotted the Deca Tower and was fascinated by the colorful buildings and advertisements around him. "This must be like an assembly area or something. I heard something about the inklings having "turf wars", whatever those are," said Melvin. Melvin didn't realize he wasn't alone in the square as he was being monitored by the rebel commando unit that was assigned reconnaissance and to deal with any threats imposed on the upcoming assault on the city.
"There's the little octoling soldier that was with Marina and that inkling agent, knows our chance to catch him and grill him for the location of that little genius," said one of the elites with the unit.
Melvin was still sitting at the table still looking around. One of the commando's quietly jumped down off one of the buildings and octo formed, swimming toward Melvin. She formed back and snuck behind Melvin but Melvin heard the octoling elite approach. She went to grab Melvin but the octoling grabbed her arm and slung hher on the table. He pulled out his knife and went to drive it into her but she resisted and rolled off the table before the octoling stabbed her.
"You gotta be sneakier than that, hot stuff," smirked Melvin. The elite barred her fangs and the three other elites jumped down in octo form, beside her.
"Hmpf...what's a shrimp like yourself doing in this part of town anyway. Where's your friends?" asked the lead elite.
"Like I would really tell you," sneered Melvin with his knife out glaring at the elites.
"Tell us and we'll spare your life, pip-squeak," demanded the elite pulling out her knife. The other elites whipped out their octoshots and aimed them down at Melvin.
"four against one, doesn't seem like a fair fight but I guess the more the merrier. Maybe we can talk this out over dinner," smirked Melvin ready for the elites to attack him.
"Like I would go out with a shrimp like you, ha, better luck hooking up with an inkstain," said the elite. "But I guess if you won't cooperate then I guess you're no good to us alive," she continued. "SHOOT THAT OCTOPUS!" she yelled.
The elites fired at Melvin, he dove and octo formed away. "Coward!" jeered the lead elite. "Go after him!" she ordered her team.
Melvin in his octo form rushed out of the square and down the street. "I gotta lose em' I can't let them follow me back to Marina and the others," said Melvin.
He whipped around a corner and changed back behind a dumpster. "I think I lost them," said Melvin catching his breath.
"Think again!" shouted an elite as she jumped at Melvin, kicking him out from behind the dumpster. Melvin found himself surrounded by the elites yet again with weapons drawn. "Give up! Your surrounded!" shouted another elite.
"I won't go down that easily! He rushed one of the elites and grabbed her weapon slinging her into another elite. One of the other elites growled and shot at Melvin as he octo jumped and tackled the elite. The lead elite glared at the octoling. "If you want things done, then you gotta do it yourself," she sneered. She whipped out her octoshot and fired at Melvin. The octoling boy dodged her fire but she anticipated his movements and managed to hit him in the leg. He yelped and fell over.
"Your finished shrimp! All you have to do is give us the location of Marina Ida and we might let you go," said the lead elite as the others got behind her. Melvin struggled to get back up and held his leg. "Screw you! I already said I'm not telling you!" jeered Melvin.
"Have it your way, prepare to turn this traitor into an ink puddle," said the lead elite. She held her hand up to signal her team to fire at Melvin. They aimed their octoshots at Melvin and prepared to fire once their leader gave the command. "FIRE!" shouted the elite but as they shot Melvin blocked his body with his arms preparing to be splattered. Instead of the ink shots hitting him a figure jumped in front of him and blocked the fire with her splatbrella. The elites froze in place and Melvin opened his eyes to see that Marina had blocked the ink fire.
"Marina? What are you doing here!" exclaimed Melvin who was both shocked and relieved by Marina saving him.
"You should've have left like you did! Inkopolis is no place for an octoling right now! You had me worried!" shouted an angry Marina.
"Didn't you say you left your friend Pearl," said Melvin crossing his arms.
Marina blushed and downed her head. "You're right but still...I'm glad I came," said Marina.
"Aww...how brave, you must be Marina, I recognize you now," said the lead elite as the two turned to the group. "You deserted the army after our glorious leader was caught by those wretched inklings. How could you betray us and dwell among these inkstains. That's grounds for execution but fortunate for you, we need your expertise to get inside the vault," said the elite.
"The vault? I've heard about it but what do you need me for?" asked Marina with her guard still up.
"You'll find out soon enough deserter! Now, come with us!" demanded the lead elite.
"What makes me think I'll go with you!" shouted Marina. The lead elite nodded at one her team mates and she octo jumped behind Melvin and Marina. She kicked Marina down losing her splatbrella and grabbing the wounded Melvin, putting a knife against his neck. "Melvin! Don't hurt him!" she pleaded.
"We won't as long you do as we ask," said the lead elite. The elite that had a hold of Melvin pressed the blade closer drawing ink out of his neck.
"Stop! I'll do as you ask!" shouted Marina.
"Good," jeered the elite as she signaled her teammate to let go of the octoling boy. She pushed him down on the ground and kicked him in the head. "Now, you'll come with us and hack into the computer that controls the vault doors, got it," sneered the lead elite.
Marina slowly walked over to the lead elite in defeat not wanting any harm to come to Melvin. "Ma'am what about the inklings?" asked her teammate. "We'll set up ink charges around on our way out to draw the inklings out of their homes. Then it's all up to the fleet and Octavio to take care of the rest," said the lead elite.
Melvin shook his head and saw Marina going with the commando unit. "Marina!" he shouted struggling to stand up. He reached his arm out to the group but they soon octo formed and left the area. Melvin was too weak and decided that he had to head back to the mansion and let Pearl know what happened. He feared the midget inkling would beat him to a pulp if she knew it was his fault that she got captured in the first place.
He finally stood up and stumbled down the street toward the direction of the mansion. It was a while until he reached the mansion. He walked through the front hobbling and it wasn't long until he was confronted by Pearl. "Hey, Octopus! Where's Marina!" she demanded, pinning Melvin against the wall. "I...I...um, can explain," stammered Melvin with his hands up. "Spill it! Or I'll knock that beak of yours down your throat, where's my friend Marina! She ran out to go look for you!" shouted Pearl angrily.
She pulled off and gave Melvin a glare as she tapped her foot. Melvin gave a sigh and looked down. "She...got captured," said Melvin meekly.
"Captured!...by who, if anything happens to Marina so help me I'll make you wish you were never born!" yelled Pearl as she hemmed Melvin against the wall again with her fist in his face.
"Look I'm sorry! I'll get Marina back I swear but first, we need to wait for Serena to recover," said Melvin.
"Listen here, I don't care about your octoling friend. It's because of you that the great zapfish was taken and why Marina left me in the first place! Things were so much easier when it was just me and Marina and now she's gone again, taken by those busters! I'm not waiting! I'll go and rescue Marina myself so stay out of my way!" shouted Pearl in a fit of anger.
"Look inkling! I said I was sorry! You don't need to run off and fight those rebels, They'll just kill you! We have to devise a plan if we're going to get marina back, besides you don't know where they would've taken her but I do," said Melvin.
"So tell me then octoling, what did they want with Marina anyway?" demanded Pearl.
"They took her to a place called the vault. It's somewhere between the canyon and the valley. They knew who she was and knew she was an expert with computer systems. I don't know what they're up to but it can't be good," said Melvin.
"Devise a plan! Hmpf, I'll just go up in there and start kicking some octo butt with my skills and splat dualies," sneered Pearl.
Melvin shook his head. "I don't know Marina puts up with you," said Melvin. He walked away with Pearl looking displeased at his comment. "I'm goin' to go check on Serena if you don't mind," said Melvin as headed to the lab.
"Whatever," said Pearl as she walked off.
Melvin made it to the lab where Serena was resting on the bed. He saw that she had rolled on her side as he walked over to check on her. He sat down after looking at her and downed his head, deep in thought. "Serena...now Marina...I...can't keep anyone safe," said Melvin as he covered his eyes. I tear mean down his face feeling nothing but deep regret for his actions. After a moment the octoling girl slowly opened her eyes and saw Melvin sitting in a chair beside the bed.
"Melvin..." she weakly said. Melvin quickly picked his head up and saw Serena awake looking at him. "Serena..." he said wiping the tear off his face.
"Hey Melvin, why are you crying?" she asked.
"Huh...oh, it's nothing. I'm just glad to see you're ok. How are you feeling?" said Melvin as he stood and hugged Serena as she sat up.
"I'm feeling much better, where am I?" asked Serena as she looked around.
"Oh, this is Pearl and Marina's place. Marina was the one who wanted to bring you here so she could treat you. It's her you should thank...if she were here," said Melvin as his mood changed from joyful to depressing.
"Huh? What do you mean?" asked Serena.
"It's my fault...she got caught by the rebels because of me, She saved me but at the cost of getting captured by the rebels and now she's been taken back to Octo Canyon. All I do is get people hurt! What kind of octoling soldier am I!" shouted Melvin in a distressed outburst. He sat back down covering his face.
"Melvin, it's not your fault," said Serena as she got out of bed and approached Melvin. She placed her hand on his shoulder and he looked up at her. "I'm here because of you, Your the bravest person I know and you did your best to try and get us away from the rebels. Don't blame yourself for what the rebels did. You're a great friend and soldier and I think the sarge would be proud of you if she were here," said Serena.
"You...really think so," said Melvin.
"I know she would, even though she might be hard on you," said Serena. Melvin chuckled and stood up. Serena gave him a hug and the two left out of the lab.
"So I guess we better go stop the rebels and get marina back then," said Melvin. The two headed inside the main den of the mansion. "Wow... this place is amazing, this where Marina lives?" asked a perplexed Serena. The both of them heard footsteps running toward them around the corner. It was Pearl who stopped and bent over catching her breath in front of them. "Pearl, what is it, what's wrong?" asked Melvin.
"I don't think we have to worry about catching up to those octarians because they're already here!" shouted Pearl flailing her arms.
"What are you talking about?" asked Melvin.
"Go look for yourselves!" exclaimed Pearl point out toward the balcony. The three of them rush outside on the balcony and their eyes widened. They saw the rebel fleet circling with Octavio leading the attack. "Oh carp," said Melvin. The three were unsure what to do and didn't expect the rebels to appear over the city. "We gotta do something!" shouted Serena.
"I Agree, but how?" replied Melvin.
"Well don't just stand there! You two are octolings! Go up there and pose as those rebel dudes and kick their butts when they least expect it! You're the one that got Marina captured, do something octopus or else!" demanded Pearl forming a fist.
Melvin gulped and turned back to the rebel airships. "I guess we got no choice, we gotta stop them before they attack the inklings," said Melvin.
"I'm with you Melvin. Let's go!" shouted Serena.
"I guess I'll go too. Someone's gotta make sure this guy doesn't get anyone else caught," said Pearl.
Melvin shook his head and the three of them dropped down and headed for Inkopolis to face the octo rebels before they started the attack.
Six hours earlier, Back at the Neo-Octarian Army HQ. Head of the research branch, Ruby an octoling researcher and archeologist over the labs was headed down a hallway inside the medical facility to check on the recovery of Lieutenant Octillia. Along with three octoling soldiers behind her.
Ruby knocked on the door of the Lieutenant's room and peered inside. "Lieutenant...are you awake?" she asked. The octoling researcher walked in and spotted the lieutenant staring out of the window. "Lieutenant? Shouldn't you be laying down?" she asked with the elite's back turned.
She turned around facing Ruby. "I'm fine Ruby...I had to get up before my legs turned numb. What are you here for?" she asked the octoling in the lab coat.
"Well your staff wanted to give you some news," said Ruby directing the octolings to come in. The three of them walked in to face their commander. "Ma'am we wish to report the rebel's had intentions of attacking Inkopolis but their plans were foiled thanks to our fleet. Someone informed us of their scheme and we sent a small fleet of octozeppelins to investigate. Fortunately they were stopped and all their airships were shot down before they attacked they inklings," said one of the octolings.
"Who was the informant, was it Sargent Maxie?" she asked.
"No, it was an anonymous source. The only thing we could gather was the message came from Octo Canyon," said the octoling.
"Have you heard anything from the sergeant and the recon team?" asked the lieutenant who was starting to get concerned.
"No, ma'am...we haven't anything back from them. I'm sorry to say we can only assume their...KIA," said the octoling.
"Negative! I won't hear that! I know she's still alive. She's a survivor," exclaimed the lieutenant refusing to hear that her best friend could be dead.
"I believe she's alive too, I know its been over 24 hours in since their last contact but knowing her she's out there somewhere," said Ruby.
"Well, we can send in another recon team to search their last location," said one of the octolings.
"(sigh) I'm not sure if that would be a good idea. Maybe her team had went into radio silence. With the terrain the way that it in the canyon, they maybe having a hard time getting any kind of reception. I don't wanna risk another team going missing, stay close to the comms and make sure she is still out there," said the lieutenant.
"Yes, ma'am. We'll let you know," saluted the octoling soldier.
"What about my sister...the major," asked the lieutenant. Ruby shook her head and the octolings looked at each other.
"Much like the sergeant, we haven't heard anything out of her neither. We assume she was the one commanding that fleet of octozeppelins that planned an assault on Inkopolis. An octoseeker was seen vacating the area and by the reports of the fleet commander, an inkling was pursuing an octoling elite on the rebel's command zeppelin. The elite was seen hoping on the fleeing octoseeker but the inkling vanished. I'm sure we can agree the elite was the major," said one of the octolings.
"An inkling? Interesting, I can assume it was squidbeak agent. This can complicate things but may also play to our advantage. The squidbeak unit does have a history of stopping Octavio and his plans...we should know," said the lieutenant.
"Well, Lieutenant, do you feel well enough to return to the command center, I hate to say it but...we miss you," said one of the octolings.
"I don't think she's ready yet. Those were some serious life-threatening wounds. She may need more time to..." said Ruby but was cut off by the lieutenant.
"That's enough Ruby. I'm well enough to head back. I say it's time for me to return to my duties. I'm getting stir crazy staying in this room and I just wanna return to my post," said the lieutenant.
"Very well, I can't stop you and I know how stubborn you can be, good luck Lieutenant," said Ruby as the elite gave her a nod and smile before leaving the room with the other octolings.
"(sigh) She's so eager to get back to work, guess I can't blame her though. It's pretty boring laying in this room. Glad to see she's doing a lot better," said Ruby as she walked out of the room.
As the lieutenant and her team leave out and walk in the other direction for the command center, she turns to face Ruby. "Oh and Ruby... thanks for looking out for me while I was in recovery," said the lieutenant trying to smile. Ruby smiled back and nodded as the elite left with her team.
Ruby returns to the research facility to be approached by one of her staff members who appeared to be quite concerned about something. "Yes, what's the matter?" she asked the octoling researcher.
"It's Otto, we haven't heard from him since he left for family matters. We even sent someone to go see if he was to his apartment or not, surely he would've let us know something" said the octoling.
"Huh, I wonder where he could've gone?" asked Ruby.
"There's another thing, someone had tampered with the computers and copied the data of the DNA of the human fossils. We checked the security cameras and we made a startling revelation, It was Otto who messed with the equipment and copied the data on a small drive. Why would he lie and copy the data?" asked octoling researcher.
"I don't know but we need to find out. We need to find out where Otto ran off too and why he took the data," said Ruby. After a moment a group of octolings rushed into the lab lead by the lieutenant. "Ruby! Where's that researcher of yours, the male with the glasses," she demanded.
"Huh! What's going on! Why did you just burst through the lab like you did?" asked a startled Ruby. "That male researcher where is he!" she commanded again with her guards armed with octoshots behind her.
"You must be referring to Otto, we don't know ourselves. We just found out he snuck into the lab and stole some data from the computer. The data on the DNA and the fossils" said Ruby.
"That's not the only thing he stole. He also snuck into the stockades and freed that rebel from her cell and snuck off into the night," said the lieutenant crossing her arms.
"What! Otto would never do something like that! You don't think he... defected did you," said Ruby.
"It looks like it. There's no way you can get a hold of him?" asked the lieutenant.
"No, we haven't. That's why someone was sent to his apartment but he apparently wasn't there," said Ruby.
"This is most troubling, first the rebels try to raid the lab, now one of your researchers has changed sides. This is got to do something with the vault but It's inaccessible, when we were under Octavio's command we couldn't even get inside of it and the operation was scrapped," said the lieutenant.
"So you think Otto and that rebel left for the vault?" asked Ruby.
"I'm sure of it, but what would those rebels want with the data on the human fossils and DNA?" asked the Lieutenant.
"I don't know either. They must know something we don't. maybe the data is somehow connected to the vault. It was built by humans after all," said Ruby.
"Let's not delay, we'll find out once we get there and don't expect me to go easy on that little turncoat of yours," said the lieutenant as she walked out with her guards.
The staff turned to Ruby unsure about the situation. "(sigh) Otto, why did you do this?" she asked herself. The octoling researcher walked over to comfort Ruby. "Ruby, it'll be ok. We'll find out what's going on and the rebels will be stopped. It hurts me to see one of our own switch sides. I thought Otto could be trusted but I guess we were wrong," said the octoling.
Ruby turned to her friend and gave a nod. "I think I'll do a little investigating of my own. Was anything left at Otto's station," asked Ruby.
"No ma'am, we looked already, he cleaned it out which was odd," said the octoling.
"Then I guess I better go to his apartment and do some digging then," said Ruby as she started to leave.
"I'm coming too," said the octoling.
"Very well, I guess we could cover more ground if it was the two of us," said Ruby. She turned back to the staff. "Right now, I guess find out if Otto went through anything else, maybe he left some clues behind," said Ruby.
The staff nodded and started going through desks and the computers. Ruby and the other octoling left out for Otto's apartment to see if there was any reason why he joined the rebels.
Ruby and her assistant were headed to Otto's apartment at the Octarian Capital, Octopolis, The city wasn't quite as big as Inkopolis but was the busy hub of the octarian race. Many octarians were walking down the sidewalks as one was selling out newspapers by its stand and one could be seen selling what looked like a hotdog to another octarian. The buildings were much more simplistic and bland compared to Inkopolis. Even advertisement signs and screens could be seen hung off buildings for the latest in octarian products. With Octavio no longer in charge of the valley, the octarians could focus on improving their lives with the zapfish they had received from the inklings as an agreement from the peace treaty.
Ruby was driving her car to the apartment complexes. The car was based on a geo metro hatchback. Primarily red with some panels or sections in a different color. The car looked like some kind of backyard project with tubes shooting from out of the engine compartment and other improvised attachments that made the vehicle stand out. There aren't many personally owned cars used by the octarians as any vehicles that were found were left behind by the original occupants of the domes. Many of them broke down and the octarians welded and constructed them back together the best they could with the resources they had. Much of the octarians utilize mass transit or walk from place to place in the underground domes.
"Where on earth did you get this thing?" asked the octoling that rode with ruby.
"It's just something I came came across. It's not much but it gets me from point A to B every day," said Ruby.
Ruby and her assistant finally reached the apartments and the two got out as the car backfired from the alternative fuel source, Kelp gas. "Well, let's see what we can find," said Ruby. They head up and reach Otto's apartment on one of the upper floors. The door was locked but Ruby managed to pick it. They opened the door and the inside of his apartment was riddled with paperwork and garbage. "Geez, he should take better care of himself," said the assistant.
"Yeah, this is gonna make it harder to find anything in here. Let's start looking," said Ruby.
For minutes on in, they scoured through the mess and organized as much as they could. The octoling assistant wanted to throw up after uncovering old moldy food left behind under the trash but soon Ruby would come across something of great interest. "Come here, look!" shouted Ruby.
"What is it! What did you find?" asked the octoling.
Ruby came across a large muddy case under Otto's bed. She dragged it out and laid it on the floor. "What is that?" asked the octoling.
"I'm not sure," said Ruby as she wiped it off. The case was dented up. A logo appeared and not just any logo, it was the Kamabo logo. "Wait, that's the logo that was on those ID cards left by the fossils. What's it doing here and how did Otto come across it?' she exclaimed.
"I don't know, I wonder if it's unlocked?" asked Ruby.
She pulled up the tabs of the case and for their fortune, it was unlocked, and inside were folders containing more paperwork and a mysterious vial of bluish-green liquid. Ruby opened the folder but the writing was unreadable, it was human writing by what she could tell. "I can't read any of this," said Ruby and as she scrolled through it. Their was a picture of a human that was paper clipped inside one of the pages. She pulled it out and looked. "Is...that a human, who is he?" asked the octoling assistant.
"He's wearing a lab coat, maybe he's a researcher like us. Could...he been one of the fossils we uncovered?" asked Ruby.
The paper that the picture was clipped to, looked like some kind of resume and the signature down on the bottom read. Dr. James Carter though the octolings couldn't understand the handwriting. The page described some kind of mutagen that was being tested for the purposes of adapting human life to the new world that the humans would inhabit after the ark polaris would land back down. Further down the page, the project has deemed a failure, and the mutagen unpredictable and a failure.
Ruby saw going though the paperwork as futile and turned her attention to the vial of unknown liquid. She picked it up and examined it. "be careful Ruby, we don't know what that is?" said the octoling.
"We have to take this back to the lab right away. I'm not sure what Otto is doing with it but I can only imagine the rebels probably want as well. If he left the case behind then I'm sure he'll be back to come and get it. Let's take the case with us before he does," said Ruby. Ruby grabbed the case and the two leave the apartment and headed back to the lab to examine the strange liquid.
Ruby throws the case in the trunk and the two of them leave for the octoling army HQ. "I'm going to go ahead and call Lieutenant Octillia. We might not know exactly where Otto is and what his motives are but at least we found that case. Hopefully we'll get some answers and figure out why Otto hid it," said Ruby as she pulled her phone out.
"Lieutenant! We've received a call from Ruby, they're already on their way back," said an octoling soldier rushing in.
"Have they found anything?" she asked.
"Yes, they found a case containing paperwork with the picture of a human researcher inside it. Plus they also came across a vial of an unknown liquid. They said they would bring back to the lab and examine it," said the octoling.
"A picture of a human? Vial? We'll have to know more once they get back, in the meantime I want a platoon of octolings sent to the vault right away, ensure they get some air support from our octostrikers once they're in place. We cannot allow the rebels to get inside the vault and we don't know what intel that traitorous researcher may give them. The unit has my permission to attack any rebels that may be hold up outside the vault, " said the lieutenant.
"Yes, ma'am," saluted the octoling.
The lieutenant headed back to the lab to await the arrival of Ruby and the other octoling with the mysterious case. The platoon of octarians and octolings were sent out to the vault and impede any rebel activity there. With the discovery of the Kamabo marked case and the vault being brought up, it was unsure what the rebels were doing and what their plans were.
Ruby and her assistant were on their way back to the base. "Well, I just informed them of the case and it's contents. Let's hope we can find a way to decode those documents and figure out what that liquid is," said Ruby. As they were driving they didn't realize they were being followed by a large armored van. Ruby looked at her rearview mirror and noticed that the vehicle was getting close. "Huh, I didn't see that van behind us a while ago," said Ruby. The other octoling turned and looked.
After a moment it picked up speed and rear-ended Ruby's car. "What the shell!" she shouted. The van attempted another ram on her vehicle but Ruby quickly maneuvered from it. "Hold on!" she shouted. The van drew behind and attempted to speed up and catch Ruby and her assistant. "Ruby! It's catching up!" shouted her assistant.
The van attempted to ram her again and managed to spin Ruby around and she lost control. The van slowed down and Ruby got control of her car back and braked it to stop spinning as she hit the accelerator to get away from the armored van again. "I think I finally got away from him," said a scared Ruby as she was shaken up.
"You think so?" asked her assistant. Ruby gave a quick nod as she kept her eyes on the road. "Well, not for long you won't," said her assistant.
"What?" replied a stunned Ruby. Her assistant grabbed the steering wheel as the two of them struggled to control the car. "What are you doing!" shouted Ruby.
"We want that case, now pull over!" demanded the octoling.
"Make me!" shouted Ruby.
"Very well then," sneered the octoling. She punched Ruby in the cheek knocking Ruby out for a moment. The car ran off the road and into a ditch. Ruby's face was laying against the window and the assistant shook head to recompose herself from the crash. She opened the trunk and grabbed the case. Ruby slowly opened her eyes and staggered out of the car. She fell down into the ditch and turned to her assistant. "Opal...what are you doing?" she asked stunned at the actions of her assistant.
"You honestly believe Otto worked alone. That dim bulb of an octopus, you saw his apartment. I'm the one who informed those rebels about how to get to the research facility. I informed them about the data on the DNA and fossils we uncovered but that lieutenant had to be a hero and foil our plans. I was supposed to be the one to retrieve the case from that dipshit's apartment, couldn't trust him with the task so I used you to find that case for me," sneered the octoling.
"You, used me all along and put our research team in danger! You sorry excuse for an octopus! I trusted you and now you've aligned yourself with the rebels!" shouted the irritated Ruby as she struggled to stand up from getting bruised during the collision.
The armored van caught up and parked beside the road. Octoling rebels dismounted and met with the assistant. "Do you have the case?" asked one of the rebels.
"Right here," she said shaking it.
"You won't get away with this!" jeered Ruby as she spit out ink.
"I already have, my dear but don't worry I won't leave without giving you a parting gift," said the assistant. The octoling rebel handed her a splat bomb and a look of dread fell across Ruby's face. "It's been nice working with ya," sneered the octoling as she threw the bomb at Ruby's feet. As she and the rebels walked away they heard the explosion of the bomb and the octoling assistant gave a smirk before they loaded up and left.
Luckily Ruby managed to get away in time but got knocked forward by the concussion of the blast. She was partially covered by the ink and was struggling to stay conscious. She weakly grabbed her octophone and pulled it out. She typed in the lieutenant's number and she answered it. "Ruby where are you?" asked the lieutenant on the other line.
"I'm hurt. Opal...betrayed us. Took the case and...left with the rebels (coughing)" Ruby said weakly.
"What! Ruby we're on our way, hold on!" exclaimed the lieutenant. Ruby finally closed her eyes and dropped the phone as she laid near the crashed vehicle. Let's hope the lieutenant will get there in time before Ruby succumbs to her injuries.
Maxie was crying against a tree after she had her feelings hurt by Blake's rant, feeling she had been nothing but a burden towards him. Enraged by his situation who took his anger out on Maxie who interned expressed her inner feelings toward the human. Blake's temper might have resolved but it was too late has his insensitive demeanor made Maxie feel insignificant. She fled trying to hide her tears as she Blake to himself to continue his mission while she was intent on heading back to the valley and return to her soldiering duties. She disregarded what her mother had told her and accepted the fact she and Blake would never start a relationship or share a bond with one another.
"(sniffle) So...that's how he feels. I should've known things wouldn't work out. My mother kept talking about my inner conflict and how I needed Blake to overcome it. Hmpf...I don't need him...I don't need anybody! I can do this on my own!" shouted Maxie as she wanted to cry but she held back and straightened her posture. "Get it together Maxie...you'll overcome this and defeat Major Octsana. You're a soldier. You can't hold on to these feelings anymore. So get over it," said Maxie as she wiped her eyes.
She started to walk away when the sound of her mother's voice stopped her. "Mother?" she replied hearing her voice in her head. "Maxie," She said again. "My dear Maxie. Don't do this. I beg you to make amends with what Blake said. He is like you fighting a battle he can't win unless you're their with him. You two share a bond that you can't see and can't understand unless your willing to," said Maxie's mother.
"I tried to extended my hand to him but he pushed it away as he was ranting about his family and being frozen in time. He didn't have to take it out on me. I love him but...I don't think he feels the same way towards me though. Besides he's a human as I've said before. The octarians wouldn't accept it and what of his family. Is it possible they may still be alive somewhere?" asked Maxie.
"I know of the fate of Blake's family but things right now will be hard to comprehend. Blake will not take the truth well. His family play's a key role of why me, you, the inklings and the octarians came to be and why Blake might have survived all this time and got separated from his family. Things happen for a reason and right Blake is not just vital to you but everyone. Something is coming and it intends to destroy everything around it. All I could see is a giant come out of the water and wipe everything out in a bright green light that exterminated everyone around it. I am utmost troubled by this vision and Blake must make a stand against this thing and whether or not he should make a decision to accept his situation or reject it with dire consequences to follow; not just on him but everyone," explained Maxie's mother.
"Giant? Green light? Blake?," said Maxie. "What you're saying doesn't make any sense. Out with it mother! What are trying to warn me about!? If this does affect everyone then I need to know and how to stop it," demanded Maxie.
"Only Blake can stop it...if he chooses to. Right now if he doesn't make peace with himself then he will get consumed in deep regret and become vulnerable to the entity that will destroy this world of ours. You have help him as he can help you. The future of the inklings and octarians rest on his shoulders but you must act and prevent that future from dying," said her mother with distress.
"Mother I... don't know if I can. Are you certain this will all happen?" asked Maxie.
"I'm afraid so my daughter. I don't wanna see anything happen to you or anyone else. As I said Blake can stop it, he is the key to your survival," replied Maxie's mother.
Maxie was unsure whether or not if what she said was true but she knew she was truthful when she revealed herself to be her dead mother, though she kept this hidden from her at first and why did she appear to Maxie now? The octoling sergeant turned away deep in thought and hesitant about how to respond to everything her mother had told her.
"Maxie?" cried her mother. Her daughter still didn't respond. "Maxie" she cried again. Maxie tried to drown out her mother and was deep in thought, still in trying to decide what she should do. "Maxie, you make a choice," advised her mother.
"You're not making this easy. This has put a ton of weight on my shoulders. You say that Blake can only stop it, how? He probably wouldn't listen to me anyway so I might as well head back to valley and tell the lieutenant. If they would even believe me," said Maxie.
"Maxie, I'll leave you to choose but heed my warning. Your future rests in the balance of Blake's hands. Please don't make this hard on me," said her mother compassionately.
"Well, you sure made it hard on me and now you're leaving me again...like you did when I was a young hatchling. I wanna now what really happened to you and now! No more kept secrets! Was it really a training accident like I was told?" demanded Maxie.
Their was silence for a moment as Maxie anxiously waited for a response. She turned around and saw the entity that was her mother's manifestation standing before her. "You...deserve an answer but I never wanted to tell you," said the entity. She turned into an immense bright light that soon surrounded Maxie as she placed her arm in front of eyes as to not get blinded. When she opened them, she found herself inside the lobby of a hospital, the octopolis hospital to be exact. "Where am I?" asked Maxie as she looked around. "Wait, I know where I am but how did I get here?" she asked herself again.
Maxie's mother was no where in sight and Maxie was baffled by what had happened. She could recall being in the city dome before getting consumed in light. "This is the day you were born," said the entity in her mind.
"What? The...day i was born but I want to know what happened to you? Why did you bring me here?" she asked.
"Patience my daughter. I wanted to show you my most cherished memory. A day that gave me the reason to hope," said her mother.
The surroundings around Maxie changed again from the lobby to the room her mother was in when she was alive. She turned around and saw an octoling holding something that looked like a wrapped blanket on the bed. "Is...that you?" Maxie asked.
"Yes and you can assume whose wrapped in that blanket she's holding," replied her mother. The octoling on the bed turned over what appeared to be a little red octopus. The octopus opened her eyes and stared at her mother as she smiled down at her new daughter. "It's...me," said Maxie. "I can vaguely remember this day but it's been so long," said Maxie as a tear ran down her cheek. The door opened and a male octoling walked in. "So, how's my two girls doin' " he said heading over to the bed.
"Good, she just woke up. I bet she would love to see her father," said her mother laying on the bed.
The male octoling held up the little octopus wrapped up. "How's my little girl. Have we given her a name yet?" he asked.
"Maxie," replied her mother. The male gave a smile. "Maxie it is then. What a beautiful name for a beautiful daughter. She sure takes after her mother and not to change the subject but have you thought about leaving the army, I mean now that we can start a family," asked Maxie's father. Her mother turned her head with a disappointing look. "I...can't," she responded. "What! What do you mean you can't !? Surely they're not making you stay. You have a daughter now," exclaimed her father.
"I've got no choice, I've done pleaded with the major about it but she couldn't. She did her best but Octavio's wanting every able bodied octarian to stay in. Our zapfish power supply is diminishing and they fear it's just a matter of time until the valley domes start shutting down. They've already taken any resources they can from the canyon as well as relocate all the citizens from there. It's causing more consumption for everyone here and Octavio is calling for an invasion of the inkling territory to steal their zapfish," said her mother.
"So...Octavio's wanting to go to war with the inklings. That's just great...we have a daughter and now we don't know how much longer we'll survive underground. The inklings drove us here and now were at the mercy of the power shortage. The inklings have nearly taken everything from us and now possibly my family too. We need to take back the surface, even if it means exterminating those squids," said her father.
"Don't say that! I don't believe war is the answer and octavio is only making things worse. Instead of steadily building up his army. We could've been researching new ways to power the domes. Instead of drafting more octarians, those same octarians that could've constructed alternative power supplies that our engineers could've come up with. What would taking the inklings zapfish solve. What then once those zapfish die off from power use?" asked her mother who disapproved of the male octoling's tone. Maxie's mother was very critical of Octavio and believed that peace could be established among the two races if octavio chose diplomacy but that was very unlikely to happen.
"Don't criticize our ruler we may have octarians listening to us. You know that offense is punishable by internment. I don't wanna see my daughter without a mother to raise her. I myself at times question Octavio's motives but what choice do we have. Let's focus on trying to start a family even if that means being in the octarian army. I'm not sure what we'll do?" insisted Maxie's father.
"We'll think of something, have faith and we'll get through this...for Maxie's sake," said her mother as she was handed over the little red octopus who was steadily staring at her mother. The scenery around Maxie became a blur followed by nothing but darkness. Maxie closed her eyes to reel in what she had saw and soon she found herself in what appeared to be an office of some kind. She looked around studying her surroundings until she spotted an octoling elite staring out of a window.
"(sigh) How much longer until the zapfish finally burnout? The valley is down to 40% output and dropping by the day. If Octavio doesn't do something soon then we're good as dead. We have nearly enough troops to invade Inkopolis minus the personnel that got pulled to do dome repair. We're going to have to act unless Octavio wants to see a revolt and I would prefer it not come to that. We have enough problems as it is and I don't wanna have to send soldiers to suppress any rioting," said the elite with exasperation.
Maxie looked at the elite wondering who she was but when the black tentacled octoling turned around Maxie recognized her as Major Octsana. The one that tried to kill her and her former mentor. A knock was at her door before a figure walked in. "Major, here she is," said an octoling regular wearing her googles. Behind her was Maxie's mother being guided in the office by another octoling shoving her through the door.
"What's this all about! What's going on!?" exclaimed Maxie's mother who stumbled inside, now facing Major Octsana. With her arms behind her back, the major stared at the octoling with disapproval. "I've been hearing...stories about a possible coup. What I've also learned is that you and your husband are planning to leave the valley as well. Explain yourself," demanded the major.
"What! I don't what this all about but please I've got nothing to do with this coup you're talking about. Octsana you know me better than that," said Maxie's mother.
"You will address me as major, sergeant! I don't wanna believe their's any truth to this and it's my duty to ensure anyone that tries to slander or even turn against Octavio's regime is punished. Their's no evidence to prove your in any kind of involvement but what of this plan I've been hearing about you two leaving the domes for the surface?" asked the major. "I have it from a reliable source that who two plan on escaping. That's considered desertion and is punishable by execution. Explain yourself," demanded the major leering at Maxie's mother.
The octoling looked down as her face darkened. "It's...true," she mumbled. "Why?" asked the major.
"We have a child now. I fear for the safety for her with the domes losing power. I don't wanna raise her down here. I just want me, my husband, and my daughter to start a new life. Please understand Octsana that I do this with the best interests for my daughter. Let us go and we'll never return," said Maxie's mother compassionately.
The major balled her up her fist and bit her lip. "I...can't let you do that sergeant. Lives are at stake and won't let anyone go to the surface. You've proven to me what a loyal soldier you've been but not anymore. After hearing what you said you've brought dishonor to not only yourself but me and the octarian army. I have no choice but to bring you to a military tribunal. You and your husband for deserting the octarian army, which falls under treason," said the major.
"Go and locate her husband, bring him back her to stand trial," ordered the major to the two octoling guards.
"yes, ma'am," they saluted as they left to arrest Maxie's father.
"Octsana! No! Please don't do this I beg you! Think about my daughter! Where will she be without her parents!?" exclaimed Maxie's mother as she started to cry.
"You should've thought about that before you and your husband decided to leave the dome. You've forced my hand. I will not put our friendship before my duty. If allow you to go then others will eventually follow and the future of Octo Valley is at stake," said Major Octsana as she turned away deeply disappointed.
"I did this for my daughter Maxie! I don't want her to grow up down here! I wanna better life for her and now you're willing to take her family away from her!" cried the octoling as tears ran down her face as she fell to the floor on her knees.
"I assure you that you're daughter will be taken care of. By the octarian army, let's just hope she becomes a better soldier than you," said Octsana.
The scenery like before faded to black with the echoing of her mother crying. Maxie clinched her fists as hard as she could and gave a scream before she broke down in tears to see the fate of her mother and father. "I...know now...why you never wanted to show me," jeered Maxie fighting back the tears. "DARN YOU OCTSANA! I'LL TAKE THIS TO MY GRAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU AND OCTAVIO PAY DEARLY FOR TAKING MY PARENTS OUT OF MY LIFE!" yelled Maxie. She soon felt a hand on her shoulder and saw her mother standing over with dread on her face. She picked Maxie up and hugged her. " I never wanted to show you...I was afraid you would burn with revenge. Do not go down this path my daughter. Let it go," said her mother. Maxie cried her on her shoulder before looking at the entity.
"To think...I looked up to her and even considered her family," jeered Maxie who was now filled with anger.
"What's done is done. Do not seek vengeance because you will not only kill her but yourself. Think about Octillia and think about Blake who has been there for you. Maxie stared at her mother and slowly nodded. "Please don't let me see you in the afterlife sooner than I should. I want you to better yourself and live the life I wanted you to live. I leave you in peace my daughter," said her mother as Maxie was enveloped in bright light. The octoling was back in the underground dome thinking about about the vision. She turned toward the direction Blake had went and knew she had to make amends with the human over her mother's wishes.
"Revenge or not. Octsana will brought to justice and answer for everything she and the rebels have done. Mark my words," said Maxie as she rushed toward the rebel stronghold.