14017 July 25th
Mount Nantai
At the nurse's office in the early morning, 05:10, standing in front of Mirai are both inklings, Rei and Neku, knowing how Mirai herself felt after the shocking truth.
"Mirai, I… I know it's hard losing someone closer to you. But is there a reason why you never talk about your oldest brother Neku?" Rei asks out of curiosity.
Mirai lowers her head and turns towards Rei's lifeless cyan eyes.
"Neku?"
"Yeah. You're his sister, so tell me." Rei sits down on a chair while sounding serious.
"I want to know about you, Neku. Where have you been?" Mirai asks in a bitter tone.
"I… Went somewhere away from you guys. Daigo was someone I wanted to be, a person who helps others and has no problem heeding other people's calls. It's because of all the pressure I had from my teammates and I was jealous of you guys." Neku answers while hesitating on explaining more.
"And why do you never talk about Neku?" Rei asks again.
"Because I hate him. He always has a lot of experience that I don't have. I'm always seen as weak by everybody, even in my school days. Now, I've been called a monster after holding a right arm that belongs to an octoling, which is one of the reasons why I covered it." Mirai explains and clenches her fists while continuing. "We looked up to you and you came back like this?"
"So in other words, both of you have different reasons. Neku's was under too much pressure from the New Squidbeak Splatoon, and Mirai's was jealousy and Neku's cowardice." Rei asks while raising her eyebrow.
"Seems to be the case…" Neku sighs.
"And now… Big brother… Why? Why did they do this!? Big brother…" Mirai then sobs as it has Rei and Neku lowering their heads in guilt.
Then, she sits by Mirai on a bed as Rei had her eyes away from Mirai herself.
"Dai told me to never give up. He even told me to look out for you. Same goes for Saki and Sayaka. But I can't let them go. Even though I got over it, I'm afraid that I'll forget them. The more you lose them, the harder your life goes." Rei looks out of the window and then turns towards Mirai. "Mirai, we should've warned you. This is no fun and games. But for me, it's fun and games to shoot them down. Think of it like a turf war, but less like a sport and more like a survival."
"Huh?"
"Yeah. Two years ago, I thought it was just an awesome adventure, until Dai, Saki and Sayaka made me realise that things are not as bright as I made them out to be. Even if it's serious, I always treat it like a sport and use my winning streak." Said Rei.
Mirai halts as she understands what Rei is coming from.
Fighting for survival as well as having fun is what made Agent 3 such as Rei glad to join the vigilance team.
"Rei…"
"It's mine to shoulder the burden I had. You and Neku are moving forward." Rei said.
"What about you?" Neku asked.
"I told you. I have to earn some atonement." Rei closes her eyes and then stands up from the bed while leaving Dedf1sh to take care of Mirai. "I'll let you recover. But the fault was mine. I had your brother killed."
Finally, a door closes with Neku looking at Mirai and then taking a seat.
"Hey. I know you hate me, but how about some gaming." Neku offers a handheld gaming device.
Mirai slowly lifts her head as she's getting a needle by Dedf1sh to prevent sanitisation on her.
"Alright." Mirai accepts and boots up the game while she and her oldest brother, Neku, start playing a fighting game together.
Finally, the siblings are chilling despite their disappointment towards each other.
"Nasty… Majesty…" Dedf1sh plays a music.
Later, the meeting starts in the lunch hall with Cap'n Cuttlefish, Marie, Ryu, Sheldon, Pearl, Marina, Serika and Hachi starting together as they're preparing a mission.
"Operation Tide Comes Back is about to begin. Today's objective is to bring Aori back and reunite the Squid Sisters once again." Cap'n Cuttlefish announces while stamping his Bamboozler cane on the floor.
"Yeah. But where? Octo Canyon is deserted and my kind are defending themselves from the sanitised." Serika sighs as Hachi nods in agreement.
"Dunno. I think Aori is still on the run." Marina is trying to figure out Callie's whereabouts.
"Yeah. Lucky for me, I have my phone backed up." Peal chuckles.
"Oh, Pearl, your choker is ready. It'll prevent the demon from getting to you." Sheldon hands out a thing that is a shock choker in the colour black.
"Heh. I guess you're not as boring as I made you out to be, Sheldon." Pearl pulls a smile while taking the choker and puts it on her neck.
"It's a gift. I aim to please. Oh, Hotaru." Sheldon calls.
"Hm?" Marie raises her head.
"This charger is finished. But it can only be used one time at a maximum charge." Sheldon hands out a Hero Charger 0 limited upgrade and then looks into Marie's eyes with seriousness. "One wrong move, either miss or kill your cousin, then our mission will forever be a failure."
"I'm aware of that. Thank you, Sheldon. Hang in there, Aori…" Marie raises her charger while closing her eyes.
"But what about Fuuka? Ya know, Shiver?" Marina asked.
"Whether she was, we need to be careful. We need to be alert, knowing how manipulative she becomes." Ryu warns.
"Ri's right. Shiver's the only one who's neither dead or betraying, but was still after us." Serika opens one of her eyes while pulling her hood up.
Before the meeting continues, Pearl screams as she witnesses something on her phone.
"What is it, senpai!?" Marina asks out of worry.
"My mansion! Invaded! WHAT THE FUCK!?" Pearl roared after witnessing her home being invaded by an inkling girl and an octopus with a baseball cap.
Marie gasps as she witnesses a familiar figure sneaking in.
"Aori!"
"Huh!? Aori!?" Marina exclaims.
"Aori?" Ryu and Serika halt as they can see Callie behind the scenes with DJ Octavio.
"DJ!?" Marina and Serika exclaim as Hachi gasps.
"Takowasa… I know he's behind this stuff." Cap'n Cuttlefish sighs, knowing DJ Octavio is back for revenge.
"But why that octo fuckface of all people!?" Pearl shouted.
"Brainwashing. It was after squidnapping her." Ryu answered.
"But it's not his fault. Someone sabotaged our hypnoshades which is why Callie barely recognise us." Serika points out.
"Let me go." Marie stands up from her seat while starting to prepare herself.
"I'll come too." Serika does the same, but is pushed down.
"No. This octoslob is the one we have a bonefish to pick." Marie objects.
"Figures. But don't kill him."
"I won't."
Before Marie takes off, Serika stands up and points her Octo Charger 0 at Marie as Hachi gasps and stands up.
"Ya seems to have so little trust in us octolings. I heard ya been threatenin' my little sister by almost splattin' her." Serika spat out as she pierces a glare at Marie.
"Oh? And not blaming Empress? Figured you still look at us funny." Marie chuckles while pointing her Hero Charger 0 at Serika as both early model chargers are at each other.
"Ya old man is similar. I heard laws are liftin' which means discrimination is no longer happenin'." Serika said.
"Hold up, is that true!?" Cap'n Cuttlefish gasps.
"Yes. Inklings and octolings are now living in peace thankfully." Marina answers while smiling.
"Yeah. Thank fuck for that!" Pearl sighs.
"You lucky shuck… You may no longer be discriminated against, but just to let you both know that I let you in for some reason. I still don't trust you octoslobs, especially how you took Aori away from me." Marie growls.
"Heh. Neither do I, and I'm doin' this for my boss." Serika also growls as both girls are glaring at each other.
'Sister, please calm down.' Hachi gestures with worry.
"Hey, Hotaru, at least go for ONE day without shitting on a single octoling, especially when they're innocent." Pearl calls Marie out while keeping her cool.
"I'm with M.C. Princess on that one. Hotaru, you're becoming the very thing you hated to this day, even Empress is slowly taking you over. It's time to let it go. Aori never wanted this." Ryu warned.
Even Marie can see the shadow of her other self pointing a Splattershot at her, leading Marie to close her eyes.
"Tch… Why do you guys always beg for this? Also, gramps, if Marina is an octoling, then why did you defend Off the Hook!?" Marie snaps.
"Because I love their performances, also Hachi, Serika, Marina and others are different. I still hate them, but I need to help them as I promised." Cap'n Cuttlefish grunts and looks away.
"Hmph. Tell Marina Iida that she's a fucking octoslob who doesn't deserve any rights." Marie growls.
Then a slam on the desk is coming from Pearl who was both shocked and enraged, even Marina gasped in shock as it stabbed her through the chest.
"WHAT!? THE HELL DID YA SAY TO IIDA!?"
"She doesn't deserve it! None of you do!" Marie yelled.
"Take that back…"
"Huh?"
"TAKE THAT BACK!" Pearl screams as glass shatters and the group hastily cover their ears. "She's been with me for years and you have the fucking audacity to say that!? I took her in for many reasons! I met someone who saved my life! I pitied ya for a while, but that's as far as you go! You Inkopolis pieces of scum make me sick!"
Shaking, Serika's anger is fueled up as she's glaring straight forward.
"Don't you dare say that to my mother!"
Now Marie is being called out by Pearl and Serika, knowing that they're very protective of their loved ones.
Before Marie opens her mouth out of retaliation, a door opens as Rei enters through.
"Mama, we're ready to go." Rei called from behind.
"Ah. Before I leave, Sheldon, do you have any clothes for me to wear?" Marie asks, knowing that Rei is going to act up if this argument continues.
"Oh! Yeah! Right this way!" Sheldon acts as if nothing happened as the same goes for those at the meeting, even Pearl is patting Marina out of comfort as Marina hyperventilates in fear.
"Seika?" Rei asks after seeing Serika with an Octo Charger 0.
"It's nothin'… Your uniform is ready." Serika sighs as she's letting out the steam.
"Thanks. I owe you one." Rei giggles.
The atmosphere is not as pretty as a few made it out to be, leading Ryu to look at Marie funny.
"Captain, you've been influencing your granddaughter Hotaru. You know whose fault that is?"
"Aye… It seems that my hatred for octolings has lingered onto my granddaughter. But her demon isn't helping either." Cap'n Cuttlefish points out.
"And you should help Hotaru out once this mess is over." Ryu said with a glare.
"I know, I know. You youngins and your kindness. I was wondering why you had an octoling girlfriend."
"Because she helped me a lot as I did the same for her when we were elementary schoolers." Ryu answered.
Cap'n Cuttlefish then realises that those around him are sympathetic towards his old enemies as Cap'n Cuttlefish clears his throat.
"DJ Hyperfresh, I want you and M.C. Princess to follow Agent 2 and 3 to your homes."
"S- Sure thin'! It's just that… Hotaru's been a little off recently." Marina nervously twiddled with her fingers before squeezing her own chest.
"I can't blame ye. She's been desperate because of this cursed train and the separation of Aori doesn't help either."
As for Marie and Sheldon, Marie appears in a Sennyu Suit and Sennyu Inksoles which is her new hero clothing for this operation. Even Marie puts a mouth mask on that is now black.
"So, what do you think?" Sheldon asks in a positive tone.
"Hm. Seems nice. Also felt like it came from a spy movie." Marie answers, admiring the clothes that Sheldon found earlier.
"Now that Rei has found a replacement top and you got a new suit. It's time to pay a visit to our long-time enemy." Sheldon pulls a sinister smile.
"Yes."
"But don't kill him. He's important for the information about the octolings." Sheldon points out.
"Alright."
Finally, Sheldon and Marie are marching towards Rei as Rei follows and then moves out.
"I should've brought my own bike." Marie sighs.
"Don't worry. We'll get to Octo Canyon and you get it." Rei said.
"Rei, there's something wrong with Hotaru." Sheldon whispers while getting closer to Rei.
"I know. We're gonna have to keep her in check." Rei whispers.
"Yeah. Seems that you're aware of this conflict."
"It's Empress that I'm looking at. I can't let her take Mama Hotaru away."
As Rei and Sheldon whisper, Marie turns her head as she slows down.
"What are you two whispering about?"
"Nothing." Rei and Sheldon said at the same time as they're staying calm.
Finally, the trio left.
"Senpai, let's take my bike." Marina said while putting on a mint coloured trench coat she brought yesterday.
"Yeah. I wish you had the sidecar with ya." Pearl sighs while pulling her hood up and moving her crown.
"I know, but it's quicker that way."
With both Pearl and Marina leaving, the duo turn around and smile.
"We'll be back, girls." Marina called.
"Yeah. Make sure to keep an eye on these hooligans around here." Pearl said.
"Yeah. Bye, Hime! Bye Iida!" Serika calls while waving.
Then her smile fades as the Off the Hook duo left.
"Tch… This is all your fault, old man. You're the reason why this mess happened!" Serika growled.
"At least I helped your sister out." Cap'n Cuttlefish replied.
"True… But I still won't forgive ya."
In the end, the rest are going to follow Rei, Marie, Pearl and Marina to reach Pearl's mansion.
Later, Mirai is watching 2 motorbikes leave as she's lowering her head.
"What's going on?" Mirai asks out of curiosity.
"They're off to bring Aori back." Neku answers.
"Huh? But she's been brainwashed!"
"I know. But Rei had an idea to save her."
Mirai then puts down her gamepad and clenches her fists as she looks at her own right arm.
'Ya want to leave and fight? A brave little one like ya will take responsibility for using someone else's ink. Be sure to use it wisely and follow your brother's footsteps.'
Those are the words she heard from Serika a long time ago, leading Mirai to turn towards the door and climb off.
"Huh? Mirai?" Neku stops while seeing his sister moving towards the door.
"I want to talk to her." Mirai grunts while standing up from her bed as Dedf1sh gasps and misses Mirai's arm.
As the door opens, Mirai luckily comes across Serika.
"You there."
"Huh? Ah!" Serika gasps as she knows Mirai too well.
"Yeah. Thank you."
"Huh? You mean…"
"Yeah! But why give me the arm?" Mirai asks.
Serika sighs as she can tell that Mirai is thanking and asking her.
"Because there are no spawn points. You're the one related to Rei's friend. That's why I saved your life is to hand over my arm to ya." Serika answers.
"Oh… So basically…"
"Turf wars are a sport that is full of safety and restrictions from death. But outside of this sport there are no fun and games. Welcome to hell."
Mirai gasps as she remembers what she's been warned.
"But that doesn't stop ya. Your brother wanted ya to go forward and fulfil your desire. I have no desire. I'm just an octoling soldier." Said Serika.
"You don't?"
"Yeah. Like Rei. She never had a purpose and all she does is help others in need and face dangers by herself. We're the opposite of each other, Rei was an abused girl who smiled and was full of adventure and was raised by Squid Sisters. I on the other hand was a girl that was raised by a loving family and was a bitter octoling soldier who was eventually raised by Off the Hook along with my sister. Neither of us have a single purpose." Serika explained.
Mirai can see why both Rei and Serika are different yet similar as they lost their loved ones and were out for blood.
"I'm sure ya have a bonefish to pick with my boss. But be careful, he and Callie are not as easy as ya think."
Serika is right, Mirai is about to take her vengeance on DJ Octavio and save Callie once and for all.
She will not let Marie down once more.
"Serika. Thank you. If you're not around, then I wouldn't have been able to follow my brother's footsteps."
"Heh. No problem. But be wary of your own actions. It'll be your downfall." Serika warned.
As Mirai nods, she then dashes through the corridor and prepares herself to leave this school building.
"Good luck." Serika whispers and then marches past the nurse's office.
"Mirai… Gone?" Dedf1sh asked.
"Yeah. She's got some unfinished business to take care of." Neku chuckles.
Dedf1sh understands why Mirai is desperate to go out there and save her leader's cousin.
Mirai is ready.
