Cap'n Cuttlefish's shack, Octo Valley
"Well… if it isn't the hero of Ark Pelaris, Captain Emily Vale."
Captain Vale had been called that many times in the past.
The young Octoling who worked her way up the ranks during the Salmonid war, where she went from being a recruit to being an Elite Octoling and captain of her own splatoon.
The one who led her battalion to victory at Ark Pelaris when her original commanding officer had died in combat.
The one called the hero of Ark Pelaris had seen her leader's face many times, but she had never seen it in such a pathetic state.
Octavio was cramped inside his snowglobe, where he could do nothing but sit with his arms crossed until the day Octavia came to rescue him.
"I never would have thought that I'd fade in and see you here. Did you finally get rid of Craig?"
"Cuttlefish is asleep, Inklings have always been heavy sleepers after all."
"Hm, I see… So why are you here alone?"
"I've had some trouble with Supreme General Octavia, or rather Acting Leader, as she calls herself now. The moment you were captured Octavia took command of the army and ruled with an iron fist, anyone who disagreed with her was cast out, such as yours truly." Vale explained, gesturing at herself.
"Hah, Octavia has always been ambitious, it's something you two have in common isn't it?"
As much as she disliked being compared to Octavia, Vale did agree that both of them were ambitious. In fact, Octavia usurping her superior was not something Vale hadn't already done in the past, though that was a story for another time.
"While that maybe true, Octavia has no plans to rescue you. Me on the other hand…"
"So this is your power play? You'll free me so I can give a royal beatdown to Octavia?"
"I didn't say that."
"Then why is your hand resting on the lock?"
"?!"
Vale didn't realise she was opening Octavio's snow globe, she quickly retracted her hand and stared at it.
Was this another part of that strange behavior she's noticed recently?
"What's with that? You are here because you want me to end Octavia's rule correct? You want everything to return to normal."
"I don't know…" Vale hated saying that, she hated being put in a position where she was stuck on her feet.
What did she want?
She fought against Octavia because the two had opposing thoughts.
She attempted to remove Octavia from power in order to save her subordinates.
These acts should have made her an ally of the Inklings, but she also planned to invade Inkopolis before, as well as free Octavio.
What was even her goal?
"Come on now, don't stress things too much, just do what your mind tells you."
"I don't know!" Vale quickly covered her mouth, as she realised she just shouted at her race's ruler.
"I don't know, everything is fuzzy. Sometimes I'm seeking help from Inklings to overthrow Octavia, other times I'm trying to stab those same Inklings in the back. Sometimes I hate the idea of working with Agent 3, other times I'm trying my best to keep working with him. I feel as if something is wrong with me."
When Vale looked back up, Octavio's face had changed, instead of his earlier smug look, it was replaced by one of suspicion.
She realised mentioning Inklings was probably a mistake.
"... You've been working with Inklings… Why?"
"It wasn't my first choice, Octavia ordered my execution, but one of my subordinates escaped and begged Agent 3 for help, so I was rescued by the New Squidbeak Splatoon."
"I see, so you decided to gain their trust while simultaneously using them to further your own goals. Clever."
"You give me too much credit, it didn't go that smoothly, most of these days I'm not even sure what I'm doing."
"Yet you've made it to me without having to fire a shot, that's quite an accomplishment."
"My apologies your excellency, but I had no idea you were even here."
"Then luck is playing my tune today."
Octavio kept acting as if Vale was here to rescue him, yet Octavio kept his look of suspicion.
Vale had noticed this.
"That look… Do you think I've betrayed you? I haven't, I'm just confused."
"I'm just wondering if your cooperation with Inklings has ruined your loyalty to the Octarian cause."
"Of course not, I still wish for our people to fix Octo Valley and maybe even return to the surface."
"Good, then hurry up and get me out of here. We'll put Octavia back in her place then destroy the Inklings you hate so much."
Octavio kept insisting that Vale was here to free him.
But Vale was still unsure, this could be her unconsciously acting against the Inklings again.
"Why do I hate Inklings?"
"That's not important."
"Is it? I've always felt angry thinking about Inklings, yet I can't seem to find a reason for it, as if there is a blank in my memory or something."
Octavio sighed.
"As I feared, your cooperation with Inklings has corrupted you."
"No! Not possible, everyone must have a reason for their actions, there must have been something that made me hate Inklings, I just need to figure it out."
Vale wasn't sure, but it almost looked like Octavio looked worried for a moment..
"And what will you do once you remember?"
"I'll come back for you."
"Craig won't allow it, neither will his pesky grandchildren."
"I'll find a way."
"Not you won't. Listen here, you can't underestimate the New Squidbeak Splatoon just because they seem less professional. If I am to be freed, it has to be now, forget about your alliance with Inklings, think back to training in Nautilus, think back to the spicy beats playing to the sound of marching, think back to your oath as an Octarian soldier! You know what you must do here."
"No I really don't."
Octavio now looked angry, but not at Vale.
"Yeah just as I thought, working with Inklings really has corrupted you."
Vale could see his body tense up and a vein pop on his forehead.
"This all happened because those annoying Squid Sisters had to interrupt my grand performance and blast their noise across the Valley! I knew that some would stray from our cause, but I never expected you. You Elite Octolings should have been unaffected and stayed true!"
"What are you saying sir?"
"I'm saying you shouldn't think too much and let me out! Elite Octolings are supposed to be loyal to me and me only, through them I would retain control of the Valley, that's how Octo Valley was composed."
"Composed? Forgive me for speaking like this, but Octo Valley exists for the sake of our race, it's not one of your tunes."
"You're right, it does exist for the Octarians, but what are the Octarians without me and my beats? A disorganized mess where power constantly shifts about, causing endless infighting."
"Really? Then what about Octopolis?"
"Let's not dwell on the past."
"Octopolis was fine until you came to power and declared war on Inkopolis."
"Why are you doing this Vale?"
"I only want what's best for our race."
"And to that end I have to lead, music is stronger than words, which is why no one can control the Valley like I am."
"Am? What are you… Music is stronger than words, you aren't just talking about songs and speeches are you?"
"Of course not, why do you think I was so confident that you came to rescue me. I knew it would happen sooner or later whether or not you wanted it."
Vale was starting to see why Octavio suddenly got so mad.
"We Elite Octolings were trained to manipulate and control, by none other than you, but none of us ever stopped and wondered if we were actually the ones being controlled right?"
"Of course." There was no hesitation in Octavio answer. "Ever since Craig betrayed me I've had but one goal: revenge. That goal will never change no matter how many generations pass, not as long as there are Elite Octolings to continue my work."
"What did you do to us?"
"Nothing you wouldn't want, I simply united the Octarians under one goal and one song. As for your dilemma I don't know if it's because working with Agent 3 has changed your impression of Inklings, or if it's because that lost Octoling started spreading Inkling music throughout the Valley. But it really doesn't matter if Octavia takes over, or if you usurp her position, because Octo Valley and it's people, will not rest, not as long as my goals remain…" Being the flashy DJ he was, Octavio paused for a moment for a dramatic build up.
"Inconsummate!" he finished.
Vale understood now why she was noticing blanks in her reasoning, why she was so opposed to the idea of Inklings and Octarians living together.
"To think that I, that so many Octarians looked up to you…"
"Would you have preferred a race that fights itself? It's only because of me that the Octarians can even exist as a species!"
"We'll see about that. Oh and thank you, I didn't know what I was doing, but now it's all clear. Just you wait, by the time we meet again, Octo Valley will no longer be yours."
"You say that, but in the end it doesn't matter, either Octo Valley remains under my rule, or this will be the last time we meet."
"So be it."
Vale walked away with a strange smile on her face.
That was the third time she disagreed with one of her superiors and said it to their face.
Strangely it was becoming somewhat of a habit.
Although she felt proud turning her back on Octavio, she started to think about what the future held for someone who couldn't even act on their own accord.
'I need to find a way out of this mess, but first I need to make sure the splatoon is in good hands.'
Meanwhile, Octavio wasn't worried.
That's why he revealed everything to Vale.
He believed that even if she and the other Elite Octolings knew, they wouldn't turn on him.
In fact he was so confident that nothing would change, that he didn't even care that Cuttlefish had been eavesdropping on them.
"So you're awake…"
"Who wouldn't be woken up with all that racket?"
Cuttlefish sighed. "I still can't believe you went that way, controlling your own people with music. From what you just said, they still aren't free yet, I guess some things never change."
"I'm flattered that you still pay so much attention to me, I guess things really don't change."
"No, some things do. What happened to the prince who wanted to compose music and tour the world?"
"Hmph, that prince never existed, I think you're going senile."
"If ya say so. Though I gotta say, I'm surprised that Captain had the guts to abandon you to your face."
"She hasn't, mark my words sooner or later she'll realise that she can't escape fate, there is no alternative."
Guerilla hideout, Octo Valley
When she returned, Vale was welcomed back by her soldiers.
Lynn had returned safely from her false attack and was glad to hear that things went well on both ends, but she and many others serving the captain noticed that their commanding officer looked different.
Captain Vale always stood tall, proud and confident. Even in face of recent events, Vale always seemed to be able to plan ahead.
But now she looked different, deflated and troubled.
Vale retired to her office, where she buried her face in her hands and let out a huge sigh.
Everything that had happened up to now, was never under her control, at least that's what it felt like to her.
What was she to do now?
Is making peace with Inkopolis really the best option here?
Will the Octarian people even accept such an alliance?
Nothing was clear to her anymore, she blamed Octavio for it, all of it.
Every thought she had against Inklings, Agent 3 and Inkopolis must be because of DJ Octavio.
In her hands she held the goggles she once proudly wore back when she was an Elite Octoling.
Now the only thing that was 'Elite' of her was her black coloured tentacles.
What was the point of being 'Elite'? All it meant was that Octavio had control over you and you would like it.
Suddenly, Vale heard her door opening.
She quickly straightened herself up, it would be bad for morale if any of her subordinates saw her distressed like this.
"Hey Captain."
It was Agent 3.
"Is Eliza causing you problems again?" Vale guessed.
"No no, she's been steering clear of me ever since that duel thing. Actually I came because I heard about what happened between you and Octavio."
"How?"
"Cap'n Cuttlefish heard the whole thing, apparently it's hard to sleep when two angry Octarians are shouting outside your home."
"Haha, of course it is…"
"Hey so this means you're officially on our side right?"
"I don't know, everything is so confusing now."
"Well even if you don't want to admit it, I'll be here to help."
Vale sighed again, "Don't bother, you should just go home."
"This isn't like you captain."
"You don't have to call me that, you aren't part of my splatoon anyways. I know I yelled at you the last time you called me by name but I don't care anymore."
"Seriously, what's bothering you?"
Vale chuckled emptily for a moment.
"When you find out that everything you've done was because of someone else working behind the scenes, you'll start to question everything."
"Oh uhh, I see."
"You're confused."
"Haha, yeah I am."
"I'm surprised you could make it this far with such little military knowledge."
"Well to be fair, fighting the Octoweapons and taking back Zapfish were totally different. Besides I was pretty clueless back then, I had no idea you guys couldn't respawn in Octo Valley."
"Respawn?"
"Huh? You didn't know? I thought you would have figured it out by now, after all you did see me get splatted once before."
Vale thought back to when she was still fighting for the Octarian army.
She had just created the Octo Roller and decided to test it out by showing up unannounced to help Octavia kill or capture Agent 3.
She remembered seeing Agent 3 being splatted back then, but somehow he showed up again later.
At first Vale thought that maybe Agent 3 did something to look like he got splatted but actually escaped.
"Respawn huh, so basically no matter how many times you get splatted, you'll just come back again?"
"Not really, umm you aren't going back to Octavio's side right?"
"Of course not."
"Alright I guess it's safe to tell you then. See in Inkopolis, we've invented respawn points, I have no idea how it works though. But basically if you get splatted within range of a spawn point, you'll respawn there, also some specialized equipment like this Hero Suit can let you respawn even if you are far from a spawn point, though there's a limit on how many times you can use it."
"I see... Well that explains why I saw Inklings fighting each other when I first went to Inkopolis. You probably shouldn't go around telling others about this yet, it will probably rub them the wrong way."
"Yeah I think I get it."
Octarians would die almost everyday in Octo Valley due to accidents.
If Agent 3 suddenly said, 'oh hey you know we don't have to worry about death in Inkopolis cause we can respawn' there would be a riot.
First there will be some who would try to escape Octo Valley to live in Inkopolis, at the same time there will be some who will seek to steal the technology for Octo Valley.
Also it would probably set Eliza off again, if she found out that her sister was splatted permanently while Agent 3 could just respawn.
"What if I spoke with Cuttlefish to maybe bring some spawn points down here? We could probably power it with power eggs instead of zapfish."
"No, the idea sounds great and all, but considering that we are outmatched by Octavia and the rest of the army, I think it's too risky. You probably don't see it, but being able to respawn will make fighting wars even harder. Soldiers won't have to worry about dying and become super aggressive, they'll even be able to retain all their combat experience from battle. While keeping everyone alive sounds pleasant, I really don't want to risk the Octarian army getting their hands on these 'respawn points' of yours while we are still fighting them."
"Oh yeah, good point."
Vale started to wonder how the Octarian army would develop if they were also able to respawn.
She also realized how impossible it was for the current army to invade Inkopolis.
It didn't matter if their army was well trained, not when every single citizen of Inkopolis could just respawn over and over again.
How many Octarian lives would be lost if Octavia actually invaded Inkopolis?
Vale opened her mouth to say that she would be against invading Inkopolis now, but to her surprise she was unable to do it.
She still felt like Inklings had to be punished.
But she also knew that this was just Octavio's mind control talking.
Honestly, this whole thing was one huge headache, but she was starting to figure out the limitations of whatever Octavio did to her.
She couldn't openly welcome an alliance with Inklings, nor could she be sympathetic to them while they were present.
But what if she tried speaking with another Octarian?
"There's something I need to do, I'll be back soon."
Unable to admit how she felt about invading Inkopolis, Vale took some radio equipment and left the lair once more.
Octo Valley
'Damn these ambivalent thoughts coursing through my head! To think that we believed we were acting on our own will, but in reality it was all according to Octavio's.
I won't look back on this. Though I still feel those pointless feelings of hatred towards the Inklings at least now I know where it's coming from. I must spread word of this to the rest of Octo Valley, though I am certain not everyone will believe me, I need to do what I can.
I am a soldier of the Octarian race.
I serve for the betterment of Octarian kind, not for someone's personal vendetta.'
Vale was now determined to help Agent 3 reach his goal of a unified Inkopolis.
But before she could return to leading her splatoon there was one thing she had to do.
Captain Vale travelled alone to one of the fake bases she had set up earlier.
She had thought of returning things to normal by forcefully removing Octavia from power, but doing so would put an equally corrupt leader in charge.
So she was willing to give Octavia one last chance.
Returning to her hideout briefly to grab some radio equipment, Vale travelled alone to one of her fake bases.
Assuming Octavia was monitoring the airwaves, Vale used a frequency that she had used before in hopes that Nautilus base would pick it up.
And they did.
At Nautilus base, news quickly travelled to the top that Captain Vale was using the same frequency that they had used back when Vale and a few other Elite Octolings had travelled to Inkopolis to squidnap Inklings.
Octavia assuming that she could hear what Vale was up to, decided to personally hear what was transpiring.
Imagine her surprise when the first thing she heard was Captain Vale herself saying: "I know you can hear me on this frequency Octavia…."
"Vale… did you want to surrender?"
"Things have taken an unexpected turn Octavia, I've found out that DJ Octavio was not the great leader we were led to believe."
This didn't surprise Octavia one bit, after all she had already forgotten about the old DJ and decided to lead in her own way.
"So what, is this somehow supposed to make up for your act of treason?"
"Octavio is using you, Acting Leader. You didn't even know it. Through both his songs and the Elite Octoling training programs, Octavio has made it so that no matter what we do, we will still carry out his revenge on Inkopolis. Right now both you and I have the same goal of conquering Inkopolis, but for what reason?"
"For the Zapfish of course."
"Yes that's what we were told, but if we really wanted zapfish why do we need to attack Inkopolis specifically?"
That's when Octavia realised it.
Something had been steering her attention towards Inkopolis and she wasn't sure what.
Oh well, it didn't matter to her.
"So what? Are you asking me to turn away from Inkopolis or something?"
"I'm asking you to actually be a good Acting Leader. No, a good leader and do something meaningful not just for Octo Valley but for our entire species!"
"I will, but I'll be taking back the surface from those annoying Inklings first."
"Ughhh, you still don't get it! You're doing exactly what Octavio wants you to."
"So what? We have similar goals so we work towards them together."
"If you're going to invade Inkopolis at least do something different than pushing through that one manhole! No wait that's not my point, I'm saying there isn't a point in going after Inkopolis anymore, it's already obvious that the Inklings will leave us alone if we don't do anything to hurt them."
"I'm surprised, you the hero of Ark Pelaris, are starting to sound like you've switched sides… Ahh but you were already a traitor so it isn't too unbelievable."
"And you are sounding just like Octavio! What? do you enjoy being his puppet so much that you'll keep serving him no matter what?"
"I am no-one's puppet! Listen here Vale don't test my patience, surrender yourself already so I can end this octohunt and send the army to Inkopolis. For the record I don't care if I'm doing Octavio's bidding or not, all that matters is that the Octarians see that I'm in charge. Soon my name will be remembered for eternity, while you will be forgotten."
"You want to be remembered for such a reason?"
"I don't care about the reason, I just don't want Octarians to say 'Octavia? Who's that?' so really I don't care what happens."
"Then stop with your stupid plan of invading Inkopolis and scarificing more lives! If it will help, I'll gladly submit myself to your judgement once you turn around and do something meaningful with your rule."
"Tempting offer, but there is no saving Inkopolis, oh and no saving you and your co-conspirators either."
If they were standing face to face, Vale would have punched Octavia already.
"Fine then, I'm done with diplomacy, try tracking me down if you dare, I'm nowhere near my real hideout. If you leave me no choice but to start a war, then so be it."
Vale shut off the radio.
Why did she even think about negotiating with Octavia, it was pointless. Octavia was an idiot who thought she was a genius, the worst possible kind of idiot.
Someone like that would have to be forced into understanding through a show of strength.
Time to head back to base for real, before the flying saucers started searching the area.
Guerilla hideout, Octo Valley
"My followers, I bring news most dire."
Captain Vale stood before everyone remaining in her splatoon.
A few of the Octarians they were sheltering, along with Inker and friends were also watching.
"But before I explain, there is something else you should know first. Elite Octolings were the most trusted of DJ Octavio's soldiers, therefore we are entrusted with keeping some secrets from getting out, such as the reason for the great turf wars. As an Elite Octoling myself, I knew that Cap'n Cuttlefish accidentally ruined DJ Octavio's reputation with the Inklings more than a hundred years ago, the wars was really all started because of a misunderstanding. However all is not as it seems, I'm sure some of you have wondered why is it that after all these years, we still think that war is the only way back to the surface, well that brings us to what I've just discovered."
Under the eyes of hundreds of Octolings, along with Inker and his friends, the former Octarian captain, Emily Vale became the first Elite Octoling to openly critisize and turn on DJ Octavio.
"The DJ never forgave Cuttlefish, during all these years he's been keeping our race under his control through his music, as for the Elite Octolings like me, we've become so enthralled by Octavio that we would do anything to hurt Inklings even without noticing it ourselves. I've noticed that I've been doing similar things, by sending Agent 3 on missions with the one Octoling who wanted him dead on the chance that she would get rid of him for me, I was unknowingly sabotaging our own efforts to take Octo Valley back from Octavia."
Vale seemed genuinely apologetic to her followers and assumed from all the murmuring that they were beginning to question whether or not she was still fit to lead this splatoon.
Though Vale had already asked that same question and decided.
"I do not deem myself fit to lead us anymore, but at the moment I don't have a choice. I will attempt to undo the damage Octavio has done to our race, or at the very least I will try to the best of my ability, but by the time this is all over someone else must lead instead of me."
A few members of the crowd started yelling at the captain to not look down on herself so much and that the soldiers still trusted her but Vale ignored them.
"Right now the Octarians are a backwards race incapable of moving past old hatreds, we need to change that, we need to de-Octavioize Octo Valley, so that we may return to how we were before the great turf wars. No, we can't go back to how it was, but we can learn from the past. We will overthrow Octavia as planned, but instead of invading Inkopolis afterwards, we will b-begin p-peaceful reactions with them." Vale struggled with that last sentence.
It felt so wrong for her to say that.
Sweat was even dripping down her face as she struggled with what according to Octavio, was a forbidden concept.
This was noticed by a few Octarians standing closest to Vale, who began to wonder if Vale's health was deteriorating.
"Yes, there will be some who disagree, but for the past hundred years we've only tried the violent options and it never worked, so why not try something new? Once we are done, Octo Valley will become our new Octopolis, where we can live without a large army and without fearing that our homes will collapse on us. Our first move should be to spread the word, so I hope you are all rested, soon we will take over the Octo Valley News Bulletin studios."
There was one last thing Vale had in mind, but it was difficult for her to say.
If she didn't know that Octavio had basically reprogrammed their minds to hate Inklings she would have assumed it was her instinct talking.
The last thing she struggled to say was.
"Agent 3 and a few Inklings had volunteered to help us, so as of now I would like to personally w-welcome them i-into the splatoon. T-treat them as if they were your fellow soldiers."
And that was all.
Vale didn't expect that she would even struggle with speaking.
Whatever Octavio did to sway the Octarians must have ran deep into her mind.
Vale wasn't sure how, but she would need to fix herself soon, otherwise she'll go back to sabotaging her own plans.
As Vale stepped away looking incredibly stressed, the regular Octarians were wondering how they should treat the Inklings now.
At first some would constantly bother them since Vale didn't even like having them around, then later they just decided to ignore them, well except for Eliza, of course.
Now they were supposed to welcome them into the splatoon?
"Lynn, how are we supposed to talk to Inklings?" One Octoling wondered
Since Lynn was the first member of their splatoon to make a deal with Inklings, naturally all the Octarians turned to her for advice.
"Huh? Why are you all asking me!?"
"Who else is there to ask?"
So Lynn suddenly found herself in the center of attention, while Victoria wondered why they all went to Lynn instead of her.
"What kind of music do the Inklings listen to?"
"Why do Inklings get up so late?"
"How come the Inklings come in all sorts of ink colours?"
"Why does Agent 3 never take a shower?"
It seems that the Octarians did have quite a few questions about Inklings, though for some reason they all decided to ask Lynn instead of an actual Inkling.
Victoria correctly assumed that it was because the splatoon members were familiar with Lynn, but unfamiliar with Kal and his friends.
"Hold up, can Inklings even understand us?" an Octoball asked.
"Well they can understand me." Lynn replied.
"Yeah but I don't think Octoballs and Octotroopers can speak universal." another Octoling pointed out.
"They can't understand Octarian? That's a relief. I mean... Aww too bad, guess i'll leave the Inklings to you. Have fun with that suckers!"
Glad that he wouldn't have to speak with Inklings, the Octoball rolled away.
Only for Lynn to reach out and grab him.
"Now hold on, since you clearly want to mingle with Inklings, why don't you go and teach them how to speak Octarian?"
"Oh no thanks, I mean they wouldn't really want to anyways, haha."
"I wouldn't be so sure, after all the cyan Inkling called Sky came here for the sole purpose of learning Octarian. Actually the captain asked me to find a volunteer to teach Sky, since you were so eager to speak with Inkling a moment before, I think you'll be the perfect candidate."
"Please don't do this to me Lynn."
"Haha! Now you're stuck with Inkling tutoring duties, who's the sucker now!?" the other Octolings laughed.
Hearing the laughter, Inker saw the bunch of Octarians and realized that if they were bonding, he should join in to increase the possibility of more Octarians becoming Inkling friendly like Lynn and Victoria.
Neon, not one to miss out on whatever could be fun, joined in as well.
Kal noticed Victoria was standing alone, so he went over to see what was up with her.
When he asked why she was distancing herself from the rest of the splatoon she said
"Well I mean I guess we are all soldiers, but you know they aren't my actual splatoon."
"So what? Even Inker and Neon are trying to get along with them, besides weren't you chatting with the others just fine a while ago? Come on, why don't you introduce us to everyone?"
"Yeah you're right, let's go."
Kal and Victoria joined the group, only for Neon to immediately introduce them as a couple and cause a misunderstanding.
Captain Vale was quite influential, now that she appeared to have opened up to the Inklings, the rest of the splatoon had followed suit.
Well there was still one Octoling who wasn't too sure about all this.
That Octoling didn't join her fellow soldiers in welcoming their new allies. It was Eliza.
Later that day Lynn went looking for her.
Eliza once showed that she didn't care what happened to her sisters in arms, as long as she got back at Agent 3 for splatting her sister.
Now that Captain Vale had officially declared themselves as Octarian renegades and allied them with Agent 3, she could guess that Eliza won't exactly be hopping with joy.
Though recently Eliza had been steering clear of Agent 3, so maybe she was okay with it?
Lynn found Eliza taking inventory, as was her usual job.
"Hey."
Eliza looked at Lynn, then went back to work.
"Does the captain want to see me or something?" she asked.
"No, I'm just wondering how recent events are treating you."
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure? I mean I know how much you hate Inklings but.."
"I don't hate Inklings, it's just the one."
"Really? Umm well… You know the captain isn't one to hold you back."
"What? Are you saying I'm free to leave and appeal to Octavia? Well, to be fair I'm already considering that."
Lynn was trying to suggest that she could go and speak to Captain Vale and let her know how she felt, not abandon the splatoon.
Then again, Eliza did seem indifferent about sacrificing her own sisters in arms if it meant taking out Agent 3.
For a moment, Lynn wondered if she and Eliza would soon be fighting on opposite sides, but then she remembered something else.
"Well, if you want to leave, I won't stop you, but umm.. You don't want to right?"
Eliza said nothing.
Lynn was never good at reading people, that was a skill that only her friend Claire was good at.
But maybe all that time with Claire was rubbing off on her, because Lynn could see through Eliza easily.
"I mean sure you seem mad after losing that duel, but you still went and cleaned the toilets since you knew the captain was going to make you do it as punishment."
"I only did so because I knew she'd make me do it anyway."
"Yeah, but if you really didn't trust the captain anymore you would have waited for her to order you."
"..."
"So yeah, don't go abandoning us yet, cause you'll regret it."
"Are you threatening me?"
"W-what? N-noo of course not! I mean that you specifically will regret it soon." Lynn panicked
"Right, why did I think you would actually try to threaten me?"
Lynn was not the type to do that unless ordered to do so.
"I dunno, hey what happened during that duel anyways?"
"I lost, simple as that."
"You sure, cause everyone else knew you held back."
Lynn was referring to how Eliza challenged Agent 3 to a duel using an Inkbrush, but then when she had a chance to deal a winning blow she didn't and allowed Agent 3 to recover.
VIctoria and Neon had noticed it right away, and everyone else soon realised it as well.
"It was that obvious huh." Eliza replied.
Eliza didn't really talk to anyone after that duel, the other Octarians thought she needed some time alone and didn't speak to her.
So Eliza never told anyone why she held back.
"You know, I don't think you hate Agent 3 as much as you used to. I mean sure he ruined your revenge, but he's actually a good guy right?"
"A good guy? I don't think so." Eliza sneered.
Then she turned away and muttered. "Well, I still hate him for taking Eileen's life, but as a soldier he's something else. I threw that duel because just when I was about to win, I realised I couldn't bring myself to strike down someone who saved me twice. I respect what he's doing, but I still don't like him."
"There you go! That's the right way to look at things! those Inklings aren't as scary as they seem."
"Don't lump me together with you, I was never afraid of any Inkling, especially not Agent 3. No I thought he was just plain evil, you know the kind of Inkling to remorselessly kill anyone standing in his way, the type to deceive and betray, to starve civilians into obedience, to brutally suppress free speech." Eliza glanced at the doorway then added "to eavesdrop on conversations like he is right now."
"Heh heh, sorry about that."
Inker revealed himself.
Along with Victoria, then Kal, then Neon, then a dozen of other Octarians including Eliza's remaining family, who they had rescued from Bassoon.
"What in the world are you all doing?!" Eliza shouted.
"Well we were talking then somebody mentioned that you might be thinking of betraying us, so we all started looking for you." one Octoling said. "But it seems like Lynn beat us to you."
"Here I thought it was just Agent 3, you guys are letting him get to your head."
"Why do you assume it was my idea?!" Inker exclaimed.
"Who else could it be?"
"Not me, that's for sure, knowing how much to hate me I'd stay far away from you if I had the choice."
"Hmph, when this is over please do, until then I'll put up with the captain's decision and bear working with you."
Eliza looked at all the Octarians present, a symbol of how much attention she was drawing with her irrational grudge.
She knew she was being childish, trying to screw over Agent 3 at every turn, but that was just because she didn't want to acknowledge that he didn't do anything wrong.
In fact, she still didn't, well to some degree, so Eliza decided to make it clear.
"Let me get this straight Agent 3, I hate you and always will. I get that you have good intentions and you are an honorable soldier who will put your life on the line for Octarians who would be shooting at you under other circumstances. Still, you can go die in a ditch for all I care, but until that happens I hope you continue to help my fellow Octarians in making peace with Inkopolis."
She gave him an Octarian salute
"I'll look forward to serving with you."
That was the end of any remaining anti Inkling sentiment among Vale's troops.
Captain Vale herself still felt the effects of Octavio's control, but she told herself to resist it for as long as possible, at least until she can bring some meaningful change to the current Octarian race.
To that end, Vale stayed in her office to make plans.
First off, take her message to the air waves.
She would take over the Octo Valley News Bulletin (OVNB) studios and broadcast her intentions to all of Octo Valley.
To further spur the population against Octavia, she would show the footage of Elite Octolings break into Octarian homes at random to accuse them of treachery, the footage obtained from Violet.
There was also all the prisoners they had rescued from Bassoon prison which could also be used to show the problems with Octavia's leadership.
Once that was done, they had to find a way to remove Octavia from power.
Well first things first, the Elites had to go, otherwise another would just take over after Octavia was gone.
Vale recalled how Octavio said that all Elites were bound to his will.
That included herself…
Vale decided that she needed someone who could take over once she was gone.
It's a shame the Octoling she had originally planned to be her successor; Claire, had been executed already.
Maybe she could use her friend Lynn, or maybe Victoria? Or maybe even...
As she pondered, Inker came to see her again.
"Well you've done it, Eliza and the rest of your splatoon aren't going to bother me anymore."
"Really? That's good to hear."
"Yeah, oh and Cap'n Cuttlefish told me to tell you that you've got the support of the New Squidbeak Splatoon, although Agent 1 and 2 are still busy at the moment, we will do what we can to help."
"I guess that old squid still can do something right."
"It has more to do with the fact that you went to talked back to Octavio to his face. Cuttlefish heard everything and well I guess he's looking for whatever chance he has to weaken Octavio's regime even further."
"Looks like we have something in common."
"Another thing, Cuttlefish said you might enjoy this."
Inker took out his squid phone and played the Calamari Inkantation.
"A song?" Vale asked, confused.
"Not just any song though, it's the same one the squid sisters used to help me beat Octavio and the Octobot king."
"So that's the "noise" Octavio was ranting about."
"If you really want to show that you aren't working for Octavio anymore, you should play this instead of whatever Octavio calls his songs."
"Good idea. Oh, since we are now officially allies, I figured it would only be fair if I did some things in return for all your help."
"Nah I'm fine."
"You are, but what about the other Inklings who had suffered because of Octavia?"
Inker suddenly remembered the doomed Vanguard movement.
"You aren't suggesting that I try to get some Inklings to join us are you?"
"No of course not, I'm asking if there is anything I can do to help. For example the little purple girl that Octavia had brainwashed."
"Lila? What do you want her for?"
"She is still programmed to react and obey if certain trigger words are spoken right? You know I can undo that brainwashing."
"I'll think about it."
"There is also the looted items the Octarian army took from the slain Vanguard Inklings, if we come across them, should I return them to their friends and family in Inkopolis?"
"Yeah that'd be great."
"Great, but first we still need to make ourselves known to the rest of Octo Valley. I'll call you once I am ready to move on the OVNB studios."
Inker nodded and left.
Shortly after leaving, he returned to the room the Octarians had provided for him and his friends.
Once there and alone, Inker contacted Cap'n Cuttlefish.
"Well I did as you said…"
"Good on you bucko! Why are ya sounding so glum?"
"When I said I wanted to prevent Inkopolis and Octo Valley from fighting, I didn't expect to be starting a revolution in Octo Valley."
"Well that's reality, sometimes great change can only come through great sacrifice. Yep reality hits like a bus and I know from experience."
"You were hit by a bus?"
"Not that!"
"Okay, well this feels wrong. You said that Octarians who hear the Calamari Inkantation choose to strike out on their own, but you won't let me tell that to Vale?"
"If Vale knew about that, then whatever her splatoon does will be directly related to us. If Octo Valley is gonna change, it needs to be done by the free will of Octarians."'
"Then why am I still here helping?"
"Don't you wanna help? Well if yer gettin cold feet you can always come back."
"I won't, but from what you just said, doesn't that mean Vale needs to do this on her own?"
"Nahhh, anyone who loves the squidtastic groove of the Squid Sisters is a friend of mine! And with how Vale reacted to Octavio I think she'll love it! We'll be helpin her out cause that's what friends do. There totally ain't an ulterior motive, no siree."
"Alright Cap'n, well I'll catch ya later."
Inker sighed.
He wanted to make peace with Octo Valley, but was there really no way of doing it without Vale's revolution?
Cuttlefish had already told him about what Octavio and Vale said to each other and judging from how Octavio openly revealed that he was controlling the Elite Octolings, it seems like he was certain that Vale would fail.
Well Vale did seem to be acting on her own, but Inker did also notice how she struggled with her announcement earlier.
Maybe Octavio still has a hand in things? Maybe Vale was still under his control?
'No, if she was she would have splatted me by now.' Inker concluded.
'Though maybe Octavio said all that to mess with Vale? To ruin her judgement?'
Inker wasn't so sure, but he knew he had to keep an eye on Vale.
'Funny, first it was Vale who would keep an eye on me, worrying that I would be doing something behind her back, now I'm the one keeping an eye on her.'
'Sigh, sometimes it feels like I'll never get Octarians and Inklings to stop fighting… No technically I did that already, but now the Octarians are fighting each other.'
'Is peace that hard to come by?'
'Octavio said that Octo Valley won't rest as long as his will remains inconsummate.'
'Well neither will I.'
A/N: So this ends the seventh arc of Old Hatreds, though this one didn't really have a main issue and was just setting things up. I've kinda been leaving out the original characters aside from Inker recently, but that was because this arc was supposed to focus on Vale and Eliza. I know is wasn't the best arc, since things just kinda happened for the sake of the plot, but I really didn't know how to hint towards Octavio controlling the Elites, though I did try. I hope to bring you a better arc next time.
OCs from part 7: Inconsummate (chapters 30-35)
Inklings:
Inker Cetamari: blue Inkling boy. The idealistic young member of the New Squidbeak Splatoon, Inker was a capable Turf War team player, which caught the eye of Cap'n Cuttlefish. When the Octarians stole the Zapfish, Inker followed the strange veteran out of curiosity and became Agent 3, a fact he had to hide from his friends at first. Inker is a compassionate individual which led to him seeking peace between Octarians and Inklings once he discovered the poor living conditions in Octo Valley. Due to his role in the New Squidbeak Splatoon, Inker finds it hard to earn the trust of Octarians, though he won't stop trying. (Also known as Agent 3)
Likes: Turf Wars, helping others, hanging out with his friends.
Dislikes: Pointless conflict
Kalus Kogia: red Inkling boy. Inker's childhood friend. Kalus had an easy life growing up in Inkopolis and was a bit arrogant as first. But after discovering what lay in Octo Valley he ended up agreeing with his best friend Inker's idea of making peace between the two races despite not wanting to be very involved. Though he tries to stay out of troublesome affairs, he won't hesitate to jump in if someone he cares about is in danger. (Also known as Kal)
Likes: Inkopolis, Squid Sisters, Ink shakes
Dislikes: Trouble, problems, stale seaweed.
Neon: Bright green Inkling girl. Neon is an easy going yet energetic Inkling, her enthusiasm for Turf wars and fighting is only matched by her skill. Neon loves playing Turf Wars with Chargers especially her unscoped Custom E-liter 3k. However Neon is the kind to act on instinct, while this may not always be good for others, it somehow works out for Neon. Although she constantly jokes and fools around, Neon is much more impressive than she seems, her aim with her E-liter is near perfect, she holds S and S+ ranks in Inkopolis and she even seems to know much more than she lets on.
Likes: Chargers, fighting, teasing friends.
Dislikes: Mind games, lockdowns, mistakes.
Sky: Cyan Inkling boy. Sky is the youngest of his group and also the least experienced in Turf wars. Sky is very self aware and knows exactly what he can and cannot handle. He doesn't take risks and won't even speak unless he is absolutely sure about what he is saying, which results in him being rather quiet most of the time and having a poor sense of presence. His personality is the opposite of his loud and boastful friend Neon, who often gets on Sky's nerves leading to him labelling her as "troublesome girl".
Likes: Being alive, calculated moves.
Dislikes: risks, danger
Octarians:
Victoria Holter: Red Octoling. Formerly a soldier of the New Squidbeak Splatoon. Victoria had high hopes for her career as a solder. That changed after discovering that all the stories she had heard about Inklings being bad and evil were just Octarian propaganda. Victoria, being an Octoling, is much more serious about fighting than Inklings are, while she usually calm and somewhat cunning, Victoria does get emotional when things don't go her way. She does not share Octavia's strong dislike of Inklings and would turn her back on the Acting Leader once she determined that Octavia would only lead Octarians to further ruin.
Likes: Victory, Calamari inkantation, Octo Valley, family.
Dislikes: Octavia, being talked down too, loss
Emily Vale: Black Octoling (formerly Elite Octoling). An Elite Octoling who had made a name for herself during an armed conflict between the Octarians and Salmonids sometime in the past. Vale, just like Victoria and other Octoling soldiers, take her place and rank very seriously. Unlike other Elite Octolings however, Vale is much more compassionate to her soldiers, doing her best to keep them alive and away from bad orders. Vale is also rumored to be the Octarian army's best hand to hand fighter. After a series of spats with Acting Leader Octavia, Vale turned on the Acting Leader, believing that she had Octo Valley's best interests in mind. (Also known as Octarian Captain, Captain Vale.)
Likes: sparring, planning ahead, her splatoon
Dislikes: Octavia, sacrificing soldiers
Octavia: Elite Octoling, Acting Leader of Octo Valley, Octavia claims to be simply acting as a backup leader for Octavio, yet seems to not care about her former leader at all. Octavia is clever enough to take control over Octo Valley in Octavio's absence, but she does not do a very good job of leading the Octarian army, though she does manage to accomplish a few things. Octavia holds her rank in high regard and finds it offensive when her rank is ignored. Octavia also chooses an oppressive way of leadership, choosing to make examples of those who step out of line.
Likes: power, obedience
Dislikes: insubordination
Lynn: Octoling, a soldier serving under Captain Vale. Lynn is as loyal as they come and will gladly follow orders. Thought she is more calm and upfront with her fellow soldiers, she becomes meek, shy and obedient around those of higher rank. Lynn explains that this is because she feels that those with higher ranks have more experience, she shows that she trusts those with higher ranks by obeying orders from them. Lynn does not seem to hold any sort of resentment towards the Inklings, she does not blame them for keeping the Zapfish and is okay with befriending Neon, she also gladly follows Inker's instructions.
Likes: Orders, the captain
Dislikes: tough choices
Eliza Pierce: Octoling, a soldier serving under Captain Vale. Eliza had a sister named Eileen, who was splatted by Inker on her 19th birthday. Because of that, Eliza has an immense hatred of Inker and would do anything she could to make his life miserable. While her grudge against Inker was unreasonable, everything else about her was, she even acknowledged the childishness of her own grudge and does actually hate Inklings aside from Inker. Eliza would also acknowledge Inker's skill and honor in battle, after seeing him rescue her fellow Octarians and even being saved by him twice. Eliza decided she would always hate Inker, but could also work with him to save Octo Valley from being forever under Octavio's control.
Likes: her brothers and sisters in arms, joking
Dislikes: Agent 3