A Splatastic Family: Misadventures in Inkopolis
Episode 01: Agent 3's New Family

At Callie and Marie's apartment in Inkopolis, Marie was busy going over a list of new ideas she had come up with for future episodes of her podcast, Marie After Midnight. Since the days she became one of the higher ups in the New Squidbeak Platoon, she started this on the side to share her thoughts on the world going forward. She glimpsed over it on her laptop as Callie sat next to her looking over the mail they received. She then happened to glance up at the clock on the wall.

"Hey…any idea when Bleu said he'd be coming by with Agent 3?" Callie asked. Marie stopped and glimpsed over.

"Don't worry. He recently messaged me to tell us he would be arriving soon from the Splatlands train." she replied. Callie merely shrugged before a knock came to the front door, surprising them both.

"Marie? It's me! You home?" Bleu's voice asked. Marie smirked before rising from her seat.

"Comin'!" she called back. She took a key from her pants pocket before easily unlocking the door, greeted by Bleu and the newest member of the platoon, the "new" Agent 3 and his partner, Smallfry. Smallfry rode in the hood of the hoodie Agent 3 wore, the squid looking away slightly. He was slightly shorter than Bleu and Marie, his tentacles in a short style. He had bright orange colored eyes and hair, a slight cut through his left eyebrow.

"Thanks for volunteering to watch Agent 3 for us, Bleu. He was a big help when we were in Alterna, so helping him find a place to live was the least we could do." she said. She glimpsed momentarily at Agent 3, but he kept his eyes away from her. Bleu lightly rubbed the top of his head.

"Yeah. Kinda wish you guys told me about that mission out to the Splatlands. Even if the "original" Agent 3 is the new captain, it doesn't mean I'm not someone that could've helped out. And when I found out about Mr. Grizz's involvement…ugh. I had…a sick feeling growing in my stomach." Bleu replied "I used to do part time for the guy." Touched by his words of concern, Marie lightly smiled before she hugged him. Bleu was a bit surprised at first.

"Sorry. I made sure to give gramps an earful when we came back." she said "I wanted you to come too, but it's not like we were briefed a lot about the Splatlands either. Guess he thought the less agents in danger, the better." Bleu sighed, saying that sounded like him, as Agent 3 passed by them and walked inside.

"Speaking of which, how is he doing? I mean…y'know…" Bleu continued. Marie lightly shook her head.

"Don't worry. All it took was a few ink baths and he got the strength needed to regain his normal self." she explained "He's now taking a much needed rest." Bleu sighed.

"That's good. As old as he is, he's still part of the platoon. At least…for me. I'm sure our new captain feels the same." he said. Marie gently smiled before, to Bleu's surprise, lightly kissed his cheek. He placed a hand against his cheek.

"That's real sweet of you to say. Thank you…my boyfriend." she replied, Bleu slightly blushing and chuckled.

"Uhh…guys?" Callie asked, breaking their moment to look back. While they were talking, it appeared Smallfry had taken a chomp onto Callie's hair and she was trying, with Agent 3, to get him off. But it seemed the Salmonid's grip was too strong, causing Callie to reel backwards each time Agent 3 tried to pop him off. Tears begun forming in the corners of Callie's eyes.

"A little HELP here?! Before Smallfry RIPS A TENTACLE OUT?!" she yelled. They gasped before quickly hurrying over, Marie taking her place at Callie's side while Bleu helped Agent 3 ease Smallfry off.

~ A While Later… ~

Successfully and safely prying Smallfry's mouth off, the little Salmonid was once again in the hood on 3's hoodie chewing on a teething toy meant for dogs. Agent 3 and Bleu took up seats next to Callie and Marie, the latter moving because of her recent "experience" to be closer to Marie. Agent 3 was eating a peanut butter sandwich as they talked, Bleu explaining about how much he learned from him during their time together. As it turned out, the newest platoon mate was slightly shy when it came to those he met because of how long he lived in the wilds of Splatlands. Despite his somewhat stone exterior and bottomless courage, his sense of what was right overtook his worries of being around other Inkling and Octolings when it mattered.

"Oh. I see. Sorry if I was…a bit up in your face before…Agent 3." Callie replied, sounding remorseful. The Inkling glimpsed her way before lightly shaking his head, followed by looking away again.

"It…It is…okay…" he said, sounding timid. Both Squid Sisters gasped.

"Whoa. And here I thought you didn't like talking, kind of like our new captain." Marie said. Bleu chuckled quietly.

"Yeah. I think he'll open up more…the longer he gets to know us." Bleu continued, rubbing Agent 3's head while 3 glanced at him. Marie watched their exchange with a smile, seeing them now as an older brother and his sibling.

"Oh. Right. Before I forget, he wanted to let you know that "Agent 3" isn't his real name." Bleu said. Both Squid Sisters looked a touch surprised, but more so Callie than Marie.

"Is that right? Huh. Reminds me of a certain SOMEONE who put her "boyfriend" through the exact same scenario." Callie replied, smugly glimpsing Marie's way who looked away.

"I…I don't know WHO you are referring to." Marie said, attempting to save face. All eyes then turned to Agent 3, beginning to speak again.

"Pyke…my name…Pyke." he replied. Callie lightly smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Pyke." she said "I'm Callie and…well, this is my cousin, Marie." Marie lightly waved.

"Sorry we didn't talk much about ourselves while you were helping us. Speaking of which, I take it "Smallfry" isn't his name, too?" she followed. Pyke glimpsed back at his companion still chewing away.

"This…Ranha." he said "Named…after piranha." Callie nervously chuckled, stroking her tentacle where Ranha latched on.

"He…DEFINITELY lives up to that name." she replied. Bleu apologized again to Callie for not reeling in the Salmonid sooner, saying he knew how it felt to have the little guy chomp onto you. He recalled an instance of Ranha acting out of "self defense" and biting onto his hand when he tried to first befriend them.

"Thank goodness he only has one tooth then. Imagine what he could do with an entire SET." Marie lightly teased, Callie twitching from fright before creepily eyeing her.

"Don't make LIGHT of my suffering! I could literally feel my tentacle RIPPING OFF at the fibers! You know what that FEELS like?!" she angrily whispered, trying to keep Pyke from hearing. Marie nervously chuckled back.

"Oh. Pyke? Remember when I told you that Callie and Marie were singers?" Bleu said, Pyke glimpsing his way "What did you think of their music? Y'know? The "Squid Sisters" songs I played you?" Callie and Marie quickly turned back as Pyke began contemplating. In his hood, Ranha peered back as well.

"L-Liked them….very much." he replied. Both Squid Sisters smiled simultaneously.

"Well, now that you're one of the family, Pyke, we'll gladly let you listen to other songs we've performed. Would you like that?" Callie asked. Pyke nodded back. Bleu and Marie then turned to each other.

"Speaking of, I know you thought Pyke would be safer if he came to Inkopolis City rather than left alone in the Splatlands…but where were you ultimately thinking of finding him a home?" Bleu asked "No offense…but I'd rather not have Ranha chew up my Dualies or any other stuff of mine. He's like trying to reign in a newborn shark." Marie then lightly gasped.

"Oh. I must've forgot to bring that up. Was kinda sudden, I know." she said "Bleu? This might sound crazy...but how would you like to move into our apartment complex? There's a vacant room next door that you and Pyke can use. And with us next door, we'll be here if you should need our help. I'll put in a good word with the manager if it'll help." Bleu gasped, surprised by her generous offer.

"Y-You sure?" he asked. Marie nodded, followed by Callie.

"Totally! It was what Marie had planned for a while now! On top of the perks of being neighbors, you'll get to see your GIRLFRIEND whenever you'd like!" she chimed in. Marie groaned slightly before jabbing at her side.

"CAN IT." she replied sternly, Callie giggling after. Just then, Pyke looked towards Bleu and Marie. His eyes caught them offguard before he started looking between them.

"Th-That mean…big brother….and Marie…Pyke's new mom and dad?" he asked, tilting his head. The words "mom and dad" echoing in their heads caused both Marie and Bleu to quickly light up beet red, unable to face each other and turned away.

"Uhhh….w-w-well….ONLY IF MARIE'S CHILL WITH IT!" Bleu shouted, too embarrassed to look back. Marie quickly brought out a fold fan and started fanning herself, trying to cool down. All the while, Callie couldn't help but watch her suffering with a big smile.

"Not only are you Deep Cut's new "boss", but you're a MOMMY too?! Oh! My cousin grew up SO FAST!" Callie proclaimed. Marie growled before, closing the fan, swiftly bashed Callie in the head. She was left hunched over, moaning in pain while caressing the red bump on her head.

END OF EPISODE