Chapter 22: Reunion
As Callie ran along the beach she jumped over multiple sunbathing cephalopods, keeping her eyes open for a shack.
"Isn't this lovely? See, I told you I can be romantic."
"You keep telling yourself, that you old coot…. I love you, you wrinkly prune"
"Heh, my honey bun"
Upon hearing and recognizing the voices Callie skidded to a stop, but tripped and fell into the sand with a yelp.
"That yelp… Callie?" An old inkling stood up and turned around.
Said squid pulled herself out of the sand, shaking some off her head. "Gramps!" She smiled widely.
"Oh sweetheart, are you okay?" An elderly female inkling walked to her.
"I'm okay, Grandma." She ran up and hugged her grandfather, a few tears running down her face.
"Oh, Callie. How have ya been, squiddo?" Her grandfather gave her a loving and warm hug.
"I've been okay. I missed you."
"Oh, I missed you greatly too. I'm happy to see you are doing well."
"Hey, Captain Cuttlefish!" Jack yelled as he and Marie approached.
"Gramps! Nana!" Marie ran to them.
Cici slowly followed behind them.
"Oh, Marie!" Captain Cuttlefish pulled her into the hug as well. "I'm so glad to see you both."
Someone picked Cici up, which she allowed.
Jack smiled as he saw the family hug. "They seem happy." He looked at Nana. "Hi."
"Oh, hello young man. You seem to be happier" She smiled and patted his head.
"Oh, yeah. I guess I am." He shrugged.
Bubbles flew around the area. A very beautiful inkling with long tentacles that gently foamed walked towards Cici.
As Callie, Marie, and Captain Cuttlefish ended their long hug he took a step back, holding himself up with his old Bamboozler. "So glad to see both of you doing so well. Tell me, did anything interesting happen while you were gone, Callie?"
"It's a long story, Gramps." She giggled.
"So what are you guys doing here?" Marie asked.
"Your grandfather helped save these octolings with the help of a… what again dear?"
"I dubbed her Agent 8. She's a shy one, that octo"
"Oh yes… Agent 8"
"Oh, that's interesting." Callie smiled.
"Yep yep, I was the only one to see her before she hid her appearance…Well, me and Agent 3."
"You saw her, Jack?" Callie looked at the orange inkling.
"Um...I guess? I don't know. All I remember is saving the Captain from a giant blender and...something about a statue...But a lot of it is fuzzy…" He scratched his head.
"He was knocked out cold for most of it…" Nana patted his back, "It's okay."
"Well, now it's your turn. Did anything happen to either of you?" Cuttlefish looked at his grandsquids. "Anything interesting at all?"
"I met a new friend. I've become really close to her…. But I don't really know what she looks like" Marie rubbed her arm.
"Oh, why not tell me about her more over some crabby cakes?" The old squid smiled.
"You are hoping I make extra since we have guests, aren't you honey?" Nana crossed her arms.
"I'll happily help you make them, honey bun." The captain replied.
"No, no you are getting fat… The doctor said you need to lose that belly"
"Oh, what does he know?" He folded his arms for a moment.
"Heh, same old Gramps." Callie laughed.
"And you, young lady. You go away for two years and don't even call." He stamped his Bamboozler.
"Oh…" Callie bit her bottom lip.
"Heh, I'm kidding, kiddo. I understand you had your reasons. But you could have at least messaged me." He walked up and hugged her again.
"I'm sorry."
"That's okay. I'm just curious if anything happened during that time."
"Like what? All that really happened is that I worked as a fashion model." She replied.
"She also got a boyfriend." Jack added.
"Hey!" Callie looked at him angrily as he gave her a wide smile.
"Oh, really?" The captain's eyes somehow got wider.
"Our little squid is growing up so fast…" Nana seemed proud.
"And who is this guy that has caught my grandsquid's attention?" He asked.
Before Callie could reply the sound of an engine was heard before something crashed into a large sand castle, knocking it down. "This is him." She giggled as she saw his head burst out of the sand pile.
A little octo hatchling was on his head. The child gurgled happily.
"~Here I am to wreck the daaaayyy!~" Adstrum sang as he pulled himself out of the sand.
"Kitty" The child chirped.
"Oh, hello little one." Adstrum put his Ink Wheel back into his jacket and gently picked the small Octo hatchling off his head.
"Haroow" The child repeated.
"That. Is adorable!" He smiled. "Who's kid is this?"
"Oh… um he's an orphan. Sorry I guess he slipped away. " An octoling walked over and took the little child who happily hugged her.
"Oh, that sucks. Sorry to hear that. Bye, little one." He waved at the tiny octopus.
"Bwaaye!"
"He's so cute!"
"What took you so long?" Callie asked with a hand on her hip.
"Oh, I got lost for a bit. Took a detour. Went a bit through some of the bushes on the outskirts of the wilderness. Might have run over something. I heard a yelp of pain from something." He shrugged. "No big deal."
"Young man that is dangerous…" Nana scolded him, "There is a giant wild fire tiger out there."
"And I have a rocket propelled hammer." He replied back before pointing over his shoulder. "Also, Cici's getting kidnapped."
"Who?" Nana looked to see Cici getting carried away by a couple who wrapped her up in a blanket.
"WHAT!?" Jack yelled and noticed the couple.
"Yeah, just thought I should let you know." Adstrum saw him run after the couple.
"Jack, wait!" Callie ran after him.
"You are light, but gaining some weight, huh?" A male Inkling with glowing markings petted Cici's head, "You are a good girl."
"You spoil her too much" The bubbling Inkling giggled.
Jack was about to reach the couple when he got tackled from behind. Callie lifted him up and held his arms. "Let go, Callie!"
"Jack, calm down." She replied. "She's not being kidnapped."
"Oh, aren't you Callie? From the Squid Sisters?" The inkling holding Cici in a blanket asked.
"I'll bet you are Mr. Bubble. Nice to meet you." Callie smiled and looked over at the bubbling squid. "Hi, Mrs. Bubble. Long time, no see."
"What?" Jack stopped struggling and froze up.
"Yes, hello Callie. Please call me Celeste." The bubbling inkling smiled, "I see that Cecilia has been helping you with your tour and outfits."
"Oh, Cici's been great." Callie let go of Jack's arms, causing him to fall face first into the sand.
"Oh my, is your friend alright?"
"Oh, he's fine." She smirked. "He just really cares about Cici and is surprised to be meeting her parents now. Am I right, Jack?" She lifted him up, his face covered in sand.
"Oh, does he?" She seemed to be intrigued, "That's interesting…"
"Mmhm." Calle nodded and let him go. He stood there speechless.
"Is he, um… mute?" Cici's father raised a brow.
"No, he can talk. Just probably scared or something."
"Choking up, kiddo?" Captain Cuttlefish walked up with Nana, Marie, and Adstrum. "You haven't been this speechless since when I first recruited you."
"Oh, hello Captain." Celeste greeted him
"Hello, Celeste." He tipped his hat to her. "Nice to see you and Byrion again."
"Always a pleasure." Byrion smiled and pet his sleeping daughter.
"So…" Jack finally spoke up. "You are Cici's parents?"
"Yes, and you are?"
"I am Jack Trench, sir." He replied to her dad.
"I see. So you care about my daughter?"
"Yes sir. Very much so."
"Don't worry. She's fast asleep so she probably won't hear us"
"Yeah. Right. Asleep." Adstrum rolled his eyes. "How many conversations has she joined in on when we thought she was sleeping?" He looked over at Callie and Marie.
"She will only sleep for reals when you cuddle her. Hard to do if you are anyone other than her parents since she tries to keep her distance."
"Ah. Okay." Adstrum shrugged.
"You two raised a beautiful daughter." Jack gently petted her. "I don't wish for anything bad to befall her."
"Yes, she has my wife's radiance bubbles… At least when she's super happy…"
"Yes, but she glows with your warmth" Celeste kissed Byrion's cheek.
"She has gone through something horrible… It may take some time, but she will eventually warm up to those who are worthy."
"I know…" Jack rubbed his arm.
"Best thing to do is to keep sticking to her. If she is stubborn, be just as stubborn."
"Oh, okay." Jack nodded. "Thanks for the advice."
Cici woke up and looked around in the blanket.
"Hey there, Ci. This boy says he wants to take care of you. Give him a chance okay? Be nice"
Jack's eyes widened. "Uh...I don't think that's a good idea…" He took a step back. "She's kind of...uh…"
"..." Cici looked at him.
"She's pissed at him." Adstrum finished.
Jack just covered his face and groaned.
"Oh, you saw the tape, huh?" Celeste asked.
Jack nodded.
"Wow, first guess." Adstrum chuckled.
"Ci usually never gets angry with people. She's a pacifist in most cases"
"Really?" Callie raised an eyebrow.
"I would have believed that before the Gauntlet." Adstrum chuckled.
"Oh yeah, she did that. At least we found where the fans went." Celeste chuckled.
"Those things were awesome. Nice weapons." Adstrum smiled.
"Thanks. They were a challenge to make" Byrion smiled.
"Only because they weren't supposed to be weapons" Celeste chuckled.
"I like your parents, Cici." Adstrum said to the small squid.
Cici smiled.
"I like them too." Jack spoke up.
"...Thanks I guess…" Cici muttered to him.
He looked away and rubbed his arm, a look of sadness on his face.
"Ci, you will spend time with your friend, okay? Papa needs to go talk to Acrilic. Says he has a crazy idea…. Again…" He put her down next to Jack, "You kids play nice now"
"Oh, Acrilic! I like that guy!" Adstrum smiled. "Where is he?"
"Oh, they live near the Water Palace. Queen Aria and …. Um Queen Chomp... Actually play a role like how Callie and Marie did back in the day"
"I thought Chomp was the royal advisor." Callie raised an eyebrow.
"Aria tells people to call Chomp that. She's very eager to make that happen" Celeste laughed, "It even shows during their news broadcast."
"Heh, that's interesting." Callie smiled. "I can't wait to see the palace. When should we go?"
"We are headed over there now. I have to go see Aria for her outfit and my husband is going to see Acrilic."
"Can we join you?!" Callie's eyes widened.
"Sure. I'm sure it will be easier this way"
"Yay!" Callie grabbed her cousin's hand. "Come on, Marie! Let's go!"
"Jack was it?" Byrion looked at him, "Please take care of my little girl, okay? And Cici. Give him a chance, okay?"
"Yes, sir." He nodded to the older inkling.
She reluctantly held one of his fingers and avoided eye contact with him.
"Atta girl" Her father smiled and patted both of their heads.
As the group walked off Jack looked down at Cici. "You can let go if you want…"
"Only because Papa said so… I'll let it go for now, so he can be happy…"
Jack just sat down.
"Are we staying here?"
"We can do whatever you want." He replied.
"You decide. I don't really know this place…" She took another finger into her grasp.
"I would like to see the palace." He stood back up. "That's what everyone else is doing."
"Okay." She watched him stand up.
"Let's go." He started following the rest of the group.
She followed quietly behind him, still holding on to his fingers.
As the group reached the palace most looked up at the beauty of it. The walls were made from water with fishes actually swimming around the castle. The light reflected through the castle and danced on the glassy floors inside.
Adstrum let out a chuckle, making Callie raise her eyebrow at him.
"What's so funny?"
"I just wonder how the queen can live here if it seems the walls give no privacy." He laughed.
"Actually I don't give a damn." Aria chuckled as she stood at the entrance.
"I do…" Chomp sighed.
"Then how the hell do you guys change clothes or shower or something?" Adstrum laughed louder.
"Her highness can distort the water so it becomes harder to see…."
"I just take a shower in the walls. All for you, Akkie…" Aria winked at Chomp.
"..." Chomp pinched the bridge of her nose.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Adstrum held his stomach as he fell to his knees.
"Heh, I see she's still flirty with you Chomp." Celeste chuckled
"...Yeah…" Chomp sighed.
"Because you won't marry me…" Aria tried to jump into her arms.
Chomp dove into the water and turned into a metal great white and swam away.
"This is cute." Callie said with a smile.
"You can't escape my love, Akkie!" Aria turned into an octopus and chased the metal shark.
"What was that?!" Adstrum pointed at Chomp.
"Shark armor mech. We worked together to make it" Byrion answered.
"Huh...reminds me of the Octomaw." Captain Cuttlefish said.
Jack came in with Cici and nodded.
"Her mother piloted it so it was fitting… and maybe too powerful"
Jack rubbed the back of his head. "Oh…"
"She passed away before you were born. Don't worry dear" Nana petted Jack.
"Oh." He blinked.
"This is adorable!" Callie watched the octopus chase the metal shark throughout the walls of the palace. "I wish I could swim with them."
"I documented an-... Huh?" A familiar pink inkling looked around the throne room, "Where did they go? Acrilic, leave the fish alone!"
"Oh, is that you, Pastelli?" Callie looked at the pink inkling.
"No way, hello again Callie!" Pastelli squealed and jumped up and down.
"You're excited." Callie laughed and hugged the squealing Inkling.
"Where's your pet psycho?" Adstrum asked as he walked up.
"Acrilic! They are here!"
Said inkling walked in with some sort of giant clear centipede monster nibbling on him. Marie screamed and ran away from the huge bug.
"I told you to leave her alone…" Pastelli shook her head.
"Okay, that thing is awesome!" Adstrum pointed at the clear bug.
She seemed angry at Acrilic as she continued nibbling his tentacles.
"Hello bug." Adstrum walked up and patted her head.
She stopped when Adstrum walked up to her. She made chirps and gurgle sounds as she touched him with her antenni.
"Seems like Wind likes you." Acrilic picked up the bug off of himself and dropped her onto Adstrum. "Here, hold this."
Wind seemed curious with him and floated around him.
"What the heck?" Jack shook his head. "Okay, I need to know. How is it that Aria has power over water and this...centipede is transparent and flies?"
Wind seemed curious about Jack when he spoke and flew to him.
"OH HI!" His eyes widened as she flew in front of his face.
She was several yards long as she wrapped her long body around Jack, her antenni gently brushing him.
"Uh….guys?" He looked around the room for help. "What's it doing?"
"Wind, no. Let Jack go. He doesn't want a hug" Pastelli scolded the bug.
"It's hugging me?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I know she looks scary since she's a giant tapeworm, but she can't really bite."
"Can drain all the ink from you… That will kill you" Cici replied
"Not funny, Cici." Jack muttered as Wind curled around him.
"Jack's right, though." Callie spoke up. "Can someone tell us why Aria has water powers or why this worm is like this?"
"And Acrilic can...blow up light bulbs?" Adstrum asked.
"And this." Acrilic placed his hand against the water wall and electricity surrounded a bit of the area he touched, accidentally zapping Chomp in the process.
Chomp floated belly up with spirals in her eyes, "Oww…"
"Oops. Looks like I made it easier for Aria to catch her." He looked at the octopus. "You're welcome."
The octopus happily cuddled the shark.
"Well, um, so they were a secret experiments the octarians made in order to get the upper hand in the great turf war. Aria's mother was one. Acrilic was experimented on years ago… Wind was designed to drink all the the blood from her victims. There are a lot. Some have lost their minds and became feral. They also breed with each other so now we don't know how many there is."
"The originals were an ice dog and a fire cat. Kyahahahaha. How does that work?" Acrilic laughed.
"She won't drain me, will she?" Jack shuddered a bit.
Wind cooed and nibbled his tentacle.
"No, she is fairly friendly. She purifies the water so people can safely live off it."
"Okay…" He still seemed unsure as he felt the worm nibbling his tentacle. "Actually I'm used to this...I know that sounds weird…"
"She is drinking your extra ink flow from your tentacles. It's safe and harmless"
"Is that what you do, Cici?" He looked down at the small inkling.
"...Not intentionally… I do it… as a cuddle…" She answered honestly.
"Ah. Okay." He looked back at Pastelli. "She won't get greedy, will she?" He pointed at the worm nibbling his tentacles.
"If she bit you and refuses to let go you should be scared, but nibbles are a sign of affection? Jury's still out on the meaning behind her nibbles."
"Okay…" He chuckled nervously and petted Wind.
Wind noticed Marie hiding and unwrapped herself before flying to her. Marie started panicking and ran around as the worm chased her.
"Hey!" Callie stood between Wind and Marie. "Leave my cousin alone. She has a fear of bugs."
Wind wrapped her body around Callie.
"Woah there, wormy. Get off Callie." Adstrum walked up to her and Wind.
She chirped and tilted her head.
"Get off please." He gently tugged on her.
Wind released her.
Callie ran up to her cousin and put a hand on her shoulder. "You okay, Marie?"
"Y-yeah? But that bug… why is it sooo big?"
"I guess this is just a whacky place." Callie shrugged and patted her back. "Come on." She led her over to Aria. "Do you have a place she can relax? Away from Wind?"
Wind curled up with Cici.
"Don't you dare harm her." Jack immediately glared at Wind. "Drink my blood if you want, but don't you dare hurt her."
"Wind… How's about you go back into the water? I'll bring you jello later and read you a bedtime story, okay?" Pastelli petted the worm who happily chirped and dove into the water depths below.
"Maybe Marie can relax on a water bed. Literally." Adstrum chuckled.
"I can make you one" Aria smiled, still cuddling Chomp.
"I was kidding." He laughed harder.
"Well, I think some relaxation to help Marie forget about Wind could help." Callie nodded as she patted her cousin's back. "How does that sound, Marie?"
"O-okay…" Marie looked at the dark depths under them.
"So what's it like living in a water palace?" Callie asked as she and the rest of the group followed Aria through the clear halls.
"I guess it's not too different from living in a house? Except for the fish that stare at you from time to time. At least I never have to go hungry..." Aria chuckled carrying Chomp.
As the group followed her they passed by multiple different rooms, one with a pool of water in the middle. Unlike the walls this one was just open. "What room is this?" Callie asked curious.
"Oh, it's like a meditation room or a spa room. Huh, Akkie?"
"...Yes. The water there is the purest we can get from Wind."
"Oh. Sounds like a nice place to relax." Jack nodded. "How does that sound, Marie?"
"I use my water garden to chill. I feel she may like it better since Wind may pop up there to bring more water there."
"Okay, your garden might be better." Callie nodded.
Aria brought them to a room where the water was a gentle green with lily pads and water lilies of different colors surrounded them. There were koi fishes that greeted them by pecking their shoes.
"Is that water...okay?" Jack raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah." Aria sat down the water reached her waist.
"Okay…This look good, Marie?" Callie asked.
Cici took off her slippers and let the fish peck at her feet, "Hehe, they tickle"
"This is a lovely palace, Aria." Callie pointed out.
"Thanks. I'll turn it into your stage later." Aria smiled, "Thanks again for agreeing to perform here"
"What?" Callie's eyes widened. "You're going to turn the whole palace into our stage?"
"Yup. I'm saving energy for it. We will be opening acts for you guys. This will bring up our people's morals."
"But...isn't this your home?" Callie seemed concerned.
"Don't worry. She'll just stay with me." Chomp reassured Callie.
"Win win!" Aria beamed.
"..." Chomp sighed.
"Will she have enough water at your house for one night?" Acrilic asked.
"I have a bath tub. She can sleep in there."
"I wanna share the bed though…" Aria whined
"No."
"Is the water from your bath clean enough?" Acrilic asked.
"Fine. I'll ask Wind to keep Aria company"
"NO! I want alone time with Akkie… No babies allowed…"
"You need water every two hours or you'll die. Um...is that right, Pastelli?" He looked at the pink inkling.
"Give or take, yes. The water quality doesn't matter too much since her skin is thicker than ours." Pastelli smiled.
Cici was playing with the fish. Bubbles floated from her tentacles.
Jack smiled widely at seeing her happy.
"So when is the concert?" Adstrum asked.
"It starts tonight at 8pm."
"Okay. We should figure out what we are going to do for the show, Marie. Well, after you calm down, that is." Callie smiled as Marie dipped her feet into the pond.
"Don't worry. In the village it's pretty normal. Go beyond the village and things get crazy."
"I want to go beyond the village. Again." Acrilic smiled.
"You would go there anyways even if I told you not to. But you do protect the village, so eh."
"Can I go with him?" Adstrum smiled.
Cici became tired and sat down. The fishes pecked her.
Jack gently lifted her up a bit more so she didn't slip into the deeper part of the pond.
She hugged him and started napping on him. Marie smiled at him.
He smiled widely and patted Cici gently.
"Heh, feel free to do whatever you like before the show. We will be here if you need anything" Chomp smiled.
"Awesome! Let's go, Acrilic!" Adstrum pulled out his Ink Claws and turned them on, black ink dripping out of the fingers and quickly hardening into claws.
"What are those!? I want a pair!" Acrilic licked his fangs.
"Acrilic, remember to turn on the camera… I still need to log them into the database" Pastelli reminded him.
He blew a raspberry and took the camera from her. "Love you." He ran out of the palace with Adstrum running behind him.
"Well, I think I'll go back and talk with Gramps and Granny. Now's a good time to tell him about what I did." Callie said as she ran out the door, a smile plastered on her face.
"I think I'll explore the village." Marie walked out.
"...Wanna walk around?... Maybe we can try the treats here?" Cici muttered quietly
"Sure." Jack carried Cici to the exit, passing by Celeste and Byrion. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Bubble."
"Heh, she's tired already, huh? It's okay, here. Take some money and buy some sweets. That will perk both of you up." Celeste smiled and handed him money.
"There is a fun activity at the beach. Pretty sure even Ci can't resist" Byrion smiled.
"Um...thanks." He nervously smiled at them and carried Cici out.
Author's Note: And now we've entered the weirdness. YAY! The next couple of chapters will be like this. Hope you enjoy them!
Thank you The Bowser Monster, Guest, and Devil Dude 42 for leaving reviews. Thank you so much.
Sorry, Guest.
She is a crazy queen, Devil Dude. But an enjoyable one.
See you all next week on Tuesday with an update. Hope you all enjoy this one!
