Author's Note: I dunno how exactly the world of Splatoon looks like, so I based on other fan work. Also, the cameos in this chapter are fellow writers. And without further ado...Enjoy.
The trio drove away from the besieged hotel, witnessing multiple occasions of people talking & gesturing at the hotel's direction, seeing the foreign craft lord over the building. Police were still deployed every avenue leading to the Hotel, blocking off civilians from the scene, to avoid casualties, even in significantly reduced numbers.
"Jeebus, that was tough.", Evan breathed out, unstrapping his ink tank. "Ah squit, I used my Turf War tank!" he said, noticing the colors.
"It was for a good purpose...", Callie mused.
"Eh, you got a permit for that.", Marie deftly assured Evan. She then called up Sheldon to meet at the back of Ammo Knights to discuss a battle plan, and call in Three & Five. "That tank's not a rental now, yeah?", Marie asked Evan.
"Yeah, recently.", Evan said. "Damn, the Sanitized are mounting a full-on attack.", Evan mused, as he sat on the backseat of Callie's car. "Was about to go Turf when Callie called. And apparently they got Nate & Chris hostage, along with the rest of the game...", Evan sighed, as he fiddled with his Hero Shot. "Uh guys, tell Sheldon to bring the actual Hero Shot, because we'll need bomb variety, I'm sure of that.", Evan told the two females. "I'm just thankful Lina got to go thanks to you guys.", he added.
"That's our job as the NSS.", Callie waved it off, as she motioned to pick up the shellphone, but Marie gestured to do it herself.
"Hey, don't text & drive.", Marie reminded her cousin. "Not while there's InkPD everywhere." she added.
"Oof, right", she replied, as she continued dealing with the heavy traffic caused by the commotion over at the Hotel, dealing with congested highways.
Meanwhile, back at the hotel, seven cephalopods were tied up, their weapons in a pile, which was watched over by an Elite Sanitized. A squad of Sanitized were circling them, prodding one of the cepha-kids for kicks, intimidating them so to avoid any funny moves.
"Try any funny business and we'll splat you forever.", said a guard, her lifeless tone giving the threat a whole other layer of creepy.
"What the hell you aliens want from us?!", yelled out a male Inkling with top tails: Chris.
"You shall see, sub-specie", said another voice from afar, the commander. "The media left these in confusion. With this, the good news of Sanitization can be heard around the world, paving the way for the Red Fist Revolution's perfect vision.", she deftly stated, holding a television camera.
"I suppose that includes being like you weird fucks?", blurted a buzz cut Inkling, which earned him a warning shot from a guard and being whacked with the weapon for good measure.
"This mess you consider a society is a pitiful excuse.", the commander drawled. "Arguing over fashion differences and wasting your time on these...festivals...", she continued. "But hey, where are my manners. I am Commander Catalina Stormsurge, captain of the King Manta.", she introduced herself to the captives.
"The Splatoon will come get ya!", said a female Octoling, tentacles in disarray from the situation.
"Hmm, the Splatoon.", said a guard. "Hah-haha!", she managed a digital chuckle.
"I am afraid they have ducked out.", said the Commander simply. "They're not coming back.", she said deftly. "Not even the Inkling military can stop us.", she smiled smugly at the captives, earning either angry or scared looks from the captives.
"They will return!", blurted out a hipster Inkling: Nate.
"You will be the first Inkling subjects of Sanitization.", said the commander, as the guards still circled the captives. "You cannot escape, this whole Hotel is hostage.", she stated. "I wonder, will Inklings get smarter once Sanitized?", the commander mockingly wondered.
"A whole hotel for what?", said the female Octoling.
"Aren't you listening, sub-specie? We intend to send a message to all cephalopod society!", she irritatedly stated, whacking the Octoling with her own hand, inflicting a back-handed slap, which earned a terrified & angry look, to the commander's satisfaction.
"Is it ready yet?", called out Cmdr. Stormsurge to a tiger prawn fiddling with a TV camera.
"A few more minutes and it should be good, commander.", stayed the prawn technician.
"Hurry up, we'll need to broadcast soon!", the commander barked, as the prawn & jelly crew fiddled with broadcasting tech they "acquired" from fleeing TV people. The jellies were hooking up every which wire to its destination, while the prawns were retooling the signals. Later...
"Report!", barked the commander.
"Commander, the equipment is prepared!", pepped up the prawn leader.
"Good. Soldiers, the captives. Positions, all of you.", she commanded, as the Sanitized dragged the captives into a line. The other soldiers were training the cameras to the captives & the captors, including the commander. Said commander took place at the center. And soon, they began the broadcast.
Meanwhile, at the Square, cephalopods were increasingly confused & frustrated as to why they can't enter a Turf match, despite multiple advice from the Ink Battle Committee that the current stage is under attack, leaving only one available.
"What the hell is going on?", said a green top-tail, brown male Inkling.
"Under attack? How?", said a yellow hipster, white male Inkling.
Confusion continued to rage on through the Square, but the regular flow was largely undisturbed for the most part, the shops continuing to run and the arcades manned by patrons.
Meanwhile, in a Deca Tower lobby...four cephalopods were sitting on a couch, taking about the sudden phenomenon going on, holding on to their various weapons.
"Hey, any clue as to what's going on?", asked a purple long-tentacle, dark female Inkling, who had an Undercover Brella beside her. "Any idea, Catfish?" she asked her Octoling friend.
"I dunno exactly, Lon, but word is that New Albacore Hotel is under attack by these... Sanitized. Whatever that may be.", replied the blue side-swept, fair male Octoling.
"Under attack? Oh damn.", said a green side-swept, male Inkling, holding a 52 Gal Deco. "Big F if that's true.", he added.
"Yeah. Big F indeed, Joel.", replied Catfish.
"I just hope that nobody got harmed...", mused Lon.
"I would usually meme this... But this is serious squit." said Joel, "like, legit threatening.", he added.
"Yeah, you'd be a rotten squid if you did, Eagle", said a baby blue ponytail, fair Octoling, holding on to a Kensa Splat Charger. "cephalopod lives are no meme.", she added.
"Agreed, Ash.", replied Catfish, picking up his Splattershot.
"Ah damn, what we gonna do now?", wondered Eagle, setting down his 52 Gal.
"Dunno honestly.", said Lonnie. "Maybe play some Squid Beats 2?", she asked tentatively.
"I'd be down.", said Ash, perking up slightly.
"Don't pick too fast ones, Ash! We went home sore last time!", said Eagle, waving his 52 gal.
"Not much my cup of tea, I completely am ass at that.", Joshua said dismissively.
"Hey, never too late to learn!", encouraged Lonnie. "Practice makes perfect!", she added.
"Heh, can't dance to save my life.", Joshua chuckled nervously.
Over at the back of Sheldon's shop, the Agents clambered out of Callie's car, the car splattered in places with Sanitized ink, more so when the soldiers tried to gun them down, to no avail.
"Careful when you open the doors, I don't want any of that Sanitized stuff near the upholstery!", warned Callie to both Evan & Marie. Both squids were showing signs of fatigue, Evan more so since he came running when Callie called, and fought a one-man fight. The three squids entered a back door, leading to a familiar place: the training/testing room.
There, the familiar figure of Sheldon greeted them, heaving various pieces of equipment with him.
"Thanks for delivering on short notice, Sheldon.", Marie opened.
"It is my duty, Agent!", beamed Sheldon. "Ah yes, Evan did request for this...", the horseshoe crab said, as he pulled a plastic box that Evan became all too-familiar with.
"Thanks Sheldon.", Evan said, as he opened the box to get it's content: his Hero Shot from Octo Canyon. "Watcha said to your assistant?", Evan asked.
"The usual, I said I gotta deal with something.", Sheldon said, as he set up a large digital table, portable enough to drag around, fiddling with some controls.
"Three & Five would be here soon, they reported that they were also in the Lobby.", Callie announced to the motley party. "Must be a whole lot of confusion back there...", mused the magenta Inkling, as she set down her Hero Roller. "What do I tell them, Sheldon?", asked Callie.
"Tell them to tell Victoria they would test their weapons! Tell em I let them in.", he instructed.
"Right then.", Callie said, as she fired away on her mobile.
"Heesh, a whole hotel, hostage!", sighed Evan. "And that was just the first floor!", he sighed.
"A whole lot of drama going on for sure...", mused Callie. "Looks like this...Sanitization cleaned their infamous sex drive...", Callie said, chuckling slightly.
"All that brouhaha and that's what you notice...damn.", Marie mocked her cousin.
"One of what I noticed!", Callie quickly added, giggling mischievously.
"Gaddamn it Cal.", sighed Marie. Soon, a fuschia inkling donning an Olive Zekko Hoodie accompanied by a green Octoling in a Camo Layered LS came to view, approaching the huddle near the ramp by the moving targets.
"I see this is something big huh?", said Jesse. "Wouldn't call in all of us if it wasn't.", she added in a deadpan manner.
"Yes, I hear there's chaos going on.", quipped Eight.
"You two, get here.", ordered Marie to both. When the motley meeting were assembled, Marie began the planning, by addressing Five/Shannon.
"Bad news for all of us. Five's...Shannon's friends from the Metro are making quite a mess on New Albacore Hotel. We got seven teenage cephalopods hostage in the playing area, and they hold the rest of the Hotel too.", Marie stated, "Including the entrances.", she added.
"Fortunately, for us, I have spotted a weakness in their defense of the exits!", piped up Sheldon, bringing up a holographic map of the Hotel. "The employee entrance has only two guards, wielding the usual Octo-shot." he scanned his footage.
"But be forewarned however, InkPD has barricaded all roads leading to the Hotel in light of the kerfuffle her "friends" brought on.", Callie mentioned, motioning at Shannon.
"What's the weapon plan, Two?", asked Shannon.
"Ah yes, about that.", Marie responded. "Five, Four & One are our advance team.", Marie laid out the plan. "You guys get the Splat Bomb.", she said to the Agents mentioned.
"Copy that, Two.", said the mentioned Agents.
"Me & Three will be fire support, and are in charge of extra targets that would try to harass any of you.", said Marie, Three nodding in agreement.
"How are we gonna get there though?", asked Jesse. "It's not like we can walk around with all this tech...", the Inkling mused, shifting her color back to orange.
"We somehow have to find an alley where we can discreetly drop off... And maybe a Respawn Pad too...", said Marie.
"Don't worry, I got this covered, Agents!", beamed Sheldon proudly. "I have perfercted mobile Spawn Pads technology that allows for Spawn Points to be of handy size!", he announced, pulling from a hidden compartment a familiar, but smaller looking disc.
"Nice job Sheldon.", complimented Agent 4/Evan.
"Nothing much, young Agent! It's just my job!", Sheldon proudly chirped.
"Hmm, let's see, where can we park without being conspicous...", mused Marie, as she was scanning the road map & traffic cams simultaneously, zooming, rotating, and highlighting every so often.
"So Five... What will you equip in this one?", Callie asked the lone Octoling. "I'm pretty sure all that squit in that horrible Metro familiarized you with a variety of weapons...", she went on.
"I'll go Roller too.", Shannon replied. "But I can Slosher too.", she hastily added.
"Yes, go Roller, it's been long since there was another Agent on a Roller.", said Callie loudly. "If Three didn't go Charger...like some people here...", she playfully teased both squids.
"Oh please, Cal.", said Marie, while Agent 3 just stared at her in a "what-the-hell?" manner, rolling her eyes at Callie's comment. "Anyway, back to the topic?", Marie prodded, "Alright, plan of entry... ", she said, attempting to steer the meeting back to the topic. "How do we approach the Hotel guys? Without raising too much questions.", she added.
"We can't use Callie's car for sure.", said Agent 3. "It's too recognizable...", she mused off.
"Maybe we could, just not way deep into the area. ", Callie perked up. "Let's see...", as she furrowed her brows in concentration, "left here, right fork...right by this building over here.", Callie formed the route. "Ooo, wait... we may need to pay a ferryman to transport us...", Callie told the team.
"Anybody know a ferryman?", Marie asked the group.
"I do. He's on Port Mackerel.", Sheldon said. "He supplies me my materials for my merchandise.", he stated. "Perhaps we can ask this small favor...", Sheldon mused.
"But what'd be the cover story for us carrying tanks?", inquired Evan.
"Can't we just Super Jump somewhere near?", asked Jesse in a dull tone, raring to go.
"May be in the table. But kinda risky.", Marie replied. "How about the best of both worlds? Ferry off to the dock near New Albacore Hotel, Sheldon sets up the pad, then we all Super Jump near the Hotel premises. How that sound Agents?", she asked everyone inside.
"Sure does.", sounded off Evan.
"I can do this.", said Shannon.
"Let's go now...", said Jesse.
"It is settled then? Alright New Squidbeak Splatoon, the mission is on!", said Callie excitedly, hoisting her Hero Roller. "We gotta get Shannon her own Hero Gear!", said Callie, as she remembered the circumstances surrounding their newest recruit.
"Not a problem, One!", piped up Sheldon."I have more spare, especially for this occasion!", he beamed, as he presented the suitcase to Shannon. Shannon then opened it to have herself the gear that would confirm her as NSS: The Hero Hoodie, the Hero Headphones replica, and the Hero Snowboots.
"I hereby declare you, an official Agent of the New Squidbeak Splatoon.", Callie tapped her Hero Roller on both of Shannon's shoulders, like those human knights of old. "Alright, what's the color?", Callie asked.
"Let's see...purple like our Octoling friend here!", Marie proclaimed. "Since this is her first official assignment, we'll do that.", added Marie. The team, including Sheldon marched off to Callie's car, heading to Port Mackerel. The tanks behind their backs weren't the most comfortable, but mission demands so, including the driver, Callie. Marie tapped the phone to call the Cap, her & Callie's grandpa.
"Hello, Cap?", said Marie tentatively.
"Marie?", said Cap'n Cuttlefish on the other side.
"Just called Grandpa. By now, I think you had heard of the ruckus in New Albacore Hotel.", Marie laid it out to him. "The Splatoon are going to liberate the Hotel, Cap.", Marie said with determination in her voice. "Stay safe, grandpa, stay fresh.", she said.
"Marie...Two, I trust you & Callie will lead the young buckos well.", Cuttlefish rasped on the other end. "Splat the enemy, New Squidbeak Splatoon. Whatever it takes. And above all, no sea creatures left behind, you hear, Two?", he continued.
"Yes grandpa.", said Marie, as Callie started the car. "Gotta go now."
"Stay safe there, NSS.", Cuttlefish bade her.
"Love ya Grandpa!", said Callie, half-snatching the phone from Marie, but let her.
"Take care of yourself, One!", said Cuttlefish. "That goes for all of you, Agents!", he rasped. "Watch out for each other.", he reminded. "Captain out!" he said, as he dropped the phone, leaving Callie with a quiet drive for the most part, with a little small talk among the Agents, mostly pertaining to Eight/Five going up again against her old enemies.
"This time, there would be no Tartar to mess with me.", Agent 3/Jesse said. "Now they'd see the business end of this gal." she said, as she tapped her Hero Charger 2. "Effing shark bite me, you Sanitized!", she said, fire in her eyes.
"I would have thought I had left those...horrible memories behind...", said Shannon in a low tone. "Seems like my success only delayed their progress...", she mused.
"Me & Four would be looking out for you, Five.", Three patted the Octolings' back. "Promise you to protect you like it's my sister.", she said to Shannon.
"Yeah, there's five of us now, Shannon. You are not alone.", assured Agent 4/Evan.
"Alright, we are here guys!", Callie announced, as she entered Port Mackerel's parking lot. "Game face on, guys!", she encouraged the team. Sheldon, who'd be your contact?", she asked the horseshoe crab, who was sitting on Evan's lap for space constraints.
"That will be a jelly official here.", said Sheldon simply. "He has his own personal ferry that can carry us to where we should go.", he added, as all of them clambered out of the sedan, tanks strapped on to their backs.
"I'mma carry the weapons.", said Evan, reaching out to the trunk. Callie promptly opened the trunk with her keys. Jesse this time helped Evan with the load, out of courtesy for Shannon, who was slightly calming herself. Fortunately, it was a breeze as Sheldon made it so the weapon containers function like travel suitcases. The six of them prodded along out of the Parking Lot and into Port Mackerel's premises, which was mostly devoid of activity, as there was no Ink Battles going on.
Soon, Sheldon pulled up his own phone, to call his man on the inside, dialing the number.
"Hello?", Sheldon began.
"Hello. Ah yes, you.", said the voice on the other line.
"You here? I got something to ask.", said Sheldon.
"Meet me outside my office.", the mysterious voice said. "Out.", he said, as the line cut. The party trundles on along the offices of Port Mackerel. They then proceeded to turn around a dreary alley, where a stately jelly was waiting for them.
"Ah Sheldon.", said the jelly.
"Hello, Jelio.", cordially greeted the weapons expert.
"You lot need my ferry, yes?", the jelly tersely asked the motley crew. *Follow me, all of you.", he beckoned the cephalopods. All six followed, led by Sheldon, closely followed by Marie & Callie.
"This be one of your 'important businesses'?, Sheldon?", asked Jelio.
"Yes, this is one.", answered Sheldon curtly. "I would request you & your ferry's assistance to transport these squids & octo to Albacore Port.", he stated. "Also, I am setting up a Spawn Point here, in case...", he added.
"Armed to the teeth, are we?", Jelio greeted the cephs with weapons. "Come on in you lot.", he beckoned the party. "Dangerous business, this is, crab.", the jelly warned Sheldon, as he went inside and took hold of the controls. "Alright, y'all, brace yourselves!", the jelly captain called out. And with that, the boat sailed on to the sea...going to Albacore Port for the purpose of freeing New Albacore Hotel.
Off the distance they sailed, Sheldon and Jelio controlling the boat, Marie & Callie sharing a moment to themselves, Three off outside, lounging around the bow, staring off into the blue expanse. Four was with Eight, listening to Calamari Inkantation to boost themselves, and set themselves...before they go off for the raid to free the Hotel.
The mission to free the Hotel has begun. What awaits our heroes at Albacore Port? What kind of challenge would the Sanitized provide? Had they sent their message of terror already? See you...next chapter!