Okay, here's another chapter. I'm seriously debating about finishing a chapter for Fresh Out of Octo Canyon but I'm really into this story right now.
Also, the Cronavirus exists. It's started to really spread here in America and I'm not even in school right now so I may be able to write a bit more. This whole pandemic is a really odd experience so it's nice to have a bit of escapism with fanfiction and stuff. Hope ya'll are staying healthy and adjusting to the changes if any!
Either way, I got a lot of ideas and I'm really excited to get them all down. Without further-ado, here's another chapter!
I woke up feeling totally refreshed. I layed in bed for a few more blissful moments feeling totally at peace. However, we had things to do today. I got up and surveyed the apartment. We had made the place a mess last night with pizza plates and our stuff all over the floor. While it was nice to be lazy that night, I was not going to live in a constant mess. We had to get everything in order so we could get to turf war team sign-ups nice and early as it was bound to get crowded in the morning.
Penny was still fast asleep and after brief contemplation, I attempted to shake her awake.
"W-Woomy?" muttered Penny half asleep still.
"Penny," I said, "It's a big day you gotta get up. We got things to do and places to see."
Penny opened her eyes wearily and looked up at me dazed. After much coercion, she eventually got up after a few minutes. She slept like the dead. I suddenly realized that inklings hate waking up early according to my mom. I always was on time to things in my town unlike everyone else, which always made me stand out. My octarian side can manage the agony and discipline of a scheduled wake up, but that doesn't mean my inkling side enjoys it.
"Come on," I coerced, "We got to clean up and make breakfast."
And then it hit me.
We didn't have any groceries in here did we?
I swore something that I swear made Penny's eyes grow twice as wide.
"What was that for?!" inquired Penny somewhat shaken as she got up.
"We don't have any stupid groceries!" I spat.
Okay, I guess we would have to eat out...again! Waste of money. Whatever. First things first. We would have to clean up. We rolled up our sleeves and got to work getting the place in order.
First, we cleaned up the pizza which wasn't too much of a problem but those cursed taped down chairs were. The tape was like super glue and ripping it off without scissors took nearly half an hour. Penny's oversized backpack also took forever to unpack. I was surprised by how much she brought and I felt like maybe I hadn't packed enough coming here. She had tons of clothes, a laptop, an ink tank, a clock, a pressure cooker, lots of books, and more. I was surprised she could carry all that without breaking her back. Looking at myself, I had a few sets of clothes, my splattershot jr, and my phone and charger.
Hey, at least our room wouldn't be so barren with all of Penny's stuff.
I googled a nearby diner and we headed out. It wasn't even seven. The early bird gets the worm and the early hybrid gets her turf team. We exited the lobby and to my surprise the same attendant was there. Did the urchin go through the entire night shift? He looked a bit tired to me. He gave us a small bleary eyed wave. Nice to see some friendly folks around here. I waved back.
The streets were shockingly empty compared to how packed they usually were. Like I said, inklings can't stand to get up early. That was just fine, we would get a diner to ourselves. Penny didn't say much, she was still waking up but if I was successfully able to drag an inkling out of bed then I count that as a win.
On our way to the diner we passed the grate we fell through. It was still open but construction bumpers were put up next to it. They read "Danger!"
"Looks like the police are already investigating." remarked Penny sleepily.
"See," I smiled, "They got it all under control. There was nothing to worry about"
Penny gave a smile in return. It was nice to see her more relaxed.
However, it didn't last long. Her smile immediately faded and her face went white. It was if someone slipped a light switch on Penny's face to off. She was shaking.
"Penny!" I said in alarm, "What's wrong!?"
She said something incoherent. She didn't need to respond but she didn't need to respond anyway. I sensed a presence ahead of us and I couldn't believe who I saw.
It was Soldier Girl. No more than a dozen or so feet up the street. She was in casual clothing, a hoodie with some headphones around her neck. I noticed one of her eyes was black and a little swollen, probably where I punched her earlier. I must have hit her harder than I thought because it looked like it hurt. It was odd seeing her without all that high powered gear but I wasn't fooling myself. Something was up. Judging by her expression, I didn't think she expected to see us either.
I looked around. There was nobody out. Why would there be? Inklings hate to be up early. Which begs the question? Why would she be here? I suddenly realized how vulnerable we were out here alone in the streets. For all I knew she could just splat us out of vengeance for us reporting her and leave as if nothing had happened. I didn't take my splattershot with us. Despite the incredible danger, I took the initiative.
"Hey!" I yelled trying to be intimidating, "What's your problem?"
Maybe she would be trying to lay low since the police had obviously looked into the shady operation she was involved in. Maybe if I tried yelling at her she would run.
Suddenly, to my alarm, she came charging directly at us and fast. Her casual clothing did little to disguise how dangerous she was. She was running fast to. Like a robot she was charging toward us with only one purpose. I braced myself but she ran directly past me shoving me aside.
My mind slowed in confusion at her actions and the pain of hitting the pavement but I soon realized she was after Penny. Penny had no time to react and the inkling shoved her. She was so strong that Penny literally crashed into the danger barrier and right down the open grat with a scream.
It took me only a second for me to get back up and react.
"You!" I screamed as I punched Soldier Girl right in the jaw, probably breaking her headphones.
My reactions surprised me. I was not just running on adrenaline but dare she attack Penny! She was defenseless! What was waiting for Penny down there? Was she okay? None of that mattered. I was seeing red. The frustration of all this senseless garbage that had happened since I got here had reached a breaking point. All that mattered to me was slamming this monster's face into the pavement.
However, it didn't end out that way.
Soldier Girl didn't even real back from my direct blow to the face. It was like she was inhumane. She just took it, bobbing her head back a bit, and stood her ground. This girl was not normal. I was dealing with someone far out of my league. This was bad.
Soldier Girl tackled me and I lost my footing under her incredible strength. I felt my footing give way and we went right in the grate. We tumbled painfully down the chute and somehow this girl was still clinging to was nothing I could do but turn into a squidopus to avoid injuring myself as I was forced to slide down the dizzying series of turns. I imagine Soldier Girl did the same.
After what felt like forever I felt myself going upward and being launched straight out of the exit like before and on to the hard ground. I thought after doing this twice it wouldn't be as bad but I was still nauseated. I couldn't even stand up. Somehow, with all the dizziness I felt, I had the instinct to look around for Penny. Fortunately, she was sitting upwards dizzy but fine. Thank cod.
Suddenly, I heard a sloshing sound and saw Soldier Girl appear through the gate. She did not launch in the air. She simply appeared out of the grate standing up, unfazed in humanoid form. The realization came to me that maybe the ride was intentionally dizzying so anyone who didn't know how to transit it properly would come out disoriented and vulnerable.
Cod, this was bad. Really, really bad. Why was she even able to go down here? The police checked this place. Right? Right?! I tried to get up to run but the world was spinning so much that I fell down as soon as I got back up.
Cursing to myself, I looked up to see a dualie pointed straight at my face with a grinning inkling staring down at me.
"Now," smiled Soldier Girl evilly, "Let's talk."
Okay so that was an intense chapter. We'll see what happens. By the way, Soldier Girl is an O.C by Melfire Vulpix. I intend to do much more for her in the next chapter and the future! ;)
Stay Fresh and Fight for All Fiction!