-Vanessa's POV-
Painter took a metal chair as requested and pulled it back, then sat down. His red eyes were filled with worry like the guy could see right through me. I also sat down and then placed my elbows on the cold table. Feigning a sigh, my legs shake with anxiety as I feel a slight pulse of stockpiled pain. "Okay so my full name is Vanessa Clearwater and underground in the Octo Valley is where I used to live." Painter tilted his head and looked a bit unsure.
"I thought that only the military Octolings and Octarians lived down there? What were you doing before you met Brian?" the inkling asked me, his left hand cradling his smartphone. He must have being be trying to figure out when our opponents will arrive. The pain from earlier tried to burst back and a faint growl escaped my mouth. Painter noticed it, his ears turning a bit darker as to get a better sound.
"Well, there are 5 layers of the whole "Octo Valley/Canyon. The top soldiers, nurses and their commanders inhabit zone closest to the surface." My Intersex teammate nodded and I continued. "My job for the Octarian government was to perform as a mechanic. Our government controlled everyone's living and working spaces, it is autocratic. " I pause. "When you are old enough to control going between Octoling form and human form you have to start taking multiple different types of civil service exams." Usually, they won't take you unless you could control it well by 14.
Pausing to take a breather I was cut off. "Oh, so whatever subjects you perform better in getting considered for as your career. Tober told me the names of all 8 of them so you don't need to go in detail." Painter caught on, taking me by surprise.
Isn't Tober that Octoling boy whose father is a Scientist? I don't agree with those experiments Ozentiberg did for Octavio if they didn't do them we might have received better aid. "Once they tallied in the results you started training for your career at the one main boarding school. "
"Most jobs only take about 2 to 3 years to complete and then you are sent to 1 of the 16 stations to do work based on skill level and ultimately finances." Although my family wasn't upper class, we were notoriously skilled and wanted by the government.
I paused to make sure Brian or that Adrien girl wasn't in earshot. Either way, it wasn't like I was telling extremely personally info. "I lived in the 2nd grand lodge of Mechanics up at level 3, doing normal work like repairing weapons and vehicles sometimes construction equipment. " Painter gave me a glance of confusion when I said the word grand, so I stopped.
"By grand I mean the building was huge and luxurious but one thing that didn't happen to be grand was my fellow mechanics." Painter's red eyes drifted upward to my forehead scar. No, they gave me scars but not that one. It's one I can't show, not even to Brian or Olive.
Just at the thought of those cowards that would dare call themselves Octoling and my head started to feel a bit lighter." You'd think the scholars and analyzers would be trying to please the government officials anyway they could-
But no it was the mechanics and engineers. Now a few other Octolings and I were definitely not, literally being rebels." I explained before taking hold of the black and red goggles that rested on my neck.
"Those who were caught doing rebelling too often would be given the 4 sided star of Octavio on either their forehead, between the eyes, one cheek, upper chest and if they reely want to shame you for being out of line-" Then to avoid saying the place out loud I gestured to my groin and then my behind. Grimacing the inkling nodded his head.
That's to keep you from having a lover and to increase humiliation during 'pre-game' while on a job. The pain I felt last week was kinda like one of those bastards slowly marking me in one of the ovaries.
"Speaking of my job before I met Brian I was doing repairs on an upper-level construction site. I only had my radio, transmitter and toolbelt while I was there.
That was because of the government removing everyone from their state lodges and out onto the 'streets' ." That was one thing that I did realize Brian had overheard.
His tongue made a clicking sound as he slowly approached the table. "Now I might have insulted your earlier when you said you had to live in the streets. But our inkling streets can't say jock squit compared to the Ocatarian slums, keep going, Ness."
The oldest male added, his tone filled with subtle respect for my hardships. He's not wrong, there is a huge difference between poverty and homelessness.
Doing my best to ignore the two new inklings' presence I did as asked. "Nobody had any good idea to why they had everyone's' government housing branch shut down and cut off access to the heartland where the 'suburban' and 'urban' places were." Adrien gave me a worried glance as she clutched her sleeve.
"What about your family? Could you contact them? Did they try? Did, did you try Gift?" The dark skinned girl asked, causing me to gaze down. Regret, pain, and frustration soon filled my eyes. Painter, being a good friend took notice and smacked her across the shoulder. Brian let out a soft chuckle then it slowed faded down as his bright pink orbs stared into my crimson ones. I know, I should have tried before I left. For all, we know they could guess I died in an accident or attack.
"No, but that doesn't matter right now…. The area where I was working was above an abandoned oil ink factory. Our current task was to fix ink grapple carry you from level to another; if the stairs or ladder were to fail." But of course, after you fire ink onto the surface from either bomb or main weapon.
Before I could mention that point I was interrupted…." I'll hurry it up for you Ness, so basically, the Octarian government wanted to prevent extremely violent uprisings they took everyone's junking weapons. No main, no sub and definitely no specials for any Octoling who wasn't an asshole official for the squit government." My housemate put to my sudden relief, I'm thankful.
With him talking I can rest my voice and not be the center of attention. The match we will be testing is going to be Rainmaker on either Moray Towers or New Albacore Hotel. Our enemy team's loadout and gear set up is one thing I am not familiar with. My Inkling companions ignored or weren't aware of me rubbing my rib cage through my jacket to calm my nerves.
"Anyway after a couple of rounds of Clam Blitz, about 4 weeks ago a group of punkass fish threw me down the side of a balcony from the Trench. Since it was junking dark down there when I was falling for minutes, I swore I was gonna kick the slosher." Brian added, making me gaze up from my palms, lifting up my goggles onto my face.
Painter had a question like always and now it's not my job to answer it. "Why'd they throw you down to your supposed death? Are they crazy extremists?" To answer the other male Brian cleared his throat then raised his voice.
"One of their little boys got on my nerves the other day, saying some retarded carp to my sis, so I busted his lights out. Now, where was I was? Oh, so when I landed I crashed into Vanessa and we fell into a huge junking pool of slimy ink oil." Wait, I called it ink oil but it's actually a failed sanitation sludge factory.
Should I correct him? No. "Anywho, on the way down Vanessa broke her stupid ass transmitter, but her toolbelt and things in her pockets were fine. Some way in shell I managed to keep hold of my Tri-slosher and not land face first…-" Yeah, instead he landed on top of me, elbowing my lungs out. Okay now, this where I should take over before this he says something too loud or giving away details I wanna save for later. Honestly, he's always starting something that'll drag out.
I place my hands on the table and rap the surface until the pink-eyed squid paid attention. With him shut up I took control of this ship, to make things even faster. "Okay, with transmitter unable to display my location and Brian's Tri-slosher still filled with ink we decided to try to escape. " The two of us had been drenched head to toe with the sludge so a nice long shower was planned.
"We inked up the side of the factory and after many tries were able to toss a burst-bomb up every ink grapple hook that the mechanics had fixed. With our presence hidden by the sanitation slime and my broken radio we could travel up through one of the secret kettles that lead to the surface." I quietly ended, the whole time voice had stayed the same volume to prevent anyone not at the table from listening.
Just as I finished that 4 figures appeared behind Painter and Helmet. It was two inklings, a male, and female along with two octolings female and male. I could see my fellow Octopods eyes light up at the sight of me. How in the world did those two escape? I must find out after the match if time allows.
The brown-skinned inkling stepped forward to grab Painter's hand. "Sorry we were late, had some other business to attend to. Are you all ready for the Rainmaker match? I'd like for one of Nathan's friends to see our team's skill in action." His deep voice proclaimed as his black eyes drove over our bodies. Wait a minute, Jet Ski isn't the team leader, Cruise is.
Painter to counter that stood up and placed a confident smile on his face as he adjusted his black cap. "Heh, I'd love to begin our match if that's alright with you guys." Helmet and Brian glared at the F.B.I team, their cocky attitudes bound to break out in the battle. In the after-effects of conversation, we all stood up and started to walk over to Deca Tower. There were some kids standing under the covering talking about whatever the not. We all entered the lobby, the team 'leaders' going to set up the rooms.
After about 1 or 2 minutes it happened. "All team members gear selected last will be used, this is your last call to change to a more preferable set." The loudspeaker belted out in a robotic voice startling us.
When I opened my eyes out of octoling form the map was Moray Towers, one in our favor. Our Ink color was orange. Guess we're are going against either purple or blue, my guess is either. Like always we were shown our enemy team loadout. F.B.I's purple team weapons for about 2 seconds; Cruise with the Ballpoint Splatling, Ferry using N-Zap 85, Jet Ski holding the Dynamo Roller and Kayak carrying a Sorella Brella.
Painter and Helmet's jaws both dropped with dread like someone suddenly splatted them. "I-i- guess we were totally off earlier huh Helm?" sweated the intersex inkling, confusing Brian and I. We shot him a glance of 'what in the world are you talking about?' and then jumped off the platform to start the match.
"Okay, Painter and I take the center and you follow on the sides if they grab hold of the Rainmaker take em out!" Helmet commanded as she and her roommate leaped onto the other building in squid form.
Brian lifted his tinted shades off the bridge of his nose and flashed a blood hungry smile. He wants to put Jet Ski in his place so bad, but won't forget the mission. I threw a sprinkler on our Rainmaker pedestal and then started to create an anti-enemy path while Brian dove down to help break the barrier.
Unfortunately, there was an explosion of purple ink from the Rainmaker. That blast took out Helmet since she was closest and Painter was shot down by Cruise. The beginning of her couple Splatling shots couldn't reach him until it got to the final bit.
"Squit! Let's tear up those guys, stay on your guard Ness!" Commanded Brian with tons of hostility in his voice before swimming towards Kayak, who had taken the Rainmaker. I don't know where Ferry or Jet Ski exactly are but I'm helping cut off the side routes with my sprinklers.
With all force suddenly a large splash of purple ink flew to my left. Jet Ski's Dynamo Roller! With all my speed I quickly swam in zig zags then as soon as the boy was in my range splatted the squid before he could swing his heavy weapon. If I were to dodge roll that would limit my speed and make me an easier target against a slow and heavy class. Ferry was giving Brian trouble with his auto bombs and longer range but my friend tossed a sprinkler up on a wall to distract his focus. The tan-skinned afro had two choices, him and his partner to die or to change his plan and leave her to die; he took the latter and jumped away from the ink rail.
Helmet and Painter had respawned and Brian has taken out the female octoling but unfortunately, she made it to 62. "How the shell did we let that happen?" Asked Painter trying to avoid Cruise's point sensor. His shots would never reach her from that height, sloshers need a bit an equal or higher playing field! Instead of replying Adrien sighed as she threw her suction bombs at the front of the enemy team's 'main point' to prevent Ferry from stealing the Rainmaker. Most stages have 2 to 3 Rainmaker paths, 1 or 2 are viable while the other one is a pure suicide mission.
Suddenly like earlier a huge trail of ink smashed down, this time hitting Painter spot on. "You let that happen because you forget to check your surroundings, be aware of our range." Mocked Jet Ski while I chased Kayak ignoring the situation to catch the Brella.
Accidentally I pushed her towards the Rainmaker and then she activated her Baller Special. "Junk, get her outta there!" Cried Adrien as she swam as far away as she could with the Rainmaker. Instantly I took aim at the other octoling's rubber shield, my orange shots preventing her from splatting Helmet. Tetra Dualies are quicker than their other counterparts, spare dapple so I was able to destroy the baller and krill Kayak. In thanks Helmet booyahed as she tried to utilize the northwest route and I raced forward to help create the path. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I see about 6 to 8 tenta missiles locked dead on me
.
To keep our Rainmaker safe enough to take the lead I fell down onto the path Jet Ski was paving, probably trying to box us. His heavy roller slammed into my body and his ink was forced into my pores quickly ending me before the pain grew unbearable. "Painter, get that motherjunker! Cruise is on my ass but I'll be fine." Shouted my roommate, wanting revenge against the cocky male squid. Meanwhile, Adrien took the lead at 65 but soon was gunned down by Ferry's straight-laced shots.
After respawning I had a chance to look at the map, deciding to super jump where is Painter who was playing support in the back away from all the danger. Wow somebody has a good idea for once, I was beginning to get worried my team mates were not adequate for the job. They took the Rainmaker but Helmets Ink Storm pushed them away into Painter Bubbles destroying Ferry again. Painter grabbed the tool but immediately was smashed by Jet Ski after he was hit by Cruise's point sensor. To distract me Kayak threw a splat bomb to my left while trying to push me off the top of the building with her Undercover Brella.
I was able to dodge but that lead to Ferry stealing the Rainmaker and Painter fell into the blast radius. With all their might, F.B.I pushed up to 32 but we drove them to either super jump away or for the Octoling male jump off the map. They had given up on the push, maybe to avoid a total team wipe. Brian looked confused but then grew upset. "Okay ya know what, junk it! Vanessa after Helmet takes the Rainmaker for our last push we are pulling a Bomb Rush Crush on their annoying fish asses!" He growled causing me to look above his head, special was charged.
Gazing back down I realized he had the golden Aerospray, not the silver one. "BRC Version 2, crowd control! I'll push them into you from the left we gotta make this count!" I nodded as I spied Ferry and Kayak, the octoling duo far behind Helmet. All the while on the lower right corner Painter's Explosher was raining down on Cruise, he was below her. Aha, that allows his shots to reach the girl but even if she turned around her Ballpoint Splatling wouldn't be able to make it. Then Brian gave the signal, well a 'This Way!'.
On cue I sprang down from the ledge and started chucking out auto bombs from my launcher, targeting Kayak and Ferry. Them wanting to aid each other began to race in directions away from the objective. Unfortunately, they were heading towards Brian's Baller which it was in range. Orange ink fiercely blew away their bodies and I raced towards Helmet as soon as they were finished.
The clock was ticking in our final moments. Although I couldn't guess where his position was Jet Ski seemed to be near his base but was too far to pose a threat. Before she could use her Ink Jet again Cruise was taken out by Helmet with the help of Painter's sprinkler. That girl is a soul reaper with the Ink Jet, well also an easy target. 'Just point straight up, locking dead around the target and boom', from the words of Brian. Then again from a distance the Ink Jet is at its prime condition.
"Go, go go! We can take em! " Cheered Painter with Brian as Helmet and I tried to reach 40. The 5 minutes timer blew off and everything was in double time. Any step, leap of drop we took, all the speed of light in my I felt a disruptor onto my body, and my fight instinct kicked in then I jumped at Cruise. Was she going for me or Adrien? I just need to protect the Rainmaker!
As soon as my body was focused on protecting my teammate a purple laser from the above and right sliced past me. It was Jet Ski's Stingray that attempted to focus on Helmet as she tried to get up to 31 while the blast pestered her. The Overtime ended and I looked up, disappointment on my mind as the whistle blew. Junk, I don't think we made it.
" Orange Team 45 Purple Team 32! Floating Buoyant Ink beats Blue Ink Rapids!" The loud Voice over broadcasts in the Lobby. Little Judd waddles up to us with a tray in his stubby paws. On the tray in 4 little metal cups was our battle reward. We didn't win but our 5 minute and separate point bonuses were decent for a non-knockout.
The team and I walked outside in silence before sitting down at another metal table. But this time Painter and Adrien sat about two tables down. The second we both got in our chairs Brian started to overcook. My pain from earlier this week caught me off guard so I quietly gasped and tightened my hands against my heated groin. Not now, we were just doing well!
"Ah, squit Ness! I was so junking awful out there!" My best friend cried, his hands resting underneath his pointy chin. In response, I just lifted my red eyes up but still head on the table. Guess I still have these goggles on so he has to lean close to find where I'm looking. "Like I was probably tagged the most out of all us combined!" This time I turned my head to left and sighed.
The inkling young man threw his hands into the air in confusion. "Whaddya mean 'no'? I was the most aggressive so I ended up being a bit too careless, like a dumbass who forgets to protect the Rainmaker from the front. " The pitch is his voice was raised to almost a wail-like range. Surprisingly Brian still sounds pleasant.
"Plus, I yelled some stupid junking squit at Adrien and Paint, now they'll never accept me." For someone who uses such colorful language, he has a deep and complex heart. No wonder his music and songs have so much soul in them.
"I couldn't help but overhear you bud." Helmet spoke up placing a hand on Brian's shoulder. They held eyes for a moment until she couldn't keep back a chuckle. "Anyway don't feel too bad about our match, Team FBI was supposed to be a tough challenge; they're all S+5 or higher. Despite the loss…." The girl paused as Painter placed a friendly arm on my own shoulder.
Before she said her next part she flashed her teammate a big grin. "Welcome to the Blue Ink Rapids, Wrap and Gift! Next week be sure to meet up at Mask and Caliber's house for some training." Then she looked down at her phone in sync with her roommate. Must be group text message or something, I should try to save up for a smartphone.
Suddenly before I could even flinch, Painter, tugged on my jacket sleeve."Hey, Vanessa wanna come with me to the bathroom? Dice, Wheeler and Record will be arriving in about 10 minutes." Worried I looked down at the boy, an orange blush slowly creeping onto his face. "I-I- i wanted to freshen up and get everything out before I propose to Tober." What?! Why is he gonna propose to him now?
When I nod he gives me a look of care and then we walk towards the unisex bathroom. Since many males and females, inklings/octolings have very similar body features. Apparently, another reason they made a unisex bathroom to support families with no parents. If you want to be separated by gender then there are of course men and women's restrooms.
Painter closed the door behind us revealing that there was a short 3 person line for the stalls and 2 people in line at the urinals. There was even an inkling changing an infant squidling's diaper "Must be difficult, no? Taking care of one's baby brother or sister while maintaining personal hobbies." I point out as my friend is bouncing on his heels.
In response, Painter gave a weak "Yeah." Then the blondish yellow octoling who was in the front of the line finished, my intersex squad mate basically leaped towards the device. To respect the lowly male from my prying eyes I turned away. My thoughts floated around as I tried to completely tune out his noise.
.
After about 2 or so minutes he was done, he had rinsed off his face and hair but was still shaking. I just looked at him with almost no feeling, attempting to keep my body from becoming 'swollen or perking up' if I'm not careful my ears could inflate. Thank goodness my clothes are baggy and thickly lined, this bathroom seems like it's kept at 50F, compared to the mere 62F outside.
I'm not a complete sex manic like Olive and Eelix forgive Brian at times, but during certain situations, I have trouble containing hormonal fits of unwanted stimulation. My worries are explaining this to Calligraphy over here. Can those three just arrive quicker?
Painter turned to me and began to whisper, breaking me from my daydream "S-sorry Vanessa I didn't mean to inconvenience you but, don't you ever get so nervous about something that you reely gotta take a piss?! " His first inquiry caused me to scratch at the lower side of my neck in. Is that a common 'guy' thing or is it an inkling thing? Either way, this was unexpected of him.
"So, I guess not. Probably has something to deal with the way nerve ending in- "Quickly the boy slapped himself in the side of the head, which startled me. "No! That's not what I wanted to ask you about." Then he paused, taking in a deep breath and closing his bright eyes.
With the way another flush crept onto his beige face, I knew what was coming. "Since you've been cringing and well um, grasping at-... Have you taken care of OERS? Do you usually let it come out on its own? I know it's not my place but the build-up of just a single extra egg will irritate the whole system."
I looked down at my blue moto boots as we exited the bathroom finally. Now I get it, Painter thinks I've been avoiding manually releasing my fluid and waiting for it automatically. "Well, actually I have manually released multiple times. I don't try to do it for pleasure but to rid myself of unnecessary seed which causes pain, but…"
My careless whisper was held by my friend as he let out a confused "Huh? How come you-, why do you still-, ugh?!" Despite telling Painter the truth he was still frustrated. After standing in front of me silently for a few moments the inkling put a tiny hand on his chin. Well, they're tiny compared to my colossal hands.
"I thought we, I mean you females only make like 2 to 3 eggs because even if fertilized there is a 65 percent chance that one doesn't develop in there completely for the normal 2 months. What caused you to have more than.. dare I say 4 to 5 of them?!" When he finished the awkward silence triggered me to laugh a bit.
I have pride you fool, not all of us have inferior sized capacities. With a bitter voice, I told him this "Well I usually make 3 to 4 but due to stress three weeks ago when I became homeless I had started to produce way more."
" Plus once is a stable environment my body told me to suddenly get rid of all of them … down there." My team leader tilted his head before his eyes slowly drifted down towards my unmentionables. No sort of a shame, I did say they were hurt so this is expected from him.
The way he did that was like such a needy stud, isn't he gonna court Tober? I'm not going to speak about what happened when Brian's father took me in, it's too complicated for a simple explanation.
It took him a few seconds but then he grabbed his phone. "Thank you Vanessa, I fully understand why you were uncomfortable. Just our luck the others should be here any second." I sighed as we began to go back to the table where Brian and Adrien sat.
Both of them seemed to be getting along quite well, talking about something. " Hehe, there she is! Aye yo Ness, tell this squigga how I used someone else's junking bubbles to pierce through two guys, with ink armor. With ink armor!" Brian pleaded his eyes shining with joy.
Going along with him I gave Adrien a smile before sitting beside that girl."Yeah, that time he was using a Carbon Roller Deco while training me in Turf War a while back. It was with one burst bomb and then a vertical swing." He always asks for credit when it's due like someone can't trust him just because he's a thick boy.
Then it happened, 3 figures most likely those roommates of Painter and Helmet. I'm guessing Dice is the tan inkling boy, Wheeler the pale skinned inkling girl and Tober well he's a sore thumb. The two inklings waved at me while the Orange eyed Octoboy started a mad dash in my direction. Well maybe, Painter was standing right next to me with expectant eyes full of hope. This gives me another chance at talking to a fellow Octoling!
"Hey, studwire, I'm Vanessa, by any chance are you an Ozentiberg? Cause-" I asked probably too quietly. Instead of answering me that boy bear hugged Painter, stopping me mid sentence. Now thinking about it I did ask him a question in Octarian, calling him a studwire or another way to say, handsome boy. I need to remember that's an insult for some higher levels guys, most of lower rank folks take it as a normal way to say 'dude'.
The octoling boy fell into the inkling boy's arms. "I did it, Painter! They hired me as a Biologist assistant in the Modern day studies at Museum d' Alfonsio" Record cried into the embrace.
Painter smiled with empathy, his face turning a bit orange. Guess he's about to do it. "Well I'm glad you can finally play your part and help out with the rent, but….. Tober, I'm I'm,- I am so proud of you. " Brian and I tilted our heads, these guys keep to many secrets from us, well maybe it's just something we haven't heard about. Then the inkling paused to lean forward as he knew he had an audience of friends watching." I know with my constant yelling, hitting and throwing things at you it may not seem like it but.-" Painter rubbed his head while putting on a loving grin, closing the distance between himself and the boy.
"Watashi wa anata o aishite iru." He whispered in some tongue I have no idea about. The octoling just stared back and then asked a simple 'what'. Painter grew annoyed like he was trying to keep something out of the blue. " I said Watashi wa anata o aishite iru, anata wa bakada. Which means I love you, you idiot." Is this man an idiot?
Tober smiled brightly, getting out of the hug from earlier. " I love you too but, what does that have to do with my-" quickly, with force and passion the intersex inkling cut him off with a 'shut up' kiss.
WOAH holy barnacles! Everyone nearby, including team F.B.I was shocked. I never guessed Painter would be so bold with declaring his affections, but Tober did seem clueless. "Excuse me what the JUNK?!" screamed Dice, Helmet and Wheeler simultaneously as everyone else looked equally surprised.
Painter broke from the kiss and bowed a bit. "I'm sorry but there was no other way to get your attention Tober. Will you let me be your boyfriend? I promise to tell you everything you'd ever wanna know, at the cost of a little something." Cost of a little something?
His face completely filled with ink, Record took some deep breaths. "Of course, I'll be your boyfriend! I never realized that was what you wanted all this time. " Dice coughed and Helmet cleared her throat to take control away from the couple.
"Well let's focus … Wrap tell us about the battle from your point of view. Afterward, we need to catch up, it's been a little while." The inkling named Dice left open. Brian nodded his head at me then counted from 8 with knocks on the table. That was signal for me to beatbox while he does freestyle.
I started to give him a ¾ beat and the others looked at us, uncertain. " Us boys with the blue had no reel clue, What the double- double trouble team purple could do. Our Orange ink splattered, like the pitter patter of an ink shower." -
"But we lacked the power, that F.B.I smashed us flat, pancake. Yeah pancake, like the ones my Dad makes. Uh huh ,we took a chunk of bait, 32 to 48. Wait I can junking count believe me. Subtract the 3 then you'll all feel me." Then we stopped awkwardly, some passerby nodding their heads and giving us the thumbs up. That was squit, better not show it.
Ferry and Kayak did a slow clap before everyone else followed suite."Wow good show, Blue Ink Rapids, good show. That actually explains what happened pretty well, thanks for letting us hold a match with you guys." Said Cruise before she shook Painter's hand.
When I stood up to stretch I was surrounded by the two other Octolings. " Let's go somewhere else to chat, Clearwater." demanded both of the F.B.I members, giving me no other choice. Looking back at it these guys they seem a bit familiar. We ended up nearby the entrance to that damned Deep Sea Metro. Kamabo Corporation and that C. fellow were notorious in the Underground for being an actual nightmare. Good thing nobody really comes around these parts, unless they aren't an Octoling or from the underground.
"That Tober kid is the Great Grandson of Erik Ochiteno Ozentiberg so everybody learns about their family, but I've seen you before Vanessa." Kayak spoke up, her pony tail bobbing as she jumped on top of a bar to sit on. Ferry just squatted down near us, while I stood between them. I've seen those two before ,but what are their last names?
Erik Ozentiberg? Didn't his children flee to various parts of the Canyon, Valley and the Kettle District? "Well, I'm a Daytona and Kayak here is a Myrtle. Our families lived close by when were younger. I got picked as a part of the Octarian Menace." started Ferry, adjusting his headband.
Kayak frowned while lowering her squid hook can headphones. "Oh the other hand, I worked as a Critical Thinker, who brought up ideas for many inventions and new models. Although my family in poverty they sent me to the harsh iron fist of layer 5's lodges. I got into quite a bit of trouble with the tonnes of government staff, they never appreciated my truth-seeking mentality." She sure talks a lot, maybe she's overcompensating for something. Or maybe she couldn't tell anyone else, they wouldn't understand.
"I was from a family of kiss-up military elites so I took advantage of my position. We mostly followed the officials orders, making sure the laws were obeyed by businesses." With all of that I Ferry continued. "I've noticed your scar, rebel." My whole body tensed up at the mention of my eyesore and Kayak sighed quietly.
Glancing over his shoulder "Don't worry I have one too, multiple ones. But mine are, well to put this rather crudely, on my ass. The other is on my chest so it's less of a problem." Oh, so he struck a nerve with the officials while he was do there too. After they gave me the mark of Octavio, I felt like I was the rebel in the world, so damn pathetic and hopeless.
We stood there in silence while I was preparing my next topic when out of the corner of my eye I could spot Brian and the folks. But I could smell the scent of dark lime ink, but that wasn't any of our colors, why is it triggering me? "Hey Kayak, Ferry do you sense that? It's like somebody else is trying to join in on us." I decide to mention, gathering the attention of the former depth dwellers.
Something doesn't feel right about the presence I'm now detecting, like pure malice and a toxic amount of hate. Before us Octolings could react my head was slammed to the floor and someone forced the rest of me down. Through my Toni Kensa goggles I could make out 3 inklings, 2 male and 1 female. These guys don't look like the right crowd, just why are they bothering us?
"Hey what the junk, who the shell are you guys?" cried Kayak coming to my rescue. Ferry tried catch one male but the other tripped him and he fell, hard. Looking at the odds the female octoling ran towards our teams as fast as she could. The inkling boy with short spikes for hair smiled as Ferry was trying to get the wind back in him. My mind is spinning too fast to even lift my head, which type of power does those random thugs possess? They better think twice about messing with me.
While I was incapacitated the other inkling boy knelt down to my side, adjacent with his friend. "Heh, wowie a two for one deal; One of those Blue Ink Rapids and two worthless sub-cephalopods!" What did he just say? His female friend was pressing all of her weight onto my chest, while her feet threatened to hit between my already aching legs. Somehow I'm still able to breathe with my lungs being crushed slowly. We need help Eelix speed guys, Eelix speed.
Luckily I don't think she had that in mind, but the guy with bangs continued ." I always thought those junkers were lame but now they've added two Cod-damn octolings into their team. They still couldn't win with these shady looking bunch of beta-cucks." Beta-cucks? How are we betas or cucks?
Suddenly he reached down and grabbed at my mask." Why the shell are you wearing these creepy as junk goggles, covering half your face?" Squit, he's gonna find my scar and see the look on my face Then I struggle forward but its no use, the two of these soulless ruffians have too much weight.
Then those bullies were about to view my panicked red eyes along with my horrid mark of shame. With the sight of my facial features the lowlife inklings bothering me began to laugh. Actually it sounded like the screeching of barracudas or piranhas. This Eelix damn fish needs to control her studs, or the brute should tone it down.
"Heheheh, now I know why you wear this good looking mask, oh and it even has bomb defense up wow nice!" shouted the boy leaping around while pointing at my face. The heavy inkling on top of me shifted her weight to get a better glance. That left an opening!
With all my strength I broke the female away, sending her toppling to ground. "Give them back, now! " My deep voice demanded as soon I my body rose of the ground. With my fierce tone the inkling were suddenly startled but, that damn male wouldn't do as told. Kayak did have a far distance to travel after all, plus Ferry had been badly damaged.
"Nah, we'd rather not you ugly fish! Your friends can't save your ass, slimy octo-thot!" Cried the inkling with a bun I had pushed off. What the junk did she just say? Then she kicked Ferry in the side while laughing. The octoling boy groaned in pain and I rushed over to protect him from further harm.
Her male friends played catch with my headgear just before I tried again. "Please, just give back my Toni Kensa Ink Goggles , I never have done a thing to you guys. I don't even know you!"
In a flash of orange the boy with the small spiky hair was kicked in the stomach. Looking back up, I could see Brian, a fierce snarl on his face. "SHE SAID GIVE THEM BACK mutha junker!" Before the ringleader's partners in crime could do anything they got attacked by Painter's roommates Wheeler and Dice along with Jet Ski.
Meanwhile Kayak and Cruise helped Ferry, who was regaining his consciousness. Painter and Adrien came to my side, with worried expressions. " We thought you guys would be fine on your own, just having a little chat .But , I-i forgot we have been recently got targeted by these aggressive rivals. " started the dark skinned inkling, her genuine panic visible in her rich chocolate face.
Nearby Painter's new boyfriend was terrified. " Sister Vanessa! Are you okay, what did they do to you guys? I heard them say some horrible just horrible lies about us Octolings." the younger boy cried, clutching his partner's sleeve tightly. I rub the back of my head nervous and respond with a simple 'Yeah'.
So, this is how easily Record cracks under negative de constructive comments. Then again he's probably never heard such disgusting hate speech about his own kind. Wait why did he call me sister, are we in the clergy or something?
When I turned around to check how the fight was going all that was left was Brian, Wheeler and the F.B.I dudes. On the ground was three splotches of dark lime ink. Instead of being on the floor, Ferry was up and running, well wincing and talking.
"Here." said a tired looking Jet Ski, after he tapped me on the back. "Guess those assholes couldn't handle friends of 'lowlife sub-cephalopods' who can pack a punch." How did he hear what they said? Then again Kayak probably told them the whole situation the way here, it didn't take that long.
In his hand was my red goggles, unharmed besides a large smudge on the lenses. "We'll be going soon, make sure to hit us up again Blue Ink Rapids." boomed his team leader, Cruise. The shy silver eyed girl finally had spoken. I nodded in respect as the victorious inklings and Octolings headed off to the Parking Lot. I knew that badass had something else to back her up.
After they were long gone, Nathan clasped his hands to gather attention and smiled at Wheeler who was wiping her hands off. "Alright everyone, let's go back home and rest for tomorrow, but." Then he looked at Brian and I. Tober and Adrien gave him the side eye while Charleigh and Painter were completely toned out.
" You two need be sure to call Mask and Caliber for some yet they'll come get you. Right, Painter?" His friend in question sharply nodded his head yes before winking.
Painter and his roommates waved as Brian and I started to head towards the bus stop. "Well Ness, we better get going. Pop and Olive will be waiting to give us some new retarded-ass job for the shop."
I nodded then remembered something as I fixed my goggles. "Mosaka or Mask is supposed to pick us next week for some 'training'. Painter didn't say the time and neither did Adrien, so we'll have to be ready." Then the bus arrived at the Inkopolis Square stop and we paid our fee, bound to enjoy the ride home with everyone else on board. I'm glad I have a new place to fit in, this was beginning to become worrisome. We've got some work to do.