Author's note: New Follower means new chapter, and I hope Sir Fart and all my other readers like this one!

Chapter 4

Hours later…

Hunger is definitely an issue at this point. I'm trying my best to ignore it though…I decided to walk around some more to get my mind off of it. I turned to find…Two pop stars. It was the ones I saw on TV. The short rapper and the tall DJ. Huh, now that I got a better look at her, I noticed she is also an Octoling.

She then noticed me and waved. The other one looked over, narrowing her eyes, right before striking a pose. I waved back.

Oooooowww….my stomach…not too much movement…I feel lightheaded…maybe I should sit down…

I passed out…

"Hello?" I heard someone shaking me awake. "Are you okay?"

I woke up to find a squid wearing shades crouching over me.

"Uuuhhh…" My stomach still ached. "Food…"

"Here, have these." He handed me a meal and drink ticket.

"Th-thank you!" I took it and hurried over to the Crust Bucket.

I got a large meal with a drink and sat at one of the tables. The mysterious squid sat at the table next to me, but I only noticed him after a few minutes of digging in.

"Interesting goggles you have…" He remarked.

"Y-yeah, I'm supposed to keep them on." I told him.

"Really? Why?" He seemed intrigued.

"I…can't say…" I said.

"That's interesting..." He remarked.

"Why?" I wondered.

"No reason…so, what happened, anyway?" He asked. "Why were you starving on the ground?"

"I-I was waiting for people and they still haven't shown up and I have no meal tickets." I explained.

"They just kept you waiting?" He tilted his head. "That's unfortunate…"

"Well, I guess I'll wait some more afterwards…" I said. "Who are you, anyway?"

"Just a random person who saw someone in need." He got up. "Maybe I'll see you again…"

He then turned to leave. Not sure who that guy is or what his deal is…

Well, back to waiting…actually…I'll just buy some food elsewhere with the money I do have and wait for them back at the apartment.

I did exactly that and watched TV on the couch eating a pizza for a while. Eventually it started getting dark. I even called my mom to tell her I made it to Inkopolis and was hanging out in the apartment. I decided to leave out the parts with the Jellyfish driver and passing out from starvation.

After a while, I heard knocking on the door. I opened it to find Ben and the others looking a bit annoyed.

"Hey, uh, weren't you supposed to meet us at Deca Tower?" He asked. "Where were you?"

"I decided to wait for you here." I told him.

"Do you know how long we were waiting?!" Lisa shouted.

"I waited for you guys for hours!" I defended myself. "Where were you?"

"We saw a movie, went to a restaurant, and then went straight to Ink Battles." Andrea said.

"I passed out starving while I was there." I told her. "How long did you expect me to wait?"

"Sorry, we must've missed you." Andrea apologized. "Must've been while you were passed out."

She said that waaay too casually for my liking…

"Anyway," Ben wanted to change the subject. "Now that we are in one place again, we can all get our keys now."

"Your keys are on the table." I pointed them out.

"Alright, now what's the bed situation like?" Andrea asked.

"Two bedrooms with bunk beds." I let them know. "I figured we'd figure that out when we were all back here."

"Good choice." Lisa admitted. "Alright, Benny. That means we can share a room."

"Umm…well…" Ben was blushing.

"And risk crazy lady's kid perving on me?" Andrea asked. "No. Ben shares with him."

"I wouldn't 'perv on you,' whatever that means." I assured her. "And please don't call my mom that…"

"Whatever…" Ben said. "Come on, let's all get settled."

We took our bags to our respective rooms. Ben called top bunk while I got the bottom bunk.

I soon brushed my beak and went to bed. The others stayed up later and weren't exactly quiet, but I was able to sleep anyway.

…

…

"Are you sure this will work?"

"It has to. Our energy problem is starting to become an issue and I believe we can convince them to help. I mean, we were friends with the squids once, right? Perhaps that fact will convince them to be sympathetic."

"And he's just letting us all go on this crazy mission?"

"He's…not perfect I'll admit, but I do believe that, in his hearts, he does want what's best for his people…even if he doesn't always show it. The fact that he's giving us a chance is a good sign"

"To be honest…you're probably the only person he'd listen to."

"And that's why it's working."

"I'm just not sure…I mean, what if something goes wrong?"

"Amphia, I'd never let anything happen to you."

"Me? What about you? You're much more important than I am."

"If it came down to me or you, I'd pick you."

"Please don't do that to me…"

"…Amphia…"

"You know it'd do more good if you saved yourself rather than me."

"But you're too important to me."

"I'm just saying it'd be for the best."

"You mean a lot to me and I can prove it."

"Just stop…"

"Amphia…"

"Hey, let go. What are you doing?"

"Showing you how much you mean to me."

"Hey, what're you…hahaha…hey, stop, ahaha…that tickles…ow! Hey, what'd you just…Oh, now you've asked for it…get over here you sneaky little devilfish!"

"Ha…" I woke up. I noticed a tear in my eye.

I looked around. No one else was there…

"Oh…" I sighed. "Just dreaming about him again..."

I wiped the tear away.

Please be careful my little Octim…I couldn't handle losing you too…