Author's Note: New Follower! Thanks Grand Mah for your interest in the story and I hope you, my other followers, and everyone else who reads this continues to enjoy my works!

Chapter 28

Days Later…

It's been pretty cool the past couple days. I've been getting lessons from two DJs. Each with a slightly different perspective. Marina showed me how to work certain programs and taught me about the importance of understanding my audience and how working with other people can really help me out, and Octavio, with only the equipment Ben and I could afford, showed me how to get creative with what I had as well as how catch someone's attention in a performance.

He'd also teach me about the Octarians. From their history, to their culture, or what little they had left from that he told me, their current issues, and how to properly run underground domes. Not…quite sure why I'd need to know that last part, but gotta be prepared for anything, I guess…

I'm also pretty sure Octavio sneaks out a couple times since he occasionally gets junk I didn't leave him with. Like when he built himself a roof for the sun and rain, a small heater because it's getting colder, and some other cool knickknacks. He even showed me how to make some of these things since Octarians are supposed to be handy with technology, or so he says.

I was really excited for Friday. At the moment though, I was sitting on my computer, putting the finishing touches on a song I've been working on. After it was complete, I decided to let him review it.

"Hmm…" He was listening on his earbuds. "Not bad…a nice beat, if little rough around the edges, but I like the tone shifts, even if some of the transitions could use some work. I give it a 7 outta 10."

"That's good…right?" I asked.

"It's about average." He said. "But for yer first solo song, average is great!"

"Yeah!" I did a victory pose. "I can't wait to show my friends this!"

"Y'know, you actually seem more cheerful today…somehow…" Octavio noticed. "What's up?

"Friday's when I turn 14!" I told him. "I can't wait!"

"Friday, huh?" He looked like he was pondering something. "I gotta think of a gift, then…for now, you may leave."

"Okay, I will!" I started running out.

"Have fun!" Ivan shouted.

"Woah!" Octavio was startled. "I completely forgot you were here…"

I didn't hear the rest of their conversation as I went through the door.

Alright, now to…wait..

I turned my head to see Mr. Shellendorf was staring at me, his eyes practically bulging out of their sockets, and shaking a lot compared to usual.

"You okay?" I then noticed. "Oh right, my goggles!"

I quickly put them on.

"Better now, right?" I asked him.

He moved in his chair towards the door I came out of and peeked in. He then spun around.

"Mmmmf….mmmmf…" He attempted words. "Hththththttpth-MMMFFF!"

He pushed forward on his chair and went out the front door.

Well that happened…

I decided to head to the square.

Inkopolis Square…

I arrived just in time. Marina and Pearl were chilling out in the studio. I knocked on the window, excitedly.

Pearl looked surprised and a little creeped out that I was right against the window and Marina was excited to see me too. They quickly let me in one of the back rooms.

"So whatcha want?" Pearl asked.

"I-I did a song!" I told them.

"Ooooooh!" Marina got giddy. "Show us! Show us!"

I opened my laptop and found the file. They shared the headphones and I awaited their critique.

"Honestly?" Pearl removed her earbud. "Not bad for your first song!"

"Wow…" Pearl liked it. "A-and you, Marina?"

"EEEEEK!" She hugged me tightly and lifted me up. "YOU DID SO GOOD! You're learning so fast and I love it!"

Urk! Can barely breathe…hug too tight…m-m-m-m-my face…r-right o-on h-her…

"Yo Reena!" Pearl called out. "Ya done giving the boy second base?"

"Oh!" Marina immediately released me. "S-sorry…"

"I-it's fine…wait…" I turned to Pearl. "That's what second base is?!"

"Oh dear…" Marina covered her face.

"I guess that means it's an A+!" Pearl immediately started laughing. "Hah! He's red like a tomato!"

"S-sorry, Marina…" I lowered my head.

"No, no, it's my fault." Marina said. "I got too excited. Overall, you're improving a lot quicker than I thought you would…"

"Yeah." Pearl agreed. "You got another teach you ain't telling us about?"

"Well," I guess it wouldn't hurt. "I have been getting some advice from…a secret source…"

"Oooooh secrets…" Pearl grinned. "So who helped more?"

"I'd both both helped me equally." I told her. "I actually showed him my song first before I came here and he said it's good for my first song."

"Ladies…" An Inkling man came in. "Stage announcements in 5."

"Thanks, Gene!" Marina waved. "Well, we have to go, Tim."

"But we'll see ya later!" Pearl assured me.

"Thanks, guys!" I grinned. "I'm gonna show my other friends!"

They both waved me goodbye as I left.

Oh, Sylvia! She'll love to hear this!

I was about to text her, but noticed she was already sitting at a table with Nina. I walked over.

"-I understand that feeling as much as anyone else, but aren't you taking it a bit far?" Sylvia asked.

"No I'm not!" Nina shouted. "After what she did, I won't give up! I have a plan laid out! By the time I'm old enough to drink, I'll have destroyed her in every meaning of the word!"

"Wait…" Sylvia stopped her. "Does that include-"

"Yes!" Nina answered.

"Ew…" Sylvia looked disgusted. "Wait, but you're not-"

"My desire for vengeance supersedes everything else!" Nina stated. "…Oh, hi Tim."

Sylvia turned and waved at me.

"I made a song guys!" I told them. "Aaaall by myself!"

"Can I hear?" Nina asked.

"Sure!" I gave her the headphones.

"Hm…good." Was her judgement.

"Me too!" Sylvia wanted to listen.

I gave her the earplugs.

"Good for your first try." She said.

"Now to find Sarah and Guyver."

"Well, good luck." Sylvia shrugged. "I have no idea where they are."

"Maybe she's doing her Splatoon stuff." Nina suggested.

"How do you know about that?!" Sylvia asked, surprised.

"I have a source…" She grinned devilishly.

"Well, maybe I can put this on a small drive and leave it at their place…" I suggested.

"Did you show your roommates yet?" Sylvia asked.

"We actually haven't talked much since the Octavio thing." I told her. "I've mostly been learning music stuff."

"Well, hang out with them some time and show them." She suggested. "I'm sure they'll be proud of you."

"Octavio…" Nina seemed to be thinking. "That name's familiar…think he's a war veteran?"

"…I'll ask!" Sylvia got up. "Unlike most squids my age, I LOVE hearing an old guy's war stories!"

She waved us goodbye.

"…Okay, I copied the song and got it uploaded." I told Nina. "I'll go deliver it!"

"Kay." She was on her phone, nonchalant.

20 Minutes Later…

I arrived at their apartment and knocked on the door. When no one answered, I just put the flash drive with a note in the mail slot.

I turned to see a few doors down was that old squid from that one cabin place in…where was it again? Oh yeah, Octo Canyon.

Cuttlefish! That's his name…

Who's he talking to?

Spiky yellow hair…tan skin…red eyes…

Oh, that's Otis! I should say hi.

"Hi!" I waved as I walked over. "You're Otis, right?"

They both turned to face me.

"Yeah." He nodded. "And you are…?"

"I'm Octim!" I reached my hand out. "I-I was on Sarah's team."

"The guy in the Power Mask?" He asked, shaking my hand.

"Yeah!" I nodded my head. "Do you remember me from Cirrina?"

He looked confused.

"Or…you may know my mom?" I corrected myself.

He was trying to put his finger on it.

"…You know…" I have to say it, don't I? "…Crazy Lady?"

"You're her kid?!" Otis asked, surprised.

"Just please don't call her that." I begged.

"Wait, hold on there a minute…" Cuttlefish tuned in. "Yer from Cirrina?"

"Uh-huh!" I nodded my head. "Born and raised."

Otis and Cuttlefish looked at each other.

"An Octoling was born in Cirrina Countryside?" Cuttlefish was confused. "How?"