Chapter 3: A05: Fake Plastic Station

You paint the turf with graceful strokes.
With watchful eye, I breathe a sigh.
From sniper's perch, I go for broke.

Owen goes into her first test after she goes on the turnstile, pays with her CQ-card, and uses 100 CQ points.

When she enters the field, Cap'n Cuttlefish says, "trees?! Man, this subway is weird…."

"Water does come from the underground, Cap'n. But this strange water can't survive magma. It is weird," said Owen, walking carefully through the field.

Then a Sanitized Octoling appeared from the ink and said, "Target acquired."

"Octoling is your friend, right? Maybe try talking to her," said Cuttlefish.

"That is not an Octoling. The Octolings were never green and blue," said Owen, preparing her weapon.

"Destroy," said the Sanitized Octoling, trying to shoot at Owen.

"Egad! Are they really going to attack a fellow Octarian? You might wanna talk a little louder," said Cuttlefish, as Owen battles the Sanitized Octoling.

When Owen splats her, the gate opens, and Cuttlefish said, "that gate is open! I guess taking them out was a good idea after all."

When Owen entered another room, two more Sanitized Octolings appeared and said, "seek and destroy."

"More trouble! Double trouble! Get 'em before they get you! That's the number one rule of the battlefield," said Cuttlefish.

After Owen splats them, Cuttlefish said, "seems like they'd be friendly to you, yet they're attacking… But why?!"

"They look more like extra-terrestrials from Outer Space. But aliens don't exist, despite the universe is so infinite," said Owen.

"Well, whatever … The next gate has opened up, so get a move on!"

When she entered the final room, the last Sanitized Octoling appeared and said, "seek and destroy."

"They're still coming," said Cap'n.

When the Octoling puts on an ink jetpack, Cap'n said, "wha-? Where'd they get one of those?!"

When Owen splats her, Cuttlefish said, "phew… you made it through somehow."

Then the gate opens and shows the goal.

"This must be the goal," said Owen fixing it with the ink.

"Octarians hunting Octarians… What has the world come to," said Cuttlefish.

When Owen passed the test, she returns from where she started, received a Mem Cake version of an Inkling Girl (Orange), and gets back on the subway train with C.Q. Cumber.

When it drove off with them in it, C.Q. Cumber said, "Congratulations… You passed your first test. By the way, you received this memento when you finished. It's called a mem cake."

"A Mem cake? Is it edible," said Owen, about to eat it.

"NO! It's not for eating, Ms. It's for collecting."

"Oh. Good thing I didn't eat it. But what's it for?"

"Mem cakes are formed by compressing memories into physical form. They'll be awarded to you by Kamabo Co. to commemorate each test you pass."

"So, you're saying if I collect all 80 of them, I can get my memories back?! That's amazing!"

"Yes, ma'am. If you collect all Mem cakes in line A, you will start remembering a memory. Good luck."

Then Owen hears an electric fizzing from Cap'n Cuttlefish.

"Something wrong, Cap'n," said Owen.

"Huh… is this thing working," said Cuttlefish, pulls out a walkie-talkie.

"You're getting a signal from the surface?! Who is it?!"

"Oho! I hear something! Come in, Agent 3! Agent 3, do you copy?!"

"Mic check, one-two, who the heck are you," said Pearl from the walkie-talkie.

"EXCUSE ME?"

"Pearl! Didn't anyone teach you to respect your elders," said Marina, from the walkie-talkie.

"I'm guessing they're not Agent 3," said Owen.

"Hwa-?! Who am I speaking to? Where is Agent 3?! State your names," said Cuttlefish.

"Uh, I think I asked you first, dude. Anyway, I'm Pearl, but you can call me MC. Princess," said Pearl.

Then she rap-sings, "My deets? I'm sort and sweet! I spit that fire make posers perspire. Step to my game? I'll bring the pain. I'm never shook because I'm OFF THE HOOK!"

"Oho?! Check it, kid. Are you stepping to me with a rap battle? MC Craig in the house," said Cuttlefish.

Then he rap-sings, "call me Cap'n Cuttlefish, but not because I cuddle fish. Smooth like butta bet you with that you could stunt a flow like this!"

As Cap'n Cuttlefish and Pearl continue to rap battle, Owen said in her mind, "what am I looking and listening to? I'm so confused."

But the rap battle ends when Marina said, "OK, you two… That's ENOUGH! Mr. Cuttlefish, was it? We found a radio here and heard your transmission. We're currently on Mount Nantai. Where are you calling from?"

"Mount Nantai… Why that's near Octo Valley! Agent 8 and I were near there, but someone seems to taken us deep underground…," said Cuttlefish.

"I see…So you and this…Agent 8 don't know where you are? Sorry to hear that… But worry not! From now on, you'll have me, Marina-aka DJ_Hyperfish, supporting you! I'll get to work analyzing your surroundings, and hopefully, I'll be of some help to you!"

"FYI, Marina. My real name is Owen," said Owen.

"Owen?! Seriously?! Did your dad pick that name," said Pearl.

"Yes."

"I don't really get what's going on, but hang tight. We got you!"

"We appreciate the kindness from Inkling and Octoling companions."

"Ok, well… Anyone who loves rapping is a friend of mine. Thanks for your help! We're off to pass some sorta tests and make our way to the promised land! And by "we," I mean you, Agent 8! Time to get after it," said Cuttlefish.

At the Octarian palace, DJ Octavio and Prince Octavius are walking through the garden part of the castle.

"Lunch was delicious and spicy," said DJ Octavio.

"Because you eat wasabi with everything, father," said Prince Octavius.

"One day, my child. This empire will be yours. And you lead the Octarian to victory once you conquer Inkopolis and the World."

"Yes, father."

"Did you hear anyone called "Elliott"? He somehow knew your desire to join the Octoling part of the army."

"Of course. No wonder why you were shouting in your throne room."

"How did he know about your desire? I thought you said you would keep it between us?!"

"Walls have ears as well, father."

"He was the boy how tried to join the army."

"But, father! Don't you see! If this keeps up, more Octoling boys will want to join the army. And pretty soon, they rebel against us to get that desire. So, please! Let him and I join the army!"

"You know I can't let you!"

"But mother said…."

"WE DON'T SPEAK OF THE FALLEN OCTARIAN QUEEN! Look, Octavius! You're the last thing that your mother left behind. You're a piece of your mother. And I don't want to lose you too!"

"I understand, father! But…"

"No means no! Return to your room, my son."

"…. *sighs*… Yes, father."

When Prince Octavius leaves the gardens, DJ Octavio said to himself, "oh, Ortensia. Our son is becoming like you…. a righteous soul. If you were here, you'd know what to do."