Charlotte woke up early that morning as well and went to check on the boys. She gently opened the door and Erink was there snoring away. She looked at Jr's bed and he wasn't there.
'He left so early...' she thought. She turned to leave. She got dressed and grabbed her Aerospray RG. She was going to find out what was up with 'Inktavio'. She made her way to the motel. His door was unlocked, so she carefully entered. Her Aerospray was in her hands already. She looked around the room. The bathroom door was closed so she assumed he was in there. She spotted the wig he usually wore and began reaching for it. She was about to grab it, but Jr came out the bathroom. Their eyes met and they were both frozen in place.
He didn't have the black mask around his eyes, but two separate purple rings around each eye. His eyes weren't orange, they were large and green. He had red tentacle hair on his head that hung above his shoulders instead of an Inkling ponytail. His hair had pale yellow suction cups going down each tentacle. His arm had a bandage wrapped around it, but a faint green glowing scar could be seen. He was indeed an Octoling. He spoke first.
"Wh-what are you doing here, Charlotte?"
"I came to check on you, since you left early! And I didn't wanna believe it, but... you're an Octoling! First you stuttered when saying your own name; If Inktavio's even your real name. Then you wouldn't participate in turf wars, which very weird for an Inkling. Then Cephine stared at you strangely followed by your refusal to eat octopus. The amount of Wasabi you've consumed over the course of the past few weeks is baffling. No normal kid would even use the amount you have. And lastly all the notes you've been taking throughout your whole time being here!"
He's silent.
"You're coming with me." Charlotte commanded.
"Or else what?" he snapped.
"I'll shoot." she said point her gun at him.
"You wouldn't dare." A spurt of ink flies right by his ear.
"I won't miss next time. Put on your disguise and let's go." They have their usual stare down. She was glaring at him and he was glaring at her. He was captivated by her pink eyes again, and finally complied. He got ready and they headed to Octo Valley. Charlotte texted Teuta and Erink to come to the valley.
An hour or so passed and all four of them were at Octo Valley. Cap'n Cuttlefish was there waiting. They were all staring and Jr. Charlotte pointed the gun at him.
"Take it off." she commanded. He pulls off the wig and the mask. They all gasped, except for Charlotte.
"I KNEW IT! From the start I knew something was off about him!" Erink exclaimed.
"I did not expect this..." Teuta said, with her hand cupped over her mouth.
"You did it, buckos! You found the spy! We could use this to our advantage!" Cap'n Cuttlefish cheered.
"How so?" Teuta asked.
"He could give us Intel on Octarian activity, agent 4! He has no other choice, but to tell us. You're out numbered, kiddo!" Cuttlefish chuckled. Jr sighed. So the four kids leave and return to Charlotte and Teuta's house.
When they arrive, the questioning begins. Erink starts.
"So what's your REAL name, 'Inktavio Jr'?" Erink leaned in real close squinting at him. Jr reeled back a little and replied.
"My real name is Octavio Jr."
"No wonder that name sounded familiar!" Erink commented.
"Which means DJ Octavio is your dad, huh?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes, he's my father..."
"Which also makes you prince?" Teuta added. He nodded. They all stared thoughtfully at the prince.
"Did you have any ongoing plans?" Charlotte asked. He nods slowly. "Call them off."
"What, I can't just-" She stares him down while pointing her Aerospray at him. He sighs. He pulls out his walkie-talkie. "Could I at least have some privacy?"
Charlotte motions for them to leave the room. Teuta and Erink leave. She turns to Jr before he leaves.
"You better not try anything funny, got it?"
"I understand." She leaves. He picks up the transceiver and speaks. "Hello?"
"Ah, Jr it's nice to hear from you again. Things goin' according to plan?" DJ Octavio asked. Jr sighed.
"Not exactly..."
"I don't like the sound of that. What happened?"
"I... I got found out... They know I'm an Octoling." There was a short silence.
"What?! DUDE! Come on, how did you manage that?" DJ Octavio exclaimed.
"I don't know! I guess I didn't lock the motel door behind me..."
"Ugh, Jr... Where are you right now?"
"I'm at Charlotte and Teuta's house."
"The agents house, Jr? Seriously, man?"
"I didn't have any other choice, dad. I'm outnumbered and they had me at gun point..." There's another pause. "We need to rework the plan. Cancel whatever we have going right now. I'll discuss it with you later. Bye."
"The clock's ticking, son. Bye." He hangs up. Jr sighs deeply. He didn't know what to do. On one hand he could bail and go through with his Octarian plans, but on the other hand he could try and see if they could fix the problems with the help of the Inklings. Charlotte and the others returned. He looks up.
"The current plans have been called off. I'll do my best to keep you updated with plans." Jr said. Charlotte nodded approvingly.
"Well there's not much we can do now but wait. You'll still need to wear you disguise when we go out and about. We don't know how other Inklings would react to you." Charlotte explained.
"I understand."
They generally went about their day normally after this. Jr was sleeping over at their place for the night. Hours passed and it was bed time. Erink was lying on his bed, holding in a question. He finally spoke.
"Inkta-... Octavio... Did our friendship mean anything to you?" Jr was staring at the ceiling, but turned to face Erink upon hearing this. He was caught by surprise.
"What do you mean?" Jr asked.
"Like, did you even see us as friends? Were you using us to just get info, and then throw us away like nothing?" Erink face was solemn and Jr thought quietly for a bit.
"Initially, I was just on a mission to get info on you guys and then I'd give you in..." He paused. Charlotte and Teuta were hiding by the door, listening in. "But I eventually got pretty attached to you guys. I consider you guys my friends... And even though I'm supposed to be opposed to Inklings, I... don't feel that way. My friendship for you guys is sincere. My feelings for Charlotte are true." Charlotte blushed upon hearing that. Teuta cupped her mouth to conceal her laughter. The two girls tiptoed back to their room. Erink smiled.
"So you do care... I'm glad. It's nice having a dude friend. I've never really had one..." Erink said, somewhat sheepishly.
"Why is that?" Jr asked.
"Well, I got picked on a lot by other boys 'cause I cried a ton and I was super wimpy. Charlotte and Teuta were the only two who defended me and befriended me. That's why I'm so loyal to them and care about them so much." Erink's quiet for a bit. Jr sighs.
"This is all so tough." Jr said.
"I know."
"All my life, I was told Inklings were evil, heartless, and terrible creatures. I believed that for so long... And these past few weeks have been an eye opener. We're so different, yet so alike... I... I don't want to keep fighting against you guys... But as the prince... UGH." He covers his face. "I don't know what to do..."
"Hey, dude. Don't worry too much about it. This can't all be figured out overnight. We can try to figure stuff out tomorrow and however much longer it takes." Jr stares and Erink grins at him. "Well, night Octavio."
"Good night, Erink." Erink fell asleep first and Jr just lay awake, thinking. It was a tough situation he was in. For his species or for his friends? He really would have to think on it.