Splatoon: The Bate Bros.
Snowed Out
Squidmas. Though it has a different name than the regular tradition many outside Inkopolis are used to, the principle remains the same: Giving gifts to family, friends, and others for the sake of being generous, receive gifts from caring others, and maybe to keep those annoying relatives off your back for another year. Also, holiday food.
Festive red and green lights decked the halls, porches, even the roofs of the homes in Inkopolis, as well as multiple shopping districts and office buildings. Clever Inkling decorators covered their homes with ink, illuminated in various amplified colors with help from said festive lights. Snow fell slowly and quietly onto the city, multiple Inklings bundled up to prevent injury via melting ice, though surprisingly, they didn't stop many of them from playing in it, squids decorating the snow with colorful ink, jellyfish sledding by, the sea life embracing the snowy ground, flounder fish flopping happily in the slush. The older sea creatures, while the young spirited froliced in the frozen turf, emptied their savings into spending for gifts for their young kin, whimpers of misery came from some of the less stocked with money, mentally debating on whether they should or shouldn't.
This is the predicament we find Splin currently in, Splin sitting at home on his bed, Maria presumably no longer in the house presumably to do an errand. Instead of his usual apparel, Splin donned a Forge Inkling Parka over his t-shirt and Snowy Down Boots, equipped to brave the chill of winter, though he still wore his Designer Headphones as always, wrapped comfortably around his neck. Splin peered into his wallet, reaching inside, reaching for any quantities of cash. He sighed, turning the wallet upside down, dumping the contents of the wallet onto his bed. A few golden coins dropped out, as well as a few plumes of dust.
Splin put a hand on his chin in worry. "...Figures, all those repairs would drain money quickly."
"Splin!" Sharq greeted him, giving his brother a quick hug. "Merry Squidmas, bro!"
Sharq's apparrel was altered somewhat as well, still donning his Takoroka Mesh per the norm, though he switched out his normal shirt and shoes, his shirt worn underneath an Olive Ski Jacket, and… Green Rain Boots.
"The boots are for extra protection against slush!" Sharq exclaimed proudly.
Splin smiled, returning the hug slightly. "Merry Squidmas, bro. Finished writing your letter to Father Squidmas yet?"
Sharq grinned, switching to squid form, retreating underneath his bed. He slid back out, a sheet of paper held in his tentacles.
"Your holiday spirit never seems to fade." Splin remarked.
Sharq handed the letter over to Splin. "This year, I'm going plain and simple, you can never go wrong with this!"
Splin raised an eyebrow. "May I?"
Sharq nodded excitedly. Splin shrugged, taking the letter out and reading it.
Splin scanned the letter, reading it with a hint of surprise.
Dear Splin, could you get me that level building game I've wanted? I know you said you wouldn't buy it for me that one time I accidentally unleashed a terrifying, monsterous Tele-Cube on Inkopolis. I hope I spelt "monstrous" right. Father Squidmas isn't going to because… You know. Please? Just this Squidmas? I promise I'll try not to release destruction upon Inkopolis again. -Sharq
"Um." Splin mumbled, looking over the letter again.
"How about it?" Sharq asked excitedly.
"...You sure you don't wanna ask him?" Splin asked Sharq, glancing up at the ceiling.
Sharq scoffed. "Of course not!" Sharq rolled his eyes, gesturing towards the chimney in their house barely mentioned in this story. "Everyone knows Father Squidmas only delivers to younger squids."
"He's right, you know!" A voice from up on the roof stated, the sounds of fins scuttling away with a hearty laugh following.
"Wait, what?! Hold on, Father Squidmas, don't bail on me! ...Darn." Splin sighed.
"Sooo… How about it?" Sharq asked, a happy expression smack dab on his face, staring at Splin longingly.
Splin sighed, looking back to his wallet. He stared longingly at the wallet, then back to Sharq, a delighted smile on his face. Splin sighed mentally, grinning with what appeared to be no worries.
"...Anything for my brother." Splin said.
"Yay! Thanks Splin!" Sharq said, embracing his brother, happily hopping away as a squid to his bed, dancing around on top of it.
Splin continued grinning, walking out the doors of the house, swiftly yet carefully closing the set of doors behind him, and dropped to the grass outside, groaning.
"Why can't I seem to catch a break?" Splin said, hands clutching the ground beneath him, frost touching his palms, sending slight shivers up his arms. "Darn it Sharq…"
The inability to catch a break is a foul on my part, sorry. I'll make sure you take it easy after this one, Splin, don't sweat it! Mostly because if you sweat it'll probably freeze.
Splin sighed, shrinking into the cold grass as a squid, and Super Jumped out quickly, ink blasting off the hill into the skies behind him, the younger yet somewhat responsible squid heading towards the city of Inkopolis in hope of procuring a gift for his older but childish brother.
Now, under normal circumstances, Splin might've nailed this leap of faith, his landing in the plaza possibly be graceful, a solid landing on his feet. Considering the amount of frost coating the ground below however, it isn't a surprise that Splin, upon landing, began to slip and fall on the ice, sliding involuntarily away, hitting a vending machine close to the Inkopolis Tower with a thud, hot, chocolate beverages from the machine falling down with a clunk.
Splin got up, almost tripping over the ice on the ground, holding the machine for support. He looked over at the machine, eyebrow raised, then reached inside, a can of hot chocolate conveniently dispensed for him. Splin grinned, popping the top open, taking a sip from the drink, wiping away brown froth that remained on his face after the delectable drink.
"Looks like things are starting to go my way." Splin said with a smirk.
Unfortunately for him, it wasn't, for a freezing Judd nearby scratching the ice with his paws as he tried to run across accidentally rammed into the brother, the hot chocolate spilling onto his face, now feeling scalding. Splin yelped, then tripped, slamming onto the ice harshly, groaning afterwards.
"Me-OWCH! (Yowch! Sorry Splin, late for a Turf War judging!)" Judd said as he scampered by, leaving a squid kid lying facedown in the slush, the combination of melted water and melted chocolate nearly melting his face off.
Splin groaned, bubbles from the liquids spilled on the ground rising from where his face landed in the snow.
Splin, now walking around with a slightly scalded, though rapidly fading injury on his face, trudged through the city, minding various young squids sliding around in the ice, each snickering or suppressing laughter at the burns on his face, much to Splin's discontent.
"..."
Sorry.
Splin sighed, wiping his face as if to comfort the burnt area, the redness from the pain easing away in seconds, because let's face it, Inkling regeneration really is that magical. He looked around, stores surrounding the brother covered in mostly ice, as well as closed signs around the windows. He looked from window to window, a frown present on his face as he looked at the closed signs seemingly decorating multiple stores just as much as the festive lights.
"Argh, I knew I should've asked him for his letter earlier." Splin grumbled. "There's gotta be at least one store open..."
Splin stared down at his pants, then reached into his pocket, pulling out his wallet. "And of course I'm still low on funds. Add that to my Squidmas list of headaches."
"Tell me about it."
Splin turned around, spying a certain female, rival squad member lying against a building wall.
"...Sari?" He asked uncertainly, unsure if he got the squad member's name right.
Sari nodded back, her apparel slightly altered as well, though her headband with the name, "Ari" written in Inkling was still wrapped around her forehead, wrapped around her tentacles as well. She had on a Black LS shirt and a pair of Choco Clogs, the shoes clogged with snow already, not bothering Sari in the slightest.
"Yup. Out shopping for a loved one, too?" She asked calmly.
Splin sighed. "Uh huh, Sharq asked me himself to buy a video game for him."
"Instead of asking Father Squidmas? Yikes." Sari commented.
"So, are you shopping for Ari by any chance?" Splin asked.
Sari rolled her eyes, flicking the headband on her head somewhat. "Of course, man. It's a pain in the rump, but hey, I can't say no to my favorite cousin."
"Tell me about it." Splin said. "What are you looking for?"
"Well…" Sari cleared her throat, and reached for one of her longer head tentacles, a scroll of sorts attached to it.
Sari unwound the scroll, letting it fall to the ground, a long list of wishes written in permanent ink bounding across the sidewalk, the list stretching to about two skyscrapers' lengths combined. Splin would've sweat in response, but keeping in mind the outside temperature, he just pat down the small tentacles wrapped on the back of his head.
"...Wow." Splin said, looking at the list.
"Now if you'll excuse me…" Sari said with a sigh, rewrapping the long scroll, snow being forced out of the way by the paper. "I need to find a, 'hot babe' for Ari to call his, apparently. Good luck!"
Sari waved, running with the scroll attached to her tentacle, Splin waving back. Splin turned around, and began walking along, kicking away slush. Just then, he had an idea, a shivering Zapfish shining over his head for a moment, then fell to the ground with a clink. Splin turned around, noticing the visual gag, and carefully picked it up and deposited it into his pockets, running away.
Splin now stood at the middle of Arowana Mall, the stage having been recently closed for the holidays. Despite the lack of battlers, the mall was absolutely festive and full of energy, sea life walking about, checking stores and kiosks in hopes that they could find suitable gift buying locations this holiday season. The normally filled to the brim with water pit was frozen over, jellyfish skating across gently, Inklings in humanoid forms stumbling and falling, yet still with smiles despite their follies.
Splin slid down the skate ramp leading to and from the middle, searching through glass windows, hoping to see a video game retailer somewhere. Walking through the stage, heading inside the mall itself through an open door, he entered an expansive indoor area, walkways and multiple levels leading through a comfortable labyrinth of stores and food courts. Splin walked through, spotting a video game store nearby, the sign on the front shining brightly, a hopeful "OPEN" glowing.
"Yes! Finally!" Splin said, taking a step towards the store.
"Hey guys! GameShark's having a sale on consoles and games!" Someone shouted.
Splin's eye twitched for a second. After that momentary twitch, a stampede of sea creatures nearly pulverized Splin, the crowd advancing on the GameShark, employees inside bravely dishing out deals and consoles to the customers.
"Gah!"
Splin laid facedown on the ground, lots of shoe marks and stings from jellyfish tentacles covering his body. He lifted his head from the ground, switching to squid form, attempting to crawl over to the store, when a little squid slid over him, her parents trampling over the poor, abused brother to catch up with the little squid, Splin sighing in response, letting his tentacles lay slack.
After that completely horrible holiday shopping experience, Splin was left sitting in the Inkopolis Plaza, resting his head against the same vending machine he landed next to earlier. By now, he had grown accustomed to the painful abuse, having bandaged himself up in miniature bandages all over his body.
"Hhaaah…" Splin let out a long sigh, pushing himself back against the vending machine more. "Aren't holidays supposed to be relaxing?"
Technically, you don't have school or a job, so…
"So?!" Splin cried out. "I've been walking all across Inkopolis just looking for a video game, and look what it gets me!" Splin yelled, gesturing towards his bruised arms. Splin huffed, crossing said arms, slumping by the vending machine tiredly.
"Splin? Are you okay?" A distinct motherly voice asked, Maria standing tall above the younger squid, wrapped in a warm coat.
"Hi Maria…" Splin greeted her, crestfallen.
"What's wrong?" Maria asked, sitting by Splin.
"I've been looking everywhere, Maria," Splin began, "For a video game for Sharq. It hasn't been…too successful." Splin said, carefully placing his hand on a part of his face carefully wrapped with a bandage.
"I can tell." Maria commented. "What video game would that be?"
"...I ALSO FORGOT THE NAME OF THE GAME." Splin cried out, gripping his head, slamming it on the vending machine with a groan.
"Well, if it helps, would it happen to be a level making game…?" Maria asked.
"...Yes, actually." Splin asked.
Maria smiled. "Oh, well it just so happens…"
Convenient to Splin and the plot.
"That I happen to have one right here!" Maria said, pulling out a small game case.
Splin's mouth shot open, completely in disbelief. "What?! Where'd you get that from?!"
Maria hummed to herself, walking inside of a mall, looking around the shops.
Always the attractor of attention, an Inkling man nearby, red-orange tentacles glistening menacingly, dressed in a biker's jacket and biker's boots, holding a small bag, grinned at Maria. "Heyyy gir-"
"I'm married." Maria said, flashing a ring on one of her fingers.
"Even better." The Inkling man said, attempting to hit on her.
Maria rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Hmph, for such a cute, little, innocent universe filled with some cute, little, innocent people, there sure seem to be a lot of scumbags. Look, buddy-"
"You can call me-" The Inkling man stood up close to the Inkling mother. "Ares."
"Like the god of war?" Maria asked, backing up slightly.
"Yeah, sure, whatever you say babe. Hey, what do you say after I get this present for a dopey kid of mine, we'll hit the town?" Ares grinned.
"Bad at talking to ladies, and apparently a bad parent as well." Maria remarked, looking away, only for Ares to step back in her field of view.
"Heh, I'll even throw in this game I stole." Ares said, holding out a game with one hand, gripping Maria's shoulder with his other.
He was immediately thrown across the mall, slamming into a wall, falling down onto the polished floor with a thud. Those standing by flinched, Inkling heads turning to where Maria was, greeted with a warm, innocent smile from Maria, who now held the video game in her hands. She looked at the surrounding Inklings, nodded with a friendly wave, and took off, leaving the mall.
Maria frowned at the memory, Splin sitting by confused.
It's a flashback, Splin.
Splin "aahed" in understanding.
"Yes. Long story short, I managed to find this," Maria said with a smile, raising the game up. "And decided, 'Hey, the boys might like this.' Looks like I'm not wrong."
"That's- That's amazing!" Splin said, looking over the game. "Um, Maria, I hate to ask you this, but is it okay if I give that to Sharq as a Squidmas present?"
Maria nodded, handing the game over to Splin. "Certainly Splin! I didn't really have much use for it in the first place, go ahead!"
"Thank you so much!" Splin cried out in joy, small, glad tears forming in his eyes, Splin taking the game with several bows of respect to the elder squid.
Maria smiled, ruffling the small tentacles on Splin's head, minding his headphones. "You're welcome. You better head on home quickly if you want to give it to him though!"
"I will, thanks!" Splin said, waving goodbye to the squid mom, shifting into squid form, Super Jumping away, swirling throughout the snow drifting towards the ground, sending the white flakes spinning as they gently descended.
Splin landed on a snowy patch of grass, shaking off the winter terrain, rushing towards the house. Splin opened the doors quietly, peering into the house, noticing a content Sharq playing with a Splatendo Wii U Gamepad, his eyes fixed determinedly on the screen. Splin cleared his throat, getting Sharq's attention.
"...Merry Squidmas, Sharq." Splin announced, opening up the game case.
A shattered disc fell out, fragments of the disc littering the floor. The two stood in silence, each glaring at the disc angrily.
Okay, you know what, this has had enough dumb plot conveniences, but you two really deserve a break, so here-
A video game case almost identical to the one Splin held in his hands dropped onto the floor, in front of the two brothers.
Merry Chr- Merry Squidmas, you two.
"...Cod bless you, voice." Splin said, falling to the floor in relief.
"Hooray!" Sharq said, picking up the game. "Thanks, guys!"
"No skin off my tentacles, Sharq." Splin said with a smile, though on the inside he was seething with anger.
Maria soon arrived, entering through the house doors, shivering slightly.
"Whoo. It's chilly out there." She said, rubbing her short head tentacles. "Ah! Splin, Sharq, how are you?"
"Great, Maria! Look at what Splin got me!" Sharq said, showing the video game cover to Maria.
"I see. How nice of you, Splin." Maria said, winking to the younger brother, who winked back.
"How about it, Splin? You wanna play a level I make later?" Sharq asked, raising the Gamepad up to his face.
"Sharq, that's your Squidmas present. You can't use it until Squidmas." Splin explained.
Sharq paused for a moment, looking down at the game.
"...Darn it! You're right!" Sharq exclaimed.
The other two Inklings laughed, their laughs echoing out the house and across the hills as snow fell on the house's roof and the hills below. Until a knock at their door stopped what was supposed to be the end of this chapter.
"Huh?" Splin looked over at the set of doors, then walked towards them, gingerly opening them up, when a pile of Inklings fell in from the cold into the warmth of the house.
"Aha! Told you I could find where they live!" Ari declared proudly, standing up, brushing off snow, his female squadron standing up next to him, doing the same.
"Wha?" Splin murmured in confusion.
"Oh, hey Splin." Zip greeted him, walking in. "Sorry for barging in on you, Ari, for whatever, kept begging us to follow him up here."
"I invited you to!" Ari shouted.
"Nice digs, Music Man!" Willie commented, looking around, his eyes landing on Maria. "Is that your mom? Hi, Miss…"
"Maria." Maria introduced herself. "I'm not his mother, just a friend."
"Ah, okay, gotcha Miss Maria!" Willie said.
"Uh, what brought this visit up Ari?" Splin asked the teenager standing by.
Ari grimaced, looking down at the floor.
"Here's your gift, bub. Merry Squidmas and all that squit." Ares grumbled, taking a small bag and tossing it towards an orange tentacled Inkling, who simply looked away in disgust.
"Take something from you? Disgusting. I'd rather stoop down to pleb levels than yours." Ari said, walking away.
"Hey! Be appreciative, I had a lot of trouble walking home after that squitch hit me!" Ares shouted at the teenager.
"About time." Ari glared.
"Excuse me?! Is that how you speak to your father? Cod, if your mother was here-"
"Her disappearance was your fault and your fault alone!" Ari screamed.
"Rrr!"
Ares raised a hand to punch Ari, who stood his ground, about to slam his fist down on the younger Inkling, but was quickly stopped by a squad of females standing in his way.
"Sari! Whoever the shell you two are, get outta my way!" Ares growled in an attempt to scatter the squad, but to no avail.
"Uncle, with all due respect," Sari began, pretending to care, staring at Ares intensely. "Back off right now, before anyone gets hurt."
Ares burst into a mocking laughter. "Ha! You three? Against me?"
"All of us." Ari growled, walking in front of the three, taking a rebellious pose.
Ares squinted at the younger squids, then growled, walking away, attempting to look menacingly.
"Whatever." Ares muttered, stalking away.
Ari grinned, and turned to his squad. "Spectacular work! You showed him a thing or two!"
"Anything for our leader!" Sari, Rit, and Bas exclaimed in unison, saluting him.
Ari nodded, heroically turning away. "Someday mother, I'll make you proud, and avenge our family name from that monster!"
"...Family issues." Ari said.
Splin looked at him unconvinced, but sighed, beckoning the other Inklings to come inside. The others smiled, all running inside of the house, Splin sitting by with a sigh. Everyone else seemed delighted with the aspect of freeloading into someone else's home, Splin simply taking a seat on his bed, kicking back.
"...Happy holidays, I suppose." Splin said.
AN: Thanks for reading, a bit of backstory for Ari there. Merry Winter Break, can I just say for all those out of school or work if you are! This is ThePizzaLovingTurtle, off to hang up stockings! Merry Christmas… Or Smissmas… Or Squidmas… Whichever holiday you celebrate!