It was the start of the 1st week of Inkaletta's final days of survival. I have no clue how I'm going to handle things now that my sister's sick. Not to mention Ikameshi's been squidnapped by the Octarians and be turned into one of them. How am I supposed to save the day now that Inkaletta's boyfriend is taking days off to take care of my sister and my friends probably hate me ever since I snapped at them? I have no one to support me...
"It would be an honor to me and the entire city if you become an Agent and fight Octarians along our side."
"Whatever you decide to do, Nibs, make sure that your choice speaks from the heart."
"You better not be thinking about joining the new SquidBeak Splatoon alongside your pathetic sister."
"Looks like the fate of Inkopolis is in your hands now."
Quotes began to repeat in my head as I layed on my bed, hugging my pillow close to my chest.
These quotes somehow...gave me the motivation I needed.
I boldly sprung out of bed, aware of what I'm supposed to do now.
No! I can't stay gloomy like this forever. My loved ones need my help- and I'm not going to toss myself over the side like I'm nothing. I have to be my own best friend and support myself! I need to do something about this madness. This war comes to an end today!
I quickly changed into my regular clothes and headed out of my room. However, once I was about to leave, I noticed Jet leaving his room.
"Jet! Jet, wait up!", I called out for him, quickly catching up.
"I know you're sorry about what happened yesterday, but, I don't want to talk about it now. Especially in this state. OK?", Jet sincerely-yet coldly- replied before continuing to walk off.
Of course I was dissapointed by his response, but, I didn't let that stop me from finding help.
I can't believe Jet just walked off like that! Is he mad at me? Oh, I don't know what to think anymore. However, I wonder what Jet meant when he said "in this state" though.
As soon as I walked out of the hotel, I stopped dead in my tracks at the sight of Inkopolis.
The lights were flickering rapidly, completely dimmed. Not even the monitor was on. Everything about Inkopolis was...not right. It wasn't like this a couple of days ago.
As I walked towards Booyah Base, I realized that all the shops were closed. On a piece of paper taped to the doors read:
Closed Due To Power Outage
I nervously walked towards Inkopolis Tower, hoping that Turf Wars were still available. Instead, the doors didn't open automatically and was smothered with yellow tape that read:
Out Of Order
Aww, squid paste! Ever since Inkaletta's been sick, this city's gone dark and corrupt., I nervously thought as I walked near a large crowd of nervous Inklings. They were gazing upon the Squid Sisters standing outside of their studio, holding up megaphones in their respective colors; pink for Callie and lime green for Marie.
Callie took in a deep breath and pushed on the megaphone's button, beginning the announcements.
"Hold on to your tentacles...", Callie nervously began.
"It's Inkopolis News Time...sort of...", Marie calmly replied as she stared into the crowd.
"We would like to interrupt your time to share some breaking news. As you all can see, Inkopolis is...well...powerless at the moment."
"Well, now that the Great Zapfish hasn't been returned, we barely have any power at all."
"Because of this tragic event, the shops in Booyah Base will be closed. So, you will have to change plans if you were going to buy any new gear or weapons.", Callie sighed sadly, holding her hand over her heart.
"All Turf Wars- including Ranked Battles- will also be canceled.", Marie sadly stated, crossing her arms.
This caused the crowd of Inklings to gasp, talk amongst themselves, and even boo.
"That's not even the worst part! We may have to postpone Splatfest for some other time if the Great Zapfish isn't returned by Friday. We also had some amazing new ideas in mind as well. But, sadly, we can't share it with you guys until the Great Zapfish is back."
Apparently, the entire crowd started to get even louder gasps, talking, and booing.
"Everyone, please calm down! We'll try and think of something to bring the Great Zapfish back in time for Splatfest."
"Like what, Marie? Like what?! You don't even have a damn clue where it is! Oh, my life is over!", Callie snapped, her face a bright red and tears of anger and sadness pouring down her face.
Marie calmly pulled the crying Inkling girl into a hug as she finished the announcements.
"Until next time..."
"Stay fresh...", the Squid Sisters sighed, sadly doing their signature pose.
Once the Squid Sisters finished their announcements, the crowd continued to get upset as they watched the girls walk back into their studio- Callie shedding more tears.
Oh my squid, this is terrible! Inkaletta's sick, Ikameshi is gone, and Inkopolis is powerless. Where am I supposed to find help?!
Luckily, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I quickly pulled it out and realized that I got a text from Inkaletta's boyfriend- Somen.
"Hi, Nibs. If you haven't guessed already, I'm your sister's boyfriend- Somen. But, no time for introductions. I'm giving you an update on you sister's recovery.
Inkaletta's trying to fight off the effects of the poison. However, she's constantly having dirrahea and throwing up. I'm afraid it's getting worse. It's really hard now that Inkopolis is low on power. Have you found Cap'n Cuttlefish yet?"
I texted back: "How am I supposed to know where he is? I'm still kinda new to this place. #PleaseHelp!"
He replied: "Don't worry, I got your back. You'll find him as soon as you enter the manhole near some trashcans. It shouldn't be too hard to find. #BeQuick #YouCanDoIt!"
As soon as I got that reply, I quickly swooped by a crowd of depressed Inklings until I reached the manhole.
I took in a deep breath as I turned into a squid and slid through the manhole's pipes. I went through a bunch a tumbling until I ended up landing on metal.
"Ow! Does Inkaletta have to go through this all the time?!", I moaned in pain, holding my dizzy head.
Once I got my head straight, I cam face-to-face with a familiar looking hut.
As soon as I stared at the hut in front of me, a strange scream distracted me.
"Th-the-the...Oc-Oc-Oct...", a strange old man stuttered nervously, shaking rapidly.
That has to be Cap'n Cuttlefish. He looks just like the man I saw in the birthday video.
He kept repeating that over and over until it got rather annoying. However, I tried to keep my cool and not snap again.
Once he caught me standing there, he finally finished his sentence.
"The Octarians are coming! NOOOOOOOOO!"
"Captain?!", I shouted, hoping that will make him snap out of it.
"Oh, uh, hi... Guess I lost my cool for a minute there!"
After he took a deep breath, he held up two fingers- resembling a peace sign. Looked like it was some type of salute.
"I'm Cap'n Cuttlefish, leader of the legendary Squidbeak Splatoon!", the Cap'n announced bravely, staring into my eyes as I walked towards him.
"You're Nibs Watermark, correct?"
"Y-yes sir.", I nervously replied, shaking his clammy, cold hand as he continued to stare into my eyes.
"That look in your eye... It's the look I've been lookin' for!", Cap'n Cuttlefish suddenly gasped happily.
"I don't know if you're aware of this, but, the Great Zapfish that powers Inkopolis has been squidnapped. Nobody believes me, but it's the work of the Octarians! I just know it! They want revenge for the Great Turf War over 100 years ago!"
I stood there in awe as I gazed upon the strange creatures on the billboard.
"I've been keepin' an eye on them this whole time, of course..."
"But they stole the Great Zapfish right out from under my nose! Please! You gotta help me rescue the Great Zapfish! Especially now that your sister's ill!"
I was getting completely nervous and I felt my stomach turn as I thought about it. After a couple minutes of silence, Cap'n stated:
"So... I'm gonna take your silence as a yes. Follow me, young Inkling. I need to get you in your new Hero Suit!"
With that, Cap'n opened up the door to his hut and I followed behind him.
The room inside was rather large, but rarely had much in it. His bed contained cracks and held a mattress covered with a dusty pillow and torn blanket. The walls and the ceiling had cracks in it and was slightly leaking- yet the wooden boards covering them didn't help. Every time I stepped on the wooden floor, it couldn't stop creaking!
Oh my squid! I feel like I'm walking in some sort of run-down haunted house!
"I apologize if this place kind of creeps you out- not to mention, is a big mess. I rarely get visitors these days. But anyways, let me go get you your Hero-"
As Cap'n Cuttlefish dove into a large closet, giant strange looking dusty yellow plushies towered out of it.
"Captain, sir! Are you alright?!", I shrieked as I helped him out of the plush pile.
"Oh, I'm fine, thanks. This happens a lot- I'm used to it.", the captain nodded as he tossed his head and held out a strange set of equipment wrapped in clear plastic.
"Here, get changed quickly! I'll be outside once you're ready!", he shouted as he tossed the suit at me and shut the door behind him.
The suit quickly reminded me of the one Inkaletta wore on my birthday video.
Once I finished changing, I gazed at myself in the mirror, sighing sadly as I gazed at the blue lights glowing everywhere.
I look just like my sister..., I thought as I wiped away early tears and headed outside.
The Cap'n quickly congratulated me once he saw me wearing the suit.
"Starting today, you are Agent 5 of the New Squidbeak Splatoon! This is your brand-new Hero Suit! It'll help you fight the Octarians! Agents 3 and 4 hand stitched this one especially for you- and it fits perfectly! Thank squid it wasn't a hand-me-down from Agents 1 and 2... Ahem, what was I saying? Oh yes! Now let's go get those Octo jerks! I'm countin' on you, bucko!"
"Yes, sir!", I saluted as he handed me what he calls a Hero Shot. Oddly, I almost resembled a Splattershot- just...fancier. Although I did feel awkward thinking that I would be wearing a hand-me down, but, that didn't matter anymore. I was finally in Octo Valley- prepared to save the day!
As soon I was beginning to look around, I heard Cap'n suddenly start yelling- since he was on the phone.
"Agent 2, please try to make Agent 1 calm down! Agent 5 will do her best to save the Great Zapfish in time for Splatfest. Don't try to underestimate her. Doh, Agent 1! Do you think I'm blind- of course I know you're hopeless up there without power! Ugh..."
I completely ignored the conversation as I continued to walk around.
"Psst, Nibs. Shoot your ink to reveal the entrances to the Octarian lair.", the Cap'n nervously whispered as he held his phone away from his tiny ears.
I nodded calmly as I began to shoot ink around the area.
Suddenly, a strange looking metal thingy appeared. I walked over to it and glanced at it. It turns out that the strange looking metal thingy was a kettle.
This will probably lead me to my 1st mission!, I boldly told myself as I turned into a squid and slid through the tiny wires.
A few minutes later, I was back in humanoid form landing on a launch pad that changed my usual turquoise color to a bright shade of green.
Huh, this is...different. But, not in a bad way. I look nice in green.
Surrounding me was a strange area with multiple platforms.
Suddenly, a strong static started sounding in my head set. The static then quickly changed to Cap'n Cuttlefish's voice.
"Hello? Hello, hello? Agent 5, if you can hear me, I'm going to give you some advice as you advance through your mission. The launch pad in front of you will help you jump from platform to platform. Go, give 'em heck, Agent 5!"
I bravely headed towards the launch pad and Super Jumped to the nearest platform. As soon as I landed, I came face-to-face with...red looking thingies that had only one tentacle. They were riding on strange looking machines, apparently shooting purple ink on me.
They didn't look too dangerous so I boldly shot them with my ink while dodging their attacks. Suprisingly, they were pretty easy to defeat.
"You're doing great blastin' those Octotroopers, Agent 5!", Cap'n Cuttlefish complimented me.
"Thanks!", I replied as I shot a ramp, swam up it, and noticed an Octotrooper with a shield. I quickly shot the ground, swam in my ink, and shot it from behind before it even have a chance to notice me. Once I defeated it, I launched to the next platform.
This...isn't so bad, actually. Sure I get hurt from time to time, but, it's a lot of fun.
Along the way, I destroyed crates that contained eitheir Armor or strange looking orange blobs. The Cap'n explained that they were called Power Eggs and they can be used to upgrade my gear. Now knowing this information, I collected as much as I could while continuing to jump to other platforms.
However, despite having fun during the mission, I was in for something once I was very close to getting the Zapfish.
After many jumps, shooting troopers, and a lot of swimming to find a key, I made it on a platform with a silver pillar with a large platform right in the center. On the top was a glowing electrical yellow light bulb, where a Zapfish was.
"There's the Zapfish, Agent 5! Quickly, fight those baddies off and Super Jump your way to completing this mission."
"I can do that!", I cheered as I fought off the last batch of Octotroopers. Once I did that, I collected more Power Eggs as well as fill up my ink tank. I then Super Jumped up on the pillar and shot the bubble.
"It's ok, little guy. I'm not going to hurt you.", I calmly whispered to the poor Zapfish, which caused it to stop shaking in fear. As soon as I was about to grab the little creature-
*BAM!*
I was suddenly tackled down by an unknown person. The two of us fell off the pillar and landed hard on the ground.
"Agent 5, are you alri- Oh no! Not one of them! This early?!", Cap'n shouted.
"What do you mean, Cap'n?! Answer me!"
The mysterious person then got off me and revealed herself to me.
She had pale skin with a light pinkish-red tint and red tentacles for hair. She wore a revealing black top with silver armor, black shorts with a brown belt, and black boots. A pair of silver goggles that emitted purple lights hung on her waist.
"We meet again at last, Watermark. Now you get to witness my true form! I'm glad I finally got rid of that stupid disguise!"
Wait a sec! I know that voice...
"Octivia?!"
"Agent 5, be careful. That scallywag is called an Octoling. She can turn into an octopus and swim in her own ink too!", Cap'n gulped nervously.
I had no choice but to fight Octivia. She quickly began to fire her ink at me. Luckily, I swam through my ink and dodged it.
"You stupid 10-limbed slime ball! I won't let you get your hands on that Zapfish!", Octivia snarled as she threw a Splat Bomb at me.
I quickly Super Jumped back up the pillar before it exploded.
Before I had a chance to take the Zapfish and run, she Super Jumped behind me.
Once she made it back to the top, she shot my foot to prevent my from moving.
"HA! I can't believe you actually chose to do this. I bet Inkopolis would love to hear how this silly girl saved the Great Zapfish. Besides, you're not the hero type at all. Leave this junk to the older folk. You're way too wimpy to take in all of this struggle and pain. Now, hold still and it won't hurt at all...hopefully.", Octivia snickered as she pointed her gun at me.
I couldn't just stand there! I needed to think of a plan. Just then, an idea came.
"I don't think so!", I hollered bravely as I tossed a Burst Bomb at her.
"HA! You think that thing is going to hurt me-"
SPLAT!
The Burst Bomb immediately blew up in her face.
"Owww! My eyes!"
Once I did that, I quickly shot myself to free my foot from her ink. I then screamed boldly as I pushed her off the silver platform.
"AHHHH!", Octivia screamed as she fell on the ground.
"Nice job, Agent 5! Now, go get that Zapfish!", Cap'n complimented me.
I calmly walked over to the Zapfish and picked it up. Just for fun, I winked and striked a fierce victory pose while the tiny Zapfish shook in my hand.
"HA! You look so stupid posing like some stupid hero- which you're not! Let's face it, Nibs. Inkopolis is about to reach its breaking point and the Octarians will stand victoriou-"
Octivia's speech was suddenly cut off by a phone call.
"Hello?", she groaned in disgust, placing a hand on her large hip.
"Sister, let your "little friend" enjoy her 1st victory while it lasts. It seems like we underestimated her. But, don't worry. I have something planned.", a strangely seductive voice sounded on the other line.
"What?! NO! Why can't you trust me to do it? I almost took her down. Almost! I don't wanna watch over Ikameshi again- he makes me sick! I kinda regret kissing him and-"
"Stop it! Master doesn't appreciate your whining! Just head back to the base and watch over our unfortunate victim. The Octoling Forces and I will handle things from now on."
"Ugh, fine. But, I'll be back for her-and I will defeat her.", Octivia hung up and gave me a harsh glare before walking off.
I nervously thought about Octivia's discussion once I returned back to Cap'n Cuttlefish's hut.
"Congratulations on completing your 1st mission, Agent 5! I knew I could count on you, bucko! Agents 1 and 2 will be so impressed. How about you get some rest for now and come back tomorrow for your next mission.", the Cap'n cheered as he took the Zapfish from my arms.
"Thanks Cap'n! I'm glad I was able to help.", I smiled as I headed back in the hut in order to get changed. Once I was back in my regular clothes, Cap'n asked for my phone number.
"This way, we can keep in touch about what's going in Octo Valley. Oh, and you might want to wash your suit before starting your next mission."
I didn't hesitate to exchange phone numbers. Not to mention, my suit smelled SO BAD. It smelled like raw krill! It was such a short mission and I sweated that much?! Yuck!
It was a little late in the afternoon once I returned back to the Hotel. Cap'n said that I've done enough work for today and should head back out tommorow for my next mission.
I sighed sadly as I passed by Inka and Jet's doors.
Ever since I started my 1st mission, I completely forgot that I snapped at my friends. I don't even know if they forgive me or not. Oh, if only there was something I could do to make it up to them. Ugh, sadly I only have time to focus on saving my loved ones and the city...
I then nervously layed on my bed and played a Squid Sisters track on my phone, unaware about what I would encounter the next day.