Chapter 11: The Interlude
A/N: So I've been bouncing around the idea of a "prequel" to Ballad of the Fallen. It's in its' early stages, but I will say that if I go through with it, it will focus on Lightning as the main character. Don't worry (or worry if you hate this story) Ballad is far from over. Hope you enjoy this chapter, just a smaller one since I didn't want to combine this with chapter 10.
The trail of ink impacted Izzy square in the face… and did little more than gross Izzy out even more than he already was. "Oh gods above it got in my mouth that time!" He complained, gagging on the sour tasting liquid and re-wiping his face clear of it. "What was that for!?" he said. It wasn't everyday he had old men secrete special fluid on his- Izzy stopped that thought before he legit threw up. While Izzy regained his composure, Callie and Marie had intervened before the Cap'n began whacking Izzy with his cane.
"We're home grandpa! This is the one we sent you a letter about earlier!" Marie said, jubilant as always.
Cuttlefish gave Izzy a critical staredown before ruffling his beard and turning to his grandsquids. "Sorry bout that lasses, but an Octarian scout got lost here early today and I had to give him what for! Thought he had come back for more, I did."
The duo looked at Cuttlefish worriedly. "Are you sure it's still safe for you to be here grandpa? The Octarians might know your here now."
The Cap'n waved them off nonchalantly "I got em' right between the eyes with my bamboozler. He should be splatted for quite a long time, even though I did use non-lethal ink. Speaking of which, how did you friend over there not take any damage from it?"
Izzy having finally recovered wandered over to the group. He cleared his throat, and they turned to him. Cuttlefish beckoned Izzy to come over, and he hesitated for a moment before relenting.
"Sorry about shooting you lad, that you were an octoling sneaking up on me." Cuttlefish apologized.
"Not to be rude, but I don't think intruders knock before coming into your house." Izzy said, still a little appalled at the ammunition for the weapons inklings carried around.
Cuttlefish let out a hearty laugh. "Got me there bucko, guess my old age frays my judgement a little. Say, you look familiar…" he finished, squinting his eyes to get a closer look.
"It is probably because I am a-"
"No wait I know this!" Cuttlefish interrupted. Izzy could almost see the gears turning in his head. "Ahha! I got it! You're that one waiter at the cafe I met the other day!"
Izzy gave Calle and Marie an incredulous look. "Is he serious?" Izzy said, not sure what to think.
Marie fake coughed into her hand before nudging Cuttlefish with her shoulder. "Grandpa, try again." She said gently.
A few moments later, the realization had finally dawned on the Cap'n. "By the almighty Poseidon! You're one of them human fellows! Haven't seen you since… back in the Great Turf War! Were you Echo or Alpha?"
Izzy did a double take; two humans had appeared in a war, obviously long ago, and decided to also use military code names? "Sorry sir, I am neither. You can call me Delta. Say, do you remember what the other two humans looked like?" Izzy asked, hoping to pair the description with some of his recently returned memories.
Cuttlefish scrunched up his face, and stroked his beard with his left hand. "Can't say I recall much outside the fact one was a girl and one was a boy. Darn excellent soldiers they were though, why I remember one time-"
Cuttlefishes' monologue was cut short by a thundering boom sound somewhere below them. He instantly snapped into action, springing up with a surprising amount of dexterity for his age. "That was probably an octo weapon that fell down to the lower part of the valley! Judging by the sound it is either an octo-whirl or an octo-stomp. Agent 3!" He said, directing the last comment in Hamil's direction. "Are ye ready for a mission?" Hamil nodded, before ducking into the shack and appearing a moment later in an outfit that oddly reminded Izzy of a cross between a construction worker and a DJ.
"Girls, I need you to get suited up in-case Agent 3 needs backup." Callie and Marie nodded before repeating the action Hamil did. Cuttlefish glanced at Izzy. "Sorry to drag ye into this, but if it is an octo weapon down here, it could cause a great commotion. Can ye fight?"
Izzy thought for a split second before replying. "I can't transform into squid form or utilize… ink based weapons. However, different colors of ink don't slow me now, and I am sure no living creature could best me in a test of speed or strength."
Cuttlefish nodded. "You don't have to go if ye don't want to lad. It will be a dangerous fight."
"All the more reason I need to help." Izzy retorted, already following after Hamil and the others. He wasn't exactly sure what an octo weapon was, but he was damn well sure not going to let it hurt what he considered to be his only friends.
Grimacing at the prospect of more kettle travel, he yanked the top off the one he saw the others going down, and dived in.