Another singing part in this one.
Leader
Backup singers
All
Simple enough right?
It was dark when Cerata awoke. She wasn't sure when she fell asleep. But it was definitely a while ago. She swung her legs over the edge of her bed and just sat there. Had she missed the war? Was it still going on? What were the casualties? Cerata found herself wishing for Inkay's safety.
She sat quietly for awhile, her scared mind processing all sorts of horrible outcomes that might have befell the Inkling boy. After awhile, she heard the Octarian guards talking outside her door. She was going to simply ignore them until one of them said something about Agent 3. She stood from her bed and eased her way towards the door.
"No kidding? Where is he being held?"
"I think over in Octameri's personal dungeon. I've heard she hadn't stepped out of that thing once since she came back,"
"That's unfortunate for that guy. Oh well. Serves him right," Octameri knocked on her side of the door.
"Hey, are you talking about agent 3? Are you saying he's been captured?" One of the Octarians scoffed at her.
"What's it to you Inkling hugger? Gonna go liberate him?"
"Not him. He's wiped out a lot of us and I want to see what my sister is doing to him," The two Octarians shared an unbelieving look.
"I don't know. You seemed pretty intent on protecting the Inklings,"
"Look," Cerata's voice turned dark. "We are talking about the person who wiped out my entire squad before my eyes. I want, to see what Meri is doing with him. I know she's enjoying it, and if I have to tell her later that she missed out torturing Octarian enemy #1 with her sister, she'll fillet you both like she's doing that Inkling!" Both Octarians shuddered.
It was true that Octameri loved hurting people, and loved it even more with an audience. Her sister's gaze was always her favorite. With a sigh one Octarian approached the door.
"Alright, alright. Don't do anything hasty," He opened the door and Cerata stepped out. She gave a nod to the Octarians before heading towards her sister's quarters. The entire way there she was shot wary glares. They obviously didn't take too kindly to her defending the Inklings. She was positive some would've attacked her had she not shared blood with Octameri. When she finally reached her destination, she rapped on the door pretty loudly. There was a response after a few seconds.
"Who dares interrupt me now?!" The angry voice of her sibling yelled. The door was thrown open and the angry scowl of Octameri fell neutral. "Sister," She stated calmly. Cerata took a deep breath before speaking.
"I'm sorry about my reaction earlier...I heard you captured Agent 3," Octameri simply stared forward.
"Can I see what you're doing to him?" Octameri's face lit up as she grabbed Cerata by the hand, pulling her inside.
"I knew you'd come to your senses dear sister!" Octameri smiled leading her towards a door in the back of her room that led down a flight of stairs. Cerata braced herself for what she was about to see. There was one side of her that still held Agent 3 in a negative light for all the Octarian lives he slaughtered. Then there was the other side. The side that knew he was only fighting to protect his home from the true invaders that were the Octarians. Both side feuded in her mind, both looking forward to and fearing the scene about to be laid in front of her.
At the bottom of the stairs was a door and a one way window. Octameri took Cerata to the window and pointed in. The other side held a large circular room. In the center was an Octoling crouched down in front of the apparent Agent 3. Cerata couldn't see him from behind the Octoling, but she could see his hands. His hands were reaching out diagonally, spiked fish hooks stuck through them and stretching to opposite corners of the ceiling.
"What's that Octoling doing to him?" Cerata leaned over and asked her sister. In the same manner Octameri leaned over and answered.
"She's giving him a drink," Cerata raised an eyebrow but kept her gaze forward.
"A drink? That's actually pretty nice for your tastes," Octameri smiled a demented smile.
"It's saltwater," Cerata cringed. That was like a double whammy for both Octolings and Inklings. Their bodies dissolved in too much water and salt shriveled up their mostly liquid bodies in large doses. Though the water wasn't as bad since he was drinking it, there was no doubt he felt horrible from the inside out. The Octoling force feeding the Inkling stood and prepared to head towards the exit.
As she moved out of view, Cerata visibly paled. The Inkling sitting there on his knees was Inkay. Her Inkay. It took all her willpower to hold in her gasp and keep her hands at her side. Her eyes started to water but she fought back the tears.
"And you're positive this is Agent 3?" Her voice quivered but Octameri was too busy looking over her handy work to notice.
"Well, he was wearing the Agent 3 armor. He approached our Octavio decoy in an attempt to apprehend him. And while we were fighting, he shot dark blue ink. After I beat him into an inch of his life his tentacles turned turquoise. Who knew Inklings could do that?" Cerata stared forward in mute horror.
Inkay was there in nothing but a pair of shorts. His body had multiple lash marks and open wounds littered all across his torso, legs, and arms. Even his tentacles weren't spared from lacerations. Cerata began falling into a bit of denial. This creature in such a horrible state couldn't have been Inkay. Inkay was at home. He wasn't displayed here with holes in his hands, bleeding turquoise and purple ink.
The Inkling shook a bit. Very slowly he rose one leg up from his knelt position. He was obviously bleeding horribly yet he was still attempting to move. He fought to his feet and stood in the center of the room in order to loosen the pull of the hooks in his hands. Though both of his eyes were swollen, he managed to open them both and looked forward. Cerata's heart dropped as she couldn't deny those eyes.
"He's quite the trooper I'll give him that," Octameri laughed patting Cerata on the shoulder. "Everything I've done to him he returns a glare. Though at times I can see fear flash in his eyes right before I bring down the whip or I pull the chains in his hands," Octameri let out a laugh as Cerata did her best to keep it together. "You want to get a few hits in?" Cerata shook her head a bit too quickly.
"N-no. I'm good," Octameri looked over to her sister and noticed she was trembling sightly.
"...You aren't...sad, for this Inkling are you?" She growled. Again, Cerata shook her head.
"No! It's just...This is a new level of brutal for you," Octameri smiled at what she considered praise.
"Thanks! But I'm not even done with him yet. I found this really old scroll back in the valley. So many torture weapons. I'm having the Octarians conjure em up as we speak! Iron maidens, the lead sprinkler, the executioner's daughter, so many new things! And the perfect test subject for all of them," Cerata's heart was pounding in her chest. The person who she gave her first kiss to was the same person she feared the most in the world.
So many conflicted emotions were welling up inside of her as she stared at the Inkling looking so strong in his situation. There was a sound of a door opening up and Octameri turned towards the entrance while Cerata continued to stare forward like a horrid accident she couldn't look away from.
"My mistress. Two of the devices you requested are ready. You are welcome to use them if you so wish," A small Octarian said as he descended the stairs.
"Excellent. Bring them here,"
"Yes, uh, about that. You're going to have to bring him to them..." The Octarian cowered in fear of what would happen since Octameri liked to torture in her chambers.
"That's fine," She said, startling the Octarian. "I'll take him there myself. Cerata, will you come and see the new devices?" Octameri asked excitedly.
"N-no..." Cerata whispered still staring at Inkay. The longer she looked the more she noticed just how weak his stance was. His legs were trembling and his entire body wobbled like he was about to collapse at any moment. "I'm kinda hungry. Been in my room all day you know?" Cerata was so horribly entranced by the scene before her, she hadn't turned towards Octameri until she finished her second sentence, and her eyes didn't turn to her sister until she was finished speaking. Octameri simply nodded and gestured for her sister to leave.
Cerata power walked up the stairs and out of the room. She swore she felt sick. Horribly sick. She leaned against the wall, trying desperately to process the scene that she just exited from. She had to do something. But she couldn't decide what. Leave him? He was Agent 3. Devil incarnate to the Octarian race. Save him? He was so very nice. Her heart fluttered at the memory of their kiss.
She felt like she was going to throw up. She had to go back to her room. If anyone saw her in such distress they would probably lock her in her room again. She forced her legs steady and headed back. She had to lay down and think. This was the most stressed out she has ever been.
Agent 1 and 2 finally reached the area where Agent 3 had been in last. They scanned over the darkened area.
"Let's split up. Find anything signal me," Agent 2 whispered to her comrade. Agent 1 nodded and the two split up. They searched around the battle field for anything that could have given a sign to Agent 3's whereabouts. Agent 1 studied the small crater with purple ink scattered about it. In an area obscured by rocks, Agent 1 let out a gasp.
"Agent 2! I found something!" Agent 2 ran over to her friend and knelt down beside her as she pulled out Agent 3's helmet.
"Perfect. I knew it had to be around here somewhere," Agent 2 declared taking the item in her hands. "If I can connect the built in camera, I can see which way the ship was headed. Come. We don't have any time to waste," Agent 1 nodded as they bot rushed back to Cuttlefish's home in order to playback the helmet's recording.
Lyra, Kelp, and Shiro all returned to Inkay's apartment late, Kelp carrying a box of pizza.
"Inkay! Are you back yet?" Shiro called into the house. Lyra and Kelp went to the kitchen while Shiro went and knocked on Inkay's door. "Inkay...are you in there?" There was no response. He knocked on it a few more times.
"Is he not in there?" Lyra asked as she rounded the corner to the hallway. Shiro gently wrapped his hand around the door knob and twisted, surprised at how it turned in his hand. He opened the door just enough to see inside before closing it back.
"Nope. He's not," Lyra furrowed her brow before turning to the kitchen again.
"I'm going to call his sisters. See if he's still with them," Lyra said reaching for her phone. Shiro followed her to the kitchen and waited as she put the device to her ear. The group sat in silence as they waited for a response.
"Hey! Kiara! It's Lyra. Is Inkay still with you?...What do you mean?...About what time?... Oh...Okay. Thank you...Yeah I'll let you know too...Ok, bye," Lyra hung up her phone and stared at it with a look of worry.
"Well?" Kelp said looking up to his girlfriend from his seat. "What did she say?"
"She said...she hasn't seen him all day...She heard from him around the time he left earlier, but that was it," The squad looked around themselves in confusion and worry.
"But...wasn't he going to his sister's?" Lyra shrugged her shoulders.
"He said that, but Kiara hasn't seen him. She told us to contact her if we hear from him..." Kelp stood from his seat and stretched and put on his jacket.
"What are you doing?" Shiro asked his friend who had this serious look on his face.
"Well, for the first time, I think we've caught little Inkay in a lie. I want to see if I can see what he's up to. And if he's in trouble, I liked to think we could get him out of it,"Shiro grew a smirk while Lyra looked on in worry.
"Are you saying we should be looking for him?" Kelp threw his girlfriend a thumbs up and a smile.
"Yes!" Lyra still had this scared look on her face. Kelp walked up to her and put his hand around her. "Don't worry. He's probably sulking about Cerata leaving. I'm sure he's fine," Lyra nodded slowly, her look softening but not disappearing completely.
"Well what are we waiting for? We should go now!" Shiro called heading towards the door, Kelp and Lyra following.
Agent 1 & 2 were sitting in Cuttlefish's home, Agent 2 furiously typing on a computer.
"Ugh?! Why is this thing so busted? It looks fine!" She growled as she hit the helmet connected to the computer a bit.
"Calm down. Don't make it worse," Agent 1 whispered. "Just try again," Agent 2 let out a yawn and continued typing.
"Ok. I think I got it. Let's try it...now," She pressed a button and the screen flickered. A video opened up of the helmet being put on. Agent 1 and 2 fast forward the video until Agent 3 found Octavio. They watched as he turned him around and the balloon popped. They watched him get trapped and they saw the Octoling that knocked him around, all through his eyes.
"Who...was that?" Agent one asked in fear. From the direction the helmet was thrown when it was removed, they didn't see Agent 3 get stomped through the floating box. They did see an Octarian pick it up and take it to the Octoling, who threw it to the side as it watched the ship leave.
"I don't know...but," Agent 3 pause the screen as the ship was far into the distance. "We have an idea where they're going," Agent 3 shrunk the picture a bit and opened a map of Octovalley. Using where they found the helmet, Agent 3 drew a line on the direction the ship went and then mapped the kettles in that direction.
"Well? Find anything?"
"Unless they made a ninety degree turn somewhere, there's only one kettle the way they went, so our best bet would be that one,"
"Well let's go! We have to go get Inkay! I mean Agent 3..." Agent 3 printed out the map and closed the laptop.
"That's a good idea if you want to get us killed. Did you see what that Octoling did to Agent 3? We should rest for tonight and get up early to head out," Agent 1 sighed.
"Yeah, you're right. Let's get some sleep,"Agent 3 looked around the house, in a condition slightly more organized than when they found it.
"We should probably not sleep here. They might come back," Agent 3 said picking up the helmet and her laptop. Agent 1 nodded.
"Let's go to the studio and sleep there since it's so close," The two nodded and quickly moved to their destination. Agent 2 clutched the helmet as she placed the laptop in its carrier. "You think he'll be alright over night?" Agent 2 shrugged as a look of worry and fear crossed her face.
"We can only hope,"
Cerata stood leaned up against a hall. There was a door on the hallway perpendicular to the one she stood in, and she was staking it out. It was currently 1:17 in the morning and Octameri still hadn't emerged from the chamber. She feared more so for Inkay's sanity than his life at the moment. Sure he was scheduled for execution, but that wasn't what was going on now. Now he was being tortured, and the victims of Octameri's torture methods usually broke until the point they wished they were dead., even after they were released.
Eventually, Octameri finally emerged from the door. Cerata peaked around the corner and watched as her sister walked the other way towards her room. She waited a moment before heading towards the door that held the Inkling.
Inkay laid on the ground in nothing short of agony. Octameri had finally left him alone and right now, he couldn't be bothered to move. His state was so bad Octameri had not bothered to even chain him up. Inkay didn't have the strength to move. He laid on the ground and simply awaited for something to happen. He didn't know what time it was, but he was tired. He closed his eyes, the only difference being the blurriness he was seeing was gone and hoped sleep would come to him.
The door opened and light flooded into the room. Inkay would've groaned but he couldn't even muster up the strength to do that. The light from the hallway only flashed over his position for a moment before being shut off, the extremely dim lights in the room once again barely making a difference. The split second the light flashed over him, it hurt his eyes. He had been in darkness for so long it'll take awhile to adjust to the light once again.
The person who entered was quiet, so Inkay didn't move. He simply waited for whatever new horrors awaited him as he lay on the ground.
"So you were Agent 3?" Inkay didn't quite recognize the voice. His senses were all blurred from all the new devices Octameri used on him. Despite his pain, he mustered up the strength to at least turn his head towards the voice. He opened an eye and was only able to make out the silhouette of an Octoling. "If you were Agent 3, why did you bother housing me?" Inkay's heart dropped. Cerata was the one talking to him.
He let his head rest on the floor and closed his eye. He focused on what she said and tried to pinpoint an emotion. She sounded...angry. He probably deserved it. Octameri made sure he knew how much Octarians hated him. Cerata most likely felt the same. She had given her first kiss to not just the enemy, but the main enemy and slaughterer of her forces. She had to hate him.
His assumptions were confirmed when the door once again opened and closed. Inkay simply laid there. Again, he prepared to try and fall to sleep. Again, the door opened and Inkay mentally groaned. Again the person was silent, but he heard footsteps approaching. His head was lifted and Inkay tensed, his body screaming in pain at being moved.
"Drink," Was the sole response. Inkay fought to turn his head away from the cup that brushed against his lips. His mind went into a panic of it being more salt water. It already felt like he was dissolving from the inside out. He couldn't take any more of that stuff. "Inkay please," Inkay's eyes slowly opened. His head was resting on Cerata's lap as she held something to his mouth.
Cerata's eyes were watering and her voice was wavering. Inkay slowly opened his mouth and allowed the substance to run down his throat. It was Ink Gel. Since too much water was hazardous to Inklings and Octarians, Ink Gel was it's substitute. It was nice and cool, but still caused pain to Inkay as it soothed his throat and filled his stomach.
Cerata was freely crying as Inkay struggled to drink. He looked simply horrible. So much worse than before. His body was littered with more wounds as the previous ones were still open. Various parts of his body were burnt and turned a sickly brown , some much more severe than others, and his limbs had marks as if they had been stretched. Turquoise and purple leaked from his body as Cerata cradled him..
Inkay finished what somehow classified as a drink and coughed, the action alone causing his body even more pain. Inkay turned his eyes towards Cerata and moved his mouth, trying to make words.
"w-wh-,"
"Ssshhhhh," Cerata said placing a finger to his lips to silence him. "Save you're strength. You need all of it," Cerata whispered to him. Inkay closed his eyes and just rested on Cerata. She gently rubbed his head, the feeling causing Inkay to let out a calm breath. It hurt to see Inkay in this position, yet it brought a smile to her face at how calm he was in her embrace. Others who had to endure Octameri's wrath for half this long couldn't get close to anyone.
"I'm going to find a way for you to get home...I promise you," She said through her tears. Inkay didn't hear her. He had already drifted to sleep.
Octameri awoke about an hour before sunrise. She stretched her limbs with a dark smile on her face. Today was the day. She was going to splat that damn Agent 3 with an audience consisting of the entire Octarian race. Then she was going to head over to Inkopolis and destroy everything the Inklings ever loved being led by their glorious leader.
She quickly prepared for the day, putting on her Octo gear and gauntlets. By the time she was finished she heard a knock on the door. She was in such a good mood that she didn't even yell at the person. She walked over to the door, a small bounce in her step and opened the door.
"Oh. Good morning sister," Cerata stood at the door, with a look on her face Octameri couldn't quite read.
"Good morning sister. Listen...we need to talk,"
Inkay woke up to his tentacles being forcefully yanked, pulling him up from the ground.
"Move it ya punk! You're going to the chopping block!" An Octolig yelled into his ear as he was pulled to his feet. Another Octoling placed special handcuffs designed to hold boneless beings like the two species on Inkay's wrists. The first Octoling dragged him from his confinement with a leash and a collar with a laugh.
"I can't wait to see you explode in an flash of purple. Just like you made so many of our comrades explode in blue," One growled at Inkay as she walked faster than necessary, knowing he was having trouble getting his wounded body to keep up.
"Speaking of, wasn't Agent 3 colored dark blue?" The other one asked.
"Octameri and the squad that went with her saw this Inkling change from dark blue to this turquoise color after he got the shit beat out of him a while,"
"Uh. Neat. I wonder what other colors he can turn," The second questioned as she kicked Inkay's leg from under him. He fell on the ground, the first Octoling not bothering to even glance his way as she kept pulling.
Inkay was lead through several halls before the Octolings opened the door to the outside world. The morning sun barely peaked over the horizon as shouts of hatred and excitement bellowed at Inkay's arrival. The area was completely overrun by Octarians excited to see the infamous Agent 3 finally die.
They were on both sides of the path that lead to the stage Inkay was going to be executed. It wasn't long before the path lead onto a road of rocks, jagged and uneven. The spectating Octarians simply stood on both sides of the road yelling various things at the Inkling while the Octolings escorting him of course walked on the pointy rocks.
Their boots made the stones a mere inconvenience, but each step Inkay took was made more painful. He stumbled a few times and the sharp rocks opened newly closed wounds. The sharp rocks cut at his flesh every time he fell, and he would hurry to get back to his feet before the Octoling dragged him across the stones more.
The entire walk was roughly four miles long. Their destination eventually peaked at the horizon. It was a large outside stage, easily inkable. There was a massive crowd there to add to the one following the Inkling to his demise.
A single Octarian stood in the middle of the stage and began singing as he approached, the entire crowd waiting his back up.
"What did you think you were playing in the shadows of your mind?"
"What did you think you were playing in the shadows of your mind?"
"What is it you think you see, from the signs in your mind?"
"What is it you think you see, from the signs in your mind?"
"Ooh, well the nights began harder and harder as the time slowly flied! And the memories repeated 'till all of your dreams made you cry!"
"And the memories repeated 'till all of your dreams made you cry!"
"Forced down, holding back your Tears,charging closer to the death we desire!"
"Desire!"
"You are required!"
"Required!"
"Your souls about to meet it's master!"
"It's about to expire!"
"Maybe it's the end you seek, but it results in defeat. Unleash the nightmare inside!"
"MARCH!"
"TO THE BATTLEFIELD ANOTHER DAY TO DIE, WE GO!"
"ONWARD!"
"THROUGH EVERY LITTLE SHADOW, WE PROCEED!"
"TO THE NIGHTMARE!"
"WE ALL SALUTE YOU TILL WE SIT AND YOU DIE! WE'RE MARCHING ONWARD TO THE NIGHTMARE!"
The yells and screams only grew louder as Inkay got closer and closer to the stage. The crowd that walked the journey with them merged with the bigger crowd around the stage while the Octolings dragged Inkay on stage. The Octarian finished his song as the crowd cheered and he left the stage. When Inkay stood in the middle, they both kicked him behind the knees, bringing him to the ground.
The Octolings exited the stage the way they came as the crowd cheered and laughed at the act. It wasn't long before Octameri came from a building to the right side of the stage. She walked on stage and in front of Inkay before she smiled down on him. She placed her boot on his chest and pushed him over, his weakened body giving little resistance. The Octarians watching again cheered. Octameri turned towards them with a smile.
"Settle down...settle down," The crowd's volume slowly died down, a few getting last minute insults in. "This here, is the accursed Inkling keeping our precious zapfish from us!" The crowd booed, causing Octameri to gesture for them to calm down again. "He has killed many of our people! Spraying our blood across the landscape to keep our power supplies from us! Well no more!" The crowd cheered as Octameri held her hands to the side.
Two Octolings approached from both sides of the stage, each one equipping one of Octameri's gauntlets to her hands. They slinked away as they finished and Octameri slammed her fists together, a loud clanking sound ringing through the area. Inkay struggled to roll over and at least get back to his kneeled position.
"This day! We will finally be rid of him! And once we are rid of him, we will charge Inkopolis!" Inkay's eyes widened the best they could. They were going to charge Inkopolis? That wasn't good. That wasn't good at all. Not that any of his situation could be classified as good. For him at least.
"We will bathe their world in our color! We will take back what is rightfully ours! And Octarians! Will return to the surface as its new owners!" More shouts of approval rang through the area.
Agent 1 and 2 wondered into Octarian territory. There was a bunch of noise going on when they entered but it had sense died down. They moved across the mountain area and looked for any sign of any thing important. It wasn't long before they saw a literal ocean of Octarians.
"Whoa," Agent 1's mouth dropped at the sight. "You think he's down there?" Agent 2 pulled out an E-liter scope. Looking trough the scope, she looked over the area.
"I see him. Yeah, he's down there. But it looks like he's on the chopping block," She said as she quickly stood and swung her weapon over her shoulder. "We have to move quick," Agent 1 nodded as they both ran forward.
"So, little Inkling. You have anything to say for yourself?" Octameri said with a smile. Inkay simply turned his head up towards her with the best glare he could muster. "A man of few words. You were a strong one I'll give you that," Octameri's gauntlets began vibrating as they generated an excessive amount of ink. She slowly circled around Inkay, who watched until she got behind him. He looked forward, looking over the sea of Octarians who were awaiting him to die.
Welp. Looks like this was it. Time seemed to slow drastically for Inkay. He took in all the little details. The buildings in the background, the many faces of the crowd, even the lines on the floor he knelt on. He failed. He failed as the third agent. He failed to protect Inkopolis. He failed to keep his promise to his sisters. And now he was here. Battered...bruise...burned...other words that didn't start with 'b'. He was them all.
A tear almost ran down his cheek as he thought of all his friends and family. Their smiling faces gracing his memories as he dug through them one last time. He never got to take Molly to a Turf War. Kiara's words about how he was Molly's everything crossed his mind and his eyes watered. He was really letting her down. Maybe this was the big thing Kiara meant. At least she was out of Inkopolis to avoid the brunt of the sneak attack.
Then Inkay's mind switched to Cerata. Where was she? Of course she was gone when he woke up. She couldn't be seen nurturing a prisoner of war. She was probably somewhere avoiding his execution. Or maybe his pain driven brain simply imagined the entire scene the night before and Cerata was in the crowd rooting for him to die like the others. Oh well.
The sun rose high enough to make Octameri's shadow rest on the ground in front of Inkay. He could see her raise her fist over her head. He closed his eyes, unintentionally making a tear fall. Octameri brought down her fist at a speed that made his tentacles quiver. It stopped less than an inch over his head, ink dripping on him causing it to burn.
"Lucky for you," Octameri simply pushed him over again, walking towards the left side of the stage a few feet. "My, darling sister has offered a challenge," The crowd murmured among themselves as Octameri gestured towards the building she had exited. Inkay didn't bother moving again. He simply turned his head towards the building. He was shocked to say the least as Cerata approached the stage, clad in full Octoling gear right down to the mask. The only difference being that she wore gauntlets and boots similar to Octameri, though a bit smaller to fit her.
"My sister wishes for me to spare him," Cerata hissed. "But I, of course don't want to," The crowd booed Cerata as she walked up on stage, standing an equal distance from Inkay, though on the opposite side. "So to challenge my authority, she decided to challenge me!" More murmurs within the crowd. "So on top of the execution of public enemy number 1, you get to witness me teach a rebellious Octoling her place!" The crowd cheered.
Another Octoling walked on stage, grabbing Inkay by the tentacles and dragging him to the corner of the stage out of the way. The Octoling then shot a spot of purple ink to throw him into, to make sure that he was stuck and hurting. Cerata winced at his treatment causing Octameri to chuckle.
"What's wrong sister? Do you care about Inklings that much? That you'll betray your own kind? That you'll take the brunt of everyone's hatred so blatantly?!" Octameri shouted. Cerata simply nodded.
"Well this turn of events is...interesting," Octavio sat in a dark room, machinery echoing behind him. He was watching the execution on several screens and was sitting in a throne made for him. "What do you think?" In the darkness beside him sat a pair of red eyes, seemingly half-lidded. It remained silent.
"Oh come on. Surely even you couldn't have seen this coming," Octavio reach over and nudged the figure, even in the darkness it could be seen recoiling. "An Octoling falling in love with an Inkling. Pffft. They're going to get what's coming to them," The figure remained silent still.
"Well then dear sister, show me your resolve! Show me how strong your will is!" Octameri held her fist up to Cerata, the latter mirroring the motion. The crowd began either cheering Octameri or booing Cerata. Octameri charged forward, demented smile on her face.
She threw a right jab at Cerata's chest, the latter crossing her arms to block the attack. The gauntlets connected, a loud bang echoing through the area. Octameri quickly threw a kick towards Cerata's ankle. Cerata raised a leg to avoid the attack then shot the leg towards her sister.
Octameri leaned her body and raised her arm, allowing the kick to skid across the gauntlet instead. She then grabbed Cerata's leg and twirled her around, throwing her towards the left side of the stage. Cerata skidded a bit but didn't fall over, quickly turning back towards her sister.
Cerata raised her fists as she and Octameri charged again. Cerata threw the first punch. She aimed towards Octameri's hip while her sister simply stepped slightly to the side to dodge it. Octameri threw several jabs with her right hand while Cerata blocked and dodged them the best she could.
Cerata eventually threw a jab with her right hand, thinking she found an opening. Octameri replied by immediately punching Cerata's hand with her left. Still applying force to her left, she threw another punch with her right. Her gauntlet connected with Cerata's face, causing her to spin and stumble faster.
Before she had a chance to recover, Octameri was upon her. She took quick hooks to both of her sides a jab to her stomach before finishing with a strong right hook to her cheek. Cerata spun before falling to her knees, coughing a bit from the blows and turning towards her sister. It took a moment before she rose to her feet. Once she did she raised her fists again, causing Octameri to laugh.
"Why do you fight for him? He's the enemy! Think about what you're doing!" Cerata took the time to rub her cheek.
"Well the enemy has shown me nothing but kindness while my sister just punched me in the face," Octameri growled. Cerata lowered her hands and reached in her back pocket. Everyone watched as Cerata took something out of her pocket. She slowly removed her goggles and threw them to the side. She unfolded the item she brought from her pocket and everyone gasped.
In her hand was a turquoise squidvader cap, the squid on the front out there for all to see. She looked her sister in her eyes as she put it on her head. Octameri's expression quickly changed from shock to fury.
"I fought you as an ally at first, but now I will crush you like the traitor you are!" Octameri charged forward at speeds much quicker than previous. Cerata once again rose her fists to prepare herself. Octameri threw a strong left hook while Cerata rose both of her arms to block it. She successfully blocked it, but she still skidded back a few inches.
Octameri immediately threw volley after volley of punches towards Cerata's arm shield, each blow echoing throughout the area and causing Cerata's arms to ache more and more from the force. Cerata decided she needed to go on the offensive. She took a step back and prepared to bring a fist back to swing.
Her sister however immediately followed her step and threw a punch into the new opening Cerata made for a split second. Her gauntlet collided with her sister's chest, Cerata stumbling from the blow. Defenses lowered, Octameri threw a strong right hook around the remainder of Cerata's makeshift shield and hit her in the face. Cerata blindly threw a punch that her sister easily dodged.
The sadistic Octoling swung a light uppercut into her sister's stomach, hooking the opposite leg around her sibling's and pulling it, causing her to fall backwards. Immediately after she started her descent, Octameri grabbed her by her collar. With a forceful pull, she yanked Cerata in a full body uppercut to her stomach, Cerata gasping at the attack.
The attack was strong enough to lift Cerata off the ground and forced her to lean over Octameri's shoulder. Not quite done yet, Octameri threw a similar punch with her other hand, once again lifting Cerata off the ground. Using the ink propulsions on her gauntlets, she continued the forceful uppercuts until Cerata was above her head. Even then she only increased the speed of the punches, effectively keeping her opponent airborne.
Octameri threw the rapid volley of punches all over Cerata's torso before cocking back and sending a full powered right hook to Cerata's chest, dragging and slamming her into the ground. Cerata bounced a full foot off the ground before resting on her back. She curled in and held her stomach as the crowd cheered at the amazing display. Octameri approached Cerata as she writhed on the floor.
"What did you think would happen from this sister? I was always the superior fighter. This, to a lesser degree, always happened,"
On an elevated part of the mountain nearby, Agent 1 and 2 just got into position to watch the display. Agent 3 was looking through her scope down onto the stage.
"I see him. He's within range. But we need a distraction," She scanned over the sea of Octarians opposite the stage from them. "A big distraction,"
"You got. Give me a moment,"
"Work quickly. We don't have much time,"
"And you go and throw your life on a line for an Inkling. INKLING!" Octameri walked over to her sister and flipped her over, straddling her much like she did Inkay. "I hate to do this to you dear sister, but it seems I have to BEAT THE TRAITOR OUT OF YOU!" Cerata's eyes widened as Octameri raised her hands over her head. Cerata rose her arms to cover her face but Octameri was relentless with her blows.
She threw jabs and hooks and simply brought the bottom part of her fist down on Cerata's head, the ring in her skull and pain from the attacks eventually making her defenses drop til they were nonexistent. Octameri still didn't stop. Though she did resort to just throwing hooks into Cerata's jaw.
The crowd was going crazy at this point. Inkay flinched at every punch Octameri landed as they vibrated the ground. Cerata's figure had pretty much gone limp under her sister.
"Stop...it..." Inkay groaned out, trying to pull his body out of the purple ink. Under the sounds of heavy blows and a cheering crowd no one heard.
"Stop...it." Inkay had fought his way to his knees, leaning on his head for support. He brought up his foot, getting a grip on the ground beneath him.
"I said..." Though he was still low to the ground, he had manged to get on one knee. Him rising up of course alerted the nearby Octolings, who moved to restrain him. Before they could however,
"STOP IT!" With his raised leg, Inkay mustered enough strength to push out of the purple ink. His eyes were locked on to Octameri with a fiery hatred as she continued to wail on her sister, blissfully unaware of the Inkling charging her location. Though Inkay's arms were still handcuffed behind him, he didn't deter.
With rage filled eyes, he body-slammed Octameri off Cerata. He landed on top of a more than surprised Octoling. Straddling her, Inkay threw his head back until it was almost touching the ground behind him. With as much force as he could, he swung forward, slamming his head into Octameri's. He did it again. And Again. Simply surprised by being attacked and again from the pain of the headbutts, Octameri didn't react until three headbutts in.
She grabbed Inkay by his forehead on his fourth descent and slammed her fist into his jaw, effectively rolling him off of her.
"Agent 1...I think we're running out of time. Where's that distraction,"
"Just give me a second. I'm almost done," Agent 1 responded through a communicator on Agent 2's collar.
"Huuurrrrry,"
Octameri stood growling. Rubbing the purple spot forming on her forehead. She stomped over to the struggling Inkling and grabbed him by his tentacles.
"Just couldn't wait to die huh? Fine then. You win. You get to die," Octameri's gauntlets began to vibrate and practically explode purple ink. "Got any last things to say? Or are you going to keep up this silent protagonist shit?" Octameri growled. Adrenaline gone from his system, Inkay turned his head up towards Octameri.
"Octo go fuck yourself,"
"That's the spirit," Octameri raised her fist over her head.
"CAAAALLLLIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEE"
"I GOT IT!" There was a FOOSH sound that echoed through out the area.. All Octarians , including Octameri looked around in confusion until one looked up and saw the meaning of the sound.
"INKSTRIIIIIKEE!" It yelled as everyone looked at the incoming bomb. They all scattered, Octameri dropped the Inkling in her hand and stepped back in fear at realizing the bomb was centered directly for her. She turned and quickly ran from the stage to avoid the explosion. Cerata, slowly gaining back her senses, too start to move away from the area, jumping off the stage and taking shelter behind it as the bomb lowered. Inkay looked up and watched as it landed directly on him.
It felt amazing. He could feel some of his minor wounds heal and overall body ached a bit less. He didn't even bother questioning where it came from. He was just grateful for it. He closed his eyes and just enjoyed the feeling. He was dragged from his thoughts as he was shot in the face with a sniper blast. He opened his eyes and looked towards the stream of turquoise ink that lead into the distance.
"Well?! What are you waiting for?! A formal invite?!" He could hear someone yelling at him. He was about to try to pin point the voice but realized it'll be better to just go to them. He once again struggled to a knee before finally standing, taking a few steps before turning into squid form and swimming through the ink.
Octameri looked up just in time to see him fall into the ink. She growled as ink leaked from her gauntlets and she charged. Cerata stood once the inkstrike was over with, She saw Inkay swim past her then glanced over to see her sister chasing, throwing blob after blob at Inkay attempting to cut off his path. Agent 2 attempted to snipe down the Octoling but it seemed she knew when every shot was about to be fired and easily avoided it.
Cerata backpedaled, throwing punches to send blobs of ink at her sister in an attempt to slow her down. Octameri didn't even both to dodge the attacks from her sister. Purple ink couldn't hurt her. Cerata knew this. But what else could she do? She would get wasted going for a fist to fist. But she needed to stop her. Tears welled up in her eyes at how useless she was being. If only she was an Inkling! She could change colors into something that could actually hurt Octameri.
Cerata closed her eyes in rage and simply threw faster punches, angry at the fact she was pretty much not doing anything. Why couldn't she be born an Inkling? She wouldn't be here. Inkay may not have been here. She would be of some use to him at the least. Her rage grew as she threw more and more punches. Damn this purple ink! Damn it to hell! She wanted to be another color. She wanted to be Inkay's color. Not this color.
There was an OOMPH! sound. Cerata opened her eyes as Octameri was on the ground, a large blob of turquoise ink on her head. Still backpedaling, Cerata looked around for the cause. Surely not the sniper. She'd be dead. She looked over to a group of Octolings who had ran around the corner of the stage, weapons drawn. They froze at the sight of her.
They murmured words Cerata didn't care to understand. When she turned to run something caught her eyes. Her right gauntlet was leaking turquoise. Her eyes widened as slowly, the purple ink oozing from her left gauntlet turned the shade of blue as well. She was in such shock she froze in place, examining her tentacles with wide eyes.
A shout of "GET HER!" shook her out of her thoughts as she glanced back. Octameri appeared to be in just as much shock as her as she was simply staring slack-jawed in the same position. Cerata, with her wish come true, Cerata changed into an octopus and followed Inkay's path. Once she was at the base, she threw down a Splash Wall preventing the other Octolings from following. When she turned she saw a person helping Inkay to run. She quickly followed. By the time she caught up they had met with a third person.
"Oh my god he looks terrible!" One said. "We got to get him back quick!" The one with Inkay's arm slung across her shoulder nodded. They began moving until Cerata called out to them.
"Wait!" They both turned and the one not holding Inkay stepped forward, pointing a weapon at her.
"Don't come any closer or I'll shoot!" She screamed as the other began taking slow steps backwards with Inkay. Instead of attempting to point out that her weapon wouldn't work on her since they were both turquoise, Cerata went to focus on the more important matters.
"I just want to come with! I set up a Splash Wall so that'll buy us some time but not much. We have to hurry!" The two Agents gave the Octoling an unsure glance.
"It's ok...she's a...friend," Inkay muttered out, earning sympathetic looks from the two Agents at how hurt he sounded.
"Alright. But no funny business!" Agent 1 growled as Cerata nodded. Cerata assisted Agent 2 to support Inkay and the four ran.
Whoo that was long one! And so much stuff! As much as I like to talk to you guys, I really need to be studying for my exams, so I'm going to thank you for the reviews, respond to some previous ones, and bid you adieu.
To Guest, whoever you may be, that's why I had the phone scene like that to fuck with you. :p
To Pizzarobot63, you also can't fight metal gauntlet wearing Octolings or have an apartment in single player. There's a reason its fanfiction and I'm not cashing in dough for this story. .3.
To everyone else: love you guys. Until next time.
Astalabyebye,
Bang
P.S. One of this chapters is going to have a big as fuck Author's note section of me recollecting everything I wanted to say but missed. look forward to that or ignore it when it comes. Your choice.