Sorry for the huge delay! This chapter believe it or not, was suppose to be uploaded last month but due to some family issues I couldn't concentrate on it. This chapter has been re-written about four times but finally I'm satisfied with how it's turned out.
In the next few days I should be able to post Sora's Bio and maybe even a little backstory on my tumblr account.
blog/misbex
Chapter 16 ~ The Truth behind the Ink!
Usagi could feel her heart pounding terribly as she slithered down the shadowed-filled corridor, terrified that any second now she'll be discovered. The purple Inkling had lived inside this prison like facility ever since she had hatched hundred years ago.
It took a lot of technical genius know-how and some engineering skills but Usagi had managed to bypass the system security and shut down all monitoring cameras along the route which will lead to her freedom.
Just a little bit further… and she'll finally be free! And then… she'll find her daughter whom she had helped to escape over forty years ago.
"Honestly Usagi, I'm frankly getting quite bored of these pitiful attempts at escaping. I would have thought, a creature as intelligent as you would have realised it was useless by now."
Usagi stopped with a huff and closed her eyes in exhaustion. So close…
"Why should I give up Morida." Rasped the elderly Inkling after turning back into her withered humanoid form, wearing a white overcoat and black sandals. Her withered tentacles curled slightly and was decorated with dark purple circles of various sizes, the markings around her deep pink eyes didn't join up like most Inklings do.
"Afterall… my daughter escaped didn't she? Which theoretically means it's not useless."
The tall figure that stood behind Usagi chuckled.
"If you weren't so useful to my plans I would have killed you by now, just like the rest of your disgusting half-breed mongrels."
"Ah yes…" Usagi turned around and stared at Morida with deep hatred and loathing in her deep pink eyes.
"You do rather enjoy hunting down and killing any half-Inkling half-Octoling hybrids that might pop up, along with their parents so they don't end up breeding again."
Morida laughed again and Usagi shook her head in disgust. With a click of his fingers two Inklings with vacant expressions on their faces appeared, pointing their weapons at Usagi who simply sneered.
"L034 and L035, please return Usagi to her work station, and ensure she doesn't leave again."
The Inklings each grabbed an arm and began to march Usagi down the corridor.
"Your daughter may have escaped the facility Usagi, but that doesn't mean she's escaped me."
Usagi turned her head back with a look of confusion and fear, Morida smirked as she was dragged around the corner.
"Sir!"
Morida turned to face an oncoming yellow tentacled Inkgirl, watching as she stopped and saluted, her face devoid of any emotion just like the others.
"What is it M112?"
"The subject known as LV has escaped sir, she took down the medic team and squad C3"
Morida blinked, genuine bewilderment on his face. How in the devil's name had the girl escaped?
"What experiments have been performed before LV escaped?"
"Part 1 and 2 of the Reborn Project Sir. Subject LV reacted badly to the experiments despite her wounds healing from the DNA insertion and was deemed unstable, LV was scheduled for termination this afternoon."
Morida signed deeply, another failure… "Unstable how? Explain her symptoms."
"LV was recorded to be constantly repeating the same word over and over again Sir, and she grew extremely violent towards anyone who approached her. Plus, she did not respond to the TC serum when injected. Subject is therefore deemed for termination."
"The TC serum did not work on her? Interesting…" muttered Morida in deep thought. "What was the word she kept repeating?"
The Inkgirl showed no emotion as she slowly blinked and opened her mouth.
Tela woke up and blinked as the sunlight streamed into the room, she snuggled further into the cosy warmth of the bed and yawned before nuzzling her head under the chin of Sora who was still fast asleep, his arm and leg slung over Tela's body as he laid on his side facing the Octoling.
Tela couldn't ever remember a time when she had felt so relaxed and at peace, despite the slight soreness she felt due to her… fun activity with Sora last night.
Last night… if she was alive today, what would her mother say if she knew her daughter had slept with an Inkling? Would she be disgusted in her due to her hatred towards the squids?
Tela felt her peace ebb away slightly as something occurred to her, if her mother had hated the Inklings so much, then why did Cap'n Cuttlefish claim that Lela had visited Inkopolis?
As soon as this mission was over with, she'll definitely have to have a sit down with Cap'n Cuttlefish and somehow get him to tell her everything he knows.
The alarm clock on the bedside table that Tela had set up last night before sleeping began to blare loudly, causing Sora to stir as the noise roused him from his slumber.
"Morning sleepyhead." Smirked Tela as she heard the Inkling grumble sleepily.
"Wanna sleep more…" came a groan as Sora tightened his grip around the naked Octoling next to him, pulling her against his own bare flesh. Tela blushed heavily as she tried to shuffle around so she wouldn't suffocate against his chest.
"You Inklings really are super lazy, we need to get up."
Sora moaned as he turned on his back slightly in order to smack his hand on the alarm clock to stop it beeping loudly. Then he simply rolled back and pulled Tela close again as she went to get off the bed, making the Octoling huff in annoyance.
"Sora come on! We need to get ready and meet up with the others."
She yelped in surprise as the Inkling rolled on his back and pulled her along with him so that she ended up straddling him, Tela looked down to see Sora staring at her with playful eyes, a large smirk on his face.
"I might get up if you make it worth my while."
Tela narrowed her eyes. So, he wants to play does he… Fine.
Ever so slowly with the sole aim of teasing the Inkling, Tela rolled her hips against him. She smirked as she felt Sora harden beneath her, his eyes filling with that same look of hunger as he gripped her hips.
Tela leaned over and began to trail kisses up the Inklings bare chest and towards the nape of his neck, occasionally nipping his flesh which caused him take a sharp intake of breath.
She reached his ear and bit into it, tugging it gently with her teeth as the hands gripping her hips slacken and began to move.
Seeing her chance, Tela let go of his ear and quickly leaned back, jumping off Sora and climbing off the bed. The Inkling stared at her with a look of disappointment and surprise.
"If you want me to finish what I was doing tonight, then I suggest you get out of bed and get ready for our mission. That should make it worth your while." Smirked Tela as she headed for the bathroom, making sure to swing her hips suggestively before leaving the room.
She laughed as she heard Sora grumble about her being a tease.
Tela was just in the process of trying to work out how to turn on the shower when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, making Tela shout out in surprise as her feet left the floor.
"You're so mean, leaving me alone like that." Sora pouted as he rested his chin on the Octoling's shoulder.
"You deserve it for being a pervert, now put me down and show me how to work your shower." Smiled Tela, trying hard not to laugh. She enjoyed this, being in his presence like this and feeling so relaxed.
"A shower? Nah… let's have a bath together. It's more fun!" said the sky-blue tentacled Inkling with a playful tone. He gently placed Tela down and moved to bend over the bathtub, putting in the plug and spinning the dial to a certain setting before pressing a button.
Purple ink began to gush out of the tap and began to fill the tub. Tela watched fascinated for awhile before turning her attention towards Sora who was now rummaging in his cabinet above the sink, he finally turned around and showed her his hand in which a gleaming purple pill sat.
"What's that for?" asked Tela with curiosity, stepping closer for a better look.
Sora grinned as his eyes gleamed with the excitement of a child who was about to show off their new toy.
"Ink pills to help change colour. I can't keep biting you all the time, despite how… fun… it is."
Tela shudder slightly at the Inklings slight change of tone and suddenly became aware of the fact they were both naked. Her eyes snapped downwards before quickly looking over towards the now half-full bathtub, her face burning.
Why am I getting embarrassed? It's not like it's the first time we're seen each other naked… Geez… I kept calling Sora a pervert but I think I'm no better! Seeing him naked like this makes me… want to do things to him… Ah! This is so confusing!
Sora popped the pill in his mouth and swallowed, seconds later his tentacles changed to a vivid purple. He turned towards the bathtub and turned off the flow of purple ink.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Sora said with an excited grin before suddenly turning into squid form, he leaped into the tub of ink with a splash and stuck his pen-like head out, waving one of his tentacles at Tela who giggled.
With a pop, she leaped in after Sora in Octopus form and the two began to play in the ink, swimming around the tub and wrestling with each other with their tentacles.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"You're late!" snapped a voice as Tela and Sora entered Cap'n Cuttlefish's shack laughing, both holding hands with each other.
Tela was wearing Sora's yellow t-shirt and shorts due to her clothes from before being filthy, she had completely forgotten to get Sora to wash them for her the night before.
Callie who had been the one that snapped at them sat on the sofa with her arms and legs crossed, a disgruntled look on her face.
"Don't mind Callie, she just hates being up early. It makes her grumpy." Said Marie smiling as she walked up to the table and placed down a tray laden with steaming cups of tea.
"I'm not grumpy." Callie muttered lowly, sounding like a child as she accepted a cup from her cousin who simply smirked.
"Really? I'll hate to see you when you are grumpy then!" grinned Sora, winking at Tela who bought a hand to her mouth giggling.
"Bite me Squidboy!" snapped Callie.
Tela stopped giggling and glared at Sora who roared with laughter, misunderstanding the meaning of the purple Inkgirls words as she suddenly felt threated.
"You better not!" she hissed lowly, clinging to the Inklings arm as Sora turned to look down at her in surprise. He seemed confused for a few seconds before realization flooded his face, a sly smirk creeping along his lips.
"Possessive much?" He whispered so that only Tela could hear him. "Chill Tela, you're the only one I want to sink my fangs into."
Tela narrowed her eyes and looked away, her grip loosening as a heavy blush spread across her cheeks. She wasn't possessive! If anyone was possessive it was him! Idiot…
The Octoling then looked up to see Callie looking at her with a smirk, as soon as they made eye-contact, the purple Inkgirl nudged her head towards Sora and waggled her eyebrows before winking.
Tela blushed even more and turned her head away to stare at the floor, had Callie heard what Sora had said?
"Tela lass! I'm glad yeh here, come! I've got something to show ya!" said Cap'n Cuttlefish as soon as he spotted the Octoling when he came shuffling out of his what Tela assumed was his bedroom.
Her curiosity peaked as Tela detached herself from Sora and made her way over to the elderly Inkling with a curious expression. Cap'n Cuttlefish beamed and gestured towards his bedroom before shuffling back inside.
"The rest of yeh stay out here and prepare for our mission, me and the lass won't be a minute."
Callie and Marie exchanged confused looks as Sora simply scratched the back of his head.
I wonder what Cuttlefish wants to show me? He seems really excited about it, it's kinda making me feel excited too.
Tela gasped slightly as she entered the small and slightly cramped room, it was almost like walking into a cabin on a ship. Various ship-related items lined the walls along with numerous framed photos, most which seem to show a very young Cuttlefish posing along with an equally young Octavio.
Wait a second… That was Octavio!?
Tela paused and stared at the nearest photo which showed Cuttlefish and Octavio arm in arm while waving at the camera, the thing that caught the Octoling's attention the most was the fact that Octavio was in humanoid form.
He was wearing his usual samurai hat which seemed too big for his head along with Cuttlefish's own rather large captain's hat, a lone purple tentacle could be seen curling from under the hat at the back. His face was quite rounded and joyful looking, his eyes a deep yellow which actually surprised the Octoling.
"I'll wager yeh never seen a male Octoling before lass." Cap'n Cuttlefish chuckled as he stood beside the dumb-struck girl.
"Not surprising really, considering it's extremely rare for male Octarians ta be able ta control their final forms."
Tela tore her gaze away from the grinning young face of Octavio. "I… I don't understand… I didn't think Octarian males could… no one has ever said…"
The elderly Inkling chuckled as he turned his head to look at the photo.
"That photo was taken on the day me and Olly both turned 14, best friends who shared the same birthday."
Confusion seeped in as Tela looked back at the photo. "Olly?"
It was then the Octoling noticed the small slanting handwriting beneath the photo.
Craig Cuttlefish and Olly Octavio's 14th birthday.
Olly Octavio? Wait… all this time Tela had thought Octavio was his first name but it was actually Olly? Somehow the new information seems so surreal, not to mention Cuttlefish's first name is actually Craig.
"Wait… if Octavio er… Olly… could control his humanoid form then how come he doesn't now? He's always gone around as an Octopus for as long as anyone can remember." Tela questioned as she turned to stare at Cap'n Cuttlefish who suddenly looked tensed.
"Aye… that's a question I often asked me-self lass. He stopped using his humanoid form the day he decided ta betray me and start the Great Turf War. I tried speaking ta him but… Olly wouldn't give me a chance."
Tela frowned as she glanced at the photo again. Her ex-Leader looked so happy and care-free, nothing like how he was now.
"Here lass, I want yeh ta have this." Cap'n Cuttlefish said as he raised a trembling hand in order to point towards an Inkbrush leaning upright in the far corner of the room.
"That weapon once belong to me brother, Inka. You're going ta need it."
Tela silently gasped as her eyes went wide, the Inkbrush looked slightly worn but sleek with its black coating and neon turquoise markings down the side. With a slight tremble, she walked over and gently picked up the weapon and felt amazement at how light it felt in her hands.
"Are you sure it's ok for me to have this?" said Tela breathlessly as she admired the inkbrush.
"I'm sure lass, and yeh can bet yeh inksack Inka would be sure too."
Tela didn't know what to say, so she simply walked towards the elderly Inkling and embraced him. Cap'n Cuttlefish simply smiled and patted the girls back.
"I hope you're not trying to steal my girlfriend Cap'n!" said a playful voice.
Tela looked up and saw Sora leaning against the doorframe with a grin on his face, his emerald eyes twinkling with mirth. She noticed he was fully clad in his Agent 3 gear, the dark shades on his helmet were up.
"Hohoho! Me courting days be long gone lad. She's all yours, so yeh better treat the young lady right."
Tela blushed and smiled as the elderly Inkling winked at her.
Sora smirked, his eyes narrowing as he stared at her with an almost possessive look. "Yep, all mine."
"Who says I'm yours huh?" grinned Tela as she crossed her arms, feeling playful while memories of last night when she had said the same thing came floating up. The familiar feeling of heat started to rise as she remembers what they had done, the Octoling still couldn't believe they have taken the next step so soon.
Sora's face heated up as he stared intently, no doubt remembering about last night too as his smirk grew deeper.
"I do."
"Ho ho ho! Kids these days… yeh both remind me of a couple I use ta known, a long time ago." Chuckled Cap'n Cuttlefish, his hands shaking slightly as they lay upon his walking stick. Sora glanced down and noticed the inkbrush clasped in Tela's hands, he raised an eyebrow in question but didn't say anything.
A couple? Was Cuttlefish referring to Janjan and Inka?
"Geez Tela! Hurry up would ya?" called Callie as she stuck her head around the door frame, Tela noticed that she too was clad out in Agent gear.
"We can't start the operation until you get that Octoling amour."
Tela stared at Callie with confused eyes before they suddenly widen in understanding. That's right! She needed to head to Janjan's and fetch her old armour, thank the Octo gods that Octavio never bothered to update the design on the Octoling amour.
"Yeh best be going then lass, and take Agent 3 with yeh for extra protection." Cap't Cuttlefish said as Sora seem to glow with excitement at the prospect of joining Tela on her retrieval mission.
"Here Tela."
Tela watched in curiosity as Sora walked towards her while holding out a pair of headphones just like the ones he and the other agents wear.
"Put these on, this way everyone can stay in touch with each other."
She held out her hand to receive the headphones, but the Inkboy simply grinned and reached up towards her head. Tela cringed slightly and had to resist the urge to knock his hand away as Sora brushed back her tentacles to reveal her ears.
"I love your ears." Whispered Sora as he stared at them, his body close before finally slipping the headphones on. Tela felt her body relaxed as soon as her ears were covered again and glared at the Inkling in front of her.
"I hate them." She muttered, casting her amber eyes down. It's true, Tela had always hated her ears ever since she had turned 12. She was always self-conscious about the fact they were smaller than normal Octoling ears, it was silly really but she just couldn't rid the fear of being slightly different.
Tela gave a start and quickly looked up with wide eyes when she had felt a hand on her cheek. Sora stared at her with such an intense look in his emerald eyes that she suddenly felt like a little kid again about to be told off.
He opened his mouth to say something but Callie who had been standing by the doorway looking impatient stood forward with her arms crossed.
"You two can be all lovely dovely later! We have a job to do!" the tall purple Inkgirl said shortly as Marie poked her head in to see what all the fuss was about.
Irritation flashed across Sora's face before being replaced with a grin as he turned to look at Callie. "You're only jealous cos you're single."
Marie moved a hand in front of her mouth sniggering as Callie's yellow eyes went wide, her face growing red.
"Excuse me!? I can get a boyfriend whenever I want! I just don't have the time due to being famous you know! Stop laughing Marie!"
"I'm not laughing." Smiled the green Inkgirl before disappearing back into the main room. Callie huffed and sent a nasty look at Sora before following after her cousin.
"Well?" Tela said as she turned towards Sora. "Shall we get going?"
She felt nervous and excited at the same time at the prospect of having Sora with her, all this time she experienced his world, now it was his turn to experience her world.
"Lead the way." Grinned Sora as he gave a mock bow, sweeping one of his arms towards the door which caused the Octoling to giggle and Cap'n Cuttlefish who had been watching to chuckle.
They bade their goodbyes to the old Inkling and ensured him that they'll meet up with the others at the outskirts of Slimeskin Garrison. Callie casted them a dirty look as they headed towards the front door, Marie simply shook her head with a little smile and gave a small wave in which they returned.
As soon as they left, fresh cool air wafted over Tela's face, making her close her eyes and take in a deep breath. Truth be told, she had a hidden agenda when she had suggested fetching the armour from Janjan house.
She wanted to see if Janjan herself was ok after the whole kidnapping ordeal a week ago, Tela had come to care greatly for the old Octoling and even considered her as family.
The morning sun shined merrily, warming their oily skin as distant sounds of the ocean waves filled the air. This day seem to be filled with the promises of hope, hope that Tela will finally be reunited with her sister.
"Worried?"
Tela gave a start and looked at Sora after realising she had been staring at the sky. "A little bit." She admitted. "I just want Levi back."
Sora smiled and wrapped one of his arms around the Octolings shoulders, pulling her closer.
"We'll get her back. I'm looking forward to meeting this sister of yours."
Tela smiled before leaning forward and planting a quick kiss on her partners lips, chuckling as she leaned back and saw a blush on his face. "I'm sure Levi is going to love you Sora, I know I do."
Sora looked away with a warm smile as he scratched the back of his head.
"What about you?" asked Tela as she gave the Inkling a slight nudge with her shoulder. "Do you have any brothers or sisters?"
Sora looked taken back at first, before slight irritation flashed across his face. "I have a half-brother, about the same age as you."
"You have a younger brother!?" exclaimed Tela wide eyed, wondering why the Inkling didn't sound so happy about it. "What's his name?"
They both stopped walking as they finally reached the kettle that would take them to the cavern where Janjan lived. Sora looked towards the sky and huffed before looking down, a deep frown bracing his lips.
"Haru… and he's a pain in the tentacle."
So, he had a half-brother her age called Haru? Why had he never mentioned this before?
Sora looked towards Tela and shook his head. "My brother lives on the other side of Inkopolis and I haven't seen him or heard from him since he turned 14."
"What? Why not? Did you fall out or did-!" Tela's was cut short as Sora suddenly pulled her close and kissed her.
"Enough talking." Muttered Sora after breaking the kiss. "Come on, the others are depending on us to get this done."
Tela frown and stepped away, a strong gust of wind swept through the area and cause the Octolings tentacles to sway wildly. Did he really have to kiss her in order to stop her from talking?
"Fine. Once we passed through the kettle, stick close and try not to draw any attention."
Sora scoffed and pulled down his shades to cover his eyes. "I'm an Agent of the Squidbeak Platoon, I know how to be stealthy."
She knew all too well how stealthy the Inkling could be, the number of times he had snuck up on her unawares. Tela shook her head slightly to rid the surfacing memories and quickly leaped towards the kettle, turning into Octopus form in mid-air. Sora followed suit and leaped in after her in Squid form.
The darkness rushed past as Tela flew through the kettle, next moment she crashed to the ground face first, spitting out dirt and cursing as she sat up. How in the Octo-hell do people travel through these things!?
Sora leaped out of the entrance a few seconds later and landed perfectly on his feet, his weapon aimed and ready in a flash as he quickly scooped his surroundings before noticing Tela on the ground glaring at him.
"You're not very good with kettle travel, are you?" he smirked as he stepped closer and offered her his hand.
Tela scowled and pushed his hand away before getting back up on her feet, rubbing the dirt off her face and trying to blink back the sudden urge to cry. Why was she so bad at it? "Whatever… Let's just go."
The Octoling went to turn around and walk off with her face down casted but Sora quickly grabbed onto her arm and yanked her back, spinning her around so that they were face to face.
"Hey… are you crying?" he asked in concern, pushing up his shades so that Tela could see his emerald coloured eyes. "Are you hurt?"
Tela blinked back the tears that had started to swell and watched in silent amazement as Sora began to fuss over her, looking for any signs of injury. His fingers roamed over her face and wiped away the dirt, a slight frown gracing his lips. Then he let go and began to rummage in his pockets.
"Sit down for a second." He said as he jerked his head to the nearest rock. "There's a nasty cut on your left cheek."
A cut? But she couldn't feel anything, she raised her hand to her cheek and flinched slightly. Oh yes, there was defiantly a cut there. "I don't need to sit down because of a cut." Tela whined, feeling embarrassed. "I'm not weak you know!"
"I know you're not weak." Sora said softly as he gently took her hand and began to lead her over to the rock. "I just don't want the cut to get infected."
Tela wiped away her tears and sat down, refusing to make eye-contact as Sora kneeled before her, a small packet in his hand which was ripped to reveal an ink-based disinfectant wipe.
"Your really tensed, are you ok?"
Tela finally looked at Sora and realised what he said was true, she forced her body to relax and smiled. "Sorry, I've just… no one's never took care of me like this in such a long time. It's… nice."
Sora looked stunned, then suddenly he leaned forward and embraced Tela who gave a surprise squeak. "Hey, it's my job as your boyfriend to fuss over and take care of you."
Tela laughed and wrapped her arms around the Inkboy, the thought of him taking care of her like this made her heart swell with affection for him.
"What did I do to deserve you Sora, you could have gone for a nice pretty Inkling girl but instead you went for me. I don't know what you see in me."
Sora pulled back and looked at her with a frown. "Don't say that." His voice sounded stern as he reached up to her face and began to clean the cut with the wipe, being gentle not to hurt her. "You caught my attention the moment I met you back in that warehouse."
"You mean when I had you on the floor at my mercy?" smirked Tela playfully. Sora grinned back at her, his eyes shining.
"I can remember thinking how beautiful your face was when you had your gun pointing down at me! But seriously though, I don't give a flying squid that you're an Octoling, I love you for you. Last night proved that."
Tela blushed and began to fidget. "Yeah it did, but I er… um… hope you continue to… you know… show me." Holy-Octo… did she really just say that to him!?
Sora smirked, his eyes half-lidded. "Don't worry, I plan to."
Tela swallowed hard and squeezed her legs together at the sound of promise in his voice. "G-good… Ah, I mean! L-let's get going! Janjan's house isn't that far from here."
Ignoring the heat on her face, Tela stood up and quickly began to walk along the familiar path while avoiding eye-contact with her boyfriend. Boyfriend…
The Octoling didn't expect such companionship when she had started to visit Inkopolis, especially not in an Inkling. It's strange, for so long she had despised them and yet, when she met Sora… he wormed his way into her heart so fast.
Had it been like this for Janjan when she met Inka?
As they travelled along the debris littered road, a low rumbling made them stop in their tracks. Tela took a sharp intake of breath as she felt the familiar tremors of the area, she knew all too well what this meant.
"Tela? What's going on?" asked Sora looking on guard, his weapon drawn as he drew closer to the Octoling in a protective stance. Tela looked at him calmly with an odd expression.
"You're able to see what everyday life is like for Octarians. Watch." She pointed to the cavern ceiling high above their heads.
The ceiling was once completely covered in metal panels, forming the walls of the various shelters that the old ones had built centuries ago. Now many panels were missing, revealing the natural rocky surface of the cave that had been dug out.
The noise and tremors were being caused by one of the panels coming loose.
With a defending crack that made Tela and Sora wince, the panel snapped and began to freefall towards the ground. At first it seemed small, but as it gathered speed and came closer, the true size of the panel was that of a two-storey building.
Sora grabbed Tela by the shoulders and dragged her back while yelling out, Tela responded by turning around after being dragged to the nearest wall and wrapped her arms around the Inkling. The panel crashed a few feet away from them with an almighty bang, dust and rocks went flying everywhere.
Finally, after what seem an age, the rumbles of the cavern floor and the dust settled down. Tela who had buried her face in Sora's chest, turned her head to stare at the latest damage.
"Squid Hell! Does that happen all the time down here?" asked Sora aghast as he stared in horror at the destruction caused, his grip on Tela seem to tighten.
Tela gave a bitter filled laugh, pulling herself free from the Inklings grasp and turning around to face him.
"Sora, this happens regularly. Without power, our world is literally collapsing around us."
Tears began to freely flow now as Tela rubbed at her eyes, her cheeks and nose began to turn slightly red.
"Hey…" murmured Sora softly as he pulled the Octoling back in his arms. "It's going to be ok, we'll get back your sister back and you'll never have to come back to this place again."
Tela sniffled and buried her face in the nape of Sora's neck, breathing in his scent to calm herself down. The thought of never having to live underground again gave her hope, but…
"Sora…" Tela pulled back slightly and brushed one of her stray tentacles out of the way, her amber eyes bright and glossy due to her tears. "I would love to live on the surface with Levi but… I don't have any money. How am I suppose to find a place to live?"
It was true, it wasn't like the Inklings would give her a flat or something just because she asked. The only thing she could think of was to continue living underground while getting a job, she could earn the money for a place but it would take some time.
Sora blushed and started to fidget, suddenly look nervous and on edge as he refused to make eye-contact, Tela raised an eyebrow at this sudden change on behaviour.
"W-well… you could always… you k-know… live with me? I mean! I… I have the space… so…" Sora trailed off as he finally looked at the Octoling still wrapped in his arms, his emerald eyes filled with… was that hope?
Thoughts of fetching the armour and infiltrating Slimeskin Garrison flew from her head as Tela simply stared, her mouth agape. Had… had Sora really just asked her to move in with him?
"Sora… Do you really mean that?"
Sora blinked before nodded his head furiously. "Of course, I mean that! I know this is gonna sound really cheesy but… I miss you like crazy every time we're not together. I love you Tela!"
Tela giggled slightly and placed her hands on the Inklings cheeks, pulling his face towards her lips in order to gently kissed him. She pulled back slightly with a warm smile.
"That's really sweet of you Sora. I'll love to move in with you, and I'll help towards rent too." Tela tapped her chin slightly with a thoughtful expression.
"Maybe I can convince Mr. Cuba to give me a full-time job…"
Sora simply stood there, a large blush on his face as he stared at the Octoling with wide eyes. Then suddenly his mouth split into a large grin, he gripped her shoulders and pulled her in for another kiss.
Tela gave a squeak in surprise and blushed furiously as Sora pulled back, that same goofy smile plastered on his face.
"You have no idea how happy you just made me!"
It was true, the Inkling seem to positively glow with happiness. Tela couldn't help but let his joy affect her own mood, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. Sora had made her happy ever since the day they met, he had changed everything for her and made her life so much richer.
The pair gaze at each other a little longer before stepping apart and continuing their journey through the cavern. It didn't take long for Janjans house to appear.
Before long they both stood on the threshold of the building, Sora looking around as Tela fiddled with her Inkbrush. Worry etched on her face as she stared at the various dark windows, there should have been at least one window lit up.
"Stay close to me ok?" Sora muttered as he raised his Scattershot Pro after noticing the look of unease on the girl's face. With a swift kick, the front door swung open with a bang.
Tela swallowed and followed closely behind Sora as they walked into the hallway. Lucia's goons should have released Janjan back in her home the day Tela was captured, so why were there no sign of the elderly Octoling? Had something happened to her?
It was only when they had reached the end of the hallway that Tela noticed Janjan's coat and boots were gone, did that mean she wasn't here anymore? Had she gone looking for her and Levi?
"The armour should be upstairs in the attic." Tela whispered with a nod of her head towards the staircase. "Stay on guard."
"I've got your back Tela, but man… this house is creepy."
"What do you expect!?" snapped Tela as she began to climb the stairs, her Inkbrush raised up ready to swing at the first sign of danger. "It's not like we have the luxury or resources to build big fancy buildings!"
"Alright sheesh… don't get your tentacle in a twist."
The floorboards creaked horribly as the pair reached the top of the stairs, making their way along another hallway. Tela spotted the trapdoor leading to the attic and proceeded to pull the cord dangling down, opening the door and releasing the ladder which hit the floor with a horrible thud.
"Woah, is that you?" exclaimed Sora in awe as he stared through a doorway leading to what Tela realised was her old bedroom. The thing that had caught the Inklings attention was a picture frame, showing a 6-year-old Tela laughing and waving while sitting on the head of her father.
"Yep, me and my dad." Said Tela feeling her throat constrict slightly as she watched Sora pick up the photo frame. He stared at the picture with a smile before casting his attention around the room for other such treasures.
"Go ahead." Said Tela with a slight blush. "I'll go fetch the armour while you look around. Just don't go looking in the draws ok? I haven't lived in this bedroom in a good few years so I don't really remember what I have in them."
"Why? Don't want me to find your underwear?" said Sora with a smirk. "I'm more interested in you without them to be honest."
"P-Pervert!" snapped Tela as she spun around and gripped the ladder, her face burning even more. She climbed up and pulled herself into the dusty attic while ignoring Sora's laughter, a smile tugging at her lips.
She turned on the lights and blinked a few times as the room was bathed in a sickly yellow light. Now then… where would that armour be?
Nearly ten minutes later found Tela swiping sweat and dust from her face as she continued to shift the numerous junk in the attic, this was even worse then the time she had to clean Mr. Cuba's basement. Why in Octo-hell Janjan wanted to keep all this junk she didn't know.
She kneeled in front of a large trunk and pulled the lid open, coughing as dust came spewing out. No sign of the armour here either, she was just about to slam the lid down when something caught her eye.
A faded green photo album, the words "Janjan Blotz" and "Inka Cuttlefish" emblazed on the front in faded gold letters.
The thought of finding the armour faded from Tela's mind at the prospect of seeing photos of a young Janjan and Inkay filled her with excitement. With trembling fingers, she flipped open the cover with care and stared at the first page with two photos.
The first photo showed a group of two Inklings and two Octolings, all laughing arm in arm and wearing the same uniform. Tela's heart skipped a beat when her eyes fell on the first Octoling, that face… she'll recognise that face anywhere even without the wrinkles.
Janjan. Then that means… Tela noticed a small written scrawl underneath the photo.
"Sea Level Research Squad, Janjan Blotz (20), Mika Aio(23), Hilda Merryworth (21), Inka Cuttlefish (18)."
So, this is the Research Squad Janjan told her about, Inka looked so much like his brother Cap'n Cuttlefish. Tela looked at the young face of Janjan again and frown, struck by the fact that the Octoling look a lot like her mother.
Wait a sec… Janjan Blotz? Blotz… where had she heard that surname before?
The second Photo showed Janjan and Inka in their squad gear, holding hands and waving with joy as they sat on a table littered with what seem to be research papers.
"The day we confessed. Date XX/XX/XXXX"
Tela blushed as she remembered the day she confessed to Sora. Janjan looked so happy in the photo, her smile wide and full of joy.
The next few pages contained more photos of the pair together, on outings, dates or just hanging out.
The photos on the next page however made Tela pause, her amber eyes widening in surprise. There stood Janjan and Inka holding hands underneath a flower decorated arch, the thing that caught the Octolings attention was the fact Janjan was wearing a wedding dress.
"Our wedding day. Janjan Cuttlefish x Inka Cuttlefish. Date: XX/XX/XXXX"
Their wedding day? Wait… Janjan and Inka actually got married!? But didn't Janjan say she turned against Inka during the Great Turf War? According the date, the wedding took place a year after the Great Turf War broke out. Why didn't Janjan tell her that she and Inka had stayed together, let alone get married?
The next photo seems to be their wedding reception, Cap'n Cuttlefish stood next to his brother. Despite the smile on the Inklings face, Tela could see a sort of sadness hidden in his features. Of course, the Inkling had not long lost his childhood best friend.
Tela continued to look at photo after photo… each one had captured a moment in Janjan's life that Tela had no idea existed. One photo even showed Janjan showing off a baby bump with an ecstatic Inka embracing her from behind. The next one showed Janjan lovingly holding an egg, Inka had a hand on the egg and a proud grin on his face.
So Janjan had a child with Inka? Was that even possible?
Tela lowered the book and blushed, her eyes wide. If it was possible for Inklings to breed with Octolings… then… she and Sora… they could…
"Have you found it yet?"
Tela gave a screech and dropped the book, whipping her bright red face towards the trapdoor to see Sora's head.
"You ok?" he asked in concern as he began to climb into the attic.
"I'm fine!" Tela said in a high-pitch voice, snapping her face back to the book as she picked it up. "I haven't found it yet so if you want to help, look over there for me."
Sora raised an eyebrow but nevertheless went over to search the area the Octoling had pointed to.
She felt guilty that she was wasting time on this photo album, but Tela couldn't stop. She needed to see the rest of these photos, who knows when she'll get the chance to see them again.
It was only a few pages later, that the biggest bombshell ever hit Tela with force of a hundred Ink bombs. There was photo of Janjan and Inka, with the biggest smiles ever on their faces. And there, wriggling in their arms was a small purple infant Octoling.
"Lela Cuttlefish, born XX/XX/XXX"
Lela… Lela? No way… it can't be…
Tela frantically began to flip through the pages and found what she was looking for near the end of the book, there stood her mother in a photo wearing the same wedding dress that Janjan had worn, arm in arm with her father. Her mother looked just like an Octoling except for one thing, she had pointy ears like an Inkling.
So that's why mom always hide her ears… she was half Inkling…
"Lela (Cuttlefish) Garth and Marty Garth's Wedding day"
Lela and Marty Garth… mom and dad… if mom's Janjan's daughter then… that means…
Tela slammed the book shut, angry tears falling down her face. All this time, Janjan was her Grandmother. Why? All those years living alone and struggling, why had the elderly Octoling never mention they were family!?
"Hey Tela! I've found the armour! Squid… I can't wait to see you in Octoling armour agai-!? What's wrong!?"
Tela hastily wiped her tears away. "N-nothing, all this stupid dust keeps getting in my eyes."
Sora didn't look convinced. He opened his mouth to say something but after a slight pause, closed it again. He held out the armour towards Tela with a slight frown, who took it with a small thanks.
All this time she and Levi had a Grandmother… and an Inkling for a Grandfather…
Tela was halfway through leaving the house with Sora when she suddenly stopped, her heart pounding furiously as she felt anger rise like a wave.
If Inka Cuttlefish was her grandfather… that meant she was related to Capn' Cuttlefish. He KNEW! That old squid knew and he didn't tell HER!
Wait til she got her tentacles on him!
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F-Felica… no don't move!
Why are you standing there!? Get help! PLEASE!
W-What!? … … …
N-no Felica! I said don't move! Your body will disintegrate faster if you keep moving!
Look! You splattered those Inklings that attacked us and I'm thankful for that but please! GET HELP!
… … … the Inklings won't help us?
… … …
Why? Why would Craig do this? WE WERE LIKE BROTHERS!
… … …
You can s-save her? A deal with Master Morida?
… … …
FINE! I'll do whatever it takes! JUST SAVE HER!
… … …
… … … …
… … … … …
… … … w-wait… what are you doing!?
Stop! Put that thing down! D-don't come any closer!
Stop! STOP!
GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
… … …
…it… h-hurts… p-lea…se… sto…p…
C-Cra…ig…