Chapter 17 – Ink me close!

Sora had a faraway look in his eyes as he walked down the usual packed streets of Inkopolis, his mind once more on that strange Octoling girl he has now met twice during his time as Agent 3.

Just what was it about that Octoling? Was it her captivating amber eyes that seem to make his heart skip a beat? Or was it the fact that twice now, she had refused to splatter him?

The sky-blue tentacled Inkboy was so lost in his own thoughts that he failed to notice a figure rushing towards him with their head down until it was too late.

"OOF!"

The person who seemed to be a fellow Inkling gave out a cute little feminine cry as she slammed into Sora's chest and fell to the floor, scraping her knee in the process. Sora winced in pain at the large impact but only staggered an inch back, all his training as Agent 3 had hardened his muscles and allowed him to be the one still standing.

The Inkboy gave a slight twitch of annoyance at having his daydream rudely interrupted and stared down at the… Inkgirl? She sounded female when she fell, but the way she had hidden her tentacles under her hat, now that was unusual as female Inklings loved showing off their tentacles.

Her eyes were screwed up in pain as she gingerly pushed herself into a sitting position, concern filled Sora's face as he bent over slightly.

"You ok?"

The Inkgirl looked up sharply and instantly flinched the moment her bright amber eyes met his. Wait…

Sora's heart skips a beat as he suddenly took a sharp intake of breath, then all of a sudden, a huge grin split across his face. This girl… this Inkgirl… had the same eyes as the Octoling he had been obsessing over! What are the inking odds of that!?

Now this… this was more acceptable!

Sora held out his hand towards the Inkling on the ground and tried to ignore the way his heart seemed to be pounding even louder than before and the excitement that was bubbling to the boiling point.

The Inkgirl however, just carried on staring at him with a mixture of fear and fascination. Suddenly a wild idea struck Sora, what if this Inkgirl was actually the same person as the Octoling?

He quickly pushed the thought out of his head as soon as it came, no Octarian in their right mind would come to Inkopolis.

The girl simply continued to stare and made no attempts at grabbing his offered hand.

"I'm sorry for knocking you over man. Here, let me help you up." Sora said with a grin as he quickly grasped her arm and pulled her to her feet, he was surprised at how light the Inkgirl was. A fact that made him a little concern for some reason, doesn't she ever eat?

Sora gave her a quick glance over and noticed purple ink slowly dribbling down her leg from where she had grazed it from the fall. So, she had purple tentacles too…

"Don't talk much huh? Come here and I'll help clean you up."

Was he actually feeling protective over someone he had just met? Huh… Interesting…

The Inkgirl blinked and looked down at her leg before snapping her head back up, a cute little frown on her face which almost made Sora blush.

"No thanks umm… Bro. I'm fine. I don't need your help." The Inkgirl said in an obviously fake deep voice as she pushed her way past Sora who tried really hard not to laugh.

Why was she speaking like that? Was she… was she pretending to be an Inkboy?

Sora smirked even more as his emerald eyes seem to shine, he watched her go before deciding to follow her, using his skills as Agent 3 to avoid detection.

This one was much too interesting and alluring to just allow to walk away, the strange Inkgirl capturing his attention just as much as the strange Octoling had.

Sometimes… Sora wonders if there is something wrong with him.

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Sora looked over his shoulder at the silent Octoling walking behind him with a deep look of concern, the pair had almost reached the kettle that would take them to Slimeskin Garrison and Tela hadn't said a word since leaving Janjan's house.

Her mind was in chaos, Inka Cuttlefish and Janjan Blotz… they were her grandparents… the fact that she was one third Inkling didn't shock her as much as the fact Janjan had never once, in all her years had told her they were related.

Why?

And Cap'n Cuttlefish… he knew. Yet he never told her… She greatly respected the old Inkling. Her… Great Uncle…

Tela gritted her teeth as her fists clenched and shook. She and Levi had a family all this time, a family that have simply abandoned them to fend for themselves. She was so angry and hurt, this boiling feeling in her stomach making her want to lash out and scream.

"Alright that's it!"

Tela gasped as Sora suddenly spun around and grabbed her by the arms, an angry look on his face. His emerald eyes flashing with deep concern and frustration as he bared his fangs at her.

"You've been like this ever since we left the attic! I can't stand seeing you like this anymore! Tell me what's wrong!"

Tell him what's wrong? Where does she even begin to start?

Sora started to grow impatient and slightly shook Tela, his eyes now filled with a slight tinge of worry. "Tela please! Is it something to do with that photobook you found? I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong!"

The anger and hurt that had been brewing seem to rear its ugly head, making Tela swell up as she suddenly glared at Sora who seemed taken-back by the Octoling's expression.

"It's none of your business! You wouldn't understand a thing even if I told you, now let go of me!" Tela pushed Sora away from her, forcing him to let go as he stared with a look of bewilderment and hurt.

She really shouldn't be taking her temper out on the Inkboy, but she couldn't help it. Tela went to storm past but Sora simply growled and quickly kicked his leg out, grabbing Tela by the arm as she tripped with a shout and twisted her body around his in such a fast fluid movement that Tela ended up wondering how in the Octo-hell she had ended up lying on her back on the dirty floor a second later.

Then quick as a flash, Agent 3 straddled her and pinned her hands to the floor, his breathing ragged as he bared his fangs once more.

"Stop acting like a child!" he snapped harshly, causing Tela's anger to fade as she flinched, wide amber eyes staring up in shock.

"You just body slammed me to the ground because I pushed you, and you're telling me to stop acting like a child!? What the Octo hell!?" yelled Tela as she tried to buck Sora off, but the Inkling barely moved an inch as he continued to glare down at her.

"Your attitude will compromise this mission, I thought you wanted to save your sister! If you infiltrate Slimeskin Garrison in this condition you're going to get killed!"

Tela stopped struggling as she looked into those emerald eyes of his and noticed deep fear, was he… scared?

Then it hit her, SHE was scaring him with the way she was acting.

Sora's expression softened as tears began to swell in Tela's eyes, her bottom lip trembling. The Octoling was just about to open her mouth when Sora suddenly went tense, his head snapping up as he quickly leaned back and swiftly pulled his Splattershot Pro from behind his back and aiming it at something ahead of him.

Tela tried to twist her head around to look at whatever had agitated the Inkling, fear running through her body.

Sora lowered his weapon after what seem an age, yet Tela could still feel the tension in his legs that lay either side of her hips.

"What is it?" she asked, trying to ignore the fact she was still pinned to the ground.

"I thought I saw something."

Tela frowned, if it had been an Octarian, they would have attacked by now. Sora looked down and placed his weapon back on his back, then he leaned over and placed his hands on either side of Tela's head, making the girl go wide-eyed and blushing.

"Tell me what's wrong." He said simply as he lowered his head even further to the point where their noses were almost touching.

Tela blushed even more and swallowed heavily. "The book I found… it shows that… me and Levi… we still have family."

Sora pulled his head away with a look of surprise. "Still have family? Is this why you've been acting so strange? Why didn't you just say in the first place!"

Tela frown and turned her head slightly to the side. "It's not as easy as that."

She reached for the book and offered it to Sora who looked even more surprise. "Take a look and see for yourself."

The Inkling went to take the book then paused, with a slight shake of his head, Sora gently pushed the book back.

"We'll go through it tonight, ok?" He said as he stood up and offered a hand to a bemused Tela. "Together with Levi."

Tela smiled gratefully and took his hand, allowing herself to be pulled to her feet.

"Sorry Sora…" Tela said sheepishly as she brushed down the dirt from the back of her shorts.

"I should have told you straight away."

It was true, the Octoling had no idea what had compelled her to keep silent about it. The shock must have scrambled her brains or something.

Sora smirked as without warning, lifted a hand to flick Tela's forehead hard. "Doofus..." he said with such affection in his tone that Tela couldn't find it in her heart to tell him off.

Tela's happy smile faltered slightly as her thoughts drifted to Cuttlefish. "Listen… I understand what you just said about the book."

Sora crossed his arms and watched with a look of curiosity and concentration.

"But there's one thing you really need to know, it's about… Capt. Cuttlefish." Tela swallowed at the look of surprise on the Inkboys face, her heartbeat picking up speed.

"His brother Inkay… he's-!"

STATIC "HELLO? AGENT 3, DO YOU COPY?"

Tela and Sora jumped as the Inkboys radio came to life.

"What's up Agent 2?" asked Sora as he raised a hand to his radio, his emerald green eyes never leaving Tela who shuffled in front of him with a slight pout.

"Where are you!? The security here is tighter then we thought, there are Elite Octarians soldiers crawling all over the place!"

Elite soldiers? Why would Slimeskin Garrison be on full alert? This didn't make sense…

"We're heading over now, just stay put and out of sight."

"Duh! What do you think we'll do? Dance naked in front of them?"

"Callie! Give that-!" STATIC

Tela lowered her head in thought, Slimeskin Garrison was always busy anyway due to new recruits being trained. So, for the place to be on high-alert with fully trained soldiers… was something going on?

Or is the Brine-Bringer weapon closer to completion then they thought?

"Here, hold this." Tela shoved the photo album into Sora's arms and then began to strip, throwing her clothes on the ground much to the Inkboy's shock.

"Woah! What are you doing!?" yelped Sora, his eyes wide and watching intently as his cheeks burned. "If this was any other situation, I'll be down for it but we're kinda in a rush so…"

"Pervert!" snapped Tela as she threw the last of her clothing on the floor and fetched the Octoling armour out of her bag.

"What can I say?" smirked Sora as he began to gather up the discarded clothes, his eyes never leaving Tela's form as she finished zipping up the front of her armour.

"I'm a Squid of fine taste."

Tela playfully slapped his arm. "Shut up Romeo and let's go."

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It didn't take long for the pair to reach Slimeskin Garrison, thankfully due to Tela's knowledge of the underground's worlds which she had relayed to the others, there was an old rusty looking kettle that will take them to a high vantage point. According to the Octoling, this particular kettle was so old and forgotten that most Octarians didn't know it still worked.

It was here in a small little enclave jutting from a cliff that they found Agent 1 and 2, both using binoculars to spy on the activity down below.

"Ah! Agent 3!" acknowledged Marie when she noticed the new arrivals to their small concealed hideout. "I'm afraid we might have to tweak our previous plans a little."

Callie looked past the sky-blue tentacled Inkling and narrowed her yellow eyes at Tela. "You don't have any idea on what's going on… do you?"

Tela frowned at the purple tentacled Inkgirl, the accusation in her tone was undeniable.

"Security protocols of this level only happen if the base is being attacked…" The Octoling pulled her Octo-Goggles over her eyes and crouched down near the edge. "I can't think of any other reason for the base to be in this state."

Sora kneeled next to her and stared down at the countless platoons of soldiers patrolling the area below. "I'm guessing this means we can't go in guns a blazing like normal huh?"

Tela didn't answer as she continued to watch the activity below, she quickly took note of new solders arriving every now and then. If she planned this right, they could still be able to get inside the base.

"It might be for the best if we abort this mission and regroup with a new plan." Said Marie as she stood up, her weapon slung over her shoulder. Callie looked outraged at her cousin's suggestion.

But Tela beat the dark purple Inkling to her outburst as anger filled her own face. "I'm not abandoning my sister!"

The Octoling stood up and clutched her Octo-brush tightly. "I can get us in there! We stick to the plan!" Callie and Marie looked at each other with worried expressions.

With a yell of alarm from Sora and the surprised yelps from the Squid Sisters, Tela turned to Octopus form and Super-jumped from the ledge to the platforms below.

There was no way she was backing out now, not after getting this close to Levi.

Tela touched down near the entrance and quickly reverted back to her humanoid form, with a final check-over on her uniform, she took a deep breath and began to walk.

Two Octo-slobs flanked either side by Octolings looked up and stared as Tela approached them.

A stab of fear struck Tela as she stopped in front of them and saluted, hoping her façade would work. "Reporting for duty! I came as soon as I heard!"

Please let this work.

"About time soldier!" snapped one of the Elites as she stepped forwards. "Report to Commander Canes in the lower barracks immediately! Get to it!"

Tela nodded and briskly marched past the guards, amazed that they haven't even asked for identification.

Something must be going on if basic protocols were being ignored.

Slimeskin Garrison was just like Tela remembered, except this time there were Octarians everywhere. The air buzzed angrily with a hint of confusion as everyone huddled together or rushed around like headless eels.

No one paid her the slightest bit of attention as she headed towards an area she hoped was still abandoned, a small part of Slimeskin Garrison that used be the old sleeping quarters for new trainees.

Tela remembered the days when she used to bring Levi down here to play after training or on her days off, days where she still hated the Inklings with a passion.

The building was in bad shape back then but now it was even worse, weeds have started to sprout from the cracks in the floor and the ceiling have started to sag. The metal frame beds which had lined up in rows along either side of the room were stripped of their bedding.

Tela stayed as quiet as possible as she searched every corner of the building to ensure that she was truly all alone here.

"Agent 3? Are you there?" asked Tela as she bought her communication device to her mouth. The radio issued static at first before giving a bleep.

"What do you think you're playing at!?"

Tela flinched at the loud angry voice of Sora. "W-Well, I'm inside so…"

"That's beside the point! It was dangerous what you did! What if you had been caught!?"

Tela closed her eyes and tried not to snap back, she understood why he was reacting the way he is.

"I don't want to argue right now Sora. I'm going to go scout the place out and -!"

Tela stopped in mid-sentence as one of the metal beds on the far side of the room gave a lurch, its metal legs making a horrible noise as it scraped across the floor.

Her heart nearly stopped as she froze, her amber eyes wide in sudden fear as she stared at the bed. Was someone in here with her?

"Tela? Whats wrong?" Sora's panicked voice made her look at the communication device before instantly locking her eyes back on the bed, waiting for any more movement.

"I'll contact you later." She whispered and quickly turned the device off before Sora could respond.

Tela raised her Octo-brush and slowly began to approach the bed, her mouth felt dry and her chest twisted horribly with that panicky fearful feeling. There was no sound apart from the distant muffled chattering of the Octarian forces outside.

Did she somehow miss something when she scoped the room? The Octoling was pretty sure she was on her own but…

Tela held her breath and before her courage gave in, jumped ahead past the bed and raised her weapon ready to strike.

There was no one there.

Just a very small puddle of purple ink that lead from a small drain hole. Tela let out her breath and gave a nervous laugh, her body shaking.

Whoever had been here had obviously escaped through the drainage system, but why? Why not simply confront her?

And why use the drainage system at all? The pipes were badly damaged and most likely to cause some serious harm to whoever uses them, not to mention the amount of dirt and sludge down there.

"Creepy…" muttered Tela as she stared at the drain hole for a second before backing away, too afraid to take her eyes away from it.

As soon as the Octoling got close enough to the door, she turned and raced out. Tela had planned on using the old sleeping quarters as a base for when the agents finally infiltrated this place, but she didn't trust whoever had been in that room with her.

The sound of nearby talking nearly made Tela squeak in shock.

"I wonder who they are?"

She tried not to act jumpy as she spun around to see three Octolings walking by, their heads near each other as they spoke.

"Dunno… but whoever they are, they're making DJ Octavio nervous."

"Yeah, the way he's got everyone on guard, you'll think they're about to attack us any minute or something."

DJ Octavio nervous? And who are these strangers that seem to be the whole reason for the state that Slimskin Garrison is in?

Just what was going on?

"You seem a little lost." Said a friendly voice.

Tela turned around to see a deep purple tentacled Octoling that had been following the other two walking towards her, the kelps flowing from her head indicated she was an elite. The Octoling had a warm smile on her face as she causally carried her Octo-Blaster over her shoulder.

"A little I guess." Smiled Tela back, she couldn't help but relax around this person for some reason.

The Octoling bent forward a bit and grinned. "Then I suggest heading over to the central area." She pointed to the path behind her. "DJ Octavio is totally flipping his turntables, it's quite funny to watch."

Tela couldn't help but grin, and going to see where Octavio is properly isn't such a bad idea.

The other two Octoling troopers suddenly stopped and turned towards there friend. "Marina come on! The trainees down in the barracks are starting to get restless, we need to get down there before it gets out of hand."

Marina shook her head before looking at Tela once more. "Try not to get into too much trouble." She smiled and began to walk away towards the barracks while flanked by the two troopers.

Marina huh? It's not often she ran into a friendly face here. With a determine look, the purple tentacled Octoling began to make her way towards the central area.

As she got closer, she noticed groups of Octarians heading away looking nervous or worried. Something was definitely going on in the central area and Tela didn't want to get caught in whatever it was, so instead of heading straight on, she took an ink rail to the higher platforms instead.

If she remembered correctly, there was a place she could hide out of view.

A cold breeze blew through Slimskin Garrison as Tela finally made her way to the top and quickly crouched low behind a metal blockage, the booming voice of Octavio suddenly filled the air, and boy… he sounded angry.

"How much longer are you going to insist on overstaying your welcome!"

Tela couldn't help but flinch at the sound of his voice and slowly peeped around the edge, her former boss sounded so… un-Octavio like.

"Until we know for sure that Master Morida's wishes are being fulfilled."

Octavio was sat in his usual floating golden machine, his bright yellow eyes filled with such an intense hatred that Tela found herself holding her breath as her belly gave a flip, the kind of feeling when you've been caught doing something bad.

On the ground stood two figures clad in white suits and strange white helmets, the screens tinted so that their faces were hidden. Their body shape were humanoid… Octolings?

Tela frowned as she watched the two strange people, no… they couldn't be Octolings… could they? No way would Octavio allow a fellow Octarian to talk to him like that, plus the one who had spoken sounded male.

"I am DOING what Morida wants!" snapped Octavio as he slammed his wasabi sticks on his turntables so hard that the vegetables snapped in half. "I do not need his MINDLESS lackeys watching me like some hapless hatchling!"

Morida? Who the Octo is this Morida?

"Master Morida simply wants to ensure you are following orders." Said the white figure on the left, speaking in that same emotionless tone of voice.

Tela watched as Octavio seemed to swell with fury, then suddenly he deflated. Defeat replaced the anger as the elderly Octopus turned his face away and stared at his broken wasabi sticks in his tentacles, a sad faraway look in his eyes.

For the first time ever, Tela felt pity for her old leader.

"Fine… As long as he leaves my Octarians alone, I'll do what he wants." Muttered Octavio as he faced the two figures again, disgust and hatred on his face. "The Brine-Bringer is down in the mechanic workshops and it's almost ready to use, the Inklings in Inkopolis won't know what hit them when we attack."

"Good." Replied the white figure on the right. "Master Morida will be most pleased."

Tela pulled her head back and leaned against the blockage, her mind in a whirl. She knew there was something else going on! She just knew it! And these strange people in the white suits were a part of it somehow, them and this Morida guy they kept mentioning.

Now she just needed to find a secure place to contact the Squdbeak Agents and share the information she had uncovered. Her only regret was not learning where Levi was being kept, there is also a possibility that her sister isn't even here in Slimskin Garrison at all.

She was just about to head off when Octavios voice caught her attention. "You guys are the whole reason why I have no love for the Inklings anymore."

Tela shuffled around and peered around the edge, curiosity etched across her face.

Octavio glared down at the two white figures who simply stared back, their expressions hidden by their helmets. Their lack of response seems to agitate Octavio who growled lowly, his tentacles tapping at his turntables.

Finally, the figure on the left gave a slight twitch. "Then you have no love for Felica?"

The atmosphere suddenly went cold as Octavio went pale, then pure deadly rage filled his face as he snarled. "How dare you speak her name! You... You!"

The figure on the right also gave a twitch. "Felica. Its a shame you failed Olly."

Tela watched in morbid fascination as Octavio shook and shudder in suppressed unbridled rage. Then suddenly her situation suddenly became dire as Octavio completely lost it and began to fire his large metal fist into the nearby walls, screaming in pure anger.

Tela gave a shout of alarm and fear as a fist slammed into the wall below her, causing it to crumble. Before she had a chance to escape, the whole platform she was hiding on gave way and collapsed, sending her crashing right into the central area.

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"Lela! Oh my stars! Where have you been!?"

"… … …"

"L-Lela?"

"You lied…"

"What? Sweetheart whatever do you-"

"YOU LIED! You said they would accept me! BUT YOU LIED!"

"W-What? What do you… have you been to the surface!?"

"They attacked me… you said… you said they would accept me… but they tried to kill me… mom… I was so scared!"

"They attacked you!? Oh Lela… I… your father…"

"THEY WERE NOTHING LIKE DAD! I HATE THEM!"

"I hate them…"

… … …

… … …

"I'm never going to the surface again…"

"Lela… I'm so sorry. I never… I never expected them to attack you."

"I guess… the war did more damage than I thought…"

"There are some wounds, so deep and raw… that they take longer then others to heal…"

Nothing good ever comes from war…

Afterall… it was war that bought an end to my kind…

It was war… that changed the planet forever…

But soon…

I will change all that…