A Splastastic Family: Misadventures in Inkopolis
Episode 03: Deep Cut Comes to Visit

~ Sunny Afternoon | Inkopolis Park ~

About a week has passed since Bleu officially moved in next door to the Squid Sisters and he quickly got used to his new local with Pyke and Ranha as well, helping the pair when needed and teaching Ranha new behavior lessons. But today, the trio are out at the park on a brisk, sunny day with Callie and Marie, simply taking in the peaceful atmosphere. Bleu sat besides Marie under the shade of a tree, the two each sipping from a can of their favorite drinks. Meanwhile, Callie was playing fetch with Pyke and Ranha, the Inklings throwing a stick for the Salmonid to chase.

"It's a good thing the park's not too full today. Gives Pyke enough space to let loose." Bleu said, watching the squid from afar. Marie smirked.

"And it gives Ranha plenty of outdoor time too. He practically becomes a ball of crazy energy the longer he stays indoors." she added, Bleu nodding in response.

"That's for sure." he said, putting a hand to his chin "Makes me wonder if maybe it's because of some kind of nutrient lack? Or if baby Salmonids are just like this naturally." Marie looked puzzled, asking Bleu why he thinks it could be his diet. He briefly glimpsed her way before looking back at Ranha chasing the stick once more.

"From what I read, if they don't get proper nutrients at an early age, it causes them to become agitated to a degree. If we're going to stop Ranha from randomly biting at others, we should make sure he's eating right." he explained "Bet anything it might've gotten this way because of all that fuzzy ooze he ate." Just then, they saw Ranha return from another long chase thanks to Pyke throwing the stick. But when he came back, in the Salmonid's mouth wasn't the stick but instead what appeared to the slacks of another Inkling, a shriek being heard shortly after. One of the pant legs hung from its mouth as Pyke and Callie gawked.

"No! No! Ranha bad!" Pyke scolded, working to pry the pants from his mouth. But Ranha showed no signs of complying, growling like a puppy as they fought. Callie nervously chuckled while twittling her fingers.

"I'm…gonna go apologize to the victimized squid. Be right back…" she said before hurrying off. Marie heavily sighed.

"Well, I think you have PLENTY of time to figure that out." she muttered "Hmm….hey. Wait. Why even bring up the whole "Salmonid diet" concept?" Bleu glimpsed at her.

"Oh. It was something I've been thinking about ever since you told me about Alterna and Mister Grizz. I was thinking of mentioning my thoughts about this during the podcast too, but I didn't think it would've work without more concrete evidence." he explained "Looking back at what Grizz Co. truly was built for, it still makes me feel uncomfortable..especially remembering I volunteered a few times. But…we eventually opened our doors to the Octolings. What if we gave the Salmonids…the same chance?" Marie seemed a touched surprised as Bleu eyed Pyke finally prying the pants from Ranha. They glared somewhat angrily at each other, Ranha upset because he took his "prize" away.

"The time I spent earning their trust…made me think that it could be possible. What if there was a way we could be friends with the Salmonids? That way…Grizz Co. can't pull another stunt like before, even if Grizz comes back. Who knows? Maybe we can shut down Grizz Co. in the future because of it. They deserve a chance to be happy too, right? Pyke's proof enough we can bond with them." he continued. Remaining silent, Marie smiled afterwards. Bleu seemed a bit surprised.

"Who knew my boyfriend was such a considerate squid? Looks like you learned something from your time in Splatsville." she said. Bleu chuckled, rubbing the back of his head.

"Just trying to keep the peace. It's the reason why I'm a Squidbeak Platoon member, right?" he asked. They both laughed simultaneously until, out of nowhere, the sound of traditional Japanese guitar begun playing. Turning towards the sound revealed the likes of Shiver, Frye and Big Man looking on at them with their masks covering their faces. The guitar in question, being strummed along with the melody, was in the flippers of Big Man.

"W-What the…?!" Bleu gasped. As Callie came back, she and Pyke happened to catch sight of Deep Cut.

"No way! Is that…Is that those guys from the Splatlands?!" Callie asked, nearly bursting with glee. As the song reached its end, the trio removed their masks before all bowing to Marie.

"Greetings, honorable Boss Marie. How are you today?" Shiver asked, bringing out her fan.

"Ayy!" Big Man cried.

"Whu….What are you guys doing here?!" she asked. Bleu turned to her, asking if she knew who they were. Marie lightly sighed.

"Yeah. Meet…my "new employees", as Callie put it. This is Deep Cut, the trio who "run" Splatsville as their idols. As for being my "employees"….it was in our report from Alterna. Though they helped us stop Mr. Grizz...that DOESN'T mean they didn't give us a few PROBLEMS beforehand." she explained. All three lightly gasped, faltering a bit.

"Ehhhh….can't say she lying." Frye said with a shrug.

"Ayy..." Big Man sighed.

"Oh. I think I actually heard of them while I was in Splatsville. They do that Anarchy show, right"?" Bleu asked. Meanwhile, Shiver cleared her throat while closing her fan.

"Either way, do forgive our sudden visit. But…it was something the three of us were planning on." she said "Speaking of which…Big Man?" She glimpsed to him before clapping her hands twice. The manta ray nodded before pulling out a box and passed it to Marie. She opened it to see an old school Japanese lantern inside situated on a stone base. On each side was the names of each member of Deep Cut written in calligraphy at the base.

"We wanted to thank you for your contribution to help those back home. We hope you like this. It was one of the first treasures we ever found as a team…but we wish for you to have it." Shiver explained "And…do not worry. We have another one similar to it back home." Marie looked it over with Bleu, turning back to them afterwards.

"W-What a nice gesture. Thank you. Though…you didn't have to come all the way out here yourselves to give it to me." she replied with a smile. Frye grinned before giggling.

"It's okay! We needed a little outing ourselves. So…we figured we'd come to see the sights of the big city! Might find more treasure to support Splatlands!" she exclaimed.

"Ayy ayyy!" Big Man cried. Shiver's eyes slowly turned their focus to Bleu, surprising him.

"Pardon. But might you be…Bleu? The one that was on Marie's podcast recently?" she asked. Bleu and Marie both lightly gasped.

"Wait. You guys listen to my podcast too?!" Marie asked. All three chuckled.

"Ever since we found out your true identities, we decided to give it a listen." Shiver explained "We liked it so much that we listened to the newest episode live. Color me surprised to hear that our boss has a squid to call her own." Marie's face soon lit up with embarassment, turning her gaze towards the ground. Bleu nervously chuckled.

"W-Well…yeah. That is me. And…you heard right. Marie and I are dating right now." he explained "Have been for a few years now. We still are by the time she met you most likely." But before Marie could add anything, Callie's voice cried out with excitement.

"Hey! You guys didn't tell me you were coming! What's up?!" she exclaimed. Pyke followed along behind her, carrying Ranha in his arms.

~ A While Later | Downtown Inkopolis ~

With the likes of Deep Cut in tow, the group all went out to one of their favorite hangout spots. It was the restaurant previously runned by Crusty Sean, the location of Marie and Bleu's first date, now run by one of his nearly identical family members. At their table, Callie started laughing.

"Oh wow! I haven't heard about the good ol' Splatfests in a LONG TIME! We haven't had any of them lately out here!" she exclaimed. Shiver nodded.

"And, as to be expected, "my" team crushed it." she said, coyly fanning herself. Frye merely huffed.

"Yeah…yeah. You can stop bragging ANY DAY now." she replied annoyed "It was only ONE Splatfest."

"Ayyy." Big Man agreeing. Marie lightly chuckled.

"If it's any consolation, you guys, I went through similar experiences with Callie. When she and I used to do Splatfests, she wouldn't talk to me for the rest of the day whenever HER team lost. She got that grumpy about it." she explained "But when her team DID win? Hoo boy. Did she ever like BRAGGING about it online." Callie nervously chuckled.

"Y-Yeah….looking back now, I was REALLY immature. Sorry about that." she said. Bleu smirked.

"At least your bragging wasn't as bad as Pearl's from Off the Hook. HOO BOY. Did she LOVE to boast in her online posts." he said while shaking his head. Everyone soon burst out laughing as the employees brought their food. Seated next to Bleu, Pyke had stayed quiet the entire time with Ranha in his lap. When their food arrived, he waisted no time in eating while making sure to share with his compadre too to avoid the salmon getting annoyed. Frye glimpsed towards the two.

"Surprised to see you around here, Agent 3. I thought you was living in Splatsville like us." she asked. Pyke was a touch surprised being spoken to, unable to find the words to reply back.

"Oh…Frye? That's not REALLY his name. His actual name is Pyke. As for his little bud, he's named Ranha. Just wanted to let you know." Bleu intervened. Shiver seemed a touch surprised as well.

"How interesting. We simply know him as "Ruthlessly Cold Inkling"." she said, embarrassing Pyke more. Bleu quickly took notice.

"Uhh…about that….can we talk about this later? I'll explain things better then. But, for right now, I'd like to ask if you would let him and Ranha eat. They're…a little shy." he explained. The girls looked at one another, surprised once more, before lightly nodding and apologizing. Hearing that brought a smile to Pyke as he went back to feeding Ranha.

"How long are you guys thinking of staying? We'd love to give you a tour of Inkopolis if you have the time." Callie asked.

"Hmmm. Well, we decided to take a few days off following the Splatfest to come and visit our boss. So I suppose we shall be taking up your offer, Miss Callie. Thank you." she said, nodding with a smile. Callie smiled back.

"Just one rule. PROMISE me you guys won't call out your "pets" if you get into an argument with anybody here. This ISN'T the Splatlands…and we don't tolerate street violence here." Marie added "Don't need the likes of "Master Mega" to scare the color out of any innocent Inkling or Octoling." Shiver, offended by Marie's words, gasped.

"We would NEVER!" she replied before Marie gave her a "stone cold" glare back.

"You promise?" she asked. Feeling the weight behind her stare, the trio nodded.

"Y-Yes, Boss Marie." they said in unison, Big Man simply replying "Ayyy.." as well. Callie chuckled as Marie glimpsed her way.

"I'd say you're already doing a great job sounding like a boss, cousin! Who knew you had a knack for it?" she asked. Marie sighed.

"That's PROBABLY due to my time in the Platoon filling in for Gramps…OR dealing with you in your rebellious phase." she replied, shocking Callie. Bleu glimpsed between the two in silence, not feeling like interjecting at this point. He chose to remain silent and eat, similar to Pyke.

END OF EPISODE