Dracula's Castle - Tower of Science
Located somewhere in the castle lies the Tower of Science, where experiments are usually held, this place is often used by Igor and his Flea Men kin, and several others who wished to experiment. Dark Pit, Slogra, and Banjo got teleported here.
"Where is this ?" Dark Pit looked around the place. "There's machinery, large glass pods, conveyor belts, and turrets ? Did we got teleported outside the castle ?"
"No actually, this is the Tower of Science, we're still at the castle." Replied Slogra.
"Tower of Science !? You said you don't know anything about science !" Complained Dark Pit.
"Not all of us ! Igor, Master Wizard, usually the sorcerer's often came here and use this place as their personal study for their crazy experiments and stuff !" Retorted Slogra. "Though I admit we could've clarified what we said earlier better."
"Do you think Gruntilda is here ?" Asked Banjo.
Slogra becomes nervous and becoming tight lipped before he finally speaks. "Yeah...about that, we ended up having her in charge of this place."
"Seriously !? The last thing we need is someone who is actually good at science to be in charge of this place." Complained Dark Pit.
"It's fine, it's not like she can watch our every movement." Replied Slogra.
"Really ? But there's a CCTV over there." Banjo pointed at the security camera located near the ceiling where they stand now.
"Wait a minute ? That thing weren't there before ?" Slogra confused by the unfamiliar object.
"She must've updated this place security, there are rooms displaying scenes captured by security cameras and if someone is there there's no doubt Gruntilda is going to be informed of our presence." Said Dark Pit.
"Then what are we waiting for ! We need to leave this place !" Agreeing with what Banjo said, the heroes make their way to escape the Tower of Science.
"But Is Gruntilda even here at this moment ?" Asked Dark Pit as he walked at the conveyor belt along with Banjo and Slogra.
"I don't know, but we're not taking any chances." Replied Slogra as the heroes comtinued on walking.
As the heroes keep moving, spiked boxes coming out from the holes on the wall and headed the heroes way thanks to the conveyor belt.
"Spiky box headed this way." Banjo pointed at the incoming box.
"I'll deal with that." Dark Pit pull out his staff and fire a beam at it, destroying the box.
Dark Pit is taking the lead this time as he used his staff to blast the incoming spiked boxes, allowing the heroes to move safely.
Control Room
As the heroes made their way through the tower a certain green witch is observing through the security cameras installed at the tower. "Hmm...I see they fall for my trap, too bad for the bear I'll give him a nice painful zap." Gruntilda pressed one of the button and one of the laser gun pointed at the heroes.
Tower of Science
The laser is shot and strike Banjo, he screamed in pain as he fall to the ground.
"Banjo ! What happened !" Dark Pit and Slogra checked up on him.
Slogra who had his suspicion looked upwards at the laser cannons which are pointed at the heroes. "Banjo got hit by the laser cannon ! And so are we if we stay here !"
However it was too late as the laser cannons start firing at the heroes at the same time.
"Oh no, things are not gonna end this way !" Dark Pit summoned the Guardian Orbitars, creating a shield on Dark Pit's left and right side, with Slogra and Banjo inside alongside Dark Pit, and as the lasers about to converge at the heroes the Orbitars caused the lasers to bounced back and destroying the cannon that shoots them, destroying the cannons.
"Dark Pit, you saved us." Banjo stand up again.
"Don't celebrate just yet, more incoming !" Dark Pit moved the Orbitars, now shielding the heroes front and back side. The laser bounced back again and destroying the cannons.
Control Room
"Not a bad team they would made, but here is where they will end up dead." Gruntilda then begin chanting some kind of magic spell.
Tower of Science
Thanks to Dark Pit's Guardian Orbitars the laser cannons all have been destroyed, but soon after that magic circles appeared around the heroes as stone creatures appeared from the circles.
"Golems ! Gruntilda must've summoned them !" Slogra readied his spear.
"Looks like there's eight of them." Banjo counted the Golems.
"Golems are just mindless dolls, we can take em !" Dark Pit readied his Silver Bow.
"Don't underestimate them, Rock Golems are hard to beat because you know...made of rocks." Replied Slogra.
One of the Golems fire it's fist like a rocket, Dark Pit cross his blades in front of him only for the impact is too much as it break through his guard and hit his face, causing Dark Pit to fall to the ground.
Slogra run towards one of the Golem as he crouched and attempt to do a leg sweep using his spear, only for it to prove difficult thanks to its rock like physiology.
The Golem attempt to punch Slogra, but Banjo using his Taxi Pack ability, apparently Banjo able to fit the giant rock creature into his smaller bag pack.
A Golem walked towards Dark Pit who is still lying on the floor about to stomp the dark angel, however Dark Pit equipped the Violet Palm and blast the stone construct, as the creature lift one of it's leg trying to stomp Dark Pit, the impact caused it to lose balance and fall.
Dark Pit got up and summoned the Ogre Club and give a brutal beatdown to the called Golem, breaking it apart.
Banjo is surrounded by two Golems, but the bear is unfazed as he swing his bagpack and hit one of the Golem, seeing as there's a Golem inside the bagpack, the impact caused one of the Golem to fall, and as Slogra about to be crushed by a Golem, Banjo spin and swings his bagpack and release the Golem inside, sending it towards the Golem that fighting Slogra, the two collided and both fell to the ground below.
A Golem walked behind Banjo and tried to smash him, however Slogra return the favor, by creating a large fireball with his spear and threw it at the Golem, Slogra ordered Banjo to duck, he listen and the fireball hit the Golem behind Banjo, the explosion occurred destroyed the Golem.
"There's four left ! We can take this !" Rallied Dark Pit as he summon his staff and blast the floor where the Golem standing, the Golem loses its balance and about to fall, as it's head about to hit the ground head first, Banjo grabbed his head and throw it at another Golem.
Slogra is confronted by two Golems, both of them launched it's fist like a rocket at the skeletal demon, however Dark Pit used Guardian Orbitar to blocked one of the fist, and Banjo used Taxi Pack again to insert the other fist to his bag.
Because of the Orbitar the fist is reflected back at the Golem and hit it instead, while Banjo also did the same by releasing the bag content back at the other Golem.
Slogra finished the job as he concentrate magical energy at his spear and fire a powerful beam from his spear at the Golems, destroying both of them.
The last two Golems got up and move to attack the heroes, with the Golem punching down, Banjo jumped and used his Taxi Pack on Slogra, as Banjo run through the Golems arms Banjo then throw Slogra to the Golems head, Slogra impaled the Golems head with his spear as he jumped down, the spear accumulate magical energy and creating an explosion, destroying the Golems head.
Dark Pit summoned his Ogre Club to block the Golems punches, as the Golem staggered he fired an energy blast with Violet Palm again, the Golem flinched as Dark Pit dashed toward the Golem and clobbered it to pieces.
"There we beat them all." Said Dark Pit as he's done beating the Golem.
"We make a great team, didn't see that coming." Commented Slogra.
"We still need to leave though, I don't think I can deal with another Golems." Commented Banjo.
As the heroes prepare to move, a laser cannon aimed at the heroes, specifically Banjo, as it's ready to fire Slogra hear the sound behind them. "Watch out !" As the laser fire a shot Slogra throw his spear at the cannon, as Slogra's spear is magical it can block the laser attack, but both sides refuse to give up, as the laser grow stronger, Slogra also increase his power and ultimately the spear managed to pierce the laser and destroy the cannon.
Slogra then telekinetically brought the spear back to him.
"What the !? Didn't we destroy the cannons ?" Questioned Dark Pit.
"Guess not ! Look !" Banjo pointed at the cannons only to see it's magically repaired and aiming at the heroes.
"Hurry this way !" Slogra lead the way as Dark Pit summoned his Orbitar to shield everyone from the laser attacks.
Magic circles then formed and Golems emerged from it, blocking the heroes path. As Dark Pit clobbered it with the Ogre Club the Golem spits out a small robot with spherical shape, with yellow warning sign on it's head, it light the fuse on it's head and run towards the heroes, Banjo recognized this thing and kicked it away immediately toward the fallen Golem, the robot exploded, destroying the Golem.
"What was that ?" Asked Dark Pit.
"Gruntbots ! Now I know Gruntilda is here ! She must've been the one to summoned those Golems and repaired those cannons with magic !" Exclaimed Banjo.
"That robot may be small, but it sure is packs a punch." Commented Slogra.
"That was the Exploder model, there are many more, and I'd rather not encounter them." Said Banjo.
"So are we, now let's go !" The heroes continued to move as Gruntilda won't make it that easy to leave.
This time she summoned a Nudger robot driving a plane, the purple spherical robots kept shooting at the heroes, which can be avoided thanks to Dark Pit Guardian Orbitar a circling around the heroes.
However their top side is unprotected, Gruntilda summoned a Rammer robot directly above the Heroes. As the heroes noticed a shadow from above getting bigger, Banjo stuffed the red robot inside his bag pack.
Gruntilda is having a summoning party as she summoned Gruntbots left and right in her attempt to hinder the heroes.
A pink robot with creepy smiley face is presented as the next obstacle.
"Wait ! That's a Bouncer, you can't deal with that with physical attack, projectile is the only way to defeat it." Explained Banjo.
"Okay then !" Dark Pit used his Silver Bow and shoot an arrow, destroying the robot. "Popped like a balloon."
"Quickly, we got Exploders running our way !" Exclaimed Slogra looking behind.
Banjo threw the Rammer robot above and fell on the Exploders, destroying the robots.
Thanks to the combination of Slogra's knowledge of location, Banjo experience with Gruntilda, and Dark Pit's combat expertise the trio manage to bypass every traps Gruntilda set up.
Control Room
"Grrr...able to overcame my attempts to hinder them are they ? Then the toy Carmilla lend me better make my day."
Tower of Science
"Over there ! That's the exit !" Slogra pointed at the door.
"I think we lost the robots, nothing can go wrong now !" Exclaimed Banjo.
"Hey ! You do not tempt fate, you just jinxed us with that word !" Yelled Dark Pit.
And unfortunately he's right as a large magic circle is formed in front of the heroes and a creature emerged from it, is a hideous amalgamation of Golem and Frankenstein monster, it has a large white body with long arms, it's face covered in a mask that hides it's face except the mouth, there seems to be electric generator on it's back, it's also had spiked collar on it's neck.
"It's Tonarok ! That's Carmilla's personal Golem !" Exclaimed Slogra.
"This is our last obstacle to leave this place, we will overcome it !" Rallied Dark Pit.
The heroes charged at the monster, but Tonarok discharge a flare of electricity, and blast the heroes away. Causing the trio to fall and sent flying back a bit.
Tonarok charged at the heroes, his fist is charged with electricity and about to punch Dark Pit, only for Slogra to poke Tonarok's body with his spear, the spear glow and create an explosion, damaging and pushing the creature back.
"Why Slogra enemy ?" The heroes are surprised as Tonarok able to utter a word.
"He can talk ?" Asked a surprised Dark Pit.
"Apparently there's a mutation during his creation, but that's not important now, Golems are just artificial creatures made to serve, they can't disobey their creators." Replied Slogra.
"Kind of unfair don't you think ?" Asked Banjo.
"No need to pity that thing, those robots made by Gruntilda are no different from Golems, they're just machines made to serve their creators." Continued Slogra.
"I have to agree with Slogra on this one, just like Forces of Nature that obeys Viridi, or Underworld Army that obeys underworld deities, this one is no different even if it can talk." Said Dark Pit.
"Mistress give order, me won't let you pass." Tonarok placed his hand at the heroes direction and fired off electric blasts, which they dodged, Tonarok keeps on shooting, but Dark Pit used his Guardian Orbitars to reflect the shot back to Tonarok.
Dark Pit than equipped the EZ Cannon and fire an energy blast at the monster, but Tonarok surprisingly fast for a Golem able to dodge the incoming shot. As he tried to charge at Dark Pit, Tonarok is stopped in his tracks, turns out Banjo grabbed the chain on his back and pull him away.
Slogra spun his spear and conjure a whirlwind and shoot the blast of wind at the monster, Dark Pit follow suit by whacking him with the Ogre Club. As the monster sent flying back, Banjo let go of the chain.
"Slogra turn traitor ?" Said Tonarok as he tried to get up.
"You wouldn't understand anyway." Slogra then thrust at high speed only for Tonarok to grab the spear before it could strike him. Tonarok then slammed Slogra to the ground.
Dark Pit and Banjo then attacked Tonarok together, with Banjo slashed him with his claw, and and Dark Pit bashed his head with the Ogre Club. Tonarok retaliate by electrocuting the two with electric blasts.
"You angel ? Slogra Demon ? But working together ? Me don't understand." Tonarok begin to ask more questions.
"He doesn't seem so mindless anymore." Dark Pit said to Banjo.
"We're here to save Lord Death, and we won't stop even if the whole castle turn against us !" Slogra pointed his spear at the Golem.
"Why ? You stop Lord Dracula from coming back ?" Asked Tonarok.
"He will return, just not now, and we're not gonna stand by if Lord Dracula only return because of Carmilla's selfishness !" Continued Slogra.
"Me confused, me don't understand." Said Tonarok.
"Of course you don't, you're just a slave to Carmilla, while I have true loyalty to Lord Death." Replied Slogra.
Tonarok who is still confused, but doesn't know what else to do summoned a torrent of lightning at Banjo, but he used his Shack Pack ability as he hide inside his bag pack and protected himself from the lightning strike.
Slogra stabbed the ground and trails of explosions moved towards Tonarok, the explosion finally reached him and caused him to fall. As Dark Pit about to clobber him with the Ogre Club, Tonarok encased himself with electricity, and about to blast Dark Pit, but Banjo using his Sack Pack ability, using his bag as a sack jumped and slammed the Golem from above, interrupting his attack.
Dark Pit deliver the finishing blow by beating the creature to a pulp, along with Slogra repeatedly stabbing it with his spear, finally Tonarok is defeated as he unable to move.
"Did we kill him ?" Asked Dark Pit.
"Dead isn't the right word to describe this thing, Golems can always be mass produced, but I have to admit this one is more unique than the rest, we may see him again depending on Carmilla's reaction, for now we need to leave, the exit is just in front of us." With Tonarok defeated, the heroes entered the door, finally leaving Tower of Science.
Deepsea Metro
After entering the portal inside Mount Corona in Delfino Isle Mewtwo, Lucario, Inky and Inked arrived at what's it like an abandoned subway, the place is dark with dim lights.
("Where is this ?") Asked Lucario.
"Hey Inky isn't this ?" Inked seems to have an idea of where they are.
"Yes, no doubt about it, this is Deepsea Metro." Answered Inky.
("If you recognized this place then this must means this is your world.") Stated Mewtwo.
"Yes, so that portal leads here huh ? I guess I shouldn't be surprised, this place is practically abandoned after all." Commented Inky. "The enemy could use this place as their base after all."
("Since this is your world, you said mammals doesn't exist right ?") Asked Lucario.
"No, apart from Judd and Li'l Judd, there aren't anymore mammalians, so I'm afraid you two will stand out here, not to mention Mewtwo did launched an attack on the Great Zapfish earlier." Said Inked.
("Sorry about that, I don't have a choice on the matter, I have to keep up the act of Neo Subspace Army loyal soldier.") Explained Mewtwo.
"Yeah well no point in dwelling of the past, we should start moving." Inky then start to walk as the others followed.
"So do you think it's dangerous having Mewtwo with us ? Everyone else don't know the whole story like we do ?" Asked Inked.
("I could disguise myself using illusions, maybe that's what I should do.") Mewtwo enveloped itself and Lucario with an illusion, Mewtwo appearance is a male inkling with short purple hair, wearing white shirt and purple pants, while Lucario is a male Inkling with black hair, dark blue shirt and black pants.
"Now that's amazing." Inky complimented Mewtwo illusion technique.
"This is nothing, any psychic type pokemons can do it." Replied Mewtwo.
"Remind me to stay away from wild psychic type pokemons." Retorted Inked.
As the heroes keep walking Lucario stopped everyone. ("Everyone stop ! I sense a presence.")
"What !? Is someone here ?" Asked Inky.
("Yes, someone is here, and I can tell the intent is rather hostile.") Added Mewtwo.
"An enemy then !" Exclaimed Inked.
"We're ready for anything." Both Inky and Inked ready for a fight.
("Over there !") Mewtwo cast Barrier as a barrage of ink is shot toward the heroes.
Inky and Inked begin firing their weapons, spraying orange and blue ink all over, but t he assailant also uses ink gun that cover their ink with it's ink.
Lucario use Aura Sphere to attack the assailant, only for it to transform, and hide in the ink, however the Aura Sphere isn't fooled as it still chasing the assailant.
Inky and Inked spraying their ink at the enemy ink, the assailant jumped and transformed into their humanoid form and throw several Splat Bombs at the heroes, and one at the Aura Sphere behind, Mewtwo cast Reflect, creating a barrier that protect the heroes from the ink explosion.
"Where'd it go !?" Exclaimed Inked.
("Up there !") Lucario pointed at the assailant who is flying using Inkjet. The assailant rapid firing the heroes with ink, Lucario backflipped away, Mewtwo teleported, and Inky and Inked transform and swim in their ink.
(Very aggressive.") Commented Lucario.
("Agreed, and this has gone long enough !") Mewtwo and Lucario both fired Aura Sphere, targeting the Inkjet, no matter where the assailant tried to go the Aura Sphere followed it.
Mewtwo used telekinesis to stop the assailant in their tracks and the assailant get hit by the Aura Sphere as a result, the Inkjet is destroyed and the assailant weapons destroyed.
Mewtwo the lowered the assailant towards the ground, and with the assailant movement restrained and the heroes gets a closer look, Inky and Inked voiced their surprise. "Hachi ? Is that you ?"
The assailant stopped struggling and expressed her surprise. "How did you ?...wait a minute, Agent 3 & 4 ? When did you two get back ?"
("You two know each other ?") Asked Lucario.
"Yes, everyone this is Hachi also known as Agent 8, she's an Octoling, a species that used to be our enemies, it's okay Mewtwo you can let go of her." At Inky's request Mewtwo freed Agent 8 from it's telekinetic grip.
"How did you do that ? You don't even touch me ?" Hachi is curious of Mewtwo's ability.
("It's...my natural gift.") Answered Mewtwo.
"What the ? I hear voices in my head, could this be a telepathy ?" Hachi expressed her surprise again.
"Yes, well Mewtwo is very gifted, but enough about that, why did you attack us Hachi ?" Asked Inked.
"Sorry, I thought you were one of DJ Octavio loyalist, there's an Intel that Octavio's loyalist using the abandoned subway as their base, Cap'n Cuttlefish tasked me to investigate." Answered Hachi. "I never expect to run into you two here."
"I see, so I'm guessing by your actions the Intel turned out to be true ?" Asked Inky.
"Yes, I fought several of them already, they even accuse me of betraying our people ! The nerve of them !" Hachi crossed her arm and huffed.
"What do you think Octavio is planning to do ?" Asked Inky.
"It seems he's trying to pit the Inklings and Octolings against each other, sometime after you two left, Inkopolis suffered something like terrorist attacks, and the culprits revealed to be Octolings." Answered Hachi solemnly.
"We can't let this go on, both our species on the verge of getting along, we can't let Octavio destroy that !" Exclaimed Inky.
"Obviously, but unfortunately it would be difficult to discover which Octolings still loyal to Octavio." Said Hachi.
"Maybe that's true, but what if there's an easy way for that, like a psychic ? They could expose liars right ?" Suggested Inked.
"A psychic ? Do you really know anyone like that ? Is psychic powers even real ?" Hachi replied skeptically.
"Lucky for us, we have a psychic among us, oh right I think it's time for introduction, Hachi this is Mewtwo and Lucario, Mewtwo and Lucario this is Hachi, also known as Agent 8, her species an Octolings used to be our enemies, but we're trying to end our centuries long animosity." Explained Inky.
"It's nice to meet you, my name's Hachi, a member of Squidbeak Splatoon." Hachi introduced herself to Mewtwo and Lucario. "So uh...what are you two doing here ? Doing a test if courage or something ?"
Inky and Inked but their lips and pondered a bit, they looked each other in the eyes and nodded. "I think we can trust her." Inky said to the disguised Pokemons.
("You sure ?") Asked Mewtwo.
"Yes, not to mention, maybe with your powers we can weed out Octavio's loyalist." Added Inked. "That would make the people trust you."
("Fine, I suppose this is the right time, while it's still just us.") Mewtwo dispelled the illusions, exposing it and Lucario true forms.
Hachi is shocked by what she just see, and of course she recognized Mewtwo as the attack on Great Zapfish isn't exactly at an isolated place. "You ! You're that cat thing that attack the Great Zapfish !" Hachi readied her other still functioning weapon, but Inky and Inked stopped her.
"Hachi stopped ! Mewtwo is on our side !" Shouted Inky.
"Oh really ? And how did you two ended up together ? Did you get brainwashed again Agent 3 !?" Replied Hachi suspiciously.
"What ! No ! I'm not under anyone control this time !" Inky denied Hachi's claim.
("Brainwashed ?") Asked Mewtwo.
"Yeah, I wasn't here when it happened, but Inky got brainwashed by a murderous AI, Hachi the one who saved her, I was on a different mission that time." Explained Inked.
"Look Hachi, Mewtwo is a psychic, it can help us expose the enemy Octolings, as for why it attack the Great Zapfish before, it was all an act, the Great Zapfish is fine now right ?" Asked Inky.
"Well yeah, apart from a few fatigue, there aren't anything else wrong with it, so how did you ended up joining forces ?" Asked Hachi.
"It's a veeery long story, we'll tell you all the way." As the heroes make their way out of the subway Inky and Inked told Hachi about what they've been up to.
"So let me get this straight, you're telling me there's an angel imprisoned since ancient times, and now seek to freed itself so it can annihilate us ? And there's this otherworldly fighting tournament where the contestants are reassembled to fight this threat ? And the process to break the seal keeping this angel is very complicated it involves multiple worlds including ours ?" Hachi recapped the entire story.
"It doesn't have to include this world per se, but yeah our world got caught in the crossfire, Mewtwo spoke to you with telepathy, so it's not a lie." Said Inky. "That gift it said was it's psychic powers."
"Okay, so psychic powers are real, but the rest of your story ? It's sounded like one of those weird fantasy genre fiction." Retorted Hachi.
"I know, but it's true, we even have humans among us, and to think we got to meet extinct species from this adventure." Said Inked.
"Okay, and the last part, you came here because there's a portal that leads to Deepsea Metro, and Li'l Judd entered that portal ?" Asked Hachi.
"Yeah, we got a feeling he's involved with this, he's experimenting on a substance from Mewtwo's world that drove monsters berserk." Explained Inky.
"But what's that have anything to do with Octavio's loyalist ?" Asked Inked.
"Don't know, but i rather hope they were brainwashed rather than genuinely turning on us." Hachi answered looking down.
("Hachi said you were brainwashed before Inky, how did that happened ?") Asked Lucario.
"Oh that, after I saved Hachi and Cap'n from being placed in a giant blender, Commander Tartar managed to land a hit on me, rendering me unconscious, and then everyone said there's a strange mind controlling goo on my face." Explained Inky.
Inked stopped and realized something. "Wait ! Is it possible there's a portal here because of that mind controlling goo !? Maybe the Octolings were brainwashed rather than loyal to Octavio !"
"There's only one way to find out Inked, and I do hope that is the case." The heroes then almost reached the surface.
("I think Lucario and I should continue with our disguise.") Mewtwo enveloped itself and Lucario in illusion again to avoid unwanted attention.
Inkopolis Square
The heroes finally reached the surface and arrived at Inkopolis Square, and just like every major city, the place is bustling with life, many people come and go, either to hang out, doing their jobs, etc..
"We're here at last, Inkopolis Square." Smiled Inky who's glad to be back home.
"Yeah, home sweet home, I wonder if people believe us if we say we met humans ?" Commented Inked.
"I doubt they will, to us humans are extinct species after all." Replied Inky.
"I still have hard time believing as well, so how are humans like ?" Asked Hachi.
"Well for starters, water seems to be harmless to them, in fact they need water to stay alive !" Exclaimed Inky.
"No way !" Hachi gasped in shock.
"Yeah, and then they seem to be made of flesh and bones rather than ink like us." Inked continued.
"Although they can sometimes emit unpleasant smell, mostly after they move their bodies." Said Inky. "They can secrete this thing called sweat, I don't know the details, but they ended up smelling bad after secreting sweat."
"The training room tend to be full of sweaty people, luckily for shooting practice there's a separate training room for that." Continued Inked.
"Right, as much as I'm curious about your adventure companions, we should focus on the task ahead." Said Hachi.
"Sure, so anything on the terrorist attack ? Any patterns or something like that ?" Asked Inky.
"Luckily it seems casualty isn't their goal as no one ever died, then again there are spawn points on the places where the attacks happened, so even if there are casualties they could respawn immediately." Explained Hachi. "Anyway any attack pattern seems to be only happening at night time."
"Guess it would be arousing suspicion if they did it in broad daylight." Said Inked.
As the heroes talked they saw an Octolings boy sighed. Hachi can't help but to approached the boy with the rest followed her.
"Hey there is something wrong ?" Asked Hachi.
"Huh ? Oh hey Hachi it's just that my friend and I agreed to hang out at Arrowana Mall today, but he cancelled on me, saying he has other important things that he didn't specify."
Hachi seems nervous but she tried to defuse the situation. "Well maybe he had urgent business came up, I mean it happened to me too after all, being a new member of Squidbeak Splatoon and all."
"I wish it was, but this isn't the first time he bailed on me, after those attacks any Octolings with Inkling friends experiencing these kinda things, they're afraid that we may be DJ Octavio loyalists in secret."
"Then why don't you confront those who are his loyalist ?" Asked Inky.
"Sadly I don't know who's who, everyday there are Octolings that move to the surface wishing to be a part of this society, but who knows which one is lying and which one telling the truth, guess I'm heading home now." The Octoling boy then left.
("Friends of yours ?") Asked Mewtwo.
"Yeah, before all this the Octarian society teaches us nothing but war and conflict, we all studied at the same academy, that's how we pretty much know each other, the purpose is to become DJ Octavio elite soldiers and taking over the surface world, but after Agent 3 & 4 battle against DJ Octavio, and hearing the squid sisters song, many of us actually started to questioned our way of life." Explained Hachi.
("I read his mind earlier, he's not Octavio's loyalist.") Said Mewtwo.
"I see, that's good, well why don't we try to go to Arrowana Mall then, maybe you can picked up more thoughts there." Suggested Hachi.
("I guess we could, how about it Mewtwo ?") Asked Lucario.
("Fine, but I'm only reading Octolings mind, the last thing I need is to hear negative thought from others.") Answered Mewtwo.
"Thanks, oh to tell the difference between Octolings and Inklings, just see the hair, our tentacle suckers are visible unlike Inklings hair." Explained Hachi.
Mewtwo nodded and the heroes headed to Arrowana Mall.
Arowana Mall
The heroes arrived at Arowana Mall, a shopping mall located in Inkopolis, it's an outdoor mall with many stores and a place to hangout, on some occasion the mall sometimes serves as a location for Splatfest, an event where two opposing teams covered the majority of the place with their team ink.
"Here we are, Arowana Mall, there's a lot of people here, so maybe you could picked up on who should we weed out." Said Hachi.
Mewtwo begin reading the Octolings mind, only to discover that none of the Octolings present seems to have any loyalty to Octavio, while some of them upset that the recent attacks seems to drive away their Inkling friends, they blame the attackers rather than the Inklings. ("No luck, none of the Octolings here seems to be Octavio loyalists.")
"That's bittersweet, looks like we're back to square one, which reminds me, why don't we head back to the Square ? There's a lot of people there." Suggested Hachi.
("I've read their minds as well, none of them seems to be an ally to Octavio.") Replied Mewtwo.
"Really ? Then we're out of luck." Lamented Hachi.
"It's too soon to give up, why not try ask around again ?" Asked Inked.
"Guess we should." Hachi agreed as the heroes left the mall.
Inkopolis Square
("What about you Lucario ? Sensed anyone with malicious aura ?") Asked Mewtwo.
("No, I didn't either, which is strange though, with your power and mine we should be able to expose the guilty party much faster.") Replied Lucario.
("True something doesn't add up...I hope I'm not exaggerating things.") Mewtwo seems to have a bad feeling.
("Exaggerating how exactly ?") Asked Lucario.
(Do you think it's possible that the enemy know we're coming here, and purposely have the loyalists hide in a place where I can't sense them, or somewhere far away you can't detect their aura ?") Asked Mewtwo.
("Even if the entire Neo Subspace Army is involved, even they won't know who's going to which world right ?") Continued Lucario.
("You're right, they couldn't be this prepared even if they have a psychic on their side.") Replied Mewtwo.
("Besides the mansion is protected by Master Hand and Crazy Hand's powers, even in their absence their power doesn't diminish, any psychic surveillance should be impossible.") Said Lucario.
("Not to mention it took extremely powerful psychic to able to spy on someone in other world, even the enemy deities hands are just as tied as ours, but even then we're not discarding the possibilities.") Insisted Mewtwo.
"Well why don't we go to Crust Bucket ? We really should take a break." Suggested Hachi.
"Why not ? You two eat meat ?" Asked Inky.
("Yeah sure, we needed a break anyway.") Agreed Lucario as the heroes headed to lunch.
Crust Bucket
The heroes arrived at a yellow food truck, complete with tables and chairs outside.
"Hey Sean." Hachi greeted what's it like an anthropomorphic prawn, he's wearing a hat, shoes on every leg, and oddly dressed like a tempura.
"What's up squiddo ! Well if it ain't my favorite Octoling, hard at work Hachi ?" Asked Sean.
"You know it, 5 deep fried shwaffles please." Hachi give Crusty Sean the tickets.
"5 deep fires shwaffles coming right up !" Sean noticed at the two 'Inklings'. "So are they the new members for the Squidbeak Splatoon ? Never seen them before."
"Oh well they do have an interest, but we're just explaining on what we do first, it would be nice to have people fill the ranks, Cap'n Cuttlefish did say he was going to retire soon." Answered Hachi.
"Yeah, I won't forget what the Squidbeak Splatoon did for us, not that I know exactly what you do, it's just too bad peace doesn't last too long, if only there weren't any of those strange attacks." Said Sean.
"We know, were trying to get to the bottom of it, hopefully this polroblem will be solved soon." Hachi then return to her table where the heroes sat.
("Quite the unique world this is ? So everyone originated from evolved marine life ?") Asked Lucario.
"Yes, Judd and Li'l Judd is the only non sea life here, if we didn't get involved in this crazy adventures we would never encounter humans at all." Said Inky.
"Goes to show how vast this universe is, and we must defend it." Continued Inked.
"So, still no sign of Octavio loyalists ?" Asked Hachi.
("No, which I find strange, in crowded place I should at least be able to picked up a malicious thought or two.") Said Mewtwo.
"Say Mewtwo, if there's a way to fool a psychic what would it be ?" Asked Inked.
("A way to fool a psychic huh ? Giving someone else a false information, that way when we read their mind we could be fooled bacause that person isn't lying as he didn't know he was tricked.") Answered Mewtwo.
("So Hachi, you're the ones already encountered Octavio's loyalist right ? Did you noticed anything unusual about them ?") Asked Lucario.
"There is, like how they didn't respond to my questions, and how they're being very aggressive durng battles." Answered Hachi. "It's like they're being controlled or something, I never knew the answer because every time I got them cornered there's always an Octoling hiding and waiting to rescue their allies."
("They're very prepared, you said Octolings receive military trainings, could that be part of it ?") Asked Mewtwo.
"Technically speaking our race is called Octarian, Octolings are a subspecies of Octarian." Clarified Hachi. "We are, but this is different than any protocol we used to, it's like there's a new leadership or something."
Not long after Sean went over to the heroes table and deliver their food. "Here you go, five deep fried shwaffles and your drinks as well."
"Thank you Sean." The Inklings and Hachi thanked the prawn.
"Your welcome squiddos, so Hachi, are you going to attend that Octo concert event later tonight ?" Asked Sean.
"Octo concert ? I still don't know, I mean I kinda missed it the last time, so maybe I should give it a try tonight." Answered Hachi.
"Octo concert ? What's that ?" Asked Inky.
"Apparently it's a concert exclusive to Octolings, it's where Octolings can enjoy our time together with fellow Octolings, not that we don't like being with Inklings and other species, it's just..."
"Don't worry Hachi, we get it." Added Inky.
("You know, an Octoling only event ? Sound mighty suspicious.") Commented Mewtwo.
("How long has this been going on ?") Asked Lucario.
"Hmm...quite a while actually, it happens not long after the attack on Great Zapfish." Answered Hachi. "There's this private events for Octolings, so we attend the event, come to think of it, I think the attacks happened not long after those events."
("So why didn't you questioned this event ? It's practically red flag all over.") Asked Mewtwo.
"I never get to attend the event because of my job, and anyone that did says it's just a nornal, but exclusive event." Answered Hachi. "Not to mention, Marina is the host of this event."
("Marina ?") Asked Lucario not knowing who she is.
"Marina is one of the duo of musical group Off the Hook, and she's an Octoling, she's one of the first Octolings that defected after hearing the Squid Sisters song, she did worried what would happen if her partner Pearl ever found out what she really is, but turns out Pearl doesn't have any issues with Marina being an Octoling and used to serve DJ Octavio, which is why I don't doubt this event is hiding a sinister agenda." Explained Hachi.
("Even if she's innocent, there's always people behind the scenes pulling the strings, were going to that concert, and that's final.") Mewtwo makes it clear the heroes will attend.
"But isn't Inklings aren't allowed on that event ?" Asked Inky.
("No worries, I'll envelop all of you with my illusions, were disguising ourselves as Octolings.") Answered Mewtwo.
The heroes nodded and begin eating their food, Lucario and Mewtwo find it delicious, with the Inklings and Hachi agreeing.
After finishing their meal the heroes got up and left the Crust Bucket.
Inkopolis Square
"So what do we do now until then ? The concert won't start until 6." Said Hachi.
"I think we should..." Before Inked can finish his sentence a loud sound of punching can be heard.
("I sensed hostility ! This way !") Lucario run towards the hostility it sensed with the heroes following.
"Hey what happened to you !" An Inkling is knocked down on the ground, and in front of him is a very angry Octoling.
The Octoling didn't respond and lunged at the Inkling, fortunately Lucario arrived in time and tackled the Octoling and pinned him down, thanks to Lucario's strength the Octoling unable to break free.
"Are you okay ?" Hachi extend her hand to the Inkling, he grabbed her hand and get back up.
"What happened ?" Asked Inked.
"I don't know, all I say is just 'we're friends, and I won't let anyone keep us apart' suddenly he went berserk like that !" Explained the Inkling.
"Mewtwo, could that be the loyalist ?" Inky whispered to Mewtwo.
("I don't know, his head is full of rage, incoherent thoughts, almost like a vicious wild animal.") Explained Mewtwo.
"Can you do something ?" Asked Inked.
("I'll try.") Mewtwo walked to the Octoling as Mewtwo used it's psychic power to calm him down.
The Octoling suddenly stop thrashing around and finally calmed down. Lucario then get off of him.
"Oww, what happened ? My head is all fuzzy." Said the Octoling.
"You didn't remember ? You just attacked your friend out of nowhere." Explained Hachi.
"What ? I did ? That can't be, I mean I don't remember any of it." Claimed the Octoling, he then approached his friend. "Did I really attack you ?"
"Umm...well you...kinda did, and you really don't remember that ?" Asked the Inkling. "I swear I don't, I remember hearing you saying we're friends, but then after that it's all a blur."
"Well the point is you're back to normal, I'm just glad to have you back." Said the Inkling.
"Thanks for your help, we'll be in our way now." The Inkling and Octoling buddies thanked the heroes and return to what they were doing.
"He didn't remember attacking his own friend ?" Asked Inky.
("Of course he wouldn't, he's a sleeper agent.") The heroes is shocked by Mewtwo's answer.
"What ! A sleeper agent !?" Exclaimed Hachi.
("Yes, when I calmed him down, I used telepathy to take a peek into his memories, none of the memories are suspicious, except..the concert he went to, the Octoling exclusive concert, I can tell the song has hypnotic effects.") Explained Mewtwo.
"So that's how he ended up like that ?" Asked Hachi.
("Yes, it also explained why I can't sense Octavio's loyalist, because they're sleeper agents, if they don't even know they're Octavio's agents then naturally we can't know either.") Explained Mewtwo. ("And the one singing the song is a female Octoling, she has dark skin complexion, and green hair...hey that's her !") Mewtwo pointed at the screen on Deca Tower.
At the screen Pearl and Marina is doing their usual segments.
"Her !? But that's Marina ! There's no way !? It can't be she's doing this..." Hachi is shocked by the Revelation she fall on her knees.
("Hachi got up, we still don't know the full truth yet, so that's why, tonight we're infiltrate that concert.") Mewtwo grabbed Hachi's arm.
"That, but you're right, it's too early to tell, we will find out everything at the concert." Hachi calmed down a bit.
"There's still time for the concert to start, I suggest we head to Floundering Heights, I live in the apartment there." Suggested Hachi.
The heroes agreed as Hachi lead the way to her home.
Floundering Heights - Hachi's Room
The heroes arrived at Hachi's room, it looks just like any other apartment, luckily it's not messy, the living room has couch and tv right across, table between the couch and tv, and kitchen.
"Here we are, my home, make yourselves at home." Said Hachi as Mewtwo removed the illusions it placed on itself and Lucario, revealing their true form.
"Okay, so let's summarize what we learned so far." The heroes sat on the couch pooling their knowledge.
("So first things first, not long after I attacked the Great Zapfish, there's this exclusive event for Octolings.") Mewtwo started.
"Yes, it's a concert, located in Inkopolis Plaza, not sure why they choose that abandoned location though ?" Questioned Hachi.
("And as I read that Octoling's mind I find out the music have hypnotizing effects, not the usual mind control type, but the kind that need trigger word to get them to obey their masters wish.") Continued Mewtwo.
("And we just see that from that Octoling, I didn't sensed anything before, but when he started attacking his Inking friend, I can sense hostility in his aura.") Added Lucario.
("The same goes for me, I didn't sensed anything either, because they didn't know they're listening to some mind control music, they didn't know they're being controlled.") Continued Mewtwo.
"And the ones singing that song is Marina, one of the Off the Hook duo, but could that really be her ?" Asked Inky.
("That's what were trying to find out.") Said Mewtwo.
("So then, what does Li'l Judd have anything to do with this ?") Asked Lucario.
"Well, he was researching dangerous substance from your world right ?" Asked Inked.
(Yes, it's called R, it can induce aggression, although it didn't have any effects on humans, just Pokemons.") Explained Mewtwo. ("Apparently it worked on the Blue Cataquacks in Mario's world, Mario himself is surprised as the blue ones are not aggressive according to him.")
("So it worked, not on just Pokemons, but on other fauna as well.") Said Lucario, but then the aura Pokemon realized something. ("Wait, when I pin that Octoling down his eyes turns red !")
"Does this means it worked in Inklings as well ?" Asked Inky.
("Well your ancestors are marine animals, so that possibilty cannot be discarded, or they developed an R that can affect sentient species..") Stated Mewtwo. ("My theory is, the song act as a trigger, while the R enhanced their aggression and strength, making them hard to beat.")
("As for the trigger words ?") Asked Lucario.
("Still don't know, I already removed the hypnotic commands from that Octoling, but it would be pointless if he got brainwashed again.") Answered Mewtwo. ("Also, if the singer sing a different song, the trigger words may changed.")
"Right ! What about you Hachi ? Does the Octolings appearance at Deepsea Metro have anything to do with this too ?" Asked Inky.
"I don't know, all I hear are reports of Octolings loyal to DJ Octavio making suspicious movements, I don't know anymore than that." Confirmed Hachi.
("There's a portal in Deepsea Metro, and since the place is mostly abandoned, it's the perfect place to conduct suspicious activities, and since DJ Octavio is a member of Neo Subspace Army, the Octoling loyalist could have access to otherworldly weapons or stuff.") Said Mewtwo.
"I guess the concert is only our best bet to get some answers then." Hachi sighed as she stared at the window.
("Now let's talk our plans of attack.") Said Lucario.
("There's still to many unknown...hold on I'll use Future Sight.") Mewtwo used Future Sight to gaze into the future, it's eyes glow blue color.
After a few minutes the glow disappeared and Mewtwo's eyes returned to normal.
("So what did you see ?") Asked Lucario.
("There's an attempt to block my precognition, the enemy deities still preventing me to see the future.") Explainesd Mewtwo. ("But first let me ask, is there a psychic in this world ?")
"A psychic ? I don't know anyone with that ability here." Said Inky.
"So am I, there's nobody like that in the Octarian army as well." Added Hachi.
("I still managed to take a look to the future though vaguely, there's a psychic in here, they're strong, but still no match for me, anyway I see I'm fighting two hooded figures, it's likely those two are psychics as I saw them using what's it like telekinesis, and the place is in chaos.") Explained Mewtwo. ("Sorry I can't use this ability to often, the enemy deities seems to blocked my future seeing ability to prevent us from getting an advantage.")
"Really ? Then would it be difficult for you to fight and undoing the mind control at the same time ?" Asked Inked.
("Depending on how crafty they are, but generally speaking yes, it would be difficult, the Octolings filled the room after all.") Answered Mewtwo.
"Then we can always asked for help, what about the Squid Sisters ? They could sing the Calamari Inkantation again to remove the mind control ?" Suggested Inky.
"That could work, who knows it could even touched the hearts of the rest of Octavio's loyalists." Continued Inked.
"Alright then, let's go to Octo Canyon, they should be there right now." Wanting to enlist the Squid Sisters help the heroes headed to Octo Canyon.
Octo Canyon
The heroes arrived at Octo Canyon, Inked used his golden plate to teleport here, since there aren't any people here they can easily teleport without attracting attention.
"Here it is Octo Canyon, from here is where I rescue Callie from DJ Octavio." Said Inked.
The heroes saw a small cabin ahead and walked to approach it.
"This is the Cuttlefish Cabin, hopefully we can find Marie and Callie here." Inked then knocked on the door.
A voice can be heard from the inside. "Just a minute."
The door opened and Marie and Callie coming out from it.
"Agent 3 ! Agent 4 ! Agent 8 ! It's good to see you again !" Callie and Marie hugged the two Inklings and Octoling.
"Hey Callie, Marie, so work is done for the day ?" Asked Inked.
"Yeah, it's all thanks to those strange terrorist attacks our work time is cut short, while I don't mind the less busy schedule, this could be bad in long terms, our job security is at risks, honestly, we've been searching high and lows, and yet none of us able to found anything ! This is strange, can't believe those Octarian able to cover their tracks this good." Callie complained at the difficulty she faced.
"But what if we tell you we may have the answer to this terrorism problem ?" Questioned Hachi which intrigued the cousins.
"Oh ? So you found an answer to our current problem ?" Asked Callie.
"We do, and we need your help for this." Said Inky.
"Say no more, the Squid Sisters are ready to help !" Callie and Marie strike a pose.
"So uh who are those two ?" Callie pointed at the disguised Mewtwo and Lucario.
"Callie, Marie, this is our friend Mewtwo and Lucario, sorry but please remove your disguise." Asked Inked as Mewtwo obeyed, Mewtwo dispelled the illusions, revealing it and Lucario true forms.
Callie and Marie is shocked by what they see. "Hey aren't you the creature that attacked the Great Zapfish !"
"Callie, Marie calm down ! Mewtwo's on our side now, we need it's power if we want to succeed." Inky and Inked defended Mewtwo.
("You could blame me for what I did, but for now we need to cooperate if we want to put an end to this terrorist attacks.")
Callie and Marie is shocked by the voices in their heads
"What the ! Voices in my head !" Callie frantically look around.
"I hear it too !" Replied Marie.
"Mewtwo possess psychic powers, with it's help we can easily dispatched our enemies as it's something they have no experience with !" Exclaimed Inked.
"Look, we'll explain everything later, but for now you need to trust Mewtwo, we need to secure this victory." Begged Inky.
"Is that so ?" Cap'n Cuttlefish came out from the cabin. "Alright then, if it's for the safety of our kind we'll trust you, but you still owe us an explanation."
("I will, I really meant no harm to this place.") Replied Mewtwo.
"Okay, now that we're on the same page, here's our plan." Inky told the Squid Sisters and Cuttlefish about their plan.
"I see, so that Octoling exclusive event is the culprit then ? The Octolings I talk to never said anything bad or suspicious about the event, because of that we didn't inquire further." Explained Marie.
"Night is about to come soon, so we'd best head to the Plaza right away." Said Hachi.
"Alright, here's an earpiece to communicate, and hidden camera, I'll be monitoring through the laptop and give you advice." Cuttlefish give the heroes a bodycam and earpiece except for Mewtwo and Lucario who pretty much not wearing anything, and their ears are different from Inklings and Octolings.
("Lucario and I can communicate through telepathy, it would be easier this way.") Explained Mewtwo. ("Your equipment doesn't fit our bodies after all.")
"Right then, I have the address of the concert location in my phone." Hachi showed her phone. "It's at the Inkopolis Plaza back alley."
("Then I will disguise all of us.") Mewtwo enveloped everyone in illusion except Cuttlefish for obvious reasons, disguising them into Octolings.
"We're teleporting using this golden plate, so try not to be surprised." Inky then teleported everyone to Inkopolis Plaza using the golden plate.
Inkopolis Plaza - Back Alley
The heroes arrived at Inkopolis Plaza, used to be a bustling, crowded location, but after the Inkopolis Square is built, this place is practically abandoned and ended up resembling ghost town. The heroes reappeared at the darkest part of the back alley, allowing them to appear without being seen.
"Okay we're here, the venue isn't too far from here." Stated Hachi.
"Wow, we just...teleported ?" Commented Callie. "Never thought I'll be experiencing that in my life.
"Look at this place, it used to be bustling and now it's practically empty, usually sounds from the city can be heard all the way here." Said Marie looking around the place.
"But because of that, nobody noticed us teleporting here, that's why I'm confident about using the golden plate here." Said Inky.
"True, now let us go." The heroes walked from the alley and headed to the concert location, and on their way the heroes bumped into an Octoling wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a mask, who is running and seems to be in a hurry, the crash caused her to fall and her hat is off from her head.
"Marina ?" Asked Hachi surprised. "What are you doing here ? Are you late for the concert ?"
"Agent 8 ? No it's not that, I came to investigate this concert, I've never been here before and yet every Octoling who talked to me said I'm rocking it at the concert, how is that possible if I never even been invited !?" The heroes are surprised by this revelation as this pretty much contradicts Mewtwo's statement.
"Wait ? You're never been at the concert before ?" Asked Inky.
"No, I never been, it's said every Octoling got an invite, and yet I never got one !" Exclaimed Marina.
("Mewtwo.") Asked Lucario.
("She's telling the truth, I read both her mind and peeked her past, even if she's brainwashed it never changed the fact that she's at the concert, but if she's never been to one then, the Marina I saw must be an impostor.") Mewtwo explained to Lucario, Mewtwo then relayed this theory to the heroes, and also asked them to play along and not reveal anything to Marina yet.
"Well, were going to the concert too, maybe we will find out something, why don't you come with us Marina ?" Hachi offered Marina to come along.
"Yes, I'll accept, we need to get to the bottom of this." Marina picked up her hat and put it on again.
The heroes saw a door being guarded by two Octolings, probably acting a security to the venue.
"Invitation." The Octoling guard asked.
Hachi showed her phone, and after seeing the proof the guard let her in, however as the heroes about to enter the guard blocked them.
"Invitation." Asked the other guard.
"Ah wait, they're with me." Hachi told the guard.
"First timer then ? Well i'm sorry, but that's the rules, every Octolings should've got an invite send to their phones, if you don't have it you can't come in." Explained the guard.
"Aw man, what should we do ? There's no way we can get an invite for 7 people." Whispered Inky.
"Hachi you go on ahead, well catch up to you soon !" Exclaimed Marie as Hachi went inside.
Cuttlefish spoke through the earpiece. "We need to regroup and come back later, Marina can you hacked and get the invite ?"
"I can, but I left my laptop back at Deca Tower, not to mention I didn't tell Pearl I was coming here." Marina feel a bit guilty, she paused for a bit before realizing. "Wait ? Is that Cap'n Cuttlefish voice ? Since when he recruit more Octolings ? And what's going on !?"
"We're pressed for time, there's no way we can have Marina hacked the invites and return here on a short time, even with Mewtwo's teleportation were bound to shocked the employees at Deca Tower." Said Inked. "Sorry Marina, we'll explain later."
Seeing no other choice Mewtwo decided to stepped in. ("Leave this to me.")
Marina started to panic as she heard voices in her head. "What the ? Did I hear voices in my head now !?"
"Again, we'll explain later." Inky tapped Marina on her shoulder.
Mewtwo approached the guard again.
"You're back, I told you if you didn't have an invitation you can't come in here." Warned the guard, however Mewtwo didn't care as it used it's psychic power to mind control the guards instead. ("You will let us in, no questions asked.")
"Yes, please come in." Speaking in monotone the guards stand aside, no longer blocking the door.
Mewtwo turned around and said they can enter, the heroes then walked and entered the building.
Concert Venue
"I can't believe you got us in, how did you do that ?" Asked Marina.
("Mind control, and everyone said it's an evil power, well I proved them wrong.") Replied Mewtwo acting all high and mighty.
"Wait ? That voice in my head, was that you ?" Asked Marina.
"Mewtwo is a very gifted person, let's just leave it at that for now." Inky tapped Marina's shoulder as she's very confused.
"Ah there you are ! I'm glad you're all made it ! That was fast though." Hachi greeted her friends. "How did you get in ? You didn't beat up the guards did you ?"
"Nope, Mewtwo just mind control the guards into letting us in." Answered Inked joyfully.
"I-i see, lucky he's in our side." Hachi smiled nervously as she regrouped with her allies.
The heroes now arrived at the concert hall, it's a wide floor and a large stage in the middle, while the place is rather dark, there are bright lights with multiple colors flashing at every direction similar to a night club, and of course loud music is playing the n the background.
("The music is too loud, we better off communicate with telepathy, here I'll open a telepathic channel so everyone can communicate with each other and not just through me.")
("Really let me try, testing testing, Callie can you hear me ?") Asked Marie.
("Yes Marie I can, oh wow this is exciting, to think we'll able to talk to each other like this.") Callie giggled in excitement.
("Wait ! You're Callie and Marie !? The Squid Sisters !? How did you look like an Octoling !") Asked a surprised Marina.
("Mewtwo is a psychic that's why it can cast illusions to changed our appearance.") Explained Inked.
("Ahem, I should warned you, we all can hear your thoughts, so if there's anything you want to keep private, better remove those thoughts.") Mewtwo warned the Inklings and Octolings allies.
("Right, got it.") Said everyone in unison.
("Marina, we're agent 3 & 4, and all of us are here to infiltrate this concert, we believe there's something sinister going on behind the scenes, will you help us ?") Asked Inky.
("Of course ! If this concert is what causing the Octolings to go berserk then I will help you expose it.") Marina agreed to help the heroes.
("I think we should spread out, see if we can find anything strange.") Suggested Lucario as everyone agreed and move separately.
After looking around and not able to find anything, soon the lights went off, a spotlight then flashed at the middle of the stage, and 'Marina' appear on the stage. "Hello Inkopolis ! Are you ready to rock !"
"YYYYYYEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH !" Shouted the Octolings present.
'Marina' begin to sing her song.
("Marina ? When did you get up there !") Exclamed Inky.
("I'm not, I'm right here, with Callie !") Replied Marina.
("Wait ! then who's that at the stage ?") Asked Inked.
("I'm feeling strange you guys.") Hachi seems to be feeling unwell.
("So am I ? What is this feeling.") Marina seems to suffer the same thing.
("Guys, something is wrong with Marina !") Exclaimed Callie.
("Hachi said the same thing, but I'm feeling just fine.") Said Inky.
("So are we.") Said both Marie, Callie, and Inked.
("This song, I can sensed it has hypnotic effects, one that may only affecting Octolings !") Exclaimed Mewtwo. ("And that Marina is an impostor ! I can sense psychic powers, likely an illusion that hides 'Marina' true form !")
("I can sense malicious aura coming from that Marina, Mewtwo, I'm going on the offensive.")
Lucario jumped really high and shoot an Aura Sphere at 'Marina' however a barrier seems to blocked the projectile from reaching 'Marina'.
("Oh no you don't !") Lucario run and jumped to the stage and used Brick Break, shattering the barrier and the Aura Sphere hit 'Marina'. This event has shocked the attendees, forcing the music to be cut off.
But what's even more shocking 'Marina' is glitching, Mewtwo followed by firing another Aura Sphere, hitting 'Marina' again, the glitch is even worse as Mewtwo then dissipates the illusions. Turns out 'Marina' actually DJ Octavio hidden in an illusion. And also turns out behind him there are two hooded figures standing behind Octavio.
"DJ Octavio ! So it is you who brainwashed the Octolings with your music ! No wonder nobody realized what you're doing !" Hachi jumped at the stage and acussed her former boss.
"Well well well if it isn't Hachi the traitor, so you decided to join these Inklings do you ? Where are your Octarian pride !" Yelled Octavio.
"DJ this has to stop !" This time the real Marina stand in the stage. "There's enough land for us and the Inklings to share, we can live together, there's no need to drive each other out anymore, I'm sure everyone here is agree with me."
"Oh yeah, they've been discriminated by the Inklings, why would they agree with you." Octavio answered smugly.
"Everyone ! I'm sure you don't remember, but DJ Octavio is using a mind control music, a certain word act as a trigger to activate the brainwashing, and have you attacked the Inklings." Explained Hachi.
The attendees murmured among themselves, as they realized that what happens to them.
"Wait ! I did saw you attacking your Inkling friend first." Said one of the guest.
"And I saw you putting bombs at respawn point."
"I don't remember ever doing that !"
"So this is all DJ Octavio's fault !" The Octolings turned on Octavio and protesting him. "Down with Octavio ! Down with Octavio !"
"What ! I did all these for you ! We Octarians deserve the surface ! It suppose to be ours !" Exclaimed DJ Octavio.
"Can't you see we want to live with the Inklings, this century old grudges must end, we want to live in peaceful world, not the ones full of conflicts." Marina tried to convinced Octavio.
Octavio however refused to listen. "I trained all of you to be a strong, capable warrior, and this is how you repay me ! It looks like I have to discipline all of you all over again, you ! Psycho Mantis ! Teleport my Octobot King II !" The hooded figure placed his hand in front and Octavio personal weapon the Octobot King II appeared on the stage, Octavio jumped to the cockpit and begin piloting it as it hovers in the air.
The attendees attempt to escape the place, however the other figure sealed the door with psychic power.
Mewtwo used telekinesis to unmasked the two hooded figures, one is a bald man wearing a gas mask, and the other is a beautiful woman with golden blind hair wearing a black beret hat and seems to be a brown military uniform.
("Humans ?") Questioned Mewtwo.
("Ah a fellow psychic I see ? I did sensed psychic powers from afar, but didn't think the owner would be a cat, greetings, I am Psycho Mantis.") The male hooded figure appears introduced himself as Psycho Mantis.
("My name's Elisa, one of Big Boss subordinates.") The female hooded figure introduced herself.
("I see, Psycho Mantis, Snake told me about you, I suppose if you can control your powers you won't be driven mad by being forced to hear people's thoughts all the time.") Commented Mewtwo. ("As for you Elisa, never heard Snake talk about you, though you are already died before Snake even born.")
Psycho Mantis didn't respond as he just looked down despondently, he then break the silence. ("No use dwelling on the past, if you know what we are, we are tasked to dispose of anyone who stands in our way.")
("I see you're able to see through my disguise, of course you would Warriors of Fallen Stars, let's see if you two can stand up against the ultimate life form.")
"Don't you dare interfere !" Octavio launched the Octobot's fist towards Mewtwo only for Lucario to punched it back.
The Octobot fist got deflected and punched Octavio instead.
Agent 3 and 4 readied their weapons and fire their inks on the flying robot. ("We'll deal with Octavio.")
"You think the Octolings agreed with you !? Then wait till they hear this words...we're friends..." Suddenly after Octavio spoke those two words, the Octolings eyes turns red. "My army ! Here is my command ! Attack the traitors !"
The Octolings obeyed Octavio's command and begin charging towards Marina and Hachi.
Lucario used Dragon Pulse, firing a draconic energy from it's mouth and blasted the Octolings away, it then used Bone Rush and generate a bone shaped stick and fend off the Octoling army. ("Leave them to me.")
"Callie ! Marie ! Come with me ! We'll head to the control room, you two are going to sing while I deal with the stage equipments !" Exclaimed Marina.
"Right !" Callie and Marie followed Marina and run to the backstage to head to the control room.
"Hey where are you three going !" Octavio noticed Marina and the Squid Sisters headed backstage. "Mantis ! Elisa ! Stop them !"
Unfortunately for DJ Octavio both Psycho Mantis and Elisa have hard time dealing with Mewtwo as Mewtwo tear off one of the spotlights and throw it at Psycho Mantis. Elisa stop the spotlight from hitting Mantis with her telekinesis, but Mewtwo teleported behind Mantis and immobilized the psychic with telekinesis, Mewtwo then flung the man and throw him towards Elisa. Causing the two to hit one of the stage pillars, dropping the spotlight.
"You two are useless ! Must I do everything here !" Octavio launched his Octobot rocket punch only for Hachi to sprayed her ink at the fists and bounced back to hit Octavio.
"Agent 3 & 4 ! Let's take down Octavio !"
"Yeah !" Now all three agents faced off against Octavio.
Thanks to the heroes efforts Marina and the cousins managed to get to the backstage without problems, lucky for them the backstage seems to be empty.
("This place is empty, now's our chance !") Said Marina.
("Weird, to think Octavio would have this place guarded.") Commented Callie.
("This is an Octoling only event, I don't think Octavio gonna figure out there would be Inkling infiltrators.") Replied Marie.
("Well we...") As the trio continue running Marina crashed onto someone, she then fell to the ground
"Oww..who is...Li'l Judd !" Marina voiced her surprise seeing Li'l Judd here.
"Marina !?" The clone cat seems to be surprised as well. "Are you the real one ?"
"Yes, I am, what are you doing here ?" Asked Marina.
"Oh, well...I..." Li'l Judd panic as he dropped some kind of cd as he stepped backwards.
"What's this !?" Marina picked up the cd and realize something. "This is one of Octavio's brainwashing music cd !? What are trying to do with this !" Yelled Marina.
"That's umm..." Lil Judd is still at loss for words, Callie then approached him.
"Li'l Judd are you a part of this ? If so then why ?" Asked Callie.
"It's just, I don't want to be seen as just a clone of Judd !" Exclaimed the clone cat.
"So what ! How is that excusing you helping Octavio getting rid of the Inklings !" Yelled Marie. "Is this how you wanted to be remembered by ? As someone who helped Octavio drive the Inklings underground !"
"No..i-i..." Li'l Judd runs away, unable to answer all the questions.
"He's getting away !" Pointed Callie.
"Leave him for now, we need to remove the brainwashing on those Octolings !" Getting their priorities straight the trio headed to the control room. ("This cd, there seems to be something different about it.")
Back at the stage both Psycho Mantis and Elisa continued to fight against Mewtwo, but even with their combined powers they still no match for the artificial Pokemon. Mewtwo then used Mist, generating a fog to obscure Mantis and Elisa's view.
("Hiding yourself ? You know we can always sensed...hey where are you !? You're really able to hide your presence !") Mantis unable to detect Mewtwo, nor Mewtwo even replied his ranting.
Just then a star shaped projectile hit Mantis and Elisa, Mewtwo is using Swift, and as the move can never be avoided Mewtwo can always shoot it randomly and it always hit the target.
Elisa part the fog away, only for Mewtwo to use Psycho Cut on her, Elisa stopped the attack with a psychic barrier, only for Mewtwo to teleport behind her and blast her with an Aura Sphere. Elisa ended up crashing to the barrier that she made herself. Mewtwo cast Disable on Elisa, paralyzing her as she fell to the ground.
Psycho Mantis fire a psychic bolt to Mewtwo, but Mewtwo used Light Screen to protect itself, Mewtwo extend it's arm and grabbed Psycho Mantis by the neck, Mewtwo then fire an Aura Sphere from it's left hand, Psycho Mantis got hit as he crashing down to the ground.
Not giving up yet Psycho Mantis projecting his painful memories towards Mewtwo, because of this Mewtwo is able to see Psycho Mantis's past, however it doesn't fazed Mewtwo as much, psychic pokemon now projects its own past towards Psycho Mantis, revealing to him that Mewtwo was born from mad experiments to create the ultimate life form.
("You're not the only want with unpleasant past, I've been through much worse, I wish we could talk more, but now it's time for me to put you down.") Mewtwo used Disable on Psycho Mantis.
Arriving at the control room, Marina quickly tinkered with the machines inside. "Alright once I turned the speakers on that would be your cue to sing."
"Got it !" Said Callie and Marie at the same time.
"Alright, and done everything's turned on now, Marie, Callie show them what the Squid Sisters are capable of !" Exclaimed Marina.
Back at the stage Lucario is about to be overwhelmed by the large number of Octolings, but since Mewtwo is done with it's fight, it decided to help Lucario, Mewtwo create a barrier to shield Lucario from the mob of Octolings.
The three agents able to successfully subdued Octavio as the Octobot King II no longer able to fly, it fell to the ground, and covered in ink.
"It's over Octavio." Hachi lowered her weapon and walked closer to her former boss.
"It's not yet over ! Look at them, you may have beaten us now, but I will reclaim my army and we will continue where we left off !" Octavio remained deviant.
And then the speakers turned on and a familiar voice can be heard. "Hello Inkopolis ! The Squid Sisters are back !"
"What the Squid Sisters ! But how ! When did they get here !?" As the heroes is still enveloped in Mewtwo's illusion Octavio still see them as treacherous Octolings.
"It's time for Calamari Inkantation !" Callie and Marie begin singing Calamari Inkantation, the same song that changes Inkopolis society as a whole, first the Inklings and Octarians were bitter enemies, but after hearing this song the Octarian subspecies the Octolings were the first to questioned the Octarian way of life and realize there's another way to live that doesn't involve violence.
"This song ! The accursed song that caused my downfall ! I must stop them !" Octavio struggled to head backstage, but...Mewtwo teleported in front of him and used Disable on Octavio, preventing him from moving another inch.
The Octolings stopped moving, their eyes is fixated on the speakers, soon after their eyes turned back to normal and they lost the aggression they once shown.
"Hey what happened ?"
"I don't remember much."
"Hey isn't that ? The Squid Sisters !?"
"Are they making a comeback !?"
"I'm so excited."
"Nooooo my mind control is overriden again ! Psycho Mantis ! I mixed my music with yours ! How is it the mind control is still overridden !" Dj Octavio yelled at Psycho Mantis.
"Don't blame me for this ! I didn't know there be a counter song !" Yelled Psycho Mantis back.
"You're suppose to be a psychic !" Octavio fire back.
"Well even psychics don't always have answer to everything ! Eveytime we tried to use our powers at the enemy all we see is just a blur !" Complained Elisa.
After that, all the Octolings have their mind control removed, the guards outside who is Octavio's loyalist also got swayed by the song and open to the idea of living side by side with the Inklings, much to Octavio's chagrin.
Hachi explain to everyone what's going on, mostly about the cost ncert is just another one of Octavio's nefarious plans, and after hearing this Hachi escort the Octolings to the exit, getting them to leave the premises.
"Hachi, where did you find these Octolings ? I didn't know we have a psychic and one possessing super strength." Asked Octavio.
"They weren't a part of Octarian army, Mewtwo I think it's time to shed your disguise." Said Hachi.
Mewtwo complied and removed the illusion, revealing it's true form to Octavio.
"What ! Mewtwo !, and those...Agent 3 & 4 ! No wonder it's like you're able to read my every move !" Octavio is shocked to see his enemies real form. "Hachi ! You've brought outsider to our conflict !"
"Aren't you doing the same with those...they really looked like those statues, so are they humans ?" Asked Hachi. "And not to mention the time you attack the Great Zapfish not too long ng ago ?"
Soon after Lil Judd come out from backstage to the stage.
"Li'l Judd it's time to retreat ! Used the black plate to escape !" Ordered Octavio.
"Oh...yeah..." Lil Judd stumbled in using the plate due to panic.
"Li'l Judd ? Do you get what you want doing this ? Wreaking havoc on worlds ?" Asked Mewtwo crossing it's arms.
"No...this isn't..."
"Lil Judd don't listen to the enemy ! Get us out of here !" Yelled Octavio.
Li'l Judd freaked out and teleported his allies out and back to their base
"Looks like they have a counterpart to our golden plate." Commented Inked.
("Mewtwo why did you let them go ? You could've just snatched Li'l Judd's black plate with your telekinesis.") Asked Lucario.
("There's nothing we can do either way, Li'l Judd needs to know what kind of danger he's involved himself with, and for the rest, I've seen the future that there be rescue attempts on Mantis and Elisa, or they used their psychic powers on our allies instead should we capture them.") Explained Mewtwo.
("Good work Callie, Marie, and Marina.") Inky complimented the trio ons job well done.
"Now let's go back to Octo Valley, were done here." Mewtwo used it's power to teleport everyone back to Octo Canyon.
Octo Canyon
The heroes returned back to the canyon, Cuttlefish greeted the heroes and congratulate them. "Great work all of you, you've defeated Octavio yet again."
"Thanks you sir, but I'm afraid this isn't the last time we hear of Octavio." Said Inky.
"He had humans with him, and both of them have psychic powers as well." Added Hachi.
"Octavio is a part of a much larger organization now, one that encompasses the entire universe, this isn't the last time we'll see him, there's a much larger force behind the scene." Explained Inky.
"Is it really that serious ?" Asked Callie.
"I'm afraid so." Answered Inky dejectedly as she begin to explain what's going on behind the scenes.
"We can't turn a blind eye on this, we want to help, you seen what were capable of, I know the others agreed on this as well, right Marie ? Hachi ? Marina ?" Callie looked to the others to await their answer.
"Obviously, how can we stay ignorant while our world is in danger, you can count on us you know." Said Marie.
"Exactly, the Squidbeak Splatoon is at your service !" Exclaimed Cuttlefish.
"Everyone...alright, anyway let me give your this." Inky give her golden plate to Cuttlefish. "Call us with that if there's anything here, I'll show you how to use it, it's very easy." Inky teach Cuttlefish how to use the golden plate with Callie, Marie, Marina, and Hachi watches.
Inked then give his golden plate to Hachi.
"Well we got to go now, maybe you can visit the mansion sometime." Stated inky.
"We really wish you could come with us, but someone has to stay here to check up on things." Continued Inked.
"It's fine, i also need to analyze this cd anyway, Li'l Judd dropped this when we ran into him at the backstage earlier, apparently DJ Octavio add a little alteration to his mind control music." Marina showed the heroes the cd she grabbed.
("It is an honor to fight alongside capable Warriors, though your fighting style maybe unusual to many of us, you possess courage and heroism just like any of us do.") Lucario bowed to the Squidbeak Splatoon.
With mission complete Agent 3 & 4, Mewtwo, and Lucario return to Smash Mansion with Lucario's golden plate.
"Oh that's right ! I need to head to Inkopolis News Station, I just got a scoop of the century, with this I could fix the tensions between Inklings and Octolings !" Exclaimed Marina.
"How much are you gonna reveal Marina ?" Asked Hachi.
"I'll leave out the detail about Mewtwo is back and the humans, I'm only reporting the part of DJ Octavio is the reason the attacks happened by brainwashing the Octolings." Answered Marina.
"Well there they go, then again I never find out what those Octolings are doing at Deepsea Metro." Pondered Hachi.
Neo Subspace Army HQ
The villains returned to their main hq, lamenting their defeat, also the Disable effect has wore off.
"Grrr...this is frustrating, now I lost even more of my Octolings !" Complained Octavio.
"Octavio !" Exclaimed Li'l Judd. "This...I didn't want for things to go this far..."
Octavio turned to the clone and gaslight him. "Oh I'm sorry, but didn't you wished to be different from Judd ! Judd would never do what you do am i right ?"
"Well no, but..."
"Then I don't see what you're complaining about ! I give you what you want and this is what i get in return ! You really are an ungrateful brat !"
Lil Judd can only looked down and apologized to the octopus.
"Never mind, looks like I had to use plan b after all, Li'l Judd continue collecting those primordial ooze, since my Octolings insists on betraying me, then I will sanitize them to regain their obedience !" DJ Octavio slither away, Li'l Judd's is horrified now that Octavio is planning to use plan b, he starting to doubt if joining Neo Subspace army was worth it.
Finally done, man this takes much longer than I thought, well I hope it make a good reading.
Tonarok is the name I made up for the Golem at Castlevania Judgement.
Tonarok itself an anagram of Koranot, a boss Golem in Castlevania, I have to make the Golem unique somehow.
Cap'n Cuttlefish retirement is to set up Splatoon 3 , later in this fic Agent 3 will be promoted to become captain.
So in my fic people know about the Squidbeak Splatoon, but they don't know exactly what they'd do, the public still clueless about the full truth of the events of the game.
I decided for the female Octoling as the protagonist of Octo Expansion, and the name Hachi is derived from the manga, although in manga Agent 8 is a male Octoling, but Hachi can be a unisex name.
So at the end of Metal Gear Portable Ops, Elisa and Ursula merged together, with Elisa personality and Ursula's power, so the Ursula personality won't appear.
Character Debut : Golems, Gruntbots (Rammer, Bouncer, Exploder), Tonarok, Hachi/Agent 8, Crusty Sean, Psycho Mantis, Elisa.
Boss battle : Tonarok, Hachi/Agent 8, Psycho Mantis, Elisa, DJ Octavio.