Splatoon: The Brothers and the Others
Agents 1, 2, and 3...also A and B?
Sitting down in a comfortable beach chair, Callie looked out at the plaza from inside the Squid Sisters' studios, humming a song to herself. Callie of the Squid Sisters was an older squid, with an age not entirely clear to the public. Nevertheless, she burst with the energy of youth, bubbly black tentacles tinged pink at the ends, wearing a stylish black and pink outfit with boots to match made her look like quite the catch to the younger squids. Inkopolis respected her and her cousin, Marie, as amazing singers, dancers, and overall squid pop star extraordinaires! Callie was completely fine with that, she adored her fans just as much as Marie did, even if some were a bit more intrusive to her personal space than others. But nonetheless, she went on with her job, happily performing for all of Inkopolis and to that extent, the cities beyond that had developed television screens. Today was no different, another routine preparation for the ever excited celebration of the life known as Splatfest, the plaza already decked in red and blue, people drawing fantastical creatures on Gamepad screens excitedly. Callie smiled, enjoying her down time.
"Callie, you there?" A voice called from behind her.
Callie turned around, greeted by her co-host in white, Marie. Marie was, in a statement, the "yin" to Callie's "yang". She wore a similar outfit to Callie's, though this one was less proud in a sense of coloration, with black and green instead of Callie's sensational pink and black clothing.
"What's up Marie?" Callie asked, hopping off her chair.
Marie looked over at her co-host cousin, folding her arms. "It's the Octarians. They say that they want our best agents to meet them for a discussion."
"Discussion of what?" Callie asked.
Marie bit her lip. "Not too sure, they were kinda shady on the details. They did mention that it was a peaceful coalition though, nothing too serious."
Callie stood up straight. "Well, that's a good thing, right? Nothing war related!"
Marie nodded. "We have to get moving, Gramps and Octavio will be the heads at the table. You ready?"
Callie nodded bubbily. "Mm-hm! Let's go, we have no time to lose, right?"
Marie pointed at her with a grin. "Right."
The two cousins departed from the balcony overlooking Inkopolis Plaza and made their way through the studio. Descending staircases and running through hallways, the two eventually reached a set of double doors, the doors eloquently decorated with Callie and Marie's names, as well as a collection of artworks of Splatfests since past. The two cousins slipped into the set of doors, briefly took a sign propped on the door from the inside, reached out of the door, and plastered the sign on the door, where it cautioned, "DO NOT DISTURB", in Inkling language and to that extent, "No peeking" written in Inkling finely underneath. Rustling sounds came from the room, from a passerby's viewpoint it sounded like a cacophony of catastrophe. Eventually, the two reemerged from their dressing room, garbed in different outfits altogether. Callie and Marie donned disguises, Callie wearing a pink beanie, dark-shaded sunglasses, and a pink sweater, Marie wearing a light-green cap, a surgeon's mask, and a green sweater.
"Alright, lead the way Ma- I mean, Agent 2!" Callie exclaimed, winking at the end.
"Yeesh, Callie, you don't need to use my code name each time you refer to me." Marie said with a sigh.
"What fun would that be?" Callie smirked, Marie just rolling her eyes.
Marie froze for a second, tapping her chin in thought. "Hm, think we should bring ink weapons?"
Callie looked to the side. "You don't think the Octarians would stoop that low, would you?"
"...I don't know...but just in case," Marie said, retreating into the room, grabbing two Hero Splattershot guns. "Here."
Callie took the gun and holstered it, being sure to keep it out of sight. "Okay...let's go."
Marie simply gestured for Callie to follow, making her way out of the studio building, passing a receptionist's desk, where a cherry tentacled Inkling stood vigilant, wearing a classic clean white shirt and red tie combo, a black vest worn on top. Upon noticing the incognito idols, she smiled and waved.
"Hi you two! Agent work?" The receptionist asked as Callie and Marie made their way outside.
"You know it, Lalai!" Callie exclaimed, waving back.
"Cal, you really shouldn't shout out our private business." Marie reprimanded her. "But yeah, we're meeting with the Octarians at their HQ, Lalai."
Lalai nodded. "Just as well."
"You coming with us? Any and all agents are welcome." Callie offered.
Lalai shook her head, smiling warmly. "No, I have to help my sister with her diner. She let her employees off for the day as a Teuthiatine's Day present. Stay safe, okay?"
"We will. C'mon Marie!" Callie called, already halfway outside the studio building.
Marie perked up, looking over at the door. "I thought I was leading the way!"
Marie quickened her pace to catch up with her cousin, the two waving their goodbyes to Lalai just as they left through the door. Making their way through the city, they walked around the building, into the plaza, walking across a rare awake Judd humming to himself on his pillow pillar, the manhole to Octo Valley beckoning. Callie was more interested in what the cat was doing, however, skipping past the manhole while Marie stood by.
"Judd? You're awake?" Callie said, looking over the cat.
"Mrow? (Yes?)" Judd answered, staring lazily up at the sky as planes flew by.
"You okay? You're not usually so...active." Callie told him, poking the cat.
Judd smiled, rolling over to face them. "Mew, mew. (I'm just waiting for those two to come back from Octo Valley so I can teach them an old song I heard.)"
"'Those two'? Who?" Callie asked, Marie sighing, gazing at the manhole somewhat impatiently. .
"We'll find out when we enter Octo Valley, Callie. Come on, the Octarians aren't going to wait all day." Marie scolded her cousin.
Callie sighed. "Sorry, you're right."
Marie nodded, shifting into a cream-white squid, dropping through the manhole. Callie walked over to the manhole, about to do the same, when she turned back to Judd.
"Hey, quick question, is it okay if we hear the song later too? New material is always nice!" Callie asked with a smile.
"Meow. (Certainly, the meore the mewrrier.)" Judd said, waving Callie off with his pudgy cat paws.
Callie waved as well, transforming quickly into a black-purple squid, following after Marie closely. Each squid slid down the pipe smoothly, eventually reaching Octo Valley in a matter of seconds. Marie entered first, helping Callie out of the manhole, the two passing by Cap'n's shack, which laid dormant and crumbly as usual. The two walked through the floating platforms of Octo Valley for a while, somewhat stumped.
"Marie, did they ever tell us exactly where to go?" Callie asked.
Marie sighed. "Nope. That would've been nice to know. They did say someone would help guide us to the headquarters, but I don't see-"
"Hi Agent 1, hi Agent 2!"
Callie and Marie snapped in the direction of the unexpected voice. Peeking out of a kettle entrance was Sharq, his hat nearly getting blown off by the steam rising from the entrance.
"The meetings' about to start! C'mon!" Sharq invited, ducking back inside the kettle.
The Squid Sisters stared at where their younger companion had just greeted them from. With a glance and a shrug towards each other, the two of them walked over to the kettle, transformed into squids, and sunk through the grates. The two landed in a large briefing room, an extremely long and large ovular table smack dab in the middle, dozens of chairs facing it. For whatever reason, the table had a ginormous shard of ceiling embedded in the middle, though no one seemed to mind much. Seated at the farthest end of the table was DJ Octavio and Cap'n Cuttlefish themselves, speaking to each other. Most of the other seats were taken up by a couple Inklings and Octolings, Sharq among them, sitting by Splin.
Cap'n waved happily to the two. "Ahoy lassies!"
"Hiya Gramps!" Callie responded in turn.
Marie nodded, walking over to the table.
"Splin, Agents 1 and 2 are here!" Sharq told his brother, waving to the disguised pop stars.
"Ah." Splin nodded to the pop stars, who waved back. "Nice to see you two."
"You too, A and B." Marie said with a light grin. "So, what exactly is this meeting about?"
"And more importantly, which team did you guys pick for Splatfest?" Callie asked, sliding in between them.
Marie lifted an eyebrow, also sliding in between them. "Yeah, which side, Red or Blue?"
Splin and Sharq looked at each other, befuddled expressions on their faces,
"Er...does it matter?" Splin asked.
"Yeah." Marie told them simply.
The brothers began thinking back to a while ago.
The Bate Brothers dodged wave after wave of Flamethrower and Hydro Pump blasts fired by the two stars of the Pokemon Splatfest, each of them desperately trying not to get done in. This went on for a few hours, Maria attempting to body slam the Pokemon, but wasn't very effective at it as they continually dodged. Eventually, all five of them tired of the chase, and walked back to the house, Splin and Sharq slumping down on the Pocket Monsters' backs as they trudged home, Maria glaring at the Pokemon.
Personally, FireRed was one of my favorites.
Splin looked up, shrugging. "Interesting...at least, if I knew what that was, probably. Still not too sure what these 'Pokemon' are exactly. I'd love to know more about them later."
"Well, whose side did you pick?" The two cousins implored, Splin and Sharq answering immediately.
"Red!" Sharq exclaimed.
"Blue." Splin said with a nod. "We'd figure we'd choose different sides this time around."
"Ooh! Battle of the siblings, eh? You hear that Callie? I get the smart one." Marie said taking Splin by the shoulders, grinning, much to Splin's shock, who lightly smiled despite the quick action.
"Yeah? I get the smiley one!" Callie said, grabbing Sharq by the shoulders, who pointed towards Splin with two fingers.
"Yeah!" Sharq challenged, chuckling a bit.
"Right, I mean, doesn't matter in the end. Vulpix is SOOO much better than Growlithe, but whatever." Marie told Callie with a shrug, Callie scoffing in a mock offended manner. She and Callie walked towards the table, taking a seat across from the brothers. "So Agent B, any specific times they'd say the meeting would start at?"
"I believe Octavio said they'd fill us in once the others get here." Splin informed the two.
"Who?" Callie asked, tilting her head slightly.
The sound of a door being kicked open alerted everyone in the room. Looking to the side, everyone spotted Tai with her Octoling Goggles slung messily around her neck, stumbling under the weight of a few dozen flowers and chocolates addressed to her with rather eloquent and flashy tags. Tai grunted, making her way over to the table, dumping the gifts down.
"Tai? What're you doing with all those Teuthiatine Day merch?" Sharq asked. "Ooh! Did you buy them all for us?"
Tai crossed her arms. "Nope. These were all gifted to me. You're welcome to have some though"
Splin stared at the mountain of sweets, glancing at Tai. "That wouldn't happen to be-"
A candy box from the mountain fell down, the lid popping off from the impact, revealing a cake with, "Ari" written on it in icing, the tiny dot hovering over the "i" stylized as a heart. Callie cooed at the idea of romance while Marie looked much more interested in the amount of gift material stacked on top.
"Now, not saying I don't appreciate the food. Shell, this could probably last us for a few months alone." Tai admitted, looking over the mountain of treats. "But I'm not entirely sure what prompted this. There some Inkling holiday I'm not aware of?"
Splin grit his beak, steeling his nerves in case of a backfire. "It's uh...how do I put this…"
"It's a holiday where you give gifts to those you love!" Sharq exclaimed.
Tai blinked. Suddenly, she snorted. "Ha! That sounds freakin' hilarious Real cheesy, guys."
"Why, what's wrong with that?" Sharq asked, prompting Tai to snicker some more.
"Okay, heh, no offense guys, but your Inkling holidays are kinda stupid. Next you'll be telling me you have a whole dang holiday dedicated to collecting eggs." Tai smirked. "Though I really appreciate the chocolates. Mmm."
Splin shrugged. "Hey, you never know, maybe you'll warm up to him?"
Tai looked over towards Splin with an impassive look, putting her hand on her cheek. "You implying I might have a thing for Ari?"
Splin froze. "No, no. I was just- Sorry."
Tai grinned, rapidly raising and lowering her eyebrows in a suggestive manner. "Hey, it's fine. He's just my age, and I won't lie, sounds like it might be fun. That also means you're off the hook Splin!"
Splin rolled his eyes, while Sharq simply laughed.
"But that's adorable! Someone confessing their love to you, classic!" Callie gushed.
"You would be the one love-struck." Marie said, closing her eyes.
DJ Octavio coughed. "That's pretty nice and all, but uh...I think we should get started. Agent 1, Agent 2, go ahead and take a seat."
"Hmm?" Tai blinked, looking around. "Hey, Octavio, think we're missing a couple of people."
DJ Octavio crossed his tentacles, closing his eyes. "Alright, alright, who else we waiting on?"
"Auss, of course. I wouldn't skip out on my daily wooden target butt whooping if it weren't for her nagging her tentacles off." Tai said, leaning back in her chair and propping her feet on the table.
"Plus, we're waiting on someone as well!" Sharq piped up, his hands on the edge of the table.
Splin nodded, tuning in to the music of his headphones shortly. "She should be here…"
A whooshing noise alerted the room, sounding like a blast of wind.
"Ah." Splin looked up.
The kettle exit from within the HQ rattled, a lime-green squid popping out, turning into a taller Inkling as she did so, Maria standing proudly, walking over to where Splin and Sharq was sitting, taking up a seat next to the brothers, nodding at them.
"'Sup Maria?" Tai greeted her.
Maria smiled lightly. "Hello Tai."
Maria then looked at the gifts strewn about the table messily, Tai's expression slowly diminishing to a frown.
"Ooh, who's the lucky guy?" Maria asked, winking.
Tai rolled her eyes. "Sure, a lucky guy. Let's go with that."
Callie and Marie stared at the woman in surprise. Callie cleared her throat, attempting to greet the woman.
"Ah, sorry, I don't think we've met. Are you an agent?" Callie asked.
Maria shook her head, raising her hand out. "I was, now I'm in retirement. Maria."
"Agent 1!" Callie told her.
"Agent 2." Marie added.
"Nice to meet you." Maria said with a warm smile.
Tai sighed, looking over at the door she had entered the room from impatiently. "Yo, AUSS! You ready yet?!"
"Patience T-41!" Aussie's voice yelled back. "It's not easy trying to wrangle up all these Octotroopers- Stop pushing, hey!"
Aussie burst through the room, followed by Chi. She wasn't looking too pleased, kicking at the ground in frustration.
"What do you MEAN you won't come?!" Aussie demanded, the Octotroopers squabbling. "You don't answer to J3r-ry, you answer to me! Now get in here!"
Chi sighed, placing a hand on Aussie's shoulder. "Auss, it's their vacation. They have four days off to watch- I mean, observe the Inkling Splatfest remember?"
"Vacation?! Since when?" Aussie asked the Octotroopers, whose faces went blank.
DJ Octavio sank in his seat somewhat. "Er, 4U55-13, leave the Octotroopers alone, you called this meeting up, and I have some business to attend to later."
As Octavio tried to calm his Octoling commander, he stowed away a t-shirt of a familiar blue turtle behind his back nervously while Aussie fumed. Aussie humphed, taking deep breaths, pushing her tentacles out of her face before walking over to the table.
"Yes, you're right. Apologies DJ Octavio." Aussie managed, clearing her throat. "I called you all here because we are all in grave danger."
"Danger?!" Callie gasped dramatically.
"A threat to all of us." Aussie began.
"A Global Nemesis?" Someone piped up.
"No, maybe a giant dragon or something, like Grima?" Another voice suggested.
"Maybe it's-"
Okay, everybody out, that's enough references for this chapter.
A collection of groans followed before unnamed characters retreated from an audio range, invisible footsteps sounding off.
"C'mon voice, one more story?" One of the younger voices called out.
Maybe you'll get your chance another day, Morgan.
Morgan sighed before she left the story, rightfully bewildering everyone in the room.
"WHY DOES EVERYONE INSIST ON DRAWING THIS OUT SO MUCH?!" Aussie groaned, slamming her fist down on the table, startling everyone.
"Go on Aussie." Maria encouraged the Octoling.
Aussie huffed. "4U55-13, but thank you. Ahem, yes the threat is large, but it isn't too much of an issue."
Aussie reached at her back, pulling out a large sheet of dusty old paper. Laying it over the table, she revealed it to be a Sunken Sea Scroll, somewhat faded, yet still legible. Plastered all over it were various schematics and artworks of machines, weapons, and other unpleasant destruction tools.
Marie's eyes widened. "Are those-"
"Great Octoweapons." Aussie declared in a low voice. "Hundreds of prototypes, abandoned projects, littered everywhere. Some mechanical, other horrific biological experimental mistakes. It's not good. So far, most of them have been dealt with thanks to our benefactors here-"
Aussie gestured to Splin, Sharq, and Maria, who nodded.
"As well as the might of our own army." Aussie added.
Tai and Chi grinned, giving each other a quick fistbump.
"Seasakes." Cap'n muttered, inspecting the schematics. "Some of these look like real trouble. An octopus that blasts acid?"
"That one was taken care of." Octavio said. "But Aussie-"
Aussie raised an eyebrow.
"4U55-13, sorry, has brought to my attention that these things activate in random intervals. We can't predict when each of them drop individually except when they're just activated." Octavio spoke. "We have reason to believe that a few are going to reactivate soon, and we need all the help we can get when they do."
"I see…" Marie frowned. "This wasn't for peace, then."
"No...but they are crucial. If we let them slide, they'll wreck Octo Valley and Inkopolis." Aussie sighed, hand on the table.
"Hm." Splin muttered. "We have some Great Octoweapons on our side, correct? The Skell and the metal Zapfish, right?"
Most of them in the room nodded, reflecting briefly on the memory. Two mechanical monstrosities that have terrorized Octo Valley and beyond in the past. A single-eyed bipedal robot equipped with multiple weapons and a mechanical replica of the Great Zapfish itself were in the Octarian's custody.
"That makes me kinda worried." Callie spoke up. "Won't they activate and attack us?"
"Nah, we've taken precautions for that." Chi informed them.
The Skell sat down in front of a group of Octolings in lab coats, the giant mechanical Great Zapfish "snoozing" besides it. The Skell was kneeling patiently, awaiting the Octolings. The Octoling scientists stared down at a few clipboards they held.
"Alright...what's your new mission?" One asked in an inquisitive tone.
The Skell's single glowing eye flickered in thought. "TO PROTECT AND SERVE ALL OCTARIANS, PREVENT ENGAGING INKLINGS."
"Alright, good." The Octoling scribbled down on their clipboards using pens. "Now all we need to do is test the weapons."
The Skell's eye began glowing extremely brightly. "Testing weapons? :3"
The Octolings began sweating. "Uh, outside, test the weapons outside-"
"Can do! ACTIVATING THRUSTERS." The Skell declared.
The Skell took off and burst through the roof. The Octolings gawked at the newly formed hole, then began scribbling again.
"Saying 'weapons' triggers the Skell." One of the muttered, the Zapfish yawning after its "nap" was interrupted.
The conference room shook somewhat from the impact of the crash.
"Lovely." Aussie muttered, holding her head as if she had a headache.
"Uh...I'll go check on them, one minute." Chi told them, running off her seat, out of the room, her chair swiveling in a circle.
"...The program to reuse the Octoweapons is slow progress to say the least." Aussie said.
Sharq shrugged. "I think it's fine! A little shaky, but fine."
"Appreciate the support Agent A." Aussie said with a smile. "Moving on, I have a mission for all of you. These Octoweapons prove a threat to our way of life. Octo Valley is full of minerals and innocent Octarians despite the look of things. We can build and prosper if we try hard enough. However, letting these Octoweapons destroy it would make it impossible for us to do so. Plus, if they make their way to the surface somehow, it could mean unprecedented splat tolls for the Inklings as well."
The room remained silent for a while, soaking in the information and implications. DJ Octavio crossed his arms.
"Inkling agents, we've asked a lot of you before. But now, it is extremely important. We require your assistance more than ever. We are the only ones who can prevent these Great Octoweapons. Can we ask you to lend a tentacle for us again?" Octavio asked.
Sharq hopped up from his chair. "Of course! You can count on me! Right Splin, Maria?"
Splin nodded. "We aren't just going to abandon you. Besides, we don't have much to do besides fortify the house, and progress on that is pretty slow as well. You have my support."
Maria joined in. "I'm not just going to sit by and see you people suffer, I'll help as well."
"Thanks guys. Really appreciate it." Tai smiled.
The three Inklings glanced over at Callie and Marie, waiting for their response. Callie and Marie stared over at Octavio.
"I...guess. But on one condition." Callie began, staring down Octavio.
"Promise that you won't kidnap our Gramps, alright?" The Squid Sisters asked at the same time.
Cap'n Cuttlefish and DJ Octavio blinked, glanced at each other, then burst into raucous laughter, bewildering the cousins.
"What?" Callie asked.
"Hoo, sorry you two!" Cap'n Cuttlefish chuckled good-naturedly. "We just didn't think- Heh..."
"Water under the bridge! Wouldn't dream of it happening again, not going to risk Agent 3 going after me again! The first time was enough!" DJ Octavio said with a laugh.
Maria perked up at the mention of that codename, then settled back down slowly, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly.
"Alright then…" Marie murmured.
"We'll do it!" Callie and Marie stated, posing in a bit of a dramatic sense, dazzling and raising the spirits of everyone in the room.
Ari clutched his chest elsewhere, falling straight to the ground, Sari quickly coming to his aid.
"Cousin, you okay?!" Sari asked.
"...beautiful." Ari muttered.
"Eh?" Sari questioned.
"Someone somewhere is being ultra fabulous right now to make a statement. Absolutely amazing." Ari said, shedding a tear under the shade of his Jungle Hat.
Sari blinked. "You're super weird sometimes."
DJ Octavio grinned, as did Aussie.
"Thank you Inklings. Let's hope this turns out for the better." Aussie said. "Now with that being said…"
Everyone in the room tensed up.
"You're dismissed." Aussie said simply, walking off.
Everyone stared dumbfounded.
"Uh...that's it?" Tai asked, rubbing her ears. "Seriously?"
"Yes…?" Aussie said somewhat confused.
"No prompting? What about the Octoweapons?" Splin asked.
Aussie rubbed the back of her head. "Err, apologies, the Octoweapons, according to our technicians and scouts aren't going to activate 'too soon', maybe somewhere in the next month or so...give or take."
The room went silent, though distant sounds of distinct Skell sounds could be heard thundering off.
"Um. Okay." Callie said, looking around.
"I guess we'll be going then..?" Marie said leaving her chair.
"A...ffirmative." Aussie nodded slowly.
The room quietly began to disperse, the Inklings leaving through the kettles, DJ Octavio and Cap'n Cuttlefish walking besides each other, and Tai and Aussie leaving for the rec room. Just then, Chi came bounding back into the room.
"Hey guys, the Skell's going AWOL again, can I-" Chi blinked, looking around. "Darn it."
Callie, Marie, Splin, Sharq, and Maria walked home, leaving Octo Valley through the manhole, stopping in squid form front of Judd. Luckily for them, the plaza activity was mostly just workers setting up for the Splatfest, keeping them away from potentially awkward explanations with other squids. Judd then noticed the five squids, waved slowly, then sat up.
"Meow. (Nice to see you again, how was it?)" Judd asked.
"Sorta long." Callie said.
"(I could tell.)" Judd nodded.
"Hm." Maria hummed. "Splin, Sharq, I think I'll be heading back home. Be good, alright?" Maria said, looking down at the two.
"Alright!" Sharq told her gladly, Splin nodding her off.
Maria nodded, then shifted into a squid, Super Jumping away. The remaining squids looked over to Judd curiously.
"Mew? (What is it?)" Judd asked.
"Somebody owes us a song." Marie said with a smirk.
Judd grinned, getting up on his cat feet. "(Of course. One second...ahem…)"
Everyone began to stare at Judd excitably-
Whoopsie doodle, that's all the time we have for today folks! Looks like our time management wasn't well spent.
"Aw come on voice!" Sharq protested.
"Welp…" Splin murmured awkwardly.
Don't worry guys, maybe next time.
"Voice…" Splin and Sharq muttered.
"Fine, but Judd's not the only one who has to keep his promise now!" Sharq said.
Don't worry, I plan to.
AN: Woof, that's a lot of writing. This Splatfest I'm going Team Red because FireRed was the first Pokemon game I owned, and hot dang it was fun, even though I chose Squirtle from the beginning. Eh. Well, hope to see you guys on the battlefield, if eyes lock, you HAVE to accept my challenge, so avoid eye contact like the plague if you don't wish to fight next Friday! :3
Reviewing this quarter's...reviews. Thanks Rynowm and Ultrapyre for reviewing! Rynowm, I really wish I could write in Aqua, but I'd hate to be rude to others for placing their character in without permission unless it was a cameo or reference. Ultrapyre, hooray for virgins, I guess! I mean, I'm pretty much set on being single for life, but hopefully you can find someone you can call yours! (Well, unless you're like me I suppose)
Thanks again for reading, this is ThePizzaLovingTurtle, off to play through Fire Emblem 7! See ya!