Splatoon: The Brothers and the Others
Sharq-Infested Waters Pt. 4
The water of the ocean splashed across the bow of the ship. At the rate Maria was captaining the speeding vessel, the entire ship might have been flooded worse than the one that had eliminated humans. The area the steering wheel on was located just above the water, and the other Inkling pirates, knowing their chances of survival lie above water, crowded Maria, Sharq and Xarius standing safely on top of the mast. Maria frowned, staring across the water.
"I haven't seen land for a while! Xarius, where did you say the treasure was?" Maria asked aloud, shouting.
Xarius' eyes narrowed. Staring straight ahead, the clouds appeared to be zipping past. Save for a select few. His eyes widened.
"Slow down!" Xarius shouted.
Maria blinked, pulling back on the wheel. Inexplicably, the ship skidded to a halt, sparks raining from the wood and water. Xarius frowned at the lack of logic, but shook his head, putting it to the side. While the hull did not catch fire or anything, it did slam into something, the ship jolting back from the impact. The crew on-board fell onto the deck, which at this point had been drained of most of the water, slamming into the soaked wood below, groaning. Maria apologized quickly, Xarius staring straight ahead, glaring. Sharq followed his glare, albeit in a curious fashion.
"What's wrong?" Sharq asked.
"The barrier." Xarius frowned, "This is what keeps us from that treasure on that island.
Sharq blinked, staring ahead. Smokey clouds hovered over the island, staying in place. Waves in the middle of crashing on the shore of the island were stuck in limbo, drops of saltwater dripping down under the waves' crest. Palm tree leaves stayed still while wind shook around the Inklings, making a few of them shiver.
"We've come this far." Xarius smirked, staring down at Sharq, "Now's your time to shine captain."
"Oh. Okay, what do I do?" Sharq asked.
Xarius walked towards the bow of the ship, signaling Sharq to follow him using his hand. Sharq obeyed, tailing behind him curiously. The two walked up onto the bow that jutted out towards the sea, Maria staring at them cautiously. Xarius unsheathed his Inkbrush, handing it to Sharq, who took it lightly, running his hand over the hilt.
"Hmm." Sharq hummed, the brush shifting from a red color to blue in an instant.
"If you strike the barrier, you should be able to break it." Xarius told Sharq.
"...Why can't you do it again?" Sharq asked, looking up to Xarius.
The older Inkling glanced away in shame. "I lost my honor a while ago. I'd tell ya, but…"
Xarius reached at the scar on his face, gritting his teeth. Sharq blinked, patting Xarius on the back solemnly, Xarius grinning at Sharq in response.
"The barrier only accepts those pure of heart. What's purer than a young squid?" Xarius told Sharq.
"That's smart thinking!" Sharq smirked, raising the brush, "Alright, barrier, prepare to break!"
Sharq pointed the brush at the barrier, edging closer. And closer. And closer. Xarius tilted his head at Sharq's antics, to which he turned, grinning sheepishly to Xarius, lowering the brush.
"Could you...um, teach me how to fire the ink from this thing?" Sharq asked.
Xarius laughed. "That's a new one!"
Xarius stooped down to Sharq, taking his hands as he still held the Inkbrush like a cutlass, Sharq staring attentively. The grunts onboard watched by boredly, some yawning as seagulls flocked overhead.
"Just raise it in the air for a moment, an' launch it forward. Simple." Xarius explained, getting to his feet.
Sharq frowned, raising the brush over his head, its slim blue colored bristles shining with a sort of a light. Sharq grinned, lowering it, then slashed, a crescent-shaped projectile formed of ink launched out of the brush. It collided with the invisible barrier, the ink splatting across the side. The crew waited patiently, Maria gawking at the sight as she stood vigilant over the wheel. The blue ink, as if it had a mind of its own, shivered then spread, growing across the barrier, the now blue and visible blockade growing into a dome shape. As soon as the blue encompassed the entire area, the dome shattered, blue ink splashing off into the water.
Maria blinked, staring up at the sky and the island. "Incredible…"
The clouds resumed their steady crawl across the sky and the sea resumed its barrage on the sand. Leaves floated down from the palm trees on the beach, the sand glistening under the sun. Xarius grinned at Sharq, who cheered, pumping his fist in the air.
"Perfect! Thanks Xarius!" Sharq commented, giving the brush back to the pirate.
"Ah, 'twas nothing. We must make haste for the island now that the barrier's down." Xarius told him, staring ahead.
"Of course! We need to get that gold soon." Sharq nodded.
Xarius stared across the water over the side of the ship, nodding. "Right. The...gold."
Sharq nodded again, turning around towards the back of the ship, Maria still staring at the motion of nature resuming its course. "Maria, full steam ahead!"
Maria shook her head, tying her tentacles behind her in a neat bow, rolling up her short sleeves. "Right."
"Oy, wait, how are you speeding up the ship?" Xarius asked.
Maria stared down at her hands. A bit of green flickered from them. She simply grinned.
"It must be magic." Maria spoke up with a smug grin.
"Ah, whatever." Xarius waved her off.
Maria chuckled to herself, pushing on the wheel slightly. The ship arched under her command, speeding ahead, creating waves. The seagulls on the sails and mast cawed their protests before flying off in formation, still hovering over the ship as it sailed, desperate to keep their beloved perch. Maria continued on with the high speed sailing, unfortunately a bit too absorbed in her actions.
"The island's approaching a bit faster than I thought." Maria blinked, her eyes shooting open as she realized they were homing in particularly quickly.
Sharq and Xarius groaned, both of them stuck to the back of the boat while the speed of the sails carried all of them dangerously swiftly. Sharq's cap nearly flew off, but the extreme willpower of his tentacles under the cap prevented it from doing so like in his dream endeavors, though Xarius' various pirate garbs flying into each others' faces was not a very pleasant substitute. Maria stomped on the ground, attempting to slow the ship down using whatever "magic" she had.
"Aaaugh!" Sharq cried out as everyone on board was launched onto shore.
"Brace for impact!" A crew member yelled out, holding onto her bandana cap.
Maria and Xarius landed on the beach, the trail they made as they crashed comparable to that of a meteorite crash landing. They sputtered and coughed, Maria removing sand from her Golf Cap and White Tee, shaking sand off. Xarius took his Inkbrush, waving it around him, all the sand from him dripping off like ink. Maria stared at him.
"Oh, what?!" Maria shouted in indignation, gesturing to his clothes, which Xarius brushed off.
"Magic." Xarius retorted.
"Hmph. And I can't shoot ki anymore? He gets a special Inkbrush with ink prowess. How is that fair?" Maria asked aloud.
It's fair and balanced. Wouldn't want you busting holes in buildings, would we?
"Oy, look at it this way Maria, least you get to speed up ships. Wouldn't know about shooting… Keys. Though I can't say I see the appeal in doin' that."
Maria rolled her eyes, trudging forward towards the dense brush ahead of them. She glanced over at Sharq as to silently notify him they were going in. Sharq, being the Sharq he is, was already about ten steps ahead of her and counting, dashing into the jungle of the island. Maria blinked, then took up dashing after him.
"...You just goin' to leave me behind, eh?" Xarius shook his head, staring back at the ship.
Xarius looked back at the crew members of the ship, who smiled back at him, a few still getting used to the land and sea, some patching up the hull of the ship after Maria's helpful albeit somewhat destructive tactic.
"Go on Xarius. I know you've been waiting a while for this." The ever prevalent female with the bandana cap said, dusting off her cap.
"The ship though?" Xarius pointed out.
"We'll take care of 'er. Go get 'em captain. I know Sharq's been chosen as the substitute, but-"
"Thanks Rosili." Xarius nodded, waving to her, then ran into the cluster of trees.
"No worries! Make sure to bring them all back safely!" Rosili shouted, Xarius disappearing in the trees.
Sharq prowled through the ground in squid form, slowly sliding on through the dirt. He slithered up a tree like a snake, attaching one tentacle to it while he stared through the brush with narrowed eyes, his other tentacle shading his eyes in a salute-like pose. He searched, specifically for a glint of anything shiny. A flash in the distance confirmed his suspicions, as he saw in the distance what appeared to be a rundown temple. Pillars lined a brick path overgrown with weeds sprouting from whatever crack revealed dirt.
Sharq smiled. "I won't keep you waiting any longer Splin… Here I come treasure!"
Planting his cap down firmly on his head and adjusting his White Anchor Tee, the logo shimmering as sunlight streamed through the collection of trees. Sharq began walking in a steady pace, making his way along the bricks. He felt his feet sink slightly.
"Eh?" Sharq muttered, looking down at his feet.
A dart of sorts streamed past him, a thin line of red ink trailing behind, almost as invisible and delicate as string, the dart impaling itself into a pillar. Sharq, however, was too busy tying his shoelaces to notice.
"That should keep them steady." Sharq grinned. "Onwards!"
Sharq made his way forward, only to trip over something. A tripwire spun rapidly, a collection of darts flickering out, flying out into the brush. Sharq scowled, standing up over the offending weed he had stumbled over.
"Geez." Sharq dusted himself off, glaring at the weed.
A grumbling could be heard very faintly. Sharq continued walking forward, walking over the weathered stones. He approached the entrance of the temple, feeling his nose tickle. A nauseous purple haze settled over him, lowering down.
"Ah…" Sharq muttered faintly.
A snickering replaced the grumbling, the purple haze infiltrating his nostrils and mouth.
"Ah...ah." He groaned.
The snickering transformed into a sinister cackling. The trees swayed uneasily as the deadly gas settled on Sharq. His eyes watered.
"Ah...CHOO!" Sharq sneezed, the haze dissipating in an instant.
The laughter ceased, an angry silence following. Sharq wiped his nose, shaking his head.
"Oh…" Sharq muttered, wiping his nose with a nearby leaf. "Okay, back on track."
"Why the SHELL aren't you dead yet?!" A voice bellowed.
"Eh?" Sharq blinked.
Out of the depths of the temple, a dark tentacle approached, attaching to the sides of the entrance. A growling grew with intensity as it neared Sharq, who backed away in fright. Out of the pit, a malnourished Inkling covered in a rag-like robe glared at Sharq, his tentacles lifting him out of the pit, the Inkling glaring at Sharq, a deep dark red barely visible on his tentacles.
"I see the fool has managed to destroy the barrier after so long." The Inkling rasped.
"Uh… Who? ...Xarius?" Sharq asked.
"All to get it all back…" The Inkling chuckled ominously, "He'd even stoop to sending young ones, wouldn't he?"
"What do you mean?" Sharq asked, staring at the Inkling curiously.
"...It doesn't concern you, boy." The Inkling glared, "Leave now, lest you actually have a death wish."
The unknown Inkling retreated into the temple, the dark shrouding his face as he did so.
"Hey!" Sharq shouted, reaching his hand out.
One of the dark tentacles shot back up at him, Sharq reeling in surprise. Fortunately for him and his hand, Maria struck first, having dashed in at the nick of the time, repelling the tentacle with a sharp chop to the hand. The Inkling hissed.
"You okay Sharq?" Maria asked quickly, breathing in and out.
"Yeah." Sharq said, peering into the depths of the dark temple.
"You…! You and Xarius can screw off!" The Inkling hissed.
"Who are you?" Sharq asked.
"Don't bother trying to pull that on me. You think after all these years I'd forget you?! You can forget retrieving your 'precious'!" The unnamed squid shouted, before he caught a fit of coughing.
"I came all this way to find treasure! I don't know what you're talking about, but I'll be sure to leave if you want to!" Sharq shouted back at him.
"...You didn't come back for her, then?" The shady Inkling asked.
"'Her'?" Maria squinted.
"...Then… You're still trespassing." The Inkling muttered.
Maria and Sharq took a step back, staring in at the temple insides. The tentacles returned, one with a mark from Maria's initial counter-attack. They struck out at them, Maria and Sharq recoiling at the reach.
"Come on! Even this guy has some sort of power!" Maria shouted.
The tentacles threatened to stab them in some way, the two launching towards them. Maria took up a defensive stance, raising her arms in front of her face. Sharq stood behind her, bewildered to some extent. The tentacles were a blur, stabbing at Maria's arms. She grunted, scratches steadily appearing as they attacked. She frowned, stepping back ever so slightly, the tentacles still slashing like a pair of sabers, Sharq gawking in worry.
"How do you like this?!" The Inkling cackled.
"Not… Fond of it." Maria said through grit teeth.
While the black tentacles kept scraping at Maria, Sharq noticed a glint above them. With a single slice downwards, Xarius was there, and he beat back the tentacles, now stained with a bright orange-red. The Inkling hissed, retracting his tentacles back in. Without another word, Xarius sprinted into the temple, Maria and Sharq waiting outside, Maria simply rubbing her arms.
"Come on Maria!" Sharq yelled.
Maria shook her head, following after Sharq. They ran through darkness for a while, the light illumination of sunlight following after them, only managing to make it so far into the temple interior. Eventually, the two came across a large room, lit up solely by torchlight. The two blinked, staring ahead. Xarius had his Inkbrush raised in front of him, the brush gleaming ferociously. The Inkling with the dark tentacles stood at the very back on top of a large pedestal.
"Finally… After all these months…" Xarius growled, "You're trapped! There's nowhere else to go!"
"Xarius, still chasing after lost hopes?" The other Inkling asked, "Why bother? Who knows if she's still alive? You have a habit of giving up anyways."
"...Who are they talking about?" Sharq asked.
"Now I see you've roped in civilians with your pointless endeavors." The dark-tentacled Inkling scoffed, raising himself using his tentacles.
"They got me here. They aren't just civilians." Xarius explained.
"Ah, would you be referring to the woman?"
Maria glowered at the other Inkling, who laughed.
"I admit, she gave me quite the surprise. Never expected someone to block my barrage of attacks." He grinned sinisterly.
"Look. Alabaso. Give me the map to her location and I'll leave you in peace." Xarius demanded with a glare.
Alabaso closed his eyes, sighing. "How pitiful. Your sister is long gone. No one's seen head nor tentacle of her since she eloped."
Xarius grit his teeth. "Enough! Hand me the map! You're surrounded and walled in! No escape!"
Alabaso once again began laughing. Sharq frowned, staring at Xarius.
"...Map?" Sharq asked, Xarius flinching. "...Xarius, was there any ever treasure in the first place?"
Xarius froze. Alabaso smirked, staring down at Xarius with a sneer. The pirate lowered his hat, shrouding his face.
"Lying to a child now?" Alabaso shook his head, "Tsk tsk."
Xarius fist shook with rage. He was about to say something, tilting his head up, when he noticed a certain someone sneaking up behind Alabaso, a rock lifted above his head. Sharq blinked, then stared over at Maria, his eyes widening.
"Awfully idiotic of you!" Alabaso laughed for the final time.
"Shut up and let us have the treasure." Maria spoke up, bringing the rock down on his head.
At the sound of her voice, he wrapped his tentacles around her arms, immobilizing her. Maria cursed herself for her mistake, Alabaso turning around with a victorious grin.
"Good effort." Alabaso smirked. "Both of you."
Maria stared across the room. Xarius' arms were also tied in a knot, the Inkling sweating profusely. The dark colored tentacles seemed to ripple with energy, only further pleasing Alabaso.
"Hmm, as long as the barrier is broken, I think I might go for a stroll outside? See how the world has changed in my absence." Alabaso suggested, the others glaring at him.
As much as they struggled, the bonds around their arms were too tight. The flames from the torches hung around the walls highlighted their sweat. Alabaso took a step off the pillar, looking ever confident. He looked around the room, then frowned.
"Oh? Where has the boy gone off to? Run on home perhaps?" Alabaso smirked. "No matter. At least it spares him the sight of seeing two others' deaths."
"I wouldn't run home yet!" Sharq's voice echoed down the temple.
"Ha. Your line is amusing boy. Tell you what, I'll strike a deal with you." Alabaso began, "You accompany me as I wreak havoc amongst the new world, and I'll be sure to pay you in all the coins you could ever need. Does two pieces of gold a month sound suitable?"
A clanking noise echoed through the temple. Everyone froze once they saw Sharq running down. This time around, he toted around a dusty old cannon. Xarius and Maria's eyes expanded.
"Take this!" Sharq cried out, pulling the fuse, a Splat Bomb launched out of the cannon.
"How'd Sharq push that cannon through the beach and jungle?!" Xarius stared in confusion.
"Nice thinking Sharq!" Maria cried out.
Rolling his eyes, Alabaso took one tentacle and blocked the bomb, the glass container falling to the side, exploding harmlessly. Using his free tentacle, he ensnared the cannon and Sharq, who yelped.
"Pity. I could have gone for a bit of a laugh every now and then." Alabaso commented, attempting to smash Xarius and Sharq together.
"How are you going to do that with a broken jaw?" Maria asked.
Alabaso blinked, turning around, momentarily releasing Sharq, prepping his tentacle once again. This time he was too late, and face the wrath of Maria, multiple punches landing in succession. He groaned, stepping back, only for Maria to deliver a rather powerful kick to his abdomen, sending the Inkling into the stone wall of the temple, smashing him across the wall, where he fell, his tentacles wilting ever so slightly. He coughed, then laid still.
"...Didya kill him?" Xarius asked, pointing his sword at the mysterious Inkling.
"Eh." Maria shrugged, walking off nonchalantly, "By the way, I found this stuck to his tentacle while he was busy monologuing. When we get back on the ship, I want YOU to explain everything."
Maria handed Xarius a beaten paper chart wrapped in a scroll. Xarius blinked, unsheathing his Inkbrush, taking the scroll, unraveling it. Xarius nodded, thanking her, both he and Maria walking off out of the temple.
"C'mon captain. We're leaving." Xarius told Sharq quietly.
Sharq nodded solemnly, pushing the ruined cannon out of the ruins with him, glancing back at Alabaso, who remained unconscious by the walls of the temple, the light flickering steadily from the torches. Sharq sighed, continuing to push the cannon up, leaving Alabaso alone.
The three Inklings that stood on deck saw Inkopolis on the horizon, the sun just setting. Maria, using her inexplicable speedy boat skills, was once again at the wheel, staring ahead. Xarius stood behind her, as did Sharq.
"...You're looking for your sister?" Maria asked.
"Yeah. I'm sorry I lied. I just… I haven't seen her in so long." Xarius closed his eyes, "After she went an' got married, she disappeared. I've been searching for some trace of her. Suddenly, after a whole year of nothing, I find out about a map that supposedly charts her destination. Only, it happened to end up in the hands of some destructive hermit. That would be Alabaso. ...I failed the first time."
Sharq nodded, listening intently. Xarius continued.
"I dunno how he managed to do it, but he constructed a barrier." Xarius told him, "That's the one ya shattered. After that, I wasn't too happy about that... Well... You can tell the next few months weren't exactly... Good use of my time."
Xarius raised a hand to his face, caressing his scar. Sharq blinked, nodding, staring off into the distance.
"...So the treasure was just a lie then?" Sharq asked.
"Aye. Sorry Sharq." Xarius scowled in shame.
"Hey. It's okay." Sharq smiled, turning to Xarius, "You're trying to find your sister. I get it. I'd do anything for Splin too. It's just a thing us brothers do, right?"
Xarius smirked. "Yeah. Guess it is."
The two Inklings stared at the sky, Maria sighing.
"Looks like we'll just have to take care of Splin without any fancy hospital or medicine." Maria remarked.
"It'll be alright." Sharq beamed, "As long as you help me, of course!"
Maria nodded. "Of course! I'll do my best."
Sharq grinned, watching as seagulls flocked and roosted on top of the mast and sails once more. He looked over to Xarius, a forlorn look in the pirate captain's eyes.
"Hey Xarius, where are you going after we go home?" Sharq asked.
Xarius looked to the ocean. "I'll probably just be goin' after my sister again."
Sharq stared at the ocean as well. "Really? You could hang out with us if you want."
"...Nah, it's alright." Xarius told Sharq. "Someone's gotta keep Hueli and the others in check. Rosili can't do it by herself."
A sigh of relief escaped from the hull interior, along with the squawking of a macaw. Xarius stifled a laugh. The three Inklings remained silent for most of the trip home, the sun setting along the horizon. However, one question was probing at the ends of Maria's mind.
"Okay, so how come you and that other Inkling had dumb powers?" Maria asked.
Xarius raised his finger, just about to say something.
"If you say magic I'm pushing you overboard." Maria spoke up.
Xarius blinked, looking from side to side. "...The brush was a gift. I just made some uh... Modifications."
Maria smiled. "That works for me."
Xarius sighed in relief. "Magic modifications."
Splin yawned, shaking himself awake. Looking to the side of his bed, he noticed Ann-Gel and Tele-Cube propped up against the dresser in between the brothers' beds, each sleeping peacefully. Splin cracked a smile at the two, leaving his bed somewhat shakily, reaching for his headphones. He took the headphones and planted them on his head, walking towards the door leading outside onto the hill, hoping for some fresh air. As he opened up the door, a clod of dust worked its way into his nose.
"...Ah…" Splin began to sneeze.
The pirate ship crashed into the side of the hills, the bow sticking very close to the house. Splin blinked, turning around, noticing the large ship parked next to his house. Splin blinked, shaking his head quickly, staring over at the ship. He did not sneeze.
"Darn, lost it." Splin sniffed.
"Ahoy Splin!" Sharq called out, hopping off of the deck of the ship.
Sharq ran over towards his younger brother, smothering him with a hug.
"It's much better in real life." Sharq grinned.
Maria left the deck, hitting the dirt below, walking over to Splin, rubbing him on the head.
"Maria…" Splin groaned.
"What, can't I say hello?" Maria teased.
As the three Inklings caught up with each other and what they have been doing on their seafaring trip, Xarius stared back from the deck, smiling ever so slightly. As he watched them from the top of the deck, he started off for the wheel.
"Xarius!"
Xarius blinked, staring at the ground. A quick count of the Inklings on land revealed that there was a certain older brother missing. A whistling in the sky notified him, Xarius staring up. Sharq landed at his feet as a blue squid, switching to an Inkling, hugging Xarius as well. Xarius stared at him in bewilderment.
"Just wanted to thank you!" Sharq grinned, "You might've lied about the treasure, but I still had fun."
Xarius blinked. Sharq nearly got murdered by a crazed Inkling with elastic tentacles. Yet here he was, thanking him for taking him on a journey that proved almost fruitless. To that, Xarius smiled again, his lips curling up more noticeably.
"...You're welcome." Xarius told him, patting him on the back.
"Sharq!" Splin shouted, "Maria's cooking, and she says no one gets to eat until you get down here."
"Already?" Sharq asked.
"Yep. There's no convincing her not to." Splin told him.
Sharq frowned, thanking Xarius once more, before leaving the ship, hopping off of the ship, heading into the house. As the door shut behind him, Xarius grinned, then turned to the deck of the ship.
"All hands! We're shovin' off!" Xarius announced.
With that said, Xarius took the wheel, staring down at the wood.
"I'll never know how she does it." Xarius shrugged.
Finally, under Xarius' command, the ship began moving forward through the hills, Sharq and Maria looking out the window, until the ship vanished, leaving a sizable dirt trail. Sharq and Maria smiled.
"Guys, the food is burning." Splin pointed out.
Then promptly ran into the kitchen to check on the food.
As Xarius steadied the wheel, the ship cruising along the sea, water splashing along the rim. Xarius sighed, reaching into his coat, pulling out a picture. A small Inkling squid, red-orange dye dripping down its blue head, the squid had a goofy smile, walking under the shadow of someone. A female Inkling, blue with a pair of Black Arrowbands, her hazel eyes shimmering, an equally goofy smile following after him.
"...Pirah." Xarius frowned, closing his eyes. "I'll find ya someday. ...I hope you and your family are doing well. Wherever you are."
Xarius placed the picture of him and his sister in his jacket pocket, turning his attention back to the wheel as he and his crew cruised through the sea. A handful of seagulls flew overhead...
AN: Pirate plots are hard. Or at least a bit hard to finish.
Thanks Ultrapyre, Rynowm, and write n wrong for reviewing!
Ultrapyre, glad you liked that short reference, it was my pleasure. Rynowm, I can't tell if you made a pun, but whether or not it was, it would be a bit of a jolt to him, wouldn't it? write n wrong, yew, I suppose that's just the life of an egomaniac, always getting what's coming to him, even in his dreams.
Thanks for reading, this is ThePizzaLovingTurtle, off to use Walker transformations in Star Fox, see you.