Splatoon: The Brothers and the Others

Meteorite Mishap

The Skell was playing chess. Great, as if Splin's day was not strange enough as it was.

True to the previous line of text, the Skell, the robotic future knight of the Octarians, was using one of its tentacle arms to lift a chess piece. A few other Octolings garbed in lab coats sat around the table, two of them on the sides of the checkered deck scribbling on papers held down by clipboards.

"Try moving your pawn." The girl on the left suggested.

Frowning, the scientist seemingly serving as the opponent for the mech lifted a small white figurine with little significance to its model or name. As soon as she did so, the pieces on the board flew into the air, scattering across the floor shortly enough. The chessboard, now lying in halves on the ground, provided as sufficient evidence that the Skell wanted nothing to do with this silly game. The trio of scientists either finished the conclusions in printed ink while the head of the operations just buried her face in her hands. The Skell had its tentacles crossed in a pout motion.

The two Inklings standing by the exit of the lab stopped and stared. As if pondering, one of Ityl's tentacles wrapped around her chin, rubbing it slowly. Splin turned around, staring at her bizarrely.

"Hm?" Ityl arched an eyebrow, her tentacle unraveling into the one strand.

"Nothing." Splin spoke up, turning his attention back to the Skell.

Sentience hardly came easy, Splin recalled that the races of the face of his planet took generations to get where they are now. Yet, here was a programmed machine acting with the grace of a child who had lost a sport with all of the telltale signs. Scratching the tentacles on his head, he was hardly certain whether or not that was a breakthrough in science or if that was a huge mistake. Either way, it hardly really mattered.

Considering the world was ending and all.

"...I feel much better now." Splin groaned.

Don't sweat it. The worst that could happen is the atmosphere heating up to the point where all conceivable life is exhausted and destroyed.

The blue Inkling shook his head with a sigh. The pair of the protagonists moved forward, the Octolings sitting in the hangar eventually taking notice of them.

One of the Octolings kicked away the board. "You're the guys Octavio gave the greenlight, right?"

"Indeed. We wish to borrow your machine as to prevent the destruction of the earth." Ityl stated.

The Octolings glanced at each other, then sighed simultaneously.

"Good luck then. I'm starting to regret having an A.I. embedded in this thing. Maybe we should've just used the original plans." The head Octoling spoke up.

With that said, the three octopuses got up and started trudging away, leaving Splin and Ityl alone with the robot warrior. One glowing eye on the Skell stared back at the two Inklings, but focused mostly on a certain somebody's cyan trails.

"INKLING MUTATIONS?" It probed, tilting its head.

Ityl shook hers. "No, just somewhat different."

"That's odd. :\" The Skell responded, the face flashing in its glowing eye.

They were in a standstill. Gaining distance overhead was a meteorite. Fully aware of this, Ityl took one step forward.

"I'd like to ask you a favor," Ityl began, "Could you-"

As if it knew what she was about to say, the Skell refused almost immediately. "THIS UNIT CANNOT RESPOND TO INKLING COMMANDS."

Biting her lip, Ityl glanced at the ceiling. In her hearts, she was rather uneasy. Honestly, she doubted it was due to the possibility of mass extinction. It was almost as if the real threat was closer than it seemed…

"Welp, here we are." Xarius smirked, looking out onto land.

Standing right next to him, Alabaso-

"Nngh! Blasted boat!" The longer tentacled Inkling spat.

The two of them along with Xarius' jolly old crew had set anchor down in a harbor. Behind the anchor that smashed into the asphalt of Inkopolis' harbor, they could see the modern skyscrapers and fences set ahead of them. Leaning on a railing, the Inkling among them with the longest tentacles tried and failed to stop the world from spinning.

Xarius turned around and tipped his cap. "Well now, someone's forgotten their sea legs, eh?"

"Blasted short-tentacled-" Alabaso coughed, before landing flat on the ground.

"Oy." Xarius shook his head, treading across the floor. "Alright down there, old timer?"

The pile of black tentacles on the floor rustled irritably. Xarius chuckled, just before looking up straight at the pirate ship deck. On top, a parrot perched on the shoulder of an Inkling woman with a bandana wrapped around her head.

"You sure you're gonna be fine alone?" Rosili asked, glaring at both of the men on land.

With a single thumbs-up, Xarius leaned back on his Inkbrush. "Look, I'll just go find my nephews. They look like they've been around. Plus, that lass… Maria, right? She could help out a bit."

Hueli scowled. "I dunno Xar. That woman makes me uneasy."

"Oy, we don't judge people, we prowl the seas. And… Steal things, occasionally, but that's not the point." Xarius shook his head. "The point is, me and Alabaso here-"

Said Inkling clutched onto the pirate's shoulder, panting heavily, with an angry glare. Hueli and Rosili shot each other uneasy glances.

"Are gonna go out, try to find his wife, and yadda yadda, happily ever after or something. Geez man you're heavy." Xarius spoke up.

Rosili frowned. "Xarius, how do you even know where his wife is?"

"Oh, I don't." Xarius admitted.

"What?!"

Both of them stumbled about, reaching the edge of the port. Teetering on the edge, the salty waves splashing underneath them, the two frantically made for land, which they did, falling with a thud on the hard concrete. As if the pair had too much to drink, they stumbled as they got to their feet, Alabaso scowling at Xarius' mistake.

"We'll be back." Xarius waved, his compadre scowling.

Those who stayed on the ship watched them go, the two of them bickering as they departed into the city, passing by other sea life pedestrians.

"...Oh, you better be." Rosili shook her head.

Overhead, the dot in the sky growing closer and closer had eclipsed a portion of the sun.

"Then, what if I oil up your joints? That sounds like something a robot might like."

"NEGATIVE. That's a no! You funny Inkling! My joints are one-hundred percent fine! :)"

Needless to say, the bargaining between Ityl and the Skell did not seem like it was reaching any standpoints. Ten minutes after the initial question, the time ticked by slowly. The only thing keeping Splin awake was the music in his ears and the tentacles sweeping across the floor whenever she shook her head.

Ityl's shoulders had drooped, matching the state of her robe and tentacles. She had tried everything, offers of all the sort. Granted, it was highly unsure of how she would persuade a robot.

"REPEATING ORDERS GIVEN: 'The Skell is strictly for Octarian use only'!" The Skell repeated.

"We were given 'Octarian permission'! I believe that qualifies enough!"

"For the love of Cod!" Splin cried out, "Ityl, let's go, it's obvious that the Skell is being too stubborn to cooperate."

Ityl glanced over at Splin, (He hopped once to avoid the sweep as usual) with a pout on her face.

"Splin, I mean no offense, but you have to understand that this is our one and only chance. We cannot find anyone else with the strength to repel a meteorite, you see?" Ityl spoke softly.

Maria stretched her arms, yawning as she got out of her bed feeling refreshed.

"...Mmm."

She fell back onto her bed, gazing up at the ceiling lazily.

Frowning, in the recesses of Splin's mind, there were at least five cases where the Octarians were not the only ones who had the capability to shatter meteorites. However, seeing their small time frame, he had to agree. Staying silent, he stared over at Ityl hopelessly. She simply smiled back at him, waving her tentacles reassuringly, turning back to the unhelpful mech.

"Mr. Skell, I highly doubt you have anything productive to do down in here, correct?" Ityl spoke up.

The Skell shot a glare toward the shattered chess board, humming an electronic hum. Its single glowing eye darted back and forth, the tentacles twitching restlessly. Despite the fact that it looked like Ityl was finally getting somewhere, taking precautions, Splin switched into a blue squid and slid away out of the hangar behind a wall, staring at the two from a safe distance.

"NEGATORY." The Skell shook its head.

Ityl's eyes narrowed, and her own tentacles began vibrating dangerously. "So be it."

The tensity in the room practically skyrocketed. Each of them glared at each other. Splin sighed, shaking his head, hoping and praying that this would go without anyone exploding today.

Meanwhile-

"Filthy ingrate!" Alabaso yelped.

"Oy, calm down." Xarius spoke up, "What's your deal?"

"The deal? The main deal, Xarius, is this disgusting slop. Honestly, I'd think that at least you would have some taste."

"Are you freakin'- It's a steak."

As the two of them walked through the streets of the city, as if it was not already strange enough to see a pair of Inklings in pirate garb and with tentacles clogging traffic, the two of them, or at least one of them, was chewing on a steak in the middle of walking, while the other one distastefully carried another piece of meat by one of his tentacles.

"Ah, right, because steak normally reeks of fish. Absolutely correct, Xarius." Alabaso rolled his eyes, one of his tentacles piercing the meal.

Xarius glared at him. "Alright, alright, Baso, let's take a look around, hmm?"

"Call me that again and I'll skewer your face." Alabaso sneered.

Putting both hands on the side of Alabaso's face, he turned around, making him take in every single sight and sound in the city. From the buildings, the bewildered pedestrians, the skyline, it was the epitome of modern Inkling architecture melding with the world.

"...I'm getting dizzy again. Stop it." Alabaso demanded.

On a whim, the two halted their whirling, letting the world reset to its stagnant state. Glaring at Xarius, Alabaso cocked an eyebrow.

"I don't see your point." Alabaso spoke up.

Xarius smirked. "Oh that's precisely it, Detective Gumshoe! There is none! Do you see ANY land animals around here?! Nope! Now shut up and eat!"

Alabaso scowled. "Who the shell would eat a steak that still smells like fish? That's abhorrent."

"Why would you care?! That's literally one of the ONLY things a species would like our's would eat! Weren't you the one who constantly went on and on about 'the importance of heritage'?! Well, I think that th' fact we're squids would be important, and that includes gobbling fish!" Xarius shouted.

Alabaso's tentacles writhed over his head. "Oh, suddenly the tasteless pirate knows something about the importance of heritage? My species prides itself in making every detail, every mark, every single aspect of our lives are prided on precision and beauty."

"Is that why you lived in a desolate temple for a few years?" Xarius sneered, his pirate cap tipping down slightly.

A crowd from the sidelines had gathered, staring at the two. That last line seemed to strike a particularly sensitive nerve, as Alabaso had trashed the steak, sending it to the floor where it met its "second end" with a splat. The pirate captain blinked, noticing the dangerous ferocity the tendrils wriggling from Alabaso's head seemed to rise, as did the tentacles. The company having gathered around murmured and shook unsteadily.

Xarius took one step back. Alabaso took one step forward. And with that, the two sprinted off, albeit for two opposing reasons through the city, Xarius stifling a chuckle as his companion attempted to pierce him with each and every tentacle he had on his head.

On the other end, the conflicts were just as fierce, as tentacle collided with tentacle in the hangar. As the two of them battled, both Inkling and Octoling alike looked on from a relatively safe distance.

"...There goes the peaceful negotiation." Splin spoke up, a few of the scientists from earlier perched behind him.

"I can't say I'm surprised." One of the scientists shook her head, "No matter what we seem to do, the programming just won't listen to reason."

Another one piped in. "It's always searching for a challenge. And when it finds that challenge…"

A blur of tentacle crossing against tentacle ensued, sparks somehow flying from the speed of the blows. Despite the offensive prowess, it seemed that neither of them had landed a successful hit.

"I dunno about you guys, but I think this is fine." Came a voice from behind them, followed by the chewing of food.

All three of the spectators present turned around. Lo and behold, Tai was standing behind them, chewing on what appeared to be popcorn. When she discovered that the center of attention had flipped to her, she just stared back at them.

"Whuh?" She muttered between a bite.

One of the other Octolings lowered her chin onto her fist with a frown. "Weren't you supposed to be somewhere?"

Tai blinked, and for a moment, racked through her brain, somewhat distracted by the fight going on in the background. A voice in her head cleared her out of her doldrums.

"TAI FOR THE LOVE OF COD IF YOU DON'T GET DOWN HERE I WILL COURT MARTIAL YOU TO THE POINT WHERE-"

Then she realized that it was hardly in her head, and more or less in reality. Her eyes grew in shock.

"Oh ship. Splin, scientists, see you later." She cursed under her breath, tossing the popcorn bucket to the side haphazardly.

Those in charge of the experiments and hangar groaned at her mess, though Splin continued to spectate the battle. It seemed like each and every tentacle strike was calculated; none of the combatants had so far landed a hit, though with each and every flash of cyan or violet, it seemed they grew closer and closer from their stagnant spots.

All of a sudden, with one tentacle raised in the air, the Skell seemed to momentarily let its guard down. Attempting to take advantage, Ityl launched all of her tentacles at once. Unfortunately for her, the Skell's second arm-like tentacle appendage blocked the blow, her tentacles flopping uselessly over the side of the mech's "arm". Then, with a swift chopping motion, the Skell swept under Ityl's legs, knocking her over where she landed on the ground with a thud.

Grunting, she shook her head, looking up towards her adversary. Already, the machine was hard set on another chopping move, raising its alternate tentacle this time. What it forgot to realize however was Ityl's tentacles. Willing her multiple wavy appendages, she wrapped them around the enemy's own tentacle, pulling herself up towards the shoulder of the machine, alternating her grapple as to anchor herself to the Skell's shoulder. The machine attempted to shake off the woman, only succeeding in having her flail around somewhat.

Meaning to strike, Ityl stabbed at her foe multiple times. Beeps and blips were the response. The Skell's defenses seemed to falter. Blinking, she continued jabbing at the machine.

"That's a strange strategy…" One of the scientists spoke up behind Splin.

"How so?" Splin asked, watching the combination of attacks the other Inkling laid on the Skell.

The other scientist crossed her arms. "That armor should be impenetrable to attacks like that. Only the most impressive of weaponry or the strongest of blows should even dent the Skell."

"Hmm… Maybe she's stronger than she looks?" Splin suggested, which the Octarians simply took with a grain of salt, watching the skirmish continue.

During her barrage of tentacle stabs, Ityl could make out a noise increasing in pitch. It sounded repetitive. As she continued her attack, the noise increased in volume. She paused. Was the Skell…? Her attacks suddenly became less vicious, and instead shifted into quick wriggling motions.

"Huh?" The spectators tilted their heads.

The Skell shook slightly, and the sound became increasingly apparent. Electronic blips, similar to that of laughter, began filling the room. The Skell ceased its rebellious defenses, and yielded to its own hilarity.

"What the…" The scientists spoke up.

They turned towards each other. "Did you install a nervous system or something?"

"No, I- How?"

Splin frowned. "She's from space. I'm sure nothing at this point really matters anymore."

Flawless deduction there, Splin.

"...Don't patronize me." He thought, watching as the Skell had come to its knees and hopefully to its senses as well.

As soon as the Skell ceased its giggling fit, Ityl had found her way onto its metallic head, looking straight down at it.

"Now, what would you prefer, that or saving the earth?" She asked, eyeing the Skell carefully.

"...REQUEST GRANTED." The Skell shook its head in a sort of robotic shame, which inadvertently caused Ityl to spin around.

"Thank you." She spoke up, patting the head of the machine as if it were a puppy.

Using her tentacles, she slowly extended herself down towards the ground from the rubber neck of the Skell carefully, setting herself down. Her robe now perfectly straight, she walked over to Splin, smiling at him.

"Now?" She asked.

"...I suppose now's a good time as ever to save the world." Splin sighed, walking alongside Ityl as the Skell recharged in the background, preparing for whatever was to come.

Finally, Xarius' and Alabaso's journey of venturing through Inkopolis for a solid two hours had come to an end. Now approaching the ever ordinary house on the hills that was the Bate Brothers' household, the only obstacle left was ascending the hills. The both of them covered in bruises and scratches, they made their way up silently albeit with a frown.

"..." Alabaso's split lip frowned despite the pain.

"...Heh." The pirate captain next to him smirked. "You know, that was kinda nostalgic."

Alabaso had said nothing, and continued walking.

"Even now, you're still scolding me." Xarius murmured, breathing in. "Had I known better, I would've thought you were still trying to tutor me."

"..." His long tentacles prevented Xarius from seeing his face.

"...But you know, that's all in the past I 'spose." Xarius sighed.

"'Suppose'."

"Eh?" Xarius blinked, spinning towards Alabaso.

"It's 'suppose'. Short tentacled buffoon." Alabaso spoke underneath the shadows of his tentacles.

Despite his less than pleasant tone, Xarius could hardly help but smile. The two climbed the side of the hills, eventually reaching the top soon enough, where the wooden shack was stationed. Walking up to the door, Xarius gave a little knock, the two of them waiting patiently.

Eventually, the door swung open, revealing a somewhat baggy-eyed Maria. "...Mhm? Oh… Hi Xarius."

"Maria! How've ya been?" Xarius asked.

"...Tired." Maria yawned.

All of a sudden, her eyes shot open. Shoving Xarius out of the way, much to his displeasure, she began sprinting for his partner, Alabaso glaring straight at her and the house. Raising her fist to punch, she found herself ensnared in Alabaso's black tentacle. Maria growled as Alabaso soon came face to face with her.

"I'd kindly appreciate it if you would refrain from any attacks. I've had a long day, and I want to get this over with as soon as possible." Alabaso spoke through grit teeth.

"Maria, it's fine, he's with me." Xarius groaned, getting to his feet.

Though reluctantly, Maria relaxed. Feeling her arms loosen up in his tentacle grip, Alabaso swiftly retracted his tendrils, wrapping them up behind his back, though keeping a careful eye on her. Xarius, having finally gotten up to his feet, cleared his throat.

"Uh, where are the boys?" Xarius asked, glancing around.

Maria frowned, placing one finger on her chin. "Erm, I saw Splin on the roof before I drifted off to sleep, and I think Sharq went off to play in a Turf War or something."

"'Turf War'? Still wrapped in mindless battles after all of that conflict?" Alabaso scowled.

Maria glared at Alabaso. "It's a modern thing, maybe if you got more sunlight you would know."

Alabaso simply rolled his eyes. The pirate of the group just frowned, glancing about the air and the hills.

"Would you have any idea where Splin might be?" Xarius asked.

"Right now?" Maria muttered, staring towards the sky.

An electronic hum buzzed overhead, turning everyone's heads towards the sky. Once again, Xarius and Alabaso were silenced. After all, it was hardly everyday you saw a pair of squids hanging on the side of a mechanical monstrosity, hovering down onto the ground, the grass blown back by the hovering capabilities, pushed down flat across the ground. Maria grinned at Xarius, gesturing towards the mech.

"...Thanks." Xarius shrugged, backing up ever so slightly from the mechanical monstrosity.

Setting its metal feet down on the ground, the Skell released steam into the air as if exhaling. Ityl and Splin dropped from the shoulders of the Skell, falling onto the ground. Hastily, they glanced at the sky.

"Uh, Ityl, if you've got a plan, you'd better put it to use now!" Splin cried out.

"Right." Ityl nodded, pointing towards the sky. "Skell!"

"Ityl!" Alabaso suddenly shouted, startling everyone.

"Whoa, what?" Xarius blinked.

Ityl halted, glaring towards Alabaso with a distrustful glare. "No."

Her husband made his way over towards her, with an equally ominous look to boot. The two's tentacles collided in a flash, pushing for reasons different to one another. Maria and Xarius were almost completely dumbfounded. To top it all off, the meteorite was clearly visible overhead.

"Skell!" Splin shouted, sweating bullets.

On a whim, the Skell nodded quickly, reaching for a holstered weapon on its side. A rather terrifying sight in its own regard, the large ink gun it wielded was certainly a sight to behold outside of its sheath. It paled in comparison of the potential disaster looming overhead. Nevertheless, Splin asked, and he would be the one to follow through with his request. With one shot, the Skell fired.

And missed.

For a brief moment, Splin remembered most of what had happened in the short time Splatoon had gained popularity. He remembered the Turf Wars, how his story began, the ink slide park disaster. The slow news days, the tree bearing apples on the hill, Ari, Tai, Aussie, Chi, Willie, Zip, everybody. Now it seemed as if it was all to vanish in an instant.

The incoming object flew across the sky. Across the planet, it was a magnificent yet terrifying streak of red across blue. Eventually, the incoming meteorite began flying outside the orbit of the planet. It slowly made its way out of the stratosphere and left the planet known as Earth, preventing destruction.

Everyone just stared at the sky for a while. There was no bickering, no arguments. The tentacles of Alabaso and Ityl were wrapped together tranquilly, though fear was the main root of the cause. Splin blinked. It was not his time, it was not their time. The game known as their lives would continue for a little while longer.

"Hold on, did the prophecy have two zeros..." Ityl frowned.

"...Would this be a bad time to mention that I'm yer guy's uncle, Splin?" Xarius whispered, kneeling by his nephew.

Splin blinked, glancing over his shoulder, staring back at his pirate uncle. "...That's actually pretty cool."

Xarius grinned. "Ain't it?"

AN: What a twist, eh?

Thanks Ultrapyre, write n wrong, and Rynowm for reviewing! That's what I was going for with Ityl to be honest, so, mission accomplished I suppose, Ultrapyre? write n wrong, I guess the world has been spared for another day! Rynowm, I honestly hadn't been set on an exact length, it's long and can extend is the basics, so...yeah. Good luck on your Robocraft story!

Thanks for reading, this is ThePizzaLovingTurtle, off to try and earn money for my space species in Spore, see you!