Chapter 12:
(Back again! I hope you're all doing well! This is definitely where it gets more fanfic-y. I figured a good way to start things off is just see how ol' Inkopolis Square is doing. Also, I know Eight isn't technically part of the New Squidbeak Splatoon, I've always just associated the characters with them even if they were never true agents. I mean, Eight is rivals/lovers with 3 and roomies with 4. Anyways, enjoy!)
Eight sat in the bus to see someone more familiar sitting next to him. "Oh…hello! I believed we've been acquainted before." Eight said, formally and stoic as always.
A blonde Inkling girl with a baby Salmonid in her hands. "Oh…right, you're the Octoling who talks a little weird!" She said.
Eight looked a little sad when she said that, "I-I am not sure if I sound outlandish, but to each their own, I suppose." Eight said.
The Inkling giggled at that, "So, where are you headed now?" She asked.
"I'm traveling home for a while. I wished to see my father and friends before the Off The Hook tour continues." Eight explained. "Oh wow! You can tell you're from Ink-Square." She said to him, the Salmonid giggling.
"N-Not…originally…" Eight said, looked down, folding his arms.
The Inkling realized she hit a nerve, "I was just playin', dude. I didn't mean to hurt your feels." She apologized.
"Oh…It is of no consequence. I accept the apology." Eight said, brushing it off. He then heard the bell for the next stop. His stop. "I have to leave now. It was nice to see you." Eight said.
"Whoa, wait. I didn't get your name, dude!" She said.
"My name is Eight. I hope to see you around." Eight said, walking off the train.
(Off The Train)
Eight had hopped off the train and looked up to the towering buildings. The familiar Jumbotron and bustle and hustle of home. He was back! Home! Even if just for a moment, he couldn't wait to see Father and Four. Pearl and Marina would be here as well, but they're just making a pit stop.
Eight took in a breath and immediately smelled coffee.
"I could go for one…" Eight said, "Besides, Father likes to converse with his employ there."
The Octoling walked off to go grab a cup of coffee for the road, and he looked and saw a familiar face on the way. He was older AND taller, but he was still sitting in his usual spot, on his phone.
"Hm? Wait a sec…Oi…Eight, that you?" He asked.
Eight smiled at the familiar face, "Hi, Murch. It's been a while, I take it." Eight walked up and saw Murch had his hand out.
The Octoling was put into a slapping handshake with Murch. "Still a brick wall. So, how's the tour?" Murch asked him. "Oh…uh, I'm not sure of how to put it, but the tour has been going well. We have yet to finish this year, but we've been doing wellness…uh…well." Murch just gave a slight chuckle.
"Hah! I bet!" Murch said, rubbing his eye, "I was wondering, have you seen my friend Four?" Eight asked.
"Four…Four...oh! Him? Yeah, I don't know actually. He hasn't come by in a bit." Murch explained. "So, you haven't seen him?" He then asked.
Eight looked at his phone again, "He hasn't responded to my texts for a while." Murch had sat up, "Yeah, like I said. Haven't seen him." Eight nodded, deciding he'd have to head home to check on him.
"Hm?" Murch looked at his phone when he received a notification. "Oh, I'm needed in Splatsville. Nice seein' ya, Eight." Murch said.
"Uh…safe travels, Murch! It was good to converse again." Eight said, deciding to go to the cafe.
(In the cafe)
Eight remembered the days he would be in here with Father after he had gotten work around.
He sent a text to him earlier, but like Four—he hasn't yet responded.
"Thank you." Eight grabbed and ordered a mocha frappe and sat down.
He checked his phone again for any notifications. Maybe Father or Four responded already?
"Forgive my silence. I was hoping to grab coffee before I went to see you." He heard a familiar deep voice. He saw a isopod wearing a suit and small, round sunglasses. He carried a suitcase full of stuffed animals from a familiar place. Eight smiled and walked up to his guardian.
"Father!" Eight said, happily giving him a hug. "I've missed you greatly, my young squire." Iso Padre said to the boy.
"Come on, I'll sit with you. I want to hear all about the tour thus far." Iso Padre said, pushing him and his child to the tables in the cafe.
Eight had taken a sip of his coffee and explained how the tour went.
He told him about the Memverse and the poems he made of the Jelletons.
Iso Padre looked like he was getting a little confused. "I'm glad you managed to stop this "Order" being, at least." He simply said, straightening his glasses.
"He's classified as "Smollusk" now, it would seem. That aside, that was why we came back to Inkopolis Square to begin with. I wanted to see if everyone was all right." Eight explained.
Iso Padre noticed there was something different about Eight's speech a little. "I can assure you I am all right, son." Iso Padre told his child. "Right…so, have you been working with anyone new?" He asked.
"I'm glad you asked. I happen to be partnered to Hotlantis's Barry C., he believes the Memcakes I carried could have potential for accessorizing." He explained, Eight looked unsure. "You're certain that would be wise? I know how much your Memcakes mean to you." Eight said. "I believe I will go for it. My memories tell a story many can piece together, but what I believe is better is that people can create their own unique experiences from these." Iso Padre looked at the case filled with his hopes and dreams.
Eight nodded his head, frowning a little. Iso Padre could notice that glance, and he immediately place two hands on his shoulder. "I-I apologize, Eight. I never meant to—"
"I'm okay, Father. My memories before I met everyone…Would they even be worth my longing for them?" Eight asked, folding his arms. This was something that always bothered him. His memories before the Deepsea Metro were still missing. But if the memories returned, would he change into something he hated?
The new self that exists now, the affiliate of the New Squidbeak Splatoon, the son of Iso Padre, the poet friend of Agent 4 & Off The Hook.
"What if my memories return…and I stop being myself?" Eight asked.
Iso Padre straightened his glasses. "I cannot tell you how to live your life, young squire." He began to explain. "Who you are is decided by none but you, and even if you changed, I would still love you as my son." Iso Padre was taken aback when Eight hugged him tightly.
"Father's law, don't fall into fear's maw." Iso Padre advised. "Thanks, Dad…" Eight said, smiling brightly.
Eight took a deep breath, before taking out a piece of paper. Iso Padre folded his arms and smiled underneath.
"The past shatters like grey stained glass.
The future I will paint with colors non-faint.
And I can re-coat any present impasse."
"What do you think?" Eight asked. "I think it's a good one. But what do YOU think, son?" Iso Padre asked.
Eight smiled confidently, "I think it's good one."
(He's home)
Eight walked into his apartment and saw that it looked like Four wasn't even home. "Four…are you here?" Eight asked, before placing his things on the side of the living room. He went to Four's bedroom and knocked on the door.
"Four? Are you in your bedroom?" He asked, before seeing that the door was slightly open. Four was fast asleep in bed, and his phone was on the table next to him.
"Oh, you've been asleep. My apologies." Eight decided he would give him a little time before he wakes up. He made sure he wasn't sick in bed or anything. But it was a little odd, Four had been radio silent almost all day. He can't have been in bed all day, could he?
Eight walked back into a living room and decided to text Pearl & Marina.
He then saw Marina was trying to call him. "Hello? Marina?" Eight asked.
"Eight, I just got back to the tour bus, can you meet us here right away?" Marina asked.
"Of course. I'm on my way." Eight said, looking to Four's bedroom door. He left a small note on the door saying: "Get well rested. I'll see you later."
Eight walked out, wondering what Marina would want to talk about.
(Okay, we're done for now! I hope you guys enjoyed it! Like I said, I got a little more fanfic-y on this one, but I hope it doesn't deviate the story.
Anyways, per requests, Agent 4 is also a boy in this fanfic, and he is voiced by Yuri Lowenthal the voice of…A lot of characters I'm familiar with. I'll mostly say Suzaku Kururugi, Yosuke Hanamura & Mylo from Arcane.
New Agent 3 is a girl here, alongside Captain 3. Nueva Agent 3 imho would sound like Chloë Grace Moretz from Nimona.
Murch I feel has a deep chill voice now, so he would be voiced by Jaboukie Young-White who played Connor in Teenage Kraken.
Iso Padre may be changed later on, but rn I'm thinking Chris Tergliafera, the voice of Ryoma Hoshi from Danganronpa V3.
Anyways, stay strong and awesome!)
John 1:1 KJV:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.