Splatoon 2: Lost In The Dark

2- Dereliction with Pizazz

Kia stood at the outskirts of the crowd. Octarians from almost every corner of the valley had gathered in anticipation at the large cavern of kettle 4-E. Conversation buzzed in the air, methodically punctuated by the crash of metal on concrete. Every green sclera eye squinted at the old, sealed away valley-canyon tunnel. She pushed the hood of her wrinkled navy hoodie farther over her highlighter yellow tentacles and looked down.

With one final push rubble spilled onto the floor. All conversation died with the barrier as the painted face of an octostamp appeared in the wreckage. Behind him, an octoling with jet black tentacles with kelp on top advanced to the front of the crowd.

"Octarians of kettle 4-E, I am Lieutenant Ike. I come with news from the canyon. Octavio is back. He has returned triumphantly with the great zapfish and has taken an Agent from the Squidbeak Splatoon into custody. However, the Squidbeak Splatoon is mounting yet another attack, this time on the canyon. To bolster our defenses the valley-canyon shuttle will be reconstructed."

Kia locked eye contact with a scowling octotrooper in the center of the crowd and tugged her ear. He raised his voice over the rabble, "So now the canyon wants to open up the valley. When they're the ones with an inkling intruder!"

A ripple of murmurs surged in the crowd. Ike coughed, "Furthermore, several caverns in Tentakeel Outpost require a new power source. Intel leads us to believe the valley has zapfish to spare. At this time of great need, we now call upon the citizens of the valley--"

Kia yawned and rubbed her eyes. An octocopter fluttered expectantly and cried out in a shrill voice, "Where was the canyon in the valley's time of need? Nowhere! No zapfish was sent to give aid. And in the middle of evacuating you, canyon people barricaded yourselves in! Left us to rot as our home turned into a grave! Why should we help you?"

The octocopter's voice became lost in the mob's roaring chorus. At the sight of each frowning face, Kia's smile twisted wider.

"ENOUGH!" Ike commanded. The group swelled louder. Ike surged on.

"Octavio himself has decreed that the valley will aid the canyon." The octostamp next to him took a threatening step forward and the crowd abruptly quieted.

"And I strongly suggest you comply. Lest inklings overrun us all."

Ike and the stamp turned on their heels and disappeared back through the tunnel. The octarians dispersed in groups. Most of the scowling faces from earlier now were pale and afraid, but whether it be from fear of Octavio or fear of inkling Kia couldn't tell. Either way, I'll have to work on that.

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The cavern had shut down for the sudo-night, yet the lights of a dusty shop on the corner of a street tunnel shone through the dark.

"When do you think he'll leave?"

"Soon, I bet teach already has a nasty surprise for the lieutenant"

All conversation ceased when Kia strolled into the makeshift classroom with a snack in one hand and a folder in the other. She polished off the last pretzel in the bag and tossed the folder onto a long table in the center of the room.

"Do my eyes deceive me, or are not one, but three of my students absent today?"

"Corey told me he wasn't feeling well" Lina, the octocopter squeaked.

"Must be some illness, if he managed to pass it on to Mirai and Kyle."

"They're afraid" the Octotrooper huffed, "Of that high brow, swaggering sycophant dragging them down just for learning some Inklish."