Putz12 Plus One

SEVEN | FIVE IS ALIVE

"You did this?"

The clanking and incessant wails of the stone hammer barged through his ears. He really thought he was doing a good job, didn't he?

"Great, isn't it? I made three just like it!" The octoling with the pink afro pointed to the shoddy umbrellas with the worst foundation he'd ever seen. The tops were nearly falling apart.

"Just stick to your martial arts. Forget I asked."

Octofro never could impress his older brother. He felt like he always had the upper hand in everything he did. One day he'd be in charge of it all, he thought. And he'd get married, too. Right in the courtyard just outside the temple.

"I believe in myself, Jedd."

"Oh, give it up."

"No, really! And I'll--"

"--prove yourself to me. Yeah, you say this every time. But saying it one more time isn't gonna make it true."

He stood back, pondering the thought. If Jedd could help it, he'd never surround himself with juvenile cephs. But there were only five members of Sector Five (fitting, really) and it was stick together or be calamari, or, something like that.

"C'mon, the song! The beautiful song!!!" A girl with a faint purple skin rushed towards them, jangling with each footstep. Octofro jumped frantically. Nothing was more exciting than that. 

"Please, come! It's that time again!"

"Wrong." Jedd intercepted. The two frowned. "Not only is it not that time, it's never happening again. Here." He threw two bags of supplies and pointed to their right. "I want you guys to make something special, and by 'you guys' I mean you and Felix. Octofro will be out in the courtyard, brushing up his kata."

He wanted very much to retort with another 'you're not Father' comment but it would be no use to him. Jedd owned the sector just as much as Dad did before he disappeared. And he was sure nobody would be doing anything off-schedule.

"One of these days I'm gonna surpass you, and when I do--"

"Save it for your journal. You still have one of those, right?" He sighed. "Please just do as I ask so I don't have to use force." And so Octofro treaded his way to the courtyard, the incline almost unbearable. How much he'd like to punch him right in his pudgy face and shut him up for good.

The intimidation of the tall and cracking wooden shed just a few meters to the right would scare off any newcomer, but Seraphyne called it home. She was the last to join the group, and the happiest that they accepted her. "I would've died without you." She told Felix, who was building up something special.

"Nah." He disagreed. "I'd have died without you, my shining light."

She smiled at his graciousness and dumped the bags all over the floor.

"No, no, no not like that!" He screamed, scooping up the wood frames and bolts and screws. "They belong on the desk in my workshop!"

"Sorry! Sorry!" She apologized, her head down and light fading. "I really didn't mean it."

"It's... no trouble really." He sure wasn't convincing.

All had been well until they heard the shrill of the annoying voice they were unfortunately used to at that point. It wasn't like him to be up so early, then again, it was the day of the song. Anyone would be excited for a hint of positivity in the darkness of their chaotic world.

"Sera! Felix!"

"Oh, no." The two moaned.

That octoling with the blonde tentacle faded red at its tip was none other than Derek Fifty-Two. Known for his love of sadism and snarky attitude, it was no wonder those two didn't want to speak to him today. Or ever, really.