Agent 38: In The Making

Chapter 1: Fight For Freedom

Mechanical speakers in the form of tentacles drifted around in the empty space, blasting the Calamari Inkantation from an unknown source. Small dots of multicolored lights swirled around the arena as well, reminding her of the fireflies she'd seen once. The harmonious melody played as the male Inkling jumped off of what seemed to be a floating UFO, slamming his fist down into the ground a few feet in front of her.
     The female Octoling dove out of the way, trying to fire at him. Somehow, he dodge rolled out of the way even though he wasn't using Dualies. She inked a path forward to proceed, but was forced out of the ink when he smashed both fists into the ground behind her, breaking the cheap armor she had on. As she flew threw the air, she clutched her body in pain, rolling onto her back with gritted teeth. She saw as he tossed her a wicked smile, and then his ink tank started glowing. She winced. He ran up to her, jumped up, and she heard her armor regenerate, and heard the woosh and boom of the Splashdown. When the ink settled, she realized she was pinned to the ground (And, miraculously, still alive). His hand was on her neck, the other hand gripping his Hero Shot as he pressed it into her stomach. The air was forced put of her lungs and she coughed, squinting at him.
     "Why are you here!?" He yelled at her, a look of pure, untouched fury in his eyes. "What do you want, you filthy, lying Octoling? How did you take off the goggles!?"
     She coughed again, trying to force the words out past her throat. "I want... freedom..." She strained. "And the Inkantation... opened my eyes."
     The Inkling froze for a moment, his expression softening. Her vision went a bit blurry. He shook his head and pressed his hand to her throat even harder. "No. All Octolings are liars and killers and loyal to DJ Octavio. I'll only ask you once more, what do you want with the Inklings!?"
     Her ears began to ring, and she felt her body going limp. She pressed her eyes shut, waiting for death. All of a sudden, the weight was lifted off her body, and she surged up, coughing and gasping for air. She felt a dizzying rush of nausea as all the ink came rushing back to her head. Her eyes quickly darted around, looking for the hostile Inkling. He was pinned to the floor, held by four odd-looking Octolings. They were a neon green that faded to a deep blue at the fingertips, and the reverse for their long tentacles; deep blue that faded to a neon green. They wore the new Octoling Shades, and the Neo Octoling Armor. Suddenly, one of them pulled out a long, thin needle with a teal green liquid inside of it and slowly lowered it to the Inkling's arm.
     I should run, She realized with a shiver of fear. Or else I could get caught like he did. She turned to run, but hesitated as she heard the Inkling's panicked grunts and screams. "Help me!" He yelled at her.
     The Octoling pressed her eyes shut and clenched her fists, torn. She could run away now and get away safely, or she could prove her worth to the Inkling and maybe, just maybe, make a friend (Although this particular Inkling seemed quite intimidating, she had to admit). She sighed and turned, sprinting towards the Octolings, Octo Shot gripped firmly in her hands.
     She fired at the nearest Octoling, who had the needle. "Get off of him!" She yelled, splatting the Octarian. The needle clattered to the ground, and the Inkling shot her a wide-eyed, surprised, relieved look. He freed his other leg and kicked the Octarian into her, and she splatted that one, too.
     "No!" The remaining Octolings both screamed at the same time, an odd robotic edge to their voices. They let go of the Inkling and charged towards her, Charger and Octobrush in hand.
     Her eyes widened in fear, but she clutched her gun and narrowed her eyes. The Charger isn't made for low range, Her thoughts quickly said. Take out the Octobrush first, that one is much more dangerous. She quickly splatted the Octobrush, twisted out of the way of the Charger's shot, and splatted that one as well. She took a long moment to appreciate her victory, then turned to the Inkling. Their eyes locked, and he nodded as a silent "thank you".
     They were both quiet for a long moment, staring at each other. The Inkling finally rubbed his arms and opened his mouth to speak. She shook her head, cutting him off.
     "Don't say anything." She said, hands on her hips. "You don't have to. You're face says it all."
     His cheeks suddenly went a deep red, and he said in a strong, serious voice, "All I was going to say was thank you. And I'm sorry. I've never met an Octoling who didn't try to kill me on the spot."
     She waved her hand, as if blowing away smoke. "It's in the past already. Come on, we have to find a way out." Gradually, as they looked for an exit, the Calamari Inkantation slowed to a stop, and loud screams and yells of pain echoed from what used to be a heavenly melody. She turned to him with a shrug, and he lifted his shoulders in response with an "I dunno." Look on his face. They stared at each other again, for an even longer moment. She couldn't read his face, it was like trying to make sense out of a book made by narwhals. She opened her mouth to say something and break the silence.
     His eyes suddenly went wide, and he shoved her backwards, straight into another Octarian with a Hydra Splatling. She looked up, and the Octoling stared at her, before shoving her back into the Inkling and revving up the Splatling.
     She grabbed his hand and swung him behind a large glass aquarium, and then the Octoling smashed the Splatling into the back of her head. For a moment, her mind was in a stunned daze, and her body felt like it was covered in ice and then set on fire. She collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
     Before she was completely out, she heard the Inkling struggling, then a grunt, and he fell to the floor, too. Their eyes locked, and he shot her a quickly fading "Sorry" look.
     Well, Her thoughts whispered. There goes my chance for freedom. And a friend.
     And then she drifted into the deep, pitch black darkness that called her forth.

Word Count: 1057
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
(Sorry, I know it's kind of short... and cringy.)