A quick A/N before the last chapter. I started working on this thing sometime before October of 2021, which means it's taken me almost an entire year to finish it (with extremely long breaks in-between, obviously). It feels surreal that this is the first long-term writing project I have ever officially completed. At over 33,000 words, this is also definitely the longest piece of writing I have ever made, let alone this chapter, at over 10,000 words, being the longest stand-alone piece. I've had my doubts while writing it, given how incredibly edgy and dramatic it is (I'm used to writing for an audience of 12-year-olds with previous projects which are now unpublished, so sorry if any older readers find it hard to take any of this seriously), but right now, I'm at terms with what this has become... ignoring the fact that I just went through the previous 5 chapters and edited them slightly because I somehow felt embarrassed they were not perfect. I plan on continuing writing longer projects like this in the future, as well. I don't mind writing for such a small community, because while I'm becoming a better author free-writing fanfiction like this, I'm also entertaining, which is my primary goal. So, hope I've done a good job at that. I was going to write a bonus chapter exploring what happens after this chapter ends but... I feel like it's perfect the way it is. Also, Coroika Splatoon characters DESPERATELY need more character development (I tried to stay true to what is already canon, though).
Anyways... thanks for reading : ))
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There was a short burst of pink from a grate somewhere outside of Inkopolis Square. Three small figures shot out from the opening after another eruption of ink, transforming mid-air into humanoid forms, heavy and flashy gear revealed as the pink encasing them evaporated. Two planted their feet on the ground firmly, professionally; the third stumbled a bit before finding their footing, clearly not as familiar with this sort of travel. Once adjusted, they faced the tunnel from which they had just emerged.
"...Are they coming?" Three's expectant gaze landed on Aloha, who huffed from beside him.
"I'm not sure they're able to super jump just yet", he responded, crouching down and peering through the mesh. "Hey! You guys having some trouble?"
A grunt of frustration echoed up from the darkness, followed by a quiet sigh.
"...Do you need me to come back down?" There was a long pause, before a series of thuds, accompanied by several other unpleasant noises.
"Alright, alright, get out of the way, I'm coming!" He transformed into a squid before sinking through the grate, disappearing while Three and Eight waited above.
The tunnels used for transport by the agents were sometimes built by the Octarians, although most normally built by Inklings and simply connected to practically untouched and old Octarian framework, disguised as drains. However, unlike drains, the openings to these tunnels were elevated high enough to prevent water from flooding in, except in the case of rain, but those who used the tunnels were always weary of what the weather would be. Aloha slid against the smooth, metal surfaces as he headed down, before very abruptly barreling into a thick jacket.
He transformed back, a hand on his head as he looked up at them. In the dim light of the tunnel, their eyes, which once would have glowed, were still very clearly visible given how bright their pupils were, and their black sclera gave the illusion of two cyan dots projected over a void. What little light reflected off the metallic walls casted them in an eerie monotone glow, their skin seeming somehow paler. He didn't want to think about how the stretch of time the hive-mind had been out of them might be affecting their bodies.
