Splatoon: Security in Chaos

The Torrential Tyrant

Albert woke up the next day back in that metro to find an ink brush by his side. He examined it closely, it used the same head he had been using thus far, but had a custom handle, with a decorative rain pattern.

"Morning sweetie!" D1 smiled at him kissing his forehead as he was still half asleep, "We're close to the surface. It's just a bit of a ride from here, no more tests."

Albert yawned as he sat upright, examining the brush, he looked at D1 and thanked her, "Thanks for-"

"Yeah it's custom," She smiled, "Look, I won't always be with you on the surface, and like, I don't want you to be fully dependent on me to function. But at least with that, that Stormbringer, I named it that since you liked Rainmaker, you'll always have a part of me with you."

Albert smiled, "Thanks..."

He pondered for a moment. He had noticed some red flags, that had made him worried. He asked her, "You're... You're leaving with me, right?"

D1 froze, she had hoped she could stall this conversation just a little longer. She replied, "Look, Albert, I love you, I do, but there's something I need from this place. Until I find it, and after I find it, I need you to trust me to chose for myself."

D1 sighed, "Everyone told me this was a bad idea. I just... really need you to support me right now. OK?"

Albert nodded, "OK, but, what if it is a bad idea?"

D1 sighed, "Just... let me choose for myself. If all else fails I'll always be with in you some form..."

Albert gripped his Strombringer in the present and muttered to himself, "But... I miss the real thing. I miss the real you..."

"Hey Albert," Terry and Cara greeted, "You got a sec?"

Albert nodded, "Yeah but not long. It's been another two weeks and our forces have finally reached the Radio Tower. Pearl is expecting me."

"About that..." Terry continued, "Cara and I have been... talking... and..."

Cara was more stern, "Albert this is an intervention. You have to stop while you're ahead. This is starting to really hurt you."

Albert was baffled, "What? Come on guys, we're friends, back me up!"

"Albert, look," Terry sighed, "If you didn't catch the hint, I chose Team Chaos back then, and I regret my choice but-"

"You said it yourself we're brothers, it's fine!" Albert interrupted, "I love you like family man. It's fine."

"Yeah but you're getting more angry as time goes on," Cara replied, "You're scaring us man. You keep muttering and sobbing in your sleep something about some girl? Look, if there's one thing we agree on, it's that I love you like family to, like my folks at Grizzco, but, I'm not going to let you destroy yourself. At least tell us who... what was her name?"

"Guys," Albert begged, "Please. She's gone... I don't wanna... I..."

And he broke, crying, "She... She abandoned me... She told me to let her choose for herself and..." Albert steadied himself, a mix of resentment of feeling betrayed by D1, and spite at those who chose chaos used as mental anchors for him. "Look. I loved her. Romantically. She chose for herself, and it completely ruined her. The masses chose for themselves and it ruined this whole city. We have to take over. End of discussion.

"Albert please this isn't what you need," Terry begged, "You're sick, you're mentally ill. You need help."

Albert insisted, "No... no... I'm fine. I'm OK." He steadied his shaking voice, his resolve and tone became firm, "Look, what happened with her broke me, but, that and this? It taught me not to let others choose. I'm going to make sure no one else gets hurt. I just wanna feel safe. This is the only way I can do that. Cara, if we don't do this, what'll happen if the Ruby Runners come back? And Terry, what about the refugees we're still evacuating?"