Pink Roses

The Past is Never Forgotten

_Nine Years ago_

Splatsville floods with inklings and octolings. The weather is a disaster as everyone desperately rushes to their homes wanting to take shelter.
Three of the S4 take cover at one of the diners on the corner and waited for the storm to pass. Mask sneezed every now and then and Skull was more concerned about his dessert that he immediately ordered.

Army watched as the heavy rain clashed along the window and wondered where Aloha could be.
There weren't many people at this location so it was unusually quite but none of them cared they just wanted to leave and get to where they need to go.

Army took a heavy sigh and decided that he needs to share some information with the two.

"Alright, I wanted to tell you this to all three of you but..Aloha isn't here so I'll just say it now.."

Mask rolled his eyes, "Go ahead..it's not like we can leave.." He slurred but yelped once Skull nudged him in his arm. "...I'm leaving Splatsville."
The table gone silent as Skull and Masked shared the same expression of disbelief. "You're what." Skull drops his spoon to have his focus on the squid in front of him. Mask crossed his arms and slumped in his seat without saying anything. "I got an offer on something that I kinda want to do...and I think it would be nice.." Army admits as he looks at his lap and not at the people who he has known since the beginning.

Skull doesn't find the words to say and instead looks over at Mask who just hides his face.

"I'm..sorry but it's come to that point where we need to..you know.."

"Grow up." Skull stated so effortlessly.

Army clenched his hands and felt as if he's making a mistake. Skull noticed the behavior and stepped up to comfort his ally. "If it's something you want to do, then go ahead and do it..we'll support you." Army raised his head to look at Skull.

"Well you won't get it from me." Mask sneered as he pushed himself away from the table and begins to walk away but Skull got up and forced him to stay.
"Mask..." Army croaked as he watched the cyan squid tremble. "I hate you all. I'm glad to see you leave because I'm tired of looking at your stupid face..." Mask sniffs as he pulls his gas mask down to continuously wipe his nose and eyes.

"I'll miss you guys." Army told with a heavy smile. Skull agrees and forced Mask and himself over to embrace Army. "Visit some time though.."
Mask begged as he covers his face against Army's jacket.

"Whatever you say Mask"

The three depart and begin collecting themselves after that moment of weakness. "When do you leave?"
Questioned Skull who went back to his dessert. "—unfortunately this evening. It's why I wanted us to be together today." Army nervously pulls out his phone since it's cutting close to the time. Skull and Mask give each other a glance then look to Army.

"You need to find Aloha."
Urged the strongest S4.

"It's still raining. I can't go out there." Army expressed his concern but Skull pulled his jacket off and tossed it over to his companion. "Go say goodbye." He encouraged as Army slips it on and waves one final goodbye to his friends.

"...You think he'll find him in time..." Mask questioned but Skull had no answer. He only prayed. As the story goes, Army never did find Aloha and eventually had to leave. He stepped onto that train with his few things and slumped down in one of the seats; rubbing his face from exhaustion and regret. "Maybe it was for the best..."

*

Later into that same night Aloha sat with his teammates having a few drinks when he finally got the call from Mask.
"Shit I gotta take this. Give me a second." Aloha laughed not knowing what he was about to hear and stepped onto the balcony where he received the heart breaking news.