Survivors of Alterna: Final Run

Chapter 30: The Plan

Akikta shot up in bed, finding himself in... his room?

Yeah, there was no mistaking it. The various movie posters on the walls and the lonely blue lava lamp on his desk were dead giveaways. But why was he here? How was he here? Wasn't he chasing Eight around the ruined Residential Zone? That's what he remembered last.

Could this have all been a nightmare? Was it over? Was he finally—

"You're awake!" A voice boomed, interrupting his thoughts and thus ending his visual hallucination.

Akikta's room abruptly morphed into a decayed luxury suite, and instead of being on his bed, he was on a decently comfortable queen-sized bed. The blue light from the lava lamb gradually dimmed, being replaced with white ceiling lights.

Akikta looked to his left, seeing that part of the suite wall had been destroyed. Its destruction gave him a gorgeous view of the Residential Zone and another tower in the distance.

He then looked to his right to see most of the Splatoon conversing with each other about...something. They were too far away to hear anything coherent, but judging from their facial expressions and body language, it was a serious conversation.

Finally, Akikta looked ahead to see the voice that had spoken earlier was Nakji, perched over him like a watchful owl. "You really gotta stop doing that..." he said, getting a fright from how close she was, but managing to hold back any screams.

"O-oh, sorry." Nakji apologized and leaned back.

Akikta noticed she was on the bed with him, sitting on her knees while holding his fractured mask. After a moment of staring, he looked down at his body, seeing most of the ink he used was gone. Only his left inky arm remained. "How long was I out?"

"Twenty minutes," a new voice answered. He looked to his side to see Nakji wasn't the only one watching over him. Marina, Pearl, and Inka were also huddled around his bed. The one who answered his question was none other than Marina.

"You ok, dude?" Pearl asked, concerned. Akikta couldn't blame her for sounding worried. He did just attack them less than half an hour ago.

"No, I'm not." He answered honestly with a frown. "Sorry... I didn't mean to hurt any of you."

"But it wasn't you, was it?" Nakji said, staring into his eyes with a knowing look. He didn't respond, but his silence told them enough.

"Then who was it?" Inka asked curiously.

Akikta opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. He realized he shouldn't tell them about Aku. Not only would it be too complicated to explain, but how would they look at him afterward?

No differently than now. They already hate you.

Akikta grabbed his head, mentally telling the voice within to shut up. He didn't need or want Aku spouting his nonsense. Especially not now.

After a short delay, he responded to Inka. "Nobody. Just an episode." Inka and the others frowned at his response, clearly not believing him. "Don't worry, I know how it happens now. I can control it... Promise." He half-assedly reassured them, looking back down at his left arm.

Akikta couldn't help but chuckle at his predicament. Of course, the one means he has to fight back is also the deadliest risk he could take. He was certain he could control his little problem so long as he watched his ink consumption. But that was easier said than done—especially in the heat of battle... The Great Spirit was evidently not favoring him right now.

"Hey, uh, Aki?" He looked up to see Pearl step closer to his bed. "Thanks."

Akikta raised a brow. "For what?"