Salmon Run: Last Stand (A Splatoon 3 story)

Chapter 1: A Chance to Swim Again

I exited the SplatsVille lobby, ashamed. My last match had stamped me as a fallen star. My clothes were tattered, and the soles of my shoes were loose. I sighed in disappointment at myself. How did this happen?

I remember being one of the best players in my league. I had dominated the competitive scene for many months and partook in many SplatFests. Many hours were spent studying the insides of the game. Everyone felt I was unstoppable. However, this season has plummeted me to the lowest rank in my career.

I don't know how I can recover from this. My life savings were spent towards my training. No matter what I did, everyone else seemed to have found an advantage against me.

"Well, well," a voice spoke nearby, "Look what the kraken dragged down. Another mighty squid hunted."

I look up and see an octoling in his worker outfit. "Leave me alone. I've already got enough problems."

"Oh, come now. You're not the first inkling I've seen lose his tentacles."

I said nothing. I would've rather punched his smug smile off his lips. "And how would you know what I've been through?"

"I was in a similar situation as you were. But you probably don't recognise me."

"What are you talking about?"

"You probably don't know me, but I used to be known as Platypus Bait."

I looked up to examine him closer. I could see the resemblance. But to be honest, I couldn't care less. "What do you want from me?"

"Nothing much. I'm just here to help a friend."

"Sorry, but we're not friends. I just want to be alone right now."

"Throughout this conversation, we've become acquaintances. Perhaps you don't want a friend, but someone who will listen."

"I thought I told you to leave me be." I don't know what he did, but he was almost like his empathy sensed my distress. As much as I didn't want to admit, I needed to talk to someone.

"What if I told you there was a way you could gain some extra cash?"

"What are you getting at?"

"Grizzco Industries is always happy to accept any newcomers for the cause."

I knew what he was offering. "No. No way."

"Come on now. An inkling who hit the bottom of the ocean has nowhere to go but up."

"I won't reduce myself to some lowly run-down job that endangers everyone on high tide."

"And we protect everyone when that happens."

"Yeah, right? And then it's right back to stealing eggs from them salmonoids."

"Just think about it, alright?" He dropped a business card in front of me, and he walked away, back into Grizzco Industries. The guy was so annoying. I hated him even more because he was right. I didn't have many options and I couldn't go back in the lobby with everyone waiting for me.

After picking up the card, I made my way to the back of my apartment. I needed some time alone. As I walked up the stairs in my block, I try to avoid contact as much as possible. No one must see me like this.

Thankfully, I reached my apartment unnoticed. I opened the door to be greeted by Small Fry. He ran up to my legs, wagging his little tail. "Hello Small Fry." He's the only thing I can count on to not mock me. I laid down on the sofa in the living room. Small Fry climbed onto my stomach and laid down. He could sense my distress. I stroked his orange hair. So soft as always.

I got tired and dozed off. I woke up the next morning with Small Fry licking my sweating face. "Morning to you too." I got up and poured a bowl of his favourite kibble. He devoured his bowl like a beast. I made some breakfast for myself too.

I stared out the window overlooking SplatsVille. Headlines came out about my recent failure. Even more news came when they said that I had gone missing and that no one has seen me. I shut the curtains, refusing to hear more.

I looked at the business card he gave me yesterday. Even I couldn't deny that this company had good quality printing. But I wasn't convinced. What did he think when he came up to me like that? Telling me I could make some extra cash was right, but not at the risk of selling salmonoid eggs to who knows what.

I looked down at Small Fry, who stared at me with excitement. "What to go for a walk, bud?" The moment I say those words, he's running around the front door.

I attach my leash to him. I step out of the apartment and head downstairs with Small Fry trailing behind. Before I headed out, I wore a mask around my face. Hopefully, that was enough for people to not recognise me. I stroll through the main plaza serenely. So far, no one had noticed. But then I bumped into him again.

"Well, hello again. Fancy seeing you again."

I hate my life so much now. "Please, just leave me alone, will you?"

"If I recall correctly, you came to me. Surely, you must want something out of me."

"No, I don't. Good day." I rushed away, trying to avoid him.

"Well, we're about to hit big soon enough. More money than you can think of." I stopped at the sound of money. I turned around and asked him what he was talking about. "Oh yeah. There's a big job coming up. Boss says that this job will pay us thousands if we get it done right. But if you're not interested-"

"Now hold on," I interrupted him. "How much are we talking about here?"

"Oh, hard to say. Probably enough to fix your current predicament."

That sounded too good to be true. Their boss would never be that generous. "What's the job, anyway?"

"I can't tell you that. You would have to apply at Grizzco first."

"Come on. Tell me, you sleazy octopus."

"No can do. It's classified information."

I struggled not to strangle his neck. He must be enjoying this, anyway. But if what he's saying is true, it's something I can't pass up on. That much money could save me. "Well, what I can do?"

"Well, luckily for you, they're accepting newcomers, too. We need all the help we can get."

I sighed in disbelief. "Okay. I'll join your crew."

I could see his smile. "Glad to hear it. Meet in front of Grizzco Industries tomorrow morning, then we'll talk more." He walked away, back into Grizzco.

I couldn't believe myself. From top SplatGames player to nothing to egg hunter. What have I got myself into? I asked myself. Small fry waited for my command. I continued to walk him along the plaza. I returned to the apartment with a sorrow look on my face. Small Fry could sense something was wrong. He rubbed against my legs.

"Oh, don't worry yourself, Small Fry." I explained to him. "Things are going to work out for the both of us, okay?" I stroked his hair. "I just need to do a job so that we can live, okay? So that we can both live. You understand that, don't you?" He licked my nose with much love. "Thank you, Small Fry, for understanding me."

I went to fill up his bowl again for the night. He ate his kibble fast. Although I didn't feel hungry. I went to my bedroom and laid my face on my pillows. I dreaded having to work at Grizzco, but I had no other choice. This was something I had to do for me and Small Fry. I slept with that thought on my mind, hoping to get it over with.