Salmon Run: Last Stand (A Splatoon 3 story)

Chapter 7: The Examination

I heard a voice call out to me. It called out to me saying my name. My vision was blurry as I shifted my eyelids. A bright light shone on the ceiling, with three shadows looking down at me. As I awakened, my senses became clearer. I saw Platypus Bait, Squid Surf, and Sting Ray, all with concerned faces.

"Oh, thank goodness. You're alive," Sting Ray said.

"We were worried about you," Squid Surf said.

"Guys ..." I spoke. "What ... happened?"

"You don't remember?" Platypus Bait asked.

"Not really." I stood up, sitting on the floor. I saw we were back at the training area. My temples ached and a sour taste stained my mouth. "My head hurts. And why do I taste salmonoid?"

"You really don't remember anything?" Sting Ray asked me.

"All I remember was that I charged forward with an aching belly. Then, a bright light radiated from me."

"Well, it was hectic," Squid Surf said. "But then you transformed into something monstrous."

I struggled to understand his words. I panicked at the thought. "What do you mean? What happened to me?"

"Calm down, Small Fry," Platypus Bait said. "You didn't hurt anyone. Quite the opposite, actually."

My breaths became tighter and my chest pumped harder. "What is going on? Someone, please explain."

"Hook Line," Sting Ray said. "You turned into a giant squid."

A giant squid? What was she getting at? "What do you mean? We're squids. We can't be giant."

"Except you did," Platypus Bait added. "Giant tentacles, gaping beak, everything."

I couldn't believe what I heard. "No, it can't be."

"Well, believe it or not, you saved our lives. If it weren't for that, we wouldn't have got out alive."

"So, what about the King Salmonoids?"

"To put it lightly, you devoured them." Squid Surf said, "Not figuratively speaking; you literally grabbed them and devoured them whole."

"Oh, no wonder I feel so full."

"Just rest now," Sting Ray said. "We still need to figure out what happened here."

At that moment, a team of scientists walked into the room. "Wait, what's going on?"

"When we told the team about our findings, they became interested in your sudden transformation," Squid Surf said.

"They wanted to run some tests on you to figure out what it was that caused it," Platypus Bait added.

My heart beat harder than ever. So much was going on, I was about to faint. "No. They're not going to dissect me, are they?"

"Relax. Just some blood work and CAT scans. They just want to analyse you for any anomalies."

"What anomalies? I feel fine."

"Trust us, Hook Line," Sting Ray said. "We're worried about you. What if you turn into that thing again?"

"Then we'll splat you," a voice spoke out. I turned to see an octoling wearing a white suit and shades. "So, either you comply or else."

"And who are you?" I asked.

"Sir, I'm Doctor Fleming. I'm in charge of the research division. Now, come with us."

"Are you crazy? I'm not going anywhere."