Splatoon Manga: CybeRun

Chapter 12: Coming Up With A Plan

⚙️Chapter 12: Coming Up With A Plan

"Bobble Hat?!" the group shouted.

Indeed, it was Bobble Hat! But...she looked different. Her hat had been darkened and dirtied, and had patches on it as if holes had been previously made on it. Her gray hoodie was also darkened, and she wore dark pants with tears and rips in it. Her shoes were muddied up, but at least they hadn't been busted up too badly. She looked at the squidbeak before gasping lightly.

"G...Goggles?!" Bobble Hat cried.

"Huh?"

Before anyone could say anything else, Bobble ran forward and gave Goggles a hug. The other squidbeak were a little confused, but decided not to intervene. There were seats around the area, so they sat down.

"Uh...good to...see you?" Goggles said, clearly confused.

Was this the Bobble he knew? Or was this a different Bobble? He wasn't sure. Bobble on the other hand, paused what she was doing.

"Oh...you...you're probably not who I think you are...I know the REAL Goggles was taken and experimented on...you guys must be from another world," she sighed, letting the hug go and backing away.

She still smiled, despite her sad tone.

"Wait, you mean those robotic counterparts are...US in this universe?!" Gloves exclaimed.

"Yes...a girl named L1-V3 took you guys and...made robot weapons based on you that obeyed her every command," Bobble replied.

Flip looked up in a panic.

"She wHA-"

"SHHHH! They'll hear you!" Bobble said worriedly.

"Oh. Sorry-"

"L1-V3? Please, explain what happened," Hachi said.

"Well, nobody knows where she came from, but when she appeared, you guys immediately took action. You guys were doing so great, up until the point where she squidnapped one of you and you guys all fell apart," Bobble explained.

Rider started thinking. This was like that time Hex had hexxed the whole squidbeak, except for the fact that he was partially immune to it...for some reason. He guessed that the squidbeak weren't immune to mind control via machine like this...

"You all soon were captured, and Inkopolis was helpless without you guys. So...so many of our people were captured and taken under her control...and then they were turned into robots without a will. I don't even know if they ARE still in there, L1-V3 might've just...killed them off..." Bobble said quietly.

The squidbeak exchanged nervous glances. So this was a universe where the villain had WON against them? And if they used a time machine to get here...then...

Oh no.

Not ONLY did they have to get back to their time, they ALSO had to somehow prevent whatever started this world.

"So uh. If this girl somehow overpowered all of us, how are you still alive?" Gloves asked.

"Oh, I hid in Octo Canyon with a few others," Bobble replied. "L1-V3's found the resistance multiple times and taken people by force, but...a few people are alive, at least...."

"Anyone we know?" Emperor asked.

"Probably not..." Bobble mumbled.

"The odds are kinda seeming like they're tilted...is there any chance we have at defeating this girl?" Rider asked.

"One chance we have is with Specs and Headphones...or as they're called here, SP3-C5 and H34D-P40-N35. I just call them C5 and N35, though...."

"Why them?" Prince asked. "Did something happen to them?"

"I tampered with L1-V3's tech after breaking in multiple times...and made it so that they could resist her evil will at least a little. I wish I could've saved everyone else, but...by that time, your robotic selves were nearly complete, and I couldn't hack in as easily..."

"Well then, we should try and get ahold of them," Nana said.

"We'll need a way in...and a way around those robot versions of us. They look dangerous," Flip thought out loud.

"You might have to fight them sooner or later," Bobble sighed. "The robot squidbeak are L1-V3's top defense against intruders and rebels."

"We should get a map of the city first, then we can map out a plan," Hachi said.

"Right, I'll go find one-"

Flip felt a tug on her arm as she attempted to stand up. She paused and turned around to see Nana looking at her.

"The robot versions of us might still be there! We should not make moves just yet!"

"But...I gotta do SOMETHING!" Flip exclaimed.

"Wait, didn't Lisa say that the corporation that runs this place have electricity crystals?" Rider inquired.

"Yeah, why?" Goggles asked.

"If L1-V3 runs this place..."

The squidbeak's eyes widened. It seemed that their goal had changed from "get an electricity crystal" to "take down L1-V3 to get an electricity crystal". They still had the present to worry about too, since stopping L1-V3 here wouldn't do anything to change the fact she would take over later in their time. Unless this was an alternate world, but...for now they just had those two major tasks to focus on.

"Don't worry, there should be a map of the city in the actual city!" Bobble said.

"Oh, okay..."

Flip sat down, and had a glance at the others. Hachi and Rider seemed to be in deep thought, as they were probably forming a plan. Not a moment later, Rider stood up.

"Emperor, Prince, and Goggles and I can keep watch for robots. We're stronger, so we'll fend them off while the rest of you guys keep going," he said.

"Oh please! Like a robot could defeat a king of-"

Emperor was interrupted with a loud cough from Prince.

"Emp, you and I need to have a talk about this later," Prince said.

Emperor sighed and shook his head.

"Flip, Gloves, Hachi, Nana. You guys can sneak into the building and get past the technology systems," Rider continued. "If you need help, send one member to us."

Flip and the three nodded.

"Bobble, are you coming with?" Goggles asked.

"Sorry, I can't right now. I'll try and get the rebellion together so we can help you guys later though!"

"Okay!"

The squidbeak stood up from their sitting positions. Flip fist-pumped the air.

"Alright! Time to take down a society!"