"Anybody here? Anyone?"

============

Brooks's P. O. V

This happened to me before. And I won't let other people get hurt by my idiocy. And thank God, unlike last time, I'm not severely injured.

Octoling: *looks at Brooks* ... *quiet* *then looks away*

Hm. How nice. They even have my own guard. I think I still have my color changing gadget in my pocket. I feel bad about what I'm about to do this poor Octoling.

Brooks: *sneaks up on the Octoling* ...

I grabbed the Octoling by the neck and I cut his neck he splatted Purple Ink all over the floor and me. I'm not being merciful this time.

Brooks: *reaches for his gadget* ... *tries to change color*

I'll turn my color to purple. I think you know what my plan is right?

Brooks: *swims on the purple ink and escapes the cell* ...

First, I need to get my weapon. I am vulnerable.

Brooks: I need to move past Octolings without getting noticed.

I walked to the door while crouching. I creaked the door little by little. Trying my best to not make any noise.

Brooks: *looking around* ...

There's nothing around... I hope. So walked out of the room without much opposition.

Brooks: *looks left in right* ...

There are three rooms. One left and right and in front of me. Lots of choices. And lots of chances to get compromised.

Brooks: *moves to the left door* ...

The left door is quite far away from my position so I just jogged onto the room.

As I am about to open the door, the alarms sound. And I got scared a little bit because of the surprise factor. Then I heard from the speakers...

Speaker: BASE ON LOCK-DOWN... INTRUDERS INCOMING... ETA 30 MINUTES... ALL OCTOLINGS STAY ON YOUR PLACES UNTIL FURTHER ORDERS FROM OCTAVIO... *repeats several times*

Brooks: Help is on the way immediately? Nice one. But I'll get out of this time. *opens the door*

And what I saw, was horrific. More cells. Probably abandoned. As I look into the multiple cells, looking like bones on the floor. Some rotten colors splattered on the walls. The place is like your usual horror attic. But it's real.

Brooks: *horrified* ...

What are they have been doing? This is so messed up. I give my prayers to the people who are killed here. I'll be leaving this room immediately. I'm scared.

Brooks: Nope, nope, nope. *leaves the room*

We're going to the right door now. I think that's a better idea. There's nothing good going in that room way more.

Brooks: Okay. Right room.

Then I heard some footsteps up above me. Oh no. Here we go.

Brooks: This is coming from the front door.

I ran to the right door and hid immediately. I heard the front door open with a lot of noise... Oh god. Don't get caught.

Octoling: Let's get the human.

Octoling #2: What the hell are they doing with him anyway?

Octoling: I don't know.

They went into the cell room and I heard a shout immediately.

Octoling: THE HUMAN ESCAPED!

Octoling #2: Inform Octavio quickly!

Brooks: Finally they found out. I can take them out probably before they call tell DJ Octavio.

I don't know if they are carrying weapons. But if they are, that's even better. But I might die in the process. Shall I take them out or let them pass?

A-kun: Your call.

I heard that they are running towards the stairs. As for the room I am in, there's nothing cool I can see or anything I can use as a weapon for those guys. So that's a mission failed.

Brooks: *hears out the footsteps* ...

I don't hear them now. I think? Okay, I hear the footsteps on the stairs. They're gone.

Brooks: Time to go baby... *leaves the room*

I left the room and went to the stairs to shadow the hurried Octolings. I stepped up the stairs as silently as possible.

I saw this hallway just earlier before I was locked up. Multiple cell rooms with a door for cover, multiple blind spots that they can just walk by and get me unnoticed. And best of all, there's a security room. Which is locked. I'll just wait for the alarms again so I can kick down the door and eliminate the Octolings inside.

Brooks: I'll check out inside of the cell rooms. There might be a pipe that I can use as a weapon.

There are 6 cell rooms that I can get in. I have to choose 3 to save some time. Multiple Octolings will flood this place looking for me when the news of me arrives. Let's godspeed this shall we?

After inspecting 3 rooms of choice...

The 3 inspecting the rooms, I found a rusty pipe. I'll throw this to one's head and I'll just use the knife for the rest of the Octolings in the room. If there's more than 1.

Brooks: *walks sneakily to the door of the security room* ...

Come on now... The alarm should be ringing loudly by now. Come on... Come on... I don't have all day for this. I can just ignore this. But inside that security room might get me a weapon and an ink tank and I can use it to fight my way outside the base. I should probably find my custom weapon too. I can't lose that weapon.

Speaker: ATTENTION EVERY OCTOLING IN THIS BASE. THE HUMAN ESCAPED HIS CELL. HE'S LURKING AROUND THE BASE UNNOTICED. ALL SEARCH TEAMS MOVE AND SEIZE THE HUMAN. *repeats* *as a loud alarm rings*

I kicked down the door much to the surprise of the Octolings inside the room. I threw the pipe onto the Octolings head and he's knocked out. While I cut up the last Octolings. As he splattered in purple ink, I wiped off the ink on me. And I locked the door of the security room. I already hear footsteps above me. They won't know what hit them.

Brooks: *looks at the CCTV camera's view* ...

12 contacts on the move... Not that armed nor armored. They're normal Octoling soldiers at best. Do they even have seasoned veterans at their disposal?

Brooks: Ooh... *grabs an Octoshot*

And hey! There's even an ink tank next to the weapon. What great luck for the unlucky Brooks. But I should probably stay under the radar. I'll break the monitors real quick. Or better yet, unplug the cords of the monitors and cut the wire. GENIUS!

Brooks: *unplugs the cord* ... *cuts the wire with a knife*

Now I'm completely off the radar. Okay. I'll change my color real quick so the weapon's color would change also.

Okay. Bright green it is.

Brooks: *changes his ink color* ...

Octoling: FIND THE HUMAN! CHECK EVERY ROOM! YOU! CHECK THE SECURITY ROOM!

Uh-oh. We have some company here. I should just knife the Octo again.

Brooks: *runs behind the door*...

I'm expecting the guy to be inside by now. My heart is totally not racing right now... Not at all...

The Octoling came into the room and inspected the room... Saw the splatters and I immediately cut him up before he can say anything to the group. He left behind a walkie-talkie. I could redirect the attention of the Octolings with this.

Brooks: Security room clear. Keep inspecting the lower floors over.

All of the Octolings went on the lower floor. Thank God that Octoling language classes with "Shell" paid off for once. It's the first time talking in that language.

Brooks: *walks out of the security room* ...

Next floor we go... There should be something interesting up there.

Next floor up above...

Brooks: *observes his surroundings* ...

OH! I see the armory. And there's a... Certain rooms with a really specific door. Like a science lab type of door.

A-kun: It's a lab-a-door. Oohhhh gottem.

I see Octolings lounging around. And as I saw from the security room, the other rooms are sleeping areas for the Octos. Let's not get even close to that area.

Brooks: Let's take... The armory first. I have a feeling this is a bad idea but screw it. *walks slowly to the armory*

I was still hearing stuff from the downstairs and above me. But I leaned at the side of the door and took a peek inside.

Brooks: Uh-oh. *leans back*

There's one guy in there. I'll probably pass on that one. The guy is sound asleep. I'll check out the other lab room of some sort.

Inside the lab room...

Brooks: *looks around in awe* ...

What in the hell is this? Why am I even surprised at this point? I've encountered this same tech in the war...

Brooks: *getting dizzy* ...

That word... "War". No. No. NO.

Brooks: *leans on the side* ...

Those thoughts... Are flooding back...

C. Cuttlefish: BROOKS!!!

Inkling: We can't get him out sir! We have to go!

C. Cuttlefish: NOO!!!

Brooks: *thinks of the good times* Don't... Get... Blinded...

Nikki: Brooks, you absolute idiot. I have never known that a human cares for me more than any Inkling would. And I appreciate that.

Cross: *sigh* Don't salt that dish too much! Noooooooo! Now, you have to eat it all yourself. I don't wanna die early from that.

Glen: Out of all of us in this group, I may be the "background character". But that won't stop me from helping everyone else and I believe that I can make a difference. And, not gonna lie, aside from my many personal experiences, I think you're the one that made me see that I'm more than I really am.

Andrew: Okay, you see. I know a place at Rainer City that it has a "convention" of some sort. It's for great Turf War players. I'm a member of that "convention". I'll take you there if I have time. Deal?

Not gonna fall. This won't stop me. But... That tech is the same thing that they used to almost kill me. I have grown, I have matured. I will not fail.

Brooks: *doesn't feel the dizziness anymore* *walks around the room* ...

I walked around trying to see what kind of tech they have. I saw multiple pods and it looked more a museum than a testing lab. But then there was a thing that stood out more than all the things in the room.

Brooks: What the hell is this...?

A pedestal. It looks like a sword of some sort. I'm tempted to grab it. Not gonna lie. But. I feel some kind of connection with that sword. Like it was fate. I have been winging it since the start so I'll just grab the sword.

Brooks: *grabs the sword* ... (I feel like a cliche protagonist. And I don't like it. But let's not get into that.)

I waved the sword in slight curiosity... I'm pretty sure this weapon has more use than wailing around all over the place.

And I'm pretty sure that the Octolings won't mind using their own weapon against them...

Brooks: *hears footsteps inside the lab* ...

This is going to be great... A lot of cover and the room is dark except for the holographic screens all over the place... I could sneak out... Or take them out...

Brooks: *slowly walks near the holographic screens* ...

I'll just sneak out of the room and lock the door behind me... I don't really know how many Octos are in the room...

I snuck my way out of the room and trying my best not to make loud footsteps... Cool... I'll just lock this door... Have luck getting out.

Brooks: *silently locks and closes the door* ...

This sword is not to mention, heavy. Well. A normal Inkling can't carry this and wail this around for an extended period of time... This is gonna be painful to carry.

Brooks: *hears out for more footsteps* ...

There's nothing much more stopping me from going anywhere. I don't hear any more footsteps anymore. But I wonder what's the help situation right now...

Meanwhile... At the Octoling Stronghold...

Cross's P. O. V

We're closing in the Octoling base. Well, judging from the pictures that the satellites gave to us, it looks like more of a stronghold than a small looking base. How is this thing held up for so long without suspicion?

Nikki: *getting slightly nervous* I wish you all luck...

Cross: Don't worry. We won't get in trouble as long we stay close.

Andrew: I would rather not talk at the fight. I'll be focused.

Cross: You're our voice, Nikki. You tell us what to do.

Glen: You can do it, leader!

Nikki: Guys, don't make me more nervous...

Cross: Don't worry. We have each other backs. I'll talk to Luna's crew for a little bit.

~~~

Cross: Luna Skyler. Come in. *on his phone*

Luna: Moonlight reporting. What is it?

Cross: Plan of action?

Luna: All moving is hostile. Team MASK will try to find Brooks. Our groups will group together and try to find Octavio. He may be in this base.

Cross: Affirmative. Wait what!?

Capt. Cuttlefish's P. O. V

C.Cuttlefish: Me and Marie are going to meet up with Brooks's friends.

Callie: So... What am I gonna do?

C. Cuttlefish: Agent 3 is already on the scene. I told her to wait for you and you two try to find Brooks.

Callie: Got it.

C. Cuttlefish: Alright! Let's go.

Back to Cross...

Cross's P. O. V

We went out of the car and we snuck around the front area of the base. There are no Octolings waiting for us... If I were to guess the strategy of the Octos, they're mustering their power inside the stronghold. But then... My phone started ringing and I had to stop everyone from advancing to see who it is. Damn. What is this now?

Cross: *answers the call* Hello?

Marie: Hello, Cross. I hope you recognize me by my voice.

Cross: Ms. Marie of the Squid Sisters. What do you want?

Marie: Me and my grampa are meeting up with you. Please hold your position until we get there.

Cross: Alright.

I told everyone to stop and wait for thee two. Much to the group's disappointment. Particularly, Nikki. She wasn't having any of that. But she behaved and stayed on her place.

A few minutes later...

Damn. Waiting a few minutes really felt like forever. But finally Marie and Brooks's "commander" finally came.

Marie: What's the situation?

Cross: I've concluded that the Octolings are hiding inside... They're making us go in there.

Marie: I have heard of your organization. Well, I've heard them from Brooks's stories... He was... A talkative guy.

Cross: It was a matter of time that you found out anyway. So I'm not surprised. Plus, our organization has also been aware of your existence. Well, from history.

Marie: Glad to be acknowledged. But do you have a weapon that can soften the stronghold?

Cross: Speaking of weapons, I think I see it right now.

HQ Communications: Predator filled with AGM's are standby. Ready for use. Don't waste the missiles.

Cross: Thanks for the air support.

HQ Communications: The CEO is willing to bring out anything for the rescue.

Cross: Why would he so panicked about this?

HQ Communications: The existence of a human should not be exposed to the public. And for classified reasons, he would be in trouble for exposing it.

Cross: Okay. I'll be back on the chase. Talk to you later.

Marie: That took unbearably long.

Cross: A drone that launches missiles is in the air. *gives the laptop to Marie*

Marie: Huh? Why? *takes the laptop*

Cross: I'll give you control of it. Open it up and you can launch it from the air.

Marie: Thanks. I'll make good use of it.

The rest of the F. A. O forces are yet to get here but we'll make do with this small force.

Brooks's P. O. V

Brooks: Octo down. *mumbles to himself*

I have gone up a floor since I escaped the room... And I heard Octo chatter... I can decrypt some words but others, I really can't. But asides that, I have to find a way past this door. The door is wide open. I think I might need to kill the Octos in this room.

Brooks: *takes out the sword* ...

This sword... I'm ready to use it. It's... Surprisingly light in my hand. So I guess the hilt is lighter than the rest of the sword...

Brooks: *ambushes the Octolings in the room* Surprise!

The sword glowed Bright Green as ink flowed towards the blade part of the sword... And as I finish the poor Octos in the room, the ink tank is almost out. Damn this thing takes a lot of ink out. I mean, I was just wailing it around. I'm curious to know more about the mysterious blade I've gotten. I'm sure this isn't the only thing I can do with it.

Brooks: *leaves the room* ...

Cristovelle: Where do you think you're going?

What?! Why now? I guess he's trying to recapture me and brain-wash the hell outta me now. But I'm excited about this next match. I'm not gonna lower my guard. And! I'm getting a worthy opponent to use this mysterious weapon.

Cristovelle: What is that sword you're carrying? *opens his Brella*

Sheesh. He's also using the Splat Brella. Gonna be tough to pull through with that kind of defense. And I'm guessing his strategy is surely defensive as well.

Brooks: I have no time for talking... Shall we begin?

====================================

A-kun: Finally! I can work on the last two Chapters. I'm sorry for the shortness of the Chapter but I'm making sure the next ones is gonna be really long. A-a-anyway! See you again in the next Chapter! Goodbye!

Word Count: 2979 Words...

2/19/20
11:28 AM