A Dream Within A Dream
That hazy memory keeps on coming back into my mind... I was fighting what appeared to be the most beautiful girl in my life... a strong, confident woman, who seemed like she would never give up. I thought I would never see her again, until...
"Marina! We did it, yo!"
"We saved the world, Pearlie!"
The two who just spoke were Pearl and Marina, an inkling rapper and an octoling DJ. Also known as MC Princess and DJ Hyperfresh, they formed the idol group "Off The Hook", and are really famous in Inkopolis, where I'm headed off to right now.
Yes, you heard that right, we saved the world.
We saved the world from a telephone named "Commander TarTar", who wanted to destroy the world we knew to create a new one. I know it sounds like a crazy and gross fever dream, but it actually happened.
"Woohoo! We did it, buckos! We saved our beautiful world!"
The one who spoke was none other than Craig Cuttlefish, an inkling who is the leader of a secret society called the Squidbeak Splatoon, which formed during the Great Turf War. Can you believe that the old man is over 100 years old? I couldn't!
Craig was being supportive and cheerful as usual while Pearl and Marina embraced. I'm glad I got out of this mess, I thought to myself. Then, out of the corner of my eyes, I can see the most beautiful girl of my life open her eyes after blacking out...
...it was Agent 3.
After some time, Craig, Marina, and Pearl went back inside the airlift. The only ones who were outside were me and Agent 3. I was nervous, of course, because I never really sat down and talked to her before. But... something felt different about Agent 3. I just can't put my finger on it.
"Hey...", I said, trying to keep cool. What? I was talking to my battle idol!
"Did you... save the world or something...?", Agent 3 asked me. When there's an obvious question, there's an obvious answer.
I sighed. "Yes... yes I did."
"Wow...", Agent 3 said in awe. "That's amazing, even for an octoling!"
I chuckled. "Yeah, it's cool." It's amazing how I get to talk to my battle idol without seeing the "ruthless" side of her. I mean, I see good in everyone... except murderers, of course.
Suddenly, Agent 3 held out her hand for me to shake it. Me, feeling as nervous as ever, didn't respond automatically.
"Hey. I'm Charlie Humboldt, but you can call me Agent 3. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
My heart pounded. I didn't know what to say next. I tried introducing myself anyway.
"Umm... I'm Agent 8. I don't remember my real name, so you can just call me Agent 8. It's so wonderful to finally properly meet you, Agent 3."
She blushed a tiny bit. Did I say too much?
It turned out that Pearl had been spying on us the whole time.
"Aww! You too are like, SO CUTE TOGETHER! You guys should totally date!"
Now it's no longer Agent 3 who was the only one blushing. Both of our faces were pinker than the blush rush Callie was giving with her bombs. Of course, this is normal for Pearl to butt into conversations like this. I just sighed in embarrassment.
"Anyways, Eight, the old man found some SICK info 'bout ya! Check it!"
Me and Agent 3 were really interested in finding out more information about myself. So, we went inside the airlift.
Craig and Marina were sitting by a table with her laptop. They noticed us come in.
"Hey, Agent 8! The captain and I have found some information about you when you served Octavio. Come check it out!", Marina cheerfully told me.
I never thought I would hear that name again. My mind kept repeating that name over and over again. "Octavio... Octavio... Octavio..."
So, me and Agent 3 went to the table where Pearl, Marina, and Craig were. The information they found about myself is... shocking.
"Yo, Eight, is your name actually-", Pearl tried to say, before everyone gasped in horror.
"Agent 8's name is..."
”MATTHEW ARGONAUT?!”
Everyone said those two words in unison. Suddenly, I remembered most of my life from those two words. My name. Matthew Argonaut. My name is Matthew Argonaut.
I remember something... my family... I remember having a mom... I can't remember her name for the life of me... did I ever have a dad? Or, did he leave me at a young age...? I'm not so sure... Did I have any siblings? Maybe, I thought, and then I remembered.
I had a sister. I had a sister named Katie. Katie Argonaut. I remember... she was in poor health... I swear to cod, I hope she's alive...
"Wait, your name is Matthew?", Agent 3 asked, stopping me from spacing out.
"Uhh, yeah.", I replied.
"That's a cool name!", Agent 3 said, who blushed a tiny bit whilst playing with her tentacle hair.
Soon enough, it was time for me and Agent 3 to get into some normal clothes since we were almost to Inkopolis. For my outfit, I wore the Knitted Cap, the Gray Hoodie, and the Orange Arrows. I know, I looked tacky, but that was the best outfit that Pearl and Marina chose for me.
As for Agent 3, she wore the Takoroka Mesh, the White Tee, and the Neon Sea Slugs. Just to let you guys know, she was cuter than a certain demonic and adorable kitty cat. The only thing that looked off to me was her scar. The giant turquoise scar on her face from the time Commander TarTar brainwashed her... It was tragic, indeed. I never wanted to fight her. Even if she was evil, I don't want to fight her. I just can't stand seeing Agent 3 hurt.
"Umm... how do I look?", Agent 3 asked me when she got out of her dressing room. Of course, I blushed, but I was polite and said, "Awesome." It didn't seem like she believed me, but she took the compliment anyway.
"YO! WE'RE ABOUT TO HEAD TOWARDS INKOPOLIS, Y'ALL!", Pearl shouted from across the airlift. Marina was embarrassed but she smiled anyway. "Pearlie, stop shouting! I'm sorry everyone. We're about to land in Inkopolis!", she said. "Huh? What was that?", Craig asked. Cod, elderly squids are so wise!
The airship landed near Inkopolis Square, the place where inklings (and octolings) come together in harmony. Everyone got off the ship, including me.
"Well, Eight, or should I say, Matthew, we would LOVE to show ya around, but me and 'Rina got a news broadcast to report.", Pearl told me, as we got off the airship.
"Yeah. Sorry! Pearl and I hope that you will have a good time in Inkopolis. Hey! Here's a tip: if you see someone feeling lonely, come up to them and say 'Hi! I'm Matthew Argonaut! Can I be friends with you?'!", Marina said cheerfully.
"Okay... I'm gonna miss you guys!", I said, before embracing Pearl and Marina. What? I can be emotional!
"Dude, cut it out with the waterworks. It's not like we're never gonna see each other again or anything!", Pearl said.
"That's right!", Marina replied. "You can visit us! Just give us a call!"
"With what?", I asked. Suddenly, Marina gave me the very walkie talkie that Craig had to contact Pearl and her.
"A-Awesome!", I stuttered. "Thanks, guys!"
"You're welcome!", both Pearl and Marina said in unison.
As I looked down at the walkie talkie, we did our goodbyes, and we parted ways. Craig also spoke to me one last time.
"Hey, Agent 8! Don't cause too much trouble now! Hahaha!", Craig said gleefully.
"Heh, I won't!", I said, with a big dorky smile on my face. Then, Craig and I did our goodbyes, and now it was just me and Agent 3. I looked at the view.
"So, this is Inkopolis?", I asked.
"Yep.", Agent 3 replied.
"You know what?", I asked Agent 3.
"What?", she asked.
”I think I’m gonna like it here.”
