@ASA20156 The Inkbots on the street broadcast a new message from Tabasco. “Apologies, citizens, but Tabasco Co. will need to reschedule our remodeling and improvement plan due to some unforeseen events. We hope to get back to you soon!”

@ASA20156 “…sure.” The members of the Neo Splatsville Splatoon Super Jump into the sky.

@ASA20156 Zurtaq grumbles, something about “multiverse” and “not my business anymore.” Ayka picks up the kit. “that’sslightlyhurtful. We should be going, then.” Zurtaq nods.

@ASA20156 “Phew,” Zurtaq says. “We, uh… well, anything else you want to know? Preferably with less weapon-drawing…”

@ASA20156 Ayka starts walking backwards. “Nothing, I swear! They’re fine! They’re safe!”

@ASA20156 “UHHH. UH.” Zurtaq leans towards Ayka and whispers, “what now?”

@ASA20156 “Quartz? Who’s Quartz?” Zurtaq says, visibly sweating.

@ASA20156 Zurtaq stumbles backwards. “Hey, whoa now, what’s the big idea?” Ayka steps between Zurtaq and Kana.

@ASA20156 Zurtaq grumbles something, a purple crystal attached to a necklace falling out of the top of their hoodie. They tuck it back in. “We’ve both been busy,” Ayka explains. “Haven’t been keeping up too much.”

@ASA20156 “Kept up a good act, too,” Agent A says, tossing the robot head to the side. “Zurtaq, you done with the first aid kit? Got kinda beat up.” “All yours, Ayka.”

@ASA20156 “A. Neo Splatsville Splatoon, Agent A and Agent Z. B. Thwarting General Tabasco. C. We don’t ‘want’ you, we were rescuing you from becoming part of his weirdo cyborg army.”

@ASA20156 Agent A runs out of the tunnel and up to the group, holding the head of the Captain robot. “Ask away,” Agent Z says.

@ASA20156 “Alright, alright,” Zurtaq says as they hold up Cyrax’s arm and positioning the magnet above the wound. They turn on the magnet and the bullet slowly gets pulled out, not tearing any new skin or flesh. The other two are easier, since the shot hit their tentacles.

@ASA20156 Zurtaq grumbles at the word “multiverse.” They pull a large magnet out of the equipment, with a switch on the side of it. “Alright, this’ll help get the bullets out. Who’s up first?”

@ASA20156 “Agent Z of the Neo Splatsville Splatoon. My friends call me Zurtaq.” They flick open the first aid kid, and a bunch of equipment springs out. “Now let’s see here…”

@ASA20156 “Don’t worry ‘bout a thing,” Agent Z says as they lead the three out of the Tabasco Co. property and to the surface. Once they’re there, Agent Z pulls out a first aid kit, a purple N-ZAP falling off their belt as they do. “Whoops,” they say as they pick up the gun.

@ASA20156 Agent A shakes their head, snapping out of it. They charge at the Captain and tackle it to the ground. Another person runs in from the surface. “Agent Z on the scene!” “Z, go- urgh, get these three to the surface. Each took a bullet.” “You got it, A!”

@ASA20156 The Captain rolls and stands up, firing the weapon at Cyrax. It’s immediately obvious that this is no ink-based projectile. This thing is firing bullets. The stranger jumps at the sound, noticeably more shaky now.

@ASA20156 An Inkling voice familiar to all three of them comes crackling through the device. “On my way now.” The Captain Inkbot lunges at Cyrax.

@ASA20156 The Captain quickly dashes into the way, raising their 2015 model Hero Shot. Their expression does not move. The stranger pulls out a walkie-talkie. “Agent Z, this is Agent A. We need backup at site T-A-B, quickly!”

@ASA20156 “Alright. Let’s get out of here before-“ A robot steps into the doorway, blocking the exit. Cyrax recognizes it as the Captain from his Tabasco Trial. “They get here,” the stranger finishes.

@ASA20156 “You two!” the stranger says. “You’re Cyrax and Natalia?”

@ASA20156 The stranger grabs a magma gun off the ground and readies to fire at the thing. Someone else can be heard running towards the scene from the surface.

@ASA20156 “Don’t know who any of them are but let’s go find ‘em. We haven’t got much time before all hell breaks loose down here.” They sprint down the hallway.

@ASA20156 She eventually punches a hole in the Inkbot’s visor, and it shuts down. The stranger chucks their own Inkbot into the wall, destroying it. “Did you come here with anyone?” they say.

@ASA20156 The magma gun flies out of its hand, and it’s considerably less strong without it.

@ASA20156 Two Inkbots take aim, and the stranger goes for the one on the left, wrestling with it on the floor.

@ASA20156 “No time, let’s move!” they say, grabbing Kana by the arm and running out the room. In the hallway, alarms sound and doors slam closed. Guard Inkbots move into place.

@ASA20156 “We could assist with some… enhancemen-“ He’s cut off by someone reaching out from behind the chair and knocking Tabasco out of Cryptic’s grasp. Cryptic books it, and the guards fire at the person. They dodge the shots, and take out the guards.

@ASA20156 >…sir. “Yes?” >I think I know something we could do. Cryptic begins whirring, and Tabasco’s dial spins. “Hm. Interesting. Kana, I understand that I can’t undo the past. I can’t change the pain and suffering that’s already happened.” >But we can help prevent more of it.