Splat Force II: Allegiance; Chapter 8

(Thx for the feature! I'm glad that this chapter has ended up doing well! ^^)

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W E L C O M E ! ! !

This is Nomad! It's Sunday, you know what that means? You guessed it, another Chapter of Splat Force II: Allegiance!

This Chapter is going to be a plot focused one as we follow Bolton and his new recruits.

This chapter does contain mild gore, so please proceed with caution!.

Nothing much else to say really other than thanks for the continuous !

Without further ado, let's get into this!

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(Chapter Hub)

C H A P T E R 8 : N E W F O L L O W E R S

4 M O N T H S A G O . . .

"Enjoy your noodles!"

A Cashier said as she handed a purple plaited haired Inkling a small red and white striped cylinder box of noodles.

The Inkling walked on the orange and white checkered floor and exited The Spicy Noodle restaurant. She sat down on a wooden bench outside of the building and used two black sticks to pick up the noodles and slurped away.

It was nighttime. Northeast Inkopolis was quiet and peaceful, especially with all the upper-class citizens tucked away in their expensive houses. It was nice at night, the swift and cool night wind was only a bonus.

After a cool few minutes, the Inkling had finished her box of noodles, letting out a small belch as she covered her mouth. She stood up, hair flowing in the wind, and threw his box in the black bin that stood right next to the front door. She took off her handkerchief from her bull black suit.

As soon as she was about to walk away from the restaurant, she suffered what she originally thought was a headache. She grabbed hold of her head. However, she soon realized that it wasn't a headache. She started to hear a sinister voice in her head.

"Melissa Sabrina, a solitary young woman who needs a purpose. I can give you just that...Meet at the Cathedral..."

The headache ended like it never happened. Luckily nobody was around to see Melissa or else they'd assume that she'd gone insane. Melissa turned to her right and saw a large squared away with a Cathedral in the centre. She looked around to see if anyone was around to see her suspicious behaviour. It was all clear for her.

Melissa walked towards the historic building and entered without hesitation. She was greeted by a massive rectangular room. Each of her steps echoed throughout the building. Straight ahead of her were many rows of seats, all facing the front. There were drawings on some of the walls, not many understood what it meant.

By the drawings stood a man in the shadows. All that could be seen of his silhouette was a cape and long Octoling hair.

"Hello? Did you call me here?"

Melissa asked the silhouette.

"Did you know that this Cathedral was a battleground during the Gifted Wars?"

He asked. His voice was cold and crisp.

"The showdown against Terrador caused immense damage to the building. The only piece that stayed intact was this. These drawings represent the Tale of Malefor, a tale written hundreds of years ago about the end of all the worlds. Terrador thought that he could destroy everything in his path if only he saw how petty his ways were."

"I know about the story; many people called it a bunch of carp-"

Melissa replied before being abruptly interrupted.

"Those who wrote it were burned at the stake or thrown into the sea to be torn apart by the water for witchcraft. Everyone believed everything that was written by them back then were false and abnormal. However, nowadays with people like us, the impossible can actually be possible. Whether it's talking to spirits or even resurrecting loved ones, all that can be done thanks to the meteorite that ruined many peoples lives, that ruined my life..."

He snarled under his breath. The Octoling finally turned to face Melissa before walking out of the shadows, revealing none other than Bolton Vulcan himself. Melissa took two steps back in shock but stopped when she sensed that Bolton showed no intention of harming her.

"My child, the mind is a very powerful weapon when put into capable hands or heads in this case. A good example is your mother, Kamala. She possessed the same gifts as you but she was more capable with it and used it to her advantage."

"You knew my mother?!"

Melissa asked in a shocked tone.

"I did. She and I were friends during Baxter Village. Every once in a while she would come around and babysit Credence and Sasha whilst me and Helena were out."

He explained as he sat down on the back of one of the seats, still facing Melissa.

"However, her loyalty to Terrador ended with her being killed by the Splat Force."

"T-The Splat Force killed her?!"

She gasped as her mind was slowly being filled with conflicting thoughts.

"You never knew?"

Bolton asked.

"I thought that it would've been basic knowledge by now. The world views them as heroes when in reality they the opposite. They are the ones who caused the pain and suffering due to the brutal act of one individual who bulldozed a multi-store building. They are reckless. Your mother tried her best to take them down but wasn't successful."

Melissa had tears in her eyes at what she was just told. She clenched her fists tightly and started to heavily breathe.

"Why wasn't I told?!"

She grunted to herself.

"All the spiritual talks I've had and she's never said anything!"

"The memory must've been so painful that she didn't want to put you through it. I am deeply sorry for your loss..."

He said as he stood up and approached her, giving her a small hug. The hug wasn't an actual hug, it was more like a pat on the back. He turned away and got out his blade and formed a circle which made a flame portal.

"Come with me and me on my quest for salvation. Make your mother proud!"

At first Melissa was doubtful. She knew the stories of Bolton and she knew his crimes and that her going with him would make her a criminal herself. But her ambition to avenge her mother overcame her with ease. Melissa walked up to Bolton, who seemed glad by her decision. The two walked through the flame portal as it slowly closed behind them.

P R E S E N T D A Y . . .

Melissa was meditating in the corner of a grey rectangular room. There were no windows, only being lit up by the pale white lights attached to the roof. In the middle of the room was a wide table that held various sheets of paper, each with something different on them. At the end of the room, there was a staircase that leads out of the room. To the left-hand wall of the staircase were doors, each leading into either a chambers room, bathroom or a storage room. However, the second to last door on the end of the wall was locked.

Melissa's meditation session was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a door opening, followed by the sounds of walking. Luckily for her, the people walking in were allies. Their shadows reflected on the ground, the shadow of a Shark on the left and the shadow of an Octoling on the right.

"Were we interrupting anything?"

Led asked as Melissa quickly stood up and put away her small carpet.

"N-No, you weren't!"

She answered even though it was true that her meditation session was interrupted.

"Have you two found anything yet?"

"No, we have not found the success!"

Bruce answered with a non-grammar accurate answer. Both he and Led walked over to Melissa.

"We already know about the Iceberg. We just need to know how to get there. And so far we've found pretty much nothing. Couldn't you just reach out with your mind or something?"

Led said as he proposed a good question.

"I could but the Iceberg could be anywhere. Without a clear indication of where it is, I could be sensing anywhere."

She explained.

The conversation between the three was interrupted by the sound of flames coming from the top of the staircase. Shortly after, footsteps were once again heard as the shadow of Bolton Vulcan was projected onto the floor.

The red-haired man entered the room, his blade and clothing were stained with blood.

"A group of misfits in the Splatlands called me out to finish me. You don't have to worry about them: they won't be bothering me anymore..."

He coldly said as he wiped his blade with a cloth. Among the three followers, Melissa looked mildly frightened by what Bolton had said, Led took notice but decided not to speak out of Bolton's line.

"After the confrontation, I followed the trail that the S.A.I van left that night. I was taken to the harbour at northwest of Inkopolis. I investigated the place and I found what I was looking for: five submarines; all with the same logo: S.A.I."

"Wh-What's the plan?"

Melissa asked, feeling mildly uneasy on the inside.

"I'm glad that you are the one to ask, my child."

He said as he slowly walked closer to her and placed his open hand on her shoulder.

"You will petrol the harbour and look out for any activities involving them. And if something happens you are to immediately let me know. I'll then send Bruce to follow behind them. Once we find the base, we will retrieve the book."

"Forgive me for being rude but, what exactly is in the book?"

Melissa asked. She ed the images from the book but she didn't know what any of them even meant.

"The book contains spells and sorcery written by suspected witches hundreds of years ago. The same ones who believed the Tale of Malethor. The book is about paranormal witchcraft such as speaking to the deceased or even resurrecting them. The ones who wrote the book were executed."

He explained as he put away his blade, faced away from his followers and held his hands behind his back.

"I'm after it because it can help me be sane again. It would make me happy again. That's all I've wanted for almost two decades. It's a shame I only found out about it half a year ago because it would've helped me become sane quicker."

Melissa looked concerned, Led was confused but went with it and Bruce was didn't understand anything that Bolton had said. Bolton turned back around and grabbed his blade.

"Prepare for tomorrow, this could be a big day for us, for me. And make sure that you give him his food; that fool is lucky to even be privileged with food."

Bolton instructed as he looked towards the locked door. Seconds later, he formed a flame portal with his blade and walked through, leaving his followers behind.

Led immediately faced Melissa with a concerned look under his red mask.

"You look frightened, what is it?"

"Nothing!"

She abruptly replied. Led gave her a look that told her to stop lying.

"I'm not really one to do with death and all that. Bolton talking about killing that group just made me uncomfortable, that all!"

Led rolled his eyes and groaned.

"Listen because I'm gonna say this once, if you want to be apart of this life then I suggest that you get your head out of your ass and come to with it!"

Melissa gulped and almost teared up in fear. Luckily for her, she was able to keep herself together for him. Led walked up the stairs and out of the room, Bruce followed on from behind. Melissa was left speechless. After several seconds of still motion, she finally decided to walk with them and out of the room.

T H E N E X T D A Y . . .

The harbour at northwest Inkopolis was as close to a display piece of boats and submarines as it could get. There were warehouses full of scraps, next to them were boats that faced upwards. The area was temporarily blocked off by the S.A.I so that nobody could get in and interfere with them...or so they thought.

Melissa stood on top of a warehouse that held various scraps and equipment for the vehicles. She held two fingers against her head which made her invisible to the eyes of everyone else.

She had her attention focused on who looked like the Captain, who had just called all of his crew to him.

"Something's happening!"

Melissa whispered to what looked like herself but in actuality, she was connected to Bolton's mind.

"What is it?"

He asked through his thoughts.

"The Captain called over his crew and now they are all huddled in a circle."

She responded slowly as the events that she had mentioned unfolded.

"Is the Captain saying anything?"

Bolton asked.

Melissa looked closely at the Captain and saw his lips moving.

"His lips are moving, he must be!"

"Get as close as you can get, don't make a sound."

He ordered. Melissa briefly ended the connection between them as she made a move for it.

She took her fingers off her head to climb down the warehouse, which as a result made her visible. She jumped off the warehouse and latched herself onto an upwards facing boat and slide down like a slide. She was now on the ground. She placed her fingers back on her head and moved closer towards the crew.

"For those who are new, the Iceberg is southwest from where we are now. Officer McCartney and Officer Harrison will take Submarines two and four. Officer Finn and Officer Nessy will take Submarines three and five. I will take Submarine one. I will go ahead, the rest will follow behind. Is that clear?"

The Captain told the crew with a loud voice.

"Aye aye, Captain!"

The crew yelled back before heading towards the Submarines.

Melissa quickly ran back over to the warehouse and hid behind the upwards facing boat.

"We have to follow them, but how? Water will kill us!"

Melissa asked as she reconnected with Bolton's mind.

"As I mentioned last night, I'll send Bruce after them. He's a shark meaning that he's resistant to water."

Bolton explained.

"Send me your location now."

Melissa closed her eyes and thought of her surroundings. Not long after, a flame portal was formed behind her. Bolton, Led and Bruce walked through.

"The area is secure, nobody should be getting in to stop us, especially with them leaving any second now."

Melissa informed the group. Just as she said that the Submarines each started to take off.

Bolton and his followers walked over to where they were and looked out into the ocean. Bolton looked back at Bruce and nodded. Bruce gave Bolton a massive smirk before running forward and jumping into the water, creating a massive splash. Bolton covered himself, Melissa managed to cover herself but tried to cover Led. However, Led was hit but some of the water.

"Gah!"

He yelped as the water touched him.

"Led!"

Melissa exclaimed as she tried to check on him.

"He'll be fine, he's been hit by worse."

Bolton abruptly assured Melissa, who looked concerned at Bolton's lack of worry.

"I-I'm fine!"

Led assured the two of them, mainly Melissa.

"Don't worry about me!"

Although she was incredibly worried about her ally, she knew what he was like: if she doesn't listen then he gets more aggressive. Melissa turned back to Bolton.

"Quick question, is Bruce gifted as well? Because surely he'd need to be allied with us."

"He's not. However, he too is in greater need of salvation."

Bolton answered.

1 Y E A R A G O . . .

Bruce Hammerhead was running around the deep side of Infantry Forest in search of food. He ran past the former temple of the Rainmaker. He let out a hungry roar and stomped viciously. His state of mind was quickly changed by the smell of burning. He turned around to see a flame circle with a bloodied Bolton walking out, holding a torn cape that had a number three on the back of it.

"Time to feast!"

Bruce called out as he licked his lips and clenched his teeth before he dashed over to Bolton.

Bolton had managed to sense Bruce's attack. He raised his hand and created a small fire force field which propelled Bruce and made him fall back. He growled like a dog as he stood back up. He sharpened his fins and roared. However he soon stepped down after Bolton's blade was summoned, stained with blue blood from his victims.

"Please give mercy to me!"

Bruce begged as he tried to get on his knees.

Bolton saw the state of Bruce, he saw how weak and hungry he looked. Feeling merciful after his brutal battle against three Squidbeak Splatoon agents, he lowered his blade and ended the battle.

"You're a Hammerhead Shark. From what I've heard they are almost extinct which makes you one of the last of their kind."

Bruce nodded at Bolton.

"The Hammerhead line is loyalty. The Shark Kingdom was ruled by Hammerheads."

He grunted as he sighed heavily.

"I was a part of that bloodline. I was next in line for the throne."

"If that's the case then why are you running around like a poor man trying to find scrambles of leftover food."

Bolton asked him with a concerned look on his face.

"I was banished after my father was killed. They suspected that I had involved myself in the murder. Me and comrades resorted to living in swamp for years. Until we hungered and we started to feast on each other. I got that last meal in the end..."

Bruce groaned.

"And did you have any involvement?"

Bolton asked.

Bruce looked down at the ground and started to sulk.

"No...Till this very day, I have no clue as to why I was banished. I have no purpose in life nowadays..."

Bolton frowned in anger after not only seeing the state that Bruce was in but also after hearing what he had to say.

"They mistreated you..."

He whispered before an idea came to mind.

"Come with me, Hammerhead. You require salvation after what the Shark Kingdom had done to you!"

Bruce's face lit up. This was it, a shot at redemption that he had always been seeking.

"I accept!"

He answered. Bruce stomped towards Bolton and saw as he formed a flame portal using his blade. The Octoling looked back at the Shark and nodded before the pair of them stepped through.

P R E S E N T D A Y . . .

"Make a connection to Bruce. We need to see his point of view to get there."

Bolton instructed.

Melissa nodded before closing her eyes and reaching out to Bruce's mind. She saw what he saw, five Submarines underwater. The five Submarines were going fast but Bruce was still able to keep up behind them, despite him only being a Shark and the Submarines being machines.

S E V E R A L M I N U T E S L A T E R . . .

Bruce was managing to withstand the cold temperatures that suddenly hit him as he got closer to his destination: his thick skin managed to warm him up.

"He's getting closer."

Melissa informed Bolton.

"Let me see."

He muttered. Melissa held out her hand and Bolton held it. He now saw what Bruce was seeing. He saw a massive Iceberg up ahead. With the connection to Bruce's vision, he also had a connection to Bruce's mind.

"Make sure only one of them arrives, do what you want with the others."

Bruce smirked as he was finally able to do more than just swim. Within seconds of Bolton's request, he swam closer to Submarine five and started to slice at it using his blade-like fins. After ten seconds of non-stop slashing, the Submarine split open; the water killed everyone inside in an instant.

He had his eyes on his next targets: Submarines four and three. He swam over to Submarine four and did what he had done with the last one: slash at it until it splits open, killing everyone inside with water.

"Captain Haywood, we've lost connection to Submarines four and five!"

Officer McCartney informed over a radio.

"Squit..."

The Pufferling Captain whispered.

"There might be something after us. Check your surroundings, all of you!"

Officer Finn looked on the reflectors on his Submarines and saw the Hammerhead Shark swimming up from behind.

"Squit! Captain Haywood, this is not a drill. There is a shar-"

He tried to inform as he was cut off by the water tearing him apart.

"Officer McCartney, fire up all the engines that you have, we need to be quick about this!"

Captain Haywood informed. Within seconds, both Submarines charged forward like two horses racing. Bruce still managed to keep up. As the two Submarines got closer to the Iceberg, steel doors were becoming clearer to see from the windows.

"Open the doors, right now!"

The steel doors started to open up as they got closer and closer. When they finally entered the Iceberg, the doors started to close. Just as they closed, Bruce managed to sneak in just in time.

The Submarines ascended to the top of the water and into a steel-plated room. Captain Haywood, Officer McCartney and the remaining of the S.A.I exited their respective Submarines.

"Whew! I'm glad we made it out of that one! My niece would've been sad if I didn't!"

Officer McCartney said in relief. In actuality, that statement was not about to age very well...

"We lost Officers Finn, Harrison and Nessy! But we have to keep going for them!"

Luke Haywood said in a sombre and angry tone. Just as he turned away and headed towards the door into the hallways, Bruce jumped out of the water and landed on the ground.

S T O M P ! ! !

He roared a mighty roar as he landed, showing little remorse for the men and women that he was about to take down. Luke ran from the scene and left several men, including Officer McCartney to take down the Shark.

B A N G , B A N G , B A N G ! ! !

S L A S H ! ! !

Many of the soldiers tried to take down the Shark but none prevailed. It was all down to Officer McCartney, who felt nothing but hopelessness.

B A N G , B A N G , B A N G ! ! !

He fired all that he could at the Shark but in the end, it was no use. Bruce picked up the Officer and opened his mouth wide open.

"May cod have mercy on my soul..."

He whispered coldly.

C H O M P ! ! !

Bruce ate Officer McCartney like he was a full Sunday roast meal. He liked his teeth as he got the grim flavour off his razor teeth. He looked towards the slowly closing the door. He held both arms in front of him before charging at the door at rapid speed and bashing into it, knocking it down. He was greeted by many soldiers all aiming their weapons at him, behind them all was Captain Luke Haywood.

Bruce growled and swung both fins to each of his sides. Just as he was about to fight, a flame portal was formed in front of him.

"Cut the power!"

A voice called out, followed by a lighting strike that took out the lights as the portal closed.

The room was quiet and weapons were raised. The tension between each of the soldiers was high. Suddenly the room was lit up by Bolton's ignited blade.

"OPEN FIRE!"

Luke screamed.

B A N G , B A N G , B A N G ! ! !

B A N G , B A N G , B A N G ! ! !

B A N G , B A N G , B A N G ! ! !

None of the Ink bullets were enough to take him down. They were all deflected and evaporated by the heat of the blade.

S L A M ! ! !

S L A S H ! ! !

The might and heat of the blade were too much for each of the soldiers to handle. They were all either killed instantly or left to bleed out on the floor. Bolton gave Luke full eye before throwing his blade at his shoulder, pinning him against the wall.

S L A M ! ! !

A soldier had attempted to punch Bolton's head after losing all amo. To his dismay, Bolton caught his fist. Intense fear went into the soldier's mind. Flames burst into Bolton's hand, burning the soldier's hand. The soldier screamed in pain and forced his hand out of Bolton's flaming grasp. Both of Bolton's fists heated up.

S L A M , S L A M , S L A M ! ! !

S L A M , S L A M , S L A M ! ! !

His fists rapidly and repeatedly smashed into the soldier's stomach like a boxer punching his punching bag. The soldier almost threw up due to the burning pain that was held in his stomach. He fell to the ground and looked up at the violent Octoling that stood over him. He prepared himself for one last punch.

S L A M ! ! !

Bolton right hooked the soldier's face, knocking him to the ground. He reached his left arm out which caused his blade to fly out of Luke's shoulder and into his heated hand.

S L I C E ! ! !

Bolton had the pleasure of putting the soldier out of his burning misery with a slice to the throat. There were only five beings in the hallway still alive: Bolton, his followers and Luke. The room was full of bodies that fell victim to Bolton's ruthlessness. Led lit the room back up.

The Pufferling snarled at Bolton.

"So...we meet again, Vulcan!"

"You selfishly let all those men die whilst you cower away. You never gave a squit about your men!"

He growled in an angered tone as he pressed the tip of his blade against Luke's throat.

"They were simple men doing a simple job, as was I!"

Luke yelled back as his teeth clenched.

"Be very careful with the next thing you say!"

Bolton whispered viciously.

"If you want to spared, I recommend you telling me where exactly where you are holding the book!"

"You know what? I recommend you frack off and go back to living a shell life you murderous Octarian scumba-"

Luke howled as he placed his hand on Bolton's chest in an attempt to push him away. Oh if only he knew how stupid that move was...

S L I C E ! ! !

In an act of rage, Bolton sliced off Luke's whole arm, causing him to scream in unimaginable pain.

"So that's the game you want to play? Fine! NEXT I'LL CHOP OF YOUR ENTIRE FRACKING HEAD!"

"Wait! I'm sorry! Please don't kill me!"

Luke yelled in an attempt to save his own life. Bolton quickly calmed himself down and placed the tip of his blade back on his throat.

"There is a library in this base. Only one! Third shelf, middle row. You'll f-find it there!"

Melissa slowly approached Luke and placed two fingers against his head and found visions of the library. She turned to Bolton and placed her fingers on his head, giving him the visions of the library. She walked back over to Led and Bruce.

"Cross my path again and I'll show you no mercy!"

He muttered.

Just as he turned away to form a flame portal, Luke had one last thing on his mind.

"Oh and another thing, I hope you get a slow death you waste of life"

He snarled before spitting at Bolton's face. He knew that it was a terrible and reckless move but it was the message that mattered to him.

Bolton wiped his face slowly, staring directly at Luke's eyes. He clenched his teeth and raised his blade as he prepared to finish him off.

S L I C E ! ! !

And off with Luke's head. Bolton breathed heavily as he looked down at the body of one of his biggest tormentors. Deep inside, he felt a sense of relief. The three of his followers looked on at him and waited for orders, Melissa looked frightened. Bolton slowly turned around and thought of the library before forming a flame circle and walked through. Bruce followed on behind.

Before walking through, Led looked back at the uneasy Melissa.

"Grow up..."

He whispered under his breath before walking through the flame portal, followed steadily by Melissa as it closed, leaving behind a bloodied room.

T O B E C O N T I N U E D . . .

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T H X F O R R E A D I N G ! ! !

Thx for reading Chapter 8 of Splat Force II: Allegiance! It was pretty fun getting to do scenes with these characters, especially after not properly focusing on them since August (not including Chapter 5's ending). The next chapter will be a smaller one which will focus on a couple of characters whilst making small advancements in the plot. So stay tuned for that! Until next time, stay safe out there! ^^

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