Splat Force: The Gifted; Chapter 8

(Glad to see my series has been spreading joy ^^)

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W E L C O M E ! ! !

This is Nomad! Back with yet another chapter of Splat Force: The Gifted.

Last time our trio planned an afternoon over in the big city. We also saw the introduction of a brand new character, someone whose name we have yet to learn.

As we can tell, This chapter will probably be the longest yet and will be about the trio's time in Inkopolis. Or is it?

Without further ado, let's get into it!

(This Chapter has been Remastered)

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(Chapter Hub)

C H A P T E R 8 : T H E B I G C I T Y

The school bell rang once more, this time to symbolize the end of the school day. Zane received a message from his phone which said:

'Behind the music block xx'

Zane quickly put his phone away before a teacher could see it and rushed down to the music block.

All he had to do was walk straight forward down the roadway and turn left, which led into one of the three school fields, this one used for Clam Blitz lessons during P.E. sessions. He stepped foot onto the recently cut, dark green grass, and walked over to a straight line of tall trees. Zane breathed in and out, feeling the refreshing air go through him. He walked towards one of the nearest trees to him and sat down against it, closing his eyes.

He felt relaxed like nothing would ever go wrong. However, his little nap was unfortunately interrupted.

"I had an idea you liked wildlife but sleeping by a tree is just adorable!"

A familiar soft voice called out to him.

Zane opened his eyes to see who it was and his eyes immediately widened.

"Oh, A-Ami, hi!"

He muttered, feeling slightly embarrassed about Ami finding him like this.

Ami giggled at Zane's reaction.

"Aww, it's okay! I'm not judging ya!"

She assured him.

"Well, okay then..."

Zane replied, patting the ground next to him, offering Ami to sit with him.

Ami walked over and sat with him.

"Drift is just in the bathroom, he'll be with us shortly. Anyway, I've been meaning to ask, how is life for you?"

Zane paused for a second and smiled.

"To me, life to me has always been a pretty hard struggle you know, with me constantly moving around and stuff. Last night, Mom said that we might finally be settling down in Inkopolis, well in Bluegill that is. The only time I even see my dad at all is at night, but that's if I stay up past my bedtime. Mom gets home from her job very late, so I never really get to spend time with either of them. How about you Ami, how's your relationship with your parents like?"

He asked. Zane had been telling Ami similar things about his life for some time now and he thought that maybe she could talk about her life.

Ami stopped smiling during the conversation and started looking sad, especially after that question.

"My relationship with my parents is also pretty much nonexistent. In fact, I never really knew them."

She sighed to herself, her positive attitude now fading.

Zane tilted his head.

"What do you mean by that?"

He asked, wondering what had happened to them.

"Well according to my sister, just a couple of weeks after I was born, my father had to go with the Splat Force during the Gifted Wars, to which he never returned... after two years, my mother decided to go looking for him and she never returned. The Splat Force claimed that he was dead but that wasn't enough for my mother the find closure. Ever since then, my sister has been looking after me. We just talk all day, play some games, and occasionally bake some food. We only ever talked about our parents on days like Father's Day and all that..."

Ami answered, voice now sounding colder. She looked as if she was about to cry.

Zane patted her back, not wanting her to be sad.

"H-Hey, please don't be sad! I know that it can be hard living without an important person in your life. But wherever your mother is right now, she is probably thinking about you and your sister."

He assured her. To his relief, Ami started smiling again.

"Y-Yeah. Thank you, Zane! Now time to get our minds off things. God, Drift is taking an awfully long time..."

She said to him, before resting her head on his right shoulder, making him go a little red.

Not long later, a familiar green-haired boy walked over to the pair of them.

"Hey guys, Sorry I took a while, stomachaches are pretty painful to go through."

He explained, his left hand holding onto his stomach.

"Hey Drift!"

Ami greeted whilst waving at him.

"We were just waiting for you.

"Thanks for waiting. Now, are you guys ready to head out into the big city?"

Drift asked, making it sound like a massive event. Both Ami and Zane gave Drift the thumbs up, with the former looking more giddy.

"Alright then! Zane, you may wanna stay behind us for this. Mainly because this is your first time going to the big city with us and we want to show you the way from here."

He and Ami started walking towards the exit gates on the other side of the field.

"Umm, okay..."

Zane muttered, standing up and running over to his friends in an attempt to catch up.

After reaching the subway, Drift sat on one side of the train whilst Ami sat next to Zane on the other side. Zane was scrolling through his phone looking at all the latest news. Most of what he saw was about the death of Henry Spence and Bolton Vulcan. Eventually, he found some news that had nothing to do with all the drama. It was about one of his favorite music artists, Sparrow, and how she is releasing a new track.

"You like her?"

Ami asked, clearly nosing in by looking at his phone.

"Well yeah, probably one of my favorite artists. Just really like her style of rock you know? Pretty unique."

He answered, trying to prevent himself from gushing over her.

"Me and my old band took a lot of inspiration from her for our only album."

"She's very pretty and also cool! I personally listen to a band called The Sharks, they're fun to listen to."

Ami said, fully embracing the conversation.

"I've heard of them. My mom hates them because they're old music, which is complete baloney... well the old music part is true but bad reasoning."

Zane replied, jabbing at his mother's poor musical taste.

"Huh... well, that's her loss."

Ami joked around.

"Bite It Up and Octarian Sympathy have always been favorites of mine. What about you, what's your favorites from Sparrow?"

Zane had a long think about it but he eventually came up with an answer.

"Mine is probably Welcome To The Splat-Zone. It just has so much energy put into it."

"Oh wow, I love that one!"

Ami exclaimed. The two of them continued to talk and talk and talk about music and all sorts whilst Drift was just asleep on the opposite row of seats.

All the music talk es the time. It wasn't long until they had arrived at the big city.

"Attention: We are now arriving at Inkopolis city!"

The announcer alerted through the speakers, causing many to get off their seats.

Zane got up and nudged Drift to wake him up.

"I think we're here."

"Already? That was quick!"

Drift exclaimed in pure surprise. The three of them got off the train and started walking on the right side of the stairs.

The three Inklings reached the top of the stairs. Standing before them was the entrance to the largest building in the whole city.

"You know, I've never been to a shopping mall before."

"Really? Zane, have you ever lived, like at all?!"

Ami exclaimed in shock.

Drift shrugged and grinned at his friend as he led the three of them into the building.

"If that's the case, you're gonna love this!"

He told him. The three of them entered the mall and almost immediately, Zane's mind had been blown.

The area was massive, with many restaurants, clothing shops, and arcades. This place had it all. The main center was wide open with what felt like hundreds of fresh, young Inklings running around the place with their friends. Zane looked around in awe, it was everything he could've ever hoped for.

"This place is amazing!"

He exclaimed. That was the most excited he had been in a long time.

"I know right? This has been regarded as one of the biggest malls in the world!"

Ami said, only adding to Zane's excitement. Zane looked around the place. Seeing Inklings and Octolings alike walking around, sitting on tables by the restaurant, walking in and out of clothing stores. Overall, it was a sight to behold. Ami was eager to show him around.

"So, where do ya wanna go first?"

"Oh I don't mind where we go first, to be honest."

Zane replied, suggesting both Drift and Ami vote.

"I personality wouldn't mind going to the arcade."

Drift suggested before looking over to Ami for her suggestion

"I wouldn't mind showing him all the fresh fashion that this place has. Us Inklings do have a ion, for fashion!"

She said before giving Zane the brief of what the mall had.

"This place is best known for places such as Fresh Styles, A much bigger Corrals, The Starfish Theatre, Pelican Arcade, Several Restaurants, and it even has a massive park area!"

"How did society have time to do all this?"

Zane wondered out loud. It was puzzling that even after all this conflict, Inkind has still found some sort of joy.

"Never underestimate Inkopolis civilians! We can do just about anything if we put our minds to it!"

Ami explained whilst sounding inspiring to herself.

"I see..."

Zane replied, still gazing at the area.

"Well then. Where do you wanna go first?"

Drift asked, lightly jabbing Zane's shoulder.

"To be honest Drift, I-I don't know, it's just so big!"

Zane replied.

"What do you think Ami?"

Ami was on his phone, on a website booking tickets.

"Well I just booked a film for the three of us. A film that I have a got a feeling us three would enjoy."

"Sound good!"

Drift said, already sounding excited.

"What's it called?"

Zane asked.

"You'll see when you get in there!"

Ami ominously answered, causing the two boys to raise their eyebrows.

"What?"

Zane questioned.

"Well... I hope it's good."

Drift said as the trio walked to the theatre section of the center and got organized.

2 H O U R S L A T E R . . .

Zane, Drift, and Ami walked out of the theatre. All three of them looked stunned.

"That was a very strange movie..."

Zane whispered, sounding very confused.

"Yeah, I'm with you there. It was just weird!"

Ami said, agreeing with her friend before turning to her best friend.

"What about you Drift?"

"I don't wanna talk about it!"

He muttered, indirectly telling them that he did not enjoy the movie.

"Well, we only have like an hour and a half left till we all have to go back home, well until I have to, don't know about you two."

"Well my mother isn't home till much later."

Zane said, confirming that he is still free.

"And Samantha said I can return anytime before ten, so I have four hours left."

Ami also said, confirming that she is still free.

"To the time, wanna go explore the place more?"

Drift asked. Both Ami and Zane nodded. The three of them start wandering off to other parts of the center.

One of the first places they went to was the clothes shop known as Fresh Styles. Zane decided to try on a black suit for no apparent reason. He looked in the mirror and sighed before taking it off. Drift tried on a purple shirt with small rainbows on the pockets, he smiled in the mirror. Whilst Ami just sat on the chair looking at her current appearance with her red zekko hoodie and her orange sporty bobble hat.

They then went to the Pelican Arcade, Drift was getting frustrated because the claw machine had been hopeless towards him. Zane went over and helped him, smiling cheekily at him, winning the prize. It turned out it was, in fact, Drift's skills that were hopeless and not the machine.

Next, they went over to the massive outside park area. Zane was hiding inside the big climbable tower, too scared to face the smaller kids. Between Ami and Drift, Ami was the one to go looking for him, whilst Drift just stayed behind and went to the zipline.

Lastly, the trio went to the showroom and watched a piano act take place on stage. The piano player played a very old-fashioned song which caught the love and attention of the cheering audience as the act finished.

Watching the act from above was a hooded figure. The hood he wore was ragged, just like his robes and cape. He was trying to lay low. Luckily, no one else was around him at that moment. The figure seemed fascinated by the act, particularly who was performing on the stage.

All of a sudden, the figure felt a very strong sensation to one of the audience , that very person being Drift. His head tilted as he stared down at the young boy. Something about him alerted him, it gave him a very familiar feeling, one which he hadn't felt in a long time. As Drift walked away from the showroom with Ami and Zane, the figure quietly followed from behind, making sure he wasn't seen.

The three kids walked out of the center and walked over to the Subway Station.

"Well, that was all fun!"

Drift exclaimed, stretching his arms.

"Well then, Zane, how was your first time at the mall?"

Ami asked, smiling a lot as she awaited his answer.

Zane smiled back.

"Well, to be honest, it was probably the most fun I've had in such a long time..."

He sighed in joy.

"Aww! I'm glad you liked it. I have to go back home now. However, I think Dad last night said that he won't be back from work till about eleven. Do you two wanna come over in the meantime?"

Drift offered. He hoped to bond with them more. The two of them smiled and started nodding. They went over and got on the train home.

They got onto the train, Zane and Drift sat in the same seats they did on the ride there but this time, Drift sat next to someone, a stranger who came onto the train not long after he did. He seemed to be sleeping inside what looked like a black cape. His hood was up.

"Well, you two settle in, I'm just gonna quickly go number two. Have fun socializing!"

Ami informed as she walked off.

"Did she really need to announce that?"

Zane asked.

"As someone who's known Ami for nearly my entire life, I can say for certain that she's done so much childish stuff like that. She's as free as the wind and she doesn't care about what others think of her. I wish I could live like her, haha!"

Drift laughed.

"She's a goofball, that's why I love her so much. My entire life, I've had dreams where I had a sister. I imagined her having dark green hair, maybe because I have green hair. But in real life, Ami has been that sister. She's always been so unapologetically her, always goofing around, being a kid, even after everything that her family has been through. I envy her for that. She's one of the few people in the world who can make my Dad laugh... the only other person was my Mom who... died not that long ago..."

Zane looked up into Drift's eyes and saw pain in them.

"I'm so sorry... I had no idea..."

"It happened a few months back. She caught cancer and ed from it. Even till the end, she was always full of energy and she loved to make jokes about anything, which at the time I thought were immature jokes, but looking back, I-I wish I was able to laugh about them..."

Drift whispered, his voice losing its steadiness.

"You wanted to know why I keep my family life a secret? Well, that's one of the reasons..."

Everything about Drift's family life became slightly more clear to Zane. Though he hardly interacted with his mother, at least she was still there, Drift didn't have one anymore, which only served to make Drift envy Zane.

"Listen, just because she is gone, doesn't mean she never existed. She sounded like an amazing woman with a fun, good heart. I think she'd want you to celebrate her life in any way shape or form."

Zane advised him, hoping that it would help him deal with the grief a bit better.

Drift looked up at him.

"Yeah... I told Ami about her death, she hugged me whilst I cried in her arms for hours. She then spent the day with me at Wahoo World to cheer me up. The pain was still there, and I cried on numerous occasions that day, but each time, she was there. Ami has always had my back through the most painful of moments."

Zane smiled as he thought about Ami's happiness and how it could've affected Drift during that hard period.

"It sounds like Ami's a great friend."

"She is. She's been with me since kindergarten. Mom and Dad loved having her over, we considered her to be an unofficial member of the family, they even enjoyed having Samantha come over every once in a while. Even during more somber moods, Ami would light up the room."

Drift said with a warm smile. His smile then quickly faded as he thought about his mother.

"That's why Mom loved her so much..."

Zane stood up, walked over to Drift, and put his hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, your Mom may be gone physically, but her memory and love will always be deep in your heart, that. Be lucky that you even had a bond with your mother."

He assured him, giving him a comforting smile.

"Yeah, you're right... thanks, Zane! You're quite the pep talker."

Drift whispered with a smile.

"You're welcome!"

Zane said, as he smiled back at him. The two boys fist-bumped each other before Zane sat back down in his seat before eventually being ed by Ami.

Before Ami could even sit down, the subway train arrived at its destination.

"Wow... how long was I in there?!"

Ami asked, almost laughing from the perfect timing. The trio got off the train and walked up the right side of the stairs. Drift walked on ahead. Unknown to them, the hooded figure was following them, still feeling the same sensation around Drift. He needed to know what it was that felt familiar.

"Follow me, I'll show you the way to my home."

Drift said, leading the group forward.

1 5 M I N U T E S L A T E R . . .

They eventually found their way to the Evans' house. Drift grabbed the key from under the floor mat and unlocked the front door.

"Make sure to put your shoes on the shoe holder!"

He said to them as they walked inside, knowing that his father wouldn't want the house getting dirty.

Ami and Zane obeyed Drift and placed their shoes on the holder. They then followed Drift into his front room.

"Well feel free to place your butts on the coach."

Drift said to them. The three of them sat down on the couch and put on the TV. Drift placed Ami in charge of finding the right channel to put on. In the end, she chose a horror channel to match the tone of the movie they watched at the theatre earlier.

C R E A K . . .

Ami turned around to see where the sound came from.

"Hey Drift, I think your dad is home..."

"What? I don't think he is, I would have got a message from him."

Drift replied. He didn't hear the creak, unlike Ami and Zane.

"Then where did that creak come from?"

Zane replied, feeling paranoid about the sound.

Drift rolled his eyes, thinking that the sound came from the movie. He got up from his seat and went to check out the creaking just for the sake of his friends. He entered the hallway and started walking to the front door.

"Dad? Is that you?"

Drift called out, turning left to see someone. But it wasn't who he thought it was.

"I was confused. I didn't know what I sensed from you. But now, after seeing him on your walls. It all makes sense now..."

A cold voice called out. Standing at the front door was a silhouette of an Octoling. The silhouette had been staring at family photos, fixated on the retired Splat Force Commander. He finally looked at Drift, before stepping into the light to reveal himself as none other than Bolton Vulcan.

"You're his son!"

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 the latest chapter. Yes, another cliffhanger. As you can tell by the ending, this is when the plot really starts to take off. All I can say about the chapters is expect some good action. Until next time, take care! ^^

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