Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The cold blue lighting of the science department was rare now and oddly ethereal since the Octarian’s were now low on both power and soldiers again. All of the lower scientists and what few soldiers that came through here had deserted the place for now as the head was in another of his anger spikes. The octolings who didn’t know of this and stepped foot in the department were quickly greeted with one of the shortest tempered octolings in the entire army or possibly even species.

Pacing, that’s what he always did when he was frustrated. Moving your legs gets the blood flowing to your brain, more blood flow increases the rate of which one can properly think. Then why can’t I figure this out?! Tako brought his hands up to his forehead, rubbing behind his ears forcefully as his charms slipped farther down his nose. He could feel his eyes widen as he tried to coax himself out of this block in his mind. White tentacles fell over his eyes as he came to a stop outside the door to his main laboratory, slowly sliding his hands over his face as he pushed his glasses back onto his eyes, as his shoulders quivered under the lab coat, he thought bitterly to himself. It’s always those squids. They’re nothing but trouble. Countless failed prototypes until I made those goggles, only to be broken by some stupid music. Then the glasses…

“She should have been grateful; how many inklings get to wear octarian equipment?! Made by me no less!”

Tako whispered through his hands, spite and pure rage trickling from his tongue. Eventually he gave a defeated sigh as he slid open the door with such force that it clattered against the concrete as the head of science and research strode into his fortress of solitude, slamming the door behind him, making a bee line for the coffee machine. Tapping in his desired beverage, purely by muscle memory at this point, he collapsed into a den chair and let his body and muscles relax as he hung his head on the back, staring at the ceiling as his fringe fell to a rest on his lap. He tilted his head to the side where a model of the hypnoshades lay dismantled and partially discarded.

“Tch, useless.”

He reached over to grab his now finished and steaming cup of pure black coffee. Slowly taking a long sip of it, not bothering to blow to cool it as he let the liquid scorch his tastebuds and ooze down the back of his throat. Closing his eyes and holding the boiling cup in his lap, he began mentally sorting through everything again. Most of the soldiers are gone, Octavio’s been squidnapped again, half of the science department have left, who knows what have become of the weapons and industry department. Tako’s train of thoughts were soon interrupted by a knock at his door as his eyes shot into a glare at the door.

“What?!”

“Greatest apologies sir, but is it ok if we come back now?”

A quivering voice requested, one of the scientists, Kaydn if he remembered correctly, was their name.

“If you must. But don’t interrupt me!”

Tako barked back as the sound of running footsteps could be heard outside the door as the scientist left. With another low hiss and another sip of coffee, he tried to get his brain back in gear but couldn’t due to the interruption. Silently cursing, he slumped further into his seat as he drank from his cup feeling useless. Staring at his desk at all the discarded papers, discarded ideas. I need some way to come at this. A different direction to the mind control. Something new. Tako stole a glance at his laptop as his gaze lingered on the closed piece of equipment, ideas forming in his brain.

Eventually he scooted himself closer as he set down his now empty cup of coffee next to it and opened the device, quickly logging in. Slowly booting up, the laptop eventually went on to its Home Screen, folders neatly organised in corners, the bin empty and the wallpaper of a smiling family with Tako himself on the top left of the photo. A small smile tugged at his lips as he reminisced the time his entire family was together. His wife, Atlas, was sat on a chair with their youngest child, Rose, in her lap. His two other offspring, Trystan and Erin stood in-front of him, a wide smile plastering Erin’s face while Trystan bore more of a half smile, similar to his father. If Tako recalled correctly, this photo was taken soon after Rose was born, and Trystan joined the army. A small sigh escaped Tako’s lips. He was the only one in the picture left still in the octoling army. Trystan had left with Erin after the first failure, and Rose had left about a month ago. Atlas had lost her life when defending one of the zapfish in Slimeskin Garrison which hadn’t helped with Tako’s mental stability over the next couple weeks.

Dropping his head into his hands, slowly rubbing his temples as he ran over everything again. Alright, we need something new to combat the inklings. Nothing like the shades but brainwashing got us somewhere. Two successful attempts at nabbing the Great Zapfish. The independent variable is those Squid Sisters in this situation, but we already took one and that didn’t work. We could try a double, but it was hard enough escaping with one squid and a fish, how would we do two? Focus on the problem at hand Tako. He scolded himself in his mind. Glancing over at the door, he dwelled on something seriously as his brows furrowed. Slowly getting up off his chair, he strode to the door and quickly went through. Sure enough, all the other Scientists had gone back to inhabiting the gloomy corridors as they aimlessly busied themselves with nothing. Ignoring their curious glances, he targeted the cafeteria where his best friend was bound to be lingering.

Hands stuffed in pockets and charms hanging on the bridge of his nose, Tako briskly walked into the social area of the army’s main base. Sure enough, Fritz was reading a book alone at a table, slowly sucking on a noodle at a time from his cup. The engineer quickly noticed the muttering cease and tense atmosphere replace it in the cafeteria and looked up to see a troubled looking Tako speeding towards him. Quickly stopping just in-front of Fritz, fast enough for Tako’s coat and seaweed to flap slightly before settling, he immediately started breaking down his problems for Fritz to listen to.

“Fritz, I’m beginning to question why we even steal the zapfish anymore. Three quarters of the army have already started new life on the surface with the inklings while we’re sitting down here rotting. All for what? Another failure?! Another pair of broken glasses?! We could be having breakthroughs in science above with all the energy we need with no fear of ever running out! Octolings are living very comfortable lives up there. Why aren’t we doing the same?”

Tako blurted in utter bewilderment with a pained expression spread on his face. He was definitely distressed about something that he didn’t know how to control which would explain why he came to Fritz in the first place. Letting out a small, pained sigh, he started explaining.

“Tako, it’s not a matter of what’s easiest for us that you’re dealing with. It’s a matter of loyalty, if it was what was easiest, you’d have left day one. You’re stuck between two things. You can stay here, keep pledging your loyalty to Octavio and running the Science and Research department with your high status. Or, you can go to the surface, live peacefully among your enemies and not have any matter in what they do or say. You’d lose all your positions in the army and have to prove yourself, start as a new octoling. That’s what you’re trying to answer. Is it loyalty with a never ending war, or is it freedom.”

“Loyalty or freedom…”

Tako repeated to himself as he sat himself across from Fritz, resting his head on his hand as he pushed his charms back up his nose. Falling deep into thought as he debated what he had been told. He didn’t really want to give up his role as head of an entire division in the army, but he also didn’t want to keep failing at the same thing over and over again. Maybe he could even see his children again, would he even recognise Trystan and Erin if he saw them again? His teal eyes flicked up to Fritz’s pink ones which were looking at him with one of those oh too familiar ‘don’t say something stupid’ look. Slowly sighing, Tako brought his hands up to his hair and picked out the two pieces of seaweed to signify someone’s authority in the army. Holding them between his fingers, he gazed at the green fading to purple, remembering the day he was given them by the last head. One that stayed until retirement… and here I am running away. Tako quickly shook his head as he pushed that thought away. No, he’d decided what he was doing. Crumpling them into a small ball and placing them on the table, he could see Fritz smile gently as he stood up.

“Well?”

Fritz inquired, already knowing what was going to be said but he wanted to hear it from Tako’s own mouth.

“Well that’s me Fritz. I here by resign as head of Science and Research and from the octarian army.”

Chapter Text

It felt so odd, walking past the science department, only stopping at his office to grab his wallet before continuing on. Tako couldn’t really remember the last time he walked through Octo Valley. Whenever he did, it was normally for sample data or field tests which was rare as those were normally left for the lower rankings. Glances came in his direction but nothing was mentioned to or about him directly to his face, yet the whispers and muttering spoke loud enough on what his coworkers thought on the situation. Hearing snippets of the rumours forming such as:

“Wait, is the head still in his mood?”

“Where’s Tako’s seaweed?”

“He can’t be leaving, can he?”

“I’d never have guessed…”

All these hushed voices didn’t distract him though. It was like a band aid, the longer you dwell on it, the harder it is to decide whether to take action. Eventually he reached the grate to Octo Valley and as he slipt into his octopus form and swam his way towards his destination, Tako thought about what the surface would look like.

As he came out of the grate and into Cephalon HQ, he realised how much he’d miss the music of Turquoise October once he was gone. When he was still a rookie, he remembered how he’d be told to go out to study the zeppelins and sometimes get distracted and get caught jamming to Shooting Starfish, but again, he had to remind himself to stop reminiscing so much on the past. Tako stretched for a bit before super jumping over to Tentakeel Outpost, after all, he didn’t want to tear a muscle. Swiftly however, he dropped back into octopus form and sprang from the metal platform and flew through the air before landing with a thump on the sandstone in front of the archway to where the the New Squidbeak was positioned. Brushing the dust off of his boots and pushing his charms up again onto his nose, he stood up and surveyed the area before heading towards the grate ahead of him. His attention was captured by the shooting range with some octarians plastered onto the dummies with a fancy looking box next to it. Naturally intrigued by the mechanical appearance, Tako took a small jog over to it and attempted to open it but to no success.

“It’s locked. Aren’t you supposed to be the smart one? Why would the Sisters leave their weapon supply open?”

Tako flinched at the voice, an all too commanding one that he had heard so many times and obeyed mindlessly. Tako turned around, fixing his posture naturally to face Octavio who was glaring at him from across the courtyard inside a fixed snow globe.

“Ah, Octavio,” Tako started as he walked over to the trapped cephalopod. “When did it ever hurt to try? And I see you aren’t particularly high on the priority list, unguarded and the only thing really keeping you in being a bit of tape?”

Tako taunted slightly, raising a brow as he folded his arms, knowing that now he was leaving the army, he could make fun of his old boss with no repercussions. This statement clearly struck a nerve with the DJ, one of his highest ranked officials leaving the army and insulting him directly to the face while doing so? He would not let this slide.

“Don’t think that just because you’ve hung up your lab coat that you are able to treat me like that! I will get out of this once again, and I’ll remember what you’ve said today and make sure you don’t forget.”

“Oh I’m so intimidated, now tell me DJ, how do you propose you do that? Because those are two Hypnoshades that haven’t worked, your army is now lower than ever, and besides, what is the point of fighting now? Thousands of octolings have proved that we can now live on the surface. It’s your pride that is holding us back, and I’m not letting that drag me down anymore. Think about that Octavio. I’m done, and there’s nothing you can do to talk me out of it.”

Tako retorted, glaring Octavio down before calming down at the end, turning and leaving with a flick of his tentacle. By the time Octavio had regained his composure and was going to reply, Tako had already slipt down the grate towards Inkopolis Square.

Finally coming to the surface for the first time in all of his 46 years on this planet, he wasn’t expecting everything to be so loud. The first thing he noticed was a game corner of sorts diagonal from where he stood. An Inkling was on a dance machine of sorts which had gathered a crowd of Inkling and Octoling on lookers who were cheering on the dancing squid. The streets were flooded with kids doing all sorts of things dressed in all different styles. A trio of Inklings were talking amongst themselves with some sort of food being consumed which honestly made Tako feel quite hungry. One had a pair of glasses with a tie dye shirt and sandals, their tentacles hung down by their knees and they seemed to constantly be annoying the two other boys who both had buzz cuts. The one on the left had an earring in, a hoodie and some lace up boots, the other had a blue leather jacket on and flip flops. Tako was eventually snapped out of his blind stare after two Octolings came out of the shop which he was standing beside with a slosher and charger. He snapped his head round to the two and eventually relaxed his body as he decided he should probably stop standing there like an idiot. Deciding that whatever store this was welcomed Octolings he figured he might be able to get some pointers from the store keeper. Tako walked into the swinging doors and pushed them aside as he made his way in where he was met with an army of weapons. Of course, this was the weapon store, he should have guessed by the shoppers that literally just walked out. Tako started browsing the shelves when he was interrupted from his thoughts by a small voice that sounded extremely knowledgable. Tako turned around and saw a horseshoe crab in an apron and large goggles that enhanced his eyes to a creepy level.

“Ah! Interested in the Kensa Glooga Dualies? The Kensa Glooga Dualies are limited edition Dualies in collaboration with Toni Kensa! Create inky inroads with the Fizzy Bomb sub and provide pathways for your pals deep into enemy turf! Once you’re there, use the dodge rolling in conjunction with your Ink Armour special to open up shop and become a thorn in the side of your foes! If you’ve got the patience and cool to pop a can of fizzy soda without spilling a drop, this set’s got your name on it!”

The small shopkeeper rambled on at Tako who was interested at first but quickly got tired and tried to stop him quickly.

“Ok! Ok… how much is it?”

Tako asked with slight curios, cocking his head since he was quite intrigued by the creature’s knowledge.

“17,000!”

Announced the crab proudly. Tako’s brows raised again as he got out his wallet, a small smile creeping onto his face now as he grabbed some money and dropped it into the small horseshoe crab nodding as he caught his payment. Tako picked up the Dualies and slip them under his lab coat before going to leave through the door where he looked back and thanked the small store owner.

“No problem, sir!”

He happily exclaimed back as he hurried behind the counter again. As Tako left he thought to himself, how odd, he didn’t have any position above that crab but he was treated with respect. Once Tako is out the door, he notices something he hadn’t before. To the right of where many of the kids are swarming is an underground by the looks of it. He had read about that somewhere before and thought it looked interesting, the Deepsea Metro if he remembered correctly. Wanting to check it out, Tako made his way towards it with caution. Something about it felt odd, possibly the fact most were avoiding it which gave him slight chills but he didn’t know why everyone seemed to avoid it. Though he always solved problems and discovered new things, thats what a researcher did, thats what he did.

Chapter Text

The stairwell down was cold and long. By the roughness of the paint on the handrail and the dust that had gathered on his boots by kicking it up. Tako’s turquoise gaze locked on the dingy darkness that laid out before him, he squinted underneath his glasses as a light actually showed itself for once and as he slowly descended, it grew.

Eventually he came across an opening from the light where a platform for trains stretched out in front of him. A couple scrappy old bill boards lined the walls which looked liked they used to advertise now indiscernible items, surprisingly still working vending machines as well as an old phone in the middle of it all. Tilting his head, Tako approached the phone.

*I wonder if it still works.*

He thought to himself reaching out for the hand crank and mouth piece before the phone reared back and started shouting, startling Tako out of his thoughts.

“What do you think you’re doing?! I thought someone dressed like yourself would be at least slightly more intelligent than every other seafood dimwit in the area!”

Tako stumbled back slightly, arms raised in defence slightly as he was caught by surprise, his mouth agape slightly. A talking phone was the last thing he expected from a mild gander to a suspicious metro.

“EH?!” He exclaimed, narrowing his eyes as he pushed up his glasses. “What on earth are you? I have never heard of a talking item in all my years… also what do you mean by comparing me to a seafood dimwit! I have you know I was top of my class with straight A’s! My name is Tako, ex-head researcher of the Octarian army”

The telephone comes forward again, standing straight once more.

“I am TarTar, an AI construct built 12,000 years ago to judge humanity’s predecessor and guide them to the promised land.”

Tako cocked an eyebrow, folding his arms as he mulled the words over in his mind. His gaze falling as his eyes glazed over slightly.

“Wow, you’re old, like really old for a piece of still working technology. The skill that would be necessary to build a circuit to sustain through that time period and stay in pique condition, your ai doesn’t seem to falter from age as well so the code must also be well built to the model… I have a question?”

Tako requested, looking back up to TarTar, his tentacle slightly falling over his face as he did so. His expression had now turned to a serious one, his eyes holding a hidden spark behind them.

“Your deduction seems to hold some promise. So I shall indulge you for now.”

TarTar replied which let out a small sigh from Tako

“Amazing! I was wanting to know if you’d be willing to allow me to look at your wires and such. If I was able to replicate or even have a downloaded version of the code, your limited movement as a phone box would be ever expansive. I could learn so much from this.”

Tako was quickly snapped out of his daydreaming by the sound of an on-coming train.

Swiftly rushing out of the tunnel as the brakes grind to a halt, wind rushing through Tako’s tentacles and coat as he stood watching and waiting for it to come to a stop. Slowing down, he was able to make out creatures on the train, all of whom showed no sign of getting off now. The phone had fallen silent at the arrival of the train ad this had not evaded Tako’s notice.

*Was it a coincidence? Or possibly some magnetic field that messes with the circuit? No, the latter is not possible, the boards would have fried from the frequency over the years. Is it hiding something?*

Tako thought to himself as the door opened. He watched an Octoling wheeling a sharp looking device out of the train and leave it behind the phone while another squid walked out of the train in suit. One that made Tako flinch and draw a sharp breath as he put his hands in his pockets, feeling his Dualies as a precaution. Tako felt his eye lid flicker as he walked up to the elderly squid.

“Why hello there,” Tako started, “you must be Captain Cuttlefish.”

Chapter Text

Cuttlefish looked over at Tako. The old squid’s body was shaking slightly, solely supported by what seemed to be a bamboozler used as a cane. Tako couldn’t help but grimace at the weapon, if it was still functional at least. The old geezer might be holding up an act for now and still have the agility like he hadn’t aged at all.

“Oh ho. Another Octoling, you aren’t one of those other evil ones, are you?” Cuttlefish questioned, slightly raising his cane before tapping it on the ground once Tako had moved a sufficient distance from it to prevent a prodding.

“I’m not evil.” Tako hissed in retorsion, narrowing his eyes as he shoved his charms up his nose once more and folding his arms. “I am simply looking for a fresh start in life. However you make that incredibly difficult.”

Cuttlefish looked slightly taken aback by this, as if he had the right to feel offended. “Dear apologies my boy, I was simply double checking. Myself and Eight here have had a fair amount of troublesome encounters with octolings who aren’t as sociable as yourself?” Cuttlefish explained, looking over at the Octoling who had came back to him and was giving Tako a blank stare. The two were locked in analysing one another for a moment before Cuttlefish retrieved them from their thoughts and gaze. “By chance do you know the girl? She seems to have lost her memory of at least what her name is so I have taken on calling her Eight from her test number.”

Tako raised an eyebrow at this, slightly disappointed in himself at the fact that he didn’t quite fully understand what the squid was trying to tell him.

Evil Octolings? Sure, he could understand any soldiers attacking the captain, he was what restricted their power supply and banished them underground for around a century, but not quite attacking a fellow comrade. And why was the old geezer suddenly best buddies with an Octoling? Was he trying to manipulate the girl? Using her amnesia as leverage? He doubted the captain knew this but going by Eight’s outfit, she was still a trainee in the army. And what the hell did he mean by test number?!

“Unfortunately no, I have much better things to do with my head than fill it with names of Octolings I’ll probably never interact with. And all in uniform look similar. But what do you mean by test number?” He interrogated the veteran.

Cuttlefish took a moment to answer the question which didn’t help with Tako’s paranoia as he bounced on his heels for a moment before eventually getting a reply.

“It was that phone over there. Entered Eight to clear tests and gather the four thangs-“ Cuttlefish started to explain before Tako attempted to correct him.

“It’s things. Not, thangs. Things. With an I.”

“No, it is certainly thangs, although my hearing is rusty, it ain’t fully gone!” Cuttlefish cheered before turning around and hobbling back onto the train. “Speaking of, we best be going. It was nice to meet you.” He hollered back to Tako as Eight tailed him.

Tako was still for a moment before something in his brain seemed to click. “EH! Wait a damn second!” He argued back as he stepped onto the train, jumping slightly as the doors closed firmly behind him. Cuttlefish had already comfortably sat down while Eight seemed to be fidgeting with a device of sorts. “First off, I have a name and it’s Tako. Ex Head of Research and Development in the octarian army so show some respect.”

“What happened?” Cuttlefish interjected this time. “Did you get fired or something for being too grumpy?” He chuckled, which was more of a wheeze, at his own joke which amused Tako as much as a sad clown.

“No, I quit, to, like I said, have a fresh start at life.” He stated, more firmly this time to try and get it through the captain’s head. He then stiffly turned his head towards Eight’s device, which she was now slipping into her back pocket. He looked like he was about to rant about something again before he felt a light tap on his shoulder. Closing his mouth, he turned to only see the doors he had walked through seconds ago. Puzzled and looking around, he eventually took notice of a sea cucumber with an un-arguably adorable conductor hat.

Lifting it’s upper body from the train floor to allow for Tako to hear it easier, it began introducing itself. “I am C.Q. Cumber, this train’s conductor, welcome aboard. If you are a test subject, please display your CQ-80 device, if not, may I please see your ticket?”

Tako felt his throat go dry. He had neither, as he never retrieved a ticket from anywhere or even knew what the first thing was. The scientist was unable to find the words before C.Q. Cumber answered for him.

“No ticket? Then follow me.” He ordered bluntly before turning and squirming his way out of the carriage and towards the head of the train. Tako reluctantly followed behind while Cuttlefish and Eight watched him shuffle out of view.

C.Q. Cumber led him to near the front of the train where he opened a storage room door, unveiling two uniforms, cleaning supplies and a couple broken devices. “Put one of these on.” He gestured with a wave at the uniforms.

Tako had calmed down from the initial surprise of a necessary ticket and retorted with questions. “Why?”

“Because in exchange for letting you ride without a ticket, you’ll be working for me during your train ride as train attendant.”

The matter of fact tone the sea cucumber was using showed Tako there was no point in arguing with his new boss as he let out a defeated sigh. “Very well.”

One change of outfit later, from lab coat to eminence jacket, the Octoling was less than 0pleased with his new attire. Now outfitted in all navy blue, some of which looked like salvaged uniform from a commander of sorts. A rigid, broad brimmed cap similar to what his boss was wearing, only suited for an Octoling head instead was planted firmly on top of Tako’s tentacles. A jacket that rode too far up on his neck but also hung too low on his knees to be considered comfortable was what the supposed uniform was. And the only thing Tako could really commend at the moment were the buckle up boots which had some sort of fashion trend going for them. To say that this is where Tako had imagined himself with his “fresh start” would be a massive lie.