//------------------------------// // It's An Orange World Now, Bud // Story: Viridi: Down-Trotting // by Dr Yeis //------------------------------// The Inkling stood there, walking towards the group and showing off her prized Splattershot Jr: A weapon of pure destruction, but mostly ink. "Now listen here, Octoheads, I, Orange, master assassin, have been offered ten billion zapfishes in exchange for that slimy hipster over there! So unless you dudes want a crusin' for a brusin', I suggest you get the heck outta here! You're lucky I'm warning you with this Inkling Translator, or you'd already be splatted!" Orange threatened. "What's a zapfish?" Lyra whispered to Viridi. "It's like their power supply, like lightbulbs," Viridi replied. "Oh. Do humans have zapfish?" "It's just a child. Unless it's a Manakete, it can't be that harmful," Chrom said, laying down Falchion. Orange's eyes were filled with fury, unlike anything anyone had seen. "What...the squid did you just squidding say about me, you little Octonut!? I'll have you know, I've made it to Level 50 in terms of freshness, I've been involved in secret raids on Octo Valley and I have over 300 confirmed Turf War wins! I AM TRAINED IN INK WARFARE! YOU'RE SQUIDDING DEAD, SQUIDDO! I'M THE TOP SN-" Orange screamed at the top of her lungs before being smacked in the face by a vine that instantly came out of the ground. "What the scallop!?" The vine curled around her arms and forced her to repeatedly hit herself in the face with her own fist. Viridi, meanwhile, moved her hand back and forth to signal where the vine should move with a smug look on her face like a poker player with a flush. "Why are you hitting yourself? Why are you hitting yourself?" Viridi asked, playfully. "I...don't...know!" Orange replied. "Viridi, let her go! She's just a kid!" Bon Bon begged. "And a squid! Ow!" Orange remarked. "I was thinking that maybe if we smack her enough times, we can knock her back to her senses, like we did with princey here," Viridi explained. "You're having fun with this, aren't you," Bon Bon said, lifting a brow. "Yes." "It's not working, is it?" "No." "Perhaps I might try to talk some sense into her," Chrom said, walking towards Orange. "Whaddya want, you crusty calamari!?" Orange said, fighting to stop her arm. "I just wanted to ask something. Do you have any friends? Any allies?" "Yeah! My and me team are the roughest Inklings in Inkopolis! And once I call for backup, you're gonna be so sorry you even looked at me!" "Well, then, what would this team of yours think of you, attempting murder on this lady?" Orange's eyes suddenly transformed from angry to somewhat sad. The dark aura coming from her eyes leaked less and less. "W-well, they'd be okay with it because we splat people everyday! And they always come back!" Orange reassured. "Well, she can't come back. And neither can I. In real battle, every life counts. Losing an ally is one of the harshest punishments a leader can take. That's the reality your world doesn't seem to have. I almost envy you," Chrom lamented. Orange found herself touched by Chrom's speech. Her dark aura was replaced with tears. "I-I'm sorrrryyyyyyyyy!" Orange weeped. "You can let her go now, milady," Chrom said. Viridi reluctantly released Orange as she ran into Chrom, weeping like a baby. "I-I'm sorry...I'm sorry! I just wanted the zapfishes! I swear! But...he made me!" Orange said, violently wiping off her tears and putting on a barave face. "The guy that offered me the job...he was no Inkling. I was gonna ask for more details but...he snapped his fingers and...I guess I fell asleep." "Hades! I swear, if that terrible excuse for a god shows his face around here, I swear..." Viridi growled. "You'll what?" Hades suddenly appeared in front of Viridi, causing the others to scramble into fighting stances. Hades let out a huge laugh and proceeded to walk towards his enemies. "You'll bore me to sleep with your speeches? Oh, please! I was going easy back at Rainbow Face's castle. Which reminds me, since both of you hilariously failed at doing your jobs..." Hades noted, pointing to Chrom and Orange, "...I guess I have to do things myself. This time, I'm at full power! I could destroy an entire town in a millisecond if I wanted to just for fun! In fact, I think I'll go do that! Cio! And congratulations on dooming yet another race, Rosebud! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Hades's laughed echoed as the ground started to shake. Cracks of light opened up like a zipper. Despite there being no windows, a ghostly wind filled the air. From the cracks emerged unholy monsters that served in the Underworld Army two decades ago. Pink balls with only one eye, figures resembling the Grim Reaper and walking treasure chests were only some of the demons that marched in front of the group's eyes. They didn't notice Viridi and her comrades. They just moved towards the door and escaped into the world above. "What!? Wh-what's going on!?" Lyra said, running everywhere to make sure her research was safe. Viridi's eyes turned soulless and empty. She dropped to her knees. "I didn't think he had it in him," Viridi murmured. "He's obliterated the fourth wall." Viridi then turned to.......you? "Listen, I don't have much time! Run! Run while you still can! All laws of physics have become undone! RUN FOR SHELTER! RU-"