Splatoon short: Yellow’s day out

The sun shines as an excited Inkling knocked on an apartment door.

Shtick: Hey! Yellow! Wake up! Wanna hang out today? Since you’re moving to Splatsville soon, I thought it’d be nice if-

The door cracks open. A barely visible eye peeks through before the door opens a bit more. A hand goes through the space, and gives a thumbs up.

Shtick: Cool! I’ll have Shelly and Al over with us today! They hadn’t gone out for a while either!

The door closes and rustling can be heard.

Shtick: Cool! See you around then!

A little while later, at Crusty Shawn’s, Shtick taps his foot as he slurps on a drink. Next to him, patiently waiting and talking amongst themselves is Al and Shelly. Al’s an inkling, Shelly’s an octoling.

Al: Callie’s so cute though!
Shelly: -and Marie is better!
Al: Ah, whatever. You’re just a fan of hers because you like the color green.
Shelly: *crosses arms* still, you just like Callie because she’s “cute”.
Al: You know what? Let’s ask Yellow when he gets here! *turns to Shtick* Yellow knows who the squid sisters are, right?
Shtick: *looks up* what? Yeah, of course he does. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t.
Al: What does that- *looks at Shelly*… Oh right! Ha ha, yeah. The inklings with the new hairstyles always know who they are!
Shelly: *rolls her eyes* Yeah, “hairstyles”.

They suddenly stop as Yellow lands nearby. Shelly and Al jump out of their chairs and raced in his direction. Shtick, unprepared, tries to follow close behind, taking his drink with him.

I stretch as I get to humanoid form. Took me a bit, but I found my camo hoodie and flip flops. Just needed socks, hence why I didn’t follow Shtick earlier. I adjust my goggles and mask until they’re comfortably resting on my face. As soon as I step forward, two friends rush up.

Al: YELLOW!!!
Shelly: WHO’S BETTER!?!?
Al: CALLIE-
Shelly: OR MARIE!?!?

Yellow:… *thumbs up*

Al: ack- NO!!! Point to who’s right! There’s no thumbs up or down this time!
Shelly: Yeah! Point to me! Marie’s always better right?!
Al: Yellow, I know you like the color pink, so choose Callie-
Shelly: Marie doesn’t like fancy stuff! I know you hate suits-
Al: Callie’s a cat person.
Shelly: Marie likes Pokémon Blue!

Yellow: … *raises a hand, pointing up, about to make a decision*

Shelly and Al: *nervouse sweating*

Yellow:… *points to himself*

Shtick: *snickers*
Al and Shelly: OH COME ON!!!
Yellow: *shrugs in a “what’re ya gonna do” manner*
Shtick: Come on guys, we’re burning day light! Let’s go see a movie!
Yellow: *pulls out phone, before showing it to everyone*
Shtick:… We are not watching Sharknado 10.

A while later, we hang out in a game store. I browse through various games as my friends talk.

Al: Shtick, why are we here? That movie got me pumped, I want to go play Turf war!
Shtick: Just hold on man, I’ve got a SplatStation5 coming in today! We’ll jet out as soon as I get it!
Shelly: Can’t you get it some other time?
Shtick: SHELL NO!!! This kinda carp is expensive and hard to get! Legend has it- SplatStation5’s are only made five at a time! It’s that hard to get without going through scallopers!
Yellow: *shows a game*
Shtick: No thanks, I’ve already gotten a few games. I’m just so- *doors slam open*

???: Well well, if it isn’t Fish Shtick and the crew of clowns.

I keep browsing as my pals look over and gasp.

Shtick: Sandy!? What are you doing here!?
Sandy: Getting an SS5. They only make five at a time you know~. *walks in, not noticing Yellow* I see the mute guy’s not around to save your tails Huh?
Yellow: *silently sighs, turns around and sees her. Taps her shoulder, making her jump*
Sandy: AH!!! Cod Dammit, d-don’t do that!
Yellow: *slowly raises middle finger*
Sandy: *crosses arms* Tch, still as speechless as always. *turns to Shtick* Well, once I get my console, I’m busting out of here and enjoying it. Maybe you can see me play it so I can lord it over you.
Shtick: grrr, well guess what Sandollara, I’m already getting an SS5. Not so special now, Huh?

As the two fight, Sandy’s friends walk in. Finley, Gily, and Frank. Frank’s an octoling while the other three are squids. I turn to see the jellyfish store clerk finally returns from the back. Good ol’ Gelcongo, not to be confused with Gelfonzo or Gelonzo.

Gelcongo: Oi, who here is here for an SS5!?

Sandy/Shtick: I AM!!!
Gelcongo: Well, bad news, we don’t have as many today. We’ve only got 1 in today. So, who’s getting it?

Frank: Um, Sandy, you don’t suppose you can share ri-
Sandy: BUTT OUT FISH STICK, THIS ONE’S MINE!!!
Shtick: LIKE SHELL IT IS!!!
Finley: Oh joy, here we go.
Yellow:… *taps both of them*

Shtick/Sandy: WHAT!?!?
Yellow: *hits fist together, changing ink color to what Shtick has*
Shelly: Is he saying-
Al: *already changing ink color as well* SHELL YEAH!!! I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS!!!
Shelly: *sighs, changing ink color*
Sandy: *snickers* oh, we’re gonna fight for it? Cool, *smugly looks at Shtick* sounds like an easy win. *her friends change to her color as we all walk out*

The map was about 50/50. Shtick uses a splattershot pro, Shelly uses an undercoverbrella, and Al uses an Octobrush. I myself use Dapple Dualies. Sandy’s been using an E-Liter, Gily and Finly use n-zap 84, and Franks uses a Clashblaster (fuck that weapon and the horse it rode in on). Although it was close, our team ultimately loses the first time. The second match, we win. The third match… we won by a landslide. I remember Shtick was so proud, being able to rub it into Sandy’s face. As we walk back, however, I bump into a… friend.

Yellow:… *looks back to see a familiar looking Inkling.*… *walks up and taps her shoulder*
???: Huh? Oh, sorry, did I not apologize?
Yellow: *holds up 3 fingers*
???:… Agent 8? Is that you?
Yellow: *thumbs up*
Agent 3: 8! It’s good to see you! Though, I still wish you’d talk a little more.
Yellow: *waves off such a ridiculous notion*
Agent 3: I’m about to go patrol. Wanna join me?
Yellow: *shakes head, pulls out phone and searches Splatsville before showing her*
Agent 3:… I see. I heard Cap’n saying something about moving operations there! Are you a part of that?
Yellow: *shakes head, points to a sort of brochure-like section of the webpage*
Agent 3:… Oh! I see. You’re only going there for the new gear and weapons.
Yellow: *intensely gives a thumbs up*
Agent 3: *smirks* Definitely Agent 8. Reminds me of all the times you’d wake me up in the middle of the night to ask for a new weapon.
Yellow: *crosses arms and grunts*
Agent 3: And all the times you’d stay up all night trying to clean your brushes.
Yellow: *ears turn the same color as ink*
Agent 3: And all the times you would make a mess of the kitchen because you wanted to test them.
Yellow: *starts to turn away*
Agent 3: I’m only teasing you, you know that. What name did you decide to use after we split up?
Yellow: *types it in before showing her*
Agent 3:… Yellowtail… Isn’t that a fish?
Yellow:…
Agent 3: …
Yellow:… *starts walking away*
Agent 3: No come back! I was only joking! It’s a nice name!
Yellow: *looks back and types something into phone*… *shows Agent 3*
Agent 3:… “say hello to everyone. I’ve gotta go now, my friends are waiting.”? Uh, sure. Hey, I’ll try to keep in touch with you though, alright?
Yellow: *stands for a few seconds before walking up. Agent 3 looks confused as he walk up, and takes off the bottom half of his mask. Leaning in, he whispers something before putting his mask back on, giving a quick hug, and running away*
Agent 3:… *smiles* Yeah, you’ve been a great friend too.

Sadly, upon arriving at the store, it turns out Shtick’s console was given away.

Gelcongo: Look mate, someone else had ordered it, and they arrived after you left. Sorry.
Shtick, in tears: I WAITED FOR MONTHS!!!
Al: Well I mean, we still had fun today, right?
Shelly: Yeah, it’s not a total loss!
Shtick:… *sniffs*… yeah… yeah…

Time flies as the rest of the day was for chilling with friends. We went to the arcade, ate at a Mickey D’s, and finally, we said our goodbyes. Or, rather, they did. We stand in front of my apartment door as they says their goodbyes.

Shtick: Well, Yellow. It was a short time, but it was awesome to get to know you.
Shelly: Yeah, I don’t know if we’re really close. But hey, if you need someone to message, we’re all ears!
Al: Yeah man, don’t forget us once you’re out there!
Yellow:… *holds up a hand, signaling them to wait a moment*
Al: Huh? Uh, okay?
Yellow: *opens door, walks in*… *comes back out with nine Super Sea Snails, handing three out to each one*
Shtick: W-Woah! These are for us?
Yellow:…*nods*
Shelly: W-we can’t just take it dude! Don’t you know how hard these are to come by!?
Yellow:… *sighs, taking off goggles and mask, revealing dull blue eyes*… U-um, I just- I wanted to s-say thanks for- for being my friends…

Shtick, Shelly, Al:… DID YELLOW JUST TALK!?!?
Yellow: O-ow, my ears-
Shtick: Sorry- it’s just-
Shelly: We didn’t know you could-
Yellow: Guys- please- listen. I… I wanted to say goodbye properly. *looks across all of them* I know I haven’t been around long. Not as long as Shelly even. It’s only been a year or two, but I feel like we all got really close. *hugs everyone* I just- I felt like I needed to give you all a proper goodbye.
Al: Wow. First time Yellow’s spoken, and he’s mushy.
Yellow: Heh, I know I know. But, where I come from, friends are a bit… hard to come by. *smiles* so please, accept the gift. It’s the least I can do…

And so, the next day, I got on a train, and left. Splatsville feels like an important step for me. Something draws me to it, and I need to know what. So, dawning my mask and goggles, here’s to hoping for a bright and chaotic future.