//------------------------------//
// An Ultimatum 
// Story: Spike the Squid Kid 
// by Darth Severus 
//------------------------------//

Spike had been getting tired of trying to hide the fact he was working with Marie to get the Great Zapfish back. He knew it was for the best intentions of getting the Great Zapfish back, but hiding it from his friends and family was getting tedious and annoying. As he arrived in Octo Canyon, he said to Marie, "Marie, we need to talk. I can't keep hiding this job from my friends, it's getting harder and harder to make up excuses for why I'm leaving when I'm coming to see you."

Marie sighed, "I expected this would happen at some point. Hmm... Ok, I've got an idea, you can have your squad, the Purple Dragons, come down here with you, but nobody else."

Spike nodded, "I can agree with that." he headed back to Inkopolis Square and texted Starlight, Thorax, and Ember to meet him at the sewer grate outside of Ammo Knights.

When they arrived, Ember asked, "So what's up Spike?"

Spike explained, "You know how the Great Zapfish and Callie from the Squid Sisters disappeared? Well, it'd be easier to show you than to tell you." before sliding into the sewer grate in his squid form.

Thorax stepped on top of the grate, "We have been trying to get him to explain why he keeps having to ditch us, this seems to be the answer." before sliding in after Spike.

Ember groaned, "I can't believe I'm doing this."

Starlight rolled her eyes, "Just suck it up." before the two of them follow the boys into the sewer.

As Thorax, Ember, and Starlight arrived, they say Spike in his Hero Suit and Marie, and Thorax was the first to respond, "What!? Marie!? Ok, what the holy heck is going on!?"

Marie explained, "The Octarians stole the Great Zapfish again, and Spike has been helping me get it back. He's threatening to quit on me if I don't let his squad join in. Welcome to the team Agents 5, 6, and 7." before handing them their own Hero Suits and Hero Shooters. "Now, you guys can use other weapons supplied from Sheldon, but you'll need to work together to rescue the Great Zapfish."

Thorax looked at Spike, "If Spike's in, I'm in." before putting on his Hero Suit.

The girls nodded as they got into theirs. Spike smiled, "Thanks you guys. Let's get to work!"

As the group went through more stages and got more Zapfish, they met up at the second Boss Kettle. Ember laughed, "I haven't had this much fun in a long time! Let's do this!"

The four agents went into the Boss Kettle together and got ready for the boss to appear. When the Octo-Samurai appeared, Spike said, "I'll draw his attention with my roller, Thorax, you cover us with your charger, Starlight and Ember, you're on attack."

The others nodded and said in union, "On it!" before jumping into battle against the Octo-Samurai. The boss chased Spike, who was running with his Hero Roller, hiding in the ink when he needed to refill his tank. Soon enough, Ember and Starlight had it flipped over so its tentacle was exposed so Thorax could snipe at it until it popped.

Marie smiled as she communicated with them, "Good job! You sure know how to work as a team!"

As the boss fight continued, Spike had been splatted twice, leaving him with only one life left, but just as the Octo-Samurai was about to splat him again, he saw a strange orb and picked it up, giving him an Ultra Stamp special weapon. He thought to himself, "Wait a minute, these things weren't even released when the game first came out! Whatever..." before activating it and smashing the Ultra Stamp into the Octo-Samurai. As he did, the tentacle popped in one blow, causing the Octo-Samurai to explode.

Ember cheered, "We did it! That was awesome Spike!"

As the four agents left the Boss Kettle, they met up with Marie who was smiling, "Good job team! It's getting late, you guys should head home for now."

Ember nodded, "She's right, it is getting late. Let's go." before Super Jumping back to the grate to Inkopolis Square. As the others followed her, Ember asked, "Spike, promise us you won't keep any more secrets from us. We're supposed to be friends and teammates."

Spike nodded smiling nervously, "Yeah, sorry, but Marie made me swear not to tell anyone. But I'll agree to that, no more secrets."

As Spike arrived at his house, he found a letter at the door for him. He read it, "Dear Spike, I can't tell you who I am, but there's more to your arrival here than you know. You were brought here to save this world, and when your job is done, you will return to your world. I wish you luck, and I await the day I meet you."

Spike raised an eyebrow and put the letter in his pocket. After dinner, he went to his room and looked at the letter again, "I was brought here to save this world? And just when I thought I was getting used to this..."