Fresh Developments

As the CMC followed the Inklings through the deserted town, the CMC followed closely. Diving and hiding by turns, they watched them walk towards the Everfree.

“Sweetie, you SURE this is a good idea? Ever since we got our marks and Diamond’s mom got busted, they really haven’t been teasing us.” Scootaloo asked nervously.

“With those photos, we could be the MOST POPULAR FILLIES in school. That would be AWESOME!” Sweetie said eagerly.

“Alright....” Scootaloo replied, but as they neared the boat, they dived behind a tree to look for an opening. As the Inklings jumped up onto the boat, the CMC rushed and dived into a porthole. Crashing to the ground, they looked up to find themselves in some sort of storage room. Crates were piled around everywhere, and they were marked in a strange language they didn’t understand. Randomly opening a crate, the CMC dived inside to find themselves lying on a pile of tin cans. Scootaloo picked one up and tried to read the writing, only to sigh and throw it down in annoyance.

“What even is this gibberish?” Sweetie asked.

“Let’s open it up! Wanna see what’s inside?” Applebloom asked, and Sweetie opened the can to reveal what looked like cookies, only white bits were present. Sweetie bit into one and spat it out.

“It tastes like something that lives in water! It’s really moist!”

Suddenly, the crate’s top was lifted up to reveal Leo, who had a look on his face of shock and amusement. The CMC immediately tensed up, only to have Carson take the Fish Patty out of their hands and pop it into his mouth. The CMC’s jaws dropped. Then he spoke.

“Fish patties. Yum.” he said, and the CMC passed out. Leo rolled his eyes and took the three out of the crate. Picking them up, he took them upstairs and set them on the couch in the lounge. Smiling to himself, he walked up onto the bridge, where Alesa was steering the boat along the waterway Twilight had told them to follow.

“Uh, guys?” Leo said.

“What?” the other Inklings replied.

"We got stowaways. They got into the fish patties." Leo said.

"Oh? Then where are they?" Carson asked.

"In the lounge. They passed out when I ate the Fish patties they were trying to eat. Didn't seem to like them very much."

"Okay. I'll tell Twilight." Carson said, walking over to the Radio.

"Twilight?" he spoke.

"Is that you, Carson? Is this thing working?" Twilight's voice replied. "I'm not sure..."

"It's working. We got a few stowaways on the boat. They got into our food supply."

"That's bad. Wait...okay, how old are they? I have an idea as to whom it may be." Rarity's voice interrupted.

"They're like kids. Six, seven or so." Leo said.

"Then I know. It's my little sister, Sweetie Belle, and her friends, Applebloom and Scootaloo. They're quite mischievous. Any idea as to why they stowed away?"

"Dunno. They're currently passed out on our couch. You can ask them when they wake up." Bri replied.

"Okay. When we get to Canterlot, we'll talk with them there. Just keep them safe, okay?" Rainbow's voice added.

"Fine. As long as they don't mess anything up, get into anything, or the like, they'll be okay with us.." Carson replied.

"Okay. See you soon." Twilight said.

"Over and out." Carson shut off the radio, and he switched the channel to Captain Cuttlefish's base.

"Cap, you there?"

"I'M HERE, WHIPPERSNAPPER!" Cuttlefish replied, rather loudly.

"Okay, we're on our way to the Equestrian capital. We should get more answers there. How's things going on your side?"

"Fine and fresh." Callie's voice answered. "Ink battles are progressing as normal."

"Great. Over and out."

"See ya! and Stay Fresh!" Marie said, and the radio went silent.

Carson laughed and walked down to the lounge to check on the CMC. As he walked in, he noticed Bri talking with them. He walked over to the Bookcase and pulled out one of his Sunken Scrolls. Bri smiled, and looked back at the fillies, who were looking rather downcast. They sighed and began to explain themselves.

"So, you three thought by taking a photo of us would get you more popularity at school?" Bri asked.

"Yeah." They replied.

"And you thought that you could do it and not get caught?"

"Right." They replied again.

Bri smiled, and took out her camera. Pulling the CMC close, she smiled.

"Selfie!" she said, and the CMC looked right into the flash.

"OW!" they said, rubbing their eyes. "What was that?"

"See for yourself!" Bri said, showing them the photo.

"Was that a camera? I thought cameras were bigger than that." Applebloom said.

"We're pretty tech-savvy. We're always coming up with new gadgets to play with. Mini-cameras included." Bri said, sending the image to the printer. Pulling it out, she gave it to Sweetie Belle.

"You...took a photo of us with you?" they said, shocked.

"I feel you. Believe me, I wasn't as popular at school as I could be." Bri sighed.

"Why's that?" This piqued the CMC's interest.

"I was considered to be...well...hot property. I was getting asked out daily. But I saw that there was more to life than dates and parties. I studied and read when most were on dates or at parties. So, I wasn't popular, you could say. There were only three I could really confide in. Carson, Alesa, and Leo. When Carson invited us into the Squidbeak Splatoon, I was overjoyed. I battled the Octarians alongside my friends, and I realized this. There's more to life than what you think." she said.

"Wow..." the CMC said.

"We're getting close, team! Lock and load!" Carson yelled. Bri stood up and grabbed her Hero Charger.

"Let's go."

The CMC got up and followed her to the bridge, where Canterlot was visible in the distance. As the team approached the dock, they looked out the tinted windows to see a group of armored ponies, all wielding swords and spears. Carson frowned and walked over to the radio.

Uh, Twi? Is there supposed to be a large group of ponies in armor waiting for us at the dock?"

"Oh! I forgot to tell Celestia we were coming! That's why the Guard was called out! I'll be there in a sec."

There was a bright flash, and Twilight was standing before the guards, who were all looking very confused.

"Okay, Guards. The beings on that boat? They're my guests. They didn't want to leave anything behind. They're just explorers."

The Guards looked at her dubiously.

"You want proof?" She said, frustrated.

The guards nodded.

"Here's the proof."

The guards looked at Carson, Alesa, Bri, and Leo, who had walked up beside Twilight. The Guard's faces immediately turned to one of shock and mystification.

"Hey there. We're Inklings. And we come from a few thousand miles THAT way." Carson said, pointing towards the ocean. "Any questions?"

"How..." the Guard stammered.

"You could say we're pretty more technologically advanced than you. AND the fact that we have identical spoken, but not written languages, is kind of a mystery to us too." Bri said. At this, the guards seemed to calm down. As the Inklings parted to let them through, Carson tapped Twilight on the shouder.

"Any way to keep anyone off the boat without having to move it?"

"On it." Twilight said, and her horn glowed. A bright lilac shield covered the boat. Carson smiled.Twilight sighed, and turned to two guards.

"Can you two make sure that nopony gets on that boat? There's some stuff on there that shouldn't be messed around with." Twilight said, and the two guards nodded and took positions. As the Inklings met up with the rest of the group, they began to walk towards the castle, getting scared stares and shocked looks from nearly everypony. Anytime anypony got too close, Twilight glared at them, often making them get the message. As they neared the palace, the guards opened the door to the throne room, to reveal a large group of nobles talking angrily with Celestia and Luna. As they neared, they could hear the conversation.

"I have said this many times. I have already sent guards to receive the boat at the docks. Now, leave please." Celestia said in an exasperated tone.

"But how can that be enough, aunt?" A smart-ass voice replied, and a white stallion stepped up. Bri saw Rarity facepalm in disgust.

"Blueblood, now is NOT THE TIME FOR THIS!" Luna echoed.

"Uh, anyone gonna pay attention to US for a sec?" Carson yelled, causing everypony in the room to turn and look at the Inklings. Before they knew it, Blueblood yelled "ALIENS! KILL THEM!" causing every noble in the room to charge. Carson smiled and reached behind his back.

The crowd drew ever closer.

Carson grinned.

The crowd was very close.

Carson yelled "STAY FRESH!" and drew what looked like a large blue and silver horn. The Inklings recognized it as a Killer Wail. As the Inklings covered their ears, Carson pulled the triggers. As the warm-up sound played, then a massive sound, similar to a guitar strum, blasted through the room. The mob was thrown back from the sheer force of the Killer Wail. As the ponies were thrown back, they were also covered in Ink. As the Inklings smiled, the mob looked at them, shocked and covered with Ink.

"Yeah. Like that, squitches?" Carson swaggered, and he began to laugh. Before the nobles could charge again, Celestia's horn glowed, and a golden bubble encompassed the mob. Twilight looked over at Carson.

"What was that?"

"Killer Wail." Carson said. "A Special weapon. It sends out a massive Ink-laced sound wave that can splat Inklings and trigger Ink overloads. It's rather precise, for that matter."

"It was impressive." Luna said.

"Thanks. Name's Carson, leader and Agent 3 of the Squidbeak Splatoon. That's Bri, Agent 3.1, Alesa, Agent 3.2, and Leo, agent 3.3. As for what we are, we're Inklings, which are hyper-evolved squids. We come from a landmass a few thousand miles to the east."

"Princess Luna, ruler of the Night. Pleasure, Carson."

As introductions went around, the mob was still screaming at the Inklings from the bubble. Celestia's horn glowed again, and they went silent.

"Nice." Bri said.

"It pays to teach my nephew a lesson about not ATTACKING EVERY ROYAL GUEST WE HAVE HERE ON SIGHT." Celestia said, and the group saw Blueblood pale. Celestia frowned, and she walked over and dispelled the bubble. The other nobles backed away, leaving Blueblood alone.

"This is a complete disgrace. Not to me, but to the nobility." Celestia said.

"I didn't...know..." Blueblood said, stammering.

"This is the final straw. Your attitude towards nearly everyone you meet, your bombastic nature, your complete disregard for everyone who doesn't suck up to you like a servant were bad enough to deal with. But this? This far exceeds what I thought you were capable of. Wanting to kill innocent beings, ROYAL GUESTS, on sight? That was completely unacceptable." Celestia continued.

"But..." Blueblood tried to say.

"No more "buts" from you. I have HAD IT with you. My soul is SCREAMING to demote and disown you, but I am merciful. when your parents died, who was it that took you in? Who gave you an education? Who made you a noble IN THE FIRST PLACE?" Celestia said angrily.

"...You..." Blueblood said.

"Just as I have given, I can take away. I, for now, strip you of your title. No longer are you "Prince," but "Lord." You are going to have to EARN your respect now, rather than have it be given to you on a silver platter. You will earn your rank back by being what I would consider proper actions before I will give you back your title. Now, I want you to do this. Apologize to the Inklings known as the Squidbeak Splatoon, clean up this mess in the hall, and LEARN from this. You are going to have to prove that you can handle yourself like a true noble before I will let you back into my sight again." Celestia said. "Better get started."

Blueblood looked at her with shock and disbelief, before walking off dejectedly. Celestia sighed, and turned to the Inklings.

"Sorry about my nephew. He's...always been a pain, but now..."

"Hey, it's all good. What now?" Leo said, and the Inklings nodded.

"I would like to speak with whoever commands this "Splatoon."

"Sure thing." Carson said. As Twilight teleported them to the boat, the sun shone brightly in the sky.