{Isabelle's POV}
"Hey, Nathan. I have a question." Nathan looked over at me as we were on the train to Inkopolis Plaza. He replied, "What is it?" I asked, "First of all, how did I get home last night?" Nathan answered, "I carried you home." I looked at the big white bandage on the side of his face. "Second question. What in the world happened to your face?" Nathan tried to hide it and, flustered, he replied, "Wh-what do you mean? There's nothing on my face. Nope. Nothing. Zip. Nada." I rolled my eyes. "Very funny. What happened? Please tell me." Nathan sighed. "Fine..." He removed the bandage, showing a HUGE bruise on his cheek. "HOLY CRABBY CAKES! What in the name of Inkopolis happened to you?" Nathan didn't answer. "Nathan..." Still no answer. "Nathan, please tell me. I'm worried about you." Nathan sighed and replied, "Ok, ok. My... My dad hit me last night. Hard." WHAAAT? I always knew Nathan's dad was strict, but why would he hit his own child?! "Why did he hit you?!" I asked. Nathan replied, "He was angry that I had come home so late. So what? I was taking you home. Is that a bad thing?" I didn't say anything else for the rest of the train ride.
Poor Nathan.
"Hey, Max! Hey, Ellie!" I yelled as I ran toward the two. Ellie an Max waved at me and replied simultaneously, "Good morning, guys!" After that, they just stared at each other, blushing. "What the heck happened to you two last night?" Nathan asked. Max answered, "We really don't know. I just took one sip of punch and then, BAM! I'm eating dirt." Ellie said, "My parents took the punch cup home and found trace amounts of poison in the cup. It's not lethal, but it's easy to detect and the reaction is very immediate." Max stuck his tongue out at Ellie. "NERD!" He joked. Ellie pushed him aside and continued, "This means someone was trying to poison someone. But the poison doesn't kill, it only renders the victim unconscious. Hmmm..." Max asked, "Hey, Nathan. What the heck happened to YOU?" Nathan flustered and replied, "Nothing! Nothing happened to me! I'm quite alright, my friends-" I cut him off and said, "Nathan. You have to tell them." Nathan groaned and ripped off his bandage again. Ellie gasped at the sight of the huge bruise. "Ohmigosh! What happened to you?" Nathan reluctantly replied, "My dad hit me because I came home late. Once again, my dad hurts me for helping out my best friend." Max said, "That's awful, bro. But do you know what'll make ya feel better? TUUURF WAAAARS-" He was cut off when a note landed on his head. "AAAUUUUGH! THERE'S SOMETHING ON MY HEAD! IS IT A BEE?! GET IT OFF! AAAAH!" Ellie picked up the note and read it out loud.
Meet me behind the café tonight at 7:30 pm. I have something I need to tell you about.
We all agreed to meet there. "Now, where was I before I was so rudely interrupted?" Max said. "Oh, right. TURF WARS!"
{Nathan's POV}
"Are you sure we should be doing this?" Isabelle squeaked. I huffed, "Of course! We'll never know who this is until we go!" Ellie replied, "It may be the place where we found Nathan unconscious during Splatfest, but hey." Max nodded. "I agree with Ellie." Isabelle sighed. I mumbled under my breath, "I didn't know you were becoming my dad."
As we arrived at the back of the café, there was a figure waiting for us. It appeared to be female, wearing a black hoodie with the hood up and a grey knee-length skirt. We all immediately recognized her.
"ORLAITH!"
"You! From last night!"
She pulled her hoodie down, revealing that she was indeed Orlaith. Isabelle pulled out her Splattershot, ready to shoot Orlaith. Orlaith replied, "Wait! I'm not here to attack or hurt you! Just let me talk!" Isabelle reluctantly lowered her Splattershot. "I don't want to hurt anyone anymore. This includes you two," Orlaith explained while pointing at me and Isabelle. She continued, "But I also want to protect you guys..." I asked, "From who?" Orlaith's face fell. "My old partner Nami. She's on a special mission from DJ Octavio that was meant for me. They want you two captured. Us Octarians think you two are more powerful than the average inkling, and Nami will stop at almost nothing to catch you." I replied, "I believe you. You can help us, but if you want to help us safely, we'll have to help you first."