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On a beautifully sunny day in Inkopolis, four blue Inklings walked out of the hospital with very bad news weighing them down. All of them were silent as they got into the car and drove away.
Specs was at the driver's seat, tears running down his face. Headphones sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window with wide eyes. Bobble and Goggles sat together in the back, and even Bobble's smile was gone from her face as she softly held Goggles' hand.
Goggles was the one to break the crushing silence.
"It's a beautiful day today, isn't it?"
"Goggles…I know this is hard to accept…" Bobble said—
"But isn't it beautiful?" Goggles said, interrupting its friend. There was a small smile on its face. "Sunny, no clouds in the sky, perfect temperature—"
"No it's not," Specs said, voice cracking. Goggles' smile faded from its face as it looked towards him in mild confusion.
"What do you mean, Specs?" Goggles asked.
"Goggles, you know what I mean." Specs' grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"It's in denial, Specs," Headphones muttered.
"No I'm not," Goggles said. "I just pointed out how beautiful a day it is. We should play some Turf W—"
"We just got told you're going to die soon, Goggles!" Specs exclaimed, startling everyone else in the car. "What the hell is beautiful about that?!"
Goggles blinked, and the car was silent again for a minute or so.
Then Headphones said, "I suppose it is pretty nice today."
"Yeah!" Goggles said, smiling again.
Specs sighed as he stopped at a red light. "Goggles—"
"I'm going to be leaving this world soon, Specs," Goggles said. "I think I'm allowed to acknowledge how beautiful it is."
Bobble's grip on Goggles' hand tightened as a sob wracked her body. Goggles turned towards her with concern.
"I don't want you to leave…" Bobble mumbled through her tears.
Goggles sighed as the light turned green and the car moved forward.
"I don't want to leave either," Goggles muttered. "But I guess I have to, huh…?"
"We…should probably tell Rider the news," Headphones said quietly.
"He'll be crushed…" Specs said.
"Well, he has to find out eventually," Headphones said. "And we're crushed too. Everyone who knows Goggles will be, once they find out."
"Fine," Specs said.
And with that, he made a detour to drive to Team Yellow-Green's place.
—
When Rider was told the news that Goggles had roughly two weeks left to live, he had a hard time grasping it at first. At least it seemed that way to Goggles, with the way Rider's eyes were wide, his hands shook, and he was silent for what felt like a long, long time.
And after that long, long time, Rider collapsed into Goggles' chest, his arms wrapping around the blue Inkling as he sobbed and sobbed.
This surprised Goggles, for it was the first time Rider had ever initiated a hug between them. And Goggles hugged him back, of course.
Neither of them said anything for a while.
"Goggles…I…" Rider's voice was choked with tears.
"It'll be okay," Goggles said, its voice soft. "You'll be okay."
"No…" Rider muttered. "Gogs…my…"
Rider trailed off again, and Goggles gently rubbed his back.
"You can say it, Riri."
"My worst fear has been losing you," Rider said, voice barely audible. "For…for so long…"
Goggles hugged Rider tighter, and Rider breathed a shuddery exhale.
"I only have two weeks left with you, Gogs…"
"Well," Goggles said, "let's make it the best two weeks ever."
—
The next day was sunny and beautiful as well. Goggles was at Manta Maria preparing for a Turf War—it was on a team with Rider, Gloves, and Hachi, battling against Specs, Headphones, Bobble, and Mitsuami.
It couldn't ignore the way people looked at it now, though. The sadness in their eyes, the way everyone's words were carefully chosen, like they were walking on eggshells in order to make Goggles' day perfect.
Goggles had noticed that all throughout the Turf War. It had been fun, of course, and a smile was Goggles' face the whole time.
It hadn't been splatted once—almost like the other team was afraid it wouldn't respawn afterwards.
After Goggles' team won the Turf War—of course they did—Goggles faced the other three with a look of worry.
And all three of them were giving it that look, even now.
"Uh, good game, dude," Gloves said after a few awkward seconds. Their voice was shaky.
"Why are you acting like that?" Goggles said.
"Acting like what?" Hachi asked, worry in his eyes.
"It feels like you're all walking on eggshells around me," Goggles said. "Like you're afraid one wrong move will kill me."
"Uh, Goggles, you do know that—" Rider started to say—
"Yeah, I know that I have two weeks left," Goggles said. "But I don't want to be reminded of that every second."
Silence followed for a few seconds, before Goggles sighed.
"I want to live during these two weeks. Just like I did before."
Rider, Gloves, and Hachi all stared at Goggles with wide eyes.
And Gloves was the first one to rush forward and hug Goggles. Tears were leaking out of their eyes again.
"I just…it's hard to believe…" Gloves said. "I'm so sorry, Goggles…"
"It's okay," Goggles said. "I know it's hard."
Seconds later, Goggles was being hugged by Hachi as well. Then Rider joined in.
And Goggles savored the warmth of all three of them hugging it.
One of the many joys of the life it had to leave soon.
—
Goggles skipped happily into Inkopolis Square, a smile on its face. It had just played another Turf War on Manta Maria—this one being Team Blue versus Rider, Gloves, Hachi, and Mitsuami. Team Blue had won!!
The smile on Goggles' face became wider when it saw the X-Blood standing near Deca Tower. It skipped over to them.
"Hey guys!!" Goggles exclaimed.
Vintage looked up from petting Judd, and Goggles noticed their eyes were bloodshot, their cheeks soaked with tears.
Had Vintage been crying over Goggles as well?
But that was impossible. Vintage hated Goggles…right?
"Hey Goggles," Vintage muttered, stuffing their hands in their pockets. Goggles pretended not to hear the way their voice shook.
"Uh, what's up, bro?" Double Egg said.
"I was wondering if you guys wanted to do a rematch!" Goggles exclaimed. "Team Blue versus X-Blood, Tower Control!!"
"A…rematch from the Square King Ranked Cup?" Omega asked.
"Yeah!!" Goggles answered. "That was a really crazy battle, remember?"
"It was…" Red Sole said, her voice a lot less energetic than usual. "But, Goggles—"
"We should totally do it!" Goggles said, bouncing up and down, trying to keep that smile on its face. Trying to ignore the fact that the X-Blood never acted like this—
"Yeah, we should," Vintage muttered, looking towards Goggles.
And for the first time in a while, the X-Ranker gave Goggles a small smile.
—
The X-Blood had won the Tower Control rematch, but Goggles didn't mind losing.
In fact, the loss made Goggles feel more alive.
And as it walked into the Square again, they thought about that first Square King Ranked Cup, long long ago.
Goggles smiled when it saw Mask and Skull walk towards it. It gave them a wave as they both sat next to it.
"You know what would make this day perfect?" Goggles said after a few seconds.
"What?" Skull asked.
"Some delicious curry."
Goggles heard Mask heave a sigh. "Yeah…that would be nice, huh?"
Goggles' eyes went up to the sky, thinking about how Army and Aloha had both been at that first Square King Ranked Cup.
It missed Army's delicious curry…it hadn't had it in nearly two years.
But soon, Goggles would taste it again.
—
Goggles' last Turf War was against Team Yellow-Green, two weeks later.
It had been at Arowana Mall, and Goggles had been smiling and laughing as always for the majority of it. As Rider inked the ground, he tried not to think about how it had been nearly two weeks since the news about Goggles' condition had been received.
Goggles had only been splatted once, and technically it didn't even count. The members of Team Yellow-Green had been careful not to splat it—though this time, Goggles didn't notice. It was having too much fun, until it accidentally fell into the water of Arowana Mall.
Everything seemed to stop as Goggles dissolved and its soul floated back to the respawn point. Everybody was scared that something terrible would happen, that Goggles wouldn't respawn, that its two weeks were finally up.
But Team Blue was relieved when Goggles successfully respawned, a smile on its face.
"Hi guys!!" Goggles exclaimed. "C'mon guys, let's keep playing!"
And yet, Goggles seemed to be out of breath as it spoke. Its walk had a limp to it as it made its way to the middle of the stage, and it almost tripped over its own feet a few times.
But it was smiling all the way until the battle ended.
Rider watched as Team Blue gathered around Goggles as Judd tallied the results. Goggles' eyes had a foggy look to them, and it seemed they were having trouble balancing.
A knot of fear tied itself in Rider's stomach as he made his way over to Team Blue. He could hear the other three trying to talk to Goggles, to check if it was okay, but Goggles was barely responding.
Then Goggles suddenly collapsed to the ground, and Rider was too slow to catch it.
—
The sound of the ambulance would never leave Rider's memory. Neither would the sight of Goggles riding in it, all the joy sucked out of its pale, unconscious face.
Everything was a blur after Goggles passed out. Rider had been the one to call the ambulance, and he remembered Team Blue and Team Yellow-Green panicking and crying waiting for it to arrive.
Rider now sat in the hospital waiting room with Specs, Headphones, and Bobble. The smile was gone from Bobble's face again as her leg bounced anxiously, gripping Headphones' hand tightly. And Rider could only watch as Specs paced back and forth, his own mind filled with terrible thoughts.
They were waiting for somebody to come and give them news about Goggles' condition. The doctors had taken it away hours ago, assessing its illness that had reached a climax. They hadn't let Rider stay near it for long—they hadn't even let its best friends stay, eventually banishing everyone to the waiting room.
Rider knew that Goggles wouldn't live long. He had known that for two weeks now. But it didn't stop the dread from flooding all parts of his body—he was surprised he wasn't sobbing right now.
Maybe it was because he felt too numb to cry. Nothing about any of this felt real, after all.
At that moment, a doctor walked into the waiting room, and Specs looked towards him with wide eyes.
"Your friend Goggles," the doctor said. "You may see it if you like—"
"Yes," Specs said. He looked towards Rider, Headphones, and Bobble with those same wide eyes. Rider noticed Bobble's cheeks were soaked with tears.
Not a word was said—none were necessary. Rider followed the three members of Team Blue out of the waiting room.
—
The hospital room that the four Inklings walked into was so, so quiet. And cold, Rider realized.
But it didn't matter. Goggles was in a white bed, hooked up to a heart monitor that was slowly beeping. To Rider's surprise, its eyes slowly fluttered open as its friends entered the room.
"Guys…?" Goggles muttered, barely audible. "What…are you doing here…"
"We're here to see our friend," Bobble said, clearly trying to keep her voice calm.
Goggles slowly blinked. "I…aren't I dead…?"
"No, you're still alive," Headphones said, walking up to Goggles and gently stroking its hand.
A weak chuckle came from Goggles. "Not for long…"
Rider's hands were shaking as he walked up to Goggles. "Gogs…I don't want you to leave…"
"I don't wanna leave either…" Goggles muttered. It weakly sighed, before saying, "That Turf War was fun…did we win?"
"Yeah, Goggles," Specs said, standing next to Headphones. His voice was choked with tears now. "We won."
A smile slowly appeared on Goggles' face. "I'm glad I got to win my last Turf War."
"But winning doesn't matter, does it?" Rider said, voice barely audible. Tears were finally forming in his eyes. "Battles are all about having fun…"
"Of course they are…" Goggles said. "Do you think I'd abandon that now?"
"No," Rider said, gently taking Goggles' hand. It was so cold. "No I didn't, Gogs."
"What are we gonna do without you?!" Bobble cried. Goggles winced slightly at the noise, and a look of guilt came across Bobble's face. "Goggles…"
"Well, you're going to keep going, of course," Goggles said. "You're gonna keep doing Turf Wars…keep having fun…"
"How are we gonna do that without you?" Bobble said. "Y-you…taught so many people how to do that…you taught us—"
"You need to carry on without me," Goggles said. "I have to go…but I love you all, okay?"
"I…I love you too, Goggles…" Bobble said.
"We're gonna stay strong," Specs said, cupping Goggles' cheek gently. Goggles leaned into the touch. "I promise."
"You sure?" Goggles said, looking up at Specs.
"Of course."
Goggles smiled, and then its eyes went over to Rider.
"Remember my lessons, okay Riri?" Goggles said. "You can't win a battle with one player…it's all about fun and teamwork…"
"I'll…I'll never forget what you taught me," Rider muttered.
His whole body was shaking by now.
His worst fear was coming true in front of his very eyes.
Goggles was leaving him.
Goggles' eyes closed, that smile still on its face.
"I taught you well, Riri…"
"Gogs…" Rider choked out, "don't…don't leave me…"
The heart monitor gradually began to slow…
"I'm sorry, but I have to."
Rider was having difficulty breathing through his tears. "Please…"
"The hardest part of this…is leaving you guys…"
And with that, the beeping of the heart monitor became straight. The long beep filled the entire room.
"Goggles…" Bobble cried, "GOGGLES!!!"
But Goggles—beloved friend of Team Blue, the sunshine of Rider's life—didn't wake up.
—
The last thing Goggles heard was Bobble's anguished cry of its name.
It wished it could cry back. It wished it could scream—it wished it could do anything but lay there dying.
But after its vision went dark and Bobble's voice faded away for the final time, Goggles knew it was dead.
And yet, after either an eternity or a second, it opened its eyes again.
Everything was so bright. Goggles had to close its eyes again for a few seconds at the sudden brightness of…wherever it was.
When it opened its eyes again, it realized it was standing among fluffy white clouds.
It glanced up above its head, and there was a small golden ring floating above it.
"What…" Goggles muttered. It found it was able to talk effortlessly again—it no longer felt weak and powerless.
Goggles walked forward through the clouds, finding that it felt almost weightless. After a few minutes of confusion, it realized it was in some kind of afterlife.
Goggles had never been too sure about all that afterlife stuff…but apparently it was true.
And then, it spotted two Inklings it hadn't seen in years. Tentacles of orange and pink, similar golden rings above their heads, and they were holding hands, backs facing Goggles.
"Army? Aloha?" Goggles said.
The two Inklings turned around, and Army's eyes were the first to widen in surprise.
"Goggles?!" Army exclaimed. "What…what are you doing here?!"
"I…I died, I think," Goggles said. "This…is the afterlife, right?"
"Yeah…" Aloha said, as he and Army walked up to Goggles. "But…how did you die…? When?"
"I think it just happened…" Goggles said. "And…I just got really sick. Found out two weeks ago."
Army and Aloha were silent for a few seconds, processing the fact that Goggles was dead and in the afterlife with them.
"I…I'm so sorry," Army muttered, placing a soft hand on Goggles' shoulder. "I know it's hard, but—"
"No, I'm fine," Goggles said, forcing a smile onto its face. "I…my last two weeks were the best ones of my life."
"You can't be fine, Goggles," Aloha said. Army gave him a sharp look, but he kept talking. "You…you died, and I know from experience that you must be feeling something—"
"Well, I got to live…" Goggles said, before sighing, dropping its smile. "But I guess you're right."
"You don't have to talk right now if you don't want to," Army said. "It's hard to accept, and we've literally got all the time in the world."
For the first time in nearly two weeks, Goggles let tears fall from its eyes. After only seconds it was sobbing, and Army wrapped his arms around it, letting it cry for a minute or so.
"I…didn't want to leave them…" Goggles mumbled. "Everything was so…different after they found out I was gonna die…and I…I tried to be happy…for them—"
"Because you knew it was hard for them too…" Aloha said.
"Yeah, I knew how hard it was for them…losing a friend…" Goggles continued. "But…I was happy until the very end…but I don't want to die."
"Neither did either of us," Army said, rubbing Goggles' back gently. "But it's inevitable."
Goggles sighed. "So…Rider will come up here eventually?"
"And your team too," Army said.
"And Gloves and Hachi, and even Vintage," Aloha said. "Soon you'll be with them again, okay?"
"O-okay…" Goggles muttered.
The three of them were silent for a few seconds—and Goggles was the one to break it.
"I missed you guys…"
"We missed you too, Goggles," Aloha said.
"And…I miss my friends," Goggles said. "It's gonna be a long time, waiting for them up here…"
"We'll wait with you," Army said, giving Goggles a smile. "We'll wait as long as we need to."