Epilogue: A Tale to Tell

"So you're telling me you traveled through time and space to another universe like ours...but darker?"

Molly couldn't resist letting out a small snort as she looked up at the red-headed human as she sipped her mint tea, the woman's dark green eyes stared at her in shock as she did so, "I told you it would be difficult to understand...mom."

"Yeah...you did," Lily sighed as she sat down next to her, "well at least you came back in one piece...for the most part..."

"Yes..." Molly dropped her gaze as she pushed back her ginger colored hair from her face. Even with the mild comfort of being in her human form having hair to fight with was not something she missed having as an Inkling, "Squil, Inka and Ploosh needed time to get used to having their abilities but they are now sort of used to it. Inka and Ploosh I don't think have much time to worry about it now that they have their son though."

"And Luna and Kish are doing well?"

"Even though they are only three they still find ways to keep us busy," she smiled, "they are starting to learn how to shift out of their squid forms and they should be able to maintain stable enough forms before school."

"That's great sweetie, I'm so happy for you," Lily reached up and stroked her behind the ear, causing a faint purring noise to rumble in her throat before she stopped, "now I gotta ask...what's wrong?"

Molly's smile lowered into a frown, "why does my visit mean something is wrong?"

"Because I raised you Molly...and I can tell when something is bothering my stepdaughter so instead of us beating around the bush..." she took Molly's cup and placed it next to hers on the table before placing her hands in her lap, "...how about you tell me what's eating you up from the inside?"

Molly dropped her gaze again, "nothing is wrong mom..."

She felt Lily reach over before lifting her chin up and forcing her to look her straight in the eyes, "Please Molly...just tell me."

"Lily...mom...how do I tell someone a secret I've kept from them for so long that it feels like I'm lying to them every time I see them?"

Lily pulled back partially, "this is about your birth mother isn't it?"

"Hatch mother technically speaking...but yes..." she sighed heavily, "I haven't had the heart to tell her anything about you, my life before coming to Inkopolis, or me being an Agent," she clenched her hands in her lap before relaxing them, "I haven't told her...anything...and it makes me feel horrible keeping all these secrets from her but...I don't know what to do."

Suddenly she found herself wrapped in Lily's arms as her back was rubbed slowly. Closing her eyes she succumbed to the embrace while placing her forehead into Lily's shoulder like she did when she was a child as the gentle stroking continued.

"I understand you're scared of how she will react Mollinda..." Lily whispered into her ear, "do you remember how upset you were when I told you that you weren't human?"

"Yes..." looking up she tried to not let her voice tremble as she looked into the dark green eyes again, "but I understand why...you were trying to protect me."

"Yes, but as time passed I eventually realized I would someday have to tell you because there would come a time where it would no longer be safe for me to hide it from you...sometimes though telling may not be the best course of action."

"Are you saying I don't have to tell her?" the feeling of being like a child grew as Molly tilted her head a little while she looked at Lily, puzzled.

"I'm saying you may not have to, its up to you whether you feel it would be right or wrong to tell her."

"Great...I'm back where I started..." she chewed on her lip in frustration.

"Only if you see it that way Molly...think about it at least some before making your final decision..." standing up she took Molly's hands and lifted her up as well, "I will say it was very nice to see you again."

"Same to you mo-" holding her stepmother's hands she couldn't help but notice two very distinct marks on her left arm that looked about an inch or two apart from each other. Based on how pale the scars were she could tell they were at least a year old if not older, "wait...what's that? I don't remember you getting those."

Lily followed her gaze to the arm before pulling her hands away from her as she rubbed a hand over them, "just some old scars from an accident...nothing to worry about dear."

*"They look like an animal bite..." she tried reaching out to touch them only to have Lily pull back, "did you get attacked by something...?"

"I told you sweetie...it's nothing," she insisted as she picked up both their cups, "You should get going...I'm sure Squil and the little ones will want to see you."

"I suppose..." she watched Lily head into the kitchen before coming in several minutes later. Her sleeves pulled farther down and past the scars on her arm as she rubbed her hands together, "before I go...is there anything you need or want?"

"Don't forget about me...that's all I ask for," walking over she gave Molly a hug, "...and maybe seeing those grandkids at some point?"

"You mean "grandsquids"? I will try to bring them over at some point," Molly smiled again as she hugged her back. She took a glance at Lily's arm as she pulled away, "perhaps in a month or two we can have another visit?"

"Yeah...I'd like that, good luck out their sweetie...you're gonna need it."

"Thanks...mother," bowing slightly she walked out of the door, headed down the street and out of the Highlands.

She waited until she was well out of sight of any humans before shifting back into her Inkling form as she pulled out her phone.

"Molly...?" the voice on the other side asked with a slight hint of disbelief.

"What? Your sister can't call you out of the blue because she hasn't heard your voice in forever Kell?" she immediately replied, in a snide manner.

An audible sigh was heard soon after, "I see you still have enough energy to poke fun at me even with kids."

"Nah, I decided to have some "me" time today...Squil has the kids."

"Ah...I wish I could say the same..."

"Still having problems settling in a job?"

"You could say that..." there was a half minute long pause before continuing, "is reminding me I'm single and having trouble keeping a job the only reason you called?"

"No it wasn't..." Molly slowed her walking pace as she looked around herself for a split second before bringing her face back to the phone, "I was wondering...have you seen Marlin lately?"

"Marlin? No, why?"

"When was the last you saw him?"

"Like a week before you guys came back, which by the way are you gonna tell me eventually what happened to you four during that year?"

"I will, I promise."

"You've told me that the last two times I asked."

Molly sighed, "I know...but the next time I really will."

"Yeah, yeah...may I ask why you want Marlin?"

"I just...was wondering if you heard anything from him..."

"No I haven't. I hate to say this but our brother knows how to disappear and disappear well as the two years before you and the other's disappearance proved."

She bit her lip in frustration before answering, "Right...I suppose you have a point..."

"Unless he wants to be found we probably won't hear from him for a bit," she heard a sigh from the other side, "anyways...what are you up to besides wondering where our brother is currently?"

"Well I was gonna see our mom..." she answered, stopping herself from saying "May" at the last second. Even with it being nearing 8 years since she found out that the green Inkling was her real mother she still found it hard sometimes to actually think of her as her mother instead of the human who had raised actually her.

"That's good...I think she would appreciate that."

"Yeah...I'll let you know how it goes if you want?"

"You don't have to, besides sounds like those two kids are gonna keep you too busy to talk to your twin brother," a hint of a chuckle could be heard behind the words, making her smile in response, "so I will just leave you to it."

"Sure...talk to you later Kell," she lowered the phone from her face as she looked up to see the familiar group of buildings looming up on the slight hill as she made her way back into Inkopolis.

It only took her about an hour to get to the apartment. Knocking on the door it took all her effort though not to run away as she saw the door slowly pulled open as May peered out from behind it.

"Molly...?" her green eyes widened slightly in surprise as she looked at her, "what are you doing here?"

"Mom...there is something I feel I ought to tell you."

"Yes?" she opened the door fully as she stood in the doorway with a look of concern.

"Actually it's several things...and they are somewhat complicated."

"Does it involve more unexpected grandsquids?"

"Wha-no mother it's n-not that!" She quickly insisted before seeing a smile cross the older Inkling's face.

"Oh Molly...I'm just teasing you. I figured it wasn't that," she started to lean against the door frame, "but I'm assuming it's something you want to get off your chest?"

She looked at May carefully for a minute. The older Inkling, appearance wise, was the same as when they had set eyes on each other after she had recently arrived in Inkopolis. Looking at her more closely though Molly could see subtle differences in the way she moved and stood that was nothing like the constantly concerned woman that she had been introduced to 8 years ago.

Looking at her she saw someone she knew she could trust with her secrets.

"Do you mind listening for a bit?" She sat down on the porch steps as she looked up at her.

"Well uh...I'm not in a rush or anything so no...I don't mind listening..." stepping down she joined her on the step as she gently placed an arm around her shoulder, "so what is it?"

"Well...I guess I should start at the beginning huh?"

"Probably," she agreed, the smile returning.

"Very well," looking down at her hands Molly took a deep breath before returning her gaze back to her, "then perhaps I should start with how I was raised by humans..."

Molly and the others will return...