Chapter 1: Dreams

Despite what Inklings thought, it was a pressing matter; Inklingkind was facing an Octarian uprising. The Octarians managed to steal the Great Zapfish from Inkopolis's main tower without a single soul noticing. How much longer could the city run without it's main power source? How long until the city notices the danger lurking underneath?

All of these things were kept under wraps by the few who knew: Cap'n Cuttlefish, Judd, and the Squid Sisters, Callie and Marie. The pop idol duo was loved by all of Inkopolis. During the daytime they provided the news for turf wars and announced concerts for their catchy music, but nighttime is when they would become agents, keeping the Octarians in their place. It was tough work, but most Inklings would never be able to handle something so terrifying.

If anyone knew of all the service the sisters provided, they would call them crazy. The girls' lives were so busy…so dangerous.

"Hey, Callie…" a voice groaned, snapping the squid from her endless train of thoughts. Marie raised a brow at her cousin.

Callie laughed it off, "...sorry… I was daydreaming."

"Well, the news is about to start, and you seem really out of it." Marie crossed her arms.

"It-" Callie was cut off.

"We're live in three, two, one." the director called.

Callie jumped up, "Hold on to your tentacles!"

"It's another news flash!" Marie added, smiling.

The girls went through their typical stage announcements, and ended it with a "Staaay fresh!" in unison.

"Clear." said the cameraman. Then the "On-Air" sign flickered off, letting the girls know they were done.

Marie sighed, "Whew!" while walking over to her usual seat by the window.

Callie quietly sat down next to Marie and then waved at some Inkling that came to catch a glimpse of the idols, before resting her chin on her palm.

After a few minutes of silence, Marie spoke up, "You are being awfully quiet."

"I'm just tired..."

"You can always take a nap in the back." Marie suggested."

"But I don't-" Marie glared. "Fine." Callie grunted, throwing her hands up defensively. She then stood up and slid around the table and slipped into the back room. She went to lay down on the couch located in their dressing room. She laid on her back staring up at the ceiling, getting lost in her thoughts once more. All she could think of was the impending threat of invasion.

She closed her eyes, trying to imagine something else, like what she would be eating for lunch and the look on Marie's face when Callie would get something sweet instead of real food. The squid eventually dozed off.

Once Callie opened her eyes, she realized the lights were off…which was odd. She jumped to her feet to go turn the lights back on, but immediately got her feet stuck in something. Ink...? She trudged through it as fast as she could, she need to check and see if Marie was alright. She made it to the door after what seemed like hours, only to find Marie pinned to the wall by an Octoling, and the whole city had gone black.

"Marie!" Callie yelled, but as soon as she yelled the Octarian girl shot Marie right in the head.

Just as suddenly, the black-tentacled Inkling jolted upright, her body coated in sweat, to her relief; it was all a nightmare.

Next thing Callie knew, the door slammed open. Marie stood in the doorway with her charger, the laser pointed around the room before stopping on Callie.

"Ah... It's just you." Callie said sheepishly, hand over her heart.

Marie glanced at the mirror before looking back at her cousin. "Why'd you scream?"

"I had a bad dream. " Callie replied, breaking the stare and looking at the floor, embarrassed. It seemed childish to let her thoughts and dreams scare her.

The white tentacled Inkling propped her weapon against the wall before going over to her sister and wrapping her arms around her neck. "It will be okay." she whispered softly, resting her chin on Callie's head.

Callie's face turned a light pink, "Thanks, Marie."

They stayed like that for a few minutes before Marie let go.

"Let's get some food." Marie declared, grinning. She held out a hand to help her cousin up. Callie nodded and grasped it tightly. Marie trotted to the exit of the studio, pulling Callie right behind.

Note: This is my first time ever publishing something I've written...and let me just say: writing is not my forte. But this was a request and I thought I'd give it a shot. Also, the original was one big story, but I figured it'd be easier for me to publish in pieces.