Chapter 2:
A/N: Soooo... funny story, I've actually had this chapter written for about what three weeks now? *insert upside down smiley face* but I forgot to publish it before I left for a trip cus it's summer haha. Anyway shoutout to all the people that have favorited and followed the story. Also an EXTRA shoutout to the guest and TheGoldenHand for reviewing! 3 Anyway on with the story!
Marina knew she had to return to her apartment at some point.
That didn't mean she didn't want to however and face Pearl who would undoubtedly be waiting for her return. But one would get sick of wandering the streets at night alone, especially when tired and stressed.
She sheepishly walked up the stairs to her floor and quietly opened the door to her apartment.
Inside most of the place was the way she left it, to her relief. She didn't think Pearl would do anything horrible to her place but she does have the knack to raid her fridge and unintentionally trash her kitchen in the process.
She poked her head into her room and spotted Pearl laying on her bed with Marina's computer on her lap.
"Uh.. Pearl?"She asked hesitantly who looked up at her with an impassive look.
"So you done running?" She asked and Marina felt guilt eat at her instantly.
"I'm sorry I know that was immature. I just needed space to think for a second." Pearl stood up in annoyance at that.
"Okay yes I understand that. But would it kill you to at least wait a second and say where you're going or look at your phone?" She showed Marina the billions of texts she has sent Marina in the two hours she's been gone.
Tears wanted to flood Marina's eyes but instead she output her emotions into the hug she gave to Pearl as she dove into her arms.
"I'm so extremely sorry Pearlie I didn't mean to scare you!" She exclaimed and Pearl smiled softly at her.
"Yeah I know.. Now that that's over explain why you bailed like that." Marina was expecting this but didn't want to think about it anyway. She just wanted to sleep but she knew that wasn't an option right now. She made herself comfortable on her bed before sighing.
"So uh I kinda freaked out when I spotted Agent 8 because I kinda know him." She started and Pearl rose an eyebrow.
"Did you guys work together or something?" She asked and Marina laughed lightly.
"Something like that. We were kinda siblings."
Marina knew as a young child she had to grow up and mature fast. With their parents gone she had to be the one to take care of her younger brother. She had to be the one to keep them safe.
Life could've been better, but she knew some people killed to have a relationship with their sibling like she does with hers. They understood everything about each other. Even things that people from the opposite sex should know. (I believe octopus have genders if I'm wrong I'm sorry.)
They understood each other's pain and happiness, anger and excitement. Of course they had their subtle differences however. Marina was smart. She was so incredibly smart she got them out of the orphanage they had been assigned to at a young age. They were going to be forced out eventually to probably join the Slimeskin Garrison but Marina started as soon as she could, enrolling herself in the elementary training program. It was easy to see her heart was in the technology offered there and much less the combat, while her brother completed every combat test with flying colors. They both made impressions on everyone around them but Marina was the one to take her advanced courses and graduate early. She earned her brother and her enough money for a simple life but they were happy together. All up until Marina heard Calamari Inkantation…
"So.. After the performance I tried to find my brother but never could. He disappeared and I gave up and came here. To this day I was hoping he'd make his way to a screen and see our shows or something and come find me but he never did. Then I saw him on that train.." Marina ended soberly and looked at Pearl who just looked overly shocked.
"Are you for 'eel right now Marina?! That's amazing!" She exclaimed and Marina blinked in surprise.
"R-really? You're not mad I kept this from you?" She asked shyly who shook her head and grinned.
"Naw of course not. You're my best friend and I'm happy that you're finally opening up about your past now." She told the octoling who slumped a little in relief.
"Thanks Pearl.. It means so much to hear that." She breathed out and Pearl nodded. Silence began to envelope before Marina had a question to ask her friend.
"How did you get onto my computer?" She frowned at the other and Pearl rolled her eyes as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"You use the same password for basically everything and it's so much more obvious since it's numbers and you told me your phone's lock numbers months ago." She explained to the other and Marina felt embarrassment at how predictable that is.
"Well as long as you didn't do any risky clicks on my computer then it's fine." She huffed before she grabbed her pj's from her closet when she had lazily tossed them in earlier and made her way to the bathroom. By the time she had cleaned off makeup and done her things and went back to her room, Pearl was gone and the computer was shut.
Thinking nothing of it Marina gave a large yawn and laid back on her bed. Sleep came far too quickly for her to even enjoy the comfort of her sheets or the warmth they gave.
"Marina!" A desperate scream forced Marina's eyes open and she sat up abruptly. She recognized immediately she wasn't in her room and was immensely disoriented.
She recognized the scream and her brain finally caught up. Pearl.
Standing she found she had her usual work clothes on but didn't question anything and ran through the… jungle? Where in the world is she?
Fog laid among the ground and circled around her every step as she rushed through the weak overgrowth.
"Pearl!" She shouted in desperation as she searched for the pink headed friend. Another scream came closer this time and Marina immediately searched in that direction. What she spotted made her stomach turn.
Pearl was on the ground, looking to be mostly covered in a glowing green goop which was hurting her. She also appeared too weak to try and brush it off.
Marina choked back a gasp at the state of her friend until she spotted who was standing over her fallen comrade and this time she gasped loudly.
The octoling slowly turned to the other and gazed at her with cold teal eyes.
"Hello sister." The younger of the two greeted icily and Marina stared at him as if he just grew a second head.
Marina knew something was off from her brother. The first clue was he too had the dangerous green goop on him but instead of rendering him into a state of pain, it seemed to only give him power as he seemed to radiate a dangerous aura.
"Look… I know it's been so long but you shouldn't do this to anyone. Please just let Pearl go and come back with me so I can explain everything.." Marina started as she watched the other closely.
"I refuse." He said shortly before he moved his arm that was holding a weapon she didn't see until now. She recognized it as a octo shooter and she hasn't seen one in so long since they're only used by octarians, as the name states.
She put her hands up but her younger brother paid her show of surrender no heed and dove forward with fury in his eyes. She couldn't move. Her feet stuck themselves to the ground and her arms moved from submissive to protective, closing her eyes tightly.
"Quay!"
"Marina wake up!" Pearl's voice shook Marina from unconsciousness as she sat upright immediately. She could no longer see Quay's dark unfamiliar (yet so achingly familiar) eyes and shuddered from the thought. Normally the eyes were indifferent or at least showing something closer to a happy emotion.
"I was sleeping until now?" Marina turned her attention to Pearl, who to her relief appeared perfectly fine.
"Huh? Oh yeah I came over a bit early to walk with you to the deep sea metro but you're running late- like usual." Pearl rolled her eyes and Marina smiled weakly.
"Yeah sorry I guess I forgot to set my alarm." She told her apologetically before gathering clothes for the day.
"Who's Quay by the way?" Pearl spoke up and made Marina pause.
"Oh? That's my brother's name sorry did I not say that last night?" She asked the other who shook her head.
"Nope. You uttered his name when you were sleepin' though." She explained calmly while watching Marina get ready. When the octoling was done getting changed and applying makeup the two wordlessly left her apartment and went for DeepSea Metro.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter and feel free to leave a review on criticism or anything ^^