Chapter Twenty-five: Four of Us
"We cannot kick butt in League," Marie groaned as the door opened, allowing them to exit the Battle Lobby.
"Fourrrrrrrrr," Agent Three groaned, "you're still over extending."
"Cut me some slack, my dualies' range are short," Agent Four groaned back with an excuse, hoping to get the nagging out of his back.
"Well, how about you use something else, like oh I don't know, Dualie Squelchers," Agent Eight suggested, as Agent Three gave her a drink.
Marie sighed, "No one was going to talk about how I was literally destroyed by-"
"Marie, you're literally a charger, you sit in the back and not really get in the Splat Zone," Agent Three complained.
Agent Four came to her defense, "She...kind of got the most kills and stayed alive the longest for the most part..."
"Yeah but she just hid," Agent Three responded.
"Well she's a Splat Charger but she ain't charging anytime soon," Agent Eight joked.
"Nice," Agent Three muttered before holding out an arm, which Agent Eight gladly accepted and clapped.
Marie giggled, finally cool from the lost, "That was pretty good. Good key captures though Three and Eight."
"Thanks," Agent Eight smiled before taking a sip.
"What did I do," Agent Four popped in, looking for a compliment.
Marie turned to Agent Four and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a stern and serious look, "You overextended..."
"Thanks Marie..." Agent Four said quietly, embarrassed and ashamed while knocking his head down in shame.
Marie quickly changed her face, realizing that Agent Four took the joke seriously. She saw little beads hit the glass floor, splashing when contact was finally made.
"Awe Four," Marie quickly held Agent Four tightly, "I'm sorry."
"Hehe," Agent Four whispered, "It's fine, I'll try and get better here Marie. For you."
Agent Three and Eight were impressed, even when Agent Four was just scolded by his own girlfriend, Agent Four still promises to improve instead of running away or crying more than a few tears. The two just watched as Agent Four and Marie hugged each other like a bundle. However, a slightly blunt and morbid thought entered Agent Eight, she hopes that she never faces Agent Four in a fight. Agent Four would be a viscous enemy to fight, no matter how hard he is beat down or injured, he will pick himself back up and fight even harder.
"Four, cut yourself some slack, you kept guard of the Splat Zone the entire time," Agent Three broke the silence with a thoughtful and sincere comment, "besides, half the time we are just jumping to you, Eight and I."
"Then I think the problem is that we are fragmented," Agent Four responded, still being held by Marie, "We should probably charge together instead of me first then you two."
Marie held Agent Four tighter, apologizing every single second, which Agent Eight and Three found quite adorable.
"Marie, you're choking me out," Agent Four begged, as his cheeks turned purple.
"Awe I'm sorry Four," Marie apologized, tugging on his shirt to make him look cleaner.
"You Four really need to step your game up," Pearl suddenly popped out of nowhere, scaring the four.
"Drink refill," Marina announced, carrying a pitcher in her hand.
Pearl took ahold of everyone's cups and twisted them open. As Marina poured Agent Eight's cup, Agent Eight approached Marina in a daughter like way.
"How are you Eight, doing well?" Marina asked.
"I'm all good, getting better and better," Agent Eight happily responded as she swayed side to side.
"I saw your Blaster performace, you're getting more and more direct hits," Marina smiled as she passed the full cup to Agent Eight.
Agent Eight happily accepted the cup and took a sip before restarting the conversation, "How's your new song?"
"It's doing good so far, Pearl and I have had some sleepless nights just trying to get the synth to sound right," Marina complained a little, "even the bass had been weird, Pearl's highs aren't really matching the bass that I want in."
"Hey you two!" Pearl called to Agent Four and Marie giggling their heads out, "MARIE, FOUR!"
"Yes, Pearl," Marie responded while her hands were still swatting off dust and excess ink.
"You two should stop being all lovy-dovy for once and grab your drink!" Pearl complained.
"Pearl you should get used to it, besides, I can't see you over Agent Three," Agent Four responded.
Agent Three heard Four and her signal, and proceeded to step in between Agent Four and Pearl's line of sight.
"You guys are mean," Pearl pouted before placing the cup beside her to rest as Marina passed her another cup.
"I'm really sorry Pearl, but if you bite, we bite back," Agent Four shouted over Agent Three.
Marie, approached Pearl, "I'm sorry Pearl."
"It's fine, you guys are still mean," Pearl pouted as she crossed her arms, still holding a cup in her hand.
"I'll make it up to you Pearl, just, if you have a new idea, go tell me," Marie smiled.
Pearl then turned to Marie and handed her cup with a cute smile. Marie giggled before accepting the cup.
"All done, you guys probably want to go back to-"
"Yes Marina thank you!" Agent Eight excitedly answered.
Marina sighed with a smile before passing the pitcher to Pearl, "You need to take care of yourself Eight, seriously. Three, keep an eye out on her."
Agent Three popped her head out before Marina left, "I will Marina!"
The four returned to playing League, while being watched by Pearl and Marina. Marina felt proud watching Agent Eight escape the depths of the deep metro, to holding her own in League Battle. After three loses and a bruise, Marina finally celebrated for something better. The four finally won a League Battle, with Agent Eight and Four leading the charge, working together to lock down the Splat Zone. When the battle was done, the four were greeted with both Pearl and Marina shooting confetti in the air, scaring the surrounding players hanging outside the lobby. Time flew, but the moment was saved. Many pictures were taken, with the six being the subject for Pearl's selfies, but Pearl, Marina, and Marie being the subject in the other pair of eyes' phones.
"You four really hit them out of the park, you knocked them out," Marina announced to Agent Eight, when everyone has settled down.
"It was one game, it's nothing really to celebrate about..." Agent Eight whispered, shrinking herself.
Agent Four and Marie celebrate by getting Three to take a picture of them, with Agent Three finally forgetting about her previous jealousies with Marie. Agent Three had controlled herself and had let go, finally not having to like Agent Four to wake up in the morning. Marie and Agent Four finally exit their pose as Agent Three returns Agent Four's phone. Agent Four took the phone, and both him and Marie stared at the photo. Both looked so happy as Agent Four held Marie's waist tightly as Marie tried posing her iconic Squid Sister pose, but was too giggly to do it properly.
"Good try Marie, but I can't let you do that," Agent Four whispered as Marie squished her face on Agent Four's.
Marie giggled before pecking Agent Four's cheeks as she continued to look at the photo, "Send that to me, I'll put it as my background."
"Of course you will," Agent Four responded as he proceeds to send the photo to Marie through their messaging.
Life seemed good. No problems, and only improvements have gone and happened. All the agents have improved their lives and reached places they had never reached. Marie's fears had never come, as an emergency call to the outpost had never came up on her or Agent Four's phone. As the nights before went on, Agent Eight became more open and showed her true potential, and Marie and Agent Four only grew closer. Agent Four's disappearance and sudden reappearance made Marie appreciate Agent Four even more and more. However, it still meant that Agent Four broke the promise, and he had to make it up to Marie. Agent Four had to "pleasure" her to get her to forgive him, spending an entire day with her, with no one seeing them throughout that day. However, reality is still reality, they are still agents. All agents had to still prepare for a sudden end of the world scenario, and they are still prepared to be called to stop the destruction of Inkopolis. Marie and Agent Four still slept with their weapons near them, waiting for a knock on the door, Agent Eight still had Agent Three called over every night, and so paranoia never left them.
"To my house, I'll cook up the dinner," Marina announced, causing everyone to celebrate, but not too loud to disturb the surrounding local population.
"Who's driving," Pearl asked as the group began to walk away.
"Why walk when we can just take the train," Marie responded.
The group walked away and made their way to the station. However, their instincts may have been blocked in celebration and bliss, as a green blob on a pole spies on them as they pass the nearby buildings.