And now... for the moment you have been waiting for. The first TRUE story to mark the era of Redd x Marie. Like I said, Fresh Comfort might've been a quick sneak peek, but I'm not too sure if I'd count that as an official part of the era or not. But it'd still count, cuz it's a story. And that's why we come here. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
But instead of being a one-shot, this one is a full-fledged story. The rest of them will be one-shots. My estimate for this story is about 4-5 chapters. Then the rest will be worked on.
But here is the first chapter of the well-awaited story. Enjoy! :D
It has been two days since the sever incident when Commander Tartar took control of Marie. Since then, only a little bit of stuff has changed.
Marie has suffered some headaches that got to her at any given time. This was the same with Mia for a bit when she was brainwashed, but it went away when she landed with Caleb at Inkopolis Square for the Octoling Agent to start his new life.
But Marie's went on for a little longer. But it didn't really affect her way too much. But there was something that affected her.
Last night, Marie had a devastating nightmare where Tartar has returned. In that nightmare, he restrained Marie in chains, and then drowned her in sanitized ink. Just that one nightmare has made Marie actually feel... frightened.
It takes a lot for Marie to actually be scared of something. But that nightmare was enough to immediately cause that feeling. When she woke up in the middle of the night, she had to call Redd to offer him to comfort her.
And it did work out, since Marie told Redd if he can sleep with her just for tonight. And when the two woke up, Callie found out. But she was okay with it after Marie explained what was happening.
The day went around normally as anything ever. Marie barely even thought about that nightmare. And on the bright side, no evil Octarians came to ruin the day in Octo Canyon. At least Jenny was pretty busy...
But the next day... things were about to change drastically.
The day is over, and, like mentioned, it was normal. Nothing too drastic to change anything. But what was happening... it was at night that is gonna show what was going to change. And possibly not in a good way...
In the Squid Sisters apartment, Marie was laying down on her back, constantly turning. She was asleep, but she seemed to be trapped in her own dream. And judging by the look on her face, it didn't seem to be a good one.
And not even Callie can hear the whimpers and groans from Marie, since both of them were already asleep.
"N-No... No, don't... don't take them..." Marie mumbled, her turning going faster. She kept on thinking about everything that seemed to be happening. Everything that was happening in the dream right now.
*in the nightmare*
Inkopolis Square was a wreck. There were tons of sanitized ink all over the place, destroying everything. The NILS Statue was alive, covered in pink ink, but launching its giant laser cannon at the Square, causing it right now.
The GKY Statue was controlled by a sanitized Octoling, and that was used to destroy any other trespassers who bothered to come. Lots of Inklings and Octolings were dead, kindapped, or even worse... SANITIZED.
Marie was struggling against two sanitized Octolings who were holding her back. Marie struggled harder and faster, but they didn't bother to let go. Marie was desparate to see who else was there. And alive.
"LET GO OF ME!" Marie screamed, and uses one of her legs to kick one of the Octolings. Then she uses her right elbow to hurt the other one, right in the face. Once she was freed from those grasps, Marie ran, and didn't bother to stop.
Her destination was at the center of the Square. And once she arrived, there was a sight that immediately brought Marie to tears.
The ones that were close to her were gone. Their bodies laying on the ground. Joel, David, Caleb, Aaliyah, Mia, Sonic... even Cap'n Cuttlefish. None of them were moving, so it was very likely they were dead.
And then Marie felt more devastated when she saw what was happening in front of her. Redd and Callie were struggling against some mysterious force. And it wasn't Switch. That teal outline only knew one thing.
"Well, well. Look at that. It's the real Marie, who decided she has a chance to save the day." Tartar's voice was heard. And then another figure approached her. It was Commander Tartar when he was controlling Marie. The outfit was when Callie was squidnapped, showing a half-exposed body. The teal shows no mercy at all. Marie knew that feeling, when this genocidal phone was controlling her throughout this whole time. And she couldn't do anything about it.
"What did you do?" Marie asked, trying to hold back her tears.
"Huh? Couldn't hear ya over your real voice." Tartar teased.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Marie screamed, so many tears streaming down her cheeks. She looked like she was gonna break down any minute. But she tried to stand her ground to hide her fear.
"Took control of Inkopolis, of course. And all your little friends here tried to stop me," Tartar laughed, "And now... the closest ones you know... they really thought any more could be done."
Tartar snaps his fingers, and suddenly, Callie and Redd exploded into the sanitized ink. The two let out one last scream before they just... completely disappeared.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Marie shrieked, holding her hand out. She felt more tears coming, and she didn't bother to wipe them away.
"And now we have no need for you. The new Marie is now me, and everyone will bow down to the new leader of Inkopolis." Tartar said, and then he lunged at the lime green Inkling.
Marie was on her back, struggling constantly. Tartar had a Hero Charger pointed right at the side of her face.
"L-Let me go! BRING BACK-" Marie shouted, only for her mouth to be covered by Tartar's hand. Another sanitized Octoling grabs Marie's arms and legs, preventing her from moving. Well, it's not chains this time.
"Shh. Just stay silent. It'll be over soon." Tartar said softly. He charged up the power on the sniper It was on the highest setting. Marie lets her last tears slide down because there's nothing else she can do.
"Any last words?" Tartar asked, his teal eyes glaring right into Marie's soul. Marie closed her eyes and sadly sighed.
"To those who I love... please... f-forgive me..." Marie uttered. And then Tartar releases the trigger, splatting Marie. There was no respawn point, so she can't come back.
Now Marie was gone forever...
*back to the real world*
"GAH!" Marie yelped and sat up, waking up from her bad dream. She started panting and looked at her surroundings. She was back in her room. Inkopolis was normal. Everyone is alright.
Marie sighed and looked down. She couldn't believe that this dream had something similar to the last one.
"Ugh... another nightmare. Why did such a situation have to happen?" Marie asked herself. So she just turns back and falls asleep again. Or, at least she tried to.
Marie was having a very tough time trying to fall asleep. After being in that nightmare, she couldn't even bother to go back to sleep and just wait for the next day. And it wasn't only that dream that was on Marie's mind right now.
It was also when Tartar first stuck onto her. When she was constantly struggling against his power. Her legs flailing, her head turning, her own voice screaming for help, the loudest she can. But she knew it was muffled, and that no one was coming to help.
Marie shut her eyes tightly and clenched her fists, trying to forget all about that memory. But it wasn't working. Marie kept on thinking about her muffled screaming. Just screaming and screaming. She needed help, and no one was coming. She knew that everyone was at another place.
Marie finally opens her eyes and slams her face on a pillow. It was too much for the pop star to handle.
"Why? Why did everyone have to leave at such a time? Why did Redd have to take that joke too personal?" Marie asked herself these questions. But more memories came in. When she saw Tartar hurting Redd and Sonic in that battle.
And the time both of them were almost killed during that time. Luckily, Callie, Pearl and Marina came to save them. But Marie never wanted Tartar to control her in the first place. If only she could go back and prevent Tartar from brainwashing her.
"I can't sleep after all this. No, not after all this." Marie groaned, and then lays down in an uncomfortable position, just to try and sleep. But it wasn't even working.
But... this is what Marie wanted. She might as well make the haunted memories take over her instead of forgetting them. Could Redd handle such a situation much easier? Mia did it easily, but that was because she was brainwashed for WAY less than Marie was.
Nothing can really change after the battle took place. Not physically... but mentally.
*many hours later*
Marie was now on the floor, fully asleep. Some drool was running down her mouth as she slept, and no memories were ruining it.
But currently, it was 9:10 AM, and then sun was out. The curtains were open, so it was shining out. But Marie wasn't fazed by the sunshine one bit. She just let the sleep take over her.
"Marie! Hey, Marie!" A voice called out. Marie recognized it, so she very slowly opens her eyes. There were bags under her eyes, so a rough sleep was the only possible thought. Nothing else.
"Hrrrrmf? Cal...?" Marie stuttered, trying her best to contain her tiredness. But it was pretty hard.
"Whenever you're ready, I made breakfast for us! Make sure to come quick before it gets cold!" Callie called out. Marie just groaned in a tired tone, and then wipes the drool that was still leaking down.
Honestly, Marie didn't want to wake up. But she had no other choice. She gets up, and immediately stumbles. But she maintained her balance because she held onto her bed. She kept holding onto it so she can get used to standing for today.
"Ugh... w-what even... happened?" Marie questioned, looking around. Then she lets out a very long yawn. She knew how long it was, and that already made the lime green pop star come to a conclusion.
"Rough sleep. No duh, because of what happened..." Marie said quietly, and then she leaves her room when she can finally walk around to do stuff.
*5 minutes later*
Marie walks to the kitchen after doing normal morning stuff. She was immediately greeted by Callie and Cap'n Cuttlefish.
"Good morning, Marie!" Callie greeted cheerfully.
"*yawn* Morning, Cal..." Marie said with a yawn. Marie wasn't really a morning person. She was more of a night owl, as proved by many late night movies that she watched. Ya know, just to enjoy them.
"Hmmm... Marie, ya got bags under ye eyes. Ya slept rough?" Cuttlefish asked, marking suspicion.
"Yeah... you could say that..." Marie said quietly.
"What happened, Marie?" Callie asked, feeling a little concerned.
"Nothing, Callie. I just had a tough time sleeping." Marie replied.
"But there must've been something that's bothering ya." Cuttlefish pointed out. Marie just sighed. She didn't want to tell them about Tartar. Or even her thoughts about Tartar. It was too much to handle, so talking about it would be worse.
"So, uh... what's for breakfast?" Marie asked, trying to change the subject.
"Oh, yeah! Gramps and I made bacon and eggs. Decided something different for today, besides pancakes and waffles!" Callie said happily. Marie looks at the table, and already saw that everything was set up.
"Ooh, nice. Mmm, can't wait to chow down on this." Marie said, showing a small smile.
"It's all yours, Marie. I made it with extra love, just so you can enjoy it as well." Callie giggled. Marie sat down on one of the chairs near the table. Not only was the plate holding the food there, but there was a fork, a knife, and a napkin, all set up.
"Cal, you... really went all out for this." Marie complimented, a little surprised.
"Well, you wake up pretty late anyways. And plus, I knew you had a nightmare when I saw Redd with you. And you explained it." Callie teased. Marie just sighed, thinking back to that.
"Wait. Marie, did you have another nightmare?" Cuttlefish asked.
"N-No, Gramps. I just slept rough, and that's the final line." Marie exclaimed. But she felt bad for lying about that statement.
"Marie, you don't sound okay. You don't seem relaxed." Callie got concerned again as she sat down on her own side.
"*sigh* Sorry, Callie. I just don't want to talk about it." Marie confessed.
"I understand, Marie. Remember to talk to me about anything, 'kay?" Callie questioned, making sure to help out in any way possible.
"I know, Callie. After all, you're my cousin. Family sticks up to each other." Marie said, showing a small smile.
"Alright. Now, let's dig in! I can't wait to eat this!" Callie cheered, and she began to eat her breakfast. Soon after, Marie ate her own. Cuttlefish just decided to have something small, so he is just eating a granola bar and some cereal.
"Erm. Marie... When we go to Octo Canyon later, we should talk." Cuttlefish said from the other side.
"Okay, Gramps." Was all Marie said in response. Cuttlefish knew that something was wrong. But because of everything, it looked like it was gonna be tough for Marie to admit her problems that she was having.
She was looking around right now, and Tartar's voice was repeating in her head. And also her own screams. Marie shook her head, trying to make the memories go away. They manage to leave, but no one noticed.
It was gonna be a rough day for poor Marie...
Author's Note: And that's done :D. The Woomy Team is expected to come around the third chapter, so that's a story being combined with this. But be sure to check in every now and then for another hard-working story that I am making right now.
Anyway, guys... Stay Fresh, and have a Splatastic day! ;)