Chapter 23: Dance

"This is all so confusing…" Jack muttered as he carried Cici down to the beach.

"...What is?" Cici wrapped her arms around his neck to not slide down his back.

"This...place. Mainly Aria and...that worm. How does experimentation give someone control over water? Or even their daughter that power? How was that worm thing made?" He shook his head. "I'm not sure we'll get answers to that."

"Well, maybe they were made to kill the infamous agent. Well, agents."

Jack groaned and shook his head. "I don't wanna think about that. I'm so glad Aria's a fan of Callie and Marie." He stepped onto the beach, seeing some other people having gathered around. "What's going on here?"

"...Hmm?" Cici peeked over his shoulder.

"Oh no way, no way!" An octoling ran up to them, "Miss Celeste really did bring the wave dancer here!"

Cici froze.

"Your mother talked about you so much and showed off what you could do before! We are really, really big fans!"

"Um… what?" Cici stared at her dumbfounded.

"Your mother dances beautifully on her spare times, but it was nothing compared to yours!"

"Are you sure you are talking about the same person? Maybe a long lost twin?"

"You used it as combat and turf wars became a dance floor here!"

"Oh, yeah. You did do that, didn't you?" Jack looked at Cici. "When we fought."

"Again, was still trying to purposefully harm you, but sure."

"Well, even so, you looked amazing when you did that. It was fantastic." He smiled.

"...Nobody asked you…." She glowed red and bonked him softly.

"Your mother told us you would perform for us. With these." She handed her different fans a polished white seemingly made from the insides of shells, "These are the true wave benders. They hold her majesty's sacred… um... something… Your father made it with her help."

"..." Cici just stared at them and back at her.

"You...okay, Cici?" Jack placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I… I…. Don't really… uh, know what to say or do" Cici clung tighter to Jack.

"Well...if they expect a dance then…" He held her hand. "Would you like to?"

Cici turned redder as she slid down his back and stood there with her hand in his.

"Dance? With you?"

"Yeah. Sure. If you want." He replied with a nervous smile.

"Are you sure you won't get scared?"

"A pair dance?! Wow! Your parents did that as a celebration and it was amazing! OH! That's why she gave us these." The excited Octoling put bracelets with a long flowing ribbon on Jack's hands, "Perfect!"

"My parents… set us up…." Cici put her face into her hands.

"Uh…" Jack looked at his wrists. "What are these?"

"They work like the fans! They bring out all the colors that your ink can manage and control it mid air." The Octoling was geeking out.

"Uh...Is that safe?" He asked with a worried look.

"As long as you guys aren't fighting or using strain. You will only be drained of energy. So you will just be tired."

Cici sighed and took the fans. She took Jack's hands and pulled him near to the shoreline.

Jack turned pink as Cici led him down the beach. "So we're doing this?"

"Just so you feel at home. Ready? Let them go!" Small lights were released into the air. They were like fireflies flying all around them. Cici's clear blue eyes glittered as she watched them float all around.

Cici's tentacles glittered and she held him close, "Yes."

Jack blushed and nervously smiled. "So...what dance should we do?"

"Follow my lead… It's not too complicated."

Cici swept into the waves and pulled Jack with her. They waltzed and his ribbons created small waves that echoed her movements with his bright red orange ink. She spun together with him. He felt her hug him and she released him. With a flick of her wrists her fans opened up and she stopped spinning.

Jack started to smile more as he watched her dance. Before long he was beginning to match her movements to the best of his abilities.

She danced back to him. The sea seemed to dance with her as she danced around him. She sent color waves at him and he sent one to her. They swirled together and again they intertwined their hands. They spun together as the waves created petals around them. She let go and went flying. She whipped a large wave and surfed on it. The wave swirled around Jack as she took his hands. They skated together over a sea of color. Cici smiled and her tentacles made small bubbles around them.

Jack smiled and spun her around once, the waves swirling around them. He gently tossed her into the air and caught her above his head.

She laughed and created a rainbow trail that followed his waves. He lowered her and she hugged him. She jumped into him, sending them both spinning. When they finally stopped Cici was nuzzled into his neck laughing. The ink swirled around and dissolved into a mist.

"This is really fun." Jack said as he gently patted Cici's head.

She seemed to be very happy, still holding him tightly.

"It's so nice to see you smiling." He returned the hug.

She let him go and looked at him.


"Told you it would work…" Celeste smiled.

"She's your daughter after all." Aria snickered, "She reminds me of you, Akkie"

"...What is THAT supposed to mean?" Chomp raised her brow.

"... Nothing, nothing…"


"They are so cute together!" Callie squealed as she watched Cici and Jack's dance from down the beach.

"You think they have finally made up?" Marie asked watching the recorded dance on her phone, "I have never seen Cici so happy before…"

Callie just shrugged. "I hope so."

"Just what happened between Agent 3 and the small one?" Captain Cuttlefish asked.

"The same trouble you would get yourself into as well, you old coot." Nana chuckled, "But in the end… it worked out. Didn't it, honey?"

The captain let out a laugh and winked at Nana.

"Heh, Gramps and Granny are cute together as well." Callie smiled.

"Heh, yeah." Marie smiled and looked at the sky, "...Love, huh?..."


Jack rubbed Cici's back as he held the laughing squid, her tentacles bubbling and glowing brightly.

"I haven't had that much fun in forever!" She held his hand as they walked together.

Jack smiled brightly. "Arisara would be proud to see you this happy." He chuckled. "I know I am."

"Huh? That's funny… I thought I smelled her earlier… I could be wrong, though" Cici didn't think about it long, "You were pretty good."

"Really? Interesting." He followed her around the beach.

Cici's smile slowly faded, "Just… don't get used to it…"

"Oh…" Jack rubbed his arm and sighed.

"We… aren't anything…"

'Just can't let go of the past, can you?' Jack thought to himself. "I know…"

"..." Cici looked away, but still held his hand.

"I'm just glad to have seen you smile and have a good time." He looked at her with a warm smile. "Even if it was just temporary."

"You… are just like him… granted a bit more of a pushover, but you look the same…"

"Pushover? What's that supposed to mean?" Jack chuckled and laughed a bit.

"It's true. You may have saved Inkopolis, but you are still a pushover when it comes to women" Cici giggled.

"Oh…" He rubbed his arm. "Yeah, can't argue there. Do you have any idea how long it took me to get used to talking to Callie and Marie?"

"They are waaayyy out of your league. But, don't worry. You are a great person. She won't be too hard to find."

"Hey…" He pouted. "That's not funny. And who won't be too hard to find?"

"Your girl, mate, partner, or however you wanna phrase it."

"Oh…" He rubbed his arm. "But…"

"Hmm?"

"But...I think…" He was having trouble finding the words. "I already…"

Suddenly a ball knocked Cici onto her face.

"Cici! Are you okay?" Jack knelt down.

She seemed dazed.

He picked her up and hugged her.

She shook it off and looked at him.

"Who threw that?!" Jack yelled.

"Aw man… I'm sorry dude and dudette. My lil bro thought he could kick the ball very far…. He still can't aim" An octoling ran up to them, "Hey, say you're sorry."

"Sowy…" The hatchling muttered.

Jack sighed and patted Cici's back. "You okay?"

"Y-yeah… You are worried about a ball? Haven't you seen worse?" Cici teased.

"Uh…" Jack turned a bit pink and let her go.

"Heh, your face is red"

He smiled nervously and shook his head. "About your statement earlier. About me finding my mate or girlfriend…"

"Certainly a hero isn't afraid to get a chick. I told you. You will be wonderful for someone truly special"

"Well, I think that someone special is-" He was interrupted when a large squid with webbing between his tentacles jumped up.

"HEY GUYS! Aria's about to change her palace into the stage!"

"It's a talking umbrella… Wow, these octos made everything..." Cici slurred.

"That's Acrilic, sleepy." Adstrum walked up.

"How was the hunt?" Cici sat down seemingly tired.

"I hurt an ice wolf thing. And we pissed off a fire tiger. But lost it." Acrilic smiled. "Shall we go see the stage transformation?"

"Okay… I'll catch up…" Cici hugged her knees and fell asleep.

"Oh, Cici…" Adstrum smiled and picked her up. "You coming, Jack?" He turned toward the orange inkling.

"Huh? Oh, yeah." He nodded.

"Well, then here." Adstrum placed Cici in his hands. "See you there."

"Okay." Jack watched him walk off and looked down at Cici.

Cici nuzzled into him and her soft breaths tickled his skin.

"I know I've already found my special someone." He smiled and moved her tentacle out of her face, planting a kiss on her forehead before walking toward the palace.

Author's Note: Okay, this is the true chapter 23. I screwed up earlier. Sorry about that guys.

Thank you The Bowser Monster, Gajesteel, and Guest for leaving reviews.

Sorry, Guest. Not doing that either. But I think Apikachua said they'd do it in their fic. Maybe. I don't understand why you want this stuff to happen to Marie.

Alright, see you all next week with a sooner chapter. Hope you all enjoy this one.