Chapter 49: Malicious Compliance

Callie opened the door and walked inside Adstrum's and her room.

"Adstrum, what has gotten into you?" Her voice broke the silence.

The room had been left in a clutter. Drawers had been opened, the sheets on the bed pulled off, and a pile of pillows, blankets, and Callie's plushies in one corner.

"You attacked our friends out of anger. What is wrong with you?!"

The pile let out a whine and started shivering.

"Look, I know that particular splatfest was awful, but that is no excuse to take it out on our friends!"

The pile kept shivering, a few plushies falling from it.

"Do you have anything to say about it?" She crossed her arms.

"B-b-bad Adstrum...Don't like Bad Adstrum... No...No torture event here…Bad Adstrum can leave..." His voice came from the pile.

"...What?" Callie seemed confused.

"No anger here...Anger must leave! Must leave Adstrum. We only want calm… No hurt people... without reason."

"Now you are scaring me… Should I call the hospital?"

The pile shivered more to reveal Adstrum huddled in the corner. He was hugging a pillow tightly and there were visible tears streaming down his face. "No one wants Bad Adstrum...He was gone when we left Inkopolis...He should not come back...I'm sorry…" He hid half his face in the pillow.

"...Um… maybe I should get you some help… I think a gasket has blown somewhere up there."

"I did not want to hurt them...I am sorry to friends...Don't want them to hate me...Bad Adstrum is gone...Only calm…" He hugged the pillow tighter and more tears streamed from his eyes. "O-o-only...calm…"

"... Um, hey... Ari?!" Callie called out to her, "Can you come help me?"

"Hm?" The octoling peeked from the door, "Oh… Oh geez. Is everything okay?"

"I think he's having a mental breakdown."

"Adstrum? Are you okay?"

"Lost count...Heheheh…" He started sobbing again. "No splatfest rage...It scares me…"

"Yikes, he seems pretty bad…" Arisara slowly walked up to him with Callie.

They both knelt down beside him.

"Hey… buddy. You okay?" She spoke gently.

He flinched away from them and stared with wide eyes. "...Hello."

"...Um…" Arisara looked at Callie and then back at him, "Are you okay? Callie said you were having a mental breakdown."

Adstrum blinked and let go of the pillow, grabbing Ari and hugging her. "Addie is sorry… The rage is gone now… Replaced by calm...sadness...fear…"

"W-what do you mean, buddy? Who's rage?"

"Splatfest Adstrum was bad...Don't want to be that again…" He sobbed into her shoulder.

"Why was he so bad? Can you tell us? We wanna help you, buddy."

"Hurt people. Broke rules. Broke weapons. Said cruel things. Threatened competitors and their families. Hated myself…"

"At least you learned… right? You at least know what you did was wrong. Just because mistakes were made doesn't mean they can't ever be fixed. It may take a long time, but everything can be changed."

He nodded. "Yeah...Yeah, want to fix. Leave behind Splatfest Adstrum."

"There you go… That's good."

"I don't really get it… but Addie, are you okay?" " Callie looked at him, "I wanna be upset, but there is something wrong with you."

Adstrum let go of Arisara and hugged Callie. "Addie is very sorry…"

"That doesn't matter. Is there something wrong? You look hurt." She made him look at her, "What's hurting?"

He started to sob again. "Bad memories… I-I-I don't wanna relive them…"

"Oh… I see. I understand." She hugged him and wiped his tears, "It's okay. It is in the past. It's not going to hurt you anymore. I'll fix this. I don't know how, but I'll fix this."

He sobbed into her shoulder for a full minute before slowing down. He noticed the tear drenched pillow on the floor and Callie's soaked shoulder. He realized how dry his mouth was and coughed a bit. "May I have some water…"

"Yeah, I'll get it" Arisara stood up and ran to get water.

"I need to apologize to Jack and especially Cici. I didn't hurt them, did I?"

"I think you bopped Cici on the head, but Jack and Blue are fine." Callie sat down on the floor.

He groaned and fell onto the pile of soft items. "Fuck me sideways...I didn't want to hurt any of them, especially not Cici…"

"Well, it wasn't on purpose. You seemed to have a mental meltdown or something. Arisara talked some sense into you. Thank goodness for therapists."

"That was the reason I stopped participating in Splatfests in the first place…"

"It was meant to be a small fun competition… I never thought it would bring the worst out of people."

"I know I wasn't the only one who took them so seriously. I saw people's friendships being ruined by them and even relationships end. But I had to be the worst person in all of Inkopolis during them...Especially the last one…"

"It was one of the worst and ugliest fights I ever had to do. It brought out the worst in me, Marie, and everyone that became bitter. We took it way too seriously… Marie became prideful. I left Marie and made her suffer for two years. I was wrong to think I was ever justified for leaving in so much pain. I was selfish, but no more. I'm going to be better and be the best Callie I can be from here on out."

Adstrum smiled at her and nodded. "You go and be the best Callie you can be. I'll be rooting for you." He sat up. "We can't let this splatfest happen again… There has to be a way to prevent it. Or...something…"

"Hey, um… Here's your water, but also dinner is ready…" Arisara peeked from the door, "But, um... if you aren't hungry yet I'll wrap it for you."

"Oh, thank you, Ari!" He took it and started chugging the glass, finishing it quickly. "Ah… No, I'm hungry. I can eat."

"Addie? Are you okay?" Cici ran up to him, "I didn't cut you, did I? I had my eyes closed the whole time. I'm sorry I freaked out."

"No...I'm fine. Are you okay, though?" He pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry I freaked out. I didn't want to hurt you."

"It's okay. You weren't yourself. I'm glad you are okay." She hugged him back.

He smiled. "Thanks for understanding." He stood up and headed for the dining area. "I'll clean the room up after dinner. I promise."

"Okay" Callie followed behind Cici.

"So… Um, well I made some roasted chicken, baked potatoes, and umm… Lasagna. I made so much food because I didn't know if it would fill you all."

Jack was already digging into his plate when they walked out.

"Hey Jack...Blue… Sorry about my behavior." Adstrum waved to him, Marie, and Blue.

"Oh, are you okay, man? Like, you had all of us worried." Blue replied as he handed him a plate.

"He's okay." Cici hugged him.

"Umm… I'm not Jack."

"Oh… Sorry." She let him go and smiled.

"Heh, silly Cici." Jack chuckled.

"Yeah, I'm fine now." Adstrum nodded.

"Oh! You guys wanted to talk to me about something right? Marie said so when I came down here." She sat in her seat next to Jack.

"Hm? What was it?" Jack pulled her into a hug.

"I'm asking them… I dunno what it is. So what can I help you guys with?"

"Yeah, you are our manager and we need some help talking to our old manager." Callie sighed.

"Oh, okay! How exciting! My first duty as a manager!" Cici's tentacles glittered, "Do we go now?"

"Cici… You will eat first before you go." Arisara placed a plate in front of her.

"But my duty…"

"Clean that plate first. You can't leave until you finish, young lady."

Cici pouted, but started eating anyway.

"Heh, she's so excited." Adstrum chuckled.

"He's probably going to try and bribe Cici." Marie poked at her food, but did not seem to have an appetite.

"I doubt he'd be able to, as she's more rich than he'll ever be." Callie giggled and looked at her cousin.

"He always finds a way… Sorry, Ari. I'm not hungry." Marie stood up and handed her plate to Arisara.

"You need someone to talk to, Marie?" Callie asked.

"No, I just wanna be alone to think." She walked out of the bus and sat down on a nearby bench.

"I'll go talk to her later. Bring her some food." Callie sighed. "We gotta figure out some way to prevent that Splatfest…"

"...Hmm? Splatfest? Oh, that's right. Is that why I'm talking to mister?" Cici looked up.

"What makes you think you can do that?" Blue asked, "He has Off the Hook bending backwards for him."

"So? I have money."

"... I don't think that has to do with anything… unless you plan on buying him out."

"That could be an option, but then you'd be the manager of two pairs of idols." Jack sighed.

"That sounds cool, though!"

"Uh...something tells me Tom won't give up his current money makers for any amount. I think…" Callie shrugged.

"Oh… Well I'll see what I can do then. Ari, I'm done. Can I go now?"

"Good girl. Yes, you can."

Cici hopped up from her seat and ran out of the bus.

"So...should we wait for her?" Adstrum raised an eyebrow. "Or should we do something to try to get an edge over Tom?"

"Um, hate to rush you but I think she's going without you." Blue pointed to Cici pulling Marie towards the studio.

"Ah! I'll be back, guys!" Callie ran out of the bus and after her cousin and Cecilia.

"Bye! Have fun!" Jack waved.

"Hey, I wouldn't leave them without a bodyguard. Tom LOVES funny business." Blue looked at Jack and Adstrum, "Had to stop thugs from hurting Marina when Pearl argued with him last time."

"Oh, thanks for the info." Jack stood up and ran after them.

"I know I just had an episode, but I wouldn't mind losing my mind if I had a chance at breaking that eel." Adstrum growled and chased after the Squid Sisters.


"Ah, you must be the Squid Sister's new manager..." Tom snickered, "You are a child, though."

"Umm, you have scary looking friends." Cici replied looking at the shady men beside the eel, "But yeah I am. I'm Cesewewa… Bubbles."

Callie glared at the eel from her seat.

"Her name is Cecilia Bubbles." Jack corrected and petted her head, one hand hovering near his concealed Hero Shot on his hip.

"...What he said… Um, what can I help you with?"

"I need Callie and Marie for Pearl and Marina's final splatfest. You don't mind, do you Ms. Bubbles?"

"For what? Like a performance?"

"Heh, that may be extra, but no. You see I wanna do a Callie vs. Marie for their final splatfest."

"But that went badly for them last time… Like rotting used diapers, bad."

"Ugh…" Jack cringed. "Gross."

"Sorry."

"It doesn't matter, because they don't matter."

"Whoa, whoa. I draw the line there! What do you mean they don't matter?" Cici's playful demeanor changed as her tentacles boiled.

"It does matter what happens to them, this is all about popularity and bringing in the money."

Adstrum's eye started to twitch.

"How dare you? These are people you are talking to."

"Ms. Bubble, do you have any idea what position you are in? Do you honestly think you will get out of here safely if you disagree with me."

Cici looked at the scary men and back at him, "Fine. we'll play your stupid game."

"I'm not scared of your guard dogs, coward." Adstrum grinned devilishly.

"Addie. I got this. Fine, when you put it that way. We'll do it. But let me just say this one thing." Cici walked towards him.

"I don't want to leave Inkopolis without putting him in the hospital or a grave." Adstrum whispered into Callie's ear.

"I'll think about it." She whispered back.

Cici pulled him by his collar, "You did this to yourself."

She slapped Tom and stormed out. Pearl and Marina stood there shocked.

Adstrum smiled. "Damn, she did what I wanted to do."

"I'm glad she was not that mad with me." Jack followed her out with wide eyes.

"Hey. I need a favor. Can you call Shelly for me? I don't know how to call people on this thingy..." Cici was still boiling as she handed Jack her cell phone.

"Oh, sure." He took the phone and looked for Shelly's number in it.

Callie and Marie walked out soon after.

"Yo, that was so sick!" Pearl and Marina followed them.

"Hey, I'm sorry you guys have to deal with this again…" Marina looked apologetic.

"It's not your fault. Thanks, though." Callie smiled at them. "We'll figure something out, don't worry."

Adstrum walked out soon after.

"What took you so long?" Callie looked at him.

"Just had to leave Tom a present when he wasn't looking." He held up a detonator. "Stuck a puncake under his desk. Don't know when I'll set it off, but I will at some point."

"Hello? What's up Boss?" Shelly's voice came from her phone.

Jack handed Cici's phone back to her.

"Magic. And maybe voodoo." Cici muttered, "Hey Shelly. I need you to bring down someone for me."

"It's not magic…" Jack chuckled quietly.

"Yikes, did someone make Cici mad?"

"Yes, yes they did. I want him in ruins."

"Hm, I see. Is it the same guy Callie was talking about?"

"I don't care I want hi-"

"Cici give the phone to Callie… You need to calm down…"

"I might just give this to Cici later." Adstrum chuckled as he looked at the detonator.

Cici gave the phone to Callie and she stomped around. Her tentacles boiled and some steam came off.

Jack looked at Cici and held his arms out. "You want a hug? Or something?"

"...Wahhh… Why is he so mean?" Cici hugged him.

"Because he's a greedy and selfish bastard." Adstrum growled. "He'll get what's coming to him, though. Even if I have to break him myself."

"Hi, Shelly." Callie chuckled nervously.

"Callie, sorry. But is this the guy you told me to look into?"

"Yes, it is. You find anything?"

"He's pretty dirty. He has a drug selling gig and he embezzles money from your guys's shows and fan merch."

"Oh? Really? You have evidence of this, right?" Callie smiled.

"Inside his hidden files on his laptop. There are calendars with notes and sale details."

"Oh, can you get all that in a physical form? We can blackmail him."

"I can get you a USB. Oh, he also does zapfish fighting… What a monster."

"Addie, give me the detonator." Callie held her hand out.

"Sure, but it might be too soon. I wanted to pull the trigger when it would piss him off the most." Adstrum chuckled and handed her the detonator.

"But what are we going to do about the splatfest? We really don't want for you all to go through that again." Marina rubbed her arm.

"We don't want to either." Callie shook her head. "There's gotta be something we can do."

"Did he say it was specifically a Callie VS Marie SPLATFEST? Or was that just announced as a theme?" Adstrum asked.

"He said Callie VS Marie… I don't think it can be more obvious…" Pearl shrugged.

"Well, you guys didn't officially announce it as the theme of a Splatfest. You just said it was the theme."

"It was on air… We all saw it" Cici muttered, "You sorta, um... exploded with rage.

"True...But we gotta find some way around this…" He sighed.

"But the Squids Sisters aren't…" Cici lit up, "... they aren't even hosting it…"

"You get what I'm saying, right Cici?" Adstrum nodded at her with a smile. "You got something cooking in that head of yours?"

"What? They said Splatfest…" Marina looked puzzled.

"So what? We don't have to involve other people. It can be strictly Callie VS Marie."

Callie raised an eyebrow and looked at her cousin. "I think I get what she's saying."

"Cici… I don't think I wanna do that either" Marie sighed.

"Why? It's just some games."

"And who said they have to be Turf Wars?" Adstrum smiled a bit wider. "You two said that Splatfests you guys did were themed after arguments you had. Well, arguments can be settled in other ways, like chess, checkers, thumb wrestling…" He looked at Cici.

"Exactly."

Marie and Off the Hook looked confused.

"Um, how exactly would that please Tom?" Marina asked.

"It won't, but with the right paperwork and a bit of blackmail, he won't be able to stop only Marie and I from just competing with each other in fun board games. Unless he makes some calls to get the theme canceled." Callie put an arm around her cousin.

"I have just the guys for that." Cici smirked.

"Yo, I like that look on ya face. Can I get in on some of that?" Pearl walked up to Cici.

"Definitely. Marina can help too." Cici jumped up and down with Pearl.

"Hey, if it saves me from getting thrown back to Octo Valley, I'm in." Marina shrugged.

"This is great!" Callie clapped and put her arms around Marie.

"Let's go!" Cici dragged Jack along.

"Yeah! Let's bounce!" Pearl followed after her.

"HEY! Wait for me!" Marina ran after them.

"... I think I need to get some strong rum to drown myself in" Marie sighed and walked towards the bus.

"Marie, come on...Let's talk." Callie followed her.

"Uh…" Adstrum looked around. "Guess I'll go back to the bus too." He followed the Squid Sisters.


Blue was resting outside with an octopus napping in his arms.

"Hey Blue." Adstrum waved to him.

"Hey, how did it go?" Blue looked over at them.

"It, uh...not sure yet." He shrugged.

"Hmm by the looks of it not well?" Blue looked at Marie.

"She's just...I don't know." Adstrum sighed.

"You wanna talk, Marie? Or hang out?" Callie asked while hugging her.

"No…" Marie gently removed her arms and walked away.

Callie sighed and looked at Blue and Arisara. "I don't know what to do to cheer her up."

"Um I don't know either." Blue poked Arisara and she bit his finger, "Ow."

"Heh, nippy octo." Adstrum chuckled.

"Oh you are back?" Arisara asked when she noticed everyone.

"Yeah. For now." He replied.

"Hi, Ari." Callie smiled a bit.

"You are needed with that one" Blue pointed to Marie.

"Oh…" Arisara walked over to her

"Thank you, Ari." Callie whispered to herself.

Blue leaned back on the bus.

Adstrum and Callie joined him.

"You guys are interesting. To think I have never heard of you guys before." Blue spoke up to make some small talk.

"You haven't?" Callie raised an eyebrow at him.

"Nope. I only got to Inkopolis like... Um... Half a year ago? By that time Off the Hook were the only thing talked about for like a year."

"Oh...I see. Well, that makes sense." She nodded.

"Wait, I thought Tom became their manager only half a year ago." Adstrum raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe they bounced from manager to manager before that. And they became Inkopolis News hosts when they signed up with Tom." Callie shrugged. "Most likely inklings have been listening to their music for a while."

"Well yeah, Pearl been rapping for a long time on the down low."

"Hm. Cool." Adstrum smirked.

"They kept getting popular as time passed and then Tom was involved. They got into some trouble, ran into me, and, well, it became history."

"Oh, okay. I see." He nodded. "So...what do we do? How will we inform the public of what you and Marie are going to do? Well, if Marie cooperates."

Callie shrugged. "I don't know. I hope I can convince her to play a game or something with me. I'll settle for rock, paper, scissors."

"A game? Like a turf war match?" Blue asked.

"I don't think Marie wants to do that. Our plan is to have the 'Splatfest' be just me and Marie playing board games or something on air. We just want to piss off our old manager before we blackmail him." She sighed. "But how are we going to make it sound like that was the plan all along? People are going to be expecting a splatfest, so…"

"I mean if anything we do have eight people here so we probably can turf war."

Callie and Adstrum looked at Blue with wide eyes.

"Dude...you are a genius!" Adstrum smiled widely.

"Eh?" Blue raised a brow.

"Yeah! Splatfests are always two teams, but I specifically remember there never being a rule on choosing our own specific teams!" Callie smiled. "Marie and I can choose a specific team to represent us instead of having the people of Inkopolis choose a side!"

"That's true, but then you and Marie would have to choose whom you want on your teams, right?"

"You said there were eight of us. And we don't even need 8 people total!"

"Um, let's see. Ari, me, Cici, Adstrum, Jack,... Um, we may be short one."

"I can call Clair and ask her for a favor. If she's close enough to Inkopolis to drive."

"You should have a plan B just in case…"

"Yeah. Maybe we can get other people to be part of our sponsored teams."

"But you said you didn't want anyone else to get involved…"

"I don't want all of Inkopolis getting involved. Only about 8 people. 4 for each team. Tom is expecting a city-wide competition. If Marie and I limit it to only one team each, it will really cut into whatever profits he was planning on making from this." Callie put her hand under her chin.

Marie walked back after calming down a bit.

"Hey Marie. How ya doing?" Adstrum waved to her.

"Let's just get it over with… I signed hell's contract when I became an idol." She squished her face into Arisara's mantle.

"Marie…" Callie sighed. "Do you wanna talk about it?"

"I don't think it will help. But what is the plan?" Marie walked over and sat down.

"Well, we were thinking of having our own sponsored teams fight instead of all of Inkopolis. And we can pick from the group. They don't even have to be serious matches. Squid parties each match!" Callie smiled nervously.

She counted the people, "There are only seven of us."

"Yeah, we need to figure out an eighth person to help…"

"... We are doomed."

"No, no. We'll be fine. Trust me. Please." Callie patted her cousin's back.

"So what's going on?" Arisara asked.

There was a commotion outside. Inkling and Octolings gathering outside the bus.

"Can I have an autograph?!"

"What the-?" Adstrum stood up and looked out the window.

"Um… I'm flattered… But, um... move please? I'll sign your stuff after I go say hi."

"Is that…?" Callie smiled a bit and went toward the door. "Clair!?"

"BUT I HAVE YOU ON BLUE-RAY!"

"Huh? Shit, that was fast… The movie literally just entered the theater…" Clair was trying to avoid the crowd, "Um, look I'm just here for a friend of mine… Move please."

"Jim, open the door quick!" Callie looked at him.

The middle-aged urchin nodded and opened the tour bus door.

"Clair! Jump on!" Callie waved to her.

"Don't have to tell me twice!" She superjumped into the bus.

Jim closed the door when she got in. "That would have been cooler if we were moving."

"Heh, yeah, it would have." Callie giggled and smiled at her friend. "Hi Clair! Surprised to see you here."

"You guys really saved my ass… I thought nobody would notice me" Clair sighed.

"I'd recognize your 'I've had enough of this' tone anywhere." She giggled. "Those people must have bugged you too much."

"But that's not the point. Are you guys okay?"

"Hm? You mean the theme? Yeah, we're currently coming up with a plan for that. And you could be very helpful in it!" Callie smiled widely.

"Me? What exactly are we doing?"

"We're going to pull a loophole and have sponsored teams instead of all of Inkopolis choosing a side." Adstrum replied. "We only have five people, though. You could be the sixth if you want."

"It's just a turf war match, right?

"Well, I'm hoping we can just have a mock match or something happen. Something that will piss off Tom." Callie giggled.

"Who?"

"The old Squid Sisters manager…" She sighed. "I hate that eel…"

"AIIIYYEEE! GET THIS SQUID OFF OF ME!" Crusty Sean's voice came from outside.

"Huh? Oh...I see the problem." Adstrum chuckled as he watched Jack try to pry a certain squid off the shrimp's tail.

Marina and Pearl walked in with Shelly.

"So is she usually like that?" Marina watched the poor shrimp run around with a squid biting his tail.

"Unfortunately…" Adstrum sighed. "She's a pain, but she's our pain. Mostly Jack's pain, though. He'll get a hold of her eventually."

"Hello everyone I am back." Shelly walked up and jumped up onto the counter, "I found a lot of stuff. It's very, very shady stuff."

"Oh, you got evidence, right?" Callie looked at her.

"Of course, I am not a noob" She held up a USB.

"Oh, thank you!" She hugged the clam.

"Mercy man… My tail can't take no mo…" Crusty started crying.

"Cici, let go of his tail!" Jack yelled trying to pry her off.

Cici kept biting him.

"I'm so sorry about her, Sean." He sighed and tickled her mantle. "Let go."

She giggled and swam away from Jack's fingers, "Nooooo…"

"Thank you." He chased after her, laughing.

She jumped into the bus and went up Clair's dress.

"ACK! COLD!" Clair jumped.

"Heh, silly sleepy Cici." Adstrum chuckled.

Jack ran into the bus panting. "Slippery little one…" He looked around. "Where are you hiding?"

Cici started bubbling, and jumped onto Adstrum's head.

"Here she is!" He pointed to her.

"Right, so we got the paperwork done. We even got a lawsuit going" Pearl held up the file.

"That's awesome!" Callie jumped up in joy.

"But what are we going to do about the splatfest?" Marina asked.

"We've come up with a plan for that." Callie quickly explained it to them all.

"So, we are just going to have one match of Callie vs Marie turf war match?" Arisara asked.

"Or however many matches it takes to piss off Tom." Callie giggled. "They aren't even going to be serious matches. Squid party if you want. Draw hearts or faces or something."

"Hmm, I'm sure you may anger fans if we don't take splatfest that seriously and flop around most matches."

"But I don't want it to be serious. If they want a serious splatfest, then the theme should be changed. I don't want to go through what happened last time…"

"Oh, no, I mean if it's a match then we should play. Otherwise why even watch? We don't have to play like we have to kill the other team. But it should be for fun."

"Yeah, do whatever you want for fun. Whether it's play legitimately, or party around." Callie nodded.

"THAT is a match I can stay calm in. If it's not a serious splatfest, I can stay calm." Adstrum smiled.

"We are all friends here… Nobody really cares who wins. We are all team Squid Sisters" Cici replied, "To keep it interesting we'll have 3 rounds or one long round. You guys can choose whoever you want to play."

"Sounds good to me. I'm obviously on Callie's team." Adstrum smiled. "I'll play for fun. Trust me."

"You'd better. Do not let Bad Adstrum come back." Callie folded her arms.

"I'll jump off the stage before I let that happen." He replied.

"Well, who else, Callie?" Pearl asked.

"Whoever wants to be on my team can volunteer." She shrugged with a smile.

"... Would it not be in your best benefit to see what weapons or abilities each person has?"

"Nope." She shook her head. "I'm not considering this a legitimate Splatfest. I just want you guys to have fun."

"Wait, so who's the 8th?" Cici asked, "I can't play with my clothes… I think…"

"We can get you some regular Turf War clothes if you want." Jack smiled.

"But they are ugly…"

"You are just wearing a cloth!" Clair pointed out.

"So?"

"I'm sure they have something you would like." Jack petted Cici's head. "I'll go shopping with you if you want."

"Noo… I rather be naked."

"I don't think that's legal…." Blue muttered.

"Cici, come on…" Adstrum sighed. "We need enough people to fit two teams. Please?"

"Go make normal clothes then…"

"Okay."

"Thank you." Jack kissed her cheek.

Cici pulled off the cloth and she had a small frilly dress on.

"I'll be on Callie's side for this, Rina." Pearl smiled

"I'll be on Marie's team." Jack smiled.

"Wait, are you guys allowed to be on teams?" Callie asked the Off the Hook idols.

"No, we are hosting. So I'm on your side, Marie" Marina put a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh, well, we still need two more people to make it eight players. Unless Marie and I fight on our own teams…" Callie sighed.

"I mean we did it plenty of times as kids… I bet you would love to whack me with your roller" Marie shrugged.

"I don't want to do that. I don't want to hurt you." She hugged her cousin.

"Well, then that means we only have three people per team." Adstrum counted the people. "We need two more people."

"Are Callie and Marie not playing?" Cici asked.

"I'm not sure. Aren't they performing with Pearl and Marina?" Jack raised an eyebrow.

"If that's so then we need two more people…"

"Hm...Who else can we ask to help us?" Adstrum looked at Clair. "Do you know anyone here in Inkopolis?"

"Sorry, but since the movie party was last night Acrilic, Pastelli, and Cuddlefish should be somewhere in town… Wait, Cuddlefish lives here…" Clair shrugged.

"Do you know where? We can ask her to help us, right?"

"Cuddlefish said something about a bakery in the market district…"

"CAKE!" Cici squealed, "I want some!"

"Heh, we can go get you some." Jack smiled and kissed her again.

"Maybe it will give us a break too" Clair shrugged, "Alright let's go"

"Right behind you, Clair!" Callie stood up and followed after her, with the rest of the group joining in soon after.

Author's Note: Wow... Did not realize how long it has been since the last update. I am so sorry, everyone. Did not mean to make you all wait nearly 10 months... I should explain why it took me so long, and there are multiple reasons.

1. My video game addiction is the first reason. I said I got ARK: Survival Evolved for Christmas last year. Well, did not expect how much time I had to put into the game to finish a map. Took me three months to beat the first map. And yet I did not stop playing and went to the other maps... And even when I didn't play ARK, I found myself playing other games to pass the time. I kept putting off important things just to play and this fic was one of them. I feel really guilty about that.

2. College. Classwork and homework has been keeping me busy, even during this pandemic. It's easier for me to focus on work at college, but all my classes are currently online. I am currently keeping up with the work, but it still takes up some of my time and focus. I am also very stressed out by college right now as I have run out of funds to pay for any future classes. I'm trying to get a job to help pay off expenses, but the pandemic makes that a bit difficult.

3. Lack of motivation and writer's block. Lately I have not been feeling that much motivation to keep on writing, which is most likely being caused by the writer's block I had. Had no idea what to do and got stuck for a while, but my co-author and I eventually got some ideas figured out. But I'm sure writer's block will pop up again later, even if it's for writing about something small. But I promise you guys that I will never let this fic go unfinished. It will one day be fully completed.

4. Fear. I was a bit scared to update after not having updated in months. This fear popped up back in Spring and it kept growing the longer I waited. It wasn't until I saw how long it was since I last updated that my conscious kicked in and made me update once more. I hope you all aren't too mad at me for taking so long.

Those are the biggest reasons it took me this long to finally update. This is not the only chapter that got written, though. There is at least one more finished and another in the works. But I need to find time and motivation to get back to work. Hope that happens before 2021.

The COVID-19 hasn't been much of a problem, so don't worry. I'm not in much danger of getting it considering I was an introvert even before this outbreak started. But I hope all of you are staying safe and healthy, and wear masks when out in public.

I'd like to thank all the people who left reviews while I was gone, and I'm sorry for making you all wait so long. Thank you The Bowser Monster, Nintendo 46, Noodle Doodle, Lilikeith, Alex, and Guest for leaving reviews. I greatly appreciate them.

Yes, Tom is a bastard, Nintendo 46. We all want to kick his ass. And here is another update for you. Sorry for taking so long.

Thank you for pointing that out, Noodle Doodle. I still have to go back and fix that, but there's a chance I might not. I'm lazy...

I think I remember you, Alex. Glad you apologized and glad you have matured somewhat. Hope you had fun re-reading this fic so far. Look forward to more in the future.

Thank you, Guest. I will stay safe and keep on writing, even if other things distract me.

Again, sorry to make you all wait so long. I promise to get another chapter updated sooner this time. Maybe in 9 months. Heh, nah, not that long of a wait. I'll try to get myself to update again before next year. Hope you all have wonderful days! Stay safe and healthy and remember to wear a mask! See you all next time!