Author's note:
So there. The inevitable happened last two chapters ago. Pearl vs. Marina. Honestly, I'd go Marina if I had a Switch & this actually happened in game. That said, I don't hate Pearl, after all, she's a hybrid of Eminem and Nicki Minaj and that's good for me. I took some liberty with the pre- and post-Splatfest dialogue, to match the mood. Shout-out to vullardqueen for lending Cocaine Princess to my canon.
PS: In chapter 2, Squik is the Splatoon equivalent of the edible squid, as leaving it at squid outright would be cannibalism. Also did that to edible shrimp, which I renamed to shrimton, cuz Crusty Sean exists. All further seafood will be modified to have some form of the word "plankton" in the name.
Without further adieu, enjoy.
[Hours later, 9pm]
Night fell, and Off the Hook, real exhausted from another day's worth of work, which involved endorsement deals, their newscasting gig, and just Inkopolis in general, crashed onto each other on the couch after Pearl opening the main door, Marina hunkering over Pearl on the sofa, with Pearl sideways, leading to Marina's chest being on Pearl's face. The duo opted for a unit in Tiger Prawn Suites, which was near Inkopolis.
"Ooomh, Mmmha-rhinah, your... chest is..on my face.", reminded the smaller lady, the DJ's bosom muffling her speech.
"Just a second, girl", said the DJ, as she motioned to stand up and find a more appropriate position. The sofa in their condo unit was modest, but small, as to be expected of a condo unit. "Haha, sorry about that.", Marina sheepishly said to her Inkling friend.
"Hey girl, congratulations on the Splatfest", said the Inkling rapper, straightening up. "I mean it.", as she re-adjusted herself to be closer to her Octoling friend. "I may be that competitive, but seeing you happy is the best win for me.", she said.
"Pearl? Is... That... Really you?", she said, her eyes sparkling with near-tears in appreciation.
"Yeh, it is, silly.", responded Pearl.
"Awwww Pearlie!", cooed the tan-skinned DJ. "I knew underneath that tough exterior lies a heart of gold, just like your necklace.", she said, referring to the golden star chain necklace hanging on top of a necklace peg. There were two necklace pegs, one for Marina, and one for Pearl. Pearl has more necklaces, and jewelry in general. Marina's own necklace, an chain necklace with an infinity-shaped symbol in a circle, hung beside Pearl's necklace. The necklaces elicited memories of their Mount Nantai adventure, and how they helped save Inkopolis from being wiped out.
"Hey, 'Reena!", said Pearl, to a blanked-out Marina.
"Mmm?", said Marina, busy daydreaming/reminiscing.
"Yo! Are you having a syntax error again, Marina?", quipped the cream-pink Inkling, setting her crown at their dining table.
"No Pearl, I'm just... reminiscing." Marina responded. "About our latest adventures in Mount Nantai, Eight, NILS...", she trailed off.
"Oh, yeah.", was the only thing she said. She became self-absorbed, the Killer Wail moment she did popped to her mind. The thing was on display at the corner of the living room, still gleaming.
"By the way, what'cha got for dinner?", said Marina, moving over to the pantry, while Pearl sits down at the dining table, which was good for 4 people tops.
"Well, surprise me.", said Pearl. "I never had learned how to cook anything dinner-worthy just yet. I mean, I can fry stuff and what not, but things like the Octarian Spaghetti I can't even dream to do. I mean, we had cooks and stuff so I did not need to learn that. ", she narrated to Marina.
"Well, how about Burger Steak, miss Dorry mademoiselle?", teased Marina, reaching for the cupboard for the ingredients.
"You know I'm still blacklisted from coming back to my family home, right?", said Pearl. "After that rollercoaster that was my death metal career and everything it involved. ", she added sadly.
"Mah folks knew about the drugs, Marina.", she continued. "They watched the interview. The whole thing. They marched to the studios right after and slapped the squit outta me like no one's business.", she continued, as Marina fired up the stove. "Good thing I still have my trust fund and they weren't mad enough to confiscate even that. Good thing this Off the Hook shindig came, or so help me. Imagine that. A popstar getting slapped by her parents in public.", she added shamefully.
"That Crowley slime!", Marina said, exasperated. "If it wasn't for him, you'd be better off with your folks! ", she angrily said."I'll bet he's just jealous because you are now one of the freshest squids in society, and here he is, bashing because he ain't!", she finished, as she was stirring up the gravy mix.
"Hey, I would have told them in my own way at my own time, Marina.", Pearl said, as she browsed Squid Twitter. "It all came crashing down on them. Like an Inkstrike that was unexpected.", she quipped, her face souring at the memory.
"Well, Pearl, at least you don't have our nasty biology and your mom was barely a mom and more of a soldier.", Marina said, as she set the patties to the pan to cook. "When I was a kid, mom would enroll me in all sorts of training programs in the Octarian military, cause she believes it was her duty to the leader to offer everything for the Octarian nation.", she related.
"And the rest was history, no?", said Pearl.
"Pretty much everything the Captain had on his dossier happened Pearl. "The Flooder, I'm one of the most important persons in the making of that weapon.", she quipped. "And then, I became Elite, and not long after, I was personally appointed by Our Leader himself to manage His wasabi supply.", she sighed, as she was finishing plating the meat. "And then, Agent 3 and the Squid Sisters happened.", she finished.
"And there I was, wasting my life away on cocaine and some other bullsquit drugs, while you're out there, brainwashed into serving an oppressive rule.", Pearl laughed miserably, realising her own wastefulness.
"I wonder, had I been still in Octavio's services, what more monstrous devices had I made. How much more wasabi would I have to deliver to Him?", she wondered, as she stirred the mixed veggies in the pan.
"I heard about this guy only known as Agent 4, who single-handedly defeated your former boss and rescued both Callie and the Great Zapfish!", Pearl piped up, remembering the rumors some time ago.
"Hey, how come that never reached me? ", Marina said, surprised.
"Well, I had been hearing things ya didn't. Simple", said Pearl.
"Wait a minute, I remember hearing that in the Square sometime ago!", Marina remembered. "Dinner's ready. ", as she set down a plate of mixed veggies to complement the meat.
"I got the plates, Mar.", she said, helping Marina with the table.
Later...
"Pearl, now that the Splatfest is over, I just want to say I wanna go on with my plan to reveal my real species. I can't stomach being famous for a lie.", Marina said, putting down her fork.
Pearl nearly choked on her own pattie in surprise. "Are you crazy? You're putting yourself at risk Marina!", she said after she recovered.
"As humans said once, the truth will set you free.", Marina quoted.
"But... There would be racism... and the media would have a field day! Imagine, an Octoling singing and dancing her heart out right under the Inklings' noses.", she said. "Cap may not have a problem, but how about many more like him? Great Turf War vets!", she pealed. "Think it over Marina, before you regret it. You need not do this Marina.", she finished.
"I need to do this, Pearlie.", Marina said. "For myself. For my race. So they can see that Octolings can live hand in hand with Inklings. We are the best example, Pearl!", she said, agitated.
"So, you wanna use me for propaganda?", Pearl said with a dead tone.
"It's not like that!", Marina said, finishing off her pattie. "I... no. WE need to break the prejudice surrounding my race!", she fiercely said.
"Marina, are you thinking about it hard & thoroughly? Or is it guilt for splatting Agent 3 and many more Inkling military talking?", asked Pearl.
"I don't know! Yeah? No? Maybe?", Marina burst out, triggered at Pearl's last sentence.
"I ummm...I... just...I am just looking out for you Marina. You changed my life girl. For the better. I don't wanna lose you. If you go on with this, people will call for us to step down from Inkopolis news! What would our sponsors and managers would say-"
"Pearl, just don't", Marina said calmly as possible, managing not to lash out.
"Marina, please.", pleaded the Inkling.
"Imma do it Pearl. Whether you approve or not is immaterial." Marina stated, with finality. "I'm sorry. Going to take a bath now.", she said, heading to the bathroom.
The Inkling rapper was left alone to finish her dinner. While finishing the rest of her dinner, she mulled over what she said earlier. She was right: the media will have a field day with her revelation. Their careers would be rocked, so much that it may be over for them. When she finished, she deposited her plate and utensils into the sink, right on top of Marina's.
She took it upon herself thus time to wash the dishes, out of courtesy for Marina. Pearl was lazy bum most of the time, but she knows when to act. She set dishwashing liquid to sponge, and began washing. The wash load was light, but the emotional load she's acquired over the last moments was piling up. "Damn it Marina!", she thought to herself. She couldn't stand the thought of her friend willingly putting herself in dangerous waters with what she was planning. As she was finishing the last of the puny load, Pearl heaved a sigh.
She then went to put away the washed plates and utensils back where they belong. After doing so, she browsed her phone's Gallery. She had 2.9GB worth of pics, majority of which were her and Marina, with some fans. Some, especially at the top, were with Octolings, including a certain purple-eyed Octoling with short magenta tentacles and tan skin; Eight. She was snapped out of reverie when Marina emerged out of the bathroom, already into her nightclothes: a simple white shirt, and a black short-shorts, with teal trim that glowed when worn.
"Oh, guess it's my turn.", was the only thing Pearl could say. She motioned to get her change of clothes. Pearl and Marina's toiletries were already in the bathroom, so that's less of a worry. She then slid the door to the shower room shut, adjusted the color knob to her color and began bathing.
(after 20 minutes..)
Marina was on her phone texting someone, when Pearl went out of her bathing, already clad in her customary nightgown: a 3-button, milk white with pink accents creation; her colors. When she was done with her texting, she then picked up the novel she was reading, in order not to arouse suspicion.
"Marina, it's 30 minutes to midnight, we need to hit the sack. Lot to do tomorrow.", said Pearl, attempting to talk to Marina after that kerfuffle earlier.
"Yeah, go ahead. I'll follow.", Marina said in a deadpan manner. "I'll just finish up this chapter."
Marina finished what she was reading, and she turned off the nightlamp that she used to read her novel with. She faced away from Pearl, still stinging from earlier's scuffle.
"Good night Marina.", Pearl softly said to her bedmate. "I am here for you. Always." she said, before the both of them dozed off to Cod knows what cloud. Pearl had some trouble settling into a comfortable position before snoozing off herself. Marina, meanwhile, was in deep thought.
The next day, both ladies woke up as if nothing happened the night before. Marina, being up first, brought out the sausages and eggs, because she knew Pearl loved a warm breakfast. She, on the other hand, only preferred some cereal with fresh sea cow milk. She then chopped off some strawberries to integrate to her cereal. While all of this was happening, Pearl was already making her way out of the room.
"Hey, morning Marina.", greeted the pink-tipped Inkling.
"Oh, you're up, Pearl.", Marina said in surprise.
"Yo, sorry for last night. I shouldn't have gone there.", said Pearl remorsefully.
"It's fine Pearlie. I shouldn't have been that triggered about it too much." the dark-skinned Octoling said to her friend, who set her cell down on the table after seating herself. "I've been thinking, where shall I make my announcement? And when? 12 o'clock seems good to me." she continued, stating her plans.
"Hey, let me fry those eggs for ya, girl", Pearl said, cutting across to do so. "I wanna make it up to you, ya know.", she said, cracking an egg.
"Whoa there, you could do that?", said Marina in surprise.
"Yup. I can cook a few things. Learned that during high school away from home. Had to resort to take-out come dinner though.", Pearl related.
"I bet you came to those fancy prep schools that only rich Inklings can afford?", said Marina, as she tossed a bag of Barnacle Oat Flakes to a bowl.
"Yeah, I did. Dropped out after I met Crowley and the rest of the gang in second year. ", she replied. "That was probably the worst choice of my life. Then again, if that didn't happen, I won't meet you and I won't be the MC Princess all the kids know and love today!" as she finished frying her egg, leaving the sausage in the pan.
"What if I did not hear Calamari Inkantation though, as she munched on her cereal, now laden with milk. "Would you still be pursuing a music career?", she asked.
"Maybe. But I am sure I won't be successful as much as us as Off the Hook", she replied, finishing up her sausage, joining Marina in breakfast.
"Hey, hurry up, we need to be in the studios in an hour.", Marina reminded her Inkling friend.
"Oh right. Don't worry, this is just one sausage and egg. I won't take long.", Pearl reassured her.
Truly enough, she didn't take long, Marina was in the middle of her showering when Pearl finished her washing. She put out her stage clothes, but putting the boots in a bag, opting for some Gold Hi-Horses. At 30 minutes before 7, the duo was ready to face another work day again.
"Right then, we're off for work again! ", Pearl announced to one in particular, wearing a hoodie over her stage attire.
"Yep.", Marina said simply. "I am ready. No matter what.", Marina said, determined.
And as planned, at the noontime rotation announcements, she will spring her admission. The assistants handed out their scripts as usual, and they positioned themselves at the regular spots when broadcasting. And five, four, three...
The newscast jingle bopped to life, indicating another rotation newscast on Inkopolis Square.
"Ya'll know what time it is!", said the voice of Pearl.
"It's Off the Hook coming at you LIVE from Inkopolis Square!", greeted Marina.
"Before we announce the stages, we have a special announcement. Marina has something especially important to say to all of you kids.", said Pearl.
"Thank you Pearlie.", the tall Octarian DJ complemented her partner. She then began.
"2 years ago, I came to Inkopolis. I was much of a foreigner as you were back when you first walked in. There were the stares, the whispers, & of course, the obligatory Splattershot Jr.", she said, beginning her speech with a joke. "But you were safe, knowing that you're the same species with most people. The jellies aren't known for warmongering, so you trusted them and safe with them.", she continued.
"When I arrived, it was...a bit different. Even Judd was distrustful of me when we first met. Everyone was looking at my tentacles, seeing something different with them. You may have dismissed them as fad hairstyles, with the coming of my brethren to the Square, a month ago, lead by an entity only known as Eight." she narrated. "With Eight's success integrating into Inkopolis, more followed after her. Yeah, it is a she.", she goofily said, before returning to serious business. "Ever heard of the Great Turf War kids? The one where Inklings won against Octarians? Your parents or grandparents may have had stories to tell about it. Your history classes may have told you about it, but you may have slept through it. I know, history classes are boring.", she said, eliciting a chuckle from the Inkling crowd, while the few Octolings in the crowd looked on in wonder at what Marina was trying to say. "The Inklings won that one. We lost.", she said, as her last words garnered a few startled whispers in the Square.
"Whoa, ain't Marina an Inkling?", said one guy Inkling to another holding a Splattershot Pro.
"Marina ain't an Inkling?", said a girl Inkling to another girl Inkling, both sitting casually listening to the newscast.
And then, Marina dropped it.
"I am an Octoling, and there are more around you." Marina said. "Here, in Inkopolis."
"That's the truth kiddos! Don't worry folks, she ain't doing anymore of those things you read about in books!", Pearl said, putting an interlude to Marina's speech.
"I used to do horrible things under DJ Octavio's army. But that changed when Octavio..my former boss, battled Agent 3 and the Squid Sisters sang the Inkantation. From then on, life changed for the better. Thanks to this amazing Inkling here.", she finished, patting Pearl on the back.
The director and crew was watching all of this in utter horror and shock at the things they were witnessing. Suddenly, Marina wasn't the same girl they worked for all those months ago. The producer meanwhile, was doubling on the brandy, at the sight he was seeing.
"We Octolings are tired of war. A war that has been won for a century running now. All our society breeds is hatred towards Inklings. We wanna do away with that. But...we can only do that with your help, squidkids. Look beyond race. Help them understand Inkopolis. Show my brethren there's more than just being a mindless soldier. Be like Pearl.", she said, as she ended her bombshell there.
The director, confused at what just happened, declared cut. And then they resumed broadcast like nothing happened, complete even with their signature sign off.
The whole Square was left astounded by what they just heard from Off the Hook. The usually relaxed Flow of Headspace was astounded that she was selling to Octolings all this time. Sheldon was left perplexed at this fact, having sold some of his creations to the very things his grandpa fought all those years ago. Some Inklings mobbed the few Octolings peppering the crowd and either took selfies, asked them questions or both, then posted on Squidstagram. Some, like Crusty Sean, were left scratching their heads at what they heard. A few, like Bisk of Shella Fresh and most of the jellies were indifferent to this news, being that their only business with Octolings is for a living.
A few Inklings however, were outraged at what they heard, and they distanced themselves from Octolings, whispering among themselves, devising some horrible plan to make the Octolings' life miserable.
The producer, half-drunk, half-fuming, stormed into the studios as they were finished.
"Pearl. Marina. To my office, stat." was all the Producer could say. The duo followed, having said their piece, especially Marina.
*After-chapter bits:
Damn! That's one shella reveal squids and octos! That bomb dropped harder than my Math grades lol. ! It's official. Octos are finally out in the open as themselves. But at what cost? Especially to Off the Hook, as their careers are put in peril with the bomb Marina just dropped...