Author's Note: A lighter arc…before another heavier one drops. As to what…you'll have to find out for yourselves! Enjoy.
*2 weeks later…
Marina and Pearl's final concert as newscasters of Inkopolis News was the only talk among the denizens of Inkopolis. Most were buzzing about how to get there, where they would sit in the crowd, and how to acquire more funds for tickets. Others were discussing who would be replacing them once they clear out their positions, as auditions were being advertised in the Square, cephalings of various colors lining up the studio.
Despite all this, however, the turfing world still went on in its normal course, in spite of the attack the happened in New Albacore Hotel. Stickers and messages can be seen around the Square, paying tribute to the brave souls that repelled the attack. Unknown to the general public, such brave souls were among them, engaging in the selfsame recreation as they are, only known to a few chosen souls who had witnessed firsthand how they were saved by them from the organization calling itself as the Red Fist Revolution.
The Agents themselves also are continuing on with their lives, as even they are expecting the concert soon. Talks had been made among them on who they'll be going with, with the Squid Sisters even confirming that they will be in person to attend the concert. While all of this wasn't happening, life went on in the Square, and Off the Hook still performed their duties.
Another match was about to happen, and the lobby only consisted of Evan and another male squid, colored yellow, who had the buzz-cut hairstyle. He was in for a surprise when he saw a familiar blue Octoling, accompanied by a female of his same species, colored green.
"Hey, good to see you, Evan!" greeted Josh.
"Hey mate! I see you brought company!" Evan smiled cordially.
"Ecca.", she said simply.
"Pleasure.", said Evan, extending his hand to do a handshake. "Ah, a Brush main?" he quipped, observing the Octobrush she carried with her.
"Yes, since my aim is…mediocre at best." she shyly chuckled.
"Heard the news about the Hotel." Josh began. "Good thing that was cleared out…" he mused.
"Yeah, I bet that was harrowing for everyone involved…" Evan mused, memories of their strike from two weeks earlier surfacing in his mind. "Good thing no one got hurt." he said remembering the faces on his friends upon seeing him.
"I'll bet.", he simply replied, as the three of them sat down in the couch, as two other players, a red hipster male Inkling and a side-cut cyan female Inkling came in and sat on the other side, joining the previously-lone yellow squid.
"So, Josh, how have you been doin' since?" asked the green squid.
"Well, just started Ranked some time ago…" he trailed off.
"How've you been doing?", he enquired.
"Won some, lost many…some even with Ecca here.", he said, as she acknowledged by nodding.
"Ah…" he began with a sigh, "but that's just the start of a long and winding road to X.", he told him. " How about you, fair Octoling?" he asked Ecca.
"Rank A in most parts…Tower Control being my best." she replied with a shy smile.
"Hmm, getting there.", he said, as the remaining players came in. "I see you're getting fresher, Josh.", Evan complimented, as he saw Josh's new apparel.
"Fruits of an Octoling's labor.", he proudly said, as they proceeded to the staging area. Josh, Ecca, and Evan were joined by an orange short-haired Inkling, who brought Kensa Splat Dualies with her.
Soon the match begun on The Reef, with their team being orange, and the enemy blue. Both teams rushed to paint much turf, with Ecca doing as expected of a Brush user, closely followed by Josh on the Splat Dualies. Evan was their driving force, engaging the most while the other girl who brought Kensa Splat Dualies wasn't doing so bad herself, holding her own quite good, as far as they are concerned.
The enemy team however, was prancing on Ecca fast, due to her being a Brush user. The enemy had a Heavy Splatling Remix, a Squiffer, a Tentatek Splattershot, and a Clear Dapple Dualies user. Things weren't looking so good for Evan's team, as they had no backline to counter the Splatling with, being forced to scatter when it fires, the Point Sensor complicating matters.
"Guuuuyyssss?!", yelled Ecca in a panic, as the Clear Dapples user hunted her down, as the Point Sensor did its job.
"Dammit.", gritted Josh, as he rolled away from his opponent, scooting over as fast as he can to protect Ecca. He then engaged also the Clear Dapple user that was harassing Ecca, allowing her to recover in safety. Evan meanwhile, was dealing with the Squiffer, dodging all of its shots effortlessly with his techniques.
He eventually got to him, splatting the user. He proceeded to paint the surrounding area, first using his Burst Bombs, the using the rest of his tank to paint with his gun. Ecca soon came back to the field, wiping out the Clear Dapple Dualie user through sheer speed of the Octobrush.
Soon the match ended however, and the results indicated that clearly, not having a backline doesn't end well, as Evan's team learned the harsh way. The opposing teams however, shared a moment of sportsmanship, and decided on another match.
Evan, Josh and Ecca soon made it out of the Deca Tower, with a 1-1 record on the opposing team they met earlier.
"That was intense!" Ecca breathed out.
"I live for the intensity you know?" said Evan smiling nonchalantly. "That's why I am a Splashdown main!" he chuckled.
"I can tell." Josh replied. "Not hard to argue with." he added.
"Josh and I are going." Ecca mentioned to Evan.
"Ah yes." Josh agreed.
"So soon? Oh well, gotta meet my squad later for more. See ya!" Evan bade them away. The two Octolings walked towards the direction of Crusty's food truck, undoubtedly to have a bite.
Later…
"That was fun." Ecca lightly chuckled, as she sipped on her drink.
"No kidding." Josh smiled.
"If my aim wasn't that much of a bum, I'd be of more help…" she mused lightheartedly.
"Brushes do have their uses." Josh reiterated. "Done right, they're monsters in Clam Blitz. And before you doubt yourself, let me say now, you can be." he smiled.
"Ah, that's just you being sweet." Ecca cooed. Soon, their snack arrived, and the Octoling duo began happily munching on their sandwiches. It has been weeks since Josh and Ecca bumped into each other at the club, and things blossomed from there since, as the two shared a bed and more that fateful night.
"It's been a while since we met." Ecca mused.
"Hmm? Time sure flies." Josh replied absently, finishing off the last of his Seanwich.
"Especially when you made me your slut that night." Ecca smiled naughtily. Josh then started to chuckle, remembering that wonderful night they met.
"That, I shall never forget." he smiled meaningfully. "So then, hangout at your place?" he asked her. "We can play some games and whatnot." he added.
"Oh I know what game you wanna play!" she grinned mischievously.
"Ecca you gon' do me like that?" he chuckled. They soon did go home to her place.
*Meanwhile, in the Off the Hook studios…
The duo was enjoying free time in between newscasts, as they're just waiting for the 5pm preparations. Marina was planning something with her computer, while Pearl was listening to some music.
"I'm sure gonna miss this place…" began Marina.
"Not the stress and the paparazzi though." replied Pearl smarmily. "I'll be more than happy to be with you all day, without all the commitments…" she mused.
"I was…reborn here." Marina said distantly, memories of her first time doing a newscast coming to mind. "From the prodigy military engineer of a dictatorship, to a pop-star adored in all of Inkopolis. Life can sure turn around in many ways." she mused.
"And I…from punk rock star, to pop star and the sickest dropper of rhymes. Never thought I'll be able to be rocking the charts like this…From a girl who only sold 1000 copies physical and digital, to 5-time Conch Awardee." she mused too, herself. "Years ago, I didn't see this coming. I thought I was gonna be a junkie for the rest of my life…then you happened." Pearl reminisced, about that time at Mount Nantai.
"Didn't know what to do back in those times…the Squid Sisters and Agent 3 just defeated Octavio…all the buzz of Calamari Inkantation in full force…didn't know how to live in the surface world, let alone Inkopolis…", Marina reminisced.
"What are you gonna do when this is over? Aside from the NSS of course?" Pearl asked Marina.
"Hmm…I probably should…teach maybe?" Marina shyly chuckled. "Will any Inkling school accept me?" she nervously questioned.
"Girl, they'll be lining down the block once you make your intention known!" exclaimed Pearl. "Imagine, a popstar turned professor? And an actually good one too!" she went on.
"Hmm, actually working for Sheldon seems not a bad idea…if anything else; I can help him accelerate his business!" Marina said, her eyes brightening.
"Keep that sparkle in your eyes 'Rina." Pearl smiled at her partner. "That saved me once."
"And yours did, Pearlie." replied Marina back in appreciation. "Any news on the concert preparations?" she asked the fair Inkling.
"Tickets selling out faster than turf can be inked by an Aerospray." Pearl chuckled. "They sure do love us…" she mused, fiddling her phone. "At this point, I don't almost care for sales, because it sure is a sellout crowd." she remarked.
"Will the paparazzi stop hounding us when this gig is over?" wondered Marina.
"Can't answer that for sure, 'Rina.", Pearl replied, checking her Squidstagram. "What am I excited for…", she said, as she lowered her voice, "is this NSS gig. Heard from Eight…from Shannon that it's no joke." she related.
"I would love to use my abilities for the greater good this time…" Marina said, also lowering her voice. "Like when we and Shannon saved Inkopolis from Tartar." she added, smiling.
"Hey 'Rina, check this out! Yo boy Evan be rocking the Turf scene with the new boy!" Pearl came up to Marina showing an update from the Turf app, a picture of two Evan and a certain familiar Octoling.
"Josh? Interesting." said Marina thoughtfully, as she saw the side-swept Octoling in the picture, along with Evan, a female Octoling short-hair wielding an Octobrush, and a short-hair female Inkling. "Hmm, recognize this one." she remarked at the Octoling. "Former cadet." she remarked.
"Hmm?" said Pearl, surprised.
"This…friend of his." continued Marina. "She's one of our former cadets back when I served Octavio. Must have got to here when Four defeated Octavio." she remarked.
They continued on for the time before they were called to the prep booth. They went through their routines for what would be the final time, as they're set to leave the newscast duties to their successors. Soon the cameras rolled, and Inkopolis News is once more on screen.
They went through with the usual announcements, along with the audition announcements. They then displayed the top auditioners for the week, which were mostly comprised of Inkling and Octoling girls, with a few boys mixed in.
Soon the program came to an end, but not without them reminding the public of their concert tomorrow.
"Have you got your tix, cepha-kids? Go get em fast, because the concert is tomorrow night!" said Pearl.
"Grab your friends, your folks, and everyone in the neighborhood for a rocking good time!" seconded Marina.
"Seats are now extended so grab one on the double, folks!" returned Pearl.
"We'll make sure it's gonna be the best! Bet your money on that!" jibed Marina.
A few moments later…their final closing spiels.
"And that's it for the day!" chimed Marina, as she pushed her turntable to the side.
"Don't get cooked…"
"Stay off the hook!"
And so the final newscast of them together ended. The crew, and the duo themselves were somber, reeling in all of the fact that this would be their last job. An air filled the Off the Hook studios, which made everyone reminiscent of the many times they did this show as a team, and now…it has come to end, with the concert tomorrow night.
"That was it huh?" said Pearl solemnly.
"I guess…" Marina mused quietly.
"Guys, final snappie, before we pack up? One for Squidstagram!" said the director of their show, a jelly. All agreed in excitement, and jockeyed themselves in position to fit into the frame. The cameraman, a bald male squid, pulled the trigger once he's safely inside the frame. They shot several pictures of themselves…while an Octoling with the classic tenta-hawk and yellow eyes watched on from the distance.
"Heh. Smile. It may be your last." he smirked to himself, as he watched the happy scenes from afar. The gaggle inside the studio soon dispersed, after saying their good-byes to each other. He then went off his own way, to cod knows where.
Pearl and Marina soon enough were back in their room in Tiger Prawn Suites, after coming to the impromptu farewell dinner the production set up in honor of the fact the concert is tomorrow, while attending said concert's rehearsal, leaving the two in exhaustion, both slumping on to the sofa.
"For the fans, right?" chuckled Pearl wearily.
"Anything for them…" Marina agreed.
Both chuckled at how silly the exchange was, out of sheer exhaustion. Pearl then opted to open her phone and look up her social media accounts, and news on their ticket sales, while Marina hit the showers immediately. Pearl flopped by herself on the couch while waiting for Marina to emerge out of the showers, and soon got herself a bottle of drinking water.
Later Marina got out of the showers, in her nightclothes, and her bath towel around her hair.
"That was fast." Pearl remarked, looking from her phone.
"Needed to freshen up, after that long day…" Marina sighed, as she opened her phone.
"Sales are going bananas…hope we can match that in performance tomorrow…" Pearl sighed.
"I'm confident we can, Pearlie." Marina reassured her. The duo soon headed to the refrigerator to heat up some pizza rolls they had in stock. Both got one and tossed it into the microwave. They soon munched on it together. They shared a good laugh recounting their last rehearsal session, which involved the final preparations for the concert. Matters such as lighting, positioning, and song programs were on the agenda; everything they have planned for tomorrow.
Soon, both closed the house up, and Pearl went to take a shower herself. Marina meanwhile, took her ginger tea, no doubt to prepare her vocals for their concert tomorrow. Marina can be heard vocalizing parts of Nasty Majesty, much to the amusement of Pearl.
"Dedicated until the end huh?" Pearl chided, as she came out of my shower.
"I sure would like to go out with flying colors." Marina replied.
"That's what I admire about your 'Rina. Dedication. Something I only now can appreciate." Pearl said, as she sopped off her short cream and pink hair. She then soon joined Marina practicing Nasty Majesty, joining in with the raps. They soon practiced a few more songs, including Acid Hues and Color Pulse.
After a few runs, the pair decided to can for the night, after seeing 1 am on the clock.
"Hey…" Pearl panted "That was fun huh? Now I hope we can provide the same type of energy and more tomorrow night" she panted, chuckling.
"Hope Callie, Marie and Eight come…" Marina mused, as she flopped onto the bed, after drinking the last of the bottled water she brought with her into their room.
"They'll be rarin' to. Heard they got front seats, even." Pearl commented. "She and Evan gonna be together. I swear, those two, get married already!" she chuckled.
"Patience Pearlie." Marina smiled, as she stretched and yawned in the bed.
"Yo, little question Marina." Pearl faced her Octoling friend, as she laid down beside her. "Did you ever expect for us two to be…this famous?" she wondered.
"Honestly, no." Marina replied, with an ever-so-serene voice. "I just was looking to make my way into the surface world." she said distantly, remembering her first days in Inkopolis.
"Heheh, what with that coddleswop of an album I made, I sure did not expect my squid ass to be five-time Conch Award recipient." Pearl chuckled. "Let alone be the leading face of a famous daily turfcast!" she smiled.
"I only expected to be able to live well in the surface world." Marina mused. "Coming from the domes, I can't expect that much…let alone set too high an expectation."
"Back when I was the death metal gig, I always aimed too high, and crashed down to the ground hilariously…not to mention equipment breaking everywhere." Pearl laughed, remembering her death metal career, shaking her head. "And yet…this voice…helped save the world. Funny how life works out huh?" she mused.
"Indeed it is Pearl. Back in the domes, no one would even aspire to be something remotely similar to what you and I are now…" recounted Marina. "Everyone was too busy enacting Octavio's will, including myself." Marina sighed, recounting her days in the military. "But now…here I am, with the paparazzi hounding me 24/7." she sighed.
"But it's all good with the fans…" Pearl countered, smiling. "And hey, that mega brain of yours did help saving the world from Tartar too." she reminded Marina.
"Hmmh, I suppose." Marina sighed. "That was a group effort. And Eight…Shannon played a big part in it…the suffering she went through…" she shuddered, remembering about the time they helped Shannon in the Deepsea Metro.
"We went through a lot, being Off the Hook." Pearl said to Marina. "We may have said things that hurt each other, that we both didn't mean…let me just say sorry once more for all of that, you know how I am when I get riled up sometimes." Pearl said in a low tone.
"Hey, we're past that Pearlie." Marina said, as she reassuringly hugged the small Inkling. "Comes with the job." she quipped. "Besides, I am not that perfect myself, no matter the biggest fans of ours may say." she added.
"At this point, I have just accepted that you naturally have more fans than me, though I have many myself." Pearl sighed, recanting how the fan distribution is among them.
"Hey, I am your first and biggest fan." Marina reminded Pearl, softly touching her face.
"Aww. Thanks a lot 'Rina." Pearl thanked her companion. "Hey, guess it's time to hit the sack, huh?"
"Yeah. Save our energy for the big one tomorrow. All of them will be expecting all the stops tomorrow night. Good night Pearlie." Marina bade her Inkling friend, as she put away her phone, and closed the nightlight.
"Sleep tight, Marina." Pearl smiled, as she adjusted herself to sleep.
Morning came upon the duo, the morning of the big night coming up. The duo woke up with sun in their face, ready to face the big concert coming up.
"This is the day, huh?" Marina said to Pearl, getting up first, leaning on the room's window, opened by Marina herself.
"Mmmh? Oh." said Pearl groggily. "Whatever happens…I'll be with you." Pearl reassured her.
That took me too long…sigh. Too much BS happened between when I started and now publishing this. No matter. I shall be on schedule for the October release. Hopefully.