Author's Note: Well, nothing to say pretty much. But…more trial and tragedy is about to descend on our heroes. What is it? Soon, you shall know. In the meanwhile, enjoy the concert. it probably is their last for a while.
Morning came, and the duo of Marina and Pearl eventually set out of their room and into the table, to prepare their breakfast. Marina did the cooking while Pearl was texting various people, including back-ups, band, crew and most importantly, the producer and the director. Soon, breakfast was ready: sausage, egg, and pancake for Pearl, while Marina opted for a big bowl of oatmeal and banana, complemented with milk. They soon munched on their respective breakfasts, while both texting over their phones. Marina meanwhile, was busy chatting with Shannon via the Chat Room she made during her trials in the Deepsea Metro.
*Meanwhile, back in Marie and Callie's house…
The day had just come to them, after a relatively uneventful day yesterday. The duo went for a few commercial shoots and some album business. It still however is a far cry from their schedules back when they were in their prime. However, both girls still have a mediocre sleeping habit, waking up at 10.
"Hey…anybody up?" said Callie, always the first to get up. No one answered for a few good moments, making Callie decide to plop into the sofas downstairs. She then opened up her social media accounts for the latest news.
"Oh…it's Pearl and Marina's farewell concert." she exclaimed softly, realizing the date today. "Gotta call up Evan…promised him a date tonight…" she smiled to herself. A certain lime/gray Inkling came down the stairs yawning a few moments later.
"…heh, of course you'd call him up." Marie snarked, teasing her. "What time is the concert anyway?" she asked her cousin.
"Hmm…" Callie looked up the advertisement, "8pm. That's when it starts." she said beamingly to her cousin. "Hey, who's cooking?" she asked Marie.
"I probably should do that…" Marie mused. "Salads, maybe?" she asked Callie.
"Oh come on, Marie, there absolutely is no meat there!" Callie protested. "You're…not telling me you're not on one of those fad diets, are ya?", she asked her.
"Meh…Was just trying something new." Marie nonchalantly replied. "So, sausage and omelet maybe?" she asked Callie, as she reached for the refrigerator.
"That sounds good!" said Callie, cheerful, as ever. Marie soon then got to cooking; scooping up the eggs and cheese, then proceeded to the kitchen. In a few moments, the two cousins began breakfast.
"So, tonight's the night huh?" began Callie.
"Apparently so, Callie." answered Marie. "Look at that…our successors…also retiring from this life." she sighed. "Hopefully, none of what happened to us will happen to them." she lowly muttered, remembering what happened immediately after their stint in Inkopolis News.
"It won't. They'll be facing the scorn and wrath of Three, Four, and Five." Callie confidently snapped up. "We won't let the same fate that befell us befall them too." she assured her. "We're also Agents, remember?", she reassured her.
"Hm. Besides, they are also Squidbeak now. Marina would be now working with Sheldon, and Pearl would be hanging with us and the rest of the Agents." Marie remembered about their meeting some weeks ago, continuing with her omelet. "She may consider being an Agent herself." she mused.
"Neat!" Callie happily responded. "Speaking of…when's next meeting?" Callie asked Marie.
"Hmm. Probably a week after the concert. Yeah, that should be everyone calmed down after the concert hype." Marie declared, as she pounced on her sausage. Soon, both cousins finished up, and Callie did wash up the dishes.
*Somewhere else, in a modest neighborhood…
Two young female squids awoke one after the other. Soon, an elderly Inkling awoke not too long after. The elderly Inkling washed his face, and then put on his signature veteran beret: Captain Cuttlefish.
"Jesse?" Cap called out the older female Inkling.
"Yes Gramps?" she called out from the kitchen.
"What are you making?" he asked, as he came closer.
"She's making pancakes!" excitedly announced a younger Inkling: Celia.
"Ah, young Seaspray!" Cap exclaimed, hugging the young Inkling. "Good morning, Celia!" he greeted the yellow short-hair Inkling. "Is your sister well?" he asked her.
"I'm fine grampa!"called out Jesse. "Breakfast is almost ready." she announced, as she finished up frying the last of the hotdogs, setting it beside the pancakes. The butter and honey already stood waiting for the three of them, set up by Celia.
Soon the three began digging in into the breakfast, Cap and Celia more heartily so. Later…
"Cap, I got a Salmon Run today. Usual routine?" Jesse asked Cap tentatively.
"Jesse. You know Callie and Marie are going later this evening for Pearl and Marina's farewell concert, right? "began Cap gently.
"Yeah, its tonight!" chirped Celia excitedly. "You're gonna make it, right, sister?" she asked Jesse, with a pleading look in her eyes. Jesse breathed a sigh, facing a dilemma.
"I got this, lass. After all, I gotta meet my grandchildren too." reassured Cap. "Just…make sure you make it, ok, bucko? Callie and Marie would be expecting you too." Cap reminded his Agent gently. "All work and no fun maketh a dull squid!" he beamed at her.
"I'll try gramps." she said in a monotone, as she finished the last of her breakfast. She then soon got herself and Celia fixed up, and moments later, she was off to Grizzco. Celia insisted on accompanying her to Inkopolis Square so she can play some Turf War while waiting for her.
"Tell me when some nasties bother you ok? I told Evan to watch over you, he'll be there." she told Celia, Splattershot Jr. in hand. She was wearing a White Tee, a Camping Hat that was matching her current tentacle color of yellow, and now has Banana Basics on her.
"Evan's coming? Yay! Hope Josh comes too!" she excitedly said.
"Alright, off to work. Be a good squid, ok?" she reminded Celia, as she drifted off to the GrizzCo offices. She groaned slightly as she saw what the weapon rotation was, on the lobby where other Salmon Runners were waiting for deployment.
"Hope these guys are up for the job…" she muttered, surveying her team for the day. Her team then Super Jumped to Marooner's Bay, reporting for duty.
All around the Square, there was nothing but talk of the impending concert tonight. It didn't stop however the usual flow of cephalings in and out of Deca Tower, including a certain Octoling pair: Josh and Ecca.
"Hey Ecca, what time do we meet for the concert?" Josh asked the green Octoling.
"Seven in the evening maybe?" said Ecca. "I mean, it starts at eight, and considering the lines and traffic…" she pondered. "Anyway, lunch?" she asked the blue Octoling.
"Glad you asked!" Josh beamed, then felt a rumble in his stomach. "Oogh, that must be our cue." he bashedly smiled, as his stomach let out an audible growl. "Right, ladies choice?" he asked Ecca.
"I know this cool joint out there. Oh, I'd like you to meet some of my friends!" she gushed.
"Hmm. That's sounds promising." said Josh. "Point me to them!" he eagerly beckoned her green friend. The two then took off and ate lunch with a Fabian, an Emily, and a Rusty, who just also came off Turfing, carrying their respective weapons.
Starfish Mainstage is where the concert was being held, and as such, preparations are going full blast as early as seven in the morning. Pearl and Marina arrived backstage several hours later, to familiarize themselves with the blockings, and polish some moves that would be doing later on, along with the back-up crew.
The crew was currently taking a break from the rehearsal, and was eating some take out from an Oriental place the production had called up to cater to the crew. Marina and Pearl were enjoying it much as their back-up and band was.
"MMh, this taste good!" approved Pearl, munching her oriental noodles full speed.
"Hey, easy there, Pearlie!" chuckled Marina, laughing at her friend's frenzied eating. "I do know you're stocking up energy for later,but there are saner ways!" she laughed, nearly choking on her rice dish.
"Just making sure I give it all tonight. I'll leave it all out there in the concert stage." said Pearl, determination in her face. "It is our last one for a while." she added.
"I know…don't remind me, only makes me sadder this has come to an end…" said Marina distantly. "I do know it is the price of the truth, but it's still sad I'll have to let this go now." She added somberly.
"If you hid it, it's an emotional burden you have to carry around." Pearl gently told her Octoling friend. "You did the right thing, Marina." she said, putting her hand on her shoulder. They soon finished their meal in relative silence, taking a drink afterwards. Soon, after a few minutes, they were back at it again, rehearsing moves, positioning, and blocking, coordinating with lighting, cameramen, and sound.
They took a break come late afternoon, to rest up for the big night. The setup team took control, fixing up and rigging everything needed for tonight. The back-up dancers, band, and the duo themselves rested on a series of tents backstage, which was furnished to fully accommodate all needs, like air-conditioning, food, drink, among others.
At half past six, lines are starting to form, as the earliest of concert-goers lined up to fill in the seats. Aquatic life of all kinds started to make a beeline for the gates, then soon proceeded to the seating area of Starfish Mainstage. Some even came prepared with their own snacks and drink, while others simply opted to eat before the concert.
There was a small commotion when Callie, Evan, and his friends arrived, followed by Marie. Naturally, the surrounding crowd became hyped when they saw the former Inkopolis News anchors, as they still commanded a respectable amount of star power. Evan ushered in Callie and his friends inside, while Marie followed them, after granting a few photo-ops. They naturally took front-row, with Callie, Marie, and Evan having the means to do so.
"Now, for the show to start." said Evan, relaxing in his seat, with Callie beside him. His three friends sat on his other side, awestruck that they're here, along with the fricking Squid Sisters! The three tried to refuse both Evan and Callie's offers, but eventually was convinced to accept the offer, being ecstatic when it finally sunk in.
Meanwhile, in the gates, Ecca and Josh have arrived to a growing crowd of people waiting to get in. They settled for a middle-of-the-crowd seat, which they can reasonably afford without breaking their respective banks and pockets.
"Damn, that's a long line." remarked Josh, seeing the growing line.
"I am sure this is worth." Ecca smiled at Josh. "After all, we're having a blast, and I'm with you!" she giggled.
"Ah, Ecca. I sure love being with you." Josh smiled back at the green Octoling, chuckling and slightly blushing blue.
"Is that a blush I see, Catfish?" Ecca asked in a teasing manner, as they moved on in the line.
"Maybe." he squinted playfully at her. "I am just glad I get to see them perform, even if it is for this one time." he said as he sighted the line and whatever he can see of the concert area.
"Saw some snack booths somewhere?" Ecca asked Josh. "You'll never know." she mused. Both of them soon brought out their money, to pay for admission. They then got some hotdogs, which they consumed along with some lime soda, as they were waiting for the concert to start.
"Mmm, absolutely good!" Ecca joyfully said, as she finished the last of her bun.
"I definitely agree." said Josh, as he was already sipping halfway through his cup of soda. The PA system then soon announced that the concert will be starting in five minutes, which got the crowd buzzing.
"Here it comes." said Josh, smiling in anticipation, eager to see the show begin.
"Hope Pearl got out her best moves." Ecca said in anticipation, smiling. "Been waiting to see what she has in store for us." she smiled. "I prefer her slightly more than Marina…although I like both of them." she said.
"This definitely may be worth three months' savings." Josh chuckled. "Pity we didn't come here sooner…" he sighed as the screen started to light up, showing the screen countdown from 10.
"Good evening, Starfish Mainstage!" boomed the PA system. "Are you ready to have the grandest time of your lives!?" it asked the crowd, to a cheerful roar. "Here we go! The band is ready, the dancers are ready, Pearl and Marina are ready! Are you ready!?" boomed the speaker.
Pearl and Marina meanwhile, were waiting anxiously in the backstage, tension and excitement on a high. Pearl was raring to go, while Marina was breathing slowly to calm herself, like she has done so many concerts before.
"Heh, still nervous, after all these concerts. This is it. The last one in a long time." Marina tensely muttered to herself. "I am giving it all." she said, putting on a determined look.
"That's the spirit, 'RIna!" exclaimed Pearl. "You and I are the best in the biz, ya know?" she added to Marina. "Let's show them how Off the Hook roll!" she energetically roared, as they were signaled to their positions. The cheers were reaching the backstage, a sign that the crowd is indeed hyped to see Off the Hook for the final time in a long time.
"Starfish Mainstage, please welcome…PEARL! AND MARINA! OFF…THE…HOOK!" the announcer boomed, to a thundering roar from the crowd. The concert crowd dimmed, while old man Craig and Celia were making their way to their seats.
"Kid, is the show starting yet? Have you seen my granddaughters?" asked the elderly squid to his younger companion ,squinting into whatever light he can make of the numerous glow sticks.
"Grandpa!" a girl shouted out: Marie.
"There they are!" squealed Celia excitedly, dragging Cap along with her rather hurriedly.
"Hey, careful, lassie! I am not me twenty years ago, ya know?" groaned Craig, as he got dragged. Celia soon calmed down and guided the elderly Inkling gentler. Soon, they settled behind Callie, Evan, and Marie.
"Hey Celia, where's your sister?" Marie asked the younger Inkling.
"Said she has to run a Salmon Run shift or two…" said Celia in a doleful tone. "You know how my sister is…" she added, to the collective sigh of the Sisters and Evan. At that same moment, Jesse is wending her way through the dying lines of late concertgoers, as she did make a promise to Celia that she'll be with them as soon as her Salmon Run shift is over. She just tossed off and changed clothes and moved along, being the unhygienic she is.
"Sheesh, I probably be better off at home…" she groused. "But whatever, I guess." she sighed. She then heard the opening throes of Color Pulse, which sent the crowd into a frenzy. As soon as she got her admission, she then sped off into the crowds, looking for Celia and Cap.
"What's up, Starfish Mainstage?" boomed Pearl as she super-jumped into the stage. "Are you ready yet?" she asked, to a roaring response.
"How are you doing guys?" chimed in a more serene voice: Marina. She serenely walked in into her DJ booth, with all elegance and grace. "Hey there Pearlie, ready yet?" she asked the Inkling.
"Hell yeah I am! Time to pulse some color into this gig!" loudly boomed Pearl.
"Let's do this. Color Pulse, everyone!" yelled out Marina, as they assumed positions. The song sure enough started properly, and they broke into the first lyrics. At that moment, Jesse had just found Celia and the rest of the NSS party.
"Sister!" exclaimed Celia.
"Made it huh?" scoffed Jesse, smiling. "Shift was hard…" she sighed, placing herself right beside Celia. "This is it huh? Then it's another set…another pair…" mused Jesse, as Off the Hook sang Color Pulse's chorus, to a frenzied crowd. Starfish Mainstage was rocking hard with Off the Hook, and it's only the first song.
"You just made it for the start!" Celia excitedly held her sister's arms, while jumping up and down with the beat. Jesse just sat down unlike the rest of the crowd who was hyped, dancing and singing with Pearl and Marina. They soon transitioned to another song after a while.
Meanwhile, the same pink male Octoling was blending into the crowd, scanning the people. Soon, his phone rang, which is oblivious with most, if not all of the crowd chanting.
"Purplemist, reporting. Maintain status?" he asked into the phone.
"Affirmative. Break only if targets' vulnerable." said the other line.
"Understood. Purplemist out." he responded, and got back to surveying for "targets". He then soon settled on a side-cut Inkling Girl, and made a move on her, treading the crowd for his target, the crowd oblivious to the happening.
The concert soon shifted to Muck Warfare, which had the crowd bopping along to the beat. The music pulsated so hard, it felt as if the whole place is shaking with the bass of the song itself. Marina was belting out the high notes, much to the delight of the fans. Pearl was doing really hot herself, wow-ing the fans with her rhymes and her moves. The fast pace of the song naturally lent to an energetic atmosphere, which was pulsating from the very crowd.
"Oh no, no, no, yeah, she showed me her heart! Ha-cha!"
"Kick, kick, kick!" they both sang, "catch you falling down," Marina picked up, "asunder!" they both sang. Both soon broke into the song's chorus.
"Got me! It's got your beat! You're my show star! Steal my heart!" Pearl belted out, while Marina danced along. The band was going overdrive and so were the backup dancers, giving it all out on the stage. The music bopped on until its end.
"Having fun out there, Starfish Mainstage?" asked Marina.
"Give me a booyah if you do!" yelled Pearl, to thundering response. "I can't hear you!" she prompted the crowd, which obliged. They soon prepared for another song, and shortly after, got started with Shark Bytes.
"Cry…for this action…" Marina began, her gentle voice echoing throughout the place, "So delightful, show the way!" she sang.
"Kill, just to die…kiss you, wow so shockingly!" replied the crowd in unison with Marina. By this time, even Evan, Marie and Callie were joining in on the fun, jumping along with the rest of the crowd, while Jesse only did so lazily, clearly ill-disposed in this kind of environment. Celia was enjoying it the most, which was not hard to be.
"How you're doing, Squid Sisters?" mentioned Pearl on stage, as the cameras focused on them. They did their trademark smiles and their pose, and the camera soon returned to the stage. The crowd soon bopped along with the chorus, which Pearl delivered excellently, giving all her gusto.
Next on the set was Nasty Majesty. Marina belted out the opening to the lines, to the absolute enthrallment of the audience. They waited for the song to start properly.
So…I may have over-wrote the beginning parts…oh well, next chapter I guess, so as not to overload the chapter. Also…where did that girl go? Is she safe? Find out next chapter.