Author's Note: So, the concert's remaining parts had to be written here, as to not overcrowd the previous chapter. In this day and age, ain't nobody got time fo' that! And also, I would like to take the time to credit Caitlin Koi and Sharkbyte from YT for the lyrics of the songs used in this fic. Anyway, on to the story!
"Nasty!" Pearl answered to Marina's humming.
"Starfish Mainstage!" yelled out Marina, the crowd obliging with a roaring answer.
"Na-na-nana"
"Nasty!" Pearl sang out in reply. At that moment, they both changed their colors, Pearl going blue while Marina goes red. The crowd gawked at this, and got them more hyped. They then continued on to the rest of the song.
"Frosty! Feisty! Show us how you're bossy!" Marina began, belting it out with her voice that was adored by many over the years. Most of the guys raved loudly at her singing, adoring how Marina can reach such high octaves, among other things, such as her figure. "Nasty, don't cross me! Made me doubt you're fun!" she finished her verse.
"Yeah, this is my JAM!" yelled a hyped-out Evan, which earned him a playful slap on the arm from Callie, who scowled at him. "Oof, Callie!" retorted Evan. Regardless, they cheered on with the rest of the crowd. Pearl then started on her part, which hyped up the already hyped crowd even further, the screams almost equaling that of the sound system.
"You rock, Marina!" yelled out Josh.
"Show em what ya got Pearl!" yelled out Ecca.
Meanwhile however, the crowd is oblivious to a girl being staked out by a pink Octoling male. He lay there, prowling among the crowd, waiting for the time to strike. He was dressed like the rest of the crowd, most probably to blend in.
"Ready for the bars, Starfish Mainstage?" called out Pearl, to a roaring applause from the crowd. She then sang out her part, full confidence as she began her flow, the flow that endeared many a young squid (and recently, octopus). She confidently pranced around the stage with her dance moves, in sync with Marina's sensual moves.
"This is why I'm called the Baroness of Bars." Pearl smiled, as she took a slight breather between verses. Marina then took up the back-up's high notes, which never fail to impress a crowd, no matter the size. And this one is no exception. She breathed a slight sigh of relief internally, as she hit the notes their song demanded.
Marina's smile glowed ever more radiant, upon finishing her part in splendid fashion. "I belong here." she thought, as she danced away on the stage, along with her long-time friend, Pearl. She was giving it all, finishing everything they have started in Mount Nantai, starting a new chapter in their lives.
Both squid and octopus locked eyes on each other, completely confident in each other's abilities. They knowingly nodded to each other, as if to affirm to each other, "you're the best, and no one can say otherwise." They continued on with Nasty Majesty, to a roaring and adoring crowd.
However, there are people that weren't fully into the concert, like Purplemist. He blended into the shadows, guising as a simple concert-goer, when he saw a familiar, loathsome octoling. He reviled at the sight of the blue Octoling among the crowd, and as to further insult him, a certain green female Octoling was with him.
"He-heh. Joshua Catfish. You wouldn't even know what will hit you." he smirked to himself. "That skirt-chasing hobby of yours will be your downfall." he said to himself, while scowling at their direction. "That will have to be for a later date though." he digressed, as he set back to hunting for targets. He then set his sights on the pink Inkling he had been eyeing earlier, readying a mobile contraption for whatever reason he is hunting in the first place.
"Any targets yet?" buzzed his communicator.
"I got one. Shooter expert, also adept in Sloshers. Rank S average." Fabian replied, scanning his target through his wrist-mounted computer. "Prefers Splat Zones." he added.
"The council awaits its test subjects. You will not fail, Purplemist." the other line said sternly.
"Purplemist out. Glory to the Revolution." he saluted, as they dropped the line. "Soon, even Pendletow will be under my thrall, and who knows, even that smarmy Catfish too. Not even the NSS can stop me." he chuckled twistedly. That blue squit was always in his way, him and his…friends, he thought to himself, seething calmly.
Meanwhile, in the front-row, the cousins were having a blast, dancing and jiving along with the rest of the crowd, as if they were never the ones up onstage once. Occasionally, Marie, Callie, or both of them smiled when the camera faced them.
"Time goes by fast, does it, cousin?" Marie quipped to Callie.
"It sure does, Sister." Callie smiled, emphasizing the last word.
"When you put it that way, I kinda miss our prime, though. But I'm better like this. If it means you always at my side, I'll be more than ok with this." Marie said, while dancing on.
"Aww, is that really you, Marie?" joked Callie. "This…is a long way from Prime Marie." she said. "This version…is so much better. And more...everything that's good." she continued, as Off the Hook went on onstage.
"If the campaign of Octo Canyon taught me something, it's to never take anything for granted. You may never know what you got, until it's gone." she wistfully quoted. "All that fame and fortune ain't squit if you're alone."
"Very true. Hopefully, they learned from our lesson. After all, they're our friends too." Callie somberly said. "We wouldn't like what happened to us happening to them. There may not be an Evan to rectify it all." Callie said to her, patting Evan as she said those words.
"I'm just glad I can help." Evan smiled at them. "Also, had nothing better to do that time. Just started my career in turfing, wanted a challenge…there she was." Evan narrated shortly. "But hey, we're here to enjoy the show, are we?" he reminded the cousins. They resumed dancing along with the rest of the crowd. Soon the concert shifted into Ebb and Flow, then Acid Hues.
"Hey folks! Feeling it?" asked Pearl to the crowd. They immediately responded with a roaring response. "We want to thank you for a good two years' worth of Splatfests." acknowledged the pink/cream Inkling.
"All of that wouldn't be possible without your overwhelming support." stated Marina. "From the start up till now, you believed in us all the way, just as we believed in each other. Through the awards, the flops, the botches, you have been through it all." Marina said, almost starting to cry. The crowd was silent, as if feeling Marina themselves.
"You guys all are amazing cephs!" Pearl cheered to the crowd. The duo were wearing their new set of costumes. Pearl donned a cream/pink sweater with rings for each finger, a gold necklace with a star pendant, silver/pink hi-tops, commissioned by her, and a real metal crown to top it all off. Marina was oozing with all the appeal as she had: a white tank-top accompanied with a silver chain, leggings, and a pair of white slip-ons. To top it all off, she had a bandana accompany her usual headphones.
"We would have never made it this far without you!" Pearl continued. "Every Conch Award is a thank you for all of you guys, for all the dedication, effort, and support you gave us." Pearl said solemnly.
"We banded together to find ourselves. But you…you were integral part of that process." Marina told the crowd. "We may as well not be here and in separate places at all without all of you, you who have been with Off the Hook till now." Marina continued.
"Mom…Dad, hope you're watching. And…" Pearl sighed "I hope you both forgive my silly arse. For…everything. I hope this makes up for it all." said Pearl solemnly, now on the verge of tears herself. "Ah, what the heck." she said, trying to regain her composure. "We still have a concert to perform dammit!" she said, half-chuckling.
"It's one of our first hits too! I am sure many here have heard this in a Splatfest!" beamed Marina, to the general agreement of the crowd. "Hey Pearl, you ready yet?" she asked her stage partner.
"Born ready." said Pearl. "Hit it!" she signaled to the band. They then started on the song. "Acid Hues, yeah!" shouted Marina to the crowd, which started jumping, as if on cue. Soon the song bopped to life, the drums and synth starting on it. The bass soon bopped to life to accompany the rest of the instruments.
"Acid Hues, Starfish Mainstage!" they both chorused.
They soon started on the lyrics, Marina going first.
"Let you know, let you know, let you know, that I'll be, oh your friend!" Marina came in.
"Show the moves, show the moves, show the moves, cuz we got a lovely song!" Pearl responded. Marina then—
"We should go, we should go, we should go, and see what rhythm's bumping! So see us!"
"Jump on it!"
"Love me and hear our song!" they both sang. As with the Squid Sisters, next to no one doesn't recognize an Off the Hook song, much less not jam to it. Marina continued singing while operating her turntable, and Pearl put on a show with her dance moves, moving as she had boundless energy. Later, the band's DJ took over as Marina joined Pearl with dancing herself.
As it was with their other hits, the crowd jumped along with the beat, which the song has many of. They may be leaving the star scene, but surely, they left a lasting impression. Soon, they tackled their version of Now or Never, a household hit almost all cephalokind know of.
"Ha-ha-ha!" Pearl began the song.
"Last-min guessing, get down and solve it, Laughing, pushing, just know the last team lost because your moves are so shocking! Jump in, show them!" she sang. The crowd chorused along with her. Marina joined her for the "na-nanana!" part, cheered on by the crowd. The song had short length, and soon it was over.
Pearl and Marina then faced the audience once more.
Marina spoke first "Some days before this concert, I have been working on a special mix of our first hit single, Acid Hues." she began.
"But that ain't all cepha-peeps! Just in time, we composed a song perfect for this occasion! Starfish Mainstage, you're the first ones to hear this new song of ours!" she stated, leaving the crowd chattering in earnest.
"Said song will be our parting gift! To all of you, who had been with us! From our beginnings…to our time in Inkopolis News…to the truth that we revealed. You stuck with us, up until now. And me and Pearlie thank you from the bottom of our hearts." Marina addressed the large throng of concert-goers.
"Wait what?" Josh blurted out in confusion, shocked.
"Holy…" was all Ecca can say in shock.
"Oh damn." said Evan in shock.
"That's something alright…" remarked Marie.
"Whoa!" exclaimed Callie, with a surprised smile.
"You heard it right folks, there's one more we have to share before we go!" beamed Pearl. "Aye Marina, shall we?" she asked her partner.
"Only if Starfish Mainstage is loud enough!" teased Marina to the crowd, which they obliged.
"Louder!" said Pearl. Once more, they obliged. "Can't hear youuu!"
"Well then, Pearlie. Let's not keep them waiting!" Marina beamed to her companion. They then started on the modified version of Ebb and Flow.
"Fly Octo Fly! This one's for our eight-legged brethren here with us tonight! And for those who aren't, I hope you hear of this." Marina addressed the crowd. Josh and Ecca only nodded to each other in solemn reaction. Purplemist just smirked at the speech deviously, already formulating a plan to acquire specimen for his superiors.
The band then started on it.
"Eight? You there? Hope you're hearing us!" said both Pearl and Marina. "This one's for you!" Marina called out. "For all you have done for Inkopolis. For all Octos." They then started on the song.
"Something's coming in, coming today/ See a little punch, you need a tough skin/ Oh look higher up, see them up there, oh-woah-a-o, woah-a-woah!" she began, as the melody rolled in.
Pearl followed up, with "Wanna spin around, supremely in love/ Get up, start moving, get a bit low/Let 'em feel the music no matter what." to which Marina promptly responded with her woahs.
"Can you feel it now?/Not another day!/You are gonna fly!/You're in tune with me!" Marina began on the pre-chorus. She then proceeded with Pearl with the rest of the song, the crowd singing along, despite the fact it basically was a new song. They soon came on to the last and newest song in the concert's repertoire.
"I can't thank you enough." Marina said, as the beginning strains of the new song wafted on the speakers, as she sniffled, tears beginning to well on her eyes. "You may forget about me and—P-Pearlie…but never w-will I-I…forget about you!" she said, fighting back the tears.
"It has been a ride, folks." Pearl smiled appreciatively at the audience. "But every ride has its end." she told them. "Me and Rina's only wish for all: for all sea life to step into the light, like me and Marina did those two years ago.
"I l-love you all guys! Off the Hook forever!" Marina cried out, to a stunned audience. And soon enough, they started on their final song of their final concert as the reigning popstars.
"Thank you guys! For everything!" called out Pearl. She then began the song. "You are there, didn't stop/ Here when I always need you. You're ready, you don't need me no more./It's a new Sunday morn'/So are you letting go? Into the light, go shoot for the sky!"
Pearl continued. "Even then," Marina responded, still holding back the sniffling and tears "we were there," to which Pearl connected with "even if we didn't see them." Pearl continued on with the song, and Marina still hit the notes she needed, despite the obvious shaking due to her crying. The crowd was amazed on how Marina can still hit the high notes and cry at the same time, all without a noticeable hitch.
Meanwhile, Purplemist was making a move on the Inkling that he was eyeing to capture. He was sifting through the dazed crowd, making sure the crowd wouldn't notice him taking some random Inkling girl. He prepared a small handkerchief and a bottle of chloroform, most likely to subdue the target from even attempting to scream. He then paused behind the target, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
Everyone in the crowd savored the fact that they were the recipients of the reigning idols' final song. They sang along with Pearl and Marina, enjoying the last bits of Off the Hook for a while. Some in the crowd were even weeping along with Marina, taking in how surreal this moment is. Remembering all the times the duo was with them; all the good times…all punctuated by this one grand final concert.
Josh and Ecca held hands, breathing in the essence of Into the Light. They were silent, yet never more expressive with each other. Both were gazing intently into each other. That night in the bar was the beginning, but now…it has grown. Tonight…it has blossomed.
"Ecca?" finally said Josh.
"Yes?" she responded.
"Ecca…I-I…I love you." Josh said, managing finally to spit it out. Ecca was mildly startled, confused, lost for words. "Not just because of that night." he added.
"Josh? You ok? Is that just the song getting to you?" asked Ecca, flustered, lost for words. "You…are just jesting, right?" she asked Josh.
"No." he said firmly. "I mean it, Ecca." he told her, amidst the noise of the crowd. "I love you, Ecca." he said, holding her hand firm in his hands.
"J-Josh? Do you…mean all of that?" she asked him, gazing intently at the blue male Octoling.
"Yes." was all Josh can manage. He then pecked Ecca on the cheek, to symbolize his intent.
"Josh…Oh Josh…" was all Ecca can manage.
"Here's to more moments, together." Josh said, clasping Ecca's face. Soon, the concert ended, with them happily holding hands as they exited Starfish Mainstage.
Meanwhile, The Sisters, Cap, Jesse, Celia, Evan, and his friends headed backstage, no doubt to celebrate with Off the Hook's successful final concert as the reigning idols. Celia was super hyped to see her idols Pearl and Marina in person, having to be restrained by her older sister Jesse, who clearly is just there to accompany Celia.
"Hey, good job out there." Marie began, patting both Pearl and Marina on the shoulder.
"Agreed!" Callie squeaked. "You did MAGNIFICENT out there!" she boomed.
"Hey, thanks!" said Pearl, setting down her crown with an uncertain sigh. "So…this baby has seen its last use…" she said, referring to her crown.
"At least we're private citizens now…" mused Marina. "But…how will they see me now that I revealed who actually am I? And without the celebrity status…"
"They don't know squat, Rina." assured Pearl. "These people will only judge based on what they know about you." added Pearl.
"Yeah, there's a term for that." Marie remarked, "Racists." She said it with a scathing force.
The party just casually chatted in the cooldown room, along with a very excited Celia who then was graciously granted her requests for autographs and a picture to boot. Jesse can only facepalm so hard at the sight of her fangirling younger sister.
*Meanwhile, at the stage exits…
Purplemist moved along with the crowd, following closely the pink Inkling, cloth and chemical at the ready. He regulated his pace along with the crowd so as to not be suspicious. He then saw his chance, leaping from a distance and gagging the spiked cloth, instantly making the Inkling faint. He then dragged her into a waiting van, which was like any other. The van soon drove off, to cod knows where.
"Purplemist to base, capture successful." he radioed.
"Good work, return to base. Debrief in 10." Said the other line.
"Understood, Purplemist out." he ended the call, glancing over the unconscious female Inkling. He then just laughed menacingly and silently. "He-he. The time for payback has arrived, you blue squitch. You'll get your just dessert, Catfish." he smirked to himself.
*Days later…
"…And the search continues for the missing Inkling named Lara Brooks, which was believed to be abducted in Off the Hook's final concert at Starfish Mainstage…" a television blared.
"…several more teenager Inklings and even Octolings are reported to mysteriously vanish…"another television station reported.
"So, how bad is it?" asked Evan, sitting in a restaurant, along with Jesse, Shannon, Callie and Marie.
"It's definitely getting worse." Marie said with a grave face. Even usually-energetic Callie's face lacks the energy it usually had. All of the party's faces were worried, concerned about the alarming developments.
"I'm glad the turfing scene is still going on despite all this…" sighed Callie. "But the people are generally afraid now." she said sadly, "Less people now are staying to play…"
"Can't even get a decent match like…70% of the time…"mumbled Jesse.
"One way or the other, the Sanitized are involved with this. The details…I'm afraid it will be up to us to uncover." Marie said with a grave expression. "To the base. We have much to discuss." she beckoned her companions.
They soon approached a seemingly abandoned trailer home. Upon closer approach, they can hear the sound of…gunfire? It certainly sounded like Dualies. As they came inside, they were greeted by familiar faces: Marina, Cap, and Pearl, joining later.
"One, Two!" greeted Cap.
"Hey there, Shannon." greeted Pearl to her.
"Agents, I have much to discuss." began Marina. Sheldon then looked up to face the just-arrived Agents, with a horrified expression. Soon, all of them gathered round in the conference area.
"So, we and Marina made a horrible discovery." Sheldon began.
"Apparently, Octavio and the Sanitized struck a deal to merge their forces so they can finally topple Inkopolis. And everything else in the world that dare try oppose." said Marina.
"Not much a surprise." remarked Jesse.
"That's not all, Three. Lately, I also found out that they were developing more lethal weapons in this facility." Marina popped up a screen with an aerial shot of an island base, which had visible entrenchments even from the sky, with multiple towers.
"And…" Sheldon began on a nervous tone.
"Speak up, young scientist." encouraged Cap.
"We may have probable cause to believe that they are now also Sanitizing Inklings too. Not just the type that Agent 3 experienced…the full works." Sheldon struggled to get what he found out to the rest of the team.
Everyone was stunned at what they heard, as if they heard glass break mentally.
And that was Off the Hook's term over as reigning idols. Now, onto a more serious arc. What is causing all those disappearances? Are Sheldon and Marina's findings…true? Find out next time…In Inkopolis: Dawn of Unity. Catfish out.