Chapter Text
“Strong Work, Agent 4.”
Those were quite the words that left on the radio transmission that the Inkling with quite the gear heard through her headphones. “I sure know how to pick them.” The voice came from the headphones, and it was none other than Marie….or also known as Agent 2. Or according to her, Marie of the Squid Sisters, THAT Marie.
However, the goldish-hair Inkling, with some Cyan as her main color for the Kettle she went through, simply rolled her eyes playfully. She wasn’t sure on that proclaimed title, but so far, she has been right on the Octarians, so maybe she could believe that her fellow Agent or Upper agent? Is a Pop Star.
“Yeah, yeah. I got the Zapfish by the way! The little fella is still shook after I lay down the beating on that weird Oven Octo thingy.” Agent Four Said with a smile and having the little Zapfish wiggling on her arms, “Hey calm down, buddy. Its all right now. Lets get you home.”
“Hmm. Yeah, to think that the Octarians had fully operational Octobosses in this time. I didn’t expect that.” Marie’s voice came from the headphones as Agent 4 was making her way to the returning pad from the Boss Kettle. “Its time to bring the Big Guns.”
That was all that the Agent heard before it came out a very odd radio static and she could’ve sworn she heard like some kind of squirrel-like voice talking through the other side of her Headphones. Maybe it was radio interference? She simply shrugged and put away the Hero Shot and went on to get back to Tentakeel Outpost.
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And if there is something that Agent Four didn’t expect was to hear the ramblings of the so-called help or Big Guns of the New Squidbeak Splatoon.
“Hello, Agent 4! I am Sheldon! The owner and the provisional one of the Weapons in Ammo Knights that have been in service for over 450 thousands years and still going. Weapons of such great use for the Turf War and Rank Battles, and When I heard about Marie needing my services for the Splatoon, I couldn’t believe it! The amount of things that my arsenal in weapons can do will be of such great use for the NSS and to gain victory against those Octarians…” Sheldon kept on going, and Marie could just hear her own irritation and even of the new Agent, and the Zapfishes that were surrounding them.
“Alright! Sheldon!! Easy and down there, boy.” Marie says in a loud voice catching Sheldon off-guard and prompting the little one to stop midway in one of his ramblings about...well, they didn’t know. Something about Hero weapons and upgrades.
“Ah! Right, I’m sorry. I’m quite excited when it comes to things like these. Anyways, Agent Four! Since you’ll be on the lookout and saving the Zapfishes from the clutches of the Octarians, I propose a great deal.” Sheldon said, prompting the Agent to follow him to which she could only look at Marie.
And she knew that look of ‘I don’t want to go. He’ll bore me to Shell.’; and the Green Pop Star could only sigh a bit, “Go ahead, Agent. I’ll be waiting.” She said even if she didn’t want her Agent to suffer on Sheldon’s Loooooooong explanation of Weapons, that will be vital information for future sectors. The Octarians shouldn’t be underestimated after all.
After a huge while, Four has finally returned and looks dead exhausted from even hearing. Marie could just know by the look of her face and how Sheldon waved at both of them with a smile on his face, that the explanation was rather successful.
“That Guy CAN talk! My Cod!” Was all that left from Agent Four’s mouth and earned a snort from the fellow green idol. “Sheesh! How long was it?” She asks.
“It was only for 20 minutes, Agent.” Marie simply responds which earned a jaw-drop from the Agent.
“Only 20 MINUTES?! I thought half of the day has gone by!” Four said with quite the shock tone on her. To which Marie didn’t bat an eye, that's just how the usual experience with Sheldon goes with. Cod, she can’t wait for the Octarians to be dealt with and thus have less rants to hear about what a Weapon will have or how the Ink Consumption can be slightly modified for the Hero Gear to shoot out Two Sub Weapons without draining the whole tank..
“That's Sheldon for you. Despite his...ramblings, he’s quite useful and reliable.” Marie simply responds to which Agent 4 got up.
“I guess. He does plan on giving me a Roller weapon for the next stage. To which, I can’t wait! Those Octarians won’t know what hit ‘em!” Agent Four said with quite the confident smirk and even using her Hero Shot like a grapple to a Roller.
“Ahh, so she’s a Roller type, huh?” Marie thinks while looking at her. She seems to be quite the Closing Range type, so it would make sense. Remembering how she is excited for a possible Hero Roller weapon, it only gave the Pop Star a feeling of Nostalgia.
“Anyways, what do you say, uhh… Agent 2? Care to see how Awesome I do against them?” She said quite half-joking yet with a sense of confidence.
“Oh? You’re quite the eager type. But it makes sense considering you’re quite loud to talk.” Marie gives her usual side smirk towards the Agent with a hint of teasing and yet still could remember how Agent 4 had quite the questions to her when they first met. “I’ll catch up later, Four. I need to do some stuff first.” She answers as she turns around with her kimono going with the wind alongside her umbrella.
To which, Agent Four could only shrug, “Suit yourself. Don’t miss out on the show next time though.” She says while going into her squid form and swimming towards the Jumping Pad and onwards to the next sector.
Now alone on Tentakeel Outpost, Marie went inside the cabinet and searched for something. It took a bit, but she found the book she was working on, Agent-4-Factopedia. Opening the book, she already has quite some little info about the newest and rookie Agent of the Splatoon.
From facts about how Agent Four can get quite talkative, but not as bad as Sheldon, and how she is a potential Roller Main. Which Roller would suit her? That is yet to be filled. She didn’t look like a newbie, but not exactly an Expert either. Marie still doesn’t know her rank, but then again, she only had clothes so far of a Level 8. Despite all that, she knew how to pick ‘em as Agent Four despite being a bit reckless, she got the job done quite fast on the very first sector.
It was yet another new day, and still no trace of Callie. Marie had been staring at the board she had on her own headquarters to which in reality is simply her room in the small Cabinet. It's not much, but is enough for her to gather connections. She was sure of it, Callie’s disappearance alongside the Great Zapfish...it all came down to that after that fateful Splatfest. Her sighs were the only sound she could muster of both a bit of regret and worryness.
“Hello? Uhmm, Agent 2?” There was a slight knock and the voice from outside came from Agent Four nonetheless, and Marie had to adjust herself. She had to be strong now. Without Callie, Agent 3, or heck! Even her Gramps, she was all that is left from the Veterans of the Splatoon and the one with the most experience on to do the required job to protect Inkopolis.
“Yes? Hello, Agent 4. Ready for the Next Sector?” Marie opens the door and receives her fellow agent that has dual-wielding the, well, Hero Dualies. With a spin to her dualies, and a smirk, that alone was enough to be considered a yes to Marie. And just like that, Agent 4 goes on to do her duty.
Once again, Marie is left alone to her thoughts temporally. “Callie, wherever you are...I hope you are okay.” Marie said to no one at first glance, but part of her wishes that someway or somehow, her other Half heard that. With simple things at the glance of her eyes, she could only reminisce about the good ol’ days where they would spend time catching some butterflies, eating some crabby cakes to which Marie reminds them to stock a lot of those once she gets Callie back.
The Idol could only hope that Agent Four gets quickly on to take down more of the Octo Bosses and infiltrate the Cephalon HQ. Looking back at her pin board, that place is certainly where the Octarians would reunite most of the time. If anything, she had the theory that the Great Zapfish was held there, and thus by default, Callie too.
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“Leave! Don’t even dare to come to this place!!”
“Ahhh! That was quite painful to do.” Agent Four Said while coming out from the kettle and holding another Zapfish and in her other hand, the Hero Charger. “Never again! Unnf! Man I suck with chargers.” She said while throwing away more octarian ink from the Charger, and having just painful flashbacks on her trying to fight the Octoshower.
She was confident with her skills on the Dualies, And Roller, and maybe her Hero Shot once she gets to upgrade it one final time, but a charger? Shell no! With a shake of her head, she went on to the Jumping Pad and Super Jumps back to the Tentakeel Outpost to return the Zapfish safely.
Much to the Agent’s unawareness, she didn’t notice that the Sun was already down and night had welcomed the world. “Heya, Mari--I mean! Agent Two!” She shouts at the Outpost in hopes of her superior Agent to respond.
Nothing.
“Agent Two? Uhhh, hello?” Agent Four continues to walk down into the very first area, and still nothing. Not a snarky, tease, or unamused response from either the headphones or just in general. “Huh. Where is she?” She says to no one, but herself as she ends up in front of the Cabinet just close to the sewer gate back to Inkopolis.
She could just leave the Zapfish in front of the Cabinet with some food, and call it a night. She did clear out the rest of the Sector today and even beat the octoboss with a charger nonetheless. However…
“Yooo! Marieee.” Agent Four takes a peek into the cabinet to find...lots of papers and a bit of mess in an office. Plus some crabby cakes bags on the floor too. “Uhh, I got the Zapfish back, and are you here---” She says out loud, but quickly quiets down upon hearing a sniffle.
Was she sick? “Wait, that ain’t me.” Four says in a whisper, as she hears more of the sniffling. Investigating, she changed her Charger for the Roller, and set on to see the cause of the sound. It all led to what appeared to be Marie’s room or office in this case? Whatever fits the bill.
“Ca-Callie…” The voice was faded, but recognizable and it was none other than Marie’s voice or rather sobs that came from there. Agent Four quickly hides just besides the door so that she wouldn’t get caught. “What happened...are you truly working...No. There has to be another reason…” Her voice seems quite broken, and for the first time Four heard it.
More sobs came from the room, and Four felt bad...unlike the sassy, teasing yet strong tone coming from Marie doing the missions throughout the kettles, this was nothing like it. “That name, Callie, was it?” Her thoughts focused on the name that was mentioned. She had a close feeling that this mission of rescuing the Great Zapfish was also about finding that Callie person to which she could only deduce is important for Marie.
Rubbing her right arm, Agent Four glances down not sure what to do at this point, but one more glance at the saddened green idol, she was on her knees and the umbrella completely flopped on the floor. “Screw it.” That's all that was on Agent Four’s head as she entered all of sudden.
Marie could only widen her eyes and see that now her shoulder had a tight yet soft grip, looking up, she could see that rookie Agent 4 is now beside her in a sideways yet awkward hug. “F-Four?!” Marie says all of sudden and surprised.
“I..uuhh, heard you in here and couldn’t let you here to wallow.” Agent 4 said with a soft yet still determined tone. Marie was out of words for the first time in many ages. She just wraps both of her arms around her fellow agent and lets the rest do the talking.
Agent 4 simply glances around, but still keeps her arms on her and occasionally patting the tentacles. Once in a while, Four would just ease her down with simple shhs, that's all she could think of for the moment. That was until she got a glimpse of the moonlight, “So, uh...Marie, you don’t mind if we see go out to get some fresh air?”
There they were. Both Agents just sitting in the Tentakeel Outpost and watching the starry night. In the daylight, this place had quite the amazing view, but right now, it was all traded by just a peaceful windy night with such beautiful skies. It didn’t take long for Marie to slowly calm herself down after the little soap opera; According to her anyway, despite the place, this did bring her a bit of peace. She could get the full one once she finds Callie. Or rather…
“It sure is cool isn’t it?” Agent Four says while putting both of her arms into the back of her head relaxing at such a cool atmosphere to which maybe she finds herself proud of suggesting.
Marie turned around to look at her and simply gave a small smile, “Yeah. It is.” She says oh so calmly yet a bit unsure in her tone. Agent Four gave a side glance at her and then anywhere else, but it wouldn be for long before Marie caught her attention once again.
“I’m sorry you had to see me in that state.” She says to which Agent Four only gave a dismissive hand wave.
“Its cool. No apologies needed. You needed that and probably had to get that out or something among those things.” Agent Four said with reassurance on her side. “You, uhh, want to talk about it? Its okay if you don’t.” She adds.
Marie looks down and grips tight on her umbrella before nodding and with a sigh preparing herself, “I haven’t been honest with you this whole time.” Marie begins her story. Agent Four leads on closer to listen showing that she’s serious on this.
“I DID recruit you to get some help in getting back the Great Zapfish, that is true, but…” Marie stops and closes her eyes before continuing, “It's also about Callie. She disappeared the same time as the Great Zapfish. You remember how I told you about me being Agent 2?” She looks at Four and nods in response.
“Yeah. You told me about it and even mentioned some Agent Three as well.” She answers truthfully.
“Yes. Well, Callie is known as Agent 1. She is also part of the Squid Sisters, we’re...well, rather were part of the musical duo.” Those words hurt when Marie first said that. Ever since that fateful splatfest, everything just derailed for quite the disaster.
“Ahh, and you think that by finding the Great Zapfish, it will be lead to Callie, right?” Agent Four said to which Marie confirms with her nod.
“You’re Correct, Agent. I’m sure of it. Whatever the Octarians did with the Great Zapfish, they were also part of Callie’s Squidnapping. It all adds up...especially after….” Marie bites her mouth not wanting to hear those words again. Those horrid words of not wanting to find Callie.
“I knew it. My gut feeling was on the right once again.” She says with a little puff and smile. That earned quite the surprise on the Green Idol’s face.
“Y-You knew??” She asks her fellow agent to which she looks at her with quite the determination.
“More like, had a sneaky suspicion of it. Something more than just a simple Great Zapfish rescue.” Four says with a little smirk and scratch on her cheeks.
“Well, look at you! Thinking that rescuing the very source of light for all Inklings is just plain and simple.” There it was, Marie’s teasing or somewhat insightful comments once again. Agent Four couldn’t help, but to snort-chuckle a bit to which it made Marie’s cheeks light up a bit with a little green blush.
“What can I say? I just go with whatever the world throws at me. If that means helping someone, then I go with it.” Agent Four said while giving quite a finger gun trying to seem like the coolest and chill squid around.
“So the world just said to you to follow the beautiful and cute yet lonely Inkling above the sewer gate?” Marie’s side yet trademark smirk appears on her face.
“Pfft, I guess you could say that. Yeah, it did.” Four’s response to which indirectly was also a flirtation to the green idol, but to that, she still wasn’t aware of it or rather the little flustered expression on Marie’s face. The Green Squid Sister could only internally say her thanks on the Agent not noticing...yet. “But yeah...knowing you, Marie… I’m definitely gonna save Callie! Those Octarians will remember not to mess with me! Heck! I’m sure the ones I splatted are already regretting joining the army and such.” She says with quite the confidence, but also determination.
“Many thanks, Agent Four. Really.” Marie said with a soft smile and was greeted by Four’s cheeky grin too. To which, Marie hums, “Ahh, but what are with those formalities, agent?”
“Hmm? What do you mean, Marie?” Agent Four asks with a smile.
“Since when do we call each other by our names?” Marie said, but not quite at all bothered, it was more of a hint of teasing. At first the Agent was confused, but soon it realized that she hadn't referred Marie to her Agent codename and raised a blush to the Inkling.
“Ah! S-Sorry, Mari--- I mean, Ma’am, I mean! Agent Two, squit!” Agent Four blabbered with a blush on trying to collect herself and actually use the name and such.
Marie couldn’t help, but to chuckle at the scene, “Agent Four is pretty adorable.” She thought.
“Heh, sorry for not using the Agent code names. Guess I got carried away, huh?” Agent Four say while scratching the back of her neck.
“Its fine, Four. We are technically off-duty, so no harm is done either way.” Marie says while waving her umbrella on to her shoulders. A few second passes and while it was a bit of silence with the occasional wind blowing, Four glances at Marie…
“Clarissa.” That's all that came out from the Agent all of sudden. Marie turned to look at her with a, “Hmm?”
“Hirian Clarissa. That's my name.” Agent Four said a bit louder with her eyes looking anywhere in trying to hide her being flustered.
“Hirian Clarissa.... “ Marie repeats at first and then with a smile, she nods.
“Yeah...I don’t mind using our names if we’re off-duty.” Clarissa looks back at the Green Idol and offers a smile. “I’ll be aware of my surroundings too. Definitely no Agent Codename. Gotta be a cool super secret agent after all.”
Before she could start blabbering once again, Marie cuts her short with an approving nod, “I don’t mind, Clarissa.” Marie says and for some reason, the Agent Four in question couldn’t help, but to have a little satisfying reaction upon hearing that.
“Y-Yeah, thats awesome, cool.” The Goldish-Inkling said with a little smile and her eyes drifting anywhere but at Marie’s sight. The green Squid Sister, though, came up with a bright idea.
“Say, Clarissa?” Marie starts and at first Clarissa was looking anywhere, but it dawned to her that Marie was now calling her that. At least, right now which is off-duty.
“Yes, Marie?” She replies to her. Marie takes out a little cellphone of her and went on to the contacts’ section.
“You wouldn’t mind giving me your number, would you?” Marie said that and Clarissa at first thought it was rather a flirty proposition, but before her face could just burst out her flustered thoughts she spoke once again, “Just to know where you are and for duty stuff.” Marie soon explains.
“O-Oh! Sure! I don’t mind.” Clarissa takes out her cellphone and stops to look at Marie. “Wait...wouldn't it be a bit risky? Because of your phone and such…” The Yellow-tentacle agent said as Marie takes out yet another cellphone.
“Perks of being an idol. You get to have two cellphones. You could say this one is the one I use in public, but the one I Really use is this one.” Marie responds. Clarissa nods and whistles at that.
“Smart. Then here goes nothing, then.” Without any doubt, The Agent 4 gave Marie her number and vice-versa. Needless to say, Marie was kind of not amused or surprised when she saw Clarissa’s nickname for any group chat or chat logs. After a trade of smirks and roll of eyes, they were settled.
“It's getting quite late, isn’t it?” She says and Clarissa looks up and nod.
“I suppose you are right.” Clarissa stands up and stretches herself. “You’re holding on okay, Marie?” A bit of over conscious tone on her part even after they settled on calling each other their real name.
“Yes. I’m feeling much better. Thank you once again, Clarissa. You really are quite the help here. I’m grateful for it.” Marie stood up and also stretched. “You’ll head back to Inkopolis, right?” She asks.
“Yeah. Probably get some food first. I’m feeling hungry. Rescuing Zapfishes and battling Octarians can get you quite hungry.” She says while thinking about her dinner, or rather whatever she finds on to eat. Marie couldn’t help, but to roll her eyes with a little smile.
“What about you, Marie? You got anything to eat?” Four says with a little smile and Marie wonders about that.
“Unless you’re in the mood for some Chips snacks, I got mostly nothing bucko.” Marie jokingly responds to which made Agent Four laugh a bit.
“Heh, hard pass.” Clarissa responds while putting away the Hero Headphones.
“Eh, don’t worry about me. I’ll make myself something to eat. You take care, okay, Clarissa?” Marie said.
“Will do...Marie.” Clarissa replies with a little wink towards the Green Idol and waves her goodbyes to the fellow Squid Sister and makes her way to change and get into her squid form to go through the sewer gate back to Inkopolis.
With Tentakeel Outpost covered at night, and Marie giving one final patrol around the kettles, she could safely get back into the Cabin. Just like she had mentioned, she went into the kitchen to try and see what she could make for dinner. However, before that, she saw the lil’ book for now of Agent 4-Factopedia. Just right now, and remembering back on how she came to hug and comfort her. In a way, it made Marie feel once again her blush coming back and felt the heat in her cheeks. Despite her trying to shake those thoughts, deep down she felt okay and safe to just let her feelings out just like that and for Clarissa to hear her out.
With a little smile, she thought of texting her back later on.
It didn’t take too long for Clarissa to finally reach her apartment….accompanied by a few last orders from Crusty Sean. It wasn’t a fancy dinner, but if anything it was also an advantage for the fellow Inkling as she can now level up faster and buy more Weapons. Still a bit undecided on which Dualies or Roller will be her best main choice.
It was a long day for Clarissa after all, a secret job as an Agent sounds cool, but also can get tiresome. However, she had a goal set in mind and that is that she’ll recover the Great Zapfish and find Callie, for Marie’s sake! And to do that, she considered hitting the hay quite earlier.
“Ahh, Sweet bed.” Clarissa looks at her bed quite tired and stretches with a lil yawn. Just before she could just flop and call it a night….her phone rang.
Agent2_Marie: Hope you got safely and got some rest, Clarissa.
Clariss Couldn't help, but smile at seeing how Marie texted her. She didn’t quite expected to be that fast, but alas, it happened.
ChillinRissa: Got home safely. Gonna call it a night for now. Sleep well, Marie! I’ll see ya tomorrow.
Agent2_Marie: Same goes for you. Night!
With that, the rookie Agent puts away her phone and takes off her shoes. The day was quite busy, and the night certainly was something. Clarissa still couldn’t help, but smile at every chance that Marie called her by her real name. If anything, Clarissa was already used to being called Four all the time. Maybe it can even be her nickname on Turf Wars and Rank Battles. After all, they were secret agents and nobody would think highly of someone going by a sole Number.
But that will be something for another day. For now, she will have to take a good sleep for the next day as that will be the Final and big sector she’d have to storm through. The goal is so close, yet so far, but that won’t be an issue for the self-claimed chill Inkling that goes with anything that the world throws at her.