Intro:

https://youtu.be/EL-D9LrFJd4

---

(Azazel's POV)

It was around 10:35 am that I woke up and started the day like anybody would.

Azazel: Well, time to start my morning routine.

I grabbed a towel from my closet and went to take a quick shower. After my shower, I would go down to the kitchen and prepared myself breakfast. The meal is typically composed of fish, eggs, waffles, and coffee.

Azazel: Alright, let's head to the square and hope I can find a job.

I then walked out of my apartment and headed to the square.

A few minutes later

The square was starting to become busy, with people roaming the streets, going to the shops to buy whatever they need, and going out to play some turf wars. One town with a million problems. The one and only Inkopolis, the Big Kelp itself. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.

Azazel: There's got to be somewhere that I can get a job at, I don't want to end up homeless.

Though when I got to the square, I noticed that something is not quite right with the tower.

Azazel: Huh, that's odd. Isn't the Great Zapfish supposed to be there or something?

I decided to shrug it off. The giant TV screen on the tower suddenly went live, and Off the Hook are on.

Pearl: Y'all know what time it is!

Marina: It's Off the Hook, coming at you LIVE from Inkopolis Square!

Pearl: Check it! Here are the current Regular Battle stages!

Marina proceeded to spin the records twice to show off the battle stages.

Pearl: Look at me! I'm Marina! BLAH BLAH BLAH!

Marina: Ahaha! Yeah, that's so me!

Azazel: Humor at it's finest. What's next?

Pearl: And these are the current Ranked Battle stages!

Marina again spun the records to show off the ranked stages.

Pearl: Ahhhhhhh! I just love the smell of the salty sea air!

Marina: But how can you tell it apart from the smell of your teammates' tears?

Azazel:

https://youtu.be/oUKqEl8nzuM

Pearl: Here are the League Battle stages!

Azazel: (Here it comes.)

Marina changed the pictures again using the records.

Azazel: (Aren't they forgetting something that's clearly obvious right now? Seriously?)

Pearl: Uh... Why is our producer freaking out? Read the teleprompter, Marina!

Marina: Huh? Let's see here...

The screen has switched with the usage of Marina's records.

Azazel: (That thing sure can do anything. Can it fix my problem of finding a fucking job?!)

Marina: This just in! The Great Zapfish has... disappeared?!

Azazel: 

https://youtu.be/95_GfZmx7ZU

Pearl: Wait, like, for reals?! I feel like I've heard this story somewhere before...

Azazel: No shit, Sherlock.

Marina: There's more! Pop superstar Callie of the Squid Sisters has gone missing!

As soon as I heard that leave Marina's mouth, I started getting quite a bit nervous.

Azazel: Dear God...

Pearl: NOOOO! Not Callie! This is terrible! Do something, Marina!

Marina: Uh... OK, I'll put together a search part-

Pearl: Whatever. I'm sure they'll turn up at some point. In other news...

Azazel: Now hold on just a second.

Marina: But shouldn't we form a search party of somethi-

Pearl: And that's all the time we've got!

I then facepalmed myself

Azazel: God dammit, you forehead gremlin.

Pearl: Until next time...

Pearl & Marina: Don't get cooked. Stay off the hook!

The screen then cut to static.

Azazel: Shit just got real! I just hope they'll be able to find Callie. But right now, that's not important. The important thing I need to do is find a job.

The moment I proceeded to walk through the square, I saw something out of the ordinary.

Azazel: That's not something you see everyday.

I noticed a lady standing in the middle of a sidewalk. She appeared to be wearing a kimono. Is she from Calamari County? The only way to find out is to ask. But as soon as I got close, she disappeared.

Azazel: Maybe I'm just seeing things.

I walked to Crusty Sean's to get some lunch, and I picked up a note that reads, "Follow me."

Azazel: What the hell?

There's no turning back now.

Azazel: Well, here goes nothing.

I transformed into my squid form and entered the grate.

---

I would say half an hour has passed since I entered the grate. When I finally got out, I was on what appears to be some kind of Japanese settlement.

???: Hmm... The Octarians... Hey... You showed up! As soon as I saw you aimlessly wandering around the square, I knew you were the one.

Azazel: (The one? What is she talking about?)

Marie: I'm Marie. I know you're probably a bit starstruck, but I need you to get over it. Yes, I'm THAT Marie.

She struck her signature pose.

Marie: You know... from the Squid Sisters.

I stared at her for at least half a minute, before I broke the silence.

Azazel: I don't want to sound rude, but that doesn't ring a bell.

Marie: You've never heard of me? For eel? Well, you obviously aren't very cultured, but you'll have to do. See, I've got a little...thing I need some help with.

Azazel: (Do I just stand here or do I make a run for it?)

Marie: By now, you've heard that the Great Zapfish that powers Inkopolis Square is missing. Well, it's not just missing--it's been squidnapped by the Octarian menace! How do I know this? On the surface, I may just look like an absurdly talented pop star...

Azazel: How modest of you.

After I said that, she just stared at me wide-eyed, her mouth scrunched up, and looking angry in her eyes. I'm clearly starting to irritate her.

Marie: But in truth... I'm Agent 2 of the New Squidbeak Splatoon, a secret society of heroes who save the world from Octarians!

I have the slight feeling I'm joining some sort of Inkling Justice League or something for that matter.

Marie: Now, I've been trying to keep an eye on the Octarians in my downtime, but I'm a busy girl.

Azazel: (Now I honestly don't know how she hasn't managed to not let the Great Zapfish get squidnapped... again.)

Marie: (If only Callie was around to lend a hand...) Ahem... I need YOU to go get the Great Zapfish back from those slimy Octarians! What do you say? Are you in? ... *ahem* Soooooooooo... I'll take your awkward silence as a yes.

Azazel: Hold on, I haven't even considered the thought of-

Marie: Too late! Welcome aboard! You are now Agent 4 of the New Squidbeak Splatoon. I even bought you a brand-new Hero Suit as a signing bonus.

I look down and I noticed my clothes have been completely changed. Though they do feel old and quite tattered, like someone had worn them before me.

Azazel: What the hell? How did you managed to changed my clothes like that?! I didn't even see you move!

Marie: Ahaha, that's not important! And look at that-it fits like a glove! (Not bad for an old hand me down.) Now, let's go tear those Octarians limb from limb from limb from limb from limb from- Well... you get the picture. Oh yeah- the entrances to the Octarian realm are invisible, so you'll have to ink then to reveal them.

Azazel: I only have 3 questions that I want to ask you.

Marie sighed as she turned around to see me

Marie: Fine. What are your questions?

Azazel: One- Do you see anything whilst changing my clothes? Two- Was this suit worn by a previous agent? And three- Do I get paid for these missions?

Marie was slightly blushing as she heard the first question

Marie: One- I did not! Two- That's classified. And three- I'll pay you for how well you perform on these missions.

Azazel: I appreciate your honesty, and thank you. (Well, looks like I just found a job. That part is over.)

Marie: (For someone like him, he's actually well mannered... and kind of cute.)

Marie then blushes slightly

She guides me towards the first area,  where I begin my career as an Agent of the New Squidbeak Splatoon.

Marie: Okay, so there are these invisible grates all around. You have to ink them to reveal them. Once they're revealed, you can enter them to start your missions.

She proceeds to look over at me.

Marie: Did you get all of that?

Azazel: Loud and clear, ma'am.

Marie: Perfect. Then you can start the mission.

Azazel: Here goes nothing.

I inked the area to reveal the grate, I stepped onto the revealed grate, and off I go into the first mission.

SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY...

https://youtu.be/Ru_H5PiyfSA

I'll just say this, the amount of time it took for me to write this chapter was just mind-boggling to me. Next chapter will be released on Thursday this week, and if you enjoyed it, consider following me to keep up with this story, because I want to continue making this story. I'm RaveDogg, and I'll see you in the next chapter.

October 13th, 2020