Intro:

https://youtu.be/EL-D9LrFJd4

---

(Azazel's POV)

It had just hit nighttime, and I can hear the girls already having an argument.

Pearl: What?!

Marina: Come on Pearlie, it's not that bad.

Pearl: You said we'd keep him here to make sure he's okay. He's okay! So that means we kick him onto the shuffle bus, and ♪he's out of our haaaair♪! Not, "Let's invite him to stay here again!"

Azazel: You know I'm right there, right?

Marina: Pearlie, it's too late for us to just send him into the wild to survive now.

Pearl: He'll be fine!

Marina: It doesn't matter. I've already invited him to stay, and it's rude to retract an invite.

Pearl: This is my house!

Marina: We'll talk about this in the morning.

She walks me out of the room and into the guest room, and already I can hear Pearl raving in the room that we left.

Azazel: Maybe it's best that I leave.

Marina: Don't be silly. I insist you stay. Besides, the sun's already gone down.

Azazel: Thanks for the help... are you sure that Pearl is going to be okay?

Marina: Yeah, she's actually a big softie.

I looked at her very questionable. How can someone like Pearl who threated to gut me can really be a big softie? I'm getting mixed signals here.

She giggles at my response.

Marina: Don't look so surprised... save it for when she surprises you.

I gave a slight chuckle.

Azazel: Sure thing.

We walked for quite some time, then we reached the guest room where I woke up after they brought me here when I blacked out.

Marina: Well, here we are.

Azazel: Absolutely, and I'll try my best not to sneak off in the morning.

Marina giggled a bit at my comment.

Marina: *A little awkward* Well, uh, goodnight... I guess.

Azazel: Goodnight, Marina.

She walks away from where I was standing. I was standing in the doorway for quite some time, before going into the room and closing the door. I looked around the room and appreciated how nice it was compared by my crappy apartment.

Azazel: I got to admit, this guest room is really nice when I'm not hiding under the bed.

I reached my hand out to the nightstand that is next to the bed, and I decide to check out what's inside.

Azazel: Wait, what the hell?

I pulled out a book that's titled: Why You Should Worship Off the Hook by Pearl Pygmy.

Azazel:

https://youtu.be/0RAlPeBRS60

Azazel: Oh my God, that is hilarious! Man, I've got to get a picture of this shit.

I started feeling where my phone could be at, but it's not there.

Azazel: Where the hell is my phone? Did I drop it somewhere? Is it still at the Square?!

I proceeded to frantically look around the guest room for my phone. Every spot of the room was searched, under the bed, on the nightstand, in the bathroom, the walk-in closet, and so on.

Azazel: Perhaps my phone is somewhere around the house? Yeah, that could be it.

I opened the guest room door, and I sneaked out of the room, trying not to wake up Pearl and Marina. As I took one step onto the floor, it made a quiet creaking noise that echoed throughout the mansion. My heart was pounding from that, and I took note to walk more quietly.

I stopped when I heard a noise echoing through the house. At first, I thought it was someone humming. But the only people that are in the mansion are myself, Pearl and Marina. So it could only mean one thing.

Azazel: My phone.

I walked in the general direction of where the buzzing was coming from, and it got louder as I got closer. When I got to where my phone was at, I facepalmed myself.

Azazel: Of course it'd be in here.

I was a little disappointed when I found out that my phone was in the kitchen this whole time, right on the floor by the refrigerator. I walked over to grab my phone and put it in my pocket, only for my phone to start vibrating again. I check my phone to see what was going on.

Azazel: 24 missed called and 78 new messages? Who the hell has been trying to contact me?

I looked at the contact name to see Two. I was confused, who could this "Two" be?

Suddenly, I got an incoming call from "Two". Whoever is trying to contact me has something urgent to speak to me, so I answered the phone.

Azazel: Hello?

???: {Where have you BEEN?!}

Azazel: Hold on... Marie?

Marie: {Who do you think?!}

I pulled my phone away from my ear a tad bit, as to not blow out my eardrums.

Azazel: Mar-Marie. Marie. I think it's best to calm do-

Marie: {Do not tell me to calm down! I have been waiting here all day! Where the hell have you been?!}

She's really pissed off now, so it's best that I explained to her what happened.

Azazel: Okay... before you get any more furious, let me explain.

Marie: {Pssh, you better!}

Azazel: Alright, so after I left Octo Canyon yesterday, my fatigue got the best of me and I passed out in the middle of the Square. These people saw me laying on the Square and brought me to their house to make sure I was alright, and I've been here all day... I forgot, okay?

Marie: {You forgot. Yo-you forgot?! Oooooh, I know you didn't just say you forgot!}

Azazel: I don't know what else to say! I'm sorry!

Marie: {Yeah, you better be!... Making a lady wait all day with nothing to do.}

Azazel: Marie. I just... I just.

Marie: {Did you also forgot that this job you have to do is unimaginably important! I need your help.... It's just me now! Callie's gone! Cap and 3 are God knows where! I just... I thought when I found you, I'd have someone I'd be able to rely on... *sighs* Whatever. Just... Just show up tomorrow.}

She then hangs up on.

Azazel: Marie? Marie?!... Son of a bitch!

I slammed my fist onto the kitchen counter. I rubbed my face with my hands, knowing that I screwed up.

Azazel: What have I done?

Out of nowhere, a beacon of light suddenly caused me to block my eyes from it to avoid going blind. The light vanished after that, I took my hand off of my eyes to see where the light came from, though my eyes were still adjusting.

Marina: Azazel? A-are you okay?

Azazel: Oh! Hello there, Marina.

I went back to rubbing my face with my hands and resting my elbows on the counter.

Azazel: Yeah... Everything is just peachy at the moment.

Marina: Who was that?

I turned around to see Marina, who was wearing a tank top that matched her ink color, a pair of pajama bottoms, and a pair of slippers.

I look into her eyes.

Azazel: *sighs and looks down* A friend of mine.

Marina: What happened?

Azazel: Let's just say that I messed up. Really bad.

Marina: What could you have done that was so bad.

Azazel: I don't want to get into to... I feel awful.

Marina: It's fine... You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to.

Azazel: Thanks... and sorry... for waking you up, Marina.

Marina: No! It's fine. Really. I was just worried you were raiding the fridge again.

I laughed a bit.

Azazel: Well now that you mention it-

Marina: No... That's the stress talking.

I gave a slight chuckle.

Azazel: Yeah. You're probably right.

Marina: Of course I am. Now, you should probably get some rest. It's not healthy to dwell on things when you're tired.

Azazel: Sure thing, but the hard part is when you're trying to sleep when your mind wants to think.

Marina: Yeah. but what else are you going to do.

Azazel: Yeah. I'll head back to bed now. See you, Marina.

I walked out of the kitchen and headed back to the guest room. Marina also started going back to her room, but not before she hears me going through the refrigerator.

Azazel: Hmm.. One little snack won't hurt.

I then grabbed a snack and left for the guest room. Marina started to head back to her room, giggling.

---

(Pearl's POV)

The light was being born again as the day began and night waned. Pearl was now the first one to wake up in the morning. She went to the bathroom, and then headed straight for the kitchen, like normal

Pearl grabbed pancake mix, syrup, bread, and butter. She popped the bread into the toaster and started making the pancakes.

While the pancakes were cooking and she was waiting for the toast to pop up, she got some cereal and milk out, and left them next to a bowl and spoon on the table, definitely for Marina. Pearl then continued making the pancakes and toasts.

After a couple of minutes, they were done. She had a bite of one of the pancakes and a piece of toast.

Pearl: Mmm, warm breakfast for the win! *She said with a smile*

Pearl then grabbed the second serving of pancakes, toast, a glass of milk, and started heading for the guest room.

---

As I was waking up, I heard someone trying to wake me up. I didn't know who it was, but as I opened my eyes, it became clear that Pearl is trying to wake me up.

Pearl: Hey... Hey... Hey! Wake up

I jumped up at the sudden voice. I looked around to see Pearl setting an amazing looking breakfast next to me on the nightstand.

Pearl: I made breakfast, eat up.

My mouth was watering at this point, I've never seen breakfast that looked this tasty.

Azazel: Wow! This... This looks delicious!

Pearl: It's just breakfast.

Azazel: It's enough to make a grown squid cry, *sheds a tear* and that's okay.

I wolfed down the breakfast, going between the pancakes, toast, and the glass of milk.

Pearl starts to walk back downstairs giving a slight giggle before she leaves.

Pearl arrives back downstairs in the kitchen to see Marina sitting down eating a bowl of cereal. Pearl then sits down next to Marina and eats her breakfast she made earlier.

Marina: Breakfast. The most important meal of the day.

Pearl: The best meal of the day... if it's warm.

Marina chuckles.

Marina: So where did you go off to?

Pearl: I went to give Azazel his food, and I don't mean to brag, but he looked really happy to see the warm breakfast I made.

Marina: Aw, how sweet of you.

Pearl: *Blushing* Huh?

Marina: Making our friend a breakfast out of the kindness of your heart, when you were ready to throw him out yesterday.

Pearl: S-Shut up and eat your food. *She said jokingly/shyly*

(Azazel's POV)

I finished the breakfast that Pearl gave to me.

Azazel: Ah, that might of been the best breakfast I've ever had.

That feeling quickly turned into grief. I had to check my phone. I felt sad, awful, guilty, and many other things as I saw that I had no response from Marie, when I stayed up late last night, trying to call her and text her back, leaving her countless voicemails.

I went to the bathroom to wash myself, got dressed, picked up the dishes left from breakfast, and headed downstairs.

Pearl and Marina were sitting on the couch, watching TV, when Marina noticed me, out of the corner of her eye, walking downstairs. However, she noticed the distraught look on my face, and thought it's best not to confront me about it, remembering how upset I was last night. However, she wanted to comfort me, if even just for a little while.

I then went to the kitchen to start washing my dishes.

Marina: Hey.

Azazel: Hm? Oh! Hey, Marina.

Marina: So, uh, Pearl and I are going to be heading down to Inkopolis Square; do you need anything?

Azazel: Actually, that's perfect timing. I do need to head to the Square.

Marina: Cool! We're going to be leaving in a little bit, so get ready.

Azazel: Will do. *I said with a smile*

I started to head back up to the guest room to grab my phone. Marina was happy she was able to make me smile, after seeing how sad I was.

---

We've made it to the Square, Pearl started walking towards the News Station, while Marina stayed back for a second.

Marina: Okay, now Pearl and I aren't going to be done for a while, so we'll be here for a while. *She takes my phone for a bit* Now I'm putting my number and Pearl's number in, in case you need anything. I'll text you if we got held up or something.

Marina then texted herself and Pearl through my phone, so they would have my number.

Marina: You got all that?

Azazel: You bet, Marina.

Marina: *giggles* Okay, see ya!

Marina then started heading for the News Station, catching up with Pearl. I then made my way towards the sewer grate that lead to Octo Canyon.

Azazel: (Will she even be there? Of course she will, she told you to be here. But what if she just sent me here to do it without her? No. She'll be there. And then you can apologize in person.)

I then went through the grate to Octo Canyon.

---

I popped out of the grate into Octo Canyon. I immediately started looking around to try and find Marie. Then... nothing. She wasn't there. I felt an immense wave of sadness wash over me... until, I saw a note where she usually is.

It read, "Agent 4, head to Sector 2 for the new missions. I'll be there waiting."

The joy then refilled in me again, as I started heading for the launchpad that leads to Sector 2.

After I jumped there, I saw Marie. She was writing in some kind of book.

Azazel: Marie! I'm so glad to see you, I really want to tell yo-

Marie: No time. You wasted a lot of time by not showing up yesterday, so we need to get started right away.

Azazel: Marie, can't it wait for one sec-

Marie: Nope, no time. Now get to it.

Azazel: (Alright, I can do the missions, and then just tell her over the comms while I'm doing the missions.)

After a couple of missions and unsuccessful apology attempts, always ending with Marie deflecting them by quickly saying something, I reached a mission where I'd go up against Elite Octolings.

I was going through the mission like any other. Slowly, but surely getting the mini zapfishes. While on the second last one, with no more spawns, I got greedy and thought I could quickly snatch the zapfish and rush for the last one, but unfortunately, one of the Octolings knocked my shield off.

Marie: {Azazel!}

After that, I took her out, but took a few more shots without the shield.

Azazel: I'm alright, I just need one more.

I tried limping my way to the final one, wanting to grab it quickly, get out of there, and get patched up. But, the last mini zapfish was on a bit of a higher area. I tried jumping up, but couldn't get high enough, and I fell face first into the enemy ink. I really felt the pain now that I wasn't even in my own ink and landing on where I got hit.

I then heard a couple female voice behind me.

Octoling 1: Aww, look how cute he is.

Octoling 2: Yeah, it's almost sad having to splat him.

Octoling 1: He really looks hurt. We better put him down.

Octoling 2: Yeah, they don't let us keep pets at base.

Both of the Octolings raised their weapons.

Marie: {Azazel? Azazel! You have to do something, anything! Get out of there.}

Octoling 1: Any last words?

Azazel: Just... one.

A rapid beeping noise can be heard, and the Octolings looked down to see a Splat Bomb by their feet.

Octoling 2: Huh?!

Marie: {Azazel, don't!}

Azazel: Boom.

Marie heard the explosion over the comms, she fell on her knees, as she thought I was gone.

Marie: NOOOOOO!

I stood up from my ink, seeing that the two Octolings were down from my surprise attack.

Azazel: Good thing I had enough ink for a Splat Bomb, otherwise I would've been screwed. *I gave a slight chuckle*

I quickly went over and grabbed the final mini zapfish and returned to Octo Canyon.

I made it back to Octo Canyon and saw Marie rushed over to me.

Marie: What were you thinking?! You know how dangerous what you did back there was, and you know how worried I am?!

Azazel: Look, I'm sorry. I got a bit reckless back there, I thought that my plan was going to work, but it backfired.

She slapped me across my face so suddenly.

Azazel: (Oh, that one I deserve.)

Marie: That's for making me worried like that!

Marie then latched herself onto me, much to my surprise.

Marie: ...And this is for making me think that you were gone! *she starts to tear up while she was still hugging me* I'm sorry! I'm sorry for being so stubborn. I'm sorry for just throwing your apologies back into your face when you were trying to be sincere. I know I can be hard to work with. I know Callie and 3 have dealt with it before... I was just so worried about you, I'm sorry, Azazel! *she was crying into my arms*

I returned the hug as I comfort Marie, trying to keep my composure as I fight back the tears

Azazel: Marie... It's fine really. You don't need to apologize. I screwed up. You entrusted this job to me, and I didn't even last two days. I wasn't there when you needed me to be, but I'm here now, and I'm here to help you. I won't be that reckless ever again...

Marie just looked into my eyes, smiling, while she was wiping the tears from her eyes.

Marie: Looks like we both have problems.

We both laughed a bit.

Marie: You rest a bit, then we'll go take on that last guy.

Azazel: Will do.

I walked over to the bench by the cabin, and much to my surprise, Marie followed suit. She must've been tired as well. Marie sat down on the bench and rested her head onto my shoulder, a gesture to which I couldn't say no to.

---

After a little resting, I felt better and took on the last mission; the Octo Samurai.

Now that Marie and I had reconciled, we were both cheered up from our confrontation. and it could be seen in this mission.

Marie was back to her old self of making puns through the fight, and I took the Octo Samurai on with no distractions.

Marie: Whew, that was kind of insane. Great work, Agent 4. Maybe it's just me, but the Octarian bases feel like they've been given a feminine touch. Maybe they got a new decorator?

Azazel: I was just thinking the exact same thing.

???: ...Ruh... Lea... No...

Marie: Huh? This radio's on the fritz. I swear I just changed the batteries on this thing.

Sheldon: Aaaactually there is likely radio interference in Octo Canyon! All the junk around there is probably giving off electrostatic! See, a lot of consumer products use a frequency called the CPOD band! Microwave ovens are prime culprits. In fact, my micro-

Marie: *kshhhhh* You're breaking up, Sheldon. *kshhhhh* I'm going through a tunnel in an elevator. *kshhhh*

I snickered a bit.

---

(Marina's POV)

Pearl and Marina are leaving the News Station, about to head home.

Pearl: Maybe if we're lucky, he won't be here and we can leave and go home by ourselves.

Marina: Oh come on Pearlie.

Pearl: What? I'm just saying.

Marina: There he is!

Pearl: Ah, looks like he just got out of Salmon Run.

Marina: But he didn't tell us he does Salmon Run.

Pearl: Whatever.

I spotted Pearl waving for me and started walking over.

We all start walking towards their vehicle. Pearl and I chatting in the front and Marina in the back.

Marina just tuned us both out, and was just looking at me.

Marina: (Hmm, where was he?... Wait, why is Pearlie holding her in his face?... Oh. Right.) *she giggles*

-Earlier-

(Marina's POV)

Marina: Okay, now Pearl and I aren't going to be done for a while, so we'll be here for a while. *She takes my phone for a bit* Now I'm putting my number and Pearl's number in, in case you need anything. I'll text you if we got held up or something.

Marina then texted herself and Pearl through my phone, so they would have my number

---

To: Pearl

Cold breakfast is better than warm breakfast.

SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY...

https://youtu.be/Ru_H5PiyfSA

Phew, this one took quite a long time to write, but I got it done for you guys to enjoy my work. If you guys enjoyed this chapter, and if you guys still enjoy this story, be sure to show me some love, hit the vote button, and follow me to receive more new on the story. Next chapter is coming out on Sunday. As always, I'm RaveDogg, and I'll see you in the next chapter.

October 16th, 2020.