Pearl POV

An alarm was going off for about ten minutes, with three of those minutes being spent on the tiny squid trying to reach for her phone with the alarm without getting up.

Once she had gotten it she turned off the alarm and laid there flat for a minute on her face before slinking herself upwards and pinching her eyes almost all the way shut to look at her phone screen.

She yawned while checking the time.

Pearl: Yo, sweet, new record for shutting off the alarm...

She rubbed her eyes and proceeded to slowly and lazily get up out of her bed. Once she was finally up, she headed for the kitchen to get some breakfast before even changing out of her pajammies.

While she was walking through the halls and scratching herself, she noticed she had walked past an open door and backtracked to take a look inside.

Inside the room was a tall Octoling who was seemingly drooling on a desk in front of her laptop.

Pearl: Hol' up. Marina? You're still here?

She asked confused at the presence.

Marina immediately shot upwards out of the seat.

Marina: IT'S DONE!

Pearl: Huh?

Marina turned and saw Pearl standing there looking at her. Both of the two looked tired with one out of laziness while the other was out of sleeplessness.

Marina looked like she was trying to focus her vision on Pearl.

Marina: Pearlie? What time is it?

Pearl: Early.

Marina thought to herself for a moment.

Marina: If you're saying it's early, it must already be pretty late...

She said out loud to herself before seemingly falling asleep while standing up right there.

Pearl snapped her fingers in front of Marina's face waking her up again.

Marina: I'M UP!

Pearl: Marina, I get this project you've been workin' on and you're doing it while we're on the tour's break, but I think you should cut back on it a bit and not stay up all night doing it. It's not good for your health, yo.

Marina: Pearlie, you stay up until morning to play video games all the time.

Pearl: Exactly! Important work!

Marina: Well it doesn't matter!

She said in a happy and tired manner.

Marina: Because I finished it! I'm finally done!

Pearl: Oh, for real? That's awesome, Marina!

Pearl turned around back towards the door.

Pearl: Let's celebrate with a winner's breakfast.

She said while smiling both at Marina's accomplishment and the thought of how she was still hungry.

She was distracted by the realization that Marina didn't respond and she didn't hear any noises behind her. So, Pearl turned around and saw Marina was once again standing up sleeping in the middle of the room again.

Pearl: Or, I guess I will while you can enjoy a celebratory nap.

Pearl said as she walked over to Marina and started guiding her hand to the bed so she could lay down peacefully and get her energy back.

Marina: I'm not... that tired, Pearlie... I can go for breakfast...

She spoke while only half awake and barely even conscious.

Pearl: Yeah, yeah, we can when you wake up from some actual sleep. I'll have a nice bowl of cereal waiting for you.

The tiny squid entertained her as she covered the Octoling up with a blanket.

Marina: Thanks, Pearlie... you're the best...

She said with her eyes already shut as she proceeded to pass out.

Pearl: Of course I am.

Pearl smiled cockily while going to leave the room. Before doing so, she walked back into the room some more to shut Marina's laptop for her as well and then she quietly shut the door.

~~~

Marie POV

Marie found herself with her cousin chatting in their old Inkopolis Plaza studio like they did most days.

Callie: Marie? Helloooo? You in there?

Marie snapped out of it.

Marie: Oh, I'm sorry, Callie. I was just thinking about some stuff.

Callie: Geez, and people call me the airhead.

She said looking proud and mighty.

Marie: For good reason.

Callie just stuck her tongue out at her cousin before the too both laughed.

Callie: So, what's been up with you lately, Marie?

Marie: Hm? What do you mean?

Callie turned in her seat to sit in it sideways and held her head up on her palms.

Callie: You've had more time to be hanging out with me again recently. Did (Y/N) finally get too busy for even the great and mighty Marie too?

She said teasingly but with a hint of annoyance.

Marie kept her composure but still looked down considering what to say.

Marie: I just figured that I should be keeping a closer eye on you since you're my cousin. Don't want a menace to society on the loose in the city.

Callie: Marieee...

Callie pouted with an overdone amount of anger making her just look silly.

Callie then sighed realizing she wasn't gonna get a serious answer out of Marie.

Callie: Well, anyway, I'm glad to have my fellow menace to society back and able to hang out with me more. I was beginning to think you two forgot about me.

She said with a joking chuckle, but Marie snapped back with a serious response and a face indicative of some strong emotion that confused Callie.

Marie: I would never forget about you, Callie!

Callie jumped back a bit at Marie's serious declaration so suddenly to her joke.

Callie: Marie...?

Marie realized her lapse of emotion and collected herself.

She responded with a chuckle trying to play it off as a joke.

Marie: I mean, how could I ever forget about someone as boisterous as you are.

Callie gave a nervous chuckle that she forced out.

Callie: Haha, right...

Marie hoped she hadn't let the mask slip too much.

Marie: I saw that new episode of the show you're in on TV yesterday.

She said trying to deflect and change the topic. Meanwhile, she still had the same thoughts clinging to her mind right now.

~~~

Veronica POV

Veronica always kept a happy and energetic presence to herself. Which is why seeing her in her current form would welcome the idea that this was an entirely different person.

Veronica was lying in her bed under the covers with the lights off. The only light in the room came from the window.

It was the middle of the day but still, the Octoling had no intention of leaving her bed for any unnecessary reason.

She didn't even find herself doing anything in here. Not even trying to sleep at all either. Occasionally, she'd just scroll on her phone aimlessly, but past that, nothing.

She heard her stomach rumble, but despite that, she felt no hunger. Though she knew how she felt and how her body felt disagreed and she had no intention of starving herself.

She forced herself out of bed and to the kitchen. She didn't have a taste for anything and she couldn't bring herself to take the time to cook anything for herself that she had to be involved in heavily. So, she checked the cabinets for anything to eat.

Veronica hadn't left her house much since her return, but Marie did come and drop off a bunch of groceries for her, probably due to her knowing well that there was nothing in this house to eat or drink... for so long.

Veronica didn't say much more than one-word replies to Marie when she had come.

Upon looking around the cabinets, she found a bag of chips and she decided that it would do.

She opened up the bag and clutched it to her chest as she started heading back to her room with it. She was already eating some chips on her way there, and when she got back to her room, she saw the empty cups and plates she had left in there, remembering their existence once again.

It was becoming a bit of a mess, but she didn't feel like cleaning them up yet and decided she'd do it later before she then got back in her bed and went to lay down while eating her chips.

However, right as she was about to be fully laid down, someone started knocking on the front door. She sat there for a second questioning the knocking.

Veronica: [If I don't answer, will they go away..?]

She sat there for a second before thinking that the person wasn't going to leave and regretted the idea of being so rude, so she got back up and dragged her feet over to the front door.

She opened it and revealed someone she hadn't seen in a while.

Callie: Oh, heya!

Callie said after nearly knocking on the door again.

Callie: I wasn't expecting you.

Veronica: Hi.

Callie looked at Veronica and she seemed to be taken aback by the Octoling's disheveled appearance.

Callie: Is, uh... everything okay?

Veronica: I was just eating.

Callie: Oh, okay...

The two sat there a bit awkwardly.

Veronica: Do you wanna come in?

Callie: Yeah, that'd be nice!

Veronica stepped back and opened the door, allowing the idol into her house.

Callie was just looking around a bit awkwardly not sure what to say.

Callie: Soooo, what have you been up to?

Veronica: Not much. Just got back.

She answered plainly.

Callie: Cool, how was... uh...

Callie was rolling her hand like she was trying to think.

Veronica: The Off the Hook World Tour?

Callie: Yeah, that! How was it?

Veronica: Good.

Callie: That's good, that's good. And how long have you been back?

Veronica: A little while now.

Callie: Ah, mhm.

Callie was once again staring at Veronica and her appearance.

Callie: Are you sure you're okay? Your eyes look so... tired?

Veronica: I don't mind having you here, Callie, but is there something you wanted?

Callie: I was just wondering... if (Y/N) was here or not. I haven't seen him in a while and I seem to always miss him when he's supposedly here.

Veronica locked onto the word "supposedly" in Callie's sentence.

Veronica: He's not here right now.

Callie watched as Veronica's expression didn't miss a beat.

Callie: Are you sure? Because-

Veronica: He's not here.

She stated once again matter-of-factly before her phone buzzed a bit and she pulled it out and she saw something that made her eyes grow a bit of shock which would've been the first bit of strong emotion Callie would've seen on her so far if she had been paying attention.

Callie: Well, do you know when he'll be back?

Veronica: I don't know, but I've got to go.

She said as she started walking over to the door and putting her shoes on.

Veronica: Do you mind locking the door for me before you leave?

Callie: Wha- I- uh, sure?

Veronica: Thanks.

She said as she left and shut the door behind herself.

Callie was confused at the sudden exit and looked around the empty house.

Callie: So lonely here all by myself... I wonder when (Y/N) will be back.

~~~

(Y/N) POV

Big Man was looking concerned at the situation in front of his eyes while Shiver just merely looked entertained.

In front of them was (Y/N) on the ground on his stomach while Frye was standing above him and pulling him by the arms backward to bend him.

Frye: Apologize!

(Y/N): Never!

Frye: HE CHOOSES DEATH!

She proceeded to pull harder and bending him so far he was almost the letter "U".

(Y/N): AAAAAAA-

His eyes went wide.

(Y/N): -Wait, do it a little bit more.

Frye didn't say anything but pulled a bit more.

(Y/N): Ooh, right there, that's the good spo- TOO FAR! TOO FAR! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRYYYY!

Frye let go causing Big Man to relax and Shiver to look disappointed that the fun had ended so quickly.

(Y/N) tried to relax a bit after just being bent like a pretzel and letting out his gripes.

(Y/N): It was just a snack-

Frye barely let him finish before she bit him.

(Y/N): OW!

Frye: It wasn't just a snack!

Her eyes grew wide like a small adorable animal.

Frye: It was my snack... I was saving it for last...

(Y/N) sighed at how adorable and grief-stricken she looked.

(Y/N): I'm sorry... I'll make it up to you later.

She still had the big-eye look on her face but she hugged him closely.

Frye: You better...

She said while kissing the spot she bit him on to make him feel better.

Shiver: Booo, break him more!

Big Man: Ay! (Shiver!)

Shiver: What? Did you see how far he was bent?! I didn't even think she'd get him that far and yet his body still functions right! We have an obligation to science to see how far he can go!

Big Man: Ay? (What science institute needs to know that?)

Shiver sat silent for a second.

Shiver: World record book...?

Big Man just shook his head disappointedly.

Shiver: We'd get a picture in it and everything!

Big Man didn't even bother replying to her and just walked away shaking her head.

Shiver: I don't think you understand the gravity of it all, Big Man!

She said yelling after him.

Shiver: Maybe even a cash prize!

Big Man had already walked away and wasn't listening while the other two were cuddling and not paying attention to Shiver as she started pouting.

~~~

Veronica POV

Veronica had made her way up to the front door of the building and knocked. She tried her best to rush over as quickly as possible while also taking a second to freshen up.

In barely any time, the door opened to reveal Pearl.

Pearl: YO! There you are, Eight. Come on iiiiiin, Marina's waiting on us.

Veronica nodded and walked in past Pearl who shut the door behind them.

Pearl led the way ahead of Veronica.

Veronica was preparing herself for this. She knew how important this was. Not just to Marina, but a lot of people. She could help a lot of people by helping Marina try out her new creation if it worked.

So, she smacked herself lightly on both cheeks a couple of times and decided she'd leave her sadness behind her for now.

Pearl led Veronica into the room Marina was waiting for them in.

Veronica saw Marina with a pair of round glasses and a black suit coat around her.

Pearl: 'Rina, Eight's here. Everything ready?

Marina looked up from her laptop at the two and smiled at them.

Marina: It's good to see you, Eight! I know we've all been together on tour for a while now, but I already missed you since this break's started.

Veronica smiled at the intelligent Octoling whom she admired.

Veronica: I've missed you both two. I've just needed to... rest a bit recently.

Pearl: That makes one of you. Marina wasted no time pulling all-nighters to work on this doodad.

Marina: Memverse.

Pearl: Yeah, that. So, are we all set? The sooner we do this trial run and prove your work is flawless, the sooner you can actually relax.

Marina: Oops! Sorry. Yeah, everything's almost set to start. I've just got a bit more to do first. Which includes-

She pulled up from under the desk a giant metal helmet with wires coming out the sides of it.

Marina: -I'm going to need you to put this on, Eight.

Veronica: Isn't that an Eye of Justi-

Marina: MEMVERSE ENTRY HELMET! 

Pearl: I don't really understand what all the hubbub with this going on here, so let's get a move on with it, Eight. No point stallin'.

Veronica just shrugged her shoulders.

Veronica: Okay.

Marina pulled over a seat for Veronica to sit in before Marina lowered the helmet onto Veronica's head.

Veronica was now just left to sit and wait inside this helmet.

Marina handed some wired thing to Pearl to which she took it and held it to the side of her head. It's probably an ear piece, Veronica figured since Marina also had her headphones plugged into the laptop.

Veronica: So, how long until it starts?

Marina: Not too long.

Pearl: Is that a "not too long" or is that a Marina "not too long"?

Marina just giggled and kept going at it on her keyboard.

Veronica was left waiting for however long this could take now causing her mind to wander and think again about her missing roommate.

She was happy that the helmet stopped the other two from being able to see her face so they didn't catch on to how down she had been recently. She enjoyed the opportunity Marina was giving her with this. Veronica was already happy to help Marina with this project when Marina and her had discussed the whole point of this, but now it gave her a purpose to fulfill to keep her occupied. Otherwise, she'd probably still just be sitting in her room some more and wasting away.

Still, while she was sitting unable to do anything in this helmet waiting, she had nothing else to do but to think about the thing that was causing her to act like that. And instead, she thought back even farther.

Veronica: [Should I have told Pearl and Marina no on their offer to come help them on tour? No, I wouldn't want to leave them on their own to deal with everything... Was there something I could've done to help him more..?]

Thinking about it left her feeling empty on what she could've done since it didn't matter. She couldn't change the past. No matter how much she wants to.

Veronica: [Why couldn't things just stay the way they were.....]

~~~

???: Heeey! HELLOOOOOOOOO?! Up and at 'em, Eight!

There was such a bright flash of white light.

???: Yo, Eight! You awake or what?!

The unseen person seemed to move around her for a second while she was still out of it.

???: Do you know who you are?

She thought to herself for a moment, piecing together her thoughts.

???: Any bruises? You seem good.

The person seemed to look her over and make sure she wasn't physically hurt.

???: What about a headache? You OK?

The person seemed to look at her and how she was keeping her eyes shut, assuming maybe something was wrong with her head.

???: Can you see me?

The Octoling opened up her eyes to see the one that was standing before her.

???: Lemme get a close look.

She was surprised though at the... person... in front of her. Who wasn't standing at all.

???: Word! That's the Eight I know!

The person claimed as she got up off the ground finally and onto her own feet.

She looked around a bit trying to get her bearings on where she was and what was going on. There was white ash falling down all around her in this place that was nothing but the dulled white color everywhere.

???: Nice. If you hadn't come around, I didn't have a plan B!

The pink drone that had been talking to her this whole time since she's woken up flew back around in front of her once more.

???: What's up? I got something on my face? Oh, right! You wouldn't recognize me like this.

The drone did a little spin with a musical clip playing for a second before rounding back to be back in her face.

Pearl: I'm Pearl! You know, your bestie!

The two stood, at least the one that can stand, looking at each other for a moment in complete silence aside from the sound the drone made.

Pearl:  . . .

The drone flapped the flipper things on the side of it and got a bit closer.

Pearl: No, for serious! I'm legit Pearl! Not sure how I got this way, but here I am.

The drone proceeded to look both left and right while continuing to speak to her.

Pearl: Not sure where Marina went either. She's supposed to be with me.

At the look of confusion on her face, this Pearl drone went back to looking at her.

Pearl: Eight...don't tell me you don't remember Marina either. It's cool. You just woke up. Might take some time for your head to clear.

The Pearl drone did another spin around and then displayed a floating picture with a laser projector thing to show a picture of a short Inkling in a big puffy outfit topped with a crown and a tall Octoling wearing an orange suit donning a pair of headphones.

Pearl: That's Regular Me on the left, OK? And the one on the right is Marina! You got any idea where we should go from here? Marina's usually around to help me with that.

Pearl stopped displaying the picture and lifted one of her flaps up like a hand taking charge.

Pearl: Oh! Duh! We should go find Marina. She'll know what to do! C'mon, Eight! Let's get going!

3263 Words

May 3, 2024 - 3:10 A.M.