Chapter One: Better Days

The last few days saw an inkling bearing stylish ponytail and a slick outfit consisting of a hoodie and a pair of runners. Hard work, sweat, tears-through happiness or fear-lead to the costume being bought by a hardened and experienced inkling. Agent Four, through his adventures and love for the several arenas that began to cling onto him, he began to become a guide to those he saw more skillful than him. Even Marie, a popular and beloved pop-star, saw Agent Four as a reliable still boulder, but light and kind like a bubble. Agent Four and Marie however met before Agent Four's rise to his acclaimed position. Both inklings still remember the times that Agent Four wondered towards a grating where a Marie-in-need stood. That Marie from the past wore an elegant set of traditional clothing, and even an umbrella to accompany the set. However now, Marie's clothing looked more like Agent Four's usual set, a casual hoodie and a pair of nice comfortable sweatpants. It didn't seem like a popular and rich pop-star could wear such a thing, however, even Marie cannot deny how comfortable and convenient Agent Four's style is.

Style is not everything however, what matters more is the inkling that is behind the cloth or leather. An agent must be ready to drop everything comfortable, for something that will not get him or her inked. Agent Four knows this very well, too well.

"Hey Four, it's me," a soothing voice said, "I hope you're not busy, meet me at our spot."

Agent Four grunted. He tried not to complain, as he just sat down for a bite of the retired shoe-seller's food. Agent Four picked his backpack up, a long with his handy pair of dualies before turning to his left where the familiar grating sat on the ground. He swam before finally arriving at the destination.

"Hope I didn't pull you from something important, just get dressed and I'll tell you what's up," Marie calmly commanded before turning around, giving the male inkling some privacy.

While preparing his gear, Agent Four asked, "another Dr. Octavio situation, maybe Callie was squidnapped again, maybe-"

"No," Marie interrupted, "Sorry, that was rude. However, a new agent is set to arrive here. Gramps called her Agent Eight, weirdly enough, it was supposed to be Agent One Thousand Eight or whatever."

Agent Four giggled and smiled, "at that point we wouldn't be secret organization."

Marie saw his smile, turned away and giggled, she knew she would blush, whether she would like to admit it or not. She didn't know if she liked Agent Four or not. Admittedly however, she thought about it; she was afraid of being judged of dating an inkling younger than her, but, she knows Agent Four inside and out, she knows she would be happy with him. Right now though, her heart rests, she just exited a relationship she is less happy of acknowledging. Everyone knew about it though, including Agent Four. Agent Four was jealous during the year-long relationship. He was not very outspoken of his likeness of Marie, however, it was a linking that was more than strong. Agent Four was there through everything, from every argument and fight, which opened his fanboy perspective on her. If anything, being there for her made him more mature, and realized that Marie is more than a celebrity, she is an inkling with a heart.

Agent Four was finally done. He took a deep breath out, while adjusting every strap to make sure that he is as comfortable as possible. Marie heard all of the straps colliding with his vest, before turning around, confident that the blush dissipated.

She took a deep but silent breath before wetting her feet, "I feel like 'Agent Four' is not a very nice name calling a close inkling. However, I don't really have a nickname for you, so, sorry if 'Four' is an unfamiliar name."

Agent Four, the silent but happy inkling that he is, nodded and smiled. Marie took it as an approval before moving herself to the right. Her movement allowed more room to become available for Agent Four and his dualies to sit beside her. Agent Four sat beside her, before his stomach grumbled at the missed meal he once had five minutes ago. Marie smiled, "don't worry Four, I'll make sure your troubles are paid."

Agent Three, a familiar female face, quickly rolled outside the circumference as soon as she popped out of the grating. Cap'n Cuttlefish emerged, accompanied by a timid but new face. Callie also came out, immediately placing her hands on the shy octoling's shoulders.

"You'll be fine, if you can get out of a long tunnel full of taverns of death, and then surface up, what can you not do," Callie, the cousin of Marie, assured the newest agent.

"Here, let us start the conversation, I'm Marie, and this is Agent Four," Marie smiled.

"Hi," Agent Four calmly breathed out.

Without a single warning, Pearl and Marine leaped out of the grating, scaring everyone.

"Pearl you didn't have to swim that fast, they're not going to leave us," Marina groaned.

The bubbly, but tough, Pearl just smiled. Marina, the near opposite of Pearl, calmly walked over to Marie.

"Don't worry, this octoling remembered to do the news," Marina pointed to herself in a calm and collected manner.

Pearl walked over and stood beside Marina. Both the short and light Pearl, and the calm and collected Marina saw the subtle but crucial interactions between Agent Four and Marie. After waiting till Agent Three, Cap'n, and Callie took Agent Eight for a tour around every spot of the secret base. The four watched the three disappear around the corner. Then Pearl and Marina locked eyes with Agent Four and Marie simultaneously in an almost comedic way.

"So Agent Four, how are you," Marina calmly but attractively asked the agent.

Pearl attentively watched for any hint of jealousy in Marie's face. Miraculously enough for Marie, she kept her cool and stance. No sign of jealousy was shown. Marie used a fair amount of strength to make sure Pearl only saw what she wanted to show Pearl.

"I'm good, but hungry. I was pulled here-," Agent Four halted himself, being careful not to make himself look less reliable, "but hey, I'll just go back to the square later,"

Marie pulled Pearl's shirt to bring her closer to Pearl's tiny ears, "I know what you're looking for, don't even try."

"Awe that is quite unfortunate, I love seeing people grow into each other," Pearl winked.

"Was there an innuendo in there," Marie asked, knowing how Pearl is, "you're a surprising handful for your size."

Pearl playfully punched Marie's shoulder. Marina laughed with Agent Four, recalling funny misadventures and moments both witnessed. From Agent Four's funny fails in Rainmaker, to Marina accidentally mashing random characters into the teleprompter after seeing Pearl's cute smile, both had a lot to talk about. Everyone was surprised about Marina and Agent Four's surprisingly close friendship. No one knew an active-till-death inkling can connect so much with a calm and collected octoling. For better or for worse, this friendship sparked an awakening in everyone's minds. From the potentials of agents dating each other, to the reassurance that octoling and inkling can live peacefully together.

Marie grew jealous during the long conversation. She tried distracting herself with Pearl, admitting and revealing new revelations that circled her mind relating to Agent Four. Marina and Agent Four smiled, laughed a little, and shared some moments of good faith. As much as he tries, Agent Four's friendship with Marina always places fears in his mind that Marie might see love in between the two. Agent Four loved Marina, but only as a friend and mentor. Agent Four liked Marie, however, his mind cannot piece together if he loved Marie or not.

Marina closed her conversation with Agent Four, before motioning Pearl back to the grating. Pearl closed her teasing with Marie and swam through the grating. This left Agent Four and Marie alone together.

"Marie, why did you make me change into my hero suit? Everyone else was wearing their casual clothes, including you!" Agent Four asked in a giggly and light manner.

Marie, seeing Agent Four's giggly face, smiled and shook her head, "Sorry, I didn't know they would be wearing anything other than their agent suits."

Agent Four in an attempt to ensure his place in her life as a reliable and solid inkling whispered, "I'll do anything for you."

Both blushed, Marie, in an attempt to hide hers, turned away and whispered back, "I know."