Azazel: Hey guys! Ready for some more Into the Light Remake? Just make sure that when you're reading, you turn the lights on in the room! And don't stare too close at your screen!
---
(Azazel's POV)
In the mansion that belongs to Off the Hook, I can hear Pearl and Marina arguing over me staying here as it was in the middle of the night.
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: (Not pulling the pin on that grenade. I know that from my experience from trying to stop N-Pacer and the others from arguing.)
Marina: Pearlie, it's too late for us to just send him back 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, and a queen's home is her fucking castle!
Marina had let out a long sigh as she looks at Pearl.
Marina: We'll talk about this in the morning.
She held my hand and she guided me out of the room to let Pearl blow off some steam, and she was blowing off some steam as Pearl was ranting in the room we were previously in.
Azazel: Perhaps Pearl's got a point. I should go and spare you girls the trouble.
Marina: Don't be silly, Azazel. I insist you stay. Besides, the sun's already gone down.
Azazel: Thanks for the help, Marina. So...are you sure that Pearl is going to be okay?
Marina: Yeah, she's actually a big softie.
Azazel: Huh... Never would have imagine that in my life.
She gives off an adorable giggle at my response.
Marina: Don't look so surprised. Save it for when she surprises you.
I rubbed the back of my head as I chuckled at Marina's comment.
Azazel: Yeah, I guess so.
We walked for some time upstairs and we made it over to the guest room that they let me stay in when they took me in. I opened the door and I looked at Marina.
Marina: Well, here we are.
Azazel: Indeed, Marina. I'll try not to sneak off first thing in the morning.
Marina giggled a bit at my comment.
Marina: Umm, goodnight...Azazel.
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 to my crappy apartment that I'm currently renting.
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: What's this?
I pulled out a book that's titled Why You Should Worship Off the Hook by Hime Hōzuki. It took me a minute to realize who the author is, and when I did...
Azazel:
I was breathless as I was laughing my ass off.
Azazel: Oh my God, this is fucking hilarious! Man, I gotta take a picture of this. Wow... I cannot believe Pearl would write something this funny.
I started feeling where my phone could be at, but it's not there. Which is strange because I always have my phone nearby.
Azazel: I could've sworn my phone was here.
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: Is it in another room in the house? If so, I gotta find 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 hearts 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: That's 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: What the...? 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 on who could this "Two" be.
Azazel: Is this who I think it is?
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: Wait... Is that you, 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: Marie, maybe it's best to try and calm do--
Marie: 💢 {Do not tell me to calm down, asshole! 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: Okay... 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! The other Agents are off gathering data! 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.}
Marie then hangs up on me, leaving me in the dark.
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 had failed in helping out Marie.
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... Hey 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 teal ink color, a pair of pajama bottoms, and a pair of slippers.
I look into her eyes, before sighing and looking down at the floor.
Azazel: A friend of mine.
Marina: What happened?
Azazel: Let's just say that I messed up badly. Really, really badly.
Marina: What could you have done that was so bad?
Azazel: I don't want to get into it... I feel like shit.
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.
Her comment caused me to chuckle as I rubbed the back of my head.
Azazel: Well, now that you mention it--
Marina: No... That's the stress talking.
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. Goodnight, Marina.
Marina: Goodnight, Azazel.
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... A little pick-me-up 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 to do her business and take a shower, and then headed straight for the kitchen.
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.
---
(Azazel's POV)
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 up a delicious looking smorgasbord of breakfast.
Pearl: I made breakfast, eat up.
Azazel: So many...tasty...food options!
Pearl: It's just breakfast.
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: Huh? *She was blushing*
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, baka. *She said jokingly/shyly*
---
(Azazel's POV)
I finished the breakfast that Pearl gave to me.
Azazel: Heh, that might of been the best breakfast I had since... Wow, it's been a long time since I had a good homecooked breakfast.
That feeling quickly turned into grief. I had to check my phone. I felt like shit 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. Heya, 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 and does something.
Marina: 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.
She lets out an adorable giggle.
Marina: Okay, see ya!
Marina then started heading for the News Station, catching up with Pearl. I then made my way towards the 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 reads out...
"Agent 4, head to Suction-Cup Lookout 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 Suction-Cup Lookout and I Super Jumped towards it.
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: ...Okay.
After a couple of missions and unsuccessful apology attempts, always ending with Marie deflecting them by quickly saying something, I reached my first mission against Octolings: Octoling Strike.
I was going through the mission like any other. Slowly, but surely getting the Zapfishes. While on the second last one, with no more spawns, I got overconfident and thought I could quickly snatch the Zapfish and rush for the last one. But unfortunately, my overconfidence came back to bite me as one of the Octolings disabled my shield with well-placed shots.
Marie: {Azazel!}
While my shield was down, I backflipped towards the Octoling that fired at me and I splatted her. Since there's no spawn points on missions, I'm essentially killing, something I did not want to but was forced to do by Marie.
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 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 kill 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! 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, are you reckless!?}
Azazel: Boom.
Marie heard the explosion over the comms, making her more worried as she thought I went kamikaze.
Marie: {Azazel! Are you okay!?}
I stood up from my ink, seeing that only one Octoling was killed from my surprise attack.
Azazel: I'm okay, Marie. It's a good thing I had enough ink to get them like that.
Marie: {Don't pull off a stunt like that again.}
Azazel: I was desperate and had no choice.
Marie: {Well, I... No, you have a point.}
I quickly went over and grabbed the final Zapfish and looked down on the unconscious Octoling.
Azazel: I did not want to kill you and your friends. Forgive me.
I then headed over to the launchpad and I Super Jumped back to Suction-Cup Lookout.
Once I got back, I saw Marie walking over to me.
Marie: Thank goodness you're not seriously injured, Azazel.
Azazel: What can I say, Marie? A squid never backs down.
Marie: Look... I'm sorry for being so stubborn towards you. I'm sorry for 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.
Azazel: 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.
Marie looked deeply into my eyes, smiling at me.
Marie: I think you deserve a little break. Once that's done, you and the others will head off to fight the Octo Samurai.
Azazel: Got it.
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.
---
---
I had fully rested up and was ready to take on the enemy on the last mission here in Suction-Cup Lookout.
Marie: Ready for this?
Azazel: Yeah.
Goggles: Booyah!
Gloves: This'll be cool!
Marie: Go get 'em.
We reverted to our squid forms and we went to our next stage: Fear the Octo Samurai.
We saw that the stage was more akin to a Japanese dojo as we went inside to see the boss. This was the Octo Samurai, and it threw me a katana in an act of honor.
Azazel: I guess it wants me to fight it in a one-on-one duel.
Marie: {Smoke this clown, Agent 4. For the honor of your family...or something!}
Gloves: So what's his gimmick?
Octo Samurai: Gimmick?
Goggles: We did fight against that oven, and it hates rice.
Azazel: So that would make this Octoboss no doubt the big, tough, stupid thug.
Octo Samurai: You take that back or I'll kill you!
Azazel: All right, all right. You're not tough.
Octo Samurai: That's better!
Gloves: Wait, didn't you...
Azazel: Give him a minute.
There was a short pause there for a minute before the Octo Samurai had spoken up to me.
Octo Samurai: Hey! You son of a bitch!
It rode over to me with its unicycle and using its roller, it swung at me. Thankfully, I used my speed to jump out of the way as it hit the gong.
Azazel: Now, now. That gong is not your eating disorder.
The Octo Samurai removed its roller from the gong.
Octo Samurai: You're a penis!
Azazel: So long since you've seen yours that you don't even recognize one, do ya?
It let out a war shout as it attempted to punch me with a left hook. But I was able to counter this by slashing its hand, causing the Octo Samurai to scream in pain as I grabbed its arm.
Octo Samurai: Please don't cut off mah arm.
Azazel: No.
I then sliced off his arm, causing him to scream in pain.
I then kicked him in the stomach as he was splatted from the surprise attack, leaving behind a platform that had a tentacle flailing around.
Marie: {The tentacle, Agent 4! Wail on it!}
Using the Hero Roller that Sheldon had provided me to test on, I bashed the tentacle fiercely with it and it was splatted, with me backflipping away from it.
Azazel: What's next?
It had respawned in, with its roller being locked in a horizontal position as it now had a vertical swing as an attack.
Marie: {OH, CRAP. This sucker's not messing around.}
Octo Samurai: Take this!
It leaped from a great distance and had its roller being swung down towards me.
Azazel: Oh yeah?
His roller connected with the katana it gave me, as I was blocking the fierce attack.
Octo Samurai: Not so clever now, aren't you?
Azazel: I'm full of surprises.
Unknown to the Octo Samurai, an Autobomb that I had secretly deployed in my ink was walking towards it and soon, it blew up, damaging the Octo Samurai and causing it guard to drop.
Azazel: Now's my chance!
I used my roller to relentlessly bash the Octo Samurai's chubby body in, with a final drop swing splatting it and leaving behind the same platform with the tentacle.
Marie: {BRING THE PAIN!}
I wailed on the tentacles aggressively and it splatted again, causing me to backflip away.
Azazel: Last one.
The Octo Samurai had come back for one more round, with its roller going back to its normal position as the roll spun fiercely and mechanically. To make it weirder, it started to ride on it like a motorcycle.
Marie: {An octopus samurai on a unicycle? And I thought the oven was bad.}
Azazel: Sure is weird.
It charged at me once more, leaving itself wide open. So I Super Jumped towards it and kicked it hard, causing it to fall over. It then got back up.
Octo Samurai: He thinks he's so great, I'ma show him!
I then kicked him again, causing him to get back up again.
Octo Samurai: Oh, God dammit! Alright! Go for the left! He won't see me comin' from--
As it went for the left, I saw it coming and I kicked him once again, causing him to get back up and try again.
Octo Samurai: Ahh! he saw it comin'! Fine! I'll wait down here and catch him off-guard!
Azazel: Hey. How's it goin'?
Octo Samurai: Oh, hey. I'm just waitin' for that purple jerk so I can surprise him.
Azazel: Neat.
Octo Samurai: Yeah! He'll never see it comin-- Oh.
I then kicked him out of a window, causing his body to be covered in splinters.
Marie: {Finish him!}
Octo Samurai: Urgh. All right, look. I know we said some things, but I bet if we just talk to each other a little, we could become friends. What do you say? High five?
Azazel: Down low.
Octo Samurai: Wha--?
Azazel: Too slow.
I take the katana and violently thrust it through the Octo Samurai's chest/neck. I then wait a second before pulling it out and slicing the Octo Samurai twice in the upper torso region.
Azazel: Fatality.
The Octo Samurai dropped onto the ground in half, squirting a lot of blue blood.
Gloves: Wasn't that a bit...overkill?
Azazel: A samurai would rather die then dishonor his master. That I learned years ago here in the Toyo Continent.
Goggles: What is he talking about?
Gloves shrugged his shoulders as he had no idea what I meant by that.
We went over to the Zapfish and we got it freed from the lightbulb.
Marie: {Whew, that was kind of insane. Great work, Agents. 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 as the other Agents laughed.
---
(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.
They all saw me heading out of Grizzco Industries as it looked like I participated in Salmon Run.
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.
Azazel: Hey, girls.
We all start walking towards their vehicle. Pearl and I were 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 to herself as she remembers why.
-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 and does something.
Marina: 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.
Outro:
Our boy has done it again, but this is only the beginning of his wild adventures. So stayed tuned for the next chapter. If you guys enjoy this chapter and enjoy this series, be sure to show me some love, hit that vote button, follow me to receive news on Into the Light Remake. I appreciate all of the support you guys are giving me, and I want you all to know that. So, continue with the support, it really means a lot. Chapter 26 will be coming out soon, so be sure to add this story to your library to stay up to date. As always, I'm RaveDogg and I'll see you in the next chapter. Peace out.
December 12th, 2021.