The smoke goes off after the blast and this time, the blue Inkling and the DJ are lying on the ground motionless. Callie yells out his name in panic and sorrow and rushes to Agent 4 as fast as she can.

Callie: LAI!!

As she arrives, she checks on his breath and he's out of breath this time. Then, she places her ear onto his chest where his heart is. Luckily, a slight of his heartbeats gives out the slightest hope inside her heart. But didn't cure her grief and her sadness at all. She sobs and cries desperately on his chest as she lost control and Agent 2 couldn't hold it as well and cries out even with her hands covers her mouth to prevent her sobs from escaping. The others bow down their heads. Agent 6 covers her cries as she couldn't hold it and Agent 5's head turns away and sobs as she bears it all while clenching her fists with her Hero Dualies. Then, she glares at the Octavio's body.

Agent 6: Agent 4...

Cap'n Cuttlefish: He's truly a real hero and he deserves it all. The people in Calamari should know about it..

Agent 5 gritted her teeth and rush to Octavio. But she got caught by Agent 6 in her hugs.

Agent 5: LET GO OF ME!

Agent 6: No! Don't do that, Pearl!

She shakes her off free from Agent 6 and yells at her.

Agent 5: Why shouldn't I!? That slob just hurt my friend and tried to break them up!

Agent 6: Pearl...

Agent 5 falls down into sitting position and drops her weapon.

Agent 5: This is so sad... My heart feels hurt so bad that I don't want to see this.. Not at all!!

Tears starts dripping down like a waterfall as she cries while her head bows down. The Octo kneels down in front of her and pulls her into a hug.

Agent 6: Pearlie... *sob* Please don't cry...

At the truck with Octavia and Sheldon...

Sheldon: Man.. I've never want to see it ends up like this..

The Octo places her hand where her heart is as she watches the scene silently..

Octavia: ...

Then, she looks up and notices the Great Zapfish has appears out from the Octobot. It slowly flies around and lands on the arena.

Octavia: Look! It's the Great Zapfish!

Agent 5: *sob* Huh?

Agent 6: At least it's still safe and sound...

Agent 5 wipes off her tears as she pulls herself up.

Agent 5: What's it doing?

Cap'n Cuttlefish: Agent 2..?

She snaps out from her cries. Still couldn't reply properly to Cap'n's offer from her sobbing.

Cap'n Cuttlefish: You three should take a ride on the Great Zapfish first while we take the truck after fetching Octavio.

Agent 2: Sure.. Come on, Callie. We gotta go..

Callie: *sobs and nods* Okay..

The Squid Sisters both carry Agent 4's body and board onto the Great Zapfish while the rest of them are staying. The Great Zapfish then start flying away from the lair.

Timeskip...

The time's now evening, the red sky shines brightly while the sun is now setting down. As the Great Zapfish flies from the Octo Canyon. Callie who's still wearing Agent 4's suit and the outfit that DJ gave her. On the other side, Agent 2 was in her disguise except without her bandana. They both stare at Agent 4's pale face in total depressed shown on their faces. His body was totally beaten up by the blast. As the last of his will sparks. A pair of blue sapphire eyes slowly opens up. The Squid Sisters notice immediately.

Marie: He's awake!

Callie: Lai!! Please hang in there!!

Then after few seconds, he speaks up faintly..

Lai: Am I... In heaven..? That... Sky... I recognize it..

Marie: Don't say anything! You'll be fine! Don't you dare leave us alone!!

Callie: Why you have to be so foolish!! I still need you by our side!!

He coughs as he manages to catch some breath and his head slowly gazes to Callie.

Lai: Callie... I know that you've always been alone... Just like me.. Who eagerly tries to find someone else.. To be with..

Marie: Lai.. Please stop..!

Callie: No.. Let's hear it..

Marie: Huh?

The Green Inkling looks up to her cousin who's bearing her sadness, but she listens out to Agent 4 carefully instead of burst out crying.. She nods as she agrees with her cousin.

Marie: Okay...

Lai: Unlike me... You always try to be with Marie.. Because she's the closest friend to you.

Lai: Back then, I thought you're cheerful. An optimistic girl who always tries to look at the bright side.. And liven up other people's mood... But deep down inside.. I noticed and felt your pain too when you're alone or seeing other ones being hurt.

Lai: Marie was the one who chose me during that event.. And I ended up living in the same roof with you girls. As time passes, I felt the bond between us growing stronger together as we got along very well.

Lai: I did missions together with you and saved the city from the invasion. After that, the three of us formed our own team. Then.. I started to see our team as my own family. That's why.. Whenever I see you trying to carry everything on your shoulders like that.. And bottle up all the feelings you had..

Callie: Lai..

Lai: It... Hurts.. That I just can't let you be alone... And want you to be loved.

His head turns to face Marie this time..

Lai: And I'm glad.. That I made that promise with you at the very start.. Right?

She calms her emotion and smiles at him..

Marie: *nod* Yeah, you really had proved your best to it.. Thank you so much..

He smiles..

Lai: Now.. I guess I'll be rest assured.. For a while.. before I come back for you two.

He gazes back to Callie as his hand reaches out to stroke her face while his thumb brushing on her beauty mark.

Lai: Callie.. Please stay with her or by my side.. I promised that I'll keep you company..

She nods as she holds his hand..

Callie: Yes I will!

His eyes are about to close as he notices that he's out of breath.. But he struggles it enough to say out the magical words to the Squid Sisters..

Lai: And.. I love you both.. So much..

His hand falls and his eyes closes, falling asleep with peaceful look on his face that makes the Squid Sisters smiles eventually..

Marie: Rest well, Lai..

Callie: We'll come back for you.. Please wait for us.. Lai..

So then, the Great Zapfish growls in the end..

Great Zapfish: *growls gladly*

End Of Chapter...

Bonus,

Flashback in Port Mackerel.

Lai's POV

Several months had passed since the last Splatfest I had with Callie and Marie. Everyone were enjoyed battling a lot at that time, especially for the three of us. But now, I probably won't be able to feel that way again. Since both of them were busy in days and nights, it's just only me, who're still always sitting on the container, having some Sea-Salt Ice Creams while watching the sunset everyday to keep me sane. After noticing that I ran out of it, I hug my knees and bury my face in it. Wind gently blows off my hair and brushes my face like it was a gentle kiss for me. I let out a deep sigh. Then, someone walked up and tapped my shoulder. I turned around and saw it was Callie and Marie and they both were smiling at me as they have another box of Sea-Salt Ice Creams with them.

Lai: Callie! Marie! How you girls knew I'm here?

She replies cheerfully.

Callie: Well, we always come here to watch the sunset while having ice creams together! So we figured out you would be here since you're not home!

Lai: Oh.. Yeah, that's right.

Marie: Is something wrong? Lai?

I turn my head back to the view..

Lai: It's kinda obvious right now since you two are busy with all the stuffs you had. The chances for being together like this are getting harder and harder as time passes. That's what I afraid of.

Marie: *sigh* Yeah. We both felt the same way. But now..

The Squid Sisters sat beside me and Marie hands an Ice Cream to me.

Marie: We're together at last. And let's not waste any time and have fun while we still can.

Callie: She's right! Let's enjoy our monent!

I smile and gladly accept the ice cream that Marie hands me with..

Lai: Thanks girls..

My face keep grinning as they both are now by my side. Although I won't be able to feel the joy in Splatfest, but still.. I felt bliss instead.. A total bliss with them around me. We talked like we used to in the past and I'm glad it didn't change at all. Until..

Callie: Hey.. I wonder when will we get another chance like this?

Lai: Beats me.. Why?

She stares on the sky while her legs swinging.

Callie: You said chances like this are getting harder and harder as time passes and we all worried about that as well. Although we have to move on forward in our lives but still, I wish our time would just pause here forever.

The face expression she currently have worries the other two as they both never see her to be such depressed in their entire life, even the sarcastic Marie didn't want it at all. I reach my hand to hers and her head faces to us.

Marie: Callie.. I know that you're upset about this. But we both try to keep you company.

Lai: Maybe you're just overthinking.

Callie: Yeah, my bad habit.. Sorry..

I smile at her to live up her mood..

Lai: But we're always here for you so don't worry about it at all. And even the chances are harder, we still get the chance eventually. So cheer up Cal.

Marie: Yeah, that's how the life works. Just think about us and all the happy times we had in our past.

She let out a sigh and a cheerful smile shows on her face. Back to her bubbly self.

Callie: Yeah, just think about us. This might be help. Thanks!

Lai: Glad you're back to your usual self.

Marie adds up..

Marie: Yeah! Welcome back, Cal!

Callie: Thanks a ton, you two! ^^

We all smiled in the end.. Just like the usual..

Flashback ends..