Three weeks later...

Mason was rushing towards the HQ of The New Squidbeak Splatoon (or NSS) as fast as his legs could carry him. He'd just been alerted by Marie that something bad had happened.

Slipping through the 'squid-hole' in squid form, Mason swam left, then right and then up towards the exit to the 'squid-hole' and to the entrance of NSS. While running to meet Marie, he slipped into his agency uniform as fast as he could.

"What's the problem, Marie?" he said as he run around the corner to where Marie was standing by a large window.

"You don't watch the news, do you Agent 3?" Marie said without turning around.

"Well, no... not really, why?"

"DJ Octavio has broken out of his snow globe prison" Marie replies.

"WHAT?!"

"And The Great Zapfish has vanished again..."

"Okay.... well, all we gotta do is get it back." Agent 3 said. "Simple, just like last time"

"I don't think so, Agent 3" Marie said, finally turning around. "Callie and I have recently learnt that the Octarians have been given double the training, double the security on every stage and challenge. This must be because of their defeat last year. They've actually even brought in some new Octarians to come in and help them"

"This should still be a piece of cake, Marie" Agent 3 replied.

"Don't take the Octarians for granted Agent 3, EVER!" Marie said, "I learnt that the hard way"

"I still think I can do this" Agent 3 replied, but he didn't sound that serious.

"Well, I want you to meet someone first" Marie suddenly said.

"I'm guessing your grandpa is back from his trip" Agent 3 said with a smile. "I've actually been wondering if I was ever gonna meet him"

 "Nope, he's still of overseas" Marie replied. "He says he won't be back till next weekend"

"Ok then..." Agent 3 replied, "so.... who's this guy you want me to meet?"

Marie giggled before saying "I think you mean girl, Agent 3"

The door behind Agent 3 then opened and in stepped an Inkling girl. She had pale skin, long green tentacles for hair and pale pink eyes. A Hero charger rested on her back.

"Agent 3, may I introduce the brand new Agent 4" Marie said.

The next few seconds seem to slow down, as if someone had accidentally broken the world's pace in time. But everything went back to the way it was the second Marie started talking again.

"Agent 4 (or Sophia) recently moved to Inkopolis Square a couple of weeks ago" Marie said. "We've been training her for the past two weeks and today, she is gonna begin her first mission with you, Agent 3"

"It's wonderful to finally meet you, Agent 3" Agent 4 said with joy and delight in her voice. "Callie and Marie have been telling me all about how you were able to single handly defeated Octavio"

Agent gave a quick smile at Agent 4 before turning to Marie and whispering "Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Um... sure" Marie said. "Agent 4, can you give us a minute?"

"Oh, of course, Marie" Agent 4 replied. 

_____

"I guessing you're not a fan of having a new partner, are you Agent 3?" Marie asked in a cheeky way.

"You could've told me that you were recruiting another Agent or something like that" Agent 3 replied.

"Then you'd freak out more than you are freaking out now!" Marie said. 

Agent 3 then just stared at Marie, completely speechless now. It was true though, either way he would've freaked out after learning about Agent 4.

"Just...." Marie sighed, "just give Agent 4 a go. Why don't you take her into town for half an hour or so and then come back and get on with the misson. It's time you made some friends, other than Callie and I"

Agent 3 hesitated before eventually saying "Fine, I'll give it a shot"

"Thank you, Agent 3" Marie smiled.

As Agent 3 turned to leave the room, Marie called to him "Oh, Agent 3!"

"Yeah?"

"Her real name is Sophia, in case you forgot" Marie said.

"Oh, thanks"