Chasing Chaos - An Order Up Sequel

Part 5 - "Pearls of Wisdom"

"Hey," Acht greeted as the elevator doors opened.
As usual, the group of four re-entered once again. They just finished Floor Three, which was honestly pretty easy in Agent 4's opinion, and it was at least 70% because of the team matchup. Agent 4 with Cyrus, and Agent 8 with Pearl - it was pretty much the best way to go, since no one in those pairs were on bad terms with one another!

...They really hoped that the teams could stay that way, despite being a 1/3 chance.
It was possible!
...By a miracle!

"Welcome back! You made quick time!" Marina beamed, "If we keep it up like this, we'll reach Floor Ten before we know it!"
"That's the spirit, 'Rina! We're fast as light, outta enemies sight, we'll win this fight, alright, alright!" Pearl rapped spontaneously.
"Sooo cool..."

Agent 4 raised an eyebrow. The constant awestruck comments by Marina...they seemed a little bit strange, or out of character. On the news, Marina seemed to make witty remarks against her bandmate every so often.
Then again, they didn't know Off the Hook very well in person - despite being a friend of Callie and Marie, and despite the fact that their roommate is friends with them. Maybe they were just playing characters on Inkopolis News? Strangely enough, it seemed that the same question was on Cyrus's mind.

"What's with the comments?" He asked, "Y'know, praising Pearl. Haven't you two been in a band together for like, eight years?"

"Whoa. Has it really been eight years, for serious?" Pearl looked towards Marina.
"Yeah! I remember it like it was yesterday..." she swooned, "When we first met on Mt. Nantai, everything was new and different. I barely knew how to speak your language! Pearl taught me everything I needed to know about life on the surface."
"D'aww, 'Rina, give yourself some credit! You're a GENIUS, and learned you quick!"
"I had a great teacher!"
Acht sighed. "I'm surprised you don't talk more like Pearl..."

"Ah, I see. Pearl practically saved you," Cyrus nodded, "but that was eight years ago, right? I mean, I saved Agent 4 two months ago, and you don't see them swooning over me like you still do over Pearl."

There was a tiny, tiny voice in the back of Agent 4's head that told them to pretend to swoon over Cyrus for a joke. Just for a little joke. A little sarcasm.
But they refrained. They didn't want in on the feud and they didn't want to fan the flames either. The elevator was no place for jokes.
It was just for...three people arguing and three other people trying to stay out of it...as always. Maybe, just maybe, that could change, but they wouldn't get their hopes up, and neither would Acht or Agent 8.

"HEY! If you don't stop messin' with Rina I'm gonna MESS YOU UP, capische?!"
Pearl exclaimed.

"I don't think you'll have much luck." Cyrus just crouched down to meet the inkling's eye level and, with a sly smile, said "Didn't anyone ever tell you? You're supposed to pick on someone your own size."

"THAT'S IT! I'M GONNA- -"

Agent 4 swiftly pulled Cyrus away, and Agent 8 did the same with Pearl.

"Sheesh, Agent 4. You know I was just messing." He shrugged.
Agent 4 glared.
"Hey! Don't give me that look!"

"Phew...thanks, Agent 8," Pearl sighed, "I was about to tear him apart, no mercy!"

Cyrus glanced at Agent 4, knowing that if he said anything further, they'd get mad.

"I'm beginning to regret getting on this elevator..." Acht remarked.

Ding!

"Oh, we're at Floor Four!" Marina smiled, "Just one more, and we're halfway through already!"
"Already? Did you miss the part where Pearl and H4CKER spent an hour trying not to kill each other?" Acht sighed, "if we get that matchup again, we could be here forever. May the odds be in your favor."