The scent of the night flowers drifted through the air. The water from the nearby stream seemed to trickle ever so delicately into a small pond. Out in this small corner of the world, a young Inkling looked up at the sky, her brilliant orange eyes watching the full moon in all of its glory. Hero…

That was the last word she remembered from her journey. Hero. The Inkling sighed as she looked down her phone, deliberately ignoring the many missed calls the decorated the lock screen. She sighed, setting down the phone and looking up at the sky once more. The click of a pair of geta made her glance, seeing a familiar face sit down beside her. "Hey, Marie…"

"Now what are you doing out here all by yourself, Agent 4?" Marie had questioned as she took a glance at the Inkling's disposition. "You're usually so energetic. Is something the matter?"

"No, it's just… Well…" Agent 4 gazed upwards at the moon once more. "... I'm a hero."

"Well, of course you are," Marie hummed. "Yet a wise man once said that the heroes of today must walk a lonely road."

"I get that, but…" Agent 4's features softened, and she looked down. "... I won't be able to face my team."

"Your team?"

Agent 4 nodded as she brushed her tentacles back. "... I made a promise to them. Way back when it first began. We… We would always tell each other what's going on," she said. "But now…"

"You feel like you broke your promise."

"Exactly," Agent 4 said as she deeply sighed. "I just wish that…"

The boom of a loud crash resounded throughout the small campsite, jolting the guards around to alert. Both Inklings could hear faint yelling, and with no hesitation, ran with the guards to investigate.

As the yelling got louder, Agent 4 could make out the conversation taking place. "... hands off of her, you son of a- GRAAGH!" A raspy voice called. Pushing her way through the crowd, Four caught sight of an Inkling and Octoling boy, one delivering severe punches to the other. A Charger nearby was abandoned, and curiously, an Octoling girl watched with horror as she was directed into the camp.

"Agent 3!?" Marie called as she rushed forward, yet her words seemed to fall on deaf ears. She had to think fast, she realized, lest both of them get severely injured. Considering the state of the Inkling atop the Octoling, Four rolled over and- as fast as she could- charged a shot with the abandoned sniping weapon.

"OI! Asshole!" She barked, and the Inkling quickly turned to see a fully charged burst of ink ready to fly into his head. "Of the Octoling! Now! Lest I bust a cap in your ass!"

It was almost as if he noticed Marie's presence, and he huffed as he retreated. The Octoling sat up, his face a bruised mess and his nose bleeding a signature purple ink. "Tch…"

Lowering the charger, Four set the weapon down as Marie ran over. "Agent 3!" She yelled out. "What are you doing!? I thought I told you to-"

A harsh glare came her way. "Told me to what? Not defend myself or an innocent when I get tackled down by an enemy!?" He barked, and he and Marie began bickering.

Looking downwards at the injured Octoling, Four was suddenly struck with a memory. He looked kind of like… "Lilikoi?"

"Who the fuck are you talking about?" Was the sharp response, causing Four to shiver. "That guy's long gone. Disappeared ages ago." His piercing eyes struck a chord with her for some reason, perhaps it was the deep green hue that reminded her of Kiwi. She was quiet for a moment before sighing.

"I… I apologize," she mouthed. "Guards, take him to a containment center. I'll be questioning him in the morning." She couldn't look him in the eye, instead opting to watch Marie and the Inkling resolve their argument. She sighed as she began walking towards the room Pascal had given her, bumping into a young Octoling. After nodding an apology, she entered her room and began to think over the night's events.

So that was Agent 3…

… … … …

Pain rushed through the Octoling's back as he was thrown into the cell, glaring upwards at his captors. He could spot a familiar pair of striking blue eyes, yet when he tried to sit up, he screeched as his wounds caught up to him.

"Stay in here, Octoling, and wait for your questioning!" One of the guards barked, much to his dismay. The Octoling huffed as he managed to endure the pain, enough to sit up. The thud of boots hitting the ground as the guards left soon dulled, and the young Octoling growled as he pressed his fingers onto a now-swollen bruise.

"Fucking Inkling…" He cursed as he felt a small trail of blood drip from his nose. "Asshole…! Did he seriously…?" He winced at the sensation of something on his leg, only to find another ugly bruise there.

"Brother."

The voice was all too familiar as he looked up from his position, glaring. A young Octoling girl stood in front of him, her arms folded. "Tch, Cocoa," he began. "Never thought you'd go so soft so soon."

"Soft? So that's how you're describing it?" Cocoa bit. " 'Soft' refers to the fact that you got your ass kicked despite being way more experienced than me." He growled in response to her comment.

"So? I'd never expect someone who became an elite before me be seduced by that Inkling," he barked upwards, much to Cocoa's annoyance. "Besides, if I hadn't saved you, what do you think he could have done?"

"You're even more of an idiot then him if you think that," Cocoa huffed. "He's an ally. I trust him."

"That's what you said before you were disengaged at the Kelp Dome," the Octoling male growled. "Before you were decommissioned. Now tell me, am I the idiot for not having my suspicions?"

Cocoa was silent before she clenched her hand into a fist. "I suppose not," she began. "... I'll be turning in for the night. I have some business to conduct with my new colleagues…"

"Captain Taiyaki."