From where the VIP box sat Lea could see the entire 'field.' Octavian and Richardson were enjoying lunch in another part of the arena with Mia and the female inkling on guard there. This left Lea an Ian to go ahead to check where they would be watching the match. The box, while lavish, was clean and now the two bodyguards were making sure no one else entered the area before the match, which was, apparently, not for another hour. Predictably most of the seats in the arena were still empty and no matter how hard she tried, Lea couldn't see any threats.

"Are these matches usually this big of an event?" She asked. Ian must have been caught off guard because he stuttered at first.

"W-well not really, but these two teams have always been rivals and…" He trailed off and rubbed his neck. Lea motioned with her hand for him to continue. "And Richardson is really excited to show off turf wars to you octolings." Lea tried to glare at him, but with her goggles on she just ended up looking confused. "Turf wars are probably the biggest part of Inkling culture." He explained. "Even kids play." Lea frowned,

'Kids play in a war?' She chalked it up to their weird culture and took another look at the field. She reflected that it did look similar to an octarian MOUNT course. There were walls of different sizes to use for cover, a few fences that one would have to switch forms to get through, and platforms of a variety of heights. The only big difference was large circular tower in the center. Lea rocked back on her heels.

"How does it work?" She still couldn't imagine how a sport based on the Great War would play out.

~/~/~

The waiter brought a pair of steaming plates to their table and Octavian made sure to use a warm smile when he thanked the inkling. He glanced over at Richardson, but like himself the inkling looked like he really was hungry. That suited him fine, he needed the break from small talk to think.

The ball was now in the inklings court. I'd been there since he'd orchestrated this detour. Not that there was a set itinerary for the days events, but he now had to sit and pretend to enjoy an inkling sport in front of a large public. The effect Richardson was probably hoping for would be to impress on him just how strong their society was that they could afford such an event. Smart. He'd have to try it himself someday,

'Maybe on the lobsters.' He mused as he took a few bites of the food, sure to look only mildly impressed and not until he'd chewed it three times. He checked the thought, he needed to regain the initiative. They were already going into the talks in a weak position, 'but if I can find a way to turn this around,' he thought with a glance at the inkling, 'then it'll have the opposite effect that he wants.' Richardson took a few more bites and Octavian did the same. 'I just need an opportunity.'

Out of the corner of his eye the octoling noticed the inkling bodyguard put a hand to her headset, nod, then lean in to talk to Richardson. Octavian began cutting another piece of his meal, but watched for his opposite numbers reaction. To his surprise the inklings eye twitched and he turned slightly pale. Richardson took the opportunity to play friend.

"Something wrong my friend?" The inkling swallowed and shook his head.

"Bad news I'm afraid. One of the players has been…" he watched the inkling choose his words. "Has taken ill. He won't be able to play today." Octavian tried to look both worried and disappointed.

"Well I hope he's all right." Richardson nodded.

"Me too. Though I'm afraid this may cancel the match." Octavian turned his head to one side.

"Surely there's a backup player?" Richardson shook his head and poked at his food.

"I wish that was the case, but these are very talented teams, otherwise I'd ask Ian or Sarah here to step in." He said with a gesture to his bodyguards. Octavian saw his chance.

"Hmm…Mia?" He called to the Octoling standing guard a respectful distance away. The Elite moved next to him.

"Sir?" She replied making the one word a question.

"Between you and Lea, who is the better shot?" Mia didn't have to think about the answer.

"Lea is the best shot in the splatoon sir." Octavian nodded thoughtfully.

"I see," He turned to look Richardson in the eye. "Perhaps one of my girls could sub in for the missing teammate." Richardson nearly dropped his fork.

"Uh, well…" Octavian smiled inwardly. "I…could never ask such a thing." He finally said. Octavian brushed off the comment with a wave.

"Nonsense, we'd be happy to show off some of our Elites skills." He turned to Mia. "Can you radio Lea?"

~/~/~

"Lea this is Finn, he's the team captain for one of the turf war teams that will be playing today." Lea nodded in greeting at the green inkling. Unlike the other inklings she'd met this one was dressed more casually in a tee shirt and cap.

'Is this why he called me down here? To meet another inkling?' She thought. Octavian continued talking.

"Now one of Finn's teammates has been injured and won't be able to play today. Mia also tells me you're the best shot in your splatoon is that right?" Lea nodded again.

"Yes sir." She didn't see how the two events were related. Octavian smiled.

"Excellent, then you should have no problem filling in for his team." Once again Lea was sure she'd somehow heard her superior wrong.

"I'm sorry sir?" She put the right emphasis on the last word to make it a question rather than rude.

"I think this would be a good opportunity to show these inklings the skills our Octarian elites possess, wouldn't you agree?" Lea's eye twitched under her goggles.

"Yes sir." She replied. Octavian smiled wider.

"Excellent. Mr. Finn if you could show Lea where she can get ready. I think you'll find her a valuable member of your team." Finn looked at Lea for a long moment before shrugging and motioning for her to follow him.

"This is going to be tough to sell to the team." He said to himself.

~/~/~

"Hey guys, bring it in real quick." The two other inklings in the locker room looked up from their gear. Lea watched as their gaze and expressions went from hopeful at their leader, to confused at her. "I'd like you all to meet Lea." He said with a gesture to the octoling. "Lea this is the team. That's Roy there in blue and Mary in pink." She nodded at each inkling and they nodded back.

"It's…Nice to meet you both." She said, still searching for the right words. 'When Kia told me about this mission I didn't think I'd be doing this much talking.' She reflected. Lost in her thoughts for a second, she didn't realized Roy had approached her and put an arm around her shoulder.

"So, you wanted a behind-the-scenes look at turf wars huh? That's cool. I bet you're the first Octoling to ever come back here." He tried to guide her to his locker but, Lea ducked out of the embrace. She tried to glare at him but, again, her goggles messed up the expression.

"Roy" Finn tried to get his teammates attention, but the blue inkling didn't seem to notice.

"Let me show you my gear, that way you know who to look for when you watch the match." He started going through his locker.

"Roy…" He tried again. Lea glanced over at the female inkling who just shook her head. Roy continued talking

"I'll be honest with you, I'm a pretty big deal when it comes to turf wars."

"ROY!" Finn finally yelled. The blue inkling spun around.

"You need something boss?" Finn shook his head.

"Lea is going to fill in for Mark as our last member." Lea though she could see the gears turn in the inklings head.

"…What?" Finn nodded.

"You heard me. We're short a person and Lea is a top rate Octoling elite." Roy seemed to be frozen in thought, but Mary shook her head.

"Can we really switch out our roster now? Even with an Octoling?" Lea caught the change in tone as she said the second sentence but chose to ignore it. She didn't like inklings either and knew that as soon as the peace talks were over she wouldn't have to deal with them anymore. Finn shook his head.

"There's been an emergency injury so they'll let us have a replacement." He looked over at Lea. "And being the first team to have an Octoling on it. That's as fresh as it gets." Lea still wasn't quite sure what he meant by that, but Mary cocked her head to one side and seemed to think it over. After a moment she nodded.

"Alright, but what's she going to use? She's not touching my gear." Finn nodded and pointed to a slightly open locker.

"She'll use Mark's stuff." He turned back to Lea. "Take a look through that locker and pick out some gear you like. You'll need a top, some shoes, some headgear, and a weapon." Lea turned her head to one side.

"Why can't I just wear what I have on now?" Finn shook his head.

"Turf war gear is…different. Plus you need stuff that will change color with you." Lea raised an eyebrow but once again her goggles distorted the expression. Finn took it as understanding and smiled. "Good, once you're suited up head though those doors and get on the spawn. Don't worry about your tentacles, we'll be using purple ink." Without another word Finn started going through his locker and emerged with a long barreled weapon. He headed out the door he'd pointed to and Lea watched Mary go that way as well, a pistol sized weapon in her hand. Roy finally seemed to find himself and pulled out of his locker what Lea thought was a stupidly large weapon.

"What's that?" She asked. Roy's smile from earlier came back.

"It's my ink roller." He hefted the weapon. "I handle mostly turf, Finn handles the other team, and Mary does a little of both." Lea bit her lip.

"So where do I fit in?" She asked. Roy smiled wider.

"Wherever you want." He said with a wink and headed out the door. Lea shrugged as she watched him go and turned back to the locker.

"Wherever I want." She repeated to herself. She looked at the various weapons in the locker and frowned. There was another of those big rollers, a rounded futuristic looking pistol, and a truly weird weapon with two barrels. 'These all look strange.' She thought. She decided she'd find something to wear first. Lea looked through all of the clothing hanging up and to her surprise found a purple shirt with writing in Octarian. She set the shirt and a pair of matching sweat bands on the bench along with a pair of black trainers. She changed shoes, and put her boots and goggles into the locker.

She started taking off her armor, undoing the straps around her shoulders the pulling the metal chest plate off. She placed it in the locker as well and reached down to take off her black tank top. As she was pulling the shirt over her head tentacles she heard something fall behind her. Military fast she ripped off her shirt and spun around to see what had made the noise.

Standing in the doorway there was Ian, a weapon in his hand and a huge blush on his face. Lea looked at him in confusion.

"Ian? What're you doing he-" She realized she was facing him with nothing but her bra on. She blushed as red as Ian and tried to cover herself with her hands. Ian spun back around the door to the locker room, dragging the inktank that had made the sound behind him.

"Uhh, sorry Lea. I just wanted to bring you a few things." His arm appeared from around the doorframe holding something. Lea scowled pulled on the tee before walking over to the door. What she saw in Ian's outstretched handmade her eyes light up.

"An octoshot?" She said with surprise as she took the weapon from the inkling. She'd left her own weapon with Mia.

"Not exactly." Ian said from the other side of the door. "It's a replica that you can use in turf wars, but it works the same as a real one." Lea heard clinking and Ian's arm held out the inktank he'd dropped. Lea looked at the replica. True to his words, it looked to function the same as a real octoshot. "I thought you might not be used to any inkling weapons so…" Lea felt her cheeks burn.

"…Thank you." She said, taking the inktank in her other hand and slinging it over her shoulder. She was grateful for the familiar weapon. She looked it over again and noticed a button on one side that didn't belong there. "What's this button?"

"Where?" Ian's voice asked.

"It's right by the…here." She reached around the door frame and grabbed the front of Ian's uniform. She pulled the inkling into the room and pointed to the odd aperture. Ian still looked a little red, but he regained his composure when he saw what she was pointing to.

"Oh, that's for your special." Lea turned her head to the side so he continued. "When you've inked enough turf you can press that to activate it. For this weapon it's an inkzooka." Lea bit her lip. It made enough sense but she still didn't really understand.

"I guess I'll see when I get out there. Thanks for the help." Ian blushed again and looked to the side.

"N-no problem." Above them a red sign turned on that read.

2 MINUTES TO GAME START

Ian suddenly looked back at her. "Oh, I almost forgot. Here." He held out a set of headphones that she took. "Most of the hats are made for inkling tentacles, so these should sit around your tentacles better." Lea took the headphone and looked them over. Purple and black, she found them kind of cute. She reached up to put them on and found she still had her kelp in her hair. She didn't have time to mess with the locker.

"Hey can you hold onto these for me? I...don't want to lose them." Ian nodded.

"No problem." Lea smiled at the inkling for the first time put on the headgear. Fully equipped she ran out the door towards the spawn. Still standing in the doorway holding her kelp Ian smiled and watched her leave.

"Good luck."

~/~/~

"Hey looking pretty good there octoling!" Finn called from the purple colored pad the rest of the team was standing on. Lea blushed as she adjusted the octo tee she'd picked out of the locker. "Ready to go?" She stepped onto the pad next to the inklings and nodded.

"I think so." She still wasn't really sure what to expect. She'd been in combat dozens of times, but this one was a sport somehow. She didn't get it. Roy was standing next to her on the pad and looked over approvingly.

"Replica huh? I figured you'd pick that one. Good choice." Lea found her hands checking the weapon and tank the way she had early that morning.

'I guess I'm nervous again.' She thought. The pad started to light up. Finn looked back at her.

"You'll do fine out there, just remember the basics; Ink the base and walls don't count as turf." Lea nodded. The pad they were on began to glow and Lea felt herself being forced into octopus form…

A/N: What are you all thinking so far?