To start off, as always I must thank you for your continued reading and I'm super thankful for the reviews! I enjoy reading them and sometimes the timing is immaculate, really brightening my otherwise hectic day/week. In response to the comment about this being like an anime, boy oh boy did I wish nintendo had the confidence to make a legitimate story driven animated series based on the story. I feel like Splatoon has oh so much potential with the interesting world and characters and I've tried to incorporate those feelings into my writing! Once again thank you for reading these, I'm sure these little messages might be long or annoying so I'll refrain from doing them but I love these little interactions! Do have a lovely day and enjoy the chapter!
The third round is active at Aramtam Sea Mall to a huge crowd of spectators cramming along the borders watching on in excitement as the two teams trade ink. A huge shakeup for Squid Academy's lineup followed after securing the brace lead with Pastelle, Pearl, Violet, and Evelyn, all getting swapped out, now sitting on the bench and standing along the sidelines cheering on their teammates. The need for Squid Academy to hold their breath vanished now that they had the two round cushion and looked to be in control of the match, but even so, Squid Academy didn't dare ease off the gas pedal in this round of Splat Zones. Dango kept their premier squad in for the third round with the intention that Squid Academy might run it back again with the same squad, which turned out to be a miscalculation that they were fine with making when considering the new matchup presented. A squad of Azule, Sky, Reice, Todd, Zaneki, and Mason made for a far more diverse composition of weapons than the previous arsenal, but Dango felt they could finally play to their strengths instead of trying to weaken their opponents. Dango most certainly cashed in on that opportunity. In the beginning, the Yellow Brick Wall were able to capture the zones first after several intense battles that frequently saw one side overpower the other and prevent them from obtaining complete possession, only for the other to retaliate-resembling a pair of fierce greatsword users swinging at one another with precision with the other just barely avoid the lethal blow. A Stagnant exchange full of close calls that seemed like the prime chance to secure the breakthrough, it was after a pair of dagger strikes from Nagumi and Owan that teetered the round in Dango's favor. They broke through Squid Academy's formation and gave Miloch the opening he needed to pounce on the momentarily vulnerable team who were without a few players lost to the mayhem at the time, claiming the lead shortly after overpowering the scattered blues. Miloch played far more aggressively in this round than in the previous couple, showing a sense of urgency and keenly aware of the dangerous predicament he and comrades would find themselves in should they drop yet another round. Not only did Miloch gnaw at the heels of Azule who had altered his tempo now that he had more assistance, but he also went after the fresh legs in the new faces-especially Reice. From the film they studied, their approach was to manipulate the enemy's temperament and enforce a number of mind games into the match that'd overwhelm them led by the presence of the charger trio, hoping that they could set the tone for battle behind their reliable snipers. But the surprise moves by Fuchsia were a blindside tactic that set them back more than they expected, and it was only now after figuring out how Squid Academy operated that Dango found their opening.
We know what they are thinking now and we're still able to execute our plan. Perhaps that overhaul wasn't the wisest of moves on their part but I'm not complaining! As long as we can extend our lead, we'll continue to attack at them and tire them out the same way. Miloch's mind gushes like a violent river while wrestling with Zaneki in a splash of blue versus yellow.
The lead is narrow and the battles were well contested. Both zones are occupied by the attacking teams desperate to eliminate the other and gain as much ground as possible as the raging battle wanes. Thanks to Nagumi, Dango managed to get ahead and build their lead, but Azule and Squid Academy showed their class by continuously chipping away at the lead and keeping it close no matter the efforts of their opponents to put it away at a knockout to have a fighting chance in the match. Squid Academy wouldn't die down, and it was understandable since a 3-0 lead was basically game over in this context, and there was nothing Squid Academy wanted more than to put this game to rest as soon as possible.
"They did well in putting up a fight despite the deficit but it's a little too late to make this a competitive series anymore." Jin said glaring at the TV watching the game as the commentators narrated the action unfolding to the audience. "Sure, Squid Academy made some changes that work to Dango's benefit in this round but the damage is already done. Squid Academy might not have the weapon advantage but they have the better play makers and fresher legs. I'll commend that octoling girl for her decision making in this match. She's just as much of a factor to account for as the players on the turf."
Kary found it entertaining to see the captain give credit where credit was due, especially considering the type of person he was some odd months ago. Just another aspect of him that could be considered growth from an outside perspective, Kary felt appreciative to be under his tutelage. "In addition to keeping in their captain and their ace charger, they have their lead roller on the floor, a top prospect, and a pair of skilled players as well who are supposedly on par with the top prospect as fellow captains." Kary comments, reciting the homework done on the players competing.
"Those siblings are already a handful for Dango with the fusion of their styles being a mix of up-tempo play that'll have you scrambling while also being one that concentrates on floor spacing. They can spread the floor and rack up kills like a prize in slots."
18 wrinkled his face in confusion at the strange simile, "I didn't think they had that kind of firepower from when we faced them. This seems unfair with how many upgrades they've made in such a short time!"
"We only fought the core of that team and had no way of knowing what else was there, but the same way they've made their changes, so too have we. But I must agree that it's a little unnerving seeing them thrive like this seemingly overnight."
"Yeah, we beat them already so why is it that they've made all this progress and get all this attention? If they went up against us they'd be beat again anyways."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Jin replied swiftly, his analytic gaze still glued to the ongoing match.
"Really? Our current roster is among the best in the tournament and with you and the other seniors I'm sure we'd handle them easily." 12 declared, having the utmost faith in his captain.
"When it comes to tournament play-especially one like this-individual talent and the concept of talent itself can only get a team so far. Factors such as chemistry and strategy play a key role, and with the way they are looking, I have to acknowledge that we'd have our hands full with them even with myself and the other starters. Not exactly because they have so much talent that could rival ours, but more due to the immediate experience they are gaining in these battles. It'd be one thing if they were surviving against other teams and squeaking past with many flaws shown in their performances, but they're not only winning and thriving, they are doing so against some of the best teams in the field and against the toughest of matchups for them."
"If we both kept winning we'd eventually face them though. I think we'd see for ourselves, no?" 18 asked, remembering that last encounter like it was yesterday.
Jin's face turned to stone thinking about the potential matches in the near future should his team win their upcoming match. Indeed, Squid Academy would await them down the line but that'd be in the tournament final, which would be incredibly difficult to reach for themselves-especially for Squid Academy. But the reason for his stone faced expression that had his blood running cold wasn't the intense goosebumps from crossing paths with a clearly different team from the one he faced in the spring with an even more ferocious Sky and the elites in the mix, but of who else he'd have to encounter en route to the final. But before the name of that accursed opponent could enter his thoughts, the broadcast interrupted his thoughts. His ears twitch hearing the elation in the commentator's tones as they called the match and immediately he's pulled right into the action. The scoreline still rather close with Dango maintaining a narrow lead, the action on the turf mimicked the score colorfully. The entire landscape drenched in blue and yellow with players exercising with caution at the zones, the bursting bombs and splattering guns gush forth a wave followed by sprinters darting in between the blind spots. The first zone is already occupied by Dango and the second zone under attack from Squid Academy holds Dango from achieving total control yet again.
"At your seven!" Miloch shouts to a preoccupied Nagumi noticing a rush of Reice and Todd from the corner of his vision, warning his comrade just in time to create space to avoid imminent danger. A common sight for the Dango trio fighting for survival, their efforts to avoid death were amassed by nothing but close calls such as that one, and once again they managed to dodge a bullet. But Azule and his squad were bringing the pressure once again following their failed attempt to crack the defenses last time.
The longer we wait the more troublesome it'll be to close them out Azule shouts aloud in his mind, trying to keep himself composed as he focuses his efforts to suffocating Miloch. Time isn't necessarily their enemy at the moment but neither is it their friend. Several unsuccessful attempts later to grasp control on the battle and they find themselves still trailing by a thread, and although it didn't quite feel like Dango found a definitive answer to their tactics, the first year captain was aware that the longer they battled Dango, the more likely the odds would work against them. "Forward!" Azule shouts passionately, noticing that the amount of time that elapsed meant it wouldn't be long before Dango reinforcements would surface and tightly defend the zone.
His call is answered, however.
"Down goes Mugi! Down goes Nagumi!" The commentator shouts following the double kill by Zaneki, the Squid Academy press attack a success as the yellow in the zone is infiltrated by a rush of blue.
Squid Academy swarmed the zone and promptly erased Miloch to take one of the zones, doing so to a thundering cheer from spectators in the mall. But where one zone was claimed, they knew the fight wasn't quite over yet as the second task awaited them: claim the second zone. Their recurring problem throughout the entire round so far, they needed to capture the second zone to turn things around with the bonus penalty tacked on them proving to be an obstacle as well with time ticking down; the second zone is already manned with the remaining trio that got handled earlier. An opportunity to pounce on the remaining members, Azule and his squad split up forces with the intention of seizing the lead. Owan, Chio, and Mookie stand their ground posted at different points on and near the zone; they've learned from their previous mistake and are counting the seconds closely until they have a full force to contest the impending attack. Both zones claimed, it becomes a three on three battle: Triangle formation versus the Attacking swarm. Dango's trio show their fangs unleashing their specials and combining the ultimate attacks to overwhelm their opponents, refusing to bow down in the face of the adversity appearing abruptly before them. Aware that his side might not have another chance in this round to have a manageable opening for attack where they can secure both zones, Azule turns up the pace inflicting confusion on the wandering guns following his movements. Owan lets out a thundering strike that slows Azule down immediately, aware of what Azule intended to do by flaunting such mobility. But that shot wasn't without an answer however as Sky had her mark on the man who nearly eliminated her brother, pulling her trigger once she saw him in motion. Her shot is interrupted, thwarted by Chio-who was reading her; the impact Todd tried to make in the battle was severely weakened thanks to a critical hit from Mookie that sent him reeling for cover in his blue ink, avoiding a direct encounter. The person who strikes harder first will capture victory. That thought echoed in the minds of the players at the zone in that moment. The tools to victory laid in their hands. A dial up in pace to avoid the deadly fire, Azule and Todd switch in an end around tag through their safety puddle provided by Sky and swap targets. The fully healed Todd turned his sights to Owan while Azule sighted Mookie instead. The trio noticed the switch, they tensed up in preparation for the attack with all three barking call-outs to keep the others aware of what went on in their blindside.
THWACK!
The trio heard that same terrifying cracking of the air and immediately they called each other's names to confirm everyone's location. Owan called out and Mookie answered, but no response followed from Chio. The duo's faces turned purple with despair knowing that shot had to come from Sky Royale, who likely changed vantage points while their attention turned to the swimming pair of threats who were within visual yet still able to conceal their presence. Scrambling to move out of harm's way, they realize their yellow surroundings have turned blue, trapped in enemy territory. They have no time to react; a speeding blue shadow enters the corner of their peripherals. Their flank? No. But overhead! Utilizing one roll to spring him with enough momentum, Azule exited his roll and leaped into a nearby wall that had a trace of blue, then bouncing off the wall with enough hang time to be overhead of the pair. It felt like they were watching a splashdown about to take effect but they were wrong. His arms extend to show his dualies and he fires in midair, splattering the pair trapped in blue. The bonus penalty begins to tick to a wave of applause and cheer for not only did Azule record a stunning brace, but earned Squid Academy their first complete possession where they'd be uninterrupted. But There's no time to waste for the trio, for there was another battle likely underway while they were skirmishing.
"Hold the zone!" Azule commands desperately, his breath heavy from the overexertion just now; Todd and Sky nodded and followed orders, aware that their struggle to capture the zones wasn't over just yet.
The signatures of the others disappeared, but the zone was still intact, which meant that they were either able to cancel out the attackers or held off far away enough for them to not infiltrate the zone immediately. It's a race against them now. Unable to super jump to the zone due to the lost signatures, Azule's kicked it into a higher gear as a streak of steam escapes his mouth and a flash of electricity cut through his irises. He planned to unleash midnight. Only for a moment. A blue thunderclap of a rush, Azule arrived at the zone in just seconds, his pulse thumping throughout his body as the inner spirit guarding his temple rattled his core for punishment. Awaiting him at the entrance of the zone opposite to where he arrived stood the forces who survived the battle, although one looked to be missing from their side as well, meaning a job well done in bringing one of them down. Miloch and Nagumi stood before him in anticipation, their plan centered around Miloch engaging in battle with Azule while Nagumi will support him from the rear and turf the zone back to yellow.
The little blue furrowed his brow and tilted his head back just a bit, enough to show the piercing jolt of electricity dancing in his irises. Defend the zone
Without even a hint of hesitation in his step, Azule's eyes widened and he rushed toward the pair. As planned, Nagumi took a great leap backwards while Miloch rushed towards Azule ready to meet him for another clash. Elsewhere at the next zone, Sky and Todd set up their defenses in preparation for their reinforcements, aware that while it would be enticing to trap the captain, the likelihood laid in the enemy targeting them instead. The duel of dualies commences yet again, Miloch is quick to dodge every attack that nearly grazes him and only survives by the skin of his teeth every instance while his partner had trouble turfing with Azule breathing down their neck. It seemed as though he had eyes at the back of his head the way he moved so automatically, peering through the splashes of yellow that should've impaired his vision at least. It was an amazing moment to witness as a competitor, that much Miloch acknowledged comparing what he witnessed in these brief moments similar to watching someone enter the "zone" where a person shone at their peak performance, almost in an enhanced state normally unattainable. But as captivating as it was to see such a sight, it excited him more to strike down such a foe.
"We're not done yet!" the captain of Dango shouts, sporting a wide grin.
Azule didn't look amused, "You're under the wrong impression I believe."
"Am I? Care to elaborate?" Miloch shouts in response, closing the space between them again.
"You thought you did something in giving preemptive orders for your squad to overwhelm my teammates. Why else are you two the only ones I see?"
Miloch smirked, "I think myself and Mugi are enough in this case. That crazy state of yours is impressive but you're movements are getting slower now, and it'll only be a matter of ti-"
A bomb bursts nearby that strikes Mugi, setting off the warning flags for Miloch that another enemy was in the vicinity. Quickly honing his senses to spot the enemy in the shadows, he's met by the lightning paced Azule who closed the distance in no time with his multiple rolls. Miloch tried to recover from the sloppy error in his concentration but he was a little too late on the escape, the damage already dealt with Azule landing a critical blow that took him down. And much like he failed to take back the lost zone, his comrades on the other side failed to penetrate the defenses of Squid Academy as they were met by the reinforcements of Reice and Zaneki who worked to wipe them out in an instant. Another conclusion with the same result, the supporters of Squid Academy rejoiced. One more round until the round of 16. The critics, stunned by the developments of the match, quickly did news spread of what was occurring with the tournament's biggest feel-good story. The expression on the sultan's face blank as he viewed the screen, his only emotion showed in his fists hidden out of sight channeling his frustration. It was already dissatisfying as it is to be humiliated by them, and now here they were prancing about on the stage that should've been where Vulerby stood.