Two weeks have passed since the fall splatfest. During this time of the year; it was keen for students focus solely on their school work. Azule had spent the last couple of weeks balancing his training with Pastelle and with his work from school, elevating his class rank from number 89 to number 6 out of a class roster of 900 or more students in his grade. Tangie had adventured around the nearby areas of the city and discovering little hotspots, since the school was rather close to downtown, taking pictures of parks and other monuments in the urban area as well; Cobalt accompanied her, usually buying her something sweet to eat and always saying "You like sweet things because you yourself are too sweet!" to which Tangie always made a gagging noise to tease him, responding to him each time saying "you're so lame sometimes"-always holding his hand and gazing into his eye lovingly when doing so. Reice spent his time learning and sharing experiences with Bianca, learning from her about her experiences and of her reason for becoming an officer; the two had some things in common but were for the most part, opposites.
"I had a dangerous encounter with some criminals one night when I was walking home, I screamed for help, but no one arrived immediately. The criminals approached me and touched me inappropriately, dragging me into an alley way. But before they could try anything, an officer came in time and neutralized them both, I was scared that night because I couldn't do anything, so after that, I decided to join the force-or at least work my way up from the academy here to where I am now."
"Wow, so we're a little bit different in our reasons for joining, huh?"
Reice had told her of his past upon Sky's insistence, being told that Bianca would make an excellent and reliable person for his future. Reice also told her of the current situation regarding what his parents were planning to do since she was high ranked officer who could be of help to him.
"They're planning to start another war with the Sororia family, and their way to signal it is by taking Violet's life…I won't let that happen, I must go back there and stop them from doing anything." He said, sitting down in the club room with her; they were alone since it was after school, Reice had asked her to stay behind so that they could talk.
"Well, it's very troubling that something like this is brewing, even worse that it's in Beacon Hill…that place is always in the news for the wrong things."
"Yeah, with the mixture of the crime there, and then my dysfunctional family… no surprise that I left and came here."
"But it's good that Sally and her family took in you and your two little sisters, right? Hey, what's become of them?"
"They go to a boarding school nearby here since Sally's parents are usually away, and her grandparents have been very sick-so they're out."
"Hmm, do you see your sisters often?"
Reice breaks out in a sweat and looks away, "W-Well…I haven't n-necessarily kept in contact with them since the start of school…"
"What…!? But aren't they your little sisters!? What do you mean you haven't kept in contact?"-slamming a fist on the table.
"Well, I've been busy…"-scratching his head and looking out the window at the evening sky.
"You're going to see them." Bianca said in a solid tone, turning her head away from Reice in disgust when he tried to talk his way out.
"But what about the situation at hand, I can't see them with all this stuff happening…it's not safe."
"Then I'll look after them while we are there."
"What? You're coming along?"
"Duh!"-Making a cat face-"I heard from Sky that you're not very combat-based, I'll serve as your defense for anything that may happen."
Reice sat there and thought about it, Bianca's eyebrows dance as he ponders on a decision. He accepts her offer and asks how they'll be able to leave school during the period that they'll be gone.
"It's cool; Principal Telfin is an understanding man. Once I let him know why we're going, he'll let us go. Just leave it to me…!"-giving him a wink; they sit silent for a little, their eyes wandering around the room
"So…have you told anyone else about the situation?" she said, hoping to keep the conversation going.
"Only Sky, I can't bring myself to let Squidcom find out-knowing them, they'll get involved and try to stop the mess, and I don't want them to risk their lives like that-they've done it too much already."
Bianca sighed, "I know some people in the force that handle that area, if you want, I'll call them to help you stop the war from starting…"
"I appreciate it, but I don't want it to reach that level yet. I want to stop this on my own first, but surely that will be the last resort."
"Understood, but at least visit your sisters and let them tag along…I'm sure they must miss you!"
"A-about that…" scratching his face with his index finger.
Over in the piano room, Sally was playing a slow melody. She'd always enjoyed the piano since it was her way of making it through the solitude whenever her parents were away. It was her way of being at peace, as she played, her mind wandered until it reached Reice along with her two little sisters: Marigold and Canary. Many days back home in the safer parts of Beacon Hill; Sally would play on the piano for Marigold and Canary whenever they didn't feel happy or felt down. She always brightened their day whenever she played, and now she found herself-consciously unaware- playing the very same melody.
"I miss them…" she said, looking out the window at the Tucsan sun hued sky; evening approaching. She begins to think about what it was that Reice must be doing since he hadn't really spoken to her on anything lately.
Over in the Prinicpal's office, Sky-along with her team, were there discussing many subjects at hand. The office itself was quite large with five big and comfy chairs to sit and relax in with a very professional interior, he had pictures hanging on the wall-several with former students and even some with the Elites; there was even a picture of him with Cap'n Cuttlefish!
"But Mr. Telfin…why must we cease our positions in the army and law enforcement..? We can juggle everything!" Aaron pleaded, trying to not lose their activity in the army.
"I'm sorry, but I want you to focus on the Preliminaries and aim to win the winter tournament; I'll hand all Army and Law enforcement duties to Kidvel and Bianca."
"Sir, even my duties as the 5th agent…!"
"Yes, Pastelle will handle whatever duties come up."
Austin leaned forward, "But Mr. Telfin, why exactly now are you forcing us to only worry about the Preliminaries?"
Mr. Telfin rubs his forehead as he looks for the answer, "I just don't want to see you all lose to Beacon Hill again; two consecutive years and 4 meetings in major tournament defeats to them are enough pain. I feel like the best option is to let you all focus only on advancing through the prelims and onto the big winter tournament."
"But we're different this year! We've finally become an S-ranked team, surely we can take down one of the big four giants!"
The big four giants were the four strongest schools in Inkopolis, they were the only S-ranked teams in the country, and they were the Special Forces, Beacon Hill, Octo Valley High, and Squidops; all but Octo Valley were highly involved in the Inkopolis army and government.
"It's a safety measure…"-holding out his hands in the hopes of them understanding; they all look at him with disapproval.
"NO!"-Yelled Pearl suddenly-"You're treating us unfairly here! We're not the same kids that you found two years back! We've become mature and wise in our victories and defeat! We're S ranks damn it! Give us the respect that we've earned!"
Everyone is wide-eyed by Pearl's sudden comment; it was so uncharacteristic for her to get heated. Principal Telfin sighs and tells them that his decision is permanent, much to their displeasure. Principal Telfin lens back in his chair and looks up at the ceiling, why won't they realize that I'm doing this for their own good? I just don't want them to perform any risky activities so close to their big moment, knowing fate will have us meet Beacon Hill yet again!
As the Elites walk in the hallway, Sky stops to look at the sunset through the window. She stares hard at Orange sky, seeing the lights on the city skyline beginning to illuminate brighter as the sun goes down. She looks to her teammates and smiles at them, they look back her.
"What are you thinking about?" Austin asked.
"I'm just remembering our vow that we made, our vow to win the winter tournament…"
Aaron chuckles, "Well, I still believe that we'll accomplish that feat."
"Then we better get to work, it's all we'll be putting our focus into anyway." Pearl added, still heated.
The four head off to their separate quarters and conclude their evening. That same evening, Fuchsia and Violet are walking in the city-groceries in hand. They had been discussing the event since the festival, their school work, and there was even a quick discussion about what her plan was for dealing with her parents.
"I think I'll head back home and handle the affair myself…I don't want to risk anything happening if I notify the others. It's imperative that I protect Reice from getting harmed."
"But, exactly what would you do?" Fuchsia asked, "If anything, I'll come with you…"
"I guess I'll try to talk them out of a conflict, I would prefer to avoid violence...and I appreciate that you want to come along, I was a little worried about going up there alone."-Holding up a finger-"But there's also the case of school, exactly what will be done? How can I make up the work that I'll be missing, and will they even allow me to leave?"
"Maybe we could talk to the principal and he could help us. I mean, if he admitted me into a school like this, anything should be possible."
"Even so, I don't want to involve our principal in this…"
"Don't knock it until you give it a try…"
Fuchsia's face turns a little red, "So…you and Azule… Have you guys become official?"
"Not really. We were planning to hang out again over the weekend again…he took me to Port Mackerel last time."
"Port Mackerel…?"
"Apparently the place is some kind of popular date spot, way too many couples were there sitting on the cargo, every other minute we got yelled at by the workers there."
"Did you guys…kiss?"
"Of course not, I'm glad that I can be with him and that he recognizes how I feel, but I'm not ready to move to a stage like that…"
Fuchsia breathes a sigh of relief and walks ahead of her and then stops before her, blocking the way. "I won't give up, it may be hard for me now to get to the same level with him that you are right now, but I'll get there! I won't lose to anybody for his heart, including you. "-giving Violet a smirk; Violet responds with her own smirk too.
"So we're finally love rivals." She responded, her body shaking from the laughter, "Bring it on, don't think I'll be any easier on you just because we've come good friends!"-winking at Fuchsia.
"I wouldn't want it any other way!"-giving Violet a fist bump; the duo walk home and continue their daily discussion of events throughout the day. The night lights shining brightly on the way home for them.
Over at the dojo where Azule, Pastelle and Parker had just finished their training for which they had spent the entire day performing at a high intensity; Azule had shown once more of his increasing growth. Pastelle and Parker were scouting him for the possibility of having him enter their team for missions, mainly because they were informed earlier of the responsibilities that were handed to them from Principal Telfin. While Azule was in the bathroom washing his face, Parker and Pastelle looked into the possibility of having Azule on their roster for missions.
"He's proven, I think he's worth the addition." Pastelle said.
"But can he really handle it? I mean, I've been hearing from some of my sources in the force that our first mission under these new guidelines will be in relation to Death Row Island."
"Don't worry Parker, he can handle it."
Azule reappears, thanking them for all that they've done. The three head home as night comes with the moon shining brightly over them. For everyone, time had been relatively peaceful for the time since the festival. It was a different feeling that none of them were used to, but little did they know that the quiet peace was soon about to perish.
