The next day at Sky's place, everyone was gathered to discuss the plan for the big match. They all sat in the living room with a bunch of papers scattered all over the coffee table with their phones and cameras by their relative owners. Cannola carried multiple sets of beverages for everyone; everyone operated like a machine, sorting through all the videos and statistics.

"Here's the video of the Beacon-Octo Valley game…" Chlora handed Sky.

"Based on their recent performances, I'd say we can expect them to provide a ton of pincer attacks and some isolation with Shiva." Aaron concluded after going through all the footage.

"Yeah, Shiva will probably target Aaron, or Sky…but more than likely she'll use the pincer set up to eliminate us in one by one."Austin confirmed; everyone nodded in agreement.

"So should we run the isolation plan-where we each branch out and give each other a chance to pick them off one by one? Or should we run the number's game and stuff them?" Pearl slammed her fist in her lap.

"I say look to do a combination of both…" Apollo answered. "If you look to do complete isolation, then you'll play into their hands. The better option would be to mix up the setup dynamically, that way they can't grasp what tactic you'll use."

Aaron grinned, "Spoken like a true genius…it's a mystery why you had to quit; you're one of the most brilliant tacticians I've ever met."

Apollo smirked waving his hand in denial, "Playing these sports isn't my calling-you know that."

Everyone laughed and enjoyed the time they were spending together, for it was the first in a very long time that they'd have this opportunity to be together in good spirits; Sky closed her eyes and soaked in all the sounds around her as she recalled how she met her best friend, Shiva.

The racial tension between the Inklings and the Octarians had always been present, from their ancient ancestors that lived underwater-to the generation that fought in the 1st and 2ndGreat Turf Wars, to the modern day mollusk era; never, have the two races ever gotten along. The influence of race is so strong that it even takes root in the educational system, with many schools allowing only specific races to attend-Octarians weren't ever allowed. Although there was one school that was different, and that school was Squid Academy high school; Squid Academy stood as a privileged school for Inklings, but their values weren't anything like what the name might suggest. Led by Principal Telfin, the school became known as the most progressive school in the nation of Inkopolis for the kinds of students that they accept, and partially because the school had major ties to the government. As the only progressive facilitator in the government, many of the students that attended went on to take various types of jobs, with the leading obviously being in the army; But Squid Academy also attracted many other archetypes: Musicians, Athletes, Writers, and Artists.

When Prinicipal Telfin chose the four members that would become the Elites, he chose them all because of the unlikely backgrounds of each and every one of them. Sky was an orphan that'd spent her later childhood being abused and tortured at the institution she resided; Pearl spent most of her later childhood alone-having to raise herself since her parents died in the war, Aaron was a boy with a bad temper and trust issues, and Austin was the most normal of them all-having the most average and regular upbringing since his parents weren't in the war; the four of them had befriended Shiva and her friends almost three years earlier when they had just become a unit under Principal Telfin…

"I received word from the higher ups that you've been elected to visit Octo Valley as an opportunity to ease the tension with their royal family." Principal Telfin said-taking a sip from his cup of Joe afterwards; his four pride and joys stood before him with appalled looks.

Aaron was upset, "why the hell should we be the ones to go?"

Telfin was indifferent, "You're the chosen unit, and it's just that simple."

"But why is it specifically us…?"

Telfin rested his coffee, "Remember a couple weeks ago when I recruited the four of you and made you into a team?"

Sky came forward, "You said that we had the potential to be special if we were put together as a team. You said there were big expectations given to us that you'd tell us soon if we all came together."

"And it seems like it hasn't fully taken effect yet; tell me, have you guys actually associated with one another?" Telfin asked, suspicious of the lack in chemistry among the four.

"Of course not, I don't have any business here…especially this nonsense about a team. I walk alone." Aaron said rudely, glaring at Sky.

Telfin nodded, "I see…well then there is your reason. That is why you all will be going to Octo Valley."

"WHAT?" they said in unison.

"Is that not a good reason?"

"Of course not, sir…" Austin said, crossing his arms.

"Ok fine, but look here…"-he leaned over his desk and placed his hands firmly there-"What I'm about to tell you is because I want to see you all succeed and become excellent soldiers for the future…I haven't come clean with what you'll be doing because I wasn't sure how well you would gel, but they rushed me."

"Who're they?" Sky asked.

"Can I trust the four of you to obey me and at least try to become a team?" he said with a serious look in his eyes; the four of them nodded, stunned to see him so serious.

He sat back in his chair, "The Inkopolis government; we have recruited the four of you to become one of our special units for future wars-should we have them. The goal is to groom you and train you into becoming the cream of the crop, unfortunately we didn't want to start yet until you all had developed some kind of friendship since the training and missions will require heavy team communication-which you all lack. So the Inkopolis government saw this as the perfect opportunity for you four to begin your journey together. The government is acting ahead of the rest of the nations by trying to establish some friendly communication with the royal family of the Octarians, the Octavios."

"Get to the point as to why we're the team selected please?" Pearl said with disinterest.

"The Octavios have two young daughters-their eldest daughter is around your age; we want you to befriend their daughter while also checking around for any clues about what her mother might be up to. We suspect that the Octarians might be breeding an underground army."

Sky felt uneasy, "You want us to fake our relationship with her? That's so wrong!"

Telfin raising his hands in denial-"No, you're not faking your relationship; We simply need you guys too keep an eye on them, but we can't have them getting too suspicious if we sent in our other people, so we decided to go with a younger group around her age in the hopes that she can identify with you all more than with others."

"What, did last time not work?" Pearl asked, beating Austin to the question.

Telfin loosened his collar a little bit, "Let's just say that her highness has quite a very…uh how should I say…Colorful personality for someone her age."

Later that week, the four of them were sent to spend the week in Octo Valley along with a set of bodyguards to guard them on the way there-but the four of them would be doing this mission alone. When they arrived at Octo Valley, Shiva's mother was there at the entrance to the valley with an escort of her guards protecting her; Octo Valley was a really small place compared to where they lived back in the city.

"The four of you are the kids they sent? You seem to be around Shiva's age…"-she glares at Aaron, Pearl, and Austin-"I don't like your faces; the three of you look like a waste of my time."

Queen Octavio was as beautiful as a queen could be-with a sparkling myriad of fuchsia, magenta, and lime as the hues of her long hair, a gorgeous face with long magenta eyebrows and fuchsia colored eyelids, and a classic hourglass figure. Her Authoritarian tone was very appealing in the way she established her dominance over anyone nearby; Sky felt the immediate need to show her the respect she deserved.

Aaron growled-about to retaliate, but Sky stopped him before he could say something he'd rue. "Yes ma'am, it's our pleasure to meet you…" Sky bowed as she greeted the queen; Sky had a puzzled expression on her face as she stared at the ground for a moment while bowing.

Queen Octavio stared at her, "It appears you're the only one proper enough to speak to, so it is my pleasure to meet you as well."

Octo Valley was located in a valley hidden behind some canyons and sat close to the border of the nation of Inkopolis and the small nation of Velcroty. Many of the buildings were actually modern, but there were a couple little huts and wooden houses here and there. They passed by the local marketplaces and even a street known for the festivals that they did on Thursdays; after passing through town, they arrived at a large house.

"Welcome to my domain!" Queen Octavio beheld; "I'll take you inside to meet my daughters."

When they entered inside, they were mesmerized by the fantastic interior décor; fascinating art, astonishing furniture, and juicy fruits on display. The four were asked to take a seat in the living room while the queen went to go summon her daughters.

"This is…amazing!" Pearl said while taking a bite out of one of the native fruits from Octo Valley.

"Is this really the infamous Octo Valley? The supposed enemies? They're way too friendly!" Austin added, admiring the décor.

"We'll need to be on our guard; I don't like that woman. Ashe seems like the kind of queen who thinks she's better than everyone." Aaron said, grabbing everyone's attention; Austin and pearl nodded.

Sky sighed with a smile, "I understand she's a bit rude, but we can't just immediately jump to such a feeling. Maybe she'll be kinder after getting to know us over the trip."

Aaron sharpened his glare, "Why are you so calm about all of this? She's an insulting piece of Shi-"

"Because I've met worse people." She interrupted with a dark stare, disallowing the echo of what he was about to say reach the queen.

"What do you mean?" Pearl asked, finishing her fruit.

Austin crossed his arms, "I recall that the four of us were put together because of our pasts and personality: Aaron's the hot tempered one, Pearl's the equally flame tempered girl with an elevated attitude, and I'm the average dude…what about you, Sky?"

Sky's eyes were filled with melancholy, "I'd prefer to not share with you guys, at least not now."

"Why not…" Aaron said roughly, slouching into the couch.

"I rather open up to you guys once we've truly become a team; Only those with a strong bond should know the deepest and darkest memories of one another…at least that's my philosophy about it."

"I respect that…" a voice from afar spoke; loud footsteps echoed as beautiful Octoling girl appeared before them with a pair of guards. "I can't blame you for how you must feel about my mother, please forgive her…"-she bowed her head.

"Whoa…a princess should never bow down to someone of a lower status…" Sky said, helping Shiva up.

The others jumped back in shock as the guards tightened their grip on their spears, did she just touch her highness!? The guards thought with disgust.

Shiva held Sky's wrist, "you're the girl my mother spoke about just now…what is your name?"

She smiled "Sky…"

"Ah, so the four of you are going to be staying here for the week?"

Aaron stood up with a cold sweat running down his face, "Yeah…we'll be in you care."

Shiva's eyes sparkled, "Oh my…and who might you be?"

"A-Aaron…How about you?"

Shiva laughed seductively, gazing at him intently-"The name for which you shall address me is Magenta; Queen Octavio returned, and was on the phone talking to someone. Shiva shifted her attention to focusing on who her mother was on the phone with. Shiva then glanced over at Sky and summoned her forward, leaning in and whispering into Sky's ear about something; Queen Octavio hanged up.

"We'll be touring through town for the day…" Queen Octavio said, addressing the bunch.

For the rest of the day, everyone toured throughout Octo Valley; during the tour, Sky and the others were surprised by how benevolent and receiving the Octarians were towards them. The Inklings were treated to delicious food and wonderful music provided by the local townspeople as they passed by. As Sky continued to indulge in the culture of the Octarians, she found her resolve wavering more as she felt her heart expand for the Octarians.