It's a new and chilly week in Inkopolis, many of the students attending school were ordered to dress accordingly to the weather. There was cold breeze, but no snow-that'd be happening later in the week. Azule, Cobalt, Reice and Sally were walking to class together like every usual school morning, discussing things most boys usually would before being joined by Sally-an honorary bro to them, but in this case, they were talking about the latest news in sports; Todd always left early because he didn't want to join them, and Sally usually tagged along since she liked to learn about the stuff they discussed. They walk through the halls on their way to class when they run into Sky, who seemed stressed out already.

"What's wrong, sis?" Azule said with worry since Sky was usually a morning person.

"S-she's here…." She said in a panic; the boys looked at her with question.

"Exactly who is here?" Cobalt asked, crossing his arms with interest.

Sky grabbed Azule by the shoulders, "Whatever you do, Don't. Give. In! Be on your guard!"-to herself-"More than likely she's in the administrator's office getting all of her paperwork completed."

"W-what are you talking about?" Azule began to worry.

"She's worse than Shiva! And it seems like she's been hung up on you ever since she came here."

Azule pointed a shaky finger at his sister as his face turned pale, "Y-you don't mean…the surprise friend who was supposed to come in the winter…do you?"

Sky nodded, "I don't remember her being like this…she's gotten wild! Please lil bro, for your chastity sake, don't be charming around her!"

Reice began thinking, "How is she worse than Shiva?"

"Well, for starters…I'm able to keep Shiva to a restraint because I know very well what she's capable of…especially when it comes to Azule…"

Azule audibly gulped as he thought about the dirty things the elder Octarian princess would do to him, "She's that worse!?"

Sky furiously nodded again, "And unlike Shiva, I can't monitor her since I'm a third year and live off campus. It doesn't help that she's in your cla-"

"Oh! It's her? I was wondering why some girl came was asking around about you…"

"Wait, have you met her already?" Reice interjected; Sally nodded.

"No…but she kept talking to people about Azule and asking for him. I figured she probably was just someone who admired him but…" she begins whistling.

"…She came by over the weekend and we got to catch up, but I noticed how much she expressed in seeing you. I felt my sister senses tingling."

"Sister…senses?" the group echoed.

"Yes, ever since Shiva began trying to seduce Azule, a sixth sense developed where I can sense anyone's feelings toward Azule-er, lewd ones to be exact."

"Lucky thing no one in our group is like that…well I guess maybe Violet, eh?" Cobalt elbowed Azule.

"Quit it Cobalt, it's not like that!" Azule blushed.

"I agree…quit it Cobalt." Reice added with a little seriousness.

"…Anyways, I think she'll be transferring to your class. So, be on your guard, ok?"

"Ok…"

"Also…"

"Also…?" Azule sighed.

"You missed out on our victory; we'll be competing in the winter tournament."

"Really!? That's great!"

Sky's face darkened, "I'm gonna make you suffer this week for missing out you little brat!"

Azule got chills, "You're scaring me…"

The bell rung and they all went their ways to class, when the boys walked in they saw the rest of the team waiting for them around Azule's desk. They discussed what plans they're going to be doing for the week first; Sally's planning to go to the city and have an interview on the potential of being a DJ at a local club, Tangie's looking to get a part-time job somewhere at the mall so she can make some quick cash, and Fuchsia is planning to work at Ancho V games as an intern. They all take their seats and await their teacher, but when they notice that he hasn't appeared after a couple minutes, chatter begins to fill the room.

After some time passed, Principal Telfin entered the classroom along with some male followed by a stunning female who was dressed in the school winter attire. Principal Telfin introduced them both, "Class, this is your new teacher: Mr. Asuka, and you also have a new student, Kosami Geilger-she's transferring in from one of the smaller nations west of here. Please treat her kindly, and I'll leave the rest to Mr. Asuka."-Principal Telfin exits the room.

Mr. Asuka's demeanor wasn't as intimidating as their previous homeroom teacher, but at the same time this Asuka guy didn't seem to be any pushover of a teacher; Mr. Asuka stands at his desk and looks at the students before him, "Good morning class, starting today I will be your homeroom teacher…"-he bowed his head and returned his gaze to his students- "Also, you have a new student that will be joining you. Introduce yourself…" he actioned his hand, calling her over."

Kosami stood at the center of everyone's attention and introduced herself; all the boys fawned over her cute appearance. She wore her turquoise hair long, and she even had a little blue heart clip on the right side. Her eyes will crystal clear, and her smile was even more pleasant than anything imaginable. She looked around the classroom and spotted her target all the way in the back of the classroom.

"Azule…!" heart shaped eyes appeared as she clasped her hands together and tilted her head; the boys in the classroom growled in Azule's direction.

"It's not fair that he already has Sally, Violet, Tangie, and the Octo babe…now's he's gonna get Kosami too!?"

"I hate Azule…it's like he's the main character or something!"

"Harem king!"

The boys weren't the only ones who were upset with Azule, even the girls in Squidcom were upset with Azule. They all look at him with disgust as the girl continued to call out Azule's name as if the two had known each other forever.

"Why is everyone looking at me like this…I can't say I remember her…"

Cobalt laughed, "Such is the price of being a handsome one, eh captain?"

"Please don't joke about that now, of all times."

Asuka gave a hard and intimidating clap-silencing all the chatter that began to consume the room, he appointed a seat for Kosami, which would be in the back row next to Fuchsia and continued with the lesson plan; Kosami sat down next to Fuchsia. The rest of the day saw Kosami in nearly all Azule's classes, but surprisingly, she didn't interact with him. The words his sister told him only stressed him more-seeing that Kosami was acting much differently from how he expected. But no less, he got through class unscathed. After school, Azule took the train to Inkopolis plaza alone; he didn't tell anyone anything because this was a matter that he'd prefer to settle alone.

The plaza looked so much better since the renovations that were being made had been completed, with many more stores now open, the café was even bigger, and there was even more stuff to do at many of the other local shops, such as an arcade, a little diner, and a movie theater. Inklings flooded the place, and now it had become a complete hotspot for inklings and others alike. Azule looked from left to right, trying to remember where that specific back alley was; he looked a little further down the strip where the battle station was and noticed the gap with a little shade that led to darkness.

"There it is…" he whispered, walking over to the gap.

Azule peeked over the corner of the building and looked down the dark alley. When he looked down at his feet, he saw a sea snail shell on the floor, and ripped pieces of cloth; the cloth resembled Spyke's clothing. Azule immersed into the darkness, looking for the urchin that he made a promise with. It was dark, so dark that Azule had to feel the wall nearby to use as the source of guidance; he knew the linear path meant Spyke couldn't be far if he was here, since his current condition wouldn't allow him to go too distant. Regret filled Azule's mind as he felt the wall, trying to peer through the darkness that surrounded him; he blamed himself for the loss of Spyke's legs, once he realized the error in the confrontation back at the Urchin Underpass.

Because of me…Spyke can't walk-he downed-I shouldn't have gotten big sis involved; now Spyke's handicapped because of my foolish decision…I need to make it up to him…

Azule sees a small light in the distance that lit up a fraction of the long alley, and as he came closer, he realized it was a corner to another alley; it was surprising to see how big the plaza had become! Azule turned the corner instead of continuing in the dark and he found a dead-end with a pile of wooden boxes, sea snails, the small lantern that served as the light, and a urchin who was lying down on the floor-sleeping.

"Spyke…?" Azule crept, getting a closer look; the sight of no legs saddened him.

"Oi love, no needa come any closer; I could feel ya heavy breathing from around the corner!" Spyke said roughly, sitting up.

"Spyke…"

"Wot ya want? I didn't think ya find me here after I made the effort to change my location…"

"I noticed you changed spots; I found torn cloth on the floor further back there."

"Yeah…I had to relocate since mo' kids come 'ere; Shop owners didn't wan't me 'round em."

There's an awkward silence for a few minutes but then Azule finally gets the courage, "Have you thought about my offer?"

Spyke stared at the floor, "I did…I…I can't accept it…"

Azule's face dropped, "W-why…?"

"Cus I'd be throwin my pride out; I 'preciate the thought though…"

"Spyke, there has to be a way I can help you…"

"Look, there wasn't anything wrong wit the deal. If anything, it was the exact opposite. I felt like I would just be robbing ya of ya time and thought."

"B-but there is something I must be able to do to help…? I mean, you're living in the back alley!"

"Oi…I always lived 'ere-so don't mind that. But, I see ya convinced to help me…"

"I am. I feel totally responsible for what happened, and I want to help because of that."

"Are ya sure…? Ya ain't usin me…?"

"No way…"

Spyke leaned back into the boxes, "I'll accept the deal…on one condition…"

Azule froze once he heard the second part, knowing there is a chance something shady could go down. Azule gulped, thinking about the possibilities of what could happen based on whether he accepts the condition from Spyke.

"As ya know, I am a man that is about business…outside of my work with the Black Urchins, I'd have my own clients that I did business wit. But ever since the Urchins were ended, business became slow…"

"nghh…"

"If ya really want me to work with ya, then become my transporter…no my partner in crime!"

Azule looked reluctant, "But Spyke…you know I shouldn't be doing stuff like that…"

"Who cares…? Ya already stuck your nose in adult business, so whaddya got to lose?"

Azule thought about it, and in a sense, he was right. He did get involved in some things that he shouldn't have, and in a sense, he also got his friends involved in similar things to…what hurt could it do if did more of it? Azule agreed, reluctantly of course. It pleased Spyke to know that Azule had the guts to make such a decision, and because of that, Spyke began to soften up to Azule a little-right there at that moment.

"Please to make ya acquaintance! Now that we in business, I can start sharing some news I found. So, lemme give ya the rundown of wot ya gonna do for me. Transporter is ya job, smuggle any goods that I got for ya and I'll reward ya handsomely, do it efficiently and I'll accept the offer and get surgery."

"I see…I think I can handle that…do I have to worry about any gangs or stuff?"

Spyke shook his head, "here in the city, we owned the turf, we covered all of the metro area and most of the province…but now that we've fallen, other factions are fighting over the turf. Be careful on your transporter missions…I heard rumors that some big names are planning to come 'ere too."

"Like who?"

"Well, they are big names…but only in the northern region of the province and in other countries: the Sororia's and the Galloway's."

Those names sound familiar…? Azule thought, trying to remember where he heard those names from.

"They both are based up in Beacon Hills…'parently they became some kind of alliance quite recently after something happened…but it's strange since those two families have bad blood…"

Azule realized at that moment, everything. So that's why they were acting out of character. I guess something must have happened between their families, and the two of them got involved and ended up resolving the matter…and as a result their families have made an alliance. I guess Fuchsia and Sally were also dragged in, and probably on opposing parties…I see it clearly now-Azule spaced out for a moment-I trust Violet, and I trust Reice…so wouldn't they tell me the truth about what happened over there? I should investigate what's going on over there…alone.

"Oi…you listenin?"

Azule snapped out of it, "Mmhm! Contact me as soon as you need me, Spyke. I'm going to head home, I'm not feeling so well right now…"

Spyke nodded, "I'll contact you sometime during the week, so we can discuss what's to be done."

Azule exits the dark back alley, he stares at the light the shines from the outsided where the crowds of people are, and then looks at the battle station; it'd be wrong for him to go alone without his team-at least that's what he thought…but after thinking about most of friend's suspicious decision to hide news from him, he entered anyway-not after switching out his gear and changing his outfit at Jelly Fresh. The doorbell jingles as Azule entered the store, looking around for a friend of his that worked there.

"Azule!" a voiced called; Azule smiled once he heard his friend.

"Jelonzo!" Azule returned, searching for his jellyfish buddy.

"What are you doing back in Booyah Base? I haven't seen you for some time…"

"Oh…"-Azule rubbed the back of his head, trying not to say to much- "I was out doing some personal stuff…but I'm back now."

Jelonzo nodded, "Understood. So, what brings your attention here to Jelly Fresh?"

"I was in the area and thought I'd check out your selection; got anything new?"

"You know it!"

Jelonzo guided Azule showing him all the new products in the store; it turned out that ever since the upgrade of the Booyah Base, or the Inkopolis Plaza, many of the stores have also upgraded their inventory. At Jelly Fresh-according to Jelonzo-now sold accessories such as armbands, sleeves, watches, and of course, shirts! The selection was much bigger than last time, with several types of tops in stock, from Jackets to Jerseys-jelly fresh had them all. Azule had kept his eye on a specific shirt that he really liked; the shirt was a Navy-Blue LS that had three vertical stripes that were on the left side of the body: the colors of the stripes were White, Sky blue, and Ultra blue.

"That one?" Jelonzo pointed; he had been taking care of another customer while Azule went off to look clothes on his own.

"Wow! This price is really cheap!?"

"It is, isn't it? You see, I've been lowering the prices on all of these goods, and so far, its working; I've gotten twice the business I had before! But, I can't handle all of these people by myself…"-Jelonzo analyzed Azule- "You wouldn't happen to know anyone in need of a job…?"

Azule shook his head, "Nope, but if you want, I could come in and work for you."

Jelonzo nodded, "I'd appreciate that. Don't worry, it's only part-time since you're in school. Just come in whenever you can to help around. And bring your friends!"

Jelonzo waved Azule off, who was on his way to the battle station. Azule observed the many shops all around in Booyah Base; to Azule, it appears Booyah Base expanded to become way larger than previously. "It's as big as Inkopolis itself!" Azule said sarcastically, observing the barber shop located next to cooler heads. "I guess I could use a makeover…no point in always wearing this cap if I'm changing my ways…"-he takes of his cap and lets his hair get some air, shaking his hair in the wind; nearby girls immediately turned their attention to him- "Maybe I should stop wearing this altogether…?"-staring down the cap-"LARS…? What was LARS supposed to mean…"-Azule seemed disturbed at the fact that he never had an idea of why he wore the hat or what it meant- "this is strange…for some reason, I feel like this hat is important, but at the same time my memory is fuzzy…maybe my memory isn't completely back?"

Azule stopped in front of the battle station and stared at his beloved hat, that now was a had shrouded in mystery; it was starting to become evening soon, so Azule had to put the hat questions behind him and decide if he'll try to squeeze a game in before he heads to the dorms. Azule walked up the ramp and chose the mode he'll be doing- "Turf War!"