"Yesterday was rough…" Sally said while looking down at her phone-seeing her worried face in the reflection of the phone.

"Yeah, I didn't know what to do: I was aware of Fuchsia's feelings for Azule, but I also knew how much Azule liked Violet." Tangie nodded, equally worried about what happened previously.

"So that's what happened on your end? Man, seems like we're both in sticky situations." Cobalt said sitting forward with elbows on the table.

It was after school and the three decided to meet up and discuss what happened yesterday since the future of Squidcom might be hanging in the balance of the entire mess. The three chose to hang out at a park over in Karpomagi since it was quite a walking distance away from school, so the others wouldn't know about the secret meeting. The park was quiet today, but mostly because the usual crowds of younger inklings were all at the inkling plaza watching teams practice for the upcoming winter tournament that was only a few days away; another reason why the three had gathered today.

"So, what do we do?" Cobalt asked, uncomfortable with the sudden drama that plagued the group.

Sally shrugged her shoulders throwing up her hands, "Hell if I know…I'm not good with stuff like this."

Tangie looked at the pond behind Sally and then to Cobalt, who was sitting next to her. She gazed at him, studying the uneasiness on his face, and then to Sally who was across from her, seeing the same uneasy expression. Tangie returned her gaze to the pond, "Let's trust our team." She said plainly; Sally and Cobalt looked at her skeptically.

Cobalt narrowed his eyes, "Tangie, you do realize the situation we're in right now, don't you?"

Sally also narrowed her eyes, "there's a huge love fiasco going on between active party members of Squidcom. Things are so tense right now that none of them are trying to interact with each other. At this rate, we might not even compete in the second rank wars-much less even attend the winter tournament to watch Sky and the Elites play…"

Tangie looked indifferent, "I'll trust them to sort things out by the time the tournament starts...we aren't a normal group after all."

"But…"-Cobalt interjected, still uneasy- "I saw a different person in Reice…he looked like he was dead serious about his threat. Azule, I could see it in his body language…he was holding back some serious anger."

"Everyone is being so selfish…" Sally said covering her face with her hand in disappointment.

Tangie crossed her arms, "We all have our flaws, don't we? I mean…"-she looks at Cobalt with smile- "You're extremely lack affection and yet I still love you."

Cobalt looked triggered-having veins pop from behind his head, "Now is not the time to discuss our relationship."

Sally laughed, "You guys are cute…"

Cobalt became more irritated, "Please stop…"

At that same moment, Marigold and Canary were passing by when they noticed Sally sitting at a park table by the pond; the duo rushed over calling Sally's name. Sally's ears twitched when she heard their familiar voices, looking up to see the duo race towards her. Sally opened her arms, welcoming her two little sisters.

"Big sis, we haven't seen you in a while!" Marigold said, holding Sally tighter.

"Where've you been!? You said you see us more!" Canary whined.

Sally chuckled, "Sorry you guys, I've been busy lately…"-she looked at Tangie and then winked- "How about I spend some time with the both of you right now?"

"Yes please!"

The trio walked away, leaving Cobalt and Tangie alone. Tangie smirked, knowing what Sally just did; Cobalt's face darkened with fire in his eyes, knowing exactly what Sally just did. Tangie laughed menacingly with devil horns sprouting from her head, leaning in on Cobalt, Cobalt leaned away with a plain expression. Tangie swoops in for a hug, but Cobalt jumped out his seat, doing a back flip, landing upright.

"What the heck, Cobalt!?" Tangie yelled holding a fist with a vein popping out.

Cobalt's face was red as he crossed his arms, "I thought we came here to think of a plan to save Squidcom?"

"And I told you, just trust them!"

Cobalt got more irritated, "How can you say that so calmly? Don't you understand how severe this situation is?"

Tangie sighed, "I've seen this team do some extraordinary things…from a captain risking his life for his team's safety, to a team that rather be handicapped in a match than receive help, to then fighting hard enough to make it deep when no one else affiliated with them believed…this team is special."

Cobalt's face softened, "Tangie…"

"So, don't worry about them. I know they'll overcome this…"-she began to look concerned- "They've got to."

Meanwhile in the streets of Inkopolis, Azule walks down the busy sidewalk with his hands in his sweater pockets with a wary look on his face as looked from left to right constantly; he was on a transporter run delivering some drugs to a client of Spyke's that lived over in the shadier part of the city. Azule had been walking for hours, and he was getting exhausted from the long walk, but he knew he had to do the run on foot or else he'd be suspicious if he got on a train or bus going to an area like that; young people and children usually kept away from the rundown projects of Inkopolis.

I feel weird doing this… Azule thought as he clenched the package in his sweater pocket tighter. He looked forward and then at his breath, seeing it in the cold. When he looked up, all he saw was snowflakes falling from the grey sky-lost in the synchronization of the falling flakes. Azule didn't look where he was going and bumped into a girl, and when he looked up, it was Bianca-dressed in her police uniform.

"Oh? Sky's little brother? What are you doing out here?" she said with a pleasant smile.

Azule got flustered, not wanting to reveal he was transporting drugs. He made a lie and said he was going for a walk to see the town more. Bianca looked at him skeptically, crossing her arms while doing so. She analyzed Azule from the ground up and then began to tap her foot with a displeasured look.

"You do know this is the bad side of the city, right?" she said with a questioning look on her face.

"O-Oh…I uh, didn't know that. I just wanted to see what all of Inkopolis looks like."

She shook her head, "Even so, it's advised that someone your age avoids walking around this side of town. There are many dangerous people here…"

Azule got restless, he had to deliver this package so he wouldn't get in trouble, but at the same time, how could he bypass a cop like her? She knew him enough since she was friends with his older sister, and if Sky ever found out about his transporter business, he'd be in a world of trouble. Azule gazed at Bianca's eyes, "But Bianca, why are you in this area? I'm pretty sure those same dangerous people would love to go after someone as cute you."

Bianca smirked looking dead serious at Azule, "Nice try lover boy, but it's going to take more than some cheap flattery to shake me off. What's the real reason you're here?"

"It's as I said, I'm just here on a walk."

Bianca narrowed her eyes-studying Azule's body language, "You're lucky you're Sky's little brother…you should be able to handle yourself, although…"-she took out a notepad and wrote down a number, handing it to Azule- "If you ever need help, call this number. It's my personal number, and reaching me this way at least ensures that whatever your problem is, I can be the one that oversees it."-she walks off tipping her cap- "Also, I've been doing this for years. If you're going to lie, at least make a better effort at it…"-she smiled, walking off on her patrol; Azule got shivers, these women are dangerous…

Azule continued his way, thinking about what happened yesterday. It still angered him what Reice said, but he wasn't angry at Reice-just the thought of what Reice did. Azule and Reice had become great friends ever since they met, in fact, Reice was Azule's first friend he made at Squid Academy. For Azule, this whole situation seemed like a betrayal; he looks down at his feet in motion, recalling his meeting with Spyke. Spyke was eager to see Azule and had rushed him out to deliver the package saying that the clients had become impatient. Because of this, Azule didn't hesitate to help since he initially agreed to help Spyke.

Is what I'm doing…wrong? He thought, questioning the trip; he was closing in on his destination, only a few more blocks.

After a few minutes passed, Azule arrived at the designated point; the building was old and raggedy with white paint chipping from the walls. A foul odor came from the building next door, and the sounds of police sirens in the background didn't make the scene any nicer. Azule took a huge gulp and walked up the rickety stairs, knocking on the old door; A pair of eyes appeared from the mail slot, asking Azule to state his business.

"I'm here to deliver a package…from an urchin." He said plainly, staring into the mail slot.

"Come in…" the guard said, opening the door.

Azule entered being greeted by an ugly middle-aged urchin dressed in filthy old clothes; in the long hallway, nothing but garbage and waste crowded the corners: from bags to actions pieces of garbage. Azule tip toed his way around the unsightly mess, following the guy into what was the living room. When he entered, he a group of men playing cards around the table with a bunch of playing chips scattered all over the table. The guard told them that their package came and then told them that Spyke sent a kid to do the job-they laughed.

"What happened to Spyke!? He got kids doing this for him now?" said one burly man with glazed eyes.

"I heard he's become a crippled man…word on the street is some chicks did it to 'em." Another man said, dropping his cards on the table.

"Oi kid, you wouldn't happen to know anything about this…wouldja? Seems strange that Spyke wouldn't deliver his packages to us in the flesh, nor does it seem right that he'd have some kid do it…" a fourth man said with a glare.

Azule's stone face tightened, "I'm only doing this because he asked me to." He said roughly.

The gang of men guffawed, one even falling on the floor and beginning to cry; they all found Azule's attempt to be serious and gutsy hilarious. The man with glazed eyes smiled and then slapped the table, "Hey kid, I like you. You ain't afraid to say what's on your mind!"

"Kid, you got guts." Another said who was leaning against a wall with his hands in his pockets.

"Hey guys, what reward should we give this kid for his gutsy actions eh?" a rowdy man said.

"How about the priest guy that's about to become the leader of this place? I hear kids love that idiot." Another man said.

Azule's veins pulsated and throbbed once he heard the priest mentioned; he came closer to the men, and with his desire for vengeance beginning to show he stared down the leader of the group. All the men in the room looked disturbed by Azule's sudden change-at first, they thought he was just some aloof kid, but the warning sirens that were alarming in their minds-had them unnerved since this kid's eyes looked like the eyes of a killer. Azule slammed his fist against a wooden pillar in the room, nearly destroying it with one fist; the pillar was nearly bent in half and the part that was facing out wards was broken with many splints sticking outwards. Azule's face intensified as he recalled his history of that monster. The leader, along with many of the other men, were on their guard-no child should be that strong.

The leader crossed his arms, "I'm starting to understand why Spyke sent some kid to do his deed…"

Azule clenched his teeth, "You mentioned a priest…? Which one…" he said in a shaken tone; the men looked at him, confused.

"The one who's running for office, he used to be head priest of some cuttlefish orphanage over in the western part of the country before it got burned down in some accident." The leader said, unsure why a kid would want to know any of this.

Sweat drops fell from Azule's face as he made the connections; he looked possessed, with glint in his eye that captured his current emotion. "Where can I find him…?"

"Hold on, kid. Why should I tell you?"-he observes Azule's body language- "I guess, I can tell you; I don't know why, but it's clear you have some history with that guy."-he crossed his arms- "On one condition, though. In return from receiving any information from me, you're going to work for us."

Azule thought for a moment, knowing he already was doing shady work for Spyke. If he continued to engage in shady work for more creatures like Urchins and Shrimp, then he'll fall down the wrong path. But Azule knew, he was a step closer to getting revenge on the monster that tainted him and his sister. Azule stared down the leader, nodding in acceptance.

The leader told him everything that he knew; Azule learned the reason why Saint Henry was here. It turned out that Saint Henry was in town to attend the Winter tournament before heading to the capital of Inkopolis, Inkopolis. Azule knew his target that he couldn't ever find for the previous months was finally revealing himself. Azule thanked them for the info and promised to return deed by offering his services. He bolted out the door, and down the street, taking out his phone to call his sister on the information he just found.

"I need to meet Sis right away!" he hurried, dialing her number; as his phone dialing he got an incoming call from Violet.

Azule stopped in his tracks, contemplating whether to answer or ignore and focus on his original plan. He stares at the phone intently, struggling to decide, then-reluctantly, he answers. He hears Violet on the other line, her tone didn't sound very firm or happy like usual, instead, she sounded like someone who had their mind clouded and was about to make a heavy decision; Azule knew what she is calling about, noticing her beating around the bush.

"Just hurry up and say it…" Azule said in an agitated tone, and rightfully so; he was in a hurry after all.

Violet felt offended by the sudden rudeness from Azule, "Well, I was hoping we could meet up somewhere? My mind feels heavy and I don't know what to do…"

"Let's meet up at the park in Karpomagi county, it'll be nice and quiet over there."

"Sure, I'm heading there now…"

Azule hanged up, disgusted that she'd call now of all times; he didn't care much for the drama surrounding her and Reice. For Azule, his mind was already on another task, one that he absolutely couldn't let anyone else hinder him from continuing-even his own girlfriend. Some time passed by, and Azule met up with Violet as planned at the park; the park was peaceful with the only sound to be heard coming from the birds or the water that rippled from the wind. Violet sat on a bench, dressed very nice in a plaid purple dress with a white shirt under, and black boots; when Azule observed her further, he noticed her amethyst gem earrings and her black leather choker.

Azule put his hands in his pockets, "you called…what's wrong?"

Violet gazed at Azule's face, seeing a different guy from the one she fell in love with. His face didn't have the same glow, his eyes didn't have that soft gaze-instead replaced by a hard, subtle glare, and his body language indicating that he had somewhere else better to be.

Violet looked at her lap, "I…I want to break up." She said in shaken voice, holding her head; Azule didn't react, only standing still with the same stare he had before. "I…I'm sorry. But this can't work anymore-it feels like it's only causing more trouble than it is solving…"-the wind blows between them as she looks up, seeing an emotionless face stare her- "I…I want us to stay friends…"-on the inside, she freaked out. She actually came right out and told Azule what she wanted…but something didn't seem right to her; Azule wasn't reacting to it.

Azule closed his eyes and put his hands in his pockets-sighing, "Okay…was that all?"

Violet was shocked by the reaction, never would Azule act this way-especially towards her. She gazed at his eyes, seeing nothing but an empty blue shell. "You…you don't care?"

Azule shifted his feet, tightening his cap, "It's not that I don't care. I'll respect your decision…"-he turns around walks away- "Just don't expect things to go back to how it used to be…"

Violet got up, "What is that supposed mean!?" she yelled with emotion.

Azule stopped in his tracks, looking back her-the shade from the brim of his cap covering his eyes as he stared, "You're a smart girl, so you can figure it out."-turning around and heading on his way; Violet stood still, stunned by the change she'd seen from Azule.

Nothing but memories of Azule came rushing into her mind, from the first words she heard him say, to the first time he spoke to her, to the time they competed in the rank wars, to that moment when she witnessed him save her life, to their first dance together, to their first date. All the memories of the one she loved came rushing back as she watched a different Azule, turn her away; she thought she was doing the right thing, she thought she was doing what was best for the team, for Fuchsia, but the empty feeling she had-it wouldn't go away. It felt as though she made the wrong decision, even though it looked like the logical thing to do, it didn't feel that way. Violet held her head, feeling an ache begin to come, taking a seat- "What have I done…?" she said with regret, realizing her decision had consequences, and slowly she began to understand Sally's words that day, "Team members should never become romantically involved"-she was right. Snow begins to fall, a couple snowflakes fall into her palm as she held out her gloves; she looks up at the grey sky, seeing nothing but a cloudy horizon, similar to hers.