In response to a person's review on ch.119, Yes, I did hear that remix of Bomb Rush Blush for Smash Ultimate and it has me PUMPED for the release even more. Although I havne't played Octo Expansion yet myself (Family and financial troubles) I've tried my best to be informed as much as possible without getting spoiled and I'm very elated that this expansion will be challenging. I feel that it's quite fitting that what we as players have asked for since the first game they finally delivered, with a twist that you get MORE lore, and a daunting challenge with the reward being the option to FINALLY play as an octoling. Off the Hook or Squid Sisters? Yikes, that's a toughie. As someone who's been a fanatic since the launch back in 2015, I've grown to love the Squid Sisters and what they mean to the fanbase (I chose team Callie btw :D). As for Off the Hook, I love their banter and I really appreciate their unique character designs. Their music is also more my taste than the happy hardcore style of the Squid Sisters, and Pearl's bars are A1. Since I haven't played the expansion and have tried my best to avoid the lore side, I'm not sure too much so I'll have to get back to you on that. For DJ Octavio, I liked his dynamic in the first game and was pretty curious about how he brainwashed Callie in the second game. Also, I'm glad you're enjoying the story and hope you'll see it to the end! :D
A heavy pulse beats through Azule's body like a drum, sweating intensely as a tightness swells in his chest and expands throughout his body. Across from him stood a stunned Cobalt, who thought his best friend was still in Inkopolis. Silence fills the air between them as chaos erupts all around with the selection coming to an end by interference from an ambush, everything on live television for the entire world to see and hear. Thousands of thoughts swirl through Cobalt's mind as he tried to make sense of what was going on. Azule, Sally, Violet, Reice, Fuchsia, Kosami, and... some new kid? All of them were here. He just saw Tangie interfere with Saya's battle, and he could sense his mother's presence nearby. What the hell was happening!? His mind began to race with thoughts of how and why were the people he loved appearing before his eyes
"I-I know this is hard to believe Cobalt, but please hear me out…" Azule said with discomfort as he felt the awkwardness between him and Cobalt who stood dozens of feet apart from him.
Cobalt's eyes and lips trembled, his eyebrows slanted with rage and his hands into fists, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" he shouted with rage in a tone foreign to what Squidcom knew. All of them felt shivers down the back of their necks as they heard their usually composed team member show a side that none of them had ever seen. Cobalt never got so angry that he'd raise his tone, especially at Azule. Azule looked petrified for a moment after hearing the hostility in Cobalt's tone, knowing he really screwed this one up. He broke a man's promise and even brought his mother and beloved to come and rescue him. How could he explain to the prideful samurai of their intentions? Feeling like his heart was in his throat, Azule's hand trembled as he placed it on his chest and controlled his shaking nerves.
"We're here to bring you back." Azule said, overcoming his nervousness; Squidcom kept silent, though all of them were equipped and ready for battle.
"Bring...me back!? What the hell are you talking about?" Cobalt yelled again, though not with the same intensity. With confusion present, he looked to Squidcom and glanced at the weapons in their hands, his eyebrows raising with curiosity.
Azule finally met Cobalt's eyes-unafraid of the consequences that he had been prepared to face, "We're worried about you Cobalt. Tangie's been worried sick ever since she learned that you left…"
Cobalt's scarlet-crimson eyes peered sharply as he heard her name get mentioned, "AND HOW DID SHE FIND OUT!?" he yelled with a rhetorical question, knowing the answer already.
Azule swallowed the lump with a downcast gaze, "I-"
"We met as a group and concluded that something was up. Tangie's been a wreck on the inside, but she's strong, holding onto the faith that she'd bring you back and keep you safe. She doesn't want anything to happen to you and risked everything to come here and bring you back. She wants to be at your side!" Sally yelled while coming forward a bit, irritated with how this conversation was going; Cobalt was shocked that even she was getting involved in this.
"Y-you're joking…"
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Sally glared as she crossed her arms and raised her chin, a shotgun at her waist that dangled ready for use.
Cobalt lowered his head, "So you're looking to bring me back by force?"
Azule shook his head with heavy sympathy for how Cobalt must be feeling, "N-no! We don't need to fight, Cobalt. We had to arm ourselves because of how dangerous this mission was! We wouldn't dare gang up to fight you!"
"That's right. You must own up to your own mistake and take responsibility…"-Cobalt raises his head and looks to his comrades behind Azule- "None of you are to get involved. This is between the two of us. At the most, the others can act as our out of bounds and prevent us from escaping…"-he reaches into his garment and pulls out a wooden blade- "Although I have no intentions of running."
The faces of Squidcom harden with a combination of fear and a comprehension, fearing what might occur next but also understanding Cobalt's resolve to settle this with the one and only captain of the team. Everyone takes a step back as set their eyes on Azule's back, anticipating what response he'd give. Azule however, still wasn't sold on having to settle for fighting based on the trembling eyes he had that were filled with light. He wanted to resolve this with the least amount of violence as possible, "Cobalt, can't we talk this out? It doesn't have to come to this!"
Hearing Azule's constant push for peace was futile to Cobalt, who sacrificed his honor and life by returning home, pushed his body past their limit in a death race and avoided near death, then having to battle tough opponents that were after his head, and now this!? Cobalt's mind and body had been at constant edge the entire time with less restraint becoming apparent. He even killed people today, and now one of the people that he was staining his hands for was telling him to stop!? Rage settles into Cobalt like a boiling geyser as he felt the betrayal hit him, with the image of his sleeping mother who was now in the arena somewhere, A lasting image of the serious Tangie who swarmed past him and didn't even bat an eye toward him, and now his comrades standing before him with weapons in hand, ready for combat. These people were supposed to represent the family he'd lost, the shelter he'd been yearning to rest his weary head. His "Home" that he worked endlessly to stain his blood and find was now against him. Looking at the rueful Azule who still wouldn't shut up about having a peaceful resolution, Cobalt shakes his head and lifts glare to the blue haired captain wearing his LARS cap.
"You talk about taking me home? That this is all for my sake? I chose to come here of my own free will! I knew the sacrifices I would be making, but alas I made peace and placed my trust that everything would be swept under the rug and I could return like normal. Yet here you are, bringing that home to me…"-gripping his wooden sword, Cobalt's red aura begins to leak out a bit as he tries to restrain his fury at Azule's betrayal- "I... I don't have a home to return to!"
"W-wait! We're brothers aren't we!? Brothers don't do this!" Azule yelled as he noticed where Cobalt's hand was reaching.
"It seems I was wrongly mistaken to consider you my brother. You're not even as much as a man who can keep a promise."
Azule feels his heart shatter, his lips quivering as the memories they shared from their childhood and reunion came rushing back; Squidcom kept silent, but they were all emotionally rattled by that comment-especially the initial members of the team. "Wha-!? Well, you're still a member of this team, right!? You're still a part of us!" Azule with desperation in his voice as if he'd already surrendered mentally.
Cobalt didn't move a muscle, letting his lack of words serve as his true response; Every muscle in Azule's body tensed up as he vividly heard his memories play like a reel in his mind, seeing a different person stand before him. The air between them grew heavy as Cobalt's aura leaked out further and surrounded his blade. "I trusted you, Azule." Cobalt said with daggerlike eyes, his voice shaking in disappointment at the turn of events.
"We're still a team, right!?" Azule 's head lowered as he yelled again desperately; Cobalt shook his head and raised his weapon.
"You are my opponent now, Azule."
Azule felt his composure snap in half as the stress of the situation finally got to him. He was trying his hardest to stay composed and see Cobalt as the best friend, comrade, and brother-even, a brother that he'd fortified such a strong bond with through the the different trials they overcame. And yet, here it was all about to become shattered pieces of glass like a picture that's been dropped. The picture of his "family" of Squidcom was shattering right before his eyes as his best friend stared him down like an enemy. Azule clenches his fist and looks down at his feet, closing his eyes, a concentrated look on his face as he hides under the shadow of his cap.
I get it. He thought calmly.
Cobalt looks over to Sally with the intention to confirm something, "Tangie and you guys came for my sake, but I sense another familiar presence who is also here. Would you care to answer who that is?"
"Your mom." Azule said bluntly, catching Cobalt a bit by surprise at the delivery of the answer.
So, it was true. As Cobalt's breathing turned light from the flashes of his mother and Tangie enter his thoughts. He couldn't help but be boggled by what was happening, with both coming here thanks to Azule. With conviction in his mind, A darkened maroon aura emits around Cobalt as his hostility spreads through the air around him, and slowly, Cobalt unsheathes the carbon blade from its prison and goes into a dual stance, "Surely you were prepared for this, right?" he said as he went into dual stance with both the wooden and carbon blade in hand, his question serving as a jab to the fact that the team confronted him while armed.
Azule's blue eyes shook with his negative emotions running wild as his heart returned to the unstable state he knew too well and tried so hard to avoid. His body sweating and shivering at the same time he takes a deep breath to calm himself before opening his eyes to show a blue glow. His hand reaching for his hat, he takes off the cap that he never left behind and turns his back to Cobalt, walking to Squidcom one last time before battle. Stopping before the trio who were considered to be the original members, he shares a glance with Reice, then Violet, then Sally, handing her his cap. His eyes were determined, but...the emotional pain was also present. Watching her captain gently place the cap in her care, she couldn't help but feel as though she was looking at a different person. As his blue ponytail and bangs began to flutter in the howling wind that blew into the arena, Azule turned back to Cobalt and made his slow approach. With each step he took, he felt the change in his heart that was the recognition of a warrior he'd be fighting against-not a friend. Regardless of the past, Azule had no choice but to do this.
"Alpha against Alpha..." Azule said in a low and somewhat obscure tone as heat began to evaporate his body; Squidcom all took another step back, sensing a different pressure from their captain that not even his Midnight mode emitted when he first unleashed it in that turf war match. The captain of Squidcom cracked his knuckles as his best friend came closer with the cursed sword stained in the blood of his ancestors. Flashbacks of their childhood memories that seemed to be lost to the pages of time returned as both neared the other.
"Your weapon of choice…?" Cobalt asked as he dragged the carbon blade on the floor while coming closer, its scraping sound creating a siren of warning that a bloodbath was about to be created.
"My weapon of choice is my body." Azule said as his hair blew in the wind with his ponytail and bangs fluttering yet again, putting up his fists with concentration in his eyes.
"Your body is your weapon…" Cobalt gives a slight smirk as his red eyes burn a sadistic hue reminiscent of blood itself, "Only you would think that way!"
Cobalt rushes at Azule with light steps in his pace as he lifts his heels to gain better momentum while sprinting and carrying two swords in hand. Like a vacuum, the sound in the arena is sucked out as the only thing left as the steaming pressure from their bodies give off sound. Everyone holds their breath as Azule and Cobalt make immediate contact, Cobalt leaps and does a downward slash, but Azule catches the wooden blade with one hand-staring down Cobalt with viciousness in his blue daggers, returning the same pressure to Cobalt; Azule's free hand was a fist and was winding to give Cobalt a meaty punch. Cobalt jumps back quickly and sheathes his carbon blade and quickly examines his wooden blade, sweating furiously he knew that wasn't the right decision to engage with his trump card so early. Azule managed not only to catch his blade, but it felt as though there was a crack in his wooden sword! He knew now that the Azule he was facing wasn't the same as the one he'd spar with on many occassions in their past time.
"Get back here!" Azule yelled, his tan body becoming an instant blur in the blink of an eye as he followed after the retreating Cobalt.
The next thing Cobalt knows, a figure is right next to him-hand wrapped around his throat. His feet raise to the air thanks to a sweep of the legs as his body slams the ground furiously from the impact of the choke slam by Azule-who creats a huge dent in the ground from use of his full power. Azule stands like a tower over him, his blue eyes radiating with the same dangerous flare as Cobalt's. Azule had awakened his inner monster for just this battle. A monster that can bathe himself in the blood of his enemies now had a fist formed and ready to deliver a dozen of point blank punches to the choking Cobalt who struggle to get out of Azule's grip. But Cobalt's instincts are quick enough to block the momentous punch, and although he absorbed the hit with his wooden blade, his arms were ravaged as blood quickly left his arm and left a massive bruise. Azule was stronger than even he could have expected. Another crack developed with a huge creaking sound coming as Azule applied more force, looking to punch right through the wooden blade.
Cobalt roughly shifts the blade away from Azule's fist, "Don't think that'll be all it takes!" Cobalt yelled, forcing Azule off of him by bashing him in the head with the hilt of his blade, next he took a quick jab at Azule and managed to land a scratch on his face after momentarily stunning him with the blunt trauma; Azule rolls over to recover from his mild concussion, feeling his mind turn hazy as his vision blurred. He staggers for a bit, hearing the muffled tones of his concerned friends who watch in emotional torture as he and Cobalt look to shorten the other's lifespan. Azule runs his thumb along the thick cut and licks the blood off-his eyes bloodshot and ready for battle once he realized what Cobalt did. There was no turning back anymore.
Chills run down the spines of all the members of Squidcom as Cobalt does a dozen swipes in the air and projects them at Azule, but Azule dodges the projectile slashes and zips like the wind towards the left, heading for a collision course with Cobalt who was reading his movements like a book. Cobalt's ready this time, charging at Azule swiftly before the monster could unleash another brutal attack like he did with his grapple earlier. Azule bites the bait and holds his hand out to grab Cobalt's throat, but instead he gets a sword sent straight through his arm; Cobalt had drawn him in by initially charging and found an opening to launch his blade upwards into Azule's forearm by sliding onto his knees and stopping right under Azule's figure. Blood gushed from Azule's arm as the sword striked a vein. Azule shrieks in agony as Cobalt twists the blade, getting drops of Azule's blood on his face and then lifts Azule with the sword and throws him to the other side of the stage, demonstrating that they were even in strength. Azule grits in pain as he tries to recover from the stream of blood pouring from his wound; at this rate, he could bleed out from how fast the blood drained. Fuchsia was horrified and couldn't bare it any longer, getting up she nearly rushed over before being stopped by a teary-eyed Sally who shook her head. This fight had to continue.
"Cobaaaaaaaalt!" Azule screamed in writhing pain before flexing his bleeding arm and tearing off the sleeve of his shirt to wrap and clog the bleeding. "Don't think I'm going to lose to something like this!"
Cobalt knew that wasn't enough. There's no way a fight between them would end that quickly. It's going to take more than a huge wound to decommission the other. Cobalt's red eyes sharpen as Azule rose to his feet, his shirt sleeve soaked in blood. Both stare at the other as if this was the final meeting. Red electricity in Cobalt's eyes. Blue fire in Azule's eyes. Cobalt grasps the blade with both hands and tightens his grip, Azule clenched both fists before punching them together. This was it. The real fight starts now.
"HAAAAAAAAA!"
"HURRRAAAGH!"
They both yell at one another as they approach like speeding trucks on the highway. Azule lands the first hit: a thunderous blow to Cobalt's jaw that could've knocked him out if it wasn't for his unwavering power as a seishun powa user, Cobalt returns with a ferocious stab to Azule's gut, a lethal blow that'd surely kill Azule if he aimed for the heart, but Azule's eyes widen-gritting through the pain as steam puffs from his nose-absorbing the painful hit. Cobalt wasn't done as he falls backwards from the electrifying punch. He gets back up and notices the bleeding Azule who now had a fresh wound on his gut that bled through his shirt. A vein bulged from Azule's forehead as he felt how deep the wound went. That was the last straw. Azule rushes at Cobalt and delivers a flurry of attacks before disappearing like the wind and returning with a powerful roundhouse kick to Cobalt's back. Cobalt feels a massive jolt of electricity in his spine as his body turns numb from the impact; Azule uses this opening. Like a bear claw, Azule grabs Cobalt by the face and sends him into the ground with immeasurable power, leaving a massive crater in the ground; the entire arena quakes with rage as Azule drags Cobalt through the ground, creating a trail of rubble and Cobalt's blood before throwing him into a wall. Cobalt's body arched as it slammed hard against the wall and formed another crater, burying him deep into his own hole. Azule exhaled heavily as he clenched his chest and fell to his knees, his eyes bulging out and almost rolling over as his mouth opened wide to take in air, showing pain with each breath he took. Not now, not now of all times! Azule's heart was failing him once again.
"D-dammit!" He forced out of his mouth as a mixture of blood and spit escapes his mouth with an extra cough, struggling to keep himself from falling over from the immediate trauma; Squidcom's in tears, all of them. Not because of the painful sight Azule and Cobalt were in, but because of the undying will to continue going. As soon as one of them seemed like they were going to cave and interfere, a glance at the fiery eyes of Azule was enough for them to remember that this was his fight. Cobalt regains his stamina and emerges from the wall, he body covered in scratches and his face bloodied, specifically his forehead and front bangs of his hair were drenched and dripping-gripping his weapon, he had the eyes of a demon and was ready for the next round while Azule was potentially down for the count. That last attack woke Cobalt up. It was well known in the circle that Azule was the strongest member of the team thanks to his insane level of raw power that was considered rare for an inkling of his age to possess, for in a culture and society where only weapons dominate, the aged era of using one's arms and legs as the primary weapon was what made this fight so refreshing. In that last move by Azule, he created the giant crater by using 100% of his full power and channeled it into his arms at that exact moment-a technique he had forced into his body memory thanks to his father. As the two boys reach a moment where no attacks are thrown, another fight was also heating up.
Over by the entrance to the arena was Saya and Tangie's fight with both dueling in their signature styles; Thanks to her work earlier, Tangie was able to force Saya out of the arena with her fists and separate Saya from Cobalt. But now Tangie was on the defensive in having to dodge all of the furious slashes and jabs of Saya, who was lost in her own blood lust and being enraged by Cobalt's beloved. Tangie was covered in scratches and Saya's blood, her face already painted from a blunt hit she suffered from Saya's sheath. Tangie does a backflip which is then followed by two thunderous kicks at the ground, creating heavy winds that propelled her further into the air and served as defensive attacks on Saya. But Saya dodges them, her eyes focused on the moment Tangie would land. Tangie shifts the momentum of her body onto her back as her hands land on the ground and immediately she catapults herself into another flip-avoiding the swipe from Saya. Saya does an extra kick her step and punches the ground, sending the earth into the air and landing a direct hit on Tangie to the chin.
"AGH!" Tangie screamed in immediate response to the uppercut punch double strike and spinning kick that sent her flying back. She crashes on her back, dazed and stunned from the impact.
Saya raised her blade to the sky and stared at her downed opponent, "You said earlier that you'll take back Ao by any means. You said that you would bring him back even if it costed you years off your life? Time to see how much you are willing to pay that price."
"Shut the hell up!" Tangie yelled, rising to her feet. Blood dripped onto her orange and white uwagi from her mouth, but her eyes still had plenty of fight left. "All you do is run your mouth and doubt me. I can see why you're obsessed with my Cobalt. You lack that same killer instinct as him, but still want to be as lethal as he is. You're nothing but a doppelganger!" putting her fists up with a smirk, she knew how to finally get under her skin.
Saya's veins protrude from her forehead as she feels a bomb go off in her head, "That's the last straw, you bitch!"
Saya charges at Tangie, but Tangie's ready! Tangie catches Saya's arm and immediately sprains her wrist, forcing her to drop her weapon in the arm lock, but that isn't enough to stop Saya who immediately kicks the falling sword and sends the business end at Tangie's face; Tangie barely dodges the quick counterattack, but stumbles backwards. Saya's wielding hand was sprained, but her fury wasn't lost. She grabs the blade with her weak hand. "Even if you break my hands, I'll use my feet. If you break my ankles, I'll use my teeth. Regardless of anything you do, I won't let you leave this island without spilling your guts!" Saya said as she leered as Tangie, who was rising back to her feet yet again.
Tangie grinds her teeth, "Stop getting in my way...Stop hindering me from being in his arms!" she yelled as light left her eyes, "I'll be with him again. It doesn't matter if my guts will be spilled. I'll hug and kiss him again before I die!"
Both girls yell to the atmosphere with frustration and unbroken spirits. Saya and Tangie were engaging in their fight outside, Azule and Cobalt were on the stage in the middle of the arena, Simone and Teitsu were in the stands for their fight, and numerous battles were erupting all around between the Tokugawa and the Kotari alliance while spectators evacuated in shrieks of horror with everything being captured live on television. Chaos was occurring just like was planned, now it was up to the chosen few to win this war before it was too late.
