A yawning Azule opens his mouth wide with closing eyes as he sits tirelessly in his second to last class for the day. Surrounded by many bored classmates alike, the lectures from their instructor was so dull that some inklings would rather take a dip into a pool and call it quits than continue listening...if only! To his left and right, he saw the many other classmates dozing off-some already knocked out, ahead of him he saw the chalkboard with plenty of writing on it and a babbling buffoon of a teacher that had not a single shred of life in their plain tone. Feeling his eyelids get heavy, Azule dozed off…

"Maaaan, today was boring!" Azule said aloud as he stretched while walking home with Reice and Sally.

"Tell me about it, the most fun time of school is definitely during the regular season. The atmosphere in the school feels different from students and faculty alike-everyone loves rank wars." Reice said while checking his phone for any new messages from his club mates; Sally was bobbing her head to some of Hatsunika's music with a jubilant smile on her face, her shoulders moving rhythmically to the synths that played, and her legs having a skip with each beat of the bass drum.

Azule looks over at the grooving Sally and enjoys what he's seeing, "Seems you're enjoying yourself, huh Sally?"

Sally stopped her dancing and quickly pulled one of her headphone ears back and turning to her captain she smirked with a tilt in her head, "I certainly am, Azule!" She grinned from ear to ear showing her pearly whites. There was nobody more thrilled for the Rank Wars spring season like Sally, who'd been waiting for this moment since she first gained knowledge of its existence. "This is our second chance to take the stage. With Sky and the Elites gone, the path to the top is more manageable. Of course, it won't be an easy road…"

Reice smirked with knowledge that Sally had more to say, "But…?" he said condescendingly.

"Buuut, we've got your back, Azule. Whether you were aware or not, you're the foundation of the team. We didn't go to the finals because we didn't have you. If we had you, I'm think-no, I know we would've beaten your sister and the Elites. We had the toughest trio in the entire competition and only lost because of the disadvantage in numbers. With you, that won't happen again. Although, I'd like that you NOT get into any more trouble than you already have, 'kay?" she said with reference to Azule and his well-documented history of always causing or getting dragged into problems.

Azule blushed a bit at Sally's high praise and well as with embarrassment that his teammate knew him and his flaws so well, "D'aw I'll do my best!"

Do your best? I hope by that you mean not getting into any more trouble you blue haired vessel of problems! Sally thought to herself with a cruciform of veins popping from behind her head as she watched her captain laugh with innocence, or was it ignorance?

"Well, gotta admit that if it wasn't for Azule's knack for finding trouble that we wouldn't have found our growth. Think about it: Azule's determination to rescue you, Tangie, and Violet led to new bonds being formed as well as the addition of new members. His big mouth led to our group gaining infamy-and although he wasn't present for most of it-which led to us stepping our game up and surprising our haters. He's picked fights with gangsters, samurai, and ninja and somehow always found a way to get out of the mess. If there's one thing I love about Azule is that he has an insane amount of luck to always pull through." Reice elbowed Azule afterwards; Azule gave a timid laugh before feeling the scar under his cheek.

"It isn't like I've survived this long without hardships. I have a failing heart that can give away at any moment-for starters."

Reice and Sally both frowned immediately, "Don't ruin the mood with something so heavy!" both scolding at their shrinking captain who still hadn't gotten the clue to stop bringing up something so depressing; even now, Azule hadn't figured out that although he made peace with his fate, his friends also had sensitive feelings regarding his health.

"S-sorry!"

As a few minutes pass by, a thought came by in Reice's head like an instant message. "Oh! Azule, it's your turn to get the groceries. Mind getting them now while the sun is still up? I can cook dinner."

"Gotcha! I'll go right away."

Sally laughed, "You? Cooking? I have to see this..."

Reice shook his head, "No way am I allowing you to eat all our resources. Go home." he said while shooing her away like a pest; she hissed before laughing and going her own separate way.

With his bag still on his back, Azule headed straight to the nearest market to go and get the groceries needed for back at his dorm. Continuing his walk along the suburbs, he receives a text message from Luna in regard to his upcoming training session; it'd be on the beach in Arowana. Arriving at the supermarket, Azule traversed each aisle and grabbed everything that caught his eye before going to the produce section to grab the fruits and vegetables that were essential to whatever the others at the house would need. After filling up the cart with a mountain of items, Azule only needed to make his way to the checkout line. That was, until something caught his eyes on his escape route.

"Wh-what is that?" he said under his breath as he stopped the cart suddenly and making a screeching sound as the wheels stopped, his gaze focused on an item to his left down the aisle that was hidden in the middle, but Azule caught it out the corner of his eye and couldn't resist. Without another thought, Azule did a burnout swerve into the aisle.

His vision became narrow as his surroundings faded to black. The shining light from the heavens raining down on the luminescent box was accompanied by an angelic choir that made it look all the more divine and tempting by the peasant who rushed toward it like a squid possessed with no awareness for anyone around him. As he came nearer, he could identify the majestic item that made his heart skip a beat, "Serial Cereal's cinnamon strawberry corn cereal! I thought they'd never bring them back, oh boy!"

Azule notices a concerning fact: this was the last box and it'd been pushed to the front, meaning that it was fair game on the rare cereal flavor. Azule rushes to the pillar of light and flings the cart to the side, making a double hop into the air and getting one hand onto the box, except, there was another hand on that same box.

"Huh!?" Azule marveled as he looked at his opponent who had a firm grasp on the box.

A brown skinned girl with baby blue eyes and thin green eyebrows hides her face behind a dark green flu mask and was dressed in all black Toni Kensa gear. With a slender posture like a model and yet the grip of an ogre, the girl stood next to Azule with her left hand firmly gripping her side of the box. Confusion and wonder painted on her mostly hidden facial features as her eyebrows raised. She tilts her head to the side and looks at Azule with deep concentration.

"You're also a fan of Serial Cereal?" the girl asked in a polite tone as her black beanie twitched with curiosity about the boy holding the other side of the box.

Azule nodded, "Yeah, I've been hearing promising things about Serial Cereal and this specific flavor...do you mind if I take it?"

The girl didn't answer immediately because she was too busy gazing at Azule and his features, likewise, Azule kept his gaze on her but managed to catch glimpses of the rest of her outfit and noticed that she was wearing a Toni Kensa dark bomber jacket, and Toni Kensa black arrow pull-ons. Upon closer look of her facial features, he saw her wearing sparkling earrings and she had short green hair.

She shook her head reluctantly, "I'm sorry, but I have to get this. My brother loves this cereal, and…"

"Kippy? Kippy!" A voice called from afar before a figure far behind her appeared; the girl turned around with the box in her hand, about to walk over to him, leaving Azule off-balanced as he stumbles to the floor.

"O-oh! I'm so sorry!" she bowed with the cereal, closing her eyes with great meaning of apology.

"Hm? Who's this guy?" the boy asked as he took the cereal from her and frowned at the Azule sitting on the floor; the girl stuttered with hesitation on whether to help him or stay by the boy's side; the boy looked identical to Kippy with the same eye color and same hair color, although his hairstyle was similar to Azule's except he had a design on the shaved side.

"Your name is Kippy?" Azule asked as he rose to his, surprised by the crazy strength the girl had.

Kippy nodded with fluttering her eyelashes, "I'm Kippy Moreno, and this is my brother…"

"Kappa Moreno." he said in an unfriendly tone as he leered at Azule, crossing his arms to take a gander at the inkling who was suspiciously near his sister.

"You're twins…" Azule noted as he took a better glance at the dude dressed in a checkerboard shirt with black hi-tops and fitted black sweats.

"What business do you have with my sister?" he demanded.

Azule shook his head, "Nothing."

Azule walks over to his cart and leaves them be, remembering both their faces and names. For some reason, he felt he was going to see them again. While Azule went grocery shopping, his sisters were spending the evening together at Oasis Mall. Oasis mall was one of the biggest malls in the country and had nearly everything imaginable from an amusement park to a sports arena, to even a race track, and all the freshest of brands were available with their own department stores. The duo sat in a pastry shop trying out two different types of soft delicacies, both with delight on their faces as they took a bite out of the other's dessert. Lime's slice was a vanilla cake with whipped cream and a strawberry, while Sky went another route with a mango tango of a mango pie and a mango smoothie.

"Haaa~!" Lime sighed with pleasure as she takes another bite of her cake.

"You're really enjoying that cake, Lime." Sky said with a smile while savoring both the flavor of her pie and smoothie as well as the rewarding image of her big sister's beaming expression of happiness; even though she was younger, she felt like an accomplished mother for some reason.

"I must say, I was initially surprised by you short hair but after taking another detailed glance at you, you look beautiful with short hair as well." Lime said as she chewed; Sky smiled with a blush.

Playing with the short ends of her bangs, "I'm glad you noticed. Verde never mentioned anything when he saw me."

Lime laughed, "That boring old butt has no tact. If it wasn't for his drab personality he'd get by fine with women because of dad's looks."

"A-achoo!" Verde sneezed with force as he sunbathed by the poolside at the hotel listening to live music.

"R-really now? I always thought big bro was cool."

Lime shook her head, "He's the only bloke I know who'd stay far away from the people he was looking to visit…"

Lime had rushed over after learning from Verde about his breakfast with Sky and Azule and immediately she followed behind to spend time with them as well, however, she missed out on grabbing Azule since he never responded but managed to still grab Sky off the spontaneous day. Staying in downtown Inkopolis, she made it her goal to spend as much time with her precious little siblings. As she ties her long lime hair back with a red scrunchie, she keeps her gaze on Sky, who felt lost at how to consider the conversation. Having burned through all the small talk and get past boring discussions about school and work, it felt like there was nothing left to talk about, and yet sitting across from her was a radiant older sister who looked like a kid in a candy store; Sky felt awkward, but the good kind of awkward-like an uncharted path she'd been waiting to do.

"Sorry for taking you away spontaneously. I just arrived this morning and had to spend time with one or both of you." Lime said as she played with her cake before taking another savory bite.

Sky shook her head, "I'm thankful that you invited me, actually. I was meaning to come to this place and try out the pastries here, but I never had the motivation. Besides, I manage my academics well enough to earn time like this."

"Hmmm hm, Oh! I remember you touched on it momentarily, but you work on cars, right? Could you tell me more about it?"

Sky nodded and explained the reason behind her car hobby. Starting out as something she was always interested in, she found herself to be gifted at driving and naturally gained the inclination to do performance on the cars she drove and test them out, finding herself in spontaneous outrun challenges and drag races along with an occasional drift challenge. As she got better in driving, she got better at performance and repairs until she could be called a gearhead for her vast knowledge. Although some was thanks to the help of Aaron when he became a central part of her life as she knew it, she always liked cars from the time she came to Inkopolis. Finding her inability to hold back, Sky went deep into her plan about restoring an old hot rod she named "Baddest One" that she estimated would be done in a few months.

"I work pretty fast thanks to my youth, and I got the funds to get the parts. I figure by the end of the winter it'll be ready, then I'll bring him out for a summer cruising."

Lime giggled, "You really do love cars. How many do you have?"

Sky paused for a moment as she tried to recall, "Um, if I remember right, about 3 cars and a motorcycle. I try my best to limit my time with the two-wheeler since there are many bad drivers out there."

"Wow...care to take me there and have a look another time?"

Sky beamed, "Would I! I'd love to!"

Lime winked, "Then, it's a date."

The next day served as the last school day before the rank wars began in the following week. The school looked less like an institution for learning and more like the pregame to a huge sporting event with many students deciding to sport their team colors without breaking the dress code. There were also many songs being sung by the students who were dedicating it to certain popular player that everyone knew such as Pastelle, Todd, and surprisingly, Sally. But while the anticipation of the looming event captured the attention of everybody, some unsettling concerns followed. For the last week, there were rumors about an online hacking group known as "Ixia" that had made their presence known around the country for the way they hacked the local turf wars. Ambiguous and talented, nobody knew how large this group was nor did they know the reason behind their attacks, all that was known was that this group can do so much harm that even the committee in charge of the sporting events in the country were worrying about its influence.

"Just the other day they hacked the X rank leaderboard system to announce their arrival, from what I heard." one girl whispered to her neighboring friend while they avoided their teacher's lecture; sitting behind them was an observant Sally who made sure to keep her pencil moving as she soaked in the information.

"I heard from a friend that they've been interfering in turf wars and ranked mode matches by doing stuff like blocking certain players from spawning, inserting differing leveled individuals who aren't supposed to be there, and even spawning individuals into the wrong or locked maps." the boy responded; Sally narrowed her eyes.

Later that day after class, Squidcom met up for a team meeting per Sally's request.

"I'm guessing you guys have heard about the hacking group known as Ixia?" Sally asked while lifting her shoulders with a stare to her teammates; she was unhappy about the sudden development.

Fuchsia nodded, "That's the group my friends mentioned today in our fourth period. They told me they were planning to hack the Rank Wars."

"Same here." Reice added a concerned tone.

"I'm curious about what they'd want with the Rank Wars…" Azule wondered; this was the first he ever heard of them.

"They're supposed to be a group that's been undercover for years but finally came out and made themselves known. Rumor has it that they were originally a turf war clan that went rogue after some of the members 'had enough' of the leader and his orders." Kosami informed with realization that the information everyone had was only cracks that led to the root of the cause. "After disposing of their leader, a new leader led them and enacted the group we now know as Ixia, also recognized as one of the growing cyber terrorist groups, they've become a fearsome bunch after the stunts they've been pulling in the spotlight."

"Not sure what's so fearsome about them." Jory said as he placed his hands at his hips, unimpressed by these hackers.

"It's reported that they're fiddling with the underground scene and are involved in the black market, making illegal deals of contraband, arms, and even trafficking of people. Some believe they're trying to monopolize the underground as a whole in order to create a hostile takeover of the market as we know it." Kosami added as her turquoise tentacles swished in the wind.

Reice and Violet's faces turned pale; Azule focused his glance on them from the corner of his eye. Before another word could be said, Sally took the lead. "I don't give a clam about these guys, but I want to make a single point clear: Regardless of the opponent, we'll win. Show no error and exploit the opposition's."

Whenever Sally got motivated, she had a fiery spike in her temper. Hearing the rumors about Ixia and what they'd do only made her more determined to shut them down along with doubters and haters. Squidcom came to a consensus after her comment and decided that they'd do their own little research on this hacker group since they had two tech geniuses after all in Fuchsia and Kosami who weren't shy to these types of moments. Azule decided that there'd be a plan of action to be taken. It started with the setup of Squidcom having a total of 7 members (5 active, 2 idle) that had distinct roles to the team. The active members of Squidcom were the members who compete in the sporting competitions such as turf wars and rank wars, while the idle members were the members seen as emotional support and scouting as well as sometimes the coach-in Fuchsia's case. If anyone had a chance to track down Ixia, it'd be Squidcom. Starting with tonight, the plan was placed into action: Idle members Fuchsia and Kosami would begin investigating for footprints of Ixia and attempt to track them down, if they were able to land a hit, they could take their information to authorities and let them handle it. In the case of the active members, it was all about focusing on the rank wars that started next week with the schedule being released sometime later to give teams a chance to prepared for the new season. While the young team carried out their plan for how to handle the stresses of Ixia, in the principal's office gathered a dozen individuals before Principal Telfin-all awaiting his orders. Familiar faces such as the Elites, and Bianca were present, as well as some of the club members from Bianca's police force on campus; they were some fresh faces that were unrecognized but were soon to be when the time would be right.

"Given the history our school has, it's a miracle that this upcoming rank wars will be slated for the success that is estimated. A competition that exploits the student's strengths and weaknesses on live television all for the sake of entertainment is the sacrifice we make to show that the prestige of our school still reigns regardless of past results. However, with the situation regarding Cobalt and Cameron and their leave from the school, the involvement of the Black Urchins in attacking one of our students, and now this talk of Ixia-the online hacking terrorists, about to cause mayhem, I can't help but come to you." he said with pain in his tone; Principal Telfin was a kind man who made the safety of his students his biggest priority, but lately with all the events going on, he felt powerless that he couldn't do anything to prevent or fight against the cause. Looking to his strongest group in the Elites who were occupied by military caliber talent in Sky, Aaron, Pearl, and Austin, a capable leader with combat specialty in Bianca, and then the reliability of the AV club, Principal Telfin had all the possible resources to strike back. "I want you to sniff out this group and smoke 'em out of their hideout. I'll bring the authorities to assist in their capture when you do."

"If that's it, we'll be on our way." A pale inkling boy with a buzzcut said behind a pair of shining lens, leading his band out of the room.

Principal Telfin waited until they left to continue with what he wanted to be said, "As you know, my stint here has been a rocky one. I'm not proud of the issues I've allowed to become news under my watch, especially with the danger it has put several students in. I'm not saying I'm resigning, but I recognized my lesson that I learned here and have a new goal in mind." he said with regret imminent; Bianca and the Elites kept quiet. "I will be leaving the school as this rank war is completed to pursue my career in my second job, a job I've kept under wraps with very few of my students knowing the truth. I'll be a full-time politician of the parliament and work to repair this nation. Seeing how I can barely handle the problems here, I realize that they start with the people in charge of office. I always neglected my position in parliament since I focused only on taking care of my students, but no longer can I continue to do that. If I have any chance to fix these messes, I have to start at the top."

"Even so, Principal Telfin...this seems rather... hasty, doesn't it?" Bianca voiced with concern.

"Yeah, it wouldn't look smart to just up and leave right after the rank wars and show your face in that disaster of a place. Besides, what would you do in parliament? There won't be any elections being held until things get straightened out and it looks like the second in charge will be promoted to interim prime minister."

"I always hated that about our government, so unorganized." Sky said off to a side. With a face full of disgust.

"Sorry, but this is my decision. I ask that you lend me your help despite my selfish desire." he asked sincerely with regret in his eyes and tone, not wanting to continue with his political agenda and abandon the students he cared so much about, but his mind was made up. His students were disappointed greatly with the acceptance that this would be some of their final days in calling this man their beloved principal. Noticeably, Pastelle and her team were missing from this secret meeting because of their involvement in the upcoming competition, which meant they wouldn't have any knowledge of whatever was happening for the sake of not being distracted. That exemption could be a privilege with not being involved in the mess of tracking down hackers or could be a curse because Kidvel-a team with connections to Principal Telfin-wouldn't be able to help him one last time before he resigns.

As the sun begins to set on after-school activities with the campus being cleared out after the dismissal bell, a student seemed to be too stubborn to get the memo of going home after catching a glimpse of the orange hued background of the white city buildings off in the distance. His blue pair of tentacles dance with each step through the space in the back of his cap as he walks with a smile on his face holding his backpack; he had a plan that'd get him scolded, that much was obvious from his mischievous smirk. To get some more practice in, Azule headed to the Inkopolis Square alone to get his rank up. Talking on the phone with an upset Reice who advised that he hold off until later in the week to do any extra games at the square, Azule ignored him happily like an airhead and made his way to the popular district before they closed down for the night.

"Yeah, I hear you Reice. But it's just a few matches in ranked, wouldn't hurt me!"

"Yes, it will! You just reached S rank, there's no need to force yourself into X rank. We all decided that we'd get to X rank together on the same day." Reice yelled.

Azule had a regretful smile with eyes as dull as his approach to the conversation; Something was weighing heavily on his mind that he wouldn't share with the team, not yet at least. Feeling it was necessary to shoot for the X rank, Azule went onwards to make it to the plaza but found himself arriving just a bit too late as the gate shut to the strip. Having hung up the phone some odd minutes earlier to rush to the gate and make it in time, seeing the gatekeeper's truck already pass based on the subtle hint of tire tracks on the asphalt told him his wish wasn't granted. Feeling a combination of exhaustion and frustration, Azule sat on the ground against the gate. To his left he saw the white walls known for being decorated in the art of inklings that passed by, ahead of him were the peaceful streets of the inkopolis square, where in this specific area it seemed everyone was asleep was the Square closed; this was due to the Square having so much attention that people living nearby rather get as much rest as possible when there is an opportunity. An agitated sigh accompanied by a roll of the neck leads Azule's gaze upwards as he looks past the sky-high buildings that touch the night about him, Seeing the moon grace him with its presence, he feels at ease to know he had company even in darkness like this.

"You shouldn't be out here." A familiar voice said nearby, apparently watching Azule based on the approximate location from where the voice was projecting; Azule clenched his fist, his eyes sharpened, and his instincts were brimming with high sensitivity-waking into his midnight element, Azule was prepared for a fight.

"No need to keep your guard up, just passing by on my way back home. Someplace you're supposed to be as well."

Azule recognized the guy's voice, "Don't tell me-"

A pair of sharp dark green eyes pierce through the darkness like a dagger filled with light, soon followed by his forest green hair that danced to the rhythm of his footstep. A familiar foe, one he was stuck having to live with. Todd arrived.

"What are you doing here?" Todd asked with slight irritation in having to see Azule's face.

"Right back atcha! You should be at home, too!" Azule yelled as if a little child.

"I come out here sometimes to take a walk and ease my mind, what about you?"

Azule was surprised, never did Todd try to hold conversations with him, at least not to this type of level where it's just them alone. A different air was around them, one that had a mixture of awkwardness, to fear, to envy, and of most prominence, loneliness. Although Azule hated Todd's guts for what he said in their first encounter, looking at him right now he could tell, something was bothering him. As he kept an eye on his bitter rival, seeing the lost look in his eyes that seemed to be filled with nothing but sadness much like a withered plant that received little water and sunlight, he knew that keeping a hostile stance would be pointless. Taking his hands out his pockets, he looks over to his fellow roommate and gives him a long gaze.

"..."

Todd gets a shiver as his eyes meet Azule, disturbed by how hard the boy stared at him randomly. "You can look elsewhere if my face is unappealing." he grumbled, as he looked away.

"I don't like you. That much is known, right?" Azule said bluntly with a shrug of the shoulders; Todd got more irritated than he already was.

"Feeling's mutual."

Azule scratches the side of his face, "Well, what I mean is…"

Some odd seconds pass by as Azule struggled to structure his next sentence, knowing that if he wasn't careful with his words, he'd make the situation worse. Todd crosses his arms and props his shoulders with a glare at Azule, clearly wanting him to say what was on his mind. "Spit it out." he said rudely as he raised his chin; the agitated Azule shrugs off his comment.

"What I meant to say was that you look more pathetic than usual. You usually have an arrogant and snobby face that makes me want to hurl, but now you reek of this uncommon scent of sadness that makes you seem lame." Azule said plainly, losing care for Todd as he came out with his thoughts harshly; Todd doesn't react at first, but then a smirk appears on his face as he looks at the serious Azule sitting against the wall glaring at him like a wild animal.

"Guess it won't hurt sharing with you…" Todd said under his breath.

"Wha? Share what?"

Todd gives a low sigh as he closes his eyes, "My team...is gone."

A rush a nerves tingle throughout Azule's body as the shocking revelation is given to him. Did the captain of the Rebels just reveal that his team was gone? What the shell did he mean by that? Puzzled by Todd's comment, Azule could only look at him with a mixture of shock and curiosity in what was meant by "gone" with his team.

Todd nodded slowly once he saw Azule's puzzled reaction-one filled with a hurtful head shake, hoping it wasn't true what he was about to say, "My team announced they were leaving the Rebels to form their own team. They waited until now to voice their displeasure with me and my tactics. In short, I have no team."

A heart shattering feeling overcame Azule as he watched his rival stare down at the floor with hopelessness, unable to utter a single word of encouragement as shock still overcame him. Todd was without a team with just days left before the second Rank War took place for Squid Academy; every captain's worst nightmare. Was this dreadful feeling pity or guilt? The hatred he had for Todd never was so deep that he'd wish for him to suffer such a terrible fate-and yet he couldn't help but shoulder that nagging feeling as he looked at the defeated captain.

"Say Azule, do you know that feeling of regret? That feeling of helplessness where it seems like no matter how strong you think you are, fate reminds you that you're nothing?"

Azule was choked up on words he'd want to utter immediately. In his mind he knew the answer was yes, from his scarring childhood that broke his mind and will and stole his innocence, to the strenuous training that filled him with despair, to the darkness he ventured through while in a coma, to the helpless feeling of learning the trouble he put his team through by being out of commission, to the agony of failing to rescue a brother, Azule knew that burning sensation of defeat and failure all too well. Unable to speak any words, Azule could only manage to nod his head drearily; Todd didn't like that response.

"You nod your head as if you understand, yet the opposite occurred to you. Your team had to carry your dead weight-not the other way around! You were handed a talented team of like-mind individuals with great chemistry and selflessness with a determination and resilience to never back down from a fight! You...YOU…" he couldn't continue knowing he was only spewing nonsense that couldn't even be counted as insults.

Azule's lip quivered after Todd's lashing out, "I understand you clear, Todd. I know your struggles are different from mine. I understand that I might not get the feeling of what it means to have your entire team walk out on you, but..."-Azule thought back to the film he watched of Squidcom in the previous rank war, recalling the sensation of guilt and disappointment that coursed through his body as he watch his team struggle to fight against all odds to their efforts becoming futile in the end, remembering the feeling of regret for not being there-"But, I know that feeling of despair. I know that feeling of guilt. We might be enemies, and we might loathe each other, but we share the same struggles."

Todd looks at Azule with confusion before beginning to laugh uncontrollably at Azule's face that showed his emotions clearly, empathy; Azule's super surprised that Todd was even capable of feeling an emotion like joy-at least enough to a level that he could laugh. Spooky. Todd shook his head and held his hand out, "I'm ready to end this pointless feud between us."

"Huh!?" Azule went, stunned by the words that came out his rival's mouth.

"I mean, I'm done with having to be hate you over something petty. A rival shouldn't only be someone you hate, but someone you can befriend. Seeing how this is getting out of my comfort zone, maybe starting over a new leaf will make this less awkward."

"W-wow, you've really humbled yourself…"

"It happens. Especially after your team quits on you days before the next season of rank wars. I've spent the last couple of days doing some hard thinking about who am I and what I want to be. I don't want to be the bitter type like Gin, nor do I want to be the arrogant psychopath like Jin...I...I... I want to be Todd, the run of the mill guy who can bring honor back to the fallen school of Squid Academy."

Azule smiled, "With that mindset, I'm sure you'll find a group who're as proactive as you. As for bringing honor back to the school...sorry, but that's my job."

Todd looks to the confident Azule who rose to his feet, a sharp glow in his blue eyes that had an arrogance of his father, yet the conviction of his mother, mixed with the care of Lime, the discipline of Verde, and the fiery spirit of Sky. Seeing the growth of the young inkling who used to be a clueless brat with an innocent smile was now replaced by a blue haired artist who'd seen his fair shares of battles, wearing the scar on his face with pride as he gave a sly grin, Todd realized that the Azule he encountered on the first day of school was no longer there. The person standing before him with a shine in his eye was an opponent of equal caliber, and maybe even a better one now that the situations had changed.

"457, 458, 459, 460…"

Reice is shirtless doing pushups on the floor in a style that focused on his inner chest. As sweat poured from his face and dripped onto the mat below him, he kept a nasty glare as he puffed out air while grunting furiously, pushing his muscles to go another level. If he was going to become the defensive anchor that he desired, one that could absorb the attacks of the many vicious opponents that stood in his way, he'd need to build his body into a peak condition. He couldn't weigh the others down like he thought he did, he needed to evolve into an improved player, and his day was soon approaching...