A fair day in the city of Inkopolis, many go about their lives like an algorithm. Upon view of this sight, one wouldn't even recognize that just a few days ago the city had been turned upside down in a unified celebration as Squidcom survived the Rank Wars to become the new champion with an undefeated record and in turn bring some spice to the scene with many on the bandwagon joining along the hype. They dominated headlines much like the competition, with all news and sports outlets and mediums sharing their opinions and reactions to the birth of a new era established at one of the most prestigious schools in the country. While days have passed since that day and the media had all the time to dissect the event, for the victors however, it hadn't sunken in just yet of the feat they accomplished more so because this felt like just the beginning. Even though they accomplished their goal of the rank wars, it was only the tip of the iceberg into the world of the sport. The Spring Invitationals-a taste of what the rest of the country had to offer, and then Nationals-an event where everyone on the continent from different nations compete to crown the true champions. A return to normality for Squidcom started after the team promised Sally that they won't celebrate without her, and instead turn their attention to preparing for the Spring event; today begins that task for the captain with Azule heading back to training with Luna.
The crashing waves along the coastlines of Arowana are pleasant to the ears of Azule as he jogs along the walkway to an outdoor gym located at the heart of the beach with the sound of his racing pulse and tapping feet squeaking on the asphalt combine with the background noise of the waves with the breeze impacting his path, his vision turning to a tunnel as he spots the gym and the one feminine figure disciplined enough to be there so early in the morning. The rising yellow sun casts away the remnants of darkness as he nears the gym, seeing Luna already doing her stretches. He arrives as she just finishes her stretches, dropping his bag with exhaustion. Luna doesn't give a reaction at first, unmoved by the dedication her pupil showed to wake up so early for training but knew to greet him once he raised his head. Azule smiles with radiance like usual, ecstatic to spend another morning training with someone he respected with the utmost value. Preparing to do his stretches and join her, he is informed that she already did her workout and was done for the morning-shattering his enthusiasm. Dejected for a moment, Azule continues his stretches and moved onto his workouts with his focus for today being on his core. A few hours pass as the sun rises ascends to near the peak with the beach still desolate for the most part and Azule takes this time to cool down and have a seat next to Luna, who sat cross-legged staring out to the sea, her mind elsewhere as her eyes look more distant than horizon of the sea. It was views like this that captivated Azule and gave him reason to continue to be by her side as a student, for though he knew enough about her, there was still so much he wanted know about her and her relationship with his mother, as well as tales from her adventures in the past prior to coming back to Inkopolis. Even if she still seemed a little cold at times, Azule never could forget their first encounter to the different persona he saw at the bus stop. He crosses his legs just like her and looks ahead to the endless ocean, letting the symphony of the sea take his mind as the salty air offers a refreshing taste.
Some seconds pass by as their tentacles blow in the wind. Azule looks over to Luna again and once again observes how lifeless her eyes look as she sits still like a statue; even if she was deep in thought, he wanted to at least communicate with her. "Say Luna…" Azule calls, feeling a slight chill from the breeze that tickles his moist skin like a soft brush; "About the other day at the bus stop, I was wondering…" he pauses for a moment waiting for her attention, but she doesn't look over at him. At this point he wonders if it was better to not say anything.
Luna's eyebrows raise with curiosity after replaying his words in her mind, "Bus stop?" her tone matches her expression.
"Yeah, you were there...Weren't you?"
Luna shakes her head, "I wasn't at a bus stop with you. What are you talking about?"
Azule's unsettled by her clueless response and then looks down and thinks back to that strange interaction. A couple seconds go by and his radiant glow turns pale with a sinking heart as he swallows a lump, "W-wait a second, you weren't there-for real?"
"No. I don't have a clue what you're talking about."
He brings his hand up to his forehead, "Whoa…"
"What's wrong?"
"That day I felt under the weather and she was there to cheer me up. I found it strange that the Luna I met then acted way out of character. She was cheerful, and very humorous-opposite to your seriousness and disciplinary-" Her scowl could be felt even though she was trying her hardest to keep her face straight with a terrifying aura shrouding her; "-Not that it's a bad thing! It's just, I was so surprised that I didn't know how to respond and I was wondering why? But now that you say it isn't you that I saw, I'm confused a little. Who was that person that claimed to be you? I don't know why but something just tells me she wasn't lying when she said she was Luna. But after all the time I've spent with you I'm sure you're the real Luna..." Even though he had some suspicions at first, by this point Azule thoroughly believed that the lady sitting next to him was Luna, but something in his heart just screamed that the angelic appearance he encountered felt more authentic to Luna for some strange reason. Torn between what to trust between his mind and his heart, he goes into a deep inner struggle; Luna watches on and can't help the agony of what she was putting him through. For a while, Agent 8's words echoed in her mind to the point that she could recite them under her breath.
She gives a strained sigh with crestfallen eyes, "Much like the sun eradicates the darkness, your curiosity is the same with the unknown." she mutters with narrowing eyes grabbing the sand behind her, trying her best to channel what rueful feelings she might have; Azule's lost to what she meant, but from the way she seemed reluctant to speak, he knew it must be something important, or at least a secret she didn't want to share prior.
"I-it's fine! I just was curious and wondered why you acted differently is all. This isn't anything major." Azule waved in hopes to keep the air between them from getting uncomfortable as he saw a different reaction from his mentor, one as though she'd been carrying a weight on her shoulders struggling that left her buckling in the knees.
She shakes her head, "The woman you saw that day was indeed Luna, herself."
Azule's eyes widen with a confused frown, "Huh?"
She keeps her head down with the same sorrowful gaze, "Azule, it's me…" she said in a different tone from the one Azule registered with Luna, instead sounding like her; Azule's speechless as he hears what sounded like his mother, immediately dismissing it as his imagination. She lifts her eyes to him and grips the sand tighter, then closing her eyes and transitioning her hair from short pink to long lime and then opening her eyes, shifting from amber to velvet red. A weak smile forming on her face as she finally reveals the truth, she tilts her head to the side with appreciation to finally see her son again with her own true eyes. "It's me, Azule."
Shivers went down his spine, his body frozen to the point that he couldn't even drop his mouth in surprise as before him sat his mother-the woman he'd been trying to reunite with since he was a little child. Maya expected as much of a reaction from him, but what she saw next brought her to tears as she saw his eyes water, his lips quiver, and his breathing ragged. Without a moment's hesitation, Maya found her son buried between her arms as she hugged him as tightly as possible. Joy. Disbelief. Closure. A powerful combination strikes both mother and son as they reunite once more. A feeling he hadn't felt in so long that he couldn't keep his eyes open, the nostalgia of a mother's warmth brought him to tears as he bawled, wrapping his arms tight around her. "Please don't leave again." he forced in between the tears.
"I'm so sorry it took this long." she whispered with streams of tears herself. After they regained their composure and got past the wall of emotion, the questions followed as Azule tried to understand why she went through all this. Why she hid her identity from him, and why now did she choose to uncover her disguise.
Reminded of the tragic fate she witnessed, Maya swallows a lump in her throat as she finally reveals to Azule the truth of Luna. "Luna is deceased."
"What…?"
She explains of her grisly end in the previous war and that the person he described meeting at the bus stop was probably her spirit. Azule still had questions as to why her spirit would even appear before him, to which Maya recalled that she had a maternal bond to him when he was just born-joking that she'd take him as her own son one day in the future-and helped raised him like a second mother. "You were the child she always wished she could've had so, who knows, maybe she's your guardian spirit." she concluded jokingly; Azule's paleness returned as the horror of speaking to a ghost spooked him. The spooked feeling doesn't last long however as his cheeks flush red with embarrassment at the thought of someone not blood related cherishing him to such a degree. Just how much did he mean to Luna?
"Anyways, yeah…" Azule brings his hand up to his face and rubs his forehead, "Mom, I'm glad to finally meet you again, but why now? Why did you decide until now? The disguise as Luna? Why?" Maya's silence wasn't enough of an answer, and Azule wouldn't be satisfied until there was an answer to at least explain why she'd imitated her deceased friend's identity; "Why choose now to tell me?"
A question she long since found an answer to, it was at this moment that the many years she spent wondering when the day would come that she could sit down and talk with her son like normal came rushing forward like a gust, bringing her to tears as the several curious expressions of Azule rotate as he nods to the side waiting for her answer. Answering that it was all for him and his safety, Maya reveals everything regarding why she left him and Sky behind, and why she never returned until now. War was tantamount to the rift created. War was why she left, the military yearning for her youngest children to be made into weapons of war, and the missions related to war itself that kept her from coming back. All of her actions had consequences, and finally…
"With all that said, this might the last time we'll see each other, Azule."
Azule digests everything without batting an eye, "Last time? You're kidding, right!? Not again…"
Even though she wanted to fill him in on the reason why this might be the last time and felt it wrong to exclude him from anything else after all that he's been through and the growth that she witnessed under the guise of Luna, she couldn't bring herself to just tell him without any resolve from him; After all, this next mission put her life at risk and there is no way she could ask her son to do the same. Even with that rationale in play, something just felt strange about Azule's possibility in this all: he was the youngest of the four-the precious baby that she wanted to protect at all costs and knew that the darkness of this world might be too great for him to handle, but it that same breath she also knew not to underestimate her bloodline because of those same kids that possessed overwhelming potential from the war machines of Lime and Verde to the prodigies of Sky and Azule. She figured that if she didn't tell him about Rapture and Rebirth, he'd find out anyways because that's just how sharp he is-something she observed quite well as Luna. Fortifying her resolve and staring down her son's dull blue eyes, she explained everything. Agent 8's words of encouragement echo in her mind yet again as she questions if what she was doing was the right thing, was informing her son of the approaching danger truly the right course of action? His reactions were minimal as he latched onto her explanation from word to word. He furrows his brows the more she continues, starting to piece everything together and in turn give a look of what she thought was disgust. Her desire to salvage a relationship outweighs her fears that'd ate away at her actions over the years as she concludes on her explanation, giving him a detailed report on Rapture and Rebirth. "I promise that once this is over, I'll come back. I promise that my next mission after this will to be a mother to you and Sky. I want to be a mother again." she pleads ruefully for having been absent all those years.
Azule lifts the brim of his hat and goes into deep thought as he massages his furrowing brows and the wrinkles forming. To hear his mother sound like this meant that this weighed more on her mind than he ever could've imagined and comparing it to what he and Sky had been through since her absence, he figured that if he could forgive his father, he could trust his mother. He lays down on the hard surface and sprawls his arms out, "You're going through a lot too, mom. I'm sorry for my childish thinking." he sits forward with his face showing no amusement with his gaze turning to the floor; "The secrets of the war, of the octarians, and the upcoming attack planned by the enemy alliance. All of them are connected, and now the only way to fix the errors of this country are to take matters into our own hands. You're going to defend the nation only to attack the head of the snake right afterwards..."
Maya feels relieved watching her son accept the information but can tell it still must be difficult to process everything, "I did unspeakable things at your age. I nearly destroyed a civilization, and in the war, I slaughtered thousand of soldiers who weren't there by choice. Making matters worse, I left you and Sky to unspeakable trauma, and now there's the status of your health...I can't help but feel like this is all my fault-that's why I'm going to fix this, even if it costs me my life. If I can at least stop the root that created all these problems, I'll do it in a heartbeat.
The resolve he felt told him that his next response needed to match hers, "Then I'm joining, mom. I don't know how long I have to live, but if I can change something about this country and help the octarians while at it, I'll do it in a heartbeat."
"Your tone tells me you have something to protect, don't you?"
Azule looks to the ground like it was a mural of friends, their faces flashing in his mind as his thoughts raced about what might happen to them if they got caught in the crossfire of the carnage about to be unleashed. If he could stop it, or even lend a hand to protect them-even at the cost of his life-he'd do it without hesitation. Maya's pride in him soared the more he more he showed conviction, reminding her of Luna when she declared she'd fight by her side in the war. After respecting his wishes and accepting his proposal to join the fight, Maya recommended they go to a nearby hut and wait for the rest of the family-texting Julian to bring them.
Azule sits up with a grimacing smile as he heard his mother whisper the plan, "Sky kinda hates you though..."
That pierces Maya's pride like an arrow shooting through the chest, "Honest one, aren't you?" giggling afterwards and joined by Azule, sharing their first laugh together.
Meanwhile at Sky's apartment...
"I know this must be quite the eventful late morning…" Julian chuckles nervously with Lime and Verde sitting by the kitchen at a safe distance from their little sister.
Sky's eyes looked as merciless as her mother with her irises sharpening in the light once she leans forward, "Nah dad, I totally foresaw you, Lime, and Verde all showing up over here unannounced. I'm really happy to see you all again, together. Feels like old times!" she expresses with a sarcastic celebratory fist bump to the sky; she mutters something under her breath while smiling from ear to ear.
Julian rubs the back of his neck, "Y-you're gritting your teeth so it's a bit difficult to hear you." Sky's face darkens with a murderous aura and quickly her father retracts his statement.
"I didn't think dad would be such a pushover in front of Sky." Verde commented drinking a fruit smoothie he got on the way there.
Lime giggled, "He's always been weak to the younger ones! Aha, I know they're my weakness!"
"And yet you treat me like I'm a rag doll…"
Lime's eyes glimmer, "You said something runt?"
"N-no ma'am…"
"I apologize for the intrusion Sky, but there's business that needs to be discussed in regards to the mission. Cap'n had an update and I decided now as the best time to come to you and review this. Preferably away from here."
"Something with Cap'n, huh?" Her demeanor changes from one with spite to one filled with understanding; "Then in that case…" she gets up and gets her keys; "Got a destination in mind?"
Julian nods his head and answers that he'd like to go all the way to Arowana beach, to which she gawks at driving such a distance but appreciates morning at the beach. Lime and Verde's faces turn ghostly as they're reminded of their traumatic drive with Sky, then fearing the worst for their poor father who had never ridden in a car with her, offering to take a train or bus there instead, to which Sky insists driving them with a twinkle.
At a little hut on Arowana Beach sat Azule and Maya staring off at the sea in wait of company passing the time by sharing stories with each other. Though Azule already told her his main collection of stories, he found this opportunity to share some of his more exciting adventures with her such as the prison break he helped in stopping, his journey to Osamu and stopping the Tokugawa selection and even meeting Simone-an ally Maya's face brightened in reaction with nostalgia-and his visits to places like Meiju, Mahi-Mahi, and many others. In turn sharing stories from her past during her time as a young vigilante, Maya told him about her time spent in Inkopolis when she first arrived and her sudden recruitment into an underground war of rescuing the great zapfish, her battle with a powerful octoling that'd later on become her close friend, and her adventures across the continent into the freezing lands of Mollusca and the arid paradise of Squirabia. The mention of Squirabia fascinated Azule the most since he found everything from their culture to their location to be vastly unique in comparison to the rest of the continent, wanting to visit places like Ravia, Dain, and Nfyt and even visit The Great Oasis Hotel where a massive oasis of unrivaled beauty located in the heart of the tri nation area of the arid region was accompanied by a magnificent resort and casino just a few miles off. As their talks continued, Azule found that his mother was fidgeting a bit as she kept looking over her shoulder to the walkway in search of the others; at first he was still a bit uncomfortable at the sight of a mother he once thought to be strict and emotionless showing such a lively and humanistic side-nonetheless he welcomed this change with satisfaction at how refreshing it felt to see that even she could change. Azule beams with a smirk as Maya takes her eyes off of him yet again while he's speaking, "Nervous?" he teases while casting his gaze in the same direction as her.
Maya's embarrassed to have been caught in such an obvious way, "A little since I haven't talked with her directly since she was a child. I'm aware that she became an agent in my splatoon, but given the missions I was on I never had the time to ever face her-or more, I didn't think I could face after what happened. Much like how you blamed your father for the intense training he put you and her through at such a young age, I know she blames me for being responsible of the trauma you suffered in my absence."
Azule's relaxed expression soon turns somber as he the thought quickly hits him that in the same way the pain must've felt to be a direct victim, the guilt of learning the truth and knowing something could've been done stings all the worse, especially as a mother. He takes both of his index fingers and brings them up to her face, "C'mon mom, smile. Those days are behind us. Moving forward is what matters!" Maya's stunned reaction to Azule left her on the verge of tears as she realized that after all the years that'd past, her son had grown to be more mature than she ever could've imagined-even if he was still hurting on the inside; "Oh! They're here! I can recognize those screeching tires anywhere. More than likely Sky's here in one of her favorite cars." he said quickly removing his fingers and standing up in anticipation.
"You mentioned earlier that she loves cars. She has a garage filled with them and does restoration and customization?"
"Yeah! You should swing by and take a gander at her collection. I know the two of you would get along well if she takes you for a drive around the city."
"Really now…?" Their conversation gets cut short as they hear chatter in the distance behind them with the voices sounding similar to Julian and Sky, taking a look behind to indeed see the family together walking along the walkway. Lime and Verde lead the way with Julian right behind them and Sky to rear making plenty of jokes about how her family reacted to her driving.
"Glad we got here thanks to the absence of traffic. Even better that my lead foot wouldn't ease of the gas pedal." Sky laughed with amusement, much to the horror of her family who were still recovering from her "lead foot" experience.
Julian rubs the back of his neck and keeps his gaze down at his feet, "I was wondering why Lime and Verde seemed so petrified to let you drive but now I know to never drive with you again."
Sky's eyebrows furrow with wrinkles as she frowns with disgust, "What's wrong? Can't handle the speed old man?" A slight attitude present, Lime and Verde picked up their pace looking to avoid the conflict brewing between the father and daughter.
"I felt my life flash before my eyes several times. Any extra flashes and I might as well start floating to the heavens. Didn't think it'd be your driving being the one to kill me and not alcohol!"
"You're overreacting!" Sky pouted with red cheeks and a puff of steam from her ears as hers went to her hips with a stomp.
Julian chuckles, "I think your siblings would agree…" By that time the pair were ways ahead and whistling innocently looking away; "Hey get back here!" he yelled with a shaking fist.
"See? They love my driving! My precious elders would never hate their favorite little sis-" Sky's eyes widen as she notices the person standing next to Azule, recognizing the lime hair and red velvet eyes of the woman; "-ster"
The others freeze as they switch their gazes between the mother and her daughter with knowledge that things might get ugly given Sky's personality. Sky immediately closes her hands into fists with a violent tremble, her eyebrows channeling her rage as she briskly walks over to get a closer look at what could only be a sick illusion to her. "It's been a while, Sky." Maya welcomed nervously, sensing the apparent uneasiness coming from Sky as her eyes resemble that of a conflicted warrior struggling to strike down a traitor they once considered a comrade. Maya gives a light smile filled with warmth hoping to at least warm up the cold Sky, but instead Sky drops her head and releases all the pressure she was holding in her back and shoulders, instead shedding tears that she made no effort to wipe away. Her head then jerks upwards and with a swiftness relative to a master of the art, she uppercuts Maya right in the chin at a perfect angle that it'd be possible for her mother to fall unconscious from such a sucker punch, sending her mother off her feet and crashing behind Azule; The rest of the family are appalled by Sky's actions with their mouths dropped. Maya takes the hit with pride however, refusing to flinch in pain as she sits up and wipes the blood from her lips with her thumb. Everyone's petrified, but Sky raises her chin with an aura asking for a fight, Maya lowers her chin and returns the powerful glare of her daughter with one of her own. Verde covers his mouth in disbelief, Lime grimaces, and Julian puts his hands in his pockets and give an irritated sigh, but Azule refused to let this escalate as he gets between them holding his hands up, his hair and eyes glowing as he activates Midnight.
"This isn't the time to fight!" Azule shouted holding his hands up.
Both of them calmed down shortly after, knowing the last person they could stand to hurt would be him. Sky shakes her bruised fist with grinding teeth and watering eyes as her mother shook off the punch like it was nothing.
"I thought I told you not to use that cursed mode so recklessly." Sky scolded with a mumble.
"Don't change the subject sis."
She rolls her eyes, "Ugh…"
"Talk about a warm welcome…" Maya mutters under her breath putting away her scary face; "Sky…"
"What…"
"Look, I'm rueful for everything that happened. That things turned out this way were truly heartbreaking. I chose your life as priority and yet I still found a way to make a mess of things. I just didn't want to lose you to the war."
"Mom…"
Julian steps forward in hopes to calm down the pair, "We all knew this would have to happen eventually. So, let's not-"
"Stay out of this!" they both yell with a growl, and quickly he retracts.
Maya and Sky return their gazes to one another then promptly avert each other's gazes as the awkward silence prolongs. Sky brings her hand up to her arm and holds it, unsure if there's anything else to be said-hesitant to just leave it be after her actions. Maya looked more calm than before, this time unable to stop smiling the more she saw how embarrassed her daughter looked; even if Sky had a tough shell, it was transparent enough that Maya couldn't help but see the similarities between herself when she was younger and the young Royale standing before her.
"This might be my last chance to make things right." Maya spoke with sincerity, the desperation between the lights all the more apparent; Sky knew she must be referencing the upcoming events.
Sky quickly calmed down. Now wasn't the appropriate time to be consumed by her emotions, that much she could tell from the mood of her family that understood her feelings but gave her the same piercing gaze as her mother insinuating that there are greater matters on the table for discussion, even Azule understood that as he gave his sister a hasty look. Still showing some lingering animosity is Sky as she insists on the continuation of the discussion. Rapture and Rebirth were the topic at hand and the primary reason why everyone had been gathered like this. A promising but flawed plan, Maya and Julian highlighted the many pros and cons of the plan and of the current situation regarding when to carry it out. Since that first meet a while back, the plan has undergone several minute changes with the major plot still being to defend the nation and force the current leaders in power to resign all in one fell swoop, the problem now laid at the power available. A tiny mass like the Squidbeak Splatoon wouldn't be enough to handle Rapture no matter how talented the individuals with the small pool of talent being split into different assignments that made them run thin. A proposal by the Squid Sisters and Agent 8 encouraged that there should be an extension of support, but the difficulty laid in finding allies who would join. It was one thing to counter a terrorist attack and contain damages to a minimum, but the problem laid afterwards for Rebirth, where the plan was to trap the Inkopolis politicians and force them to resign in some way, although the method on how to make them resign had not yet been revealed to everyone-just a select few within the Splatoon and would stay that way until further notice.
"So that's why we've been assembled. To think that instead of fighting in a war, it'd be turning against our own country that brought us all together…" Lime muttered piecing together the information, keeping one ear open for anything else that her mother might have to add.
Verde props his shoulders and rests his hands on his hips, "The numbers of the splatoon are low and so Lime and I are needed for extra numbers?"
"Precisely. As it looks right now the attack is going to happen simultaneously. We believe the enemy will launch an attack on the capital with the second one happening at the Ravia conference. Our tiny forces will be split already but then there is a third location where we'll be looking to make movement." Julian answered.
That third location was Octaria. Convinced by the details found by Agent 8, Cap'n Cuttlefish couldn't overlook the possibility about bringing a fight to the enemy octarians in their own turf, anticipating that they'll mobilize most of their forces for the surface and leave themselves open at base, a possible reason for why they had to form alliances. A key to Rebirth more so than Rapture, the security of DJ Octavio had to be prioritized in order for Rebirth to work itself out. With each detail that Maya and Julian brought forth, the more surprised reactions their children gave as their perspectives changed.
"Why is Octaria so important?" Verde asked under his breath, questioning what the Cuttlefish must be thinking; "I understand defending the capital and having to get involved at Ravia for the sake of Rapture and Rebirth, but why Octaria as well?"
Maya smiles a bit at how engaged her eldest children were in this conversation and how observant her younger ones were, "Octaria is pivotal for Rapture and Rebirth. From Rapture, it comes from our estimation that during the attack at Ravia, they plan to expel most of their forces and mobilize their big weaponry and leave themselves wide open. Even if Queen Octavio doesn't choose to stay here where she could be seized, we can at least smoke out forces and supply our units here and takeover temporarily until we come to some agreement. As for Rebirth..." she paused for a moment and looked over to Azule and Sky since they were the pair that had direct connections to the octolings with Sky having a strong relationship with the eldest princess and Azule sharing strong connections with the younger princess and Jory. Based around coexistence and progression, the goal of Rebirth was to end the oppression of the Octolings and return them to the surface world. To establish friendly relations and make peace, the goal of the Squidbeak splatoon to bring the Octolings to the surface and abolish the oppressive laws against them was the true goal as an extensive feeling of guilt and sense to make amends from Cap'n Cuttlefish to the senior members of the splatoon led to this suicidal mission.
"To risk committing treason for the sake of an enemy race…" Sky grins at the thought of Shiva and her brethren being allowed to live in peace just like she'd been fighting for; "Looks like you're as cool as your legends tell, mom."
Maya blushes with a laugh, "What can I say? If it's for Agent 8, I'll go this far. It's what Luna would've wanted."
A mission of justice that at the heart of it contained the darkest secrets about the actions of this country, Azule, Lime, Verde, and Sky were all filled with conviction to move forward and fight for this cause. To combat several enemies-some known but many still a mystery, at least the cause for Rapture and Rebirth would have a capable family at the forefront. As the Royale family make a crucial decision that not only affected their lives but the future of multiple countries, elsewhere at the rehabilitation wing of the hospital is where Sally begins a new chapter in her quest to recovery. Her goal is to stand on her own power without support, and then eventually walk on her own power. A tedious task given that moving her legs was enough for the pain to increase as well as the clotting, her stubbornness is what fuels her as she spent the last week following the doctor's prescription on blood thinners, feeling better with each day she laid in bed; an active spirit like her couldn't stay in bed for much longer, so her caretakers knew this day would come. She wasn't alone for this quest however as his two little sisters volunteered to stay by her side as much as possible while her parents had to return to work, as well as Hatsunika, who was reluctant to let her go. Sitting in her wheelchair rolling down the hallway with Marigold and Canary on each side, she makes a turn to the doors of the rehab center. Greeted by a team, Sally informed them of what would be her next task now that the doctor had cleared her from indefinite bed rest. Eager to push her body past the current limit, Sally couldn't let her teammates get too far ahead without her. No way would she let them grow up without her.
Marigold and Canary each have Sally by an arm as she gets up from her chair clumsily staggering, "Are you sure? Even if the doctor has allowed it, are you really sure you want to start now? You can start tomorrow you kno-"
"Sorry Marigold but there comes a time where we have to take the initiative. If I don't tell myself that today is the day, then I might never get to walk again. I'll make sure my body obeys me-pain is nothing. I control my body, not the other way around." Sally declared with resolve as her feet leave the chair.
"I'm aware of what you said prior, but what's your goal after doing some reflection?"
"Glad you asked, Canary. My goal…ah!" A sharp pain shoots up her right leg as she puts pressure with feet hitting the cold floor, grimacing as her left leg touches the same surface; "My goal is to get back to how I was-no, even better. I want to surpass the person I was before this whole clotting thing happened. Physically and mentally, I want to evolve into a better person. To achieve that, I have to do this properly. I'll start by doing the recommended exercises and gain some strength into these legs to the point I can stand on my own. After that, I want to take my first steps on my own power without support. Next, I want to be able to jog, then run. Finally, I'll have to master my body for turf wars."
"Do you have a certain time you want to be ready by?" Marigold asked still concerned for her sister's safety.
Sally thinks back to that day where she placed her trust in her team and also remembering what Reice said, "This is at my own pace. I won't rush this recovery, but at the very least I feel ready to get moving on my own. I don't have a certain time to be ready." she winks to assure them they don't need to worry. Either way, they'd make time to come and see her as often as possible as moral support.
"Thanks!"
"It's a shame that Hatsunika can't be here today. I know she'd love to witness this."
"No, I think it's fine that she stopped swinging by…" Sally blushed like a red tomato as she remembered the last image of Hatsunika. It was earlier that morning before her family got there at dawn. Hatusnika did her usual round with flowers and a joke for Sally to brighten her morning-the concern still prime on her face as she watched Sally battle the pain with the held of the blood thinners. The talk they had that morning was somewhat like a vote of confidence as Hatsunika rested her hand behind Sally's and brought their foreheads together, whispering to her that she'll have to leave and resume work-asking Sally if she'll be fine without her. Sally beamed with confidence making sure not to worry her. Sealing the answer with a kiss, Hatsunika placed her trust in Sally and took off for the east coast. Though she knew Sally was only putting up a front, Hatsunika knew the longer she stayed there, the more she'd be a distraction to her and instead knew that it was better for her to go back and work and trust the resolve of Sally.
That evening over at Violet's dorm she's joined by Fuchsia and Kosami who are using their time productively as Violet's busy at work writing a paper, Fuchsia is reading articles for her class, and Kosami is finishing up the touches on a powerpoint; Friya and Brittany weren't there but would soon join them. The soothing aroma of lavender incense and the harmonic melody of the songs playing in the background provide an optimal environment to put someone at ease with their tasks. Violet finishes her paper and does a little stretch and gives a yawn, reaching for her notebook in her bag; Kosami peeks over her laptop and notices the colorful notebook.
"About to do some storyboarding? I'd love to help you out if anything." she offered with explanation afterwards that she's wrapping up the last of the powerpoint; Fuchsia also chimed in to support Violet and offer her character ideas.
Violet nods, "I thank the both of you for coming here. It's been pretty difficult with competitions and classes lately and since Sally's not here it doesn't feel the same with Brittany and Friya…" she opens up her notebook to where she last left off; "I get along fine with them but it feels awkward now that Sally isn't here since she was sort of the person that kept this dorm together. I know they must be worried sick that she isn't here."
"It happens, but the best thing is that you three have each other. Why not go and look for her together to try and recreate that mood? Have they gone and visited her yet?" Fuchsia asked, multitasking by keeping her ears open but her focus on the article.
"Yeah but separately since our schedules all conflict with one another. I can see if they're free this weekend-sounds like a nice idea."
"Speaking of nice ideas…" Kosami pops in; "Was it such a great move to send Reice and Jory to scout? I mean, Fuchsia and I could've gone in their place."
"No, you both are busy and they were insistent on going for us."
"Yeah, besides, I already gave them the rundown on how to scout so I think they'll be fine! Not to mention we asked Bianca to tag along and show them the way around since she knows the area well."
Kosami twitches at the mention of Bianca, "Y-yeah but…"
The people exit the train swiftly as did they enter like a trade between two parties, the trio of Reice, Jory and Bianca step off and get a quick view of the land below that awaits them, spotting the numerous buildings, cars, and people clustered together with the sight of a beautiful coast in the distance. Reice is the first to gaze at the stunning sight only to be shoved by an anxious Jory who wanted to go explore the area. A hilly region accompanied by many tourist attractions, the trio arrived in Cobeale with the goal to scout a certain exhibition game happening on the opposite side of the town. Their mission to scope the competition starts now!
