The title is not a smash reference.
At a huge street plaza known as the Coral Bay by the locals for its assortment of different department stores and restaurants all along a bay of coral with many of the buildings being built from coral as well, the trio of Reice, Jory, and Bianca are there to scout an important match between two popular teams from the neighboring areas per Fuchsia's request. The specific location where this charity exhibition match is being held is a coastal spot known as Cobeale, a city along the same side as Arowana but still a great distance away. The teams being observed are supposedly two of some hot teams that surged to power thanks to the retirement of Octo Valley's team and the decline of the Squidops opening the path for many strong teams to earn their stripes. Getting a good set of seats, they were treated to what seemed like a mini festival with all donations going to funding for the schools in the immediate area. From what they heard, Cobeale's own pair of high schools-Cobeale Thunder and Bay Bleach-already played their charity match earlier in the day with this game being the main event since both the teams participating were considered the two hottest teams on the rise in the country. Advertised by many popular brands who heard about the two teams competing, the entire area was decorated similar to a mall. Reice and Jory took the time to get serious and do some scouting of their own after getting a quick lesson from Fuschia and Kosami before leaving. While those two busted out their glasses and notepads in anticipation, Bianca enjoys the pleasant atmosphere. A grassy field with scattered hills, it resembled somewhat like a playground park, but it is anything but as there are hazards like ponds and even a bottomless pit. The layout of the map wasn't too elaborate however as it was split into three areas: the hilly platforms that moved, the open area where the tall grass can be found, and then the hazardous area where the narrow landscape near the pond and bottomless pit made it the hardest area to battle but a keen spot for snipers worried about ambushes. Green and Purple ink splatter from their respective teams: The green ink belonged to a squad wearing black and green with white tertiary trims and opposite of them operating the purple ink were a team wearing white and purple with silver and black trims. Known as the Kalebrough High School Inkstinct and the Yermozani Vocational Fangs, they were the two teams rumored by many throughout the country to be the two replacements of the big four, capable of going even with Special Forces and the defending winter champions in Beacon Hills. Prior to arriving there, there was plenty of praise on both teams with many admirers siting the talented captain of the Fangs in a girl named Janice, a girl with sadistic yellow eyes and a matching grin who always wore her hair in dreads covered by a baseball cap, she was considered by many to be a younger and more twisted persona to the infamous octoling Shiva. Her comparison wasn't restricted to only her features and mannerisms but rather her background as well. Growing up in a town nearby the octo valley, Janice would sometimes spend her days sneaking out to go and hang out with her octoling friends before having to move to Yermozani. As such, many found her to be one of the more progressive of inklings despite her delinquent appearance and a popular choice for hopeless romantics who found her darker complexion and aggressive personality appealing, though she usually rejected her suitors with a fist. Her team weren't a team to overlook either as she had Nantes-another foreign boy who had mixed brown and blond hair when not donning the team's purple and an innocent smile to match along with a very supportive playing style, Hector-a brute built like a tank with a big heart with navy blue hair slicked back like a gangster with a delinquent smile like Janice, and then there's William-a wealthy boy from Flounder Heights who moved to Yermozani with so much money that rumor was it turned his hair into a faded green; three popular names in the streets known for their high ranking in turf wars and their huge personalities that had influence on the community in different ways. A town that was once impoverished and rundown to an environment similar to Beacon Hills, it was thanks to the efforts of the current starters that change arrived when it did. From William's arrival and upbringing there did conditions improve for the town as they began a phase of rebuilding as his family went on to pour investments into the growth of business and education that eventually saw to the school rising through the ranks. A growing community in Yermozani with a promising institution like Yermozani High School, Janice was seen as the tough big sister to all the children of Yermozani, Nantes was the reliable friend that many could rely on for anything, Hector was seen as the first line of defense who always protected the weak, and William was the one responsible for the community's rebuilding-they all had their roles as the ambassadors of the town with the duty to one day bring the town to the forefront of attractions in Inkopolis with their intention in this event being to show support for a bigger city like Cobeale and hopefully gain publicity. But where Yermozani's starters were recognized for their off-turf accolades in addition to their skills on-turf, Kalebrough's Inkstinct were a different matter. A school that also rose to sudden prominence, the road was different as instead of battling poverty and failure, it was the state of normality. Hidden in the masses, Kalebrough High blended in with the crowd and showed no significance with a bleak history-that was until the arrival of Zepp, A third year foreigner with bleached red hair with a pale complexion from the northwest region who had ferocious aqua green eyes-his philosophy always being to prioritize team cooperation over individuality. He quickly turned the school around and helped them finish into better positions than ever before, just barely missing major tournaments like the Winter tournaments of old and recently, but able to finally enter the Spring invitationals. Their road was a gradual incline with their popularity spiking thanks to the arrival of first year prodigies Kappa and Kippy, also known as the Moreno siblings and the primary gossip of the nation as many saw them as the foil to the Ika brothers. Kappa was an unfriendly person, but his sister was the opposite as she welcomed new friends with open arms. But in the way that Kippy was friendly to be people, she also was painfully shy when placed in front of the media, who adored her for her looks and timid behavior in front of the camera while Kappa seemed like a natural for interviews. A pair of unstoppable talents, they were supported by Virgil, a versatile sniper who could operate every single weapon available. Two teams with different backgrounds, their goal at this charity event was all the same: Gain publicity for the Spring Invitationals.
"This is her, I'm guessing?" Jory's head lowered with his finger pointed to the girl clad in black with short green hair. He found himself fascinated by her movements as she showcased blistering speed while operating a fizzy bomb. She chucks it in the Janice's direction before returning to her Kensa sloshing machine with retreat in mind now that Virgil arrived for backup. "They're playing pretty intense for a charity match, don't you think?" Jory asked as he watches Janice switch her aim from Virgil to Kippy after she enters her line of vision, immediately going on the attack after dodging the fizzy bomb.
Reice narrows his eyes analyzing the movements of the two girls as they engage in battle with interest in the clashing of styles: Kippy's fluid and smooth finesse ability that allowed her to slip away from the enemy ink and Janice's jagged and abrupt attacks proved effective in accuracy as she swiftly isolated the star of the Inkstinct. "It's the type of people they are and were trained to become. A competitive breed born from the ashes of their failed successors, they carry their wills and are showing that even in a lighthearted competition such as this match that they're willing to take it personal. After all, they'll likely see each other in the Spring Invitationals. Much like we will."
"All the more reason to stay focused and analyze their weaknesses. Even if they're amazing talent that ascended to the top, their story isn't different from what you've overcome either. They're beatable."
"Well said, Bianca." Jory applauded wholesomely agreeing her and then returning his gaze to the battle below; Kippy throws yet another fizzy bomb and watches it explode right before Janice in an attempt to create some space and a possible exit. Alert like a sentry, Kippy's calves flex in defensive preparation as Janice darts through the aftermath of the bomb and into her personal space. Having to bend backwards to avoid the diving Janice, Kippy shifts to the right and looks behind her to see the recovering Janice rise to her feet. Trapped by the purple ink she realizes that this was all a part of Janice's plan to keep her isolated from the team since her greatest strength in a team fight was how quickly she could move around and cause mayhem through the crossfire, but in an isolated battle her abilities became cruxes for combat as she wasn't a durable competitor like Janice.
While Kippy has her hands busy with Janice, Zepp finds himself dealing with an ambush by Hector and Nantes while Kappa battles William with Virgil having to rotate his assistance to ensure that neither Zepp or Kappa croak under the pressure of the Fangs. A difficult situation to manage for Virgil since he has to sit in between two separate battles occurring decides to make one critical attempt to sway momentum in his favor which would direct attention towards him but allow his teammates to recover in time. Stepping down from a raised platform he darts towards Zepp's direction and leaves Kappa to fend off William alone.
"Hah! Looks like your support recognized there is no worth in defending someone fated for defeat at my hands!" William mocked while flicking his tentacles with his fingers with a smug face looking down on Kappa.
Kappa's eyes scan the area, "For someone of refinery, your skills on the turf are pretty disappointing." Kappa stretches his neck; "We've been going at it and you still haven't managed to land a meaningful blow. You can claim the danger of Virgil stopping you from a decisive hit, but he's gone now."
"I'm afraid I don't follow. Isn't he protecting you? Him being gone exposes you to the danger of a direct hit from me, fool."
Kappa shakes his head with a smirk, "He was protecting you!" It was as instantaneous as an ambush. Kappa was right in front of William's face, and had the inkling lined up perfectly for an attack as he brings down his roller for a powerful slam. William being a user of the soda slosher did give him a good chance to battle up close and from afar, and though true that he he couldn't play too aggressively because of Virgil's presence it didn't diminish him in the slightest to wound Kappa. At last, Kappa found him out. "Your slosher. My roller. Who is better at wielding their weapon?"
William can sense the change in attitude. The reserved fellow who didn't seem to be too vocal but still carried an intimidating presence that looked more frightening now that he didn't have the restrictions of Virgil. While the showdown between them was about to near its climax, already the two on one battle of Hector and Nantes on the Inkstinct's captain was already at its boiling point. Up until now, Zepp has managed to out maneuver them in every form using his retreat to his advantage thanks to his dualies-filling them in every moment he can. Careful with his use of his sprinkler during the encounter, he used his special: the auto bomb launcher, to keep them away long enough to come up with a counter attack and create an escape.
Tenta Sorella Brella and Nautilus79. That pair is troublesome as is to strike me with that combination. The usage of the suction cups to force me within their pack proves to be irritating, especially when they gain that special charge and bombard me with the curling bombs and inkjet. Even when I try to attack that damned splash wall protects them just enough that I have no reason to engage in combat. I should retreat and group up but based on the score we don't have that luxury nor the bodies; Kip's probably got her hands full with Fang's captain, Kappa must be taking on their slosher user, and Virgil was supporting him since he isn't here. My best bet would be to wait for him and formulate a counterattack together since his presence will either lure them towards him or scare them off. He's an accurate shot so we can use him here but what matters is inking turf and the longer I have to hide the more turf I'm relinquishing to them.
Though this was a charity match, Zepp knew this match had more underlying tones with great implications for the Spring Invitationals. If his team failed to win, or even showed too many cards, they'd be playing into the hands of the many teams watching from afar waiting. The tricky thing about events like these were that though there was momentum gained for the winner, the drawback would be that other schools would have an idea of how to counterattack. Frustrated, he peeks over his shoulder and finds an unpleasant sight: the turf is covered in purple with not a speck of green in sight; Zepp's not shocked but instead weary with knowledge that they must be near and looking to ambush him on an attack. One wrong move and he's defenseless. He keeps his eyes on the purple turf and relaxes his body, letting his senses identify with danger until he's alarmed.
Thereā¦!
His body moves on his own as he dodges Nantes' attack with the suction bomb thanks to the Light Tetra Dualies, but there is where he finds his error as a splash wall appears in the direction he's rolling. Once again, they're looking to shut him down by limiting his movement. Before him is the splating, and somewhere in the vast purple ink is the brella user waiting patiently to strike him as well as his green routes being blocked by the enemy purple. His plan to buy time for reinforcements seemed like it all but backfired.
"Watch out!" Hector screams in Nantes' direction; Nantes doesn't react in time however and gets met with a powerful force of green ink.
A split second decision that needed no hint, Zepp turns the table by letting loose his ink and tailing after Hector, who now had only the defense of dragging out a fight with Zepp on his side, but that too proved useless as the same gun that took down his friend would also take him. "Looks like I made it in the nick of time eh, Zeppanick O'Reilly?" Virgil jokes, to which Zepp can only shake his head and give thanks that his reliable sniper showed up when needed the most.
Back to Janice and Kippy who are trading blows just northeast of the action where Zeppa and Virgil were with neither side giving up any less. Though indiscriminately, both sides managed to ink plenty of turf around them due to their intense battle and as such cornered the other for a straight ahead battle; to the spectators watching live, this was a fascinating development since neither side were known for playing into a style like this.
"Honestly, you're the first one to make play like this in a long time!" Janice praised almost out of breath, trying her hardest to stay upright as the weight from her weapon had her a little off balanced; "Say, why the mask and beanie? From your eyes I can already tell you must be a beauty to behold. Why conceal that, huh?"
Kippy's shocked eyebrows raise as she leans back a bit, blushing right afterwards. She tilts her head to the side with a confused look, "Why are you complimenting me? Do you have a crush or something?"
"NO! Bah-forget it!" Janice blushed, embarrassed that her attempt to make friends with a girl backfired; Kippy picks up on it and chuckles, afterwards admiring the vertical set of piercing down Janice's left ear accompanied by her scowling face hiding the awkwardness from their exchange.
"Nah, I'll remember that." she giggles again, appreciating that although Janice appeared to look like a mean delinquent on the outside, inside she was very much still a harmless friend seeking out others.
"Argh! Suit yourself. Anyways, before we get back into this mess I was wondering why you chose to use something like the slosher. That's not your main weapon."
"Right back at you, miss Luna Blaster. We both have our reason for testing out these picks at an event like here."
"I see. You don't want to reveal your arsenal either."
"Have to surprise everyone, right?" Kippy shouted, twirling her slosher.
"Heh...shame that you never went to Yermo. We'd love a scary talent like you on our side."
Kippy shakes her head, "I'm afraid I'll have to decline..."
Both girls ready their weapons, then unleash the specials at the same time; Janice goes into baller and looks to make attack for Kippy, but Kippy's prepared with Splashdown. Like to two trains speeding at one another-they collide, but Janice doesn't get splatted however as just in the final moments of the attack another Fang member swooped in to take the hit. Kappa closes in, and finally Janice spotted the dissolved clothes of William; receiving the task of an approaching Kappa, Janice releases Baller and takes both siblings with her but takes damage from Kippy's Splashdown. A trade off splat that saw four players taken down, only Virgil and Zepp remained active with the score in the Fang's favor.
"W-was she toying with her!?" Jory marveled, holding his head in disbelief at the brief cleanup of the four inklings lost in that skirmish; Reice couldn't find an answer as he too felt nervous after seeing that display of a trade off where all of them looked like they couldn't be defeated by normal opponents.
Bianca's head lowered, "These people are no joke. Guys, keep following them, they'll be trouble at the Invitationals." both the boys nodded in agreement, astonished by how perfectly everyone seemed to play, especially the frightening news that most of them weren't even using their main weapons.
A couple of minutes passed by since the huge splat and the turf war still raged on with the Fangs keeping up their tenacious performance against the resilient Inkstinct, who were slowly chopping away as the lead with the score nearing a tie. Zepp's rally with Virgil proved helpful in getting the Inkstinct back into the game as the team in black and green quickly reclaimed the turf that was lost, making the score reasonable as the Fangs started respawning. William, Hector, and Nantes seemed revitalized as they progressed forward and fought more orderly than the sloppy display seen earlier, and Janice no longer seemed interesting in focusing her attention on Kippy, probably because of Kappa's involvement. Time ticks closer to an end with the game is reaching crunch time as under a minute remains, both sides taking the dying moments of the match as their opportunity to end all the solo battles and focus on a team fight to settle the score. A constant array of orders are called form both ends as they side step each other and get close with green and purple clashing yet again. Some had their specials, others didn't. Now was the time to play their pieces properly. A suction bomb and a splash wall from the Fangs, a fizzy bomb and sprinkler from the Inkstinct, neither side gave the other any room for advantage as the scores tied with the meter swing either way whenever someone attacked. 10 seconds remain as no bodies are caught in the crossfire with both sides abandoning the precision of the attack and more so the meaty hit that led to spilling more ink.
"ATTACK!" both captains yell viciously in a last ditch effort to steal the victory from the other's grasp, they are halted.
A match that nearly ended in a draw, Inkstinct managed to pull off the comeback and hold off the Fangs in dramatic fashion. An overwhelming applause from everyone watching, this was only a charity event and yet in had the intensity of a tournament match. Inkstinct won the match and got the glory of bragging rights over the Fangs, but many people watching were convinced of the power the Fangs had as the underrated member of the big 4. Both captains exchange gratitude for a wonderful match, their egos flaring more as Zepp and his team made sure to rub it in although Janice graciously concedes the defeat, vowing to return the favor soon on a bigger stage. Much like the two teams gathered plenty of information on the other from that match, Reice and Jory did the same with deep analysis on the players and an idea of how they might think in a game against them. A worrisome feeling in the pit of their gut, they knew the team they had now might find some trouble going up against those two newcomers. Bianca reassures them that everything will be fine and instead invites to help take their mind off the game by exploring the rest of Cobeale for the night before checking in to a hotel since they'll have to leave early the next morning; Seaside shops, and a place to eat were the first things on the list after a match like that.
Around that time elsewhere...
The moon sits above the skyline like a fruit atop the tree watching below with entertainment from the many lights in the high rising buildings illuminating the night sky like the vast number of stars they were trying to reach. The backdrop for an old and abandoned construction site in the heart of the city, the area serves as a rendezvous point for Agent 8 and Agent 5 as they look to exchange valuable information for the upcoming mission. They sit atop a row of steel beams overlooking some of the residential buildings nearby and are exchanging what new information gathered. From Agent 8, Sky learned that she'd be going to Octo Valley soon for a meeting with Shiva and then sneak into Octaria with her support to uncover the truth of DJ Octavio's absence. Ever since going against Queen Octavio and causing a rift within the kingdom, DJ Octavio has been nowhere to be seen and Shiva has had enough of her mother's antics. A plan set forth by her to at least find her father, the mission proves important for Sky since it gives her the chance to recruit so octarians to their side for Rapture and Rebirth. Likewise did Sky have valuable information she gathered in the past few days like Cap'n and her parents inquired, handing over files to Agent 8.
"Ah, the blueprints I asked for..." Agent 8 comments as she opens the yellow folder and pulls out papers with designs of a building.
Sky joked that it wasn't easy to get those files but thanks to bullying Frankie she was able to get a few connections over in the west where she was able to obtain the information. Agent 8 applauds her for the task and proceeds to explain why the blueprints were needed as well as the current tasks needed to be done. Regarding the blueprints, they were needed since that was the location for the Ravia conference and a potential spot for where some officials would be staying-a security check otherwise to ensure that should anyone stay there, they can wiretap the rooms and potentially learn anything that might happen prior to the conference. Agent 8 and Cap'n believed that the best time to strike would be right before the enemy alliance do to throw them right off the rails and into a panic. "If we sucker punch them, they'll be reeling." Agent 8 commented.
As for the current mission, Agent 8 emphasized that the next thing Sky should focus on is creating allies that'll help for the Rapture and possibly for Rebirth. "Right now the goal is to gather help necessary for a proper defense like recruiting the S.I.A.T and SDF, but even then things could get messy if we ask help from the government. So instead we'll need to gather support elsewhere."
"I see. Makes sense with the risks coming from their involvement in the case of the coup we're planning. Any suggestions on who else might be worth finding for recruitment since we're not going with the government?"
"Just one. Are you familiar with Yakuza?"
"Mafia, Syndicate, Yakuza. All the same. I had a bit of a problem with the Black Urchins a while ago."
"Well, there's one yakuza clan that stands out from the others. A powerful clan with respect similar to that problematic Ninja clan and even the famous Inkalian mafia that's made roots in this country...Sororia was it? Anyway, This clan is the Yoshikara clan."
"From...Karou?" Sky tilts her head, deciphering the name.
Agent 8 chuckles, "Might need to work more on your studies in ancient languages. Recognize the name?"
"A little. I'm not too fond of those families and organizations so I can't say I that name rings a bell." she recalls Violet-the daughter of the Sororia family-and one of her favorite people to be around, admiring her reserved personality and her tendency to take the initiative, especially in competition where her aggression appeared more frightening than her teammates.
"You'll want to change that. We need as many comrades as possible and I expect Ixia to be a bigger threat than initially. Thanks to my findings in Octaria, we need to treat them seriously." Agent 8 continued to explain that there was a contact of hers that knew a way to find the Yoshikara leader and that she should start her search in New Kedaga and recruit her, then later on journey to Octaria. Even though the plan was ever evolving with positive updates influencing a more stable plan, Sky still had some lingering concerns regarding the timing of the plan, and on whether the enemy would do exactly as they plan. Then there was Rebirth and the logic of staging a coup right there at the conference and whether it was most optimal to strike at such a venue. Either way, Sky knew it better than to cloud her mind with such worries when the plan wasn't yet confirmed with the important date still a month away. A plan not yet set in stone, the gears of the Squidbeak splatoon are beginning to motion as each member handles their roles accordingly in preparation for their suicidal mission of Rebirth. Their ideals and values, did they outweigh the current status of society? Was it worth destruction for the sake of justice? As these concepts linger among the Splatoon and their quest to recruit members and gather more information, likewise were their enemies who are preparing for their day of revenge.
