Chapter 8


"I am." Kira called, stepping forward.

The female salmonoid's fangs grew into a wicked smile. "Could've sworn that ol' cuttlefish was gonna be 'ere."

"Well, you must've heard wrong." She retorted. "Now who are you and what do you want?"

The female salmonoid chuckled. "How rude of me~. My name is Tenta Misile. And here is my partner, Boomer."

Chili snorted. "Okay, Boomer!"

The steelhead salmonling got pissed and hissed, getting ready to throw one a bomb.

"Chili!" Kira and Mint yelled, pissed.

Tenta held Boomer back and hissed, clicking her tongue and shrieking. He growled and slunk back. "We're not here to make the war worse." She commented. "We came to negotiate with ya."

Kira cocked an eyebrow. "What's your offer?"

"I prefer to speak in private about this matter. I just want to be reassured that you won't harm any of my fellow salmon as long as I am here." Tenta told her.

The inkling sighed. "I can reassure you, we will be hospitable to you and your kind so long as they cause no trouble."

"You have my word."


Inside the camp, Tenta had made herself comfortable in the chair across the table from Kira. Chili had to beg her to let him attend the meeting, but to his chagrin, Boomer was there as well, as he wanted to stay by Tenta while the deal went down. Both refused and had them wait outside.

"So what is it that you want from us?"

Tenta straightened some files and sat them down on the table. "You are aware that Grizzco is a place that robs us of our eggs, correct?"

She averted her gaze for a bit and huffed. "I am well aware.."

"As representative of the salmonoids and salmonlings, I'm willing to let that slip by under one condition."

"And that is?"

"After this war is over, I need to find a place to stay. I have to sell my modded weaponry somewhere."

Kira raised an eyebrow. "Why not go to your home and do it?"

"Your little war with that pile of green shit destroyed Port Mackerel and now I have to find other methods of making money. I want this war over as soon as possible so I can get back to the black-market-I mean get back to business."

Kira groaned a bit and huffed. "Okay, I see where you're coming from. I'm quite surprised to hear that the Port was destroyed, but if you can fight along-side us in this war, I'll make it worth your while. I'll have salmonlings stay in Inkopolis with all the rights they deserve and I'll even find you a place to live."

The salmonling sat on it and nodded. "Deal. But I want to sell my modded weapons as well. Allow me to make a little cash and I'll supply you warriors with the best I got."

"Deal." They both shook hands, signed a contract, and stepped outside, each dragging their friend aside to explain what happened.

Chili looked pissed and snarled. "You. What?!"

Kira pressed Chili against a wall, the whites of her eyes turning black and her pupils dialating, her violet eyes glowing, a blade pressed gently against his neck as Chili stared at her Dark Form. Sweat dripping from his forehead as he eyed death. "Now listen here you little shit. This war has gone on long enough and by damned I'm going to end it one way or another. You either get your shit together and accept them or I'm going to mount your sorry ass up on my wall for display!" She pushed him away and stormed off.

Chili felt a shaky breath escape him, his heart pounding. He shook it off and turned into his fire form, storming off to the training yard to practice combat on a dummy with force and rage. As he fought, a blazing inferno surrounded his body, as he screeched and incinerated the dummy with a single punch using his gauntlets.

"You needed to cool off?" A gruff voice asked.

"What's it to ya?" He snarled. He turned around to find Boomer leaning against a wall, staring at him. "Oh, it's you."

He chuckled. "And I thought I was the hot-head. You're literally on fire."

"Yeah, yeah... Laugh it up. Now get outta 'ere before I decide to use you as a training dummy."

Boomer growled. "Look. I know we ain't on the best of terms. But our leaders have decided what we should do. We gotta listen to them."

Chili crossed his arms, a tired, irritable look on his face. "And why the fuck should I take advice from a piece of sushi?"

Boomer sighed. "Don't you love her?"

Chili raised an eyebrow. "What now?" He asked, trying to keep up the tough act.

"She's doing this for the good of her people. And my leader is doing the same. I wouldn't be here talking to you if it wasn't important. Just pretend to get along. Just for her."

Chili clenched his fist tight and grinded his teeth. "Get. Out." He snarled. "Now."

Boomer sighed once again. "Fine." He left without saying another word and Chili roared destroying another dummy. Tears running down his face and watching the inferno around him slowly die as he stared at the charred remains of the dummies.

"Cod..." He whispered. "What is wrong with me..?"


End of Chapter