Things are going to get interesting. This chapter may remind you of a specific scene of Avengers: Endgame.

Chapter Seven

Octavio Strikes

(Jessica's apartment)

Skul, Choco, Fishy, Vian, GG, Crystal, and Sagaci all stood in front of Shurtugal by the door, waiting for Jessica to get done with the basket. Shurtugal looked them all over. Susan, Sagaci, and Kyle were doing fine, it seemed. The rest were growing impatient, which he wasn't surprised with. They waited, and Skul said, "Hey, guys, C'mon, Booyah, Squid." They all faced her. "Oh, yeah, I remember that game!" Shurtugal was confused. Skul got ready. "Okay, GG, you're first." He nodded.

"C'mon, Booyah, Squid!" She shifted into a squid as GG said "C'mon." He sighed. "Dagnabit." Shurtugal chuckled. Jessica walked over. "Okay, I've got it all." They all nodded. "Let's go." They walked into the Square, and took the sewer grate to Octo Canyon. When they arrived, they set up their picnic, and began to eat. They talked about several things, the weather, how to properly sew clothing, much to Skul's chagrin, upcoming tournaments, Sagaci's Turf War record. She had become very skilled.

As they talked and ate, they failed to notice that eyes were watching them. A lone Octoling pressed a finger to her comm. "I have eyes on them." A voice came through on the other end. "Keep an eye on them, and let me know if they try to leave." The Octoling responded, "Understood." She kept her gaze on them, and got ready to report their activity. She observed their picnic, and became very hungry. She grabbed a nutrition bar, and began to eat, continuing to keep an eye on them.

Meanwhile, the team and Skul's parents continued their picnic, eating peacefully, and Skul stretched, and took note of a flash near the entrance to one of the domes. She spoke up. "There's a flash over there." They all took note of it. Skul drew B-Rush, and held it at the ready. Everyone else aimed their weapons at it. After a few moments, nothing happened, and Skul muttered, "Weird. Well, forget that. Let's eat the cake!" Everyone agreed, and they all dished out the cake slices, and continued their festivities.

As they finished the cake, Skul took note of a familiar pattern on the ground around them. "Inkstrike!" They all took cover as the Inkstrike struck near them, Sku on one sidel, Choco, and Fishy on another side, and the rest on the other. The others were trapped under an old wall that had fallen on them, except for Sagaci and Shurtugal, who began to remove the wall from them. Skul, Choco, and Fishy looked towards the domes, where a familiar individual had arrived. DJ Octavio stood in full Octoling form, and sat down on a nearby rock.

They looked at each other, and looked back at him. Skul sighed. "Worst time possible, Octavio." She jumped over to the others, and asked, "Any idea as to what he's doing?" Choco took note of him. "Absolutely nothing." Skul looked over at the others, then back at Octavio. "Can we call for help?" Fishy sighed. "Your phone was in your dad's pocket. He has it." Skul grimaced. "That's right. I gave it to him so that I wouldn't get tempted to play games on it."

Fishy sighed. "Well, we can at least show him how we feel about him butting in like that." Skul nodded. Choco spoke up. "You know it's a trap, right?" They looked at him, and Skull said, "I don't care." Choco nodded. "Good. Just as long as we're all in agreement." He drew Squiffy, and said, "Let's Splat him properly this time." They approached him, and he smiled at them. "You've done well to come here." All three faced him. He continued. "I thought that Inklings only wanted my kind destroyed, but I know that some Octolings have gone to the city."

They remained silent. "Perhaps Craig was right. Peace could have been achieved, and no lives would have been lost on either side." Choco spoke up. "Kinda late for that, isn't it?" Octavio nodded. "Yes, it is. I understand now. I am not the king my people need, nor am I the one they deserve." He faced them. "I'm grateful. Because now, I know what I must do." He got up. "Using your influence with the mayor, I intend to negotiate for peace, then retire." All three were unimpressed. "Norman won't listen to you. You tried to attack the city, remember?"

He nodded. "That is a good point, but one must try. Peace in our time." Skul spoke up. "Proposed by a man who spilled ink." Octavio sighed. "You're not going to make this easy for me, are you?" They shook their heads. "You killed Kayla. Before peace can exist between our peoples, you have to go back to jail, where you belong." They aimed at him, and he sighed. "So be it. I will have one last fight, by the gods of my people." The fight against Octavio began, and they lunged at him, Octavio wielding an Octobrush.

A/N

I did throw in a "Team B-Rush" reference near the beginning of the chapter, for anyone who's interested.