Cerata followed Leviathan and kind of felt an odd sense of Déjà vu. He led her into an alleyway and she froze at the creature she saw sitting there. "Spyke! How's it going man?"

The creature turned one green eye towards the voice and the smallest of smirks crossed his face. "Inkay. Wot's up mate?" The creature said holding up his fist for a fist bump.

"Nothing much. What about you? You look like you're running low on Super Sea Snails," Spyke chuckled lowly, running a hand over two of his five remaining sea snails, each one shivering violently at his touch.

"That I am mate, that I am. Good thing Splatfest is just a few days away ain't it? I can always expect a good haul from fresh squids like you,"

"About that. I probably won't be participating in Splatfest this time around," Spyke raised his only visible eyebrow.

"You wot mate? Wot's so important that ya opt out of sometin as big as Splatfest?" Leviathan chuckled softly and glanced over his shoulder.

"I gotta watch a friend. She's not from around these parts and this'll be her first Splatfest," Spyke leaned over to look around Leviathan to see his guest since she was all but hiding behind him.

"Babysittin' ey? Well there can be some fun in that. Music's always something to git your head bobbin'," Spyke turned his eye towards Leviathan. "Why don't ya tell ya mate ther' that I don't bite and she don't have to hide?" Leviathan chuckled and looked at Cerata, nodding his head over towards Spyke. She cautiously stepped from around Leviathan and waved.

"'Ello love. And how are you today?" Spyke responded to Cerata's wave. She avoid eye contact and responded with a soft

"I-I'm fine…how are you?..." Spyke chuckled.

"Just fine. Was hoping ya mate would be getting me some extra triple S's,"

"You will get plenty from other people," Leviathan called out. Spyke chuckled again and turned back towards Cerata.

"You look kinda familiar mate. Have I seen ya before?" Cerata quickly shook her head and stepped back behind Leviathan.

"Well anyway, we should be headed back. These bags are finally getting heavy," Leviathan said shaking the bags on his arms slightly.

"Nice speakin' to ya mate. Be sure to visit me again," Before he turned around Leviathan noticed a small plate sitting next to one of the Super Sea Snails with a small piece of cake left and smirked.

"I will. See ya Spyke," Leviathan called as he and Cerata left the alley.

"Cheers love,"

As Cerata and Leviathan exited into the center of Booyah Base, there was a loud jingle that echoed throughout the area. All Inklings instinctively looked up to the giant screen placed to the right of the plaza.

"Hold on to your tentacles!"

"It's Inkopolis News Times!" Some Inklings continued to do what they were doing while others watched intently. Cerata was confused by the sudden stop of pretty much every Inkling present, but turned her eyes towards what had everyone's attention. There were two squids on a giant screen. One looked overly excited to be where she was but the other looked like she was only smiling because she was told to. The first spoke first after a small transition over the screen.

"We have some important news to share with all of you!"

"Oooooh, what is it?" The screen behind the two flashed into a picture labeled Pirates vs. Ninjas. Cerata read the title and looked over the picture

"Based on information from…up high…," All eyes that averted from the screen now returned as Callie's voice lowered sadly.

"Please no…" Marie's voice whispered just as sadly.

"This Splatfest …will be…" Everyone held their breath as the entire plaza went silent.

"Oh noooooo," Callie suddenly threw her fist in the air with a large smile on her face.

"Moved up!" Everyone almost fell over as Marie facepalmed on the screen.

"Don't scare us like that!" Marie scolded as Callie giggled.

"Sorry folks. But it's our duty to inform you that the Splatfest has been moved up from four days to two days,"

"Neat. So I get to sleep two more times before Splatfest," Marie said giving her signature smirk to the camera.

"Then sleep for the entire day after like you always do,"

"You know me so well," Callie chuckled softly and shook her head.

"Anyway, that's all the news we have for you folks. Until next time…" Callie and Marie both did a small hop and struck a pose.

"Staaaaay fresh!" With that, the screen went back to commercials and everyone went back to what they were doing.

"Huh. Neat," Leviathan muttered out loud prying his eyes from the screen and beginning his scroll back to his apartment. Cerata looked at the screen again before following his lead, gently tapping his shoulder.

"Um…What exactly does that mean exactly?" Leviathan looked over his shoulder and gave the disguised Octoling a small smile.

"That means you get to go home earlier," Cerata lit up and almost shouted for joy but held the urge back. It would be insane to bring attention to them now. As if the mountains of bags that Leviathan was carrying didn't bring attention. They continued walking forward and Leviathan looked up in thought. "We're going to have to go somewhere else after we set all these clothes down. So when we get back just change into something you like and we'll leave," Cerata furrowed her brow and pouted a bit.

"But we still haven't eaten yet! You promised you would bring me something to eat and instead you brought makeup," Leviathan chuckled.

"I promise we'll get something after we set these down and head off to our next destination," Cerata took a few quicker steps so that she was now beside him instead of behind.

"Um…pinky promise?" Leviathan turned to look at her with a hint of surprise in his features. He knew that a pinky promise was just a little childish gesture, but the look of determination on Cerata's face made it seem like he was placing his life on the line. He smiled and fought his pinky out of the plastic wrappings of the bags and connected it with hers.

"Pinky promise,"

Octameri was positively giddy as she walked through an Octarian base. Other inhabitants quickly cowered in fear at her smiling face. They all knew Octameri in a good mood was much more terrifying than Octameri in a bad one. In a bad one, at least whatever horror done would be over quickly. Heavens forbid you get caught when she's in a good mood less your pain is stretched.

She approached the same door as before and knocked on it happily. There was a slight rustle and groan from behind it before the voice spoke up.

"What?" Octameri's smile widened as her voice came out as sweet as possible.

"It's meeeee," There was another groan and the voice seemed to move further away from the door.

"Go away," Octameri only chuckled.

"You really want me to go away?" She barely had time to get the sentence out before an annoyed "yes" rang through the door. "That's too bad. I have some information that I know you'll just looove," The voice scoffed.

"And what could you have that I could possibly wish to know?"

"The location of your favorite Octarian perhaps?" Silence. Octameri waited. And waited. And waited. Her smile faltered a bit at the amount of time she waited. It regained its luster when the voice returned, this time directly on the other side of the door.

"You know where Octavio is?" Octameri let out a chuckle.

"Eeeeyup. Those filthy Inklings have him!" The door opened slightly, a single red eye glowing through the crack from the dark room.

"Really now?..."

"Yep. In an overgrown snow globe no less! But he's alive! We can go get him! The revolution is still here!" Octameri's fists were squeezed together in excitement. She couldn't wait to get this lazy ass off his lazy ass. This ought to be just enough to kick him into gear.

"Leave me be," The door closed and Octameri's jaw dropped at the slamming sound. She paused for a second before she let out a confused and angry "What?!" She prepared to bang on the door when the voice spoke again. "I need to make preparations. As do you. Prepare the troops," Octameri's smile widened again. She knocked her knuckles together in excitement as her eyes twinkled under her mask.

"Which ones? The grunts? Kelp forces 104? Kelp forces 233? Or maybe AKF?!" There was silence again before the door was swung open as Octameri was about to burst with anticipation. She flinched and stepped back at the ferocity of the two red eyes that glared down at her.

"All of them,"

Cerata happily chewed on another hotdogfish as she followed Leviathan. They were in a much less populated area than earlier and she was completely OK with that. She had changed into an Octo Tee with a black skirt with purple edges to match her tentacles and accessories. She also had on a pair of what Leviathan had simply dubbed "school shoes" and stockings that stopped just below her skirt.

She let her mind go back to the face Leviathan made when she stepped out of her door and giggled, taking another bite of her food. Leviathan led her up the stairs to a building and he let out a sigh.

"The plan isn't to stay here that long but…Here's to hoping…" He gently knocked on the door and waited.

"Molly! See's who's at the door!" A voice yelled from deeper inside the house. There was a cheerful "OK!" Before little feet scurried towards the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me Molly. Open up," Leviathan called. There was a lock clicking then a child latched itself onto Leviathan. Cerata was taken aback from the sudden lunge but Leviathan simply let out a small "oomph," before picking the young Inkling up.

"You're visiting a lot today Levi," Leviathan chuckled and began walking in the house.

"I guess I am huh?" Leviathan gestured for Cerata to follow him in, so she did, closing and locking the door behind her. Molly hadn't noticed the other guest until she heard the door close. She peeked over Leviathan's shoulder and tilted her head.

"Who is she?" She questioned as Leviathan turned fully towards Cerata.

"This is a friend of mine. Cerata, this is my little sister Molly. Molly, this is Cereta," Molly turned more towards Leviathan and only peeked at Cerata over her shoulder.

"Hi…" She was so cute! Cerata felt like she was going to explode over how adorable this little girl was. She smiled and stepped closer, leaning over to be eye level with the girl.

"Hi cutey," Cerata said smiling brightly as Molly blushed a dark blue. The young Inkling waved timidly at the stranger.

"Molly! Who was it?" Another voice called from upstairs.

"It's me sis. I brought the…project," He said setting Molly down who quickly took his hand in hers, still eyeing Cerata.

"Oh goody. I'll be right down," There were a few rustles before the sound of feet traveled down the stairs. Kiara descended them, still barely clad like she was earlier that day. She reached the bottom and her eyes scanned over Leviathan but locked onto Cerata. The two stared at each other for a moment.

Cerata held her breath. She was suddenly really self-conscious. Did all Inklings mature this way? Well obviously not from the two on the screen earlier and a few she saw at Booyah Base but damn. She felt a whole lot less endowed because of this chick.

"Kiara? This is Cerata. Cerata, this is my big sister Kiara," Leviathan introduced. Kiara put on a smirk as Cerata approached to offer a handshake.

"It's nice to meet you," Cerata muttered as she extended her hand to the Inkling woman. She was gifted with a "mmhmm" a smirk and a sense of being torn apart in several different ways. Eventually her hand was shook and she quickly retreated to the opposite side of Leviathan.

"Inkay, can I speak with you for a minute?" Kiara said a devious smirk on her face. Leviathan raised an eyebrow but shrugged his shoulder.

"Sure," He let go of Molly's hand and moved towards his older sibling. "You two play nice," He said as he followed Kiara to the kitchen. Molly looked at Cerata and vice versa.

"Sooooooo," Molly started taking a step closer to Cerata, a sneaky grin on her face. "You gonna be my new sister?" Kiara grew wide eyed.

Meanwhile Leviathan leaned against the counter waiting for all the suggestive jokes and innuendos his sister would throw at him. Instead she walked up to him, paused in front of him with her arms crossed, and stared. The dark look in her eyes creeped Leviathan out a bit but he said nothing on the matter.

Kiara suddenly stretched, her arm reaching behind her head as she groaned from the pleasant feeling of her muscles extending. Her hand suddenly came down like a rocket, slapping Leviathan so hard his head jerked to the side. He turned back towards her with his hand on his cheek and a face full of annoyance and confusion. He was staring back at a face of anger and disappointment.

"What the fuck?!" Both siblings whispered yelled at the same time.

"What the hell was that for?!" Leviathan asked rubbing his sore cheek.

"Why the hell is your project an Octoling?!" Leviathan's eyes widened. Of freaking course his sister saw through the disguise. Of freaking course. She never let anything he did pass her.

"How did you-"

"Are you stupid?! Are you legitimately stupid?!"

"No, I-"

"Then what, have you lost your mind?! Why would you bring an Octoling, anywhere near here?!"

"I didn't bring her here! She needed a way back and all the ways to Octovalley were destroyed!"

"And you believed that shit?!"

"Look sis, she was scared and needed help. I couldn't just walk away from her," Leviathan crossed his arms and met Kiara's glare with one of his own.

"And what would you do if she splatted you huh? What will you do when she finds you with your fucking dick in your hand?!"

"Ok, firstly," Leviathan stated raising a finger and closing his eyes to try to erase the mental image placed in his head. "There are much better metaphors to use then what you just said,"

"Apparently not because you were obviously thinking with your dick when you took her in,"

"Secondly she has had plenty of time to try and splat me," Kiara narrowed her eyes and glared silently at the younger male.

"How long?" Leviathan paused and looked away, preparing for the shitstorm to continue.

"About two days…"

"Two days?!" Kiara almost screamed. "You've been visiting and protecting an illegal enemy of our society for two days?!"

"Technically she's been staying at my apartment…" Kiara stared blankly at her brother before pacing around the kitchen rubbing her face.

"Oh my god…you have gone insane…wh-…what are you expecting to accomplish by doing this?" Kiara said placing her hands together and slowly shaking them as if praying for a reasonable answer. Her face had turned from absolutely livid to fearful and confused. Leviathan couldn't stand such a foreign look on his sibling's face and turned away.

"I'm not sure. I just…" Leviathan ran a hand over his tentacles and let out a sigh. "I just knew I had to help her. We've already survived two days. We just have two more days before Splatfest then the grates to Octovally will be opened and she'll be out of our metaphorical hair," Kiara turned away from Leviathan, a hand covering her mouth as so many emotions swam through her eyes. Leviathan let the two sit in silence before he finally faced her and noticed she hadn't moved in a while. "Kiara?"

"Why?" She snapped turning towards him, her eyes a bit blurry as she was stuck between a glare and a sad face. "Why? Why for once in your god damn life can't you act more like mom over dad?" Leviathan's shoulders dropped and his eyes followed them down to the floor. "For once in your life think of yourself over everyone else," Kiara bent down trying to get her brother to look at her as he averted his eyes to the side.

"You know dad wouldn't want that…" Leviathan whispered. Kiara grabbed both sides of Leviathan's head and forced him to look at her.

"If you won't be selfish then do it for us. Stop placing your life on the line for every passing face. You've always put yourself in danger for no real reason. What about Molly? What about me? Do you not care what'll happen to us if we lost you like we lost dad?" Leviathan looked directly into Kiara's eyes and seeing all the fear and vulnerability in his usually strong and in control sister made his eyes water.

"Dad…died a hero…" Leviathan whispered more to himself than his sister.

"But he still died!" Kiara snapped gently shaking her brother. "He left us alone and afraid and…" Kiara held her head down, her hands shaking on Leviathan's shoulders. "Mom got worse and worse until she died too…" Leviathan's fists tightened at his sides. He could feel tears welling up in his eyes and he fought to hold them in. Now was not the time to cry. He tried to take a deep breath to calm his mind but it came out shaky, instead reminding him how close he was to breaking down.

"Dad would-"

"Please Leviathan," Kiara's voice steadied only slightly as she stared at Leviathan. "I know I act like I'm in control of everything and that I can take care of whatever comes at me, but when mom died...you were the one who took charge. You were the one who gave me the kick in the ass I needed to get my shit together. You pulled me up from the lowest I've ever been. If not for me, then for Molly. She values you above everything else. You were her caretaker, and her best friend. She never got to know her parents, but you filled the void the best anyone could possibly do. I wouldn't think you would do something so reckless. You know you could get arrested from housing an Octoling right? You know there is a chance you could die dealing with them right? Please…you can't save everyone, so don't leave us behind trying to play the hero. We still need you,

Leviathan swallowed all the emotions flowing through him and forced a smile for his sister. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to come out of this fine. Just continuing dad's legacy in a way he'd be proud of…" Kiara pulled Leviathan in a tight hug.

"Please…just be careful," she said. Leviathan's eyes widened a bit. It sounded like she was crying. He hadn't seen her crying in over a decade. He tried to lean back to actually see if she was really crying but she simply held him tighter, keeping him looking over her shoulder than at her. Leviathan simply complied and hugged her back.

"Of course. I still have people who need me," Kiara held on to him tighter and just sat there for a moment. After a while, she pulled away, her face returning to the relaxed visage from earlier. Leviathan studied her face in an attempt to see any tear stains but found nothing.

"I don't agree with you doing this, but…I guess I'll trust your opinion. You've proved to know better than me before. I won't kick her out, but I won't let her back in…Just make sure those people don't lose you," Leviathan gave his sister a smile and she returned it. It had been awhile since they had a real emotional talk and it was…relieving. Kiara placed a hand on Leviathan's shoulder and gave it a small squeeze.

"They won't," Kiara then chuckled.

"Alright then. Now let's go check on your girlfriend," Leviathan's smile drop and his eyes drooped while Kiara's turned into a smirk and the lazy look she wore earlier.

"She's not my-"

"Whatever bro,"

"Alright sea slugs! Get your asses in gear!" Octameri yelled towards the Octarians running around the floor. She stood on a high pedestal and watched with an entertaining grin as the Octarains fought each other. "Shoot like you mean it! Go for the kill! Be thankful you have this time for training! If it were up to me, we'd be storming Inkopolis right now! But boss said to just prep you, and I'm not taking any weaklings to war!"

The Octarians were in a small warzone of their own. Ink flew in all directions as they fired their weapons. Punches and kicks were thrown around as well as the swings of weapons. The Octarians fought like they were out to kill, though since everyone was using the same color ink, no serious injuries were given. Besides a few bruises and mild cases of blunt force trauma.

But the Octarians had a special ink bath that would heal any minor injuries so they could risk such violent training sessions. They would need those later as there were no pulled punches under Octameri's watch.

"No holding back! If I catch you slacking I will jump down there and teach you how to fight myself!" Any onlookers would have sworn that the activity doubled at the threat as seemingly more ink flew and the room grew louder. Octameri grew a wide smile as she watched the battle go on.

"Meri," The Octoling looked at her bracelet. She had honestly forgotten she wore her communicator. She was barely ever called for anything seeing as how she seemed to be the only one to get shit done around here. She looked down at the screen and lit up. Two red eyes looked back at her as a low voice echoed from her bracelet. "Are you readying the troops?" Octameri chuckled and smiled.

"They're doing a battle simulation. Are you wanting to move out? I'm ready to move out if you-"

"We won't be moving out for a few days," Octameri's shoulders dropped in disappointed as she stared at the glowing eyes.

"What? And why not?" Her voice displayed how put off she was at the information and she placed an annoyed fist on her hip. Not that the person she was talking to could see her do it.

"Because, I'm not as impatient as you. We are going to war Meri. We will be charging into Inkling territory, and taking back what is ours. We can't afford to mess this up. So we have to be careful," Octameri gave an agreeing sigh before looking away.

"Very well,"

"Don't look so down Meri. There's a special mission that you are going to go on," Meri perked up again and returned her attention to her watch.

"Go on,"

"I want Octavio to lead the charge, so of course he has to be rescued first. And I don't expect the Inklings to simply hand him over. So who do you think will be sent to retrieve him?" Octameri grew another smile. "I'm not going to go into details yet, but I'm going to need you," Octameri's smile grew even wider. "To take care of him," Octameri chuckled.

"Oh I better not miss a damn thing,"

Leviathan and Cerata sat in Leviathan's living room watching TV. They ended up staying over Leviathan's siblings' house longer than planned but no one seemed to mind. Cerata noticed that Kiara eyed her very strangely every now and then but a quick glance over to her brother and she stopped.

Molly on the other hand, only took her attention off Cerata to give it to Leviathan. Though the questions she asked were embarrassing and verged on the too personal, she enjoyed the little girl's presence. But now it was only her and Leviathan and it was much quieter than his sisters' house.

They simply had dinner and chatted a bit. Nothing much but it killed time before they stared at the TV. Leviathan let out a yawn and stretched after a few shows. He looked at the clock and saw that it was pretty late and stood up to stretch.

"I'm going to go to bed. You staying up?" Leviathan was wearing a basic tee and green sleeping pants with little squids on them. Cerata sat on the couch opposite of him holding on to a throw pillow in her Octoling top and bottom. Her tentacles were in their usual fashion as she had showered and washed off all the make-up her disguise required for the night.

"Yeah. I want to see how this ends," Leviathan nodded and stretched again.

"Just be sure to turn off the TV when you're done," Cerata nodded and turned her head back towards the TV. "Good night Cerata,"

"Good night. Oh, and Leviathan?" Leviathan paused and looked over his shoulder. "I really had fun today. I just want to thank you for everything," She held the pillow tighter. "I actually never have been as…happy, or had as much fun as I did with you and your sisters today so…thank you," Leviathan smiled at her.

"Don't mention it. If you want we can go out for breakfast tomorrow morning. I know this place," Cerata nodded and smiled at him.

"Anyway, goodnight,"

"Night Cerata," Leviathan retired to his room to sleep while Cerata continued to watch her show.

And we have a new winner for the shortest chapter of this story. In all honesty, I personally don't like this chapter. I felt like it was missing...something...besides a reasonable upload time. Aw well. Can't expect to be able to upload daily when college is kicking your ass. I'm going to be honest with ya, I sort of lost interest in this chapter. Not the story mind you, the chapter. It's always fun writing the beginning and the end but the middle tends to be where people fizzle out. And I am honestly running on the fumes of the damned right now because of school so please bear with any errors of any kind you find.

Anywho, I want to encourage you all to find the shipping I hinted at in this chapter. Of course you need a small paragraph from the previous chapter to make 1 plus 1 equal 2, but you still need to squint reaaaaaally hard and turn your head a certain way to see it. Have fun with that.

I would also like some opinions on the conflict scene between Leviathan and his sister. Did it seem out of place? I wanted her to realize Cerata was an Octoling and have it seem she was more mad about Leviathan risking his life for a complete stranger than Cerata actually being an Octoling. She's just a fragile girl who doesn't want to lose any more loved ones.

Also the Octarians are plotting a full scale war. Oh where's agent three when you need him? He's probably better off where ever he is with Octameri on his trail.

If everything goes as planned the next chapter will feature the splatfest and will probably be really long. So you have that to look forward to.

And with that another chapter settles down for a close. I thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed, and a very special thank you for those who reviewed. I honestly went and read the reviews again and again to motivate me so I would get off my lazy ass and write instead of, oh I don't know...*looks over to the clock that says 1 A.M. on my nightstand* sleep. But I enjoy writing and I hate when I find a good story that seems to never update so I apologize greatly for keeping you waiting.

Oh, and um, Splattifying Agent 2. Ya see, the answer to your question is quite simple really. In order to work on your fanfic without plagiarizing mine you simply have to,

Git Gud

I tease. I joke. Hugs and kisses for all. What? Too weird? Aw ok...Well until next time.

Astalabyebye,

Bang