Made the mistake of buying Sonic Mania, now I'm completely hooked on it! The new stages, boss and even the music is great. Anyway, I had to re-write this chapter until I was satisfied with it. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 6 – The Tears of Regret

Tela settled down on one of the only unoccupied seats she could find, the noise in the surrounding area was deafening due to everyone chatting away about what teams they were supporting.

Yet she couldn't stop the excitement growing, especially since she almost fainted from sheer delight at having to use the teleportation device that transported her and all the others to the Blackbelly Skatepark arena stands.

Turns out, there are multiple arenas for the Turf Wars that littered the outskirts of Inkopolis. A different arena is selected daily for the Turf Wars, players and spectators travel to these areas by using the Teleportation pads in the Lobby.

Tela watched as the first match started, and felt slight disappointment when Sora and his team didn't show up. She had to remind herself that lots of teams were participating, so obviously there was a high chance Sora wouldn't be in the first match.

"Wow…" breathed Tela as she clutched the edge of her seat, her amber eyes wide in amazement as two team popped up from opposite sides of the arena. One team all bore identical red coloured tentacles while the other sporting green.

At the sound of a whistle blowing both teams flew into action, their weapons flying everywhere as their ink splattered every inch of surface it could reach.

Soon Tela found herself cheering for Team Pear considering that she preferred the green fruits to apples, jumping to her feet and shouting encouragement to the arena below, thankfully all the Inklings were doing the same.

One of the Inkgirls in Team Pear swam up the ledge she had sprayed with ink earlier and had successfully splattered an Inkgirl of Team apple, then she proceeded to re-spray the red covered area with her own green ink.

The four Inklings in Team Pear were just too good, the other team losing more ground as the time went on.

The match ended with Team Pear being victories, Inklings including Tela jumped up and down on their feet while screaming their approval.

A small pudgy grey cat in a suit waddled to the middle of the arena carrying two flags, he waved the flag of the winning team as the points earned were shown on the large screen that featured the two Squid Sisters.

Oh Octo! This is so much fun! No wonder Agent 3 is so good, he must play Turf Wars constantly. This is nothing like our training, it's actually enjoyable!

Another game started with still no Sora and his friends in sight, not that the Octoling cared too much as she was too busy cheering for Team Pear again.

This time Team Apple won, Tela slumped back in her chair as the points were added to the boards. All this cheering was wearing her out.

"I wonder which team Sora and his friends got assigned to, I hope it's Team Pear." The Octoling muttered as the third match began.

She looked at Team Pears starting point and frowned slightly, none of the Inklings looked familiar.

However, her eyes went wide as she looked at Team Apple. Sora stood tall with his Splattershot Pro aimed and ready, Ryu was talking about something as he pointed at different parts of the Arena. Maya and Naya simply twirled their weapons around as they eyed Team Pear with almost blood-lust in their chocolate brown eyes.

What really took Tela by surprise, despite knowing that this was going to happen, was the colour of their tentacles. Seeing Sora with bright red tentacles struck a wrong cord within Tela, yet it fascinated her at the same time.

I wish I had the ability to change tentacle colour like them… then maybe I could take part, the Turf Wars seem so much fun.

The whistle blew and both team flew into action, Tela watched in amazement as Maya and Naya rushed forwards leaving a wide path of red ink in their wake. Both twins leaped into the air and descended on Team Pear with such speed that Tela almost missed it, their Carbon Rollers slammed into two green Inkboys which instantly splattering them.

The crowd went wild at the display and the Octoling was torn between which team to cheer for. In the end for settled for Team Apple, she screamed Sora's name loudly as said Inkboy splattered the other team in an almost lazy fashion.

"Woah… they're so scary!" gasped Tela as she watched the twins again practically slaughter the opposing team. Pink glittery Inkgirls in high heels should not be that deadly in melee combat, no wonder Team Pear were caught off guard with them.

Ryu also seemed to be a deadly force to reckon with, he dashed around the arena while covering it in red ink. He seemed to be able to calculate Team Pears every movement and thought, his ink bullets splattering them one by one with deadly precision.

"Huh? Where did Sora go?" Tela moved to the edge of her seat for a better view, trying to locate her missing friend. Team Pear had been cornered, all four Inklings looking alarmed and angry as they tried to push back against the onslaught of the twins and clever tactics of Ryu.

Then Tela gasped as she spotted Sora appear from behind the unexpecting group of green Inklings, watched as he gunned them down before they could even respond to what was happening.

The crowd went wild as the timer ran out and the match ended, Team Apple had covered 90% of the arena in red. Team Pear stood no chance.

"Wow! Sora and his team seem to be on fire today!" cheered a yellow tentacle Inkboy.

"Yeah! They like, totally destroyed the other team. What do you expect though, they're all like, totally Level 20 and rank S+ and everything!"

"Man, those twins are terrifying. Did you hear the time Mort tried asking one of them out? Dude came back white as a ghost, and for the next week he screamed every time he saw a girl."

Sora high-fived Ryu and then began to look towards the stands, finally his emerald eyes locked onto Tela's. He winked at her before disappearing, leaving the poor Octoling to sit there while her face burned red and her heart beating as if she had run a marathon.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Terry! Terry! Did you see!? Did you see!?" yelled Maya and Naya as they rushed towards Tela who was waiting outside the Turf Wars Lobby for Sora and his friends. The twins slammed into the poor Octoling and began to swing her around by the arms.

"We told you we'll beat those Inklings extra hard! Let's celebrate!"

"Maya, Naya calm down. Terry is not a ragdoll." Said Ryu as he pushed the glasses back up his face, his purple eyes narrowed at the twins who let go of a dizzy Tela with sheepish smiles.

"What did you think about our match Terry?"

Tela felt her stomach drop as a familiar arm snaked around her shoulders, pulling her towards the warmth she had grown to know and secretly love. She grinned as her amber eyes met those brilliant emerald eyes of Sora.

"I think you guys are downright scary… but also the coolest squids I've ever met!"

Sora blinked, before suddenly smiling. A look of smugness and happiness growing on his face.

Ryu coughed lightly in his closed hand to gain the attention of his friends.

"Might I suggest we head home and obtain a few hours of sleep to recharge? I'm sure everyone here would like to enjoy the night party to its fullest without the feeling of fatigue impairing us in our enjoyment."

"Great idea Ryu! Let's all crash at Sora place!" giggled the twins as they held hands and began to skip in the direction that Tela realized led towards Sora's apartment.

"You guys go on ahead, I want to watch a few more matches!" smiled Tela as she stared at the Lobby with longing and excitement. She couldn't help herself, she was completely hooked on the Turf Wars and wanted to see more.

"I know where Sora lives so don't worry, I'll meet up with you all later."

She went to head back inside but Sora kept his arm hooked around her shoulders and pulled her back to him. He grinned as Tela looked at him with a raised eyebrow, her smile turning into a confused frown.

"Got a taste for the Turf Wars eh? I'll come with you." Sora turned his head to look at Ryu who was shaking his head with a smirk on his face.

"You still got the spare key right dude? You guys help yourself to any food in the kitchen, I need to go shopping anyway."

Maya and Naya pressed their heads together as they giggled, their half-lidded eyes staring at Tela in a sly sort of way.

Unbelievable… I'm really starting to think Sora might be into Inkboys. This… I don't know what to think. I like that he keeps touching me, I like his smell, his warmth. Yet I shouldn't! He's just so… Octo damn confusing!

"Sora, I'll be fine…" Tela attempted feebly, yet her heart pounded fiercely at the fact she was going to spend one-on-one time with him again.

"Nah! I like hanging out with you Terry, so come on! Let's go!"

Sora waved goodbye to the others and then began to steer Tela and himself towards the entrance of the Turf War Lobby, earning a few curious looks of the nearby Inklings.

For the next two hours, Tela and Sora sat in the stands while both cheered for their teams. To Sora's dismay, Tela continued to support Team Pear.

"Team Apple is way better…" scoffed Sora trying to look offended, yet it was ruined by the slight smirk on his face. Both stood up and began to make their way to the exit.

"I mean, not to blow my own trumpet but… I'm on Team Apple. So that automatically means it way WAY better!"

Tela nudged her friends shoulder while laughing as they both left the Turf War Lobby and began to head towards Sora's apartment.

"Yeah but I like eating pears so to me, Team Pear is better."

"Harrumph!" Sora huffed crossing his arms and pouting. Tela laughed even more at his expression, then her laughter slowly died when she realized the Inkboys dishearten look was real.

Wow… he was actually upset over that?

"Sora… come on. You know I'll always like you better then apples, right?" she said kindly as she nudged him with her shoulder again.

Sora continued to pout despite Telas attempts to cheer him up, she had never seen this side of him before.

All this because I said I prefer Team Pear… is my opinion really that important to him?

The Octoling looked up to the sky as they continued to walk, she tried to think of another approach in cheering him up, when Sora suddenly spoke.

"I might cheer up… if you tell me your real name."

Tela felt her whole body go rigid, her amber eyes growing wide with fear and disbelief. Her real name, he's asking for her real name!?

Sora looked deadly serious as he stopped walking and stared, waiting for an answer. Tela casted her fearful eyes downwards as stopped beside him, her body trembling slightly. Did he know? All this time… Did he know who she really was?

"I'm sorry…"

Tela looked up shocked when Sora had uttered these few words with a tone of sadness.

Both stood outside an entrance to an alley way, Tela noted it was different from the one she had come from earlier.

"This is probably not the best place or time to bring it up. I just… You're so… unusual. I've never been this fascinated by someone before… I want to get to know you. The REAL you… So, let's start by you telling me your real name ok?"

Tela swallowed hard as her heart pounded painfully against her chest, he… he wanted to know the real her? She fascinated him?

Sora took a step closer and he leaned his head downwards slightly, Tela blushed at the sudden proximity.

"I know you're not an Inkboy ok? I knew you were pretending the moment you bumped into me and I saw your face…"

Strange feelings began to rise within her, what was this feeling? It felt… warm. Her heart was going too fast, faster than it should ever beat logically! Her face burned as an intense blush creeped across. So warm… too warm…

Once… just for once… Tela didn't want to pretend anymore. Her amber eyes moved up to stare at those beautiful green eyes that she loved so much. That she loved… is this what it was called? These intense feelings towards Sora?

The noise and the very acknowledgment of the other Inklings surrounding them seem to fade away as Sora became the sole focus of her attention. Tela moved closer and slowly raised her trembling hands, cupping Sora's cheeks.

The Inkling began to blush deeply as his wide eyes stared at hers in anticipation, he seemed paralysed as the Octoling gently pulled his face closer.

"My name…" breathed Tela, her voice barely a whisper. Her lips ghosted over Sora slightly open mouth, she noted that the Inkling was panting slightly.

She wanted this… she wanted it so much, and judging by the dark look Sora was giving her, he wanted this too.

The Octoling didn't care about the consequences, now that she knew what these feelings were about… she couldn't stop it. Just like a dam that had burst its banks, she was powerless against the rapids of emotions and intense feelings that slammed into her like a tidal wave.

"… is Tela… and I find you fascinating too."

Without waiting to see his response, Tela closed her eyes and pressed her lips against his. The warmth and the feelings inside intensified, her body slightly shuddering as she pressed further into that amazing heat and softness of his lips.

Then she inwardly gasped as Sora suddenly gripped her arms tightly, his lips parted with a sigh and began to move against her own as he kissed her back.

The kiss itself was nothing Tela had expected, there was no fireworks or spinning rooms. Nothing like the things she was told in the past years. No… this was better. This was way more intimate then it could ever be described, this is the start of addiction.

But it's wrong… How could I?... I'm an Octoling and he's an Inkling, it would never work. He's going to find out what I really am if this keeps going! Yet… I can't stop, this feels too good!

Tela let out a low involuntary moan when she felt Sora gently bite her bottom lip while slowly starting to push her away from the public street towards the much more secluded alley way.

She moved her hands further north and began to feel his pointy ears, so unlike hers. Sora moaned into her mouth and began to bite her bottom lip harder, his lower middle fang digging deeper and causing it to swell slightly.

Tela shuddered has she felt her back hit the wall of the alley way, her hands now starting to explore Sora's tied back sky-blue tentacles. They felt so soft yet firm, her fingertips brushing every smooth inch they could reach. Sora moved his hands lower where they cradled the Octolings hips, his thumbs making circular motions under the helm of her white t-shirt.

Then one of Tela's fingertips brushed lightly against one of the suckers underneath the tentacle she was stroking, Sora suddenly shuddered violently as he dug his fingers into Tela's hips. A growl issued from his throat as he pushed harder against her, the kissing intensified.

Tela's ambers eyes flew open in surprise at this sudden display of aggression, the warmth now blazing hotly like a fire between them.

She gasped when Sora broke the kiss, her lungs trying to suck in as much needed air as possible.

"Tela…" panted Sora as he shoved his face into the crook of Tela's neck, his panted breath fanning across her neck and making her shudder with each exhale of warm air.

"I like it…"

Sora pulled away and took a step back, though he kept his hands attached to her waist. He was smiling widely with delight as his half-lidded eyes bore into Tela's own as she blushed at the attention, then she shyly looked away with a tender smile on her own face.

"Hey, don't be embarrassed…" whispered Sora as he raised one if his hands and placed a finger under the girl's chin, moving her face so he could see her amber eyes.

"I can't see your cute face when you look away."

Cute face!? Tela felt like her heart was going to explode at that simple statement, how could a normal word have such a huge impact on her feelings and her heart?

Then her smile turned into a frown.

As much as I hate it… I can't let this continue. We have to stay just friends, any more than that and Sora is bound to notice I'm not an Inkling. I don't want to do this but…

"Sora…" muttered Tela as she grabbed his hand holding her chin and pulled it away. "I shouldn't have kissed you, I really don't know what came over me. I'm sorry so… let's just pretend it never happened ok? Please?"

Sora's face fell, his happiness turning to shock and… was that anger?

"Pretend it never happened!?" he said incredulously.

"Yes! It was a mistake ok!? I mean… it… it w-was nice but…"

She stopped when Sora abruptly turned away and sighed, one hand rubbing over his face in frustration.

"Answer me honestly Tela… Do you like me?" he glanced at her while waiting for her response.

Tela turned her head away. I'm sorry Sora… I'm really sorry for this.

"Like I said… it was a mistake."

Sora gave a half-hearted chuckle, shaking his head as he began to walk towards the end of the alley way that led onto the street.

"Let's head back, the others will be waiting for us."

Tela gave a huff as she her chest felt weird and tight, as if she had been scared greatly by something. She walked behind Sora while staring at the passing Inklings that had no clue of the turmoil brewing wildly inside her.

Sora remained silent and avoided eye contact with the Octoling who was now staring at an Inkling couple across the street. Tela frowned as she noticed the pair were holding hands and laughing, obviously enjoying each other's company.

I never asked for this… I never asked to fall in love with Sora, with an Inkling. I just… I don't want to be like that and have him found out who I am… if he looked at me with hatred and disgust, I'll fall apart. I'm such a coward… a stupid useless coward!

"Sora…" Tela stopped walking as she whispered that single word with sorrow and a slight tone of regret.

Sora stopped walking too, but didn't turn around.

"I'm going to go back home ok? It's just… sleeping over at your place is going to be awkward. I'll… I'll see you later?"

Sora didn't answer as he kept his back to the Octoling who started to get scared at his lack of response. Finally, he spoke.

"Do what you want Tela…"

Tela watched Sora walk away without once glancing back to look at her, tears began to fall heavily as he disappeared into the swarming crowds.

"Great…" she muttered as Tela started to head home.

"Now I've lost the only friend I've ever had. (Sigh) I'm so bad at this…"

She made her way towards the familiar alley way from where she had come from, and almost sluggishly jumped into the grate after casting one last rejected look at the city.

The scenery of Inkopolis disappeared to be replace by the view of Octo Valley as Tela slammed into the ground after flying out of the other grate. She simply lay in a tangled heap on the floor and closed her eyes, wishing her parents were still around to give her some much-needed advice.

"Well if it isn't you lass! Why aren't yeh back at Inkopolis enjoying the Splatfest eh?"

Cap'n Scuttlefish came shuffling over, his walking stick tapping on the hard ground as he got closer. He stopped however when his dark eyes met the tracks that Tela's tears had made, her face red as she sniffled lightly.

"Well stone the crow's girl! What happened to yeh?" the old Inkling asked with concerned as he leaned on his walking stick with both hands.

Tela pushed herself into a sitting position as she rubbed the tears from her eyes with one hand. A gentle breeze flowed through the area, making the bandana on her head sway.

"N-nothing… I just… I ruined e-everything…" stuttered Tela, her voice raising as new fresh tears began to flow.

"I d-don't know what t-to do any m-more!"

The Octoling began to whimper as Cap'n Scuttlefish clicked his tongue, shaking his head as a warm smile formed.

"Now now lass. Why don't we head to me cabin eh? I'll make yeh a nice pot of tea while yeh tell me about what it is that's bothering yeh. We can even raid my treasure chest of Crabby Cakes if yeh like! Hahahah!"

Tela stopped crying as she looked up at the old Inkling with weepy confused eyes, why was Scuttlefish being so nice to her?

"That sounds nice but… I… can't." refused Tela as she slowly stood up, brushing the dirt from her clothes. The clothes that once belonged to Sora, the clothes that SMELLED like Sora.

"Why? Is it because you're an Octoling?" smirked Cap'n Scuttlefish, his eyes twinkling with humour as Tela went stiff as a board, looking like a deer caught in headlights.

"Wha…? H-how?... I-I mean… huh?"

Cap'n Scuttlefish chuckled at the jumble of words the girl was trying to utter, taking delight in watching her getting flustered.

"Aye lass… wasn't too hard to figure out. It's nice to finally meet a decent and friendly Octarian, well… for the last 100 years anyway."

He knows I'm an Octoling… and he doesn't care? I thought him of all Inklings would hate my kind after what Octavio did to him. I'm so confused…

Cap'n Scuttlefish chuckled as he stroked his beard.

"Well then lass, shall we head to me cabin?"

Tela watched as the old Inkling turned around and began to trot down the path, after a few moments of hesitation… the Octoling decided to follow him.

Neither Scuttlefish or Tela noticed as a dark shape emerged from a nearby corner of the bulletin board, his sharp eyes watching them closely as he pulled a walkie talkie from a pouch around his think waist.

"Commander Lucia sir! This is Octo-Scout 013, I have some information that might interest you."