The Splatoon took their arduous climb out of Alterna, having had a rest to gather their energy and kit themselves out for whatever they might face on their mission. The sun shone harshly upon the group when they had reached the surface, taking a moment to readjust to the natural sunlight after having been in the artificial sunlight down in Alterna. Captain led them up the scaffolding surrounding the Great Splatlands Crater to reach a passage that seems to have opened up next to it that leads to the other crater. Given its size though, they mostly had to go in single file, though some could squeeze next to one another. This size however made it difficult for one of them, with Shiver and Frye having to pull Big Man through to fit in, the both of them digging their heels into the ground to pull with all their might.

Frye: Come on Big Man! Just fit through the hole already!

Shiver: Can't you afford to lose a few pounds?!

Big Man: Ay! Ay, ay. (I'm not fat! I'm just big, that's all)

The others looked back at this situation, Captain and Agent 2 shaking their heads, and Agent 1 struggling to not snicker before bursting with laughter. Deep Cut eventually managed to get in and joined the others in travelling through the tunnel, rushing to catch up. It seemed to not end until it started getting slightly illuminated from the light at the end, the quiet flowing of water joining the sounds of their rough footsteps. There was one thing that made the whole experience awry, and they hadn't even gotten out yet...

Agent 4: Eugh... it stinks in here... does anyone else smell that?

Agent 3: Y-yeah... it's really not pleasant...

Agent 3 waves the air in front of her nose before pinching her nostrils shut with her gloved hand.

Agent 2: Captain, you sure that isn't you?

Agent 2 lets out a snarky remark towards her superior, smirking all the while despite finding the scent absolutely putrid herself.

Captain: ?! What was that for? One, that was uncalled for. Two, to answer your question, no. My hygiene is better nowadays anyway.

Captain scoffs at the memory of her having bad hygiene but knows she definitely did not small anywhere near as bad as what they smell now.

Agent 1: She's right you know, but are you sure you didn't smell this bad?

She giggles while pinching her nose shut, making it come out as a snort instead.

Captain: HEY!

Big Man: Ay... (Guys can we not...)

Agent 3: Big Man is right... we don't need to fight, whatever is causing that smell isn't one of us...

Shiver: Which means it's coming from the crater up ahead.

The rest of the tunnel was mostly uneventful, save for the stench getting worse and worse as they got closer to the exit. Upon getting back outside, they stepped out onto the culmination of dirt and rocks that made up natural scaffolding extending all around the crater. Frye came out to the front as she looked over the edge and make a remark of where they are, only being near the top as she looks down into the gathering darkness below.

Frye: Woah, this place is huge... you weren't wrong about that. And it smells worse here too...

Captain: Alright, you know the idea, split up. Deep Cut, I can trust you three to take center and go down, I hope.

The trio of misfit idol bandits looked disrespected toward her before doing as requested, standing next to each other and getting ready to speed off and jump.

Frye: This crater isn't ready for Deep Cut, let's go!

Frye jumps off with the other two, sliding down the edge of the crater, passing through small tunnels that split her off from her friends. She looked up in sheer amazement seeing the tunnels open up every now and then to see herself descending further and further, shouting in excitement as she sped down to the bottom. After probably what felt like the best rollercoaster ride ever, she touches down at the bottom, landing perfectly and assuming a superman pose.

Frye: Oh, whatever is down here sooo isn't ready for u- OOMPH

Shiver had slid through after her but ended up stumbling and falling right on top of Frye. The both of them lay on the ground dazed for a moment before shaking their heads to regain their senses, looking to one another and syncing their question.

Shiver and Frye: Where's Big Man?

Big Man: AYYYYYYYY!

The two girls hear the wails of their manta ray friend above them, slowly looking up to see Big Man descending down through the same tunnel they both came from. The duo only screaming before Big Man lands on top of the both of them and their echoing voices in the crater were silenced.

Agent 1: Do you really think them going down there was safe...?

Agent 1 looks over the edge to see just how far down the crater goes herself, putting her Hero Roller beside her as she holds the edge, so she doesn't fall. She feels her fear of heights tingle all through her body as she gulps it down, scrambling away from the edge and looking toward the others as she grabs her weapon and clutches it tightly.

Captain: They'll be fine, it's Deep Cut. After all, when we fought them back in Alterna, they managed to endure all of that.

Agent 4: So, Cap. What if we take the right path into the tunnels, and you three take the left path going around the outside?

Agent 2: Sounds good to me, let's get going you two. Agent 1, keep up.

Agent 2 rests her Hero Charger in her arm against her shoulder with Agent 3 following closely beside her. Agent 1 quickly rushes over to catch up to them, staying as close to the crater walls as possible.

Captain: Alright. Come on Four, let's move.

She readies her old Hero Shot she used back when she was Agent 3, preparing for any sign of danger before going into the tunnels.

Agent 4: Don't worry I'm right behind you. Soo... what do you think might be down here, if anything?

Agent 4 sticks close behind Captain, just doing casual tricks with her Hero Dualies, juggling them between her hands to entertain herself.

Captain: I hope nothing is down there, but we can't afford to be so sure. So, keep your eyes peeled for anything, for all we know this place could be crawling with salmonids.

She looks back behind her to see Agent 4 hardly paying any attention, as if she doesn't understand the potential severity and dangers of the mission at hand.

Captain: And will you keep your guard up Four, for cod sake.

The three groups had split off into their separate teams, Deep Cut sliding down and falling to the bottom of the crater. Team Fresh as it was dubbed staying on the outer rim and walking down the natural pathway that slowly descends down. And lastly, Captain and Agent 4 going into the winding tunnels to slowly venture to the bottom. The Splatoon however was not the only ones to have stepped foot into the crater, for another group unaffiliated with them lurks within.

Hystera: Grrr... this place.. stink... stink bad... like, like...

Hystera growls at the scent, hacking a bit from the foul odour before suddenly becoming angrier and filled with rage and hatred. She attempted to sprint on all fours, but the leash Vandal had her on prevented her from doing so, made for everyone else's safety whenever around city folk especially.

Hystera: BARK BARK! SALMONID BAD...!

Gizmo: It's fine, I doubt there's anyone here, and if so, Specter would let us know.

Gizmo walks along the dark tunnelled path with Hystera and Vandal beside him. Holes and cracks letting just small amounts of light through to help with visibility for the three of them. Making sure to come prepared, they have everything they need, Hystera equipped with nothing but herself, Vandal with his Decavitator sheathed on his back, and Gizmo with his backpack full of different gadgets and tech needed and for any scrap they find.

Gizmo: Speaking of Specter, we should probably check in...

He lightly taps his earpiece twice to turn it on.

Gizmo: Specter, how are we looking? Are we all clear?

Sitting at the top of the crater, the lone octoling waits, her eye peering through the scope of her salvaged Sting Ray for anyone present within the crater. Hearing the sound of her comrade's voice enter her ear, she finishes scoping around, huffing from her respirator mask before vibrating her ears to make a clicking sound into her earpiece, the sound being heard in the crater but not intelligible.

Specter: "Yes"

Fortunately, due to her mask, she is unable to smell the odour at all. She continues surveying the area to make sure her squad is safe from all threats, finding nothing except ledges, tunnels and ores jutting out. This search is only like this for so long before she spots a trio of people walking along the crater walls, she clicks her alerts to warn the others, keeping her eagle like gaze on the three through her scope.

Specter: "Three. Armed."

Vandal: Nothing then, we're fine, but I agree with Hystera, this place smells like a dump.

The three walk alongside each other, Vandal making sure he's gripping the leash tightly to keep their feral companion close. It wasn't long until the second transmission from Specter comes through.

Vandal: What? Who, that can't be Deep Cut, can it? No... these three are armed...

Hystera starts giggling to herself, showing her toothy grin. One can tell that behind her goggles, the manic in her eyes is manifesting.

Hystera: Hehehehe, I want to find them, I want to playyyyyy! Where where whereeeeeee?!

Gizmo: No, do not engage! Avoid them if possible, we don't want to use our resources unless absolutely necessary. Specter has them, we focus on finding what we can.

Gizmo looks down toward Hystera, knowing she would act up the moment there was potential for a fight. He refocused his attention in front of him, pressing onward into the crater with his team, speaking into his earpiece to let their teammate up top know.

Specter silently stalked the trio until she heard the all go from her de facto leader, clicking into the earpiece to let them know she understands. She brings her finger up to the trigger and prepares herself to fire when ready.