One minute struck the clock, and every player raced around, turfing as much as they could, while also playing offensively every time one another engaged in combat. It was back and forth quite a bit, the match hit the climax..

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We pan into a 1v1 against two Splatling specialists, Ashton and Stephanie. Ashton has taken shelter behind a wall, and Stephanie was right around the corner, despite this, Stephanie knew where Ashton was, but Ashton did not know where Stephanie was. If he took even peek around the corner, numerous shots from the teal Inkling's Mini Splatling would rain on him, and he'd be Octo toast...

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Stephanie: Come on, Ashton! You can't hide behind there forever. We're of equal weapon power, there's nothing to be afraid of!

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Ashton: Fool! You know I don't know where you're hiding, the second I pear over this wall, you'll barrage me till no tomorrow!

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Eventually, Ashton hitched an idea. He knew he couldn't shoot her from the side of the wall, revealing himself. But he could shoot over the wall. Which, thankfully enough, was low enough that his bullets could pass over it.

Ashton began to charge up his Nautilus, but the sound of charging was heard by Stephanie too.

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Stephanie: Hehe...

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Stephanie charged her Mini Splatling as well, which was way quicker, and prepared for Ashton to fire all his shots in miscellaneous directions, and come in for the splat. She hid behind a wall and was ready for Ashton's bullets to sweep right by her.

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Ashton: Hiyaaaaa~!!!

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Stephanie was ready for the shots to emulate fly by her side, but quickly noticed the shots were nowhere to be seen.

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Stephanie: Huh??

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Stephanie looked around for a bit, and then grew a quick shock. she slowly turned her upwards, and to her surprise, she saw dozens of red ink bullets about to plummet right on her head. 

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Stephanie: Ah crap!!

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Stephanie managed to dodge all the bullets raining down on her, but at the cost of her location, confidence, and a bit of her energy. 

While she was catching her breathe, Ashton began to charge another full shot, this time, he was able to sneak by Stephanie, even while his swimming area was glowing from the charge.

Stephanie got fully back onto her feet, and was ready to combat Ashton head on, however, She noticed he was gone. 

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Stephanie: Wha..? Where did he..?

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She started to get nervous and clench up, but she picked up her Mini Splatling, and stood alert for any ink movement.

The teal Inkling looked in numerous directions, but no sign of the red Octoling anywhere, her anxiety rose to unprecedented levels.

Ashton swam up to a slope and stood hidden for a brief period of time, waiting to strike at any moment. Stephanie's eye caught the side of a glow from the slope. At that very moment, her eyes grew wider than ever, and Ashton popped straight out of the the ink, with the biggest grin ever of his face, and terror struck Stephanie's face.

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With no hesitation, Ashton fired off dozens and dozens of shots towards Stephanie. In total shock, she was froze in place and each shot hit directly at her.

When the round finished, all that remained was her clothing and red ink splotch underneath, and Ashton watched as her ghost Squid began to hover back to spawn. Ashton stood victorious over his Splatling rival, and continued with the match.

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Over on the other side map, another intense 1v1 is taking place between Serena and Emmalee, Slosher vs. Brush. 

The purple Inkling decided to get a little greedy earlier and get in close to the enemy's base, however Emmalee noticed this, and super-jumped back. This began a chase down a corridor.

Serena had the upper hand in terms of range, but Emmalee's coverage and Suction Bombs kept her away, leading her more and more to the end of the corridor. 

By the time Serena was pushed back to the very end of the corridor, she was out of ink, trapped around water everywhere, nowhere to go.
 

Emmalee: Heh, sorry Serena, but you've got no place to swim now. Whats it gonna be, splat by Brush, or by water?

 

Serena could barely watch as her inevitable splat was about to happen. But before she could fully look away, she saw a figure right behind Emmalee, who immediately poked her shoulder a few times

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???: Excuse me.

Emmalee looked right behind her shoulder 

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Emmalee: Huh-?!

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It was of course, Ashton. He was furious for how much Serena had been through, so instead of just splatling Emmalee like usual, he did something insane (And likely more painful too). He plunged his Nautilus into Emmalee's back!

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Completely caught off guard, Emmalee and her brush went flying past Serena and heading straight for the pool.

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Emmalee: Whoaagghhhhhhh-!!!!!!!

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Soon enough, Emmalee plunged straight into the water, and like Tanner, slowly dissolved into the air, with nothing but her clothes remaining.

Serena quickly turned to look back at Ashton after witnessing Emmalee plummet.

 

Serena: Ashton!!

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Ashton caught his breathe a bit, looked at Serena, and slanted his eyebrow and chuckled a little.

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Ashton: You're welcome!

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Serena: Jeez... you really are insane sometimes.

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Ashton: Yup, and that "insanity" just saved you. Again, you're welcome. Come on, get your ink set, we have 10 seconds left!

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Serena: Oh shoot! Alright!

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With the last 10 seconds of the match remaining, Ashton and Serena inked and cleaned everything up they could.

 

3!

2!

1!

TIME!!!

 

Judd and Lil' Judd called all the players over to the center of the map to announce the winning team. Everyone began to chatter.

Judd: Quiet!

And at that moment, the whole place went silent. Waiting anxiously for Judd's response.
Judd: Alright, thank you. Now then, without further ado, the winning team for this match isssssssss-!
 

 

.....

 

 

Ashton's team!!!

 

Everyone on Ashton's team's eyes grew as large as Ink Bubbles, and cried out in joy.

 

Ashton's Team: HOOYAH!!!

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Ashton: See guys, I knew we could do it!

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Serena: Yeah! That was so much fun, we did amazing!

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Tanner: I gotta hand it ya Ash, those were some good plays.

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Carlos: Yeah! You even socked Emmalee right in the side with your Nautilus, that was nuts!

 

They rejoiced and hugged more as the opposing team grumbled in defeat.

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Emmalee's Team: Aughhhhh...

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Ashton's team was paid out, and everyone made their way back to the main Plaza...

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The crew walked out the main lobby doors, and began to discuss the match more.

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Tanner: Well, betcha didn't see that snipe comin', didja Benny?

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Ben: Oh shut it, 'least I decided to take the hit for the team, that's gotta be an accomplishment, right? RIGHT?!

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Tanner began to laugh while Ben slowly blew off steam with some... distasteful word choices. 

Emmalee and Stephanie also began to bicker about the match.

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Emmalee: (Sigh...) I knew we should've asked Dane to join us instead of Angelica-

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Stephanie: Hey! Don't say that. You know Dane isn't one to join in on our silly shenanigans. He's always off doing.. other business. Besides, Angelica is still in training With him. She'll get better eventually. Bottom line, don't disrespect your teammates like that.

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Emmalee: Okay... you're right.. I'm sorry. 

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Ashton eventually called the group back together for a bit of chat.

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Ashton: Well, after that exhilarating match, I'm totally ready to get a second one going, who's with me?

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Everyone tilted their head a little, some had confused looks, some had nervous looks, and some just looked at each other. Couple seconds later, Tanner, Ben, Emmalee, and Angelica stood up. 

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Tanner: Nah, me and these lads are goin' do some Ranked matches for awhile. Catch you later.
 

Stephanie: Yeah, that reminds me. I should probably get some technical work done. 

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Carlos: And as for me (Adjusting his wrists), I'm gonna go see whats trendy at the clothing shop.

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Serena: Yeahh.. and I have a haircut with Kendrie in 5 minutes, I need to be getting to that too.

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The seven cephalopods all said their goodbye's and seeya later's before they went to off to their own time. As Ashton stood in the middle of the Plaza.

 

Ashton: O-Okay! See you guys later, haha!-..

 

His voice trailed off as he saw everyone go their separate ways. He looked down for a bit before sticking his hands in his pockets, and walking away sluggishly.

 

A half hour later, Serena walked out of the stylist shop with her new haircut.

 

Serena: Ohhh its just perfect! A little chip off the wavy section goes a long way. Thanks again, Kendrie! Money's on the table!

 

As she walked out, she noticed Ashton sitting all by himself on a bench, and started heading his way.

 

Serena: Hi Ashton! Like my haircut?

 

Ashton looked up from his drooped head to see his best friend.

 

Ashton: Oh hey Serena, yeah, I like it, suits you nicely.

 

Serena quickly frowned when she noticed Ashton feeling down. She sat down next to him.

 

Serena: Hey.. is everything okay? 

 

Ashton: (Hesitating) Its... well... I just get the feeling my friends aren't wanting to hang out with me as much as I thought. Today I got lucky rounding people up for some Turf War matches, but we ended up doing only one. 'Cause people seem to have better things to do than be around me...

 

Ashton eyes grew a little watery as Serena came to his comfort a little.

 

Serena: I get where you're coming from, I really do, but... you know people have other hobbies and things they need to do.. right? So.. maybe you should try get another hobby that doesn't involve hanging out with friends. What're your other interests?

 

Ashton looked down and thought long and hard. He spent almost his entire life dedicating his time to being around his bestest friends, he never really thought of pastimes he'd be interested in... until he had one interest in mind...

 

Ashton: Maybe... maybe I could take up music. I enjoy after Off the Hook after all, they're passion for music seemed to rub off on me for a bit. 

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At that moment, Serena got the brightest idea.

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Serena: AAAAAA!! That's it! I know what to do for you.

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Her voice trailed off speaking to Ashton and more to herself.

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Serena: Ohhh but this might not work. But it has to! He deserves it, It's gonna take a bit of luck, but its worth a shot. For his sake!

I've got work to do, bye Ashton!

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Ashton: Good-.. bye?

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Serena began to skip away from Ashton to who knows where. And once again, Ashton was alone, although he was more confused than sad this time around.

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Ashton: What the heck got into her?

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Ashton casually shrugged it off however, and decided to make his way to his home for the day. As he was walking though, he still wondered what was going through Serena's mind, and what plan's she had...

 

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