#also for posterity - i still have not beat the puppets boss so i have no idea what sparkle does beyond that

[starblazes]

❛   ▌┊𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 :   sparkle  ( @raytm ) .

            𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄  𝐈𝐒𝐍'𝐓  𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄  𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓  𝐈𝐓  𝐒𝐀𝐘𝐒  𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓  𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐋𝐄,  that  her  seeming  lack  of  active  chaos  at  the  moment  unsettles  the  trailblazer.  It's  as  if  she's  waiting  for  the  other  shoe  to  drop;  some  catastrophic  devastation  to  befall  Penacony  in  a  blaze  of  fire  and  explosions.

            In  fact,  if  Stelle  hadn't  previously  been  victim  to  her  antics,  the  scene  before  her  might  even  look  peaceful  and  innocent.  Just  another  dream  chaser  enjoying  a  moment  of  respite  in  Golden  Hour.  Except  she  has  been  a  victim.  Sparkle  is  almost  as  obnoxious  as  Sampo,  but  at  least  Stelle  wouldn't  feel  guilty  about  taking  a  bat  to  his  face.

            She  squints,  taking  in  the  youthful  lines  of  her  countenance.  Whatever  she's  drinking  can't  be  alcoholic,  can  it?  Is  she  even  old  enough  to  drink?  ❝   You're  being  awfully  well-behaved  for  once,   ❞  Stelle  accuses  bluntly,  approaching  the  small  table  with  a  hand  on  her  hip.

[cephalo-trio]

Deepsea Escape Part 7

A Splatoon 2 Story written by Splat-Tendency

Starring: Lexi Camellia (POV)

((Lexi was on her way to deliver the last mail at first, and then she wakes up in the underground subway station. She has no clue where she is or how is she going to get back to the surface. She has no choice, but to venture through this abandoned station alone.))

"FO REALSIES?! YOU HAVE ALL 3 THANGS, ALREADY?!" The telephone is overjoyed that I brought over the 3rd thang. If only he had the decency to use his inside voice. Then again, this station is more vast. "ONE MORE THANG AND YOUR JOURNEY TO THE PROMISED LAND AWAITS! TIME TO BIGGITY BOUNCE, APPLICANT 10,008!" The telephone remained silent after that.

I was covering my ears from the loud talking. "My eardrums..." I winced as I stopped covering my ears. I stared at the missing poster and sighed. "I know, I shouldn't be worried about Agent 3 but... I wonder how he's doing.."

I started to think about Agent 3. He has fed me some snacks and took care of me once I regained conciousness. He is.. a very nice guy, despite him trying to kill me.

The train ride to the lines between G and I is gonna take a while. So, I felt like scrolling through the images I've taken the last two Octoboss encounters. Firstly, I encountered the sanitized clone of the Octo Samurai in Lines J and F. I had to take him down in a Baller without getting knocked off the arena. Secondly, my quarrel with the Octo Shower Supreme didn't take long while my Inkjet was active. It was located near the Break n' Bounce, where I woke up at with Agent 3.

The images of the cloned tentacles that Cuttlefish had called out are too good to be true. "Who could've cloned Octavio's troops..? It wasn't just a coincidence.." I mumbled. After several hours of fighting through numbers of sanitized troops, it feels like I've seen them before when I used to work for the Octarian Army. How strange.

Several minutes has passed and C.Q Cumber begins speaking through the intercom. "We are now arriving between Lines G and I. I repeat, we are now arriving between Lines G and I." This was addressed to me, since I'm the only applicant on board.

Before I got off the train, I decided to talk to Cuttlefish. "Um... Captain..?" I approached to him.

He turned to look at me. It seems, he was a bit lonesome about something. "Yes, Agent 8? Shouldn't you be gettin' off?"

I rubbed my left arm that was patched up. "It won't take long.. I just wanted to say... I'm sorry for being reckless, earlier.. I've been trying my best to get us out of here.. I just miss my friends and family.. They must be really worried.." I bowed to him in apology. "I kinda was like this when I used to be an elite.. I'm a wreck.."

Cuttlefish seemed a bit surprised. "Agent 8, it's alright.. When I was a young'un like you, I used to be reckless and carefree myself. It's not somethin' to be ashamed of." He cheered me up, a bit. "I'm worried about my friends and family, too.. My granddaughters, Callie and Marie haven't heard from me also.."

I didn't know he was related to the Squid Sisters. The same duo who made me wake up and realize that I was a mere puppet to Octavio. "...I actually met the Squid Sisters. It happened a year ago after Agents 4 and 5 returned the Great Zapfish.." I explained the whole story. Callie was brainwashed, Marie and the recent agents rescued her. My closest friend, Fynn was involved with this incident as well.

Shocked, Cuttlefish listened to my story. "Callie... If only I was there to save her... I'm glad, she okay thanks to the recruits.." Cuttlefish felt relieved. "You said, Fynn was also brainwashed..?"

I nodded honestly. "We were on pursuit of an elite who went AWOL and we happened... to capture Fynn... After all that, I felt really awful to him.. And then, he forgave me after all I've done.." I sat down with him. "The reason I wanna open up to Inkling society is redemption.. I wanted to turn over a new leaf after all I've done.. Thanks to Fynn's guidance, I feel confident of starting a new life.." Here I am, pouring my hearts out to someone I just met 3 hours ago. Then again, I can sympathize with Cuttlefish worrying about his granddaughters for a long time.

I see... Well, I'm sure Fynn really misses ya! The same way my granddaughters misses me!" He gave me a kind smile. "Now then, let's continue to work together to get out of here! To see our loved ones again!" He's back to his demanding self.

My eyes were filled with determination when he said it. It pains me to say this, but I'll stop searching my father's whereabouts for now. Our lives are still on the line. If we don't make it out of here, we won't see the light of day again. Literally, speaking.

After speaking with Cuttlefish, I stepped into the arena of the last sanitized boss. If I proceed, then I'll claim my last thang. Upon arrival, the huge object rose from the tainted ink. In front of me was a huge industrial toaster oven. The first Octo-Boss in the Canyon was named the Octo-Oven.

"Toastie..." That's the nickname, I gave him back in the Canyon. But that was not my Toastie. I shook my head in disbelief and took caution. If it's just a copy, I'll have no problems beating this one. "Sorry, but you're in my way.." I readied my Blaster and charged at the fake Octo-Oven.

3 minutes have passed and the oven's multiple faces started popping out at me. As I recall, Agents 4 and 5 - Dawn and Sage have fought the real one before. I wonder how they're doing since Marie recently recruited them.

I immediately climbed to the top where a large tentacle is exposed, but it's guarded with sanitized troops. I swiftly blasted every last one of them in order to finish it off for good. Those damn spreaders are persistant enough.

As the large tentacle grows larger and larger as I shot it many times, it bursts into a huge gyser of ink. It must be my que to turn tail and flee. I superjumped as fast as I could and stared at the enemy in despair.

The cloned Octo-Oven was nothing but a pile of my own ink. I managed to take a breather and sat down on the floor. I was obviously drenched in sweat. "Haa... haa... Damn, that was rough.." I wiped the sweat off of my forehead. Once the test is over, I recieved yet another Mem Cake. It's one of the Squid Sisters - Marie Cuttlefish. Thinking back to when I first met Marie in the Canyon, Marie was hesitant at first but she had gained my trust after atoning for my past. She is the one who changed my life, after all with her music with Callie.

Once all the sanitized bosses are taken care of, I arrived at my destination on Station E-02: Bust & Run Station. My long journey through the metro will soon end. I can finally go home. "I've came a long way for this... Time to gather the last thang." I took aim at the barrier. As I pulled the trigger, the barrier is already broken. I quickly snagged the 4th thang and left. "Now, what do I do with these things..? They kinda look odd, though." Once the 4 thangs are collected, maybe I have to make some kind of spaceship to fly out of here? "Whatever works, works.." I shrugged.

Back in the main station, Cuttlefish and I spoke with the talking phone. "Way to go, bucko! We can finally bust outta here! Sweet freedom at last!" Cuttlefish gently gave me a pat on the back due to my injury. It didn't hurt that much.

"Alright, Phone.. We got the 4 thangs. Now, take us to this.. 'Promised Land'. I wanna go home.." I crossed my arms, awaiting for his response.

"I... I CAN'T BELIEVE IT..!! YOU HAVE DONE IT, APPLICANT 10,008!! THE PROMISED LAND HAS ARRIVED AT LAST! NOW, LET'S MAKE LIKE A TREE AND BRANCH OUT!" Suddenly, there was an electric reaction from the phone. As it screamed an eerie tone, all of the four thangs started to form into one object. The phone is already on top of it. It must be flying us out of here.

"So, it is a spaceship..!! Just like in those sci-fi movies..!" I watched in awe as the strange spaceship opened the hatch for me and Cuttlefish.

Outisde, Marina seemed a bit skeptical about this strange object. "This can't be right.... Doesn't this look like a blender to you, Pearlie..?!" Marina sounded doubtful.

Pearl gasped and realized what was going on. "This ain't good... Eight!! Cap!! Don't go in there!!" She cried out through the intercom, but it was already too late.

Me and Cuttlfish were already inside the spaceship. I turned to look at Cuttlefish with a smile on my face. "Inkopolis, I'm coming home..!!" I grinned happily, preparing for lift off.

As the hatch closed, I couldn't wait to ride out of here to see the sun again. Suddenly, I heard one last thing from the phone before just about ready to leave this place.

"INGREDIENT AXQUISITION COMPLETE... REFORMATTING MATTER..."

To Be Continued...

[mafiabosstsuna]

tsuna dino and enma falling in love with an idealistic girl who is running for the mayor of Sicily and refuses to be corrupted please

COMPLETE

admin Adelheid

Tsuna

Tsuna looked at you with nonchalant eyesand saw you as nothing more than another puppet that would dance to his tunethe moment he flashed his money and made his demands. He was certainlyunprepared for the cursory glance you gave the briefcase full of money spreadboldly on your desk before looking back at him with calm, serene eyes.

“What is this for?”

“Just a little donation. I heard you’regoing to run for Mayor of our good city.” He replied coolly, his chin casuallysupported in his hand.

Your lashes hid your eyes for a moment andTsuna stared in fascination at their length. He certainly had not expected suchbeauty when he made an appointment to see you.

“If you’re going to make donations for my campaign then itwould be best to donate them to my campaign committee. It would not be veryappropriate for me to accept such gifts in this fashion.” Tsuna blinked butyour eyes met his again directly. With a matter of fact aloofness that silentlyasked him why he wasn’t leaving yet. “Do you have any other business with me,Mr. Sawada? I’m quite busy. I only allowed this impromptu meeting because myold teacher recommended I meet with you.”

Your attitude surprised a twitch on Tsuna’slip. “You really are a novice in politics, aren’t you?”

“I know enough not to take candy from astranger, Mr. Sawada,” you replied smoothly with a gentle smile that surprisedthe don with its curious tenderness despite your sharp words. It certainlymade your acerbic comments sound like honey. “I’m a firm believer that there isno such thing as a free lunch.”

“It would be in your best interests to―”

Tsuna held his hand up and stopped Hayatoin the middle of his comment while he leaned towards you in interest. “You’recertainly not what I expected. Your… predecessor was much more open tonegotiations.”

You nodded without even a flinch at theinsult he threw at the office you were planning to succeed. “My predecessor isa very impressionable person. I’m sure he’ll enjoy his retirement wholly aslong as he does not meddle with my affairs while I am in office.”

“And what exactly are you planning to dowhen you win?” Tsuna asked curiously, a small smile blooming on his face as hewatched your eyes sparkle with fire.

“I plan to protect the people of this city,”you answer directly, steel under velvet coating your every word. “My aim is toprotect every person in Sicily so they are not left as victims to senselessviolence any longer. No one is going to stop me. Not my predecessor, not the Mafia or any otherpolitician they have in their pocket.”

“Oh? You’re not afraid to die?” Tsuna’seyes glinted with amusement. It had been a while since he felt this for anyonewho was not involved in his dark empire. “The Mafia is not something to betaken lightly, after all.”

“Do you have ties with the Mafia, sir?” youasked with raised brows at him.

Tsuna laughed. “I don’t think I am underobligation to answer that question, District Attorney.”

You nodded in approval and Tsuna felt hischest sing with pride that he had managed to impress you. “Well even if you don’t I’m sure you can let everyone know this. I will show no mercy to the Mafia if theydisturb the peace in this city. I really don’t care if you kill each other but oncemy civilians are involved…”

Tsuna raised his brows, impressed at thesudden steel invading the serenity in your eyes. “I hope they’re prepared to be hounded out of Sicily.”

As Tsuna walked out of the courthouse andback to his Mercedes he smiled.

Hayato, his eyes making sure theirsurroundings were safe and carrying the case of rejected money thought it wasodd so he asked about it in the car. “You look happy, Boss.”

Tsuna’s smile did not budge one inch as helooked out his car towards your office window. “Hayato. Make sure to give herflowers when she wins.”

Hayato blinked. “Alright. I’ll have themprepare a funeral wreath for―”

“No, not that kind,” Tsuna leaned back inhis seat as the car began to move. “Find out what our future mayor’s favoriteflowers are and have them make a lovely bouquet. I would love to talk to oursoon-to-be former District Attorney again over dinner in the future. Also, spread the word out.”

“Boss?”

“Make it clear that anyone who touches her? Answers to me.”

Dino

It had been a long day and all you wantedwas a bath, dinner and sleep. However, the moment you switched the lights onthe modest little apartment you lived in you were not expecting a surpriseguest that evening.

Because sitting on your favorite chair andfacing the door you just came in was a handsome man you have never met beforesmiling at you ever so charmingly.

“Good evening.”

Immediately you were on guard. However,before you could shout for help or escape your mouth was covered from the backand your hand forced behind you in an arm lock by a bespectacled older man.

“No need to scream; I have no plans to killyou today.”

You glared defiantly back at him.”

“If you promise not to make a ruckus then I’llhave Romario here release you. Deal?”

You locked gazes with him for what seemedlike hours before you eventually nodded. Dino then jabbed a chin at Romario whoreleased you but remained at your back.

You rub your abused wrist before snarlingat this unexpected visitor. “What do you want?”

“Nothing much, just your cooperation,” hereplied with a charming smile. You have to admit that if you were any otherwoman you would have swooned at that smile already. “I’ve noticed that you’re very passionate about taking the Mafiadown during your campaigns.”

“What about it?” you asked defiantly, narrowingyour eyes at him.

“Well I’m here to offer you an alliancewith us, of course.”

“I’m not interested in negotiating withcriminals.”

“Now, now don’t be so hasty,” Dino’s smileturned sharp and you had to fight back a gasp at the sight of it. “We are quitea powerful force and an alliance with us will ensure your victory in theupcoming elections.”

You laughed harshly at that making Dinolose his smile for a moment. “Wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest for you? Afterall, you were the ones who put the previous mayor in office too, weren’t you? I’mrunning against him so how would you support the both of us at the same time?”

Dino’s smile turned a bit wry at that pointmaking you blink. He did not look like a gangster at all when he smiled likethat. “The current mayor has outlived his usefulness. He actually has delusionsof running all by himself for the elections now that he has all that ill gottenmoney. He’ll beat you down with campaign posters and organize shootouts duringyour campaign speeches. I daresay he’s even more dangerous than us at thispoint.”

You can’t deny that. Even at this pointyour secret investigations of the current mayor had shown just how far he wouldgo to maintain his position. You don’t have proof but you suspected he has madedeals with the Mafia to assassinate his rivals in the past. It was one of thereasons why you were the onlycandidate running against him this year. Everyone else has backed out for fear ofthe current mayor’s influence. And it infuriated you that he was getting awaywith all of it.

Still though a criminal was still acriminal. You would never trust them as far as you could spit.

“My stance will not change. If I die then Ihave an ace up my sleeve that can ruin him easily,” you declared, thinkingabout the pile of evidence you had hidden away about the mayor’s pastatrocities while he was in office. “I am not like him. I’ll step in that officewith honor. And I do not negotiate with gangsters. Now eitherkill me or get out of my house.”

Dino regarded you with awe and disbeliefbut then smiled again and gracefully unfolded himself from the chair. “I see.So sorry to have bothered you then. We will take our leave. Good night.”

As soon as you managed to lock the doorbehind the two men you felt your knees give out as you slid to the floor.

God that was close.

In his car, though, Dino laughed happily asRomario drove him away.

“Boss?” Romario asked, his eyes on the roadand the side mirrors making sure no one was following them.

“Romario, contact Reborn. Tell him I wanthim to personally end any assassins going after our little mayor-to-be.”

“You like her?”

“Oh yes, I like her,” Dino smirked. “I’llhave to tell Tsuna our new mayor will be under Cavallone protection from thispoint on.”

Enma

You were having a simple meal before goinghome. No one knew that the number one running candidate for the mayor ofSicily liked having her dinner at a homely little pizzeria with cozy boothsand relaxing seats. The people who ate with you were generally ordinary workingclass people and not fancy lawyers and judges. You preferred the simple life becauseit made you feel closer to the people.

At first Enma couldn’t believe it when Juliegave him the info. It seemed like the height of carelessness to live in such amanner. Shouldn’t you be getting bodyguards now that you’re in the middle ofyour campaign? But even as he came closer to you he saw no panic on your face.You were far too engrossed on the file you were reading to notice him and hecould see your surprise when he sat in the stool in front of you.

And yet instead of panicking, you calmlycollected yourself and asked. “Can I help you?”

The Shimon Boss, dressed like an ordinaryworker with his scarf wrapped around the lower part of his face almost shookhis head at your naivete. Clearly you were not a native so why the hell are yourunning for office here? His curiosity was wasted. And here he volunteered to dothis assignment himself despite Adel going ballistic on him because he thoughtyou were interesting.

Derisively he set down a thick brownenvelope on the table and pushed it towards you.

You looked down at it with narrowed eyes.

“We hear you don’t make much out of yoursalary as a public official,” Enma began, his voice quiet. His red eyes peekingout from under the rim of the newsboy he was wearing to try and hide his blazing redhair. “Here’s some pocket money to help with your expenses. Courtesy of theShimon.”

Your eyes widened, recognizing the name ofthe Mafia Famiglia mentioned only in rumors even in the underworld.

It made Enma smirk underneath his scarf. “Ifyou understand then you should take it and know we don’t like peoplenosing in on our business. Take it if you know what’s good for you.”

He stood up and was about to pass you by to leave but the Shimon don was stopped by your hand slapping the envelope of money onhis chest before he could walk away. Enma looked down at you in surprise.

“I think you left something.” You said witha slight smile on your lips.

Enma narrowed his eyes at you and scowled. “Don’tbe stupid. Do you really want to be the reason for the deaths of your lovedones?”

“I’m all alone in the world, I’ve gotnothing and no one to lose anymore; my whole family’s been massacred when I wasten,” you tell him making Enma’s eyes widen and his heart skip a beat at thesight of your plaintive, wry smile. “If you’re going to do something then doyour worst; but I’m not accepting money I didn’t work for. Why not give it tocharity? I heard there’s an orphanage on the edge of town that can use it.”

Numbly, Enma accepted the cash. He couldn’treally take his eyes off you.

With the money gone from your hand youreturn back to your file and your meal as though nothing untoward had justhappened. “I’m here to ensure the people will live in peace and not be afraidof being pinned between any of your wars. I think Sicily deserves better thanbeing sacrificed to either the law or the Mafia. I don’t want to see anyonedying in vain again. So go ahead and do your worst. I’d rather die than look awaywhen someone obviously needs my help.”

Enma left torn at your words and your smileetched in his mind. From then on he made sure you were safe from the shadows ofhis world as you reveled under that light of yours. Silently hoping someday hewould get the opportunity to be close enough to reach you.

The orphanage at the edge of town continued receiving enormous donations every year on that same day from then on.