Chapter 3: A Turbulent First Day

/

Tonight, is the night the Splatfest begins! My excitement couldn't be anymore high as the gang and I got ourselves prepared. Gear ready, weapons chosen, and no hard feelings when we come across each other during the entirety of the Splatfest. Especially between me and Inky as our relationship is worth more than bragging rights.

"Alright, everybody ready?"

Affirmative nods abound, we stepped into the lobby and split off into our separate teams. Inky and I gave each other a quick kiss before being separated for the time being. It was bitter sweet, but hey what can you do? Spaz giving me some comforting pats as we waited for two more players to join our team.

We had to wait a bit, so me and Spaz got into some casual chat.

"So Spaz, how much do you like sandwiches?"

"Dah, no like, I love sandviches. Simple and flexible, like rubber band. You put favorite layers between two slices of bread and then, om nom nom nom!"

"Right...got it. Anyway, here comes some guys to help us out in the Splatfest."

I pointed ahead of us and suddenly two new splatters walked into our lobby. Two inklings, one girl with light skin and with the hipster hairstyle and an outfit that isn't too dissimilar from a hip-hop star, but the other one is harder to tell as they're wearing the power armor set and the bulky armor easily disguise whatever male or female features they have.

"Hey! Looks like we're going to be teaming up for this night."

"Yes, we shall crush the enemy of the sandvich."

"Err...right."

The girl inkling lightly laughed as she went over for a handshake, "You guys are funny, name's Willow by the way, and my friend over there is named err..."

"Inkling X."

"Right...Inkling X."

Okay, clearly her friend is going with some sort of gimmick here as the voice changer made that obvious enough, "Right...well my name is Lavink and this big lug is Spaz."

"Dah, it is nice to meet."

"I'm a duelies, and he's a splattling user. What are you two using?"

"I'm using a slosher, and X here is using a blaster."

"Huh, looks like range might be an issue for us, but I'm sure we can pull through if we put brains together."

"Well I got an explosher, so I guess I can provide some cover. X here is using a Kensa Splattershot Pro so they can really hit far."

"Did you just say they?"

"Uhm...well my friend here is trying to act mysterious and all so I'm just going to refer to them with neutral words okay?"

"I see no problem with that. I mean Grey likes to wear armor too, but he does not hide who he is and his coolness factor is mostly accidental."

"Well that's good...I think. Anyway, let's just cream the opposing side alright?"

"Ditto, for the sandwiches!"

"Y-Yeeeaaaah!"

/

For our first match of the night, we ended up in the BlackBelly Skatepark. We won this battle of course against a mix of inklings and octolings. Who they are, I won't bother to mention as they weren't really memorable at all. They had some skill but clearly these guys are still a little green behind the ears. We practically slaughtered them as X and Willow proved their skills as they used their weapons effectively in the battle. With Willow throwing ink over cover and X doing some expert maneuvers and long shots.

Spaz and I are no slouches either as we did the divide and conquer maneuver as he distracted the enemies and I zoomed around behind them and splat them. I don't think we had any casualties on our end. The next match after this one had more of a struggle as they are more experienced than the last guys. A team of Inklings on the Kelp Dome sporting two blasters, one roller, and a splatbrella; an assault team if I ever saw one.

They played aggressively and forced us to played defensively, their skills shining through with their team work. It was practically back and forth as we tried to ink the most turf. We took some splatting on our side, with the most splatting coming from Spaz, and X. They been taken by surprise a couple of times as the blasters and splatbrella snuck up on them. Spaz's speed has always been his down fall, but X shouldn't have the problem, I think. To be frank, I don't know them so I wouldn't know where their strengths or weaknesses lie.

I myself was constantly being targeted by the roller of their team. Don't know if they have a grudge against duelies or something, but I saw the burning look in their eyes each time they spotted me. Thankfully, Willow had my back a couple of times, but I can't say I got out of this match unscathed. Somehow though, we managed to squeeze out a win. Granted only by a few spots on the map.

We had a few more matches after these two that I don't really care to mention as they were as straight forward as a swordfishes' nose. Our last turf war for the day though ended up in a battle against, who else, Inky and the rest of our friends plus one other in the Kelp Dome.

"Lavink! Hey! We're fighting against each other now!" my energetic lover shouted from across the arena. This being amplified by the big screens which showed her waving excitedly.

I sheepishly smiled out of both embarrassment and slight fear knowing how Inky is the type of person to splat you with a smile on her face. Don't get me wrong, I love her but I don't need to remind myself just how dangerous she is, and that's just her. Grey, and Fix are their own brew of trouble and I'm starting to doubt our chances of winning here.

"You know that girl over their Lavink?" Willow asked.

"Yeah, she's my girlfriend. Not to mention a force to be reckoned with."

"Huh, so that what she looks like."

"Uh, what is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing I just overheard a few conversations about her a couple of times."

"Really? Huh, is there any crowds that talk about me?"

"Uhm...yeah but they aren't all that interesting."

"Oh, bummer."

"Not that you aren't interesting or anything, but umm...wow this is awkward."

"Heh yeah, I know you aren't trying to be mean. Anyway, we're going to be in one heck of a battle."

"I figured when I saw Grey."

After some pause, the countdown started. We waited with abated breath as the countdown hit five and downward. Once the number hit one, I felt adrenaline pumping through my body as the horn blared and the music played. Our group launched out of the starting platform, ink flying as we're trying to set up home base in our ink before moving on for the attack. Pure war broke out as both our side and their side took heavy splatting. I can barely count the times I was splatted by Inky, Grey, and Fix respectively.

Our training really paid off as they are very coordinated, even with the random Octoling on their team. I had to pair up with X in order to get some work done as their range and my quick movements made a deadly pairing. I can't say the same for Spaz as the poor guy had Fix taking him out when he least expected it. I didn't have to worry about Inky all that much as being her boyfriend has some benefits, but it still didn't stop her from busting my chops when she felt like it. Example being my current situation,

"Oh Lavi..." I heard her cooed, she had taken me completely by surprise and enveloped me in a hug. Her grip on me is tight, and this is when I was separated from X.

"Inky! Uh...how long have you been hiding there?"

"For a while, geez you feel so tense. Relax my cutie squid, I'm not going to splat you."

That look in her eyes did not give me any form of comfort as I desperately tried to find a way out of this situation, "Heh heh yeah...but you have a pretty tight grip on me."

"Aww...that's because I love you very much!" She then proceeded to kiss me on the lips for a good few seconds, but that was enough to cause me to relax in her grip. I'm sure any audience watching this is going 'aww...' right now.

"Ooo...I hate it when you do that," I meant that in the most playful way possible and she knew that.

"I know, but you love it."

"Yeah..."

"By the way Lavink, have you heard of the kiss of death?"

Hearing that phrase, was enough to snap me out of my stupor, "Wait what?"

"Byeee!"

The next thing I knew, I was splatted by a splat charger by none other than Fix. My own girlfriend lured me into a trap, and this isn't the first time she did something like this. Last time she pulled this stunt, she splatted me with an ink bomb. The problem is that she is so darn persuasive and I keep falling for her charms. Any guy, or gal if you flow that way, can relate to this problem on a personal level.

I respawned back at the spawner with an annoyed look on my face before taking a quick look on the map. As it stands, we're being pushed back. Inky's team is making their way through our territory and they are not stopping anytime soon.

"Dang it, I need to do something fast!"

Checking the position of my squad mates, I noticed that X is stuck in a rather perilous position of the Inky and Fix inking team. They're going to get overwhelmed and the position they are guarding leads straight to our base of operations. I have to help them, so I squid jumped all the way to their location and into the fray. Granted it wasn't the smartest plan as I was nearly sent packing by Fix once again. However, I was able to get to cover and process the current situation. X was doing their best to hold off Inky and prevent her from advancing, but the curling bombs and Fix's sharp shooting is keeping them from pushing the attackers back.

"I got your back X!"

"Thanks, these two are relentless!"

"Yeah, just leave Inky to me. I know how to take care of her."

"Okay, I'll see what I can do with Fix then."

"Sounds like a plan, I'll lead the way!"

X nodded, I took a deep breath before running out of cover like a manic and started firing like a mad squid as I made a path for myself and X. Inky had a smile on her face as she raised her roller in order to splash us. This would hurt a lot if I didn't get out of the way quick enough, which I was able to do thanks to the ability to roll from my duelies. However, Inky and I fought a couple of times in practice duels, so immediately she followed up by advancing on me with her roller.

This is the make or break right here, if I don't use my remaining ink wisely and splat her before she gets to me, I'm good as splatted myself.

"Beep Beep!"

"Be careful what you run over!" I shouted as I started firing all the ink I had in the tank. A few shots hit her roller which did nothing, but I managed to hit her a couple of times. I needed one more hit and she was practically touching my toes. I squeezed out one last shot, but it missed and I braced myself for the incoming impact. However, it didn't come, instead I heard Inky squeak in surprise just before a splat sound followed. I blinked a couple of times only to be pushed into cover by none other than X.

"Geez, even if you got better you still need me to bail you out," Hearing that caused me to raise a brow in confusion.

"I'm sorry what?"

"Get down!"

X grabbed me and pulled out of cover just as a line of ink splash through our previous cover. It could have easily splatted me if we didn't move. Of course, we weren't out of harm's way just yet as Fix is aiming to take us out.

"Right, I'll take the lead and make a path so you can get close to take him out."

"Sounds like a plan, on three?"

"On three: One, two, three!"

Not too long after I shouted three, we jumped out of cover just as Fix fired another shot at our cover. I took point as I fired Ink in front of me and forged a path for us to run through. It was dangerous yes, but it gave us a clear view of Fix's position. We advanced closer to his position and just as planned he was aiming at me. I rolled out of the way of a few of his shots before running out of ink. However, this wasn't a problem as X followed up and landed a few successful hits on him before he started running for cover. I made sure to recover my ink before continuing the attack; we had him running scared.

We made sure to ink some turf along the way, but we weren't giving up on our prey. Something I knew that his teammates are going to take note of sooner or later. Eventually though, we managed to cut him off and finish him off with a satisfying splat. As good as he is, close quarters make him panic due to the slow charge time on his charger.

"Got him! Woohoo! High five!"

X seemed hesitant at first, but they returned the high five after a second. Frankly I didn't know what was up with that, but I didn't have much time to think before we were under fire once again. However, this wasn't the attack from two squids, but rather it was one. Grey, he found us and now we're in his crosshairs.

"Hello Lavink, I see you're not alone."

"Shoot, Grey, I was wondering when you were going to show up."

"I heard from Fix and Inky that some trouble was brewing over here. I think you know what time it is my friend."

"Yeah, X, keep your guard up. Grey is one of the best blaster users on my team."

"You got to be squidding me."

"No, I am not, now...show me what you got!"

Immediately we pointed our weapons in his direction, but before we could fire, he immediately side stepped just as we pulled the trigger. Our shots missing him completely before he returns fire. We had to literally jump out of the way as his shot was almost dead on, while he couldn't splat both of us at the same time, he is quick enough to follow up and finish either of us off. We needed to stop his movement cold or else we would never be able to take him out.

"Shoot, I never remember him being this fast!" X shouted next to me as both hid at the bottom of a ramp.

"Remember? You watched him play before?"

"I'm just going to say yes, but that is beside the point!"

"Hide all you like you two, it just means more turf for our side," Grey said, he was no longer firing shots at us and is waiting for us to come out of hiding. It was clear he was using scare tactics to keep us locked down in one place while the rest of his team was going off inking turf.

"He's trying to bait us out," I said as I slowly removed my goggles and placed it on one of my duelies. I slowly held it up and not surprisingly, he immediately shot the goggles off with pin point accuracy.

"And the moment we try to stick our head out we're good as splatted."

"Yeah...did I ever told you I hate going up against him?"

"I can see why, so any ideas?"

"I'm thinking I'm thinking!"

*One-minute left!*

The music began to play more intensely and now we're running out of time. Panic began to race through me as I needed a plan and fast. It didn't help that Grey threw a taunt every once in a while, to disrupt my thinking.

"Tick tock, Lavink! We're running out of time!"

"I'm trying but I got nothing! All I got is a burst bomb and that's it!"

"It will have to do! I have a splat bomb, so maybe we can force him into a position we can take him out with?"

"So who throws first?"

"There is a delay on splat bomb before it blows, so it goes first then you follow up with your burst bomb. If we're lucky then maybe he'll back up into my bomb, if not we're still going to run out of cover and shoot at him."

"Better nothing, let's go!"

X brought out the splat bomb and immediately threw it out of cover. I heard no reaction from Grey, but I assumed he stepped out of the way to avoid it. My turn, I brought out a burst bomb and threw it as planned. I heard Grey give off a 'Tch' sound, which means he moved to avoid that bomb as well. I heard X's bomb go off and that's when we decided to pounce as we ran out of cover to attack him. We came out gun's blazing and we're met with return fire from Grey. Unlike the start of the encounter, he was in a bad position as our ink limited his movement and he was already partially damaged from the ink bombs.

"We got you!"

"Heh...so you have."

Playing it cool as always as he kept firing at us as we advanced. I managed to roll out of the way of a few shots, but X wasn't so lucky as two of the shots hit them in the head and knock them back. Fortunately, I was able to get close enough to splat him just as he ran out of ink. I let out a sigh of relief as I reveled in defeating my friend for a bit. However, it was a bittersweet victory as there was only ten seconds left on the clock and checking the turf coverage, we 're going to lose.

"Shoot...well, you can't win them all."

"Ugh...what hit me?" I heard X say as they got up.

"You alright? Those blaster shots really hit you hard in the head there."

"I'm fine...nothing I haven't got hit by before."

"That's good news, better than the one we'll be receiving in the next few seconds."

As if on cue, the whistle rang out, signaling that the battle was over. Immediately we were teleported out of the arena and into the lobby as Judd and Mini-Judd tally the results. Spaz and Willow looked completely exhausted as we saw them, they looked at us with looks expecting an answer to why we couldn't help them.

"Grey," Is all I said and immediately Spaz knew what happened.

"Dah, kept you two busy?"

"Yeah, he pinned us behind cover."

"Wait wait hold up! One inkling was able to hold you and X at bay while we were bombarded by three other splatters?" Willow said with utter shock.

"Those videos are no joke, Grey is as good as people claim him to be. I'm surprise he isn't the leader of your group Lavink," X added.

"Yeah, well there is a good reason for that. He thinks I make a better leader then him, which was a shock to me at the time he said that, but he knows what he's talking about...I think."

"Comrade Grey looks at world through his own eyes. He sees things that others do not see. It freaks me out."

"Geezus, for a guy who is your friend you make him out like he is some kind of monster."

"Willow, from what I experienced, the guy is a one-man army."

Willow just whistled in exasperation from her friend's words. I simply shrugged as the tally stopped and unsurprisingly; Inky's team won. A door opened into our lobby and Inky walked out with the rest of her team in small celebration. As bitter was the pain of defeat is, it's all in good fun.

"Well you beat us, congrats you guys."

Inky ran up to me and hug me tightly before giving me a quick peck on the cheek, "What do I win?"

"A dinner date? Your choice?" It was the only thing I can come up with without her trying to suggest things like wearing a large teddy costume for a month or the likes.

"Sounds great! Although, you're paying for all of it."

"Ah right...wouldn't be much of prize if you had to pay."

"Yep, I'll need to think about it though. I'll let you know later."

I let out a mental sigh of relief, "Take your time, the Splatfest just started. I think we should save it for the end."

"Good idea, but remember this Lavink...the longer I wait the bigger the expectation."

Oh boy, I think I just ended up promising her a lot more than a dinner date. Any normal guy in my situation would wonder how they got into this situation, and I am thinking that. I'm also thinking how to make it something she'll remember always; the pressure is on.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Good! So who are these two that were fighting with you? They're pretty good."

"Oh right, this is Willow and her friend Inkling X."

"Inkling X?"

"Yeah...here's the thing," I explain to her and the others how X is going with a gimmick.

"Oh is that it, huh...reminds me of Grey."

"I'm not a gimmick, this is just my normal personality," Grey said with annoyance in his voice.

"I don't know man, X here looks like they want a share of your style," Fix added with a teasing tone.

"Am I that iconic?" Grey seem to daze off into space as the conversation went on without him.

"I suppose I can see that happening," I said as I look over to X, "Is that the reason why you dress in that armor?"

X nearly jumped in surprise, "N-No! I dressed like this because it makes me look cool!"

"Yeah well...news flash, so does Grey," Inky pointed out.

"Dang it!"

"Okay everyone, that's enough of that. I think it's time we call it a night, it's been nice meeting you all," Willow said as pulled out her phone, "But before we go, let's exchange numbers so we can team up again Lavink."

"Oh really? Uh, sure let's do that!" Spaz and I exchange numbers with our new companions. Honestly, I believe this is a good idea as it is better to work with people you know then deal with randos that have no idea what they are doing. After all that is set and done we said our goodbyes and left the lobby. It wasn't long until we went our separate ways ourselves, but of course I escorted Inky to her apartment.

"That was one heck of a battle wasn't it Inky?"

"Yeah, I didn't think you guys would put up that much of a fight. I mean I have Fix and Grey with me on my team, but I'm glad we didn't just run you over."

"Heh, says the girl who used her own charm to lure me into a trap."

"Uh heh heh right...you're not mad about that are you?'

"Mad, yes. At you, no. If anything, I'm mad at myself for falling for it over and over again."

We continue to chat as we walked to her apartment. It was nice as the nightlife didn't had any nasty surprises for us. So there was no problem and I was able to kiss her good night before heading off. She wanted to snuggle a bit more which I obliged, but I had to go eventually. I said my goodbyes and made my way back to my own apartment.

My walk back was nothing new to me. Here and back again I always say, familiar sights, and familiar faces. I casually whistle before suddenly I heard a voice called out for me.

"Hey you! You're that guy who stopped the boss from splatting that dirty squid Sashi!"

I looked over to see, but who else, some of Lani's crewmembers from the other day. I had no idea what they want from me, however, the look on their faces did not tell me that they're here for some friendly chat.

"Uh...yeah, that's me. What can I do for you guys?"

"What's your relationship with that witch Sashi? You were pretty eager to protect her from Lani."

"Yeah!"

Oh boy...it's going to be one of those things, "Well guys, for one thing, she was already defeated and anymore punishment would be overkill. Two, I used to know her and it's hard to let someone you used to know hit rock bottom, and finally, I'm just a nice guy. Sometimes too nice for my own good."

"Really now? Are you sure there isn't anything more?"

"I'm pretty sure there isn't. Are you implying something?"

"Hmm...then who was the other girl?"

"You mean Inky? She's my girlfriend, wait you're not implying I'm too timing, are you?"

The crew looked at each other with confused looks before looking back at me, "Uh...no, we thought you were in cahoots with her or something."

"Oh really? Wow I jumped the gun on that one."

"Still this doesn't mean you are off the hook. That sea witch, did a lot of damage in the past, while the world of turf wars has calmed since her fall. Some of have never forgotten what she did to us, and we aren't the only team who feels this way. If you keep hanging out with her then you'll get a target painted on your back. Got it?"

"Yeah, but..."

"No buts fish fry, we're only giving you the heads up because the boss thinks you're just another poor cod caught up in her little game."

Okay, now I was starting to get mad, "Okay look guys, I know Sashi did some terrible things in the past, but she isn't like that anymore! She regrets what she did, I see it in her eyes when I ran into her!"

"So you say, but how do you know she isn't using you?"

"What point would there be if she is?"

Some of the crew members looked at each other and at me before shaking their heads, "We're wasting our breath with you. C'mon guys, the boss needs to know that there is another moron that supports the sea witch."

I kept a brave face the entire time, but in reality I was relieved that the encounter didn't escalate any further. I let out a long sigh as I started resuming my walk back to my apartment. Thoughts rushed into my mind on what they said. I don't doubt my current thoughts on Sashi, but I could only wonder what kind of damage she did to them and others. Lani's group is angry at her for making a good chunk of their members leave Turf Wars forever, but I had no idea what other groups she wronged.

Frankly, I'm worried for her. While I do know she has new friends who already know about her past I can't help but think about the harassment they may be going through. If I get the chance, I may ask Sashi about this as I cannot see this ending well. Of course, I need to tell the others about this. The guys might be more understanding, but Inky...well I'm not so sure. She isn't heartless by any means, but burned bridges can't be repaired so easily.

As I walked through the streets, I can't help but develop a sense of Déjà vu as I walked through familiar territory. However, it was replaced by a sense of caution as I looked around and see every inkling and octoling chatting at this time. Lani's crew's words haunted my ears, a storm is coming and I feel that my world is going to get turned upside down.