On the way to Inkopolis, I looked out the bus window to see the landscapes of cities that I've never seen before while listening to music. My whole life I lived in a small city called Paintview. It isn't really popular in this world, but it's not really that bad…then again…I lived there all my life, so I don't really know much about other cities…except for Inkopolis.
Makes sense, everybody knows about Inkopolis in these parts. Everyone little squid baby in the country wants to go to Inkopolis when they are older to become popular, like the Squid Sisters.
But, to be honest…I don't want to come just because Inkopolis is a popular city. I want to go there to get into Ink Battles, that's it. I always loved the idea of Ink Battles ever since my dad told me some of the Ink Battles he had when he was my age. And I want to become just like him when I finally arrive at Inkopolis.
The trip from Paintview to Inkopolis was a long one and it was almost becoming night time. I looked out the window to see the bright sunset over a long plain of grass. The sunset on top with the music I was listening to made me start to yawn. Before I knew it, I fell into a deep sleep.
The nap seemed to last for 5 minutes, but when the bus driver woke me up it was completely dark outside. When I took off my headphones and adjusted my tired eyes I looked at the bus driver as he told me "We're in Inkopolis now."
As soon as I heard 'Inkopolis' I immediately grabbed my suitcase and went outside the bus. I went into the station to see that the bus station was crowded with Inklings, all of them either going to or from Inkopolis. Despite that, I followed my mom's directions and went outside the bus station to wait for Sheldon.
Sheldon, as most of you know, is the horseshoe crab that runs the weapon shop known as Ammo Knights. My mom was able to convince Sheldon to pick me up from the bus stop and take me to the motel where I'll be living in for now on. The reason that Sheldon was able to connect with my mom was because Indi is now working there as some sort of a handyman. Sheldon was happy to pick me up sense he likes getting to know his employees…well…the one he has at least. And he believes that one of the strongest ways to get to know someone is getting to know their relatives.
So I waited on one of the outdoor benches to wait for Sheldon to pick me up. About 10 minutes later I heard a high-pitched voice call my name over and over again. I turned my head to see Sheldon looking for me by calling my name with his hands cupped around his mouth.
When Sheldon finally noticed me on the bench, and started running towards me. Once he approached me (and after he caught his breath) Sheldon pointed his hand at me, gesturing the beginning of a hand shake.
"You must be Ink! I'm Sheldon…but I'm sure your mother told you that already." I stood up and accepted the hand shake. "It's nice to finally see you in person, Sheldon! I've heard so much about you." Sheldon finished the handshake and said "I've heard things about you as well. Your brother, Indi, just won't stop talking about you. I mean he goes on and on about how nice and talented you are and that he couldn't wait to see you in your humanoid form. Speaking of which, how are you good with your legs? Can you use them OK? Did you trip at some po-" I interrupted him by making my hand to the stop gesture.
After that introduction, we finally went to Sheldon's car so I can go to my motel. The whole car drive was extremely peaceful and it wasn't a long drive from the bus station to the motel. But all I could think about was finally getting into ink battles the next day…that…and how amazed I was on how Sheldon was able to get his tiny legs to reach the gas petal.
Once we arrived at the motel, we quickly stepped out of the car. Luckily the lights in the motel were still on, indicating that I was still able to check myself into my room. But, before I could go inside, Sheldon decided to give me a goodbye. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Ink. I shall see you tomorrow in Booyah Base." I gave a warm smile and a goodbye salute as I went inside.
Getting my own room was pretty easy. All I had to do was get to the desk and wait for my room key. The accountant said that mom told them I would be coming, and that another employee would take me to my room. The accountant then gave me my room key that said '0'.
I was extremely curious on why I got that number and what it meant, but the other employee started leading me to my room. We both went into the elevator and the employee started to press one button that said '0' just like my room key. And instead of going up…I felt the elevator going down.
I got a little suspicious but didn't ask any questions…until we finally arrived at my 'room'. The elevator stopped and opened its door to reveal a plain white room with nothing but a bed, dust and cobwebs. I tried to ask the employee why I got…I guess there's no other word for it, BASEMENT, for my room. But the employee already was on his way to go back to his regular duties, leaving me with a basement with one single ceiling light brightening the room.
I was really tired as it is so I didn't even bother to go up the elevator again and ask about the room. So I put all of my stuff down in a corner and looked into my bag to get the box I got earlier. Once I got my birthday present, I sat down on the floor to open it.
I looked at the box and immediately thought of my dad…*sigh*…man I miss him. He was always so brave and adventurous…yet…very kind at the same time. Well…no time to get all sappy now. It's time to find out what my dad wanted to give to me the moment I was born. So…I made a deep breath…and finally opened the box.
The first thing I saw was a Tentatek Splattershot that looked brand new, yet was waiting in my dad's closet this long. I immediately fell in love with the way it looked and imagined what it would be like to finally try it out. "Winning ink battles would be a breeze" I thought as I was looking at the ceiling like a clichéd cartoon character.
Then I turned my head to the upper left and saw a strange booklet with a blue tentacle printed on it. I picked the booklet up and saw a piece of folded paper fall out of it. I ignored the actual booklet for now and decided to focus on the piece of paper. I opened it and saw…my father's last note.
"Dearest Ink,
If you are reading this, you should be 14. And that means you should be able to turn into a humanoid! I'm so happy that you were able to make it this far, baby girl. I've been waiting for this moment since your birth. Anyway, this Splattershot used to be mine when I was your age. And, since it was one of my very first weapons, I decided to give it to you as your first weapon. I also gave you a little booklet that contains some…interesting things…that you might want to know. The last thing that I want to give you…is all of my deepest love for you. And that…can be shown by your very existence. Ink…if I don't make it long enough to see you go through this moment…I want you to know that I will always love you…no matter what happens. I also want to tell you to remember my old saying every time you go into ink battles. It goes like this.
'Believe in your abilities, trust your team, and, together, you can let your true colors fly.'
I love you…always,
Dad."
There was only one thing that crossed my mind as I read my dad's final goodbye. "I love you to, daddy."
Tears of love and sadness streamed down my face as I put everything back in the box and put it back in the corner where all of my other stuff was. After that, I finally decided to go to sleep…thinking all about my dad and fulfilling his wish for me to finally go to Inkopolis in the process.
And let me tell ya…I never though of having a day like the first day I went to Inkopolis.
*sniff* I think I'm about to cry…actually…no I'm not.
Not that it isn't sad…it is…but…I wrote the dang story…less impact.
Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter…I also hope it gave you the feels.
Seriously…that last part must have been pretty tough to handle.
You may argue that this part was a bit early, but I didn't want Ink to have the regular Splattershot Jr. And plus the regular Splattershot only has water balloons as its special…that must make quite a punch.
Anyways, hope you like this chapter and I'm excited for the next one.
Heaven OUT-I'm a sensitive person J
