Colin was led away into the Tower's Base, and he was met with the sight of a place that looked like a cross between a casino and an arcade. Glowing neon lights lit up the black walls, and all over Inklings hung out, chatted, and typed in things on the machines. It wasn't until they started being pulled up into the ceiling that he started to get worried. He was glad that at least Devan was there on his shoulder to help him.
"Over here," Tim beckoned, waving. Colin stepped dubiously onto a mat in front of a small machine, and it immediately burst to life. Tim grabbed Colin's arm to make sure he stayed on the mat, and before long, a strange pulling sensation started up in his stomach, then moved on to his hands and feet, and finally his head.
"Tim, what is thi-"Colin began, but he never got to finish. The sensation suddenly burst, and with a short yelp from Devan, they were up and away, going through what Colin swore was cyberspace.
"Sorry!" Tim yelled as he held up a small water gun like weapon. "The system isn't very good at handling bones, or hamburgers!" Colin groaned and felt himself being thrown at the floor before he got up quickly and looked around.
He was surrounded by a small group of four, including Tim himself, and Devan was on his shoulder. He adjusted his grip on the sniping weapon, and decided on a spot to stand, where he figured he would be able to see anyone about to attack him.
A loud buzzer went off, and Colin immediately reacted, running like the wind to his decision. He stopped at a lookout point with a few boards and boxes for protection. He brought the scope to his eye and stared through.
Blue-headed youngster to your right, he looks like he has a bomb in his hand, Devan warned him. Colin heard a clang behind him and kicked backwards, sending something back behind him. A large explosion followed, and he felt stray drops of an alien liquid fall onto his back.
"Don't panic," Tim advised, going up next to Colin. "Inklings fight with ink. Too much in of another colour and they go back to base, simple as that. Try not to get hit, since it doesn't affect us we just have to pretend." Colin nodded and went back to his viewfinder, focusing on an inkling.
"So if I shoot this he just goes back to base n' stuff?" Colin asked, holding the trigger down.
"Sure does," Tim agreed. "Go ahead, try it." Colin decided it would be okay and let go of the trigger at just the right moment. In an instant a huge line of ink blasted out of the front and launched him bodily backwards, falling over.
"Careful there!" Tim chuckled. "C'mon, get up, you're fine." Colin shot a glare at Tim before pushing himself back on his feet. He glanced at a rather disgruntled Devan and smiled apologetically before turning back to his charger.
"So is the goal of the game to just shoot people or something?" Colin asked.
"Not quite," Tim admitted, "But that is your role. Shoot people with blue heads."
"Isn't that racist?"
"No, inklings can change the colour of their hair. It just identifies them as from the enemy team."
"Oh." Colin drew his charger to his eye again and shot someone down below, dealing with the backlash much better. "I see." He continued to shoot at people for a while, getting at least another three, before a buzzer went off. Devan hopped onto his shoulder, and the sickening pulling happened again, although this time he dealt with it more easily.
"I guess that was fun," Colin admitted as they stepped out of the Tower, "but it isn't worth the travel sickness, in my opinion." Tim laughed as Colin gripped his stomach comically in an effort to show how he felt about the whole ordeal.
I say we find that girl inkling you found that picture of, Devan commented idly. I'd rather not dodge pyramid-shaped bombs again, thanks. Why are they pyramids, anyway?
"Don't ask me, I think it has something to do with culture and the tower." Tim shrugged. "Adam got me caught up, you're looking for a girl named Marissa, right?"
"Yeah," Colin confirmed. "Take a look." He handed over the image of the naturally blonde inkling, wide blue eyes staring into whatever took the picture. Looking past the whole different-species thing, she was really rather pretty, if looking from a human's point of view.
"Oh, yeah, I've seen her around. She works down in Octo Valley for the Zapfish revival effort." Tim smiled. "She's a nice girl, really."
"Cool." Colin took back the picture. "I'm not sure I want to meet her yet, though. I barely even know what I'm doing."
"You don't?" Tim repeated. "No, of course you don't. Listen, there's this whole war thing you have to deal with... uh, here, this scroll should explain it." Tim handed Colin a very... traditional... scroll. Then he said, "Got to go, other people to help in other times. See You!" And with that, he ran off.
At first, Colin ran after him, turning a corner or two, but as he peeked down an alleyway he stopped short. It was a dead end, and only a strange guy with spiky purplish hair was there.
"You lookin' for Tim?" He asked, with a friendly tone and a rough accent. "He gone. Off to wherever he goes when he teleports like that."
"Wish I could do that," Colin muttered, before turning around and walking back to the plaza. He opened up the scroll, and Devan hopped onto his shoulder from a nearby bench.
So, what's up with this- Devan stopped. No. Way.