I just finished my first night in Inkopolis; dying to know what this place had in store for me. I've heard amazing stories about this city from Inkaletta and hopefully, today, I'll have a chance to experience them...

Unleeesss, my crazy new friends won't stop bugging me while I'm trying to catch some sleep after that strange encounter last night.

"Hey. Hey, Nibs! Wake up! C'mon, we gotta go!", I heard Inka growl as she rudely started to shake me in my bed.

"Inka, cut it out! She'll wake up eventually.", Jet angrily whispered.

Wait?! How did these two get in my room?! It's not like I let them in while I was sleep walking or something! Meh, I probably left the door open last night.

"Yo, squid! Are you dead or what?!", Inka hollered at me again as she poked me with her weapon.

"Mmmm, fine. I'm up.", I stubbornly woke up, rubbing the disgusting crud out of my eyes. I suddenly screamed and fell off the bed as I immediately caught sight of Inka and Jet in my room. They're were already dressed and carrying their own Splattershots.

"H-how did you guys get in my room? Why are you guys in my room?!"

"Whoa there, squiddy. One; Jet's a master at lock-picking, so I suppose that's one thing special about him. Two; we're going to go to the Practice Area so we won't look like losers once we start entering Turf Wars.",

Inka reassured me as she helped me off the floor.

"Please forgive for coming in your room without your permission, Nibs. Inka insisted I should do it, but, I told her I didn't want to be rude.", Jet scratched behind his pointy ear as his cheeks turned rose red.

Poor guy. He's seems like a gentleman to me- however, I'm quite shocked that he forced himself to do that. It was probably Inka's idea in the first place.

"T-that's alright, Jet. Now, if you two will excuse me, I'm going to go shower."

"Shower?! Pfff. They're are no showers in here, silly. Why do think we're called Inklings?!", Inka disagreed as she took out a fresh pair of clothes and deodorant from my bag and shoved me into the bathroom.

Apparently, the bathrooms did have showers in them. She just attempted to make me believe that the water is fatal to us Inklings. But, I obviously didn't buy it because water can't do any harm to our species unless we swim in it. I also bet Inka didn't want me to use the showers because I'd probably take a long time in there- and she appears very...rushy at the moment. Hey, I'm just that kind of Inkling that likes long showers.

A few minutes later, I stepped out of the bathroom, completely dressed. As I pulled out my Splattershot Jr. from my bag, I heard my stomach begin to rumble.

"No time for food! We gotta go- now!", Inka hollered as she grabbed our hands and ran towards the nearest elevator.

"C'mon, Inka. W-we can't just skip breakfast! I-it's not healthy!", I reassured as I nervously held my stomach while the elevator went down.

"Ugh, fine!"

As the elevator opened, Inka grabbed some fruit bars from the bowl on the front desk and shoved it into our mouths.

"There! You had your breakfast. Now, quit your whining and let's go!", Inka growled as she dragged us out of the Hotel.

Inka immediately stopped dragging Jet and I as soon as we got to the Practice Area. Once we got there, we were greeted by a colorful billboard.

Think you're too cool for school?

It's time to prove it in battle!

You're looking a little raw though...

Let's start with the basics!

"C'mon, you guys! You read the billboard! We'll each have our own section of the area for ourselves so no one gets hurt. Now, let's rock this joint!", Inka cheered as she began shooting orange ink at the green balloons in front of her.

I nervously nodded as I took my own section of the Practice Area and began shooting my ink at the balloons.

Next, the three of us confronted a large area with concrete hills- making it resemble a skate park.

Cover the area with ink then turn into a squid to swim in it!, another billboard read.

We bravely grinned as we shot our individual sections with our own ink and began swimming in it. Inkaletta's been telling me that this will also allow me to hide from enemies and collect more ink. The ink was kinda cold, but, it didn't matter. I was having too much fun swimming. The others were having fun as well, since I heard them laughing as they were swimming on the hills. We also continued to use our humanoid form wisely to shoot more of the balloons.

You can even swim up walls as a squid!

The three of us came face to face with several ramps leading to the next part of the tutorial. Luckily, the ramps were big enough so we all could shoot ink and swim up it. Once we made it to the top, we kept on shooting balloons in our way.

The trail of balloons lead us to a three-layered platform that stood in front of a glass structure. There was some space between the platform and the structure, so we knew that we had to jump to get to the other side.

Inka, Jet, and I took our times to shoot an even amount of ink on the top platform, swam through our individual colors and quickly jumped to the other side.

Once we made it, we stopped at a silver gate. Inkaletta told me that as a squid, you can swim through gates. So, I stood in front of my confused friends, created a puddle of ink, turned into a squid and leaped through the gate-easily. Once Inka and Jet got the memo, they did the same.

We all made it through the gate when Inka suddenly hollered,

"STOOOP!"

C'mon, Inka! I focus more when it's quiet out! , I angrily thought.

"What was that for, Inka?! You almost blew out my eardrums!", Jet growled.

"I had to do that! How are we supposed to get through this?!", Inka snarled back as she pointed towards the giant puddles of purple ink.

Where did this ink come from? Did another Inkling come here? Or, was that ink supposed to be there?

"Look. Another billboard!", Jet instructed as we pointed towards it.

Use your weapon to cover enemy ink with your color! You'll get stuck in ink that's not your color!

"Oh... Why didn't I think of that? Duh! Silly me!", Inka giggled as we all began to cover the purple ink with ours. This gave me the opportunity to collect more ink along the way.

While we were covering up the area, I noticed a downed UFO next the enemy ink.

Did the ink come from the UFO? Weird...

Next, we approached wooden crates forming a wall.

Use your sub weapons to destroy the crates!

"Oh. I'm going to enjoy this! You guys ready?!", Inka cheered as she pulled out a Burst Bomb.

Jet and I nodded bravely as we also had our bombs ready.

"Alrighty then!"

"3.."

"2..."

"1..."

"THROW!"

We all threw our bombs at the crates and-

*BOOM!*

A massively colorful explosion destroyed the crates- one by one!

"Woohoo! Let's keep this up! We're almost there!", Jet grinned happily.

The three of us shoot our ink colors at the now visible wall in front of us and swam up to get to the next floor. We did this again until we finally approached the launch pad that led to Inkopolis Plaza.

All right- you're ready for action! Get ready to Super Jump to the plaza and become the freshest squid on the block! , a final billboard read.

I gulped nervously as I eyed the Inkopolis tower in front of me.

"Hey, dorks! Last one to Inkopolis Plaza is a rotten squid!", Inka snickered as she quickly shot the launch pad and Super Jumped her way to the plaza.

"Not if I can help it.", Jet disagreed as he shot the pad next and followed behind his upbeat friend.

I nervously gulped as I began to slowly spray the launch pad with my ink, turned into my squid form, and began my Super Jump.

"AAAAAHHHHH!", I squealed at the top of my lungs like a baby as I turned a humanoid in mid-air. I stupidly looked down and noticed the streets of Inkopolis- which caused me to scream and cry louder. Although, a nice breeze was gently swooping by my face, it wasn't helping with me about to crash into the ground.

"Uh oh. Nibs is not lookin' so good!"

"Don't worry, Nibs! We'll catch you!"

I squeezed my eyes shut as I prepared myself so my friends could catch me. However, they appeared to be off and I ended up falling in a yellow garbage bin.

"Oh my squid! Nibs? Are you ok?!", Inka gasped as she and Jet ran over to the bin to help me out.

"Does it look like- or smell- ok?!", I angrily moaned in pain as I dusted off my clothes.

While Inka sprayed some of her emergency body spray to cover up the smelly garbage odor, I took a glimpse at Inkopolis Plaza and all its glory.

The plaza was in the shape of a square with a large sidewalk and multiple shops. In the heart of the plaza was the lime green Inkopolis Tower- where I can sign up for Turf Wars. To the left of the tower was Booyah Base, an ink-tacular mall where Inklings can buy new clothes, shoes, accessories, and weapons. To the right was the cafeteria and the Squid Sisters studio- where the famous duo produces their daily newscast. Next to the studio was a building where Inklings can take part in 1-on-1 battles called Battle Dojo. Above the studio was a giant monitor, which now displayed colorful pictures of squids. Two neat statues were also featured here; a Fox on top of Booyah Base and a Tanuki on top of the Squid Sisters Studio.

Speaking of the Squid Sisters, I suddenly jumped as a mysterious- yet catchy- jingle blasted from the monitor's speakers. The monitor displayed the Squid Sisters logo before cutting to the famous duo, Callie and Marie standing in front of a smaller monitor- ready to get the news program started.

Callie and Marie looked so beautiful in person- even the large crowd of screaming Inkling fans seemed to agreed as they gathered around the monitor to get a glimpse. Callie is a pale Inkling girl with bright golden eyes, black "hair" with pink tips tied in the back to resemble a ribbon, a beauty mark on her left cheek, a white-and-pink rectangular hat, silver hoop earrings, a white shirt-like collar, a sequined black corset-like strapless jumpsuit with 3 pink cuts, white gloves, pink stockings, and black-and-pink ankle boots. Marie, however, had a completely different style. She too was pale with gold eyes ,white gloves, a white shirt-like collar, and silver earrings. But, her "hair" consisted of shorter light gray tentacles also tied in a bow in the back with green tips on the curled ends. She also sported a beauty mark on her right cheek, a green-and-white hoop shaped hat, a sequined black corset-like strapless dress with 3 green cuts, lime green stockings, and black-and-green ankle boots.

"Hold on to your tentacles...", Callie cheered as she happily gazed into the camera.

"It's Inkopolis News Time!", Marie calmly replied as she stared into the camera as well.

"News Flash! News Flash!"

"What is it?! What is it?!"

The monitor behind them displayed two pictures of Inkopolis Tower. One picture had a strange, but large, navy blue creature grasping the tower. The other picture, however... had the tower by itself along with large white question marks.

"It has been 2 weeks since Inkopolis' Great Zapfish has gone missing! It's nowhere to be found!", Callie nervously shouted.

"Wait, seriously?! Where could it be?!", Marie gasped in shock, her eyes growing wide.

"If isn't recovered soon, are we gonna lose more power?"

"Oh, I'm sure we'll be fine... probably. Besides, at least we have some power left ever since it gone missing."

"That's true. But, I fear that we may be abusing it."

"You actually make a valid point there, Callie."

"I'm afraid that we may have to limit the number of Turf Wars each days."

"I agree. We can't risk losing more power- especially now. We have to use it more wisely."

The monitor then switched to a picture of a UFO with a red tentacle sticking out of it- which reminded me of the UFO from before. Of course, the picture was smothered with question marks.

"I bet you dollars to donuts that the UFO crash had something to do with it!"

"Sounds likely to me!"

Callie then switched back to her happy attitude and cheered, "Well other than that, we have some exciting news to share with you guys!"

"Well then, what are you waiting for? Tell us the big news!", Marie eagerly exclaimed.

The monitor flashed to display a beautiful view of Inkopolis at night, along with colorful lights and dancing Inklings surrounding the area.

"This upcoming Friday, as many of you know, is our 2nd annual SPLATFEST!", Callie fangirled, jumping in the air like a cheerleader.

"Man, time sure does go fast!", Marie sighed calmly.

"For those Inklings who don't know, Splatfest is one the most amazing times of the year where there's lights, dancing, and celebration everywhere- and I mean, seriously, EVERYWHERE!"

"Woah, not so fast. Let's not get to caught up with the festivities, Callie. Splatfest is really about having the opportunity to work like a team and not be judged by who you are. At that rate, you're given the chance to be united and show the opponents who you truly are."

Callie sassily tossed her tentacle behind her ear and flashed a "talk to the hand" pose at Marie.

"Bla, bla, bla. Who cares about that stuff? All these Inklings care about is seeing us LIVE and dancing all night! Am I right or am I right, Inkopolis?!"

Immediately, the Inkling crowd started fangirling- or fanboying- and clapping their hands in agreement.

Marie sighed in disgust and grumbled, "Won't you ever learn Callie?!"

"Ha ha ha! Never!"

"Oh, we'd also like to give a shout out to those who participated in our 1st Splatfest- in which the theme was: "Which do you like better? Cats or Dogs?" Another big congrats to Team Dog for scoring victoriously! Great Job, my fellow dog lovers! Woof woof! We hope to see you guys participate in the next one.", Marie giggled happily.

"A shout out to Team Cat as well- and Judd! Meow! Even though they lost, they looked much cooler... love you guys! Now, let's say we announce the next theme, shall we?"

"Yes, we shall, Callie. Let's do just that."

Half of the monitor then showed a green screen with an orange rollercoaster on it. The other half was purple with an orange water slide on it.

"Do you prefer to coast through life?", Callie questioned.

"Or are you the type to let it slide?", Marie stated after her cousin.

"In this corner, the thrill seeker's ride of choice... ROLLER COASTERS!", the energetic Squid Sister cheered, jumping in the air like a cheerleader.

"And in the other, the wet-and-wild splash dash... WATER SLIDES!", the much calmer squid giggled happily, a smug grin on her face.

"So, Callie, how do you get your kicks?"

"Roller Coasters! The faster and loopier, the better!"

"Urp... Just thinking about them makes me sick...", Marie held her stomach, looking as if she wanted to throw up.

"Whoa there, Marie. Take a deep breath. So I guess you're more into water slides?", Callie rubbed her cousin's back, which immediately calmed her down.

"Of course! What self-respecting Inkling isn't?"

"But, we want to know what you guys think. "Which would you rather ride? Rollercoasters or Water Slides?" "

"Be sure to head over to the Pledge Box and hopefully pick the winning team!"

"Remember, at the end of Splatfest, the winning team with the most total points will earn Super Sea Snails!"

"Why do give out these things anyways?"

"Duh. It'll encourage Inklings to vote and take part in this amazing event!"

Marie smacked her forehead and sighed angrily.

The monitor behind the duo finally went black as today's news came to a close.

"Until next time-", Callie cheered happily.

After the Splatfest announcement, the musical duo announced the stages for Turf Wars and Ranked Battles.

"Staaaay fresh!", The Squid Sisters- and the Inkling fan crowd cheered as they eyed the duo doing their adorable signature pose.

As the news program concluded, the large crowd walked away from the monitor and continued with their usual business.

Wow! Splatfest sounds amazing! Too bad I wasn't around for the 1st one... But, that's alright! I bet the 2nd one will be even more awesome. Not to mention they talked about the Great Zapfish. Inkaletta told me that it's a 100- year old creature that powers up the city. This somehow relates to last night's encounter. What do the Octarians even want the Great Zapfish?

"Hey, hey Nibs. Jet and I are headed to the Turf War lobby and get into some Turf Wars. You comin'?", Inka questioned as she followed behind Jet.

"Wow, I loved to...but... I kinda wanted to meet up with my sister. I promised my parents that we'd reunite.", I nervously stated as I twirled my large tentacle.

"Ummm, I don't wanna brag, but it doesn't look like Inkaletta is here, is she? Don't worry about her, Nibs. She's probably doing some of that Agenty stuff you were talking about. She'll be fine, I swear. Buuut, since you're here, you can pass time by going into some Turf Wars. Now, quit stalling and let's go! Who knows, we might be on the same team!"

Inka then dragged me over to the tower to start some Turf Wars when an Inkling girl with raspberry pink "hair", a black long-sleeved Zink shirt, traditional black shorts with a single pink line going down the leg, purple Tentatek Sea Slugs, and extremely dark-tinted Zekko sunglasses suddenly- and rudely- cut in front of us.

"Excuse me.", she coldly stated as she walked inside the lobby.

"Wow! Talk about rude!", Jet snarled as we continued to head into the lobby.

Hmmm, something about that Inkling girl seems... nostalgic to me. I mean, I've never seen her before, but, something about her reminds me of someone. I've definitely heard that voice from someplace. But, could it really be that strange girl or am I just seeing - or should I say hearing- things?!

EDIT 07/28: Seeing as how the "Rollercoasters vs Water Slides" Splatfest actually takes place 2 weeks after the 1st one, I had to make a quick change. So, as of now, the Zapfish has been missing for 2 weeks rather than 2 months. In 2 months, Inkopolis probably would have fallen apart already, to be honest.