At last, here I was. In the Inkopolis Tower lobby. Ready to start my first Turf War. Ooooh, I'm so nervous. I don't want to let anyone down, nonetheless, lose! That would be so embarrassing. But, when you have two dorky new friends-in the good sense- behind your back, things are going to turn up splat-tastic.

Once Inka, Jet, and I made it inside the lobby, we were greeted by a monitor.

Please select your Battle Mode, the monitor said as two buttons appeared on the screen. One button read Regular Battle while the other said Ranked Battle.

In order to acess Ranked Battle, we had to reach a level 10 of freshness. Since we weren't level 10...yet...we could only do Turf Wars for now.

Next, the monitor quickly switched to another screen.

Please select your level of experience.

One button read Newbie while the other read Expert.

We didn't hesitate and pressed Newbie. Once we did that, the monitor started giving us some advice.

Welcome to the lobby! This is the place to be for Ink Battles! You can raise your level and earn that sweet, sweet cash for battling. A higher level will let you access the freshest gear in the shops and play all-new battle modes here in the lobby! So get that level up! If you want to buy weapons and gear, you've gotta earn some cash first! So if you want the freshest gear, you gotta battle as much as you can! But enough talk. Let's get you started with a regular battle! As your level increases, don't forget to check the shops in the plaza. All right, go get 'em.

"Alright, alright, alright! Let's rock this joint- together!", Inka squealed as she put her shoulders around Jet and I. We enjoyed a laugh until the monitor displayed the Battle Stages.

A Turf War in a stage called Urchin Underpass were missing two players- one from each team. Sadly, it was about to start in about a minute and it was an Orange vs. Blue match. Which meant-

"Awww, squid paste! I totally jinxed it. Looks like Jet and I have no choice but to join. See you later, Nibs.", Inka sighed as she she gave me a hug before pressing the "Join" button.

"Don't worry too much, Nibs. If we finish early, we'll come to cheer you on, ok? See ya.", Jet reassured me as he lightly patted my back before joining along his friend.

As I sighed nervously, I scrolled through the stages, looking for a battle to join. Most of the stages- like Arowana Mall and Port Mackerel were already booked. Suddenly, I noticed a Turf War taking place in Blackbelly Skatepark that was missing a player. Luckily, it was a Turquoise team vs. a Pink team. I happily pressed the "Join" Button.

Once I did that, the monitor turned green, and read: Sign in, complete. Turf War in Blackbelly Skatepark taking place in 2 minutes.

As the clock started counting down, the monitor quickly turned red and another message displayed on the screen.

Please commence to the spawn pad.

The wall in front of me then suddenly opened up like a secret hallway, revealing the spawn pad. With my Splattershot Jr. ready, I nervously stepped on the pad and turned into my squid form. Instantly, the pad made my ink-like body slide through its pipes as it transported me some place else.

After a couple awkward seconds, I fell onto another pad. I quickly turned back into my humanoid form, coughed a bit, and rubbed my woozy head. Once I was ok, I looked around and noticed I was in Blackbelly Skatepark. When I turned around, I noticed 3 other Inklings with different ink colors behind me holding their own weapons. There was a lime green girl sporting a cute Skalop-brand Bobble Hat carrying a Splat Charger. Another girl with red orange ink wearing a Black SquidEye-brand Tentatek shirt carried an Ink Brush while the only boy on the team that was lavender wearing a Splash Mob-brand Baby-Jelly shirt had a Splat Roller.

"Thank goodness we have another member. I thought, it would take, like forever to find someone.", the sassy Ink Brush girl sighed in relief as she tossed a red orange tentacle behind her head.

"But, sadly, the other member is another girl.", the Inkling boy quietly growled in jealously as he pushed his Black Retro Specs up on his pointy nose.

"Hey, both of you! Cut it out! You're making her nervous!", the Splat Charger girl- who I assumed to be the leader- snarled at the two Inklings before walking over to me and gently patted my shoulder.

"There is nothing you need to worry about! I'm sure you'll do great, I promise.", she whispered to me as she smiled widely and gave me a thumbs up before she and the others walked over to the team spawn pad and turned into their squid form.

To prevent myself from looking stupid, I quickly followed them and turned into a squid as well.

After a few minutes, the pad suddenly got filled with cold turquoise ink and immediately covered us. This is how our tanks get filled before we start, and how some Inklings change their ink color- according to what Inkaletta said. Once all of our tanks were filled, we switched into our humanoid forms and shook off the excess ink.

Suddenly, a small monitor popped out of nowhere and switched to a chubby white-and-black cat, by the name of Judd, wielding two flags- one turquoise and the other pink. Judd has the role of the judge during the match, which explains the flags and the bow-tie pattern on his fur.

Despite the serious look on his face, he looks pretty adorable. I wish I could cuddle him and rub his furry head. I just hope he doesn't scratch...

"Alright, Inklings. Before we get started, I'm going to recite the rules, since I've seen many new faces around here. The different teams are on the opposite side of this map- each with a different ink color. The goal of the Turf War is to use your weapons to spread your ink color all over the map. The one who covers the most turf in three minutes wins! However, you must remember three important things. 1) ONLY the floors count! Spraying the walls can be useful, but, it will not earn you any points. 2) Shooting opponents are also helpful to cover more turf, but, it will not earn you points either. 3) Only your ink can come in contact with your opponents. There must be no physical violence whatsoever during this Turf War. If I catch anyone of you doing something violent, you'll be disqualified from the match. However, if a fight were to break out, there will be a time out and I'll have to settle it. Well, that's it for now! May the Turf War begin!"

As Judd took a deep breath, he started the countdown.

"Ready..."

My team and I quickly got our weapons ready with serious looks on our faces.

I took in a long deep breath- and remebered the family motto- as the Turf War was about to begin.

"There is happiness at the end of each storm. Not matter what the storm brings, don't lose faith, trust your allies, use your skills, and -together- you'll shine like a rainbow."

"GO!"

As soon as Judd said "GO!", we immediately started to blast ink around our little area. While we were covering turf, a metal song called Metalopod from the new album Fresh Kids, by the famous rock band Squid Squad began to play. Inkaletta would probably bob her head to this- she's a big Squid Squad fan. The Roller boy and Brush girl began to run around and get their ink around as quickly as possible- before the opposite team had to chance to get over here.

"Remember, this stage is all about close-quarters combat. Because I have a Splat Charger, I can get on the tower and snipe opponents. Try to get to the ramps on the opposite side to get more territory. Oh, and don't be afraid to use your Sub and Special Weapons- but, only when it's absolutely necessary. Gotta conserve ink", The leader gave me some advice before she smiled at me, turned into a squid, and swam into the turquoise puddles of ink.

I took in another deep breath and continued to run around and shoot my ink. My teammates already covered most of our side of the territory with ink, so I decided to swim around in it until I noticed an area that was covered in pink ink.

Woah. The pink team made it this far already?! They're good.

I quickly started to cover up the pink ink with mine around a small hidden corner near a green cushion with a black mat. Once I was finished, I ran towards the tower- where my leader was standing on, covering turf and sniping opponents. Things were actually looking pretty good, and we had plenty of time left. But then, I suddenly heared some strange noises behind me. I quickly turned around and noticed a Seeker, leaving behind a line of pink ink. Before I had a chance to swim away, it touched my foot and exploded- causing pink ink to fly all over me!

"Oh, great!", I growled as I wiped off some of the ink on my shirt. However, as soon as I turned around, I was suddenly in for a surprise.

"BOO!", a pink Inkling boy with tan skin jumped out his own puddle of ink and pointed his Aerospray MG at me. He wore a Forge Paintball Mask, a SplashMob Gray College Sweat, black shorts with a single pink stripe, and Orange Arrows.

"AHHHHHHH!", I squealed like a baby- AGAIN-, pulled out a Splat Bomb, and threw it at him.

*BEEP BOOP!*

*BOOM!*

"Ow! Why'd you do that for?!", he yelled at me as shook of the ink from the bomb.

"I almost got splatted by your dumb Seeker, then you leap out of nowhere and try to attack me. I had no choice but to throw that bomb!", I hollered back at him- completely forgetting about the entire Turf War.

"Ugh, great. Now there's ink all over my mask! Better clean it up before ink lands in my eyes. I seriously need to get a visor for this thing."

The Inkling boy then immediately ripped the mask of his face, causing the purple beaded scrunchie holding his two pink tentacles with shiny golden yellow highlights to pop off. He quickly wiped off the turquoise ink from his mask before placing it back on his face.

I couldn't help but stare at him in awe as he tossed his head around before grabbing the scrunhcie off the ink-infested floor.

Wow... he's so...amazing. Not just on the outside, but, he was so clever about his plan to splat me.

He quickly tied his "hair" back into a ponytail and suddenly very flirtaciously winked at me with those chocolate brown eyes of his- since he caught me staring at him.

My cheeks suddenly started to burn as I slowly walked away from him and continued the Turf War, trying not to look like a slacker.

Oh my squid! Oh my squid! OH...MY...SQUID! He just...winked at me! W-what does that mean? Does that m-mean that he...he...l-l-l...li-li...likes me? No, no, no! Nibs Coraline Watermark, you're getting ahead of yourself. It's probably just another one of his tactics to distract me. This has to be a trick so I could lose the Tur-

While I was trying to collect my thoughts and help my teammates, I was suddenly pulled back and then thrown onto a wall.

I gasped as I realized that it was the Inkling boy that pulled me.

"You're new to this whole Turf War thing, are you?", he smirked at me as he suddenly got his face really close to me, placing his hand on the wall.

"W-what are you doing?! G-get away from me!", I shrieked as I tried to run, but, he kept blocking my path. I felt totally unprotected and I was too scared to splat him. My cheeks felt like they were on fire as I tried my hardest not to stare at him.

"What's wrong? Catfish got your tongue?", he questioned, lifting my chin up and gazing into my almost teary eyes.

I was too mortified, yet astonished to say anything.

He started to chuckle under his breath and began to back up a bit so I could breathe, however, I was in luck when I noticed that my team leader came around to help me. She quickly aimed her weapon at him, began to charge it, and-

*SPLAT!*

She was too late. The pink Inkling girl that my friends and I ran into earlier used her Special Weapon- the Killer Wail- and blasted my leader, since she was in range. She then splatted the tower with her ink, climbed up, and aimed her Kelp Splat Charger right at me! The Inkling boy turned around and shook his head nervously at her- trying to make her stop. But why? Before I had a chance to pull out a Splat Bomb or sprayed the ground quick enough so I could use my Special- the Bubbler, the strange girl sniped me- with a jealous look on her face.

I felt so ashamed as I respawned back at the spawn pad along with the Charger girl.

"Don't beat yourself up. It wasn't entirely your fault. Besides, we have about a minute and five seconds left in the match and there's still a lot of turf to cover! So, get movin'!", the team leader kindly reassured me as she used her Super Jump and got back into the action.

Just then, the monitor in the middle of the park that displayed the map read, One minute left!

As soon as 'One minute left' showed up on the screen, a fast-paced Squid Squad song replaced the metal one.

Oh my squid! I don't have much time left! I gotta go!

I started shaking as I super jumped towards the ramps near opponent's base. After all, it's what the leader expected of me, and I wasn't going to lose to this team! Even if the team has a super cute -yet slightly perverted- guy...

While I was covering turf, I heard someone chuckle behind my back. I turned around and noticed that it was the Inkling boy with the Paintball Mask!

I started squealing as I ran around the tower- and he started chasing me.

Awww, squid paste! Not him again!

"AAAAHHHHH! Stranger Danger! Stranger Danger! Someone, call the police!", I squeaked as I ran even faster- and I didn't care if I got dizzy! I'll be honest; it's really hard to cover turf, refill my ink tank, run away from a weird Inkling boy, and avoid getting sniped from a certain Inkling girl who clearly hates my guts- and I don't even know her! At least, I think I do...

"P-please leave me alone! Can't you seem I'm in the m-middle of something here? So what if I'm new to Turf Wars? What does that have to do with you?! Whatever you want from me, just say and I'll give it to you. Just please... go away!"

"Ha ha. You're so cute running around in circles like a little girl. That's what I like about the newbies. They're so confused and unaware with everything about Turf Wars. As soon as you laid eyes on me, I had a feeling that you'd be an easy target.", the Inkling boy laughed as he continued to chase me.

Luckily, my teammates managed to come around.

The Roller Inkling threw his Sub Weapon- the Suction Bomb- in front of the boy as a distraction. He tried to run, but, he was too late. Once it exploded, the Inkbrush girl used her Sub Weapon- the Sprinkler- to surround the Inkling boy with even more turquoise ink. This eventually made him get stuck, which gave the right time Splat Charger girl to snipe him- and the strange Inkling girl!

"Yeah, in your face, pervert!", the leader cheered as she exchanged high-fives.

"Umm, you can, like stopping running around in circles now! ", the Inkbrush girl yelled at me as she quickly used her Inkstrike- a Special Weapon- to cover loads of turf. I immediately stopped and rubbed my dizzy head.

As I took in some breaths and continued the Turf War with only 15 seconds left on the clock, thoughts raced in my head.

"15..14...13...12...11...", Judd started counting down.

I knew it! I had a feeling that he was flirting with me, just to intimidate me! But, at the same time, he did call me c-cute. What does it mean? Does it mean that- NO! You've got all wrong, Nibs! There is no love on the battlefield! B-but, what if he really meant it?

"10...9...8...7...6..."

I immediately started to blast opponents as I quickly scattered my ink all over many more areas of pink-infested turf. I could feel tiny of bits of sweat running down my forehead as soon as Judd made it to 5.

"5..."

"4..."

"3..."

"2..."

"1..."

"GAME!"

I completely froze in place. The game was finally over.

"Everyone, please stop whatever you doing. The match is now over. Please wait while I tally up the score."

Each of the teams stood in the center of the skatepark, their eyes glued on the map- that was covered in turquoise and pink ink. My team's leader wrapped her shoulder around my arm and tried to reassured me, as I was apparently shaking with fear.

"Look, losing isn't all that bad. Sure, your level of experience does increase a little and you do earn some of that sweet, sweet cash. Besides, not everyone wins on their 1st Turf War. I for sure didn't. Remeber, Turf Wars are most importantly about having fun."

"And the winner is...", Judd filled the area with suspense as I eyed him dancing on the monitor's screen.

Oh my squid! Please don't dance, Judd! You're not helping! Oh, I can't watch!, I nervously thought as I shook some more and covered my teary eyes.

"With a total tally of 52.5% to 34.5%...

...The Turquoise team wins!", Judd exclaimed as he pulled out the turquoise flag from behind his back and waved it in the air.

"Wait, wait what?! We won?!", I gasped in shock as immiediately started wiping my eyes.

"WE WON!", the rest of team cheered as they began to jump around and do some little victory poses. I couldn't help it, but do a victory pose as well.

"See, I knew you could do it!", my leader smiled as she pulled me in for a group hug. The other teammates joined in as well.

"Everyone, please exit Blackbelly Skatepark and head back into the lobby, so I can reward you with your prize money."

Two of the members from the pink team actually came over and congratulated us. They even shook our hands! Once they finished their congratulations, they left the skatepark.

I suddenly gasped as the boy with the PaintBall Mask came over to me, with a more serious -yet calm- look on his face. Before he even had a chance to say anything, my teammates blocked his path.

"Don't even think about it, pal! Just because this match is over doesn't mean that I still can't snipe you!", the Splat Charger girl growled as she pointed her weapon at the boy.

"We saw everything! Leave our teammate alone! So, what if she's new?! She helped us realize that we need to look out for our teammates as well as covering turf."

"Yeah. That was like such a perverted and creepy tactic. We better not catch you doin' it again, or else you're like, totally going to get it!"

"Listen, I know what you saw looked perverted, but, I didn't really mean it. I wasn't trying to flirt with your friend or anything, honest. I was only trying to intimidate your teammate so my team had a better chance of winning- and that's the truth. So...can you guys forgive me?"

My teammates eventually forgave him, shook his hand, and began to leave the park.

Now, it was just the mask boy, the other Charger girl, and I. A tiny squeak escaped my mouth as he approached me and offered his hand to shake.

"Uh, you forgive me too, right?"

I felt my face burn again as my trembling hand shook his. I tried to let go, but, he was gently squeezing it. He then pulled the mask off, revealing a very considerate look on his gorgeous face.

"Ok, that's enough. Get your beautiful hand away from this weak crying 10-limbed slime ball! I think I'm gonna be sick!", the pink Charger girl growled as she pulled him away before hissing at me.

Wait- 10-limed slime ball?! Where have I heard that before? No, it can't be...

They walked away from me and an argument broke out. I couldn't tell what was going on since the boy's back was facing me and they were whispering. But, things then suddenly quieted down. Out of the blue, the Inkling girl wrapped her arms around him and they shared a kiss. A very passionate one at that. I noticed that the boy's ears were starting to turn red.

O-oh. He...has...a...a...girlfriend. I can't believe I falled for his stupid trick. But, somehow, I don't think it was all a trick...right? Oh, what am I thinking?! Of course it was!

I felt weird just watching them make out like that. But, I couldn't look away for some reason. I regretted that as soon as the Inkling girl immediately sprung her eyes open, lifted her shades up, and glared at me with demonic emerald green eyes. Strangely enough, I noticed that she was wearing dripping purple eyeliner on her lower eyelid. Not to mention, she didn't have the black markings around her eyes like normal Inklings do.

"S-sorry. I-I'm going to go now. I'll, uh, let you two have some privacy. Heh heh. Um, that money is going to collect itself now, is it? Heh heh heh. I'm gonna stop talking now and go. Bye!"

As I awkwardly tried to walk away, the Inkling girl couldn't stop staring at me. I then ran out of the arena and let them have their moment. As I headed back into the lobby, I immediately started pouring heartbroken tears out of my eyes- completely forgetting about my victory.

I-I can't believe it! 1) The Charger girl from the other team was the girl that I met last night in the Hotel. But, she's an Inkling! I think... Why is she supporting the Octarians? Isn't she supposed to be one of us- the good guys? Does she want our city to be powerless forever? Or, what if she wants the Zapfish all for herself? 2) That Inkling boy... for what I thought was a strange chance at love at first sight, was all just a lie. Even if it was a weird tactic, it felt like real flirting to me. From the pinning into the wall to the chasing to the calling me "cute"- doesn't it all add up to equal flirting?! Turns out I was being to gullible about this. Besides, I'm new to relationships. Perhaps he's better off with that girl. Even if she's planning something big, I think she's better for with him. What does he even see in me? Probably just a weak little slime ball of defectiveness...