One evening in Splatsville, the Tacklers, a team of turf war battlers consisting of four Inklings: Tack, Uni, Bangs, and Moose, had walked out of the battle lobby and were on their way home after spending much of the day competing in turf war battles, and as they did so, they talked about some of the stuff that took place over the course of the day.
"Man, I'm telling you", Tack said, "this new season is the bomb."
"I'll say", Moose said, "there's so much new stuff to enjoy in it."
"Like the new stages we can battle on", Uni said, "they're both so fun."
"Especially Bluefin Depot", Tack said, "it feels good to battle on that stage again after so long."
"I think that new Robo ROM-en stage is pretty neat", Uni said, "as both a turf war map and a restaurant."
"Oh, yeah", Moose said, "and don't get me started on those new songs the Chirpy Chips released."
"One thing I could do without is that new Triple Splashdown special weapon", Uni said, "if I had 500 cash for how many times I got splatted by that in battle, I'd be rich."
"Tell me about it", Moose said, "and it was even more annoying when more than one member of the opposing team had a weapon kit with that special."
"Amen to that", Bangs said, "and getting caught in that Splattercolor Screen special wasn't exactly a fun experience either."
"I don't know", Tack said, "I kind of liked the challenge it presented."
"That makes one of us", Bangs said.
Soon, the Tacklers arrived at the apartment building they lived in and went up to their apartment, and later, while they were eating some leftover takeout food for dinner, Tack decided to raise a certain topic with his teammates.
"You know, guys", Tack said, "Chill Season 2023 isn't the only big thing happening this month."
"Really", Moose asked, "what else is there?"
"Squidmas, of course", Tack said.
"Oh, yeah", Moose said, "I'd almost forgotten about that."
"That's surprising, considering how many places had their Squidmas decorations up like, a month before it was even close to it", Bangs said.
"What's the plan, big bro", Uni asked, "how are we gonna celebrate Squidmas?"
"I don't know yet", Tack said, "I wanted to see if you guys had any ideas for what we could do."
"Can't say I have any", Moose said, "what about you, girls?"
"Sorry, nothing here", Bangs said.
"I can't think of anything either", Uni said.
"That's okay, the holiday season's still young", Tack said, "we can try and come up with some ideas tomorrow."
"Sounds good", Uni said.
The Tacklers went on eating their dinner, and soon, it was time for them to go to bed, and as Moose was getting ready to get some sleep, he thought about how Tack said it was almost Squidmas.
"Man, Squidmas is such a fun holiday", Moose said, "I've got so many happy memories of me celebrating it with my family."
As Moose thought about said memories, the thought of his family came to his mind, and before he knew it, he was starting to miss them.
"It's too bad I can't celebrate it with them this year", Moose said, "what with them being all the way back in Inkopolis and all."
He then got into his pull-out bed and started to go to sleep, his family still on his mind.
"If only there was a way I could go back to Inkopolis so I could see them again", Moose said, "but it's just not feasible."
The next day, the Tacklers were up and about getting ready for their day, and as the others were sitting at the kitchen table eating some breakfast, which was bowls of chocolate cereal, Moose walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning, Moose", Tack said.
"Morning, guys", Moose said.
"Are you ready for another action-packed day of turf war battles", Tack asked.
"Yeah, I guess so", Moose said.
But Tack could tell by the tone of Moose's voice that he wasn't very excited about it, and decided to bring up his observations with the others.
"Hey, girls", Tack said, "is it just me, or is something up with Moose?"
"Now that you mention it, he does look a little bit down", Bangs said, "I wonder what's up."
"Maybe he's not looking forward to going up against more guys in turf war who use the Enperry Splat Dualies", Uni said, "can't say I blame him, that kit is really annoying."
"No, I don't think that's it", Tack said, "this looks looks to me like something else."
"Like what", Uni asked.
Tack thought about why Moose seemed upset, and after a minute, he managed to come up with something.
"I know", Tack said, "I'll bet it has something to do with Squidmas coming up."
"Squidmas", Uni asked, "why would he be sad about such a fun and cheerful holiday?"
"It could bring up some bad memories he has", Bangs said, "or there's a certain part of it that he doesn't enjoy."
"Those are both good possibilities, Bangs", Tack said, "but we won't know for sure until we ask him."
"Well, now's a good time to do it", Bangs said, "here he comes."
Moose sat down at the table with his friends and began eating his breakfast, which was a piece of toast, as he didn't like cereal, and Tack decided to pop his question to him.
"Hey, Moose", Tack said, "there's something I wanted to ask you."
"Yes", Moose asked, "what is it?"
"Well, I couldn't help but notice that you look a little down", Tack said, "if it's not too much trouble, do you think you could tell me what's on your mind?"
"It's nothing", Moose said, "I'm just missing my family, is all."
"Oh, yeah", Tack said, "I remember you telling us about them."
"It's almost Squidmas, you see, and every year, I've celebrated it with my family", Moose said, "we've had lots of fun doing things like decorating our Squidmas tree, checking out Christmas decorations, and, of course, opening presents on Squidmas morning."
"Sounds like fun", Uni said, "no wonder you're missing your folks."
"Yeah", Moose said, "this is the first Squidmas where I'm not celebrating with them."
"I see", Tack said, "I'm really sorry to hear that."
"It's alright", Moose said, "I just wish there was an easy way I could go visit my family back in Inkopolis."
Tack wondered how he could help Moose out, when suddenly, an idea popped into his head.
"I know", Tack said, "why don't take the train to Inkopolis?"
"The train", Moose asked.
"Yeah", Tack said, "the one at the station by the lobby."
"A lot of Inklings and Octolings have been using it to travel to and from Inkopolis lately", Uni said, "maybe you can use it too."
"I wish I could, but I can't", Moose said, "I don't have a rail pass."
"Can't you just buy one", Bangs asked.
"No, because they're super expensive", Moose said, "I don't have enough cash for one."
"Oh, right", Bangs said.
"Look guys, I appreciate you trying to help me, but I'm just gonna have to accept the facts", Moose said, "I won't be celebrating Squidmas with my family this year."
But Tack wasn't ready to throw in the towel just yet, and was determined to help Moose get to Inkopolis.
"Yes you will", Tack said, "because we're gonna help you."
"What", Moose asked.
"We are", Bangs asked.
"That's right", Tack said, "I'm sure if we all pitch in, we can help Moose make enough cash to buy a rail pass."
"How are we gonna do that", Uni asked.
"I'm sure we can all come up with some good ideas for ways to make money", Tack said, "once we do, we'll go out, put our ideas into action, and then get some cash."
"Sounds like a good idea to me", Bangs said, "I'm in."
"Me too", Uni said, "anything to help Moose out."
"Glad to hear it", Tack said, "Moose, how does this sound to you?"
"Gee, I don't know about this, Tack", Moose said, "I don't want you guys troubling yourselves over my issues."
"It's no trouble, Moose", Tack said, "we're just trying to help you out."
"That's right", Uni said, "that's what friends do, after all."
"Besides, it is the holiday season, after all", Bangs said, "nothing says getting into the spirit of Squidmas than helping your fellow squid."
"So, what do you say", Tack asked, "is the plan a go?"
"Sure", Moose said, "let's do it."
"Great", Tack said, "we'll start after breakfast."
"Alright", Moose said, "hopefully we can make at least some cash by the end of the day."
"Don't worry", Tack said, "we will."
The Tacklers finished eating their breakfasts, and later, after brainstorming ideas for ways to make money, they got ready to go out and put their ideas into action.
"Okay", Tack said, "does everyone have their ideas ready?"
"Mine's ready", Uni said.
"Me too", Bangs said.
"Same", Moose said.
"Excellent", Tack said, "let's meet up around lunch time to see how much money we've made so far, then we'll get back to work."
"Sounds like a plan", Moose said.
"Alright, Tacklers", Tack said, "hut one, hut two..."
The Tacklers all raised their fists in the air and shouted:
"Hike!"
And with that, the Tacklers left the apartment and went their separate ways to put their plans into action, with Tack making his way towards town square while carrying guitar case.
"It's gonna take quite a bit of effort to help Moose buy a rail pass", Tack said, "but hopefully, my plan for making cash will really help out with that."
When Tack arrived at town square, he stood by the stairs that led to where the lobby, train station, and Grizzco were, opened up his guitar case, and pulled out an ST-JF acoustic guitar.
"Alrighty", Tack said, "if a bit of fine guitar music doesn't encourage donations from folks, nothing will."
Tack put his guitar's strap over his shoulder and positioned his guitar case so Inklings and Octolings could toss cash into it, and as he tuned his guitar, he thought about what songs he could play on it.
"Let's see", Tack said, "what song could I play that everyone would like?"
Tack continued to ponder as he tuned his guitar, and pretty soon, a song came to his head.
"I know", Tack said, "I'll play the song by Deep Cut that plays after a Splatfest ends."
So, Tack played "Daybreaker Anthem" on his guitar as Inklings and Octolings walked by, and when he finished playing, he decided to check his guitar case to see how much money he had made.
"Okay", Tack said, "let's see how much cash I've raked in."
He looked in his guitar case to see what was in it, but to his disappointment, all that was in there was one piece of cash.
"Seriously", Tack asked.
Needless to say, Tack wasn't happy with how his attempt at making money was going.
"I don't understand", Tack said, "I was sure people would enjoy hearing me play my guitar."
He thought about what the problem could be and eventually reached a conclusion.
"Maybe it was the song I chose to play", Tack said, "maybe I need to play something a little more upbeat."
So, Tack put his hands on his guitar and got ready to play it again.
"And I know just the song", Tack said.
Tack played "Tomorrow's Nostalgia Today" by the Squid Sisters on his guitar, and by the time he finished, he was feeling more confident about how his results.
"That should be enough to get everyone's attention", Tack said, "now to see what I made."
Tack checked to see how much cash was in his guitar case, but it was empty, with the lone piece of cash that had been in there previously missing.
"Oh, for crying out loud", Tack said, "the nerve of some people, stealing from a guitar case."
Tack went back to his spot and got ready to play his guitar again.
"Talk about a tough crowd", Tack said, "guess this means I'm gonna have to step up my game."
Tack continued to play his guitar for the passing Inklings, Octolings, and Jellyfish, playing every song he could think of that he could play on the guitar, and later, while he was checking his guitar case, he found, to his immense frustration, that it was still empty.
"You have got to be kidding me", Tack said, "don't these guys know good guitar playing when they hear it?"
He then noticed something that had been dropped in his case.
"Hm", Tack asked, "what's this?"
He picked up the object, which was a small card, and was unamused to find that it was a business card for guitar lessons in Splatsville.
"Very funny", Tack said.
Tack tossed the card away and put his guitar back in its case.
"Looks like playing the guitar isn't working out as well as I hoped it would", Tack said.
He picked up his case and walked away, disappointed about how his attempt at making cash had gone.
"I just hope the others are having better luck than I did", Tack said.
Back at the Tacklers' apartment building, Uni had set up a small table with some plastic cups on it, and came outside with a drink pitcher containing a yellow liquid.
"Okay", Uni said, "time to make some cash."
She sat down at her table and began pouring the liquid in the pitcher into the cups.
"Nothing rakes in dough better than a good old-fashioned lemonade stand", Uni said.
She finished pouring the lemonade in the cups and set the pitcher down.
"There", Uni said, "now I just have to wait until the customers show up."
And thus, Uni began her wait for thirsty customers to come to her stand.
"They should start coming in any minute now", Uni said.
Uni waited for a very long time, but as time went on, no customers showed up, and Uni was starting to feel fed up.
"Isn't anybody thirsty today", Uni asked, "where is everyone?"
Uni looked at her sign that had her price written on it, which was 100 cash.
"Maybe I'm charging too much", Uni said
While Uni was looking at her sign, an Inkling riding on a skateboard raced by and grabbed a glass of lemonade without paying for it, much to her annoyance.
"Hey, come back", Uni shouted, "this lemonade isn't free!"
But the Inkling was already too far away to hear her.
"Terrific", Uni said, "could things get any worse?"
She got her answer in the form of a green sea anemone dressed in a business suit walked up to her and cleared his throat.
"Oh, hello, Mr. Landlord", Uni said, "can I interest you in a glass of lemonade?"
"No thank you", the landlord said, "I don't make purchases from unauthorized vendors."
"What", Uni asked.
"I did not give you permission to set up a lemonade stand in front of my building", the landlord said.
"I'm sorry, sir", Uni said, "I didn't realize I had to ask for permission to do that."
"Well, now you do", the landlord said, "and now that I've told you that, I'm going to have to ask you to take down your stand."
"Do I have to", Uni asked.
"Yes, you do", the landlord said, "I will not allow anyone to try and make money in front of my building without my consent."
"But sir", Uni said.
"No buts", the landlord said, "now take down this stand, or I'll have no choice but to fine you."
Uni could tell that there was no use arguing with the landlord, so she reluctantly decided to do as he said.
"Very well", Uni said.
Uni poured the lemonade in the cups back into her pitcher and took it inside, then came back and took care of the cups, table, and folding chair she had been sitting on, and once she had finished, she went upstairs to the Tacklers' apartment feeling upset about her plan's failure.
"I was so sure that a lemonade stand would help make plenty of cash for Moose's rail pass", Uni said, "but I guess people just aren't into that kind of stuff anymore."
She fixed herself a glass of her lemonade and took a sip of it before sitting down on the couch.
"I hope the others are doing better with their ideas", Uni said.
In Splatsville Park, Bangs was carrying an easel, sketchbook, and pencil holder full of pencils, and was looking around for something.
"Let's see", Bangs said, "where should I set up shop?"
She noticed a spot nearby that was in a clear, sunny area with a park bench.
"Ah, that looks like a good spot", Bangs said.
Bangs set up her easel and put her book in it and set her pencil holder and an empty jar next to her on the bench.
"My sister may be a talented artist", Bangs said, "but I'm sure people will pay good money for me to draw their portraits."
Bangs put up a sign that said "Have your portrait drawn for 500 cash" and waited for someone to ask her to draw them, and soon enough, a jellyfish wearing a Sunny-Day Tee approached her.
"Excuse me, ma'am", the jellyfish said, "I couldn't help but notice that you're offering to draw portraits for cash."
"Why, yes, I am", Bangs said.
"In that case, I'd like you to draw my portrait, please", the jellyfish said.
"Of course", Bangs said.
The jellyfish put 500 pieces of cash in the jar, and Bangs took a pencil out of her pencil holder and got to work.
"Is there any way you'd like to be depicted in your portrait", Bangs asked.
"Yes, actually", the jellyfish said, "as a combatant in a battle."
Bangs started drawing the portrait, but as she did so, the jellyfish began making more requests.
"Give me a Tentatek Splattershot", the jellyfish said, "no, wait, make it an N-ZAP '85."
Bangs added in the jellyfish's suggestion, but no sooner after she did that, he began to make more suggestions.
"Have me battle against a bunch of salmonoids on the Mahi-Mahi Resort stage", the jellyfish said, "and make it be in ruins."
Bangs added in what the jellyfish asked her to, and soon started to feel tired.
"Give me a big body with huge muscles, and long, flowing hair", the jellyfish said, "oh, and draw a cute jellyfish wrapping her tentacle around me."
Bangs scrambled to add in everything the jellyfish asked her to include in his portrait, and by the time she finished, she was feeling quite exhausted.
"There", Bangs said, "done."
"Wonderful", the jellyfish said, "let me have a look."
Bangs showed the jellyfish the portrait she drew, which featured everything he asked for: him with a muscular body and long, flowing hair fighting against some salmonoids with an N-ZAP '85 in Mahi-Mahi Resort, which was in ruins, while an attractive female jellyfish stood next to him with her tentacle wrapped around him, but despite Bangs's effort, the jellyfish was unimpressed with her drawing.
"You call this a portrait", the jellyfish said, "this doesn't look anything like what I asked for."
"What are you talking about", Bangs asked, "I included everything you asked me to."
"Yeah, but it's still all wrong", the jellyfish said, "this isn't how I envisioned it at all."
The jellyfish crumpled his portrait up and threw it in a nearby trash can, then spoke to another jellyfish who looked like they were interested in having their portrait drawn.
"Don't bother", the jellyfish said, "this squid's art skills are just the worst."
The other jellyfish walked away, and Bangs's customer reached into her jar and pulled out his 500 cash.
"I'll be taking back my cash now, thank you", the jellyfish said, "I can't believe I actually paid for such a crummy drawing."
He then began to walk away, leaving Bangs feeling hurt and also a bit annoyed.
"But who knows, with a little practice, you may end up as good as someone like Splashley Todaro", the jellyfish said, "now that's a true artist right there."
Bangs angrily snapped her pencil in half upon hearing Splashley Todaro's name, then proceeded to pack up her stuff and leave the park.
"I can't believe I actually thought this would work", Bangs said, "and of course someone would compare me to Splashley."
She dropped her drawing supplies in the nearest trash can and left the park feeling a bit irked over how her plan had gone.
"I wonder how the others are doing with their plans", Bangs said, "better than I did with mine, I hope."
Elsewhere at Hagglefish Market, Moose had set up a stand with all kinds of objects on it and a sign that said "Locker Decorations for Sale - Make Me an Offer."
"The others are working really hard to help me buy a rail pass, so it's only fair that I do my part and try to help them with it", Moose said, "hopefully selling some of this stuff I got from Hotlantis and the Shell-Out Machine will help me turn a profit."
Moose waited for a customer to come to his stand, and a pair of Octolings, one male and one female, approached him.
"Hey", the female Octoling said, "is that a Pink Squid Friend?"
"You mean this", Moose asked.
He held up the Pink Squid Friend toy, which was still in its box.
"It sure is", Moose said.
"Cool", the female Octoling said, "I used to have one of those when I was a kid."
"We'll take it", the male Octoling said.
"Excellent", Moose said, "how much are you willing to offer for it?"
"3,500 cash", the male Octoling said.
"Only 3,500", Moose said, "that would be a fair price for this doll by itself, but this thing is still mint in its package."
"Okay, then", the male Octoling said, "let's see what else there is."
The male Octoling looked at some of the other stuff on the table and noticed a miniature wooden boat on it.
"How about I give you 10,000 cash for the wooden boat", the male Octoling asked.
"10,000", Moose asked, "that thing's a collectors item."
"Okay", the male Octoling said, "how about 20,000 cash for the cubic gaming system?"
"The what", Moose asked.
Moose looked at part of his table and saw an indigo cubic gaming system on it.
"How did that get there", Moose asked, "that is definitely not for sale."
"You sign says locker decorations for sale, doesn't it", the male Octoling asked.
"Yeah", Moose asked.
"And that's a locker decoration, isn't it", the male Octoling asked.
"I mean, it could be", Moose said.
"So, shouldn't it be for sale like all these other decorations", the male Octoling asked.
"He's got you there", the female Octoling said.
"I'm sorry, but I must have brought it here by mistake", Moose said, "it's not for sale, but I've got all kinds of other stuff here that is."
"No, forget it", the male Octoling said, "I think we may have picked the wrong stand to try and buy from."
"Yeah", the female Inkling said, "we'll take our business elsewhere."
And with that, the two Octolings left Moose's stand and went to find another one.
"Those were some pretty difficult customers", Moose said, "this could be a lot harder than I thought."
Moose waited for another customer to show up, and after a while, one showed up in the form of a female Inkling.
"Hello there", the Inkling said.
"Oh, hey", Moose said, "what can I do for you?"
"I noticed that you're selling locker decorations", the Inkling said, "does that happen to include stickers?"
"It certainly does", Moose said, "I've got a whole book of them right here."
Moose handed the Inkling a book, and she opened it and found all kinds of different locker stickers inside it.
"Feel free to flip through the pages so you can see everything that's in it", Moose said.
The Inkling looked through Moose's sticker book at all the stickers that were inside it, and when she finished, she closed the book.
"So", Moose asked, "did you see any stickers you wanted to buy?"
"Sorry", the Inkling said, "but the sticker I'm looking for isn't in this book."
She then handed it back to Moose.
"Oh", Moose said, "well, what were you looking for?"
"An HRMC character", the Inkling said.
"Dang it", Moose thought, "I knew I should have bought that when I saw it at Hotlantis."
"I'll just go see if I can find it somewhere else", the Inkling said, "but thanks anyways."
"You're welcome", Moose said.
The Inkling walked away, leaving Moose disappointed once again.
"Some sale this is turning out to be", Moose said, "I hope my luck starts to turn around soon."
Unfortunately for Moose, it didn't because whenever a customer came by his stand, they either weren't interested in his stuff, or they didn't make offers that he thought weren't reasonable enough, and his latest customer was a male Inkling child who was reading a comedy comic that Moose had for sale, but he didn't seem very pleased.
"Is this really all you have", the Inkling child asked.
"Well, no, but the other books I have are targeted towards a more mature audience", Moose said, "I think you might be better off reading something like that."
"Lame", the Inkling child said.
The child put the book back on the table and walked away, and Moose let out a sigh and facepalmed.
"So much for turning a profit", Moose said.
Just then, a voice came on over the market loudspeakers.
"Attention vendors and shoppers, Hagglefish Market will be closing in 15 minutes for open Tower Control Anarchy Battles", the voice said, "please vacate the area at once so the battles can be held on this stage."
"Well, I guess it's time to close up shop", Moose said.
Moose began packing up the stuff on his table, and as he did so, a smartly dressed jellyfish walked up to it and looked through his book of stickers, and while he did so, he noticed something on one of the pages that caught his eye.
"Most interesting", the jellyfish said.
However, the book was soon grabbed out of his hands by Moose.
"Sorry sir, but I can't make any sales now", Moose said, "I have to leave before the Tower Control battles begin."
"Young man, please", the jellyfish said, "if I could just have a moment of your time..."
"I'm sorry, but I really have to go now", Moose said, "goodbye."
Moose walked away carrying all his stuff in boxes and bags, leaving the jellyfish on his own.
"Oh", the jellyfish said, "goodbye, then."
Moose left Hagglefish Market and went on his way to meet up with the other Tacklers.
"Well, selling stuff at Hagglefish Market didn't go as well as I hoped it would", Moose said, "hopefully Tack and the others had a better time making money than me."
Later, right outside the lobby, the Tacklers were all sitting together eating some lunch and discussing how their ideas to make money had gone, and all for of them had the same thing today.
"I didn't make a single piece of cash", Tack said.
"Me neither", Uni said.
"Ditto", Bangs said.
"Same", Moose said, "and I thought my plan was sure to work."
"We all did", Bangs said, "until they didn't."
"What now, Tack", Uni asked.
"Well, I'm starting to think we may have been going about this the wrong way", Tack said.
"What do you mean", Moose asked.
"Making money by splitting up and doing our own things obviously didn't work very well", Tack said, "so what if we all did something together?"
"You mean come up with some big money making scheme we can do as a team", Moose asked.
"Exactly", Tack said, "if we all put our heads together, we're sure to come up with something that'll work."
"Sounds good to me", Moose said.
"Me too", Uni said.
"I'm down for it", Bangs said.
"Great", Tack said, "let's start brainstorming ideas."
The Tacklers thought of ideas for what they could do to try and make money, and Uni thought of something.
"I've got an idea", Uni said.
"Let's hear it", Tack said.
"You know that big fountain where the Barnacle & Dime stage is", Uni asked.
"Yeah", Tack asked.
"Well, there are a bunch of coins in there that people have thrown into it", Uni said, "maybe we could go diving in there and fish out enough for Moose to buy a rail pass with."
"Uni, we can't do that", Tack said, "those are peoples' wishes."
"Yeah, I know", Uni said, "but we can use them to make Moose's wish come true."
"Thanks, Uni, but I think we'd better come up with something else", Moose said.
"Why don't we help out with the Salmon Run", Bangs said, "Grizzco pays pretty good money for that."
Tack thought about that idea, but as he did so, he had flashbacks of his past experiences in Salmon Run, which mostly involved him getting splatted by Salmonoids and his co-workers not coming to his rescue when he called for help, and when he finished, he didn't like how Bangs's suggestion sounded.
"Yeah, no", Tack said, "Grizzco may pay a lot, but it's not worth it."
"I'm gonna have to side with Tack on this one", Moose said.
"Well, what ideas do you two have", Bangs asked.
"I was thinking we could make some kind of product", Tack said, "something that other people might be interested in buying."
"That sounds like a good idea", Moose said.
"But what kind of product could we sell", Uni asked.
"I'm not sure", Tack said, "let's all see what we can come up with."
As the Tacklers thought about ideas for a product they could sell, a male purple Inkling walked out of the lobby carrying a Range Blaster, which was covered in yellow ink.
"Look at this thing, it's a mess", the male Inkling said, "it's gonna take me hours to clean this up."
A female Inkling who was the same color as the male one walked out of the lobby after him carrying a Heavy Splatling Deco, which was also covered in yellow ink.
"Oh, quit your complaining", the female Inkling said, "at least your weapon's design isn't as complex as a splatling."
As the two Inklings bickered, the Tacklers had overheard them.
"Gee, those two sure seemed annoyed", Uni said.
"I can't say I blame them", Bangs said, "no matter what kind of weapon you have, cleaning them when they get too messy is always a pain."
"Not when you've got the right mixture of chemicals, it's not", Moose said.
"What", Bangs asked.
"I've got this little formula I mixed together back at the apartment that makes cleaning my Heavy Edit Splatling so much easier", Moose said.
"Wow, I didn't know that", Bangs said.
"Me neither", Tack said.
"How about we all head home, and I'll show you what it can do", Moose said.
"Sounds good to me", Tack said, "let's go."
At the apartment, Moose got the other Tacklers together in the bathroom and was holding his Heavy Edit Splatling, which he had covered in ink for his demonstration.
"What I have here is an ordinary weapon that's completely covered in ink", Moose said, "normally, something like this would be a pain to clean up, unless..."
Moose reached into his pocket and pulled out a plastic bottle containing a blue-ish purple liquid.
"You've got something like this", Moose said.
Moose held his Heavy Edit Splatling over the bathtub, then proceeded to pour the liquid on it.
"All you have to do is pour the mixture on your weapon like so", Moose said, "then add some water, and finally..."
Moose turned on the water and used the tub's shower head to rinse off his Heavy Edit Splatling, and when he finished, it was sparkling clean.
"You've got a clean weapon", Moose said.
"Whoa", Tack said, "that's incredible."
"I've never seen anything like that", Bangs said.
"How did you make that", Uni asked.
"It's actually a funny story", Moose said, "do you guys remember the vivid test tubes that were rewards from the Fresh Season 2023 catalog?"
"I remember", Uni said, "I think I've still got mine."
"Well, during Drizzle Season 2023, they released some more sets of test tube that you could get from Hotlantis or the Shell-Out Machine", Moose said.
"Oh, yeah", Bangs said, "I remember seeing a set of monochromatic test tubes at Hotlantis one day."
"And someone had a bunch of different sets of test tubes on a shelf in their locker", Tack said.
"Well, after I found out about these other test tubes, I decided to start collecting them because I thought they looked pretty neat", Moose said, "and that's what led to me creating my weapon cleaning formula."
"How", Uni asked.
"Well, after I got the aqua test tubes from the Shell-Out Machine, I decided to mix together the liquids from them with the ones from the vivid test tubes to see what would happen", Moose said, "after I mixed the teal liquid from the aqua tubes with the purple liquid from the vivid tubes, I accidentally spilled it on my shoe, which had some ink on it from a battle we fought in earlier that day, and when I rinsed it off in the sink, that's when I discovered that I had made a new kind of cleaning formula."
"Wow", Uni said, "you created that without even knowing it."
"It sure seems that way", Moose said.
"Well, however you created it, it just might be the perfect product for us to sell to make some money", Tack said.
"You really think so", Moose asked.
"Of course", Tack said, "we just need to mix up some more of it, and we should be ready to start selling it."
"Don't you worry, Tack", Moose said, "I'm on it like glue."
And with that, Moose got to work mixing together the liquids he had mixed previously to make more of his special cleaning formula, and soon enough, he finished his work and presented to the others a pitcher full of the now complete formula.
"Here it is, guys", Moose said, "one pitcher of Uncle Moose's Homemade Ink-Be-Gone."
"Nice work, Moose", Tack said.
"All we need to do is get it in some bottles so we can sell it to our customers", Moose said.
"We got you covered", Bangs said, "Uni and I dug through the apartment recycling bins while you were working and found plenty of plastic bottles we can use to put the formula in."
"Thanks, girls", Moose said, "now then, let's get started."
Moose poured the formula into the bottles Bangs and Uni had collected for him, and they, along with Tack, put lids on them and wrote "Uncle Moose's Homemade Ink-Be-Gone" on them, and pretty soon, all of the formula in the pitcher was bottled up and ready for sale.
"Well, I think that about does it", Tack said, "good job, everyone, especially you, Moose."
"Thanks, Tack", Moose said.
"Now let's get these bottles together and go sell them", Tack said.
The Tacklers loaded the bottles of formula into a red wagon and left the building for the place they were sure they'd be able to sell it: the lobby.
"This is it, Moose", Tack said, "by the time we're done, that rail pass will be as good as yours."
"I sure hope so", Moose said.
When the Tacklers got to the lobby, they set up a table inside it near the staircase that went up to the lobby's café, set the bottles of Moose's formula on it, and waited for customers to show up, and soon enough, a bunch of Inklings and Octolings who had just finished competing in a turf war battle arrived in the lobby, many of which had weapons that were covered in ink from the battle.
"Looks like we've got some customers", Bangs said.
"Excellent", Tack said, "step right up folks, and buy a bottle of Uncle Moose's Homemade Ink-Be-Gone."
"It's easy", Moose said, "just pour it on your weapon, rinse it off with water, and it'll shine like the day you got it from Sheldon."
"Don't believe us", Uni asked, "then have a look at this."
Uni showed the Inklings and Octolings a video she recorded on her sea-cucumber phone of Moose demonstrating his formula on his Heavy Edit Splatling.
"So come on over and get yourself a bottle of the good stuff", Tack said, "only 5,000 cash per bottle."
The Inklings and Octolings walked up to the table and bought some bottles of the formula from the Tacklers, then used them to clean their weapons, and sure enough, they came out clean just like Moose's did, and they all went back to battling in turf wars, and later, a group of Inklings and Octolings who had been participating in a Splat Zones Anarchy Battle series showed up with ink-covered weapons, and they too bought some bottles of the formula, and after they left, the Tacklers counted how much cash they had made and discovered that it was quite a lot.
"Wow, guys", Tack said, "this Ink-Be-Gone formula is selling like hotcakes."
"That's usually what happens with new innovations", Bangs said.
"Do you think we'll be able to buy a rail pass", Moose asked.
"Oh, yeah", Tack said, "we just need to sell a few more bottles, and we should have more than enough cash for it."
"Awesome", Moose said, "I can't wait."
However, the Tacklers were in for a world of trouble, because the Inklings and Octolings who had bought the formula from them were approaching their table with angry looks on their faces.
"Hey, it's the guys who bought the formula from us", Uni said, "but they don't look very happen."
"Something wrong, folks", Tack asked.
"You bet there's something wrong", a female Inkling said, "your Ink-Be-Gone is defective!"
"Defective", Moose asked.
"Yeah", the female Inkling said, "my Jet Squelcher shoots ink like a squirt gun now!"
"And my Painbrush is so stiff I can't fling ink effectively", a male Inkling said.
"My Z+F Splat Charger keeps jamming up when I charge it, so I can't fire a full shot from it", a female Octoling said.
The other Inklings and Octolings began making similar complaints about how Moose's formula had supposedly messed up their weapons, which made the Tacklers feel very nervous.
"To sum it up", the female Inkling said, "we want our money back!"
"Okay, take it easy, everyone", Tack said, "I'm sure if we all just calm down, we can work this out in a calm, civilized manner, and..."
Tack grabbed the box full of the cash he and the others had made and made a run for it.
"Book it, Tacklers", Tack shouted.
Moose, Uni, and Bangs wasted no time in following their leader, and the four of them ran towards the lobby door.
"They're getting away", the female Inkling said.
"Not on my watch", another male Inkling said.
The second male Inkling activated his special weapon, an Ultra Stamp, and went after the Tacklers with it, and as the Tacklers got closer to the door, they could hear the Ultra Stamp.
"Do you guys hear that", Moose asked.
The four friends turned around and looked in horror as the second male Inkling charged towards them with his Ultra Stamp.
"Oh", Tack said, "mother..."
Tack was cut off by the second male Inkling hitting him and the other Tacklers with his Ultra Stamp, which didn't splat them, but knocked them all out, and while they were out, he and the other disgruntled customers pillaged the Tacklers' money box and took back their cash.
"Finally", the female Inkling said, "that's the last time I buy from someone selling stuff in a battle lobby."
The customers all left the lobby, and shortly afterwards, the Tacklers all came to.
"Oh, my head", Bangs said.
"What happened", Uni asked, "where'd the angry mob go?"
Tack picked up the money box and looked inside it, and found that it was empty.
"They're gone", Tack said, "and so is all the money we made."
"Oh, well that's just swell", Moose said.
The Tacklers got up off the floor and made their way back to their apartment, and as they walked along, they discussed their spectacularly failed attempt at selling Moose's formula.
"I don't understand", Moose said, "I never had problems with my weapon whenever I cleaned it with the formula, so why did those guys' weapons get messed up?"
"I don't know", Bangs said, "maybe you got the mixture wrong."
"That's impossible", Moose said, "I made it exactly the same as I did before."
While the others were talking, Uni thought about what had gone wrong with the formula and eventually came to a realization.
"Hold on, Moose", Uni said, "where did you get the pitcher you had the formula in earlier?"
"I found it by the sink", Moose said, "why?"
"Because that's the same pitcher I had the lemonade from my lemonade stand in", Uni asked, "I dumped out the rest of the lemonade that was in it and meant to wash it, but I never got around to doing it."
"Oh no", Moose said, "the lemonade residue in the pitcher must have contaminated the formula and made it defective."
"I am so, so sorry about this", Uni said.
"It's alright", Moose said, "I know you didn't mean for this to happen."
"But thanks to this little disaster, we're not any closer to buying you a rail pass", Tack said.
"If anything, we're further away from it", Bangs said.
"If only there was another way for us to make a lot of cash", Moose said, "but how could we do it?"
The Tacklers soon arrived at their apartment building, but before they could go inside, a voice called out to them.
"Wait, hold it", the voice said.
The voice belonged to the smartly-dressed jellyfish Moose had encountered at Hagglefish Market, who was running towards them.
"You, in the Skull Bandana", the jellyfish said, "I really must have a word with you!"
"Who's that", Bangs asked.
"Just some dude who wanted to buy something from me at Hagglefish Market", Moose said, "but it was right as I was leaving because battles were about to take place on the stage."
"Why don't you see what he wants", Uni said, "we might be able to make a little bit of cash from it."
"Well, okay", Moose said, "I guess it's worth a shot."
So, Moose approached the jellyfish, who was panting from all the running.
"What can I do for you, sir", Moose asked.
"I need to see your book of stickers right away", the Jellyfish said.
"Alright, then", Moose said, "I'll be right back."
Moose went inside the apartment building and came back out a little later with his sticker book and handed it to the jellyfish.
"What do you want it for", Moose asked.
"There's one sticker in here that caught my eye when I was looking through your book", the jellyfish said.
The jellyfish turned the pages until he stopped at the one he wanted, and upon closely inspecting it, his face lit up.
"Yes", the jellyfish said, "yes, this is the one!"
"What is", Moose asked.
"This sticker right here", the jellyfish said.
The jellyfish pointed to an OKT4BRZ character sticker in Moose's book.
"That one", Moose asked, "what's so special about it?"
"It's a rare misprinted version of this sticker", the jellyfish said, "you see, the lines on the octopus' brain are positioned higher than they should be, and now touch the top outline of the brain rather than the bottom."
"Huh", Moose said, "that's interesting."
"I've got a correct version of the sticker with me for comparison", the jellyfish said.
He reached into his pocket and took out a regular OKT4BRZ character sticker and held it next to the misprinted one, and Moose and the other Tacklers looked at them and saw that Moose's sticker was indeed misprinted.
"Well what do you know", Tack said.
"But why do you want this sticker if it's misprinted", Moose asked.
"I'm a sticker collector, you see, and I've spent years looking for that particular sticker", the jellyfish said, "it's very rare and very valuable."
"And you want to buy it from me", Moose asked.
"Precisely", the jellyfish said.
"Alright, then", Moose said, "you've got yourself a deal."
"Wonderful", the jellyfish said.
"Not so fast", Tack said, "how much are you willing to pay for this sticker of Moose's?"
"Yeah", Bangs said, "if it's really as valuable as you say it is, then we want to be sure you're paying him enough for it."
"That won't be a problem, ma'am", the jellyfish said, "I've prepared an offer that compliments the sticker's value rather appropriately."
"How much", Tack asked.
"Somewhere in this neighborhood", the jellyfish said.
The jellyfish handed Moose a check, and when he and the other Tacklers looked at the amount of cash that was on it, their eyes went wide.
"Holy sea cow", Tack said.
"Who knew stickers could be worth so much", Uni asked.
"So, do we have a deal", the jellyfish asked.
"It's all yours, sir", Moose said.
"Excellent", the jellyfish said, "you, sir, have just made me a very happy sea creature."
"Likewise", Moose said.
Moose handed the jellyfish his misprinted sticker, and the latter happily went on his way, and the Tacklers all spoke to Moose.
"Well, Moose", Tack said, "it looks like you'll be able to buy a rail pass after all."
"That's right", Uni said, "then you'll be able to go see your family again."
"Yep", Moose said, "I sure will."
"Well, I don't know about you guys, but all that trying to make money has worn me out", Bangs said.
"Me too", Tack said, "I think we could all use a little bit of R&R time."
"Good idea", Moose said, "I'll cash this check in at the bank tomorrow and then buy my rail pass."
"Sounds like a plan", Tack said, "and in the meantime, let's head back upstairs to the apartment for a snack."
The Tacklers went inside the apartment building and went upstairs to their apartment, and as Moose followed the others, he thought about how they had tried so hard to help him make enough cash to buy a rail pass.
"I sure am lucky to have friends who are willing to go out of their way to help me with something as big as this", Moose said, "I definitely need to do something to pay them back for it."
He looked at his check and the amount of money on it, then got an idea.
"And I think I might know just the thing", Moose said.
The next day, the Tacklers were in their apartment doing their own things, with Tack playing a video game on his see-through Game Youth, Uni reading a love-and-war comic, and Bangs cleaning her Squink Wingtips, when Moose walked into the apartment.
"Hey, guys", Moose said.
"Moose, there you are", Tack said.
"How'd your errand go", Uni asked.
"It went great", Moose said, "I cashed my check in and went to the train station, and I bought this."
Moose showed the other Tacklers his newly bought rail pass for the train station.
"Now I can travel from Splatsville to Inkopolis and back again whenever I want to", Moose said.
"That's great, Moose", Tack said.
"We're all so happy for you", Uni said.
"Thanks, guys", Moose said, "also, that's not all I bought with the money from the check."
"Really", Tack asked, "what else did you get?"
"Well, I wanted to get you guys something as a way to say thanks for helping me try to make some money", Moose said, "I was gonna wait and give them to you for Squidmas, but I couldn't wait until then, so here you go."
Moose reached into his pocket and pulled out three more rail passes, which he gave to his fellow Tacklers.
"Wow", Tack said, "our very own rail passes."
"This is some gift", Bangs said.
"Yeah", Uni said, "I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything", Moose said, "I just want you guys to know how grateful I am to have friends as good as you all."
"Thanks, Moose", Tack said, "we're happy to have you as a friend too."
"Group hug", Uni said.
And with that, the Tacklers all got together in a big hug.
"Now, come on", Tack said, "what do you guys say we put our new rail passes to the test?"
"I'm all for that idea", Moose said, "let's go!"
So, the Tacklers left their apartment and went down to the train station, where they used their rail passes to board the train, and rode it all the way to Inkopolis, and when they arrived, they disembarked and walked out of the station and into Inkopolis Plaza.
"Here we are", Moose said, "Inkopolis at last."
"Wow", Tack said, "this place looks just like I remember it."
"Yeah", Uni said, "it's incredible."
"Man", Bangs said, "it feels like it's been forever since I've been here."
"Are you guys happy to be back here again", Moose asked.
"We sure are", Uni said, "and we owe it all to you, Moose."
"That's right", Bangs said, "thanks again for those rail passes."
"It was the least I could do after what you all did for me", Moose said.
"So, what's your plan now", Tack asked.
"Well, I've got a little bit of time before I have to meet my family", Moose said, "how about we spend some of it hanging out together."
"Sounds good to me", Tack said.
"Me too", Uni said.
"Me three", Bangs said.
"Awesome", Moose said, "I was thinking we could do some shopping, grab a bite to eat, and maybe fight in a battle or two if we've got the time."
"I that sounds like a great plan", Tack said.
"Alright, then", Moose said, "let's do it."
So, the Tacklers all went to spend some quality time in Inkopolis Plaza together before Moose had to go see his family, with Moose feeling happy about not only getting his rail pass, but also about how he was able to make his friends happy and make them able to come to Inkopolis with him.