Chapter Three:
Tower Control: The First Splatfest Battle
The Splatfest opening festival was always a colorful sight. Fireworks exploded across the sky and spotlights flashed as the Squid Sisters, the Splatfest's hosts, danced atop their trailers and sang "City of Color". Inkopolis Plaza was crowded with many ecstatic Inklings wearing shirts that bore the foods they'd sided with for the Splatfest, be it Team Potatoes or Team Green Beans.
And they were all dancing, whooping, and squealing with excitement. Even Judd and Li'l Judd were dancing. Oneshot Wren was amongst the guests and the rest of those who'd entered the tournament, he didn't need to wear a Splatfest-themed shirt, not when he was fine in black.
He'd seen about every Splatfest festival in his time competing in the various tournaments, the sight of them never got old, and it provided the perfect opportunity to get his groove on. He twirled and skipped, dancing among the other Inklings, and he wasn't alone. Anetta was there, his amazing wife, dressed in a white gown that sparkled in the spotlights, and dancing with him.
"I didn't think you'd come out of retirement for this Splatfest, dear." Anetta said to him.
"Well, babe. Y'know the one and only Oneshot Wren can't resist a challenge." Wren said with a charismatic smile as he twirled the light-haired Inkling of his heart, "And when this 'fest is over, we're gettin' out the good stuff."
"Whatever happens, my love. I will wish you the best of luck." Anetta kissed the Splatfest champion, "And, as always, I will be there for you, regardless if someone beats the King of Splatfest."
Just then, a brown-haired Inkling in a dark suit stepped in with a microphone, accompanied by a jellyfish holding a camera. Wren and Anetta slowed their dancing, the former was prepared to take all the questions from the press.
By now, it was known that the one and only Oneshot Wren had returned to the Splatfest field, so it was all over the news and nobody was going to ignore it.
"Excuse me, sir." The reporter said, "I'm Terf Woring of Inkopolis News, speaking to Oneshot Wren, is there anything you wish to say to the folks watching the tournament at home and the kids who may have aspirations to be the best of the best?"
"What can I say, Terf?" Wren said, "It's good to be back and I'm ready to send some squiddos packin' from the field in one shot. I'm fightin' for the potatoes, because they can be good nutrition just like vegetables. They're so good, you can eat 'em raw. And, as I've always said, don't be afraid to get out there and take your shot when ya get the chance."
"Ya heard 'im, folks." Terf said to the camera, "Oneshot Wren's in the game to ensure that potatoes are recognized as good nutrition. We will be reporting on the events of the Splatfest the whole weekend, this is Terf Woring of Inkopolis News."
"Nerve of the reporters to ruin our dance, eh, dear?" Anetta said sweetly as she stroked Wren's cheek.
"At least they didn't give us grief during our big day." Wren chuckled.
Just then, a black-haired Inkling girl tackled Wren with a wide hug, giggling happily. Wren laughed as he looked into the sweet face of his niece, Sophia, then he looked up to see her father, Wren's brother Michael, watching from the side.
"I'm rooting for you, Uncle Wren!" Sophia said happily, "You give the Green Beans total kelp!"
Wren grinned even more, knowing that his family had his back no matter the odds. Tomorrow would certainly be a big day, he'd brushed up on his skills, and had plenty of practice in the normal Turf Wars.
Oneshot Wren, the king of Splatfest, was ready to take to the field and show Inkopolis who was the best of the best.
-The Next Day-
The Squid Sisters logo flashed across the jumbotron, then Callie and Marie appeared in their studio with a screen showing the arena for the first match of the Splatfest: Moray Towers.
Inklings in the Plaza squealed and pumped their fists, eager to see the action begin, even the handful of Inklings and Jellyfish who'd gathered at Moray Towers were roaring with excitement.
"Welcome, squids and kids, to the first round of the Potatoes vs. Green Beans Splatfest!" Callie announced in an energetic manner, "The stage for the first match will be Moray Towers, where we have Tower Control! Whomever holds the tower by the end will advance to the next match!"
"That is right." Marie chimed in, "Get hyped, folks. The game is about to begin!"
"And we have a massive treat!" Callie punched the air, "Citizens of Inkopolis, we have a special guest for this Splatfest season. Making his grand return following his retirement after defeating Captain Star Squid, and fighting for the potatoes, we have the King of Splatfest himself; ONESHOT WREN!"
Oneshot Wren's image flashed on the jumbotron and Inklings started chanting his name. At Moray Towers, Wren held his charger as he stood upon his Spawning Pad alone, and he waved to the cameras and the onlookers as he heard the sound of his name being chanted. He grinned and flashed the peace-sign, it was time for action.
"For this match, opposing Oneshot Wren for control of the tower..." Marie declared, "We have... THE INK BRIGADE!"
Wren stared across the field, seeing a pair of blue Inklings, two males and two females, all wearing Octo-goggles and Octo armor as they stood upon their respective Spawning Pad on the roof of one of the taller buildings. Wren stared intensely at their leader, then his gaze shifted to the floating platform that was in front of him, the platform with the glowing tower.
It would be a walk in the park, he'd played some Tower Control before. All he had to do was prevent the Ink Brigade from taking control of the tower and he would be victorious. Man, how hard could that be?
"ARE YOU READY?!" Callie yelled.
'Bring it.' Wren grinned, he knew his wife and his niece were watching, along with so many squids aspiring to be like him. For a moment, he thought about her, the girl he gave his beanie to, and hoped she was all right out there. Wherever she was, the king of Splatfest hoped she was watching the tournament and was rooting for him too.
The horn sounded and Wren charged off of his platform, he leaped onto the tower right before it started moving. The tower floated over the rooftops and Wren grasped the handle of his Splat-charger, keeping his eye out for the Ink Brigade. It was imperative to stay alert and keep one's wits about, just in case an attack was imminent.
WHOOSH! He spotted a blue squid streak through the air towards him, one of the Ink Brigade's members had launched into a super jump, but Wren was ready. He took aim and opened fire, his pellet struck the squid and blasted 'em outta existence temporarily.
More Inklings came and Wren opened fire on them all, letting the Ink Brigade have it. He fired his weapon everywhere, layering the arena in light-black. Oneshot Wren pumped his fist and kept his weapon trained, keeping an eye out for another attack. Just then, one of the Ink Brigade's members made her appearance on a nearby rooftop and held up a Splattershot.
She didn't have a chance, Oneshot Wren spotted her out of the corner of his eye and threw a Splat-bomb right at her. The bomb struck the squid, sending her soul packing to the Spawning Pad. Just then, he heard a yell and looked up to see one of the Ink Brigade dudes swinging a roller as he came towards him.
'Nope.'
Wren let loose, blasting the guy away. The tower continued to move around Moray Towers and Wren focused his firepower on the Ink Brigade, keeping them as far away from his territory as best he could. They kept coming and Wren kept shooting.
One shot after another, he kept taking them out. The leader of the Ink Brigade ran towards Wren with a Splat-Charger of his own, but Wren nailed him right off the edge. He maintained his position, splatting anyone who got near his territory, and didn't take his eye off the map. He was the king, he was unbeatable, and nobody stood a darned chance.
"GERONIMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The Splat-Roller Inkling yelled, coming in for another attack with his weapon.
"Your tactics still fail!" Wren grinned.
PYEW!
The Inkling fell and his weapon clattered to the ground while its owner's spirit floated away. Just then, Wren heard a roar and saw one of the Ink Brigade's members had gone into Kraken mode. The squid launched towards him, crackling with energy, but Wren was not about to let 'em take the tower like that.
Closer, closer. He took aim and...
PYEW!
The Kraken exploded and the Inkling's soul floated back to the Spawning Pad again, the tower hovered upward and began to move back to where it started. Wren fired as much ammo as he could let off, making sure that no squiddos took the tower.
Moments later, the whistle blew, and the match ended. Wren stepped off the tower and made his way to the rooftop of the closest building in the region, Judd made his appearance with Li'l Judd as the Squid Sisters announced that it was time for the results.
Wren could see the looks on the Ink Brigade's face, the suspense gripped everyone, then Judd raised the black flag.
VICTORY!
"INKREDIBLE!" Callie cried, "ONESHOT WREN HAS BEATEN THE INK BRIGADE AND HE WASN'T SPLATTED! IT SEEMS LIKE NOTHING CAN STAND IN HIS WAY!"
Wren pumped his fist and raised his weapon triumphantly while hearing the Ink Brigade members groan in defeat. Victory tasted amazing, he still had it, and he would be advancing to the next battle. He could see the results now, the potatoes were outclassing the green Beans by one to zero, but were those the results?
Everyone had to hope for the best, but Wren felt confident, unaware that things could shift at any moment...