Great Turf War

Day 1

"Alright, let's do this!" Shio exclaimed with vigor. He propelled himself to do his best super jump, shooting a diagonal line of ink. As predicted, he landed on the Octoball. To his dismay, he lost his footing and fell over.

Darn, I somehow underestimated a ball, Shio thought, but I'm done yet! While making his descent, Shio shot the ground with his hero shot, making a safe spot to dive into. He transformed back to a squid, for a safe landing.

His moments of safety didn't last very long though, as he was met with a bowling ball right in front of the spot he shot at. Shio tried to ink up a path to somewhere safe, but no matter where he swam, there were no safe spots.

What am I gonna do now? Shio thought, I can't beat the bowling ball in a running contest but can't find anywhere safe. As Shio kept thinking and swimming around, he racked his brain the hardest he could, but it seemed for naught. However, Shio had reached a certain idea, that was reckless for sure, but could work against the balls.

That's it! Shio thought. He then ran forward, making a race between the titanic bowling ball, and his little Inkling legs. It seemed stupid but it was essential. He then looked for a spot that was perfect and threw a splat bomb in the spot. Then, he super jumped to that spot of ink, for maximum distance. The next step, though, was a truly suicidal move. He kept on painting and swimming, hoping the bowling balls wouldn't crush him. He knew about the factors of other people, but this desperation was the only thing that could keep him from not being a gloop of ink.

He kept on repeating his process, in order to pass the first trial of enlistment, hoping his physical limitations wouldn't allow him to be crushed slowly and painfully.

Come on! Come on! I see the end goal right there! Shio thought. He was on the running stage of his suicidal plan, but confidence caught up with skill. Shio tripped while running from the bowling ball. He wasn't able to get up in time.

It can't end like this! Shio thought. In the few seconds he had before getting trampled on, he tried to find something he could do. In a last ditch effort, Shio detonated a splat bomb on himself. The explosion launched Shio into the air. However, his luck decided to shine here, and he landed on the stairs to the clothing building.

I did it? There's no way- Shio's thought process was cut off by another bowling ball, that was from the literal skies, ready to crush anyone who goes by.

Not again! Shio thought, as the ball descended on him. He then charged up his Hero Shot, shooting that huge bowling ball, knocking it slightly off course.

Shio used his final chance to throw himself into the building, safe and sound. He saw the Inklings that had already passed the trial look down at him.

"Sup?" he asked them. His eyes darted around at their faces.

"Nice job, Shio. Although I'd go into squid form before self-detonating. It lessens your air time," Marie advised.

"Thanks for advice, I guess," Shio replied sheepishly. Marie simply nodded.

"Attention, Inklings!" A voice boomed in the room. The trainees all looked in the direction of the voice in unison.

It was from a loudspeaker and true to the machine's name. It was very, very loud.

"In this room, you've got all different types of gear! Fit for any preference in this whole darn world! You have about 1 hour to select your gear that's going to be used for another trial! Good luck!" the booming voice announced.

Geez, that was loud, Shio thought, well I've already got my gear up, so I'm fine for now. Instead of a rush of Inklings, it was much more calm, with Inklings not rushing, looking through the details of any gear piece that may seem viable.

"Well, you gonna try out any gear?" Shio asked Marie.

"My gear's fine as is," Marie responded.

"Yeah, mine too. Anyways, what do you think the next trial is going to be?" Shio questioned.

"Heard we're gonna be able to pick an attachment and a sub weapon," Marie said half-heartedly.

"Ah, an attachment could be nice."

"Yeah."

Man, this is awkward. Shio thought. And thus the conversation stopped to an abrupt halt.

"Well, when will we get food?" Shio asked, hoping for a new conversation.

"They give out a whole buffet after all the trials are over, that's what I heard from my aunt," Marie replied, staring into the ceiling.

"Yeah, that makes sense."

Man, stop being so gloomy, Shio thought. The conversations still didn't become anything meaningful.

"Well, I'm going to go for some shoes. My current ones might not be as viable with what I did in the trial," Shio said.

"Ok, see ya," Marie responded, with her mind who knows where.

"See ya."

Shio then walked off to the shoe aisle, which was pointed out by a big sign on the roof, boldly stating it was for shoes. Loads of footwear lined the shelves.

Uh, my type was for the hero set. Acceleration version. Shio thought. The specialization seemed to be on a tag in A-Z order, so it wasn't long before Shio arrived in the row of Acceleration version shoes. He gazed at a row of sliver-black shoes, small and big.

He measured his foot with the shoes that looked close to his size and found the one. Shio then took off his slightly worn-out shoes and replaced them with the new ones.

Well, that's done, so what should I do now? Shio thought, I can't have any conversation with Marie, the only person I know here and I got my shoes ready.

Suddenly, a sadness unknown to him gripped his heart. He longed to know more of his own kin.

"The break period ends in ten minutes! Get ready for the trial! I repeat, the break period ends in ten minutes! Get ready for the trial!" the roaring voice announced.

Well, maybe I'll warm up? Shio thought. He went out of the shoe aisle, for more space and stretched a bit. He did everything in a basic warm up routine and sat down, waiting for the next challenge that may or not ruin his career path.

Man, I really do wish I had more time. I could use another friend right now. Shio thought. He polished up his Hero Shot with a handkerchief and started the cycle of waiting again. He filled his head with idle thoughts to not feel a bit lonely or bored.

It wasn't long though, as another announcement was declared.

"It's time for the second trial! I repeat the second trial! Go out the door in the left corner to enter the trial! Good luck!" the ear-piercing voice announced yet again.

Shio stood up and prepared himself, resolute. He just had to pass two trials and he would finally become a soldier.

It's time. Shio thought.