Great Turf War

Day 2

The young Inklings entered the second trial, to see a unique landscape. It was a parkour stage, with small platforms and water beneath. Shio could immediately identify several paths across. On the sidelines were countless rows of turrets on both sides, with tanks of purple ink to match.

Their using their custom turrets too? I can't tell which nozzle they're equipped with. Shio thought.

"Yo, I'm back everyone! Welcome to the second trial!" Cuttlefish exclaimed.

"So, today you got a parkour course! Remember that only 10 Inklings at the time can cross the parkour course! When 8 or 9 passes or fails, the next group comes up and does it! Here, speed is the priority of course, the more time you take, the probability of getting griefed by another rises! " Cuttlefish explained.

"There's turrets that will shoot at you nonstop! Oh, and if you're a slacker, the water will rise up and getcha!" he added.

Seems simple enough. Shio thought.

"Also, I'm staying with y'all since I'll announce the groups!" Cuttlefish declared.

Cuttlefish proceeded to announce the first group and neither Shio or Marie were included.

Seems the best choice is to observe which spots are going to be targeted for the turrets. Shio thought. Apparently, everyone else thought the same and it was a vision challenge. Whoever could see the end, the clearest would be the lucky ones.

Learning the Charger does come in handy, Marie thought. But I don't have great footwork.

"Yo! The first group have all been eliminated! Let's get this second group going!" Cuttlefish announced.

Already? Shio thought.

Cuttlefish went through the second group, but Shio got unlucky yet again.

"The last member of the second group is going to be Shio! You're gonna have to do the parkour!"

Shio exhaled. He had already devised a plan. Although, he wasn't expecting to be in the second group.

The lower platforms are too dangerous, as the water rises too quickly. The middle platforms are also pretty dangerous, as they are the closest to the turrets. So the center-top platforms should be the safest route - safe from water and gunfire.

Shio didn't hesitate. He leaped to the first platform, jumping to the highest platform he could find. Immediately, the turrets blazed to life, firing at him.

Are these things luck-based? Shio thought. Shio made it about half-way before getting hit by ink with the force of a charger shot. Screaming in pain, he tumbled down to the middle platforms. But this was only a minor setback. Shio detonated a splat bomb on himself again, remembering to turn into squid form like Marie told him. Then he shot out of the ink, finding himself in a crash course with the ending platform. As fast as water fell, he unholstered his hero shot and made a safe puddle to land in.

He pumped his fist as he had passed the second trial and was the first one to succeed. He promptly collapsed onto the ground.

Man, I did it! It was that quick! I better thank Marie for that tip. Shio thought. Although Shio was the first to pass, the rest of his group members failed, with some getting close, but unfortunately couldn't make it.

"Yo yo yo! Group 2 got one young one who passed, unfortunately the rest failed! It's time for group three!"

Cuttlefish listed out all the group three members. It was Marie's turn to be unlucky, being first in line.