Great Turf War

Day 3

The third trial was a field that stretches as far as the eye could see. The area had numerous strange obstacles scattered throughout. Boulders, walls, bombs, pits, and even semi-complete buildings. Surrounding it all were walls on all four sides.

"Hey everyone! It's me, Cuttlefish, back at it again to explain the last trial! For this trial, it's a free-for-all that's timed for five minutes! The area was designed to replicate what you'll be facing in battle!" Cuttlefish explained.

"Anyways, for the rules of this challenge. . . There are no rules! Anything goes! Whoever's lucky enough to survive until the timer runs out wins!" Cuttlefish exclaimed.

No rules? I guess this is a test to see how proficient you are in battle. Shio thought. And how many friends you have.

"Hey, should we team for this?" Shio asked Marie.

"Sure, there's no point not to. Plus, you help me get more kills anyway," Marie responded.

Well, at least I'm not alone. Shio thought.

"Sweet. Lets go," Shio told Marie.

"Alright! All participants, enter your positions! DO NOT SHOOT!"

The eleven remaining participants solemnly chose spots for themselves. Marie picked a guard tower, and Shio stood underneath it. He spotted a group of three making themselves comfortable in a bunker.

"Hopefully you guys all picked your spots since the trial STARTS NOW!" Cuttlefish declared.

Marie started off the battle royale by trying to shoot at the Inklings in the bunker. Immediately, Marie started taking shots at the bunker with unnatural accuracy. She was able to eliminate one due to the group's surprise but the other two were a little more agile.

Shio noticed this and decided to rush the bunker himself. However, he only made it a few steps when a line of ink cracked the ground in front of his shoe. With his precise footwork, he was able to avoid the charger shots. Unfortunately, the same charger paired up with a Splatling, causing Shio to stop his rush and try to get cover from the two long-range weapons.

He tried to run back to a place with cover, but a suction bomb conveniently landed right in front of him . With his survival instincts in play, Shio dived away from the bomb, barely surviving. In desperation, Shio tried to roll to another safe location, but as he looked towards his right, a roller head came crashing down.

Unfortunately for the roller, Marie sniped the roller with her excellent marksmanship. However, there was another Inkling who tried to throw a bomb to where Marie was located, but Shio was able to swiftly shoot three shots at this foolish Inkling, splatting him.

Now that the spot was completely clear, Shio used the spot as cover and slowed down his breathing. After many near-death experiences in quick succession, he needed to think about the current state of the trial and what he can do now.

I believe there's 3 minutes left. Shio thought. There's the annoying duo of backliners over on the left side, and the bunker should still have two people. I want to regroup with Marie, but it's not safe. Guess I'll wait until I regenerate from the splash damage.

While Shio recovered from the damage he took during his many sudden encounters, Marie scanned the battlefield for anyone who was slacking. So far, no one wanted to rush the backliners.

If I eliminate some of the backliners, maybe those pesky splattershots will come out of their caves. Marie thought. She looked in the tower where the backliner duo was last seen, but they were nowhere to be found. Only a lone carbon roller was painting the middle of the field.

This is a free chance of a splat. Marie thought. But I could bait the backliners into striking first so that their cover is blown.

Marie waited patiently for the poor guy to get splatted. As expected, bullets of ink started to rain upon him. The roller escaped by a miracle, but that didn't matter. Marie had spotted the splatling. Only the splatling.

They split up, huh? Smart. Slowly, she aimed for the kill.

SPLAT!

A slight smile appeared on her face. But that satisfaction only lasted for a moment, as she remembered the other enemy charger. She turned into squid form, diving below the window as a deafening sound split the air apart. Looking at the wall behind her, the splintered wood gave away that it was a charger shot.

Charger's peeking. I should find another sniping spot.

Marie climbed halfway down the ladder, ending up on a platform. The railing didn't provide much cover, so she had to peek around the tower. She couldn't tell where the enemy charger was napping, either. This was going to require some effort. Marie jumped down to the ground and ran over to Shio's hiding spot. He was lucky he hadn't been bombed again.

"Shio, we need to figure out where that charger is."

"Huh? I've been chilling here for a while. Can you tell me the whole situation?"

"I just need you to run out in the open and bait the charger to fire."

Shio raised an eyebrow at Marie. This wasn't a very sound plan.

"Well, I guess I can do that," Shio responded, still hesitant. He peeked around the wall briefly, before making a beeline for the bunker.

No one's shooting. Shio thought. I know chargers like easy bait, but I don't wanna be splatted this late into the trial.

"Hey, Marie?" Shio called.

"Yeah?" Marie looked away from the spot she thought the charger was camping.

"There's only 1 minute left in the trial. I think it's best for us to just wait it out."

Marie paused. She looked at her hero charger for a moment before slamming it into the ground.

"What's the matter?" Shio asked.

"Just... kinda disappointed," Marie responded.

"Huh? We did awesome!"

"I just feel like I should be fighting, doing something. Not sitting here and enjoying the view."

"This is just the trials. You can prove whatever you want when you're in the actual army, you know?"

"Yeah, but... this is for my own sake."

"I am not going to let you do anything. It's unnecessary and-"

Marie bolted out from her cover and out into the open field. Shio tried to stop her but she was more nimble.

However, before she could do anything, an announcement arrived.

"Yo yo yo! Inklings! 5 minutes have passed and the trial is OVER! I repeat, da trial is OVER!" Cuttlefish announced.

Marie stopped to a halt. Her mind went numb, her charger fell to the ground. She couldn't prove to herself that she was special. Whatever rage she held within her, she could hide it really well. Shio picked up her charger and had to drag her to the victors' room. The duo stood beside the enemy charger and a courageous splattershot pro.

The splattershot pro opened the doors on the left, gesturing for the other three to walk through. The four were greeted by Captain Cuttlefish.

"Sup, squiddos? You're the best of the best! C'mon, get your insignias and uniforms!"

The four were fitted with silver insignias, which conveniently matched their new drip. Shio grinned, gazing at his silver and black sleeve.

I finally made it! I got into the army! Shio thought.