Splatoon: The Last Human

Tis home where the heart is

"Rock!"

"Paper!"

"Scissors!"

Both Austin and Pontus threw scissors. They had been playing the game for five minutes, and to make matters worse, they both kept throwing the same hand until one of them got impatient. It was mainly Austin who lost.

Cora and her friends decided to play rock, paper, and scissors to choose a team name. Beel, who voted for Curry Cats, lost in the first round, and Cora, who voted for The Rough-Skinned, lost in the second; now the squids are battling between Sleeping Squids or The Wreckers.

The duel entranced Beel, while Cora grew bored after more than two minutes.

"Hey, Beel," Cora called out. "Do you want to walk around a bit? I have some money if you want anything." Beel smiled and nodded as the two stood up and left their teammates to their eternal game.

Inklings filled the plaza as Cora and Beel continued to window shop; some were new, sharing Coras' excitement for any upcoming Turf Wars, while some had been playing longer than others, made plain by their attire and confident mannerisms.

Beel stopped in place, eyes darting between the many experienced participants, "Hey Coco, do you think we'll get matched up with one of those high-ranking teams?" Beel asked. Cora could hear the nervousness in her voice,

"I'm pretty sure that won't happen, Beel," Cora answered but with fragile confidence.

It's not uncommon for new teams to get matched with experienced teams; some hold back for inexperienced fighters, sharing their memories from when they were beginners; however, some don't know the meaning of restraint, only in it to win and take whatever glory, no matter how small.

"But what if-" Beel said before Cora cut her off,

"If that does happen, Beel, I'm confident in our skills and that we'll defeat anyone who challenges us; have some confidence in us, Beel," Cora smiled.

Beel was silent for a minute before returning a smile, " You're right, Coco; It's just that-"

"That's some good thinkin' ya got there," a blaring voice announced, followed by a laugh. Cora and Beel, while startled, turned to meet a bronze-skinned and yellow-haired Inkling wearing a Black Inky Rider jacket, Moto Boots, and 18K Aviators that matched his confident smile.

"I do like two pretty gals with confidence, but that ain't enough to win against the top beaks," the boy chuckled. Cora stared at the Inkling, analyzing him from his stance and outfit. From what Cora could tell, he could be a very experienced player, probably an S rank.

"By that face' you're makin', I'm guessing you didn't appreciate that comment, or you're challenging me, probably the latter, huh,"

Cora was confused until she realized she was getting nervous, "Oh no, I-I wasn't,"

"Nah, I get it; gobies always come to the plaza thinking their top shells, so they challenge one of the most solid beaks here," the boy said, the smile never leaving his face, "But to let you know, the Arowana Gang ain't goin' down to a bunch of gobies," he chuckled before turning to walk away before stopping,

"By the way, my name's Ty, but others know me as Arowana Platinum. Remember that when we're dancin' on the sea floor," he said, then left for a nearby weapon shop called Ammo Knights.

An awkward silence permeated the air before Beel broke it, "Coco, what just happened?". Cora's mind was now in a jumble of emotions, ranging from panic to embarrassment and, strangely, excitement. Cora pinched the bridge of her nose, "The day just started, and you already got into an altercation with an experienced player, and just when you said that Beel should have confidence," she thought, now nursing a headache.