Better Eight Than Never

Chapter 5: Floundering heights

{"H-Hold on to your tentacles!!"

"It's inkopolis news time."

"Last night a terrorist attacked downtown!!! It's horrible!!" Callie said, stance tensed and awkward.

"... We have breaking news." Marie continued, trying to stick to the script.

"The terrorist struck at the corner of U-Urchhh– the sundae shopppp!!!!!! " Callie burst out, clapping her hands over her cheeks. "It's not fair!!!"

"The attack happened at the intersection between Urchin street and-" Marie attempted.

"Several people were splatted just trying to have ice cream!!! I-I..." Callie stumbled as she began to hyperventilate.

Marie watched as their producer dragged her hysterical cousin out of shot before continuing. "Ahem. Reports claim that the terrorist appeared out of nowhere at 5:36 PM and launched several large missiles at the surrounding buildings. The suspect had unusual tentacles which curled, as well as a pair of goggles that had a scope on them."

"The terrorist escaped shortly before police arrived, leaving very little evidence as to their identity and current whereabouts. 36 inklings disappeared after being splatted in the carnage, and more than fifty suffered injury by debris. 15 people have been reported dead. If you find any suspicious persons you are urged to contact the police, we also have a full list of the known missing persons on our website."

"It should also be noted that the hours of ink battles have been restricted due to the attack, however no venues have currently been closed, and we can hopefully still look forward to a full and wonderful splatfest."

Callie leaned back into the shot holding a laptop, tears blurring her makeup. "I'm starting a helping-fin campaign to help fund repairs for the businesses, link on the website."

"And now the locations for ranked battles." Marie continued. }

People who went to look into the studio that day would have seen Callie and Marie leaned in close, talking in hurried whispers. Acknowledgement of fans was minimal.

---

Sunday: Flounder heights: 12:02 PM

"36! 36 people!!!!" Jill shouted as she rushed up to Toda and Bato that afternoon.

"Yeah, we heard." Bato said, holding his brush gingerly. "It's insane." His tentacles were no longer blue like his teammates, but a pale pink-ish color, the color used in hospitals.

"How can so m-many people not respawn? What kind of weapons were they even using!?" Jill asked, slightly out of breath.

"Illegal ones for sure." Simon replied with a huff, catching up slightly behind their sister.

"Probably..." Bato agreed. "It wasn't anything I've ever seen before."

"You don't really hang around anywhere that'd have illegal weaponry, though." Toda pointed out.

"How would you know?" He retorted jokingly.

"'Cause I'm the one that hangs out with you." Toda elbowed him, rolling his eyes.