The basic word I could describe work today was chaos.

Another word was fast-paced. Tiresome. Horrible. They worked me to death today.

But alas, I heard the end bell ring loudly in my ear, putting me in a trance that made me wipe my forehead with my Black Tee. Even for a fifteen year old boy, this was some hard labor. It paid well though, so well that it allowed me to pay the apartment's rent two times in advance and still have enough money to go shopping and such.

Painful? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.

Pulling my bag around my shoulder and digging into my pocket for my Inkphone, I walked out of the warehouse and down to the train station, my destination in mind being Inkopolis Plaza. A text message popped up- it was from Ethan.

Dude, you coming or not? I mean, I haven't played a Turf War all day, and I really want to play with you...

My eyebrow was raised at the last part of the message, but I quickly shook it off. At least for a moment.

I'm not even that good at Turf War, especially if I'm at Level One... why does he want to play with me so bad? Hmm...

-~-

"BEAT IT, LOSER!" A loud voice echoed into the plaza as I was thrown out of Cooler Heads once more. I hit my head on the ground this time, making me groan loudly.

"Hey!" I said, whipping out my Splattershot Jr. and pointing it at the sly fish. "Why are you being so mean to me?! I'm just trying to buy some stuff so I won't be a 'loser!’" I gritted my teeth, tightening my grip on the trigger.

Suddenly, Moe jumped from Annie's hair and landed on the concrete, but not before sprouting very masculine features, such as very thick and hard muscles on his arms, as well as the same on his legs. I gasped, pointing my gun up at his face, which was higher that mine. He scoffed, smirking at my puny body.

"What are you going to do about it, punk?" Smirking, Moe lifted his arm up, swung at me and–

POW!

I snapped awake and jumped forward a bit, sitting up to see myself surrounded by other city Inklings riding the train like me. I breathed out heavily, leaning back in my seat.

It was only a dream...

It was only a dream...

-~-

My hard knuckle rapped against Ethan's wooden door. I sighed, leaning on it to check my Inkphone.

"Did he leave without me?" I asked aloud, sighing. "Maybe I was too––ACK!"

The door opened swiftly, making me slip to the ground. I groaned, squinting above me. Overhead, Ethan was staring at me with a grin on his face, giggling.

"There you are, slowpoke! C'mon, we have territory to cover! Let's go!" Ethan grabbed at the collar of my shirt, pulling me up and out of his room. I blushed and regained my balance, starting to walk on my own again. I flicked his hand off of my shirt, and ran up to his side.

"Oh hey, I need to stop at Ammo Knights for a second. My Blaster needs a new trigger, I think. Come with me?" Ethan pleaded. I nodded in response, looking back at the lobby counter. There was a new adult Inkling there, doing business with other Inklings as usual. Exiting the Tower, we walked down the ramp and made a right to the entrance of Ammo Knights. Ethan turned to me and told me it would only take a sec.

"You do you. I'll be out here," I said, smiling. He grinned back, running into the shop. I hopped up onto the guardrails and sat, staring out at the Plaza. It was as usual––everyone was out doing their own thing. I sighed once more, as it was quite calming.

"Where do you want to go for food? Some pizza or something?" I heard a boy Inkling say as he exited the Tower. Three followed him––one girl and two other boys. They laughed together, like a team. They must have been some friends playing some Turf War. They walked to the train station, continuing to talk about... whatever they were talking about. I wasn't really paying much attention to them. However, they looked like they had been having fun all day.

I wanted a team of friends like that one day.

I felt a shot of ink spray onto my back, causing me to crash onto the ground. I growled, pulling my Splattershot Jr. out at the window of Cooler Heads.

"NOT FUNNY, MOE! I WILL––" I blinked, turning to Ethan who had ink dripping out of his Blaster. My eyes widened, covering up his weapon.

"Ethan! You know it's illegal to shoot ink in Inkopolis Plaza!" I yelled at him with slight whisper in my voice. I lightened up and punched him slightly on the arm, chuckling.

"And that kind of hurt too." Both of us started to laugh before facing the Tower once more. We both looked at each other and nodded.

"Time for some TURF WAR!" I shouted proudly, dragging Ethan into the Tower. As the doors shut behind us, the group of four Inklings reappeared into the Plaza. The train wheezed behind them, chugging away to its new stop.

"What was all that all about?" the girl asked, shoving her hands in her pockets. "Where they really that excited to play Turf War?"

"They were excited to lose, Tron. Turf War isn't fun without us. We're the best in Inkopolis, and maybe farther than that. And plus, there's only two of them. If they had a chance with us, they would need eight more Inklings, probably more than that." The boy Inkling laughed to himself, fixing the CD on his hat.

"You don't have to be so mean about it... I bet he could beat your butt to the ground," Tron said, pointing her finger at the boy. He smirked and rotated towards the train, but not before making his hat fall to the ground. Tron picked it up and gazed the human artifact, dusting it off.

"HEY!" the boy said, snatching it from her hands and putting it back on his head. "No one touches the hat." He looked around, nervous for a second. He took a deep breath, exhaling it out slowly.

"Let's go home."

-~-

"I'm surprised you haven't leveled up yet, dude! We've been playing all day and... you're so good!" Ethan beamed at me as we stumbled back to his room. I started to blush as he opened his door, letting me go in first.

"I don't think I'm good at all... I think I just get lucky a lot..." I mumbled, sitting cross-legged on the floor. Ethan scrambled for his fridge, pulling out food and placing it on the counter.

"Ah, you must be hungry. Do you eat chicken, or are you a vegetarian? Do you need a pillow or something? Are you comfortable or––" I started to laugh at his actions, as Ethan was trying to cut up a piece of chicken with a fork and spoon.

"It's OK, I'm fine. I don't have to go to work tomorrow, so do you want me to sleep over?" I asked shyly. Ethan grinned, nodding a yes at the offer.

"Yea, I'm sorry. I don't get guests often. Or at all, to be honest," Ethan chucked a pillow at me, catching it and placing it on the ground. He made me a plate full of chicken and seaweed. I took a stab at the seaweed, slurping it down. It was very delicious.

"Did you get this from that place that just opened up...? What is it called... dome... something?"

"Kelp Dome, yea. I go there to get most of my groceries now. Why, is it bad? Do you not like it?"

"Like it? It's amazing! You must have boiled it or something! Nice use of seasonings and stuff. Do you know how rare it is to get seasonings these days? I can't find them anywhere!"

"I-I didn't use much, it was just ink and cheese, pretty much..." Ethan's cheeks turned a low pink, making him look down in embarrassment.

"Hey, I'm sure you're a wiz in the kitchen. All I do is buy cereal and lunch stuff," I chuckled. I finished my food, handing my plate to Ethan. I sprawled out on the floor, yawning quietly to myself. Ethan flopped onto his bed, checking his Inkphone. I was still, staring at Ethan's somewhat low ceiling.

"Whaaa?" Ethan made a face at his phone. I sat up, looking at him.

"What?" I asked. Ethan gulped and shoved his Inkphone at my face. I grabbed it from his hands and read what was on it.

Ralfington: Saw these two kids in the Plaza today, were really excited for Turf War. We're gonna kick their butts one day ;)

I looked up at Ethan. He looked a bit scared and pale. I stood up and stretched, handing him his phone back.

"How does my level go up? You said it should have already gone up already?" I questioned him.

"I-I don't know, dude! Usually it just happens, but––" All of a sudden, the lights in the room flashed, then blew out. I shrieked as my body was surrounded by a light blue aura.

Am I changing? I don't like this... I closed my eyes and hoped for the best.

"Welcome, Inkling. Congratulations, as you are now a Level 4 inkling. Big jumps do not happen often, so appreciate them. You have learned a lot over the past two days. Be prepared to learn more than ever before. Would you like to go back to your previous location?" Feeling slightly creeped out, I unfroze my head to nod.

"Alright," the voice emitted before blinding me with light.

"DUDE! Where did you go?" I heard Ethan yell into my ear. I gasped, walking back into the wall.

You're back, chill out.

"I... I-I dunno. Listen, we better get some sleep. I'll explain in the morning." I slunk down to the floor and put my head on the pillow, looking towards the wall. Ethan crawled under his covers, closing his eyes.

Level four...

Wow...