The Metro was very, very, dark.

The train slid smoothly across the tracks and into the station. The doors opened with a hiss and a clatter.

"Inkopolis Square," The intercom said.

Eight hopped out of her seat and walked out the door. The sun beat down, a stark contrast to the darkness of the trains. Or the testing stations. The testing stations. Eight staggered into the wall, heaving. Her breath quickened as memories of the testing stations clouded her mind.

She remembered some, but not much. The trauma of it scoured her memories clean.

"Are you okay?" someone asked. Eight looked up and blinked through her tears. Looking down on her was a pretty inkling girl, with two long blue tentacles framing either side of her face. "What's wrong?"

"I... I..." Eight started. "The phone... the testi-" She cut off as another memory tore through her mind.

"Here, take my hand," The inkling said. "It's ok. You're going to be ok."

"But the phone!" Eight protested, but took the inkling's hand anyway. "He's..."

"Whatever it is, you'll be ok," The inkling said. "What's your name? Mine is Keiko."

"Eight," Eight said, letting Keiko lead her.

"Nice to meet you, eight," Keiko said. "Do you have anywhere to stay?"

"Stay?" Eight asked. "No... My home was the metro."

"Oh, you poor thing," Keiko said, realizing something. "Were you one of the ones who worked in the testing stations?"

Eight nodded silently.

"Well, you're ok now," Keiko said. "But we need to get you some better clothes." Eight looked at herself. She had on a worn-out, to-big shirt, a torn and dirty beanie that matched the color of her tentacles, and some old purple strap shoes.

"Ok," Eight said. "I have no money though."

"I don't have enough to spare," Keiko said. "I have just enough to cover this month's rent."

"How do we get money, then?" Eight asked.

"Do you have a weapon?" Keiko asked.

Eight nodded. "Just an Octo Shot."

"That's enough," Keiko said. "Are you familiar with turf war?"