The Inkling boy continued on his path through the throng and proceeded determinately toward the green tower rising above the crowd at the end of Inkopolis Plaza. He held his weapons tightly as if his all honor and all his parents' memory lived within the reflections of their gleaming coats. Marked in the glint of the sunlight, he shined as if his color had come from the golden splahes of the pale sky. All his power and strength came of the sunlight, and since he first had touched his power, he had known to fight for its glory, for it had always brought victory to his hand.

     Lost within his reveries, he blindly puhed to the tower, thinking only of battle. The Great Zapfish looked upon the scene below with its natural disinterest, and the shop doors hissed open and closed repeatedly as the other Inklings of the city ruhed to maintain the utmost freshness in the population. Suddenly, the news television sounded, and many in the crowded plaza neared the screen. The battle stages were announced by the normal newscasters. A well-known mall in the downtown city was shown with a large, open greenhouse. And then the bustle and din returned as if the change had been anticipated.

The boy knew he stood above the population's antics. None could shoot across a stage and paint the sky with gold as he would. None had his skill, his aim. Any target, any objective would be hers if he set his mind upon victory. And he knew his own power. None could undermine his strength. He had only to show the world. He had only to show the whole of Inkling kind that he could lead them to victory.

He stepped further into the shadow of Inkopolis tower. In his mind, he imagined scenes of immeasurable battles to come and smiled for their thought. He could fight still for his parents. He had surpassed every legend of his parents' age and borne their power and skill since the beginning. He knew he would never meet another who saw the fields of war with his eye. And, as he eyed the world about him, he stepped into the center of war.

He came upon the very heart of the all action. A dark room of colored doors opened into view. The black walls were covered by various symbols of battle modes. Other Inklings stood about the lobby, holding their weapons and choosing their own paths. Many would find their own teams beyond the colored walls and fight together for victory, but many would never see the glory of the name that he already had shaped. And he knew how many he stood above, but he would not underestimate the power of those who he would come to face. He fixed his view upon the center door, and, without once moving his glace away, he continued straight. A discreet smile crossed his face.

Stopping directly before the black and green door, he held up his Aerospray RG. He stared into the dim reflections on its golden coat. A glint sparked off its nozzle. He grinned and lightly placed his finger upon its golden trigger. He looked up at the door. Then, he stepped out of the concealed shadows.