Splatourney: The Intro

Higher Ranks Go First

Chapter 3: Higher Ranks Go First

Rona dashed over to the group, heart beating within him. If this was some kind of strong opponent or popular person, he had a chance to make a big move! Besides, the main character in a story always got plot armor, right? He couldn't lose, there was no way! He smiled as he stopped a few feet away from everyone.

"What's all the ruckus about, eh? Does anyone wanna do a Splatter Royale with me?" Rona called out, keeping a grin firm on his face.

Surprisingly, he got no response, and he wondered why. Were there people like him often, that came to groups and asked for fights? Had the citizens of the streets gotten so fed up with them that they'd practically learned to just shrug them off like nothing? Rona figured he could try again, then maybe give up and try somewhere else after. He was ready to start his adventure as soon as possible.

"Uh, Hellooooo?" he called out, a little louder this time.

Rona noticed a mantaling walking up to him from the corner of his eyes. They wore some sort of skull bandanna on their mouth, and had a belt around their waist with skull charms on it. They seemed to be all about the "skeletal" aesthetic, an aesthetic that few people in inkopolis as a whole liked because of how strange most thought humans were.

"Yo man, what do you think you're doing?" they asked worriedly.

Rona could hear their rough breathing, and it really seemed like they were scared. He began wondering if he was overdoing things, but these guys were just teens like him...at least they looked like they were his age. If complications were involved, it shouldn't be too had to escape trouble. After all, he'd hardly seen much adult interference with things since he got here, so it couldn't be that bad. He shook it all off and turned to face the mantaling without any concern on his face.

"I'm gonna start challenging people, duh! I heard proving your worth was a BIG thing around here!" he replied, unintimidated by this newcomer and the thoughts of what could happen after this.

"Well...yeah, but not with HER!" the manta exclaimed.

"Whaddya mean, "not with her", she's just a cuttleling who thought combining pink and edgy accessories was a good idea!" Rona replied, almost a little too loudly.

The mantaling gasped, and was now quickly glancing back and forth between Rona and the group. It seemed like there was some disaster that was gonna happen, but Rona didn't see anything dangerous happening.

"Sshhh! She'll hear you!" the mantaling hissed.

"So what? What if I want her to hear me, eh? What's even the big deal about her, anyways?"

"That's Celine Dion, one of the top 10 players in this whole blasted place. If you upset her, there's no TELLING what might happen!"

"Top 10, eh? That makes it even better," Rona smiled devilishly. "After all, of a king is to take over his domain, he must tackle the most powerful enemies first!"

"What are y-"

"YO CELINE! YOUR FASHION SENSE SUCKS!"

Everything went silent.

Nobody DARED interfere with the two, as everyone was scared to death of what Celine would do after some newbie had the guts to do that to her. She was known to pack a pretty strong punch if you let her, and half of the group kinda wanted to see her deck this dude in the face, or kick him. They saw Celine pause, as if contemplating on what to do. They wanted to tell her to stay out of it, just ignore him, but something told them she had other plans. Celine simply turned around, an unfazed expression written on her face.

"I could say the same to you."

Everyone stared back at Rona, just to see what he would say after that 1,000 degree burn. Rona simply smiled. The girl had spunk, and she hadn't even roasted him with decent words. Anyone could say "no u" to a roast anytime. In fact, Rona found it kind of weak. He snickered to himself as Celine turned back around.

"Let me through. He's not worth my time," she muttered.

"Aight, fleein' from a fight? That's great to hear! Guess that makes gettin' to the top ALL the easier!" Rona laughed.

Celine paused mid-step. Both halves of her brain were fighting over what to do. One half wanted to annihilate this stupid little brat, while the other wanted to just keep calm and move on with life. Egoed rookies like him showed up way too often, and each time she'd seen one, she'd put them in their place. She was a little curious as to what he thought he could do to her, though...

"Well then. What do you suggest we do?" Celine asked, turning around and staring at Rona with an icy cold glare.

"I challenge you to a Splatter Royale! If I win, I take your place in the ranks!" he replied, his facial expression showing his confidence in himself.

Everyone went quiet again.

Then everyone began LAUGHING.

They laughed at his sheer stupidity. Number one, ranks didn't even work like that, number two, this NOOB was challenging a PRO! Who did he think he was? He'd never make it! However, Celine held up her hand, and everyone immediately stopped.

"Oh really? You think that you can actually do anything? I'd like to see you try," Celine taunted him.

"Heh, BRING IT ON THEN!" Rona grinned back, unfazed.

Here was his first test of strength, right in front of him. His heart raced at the thought of all the possibilities, the action, and what might happen if he actually won. Him along with Celine and the rest of the group walked down to a bus stop that would lead to the Splatter Royals area, and waited for a bus to come by. He said nothing as he stretched a little to prepare himself. Boy, was he ready.

After all...

It couldn't be that bad, right?