Rookie of the Cheer
Requirements / Rewards
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Part 1
Mia: I just got some details about our prize from the cheerleading competition!
You and all your friends crowd around Mia as she opens up the email she’s just received from the organizers of the cheer camp.
Mia: Listen to this… ‘Congratulations, your school has won the opportunity to perform your winning cheer routine during the halftime show at a pro-football game in San Diego!’
Danny: Whoa, that’s amazing!
Julian: That’s great. I’m happy for you guys.
Payton: San Diego? That means sand, surf, and sun! I’m so so SO excited!
Mia: I haven’t even told you what we’re going to do when we get time! They’ve planned a bunch of activities for us to do! We’ll be visiting the zoo…
Payton: OMG, OMG, OMG! I have to see the baby lions and baby tigers and baby bears!
Mia: …going to the beach…
Danny: It’s like we’re having instant-summer!
Mia: And you’ll never guess what else…
Time - 10 hours
Julian: Come on, Mia… spit it out!
Danny: Yeah, what else did we win?
Mia: Since we’re performing at halftime, we’ve got tickets to the game…
Julian: A live pro-football game? That’s pretty cool.
Mia: That’s not even the best part! The night before, we’re going to meet some of the guys on the team!
Julian: You ARE?
Mia: Yeah, they’ve set up this meet-and-greet with the football players and…
Julian: Who’s going to be there?
Mia: Uh, I don’t know…
Julian: Is their quarterback going? He has one of the highest completion rates in the entire league!
Mia: All I know is that we’re meeting football players, and they’re famous!
Payton: I LOVE famous people!
Rewards
Danny: This sounds wonderful, Mia!
Payton: I’m SO glad I became your Team Manager! If I had to miss out on this… well, I don’t! Hee hee!
Payton hugs Mia as Julian sidles up to her.
Julian: Hey, Mia… you don’t happen to have any room on this awesome San Diego trip for your favorite friend? I’ve been dying to meet some pro football players!
Mia: Sorry, Julian… only cheerleaders allowed. If you wanted to hobnob with the pros at the arena, you should’ve taken up cheerleading!
Julian: You’re killing me, Mia. This is the opportunity of a lifetime! The quarterback of my fantasy football team is playing in the game you’re cheering at!
Payton: Aw, Julian… it’d be nice if you could come. But I don’t think there’s any space on the team, is there?
Mia: Well… we could use one more male cheerleader to shore up the kick-twists that Danny and I do at the end…
Julian: Hey, I could be a male cheerleader. I’m an athlete, remember? I bet I can basket split and dance the toe touch as well as any of you!
Danny: Those aren’t real moves…
Mia: But I appreciate your confidence. Okay, fine, you can try out for the spot.
Julian: I have to try out?
Mia: Hey, I’m not the only one on the team. You have to show the rest of the cheerleaders that you’re a serious candidate. I’m not going easy on you just because you’re a friend.
Julian: Fine by me! Let me try out!
Part 2
Mia: You want to join the squad, Julian? Let’s see if you have the chops.
You, Mia, and Julian walk to the football field where the cheerleaders have assembled.
Mia: Cheerleaders, listen up! I’m sure you’ve heard by now that we’re heading to San Diego to perform in the halftime show…
Uma: Woo hoo!
Mia: And I’m sure you’re all anxious to do our routine really well…
Channing: Anxious? I’m pumped!
Uma: Yeah, but a pro-football game? Do you think we’re ready?
Mia: Of course we are! We’ve already proved we’re the best! But in case we want some extra support, I want to ask you all about recruiting one more guy… Julian wants to join the squad!
Uma: Wait, you want to what?
Julian: I want to join the team.
Channing: Uh-huh. You do know that wanting tickets to a pro football game isn’t a good reason to try out for cheerleading, right?
Julian: Of course not! I mean, it’s true that I’ve wanted to see a pro-game ever since I knew that you COULD be a professional football player, and I’d be able to do that if I joined the team… But it’s not just about the tickets. I’d be a great fit for the cheerleading team because… uh…
Julian fumbles. He looks to you for help.
Danny: Julian would be great for the team because he’s already an athlete.
Uma: So? There are plenty other guy athletes in the school.
Julian: Yeah, but I’m fit and conditioned. I can keep up with everyone on the squad. And if you’re going to pull in a guy cheerleader this close to the trip, I’m your best bet. Don’t worry. I’ll pull my weight.
Uma: That’s all well and good, but we haven’t actually seen you do anything. You’re going to have to prove you can keep up with us.
Julian: What do you want me to do?
Channing: There’s a lot to get through. Let’s get started!
Time - 14 hours
Channing: If you want the honor, the privilege, the right to be called a cheerleader… then you have to pass THE TEST!
Uma: It’s really a set of challenges that we’ve created to make sure you can keep up with us.
Julian: I got this. Bring it on.
Channing and Uma lead Julian to a circuit they’ve set up with a large barbell, a megaphone, and orange cones in a small pattern.
Uma: The first test is strength. We’ve got to know you can toss our fliers high and support the pyramid. So we’re going to need you to shoulder press this weight ten times in ten seconds… ready? Go!
Julian shoulder presses the weight with ease!
Channing: And… time! That was great!
Julian: Psh, if there’s anything I can do, it’s a strength training exercise. I eat iron for breakfast!
Channing: Strength’s important, but so is sound. You need to be proud and loud! We want you to do our touchdown cheer.
Julian: You want me to yell into a megaphone?
Channing: Ha ha, no. I’M going to yell into the megaphone. You’re going to TRY to be as loud as I am. Ready? Go! Go, team, go… take them to town… they’ll never know what hit them… so score that touchdown!
Julian: GO, TEAM, GO… TAKE THEM TO TOWN… THEY’LL NEVER KNOW WHAT HIT THEM… SO SCORE THAT TOUCHDOWN! Loud enough for you?
Uma: What? My ears are still ringing!
Channing: Not bad, Julian, not bad. You’ve got strength, you’ve got sound, but we need to know if you’ve got style! You’re going to dance your way down from this cone to that cone over there!
Julian: You’re kidding me, right?
Channing: Do you want to go to a pro football game with us or not?
Julian: I’m dancing, I’m dancing… dance, dance, dance…
As Julian shimmies away, you turn to Mia and the male cheerleaders.
Danny: I don’t remember having to do a dance when I joined…
Uma: You didn’t have to. We just wanted to see if he would.
Mia: And he totally did!
Julian runs back.
Julian: So… did I pass?
Channing: Does a double cupie involve balancing two girls in the air?
Julian: Uh…
Uma: That means ‘yes’!
Rewards
Danny: Julian, welcome to the team!
Julian: YES!
Mia: But you still have to take this seriously. I’m giving you a detailed handout of the steps and a YouTube link to the entire routine. Read it, watch it. You’ve got to study and practice the moves.
Julian: Oh yeah, I’m all over this. No sweat.
Mia: Seriously, Julian, you’re not just representing our team, but our entire school! This isn’t all fun and games.
Payton: Did someone say fun and games?
Danny: Hey, Payton!
Payton: Hey yourself! Are you guys done running Julian through the cheerleading test already? Because something important just came up!
Mia: The test is over, but I’ve got to talk to Julian about the routine…
Julian: I’ve got it, Mia. Study, practice, perform. Don’t worry. I’ll be ready.
Mia: I guess we’re done then. What’s up, Payton?
Payton: We seriously need to shop for some trip essentials. Who wants to come to the mall with me?
Mia: I’m totally in.
Julian: I’m totally not.
Mia: Now, Julian, you’re part of the team now. You HAVE to come. And that’s an order from your cheer captain.
Julian: You just love this, don’t you?
Mia: Of course! Now let’s go to the mall!
Part 3
Payton: Let’s take five, okay? Some of us have to pack for our awesome trip!
A short time later, you, Payton, Mia, Julian, and the other cheerleaders enter one of the mall’s huge department stores.
Julian: Okay, when you said ‘trip essentials’, I thought you meant like travel snacks or new pom-poms or, you know, any of the stuff you actually need to bring… Not… clothes.
Payton: We’ve already got the travel snacks and pom-poms. Now we need team swimsuits! I always say, be prepared! In this case, we’re preparing ourselves for the beautiful, sunny beaches of San diego! I checked the forecast, and the weather’s going to be amazing! So we need this! Don’t tell me you’re 100% packed already…
Julian: I could use a pair of swim trunks…
Payton: See?
Payton grabs a set of capris off a rack.
Payton: So what do you think I should wear on the beach? A sundress or capris?
Julian: Don’t look at me.
Danny: You should go with a sunny sundress! You WILL be in the sun, right?
Payton: You are SO right. Hee hee! I’m going to try this dress on in the dressing room… Meet you at the outside mirrors in ten?
Danny: Let me just grab a few things!
The team disperses to shop around the store. A few minutes later, Julian finds you again.
Julian: All right, got my swim trunks. I’m ready to go.
Danny: Wow, you’re fast. I don’t think Mia and Payton have even TRIED on a bathing suit, much less come to a decision about what they’re buying.
Julian: I’m not picky when it comes to clothes. It’s my size, and it’s cheap. I’m buying it. Only problem is… Mia’s my ride home.
Danny: Ah… it’s going to be a while. You could always study the cheerleading routine while you’re waiting. The YouTube clip will probably help you a lot.
Julian: Eh, maybe if there’s time. They can’t be in there forever, can they?
You laugh uneasily as you head to the dressing room yourself.
Time - 16 hours
Some time later, you find Julian sitting on a bench outside the store, looking intently at his phone.
Danny: How’s the studying coming along?
Julian: Now now, Danny… come on, you stupid thing! Flap! Aw, man! Well, that brings my high score to, like, ten.
Danny: Better than me…
Julian: I feel like I’ve been here for HOURS… what is taking them SO long?
Danny: I bet that cheerleading video is sounding pretty good now, isn’t it?
Julian: Yeah, I watched the first ten seconds of it. But honestly, I know the routine.
Danny: You do?
Julian: Yeah, you guys were practicing the entire football season. And it’s not like it’s football where you have to worry about your opponent’s offense or switching strategies between plays… It’s the same routine over and over again. Flip, flip, twirl… I get it already.
Danny: Well, it’s a little more complicated than that. You see, there’s…
But before you can say any more, Mia and Payton step out of the store with several bags in hand.
Julian: FINALLY!
Mia: It takes time to pick the perfect outfit!
Danny: And it looks like you picked out several.
Payton: Hee hee! This is my first time going to San Diego! I have to look my best!
Mia: Are you two ready to go?
Julian: Oh, yes!
Rewards
Julian: So where are we going now?
Payton: If you guys don’t mind, I invited the other cheerleaders over to my house to run over some last-minute details and logistics, so Mia and I can finalize all the plans.
Julian: Sounds good to me!
Danny: I’m in!
Payton: Cheer party! Cheer party!
Part 4
Payton: We need to talk out logistics? I’m sensing a… cheer party!
You, Julian, Mia, and the other cheerleaders meet at Payton’s house, filling her living room while talking about the trip.
Payton: …okay, so guy cheerleaders have their own rooms on a level below the girls’ rooms. I’ve arranged the buses for the zoo, the beach, and the meet-and-greet. And I think that’s all the planning!
Julian: Great, so… we’re done?
Payton: Hey, not so fast! We’re all here, aren’t we? And for part two of prepping for the San Diego trip, I say we do manicures!
Julian: What.
Mia: Great idea! I brought over some classic cheerleading movies to watch while we paint our nails! Bring it on, Bring it On Again, Bring it On: In It To Win It…
Julian: How many of those are you planning on watching?
Payton: All of them!
Julian: Danny, what do you think about all this? You can’t possibly want to get your nails done, right?
Danny: Sounds like Julian wants to go first!
Julian: What?! Traitor!
Mia: Ha ah! You’re a cheerleader, Julian! We do everything together, remember?
Julian: Oh, no… I don’t have time to get a manicure. I have to work on the routine, right? Right?
Mia: Oh fine… as long as you ACTUALLY practice!
Julian: Danny and the guys are going to show me a few moves outside. Aren’t you, Danny?
Danny: Yeah, yeah, I guess.
In the backyard…
Danny: Okay, so we’re going to run you through the moves at half-speed, so you can get used to the pacing of everything.
Julian: Sounds great.
Danny and the other male cheerleaders run Julian through the routine. Julian tosses, lifts, and cheers! After a couple hours, he finds you and Payton.
Julian: So how’d I do?
Danny: Pretty good, I think.
Julian: See? What’d I tell you? I’m golden. Piece of cake.
Payton: Well, it’s looking smooth, but you still need some more practice. The cheers were solid, but some of the timing’s off, and it might get harder when you go at full speed. Watch the video a few more times to make sure your moves are in sync with the music.
Julian: Sure, but I feel good about it, like I know this routine front and back.
Danny: So when we go to our next practice right before the trip you’ll be ready?
Julian: Trust me. I’ve got this.
Rewards
A few days later…
Mia: Listen up, everyone! This is the last practice we have before our trip to San Diego tomorrow… I want this last run-through to be perfect! Julian, do you know exactly what you need to do?
Julian: Of course! I’m ready! I can do this!
Mia: All right. Let’s go!
Part 5
Mia: Let’s run through the routine one last time before we hit the road!
You, Mia, and the cheerleaders scramble into formation. Julian looks from one side of the lineup to the other.
Julian: Uh… where do I go?
Uma: Pst, Julian! You start over at the other end!
Julian stands to the side of Uma and Channing.
Mia: And five, six, seven, eight!
The music starts, and the cheerleaders move to the beat flawlessly.
Channing: Go, team, go!
Danny: Go, team, go!
You notice Julian is having trouble keeping up with all the moves…
Julian: Go, uh, team, go?
But you lose yourself in the music! At last, it’s time for your and Mia’s simultaneous kicktwists! You step onto the supports Uma and another cheerleader have made for you, while Julian and Channing help Mia up.
Julian: Up you go!
And just as you and Mia fly into the air at the same time, you notice Julian’s moved out of position!
Danny: Julian, wait!
Time - 18 hours
As you fly into the air, you glimpse Julian’s moving out of position from under Mia! Things seem to go by in slow motion, and as you land safely on Uma’s shoulders, you see Mia crash hard into Julian and fall to the ground!
Mia: Ahhhh!
Julian: MIA!
Rewards
You run over to Mia who is still lying on the ground. The other cheerleaders crowd around her concerned.
Danny: Okay, everyone, take a huge step back!
Mia tries to get to her feet, but she falls back down.
Mia: My ankle… it really hurts…
You, Julian, and the cheerleaders rush Mia to the nurse’s office. A short time later, Mia comes out on crutches, a bandage on her left ankle.
Danny: Oh no, Mia! Are you okay?
Mia: I’m… not great.
Payton: Will you still be able to cheer?
Mia: The nurse says maybe if I ice it a lot and keep off it all night, I’ll be okay, but… I won’t really know until tomorrow…
Julian: I’m so sorry…
Mia: Save it, Julian. I have a few things to say to you first.
Part 6
Mia: We need to talk, Julian. NOW.
You, Mia, and Julian step away from the other cheerleaders.
Julian: Hey, Mia, about what happened back there… I’m sorry.
Mia: I don’t think sorry is good enough, Julian. You only had one job, and that was to catch me! How could you be in the wrong place?
Julian: I thought I was supposed to be moving toward the other side of the field!
Mia: It was the end of our routine! Didn’t you know that?
Julian: I mostly knew that…
Mia: Yeah, but you told me you had it down pat. I thought the others ran you through the routine.
Julian: Yeah, they did…
Mia: And you said you understood everything…
Julian: Well, I mean, I got MOST everything…
Mia: Didn’t you study the routine at all?
Julian: Well, I probably could’ve studied more… or at all…
Mia: Julian, I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but…
Julian: But…?
Time - 17 hours
Mia: You’re off the team!
Julian: What? Wait, Mia, it was ONE mistake…
Mia: Yeah, well, people get hurt when someone on the cheer team makes a mistake. I knew you were joining just so you could see some football players, but I thought you’d try to take the cheering more seriously.
Julian: So that’s it then? You’re really throwing me out?
Mia: I don’t know how I’d even trust you to catch me after that, Julian. You’re off the team. And that’s FINAL.
Rewards
Julian finds you a little later.
Julian: Hey, Danny. I feel pretty bad about dropping Mia. I was way off, and it was my fault. I know it.
Danny: Well, maybe it was too hard a routine to learn at the last minute.
Julian: Even so, it’s still on me that Mia fell. And I want to do something. You know, to apologize and make it up to her and the team.
Danny: That’s nice of you. What did you have in mind?
Julian: Well, I thought about baking cupcakes, but I’m no cook. It’s just not my thing. You got any ideas?
Danny: Hmm, what do cheerleaders need at a halftime game that they don’t already have?
Julian: I’ve got it! A way of announcing themselves. The football players usually run through a banner when they get on the field. I’ll make a banner for the cheerleading squad!
Danny: I like it!
Julian: I’ll need a long piece of paper, a glue gun, and enough glitter to blind a stadium…
Danny: I’ll help you out.
Part 7
Julian: I want to apologize… but I could use some help.
Julian: Okay, want to hear my vision for this banner?
Danny: Yes, do tell!
Julian: Picture this… our school name in red and white…
Danny: I’m with you…
Julian: The the phrase, ‘Get pumped!’ underneath it…
Danny: Uh-huh!
Julian: And an image of our glittery mascot and a megaphone to one side!
Danny: I like it.
Julian: Good. So we’re going to split this banner into two. You’re drawing all the things I described to you. I’m going to add more details to my side. I’ll start on this side, and you start on the other. We’ll be done in half the time! …I think.
Danny: I’ll meet you in the middle!
You write the school name with red and white.
Danny: Perfect! Our school colors! Next up is the catch phrase, which was… Get pumped! That looks good to me! And last but not least… the image! He wanted our school mascot and a megaphone. Best thing I’ve ever drawn EVER.
You work until you and Julian meet in the middle of the banner. You stand up and look at your handiwork.
Danny: What do you think?
Julian: You really captured my vision perfectly!
Danny: I think of myself as an artist from time to time.
Julian: Let’s show this to Mia. She’ll have to forgive me now. And just in time for the ride down!
Danny: Wait, you didn’t make all of this just so you could go to the pro-football game, did you?
Julian: Well, that might be kind of why, yes, but I do really feel bad about Mia falling.
Danny: Okay, well, let’s who this to her then.
You and Julian find Mia at Payton’s house with all the other cheerleaders.
Mia: Hey, Danny, I’ve been calling you. All the cheerleaders are convening for one last meeting before the trip. Where have you been?
Julian: With me. Helping me out.
Mia: JULIAN. What are you doing here?
Julian: I came here to give you something.
Mia: We’re not interested.
Julian: Now hang on, I wanted to show you how bad I felt for missing my cue by giving you guys this…
Julian pulls the rolled-up banner from behind his back. You help him unfurl it, and the cheerleaders gasp when they see it.
Julian: It’s a banner for you guys to run through when you get on the field at halftime.
The cheerleaders ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ over the banner, happy that Julian made it for them.
Payton: Aww… I’m sad it’s so temporary! But it’s beautiful! What do you think, Mia?
Mia: Uh…
Rewards
While the cheerleaders admire the poster, Mia gestures to you and Julian.
Julian: Did you like it?
Mia: …yeah, I did. It was sweet.
Julian: Mia, listen, I want to say that I’m really sorry about what I did today. And you’re totally right. I should’ve paid more attention to the routine, and I should’ve told you I was shaky on it before I let you do a practice run with me in it. But I swear if you let me come on this trip, I’ll study up. I promise. Can I go back to being part of the team?
Mia: Let me think about it…
Part 8
Mia: Okay, Julian… I have my answer.
Mia sighs.
Mia: Look, Julian, you can come with us.
Julian: Yeah?
Mia: Your name’s already on the list to go on the trip and since it’s too late to change it at this point with all the accommodations settled, you might as well come. But you’re NOT cheering.
Julian: Wait, what
Time - 21 hours
Mia: You heard me. You can come, but you’re not cheering. I get that you feel bad, and it’s nice that you made us a banner we can run through, but that doesn’t change the fact I’m… disappointed. I know that you’re a football player, and you don’t really think of cheerleading as a real sport--
Julian: I never said that.
Mia: Sometimes you don’t have to SAY anything. The banner was a nice gesture, but an even better one would’ve been to learn the routine through and through. And I know you can memorize something like this. When the football team was in the finals, you knew every single play by heart. I expected the same from you when you offered to join the team. So I’m not going to stop you from coming. I know this is important to you, and that’s the only reason you were here in the first place. So I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?
Julian: If I don’t cheer, what do I do?
Mia: Carry the water? I don’t know. We’ll figure it out.
She walks back to the cheerleaders, and you put a hand on Julian’s shoulder.
Julian: Well, that sucked. It’s hard to hear that from Mia.
Danny: I bet. Are you still going to San Diego then?
Julian: I’m… not sure. I’ll… talk to you later, Danny. I have some things to think about.
Rewards
The next day, Julian jogs up to you and the cheerleading team as you’re getting on a bus to the airport!
Danny: So you decided to come after all…
Julian: Yeah… I’ve been doing some thinking… and I know how I can make things right with Mia.
Before you can ask what he means, Mia beckons everyone onto the bus.
Mia: Come on, everyone! Let’s keep things moving! Put your luggage away! We leave in five!
Payton: We’re going to SAN DIEGO!
What will happen on the cheer trip? And how will Julian make things right with Mia? Find out in the next quest!
Mia: I just got some details about our prize from the cheerleading competition!
- Danny
- Mia
- Julian
You and all your friends crowd around Mia as she opens up the email she’s just received from the organizers of the cheer camp.
Mia: Listen to this… ‘Congratulations, your school has won the opportunity to perform your winning cheer routine during the halftime show at a pro-football game in San Diego!’
Danny: Whoa, that’s amazing!
Julian: That’s great. I’m happy for you guys.
Payton: San Diego? That means sand, surf, and sun! I’m so so SO excited!
Mia: I haven’t even told you what we’re going to do when we get time! They’ve planned a bunch of activities for us to do! We’ll be visiting the zoo…
Payton: OMG, OMG, OMG! I have to see the baby lions and baby tigers and baby bears!
Mia: …going to the beach…
Danny: It’s like we’re having instant-summer!
Mia: And you’ll never guess what else…
Time - 10 hours
Julian: Come on, Mia… spit it out!
Danny: Yeah, what else did we win?
Mia: Since we’re performing at halftime, we’ve got tickets to the game…
Julian: A live pro-football game? That’s pretty cool.
Mia: That’s not even the best part! The night before, we’re going to meet some of the guys on the team!
Julian: You ARE?
Mia: Yeah, they’ve set up this meet-and-greet with the football players and…
Julian: Who’s going to be there?
Mia: Uh, I don’t know…
Julian: Is their quarterback going? He has one of the highest completion rates in the entire league!
Mia: All I know is that we’re meeting football players, and they’re famous!
Payton: I LOVE famous people!
Rewards
- 11,000 coins
- 750 XP
Danny: This sounds wonderful, Mia!
Payton: I’m SO glad I became your Team Manager! If I had to miss out on this… well, I don’t! Hee hee!
Payton hugs Mia as Julian sidles up to her.
Julian: Hey, Mia… you don’t happen to have any room on this awesome San Diego trip for your favorite friend? I’ve been dying to meet some pro football players!
Mia: Sorry, Julian… only cheerleaders allowed. If you wanted to hobnob with the pros at the arena, you should’ve taken up cheerleading!
Julian: You’re killing me, Mia. This is the opportunity of a lifetime! The quarterback of my fantasy football team is playing in the game you’re cheering at!
Payton: Aw, Julian… it’d be nice if you could come. But I don’t think there’s any space on the team, is there?
Mia: Well… we could use one more male cheerleader to shore up the kick-twists that Danny and I do at the end…
Julian: Hey, I could be a male cheerleader. I’m an athlete, remember? I bet I can basket split and dance the toe touch as well as any of you!
Danny: Those aren’t real moves…
Mia: But I appreciate your confidence. Okay, fine, you can try out for the spot.
Julian: I have to try out?
Mia: Hey, I’m not the only one on the team. You have to show the rest of the cheerleaders that you’re a serious candidate. I’m not going easy on you just because you’re a friend.
Julian: Fine by me! Let me try out!
Part 2
Mia: You want to join the squad, Julian? Let’s see if you have the chops.
- A Level 8+ Guy Cheerleader (Channing)
- A Level 8+ Cheerleader Except Mia (Uma)
You, Mia, and Julian walk to the football field where the cheerleaders have assembled.
Mia: Cheerleaders, listen up! I’m sure you’ve heard by now that we’re heading to San Diego to perform in the halftime show…
Uma: Woo hoo!
Mia: And I’m sure you’re all anxious to do our routine really well…
Channing: Anxious? I’m pumped!
Uma: Yeah, but a pro-football game? Do you think we’re ready?
Mia: Of course we are! We’ve already proved we’re the best! But in case we want some extra support, I want to ask you all about recruiting one more guy… Julian wants to join the squad!
Uma: Wait, you want to what?
Julian: I want to join the team.
Channing: Uh-huh. You do know that wanting tickets to a pro football game isn’t a good reason to try out for cheerleading, right?
Julian: Of course not! I mean, it’s true that I’ve wanted to see a pro-game ever since I knew that you COULD be a professional football player, and I’d be able to do that if I joined the team… But it’s not just about the tickets. I’d be a great fit for the cheerleading team because… uh…
Julian fumbles. He looks to you for help.
Danny: Julian would be great for the team because he’s already an athlete.
Uma: So? There are plenty other guy athletes in the school.
Julian: Yeah, but I’m fit and conditioned. I can keep up with everyone on the squad. And if you’re going to pull in a guy cheerleader this close to the trip, I’m your best bet. Don’t worry. I’ll pull my weight.
Uma: That’s all well and good, but we haven’t actually seen you do anything. You’re going to have to prove you can keep up with us.
Julian: What do you want me to do?
Channing: There’s a lot to get through. Let’s get started!
Time - 14 hours
Channing: If you want the honor, the privilege, the right to be called a cheerleader… then you have to pass THE TEST!
Uma: It’s really a set of challenges that we’ve created to make sure you can keep up with us.
Julian: I got this. Bring it on.
Channing and Uma lead Julian to a circuit they’ve set up with a large barbell, a megaphone, and orange cones in a small pattern.
Uma: The first test is strength. We’ve got to know you can toss our fliers high and support the pyramid. So we’re going to need you to shoulder press this weight ten times in ten seconds… ready? Go!
Julian shoulder presses the weight with ease!
Channing: And… time! That was great!
Julian: Psh, if there’s anything I can do, it’s a strength training exercise. I eat iron for breakfast!
Channing: Strength’s important, but so is sound. You need to be proud and loud! We want you to do our touchdown cheer.
Julian: You want me to yell into a megaphone?
Channing: Ha ha, no. I’M going to yell into the megaphone. You’re going to TRY to be as loud as I am. Ready? Go! Go, team, go… take them to town… they’ll never know what hit them… so score that touchdown!
Julian: GO, TEAM, GO… TAKE THEM TO TOWN… THEY’LL NEVER KNOW WHAT HIT THEM… SO SCORE THAT TOUCHDOWN! Loud enough for you?
Uma: What? My ears are still ringing!
Channing: Not bad, Julian, not bad. You’ve got strength, you’ve got sound, but we need to know if you’ve got style! You’re going to dance your way down from this cone to that cone over there!
Julian: You’re kidding me, right?
Channing: Do you want to go to a pro football game with us or not?
Julian: I’m dancing, I’m dancing… dance, dance, dance…
As Julian shimmies away, you turn to Mia and the male cheerleaders.
Danny: I don’t remember having to do a dance when I joined…
Uma: You didn’t have to. We just wanted to see if he would.
Mia: And he totally did!
Julian runs back.
Julian: So… did I pass?
Channing: Does a double cupie involve balancing two girls in the air?
Julian: Uh…
Uma: That means ‘yes’!
Rewards
- 750 XP
Danny: Julian, welcome to the team!
Julian: YES!
Mia: But you still have to take this seriously. I’m giving you a detailed handout of the steps and a YouTube link to the entire routine. Read it, watch it. You’ve got to study and practice the moves.
Julian: Oh yeah, I’m all over this. No sweat.
Mia: Seriously, Julian, you’re not just representing our team, but our entire school! This isn’t all fun and games.
Payton: Did someone say fun and games?
Danny: Hey, Payton!
Payton: Hey yourself! Are you guys done running Julian through the cheerleading test already? Because something important just came up!
Mia: The test is over, but I’ve got to talk to Julian about the routine…
Julian: I’ve got it, Mia. Study, practice, perform. Don’t worry. I’ll be ready.
Mia: I guess we’re done then. What’s up, Payton?
Payton: We seriously need to shop for some trip essentials. Who wants to come to the mall with me?
Mia: I’m totally in.
Julian: I’m totally not.
Mia: Now, Julian, you’re part of the team now. You HAVE to come. And that’s an order from your cheer captain.
Julian: You just love this, don’t you?
Mia: Of course! Now let’s go to the mall!
Part 3
Payton: Let’s take five, okay? Some of us have to pack for our awesome trip!
- Mia
- Payton
- Julian
A short time later, you, Payton, Mia, Julian, and the other cheerleaders enter one of the mall’s huge department stores.
Julian: Okay, when you said ‘trip essentials’, I thought you meant like travel snacks or new pom-poms or, you know, any of the stuff you actually need to bring… Not… clothes.
Payton: We’ve already got the travel snacks and pom-poms. Now we need team swimsuits! I always say, be prepared! In this case, we’re preparing ourselves for the beautiful, sunny beaches of San diego! I checked the forecast, and the weather’s going to be amazing! So we need this! Don’t tell me you’re 100% packed already…
Julian: I could use a pair of swim trunks…
Payton: See?
Payton grabs a set of capris off a rack.
Payton: So what do you think I should wear on the beach? A sundress or capris?
Julian: Don’t look at me.
Danny: You should go with a sunny sundress! You WILL be in the sun, right?
Payton: You are SO right. Hee hee! I’m going to try this dress on in the dressing room… Meet you at the outside mirrors in ten?
Danny: Let me just grab a few things!
The team disperses to shop around the store. A few minutes later, Julian finds you again.
Julian: All right, got my swim trunks. I’m ready to go.
Danny: Wow, you’re fast. I don’t think Mia and Payton have even TRIED on a bathing suit, much less come to a decision about what they’re buying.
Julian: I’m not picky when it comes to clothes. It’s my size, and it’s cheap. I’m buying it. Only problem is… Mia’s my ride home.
Danny: Ah… it’s going to be a while. You could always study the cheerleading routine while you’re waiting. The YouTube clip will probably help you a lot.
Julian: Eh, maybe if there’s time. They can’t be in there forever, can they?
You laugh uneasily as you head to the dressing room yourself.
Time - 16 hours
Some time later, you find Julian sitting on a bench outside the store, looking intently at his phone.
Danny: How’s the studying coming along?
Julian: Now now, Danny… come on, you stupid thing! Flap! Aw, man! Well, that brings my high score to, like, ten.
Danny: Better than me…
Julian: I feel like I’ve been here for HOURS… what is taking them SO long?
Danny: I bet that cheerleading video is sounding pretty good now, isn’t it?
Julian: Yeah, I watched the first ten seconds of it. But honestly, I know the routine.
Danny: You do?
Julian: Yeah, you guys were practicing the entire football season. And it’s not like it’s football where you have to worry about your opponent’s offense or switching strategies between plays… It’s the same routine over and over again. Flip, flip, twirl… I get it already.
Danny: Well, it’s a little more complicated than that. You see, there’s…
But before you can say any more, Mia and Payton step out of the store with several bags in hand.
Julian: FINALLY!
Mia: It takes time to pick the perfect outfit!
Danny: And it looks like you picked out several.
Payton: Hee hee! This is my first time going to San Diego! I have to look my best!
Mia: Are you two ready to go?
Julian: Oh, yes!
Rewards
- 16,000 coins
- 750 XP
Julian: So where are we going now?
Payton: If you guys don’t mind, I invited the other cheerleaders over to my house to run over some last-minute details and logistics, so Mia and I can finalize all the plans.
Julian: Sounds good to me!
Danny: I’m in!
Payton: Cheer party! Cheer party!
Part 4
Payton: We need to talk out logistics? I’m sensing a… cheer party!
- Complete a Party with a Cheerleader
You, Julian, Mia, and the other cheerleaders meet at Payton’s house, filling her living room while talking about the trip.
Payton: …okay, so guy cheerleaders have their own rooms on a level below the girls’ rooms. I’ve arranged the buses for the zoo, the beach, and the meet-and-greet. And I think that’s all the planning!
Julian: Great, so… we’re done?
Payton: Hey, not so fast! We’re all here, aren’t we? And for part two of prepping for the San Diego trip, I say we do manicures!
Julian: What.
Mia: Great idea! I brought over some classic cheerleading movies to watch while we paint our nails! Bring it on, Bring it On Again, Bring it On: In It To Win It…
Julian: How many of those are you planning on watching?
Payton: All of them!
Julian: Danny, what do you think about all this? You can’t possibly want to get your nails done, right?
Danny: Sounds like Julian wants to go first!
Julian: What?! Traitor!
Mia: Ha ah! You’re a cheerleader, Julian! We do everything together, remember?
Julian: Oh, no… I don’t have time to get a manicure. I have to work on the routine, right? Right?
Mia: Oh fine… as long as you ACTUALLY practice!
Julian: Danny and the guys are going to show me a few moves outside. Aren’t you, Danny?
Danny: Yeah, yeah, I guess.
In the backyard…
Danny: Okay, so we’re going to run you through the moves at half-speed, so you can get used to the pacing of everything.
Julian: Sounds great.
Danny and the other male cheerleaders run Julian through the routine. Julian tosses, lifts, and cheers! After a couple hours, he finds you and Payton.
Julian: So how’d I do?
Danny: Pretty good, I think.
Julian: See? What’d I tell you? I’m golden. Piece of cake.
Payton: Well, it’s looking smooth, but you still need some more practice. The cheers were solid, but some of the timing’s off, and it might get harder when you go at full speed. Watch the video a few more times to make sure your moves are in sync with the music.
Julian: Sure, but I feel good about it, like I know this routine front and back.
Danny: So when we go to our next practice right before the trip you’ll be ready?
Julian: Trust me. I’ve got this.
Rewards
- 750 XP
A few days later…
Mia: Listen up, everyone! This is the last practice we have before our trip to San Diego tomorrow… I want this last run-through to be perfect! Julian, do you know exactly what you need to do?
Julian: Of course! I’m ready! I can do this!
Mia: All right. Let’s go!
Part 5
Mia: Let’s run through the routine one last time before we hit the road!
- Julian
- A Cheerleader Except Mia (Uma)
- A Cheerleader Except Mia (Channing)
You, Mia, and the cheerleaders scramble into formation. Julian looks from one side of the lineup to the other.
Julian: Uh… where do I go?
Uma: Pst, Julian! You start over at the other end!
Julian stands to the side of Uma and Channing.
Mia: And five, six, seven, eight!
The music starts, and the cheerleaders move to the beat flawlessly.
Channing: Go, team, go!
Danny: Go, team, go!
You notice Julian is having trouble keeping up with all the moves…
Julian: Go, uh, team, go?
But you lose yourself in the music! At last, it’s time for your and Mia’s simultaneous kicktwists! You step onto the supports Uma and another cheerleader have made for you, while Julian and Channing help Mia up.
Julian: Up you go!
And just as you and Mia fly into the air at the same time, you notice Julian’s moved out of position!
Danny: Julian, wait!
Time - 18 hours
As you fly into the air, you glimpse Julian’s moving out of position from under Mia! Things seem to go by in slow motion, and as you land safely on Uma’s shoulders, you see Mia crash hard into Julian and fall to the ground!
Mia: Ahhhh!
Julian: MIA!
Rewards
- 19,000 coins
- 750 XP
You run over to Mia who is still lying on the ground. The other cheerleaders crowd around her concerned.
Danny: Okay, everyone, take a huge step back!
Mia tries to get to her feet, but she falls back down.
Mia: My ankle… it really hurts…
You, Julian, and the cheerleaders rush Mia to the nurse’s office. A short time later, Mia comes out on crutches, a bandage on her left ankle.
Danny: Oh no, Mia! Are you okay?
Mia: I’m… not great.
Payton: Will you still be able to cheer?
Mia: The nurse says maybe if I ice it a lot and keep off it all night, I’ll be okay, but… I won’t really know until tomorrow…
Julian: I’m so sorry…
Mia: Save it, Julian. I have a few things to say to you first.
Part 6
Mia: We need to talk, Julian. NOW.
- Mia
You, Mia, and Julian step away from the other cheerleaders.
Julian: Hey, Mia, about what happened back there… I’m sorry.
Mia: I don’t think sorry is good enough, Julian. You only had one job, and that was to catch me! How could you be in the wrong place?
Julian: I thought I was supposed to be moving toward the other side of the field!
Mia: It was the end of our routine! Didn’t you know that?
Julian: I mostly knew that…
Mia: Yeah, but you told me you had it down pat. I thought the others ran you through the routine.
Julian: Yeah, they did…
Mia: And you said you understood everything…
Julian: Well, I mean, I got MOST everything…
Mia: Didn’t you study the routine at all?
Julian: Well, I probably could’ve studied more… or at all…
Mia: Julian, I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but…
Julian: But…?
Time - 17 hours
Mia: You’re off the team!
Julian: What? Wait, Mia, it was ONE mistake…
Mia: Yeah, well, people get hurt when someone on the cheer team makes a mistake. I knew you were joining just so you could see some football players, but I thought you’d try to take the cheering more seriously.
Julian: So that’s it then? You’re really throwing me out?
Mia: I don’t know how I’d even trust you to catch me after that, Julian. You’re off the team. And that’s FINAL.
Rewards
- 21,000 coins
- 750 XP
Julian finds you a little later.
Julian: Hey, Danny. I feel pretty bad about dropping Mia. I was way off, and it was my fault. I know it.
Danny: Well, maybe it was too hard a routine to learn at the last minute.
Julian: Even so, it’s still on me that Mia fell. And I want to do something. You know, to apologize and make it up to her and the team.
Danny: That’s nice of you. What did you have in mind?
Julian: Well, I thought about baking cupcakes, but I’m no cook. It’s just not my thing. You got any ideas?
Danny: Hmm, what do cheerleaders need at a halftime game that they don’t already have?
Julian: I’ve got it! A way of announcing themselves. The football players usually run through a banner when they get on the field. I’ll make a banner for the cheerleading squad!
Danny: I like it!
Julian: I’ll need a long piece of paper, a glue gun, and enough glitter to blind a stadium…
Danny: I’ll help you out.
Part 7
Julian: I want to apologize… but I could use some help.
- Make Banner!
- Spend 500,000 coins
Julian: Okay, want to hear my vision for this banner?
Danny: Yes, do tell!
Julian: Picture this… our school name in red and white…
Danny: I’m with you…
Julian: The the phrase, ‘Get pumped!’ underneath it…
Danny: Uh-huh!
Julian: And an image of our glittery mascot and a megaphone to one side!
Danny: I like it.
Julian: Good. So we’re going to split this banner into two. You’re drawing all the things I described to you. I’m going to add more details to my side. I’ll start on this side, and you start on the other. We’ll be done in half the time! …I think.
Danny: I’ll meet you in the middle!
You write the school name with red and white.
Danny: Perfect! Our school colors! Next up is the catch phrase, which was… Get pumped! That looks good to me! And last but not least… the image! He wanted our school mascot and a megaphone. Best thing I’ve ever drawn EVER.
You work until you and Julian meet in the middle of the banner. You stand up and look at your handiwork.
Danny: What do you think?
Julian: You really captured my vision perfectly!
Danny: I think of myself as an artist from time to time.
Julian: Let’s show this to Mia. She’ll have to forgive me now. And just in time for the ride down!
Danny: Wait, you didn’t make all of this just so you could go to the pro-football game, did you?
Julian: Well, that might be kind of why, yes, but I do really feel bad about Mia falling.
Danny: Okay, well, let’s who this to her then.
You and Julian find Mia at Payton’s house with all the other cheerleaders.
Mia: Hey, Danny, I’ve been calling you. All the cheerleaders are convening for one last meeting before the trip. Where have you been?
Julian: With me. Helping me out.
Mia: JULIAN. What are you doing here?
Julian: I came here to give you something.
Mia: We’re not interested.
Julian: Now hang on, I wanted to show you how bad I felt for missing my cue by giving you guys this…
Julian pulls the rolled-up banner from behind his back. You help him unfurl it, and the cheerleaders gasp when they see it.
Julian: It’s a banner for you guys to run through when you get on the field at halftime.
The cheerleaders ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ over the banner, happy that Julian made it for them.
Payton: Aww… I’m sad it’s so temporary! But it’s beautiful! What do you think, Mia?
Mia: Uh…
Rewards
- 1500 books
- 750 XP
While the cheerleaders admire the poster, Mia gestures to you and Julian.
Julian: Did you like it?
Mia: …yeah, I did. It was sweet.
Julian: Mia, listen, I want to say that I’m really sorry about what I did today. And you’re totally right. I should’ve paid more attention to the routine, and I should’ve told you I was shaky on it before I let you do a practice run with me in it. But I swear if you let me come on this trip, I’ll study up. I promise. Can I go back to being part of the team?
Mia: Let me think about it…
Part 8
Mia: Okay, Julian… I have my answer.
- Danny
- Mia
- Julian
Mia sighs.
Mia: Look, Julian, you can come with us.
Julian: Yeah?
Mia: Your name’s already on the list to go on the trip and since it’s too late to change it at this point with all the accommodations settled, you might as well come. But you’re NOT cheering.
Julian: Wait, what
Time - 21 hours
Mia: You heard me. You can come, but you’re not cheering. I get that you feel bad, and it’s nice that you made us a banner we can run through, but that doesn’t change the fact I’m… disappointed. I know that you’re a football player, and you don’t really think of cheerleading as a real sport--
Julian: I never said that.
Mia: Sometimes you don’t have to SAY anything. The banner was a nice gesture, but an even better one would’ve been to learn the routine through and through. And I know you can memorize something like this. When the football team was in the finals, you knew every single play by heart. I expected the same from you when you offered to join the team. So I’m not going to stop you from coming. I know this is important to you, and that’s the only reason you were here in the first place. So I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?
Julian: If I don’t cheer, what do I do?
Mia: Carry the water? I don’t know. We’ll figure it out.
She walks back to the cheerleaders, and you put a hand on Julian’s shoulder.
Julian: Well, that sucked. It’s hard to hear that from Mia.
Danny: I bet. Are you still going to San Diego then?
Julian: I’m… not sure. I’ll… talk to you later, Danny. I have some things to think about.
Rewards
- 23,000 coins
- 750 XP
The next day, Julian jogs up to you and the cheerleading team as you’re getting on a bus to the airport!
Danny: So you decided to come after all…
Julian: Yeah… I’ve been doing some thinking… and I know how I can make things right with Mia.
Before you can ask what he means, Mia beckons everyone onto the bus.
Mia: Come on, everyone! Let’s keep things moving! Put your luggage away! We leave in five!
Payton: We’re going to SAN DIEGO!
What will happen on the cheer trip? And how will Julian make things right with Mia? Find out in the next quest!