Pandora's Revenge
Main Characters / Extra Characters
My Classmates
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Requirements
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Requirements
You walk over to the courtyard, where Nishan has gathered up all of your friends.
Danny: Hey, Nishan, what’s going on?
Nishan: Oh, just the very best time of year! It’s CAT week!
Payton: Yay! I love kitties!
Nishan: I’m referring to the County Achievement Tests.
Payton: And I’m horrifically disappointed.
Nishan: The CATs are one of the most important tests we’ll take all year! They help the county determine which school is the strongest academically. It’s our chance to show the world how smart we are!
Julian: Booooooring.
Nishan: AND... the school with the most academic achievers receives a huge reward from the state!
Julian: Did I say ‘boring’? Because I meant ‘really really interesting’.
Mia: The clubs around here could definitely use the money. The cheerleaders have been using old mop-heads as pom-poms...
Autumn: And the art club is all out of every paint except green! My last painting was a frog eating peas on some mossy grass!
Nishan: The school needs the funding, Danny... but to get it, we’ll have to out-test every other school in the county!
Julian: Can’t you and Nerd-ette just get the top scores for us?
Sakura: My name is Sakura, and it won’t be enough even if Nishan and I ace it! Everyone needs to do well.
Danny: I think we can handle it.
Nishan: Now I know we all think our school’s pretty great... but when it comes to academic competition, we’re a sea-lion in a tank of sharks!
Payton: We’re cute and cuddly with fuzzy little paws?
Nishan: I meant they’re going to eat us.
Payton: Why must you ruin everything beautiful?
Nishan: There are some shockingly smart schools in the area. If we’re going to beat them, we all need to really focus on studying this week. No distractions! That means no parties... no games... and no heists, hijinks, or diabolical schemes!
Wes: I make no promises.
Danny: Focus up and study hard. We’ve got this, Nishan.
All your friends leave, heading to the library to study. You stay with Nishan.
Danny: You’re really into this, aren’t you?
Nishan: Well, it’s just... there’s not usually that much acclaim in being ‘the guy who gets good grades’, you know? The CATs are one of the few opportunities to show the school how important academics are, to get everyone studying together. Plus... that prize money can get the Robotics Club those anti-grav thrusters I’ve always wanted!
Danny: You actually think we can win the prize?
Nishan: So long as everyone works hard, and we don’t have any distractions? Yeah. I do.
Danny: Well, I think we can go one week without any distract--
Before you can finish the sentence, Katherine from Athena Academy comes running over!
Katherine: Uh, excuse me, Nishan? I need to talk to you...
Requirements
Katherine: You’re Nishan, right? The science guy?
Nishan: I do answer to that, yes, as well as Nishan Ninelives, Nishan the Necromancer, and Nishan Fuzzywings. I used to play this penguin MMO. I’m not proud.
Katherine: Right. Well. I... I’m sorry, but... I have to do this...
Katherine takes out a crumpled piece of paper and begins to read it.
Katherine: ‘Roses are red. Violets are blue. The truth is, Nishan... I’m just so into you!’
Danny: (This... is not what I expected!)
Time - 6 hours
Katherine: ‘Nishan’s eyes are green, and his teeth are white... I want to make out with him all night!’
Katherine finishes the love poem and tucks it back into her pocket.
Nishan: Um, well, I, see, the truth is, um, I’m flattered, but, um, um, um, um...
Danny: Nishan, are you okay? You sound like a malfunctioning robot...
Nishan: Well, Katherine, the thing is, I’m kind of dating someone right now, so, um, thanks for the poem, but, you know. Not interested?
Behind you, a small crowd is gawking and laughing. Katherine runs off, covering her face in embarrassment.
Nishan: ...girls, am I right?
Danny: Something about that seemed really off. I’m going to check on Katherine...
Requirements
You find Katherine out on the far end of your campus, sitting behind some trees. She’s frantically texting.
Danny: Hey, Katherine!
Katherine: You! I... I...
Danny: Are you okay?
She looks up, and you realize she’s been crying.
Katherine: I... I’m fine. It’s nothing.
Danny: Whoa, Katherine! I’m sorry Nishan rejected you like that...
Katherine: No, it’s... you don’t understand. It’s just so complicated.
You glance down at Katherine... and notice a wooden box in her lap. She tries to hide it, but it’s too late!
Danny: Wait a minute... is that from Pandora? Is she harassing you?
Katherine: I... I...
Katherine sighs and composes herself. She hands you the box, which has a disposable cell phone in it.
Katherine: I guess it’s too late to hide the truth from you. This morning, I found this box from Pandora in my locker. It had that cell phone in it, and when I opened the box, she called me! She knows something about me... a really terrible secret... and she said that if I didn’t do what she wanted she’d reveal it to everyone!
Danny: And what she wanted was for you to read a sappy poem to Nishan?
Katherine: I guess she’s trying to embarrass me or something. I don’t understand why. I just know that I can’t let this secret get out. I--
Katherine is cut off by the sound of the phone getting a text! She reads it...
Katherine: Oh no!
Time - 10 hours
You read the text from Pandora...
Danny: ‘Well, well. Looks like you decided to join our little game, Danny.’
Katherine: How... how could she know?
Danny: ‘Don’t even think about telling anyone else about this. I’ve got my eye on you. If you want Katherine’s secret to stay safe and your reputation to stay clean, maybe both of you should go for a swim... in the school fountain!’
Katherine: Oh, Danny, I’m so sorry! I didn’t want you to get mixed up in this...
Danny: It’s not your fault. I’m not going to ignore a friend in need.
Katherine: So what do we do?
Danny: It sounds like it’s really important to you that Pandora doesn’t reveal your secret...
Katherine: It is.
Danny: So for now... I think we do what she wants.
Requirements
Danny: Are you sure you’re okay with this, Katherine?
Katherine: We don’t have a choice. If my secret gets out, I’ll be totally ruined.
Danny: Then I guess it’s time to hit the fountains!
You and Katherine hop into your school’s fountains...
Danny: Ugh... this is cold and weird...
Katherine: I know... everyone’s staring at us...
A crowd of people gathers, pointing and gawking. Your face burns with embarrassment.
Danny: This is somehow much worse than I’d thought...
Just then, Payton steps forward.
Payton: What... what are you doing?
Danny: I’m... um... creatively bathing?
Payton: It looks awesome!
Before you can say anything, Payton dives in the fountain with you!
Payton: Doot doot doot! Fountain dance party!
More and more people start jumping in!
Julian: Fountain dance party?! Is this a thing we do now? I’m in!
Autumn: It’s so fun and free-spirited!
Wes: I wonder if there’s a way to charge people for this...
Sakura: Water fight!
You climb out of the fountain, sopping wet...
Danny: Well, that was weird. But not all that terrible.
Katherine: Thanks for the support, Danny. I’ll see you later.
Danny: Of course. Just let me know if Pandora bothers you again!
Katherine walks off... just as Nishan comes running over!
Nishan: What’s happening here? Did everyone get sprayed with a horrific neurotoxin and dive in the fountain to clean it off? Because that happened to me once...
Payton: Don’t be silly, Nishan? We’re having a fountain dance party!
Nishan: What? Why aren’t you studying for the CATs?
Julian: Because... this is way more fun?
Nishan: This isn’t a joke, Julian! It’s important that our school does well at the tests!
Danny: I’m sorry, Nishan. I didn’t mean to distract everyone. There’s just... there’s stuff going on I can’t quite talk about.
Katherine nods at you, thankfully.
Danny: Would it help at all if we all went to study now?
Nishan: It’d be a start.
Danny: Well, come on, guys! Let’s go!
Requirements
Nishan: All right! It’s study time! Let’s all go down to the library!
Mia: Ugggggggh.
Payton: Double ugggggh.
Danny: What’s wrong?
Julian: Here’s the thing, Danny. Studying with Nishan is the worst.
Mia: Like, seriously, THE WORST.
Nishan: I thought it was fun...
Payton: All you do is make us sit in the library while you yell facts at us!
Julian: For hours!
Nishan: Well, you didn’t pay attention when I talked at a normal volume!
Danny: Hmm... maybe we should try to come up with a way to make studying more fun. I have a few ideas...
Time - 12 hours
You and all your friends are gathered in the library... Playing a fast-paced game of Study Trivia! You and Julian are on one team, and Payton and Mia are on another!
Payton: The end of the Civil War? That was um... um... 1865!
Nishan: Correct! That’s worth five points for Team Fire Ferrets, putting them in the lead 67 to 66!
Payton: Woohoo!
Mia: Girl power forever!
Nishan: Okay, Team Womp Rats... you’ve got one last shot to win this game. This is what it all comes down to.
Julian: We’ve got this, Danny!
Nishan: And the question is... which planet is famous for its big red spot?
Julian: I was wrong! We don’t got this! I have no idea!
Danny: Um... well... I think the answer is Jupiter!
Nishan: That’s correct! Five points to you! Team Womp Rat wins!
Julian: Yeah! That’s how we do!
You and Julian high-five!
Mia: Aw... I was so sure we’d win...
Payton: But I still had fun... and I actually feel like I learned stuff!
Nishan: You did!
Mia: Can we have a rematch?
Nishan: Of course!
Nishan: Now, the theme of this next round will be Arctic Residents and U.S. Presidents...
Just then, the door to the library cracks open. You can see Katherine just outside, looking very worried...
Danny: Sorry, guys, but I think I need to skip this round. Play it without me.
Nishan: But... but studying!
Danny: I’ll be back as soon as I can!
You step outside with Katherine.
Danny: What’s wrong?
Katherine: There’s another text from Pandora!
You read it...
Danny: ‘I’m getting bored. And you know what I do when I’m bored? Release secrets! If you want Katherine’s past to stay buried, you’ll have to entertain me with some romance! But not your boring jock-dating-jock romance. I want to see some couple you’d NEVER expect to see together!’
Katherine: This person is seriously creepy...
Danny: Well, I guess encouraging some people to date isn’t that bad... and it’s worth it to get her off our back!
Requirements
Danny: There! Our school is full of clique-defying love! Take that, Pandora!
Katherine: I have to admit, it’s actually kind of sweet!
Danny: Yeah, it looks like everyone’s having fun!
On the far side of campus, Nishan yells at a happy couple, cuddling on the lawn...
Nishan: What is this? Why are you all lovey-dovey? You should be studying, not dating!
Danny: Well... almost everyone.
Ding ding! Another text comes in! You read it...
Danny: ‘Awww! Your school is so sappy! I hate sappy! Let’s see some real drama! I want to see some breakups!’
Katherine: That’s terrible!
Danny: Yeah... and it’s too far. I’m sorry, Katherine, but I can’t encourage people to get hurt to protect your secret.
Katherine: Wait... Danny... I--
You grab the phone and text Pandora back, telling her you’re not going to play her game any more! Another text comes back. You read it...
Danny: ‘Oh, Danny. Sweet, stupid Danny. Do you honestly think Katherine’s the only one I have dirt on? I happen to have photographic proof that you broke into Hearst High. Now do what I say, or I send it out!’
Katherine: ...did you really break into Hearst High?
Danny: ...it’s a long story. But if Pandora sends that photo out, I could get expelled or worse!
Katherine: So what now?
Danny: I think we have to play along.
Requirements
You walk across your campus, passing several bickering, shouting couples...
Danny: Yeesh. I guess it was too much to ask for some nice, quiet break-ups. With all this drama, no one can focus on anything else...
Katherine: At least our secrets are still safe.
Danny: Yeah... but I don’t know how much longer I can keep playing along!
The phone beeps again!
Katherine: Not more tasks...
Danny: No... it’s a picture!
You show Katherine the phone, which shows a coded mess of letters, numbers and symbols!
Katherine: What is that?
Danny: I think it’s a puzzle... Wait! There’s a text too. Pandora says she’s rigged one student’s locker with a stink bomb... and if we don’t solve the riddle in time, it’ll go off!
Katherine: Why would someone even do something like this?
Danny: I don’t know, but class gets out soon, and people are going to go to their lockers.
Katherine: Do you know anyone good at riddles?
Danny: Normally I’d go to Nishan with something like this, but he’s so focused on studying for the CATs, he’ll just be mad at the distraction. We’ll have to find some other people...
Requirements
Katherine: So you’re all good at puzzles?
James: Uh, only if you count beating Ocarina’s water temple in thirty-five minutes!
Kimia: I’m excellent at mathematical quandaries...
Hsin: And I’m the Einstein of metaphors!
Danny: Here’s the puzzle. Let’s see what we can figure out.
Time - 15 hours
Katherine: How’s it going?
Kimia: I mapped the mathematical code to an alphabetic key...
James: Which I applied to the pictures, turning it into a bunch of sentences...
Hsin: And I analyzed them and got it down to three keywords!
Katherine: So you solved it?
Hsin: Well... no. We just got three keywords.
James: ‘Missing in Action’.
Hsin: Unless we have some very eccentric transfer students, that’s not anyone’s name...
Jus then, the class bell rings! Students start filing out and heading towards their lockers!
Hsin: Oh no, Danny! Think fast! Who could this refer to?
Danny: Let’s see here... Missing in Action... It must be Mia! Missing In Action! M.I.A.! Mia!
Katherine: That’s it!
You look down the hall, where Mia is spinning her locker’s combo...
Danny: Mia! Nooooooooooo!
Mia: Huh? What?!
You tackle Mia to the ground, just in time! All around you, people gawk and stare...
Mia: Agggh! Why? Why is this happening?
James walks over to the locker and peeks in through the slits...
James: Yup, just like you thought. There’s a stink bomb rigged right to the latch. If she’d opened this, she would’ve smelled like farts and sauerkraut all day.
Mia: A fate worse than death! ...but why would someone do this to me?
Danny: It’s not personal, Mia. It’s just... well, a really long story.
Mia: I can’t say I understand... but I appreciate what you did. Thank you, Danny.
Danny: Yeah... any time.
A little while later, you catch up with Katherine.
Danny: Well, we beat Pandora’s riddle fair and square. That’s got to count for something, right?
Katherine: Well, sort of. She’s got a new task for us. She says it’s a reward.
Katherine holds up her phone.
Danny: Oh, you have got to be kidding me!
Requirements
You talk on the phone with the Emnett Brothers’ Traveling Petting Zoo...
Danny: Yeah. To my high school. No, this isn’t a joke. What animals do I want? How about puppies and kittens. You have those? Awesome. Just send them on down, and let’s get this over with.
You hang up.
Katherine: I can’t believe Pandora is making us do this! What is wrong with her?
Danny: Well, we don’t really have a choice.
And so, soon enough, a petting zoo has been set up in the middle of your school! All the students gather around and play with the animals...
Payton: Puppies and kittens all day! Whoo! Puppies and kittens all day!
Autumn: Look at their beautiful eyes! So sweet and innocent!
Julian: You’d be a good guard dog, wouldn’t you buddy? Yeah you would...
Sakura: Awww, aren’t you just the cutest, fuzziest, widdle-- Uh... I mean... your speed and endurance would make you a good champion...
Katherine: Looks like everyone’s enjoying themselves!
Danny: It was expensive... but I guess it’s not all bad!
Payton: So. Danny. I don’t want to alarm you. But some of the animals MAY have gotten out of the pen...
Danny: What?!
Payton: It’s okay! Julian’s wrangling them down any second now!
Just then, you can hear screaming and scrambling from the library! Nishan’s voice is loudest of all...
Nishan: Ahhhh! Would someone PLEASE get those things under control? How are we supposed to study with wild beasts rampaging through out most sacred of study halls?!
Julian: I’m trying, I’m trying! They’re just really fast... and bitey...
Payton: ...any second now.
Katherine: Um, Danny? I don’t mean to interrupt... but you should see this.
Katherine hands you her phone. You read the text...
Danny: ‘Ha! Your school just get funnier and funnier. After all your work, you deserve a treat! Why don’t you throw some parties? The loudest, craziest, wildest parties you can? And just in case you’re having second thoughts about doing what I say, the photo I have isn’t just of you... it’s of all your friends who helped you break into Hearst, too! If I let this out, you’re all going down!’
Katherine: Oh no.
You look over to the library, where Julian is trying to comfort an upset Nishan, while Mia and Payton look on...
Danny: I’m not going to let Pandora hurt my friends. I’ll do what she says.
Requirements
Danny: Phew! Those were some INSANE parties!
Katherine: Seriously... I am exhausted! I’m so not the party type!
Nishan bursts out of the library and comes storming over!
Nishan: Danny! We must have words at once!
Danny: Huh?
Nishan: What is wrong with you? You promised me you’d keep everyone focused on the CATs!
Danny: Oh. Right. Those things.
Nishan: ‘Those things’?! Have you gone completely insane? I asked you to dedicate this week to academic study... and instead, you’ve been throwing parties, ordering petting zoos, and dancing in fountains! Not to mention all the dating and breaking up...
Danny: Look, Nishan, I’m really, really sorry. I didn’t mean to get everyone distracted. But there’s something else going on here, something you can’t understand...
Nishan: Try me!
Just then, another text comes in! You read it silently...
Danny: (‘I’ve had such fun, Danny, but all good things must end. Just one last task left, and then I’ll destroy the photo. Come to the lookout on Mt. Harner. And bring your nerdy friend. I’ll be waiting for you there!’) ...you want to know the truth, Nishan? Then I need you to go for a ride with me.
Nishan: But... the CATs are so soon!
Danny: I promise we’ll be back in time. And this will explain everything.
Nishan: Well... okay. If you’re sure.
Danny: You coming, Katherine?
Katherine: Actually, I need to head back to Athena Academy to study for the CATs. I’ve been so busy dealing with this Pandora drama, I’ve had no time to crack the books. Do you mind?
Danny: No, it’s okay. Nishan, you’ve already studied as much as you can, right?
Nishan: I suppose. I don’t like this... but I trust you, Danny. If you’re sure this is the right thing to do, I’ve got your back.
Requirements
You and Nishan drive up a wooded path into the forests of Harner National Park. As you drive, you fill him in...
Nishan: An anonymous blackmailer with serious dirt on all of us? That’s straight-up supervillian status!
Danny: Yeah. I know. But if they release that photo os us at Hearst, we could all get in huge trouble.
Nishan: I understand. It’s just terrible timing that this all happened during CAT week...
Danny: This is almost over, Nishan. Pandora promised to give the photo up after this last task. And then we can go back and ace those CATs, just like you want.
Nishan: I just hope it’s not too late. The other students have been constantly distracted.
Danny: But you and Sakura haven’t, right? You guys are out star achievers! You’ll keep the scores up.
You reach the top of the mountain and park in a dusty lot. For a few minutes, you hike through the forest before stepping into a clearing... Where Sakura is waiting!
Nishan: What the...
Danny: YOU’RE Pandora?!
Sakura: What? No! I got a text from someone calling themselves Pandora saying I needed to come out here!
Nishan: Then she’s playing you too!
Danny: Uh... guys?
You point across the clearing to a stump... with an ornate wooden box resting on it!
Nishan: What’s in the box, Danny? What’s in the box?!
Time - 1 day
You walk over and open the box very slowly to find... Nothing.
Danny: I... don’t get it.
Nishan: I do. There’s nothing there because Pandora never had a photo, Danny. All along, this has just being a trick, her seeing how far she could manipulate you! All this time you were doing her bidding... and all she had was a lie!
Danny: But... why?
Just then, the phone beeps! You check out the latest text...
Danny: ‘Thanks for all the laughs, Danny! It’s been great. But now I’ve gotta go! I’ve got a test to take!’
Just then, you hear an engine revving from the parking area!
Danny: You don’t think...
Nishan: It’s her!
The three of you run to the parking lot, just in time to see a car go driving off down the hill. Sakura runs over to her car...
Sakura: My tires have been deflated!
Danny: Mine too!
Danny: We’re stranded out here...
Nishan: And the CATs start in an hour!
Sakura: This was all a trap, wasn’t it? She lured the highest achieving students out here, where we wouldn’t be able to help the school!
Nishan: We need to call someone for a ride... someone who probably isn’t taking the test anyway...
Requirements
You call Berry frantically...
Berry: Hello?
Danny: Berry! I’m so glad you answered! I’m stuck out at Mt. Harner, and I need a ride!
Berry: Uh, well, I’m kinda in the middle of something...
Danny: Oh, are you taking the CATs?
Berry: Oh those? Naw, no way. I just meant I found this mega-comfy spot on the couch...
Sakura grabs the phone out of your hands!
Sakura: Come get us now, lazy weakling, or I will swear a vow of vengeance that will echo to eternity!
Berry: I’ll be right there!
Sakura hangs up.
Sakura: See? Sometimes you just have to be forceful.
Danny: Yeah... but let’s just hope Berry gets here in time!
Time - 16 hours
Hours later, Berry pulls up in an old, busted car...
Berry: Hey, cool spot! You guys want to sit and check out the view for a while?
Nishan hurls himself into Berry’s car!
Nishan: Less talking! More driving! Go go go!
Berry: I’ll take that as a no.
You pull up outside your campus! Nishan scrambles out of the car.
Nishan: Did we make it? Can I still take the test?
The doors to the campus swing open... and the administrators walk out, holding all the completed tests!
Sakura: Oh no...
Nishan: We’re... we’re too late. We missed it.
Danny: Nishan, I’m so sorry...
Sakura: Nishan...
Nishan turns and walks off, a crushed look on his face.
Danny: Oh man... I should go talk to him.
Requirements
You find Nishan behind a Nerd Hangout, disassembling one of his robots.
Danny: Hey, Nishan. Are you okay?
Nishan: No. Not really. These tests meant a lot to me, Danny... and not only was the school distracted all week, but I didn’t even get to take them! Our school needs that funding, bad. And now, because of me, we won’t get it.
Danny: You don’t know that, not yet. And besides, you can’t blame yourself. This was my fault. You trusted me... and I let you down.
Nishan: I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t some truth to that. There’s a part of me that blames you. But I’m as much to blame. I fell for Pandora’s trick, same as you did. I’m supposed to be the biggest brain in this school... but I couldn’t see an obvious trap.
Danny: None of us could. We’ve never dealt with someone like this before. This isn’t like Hearst, where they were open and aggressive bullies. This is different.
Nishan: It’s worse.
You hunker down next to Nishan and give him a pat on the arm.
Danny: You think this was her plan all along? To try to sabotage our CATs?
Nishan: I’m sure of it. All those pranks she made you do were just decoys, intended to distract our school away from studying. Stranding you, me, and Sakura in the woods was just the icing on the cake.
Danny: But why? What does she gain?
Nishan: Money for her school? The reputation that comes from winning? Revenge for something we did to her? All I know is we’ll never be the top school in the county. After everything that’s happened, I’m thinking we’ll place dead last.
Danny: Have a little faith, Nishan. How long until we hear the results of the test?
Nishan: 20 hours or so.
Time - 20 hours
You sit next to Nishan in the Nerd Hangout when Sakura comes walking over.
Sakura: Well... the results of the CATs are in.
Nishan: And? How’d we do? Tell me we didn’t get last...
Sakura: Actually... we got second!
Nishan: Wait, seriously? Even after all the distractions and pranks? We’re still the second school in the county?!
Sakura: Yep! Looks like there’s more academic achievers here than you think!
Danny: That’s awesome!
Danny: So... who got first place in the CATs?
Sakura: Who do you think? Athena Academy.
Nishan: What is it with that place? Why does everything seem to point back to them?
Danny: I don’t know... but I’m sure Pandora has something to do with it.
Sakura: So what now? She doesn’t have any more blackmail on you, Danny, so you don’t have to fear her anymore.
Danny: Yeah, that’s a relief. Maybe it’s best for us to lie low for a while...
Nishan: No.
Danny: No?
Nishan: Pandora blackmailed our school... sabotaged our tests... harassed our students... and made me look like an idiot! I’m not letting her get away with this. I’m not letting her win. I think it’s time we took the fight... to her!
Do you have what it takes to unmask Pandora? Find out in the nest quest!
- Have 10 Classmates at Level 7+
You walk over to the courtyard, where Nishan has gathered up all of your friends.
Danny: Hey, Nishan, what’s going on?
Nishan: Oh, just the very best time of year! It’s CAT week!
Payton: Yay! I love kitties!
Nishan: I’m referring to the County Achievement Tests.
Payton: And I’m horrifically disappointed.
Nishan: The CATs are one of the most important tests we’ll take all year! They help the county determine which school is the strongest academically. It’s our chance to show the world how smart we are!
Julian: Booooooring.
Nishan: AND... the school with the most academic achievers receives a huge reward from the state!
Julian: Did I say ‘boring’? Because I meant ‘really really interesting’.
Mia: The clubs around here could definitely use the money. The cheerleaders have been using old mop-heads as pom-poms...
Autumn: And the art club is all out of every paint except green! My last painting was a frog eating peas on some mossy grass!
Nishan: The school needs the funding, Danny... but to get it, we’ll have to out-test every other school in the county!
Julian: Can’t you and Nerd-ette just get the top scores for us?
Sakura: My name is Sakura, and it won’t be enough even if Nishan and I ace it! Everyone needs to do well.
Danny: I think we can handle it.
Nishan: Now I know we all think our school’s pretty great... but when it comes to academic competition, we’re a sea-lion in a tank of sharks!
Payton: We’re cute and cuddly with fuzzy little paws?
Nishan: I meant they’re going to eat us.
Payton: Why must you ruin everything beautiful?
Nishan: There are some shockingly smart schools in the area. If we’re going to beat them, we all need to really focus on studying this week. No distractions! That means no parties... no games... and no heists, hijinks, or diabolical schemes!
Wes: I make no promises.
Danny: Focus up and study hard. We’ve got this, Nishan.
All your friends leave, heading to the library to study. You stay with Nishan.
Danny: You’re really into this, aren’t you?
Nishan: Well, it’s just... there’s not usually that much acclaim in being ‘the guy who gets good grades’, you know? The CATs are one of the few opportunities to show the school how important academics are, to get everyone studying together. Plus... that prize money can get the Robotics Club those anti-grav thrusters I’ve always wanted!
Danny: You actually think we can win the prize?
Nishan: So long as everyone works hard, and we don’t have any distractions? Yeah. I do.
Danny: Well, I think we can go one week without any distract--
Before you can finish the sentence, Katherine from Athena Academy comes running over!
Katherine: Uh, excuse me, Nishan? I need to talk to you...
Requirements
- Nishan
Katherine: You’re Nishan, right? The science guy?
Nishan: I do answer to that, yes, as well as Nishan Ninelives, Nishan the Necromancer, and Nishan Fuzzywings. I used to play this penguin MMO. I’m not proud.
Katherine: Right. Well. I... I’m sorry, but... I have to do this...
Katherine takes out a crumpled piece of paper and begins to read it.
Katherine: ‘Roses are red. Violets are blue. The truth is, Nishan... I’m just so into you!’
Danny: (This... is not what I expected!)
Time - 6 hours
Katherine: ‘Nishan’s eyes are green, and his teeth are white... I want to make out with him all night!’
Katherine finishes the love poem and tucks it back into her pocket.
Nishan: Um, well, I, see, the truth is, um, I’m flattered, but, um, um, um, um...
Danny: Nishan, are you okay? You sound like a malfunctioning robot...
Nishan: Well, Katherine, the thing is, I’m kind of dating someone right now, so, um, thanks for the poem, but, you know. Not interested?
Behind you, a small crowd is gawking and laughing. Katherine runs off, covering her face in embarrassment.
Nishan: ...girls, am I right?
Danny: Something about that seemed really off. I’m going to check on Katherine...
Requirements
- Danny
You find Katherine out on the far end of your campus, sitting behind some trees. She’s frantically texting.
Danny: Hey, Katherine!
Katherine: You! I... I...
Danny: Are you okay?
She looks up, and you realize she’s been crying.
Katherine: I... I’m fine. It’s nothing.
Danny: Whoa, Katherine! I’m sorry Nishan rejected you like that...
Katherine: No, it’s... you don’t understand. It’s just so complicated.
You glance down at Katherine... and notice a wooden box in her lap. She tries to hide it, but it’s too late!
Danny: Wait a minute... is that from Pandora? Is she harassing you?
Katherine: I... I...
Katherine sighs and composes herself. She hands you the box, which has a disposable cell phone in it.
Katherine: I guess it’s too late to hide the truth from you. This morning, I found this box from Pandora in my locker. It had that cell phone in it, and when I opened the box, she called me! She knows something about me... a really terrible secret... and she said that if I didn’t do what she wanted she’d reveal it to everyone!
Danny: And what she wanted was for you to read a sappy poem to Nishan?
Katherine: I guess she’s trying to embarrass me or something. I don’t understand why. I just know that I can’t let this secret get out. I--
Katherine is cut off by the sound of the phone getting a text! She reads it...
Katherine: Oh no!
Time - 10 hours
You read the text from Pandora...
Danny: ‘Well, well. Looks like you decided to join our little game, Danny.’
Katherine: How... how could she know?
Danny: ‘Don’t even think about telling anyone else about this. I’ve got my eye on you. If you want Katherine’s secret to stay safe and your reputation to stay clean, maybe both of you should go for a swim... in the school fountain!’
Katherine: Oh, Danny, I’m so sorry! I didn’t want you to get mixed up in this...
Danny: It’s not your fault. I’m not going to ignore a friend in need.
Katherine: So what do we do?
Danny: It sounds like it’s really important to you that Pandora doesn’t reveal your secret...
Katherine: It is.
Danny: So for now... I think we do what she wants.
Requirements
- Have 2 Fountains
Danny: Are you sure you’re okay with this, Katherine?
Katherine: We don’t have a choice. If my secret gets out, I’ll be totally ruined.
Danny: Then I guess it’s time to hit the fountains!
You and Katherine hop into your school’s fountains...
Danny: Ugh... this is cold and weird...
Katherine: I know... everyone’s staring at us...
A crowd of people gathers, pointing and gawking. Your face burns with embarrassment.
Danny: This is somehow much worse than I’d thought...
Just then, Payton steps forward.
Payton: What... what are you doing?
Danny: I’m... um... creatively bathing?
Payton: It looks awesome!
Before you can say anything, Payton dives in the fountain with you!
Payton: Doot doot doot! Fountain dance party!
More and more people start jumping in!
Julian: Fountain dance party?! Is this a thing we do now? I’m in!
Autumn: It’s so fun and free-spirited!
Wes: I wonder if there’s a way to charge people for this...
Sakura: Water fight!
You climb out of the fountain, sopping wet...
Danny: Well, that was weird. But not all that terrible.
Katherine: Thanks for the support, Danny. I’ll see you later.
Danny: Of course. Just let me know if Pandora bothers you again!
Katherine walks off... just as Nishan comes running over!
Nishan: What’s happening here? Did everyone get sprayed with a horrific neurotoxin and dive in the fountain to clean it off? Because that happened to me once...
Payton: Don’t be silly, Nishan? We’re having a fountain dance party!
Nishan: What? Why aren’t you studying for the CATs?
Julian: Because... this is way more fun?
Nishan: This isn’t a joke, Julian! It’s important that our school does well at the tests!
Danny: I’m sorry, Nishan. I didn’t mean to distract everyone. There’s just... there’s stuff going on I can’t quite talk about.
Katherine nods at you, thankfully.
Danny: Would it help at all if we all went to study now?
Nishan: It’d be a start.
Danny: Well, come on, guys! Let’s go!
Requirements
- Julian
- Payton
- Mia
Nishan: All right! It’s study time! Let’s all go down to the library!
Mia: Ugggggggh.
Payton: Double ugggggh.
Danny: What’s wrong?
Julian: Here’s the thing, Danny. Studying with Nishan is the worst.
Mia: Like, seriously, THE WORST.
Nishan: I thought it was fun...
Payton: All you do is make us sit in the library while you yell facts at us!
Julian: For hours!
Nishan: Well, you didn’t pay attention when I talked at a normal volume!
Danny: Hmm... maybe we should try to come up with a way to make studying more fun. I have a few ideas...
Time - 12 hours
You and all your friends are gathered in the library... Playing a fast-paced game of Study Trivia! You and Julian are on one team, and Payton and Mia are on another!
Payton: The end of the Civil War? That was um... um... 1865!
Nishan: Correct! That’s worth five points for Team Fire Ferrets, putting them in the lead 67 to 66!
Payton: Woohoo!
Mia: Girl power forever!
Nishan: Okay, Team Womp Rats... you’ve got one last shot to win this game. This is what it all comes down to.
Julian: We’ve got this, Danny!
Nishan: And the question is... which planet is famous for its big red spot?
Julian: I was wrong! We don’t got this! I have no idea!
Danny: Um... well... I think the answer is Jupiter!
Nishan: That’s correct! Five points to you! Team Womp Rat wins!
Julian: Yeah! That’s how we do!
You and Julian high-five!
Mia: Aw... I was so sure we’d win...
Payton: But I still had fun... and I actually feel like I learned stuff!
Nishan: You did!
Mia: Can we have a rematch?
Nishan: Of course!
Nishan: Now, the theme of this next round will be Arctic Residents and U.S. Presidents...
Just then, the door to the library cracks open. You can see Katherine just outside, looking very worried...
Danny: Sorry, guys, but I think I need to skip this round. Play it without me.
Nishan: But... but studying!
Danny: I’ll be back as soon as I can!
You step outside with Katherine.
Danny: What’s wrong?
Katherine: There’s another text from Pandora!
You read it...
Danny: ‘I’m getting bored. And you know what I do when I’m bored? Release secrets! If you want Katherine’s past to stay buried, you’ll have to entertain me with some romance! But not your boring jock-dating-jock romance. I want to see some couple you’d NEVER expect to see together!’
Katherine: This person is seriously creepy...
Danny: Well, I guess encouraging some people to date isn’t that bad... and it’s worth it to get her off our back!
Requirements
- Complete a Successful Date with a Nerd and a Skater
- Complete a Successful Date with an Emo and a Jock
Danny: There! Our school is full of clique-defying love! Take that, Pandora!
Katherine: I have to admit, it’s actually kind of sweet!
Danny: Yeah, it looks like everyone’s having fun!
On the far side of campus, Nishan yells at a happy couple, cuddling on the lawn...
Nishan: What is this? Why are you all lovey-dovey? You should be studying, not dating!
Danny: Well... almost everyone.
Ding ding! Another text comes in! You read it...
Danny: ‘Awww! Your school is so sappy! I hate sappy! Let’s see some real drama! I want to see some breakups!’
Katherine: That’s terrible!
Danny: Yeah... and it’s too far. I’m sorry, Katherine, but I can’t encourage people to get hurt to protect your secret.
Katherine: Wait... Danny... I--
You grab the phone and text Pandora back, telling her you’re not going to play her game any more! Another text comes back. You read it...
Danny: ‘Oh, Danny. Sweet, stupid Danny. Do you honestly think Katherine’s the only one I have dirt on? I happen to have photographic proof that you broke into Hearst High. Now do what I say, or I send it out!’
Katherine: ...did you really break into Hearst High?
Danny: ...it’s a long story. But if Pandora sends that photo out, I could get expelled or worse!
Katherine: So what now?
Danny: I think we have to play along.
Requirements
- Break a Couple Up
- Break a Couple Up
- Break a Couple Up
You walk across your campus, passing several bickering, shouting couples...
Danny: Yeesh. I guess it was too much to ask for some nice, quiet break-ups. With all this drama, no one can focus on anything else...
Katherine: At least our secrets are still safe.
Danny: Yeah... but I don’t know how much longer I can keep playing along!
The phone beeps again!
Katherine: Not more tasks...
Danny: No... it’s a picture!
You show Katherine the phone, which shows a coded mess of letters, numbers and symbols!
Katherine: What is that?
Danny: I think it’s a puzzle... Wait! There’s a text too. Pandora says she’s rigged one student’s locker with a stink bomb... and if we don’t solve the riddle in time, it’ll go off!
Katherine: Why would someone even do something like this?
Danny: I don’t know, but class gets out soon, and people are going to go to their lockers.
Katherine: Do you know anyone good at riddles?
Danny: Normally I’d go to Nishan with something like this, but he’s so focused on studying for the CATs, he’ll just be mad at the distraction. We’ll have to find some other people...
Requirements
- A Level 7+ Gamer (James)
- A Level 7+ Nerd Except Nishan (Kimia)
- A Level 7+ Emo (Hsin)
Katherine: So you’re all good at puzzles?
James: Uh, only if you count beating Ocarina’s water temple in thirty-five minutes!
Kimia: I’m excellent at mathematical quandaries...
Hsin: And I’m the Einstein of metaphors!
Danny: Here’s the puzzle. Let’s see what we can figure out.
Time - 15 hours
Katherine: How’s it going?
Kimia: I mapped the mathematical code to an alphabetic key...
James: Which I applied to the pictures, turning it into a bunch of sentences...
Hsin: And I analyzed them and got it down to three keywords!
Katherine: So you solved it?
Hsin: Well... no. We just got three keywords.
James: ‘Missing in Action’.
Hsin: Unless we have some very eccentric transfer students, that’s not anyone’s name...
Jus then, the class bell rings! Students start filing out and heading towards their lockers!
Hsin: Oh no, Danny! Think fast! Who could this refer to?
Danny: Let’s see here... Missing in Action... It must be Mia! Missing In Action! M.I.A.! Mia!
Katherine: That’s it!
You look down the hall, where Mia is spinning her locker’s combo...
Danny: Mia! Nooooooooooo!
Mia: Huh? What?!
You tackle Mia to the ground, just in time! All around you, people gawk and stare...
Mia: Agggh! Why? Why is this happening?
James walks over to the locker and peeks in through the slits...
James: Yup, just like you thought. There’s a stink bomb rigged right to the latch. If she’d opened this, she would’ve smelled like farts and sauerkraut all day.
Mia: A fate worse than death! ...but why would someone do this to me?
Danny: It’s not personal, Mia. It’s just... well, a really long story.
Mia: I can’t say I understand... but I appreciate what you did. Thank you, Danny.
Danny: Yeah... any time.
A little while later, you catch up with Katherine.
Danny: Well, we beat Pandora’s riddle fair and square. That’s got to count for something, right?
Katherine: Well, sort of. She’s got a new task for us. She says it’s a reward.
Katherine holds up her phone.
Danny: Oh, you have got to be kidding me!
Requirements
- Spend 400,000 coins
You talk on the phone with the Emnett Brothers’ Traveling Petting Zoo...
Danny: Yeah. To my high school. No, this isn’t a joke. What animals do I want? How about puppies and kittens. You have those? Awesome. Just send them on down, and let’s get this over with.
You hang up.
Katherine: I can’t believe Pandora is making us do this! What is wrong with her?
Danny: Well, we don’t really have a choice.
And so, soon enough, a petting zoo has been set up in the middle of your school! All the students gather around and play with the animals...
Payton: Puppies and kittens all day! Whoo! Puppies and kittens all day!
Autumn: Look at their beautiful eyes! So sweet and innocent!
Julian: You’d be a good guard dog, wouldn’t you buddy? Yeah you would...
Sakura: Awww, aren’t you just the cutest, fuzziest, widdle-- Uh... I mean... your speed and endurance would make you a good champion...
Katherine: Looks like everyone’s enjoying themselves!
Danny: It was expensive... but I guess it’s not all bad!
Payton: So. Danny. I don’t want to alarm you. But some of the animals MAY have gotten out of the pen...
Danny: What?!
Payton: It’s okay! Julian’s wrangling them down any second now!
Just then, you can hear screaming and scrambling from the library! Nishan’s voice is loudest of all...
Nishan: Ahhhh! Would someone PLEASE get those things under control? How are we supposed to study with wild beasts rampaging through out most sacred of study halls?!
Julian: I’m trying, I’m trying! They’re just really fast... and bitey...
Payton: ...any second now.
Katherine: Um, Danny? I don’t mean to interrupt... but you should see this.
Katherine hands you her phone. You read the text...
Danny: ‘Ha! Your school just get funnier and funnier. After all your work, you deserve a treat! Why don’t you throw some parties? The loudest, craziest, wildest parties you can? And just in case you’re having second thoughts about doing what I say, the photo I have isn’t just of you... it’s of all your friends who helped you break into Hearst, too! If I let this out, you’re all going down!’
Katherine: Oh no.
You look over to the library, where Julian is trying to comfort an upset Nishan, while Mia and Payton look on...
Danny: I’m not going to let Pandora hurt my friends. I’ll do what she says.
Requirements
- Complete a Party with a Cheerleader and a Hipster
- Complete a Party with a Dancer and a Slacker
Danny: Phew! Those were some INSANE parties!
Katherine: Seriously... I am exhausted! I’m so not the party type!
Nishan bursts out of the library and comes storming over!
Nishan: Danny! We must have words at once!
Danny: Huh?
Nishan: What is wrong with you? You promised me you’d keep everyone focused on the CATs!
Danny: Oh. Right. Those things.
Nishan: ‘Those things’?! Have you gone completely insane? I asked you to dedicate this week to academic study... and instead, you’ve been throwing parties, ordering petting zoos, and dancing in fountains! Not to mention all the dating and breaking up...
Danny: Look, Nishan, I’m really, really sorry. I didn’t mean to get everyone distracted. But there’s something else going on here, something you can’t understand...
Nishan: Try me!
Just then, another text comes in! You read it silently...
Danny: (‘I’ve had such fun, Danny, but all good things must end. Just one last task left, and then I’ll destroy the photo. Come to the lookout on Mt. Harner. And bring your nerdy friend. I’ll be waiting for you there!’) ...you want to know the truth, Nishan? Then I need you to go for a ride with me.
Nishan: But... the CATs are so soon!
Danny: I promise we’ll be back in time. And this will explain everything.
Nishan: Well... okay. If you’re sure.
Danny: You coming, Katherine?
Katherine: Actually, I need to head back to Athena Academy to study for the CATs. I’ve been so busy dealing with this Pandora drama, I’ve had no time to crack the books. Do you mind?
Danny: No, it’s okay. Nishan, you’ve already studied as much as you can, right?
Nishan: I suppose. I don’t like this... but I trust you, Danny. If you’re sure this is the right thing to do, I’ve got your back.
Requirements
- Danny
- Nishan
You and Nishan drive up a wooded path into the forests of Harner National Park. As you drive, you fill him in...
Nishan: An anonymous blackmailer with serious dirt on all of us? That’s straight-up supervillian status!
Danny: Yeah. I know. But if they release that photo os us at Hearst, we could all get in huge trouble.
Nishan: I understand. It’s just terrible timing that this all happened during CAT week...
Danny: This is almost over, Nishan. Pandora promised to give the photo up after this last task. And then we can go back and ace those CATs, just like you want.
Nishan: I just hope it’s not too late. The other students have been constantly distracted.
Danny: But you and Sakura haven’t, right? You guys are out star achievers! You’ll keep the scores up.
You reach the top of the mountain and park in a dusty lot. For a few minutes, you hike through the forest before stepping into a clearing... Where Sakura is waiting!
Nishan: What the...
Danny: YOU’RE Pandora?!
Sakura: What? No! I got a text from someone calling themselves Pandora saying I needed to come out here!
Nishan: Then she’s playing you too!
Danny: Uh... guys?
You point across the clearing to a stump... with an ornate wooden box resting on it!
Nishan: What’s in the box, Danny? What’s in the box?!
Time - 1 day
You walk over and open the box very slowly to find... Nothing.
Danny: I... don’t get it.
Nishan: I do. There’s nothing there because Pandora never had a photo, Danny. All along, this has just being a trick, her seeing how far she could manipulate you! All this time you were doing her bidding... and all she had was a lie!
Danny: But... why?
Just then, the phone beeps! You check out the latest text...
Danny: ‘Thanks for all the laughs, Danny! It’s been great. But now I’ve gotta go! I’ve got a test to take!’
Just then, you hear an engine revving from the parking area!
Danny: You don’t think...
Nishan: It’s her!
The three of you run to the parking lot, just in time to see a car go driving off down the hill. Sakura runs over to her car...
Sakura: My tires have been deflated!
Danny: Mine too!
Danny: We’re stranded out here...
Nishan: And the CATs start in an hour!
Sakura: This was all a trap, wasn’t it? She lured the highest achieving students out here, where we wouldn’t be able to help the school!
Nishan: We need to call someone for a ride... someone who probably isn’t taking the test anyway...
Requirements
- A Level 6+ Slacker Except Wes (Berry)
You call Berry frantically...
Berry: Hello?
Danny: Berry! I’m so glad you answered! I’m stuck out at Mt. Harner, and I need a ride!
Berry: Uh, well, I’m kinda in the middle of something...
Danny: Oh, are you taking the CATs?
Berry: Oh those? Naw, no way. I just meant I found this mega-comfy spot on the couch...
Sakura grabs the phone out of your hands!
Sakura: Come get us now, lazy weakling, or I will swear a vow of vengeance that will echo to eternity!
Berry: I’ll be right there!
Sakura hangs up.
Sakura: See? Sometimes you just have to be forceful.
Danny: Yeah... but let’s just hope Berry gets here in time!
Time - 16 hours
Hours later, Berry pulls up in an old, busted car...
Berry: Hey, cool spot! You guys want to sit and check out the view for a while?
Nishan hurls himself into Berry’s car!
Nishan: Less talking! More driving! Go go go!
Berry: I’ll take that as a no.
You pull up outside your campus! Nishan scrambles out of the car.
Nishan: Did we make it? Can I still take the test?
The doors to the campus swing open... and the administrators walk out, holding all the completed tests!
Sakura: Oh no...
Nishan: We’re... we’re too late. We missed it.
Danny: Nishan, I’m so sorry...
Sakura: Nishan...
Nishan turns and walks off, a crushed look on his face.
Danny: Oh man... I should go talk to him.
Requirements
- Nishan
You find Nishan behind a Nerd Hangout, disassembling one of his robots.
Danny: Hey, Nishan. Are you okay?
Nishan: No. Not really. These tests meant a lot to me, Danny... and not only was the school distracted all week, but I didn’t even get to take them! Our school needs that funding, bad. And now, because of me, we won’t get it.
Danny: You don’t know that, not yet. And besides, you can’t blame yourself. This was my fault. You trusted me... and I let you down.
Nishan: I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t some truth to that. There’s a part of me that blames you. But I’m as much to blame. I fell for Pandora’s trick, same as you did. I’m supposed to be the biggest brain in this school... but I couldn’t see an obvious trap.
Danny: None of us could. We’ve never dealt with someone like this before. This isn’t like Hearst, where they were open and aggressive bullies. This is different.
Nishan: It’s worse.
You hunker down next to Nishan and give him a pat on the arm.
Danny: You think this was her plan all along? To try to sabotage our CATs?
Nishan: I’m sure of it. All those pranks she made you do were just decoys, intended to distract our school away from studying. Stranding you, me, and Sakura in the woods was just the icing on the cake.
Danny: But why? What does she gain?
Nishan: Money for her school? The reputation that comes from winning? Revenge for something we did to her? All I know is we’ll never be the top school in the county. After everything that’s happened, I’m thinking we’ll place dead last.
Danny: Have a little faith, Nishan. How long until we hear the results of the test?
Nishan: 20 hours or so.
Time - 20 hours
You sit next to Nishan in the Nerd Hangout when Sakura comes walking over.
Sakura: Well... the results of the CATs are in.
Nishan: And? How’d we do? Tell me we didn’t get last...
Sakura: Actually... we got second!
Nishan: Wait, seriously? Even after all the distractions and pranks? We’re still the second school in the county?!
Sakura: Yep! Looks like there’s more academic achievers here than you think!
Danny: That’s awesome!
Danny: So... who got first place in the CATs?
Sakura: Who do you think? Athena Academy.
Nishan: What is it with that place? Why does everything seem to point back to them?
Danny: I don’t know... but I’m sure Pandora has something to do with it.
Sakura: So what now? She doesn’t have any more blackmail on you, Danny, so you don’t have to fear her anymore.
Danny: Yeah, that’s a relief. Maybe it’s best for us to lie low for a while...
Nishan: No.
Danny: No?
Nishan: Pandora blackmailed our school... sabotaged our tests... harassed our students... and made me look like an idiot! I’m not letting her get away with this. I’m not letting her win. I think it’s time we took the fight... to her!
Do you have what it takes to unmask Pandora? Find out in the nest quest!