Q & A
Main Characters / Extra Characters
My Classmates
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Requirements / Rewards
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Part 1
Nishan: Danny! Sakura and I have a trivia question we could use your help with...
Nishan: Quick, Danny! What’s my favorite time of the year?
Danny: Um...
Nishan: Bzzt! Time’s up! The correct answer was... Quiz Bowl season! Other acceptable answers? Pi Day, the Perseid Meteor Showers, and the new season of ‘Cupcake Wars’.
Danny: Did you just say--
Nishan: Never mind that. The point is... it’s Quiz Bow season!
Danny: What’s Quiz Bowl? You mean, like trivia?
Sakura: Quiz Bowl is anything but trivial. It’s a tournament for only fiercest competitors! You need razor-sharp intellect, massive memory, and lightning reflexes if you want to survive... or, you know, win.
Danny: That DOES sound right up your combines alleys.
Sakura: We used to totally crush it on the Hearst High team when we were there. Now I plan on crushing THEM...
Nishan: There’s just one teeny, tiny, disqualifying problem...
Time - 8 hours
Danny: What’s the problem?
Nishan: Well, a Quiz Bowl team needs four members... but so far, it’s just me and Sakura! Uh, not that I mind it just being us, but the rules say we require a full team.
Danny: Is that your way of asking me to join you?
Sakura: That depends... Name the rock band with the most Grammys!
Danny: U2! Ezra was just talking about them!
Nishan: That’s correct! But do you know who runs Vogue magazine?
Danny: I watched ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ with Mia one time, so I’m gonna say... Anna Wintour!
Nishan: Cha-ching! Which Mediterranean island is known for its famous DJs in residence?
Danny: That’d be Ibiza, home of the world’s biggest nightclub and Payton’s dream vacation spot!
Sakura: Three out of three... I’m impressed.
Nishan: Learning by social osmosis! It’s brilliant!
Rewards
Sakura: All right, Danny, you’ve made the cut. But that still leaves us one Mario short of a Party.
Nishan: Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Sakura?
Sakura: Yep. We’re gonna have... TRYOUTS! We just need an arena to host them...
Nishan: I’ll set up some space!
Part 2
Sakura: We need top talent to fill out our roster. Where can we hold tryouts?
Danny: You seem really excited for tryouts, Sakura...
Sakura: A brutal elimination contest where challengers must impress me with skill to earn my acceptance? What’s NOT to like?
Nishan: Hey, guys! We’re all set up in the classrooms! We’re ready to go! Remember. A contestant must demonstrate an incredible breadth of knowledge... lightning-fast reflexes...
Sakura: And a ruthless competitive spirit!
Danny: That’s... pretty specific.
Rewards
Nishan: A lot of our classmates signed up online to try out! We should be able to find a suitable fourth from this list.
Sakura: Then what are we waiting for? Send in the challengers!
Part 3
Sakura: There can only be one... new member of our Quiz Bowl team, that is.
The first three candidates enter the classroom...
Kimia: Bring it! I’ll take on any ‘Lord of the Rings’ questions you got!
Hsin: A chance to hang out with friends and talk about world events? I’m in!
Maddie: I took a poll on the best extracurricular activity for college applications... And Quiz Bowl got the highest approval rating!
Sakura: All right, maggots! Let’s see if you’ve got what it takes!
Time - 12 hours
The candidates try their best...
Maddie: When did the Civil War end? Hmmm, I’m sure I know that. I’ll just run a quick public opinion poll to--
Sakura: TOO SLOW!
Hsin: Do we have to compete over who knows the most? Maybe we could all just share knowledge together, as kindred spirits...
Sakura: TOO WEAK!
Kimia: The Civil War? Now, are you referring to the Marvel comic mega-event, or the clash between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire?
Sakura: TOO WRONG!
And one by one, the pool of candidates dwindles... and finally, no one is left.
Sakura: Ugh. I thought this would be fun, but it turned out awful! It’s like that makeover slumber party all over again! not one of these applicants possesses the intelligence, quickness, and ruthlessness Quiz Bowl demands!
Nishan: I believe there’s a well-known axiom about beggars and choosers, and the relationship between them...
Sakura: Did you just call me a beggar?
Nishan: Wouldn’t dream of it.
Rewards
Just then, Nishan’s computer dings!
Danny: Hey, look! Someone else just signed up to try out!
The door to the classroom swings open... and someone steps inside!
Sakura: YOU?!
Wes: Hope I’m not late.
Part 4
Wes: I heard you guys could use some help.
Sakura: What are YOU doing here?
Wes: What’s it look like, princess? I’m trying out for your Quiz thing!
Sakura: It’s a Quiz BOWL... and since when do YOU do extracurriculars?
Wes: Since this morning, actually. I just woke up and thought, you know, I don’t give Sakura NEARLY enough opportunities to berate me.
Sakura: You wouldn’t even be able to answer the easiest question we have, so how about you quit wasting our time?
Wes: Why don’t you try me?
Sakura: Fine. When did the Civil War end?
Wes: That’d be April 9, 1865.
Nishan: Whoa! He’s right!
Sakura: Big deal. So he paid attention in history class for one day. And that was just a warm-up.
Wes: I’m feeling pretty warmed up. What else you got?
Sakura: All right, Boy Genius, let’s see how you handle these questions...
Time - 14 hours
Sakura: Okay, hotshot. What river does the Tower Bridge cross?
Wes: Easy. The Thames.
Nishan: What shape is a twelve-sided die?
Wes: Another softball? It’s a dodecahedron.
Danny: How hot is the sun?
Wes: 27 million degrees Fahrenheit. Want it in Celsius?
Nishan: I think we’ve heard enough. You’re a natural!
Danny: I think we just found our fourth teammate!
Rewards
Wes: So when does the tournament start?
Sakura: Not so fast, scruffball. You never join clubs like this. Just what are you scheming?
Wes: Maybe I just want to challenge your perceptions of me. Have you thought about that?
Danny: He just wants to help, Sakura.
Sakura steps up to Wes, her face just inches from his.
Sakura: Nishan and I do this together every year, and I’m not gonna let you hijack it for your own plans. So whatever you’re planning, it better not get in the way of our total victory.
Wes: I’ve got my reasons to win this thing too.
Sakura: Good. So long as you carry your weight, you and I don’t have a problem.
Nishan: Let’s start practicing. The first round is coming up fast, and we’ve still got big knowledge gaps.
Sakura: Quiz Bowl isn’t just academics. They’re going to attack us from all angles. Anything from sports trivia to Renaissance art is fair game.
Danny: Hmm... We should talk to some experts around the school and see if they can help train us!
Part 5
Sakura: We have to cover our weak points. Know anyone that can train us?
As your team jots down notes, Julian, walks you through video clips of the most famous moments in sports history...
Julian: Here, you see Boise State’s quarterback throw the ball... but no, he faked it! See here? The running back had it the whole time!
Wes: That has to be one of the greatest cons ever pulled!
Julian: Now this clip... Babe Ruth, the original slugger, calls his home run... and then smashes it out of the park! All right, time for a sample question. I’ll set the stage... The year? 1989. Michael Jordan, the greatest athlete of all time. Down 100-99. Three seconds from playoff elimination. Jordan grabs the inbound pass. Dribbles. Goes up... and nails a jumper! Chicago wins! Danny! Name the play!
Danny: Hm, I’d have to guess The Shot!
Julian: Danny, beating the buzzer with a slam-dunk answer!
Danny: Gimme another one! I’m on a roll!
Autumn guides your team through a crash course in Renaissance art!
Autumn: And this work makes da Vinci’s foreshortening technique really stand out!
Nishan: It’s amazing how he was about to replicate the human eye’s vision! Almost as amazing as the eye itself! Doesn’t it just make you want to get a bunch of eyeballs and dissect them?
Autumn: Um... what?
Sakura: I mean, the graphics are legit, but what am I supposed to do? I’ve been staring at this painting for like ten seconds, and I’m not getting any more experience out of it. I seriously don’t know how people could handle things just... not moving!
Autumn: Being still doesn’t mean it can’t tell a story! Take the roof of the Sistine Chapel. It depicts God giving life to Adam, see? Do you know which Renaissance master painted this, Danny?
Danny: Um... Michelangelo!
Autumn: Nicely done, Danny.
Wes: Hey, Autumn, hit me with one.
Autumn: You sure you can handle this? I’m not gonna take it easy on you.
Wes: I’d be shocked if you did.
Later...
Nishan: Okay, gang, that’s two subjects down, just twenty to go!
Wes: Yeah, not gonna happen. That’s all the studying I can take for one day. I’m out.
Sakura: Wait, where do you think you’re going?
Wes: Got some things to take care of.
Nishan: But... but...
Nishan holds up his list of Quiz Bowl-approved topics. Wes takes it from him and rips off a section.
Wes: Here. I’ll take these five. We’ll split them up nice and even. Divide and conquer. That work for you, Your Highness?
Sakura: Is this your con all along? To sabotage us with an inferior study strategy?
Nishan: If I may, usually splitting up spells certain doom, like in horror movies... but it might be effective here.
Danny: We COULD cover more ground this way...
Sakura: Hmph. Well, Wes? You think you can master those subjects all on your own?
Wes: Literature? World currencies? I think I’ll survive. Have a little faith, princess. I AM the Boy Genius after all...
And with that, Wes takes off!
Rewards
Sakura: As much as I hate to admit it... Wes does have a point. Delegating topics allows for greater coverage, more depth, and less memory overload. It’s the best strategy we’ve got.
Nishan: Agreed. But it’s still a gamble. If one of us fails, we’ll have no redundancy. No back-up. Just one proton torpedo down an open exhaust port, and our team explodes like BOOM! Roll credits. See you in the sequel.
Sakura: So be it. There’s no such thing as second place. Only first loser!
Danny: In that case, we better split up the remaining subjects...
Part 6
Sakura: Let’s split up the remaining quiz topics. Divide and conquer!
You, Nishan, and Sakura go to your separate ways, and you text Allison to meet up!
Allison: So you need some help studying Hollywood trivia, do you? Let’s see how much you know to start with... Who is THE hottest celeb?
Danny: Um... Jennifer Lawrence!
Allison: Right on the money, Danny! More like, right on the 20 mil pay-or-play contract!
Danny: Thanks, Allison... But to be honest, I was thinking we could do more, uh... fact-based trivia? Like awards, dates, and directors!
Allison: Ohhh! Why didn’t you say so? Let’s get started...
Time - 18 hours
While you rattle off award-winning cinematographers with Allison, Sakura studies with Nalo!
Nalo: Well, I WANT to tell you which underground social movement coined the phrase ‘snacktivism’... But then someone will have heard of them. I don’t want them to go too mainstream--
Sakura: If you don’t want to go IN a stream, you’ll tell me the answer this instant!
Nalo: Okay, okay!
And Nishan crams the history of rap music with Bella’s help...
Nishan: What?! The hater po-po got Ill Tweezy hella shook because he stunted grandiose cheddar in his two-tone ‘Lac? And that’s why he ghosted from the game in ’93?
Bella: Um... sure... I guess that’s accurate.
Nishan: Word. Also, subject, object, and punctuation mark.
Rewards
Soon, it’s time to head to your first Quiz Bowl matchup!
Nishan: Well, we’ve each studied out assigned subjects. Have either of you heard from Wes?
Danny: No, but I’m sure he’s done his part.
Sakura: He better have...
Nishan: Maybe he’s waiting for us at the auditorium. We’d better get over there. But first we should suit up. If we look awesome, we’ll BE awesome!
Part 7
Nishan: They say to dress for the position you want. And what we want to be is Quiz Bowl champions!
You arrive at the auditorium lobby…
Sakura: Danny! There you are. Looking sharp. nice.
Danny: Was that an actual compliment from SAKURA?
Sakura: I just meant you look confident and professional! Don’t read into it.
Nishan: So… yeah, I still don’t see Wes anywhere.
Danny: I texted him. Didn’t get a response.
Sakura: I KNEW he would do this! Ugh! So dumb! Why did we ever trust him?
Wes: Maybe you’ve just got a soft spot for me.
Danny: Wes! You made it!
Rewards
Sakura: You didn’t flake! I mean… you’re late!
Wes: Really? I’d say it looks like I’m right on time.
Sakura: You’d better be ready to go.
Wes: Relax. I’m solid. You three just worry about your own assignments.
Wes pulls open the door to the auditorium and beckons Sakura through.
Wes: After you, princess.
Part 8
Wes: I told you I wouldn’t let you down. This Quiz Bowl will be a piece of cake.
Inside, you run into today’s opponents… Athena Acadamy!
Brigette: Oh, hi! Should’ve expected to see your school around here.
Danny: Hey, you guys… Good luck today!
Katherine: You too!
Sakura: Thanks, but we won’t be needing luck.
Just then, the Quiz Bowl moderation panel approaches!
Nishan: Professor Edwin! Hi!
Prof. Edwin: Nishan, Sakura… welcome. I’m thrilled to see you managed to form a team at your new school! And I’m pleased to see you’re participating, Wes. Albeit surprised…
Wes: I try to keep people on their toes.
Prof. Edwin: I’m sure you do. All right, teams, you may now take your places at the tables on stage. But first, please deposit your cell phones here. For security purposes.
You, Nishan, and Sakura place your phones in a plastic bin for your team. But Wes just shrugs.
Wes: I don’t have a phone.
Sakura: Since when?
Wes: It was getting annoying. I’d rather be looking at the world than a screen, wouldn’t you?
Brigette: Huh? Weren’t you just texting someone a minute ago?
Wes: Oh. Right. This old thing…
Wes slips a phone from his pocket and tosses it into the bin with yours.
Danny: All right, guys, let’s take our seats!
Time - 22 hours
Soon, the matchup against Athena Academy begins!
Prof. Edwin: First question… which movie starred Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as undercover police?
Nishan: Movies was your topic, Danny. This one’s all yours!
You immediately buzz in!
Danny: The answer is 21 Jump Street!
Prof. Edwin: Correct! That puts your team in the lead!
Nishan: Danny draws first blood! Nice!
Sakura: Not bad, Danny. But no time to celebrate! Let’s keep it up!
Professor Edwin lobs questions, both teams jamming the buzzer with lightning quickness!
Sakura: The Occupy Wall Street movement!
Brigette: Dolce & Gabbana!
Nishan: Kanye West, a.k.a. Yeezy, a.k.a. Yeezus, a.k.a. Mr. Kim Kardashian!
Katherine: A pandemonium of parrits!
Danny: ‘Sharknado 3: Sharknami’!
But all the while, Wes sits quietly, not touching the buzzer!
Prof. Edwin: What is the currency of Guatemala?
Katherine: The quetzal! Rhymes with pretzel!
Sakura: Wes, what are you doing?! You’re not answering any of the questions on YOUR topics!
Wes: My bad. I just need to focus…
Prof. Edwin: It seems we have a tie game heading into the final question! In what novel did Dickens write, ‘Ask no questions, and you’ll be told no lies’?
The auditorium falls silent. Wes doesn’t move.
Danny: Wes? Are you gonna answer? Literature was yours, remember?
Wes: I…
Brigette buzzes in!
Nishan: No!
Sakura: We’re gonna lose!
Brigette: Professor Edwin, the answer is… ‘Oliver Twist’!
Prof. Edwin: That is… Incorrect! The answer was ‘Great Expectations’! Per the rules, Athena Academy loses a point…
Brigette: What? No!
Sakura: Wait! That means we won!
Prof. Edwin: Yes. Your team is on to the next round of the tournament!
Nishan: That was WAY too close!
Rewards
As soon as your team collects your phones and gets out to the parking lot…
Sakura: Hey, Wes! You want to tell us what the heck that was back there?
Part 9
Sakura: WES! What is WRONG with you?!
Sakura: So?! You got anything to say for yourself?
Wes: Look, I froze up, okay? I’ve never done anything like this before… or so you keep reminding me.
Nishan: Ease up, Sakura. We won, it’s all okay.
Sakura: It’s not okay. He didn’t say a word the whole time! He nearly cost us the game! After how hard all of us worked! And I don’t buy for a second that he got nerves. Not after all the cons and tricks I’ve seen him pull.
Danny: Well, Wes? I have to agree, this is weird. Did you not have a chance to study your topics? You can tell us the truth…
Wes: …no, all right? I didn’t study.
Sakura: You were just gonna leave us high and dry, weren’t you?
Wes: Of course not! Do you really think that little of me?
Sakura: Then what was your plan, Boy Genius?
Wes: Don’t worry about it. I’ll have it figured out by the next round.
Wes starts to dial a number into his phone… but Sakura snatches it away!
Sakura: Not good enough, Wes! You… Hey! What are all these text messages?
Wes: Um…
Sakura: ‘Quetzal’? ‘Great Expectations’? These are the Quiz Bowl answers! What are they doing on your phone?!
Wes: The thing is…
Danny: Wes? …were you going to cheat?
Time - 21 hours
Wes: Okay, fine! Yes! I was gonna cheat. I had it all figured out. I had a buddy sitting in the audience, looking up the answers. He’d text me, and my phone was set to automatically vibrate the message in Morse Code.
Sakura: I… I KNEW it! I knew you were conning us at tryouts!
Danny: Wait a second… you’re telling me you taught yourself Morse Code? Just so you wouldn’t have to study?
Nishan: I can’t believe you did this, Wes. Do you realize we would have all been kicked out if you’d been caught?
Wes: Well, you don’t have to worry about that, do you? They didn’t let me keep my phone. But DON’T tell me I was planning on letting you guys down.
Sakura: Well, you did, Wes. Even more than I expected.
Wes: You know what? This was dumb. I’m not cut out for stuff like this. That’s what you want to hear, isn’t it?
Danny: No--
Sakura: Yeah. It is.
Wes: Then congrats. You were right. I’m nothing but a lowlife cheater. And a burden on everyone I care about. …sorry.
Wes storms off.
Rewards
Nishan: This isn’t good.
Sakura: Whatever. Good riddance. We can just get someone else. Someone who will actually try.
Nishan: But we can’t We’re not allowed to change out teammates once the tournament begins.
Danny: So what do we do?
Sakura: We soldier on, just the three of us. We don’t need him.
Danny: Maybe. But I’m kinda thinking Wes needs us.
Sakura: And you know what? I don’t care.
Will your Quiz Bowl team survive shorthanded? Or are you destined for defeat? Find out in the next quest!
Nishan: Danny! Sakura and I have a trivia question we could use your help with...
- Danny
- Nishan
- Sakura
Nishan: Quick, Danny! What’s my favorite time of the year?
Danny: Um...
Nishan: Bzzt! Time’s up! The correct answer was... Quiz Bowl season! Other acceptable answers? Pi Day, the Perseid Meteor Showers, and the new season of ‘Cupcake Wars’.
Danny: Did you just say--
Nishan: Never mind that. The point is... it’s Quiz Bow season!
Danny: What’s Quiz Bowl? You mean, like trivia?
Sakura: Quiz Bowl is anything but trivial. It’s a tournament for only fiercest competitors! You need razor-sharp intellect, massive memory, and lightning reflexes if you want to survive... or, you know, win.
Danny: That DOES sound right up your combines alleys.
Sakura: We used to totally crush it on the Hearst High team when we were there. Now I plan on crushing THEM...
Nishan: There’s just one teeny, tiny, disqualifying problem...
Time - 8 hours
Danny: What’s the problem?
Nishan: Well, a Quiz Bowl team needs four members... but so far, it’s just me and Sakura! Uh, not that I mind it just being us, but the rules say we require a full team.
Danny: Is that your way of asking me to join you?
Sakura: That depends... Name the rock band with the most Grammys!
Danny: U2! Ezra was just talking about them!
Nishan: That’s correct! But do you know who runs Vogue magazine?
Danny: I watched ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ with Mia one time, so I’m gonna say... Anna Wintour!
Nishan: Cha-ching! Which Mediterranean island is known for its famous DJs in residence?
Danny: That’d be Ibiza, home of the world’s biggest nightclub and Payton’s dream vacation spot!
Sakura: Three out of three... I’m impressed.
Nishan: Learning by social osmosis! It’s brilliant!
Rewards
- 15,000 coins
- 750 XP
Sakura: All right, Danny, you’ve made the cut. But that still leaves us one Mario short of a Party.
Nishan: Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Sakura?
Sakura: Yep. We’re gonna have... TRYOUTS! We just need an arena to host them...
Nishan: I’ll set up some space!
Part 2
Sakura: We need top talent to fill out our roster. Where can we hold tryouts?
- Have 3 Upgraded Classrooms
- Spend 1500 books
Danny: You seem really excited for tryouts, Sakura...
Sakura: A brutal elimination contest where challengers must impress me with skill to earn my acceptance? What’s NOT to like?
Nishan: Hey, guys! We’re all set up in the classrooms! We’re ready to go! Remember. A contestant must demonstrate an incredible breadth of knowledge... lightning-fast reflexes...
Sakura: And a ruthless competitive spirit!
Danny: That’s... pretty specific.
Rewards
- 750 XP
Nishan: A lot of our classmates signed up online to try out! We should be able to find a suitable fourth from this list.
Sakura: Then what are we waiting for? Send in the challengers!
Part 3
Sakura: There can only be one... new member of our Quiz Bowl team, that is.
- A Level 8+ Nerd Except Danny and Nishan (Kimia)
- A Level 8+ Student Gov (Maddie)
- A Level 8+ Emo (Hsin)
The first three candidates enter the classroom...
Kimia: Bring it! I’ll take on any ‘Lord of the Rings’ questions you got!
Hsin: A chance to hang out with friends and talk about world events? I’m in!
Maddie: I took a poll on the best extracurricular activity for college applications... And Quiz Bowl got the highest approval rating!
Sakura: All right, maggots! Let’s see if you’ve got what it takes!
Time - 12 hours
The candidates try their best...
Maddie: When did the Civil War end? Hmmm, I’m sure I know that. I’ll just run a quick public opinion poll to--
Sakura: TOO SLOW!
Hsin: Do we have to compete over who knows the most? Maybe we could all just share knowledge together, as kindred spirits...
Sakura: TOO WEAK!
Kimia: The Civil War? Now, are you referring to the Marvel comic mega-event, or the clash between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire?
Sakura: TOO WRONG!
And one by one, the pool of candidates dwindles... and finally, no one is left.
Sakura: Ugh. I thought this would be fun, but it turned out awful! It’s like that makeover slumber party all over again! not one of these applicants possesses the intelligence, quickness, and ruthlessness Quiz Bowl demands!
Nishan: I believe there’s a well-known axiom about beggars and choosers, and the relationship between them...
Sakura: Did you just call me a beggar?
Nishan: Wouldn’t dream of it.
Rewards
- 16,000 coins
- 750 XP
Just then, Nishan’s computer dings!
Danny: Hey, look! Someone else just signed up to try out!
The door to the classroom swings open... and someone steps inside!
Sakura: YOU?!
Wes: Hope I’m not late.
Part 4
Wes: I heard you guys could use some help.
- Wes
Sakura: What are YOU doing here?
Wes: What’s it look like, princess? I’m trying out for your Quiz thing!
Sakura: It’s a Quiz BOWL... and since when do YOU do extracurriculars?
Wes: Since this morning, actually. I just woke up and thought, you know, I don’t give Sakura NEARLY enough opportunities to berate me.
Sakura: You wouldn’t even be able to answer the easiest question we have, so how about you quit wasting our time?
Wes: Why don’t you try me?
Sakura: Fine. When did the Civil War end?
Wes: That’d be April 9, 1865.
Nishan: Whoa! He’s right!
Sakura: Big deal. So he paid attention in history class for one day. And that was just a warm-up.
Wes: I’m feeling pretty warmed up. What else you got?
Sakura: All right, Boy Genius, let’s see how you handle these questions...
Time - 14 hours
Sakura: Okay, hotshot. What river does the Tower Bridge cross?
Wes: Easy. The Thames.
Nishan: What shape is a twelve-sided die?
Wes: Another softball? It’s a dodecahedron.
Danny: How hot is the sun?
Wes: 27 million degrees Fahrenheit. Want it in Celsius?
Nishan: I think we’ve heard enough. You’re a natural!
Danny: I think we just found our fourth teammate!
Rewards
- 17,000 coins
- 750 XP
Wes: So when does the tournament start?
Sakura: Not so fast, scruffball. You never join clubs like this. Just what are you scheming?
Wes: Maybe I just want to challenge your perceptions of me. Have you thought about that?
Danny: He just wants to help, Sakura.
Sakura steps up to Wes, her face just inches from his.
Sakura: Nishan and I do this together every year, and I’m not gonna let you hijack it for your own plans. So whatever you’re planning, it better not get in the way of our total victory.
Wes: I’ve got my reasons to win this thing too.
Sakura: Good. So long as you carry your weight, you and I don’t have a problem.
Nishan: Let’s start practicing. The first round is coming up fast, and we’ve still got big knowledge gaps.
Sakura: Quiz Bowl isn’t just academics. They’re going to attack us from all angles. Anything from sports trivia to Renaissance art is fair game.
Danny: Hmm... We should talk to some experts around the school and see if they can help train us!
Part 5
Sakura: We have to cover our weak points. Know anyone that can train us?
- Julian!
- Autumn!
- Spend 100,000 coins
As your team jots down notes, Julian, walks you through video clips of the most famous moments in sports history...
Julian: Here, you see Boise State’s quarterback throw the ball... but no, he faked it! See here? The running back had it the whole time!
Wes: That has to be one of the greatest cons ever pulled!
Julian: Now this clip... Babe Ruth, the original slugger, calls his home run... and then smashes it out of the park! All right, time for a sample question. I’ll set the stage... The year? 1989. Michael Jordan, the greatest athlete of all time. Down 100-99. Three seconds from playoff elimination. Jordan grabs the inbound pass. Dribbles. Goes up... and nails a jumper! Chicago wins! Danny! Name the play!
Danny: Hm, I’d have to guess The Shot!
Julian: Danny, beating the buzzer with a slam-dunk answer!
Danny: Gimme another one! I’m on a roll!
Autumn guides your team through a crash course in Renaissance art!
Autumn: And this work makes da Vinci’s foreshortening technique really stand out!
Nishan: It’s amazing how he was about to replicate the human eye’s vision! Almost as amazing as the eye itself! Doesn’t it just make you want to get a bunch of eyeballs and dissect them?
Autumn: Um... what?
Sakura: I mean, the graphics are legit, but what am I supposed to do? I’ve been staring at this painting for like ten seconds, and I’m not getting any more experience out of it. I seriously don’t know how people could handle things just... not moving!
Autumn: Being still doesn’t mean it can’t tell a story! Take the roof of the Sistine Chapel. It depicts God giving life to Adam, see? Do you know which Renaissance master painted this, Danny?
Danny: Um... Michelangelo!
Autumn: Nicely done, Danny.
Wes: Hey, Autumn, hit me with one.
Autumn: You sure you can handle this? I’m not gonna take it easy on you.
Wes: I’d be shocked if you did.
Later...
Nishan: Okay, gang, that’s two subjects down, just twenty to go!
Wes: Yeah, not gonna happen. That’s all the studying I can take for one day. I’m out.
Sakura: Wait, where do you think you’re going?
Wes: Got some things to take care of.
Nishan: But... but...
Nishan holds up his list of Quiz Bowl-approved topics. Wes takes it from him and rips off a section.
Wes: Here. I’ll take these five. We’ll split them up nice and even. Divide and conquer. That work for you, Your Highness?
Sakura: Is this your con all along? To sabotage us with an inferior study strategy?
Nishan: If I may, usually splitting up spells certain doom, like in horror movies... but it might be effective here.
Danny: We COULD cover more ground this way...
Sakura: Hmph. Well, Wes? You think you can master those subjects all on your own?
Wes: Literature? World currencies? I think I’ll survive. Have a little faith, princess. I AM the Boy Genius after all...
And with that, Wes takes off!
Rewards
- 2000 books
- 750 XP
Sakura: As much as I hate to admit it... Wes does have a point. Delegating topics allows for greater coverage, more depth, and less memory overload. It’s the best strategy we’ve got.
Nishan: Agreed. But it’s still a gamble. If one of us fails, we’ll have no redundancy. No back-up. Just one proton torpedo down an open exhaust port, and our team explodes like BOOM! Roll credits. See you in the sequel.
Sakura: So be it. There’s no such thing as second place. Only first loser!
Danny: In that case, we better split up the remaining subjects...
Part 6
Sakura: Let’s split up the remaining quiz topics. Divide and conquer!
- A Level 5+ Movie Star (Allison)
- A Level 7+ Hipster (Nalo)
- A Level 5+ Hip Hop (Bella)
You, Nishan, and Sakura go to your separate ways, and you text Allison to meet up!
Allison: So you need some help studying Hollywood trivia, do you? Let’s see how much you know to start with... Who is THE hottest celeb?
Danny: Um... Jennifer Lawrence!
Allison: Right on the money, Danny! More like, right on the 20 mil pay-or-play contract!
Danny: Thanks, Allison... But to be honest, I was thinking we could do more, uh... fact-based trivia? Like awards, dates, and directors!
Allison: Ohhh! Why didn’t you say so? Let’s get started...
Time - 18 hours
While you rattle off award-winning cinematographers with Allison, Sakura studies with Nalo!
Nalo: Well, I WANT to tell you which underground social movement coined the phrase ‘snacktivism’... But then someone will have heard of them. I don’t want them to go too mainstream--
Sakura: If you don’t want to go IN a stream, you’ll tell me the answer this instant!
Nalo: Okay, okay!
And Nishan crams the history of rap music with Bella’s help...
Nishan: What?! The hater po-po got Ill Tweezy hella shook because he stunted grandiose cheddar in his two-tone ‘Lac? And that’s why he ghosted from the game in ’93?
Bella: Um... sure... I guess that’s accurate.
Nishan: Word. Also, subject, object, and punctuation mark.
Rewards
- 18,000 coins
- 750 XP
Soon, it’s time to head to your first Quiz Bowl matchup!
Nishan: Well, we’ve each studied out assigned subjects. Have either of you heard from Wes?
Danny: No, but I’m sure he’s done his part.
Sakura: He better have...
Nishan: Maybe he’s waiting for us at the auditorium. We’d better get over there. But first we should suit up. If we look awesome, we’ll BE awesome!
Part 7
Nishan: They say to dress for the position you want. And what we want to be is Quiz Bowl champions!
- Have Danny wearing a Prep School Uniform Outfit
You arrive at the auditorium lobby…
Sakura: Danny! There you are. Looking sharp. nice.
Danny: Was that an actual compliment from SAKURA?
Sakura: I just meant you look confident and professional! Don’t read into it.
Nishan: So… yeah, I still don’t see Wes anywhere.
Danny: I texted him. Didn’t get a response.
Sakura: I KNEW he would do this! Ugh! So dumb! Why did we ever trust him?
Wes: Maybe you’ve just got a soft spot for me.
Danny: Wes! You made it!
Rewards
- 20,000 coins
- 750 XP
Sakura: You didn’t flake! I mean… you’re late!
Wes: Really? I’d say it looks like I’m right on time.
Sakura: You’d better be ready to go.
Wes: Relax. I’m solid. You three just worry about your own assignments.
Wes pulls open the door to the auditorium and beckons Sakura through.
Wes: After you, princess.
Part 8
Wes: I told you I wouldn’t let you down. This Quiz Bowl will be a piece of cake.
- Nishan
- Sakura
- Wes
Inside, you run into today’s opponents… Athena Acadamy!
Brigette: Oh, hi! Should’ve expected to see your school around here.
Danny: Hey, you guys… Good luck today!
Katherine: You too!
Sakura: Thanks, but we won’t be needing luck.
Just then, the Quiz Bowl moderation panel approaches!
Nishan: Professor Edwin! Hi!
Prof. Edwin: Nishan, Sakura… welcome. I’m thrilled to see you managed to form a team at your new school! And I’m pleased to see you’re participating, Wes. Albeit surprised…
Wes: I try to keep people on their toes.
Prof. Edwin: I’m sure you do. All right, teams, you may now take your places at the tables on stage. But first, please deposit your cell phones here. For security purposes.
You, Nishan, and Sakura place your phones in a plastic bin for your team. But Wes just shrugs.
Wes: I don’t have a phone.
Sakura: Since when?
Wes: It was getting annoying. I’d rather be looking at the world than a screen, wouldn’t you?
Brigette: Huh? Weren’t you just texting someone a minute ago?
Wes: Oh. Right. This old thing…
Wes slips a phone from his pocket and tosses it into the bin with yours.
Danny: All right, guys, let’s take our seats!
Time - 22 hours
Soon, the matchup against Athena Academy begins!
Prof. Edwin: First question… which movie starred Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as undercover police?
Nishan: Movies was your topic, Danny. This one’s all yours!
You immediately buzz in!
Danny: The answer is 21 Jump Street!
Prof. Edwin: Correct! That puts your team in the lead!
Nishan: Danny draws first blood! Nice!
Sakura: Not bad, Danny. But no time to celebrate! Let’s keep it up!
Professor Edwin lobs questions, both teams jamming the buzzer with lightning quickness!
Sakura: The Occupy Wall Street movement!
Brigette: Dolce & Gabbana!
Nishan: Kanye West, a.k.a. Yeezy, a.k.a. Yeezus, a.k.a. Mr. Kim Kardashian!
Katherine: A pandemonium of parrits!
Danny: ‘Sharknado 3: Sharknami’!
But all the while, Wes sits quietly, not touching the buzzer!
Prof. Edwin: What is the currency of Guatemala?
Katherine: The quetzal! Rhymes with pretzel!
Sakura: Wes, what are you doing?! You’re not answering any of the questions on YOUR topics!
Wes: My bad. I just need to focus…
Prof. Edwin: It seems we have a tie game heading into the final question! In what novel did Dickens write, ‘Ask no questions, and you’ll be told no lies’?
The auditorium falls silent. Wes doesn’t move.
Danny: Wes? Are you gonna answer? Literature was yours, remember?
Wes: I…
Brigette buzzes in!
Nishan: No!
Sakura: We’re gonna lose!
Brigette: Professor Edwin, the answer is… ‘Oliver Twist’!
Prof. Edwin: That is… Incorrect! The answer was ‘Great Expectations’! Per the rules, Athena Academy loses a point…
Brigette: What? No!
Sakura: Wait! That means we won!
Prof. Edwin: Yes. Your team is on to the next round of the tournament!
Nishan: That was WAY too close!
Rewards
- 21,000 coins
- 750 XP
As soon as your team collects your phones and gets out to the parking lot…
Sakura: Hey, Wes! You want to tell us what the heck that was back there?
Part 9
Sakura: WES! What is WRONG with you?!
- Sakura
- Wes
Sakura: So?! You got anything to say for yourself?
Wes: Look, I froze up, okay? I’ve never done anything like this before… or so you keep reminding me.
Nishan: Ease up, Sakura. We won, it’s all okay.
Sakura: It’s not okay. He didn’t say a word the whole time! He nearly cost us the game! After how hard all of us worked! And I don’t buy for a second that he got nerves. Not after all the cons and tricks I’ve seen him pull.
Danny: Well, Wes? I have to agree, this is weird. Did you not have a chance to study your topics? You can tell us the truth…
Wes: …no, all right? I didn’t study.
Sakura: You were just gonna leave us high and dry, weren’t you?
Wes: Of course not! Do you really think that little of me?
Sakura: Then what was your plan, Boy Genius?
Wes: Don’t worry about it. I’ll have it figured out by the next round.
Wes starts to dial a number into his phone… but Sakura snatches it away!
Sakura: Not good enough, Wes! You… Hey! What are all these text messages?
Wes: Um…
Sakura: ‘Quetzal’? ‘Great Expectations’? These are the Quiz Bowl answers! What are they doing on your phone?!
Wes: The thing is…
Danny: Wes? …were you going to cheat?
Time - 21 hours
Wes: Okay, fine! Yes! I was gonna cheat. I had it all figured out. I had a buddy sitting in the audience, looking up the answers. He’d text me, and my phone was set to automatically vibrate the message in Morse Code.
Sakura: I… I KNEW it! I knew you were conning us at tryouts!
Danny: Wait a second… you’re telling me you taught yourself Morse Code? Just so you wouldn’t have to study?
Nishan: I can’t believe you did this, Wes. Do you realize we would have all been kicked out if you’d been caught?
Wes: Well, you don’t have to worry about that, do you? They didn’t let me keep my phone. But DON’T tell me I was planning on letting you guys down.
Sakura: Well, you did, Wes. Even more than I expected.
Wes: You know what? This was dumb. I’m not cut out for stuff like this. That’s what you want to hear, isn’t it?
Danny: No--
Sakura: Yeah. It is.
Wes: Then congrats. You were right. I’m nothing but a lowlife cheater. And a burden on everyone I care about. …sorry.
Wes storms off.
Rewards
- 22,000 coins
- 750 XP
Nishan: This isn’t good.
Sakura: Whatever. Good riddance. We can just get someone else. Someone who will actually try.
Nishan: But we can’t We’re not allowed to change out teammates once the tournament begins.
Danny: So what do we do?
Sakura: We soldier on, just the three of us. We don’t need him.
Danny: Maybe. But I’m kinda thinking Wes needs us.
Sakura: And you know what? I don’t care.
Will your Quiz Bowl team survive shorthanded? Or are you destined for defeat? Find out in the next quest!