State Finals
Main Characters / Extra Characters
My Classmates
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Requirements / Rewards
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Part 1
Julian: It’s game time!
You and all your classmates gather at the stadium entrance…
Sakura: Let’s do this, people! It’s game time!
As the doors open, you and all your classmates march in, football players and fellow students side by side!
Danny: Whoa! This place is huge!
All around you, the enormous crowd roars! Hundreds of cameras flash, lighting up the stadium!
Julian: There must be scouts from every college in the state here!
Danny: This is it, Julian. You ready?
Julian: Oh yeah!
Rewards
Sakura: Get ready to destroy them, everyone!
Danny: All right, let’s get to it!
Payton: Not so fast, Danny! There’s something you have to do first… look!
Payton points up to the jumbo screen looming above the field… On display are the words ‘KISS CAM’ above a live video feed… of you!
Julian: Heheh, the whole stadium’s watching, Danny. You can’t disappoint!
Danny: Kiss cam? What do I do?
Payton: Isn’t it obvious? Pull someone in close for a pre-game kiss!
Part 2
Danny: I’m on the kiss cam… but who’s standing next to me?
You look up at the stadium’s jumbo screen, where you and Berry smile on camera! The crowd roars, chanting for you to kiss!
Berry: Well, we have to give the people what they want, right?
Danny: I guess so!
The two of you lean closer and closer…
Time - 10 hours
You lean over and give Berry a long, sweet kiss on the lips!
Berry: …!
The crowd goes wild! The thunderous roar echoes through the stadium!
Rewards
Just then, Ezra runs up to you, excited.
Ezra: Hey, Danny! Awesome news!
Danny: What’s up?
Ezra: Two local singers were booked to sing the national anthem before the game… …but at the last minute they had a huge spat! Now one won’t get out of her van and the other locked himself in a bathroom!
Danny: And this is… good?
Ezra: This is GREAT. Now the organizers are looking for some singers to take their place! Know a pair of good vocalists?
Part 3
Ezra: We need two people to sing the national anthem!
London: Hey, Danny. You wanted to see us?
Danny: Yeah! Did you hear about the singers bailing on the national anthem?
Austin: Of course! It’s all over everyone’s news feed!
Danny: Well, how would you like to take their place?
London: Are you serious? Of course!
Austin: As if we’d pass up the chance to sing on live television!
Danny: Great! You’d better warm up then… because it’s almost time!
Time - 12 hours
Both teams stand at attention as London and Austin step out onto the field, taking their places by the flag…
London: Oh, say can you see…
Austin: …by the dawn’s early light…
They belt out a stirring, soulful rendition of the national anthem! As they hit the final note in perfect two-part harmony, fighter jets zoom overhead!
Danny: Woo hoo! Great job, guys!
The crowd is on their feet, roaring with cheers and applause!
London: Thank you!
Austin: Thank you so much!
Rewards
Julian: Hey, Danny. It’s almost time for kickoff, but I wanted to ask you something before we start…
Danny: Sure, anything.
Julian: Well, you’ve done so much for this team, it’d be really cool if you were at my side during the coin toss. Will you be my honorary co-captain for the flip?
Danny: Me? …I’d love to!
Part 4
Julian: Come out with me and be my co-captain!
You and Julian run out to the center of the field, where Max is waiting with his new recruits, the Twins… Thor and Loki.
Danny: Are you SURE those guys are high-schoolers?
Max: They MAY have been held back a few times. They’re super, super, SUPER-seniors!
Julian: We’ll see how ‘super’ they are out on the field!
Thor and Loki grimace and crack their knuckles. The sound echoes through the stadium.
Danny: Okay… time for the coin toss!
The ref runs out and tells you to call heads or tails.
Julian: You make the call, Danny! What’s it gonna be?
Danny: Tails.
The ref tosses the coin into the air…
Time - 14 hours
The coin flips through the air. Time stands still.
Danny: Come on… come on…
The coin lands in the grass.
Julian: It’s heads!
Max: Bad call, Danny. Too bad… for you. We’ll start on defense!
Rewards
Julian: Okay, everyone! It’s finally here… GAME TIME!
Sakura: Get in there, offense! Get me a touchdown!
Julian: Let’s do this!
Out on the field, Loki lets out a bloodcurdling roar, and several of your players cower!
Sakura: …uh, get out there and kick some butt, everyone!
Your team lines up on offense and calls the first play… but Thor and Loki barrel right over your offensive line and sack the quarterback!
Julian: This isn’t good… I’m going in on defense!
Sakura: Are you sure that’s a good idea?
Julian: They need me out there! I’m going in!
Julian runs out onto the field.
Sakura: I can’t believe he’s out on defense again…
Mia: Is that bad? Julian’s our star player.
Sakura: Yeah, but he can’t do everything!
Autumn: Actually… check out what’s happening on the field!
Everyone cheers as Julian makes a crucial stop on the next play!
Julian: That’s what I’m talking about! Come on, guys! They aren’t so tough!
But as the game goes on…
Sakura: No one’s stepping up to help Julian! Everyone’s afraid of those huge twins!
Mia: We’ve got to do something! We’re down 14-0! And those twins, Thor and Loki, are super scary!
Sakura: Time out! We’re never going to beat these guys if we’re afraid of them! Danny, we’ve got to rally the team! Can you talk to the players for me?
Part 5
Danny: We’ve got to rally the team!
Danny: Okay team, huddle up. We can beat these guys!
Alex: Can we? They’re like twice our size!
Emily: They’re like seven feet tall!
Danny: I know they’re bigger… I know they’re stronger… but there’s one thing we have that they don’t!
Emily: What’s that?
Danny: We’ve got each other! Yeah, they may be big… but football isn’t all about size! Thor and Loki are basically strangers to everyone else on the Hearst team! They don’t care about each other like we do!
Alex: Good point! They’re basically mercenaries!
Danny: You’re darned right! We may not be as big… but we can care more… because we’re fighting for the person next to us!
Emily: Danny is right! We’re doing this for each other! And I refuse to let you all down!
Danny: Now get out there and show them what you’ve got!
Time - 16 hours
The next play begins. Emily and Alex line up right across from the Thor and Loki.
Emily: I’m not afraid of you!
Alex: We’re protecting our quarterback this time!
The play starts! Alex and Emily brace their bodies… and make their blocks against the Twins!
Emily: Grrr…
Downfield, several defenders gather around Julian, covering him in case the QB passes to him…
Ezra: They’re all covering Julian! I’m open!
The quarterback slings the ball way downfield… where Ezra catches it in the end zone for a touchdown!
Danny: That’s more like it!
Sakura: We needed that… we’re still losing 14-7 at the half, but at least we’re only down by one touchdown!
Rewards
Ezra: Halftime isn’t here a minute too soon. I’m beat! …and I can’t wait for the halftime show! I just know the other musicians and the marching band are going to put on an awesome show!
Danny: Sounds good! I’ll send them out… and while they play, we need to strategize!
Part 6
Ezra: You guys need to put on a killer halftime show while we regroup!
Nishan: This is quite exciting! I tend to like the halftime shows even more than the games!
Mia: Look who they got to be the M.C.! It’s J.T. Young! He used to play in the pros!
J.T. Young takes the field and announces that it’s time for the show to begin!
Payton: Woo hoo! Halftime show!
Your school’s band takes the field for halftime. Leading them is Alexandra playing an electric guitar!
Alexandra: Are you ready… to ROCK?!
Skylar: And a one… a two… a one, two, three, four!
Sophia: Let’s do this!
Time - 18 hours
The band puts on an amazing halftime show!
Alexandra: How’s THIS for a guitar solo?!
Alexandra’s music flows through the crowd, earning a huge cheer!
Skylar: Time for some on-field formations! First, let’s spell out ‘HEARST’…
The marching band gets into formation.
Sophia: …and then the rest of us will form the shape of a wrecking ball!
The wrecking ball formation collides with the word ‘HEARST’ utterly destroying it!
Skylar: Great job, everyone!
Sophia: Let’s just hope our little halftime display fires up our team… and our fans!
Alexandra: Woo hoo! Let’s win this game!
Rewards
Meanwhile, in the locker room…
Sakura: You guys are playing your hearts out. Everyone in those stands is proud of you… but is that enough for you?!
The team shouts ‘no!’ in unison!
Sakura: That’s right! The only thing that’ll put a smile on your face is raising that big trophy over your head! You’ve toiled all season for it! Are you going to let those jerks from Hearst take it from you?!
The team jumps up and down, cheering and chanting! Sitting alone on a bench, Julian smiles, still catching his breath.
Julian: Nice speech, coach… I’m ready to get back out there… and kick some butt.
Sakura: No, Julian, you’re not. Playing offense AND defense has pushed your fatigue meter way past full. I’m benching you from the defense.
Julian: What?! I have to play! The defense needs me!
Sakura: I get it. You’ve always had to carry the whole team, but now it’s time for us to carry you. You’ve got to trust me, Julian. You’ve got to trust your teammates.
Julian: I… I don’t know.
Sakura: Help me out, Danny…
Danny: Julian… you need to listen to Sakura because you could get hurt again! After what happened against Hearst last time… I just can’t stand by and watch you get hurt again!
Julian: I can see your point… a lot of injuries happen when guys overextend themselves.
Sakura: So does that mean… you’re actually going to listen to us?
Julian: Well… okay. I trust you guys. And you’re right, I COULD use a breather. But how exactly do we plan on stopping Max’s offense? We can’t afford to fall any further behind.
Danny: Don’t just count on your teammates, Julian. Count on the 12th Man! It’s time for our fans to get loud!
Sakura: Let’s see Hearst try to call a play when they can’t even hear themselves think!
Part 7
Sakura: Let’s get the crowd involved!
Danny: We need our fans to get so loud that Hearst’s offense can’t hear. Do you think you can make that happen?
Channing: Pumping up the crowd is basically our job description!
Yangchen: I’ll lead the charge! I love riling people up!
Uma: Get the team out on the field, Danny. We’ll handle the rest!
Time - 20 hours
The second half begins! After kickoff, Hearst’s offense takes the field opposite your defense, and Max lines up behind his quarterback.
Uma: Let’s make some NOISE!
Channing: Come on, people! Scream and shout!
Yangchen: My old teacher told me being a loudmouth never helped anyone! Well, how about now?!
From the stands, all of your classmates scream at the top of their lungs in a deafening chorus!
Julian: Look! It’s working! Hearst can’t hear the call!
Out on the field, Hearst’s QB barks out an audible… but no one can hear!
Max: What?! What’s the play?!
The QB snaps the ball… and runs straight into Max! They both crash to the turf, and the ref blows his whistle!
Max: Arrgh!
Yangchen: Ha! I love me some slapstick comedy!
Channing: Good thing we brought all of our friends to the game!
Uma: Let’s go, guys! That was just one play! We’ve got a whole half left to keep it up!
Rewards
After a few more plays, your team stops Hearst on a crucial fourth down!
Danny: Okay… time for our offense to get to work!
Rested, Julian takes a handoff, but the Twins quickly wrap him up! He fights to stay on his feet… and gets the ball into the end zone!
Ezra: Touchdown! The comeback is on!
The game winds on, a brutal war of attrition! The clock bleeds down to its final seconds, and Sakura calls your final timeout.
Sakura: All right, team, we’re down four points with a few seconds left, but Hearst is about to punt to us. We’ll stop the clock and take one last shot at a Hail Mary pass the Ezra in the end zone. It’s our only hope.
Julian: No. It’s not. We can run back the punt. I can run it back.
Ezra: All the way? Are you serious?! EVERYONE on the team would have to nail their assigned block on a Hearst player!
Sakura: I don’t know, Julian. I think the Hail Mary is a statistically safer bet.
Julian: It is. Which is why Max won’t be expecting us to return it. We can catch them by surprise. Sakura, I trusted your call to bench me. Now, you have to trust me.
Sakura: Remember how I told you one day you were gonna Leroy Jenkins us into disaster?
Julian: Today is not that day.
Sakura: Then get out there. You’ve got a punt to return.
Part 8
Julian: It all comes down to this!
Danny: You’ve got this, Julian.
Julian: You know what, Danny? Right now, with al these eyes watching, when I look up into the stands, I’m not even looking at the scouts. This isn’t for them. This is for us, Danny. This is for our school. For everyone who helped us get here.
Amid the raucous din of thousands of screaming fans, Julian, Emily, and Alex line up under the blistering floodlights.
Max: Give up, Julian! You played hard, but it’s over!
Julian: I don’t know about you, but I still see some time on that clock.
Autumn: Come on, Julian!
Mia: Let’s go, Emily!
Nishan: You can do it, Alex! The true power was always inside you!
Julian: Here we go…
Hearst’s punter takes the snap… and kicks the ball high into the air. It disappears in the brilliant lights…
Time - 19 hours
Julian spots the punt sailing through the bright lights of the stadium… and catches it! He immediately starts racing down the field!
Max: Huh? They’re trying to return it! Thor! Loki! Flatten this loser!
Julian: Okay, people, block for me!
Emily, Alex, and the rest of the team hustle to impede Hearst’s defenders! The stadium grows even louder as Julian crosses midfield!
Julian: Emily! Incoming on the left!
Emily: I see him!
Thor lumbers toward Julian, a wrecking ball of destruction… But Emily flies into him at full speed! They both topple over as Julian sprints into the clear! The scouts in the stands are on their feet!
Alex: Julian! Look out!
Julian looks just in time to see Loki lunging from the side… but Alex blocks him! Julian barely evades Loki’s monstrous hands!
Julian: Whoa! Thanks!
All ten of Julian’s teammates make their blocks, clearing his path! He crosses the 30… the 20… nothing but green field in front of him!
Max: I don’t think so, buddy!
With no one to block him, Max hurries to tackle Julian! They both lower their shoulders! The crowd holds its breath!
Max: Aargh!
Julian: Hrr!
Every soul in the silent crowd can hear their collision at the five-yard line… and Max goes tumbling to the turf!
Max: NOOOO!
Julian: Whoaaaa!
Julian barely keeps his balance and tumbles into the end zone! Your fans explode in a massive cheer!
Mia: WE WON! WE WON, WE WON, WE WON!
Sakura: Hmph. As if that outcome was ever in doubt…
Rewards
Fireworks crackle in the night sky as your school’s fans storm the field past a furious Max.
Max: Impossible! Thor! Loki! This is your fault!
The Twins give Max a shared angry glare… and then turn their backs and walk away.
Max: Good riddance! Hearst High is for winners only!
Danny: Julian, you did it!
Julian: I still can’t believe it!
Autumn: We can.
Sakura: I made some pretty strategic calls today, but I have to say my best call was trusting you. not bad.
Julian: You’re not so bad yourself.
Everyone from your school stands at the center of the field, jumping up and down and soaking in the cheers.
Payton: Hey, Julian, see those guys in the two-piece Zegna suits? I think they’re trying to get your attention.
Nishan: What do they want with you?
Part 9
Julian: A recruiter wants to talk to me?
Danny: Julian, I think those guys are college recruiters! Go talk to them! This is what you’ve been working for!
Julian looks around at all your friends running and celebrating on the field.
Julian: No. This is. But I guess I SHOULD go talk to them. You guys wanna back me up?
Danny: I have a feeling you’ve got this one.
You and your friends watch as Julian walks over to the businessmen and shakes their hands.
Time - 21 hours
Julian rejoins the wild celebration in the middle of the field.
Payton: So?! What’d those recruiter guys say?
Julian: Well, they said I had talent.
Mia: Good. They have functioning eyeballs.
Julian: And they said I should call them if I ever want to talk about my future. They said they’d be keeping an eye on me…
Autumn: Julian, that’s amazing!
Julian: Oh, and not just me. They said they’d be keeping our whole team in mind. A few of them will be coming to our games next season! After all, it’s not just me who played great today.
Rewards
Just then, J.T. Young grabs the stadium P.A. mic for an announcement… He’s hosting a postgame party for both teams at his mansion!
Payton: I just KNEW this had to end with the greatest party ever!
Danny: What do you say, Julian? Up for a little downtime before offseason workouts?
Julian: Eh, I can spare an hour or two.
Part 10
Payton: Party at J.T. Young’s place!
Later, at J.T. Young’s mansion…
Ashton: This mansion is amazing! There’s a water slide from the balcony to the pool!
Berry: Woo hoo! I know we always say that whatever party we’re at is the ‘best party ever’… But this is the BEST PARTY EVER!
Payton: Julian! I think someone wants to talk to you!
Payton points over to the house, where J.T. Young is hanging out. He waves Julian over.
Julian: J.T. Young wants to talk to me?!
Time - 23 hours
Julian talks to J.T. Young for a few minutes and then walks back to you.
Berry: What did he say?
Julian: He was… super nice! I asked him all about playing in the pros, and in college… …but he was actually more interested in talking about his high school days! I guess a lot of his favorite memories are from high school… and he told me to sit back and enjoy the ride!
Danny: …and?
Julian: And I think he’s right. I’m glad that scouts will be watching our games next year… … but in the meantime, I want to enjoy my time in school with you guys! I’m going to savor these next years!
Ashton: That’s an idea I can get behind!
Berry: We’re state champions… and we’re here together having the time of our lives!
Danny: So let’s savor this moment!
Payton: Woo woo!
Julian: I’m not usually the kind of guy to throw up my arms and shout ‘woo woo’ and stuff like Payton, but in this case… Woo woo!
The party lasts until dawn… and it truly is one for the ages! This is a night everyone at your school will be talking about for a long, long time!
Rewards
As the party winds down, Sakura approaches you.
Sakura: I didn’t realize we’d be here so long. And I need to get back to my desktop, ASAP.
Danny: Is everything okay?
Sakura: They will be. I’ve got a crucial eSports match coming up soon that I need to go win.
Danny: Uh… eSports? Is that like… skateboarding?
Sakura: The ‘e’ Stands for ELECTRONIC, not extreme. Nishan and I play this game called Legends of ClanCraft. We’re hoping to be the best in the world… But we’ll never get to the top if we don’t get back to school and practice!
Danny: In that case… we’d better get going!
It’s been a great football season, and you came out on top… but will Sakura’s clan be as fortunate? Find out in the next quest!
Julian: It’s game time!
- Have 3 Jocks at Level 8+
You and all your classmates gather at the stadium entrance…
Sakura: Let’s do this, people! It’s game time!
As the doors open, you and all your classmates march in, football players and fellow students side by side!
Danny: Whoa! This place is huge!
All around you, the enormous crowd roars! Hundreds of cameras flash, lighting up the stadium!
Julian: There must be scouts from every college in the state here!
Danny: This is it, Julian. You ready?
Julian: Oh yeah!
Rewards
- 150 XP
Sakura: Get ready to destroy them, everyone!
Danny: All right, let’s get to it!
Payton: Not so fast, Danny! There’s something you have to do first… look!
Payton points up to the jumbo screen looming above the field… On display are the words ‘KISS CAM’ above a live video feed… of you!
Julian: Heheh, the whole stadium’s watching, Danny. You can’t disappoint!
Danny: Kiss cam? What do I do?
Payton: Isn’t it obvious? Pull someone in close for a pre-game kiss!
Part 2
Danny: I’m on the kiss cam… but who’s standing next to me?
- Danny
- A Classmate (Berry)
You look up at the stadium’s jumbo screen, where you and Berry smile on camera! The crowd roars, chanting for you to kiss!
Berry: Well, we have to give the people what they want, right?
Danny: I guess so!
The two of you lean closer and closer…
Time - 10 hours
You lean over and give Berry a long, sweet kiss on the lips!
Berry: …!
The crowd goes wild! The thunderous roar echoes through the stadium!
Rewards
- 150 XP
Just then, Ezra runs up to you, excited.
Ezra: Hey, Danny! Awesome news!
Danny: What’s up?
Ezra: Two local singers were booked to sing the national anthem before the game… …but at the last minute they had a huge spat! Now one won’t get out of her van and the other locked himself in a bathroom!
Danny: And this is… good?
Ezra: This is GREAT. Now the organizers are looking for some singers to take their place! Know a pair of good vocalists?
Part 3
Ezra: We need two people to sing the national anthem!
- A Level 5+ Glee Club Member (London)
- A Level 5+ Glee Club Member (Austin)
London: Hey, Danny. You wanted to see us?
Danny: Yeah! Did you hear about the singers bailing on the national anthem?
Austin: Of course! It’s all over everyone’s news feed!
Danny: Well, how would you like to take their place?
London: Are you serious? Of course!
Austin: As if we’d pass up the chance to sing on live television!
Danny: Great! You’d better warm up then… because it’s almost time!
Time - 12 hours
Both teams stand at attention as London and Austin step out onto the field, taking their places by the flag…
London: Oh, say can you see…
Austin: …by the dawn’s early light…
They belt out a stirring, soulful rendition of the national anthem! As they hit the final note in perfect two-part harmony, fighter jets zoom overhead!
Danny: Woo hoo! Great job, guys!
The crowd is on their feet, roaring with cheers and applause!
London: Thank you!
Austin: Thank you so much!
Rewards
- 150 XP
Julian: Hey, Danny. It’s almost time for kickoff, but I wanted to ask you something before we start…
Danny: Sure, anything.
Julian: Well, you’ve done so much for this team, it’d be really cool if you were at my side during the coin toss. Will you be my honorary co-captain for the flip?
Danny: Me? …I’d love to!
Part 4
Julian: Come out with me and be my co-captain!
- Danny
- Julian
You and Julian run out to the center of the field, where Max is waiting with his new recruits, the Twins… Thor and Loki.
Danny: Are you SURE those guys are high-schoolers?
Max: They MAY have been held back a few times. They’re super, super, SUPER-seniors!
Julian: We’ll see how ‘super’ they are out on the field!
Thor and Loki grimace and crack their knuckles. The sound echoes through the stadium.
Danny: Okay… time for the coin toss!
The ref runs out and tells you to call heads or tails.
Julian: You make the call, Danny! What’s it gonna be?
Danny: Tails.
The ref tosses the coin into the air…
Time - 14 hours
The coin flips through the air. Time stands still.
Danny: Come on… come on…
The coin lands in the grass.
Julian: It’s heads!
Max: Bad call, Danny. Too bad… for you. We’ll start on defense!
Rewards
- 150 XP
Julian: Okay, everyone! It’s finally here… GAME TIME!
Sakura: Get in there, offense! Get me a touchdown!
Julian: Let’s do this!
Out on the field, Loki lets out a bloodcurdling roar, and several of your players cower!
Sakura: …uh, get out there and kick some butt, everyone!
Your team lines up on offense and calls the first play… but Thor and Loki barrel right over your offensive line and sack the quarterback!
Julian: This isn’t good… I’m going in on defense!
Sakura: Are you sure that’s a good idea?
Julian: They need me out there! I’m going in!
Julian runs out onto the field.
Sakura: I can’t believe he’s out on defense again…
Mia: Is that bad? Julian’s our star player.
Sakura: Yeah, but he can’t do everything!
Autumn: Actually… check out what’s happening on the field!
Everyone cheers as Julian makes a crucial stop on the next play!
Julian: That’s what I’m talking about! Come on, guys! They aren’t so tough!
But as the game goes on…
Sakura: No one’s stepping up to help Julian! Everyone’s afraid of those huge twins!
Mia: We’ve got to do something! We’re down 14-0! And those twins, Thor and Loki, are super scary!
Sakura: Time out! We’re never going to beat these guys if we’re afraid of them! Danny, we’ve got to rally the team! Can you talk to the players for me?
Part 5
Danny: We’ve got to rally the team!
- Danny
- A Jock Except Julian (Emily)
- A Jock Except Julian (Alex)
Danny: Okay team, huddle up. We can beat these guys!
Alex: Can we? They’re like twice our size!
Emily: They’re like seven feet tall!
Danny: I know they’re bigger… I know they’re stronger… but there’s one thing we have that they don’t!
Emily: What’s that?
Danny: We’ve got each other! Yeah, they may be big… but football isn’t all about size! Thor and Loki are basically strangers to everyone else on the Hearst team! They don’t care about each other like we do!
Alex: Good point! They’re basically mercenaries!
Danny: You’re darned right! We may not be as big… but we can care more… because we’re fighting for the person next to us!
Emily: Danny is right! We’re doing this for each other! And I refuse to let you all down!
Danny: Now get out there and show them what you’ve got!
Time - 16 hours
The next play begins. Emily and Alex line up right across from the Thor and Loki.
Emily: I’m not afraid of you!
Alex: We’re protecting our quarterback this time!
The play starts! Alex and Emily brace their bodies… and make their blocks against the Twins!
Emily: Grrr…
Downfield, several defenders gather around Julian, covering him in case the QB passes to him…
Ezra: They’re all covering Julian! I’m open!
The quarterback slings the ball way downfield… where Ezra catches it in the end zone for a touchdown!
Danny: That’s more like it!
Sakura: We needed that… we’re still losing 14-7 at the half, but at least we’re only down by one touchdown!
Rewards
- 150 XP
Ezra: Halftime isn’t here a minute too soon. I’m beat! …and I can’t wait for the halftime show! I just know the other musicians and the marching band are going to put on an awesome show!
Danny: Sounds good! I’ll send them out… and while they play, we need to strategize!
Part 6
Ezra: You guys need to put on a killer halftime show while we regroup!
- A Musician Except Ezra (Alexandra)
- A Band Member (Skylar)
- A Band Member (Sophia)
Nishan: This is quite exciting! I tend to like the halftime shows even more than the games!
Mia: Look who they got to be the M.C.! It’s J.T. Young! He used to play in the pros!
J.T. Young takes the field and announces that it’s time for the show to begin!
Payton: Woo hoo! Halftime show!
Your school’s band takes the field for halftime. Leading them is Alexandra playing an electric guitar!
Alexandra: Are you ready… to ROCK?!
Skylar: And a one… a two… a one, two, three, four!
Sophia: Let’s do this!
Time - 18 hours
The band puts on an amazing halftime show!
Alexandra: How’s THIS for a guitar solo?!
Alexandra’s music flows through the crowd, earning a huge cheer!
Skylar: Time for some on-field formations! First, let’s spell out ‘HEARST’…
The marching band gets into formation.
Sophia: …and then the rest of us will form the shape of a wrecking ball!
The wrecking ball formation collides with the word ‘HEARST’ utterly destroying it!
Skylar: Great job, everyone!
Sophia: Let’s just hope our little halftime display fires up our team… and our fans!
Alexandra: Woo hoo! Let’s win this game!
Rewards
- 150 XP
Meanwhile, in the locker room…
Sakura: You guys are playing your hearts out. Everyone in those stands is proud of you… but is that enough for you?!
The team shouts ‘no!’ in unison!
Sakura: That’s right! The only thing that’ll put a smile on your face is raising that big trophy over your head! You’ve toiled all season for it! Are you going to let those jerks from Hearst take it from you?!
The team jumps up and down, cheering and chanting! Sitting alone on a bench, Julian smiles, still catching his breath.
Julian: Nice speech, coach… I’m ready to get back out there… and kick some butt.
Sakura: No, Julian, you’re not. Playing offense AND defense has pushed your fatigue meter way past full. I’m benching you from the defense.
Julian: What?! I have to play! The defense needs me!
Sakura: I get it. You’ve always had to carry the whole team, but now it’s time for us to carry you. You’ve got to trust me, Julian. You’ve got to trust your teammates.
Julian: I… I don’t know.
Sakura: Help me out, Danny…
Danny: Julian… you need to listen to Sakura because you could get hurt again! After what happened against Hearst last time… I just can’t stand by and watch you get hurt again!
Julian: I can see your point… a lot of injuries happen when guys overextend themselves.
Sakura: So does that mean… you’re actually going to listen to us?
Julian: Well… okay. I trust you guys. And you’re right, I COULD use a breather. But how exactly do we plan on stopping Max’s offense? We can’t afford to fall any further behind.
Danny: Don’t just count on your teammates, Julian. Count on the 12th Man! It’s time for our fans to get loud!
Sakura: Let’s see Hearst try to call a play when they can’t even hear themselves think!
Part 7
Sakura: Let’s get the crowd involved!
- A Level 8+ Class Clown (Yangchen)
- A Level 8+ Cheerleader (Channing)
- A Level 7+ Cheerleader (Uma)
Danny: We need our fans to get so loud that Hearst’s offense can’t hear. Do you think you can make that happen?
Channing: Pumping up the crowd is basically our job description!
Yangchen: I’ll lead the charge! I love riling people up!
Uma: Get the team out on the field, Danny. We’ll handle the rest!
Time - 20 hours
The second half begins! After kickoff, Hearst’s offense takes the field opposite your defense, and Max lines up behind his quarterback.
Uma: Let’s make some NOISE!
Channing: Come on, people! Scream and shout!
Yangchen: My old teacher told me being a loudmouth never helped anyone! Well, how about now?!
From the stands, all of your classmates scream at the top of their lungs in a deafening chorus!
Julian: Look! It’s working! Hearst can’t hear the call!
Out on the field, Hearst’s QB barks out an audible… but no one can hear!
Max: What?! What’s the play?!
The QB snaps the ball… and runs straight into Max! They both crash to the turf, and the ref blows his whistle!
Max: Arrgh!
Yangchen: Ha! I love me some slapstick comedy!
Channing: Good thing we brought all of our friends to the game!
Uma: Let’s go, guys! That was just one play! We’ve got a whole half left to keep it up!
Rewards
- 21,000 coins
- 150 XP
After a few more plays, your team stops Hearst on a crucial fourth down!
Danny: Okay… time for our offense to get to work!
Rested, Julian takes a handoff, but the Twins quickly wrap him up! He fights to stay on his feet… and gets the ball into the end zone!
Ezra: Touchdown! The comeback is on!
The game winds on, a brutal war of attrition! The clock bleeds down to its final seconds, and Sakura calls your final timeout.
Sakura: All right, team, we’re down four points with a few seconds left, but Hearst is about to punt to us. We’ll stop the clock and take one last shot at a Hail Mary pass the Ezra in the end zone. It’s our only hope.
Julian: No. It’s not. We can run back the punt. I can run it back.
Ezra: All the way? Are you serious?! EVERYONE on the team would have to nail their assigned block on a Hearst player!
Sakura: I don’t know, Julian. I think the Hail Mary is a statistically safer bet.
Julian: It is. Which is why Max won’t be expecting us to return it. We can catch them by surprise. Sakura, I trusted your call to bench me. Now, you have to trust me.
Sakura: Remember how I told you one day you were gonna Leroy Jenkins us into disaster?
Julian: Today is not that day.
Sakura: Then get out there. You’ve got a punt to return.
Part 8
Julian: It all comes down to this!
- Julian
- A Jock (Emily)
- A Jock (Alex)
Danny: You’ve got this, Julian.
Julian: You know what, Danny? Right now, with al these eyes watching, when I look up into the stands, I’m not even looking at the scouts. This isn’t for them. This is for us, Danny. This is for our school. For everyone who helped us get here.
Amid the raucous din of thousands of screaming fans, Julian, Emily, and Alex line up under the blistering floodlights.
Max: Give up, Julian! You played hard, but it’s over!
Julian: I don’t know about you, but I still see some time on that clock.
Autumn: Come on, Julian!
Mia: Let’s go, Emily!
Nishan: You can do it, Alex! The true power was always inside you!
Julian: Here we go…
Hearst’s punter takes the snap… and kicks the ball high into the air. It disappears in the brilliant lights…
Time - 19 hours
Julian spots the punt sailing through the bright lights of the stadium… and catches it! He immediately starts racing down the field!
Max: Huh? They’re trying to return it! Thor! Loki! Flatten this loser!
Julian: Okay, people, block for me!
Emily, Alex, and the rest of the team hustle to impede Hearst’s defenders! The stadium grows even louder as Julian crosses midfield!
Julian: Emily! Incoming on the left!
Emily: I see him!
Thor lumbers toward Julian, a wrecking ball of destruction… But Emily flies into him at full speed! They both topple over as Julian sprints into the clear! The scouts in the stands are on their feet!
Alex: Julian! Look out!
Julian looks just in time to see Loki lunging from the side… but Alex blocks him! Julian barely evades Loki’s monstrous hands!
Julian: Whoa! Thanks!
All ten of Julian’s teammates make their blocks, clearing his path! He crosses the 30… the 20… nothing but green field in front of him!
Max: I don’t think so, buddy!
With no one to block him, Max hurries to tackle Julian! They both lower their shoulders! The crowd holds its breath!
Max: Aargh!
Julian: Hrr!
Every soul in the silent crowd can hear their collision at the five-yard line… and Max goes tumbling to the turf!
Max: NOOOO!
Julian: Whoaaaa!
Julian barely keeps his balance and tumbles into the end zone! Your fans explode in a massive cheer!
Mia: WE WON! WE WON, WE WON, WE WON!
Sakura: Hmph. As if that outcome was ever in doubt…
Rewards
- 22,000 coins
- 150 XP
Fireworks crackle in the night sky as your school’s fans storm the field past a furious Max.
Max: Impossible! Thor! Loki! This is your fault!
The Twins give Max a shared angry glare… and then turn their backs and walk away.
Max: Good riddance! Hearst High is for winners only!
Danny: Julian, you did it!
Julian: I still can’t believe it!
Autumn: We can.
Sakura: I made some pretty strategic calls today, but I have to say my best call was trusting you. not bad.
Julian: You’re not so bad yourself.
Everyone from your school stands at the center of the field, jumping up and down and soaking in the cheers.
Payton: Hey, Julian, see those guys in the two-piece Zegna suits? I think they’re trying to get your attention.
Nishan: What do they want with you?
Part 9
Julian: A recruiter wants to talk to me?
- Julian
Danny: Julian, I think those guys are college recruiters! Go talk to them! This is what you’ve been working for!
Julian looks around at all your friends running and celebrating on the field.
Julian: No. This is. But I guess I SHOULD go talk to them. You guys wanna back me up?
Danny: I have a feeling you’ve got this one.
You and your friends watch as Julian walks over to the businessmen and shakes their hands.
Time - 21 hours
Julian rejoins the wild celebration in the middle of the field.
Payton: So?! What’d those recruiter guys say?
Julian: Well, they said I had talent.
Mia: Good. They have functioning eyeballs.
Julian: And they said I should call them if I ever want to talk about my future. They said they’d be keeping an eye on me…
Autumn: Julian, that’s amazing!
Julian: Oh, and not just me. They said they’d be keeping our whole team in mind. A few of them will be coming to our games next season! After all, it’s not just me who played great today.
Rewards
- 23,000 coins
- 150 XP
Just then, J.T. Young grabs the stadium P.A. mic for an announcement… He’s hosting a postgame party for both teams at his mansion!
Payton: I just KNEW this had to end with the greatest party ever!
Danny: What do you say, Julian? Up for a little downtime before offseason workouts?
Julian: Eh, I can spare an hour or two.
Part 10
Payton: Party at J.T. Young’s place!
- Danny
- A Classmate (Berry)
- A Classmate (Ashton)
Later, at J.T. Young’s mansion…
Ashton: This mansion is amazing! There’s a water slide from the balcony to the pool!
Berry: Woo hoo! I know we always say that whatever party we’re at is the ‘best party ever’… But this is the BEST PARTY EVER!
Payton: Julian! I think someone wants to talk to you!
Payton points over to the house, where J.T. Young is hanging out. He waves Julian over.
Julian: J.T. Young wants to talk to me?!
Time - 23 hours
Julian talks to J.T. Young for a few minutes and then walks back to you.
Berry: What did he say?
Julian: He was… super nice! I asked him all about playing in the pros, and in college… …but he was actually more interested in talking about his high school days! I guess a lot of his favorite memories are from high school… and he told me to sit back and enjoy the ride!
Danny: …and?
Julian: And I think he’s right. I’m glad that scouts will be watching our games next year… … but in the meantime, I want to enjoy my time in school with you guys! I’m going to savor these next years!
Ashton: That’s an idea I can get behind!
Berry: We’re state champions… and we’re here together having the time of our lives!
Danny: So let’s savor this moment!
Payton: Woo woo!
Julian: I’m not usually the kind of guy to throw up my arms and shout ‘woo woo’ and stuff like Payton, but in this case… Woo woo!
The party lasts until dawn… and it truly is one for the ages! This is a night everyone at your school will be talking about for a long, long time!
Rewards
- 24,000 coins
- 150 XP
As the party winds down, Sakura approaches you.
Sakura: I didn’t realize we’d be here so long. And I need to get back to my desktop, ASAP.
Danny: Is everything okay?
Sakura: They will be. I’ve got a crucial eSports match coming up soon that I need to go win.
Danny: Uh… eSports? Is that like… skateboarding?
Sakura: The ‘e’ Stands for ELECTRONIC, not extreme. Nishan and I play this game called Legends of ClanCraft. We’re hoping to be the best in the world… But we’ll never get to the top if we don’t get back to school and practice!
Danny: In that case… we’d better get going!
It’s been a great football season, and you came out on top… but will Sakura’s clan be as fortunate? Find out in the next quest!