The Water War
Stand-Alone Time-Sensitive Quest.
Main Characters / Extra Characters
My Classmates
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Requirements
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One sunny day, you meet Sakura on your exceptionally crowded quad. You spot all of your friends there, mingling with various cliques at different tables.
Danny: Hey, Sakura! What’s up?
Sakura: Hey Danny! Just wanted you to join the party. It’s such a nice day, even I logged off and came outdoors.
Danny: The weather IS beautiful. Seems like every student in school is out here!
Suddenly, a scream sounds from across the quad!
Autumn: Aaah!!!
You turn to see a scattering of water balloons fall onto Autumn, popping in wet bursts!
Julian: Hey! Who threw those?
Mia: Look! Up there!
Mia points to the tops of the buildings surrounding you! Nets full of water balloons hang from the roofs’ edges, sagging heavily...
Nishan: It’s a trap!
Suddenly, the rest of the nets swing out on ropes toward the center of the quad and open! Their payload spills! Dozens upon dozen of water balloons pour out over the crowd!
Wes: Look out!
Water balloons rain down over the whole quad, splattering over you and everyone around you!
Danny: I’m soaked!
Autumn picks up a soggy note left inside one of the balloons and begins reading...
Autumn: ‘One, two, three, four, I declare a water war! Only one clique may control the quad at the end of the day. Only THEY will be spared future soakings... and only THEY will learn my identity!’
Sakura: Who would do this?!
Julian: Yeah! And why rig it with some complicated trap? Sounds like a nerdy way to pull a prank.
Nishan: ‘Nerdy’? Is that an accusation? Something this immature has ‘Jock’ written all over it!
Autumn: Guys! Don’t you see the futility in anger? How random misfortune has brought out our bestial nature?
Mia: Oh PUH-LEASE don’t tell me this is some weird performance art thing, Autumn! That is SO like you freaky Artist types.
Autumn: What? No! Musicians are more prone to making extravagant spectacles!
Ezra: If anything, the Preps are suspect! Who else has this many balloons?
Payton: Why would I do this? My makeup is ruined!
All at once, the entire crowd erupts into angry shouting, each group accusing the other! Suddenly, someone picks up a water bottle and sprays it all over a neighboring table!
Nishan: Water fight!
A crossfire of water erupts! Students everywhere grab cups and bottles, hurling liquid back and forth!
Julian: That’s IT!
The whole quad stops and stares in stunned silence as Julian stands up on a table, soaking wet and fuming.
Julian: Someone here wanted to start a water fight? I’ll GIVE you a fight! Jocks, follow me! Time to get some water balloons!
Autumn: This whole school is gonna become a warzone...
The whole student body splits into groups, shouting angrily at each other as they part ways!
Danny: Well, I guess I’ll go join my clique...
A hand grabs your shoulder before you can. You spin around to find Sakura!
Sakura: Don’t even think about it, Danny. It’s bad enough that everyone’s gone all water-crazy. I can’t lose you too.
Danny: What are you talking about, Sakura?
Sakura: This is serious, Danny. Deadly serious. You have to stick by my side... and we HAVE to win this Water War!
Danny: I don’t understand. How do you ‘win’ a water war? Isn’t everyone just splashing each other for fun?
Sakura: Never been in a water war, have you? Well, I have. Back at Hearst. And I saw just how ugly things get. The first time you get hit with a ballon, it’s fun. The second time, sure. Then you get pegged in the face. Then a balloon doesn’t pop, and smacks you in the spine. Then your phone gets soaked, or you slip on the grass, or your favorite top gets ruined. Next thing you know, the school’s torn apart. Friend has turned on friend. Brother has turned on brother. Everyone’s out of control, and everyone’s mad.
Danny: That sounds terrible!
Sakura: It is. And even more terrible, someone wants this to happen on purpose. The person who started this war. And that’s why we have to win, Danny. We’ll form a team... gather allies... and make sure that when the sun goes down, WE control the quad. What do you say... do you have my back?
Requirements
Danny: I’m in.
Sakura: Awesome! Together, we’ll get to the bottom of this, even if we have to turn this school to ASHES! Or... you know, puddles.
Danny: Let’s do it!
Sakura: All right. But if we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna need something more than water bottles! Meet me by the gym in ten minutes!
A short time later, you arrive at the rendezvous point to find Sakura with a massive bag of water balloons!
Danny: Whoa! How’d you get these so fast?
Sakura: Let’s just say, Wes can get a hold of anything you need, for the right price. Now, help me fill these!
You and Sakura fill up a supply of water balloons and load them into your backpacks.
Sakura: You ready?
Danny: Locked and loaded!
You and Sakura venture our across the school grounds, alert, weapons close at hand... Already, the sounds of shouting and splattering echo through the campus, and the ground is covered with puddles and students too drenched to go on...
Danny: This escalated quickly!
Sakura: It always does. First, everyone splits off to get more balloons. Then the cliques stake out their claims, build resources, and fight over territory. And at the end of the day, when the sun goes down... the final battle for the quad goes down. A battle that leaves no one unsoaked. Watermaggedon.
Suddenly, Sakura raises a finger to her lips. She lobs a water balloon up and over a hedge. You hear it splash, followed by the groan of some hidden assailant!
Danny: Whoa! Perfect shot!
Sakura: You don’t get a record-breaking KDR in Modern Warfare without picking up a few things. Now come on!
You and Sakura battle your way across campus, until finally...
Danny: Where are we headed?
Sakura: We’re already here. Look!
Sakura points to the football field, dead ahead!
Sakura: If I know the Jocks, THIS is where they’ll make their stand. We’ll either win them to our cause... Or take them out for good!
Requirements
You and Sakura cautiously make your way to the football field... And find it a deserted, muddy wasteland, strewn with the shreds of popped water balloons!
Danny: Wow... what happened here?
Sakura: Danny, look!
Sakura points to the top of the bleachers! You shield your eyes... There, two dozen Jocks and Cheerleaders prowl by the press box, each other them armed with a balloon!
Alex: Who goes there?!
Channing: Not another step!
Sakura: We come in peace... for now. Who’s in charge here?
The flock of athletes parts, and standing above them, bone dry... is Julian!
Julian: My warriors! It seems we have new challenges to the throne!
Time - 4 hours
At the top of the bleachers, Julian raises a hand, signaling his horde of Jocks and Cheerleaders to lower their readied balloons.
Danny: Julian! We just want to talk!
Julian: Silence!
Sakura: Silence? Who made you king?
Mia: Our turf, our rules.
Danny: Mia? You’re here too?
Sakura: I didn’t peg you as one to follow blindly...
Mia: I’m one to WIN. And the Jock-Cheerleader Alliance has beaten all outsiders.
Alex: King Julian has defeated every challenger in single combat! A duel is the only way to prove your worthiness to our pack!
Channing: Julian, Julian! He’s our man! You can’t beat him! No one can!
Julian: I may grant you audience... but first, you must duel! Choose a champion from your faction!
Danny: I’ll face you!
Julian jogs down the bleachers, joining you on the muddy turf. Alex hands you and Julian each a single water balloon.
Channing: Let the duel... BEGIN!
Julian grins and cocks back his arm to chuck the balloon!
Julian: Hyah!
You tuck and roll! You drop your shoulder and somersault through the mud! Julian’s throw misses!
Julian: No!
You pop back up to your feet and fling your balloon! It explodes against Julian’s chest!
Danny: I did it!
One by one, Julian’s Jocks bow before you!
Channing: The king is soaked! Long live the king!
Sakura: All right, Julian. If we have any shot at ending this war and bringing whoever started it to justice... we need to work together. Can we count on you?
Julian: According to the ancient rules of the Jock-Cheerleader Alliance, Danny is our leader now. Your word is our command.
Danny: I like the sound of that!
Sakura: Achievement unlocked. We’ve recruited the first clique to our cause, but we need more than just brawn. This is gonna take some social maneuvering too. Let’s talk to the preps.
Requirements
Evading patrols armed with water balloon bandoliers, you and Sakura make it to the courtyard outside the Prep Hangout.
Sakura: Come on, we’re almost there.
Danny: Wait!
You pull Sakura down behind a table and point out another student scurrying across the lawn... Just then, a hail of fifty balloons launches at once from the roof of the hangout! The barrage engulfs the student in water!
Sakura: Holy overkill!
A figure appears on the Hangout roof, flanked by a line of preps on each side!
Payton: Danny! Sakura! Come out, come out!
Greyson: Don’t think we don’t see you hiding back there!
Time - 8 hours
You and Sakura emerge from your hiding place, with your hands up.
Sakura: Come on, Payton. Let us in so we can talk!
Payton: Oh, heck no! Whatever scheme you two are plotting, us Preps want nothing to do with it!
Greyson: We’re staying out of this whole thing!
Maya: And if anyone tries to attack, our balloons will blot out the sun!
Greyson: We can afford more water balloons than any other clique! So we can do this all day if we have to!
Sakura: You guys can’t just hole up and sit this out!
Payton: Yes, we can! That sneak attack at lunch totally ruined my hair and makeup! That’s, like, against the Geneva Convention!
Danny: Well, in that case... You can get revenge! I mean, are you really going to let whoever started this get away with ruining your makeup? If our group can control the quad by th end of the day, we’ll find out who was behind this!
Payton bites her lip...
Payton: Hang on a sec.
Payton and the Preps duck behind the wall. You can barely hear them whispering excitedly. Then, Payton appears again.
Payton: Okay, Danny. The Preps are at your service!
Sakura: Excellent strategy there, Danny.
Danny: Thanks! So who are we looking for next?
Sakura: Don’t let their endearing geekiness fool you... the Nerd faction will be a major player in this war. We need to find out their plans and deal with their threat, one way or another. And I think they’ll know we’re coming...
Requirements
You and Sakura walk up to the Nerd Hangout. Sakura calls out...
Sakura: ...Hello?!
Danny: It’s quiet...
Sakura: TOO quiet. Let’s check it out.
You follow Sakura inside...
Danny: Nobody’s here!
Sakura: Where could they have gone? It’s almost as if-- Danny! Look out!
Time - 12 hours
Inside the Nerd Hangout, Sakura dives and tackles you to the floor... A water balloon explodes against the wall where you just were!
Jeff: Aw, man, I missed!
Danny: Jeff! I didn’t even see you standing there!
Sakura: Of course you didn’t. The Nerds are using Wallflowers. NO ONE notices them... It’s brilliant.
You keep up with Sakura, fending off hidden Wallflower sentries as she expertly defuses several water balloon tripwires...
Sakura: These traps have ‘Nerds’ written all over them! We must be getting close...
Soon, you corner Nishan and Zayn, who are working on some sort of contraption!
Sakura: All right, nerds! Step away from the... thing!
Zayn: Aaah! Nishan, what do we do?!
Nishan: Run like the wind, Zayn! We can’t let the Doomsday Device plans fall to the invaders! I’ll hold off these luddites...
Zayn: Bards will sing of your bravery!
Zayn sprints away with an armful of rolled-up blueprints! You and Sakura close in on Nishan, who stands calmly among a mess of diagrams, with cryptic physics equations scrawled on every visible surface...
Sakura: So this is where you store all your crazy?
Nishan: Madness is the cousin of genius. And intellect will win this war...
Sakura: Enough talk. You’re a loose cannon, who is possibly building an ACTUAL cannon. Both need to be eliminated.
Nishan: Strike me down, and I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine! ...that’s an Obi-wan quote, I just want to be clear--
Sakura: I GOT the reference. Danny, finish this!
You step towards Nishan, raise your water balloon, and spare him! You lower the balloon, and extend an open hand to Nishan.
Danny: It doesn’t have to end like this. Join us.
Nishan: You would dare team-up... with a dashing renegade genius?
Danny: Gladly.
Nishan clasps your hand.
Nishan: Then the Nerds are yours. Along with our secret weapon... a machine of Mythbusters proportions! When your need is greatest, we will be there!
Payton runs up to you on campus!
Payton: I heard you recruited the Nerds! If we can get the Artists and the Musicians on our side, we’ll have this thing in the shopping bag!
Sakura: We should split up, cover more ground. I’ll handle the Artists. You two, take the Musicians!
Requirements
You and Payton trek across a drenches campus to the Musician Hangout...
Payton: Shh! Danny! Do you hear that?
Danny: It sounds like... marching!
Just then, the marching band appears, its ranks advancing in perfect formation!
Skylar: I don’t know, but I’ve been tooold!
Jessie: All this water’s mighty cooold!
Leading them, Ezra coasts on a bike! He sees you and raises a fist! The band immediately halts, and each member readies a water balloon!
Sakura: Easy, Ezra. We just want to talk.
Ezra: Whatever you’ve got to say, it’d better be music to my ears.
Time - 10 hours
Danny: Ezra! You’re with the marching band?
Skylar: With us? General Ezra is our beloved leader!
Jessie: He will melt the faces of our enemies... with shredding guitar solos!
Ezra: The marching band’s the most disciplined group in the whole school! All they needed was... a charismatic leader.
Danny: We need your help. We’re trying to unite the cliques and find out who started all this!
Ezra: For all I know, YOU started it! Why should I join you?
Danny: Because you’re better as a band than a solo act! Right now, you’re Paul without the Beatles! Sting without The Police!
Skylar: Beyonce without Destiny’s Child?
Jessie: Bad example, Skylar! Bad example!
Danny: The point is, Ezra, you’re good on your own... but think how much more we can do TOGETHER!
Ezra: Hmm... so you’re saying we’d form some sort of supergroup. I guess I could give that a shot!
Payton: Okay, Danny, where to next?
Danny: I texted Sakura... but I’m not getting any response! I hope she’s okay.
Payton: If anyone can handle themselves in this craziness, it’s her.
Danny: Still, maybe you and the Preps should regroup with her, just in case she needs reinforcements?
Payton: Sure!
Payton gives a dainty salute and parts ways with you and Ezra.
Ezra: Meanwhile, I think we should see a contact of mine. He’s a mysterious figure, known only as ‘Aquarius’. He deals in supplies and secrets, always from the shadows...
Danny: It’s Wes, isn’t it?
Ezra: Okay yeah, it’s Wes. But you gotta respect the guy’s theatricality.
Danny: All right. Let’s pay him a visit. If anyone knows who’s behind all this, it’s him.
Requirements
You follow Ezra through the wartorn halls, water balloons always at the ready...
Danny: Shouldn’t we be going to the Slacker Hangout if we’re looking for Wes?
Ezra: Oh no. He left that place right when the fighting started. Rumor has it he’s set up secret safe houses throughout the school.
Just then, a water balloon explodes against the ground behind you!
Danny: We’re being attacked!
Ezra: We’ll be safe once we get to Wes’s!
You sprint as fast as you can, following Ezra blindly! Balloons splash at your heels! Finally, your burst through a set of double doors and slam them shut behind you!
Ezra: That... huff... was close... huff...
Berry: Hey. What do you think you’re doing?
Jai: You two are in for it now!
Danny: Berry? Jai? Wait a minute... where ARE we?
Time - 13 hours
Ezra: This is it. This is Wes’s hideout!
You scan your surroundings...
Danny: But... this is the POOL!
Berry: Yeah, and you barging in here all super-soldier is really killing the vibe.
A group of slackers lounges around the pool, dangling their feet in the water and lazily floating on inflatable pool chairs.
Jai: Wes made this place a safe zone for anyone who didn’t wanna take part in the war.
Berry: Pretty smart, right? There’s nothing you can do to us if we’re already soaked!
Danny: Oh. I guess that makes sense.
Ezra: Well, we’re actually here on business. Can we talk to Wes?
Berry: Oh yeah! He’s over there in the corner. But can you guys, like, leave your weapons here? We’re actually the guards.
Jai: Or don’t We can let it slide, but just be cool, all right?
Danny: Totally.
You walk over to Wes, who hangs up his cell phone as he sees you approach.
Wes: Ezra! How’s my best customer?
Ezra: Fine, as long as you keep my band stocked with water balloons!
Wes: I may have gotten my hands on a few. And Danny! I was wondering when you’d show up!
Danny: You knew I would come?
Wes: I know everything that goes on at this school. Now, what can I do for you?
Danny: Well, I was hoping you could give us some information! Like you said, you know everything that goes on at this school... so I’m guessing you know who was behind the water balloon attack on the quad!
Wes: It’s funny you should mention that. I don’t know the original culprit... but I do know about a plan for a SECOND attack. The sun’s almost down. And I’ve heard talk someone has formed their own massive army... and they’re planning to DESTROY you when you fight for the quad.
Danny: What?! Who?
Wes: It’s... it’s Sakura.
Ezra: Sakura? But why?
Wes: Who can say? But she’s convinced half of the school that YOU’RE to blame for the first attack.
Danny: But I had nothing to with it!
Wes: I believe you... but whoever started this war has turned the whole school into one giant GAME... now, who would want that?
Danny: Sakura! She used me to build up an army... and now she’s betraying me so she can control the quad, like she always intended to!
Danny: Wes, I’ll need water balloons. Lots of them.
Wes: Deal. And by deal, I mean... pay up. It’ll be 2 bucks per balloon.
Danny: Seriously?
Wes: All’s fair in love and war, am I right?
You sigh and pay up. Wes hands you a huge bag of balloons.
Danny: Ezra, round up the marching band.
Ezra: You got it!
Wes: And what are you gonna do, Danny?
Danny: I’m gonna find some lieutenants to help lead my army. If Sakura wants a war, that’s what she’ll get!
Requirements
You march toward the quad with Maddie and Brandon at your sides and a line of troops behind you!
Danny: I chose you two because you’re the most organized and diligent people I know. Now what can you tell me?
Maddie: I’ve taken stock. We have 383 water balloons, filled and ready!
Brandon: But our troops have dwindled down to 48 percent of our original headcount. More than half have defected to Sakura’s side!
You approach the quad... and find Sakura at the head of a massive crowd!
Sakura: Danny! This ends now! I can’t believe you were behind this the whole time!
Danny: Me?! You’re the one who turned the whole school into one big game!
Sakura: No one organizes more school-wide events than you! This water fight has ‘Danny’ written all over it!
Brandon: She... makes a good point!
Maddie: Brandon, you can’t be serious!
Brandon: Sometimes, you have no choice but to reach across the aisle... I’m joining Sakura!
Maddie: And I’m standing by Danny!
Brandon: So this is the end... farewell, old friend.
Maddie: May we meet again... on the other side.
Brandon crosses over to Sakura’s army!
Sakura: Enough stalling.
Danny: Agreed...
You raise a water balloon in the air.
Danny: ATTACK!
Time - 9 hours
Danny: Charge!
Your army rushes across the quad, meeting Sakura’s forces in a torrential clash of water balloons!
Sakura: No surrender!
The battlefield descends into chaos, water flying in every direction! Autumn and the Artists rush the courtyard on Sakura’a side, brilliant warpaint on their faces and clothes!
Autumn: We will color the battlefield with our fury! Ours will be a beautiful end!
Sakura: Just throw water balloons, Autumn!
Ezra: Marching band, launch water balloons on one... two... one, two, three, FIRE!
Payton: Preps, remember! No targeting of the face or hair! Other than that, no rules! Destroy them all!
The quad rumbles with a clash of cliques! Suddenly the battlefield hushes as a furious howling sound approaches...
Danny: There! Dozens of screaming maniacs, coming up from the south!
Ezra: Barbarians?
Sakura: Berserkers?
Payton: Dauntless?
Danny: Nope, even better... Jocks!
The Jocks and Cheerleaders come screaming onto the battlefield, shouting and hurling water balloons like mad at Sakura’s team!
Julian: AWOOOO! No mercy, Jocks! Smash anyone who opposes Danny!
They rush the battlefield, beating back Sakura’s Emo Brigade!
Mia: No one messes with us!
Suddenly a warhorn sounds! All eyes turn to the Nerd Hangout... where Nishan and the Nerds wheel out what looks like a giant slingshot, loaded with water balloons the size of beach balls!
Nishan: Don’t worry, Danny! The cavalry’s here! And by ‘cavalry’ I technically mean artillery, but you get the idea!
Danny: Just in time, Nish! Now bring the rain!
Nishan: Leviathan Bomber, Ultra-Barrage Hyper Attack, go!
The huge contraption launches its payload with a deep, thrumming sound, hurling the giant balloons into the fray! They splatter all over Sakura’s Hipster Cavalry! The Hipsters hop on their fixed-gear bicycles and retreat! Amidst all the chaos, Sakura locks eyes with you!
Sakura: Let’s finish this, Danny! One on one!
Danny: You’re on!
The battle rages on! Soon, you and Sakura are the only two left standing! You each reach for a water balloon...
Danny: I’m all out!
Sakura: Me too!
Danny: So... how do we determined who controls the quad?
Sakura: Maybe we need to go buy some more balloons?
Nearby, a drenched Payton calls to you, weakly...
Payton: If only I didn’t sell all those excess party balloons to Wes a week ago... that ammo would have made the difference!
Danny: Wait a minute... Wes has had his stock of water balloons for a WEEK?
Sakura: Then starting a massive water fight would mean he could sell them to both sides for a fortune!
Maddie: Which means I’ve been fighting my friend... for nothing? I move to put forward a peace treaty...
Brandon: ...and to reinstate BFF Protocol?
Maddie: Indefinitely.
Brandon: Seconded!
Maddie and Brandon come together in a tight hug!
Sakura: I’m afraid forgiveness won’t come so easy for Wes!
Danny: Agreed. Let’s go have a few words with him!
Requirements
You, Sakura, and dozens of friends march over to the pool, now united! As you approach the pool, you spot Wes trying to sneak out the back!
Sakura: Wes! Stop right there!
Wes: Danny! Sakura! How’s the, uh... war going?
Danny: You mean the war you STARTED?
Wes: You know... let me tell you about my refund policy.
Wes turns and sprints away!
Sakura: Get him!
Time - 11 hours
Finally, you all catch up to Wes, cornering him!
Sakura: Nowhere to run, Wes.
Wes: Okay, okay, you got me. What I did was pretty shady.
Danny: Yup.
Wes: And uh... I apologize?
Danny: That’s a start.
Sakura: But something’s still not right. I don’t think anyone should come out of a water war completely dry...
Danny: That’s a good point, Sakura.
Wes: Whoa, whoa... let’s be reasonable about this!
Sakura: What do you say, everyone? I think Wes is due for a little swim.
The crowd converges on Wes and lifts him up onto their shoulders!
Wes: Hey! Put me down!
He struggles and protests as you all carry him back to the pool!
Wes: How about this? I’ll make you all a deal. We can-- WHOA!
You dump him into the water with a splash! He comes up sputtering, hair sopping wet!
Danny: Sorry, Wes. Casualties of war.
Wes: Heh... all right, all right! I deserved that.
Sakura: Well, we can all stand around soaking wet, or we can jump in this perfectly good pool!
Danny: Cannonball!!!
Later, Wes climbs out of the pool, his teeth chattering.
Wes: Well, THAT didn’t go exactly as I’d planned... any chance I could get a towel?
Sakura: Not quite yet. There’s still ONE more thing to settle...
Requirements
Sakura looms over Wes with her arms crossed.
Wes: So what is it now?
Sakura: The MONEY, Wes!
Everyone takes notice and crowds around.
Mia: Yeah! You manipulated us for a quick buck! We ALL bought our water balloons from you!
Wes: Hey, I’m not responsible for the principles of supply and demand...
Julian: Well, I DEMAND you pay for damages, unless you want me to SUPPLY you another mandatory bellyflop.
Wes: All right! All right! But what do you want me to do? Make a check out to ‘everyone who’s wet’?
Sakura: It’s simple. We talked it over, and we want you to give the money to Danny.
Danny: Me? But... this is a lot of cash!
Payton: I think it’s a great idea! Danny is always spending money making our school a better place!
Nishan: Yeah! The money’s in good hands with Danny!
Danny: Hey, if that’s what everyone wants... I won’t refuse!
Wes takes his cash box from the corner of the room and hands it to you.
Wes: Here you go, Danny. Spent it wisely. I imagine it’ll buy a LOT of hedges. But you gotta admit... this was fun, wasn’t it?
Danny: Can’t argue with that!
Sakura approaches the two of you.
Sakura: Hey, Danny! I wanted to thank you for backing me up when this whole thing started. I also wanted to apologize for that part in the middle where I wanted to destroy you.
Danny: Hey, no harm done!
Sakura: And Wes, maybe the next time you want us to start a water war...
Wes: ...yeah?
Danny: ...just ask!
Thanks for joining us for The Water War! Keep playing to uncover more fun-filled quests!
Danny: Hey, Sakura! What’s up?
Sakura: Hey Danny! Just wanted you to join the party. It’s such a nice day, even I logged off and came outdoors.
Danny: The weather IS beautiful. Seems like every student in school is out here!
Suddenly, a scream sounds from across the quad!
Autumn: Aaah!!!
You turn to see a scattering of water balloons fall onto Autumn, popping in wet bursts!
Julian: Hey! Who threw those?
Mia: Look! Up there!
Mia points to the tops of the buildings surrounding you! Nets full of water balloons hang from the roofs’ edges, sagging heavily...
Nishan: It’s a trap!
Suddenly, the rest of the nets swing out on ropes toward the center of the quad and open! Their payload spills! Dozens upon dozen of water balloons pour out over the crowd!
Wes: Look out!
Water balloons rain down over the whole quad, splattering over you and everyone around you!
Danny: I’m soaked!
Autumn picks up a soggy note left inside one of the balloons and begins reading...
Autumn: ‘One, two, three, four, I declare a water war! Only one clique may control the quad at the end of the day. Only THEY will be spared future soakings... and only THEY will learn my identity!’
Sakura: Who would do this?!
Julian: Yeah! And why rig it with some complicated trap? Sounds like a nerdy way to pull a prank.
Nishan: ‘Nerdy’? Is that an accusation? Something this immature has ‘Jock’ written all over it!
Autumn: Guys! Don’t you see the futility in anger? How random misfortune has brought out our bestial nature?
Mia: Oh PUH-LEASE don’t tell me this is some weird performance art thing, Autumn! That is SO like you freaky Artist types.
Autumn: What? No! Musicians are more prone to making extravagant spectacles!
Ezra: If anything, the Preps are suspect! Who else has this many balloons?
Payton: Why would I do this? My makeup is ruined!
All at once, the entire crowd erupts into angry shouting, each group accusing the other! Suddenly, someone picks up a water bottle and sprays it all over a neighboring table!
Nishan: Water fight!
A crossfire of water erupts! Students everywhere grab cups and bottles, hurling liquid back and forth!
Julian: That’s IT!
The whole quad stops and stares in stunned silence as Julian stands up on a table, soaking wet and fuming.
Julian: Someone here wanted to start a water fight? I’ll GIVE you a fight! Jocks, follow me! Time to get some water balloons!
Autumn: This whole school is gonna become a warzone...
The whole student body splits into groups, shouting angrily at each other as they part ways!
Danny: Well, I guess I’ll go join my clique...
A hand grabs your shoulder before you can. You spin around to find Sakura!
Sakura: Don’t even think about it, Danny. It’s bad enough that everyone’s gone all water-crazy. I can’t lose you too.
Danny: What are you talking about, Sakura?
Sakura: This is serious, Danny. Deadly serious. You have to stick by my side... and we HAVE to win this Water War!
Danny: I don’t understand. How do you ‘win’ a water war? Isn’t everyone just splashing each other for fun?
Sakura: Never been in a water war, have you? Well, I have. Back at Hearst. And I saw just how ugly things get. The first time you get hit with a ballon, it’s fun. The second time, sure. Then you get pegged in the face. Then a balloon doesn’t pop, and smacks you in the spine. Then your phone gets soaked, or you slip on the grass, or your favorite top gets ruined. Next thing you know, the school’s torn apart. Friend has turned on friend. Brother has turned on brother. Everyone’s out of control, and everyone’s mad.
Danny: That sounds terrible!
Sakura: It is. And even more terrible, someone wants this to happen on purpose. The person who started this war. And that’s why we have to win, Danny. We’ll form a team... gather allies... and make sure that when the sun goes down, WE control the quad. What do you say... do you have my back?
Requirements
- Spend 250 rings
Danny: I’m in.
Sakura: Awesome! Together, we’ll get to the bottom of this, even if we have to turn this school to ASHES! Or... you know, puddles.
Danny: Let’s do it!
Sakura: All right. But if we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna need something more than water bottles! Meet me by the gym in ten minutes!
A short time later, you arrive at the rendezvous point to find Sakura with a massive bag of water balloons!
Danny: Whoa! How’d you get these so fast?
Sakura: Let’s just say, Wes can get a hold of anything you need, for the right price. Now, help me fill these!
You and Sakura fill up a supply of water balloons and load them into your backpacks.
Sakura: You ready?
Danny: Locked and loaded!
You and Sakura venture our across the school grounds, alert, weapons close at hand... Already, the sounds of shouting and splattering echo through the campus, and the ground is covered with puddles and students too drenched to go on...
Danny: This escalated quickly!
Sakura: It always does. First, everyone splits off to get more balloons. Then the cliques stake out their claims, build resources, and fight over territory. And at the end of the day, when the sun goes down... the final battle for the quad goes down. A battle that leaves no one unsoaked. Watermaggedon.
Suddenly, Sakura raises a finger to her lips. She lobs a water balloon up and over a hedge. You hear it splash, followed by the groan of some hidden assailant!
Danny: Whoa! Perfect shot!
Sakura: You don’t get a record-breaking KDR in Modern Warfare without picking up a few things. Now come on!
You and Sakura battle your way across campus, until finally...
Danny: Where are we headed?
Sakura: We’re already here. Look!
Sakura points to the football field, dead ahead!
Sakura: If I know the Jocks, THIS is where they’ll make their stand. We’ll either win them to our cause... Or take them out for good!
Requirements
- Julian
- A Jock Except Danny (Alex)
- A Guy Cheerleader (Channing)
You and Sakura cautiously make your way to the football field... And find it a deserted, muddy wasteland, strewn with the shreds of popped water balloons!
Danny: Wow... what happened here?
Sakura: Danny, look!
Sakura points to the top of the bleachers! You shield your eyes... There, two dozen Jocks and Cheerleaders prowl by the press box, each other them armed with a balloon!
Alex: Who goes there?!
Channing: Not another step!
Sakura: We come in peace... for now. Who’s in charge here?
The flock of athletes parts, and standing above them, bone dry... is Julian!
Julian: My warriors! It seems we have new challenges to the throne!
Time - 4 hours
At the top of the bleachers, Julian raises a hand, signaling his horde of Jocks and Cheerleaders to lower their readied balloons.
Danny: Julian! We just want to talk!
Julian: Silence!
Sakura: Silence? Who made you king?
Mia: Our turf, our rules.
Danny: Mia? You’re here too?
Sakura: I didn’t peg you as one to follow blindly...
Mia: I’m one to WIN. And the Jock-Cheerleader Alliance has beaten all outsiders.
Alex: King Julian has defeated every challenger in single combat! A duel is the only way to prove your worthiness to our pack!
Channing: Julian, Julian! He’s our man! You can’t beat him! No one can!
Julian: I may grant you audience... but first, you must duel! Choose a champion from your faction!
Danny: I’ll face you!
Julian jogs down the bleachers, joining you on the muddy turf. Alex hands you and Julian each a single water balloon.
Channing: Let the duel... BEGIN!
Julian grins and cocks back his arm to chuck the balloon!
Julian: Hyah!
You tuck and roll! You drop your shoulder and somersault through the mud! Julian’s throw misses!
Julian: No!
You pop back up to your feet and fling your balloon! It explodes against Julian’s chest!
Danny: I did it!
One by one, Julian’s Jocks bow before you!
Channing: The king is soaked! Long live the king!
Sakura: All right, Julian. If we have any shot at ending this war and bringing whoever started it to justice... we need to work together. Can we count on you?
Julian: According to the ancient rules of the Jock-Cheerleader Alliance, Danny is our leader now. Your word is our command.
Danny: I like the sound of that!
Sakura: Achievement unlocked. We’ve recruited the first clique to our cause, but we need more than just brawn. This is gonna take some social maneuvering too. Let’s talk to the preps.
Requirements
- Payton
- A Prep Except Danny (Greyson)
- A Prep Except Danny (Maya)
Evading patrols armed with water balloon bandoliers, you and Sakura make it to the courtyard outside the Prep Hangout.
Sakura: Come on, we’re almost there.
Danny: Wait!
You pull Sakura down behind a table and point out another student scurrying across the lawn... Just then, a hail of fifty balloons launches at once from the roof of the hangout! The barrage engulfs the student in water!
Sakura: Holy overkill!
A figure appears on the Hangout roof, flanked by a line of preps on each side!
Payton: Danny! Sakura! Come out, come out!
Greyson: Don’t think we don’t see you hiding back there!
Time - 8 hours
You and Sakura emerge from your hiding place, with your hands up.
Sakura: Come on, Payton. Let us in so we can talk!
Payton: Oh, heck no! Whatever scheme you two are plotting, us Preps want nothing to do with it!
Greyson: We’re staying out of this whole thing!
Maya: And if anyone tries to attack, our balloons will blot out the sun!
Greyson: We can afford more water balloons than any other clique! So we can do this all day if we have to!
Sakura: You guys can’t just hole up and sit this out!
Payton: Yes, we can! That sneak attack at lunch totally ruined my hair and makeup! That’s, like, against the Geneva Convention!
Danny: Well, in that case... You can get revenge! I mean, are you really going to let whoever started this get away with ruining your makeup? If our group can control the quad by th end of the day, we’ll find out who was behind this!
Payton bites her lip...
Payton: Hang on a sec.
Payton and the Preps duck behind the wall. You can barely hear them whispering excitedly. Then, Payton appears again.
Payton: Okay, Danny. The Preps are at your service!
Sakura: Excellent strategy there, Danny.
Danny: Thanks! So who are we looking for next?
Sakura: Don’t let their endearing geekiness fool you... the Nerd faction will be a major player in this war. We need to find out their plans and deal with their threat, one way or another. And I think they’ll know we’re coming...
Requirements
- Nishan
- A Nerd Except Danny (Zayn)
- A Wallflower (Jeff)
You and Sakura walk up to the Nerd Hangout. Sakura calls out...
Sakura: ...Hello?!
Danny: It’s quiet...
Sakura: TOO quiet. Let’s check it out.
You follow Sakura inside...
Danny: Nobody’s here!
Sakura: Where could they have gone? It’s almost as if-- Danny! Look out!
Time - 12 hours
Inside the Nerd Hangout, Sakura dives and tackles you to the floor... A water balloon explodes against the wall where you just were!
Jeff: Aw, man, I missed!
Danny: Jeff! I didn’t even see you standing there!
Sakura: Of course you didn’t. The Nerds are using Wallflowers. NO ONE notices them... It’s brilliant.
You keep up with Sakura, fending off hidden Wallflower sentries as she expertly defuses several water balloon tripwires...
Sakura: These traps have ‘Nerds’ written all over them! We must be getting close...
Soon, you corner Nishan and Zayn, who are working on some sort of contraption!
Sakura: All right, nerds! Step away from the... thing!
Zayn: Aaah! Nishan, what do we do?!
Nishan: Run like the wind, Zayn! We can’t let the Doomsday Device plans fall to the invaders! I’ll hold off these luddites...
Zayn: Bards will sing of your bravery!
Zayn sprints away with an armful of rolled-up blueprints! You and Sakura close in on Nishan, who stands calmly among a mess of diagrams, with cryptic physics equations scrawled on every visible surface...
Sakura: So this is where you store all your crazy?
Nishan: Madness is the cousin of genius. And intellect will win this war...
Sakura: Enough talk. You’re a loose cannon, who is possibly building an ACTUAL cannon. Both need to be eliminated.
Nishan: Strike me down, and I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine! ...that’s an Obi-wan quote, I just want to be clear--
Sakura: I GOT the reference. Danny, finish this!
You step towards Nishan, raise your water balloon, and spare him! You lower the balloon, and extend an open hand to Nishan.
Danny: It doesn’t have to end like this. Join us.
Nishan: You would dare team-up... with a dashing renegade genius?
Danny: Gladly.
Nishan clasps your hand.
Nishan: Then the Nerds are yours. Along with our secret weapon... a machine of Mythbusters proportions! When your need is greatest, we will be there!
Payton runs up to you on campus!
Payton: I heard you recruited the Nerds! If we can get the Artists and the Musicians on our side, we’ll have this thing in the shopping bag!
Sakura: We should split up, cover more ground. I’ll handle the Artists. You two, take the Musicians!
Requirements
- Ezra
- A Band Member (Skylar)
- A Band Member (Jessie)
You and Payton trek across a drenches campus to the Musician Hangout...
Payton: Shh! Danny! Do you hear that?
Danny: It sounds like... marching!
Just then, the marching band appears, its ranks advancing in perfect formation!
Skylar: I don’t know, but I’ve been tooold!
Jessie: All this water’s mighty cooold!
Leading them, Ezra coasts on a bike! He sees you and raises a fist! The band immediately halts, and each member readies a water balloon!
Sakura: Easy, Ezra. We just want to talk.
Ezra: Whatever you’ve got to say, it’d better be music to my ears.
Time - 10 hours
Danny: Ezra! You’re with the marching band?
Skylar: With us? General Ezra is our beloved leader!
Jessie: He will melt the faces of our enemies... with shredding guitar solos!
Ezra: The marching band’s the most disciplined group in the whole school! All they needed was... a charismatic leader.
Danny: We need your help. We’re trying to unite the cliques and find out who started all this!
Ezra: For all I know, YOU started it! Why should I join you?
Danny: Because you’re better as a band than a solo act! Right now, you’re Paul without the Beatles! Sting without The Police!
Skylar: Beyonce without Destiny’s Child?
Jessie: Bad example, Skylar! Bad example!
Danny: The point is, Ezra, you’re good on your own... but think how much more we can do TOGETHER!
Ezra: Hmm... so you’re saying we’d form some sort of supergroup. I guess I could give that a shot!
Payton: Okay, Danny, where to next?
Danny: I texted Sakura... but I’m not getting any response! I hope she’s okay.
Payton: If anyone can handle themselves in this craziness, it’s her.
Danny: Still, maybe you and the Preps should regroup with her, just in case she needs reinforcements?
Payton: Sure!
Payton gives a dainty salute and parts ways with you and Ezra.
Ezra: Meanwhile, I think we should see a contact of mine. He’s a mysterious figure, known only as ‘Aquarius’. He deals in supplies and secrets, always from the shadows...
Danny: It’s Wes, isn’t it?
Ezra: Okay yeah, it’s Wes. But you gotta respect the guy’s theatricality.
Danny: All right. Let’s pay him a visit. If anyone knows who’s behind all this, it’s him.
Requirements
- Wes
- A Slacker (Berry)
- A Slacker (Jai)
You follow Ezra through the wartorn halls, water balloons always at the ready...
Danny: Shouldn’t we be going to the Slacker Hangout if we’re looking for Wes?
Ezra: Oh no. He left that place right when the fighting started. Rumor has it he’s set up secret safe houses throughout the school.
Just then, a water balloon explodes against the ground behind you!
Danny: We’re being attacked!
Ezra: We’ll be safe once we get to Wes’s!
You sprint as fast as you can, following Ezra blindly! Balloons splash at your heels! Finally, your burst through a set of double doors and slam them shut behind you!
Ezra: That... huff... was close... huff...
Berry: Hey. What do you think you’re doing?
Jai: You two are in for it now!
Danny: Berry? Jai? Wait a minute... where ARE we?
Time - 13 hours
Ezra: This is it. This is Wes’s hideout!
You scan your surroundings...
Danny: But... this is the POOL!
Berry: Yeah, and you barging in here all super-soldier is really killing the vibe.
A group of slackers lounges around the pool, dangling their feet in the water and lazily floating on inflatable pool chairs.
Jai: Wes made this place a safe zone for anyone who didn’t wanna take part in the war.
Berry: Pretty smart, right? There’s nothing you can do to us if we’re already soaked!
Danny: Oh. I guess that makes sense.
Ezra: Well, we’re actually here on business. Can we talk to Wes?
Berry: Oh yeah! He’s over there in the corner. But can you guys, like, leave your weapons here? We’re actually the guards.
Jai: Or don’t We can let it slide, but just be cool, all right?
Danny: Totally.
You walk over to Wes, who hangs up his cell phone as he sees you approach.
Wes: Ezra! How’s my best customer?
Ezra: Fine, as long as you keep my band stocked with water balloons!
Wes: I may have gotten my hands on a few. And Danny! I was wondering when you’d show up!
Danny: You knew I would come?
Wes: I know everything that goes on at this school. Now, what can I do for you?
Danny: Well, I was hoping you could give us some information! Like you said, you know everything that goes on at this school... so I’m guessing you know who was behind the water balloon attack on the quad!
Wes: It’s funny you should mention that. I don’t know the original culprit... but I do know about a plan for a SECOND attack. The sun’s almost down. And I’ve heard talk someone has formed their own massive army... and they’re planning to DESTROY you when you fight for the quad.
Danny: What?! Who?
Wes: It’s... it’s Sakura.
Ezra: Sakura? But why?
Wes: Who can say? But she’s convinced half of the school that YOU’RE to blame for the first attack.
Danny: But I had nothing to with it!
Wes: I believe you... but whoever started this war has turned the whole school into one giant GAME... now, who would want that?
Danny: Sakura! She used me to build up an army... and now she’s betraying me so she can control the quad, like she always intended to!
Danny: Wes, I’ll need water balloons. Lots of them.
Wes: Deal. And by deal, I mean... pay up. It’ll be 2 bucks per balloon.
Danny: Seriously?
Wes: All’s fair in love and war, am I right?
You sigh and pay up. Wes hands you a huge bag of balloons.
Danny: Ezra, round up the marching band.
Ezra: You got it!
Wes: And what are you gonna do, Danny?
Danny: I’m gonna find some lieutenants to help lead my army. If Sakura wants a war, that’s what she’ll get!
Requirements
- Danny
- A Student Gov (Maddie)
- A Student Gov (Brandon)
You march toward the quad with Maddie and Brandon at your sides and a line of troops behind you!
Danny: I chose you two because you’re the most organized and diligent people I know. Now what can you tell me?
Maddie: I’ve taken stock. We have 383 water balloons, filled and ready!
Brandon: But our troops have dwindled down to 48 percent of our original headcount. More than half have defected to Sakura’s side!
You approach the quad... and find Sakura at the head of a massive crowd!
Sakura: Danny! This ends now! I can’t believe you were behind this the whole time!
Danny: Me?! You’re the one who turned the whole school into one big game!
Sakura: No one organizes more school-wide events than you! This water fight has ‘Danny’ written all over it!
Brandon: She... makes a good point!
Maddie: Brandon, you can’t be serious!
Brandon: Sometimes, you have no choice but to reach across the aisle... I’m joining Sakura!
Maddie: And I’m standing by Danny!
Brandon: So this is the end... farewell, old friend.
Maddie: May we meet again... on the other side.
Brandon crosses over to Sakura’s army!
Sakura: Enough stalling.
Danny: Agreed...
You raise a water balloon in the air.
Danny: ATTACK!
Time - 9 hours
Danny: Charge!
Your army rushes across the quad, meeting Sakura’s forces in a torrential clash of water balloons!
Sakura: No surrender!
The battlefield descends into chaos, water flying in every direction! Autumn and the Artists rush the courtyard on Sakura’a side, brilliant warpaint on their faces and clothes!
Autumn: We will color the battlefield with our fury! Ours will be a beautiful end!
Sakura: Just throw water balloons, Autumn!
Ezra: Marching band, launch water balloons on one... two... one, two, three, FIRE!
Payton: Preps, remember! No targeting of the face or hair! Other than that, no rules! Destroy them all!
The quad rumbles with a clash of cliques! Suddenly the battlefield hushes as a furious howling sound approaches...
Danny: There! Dozens of screaming maniacs, coming up from the south!
Ezra: Barbarians?
Sakura: Berserkers?
Payton: Dauntless?
Danny: Nope, even better... Jocks!
The Jocks and Cheerleaders come screaming onto the battlefield, shouting and hurling water balloons like mad at Sakura’s team!
Julian: AWOOOO! No mercy, Jocks! Smash anyone who opposes Danny!
They rush the battlefield, beating back Sakura’s Emo Brigade!
Mia: No one messes with us!
Suddenly a warhorn sounds! All eyes turn to the Nerd Hangout... where Nishan and the Nerds wheel out what looks like a giant slingshot, loaded with water balloons the size of beach balls!
Nishan: Don’t worry, Danny! The cavalry’s here! And by ‘cavalry’ I technically mean artillery, but you get the idea!
Danny: Just in time, Nish! Now bring the rain!
Nishan: Leviathan Bomber, Ultra-Barrage Hyper Attack, go!
The huge contraption launches its payload with a deep, thrumming sound, hurling the giant balloons into the fray! They splatter all over Sakura’s Hipster Cavalry! The Hipsters hop on their fixed-gear bicycles and retreat! Amidst all the chaos, Sakura locks eyes with you!
Sakura: Let’s finish this, Danny! One on one!
Danny: You’re on!
The battle rages on! Soon, you and Sakura are the only two left standing! You each reach for a water balloon...
Danny: I’m all out!
Sakura: Me too!
Danny: So... how do we determined who controls the quad?
Sakura: Maybe we need to go buy some more balloons?
Nearby, a drenched Payton calls to you, weakly...
Payton: If only I didn’t sell all those excess party balloons to Wes a week ago... that ammo would have made the difference!
Danny: Wait a minute... Wes has had his stock of water balloons for a WEEK?
Sakura: Then starting a massive water fight would mean he could sell them to both sides for a fortune!
Maddie: Which means I’ve been fighting my friend... for nothing? I move to put forward a peace treaty...
Brandon: ...and to reinstate BFF Protocol?
Maddie: Indefinitely.
Brandon: Seconded!
Maddie and Brandon come together in a tight hug!
Sakura: I’m afraid forgiveness won’t come so easy for Wes!
Danny: Agreed. Let’s go have a few words with him!
Requirements
- Wes
You, Sakura, and dozens of friends march over to the pool, now united! As you approach the pool, you spot Wes trying to sneak out the back!
Sakura: Wes! Stop right there!
Wes: Danny! Sakura! How’s the, uh... war going?
Danny: You mean the war you STARTED?
Wes: You know... let me tell you about my refund policy.
Wes turns and sprints away!
Sakura: Get him!
Time - 11 hours
Finally, you all catch up to Wes, cornering him!
Sakura: Nowhere to run, Wes.
Wes: Okay, okay, you got me. What I did was pretty shady.
Danny: Yup.
Wes: And uh... I apologize?
Danny: That’s a start.
Sakura: But something’s still not right. I don’t think anyone should come out of a water war completely dry...
Danny: That’s a good point, Sakura.
Wes: Whoa, whoa... let’s be reasonable about this!
Sakura: What do you say, everyone? I think Wes is due for a little swim.
The crowd converges on Wes and lifts him up onto their shoulders!
Wes: Hey! Put me down!
He struggles and protests as you all carry him back to the pool!
Wes: How about this? I’ll make you all a deal. We can-- WHOA!
You dump him into the water with a splash! He comes up sputtering, hair sopping wet!
Danny: Sorry, Wes. Casualties of war.
Wes: Heh... all right, all right! I deserved that.
Sakura: Well, we can all stand around soaking wet, or we can jump in this perfectly good pool!
Danny: Cannonball!!!
Later, Wes climbs out of the pool, his teeth chattering.
Wes: Well, THAT didn’t go exactly as I’d planned... any chance I could get a towel?
Sakura: Not quite yet. There’s still ONE more thing to settle...
Requirements
- Have Wes
Sakura looms over Wes with her arms crossed.
Wes: So what is it now?
Sakura: The MONEY, Wes!
Everyone takes notice and crowds around.
Mia: Yeah! You manipulated us for a quick buck! We ALL bought our water balloons from you!
Wes: Hey, I’m not responsible for the principles of supply and demand...
Julian: Well, I DEMAND you pay for damages, unless you want me to SUPPLY you another mandatory bellyflop.
Wes: All right! All right! But what do you want me to do? Make a check out to ‘everyone who’s wet’?
Sakura: It’s simple. We talked it over, and we want you to give the money to Danny.
Danny: Me? But... this is a lot of cash!
Payton: I think it’s a great idea! Danny is always spending money making our school a better place!
Nishan: Yeah! The money’s in good hands with Danny!
Danny: Hey, if that’s what everyone wants... I won’t refuse!
Wes takes his cash box from the corner of the room and hands it to you.
Wes: Here you go, Danny. Spent it wisely. I imagine it’ll buy a LOT of hedges. But you gotta admit... this was fun, wasn’t it?
Danny: Can’t argue with that!
Sakura approaches the two of you.
Sakura: Hey, Danny! I wanted to thank you for backing me up when this whole thing started. I also wanted to apologize for that part in the middle where I wanted to destroy you.
Danny: Hey, no harm done!
Sakura: And Wes, maybe the next time you want us to start a water war...
Wes: ...yeah?
Danny: ...just ask!
Thanks for joining us for The Water War! Keep playing to uncover more fun-filled quests!