Chalk had been caught into a very unusual situation. Suddenly thrown into an absurd game with a complete stranger. He had already lost the first round, but the situation wasn't unsalvageable. The question was, how would he turn things around?

Chalk noticed a giant screen over the arena that displayed his name along with Check's. Beneath Chalk's name was the number 990000 and below Check's was 1010000.

"Is that supposed to be our bank?"

Check had a pitying smirk.

"Finally noticed the scoreboard. I figured it'd be unfair to use my real assets, as I undoubtedly have considerably more funds than you, so I just matched the amount you had on your person."

"What?! There was more than that."

"There were exactly, 962200 coins in your wallet. I rounded up."

"Tch. Worth a try."

The fax machine next to Chalk had already printed out 8 profiles for him to view. It was his turn to pick a team this time, but he wasn't too sure what to make of it.

He pawed through them with irritation before slapping them down on the table.

"What is this garbage?! This information is useless! How is their favorite food supposed to help me pick a winner?"

Check sighed.

"You can't discern even that much by yourself? I suppose I'll fill you in. Their favorite foods give you an insight into their diet. A healthier player is a stronger player."

"Then what about favorite color?"

"It helps you see what team they'll likely choose. You need to combine the information to gain a clear picture of the flow of the game. But maybe that's simply beyond your capabilities. You aren't much of an opponent without your tricks, it seems."

"I've made my choice."

Check was surprised.

"So soon."

"Yep, let's do this."

The teams were led out into the arena. This time the 8 players were divided evenly into Team Orange Juice and Team Apple Juice.

Chalk addressed Check directly.

"I chose team Orange Juice."

"I see. Interesting choice. Seeing the players now, it's likely the very same team I would have chosen. May I ask how you made your decision?"

"I guessed."

"… How unpleasant. But you know, choice isn't all that matters in a gamble. There's also luck, and yours is no match for my own."

"Whatever. Just choose your bet."

"200000 coins."

"200000?! Even though I picked the team you would have?"

"Do I seem daring to you? Somehow I just don't feel like I'll lose here."

The battle commenced and the two about even until the last 20 seconds. Team Orange Juice made a slipup when two members failed to jump across a gap and fell into the water. Team Apple Juice swiftly took advantage of this error and took a large portion of Team Orange Juice's territory, securing their victory. Check gained 200000 of Chalk's coins, instantly taking a huge lead.

Chalk scratch at his head furiously.

"Argh. Why'd they have to screw up right at the end like that?"

Check kept the same relaxed smirk as usual.

"Heheh. You seem frustrated. Did you not consider the possibility of losing?"

"It's more like you seemed too sure you would win."

"Are you accusing me of something? I promise I had no idea how your team would lose, I merely understood that luck would favor me."

"Tch. Seriously? If that's true, I don't see how you can feel so proud of yourself. With all your talk of studying psychology and numbers, you only won because of dumb luck."

For the first time, Check's expression changed. It became a slight scowl.

"Hmph. Just the foul rantings of a loser. This round was mine and that's all that matters."

Chalk tried to hide his amusement at breaking Check's composure.

"Whatever you say."

"Urrrgh. I've had enough of you. You're nowhere near my level. No need to delay the inevitable. I'll end you quickly."

The next round was beginning. Check's fax machine activated, but after the second page, the machine let out a loud grinding sound and popped. No additional profiles came out, only a distorted mass of ink and paper.

Check was aghast.

"Note, what happened?!"

"I have no idea. I need to take a look."

Check's attention was drawn to Chalk. Chalk had a rotten sneer that he just couldn't contain.

Check exclaimed.

"You! You did this, didn't you?"

Note was fanning away smoke as he attempted to pry open the machine.

"Him? But how is that possible? He's more than 50 yards away and hasn't left his seat. He couldn't have sabotaged the fax. Maybe it was just a spot of bad luck."

"Hmph. Do you honestly believe that, Note? As if misfortune could ever befall me. No, I'm certain he's the culprit. His face isn't even trying to hide it any longer."

Note suddenly let out a shocked gasp.

"This… This…"

Check looked over.

"What did you find, Note?"

"It… It's… a slinky."

"A slinky. How in the world did that get in there?"

"I… I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

"What do you mean by that, Note? I'm sure that isn't true."

Check faced Chalk on the monitor.

"Just what game are you playing, you scum?"

Earlier when Chalk was abducted, Note had placed a slinky in his hands. Of course, Chalk had no intention of playing with the silly thing, but held onto it, just in case it could aid in his escape. Chalk had noticed the fax machine by Check's desk before the game. At that point he had no clue to its significance, but he still jammed the slinky into the machinery simply as a means to spite Check. Once the game had begun, Chalk knew it was merely a matter of time before it broke down.

But he had no reason to tell Check that.

Chalk shrugged his shoulders with an insulting smile.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Check was on the verge of losing control, but instead took a deep breath.

"It hardly matters. Cheat or no, a real gambler takes on all challengers and this stunt has hardly secured your victory. I'm just a bit disappointed that you're too cowardly to face me with wits alone."

Chalk leaned back in his seat and shoved his hands into his pockets.

"Now, I'm not admitting to cheating or anything, but since my money's on the line here, I have every intention to win. I'll fight back against your luck with everything I have. Wits and anything else I can drag up. Now what's so disappointing about that?"

Check picked up the only two profiles that came out, and quickly tore them to shreds.

"Then let's get serious."

Check selected a team.

Chalk mocked.

"Looks like it's just a guessing game for you now?

Check glared at Chalk coolly.

"That's more than enough to beat you."

Chalk still needed to pick a bet. Although Check had no logical way to pick a winner, outside of the topic itself, there was still roughly a 50% chance that Check would randomly select the winner, so he couldn't start making large bets just yet. After the earlier round, Chalk was down to 790000 coins.

He decided to play it just a little bit risky.

"I'll bet 110000."

The war was fought between Team Outer Space and Team Deep Sea with Team Outer Space representing Check. Team Outer Space won definitively.

Chalk muttered under his breath.

"That's regrettable…"

Elsewhere, Crayon and Graffiti were wandering aimlessly around the city.

"Is that her?"

"No."

"Is that her?"

"No."

"Hmm. Is that her?"

Crayon looked hard at the woman.

"Mmm. Kinda close."

"Close enough?"

"No."

"Locating Icing is more difficult than I had originally assumed. You aren't proving very useful."

"I'm sorry."

"We have no choice. We must change strategies."

"Ok. What's the plan?"

"I don't have one."

"…"

"You come up with one."

"Me? I don't know if I can."

"Then what good are you?!"

"Emm. I'm sorry. Maybe… Maybe we could try asking someone."

"Ask an informant to locate an informant? What would be the point?"

"Oou. Sorry."

"It's too bad we can't simply call Icing."

"… Wait! Why can't we just do that? Do you know her number?"

"Well. I do know it, but unfortunately I no longer possess a phone. I THOUGHT I had informed you of this before."

"But I have a phone."

"… A stroke of brilliance! Hand it over this instant!"

Graffiti took hold of Crayon's phone like it was dirty object, and only held it with two fingers. He dialed Icing's number and put it on speaker so he wouldn't have to hold it to his head.

Icing picked up the call.

"Hey Blondie. How'd you get this number?"

Graffiti replied.

"Who is this Blondie? I must speak to Icing."

"Graffiti? This IS Icing, doofus."

Crayon took the phone from Graffiti.

"Hi Icing. This is Crayon."

"Yeah, I know. I recognized the number."

"How did you know my number?"

"I know everything, duh."

"Oh, alright. But this is really important! I need your help!"

"You can't just ask Chalk? I'm really busy."

Crayon heard a voice in the background.

"Who ya talking to, baby?"

Icing answered him a cutesy voice.

"Just a girlfriend. Can you go in that store and buy me that cute bag?"

"Woah. It's pretty expensive."

"Pleeease."

"Sure, babe. Anything for you?"

"Thanks, honey."

Crayon felt embarrassed, thinking she may have interrupted something private.

"I'm so sorry, Icing. Was that your boyfriend?"

"Nah, I don't even remember his name. Don't think he's noticed yet. Anyway, we got a minute, so what's the emergency?"

"Chalk got kidnapped!"

"Oww. Don't yell. And what do you mean kidnapped? Isn't he just working on his latest scheme? I saw him a few minutes ago."

"Saw him?"

"Well, not SAW HIM saw him. He was in this live broadcast someone linked me on my phone. He was all in shadows and stuff, but the way he talked and those needle-y ears, I could tell it was him. Pretty obvious."

"Oouu. My head hurts. I don't know what's going on. Where is he?"

"Uh… well, the broadcast said it was being filmed at the Flower Horn Casino."

"That's great. Can you please show us the way there?"

"That's a little tough at the moment. Kinda busy, and stuff."

The clueless man called out to Icing.

"I got the bag. Might be a little tight for me this month, but nothin's too good for you, babe. Almost done with your call?"

Icing rolled her eyes.

"Thanks cutey. Few more minutes."

Icing tried to keep her voice down as she returned to the call.

"Look, Chalk knows how to take care of himself. Just leave him be. He'll be back by tomorrow like nothing even happened."

"But what if he isn't?!"

"Well I just have some things that I can't drop at a moment's notice, so you'll have to figure out something yourself."

"But what if Chalk-"

Graffiti took the phone from Crayon and hung up.

"She said the Flower Horn Casino, didn't she? Let's not waste any more time."

Crayon's eyes sparkled.

"You know the way?"

"I was commissioned to build the statue above their entryway. Of course, I was rejected after suggesting the statue should be made of gold and ice. Those philistines know nothing of fleeting beauty. Didn't stop them from pilfering my designs. But I suppose this is no time for a personal gripe. Chalk awaits us."

"Let's go!"

Chalk had played another round of the Splatfest Game. He did his best to try and pick the right team, but most of the players didn't go to the side he figured they would. Check fearlessly bet a massive amount and Chalk lost another 300000 coins. He'd been whittled down to a mere 380000. At 1620000 coins, Check's bank was more than 4 times larger than Chalk's. Chalk knew he couldn't allow things to continue like this any longer. To beat Check, he needed to be twice as daring.

Check's fax machine buzzed and whirred, but nothing came out as expected.

Check yawned condescendingly.

"It looks like your plan of forcing me to rely on chance has greatly backfired. I already told you that my luck can't be beat. Such pitiful resistance. Now which team shall I choose? I suppose it hardly matters at this stage. How dull."

Chalk clenched his teeth.

"Oh, am I boring you? Some of us have to actually work for what we have. We can't all afford to sit back and let our luck babysit us through life."

"Babysit?! How dare you? I've spent years studying to improve my technique!"

"And yet, now you're just sitting around, and the results haven't changed a bit."

"Enough! Begin the next round."

The teams came out with equal numbers representing both Team Tails and Team Whiskers.

Check had a scornful glare.

"I've chosen Team Whiskers. Now place your bet."

But Chalk seemed like he was hardly paying attention. Instead he seemed preoccupied playing with the profile sheets from the previous round.

He casually placed a bet without looking up from his work.

"Oh sure."

Check seemed irritated by his behavior.

"Given up already? So this was all the resolve you had. I'm not surprised."

Chalk ignored every word and just folded together a sharp looking paper airplane. He inspected it proudly for a moment, before throwing it down onto the field. It gently floated down towards Team Whisker.

Check screamed at Chalk.

"Hey! What are you doing? You can't just throw things onto the field."

Chalk yawned.

"What? If you're bored, why can't I be too?"

"Why you?"

The plane landed at the feet of an inkling boy. He looked down at the sheet of paper and noticed it had some writing on it. One side was some kind of detailed document that he didn't bother with, but the other had a handwritten note. The boy read it and looked up at Chalk. Chalk waved at him and the boy smiled and waved back. He folded the paper up and put it his pocket and the match began.

Check was immediately suspicious of this.

"What was on that plane?"

Chalk shrugged his shoulders.

"Nothing important."

Check eyed Chalk distrustfully, but ultimately let the incident go.

Once the match started, the boy that received Chalk's note performed extremely poorly. He was missing all of his shots and couldn't stop tripping over his own feet. And yet, he frequently stopped to look up at Chalk and smile. Not only did he not contribute, he was just a huge hindrance to his own team.

Check angrily puzzled over the matter silently.

"The contestant was chosen randomly, and Chalk didn't have his profile, so they should be complete strangers. The boy has no logical reason to help Chalk, especially if it keeps him from his own rewards. What was written on that piece of paper? Some kind of deal or bribe? If that's the case, Chalk is digging his own grave. Openly fixing the match. There are cameras filming from every angle and the note is still intact. The evidence is rock solid. He'll be disqualified immediately. Does that fool honestly think I won't call for an investigation?"

The match ended with Team Whiskers' loss.

The boy that received Chalk's note had an embarrassed smile on his face and waved at Chalk some more before turning to leave.

Check called for security to apprehend the boy immediately and search his pockets. The folded up paper was brought to Check to examine personally.

Check opened it up and read it aloud with a bewildered expression.

"…You're… cute… What's the meaning of this?!"

Chalk couldn't stop himself from laughing his head off.

When the boy opened and read the paper airplane, he looked towards Chalk in his special royal box seat. But with Chalk being in kept in the darkness, the boy couldn't tell whether Chalk was a man or woman. All he could see was a friendly silhouette waving at him after sending the message "You're cute." Naturally his imagination took over and he pictured a fancy, beautiful, rich lady having a crush on him. He wasn't intentionally throwing the match at all, he was just nervous and extremely distracted.

Check was irked after piecing it all together.

"You knew this would happen. You interfered with the match."

Chalk put a finger to his lip innocently.

"Did I? All I did was compliment a member of the opposing team. Just some friendly cheering. There's no rule against that is there?"

Check looked towards the score board to see that Chalk's bank had doubled in value to 760000. "He bet everything in that last round."

Initially Check was shocked, but started to laugh.

"Heheh. I'm so glad. You're starting to look like a serious opponent. This is what I wanted all along. Someone to challenge me and force me to grow. Thank you. Beating you will be all the more satisfying because you're so rotten. Note, how are the repairs coming?"

The old man shut the device with a hard slam.

"They've just been completed."

"Excellent. I would hate for my victory to feel so impersonal."

Crayon and Graffiti had found their way into the Flower Horn Casino.

"Is this really the place? It's so… big and shiny."

"Of course. I could never forget such a tacky place."

Crayon pointed to a large arena in the middle of the casino.

"Look up there!"

Crayon squinted her eyes.

"Up on the left! That's Chalk!"

"Indeed! I'd recognize that silhouette anywhere."

"Wait. Who's that person he's talking to? That's not who took him before."

"It seems they're arguing about something."

Check's voice was heard through speakers all around the building.

"You're a manipulative, foul person. But I admit that that is a strength of its own kind. I admire it. I've faced many opponents in my career, and they've all said the same thing. That my luck was so powerful that it was like cheating. So, who am I to judge your ways? In a way, this match has only now become fair."

Chalk's attention was elsewhere, his eyes downcast and almost uncaring, as the next profiles printed out.

He returned his attention to Check.

"Could I ask you something?"

"What would that be?"

"Nothing important. Just something I had on my mind."

"Go on. I'm a bit interested."

"Hmm. Did you know that sherbet is always a surprise?"

"… What could that possibly mean?"

"Nothing really. It's just that sometimes the thing you've been waiting for is given to someone else."

"What is this driveling nonsense? Have you gone insane or are you just trying to break my focus?"

"Hmm. Never mind. Just preparing for my just desserts."

"I'd say that's appropriate, but it's rather hard to believe."

"If you say so."

Graffiti nodded his head with understanding.

"I never knew Chalk has such a poetic side to him."

Crayon looked lost in thought.

"Sherbet… I don't think its poetry."

"You're simply not artistic minded like Chalk and I."

"No. I think it's a message… to me."

"Mmm. I don't see how."

"Oh! I get it! Come on, Graffiti! We gotta go. There's no time!"

Chalk picked his team for the next round.

Check questioned.

"Not even going to look at the profiles."

"Why bother? I don't understand them anyway."

Check eyed Chalk inquiringly before relaxing.

"Very well. I believe I understand."

The teams were led out. Team Muffin only had 3 people while Team Cupcake had 5.

Chalk was still being aloof and silent, so Check spoke.

"I see you've chosen Team Muffin. That leaves me with Team Cupcake. It seems I have the numerical advantage. Interesting. I've locked in my bet. Let's proceed."

The match began and a massive incident occurred after Team Cupcake had barely exited the spawn. Their weapons were exploding in huge splashes of ink, rendering them useless.

Note's eyes nearly burst out of his head.

"My word! What is this?!"

The match had already begun but Team Cupcake had no means to ink turf. They were easily swept away as Team Muffin dominated the field without a fight.

Crayon was celebrating down below. She still didn't fully understand what was happening, but Chalk won something because of her and she figured that was good. No one in the audience besides Crayon understood Chalk's message, but to her it was fairly clear. She knew that "the thing you've been waiting for" was Graffiti's delivery, which he still had with him. And when Chalk mentioned "given to someone else" she figured she needed to give it away. But to who? She couldn't figure that out at first, until two neon signs suddenly lit up before her eyes. One was a muffin and the other was a cupcake. Chalk said something about dessert, and so Crayon felt it was obvious that he meant cupcakes, because a muffin was only for breakfast, or at least, she thought so. Once she figured this out, Crayon took Graffiti's package to the cupcake room and opened it up. Finding an assortment of flashy knockoff weapons, she emptied the box over a table of legitimate weapons, and quickly left. Chalk had hoped that only a few players would take the faulty weapons into battle, but every member of Team Cupcake was so struck by the attractive designs that they all chose to take one. Also Crayon bought a sherbet ice cream, but wasn't sure what it was for, and so she ate it.

Note stared daggers at Chalk.

"This…you. But how?! He's barely moved a muscle. What has this cheat done?! To cause such destruction, it's impossible!"

Check stopped Note's ranting.

"That's enough. I'm sure everything Chalk has done was perfectly within the rules."

"But you can't seriously mean to-"

"There is no issue, Note."

"… I understand. I will not question you further."

"Thank you. I have lost this round."

Check placed a bet of 240000 coins, bringing Chalk back up to an even 1000000. A rather unbelievable coincidence. Chalk wasn't happy about this win in the slightest. It was obvious to him that Check knew that Chalk would win that round. Chalk wasn't the type of man to be discontent over an easy win, but it was clear to him that Check had predicted his actions. It made Chalk uneasy, although he had no clue what Check was up to.

Check saw through Chalk's code and realized he must have a partner he was communicating with. Check knew that Chalk was going to fix the match in his favor, but chose not to do anything. Chalk had a look in his eye that told Check that he was ready to end the match. He hid it well, but Check could see it. Check wasn't certain how or why. Maybe Chalk was just running out of tricks, but in any case he was ready to play his final move. Check merely wanted to speed things along.

Check gazed a Chalk with powerful determination.

"I can see it, you know. Your challenger's spirit. You're going to bet everything next round, correct?"

Chalk stared back with a straight face.

"That's right."

"A spectacular finale. I approve."

Check happily flipped the last profiles.

"Did you need extra time to pull off your final "strategy"?"

Chalk folded his hands.

"No. This is fine."

"Are you sure? You don't have a secret message you need to communicate. I'll allow it."

"No need. Besides a trick like that wouldn't work if you're expecting it. But if you're willing to indulge me, I'd like to propose something to make the last round more interesting. But only after you've selected a team, but before you've entered it into the console."

"Finally showing your hand? Fine, I grant you your request."

Check shuffled through the papers, carefully estimating strengths and habits, before addressing Chalk.

"Alright. I've made my choice. Between Team Heroes and Team Villains, I will choose Team Villains. Now let's hear your proposal."

Chalk calmly answered.

"I was thinking that you and I should switch teams."

"…Excuse me? Is that really your best idea?"

"I thought the idea might interest you."

"And why is that?"

"Because I've given up. I don't think I can really beat you."

"What are you saying?"

"You told me that you have two great gifts. Your skill in gambling and your luck. I say that your skill is just a sham. Your only talent is luck. But that luck is so great that there's no way for me to win."

"Preposterous. Practice and study have taken me just as far as my fortune."

"Care to put it to the test?"

"Hmph. How would you test it then?"

"I think it's safe to assume you used all of your "skills" to pick the best possible team."

"Of course."

"Then you should trade teams with me. That way we can directly pit your abilities against your luck. I'm positive that regardless of any amount of effort you poured into your choice, your luck is the only thing that will matter in the end. I only aim to prove that."

"That… That's absurd. You seem to think that I've overlooked the fact that if my skills win out, I'll be the loser of our game."

"Are you afraid?"

"Heh. Very interesting. You're pushing me into a situation where I must sacrifice either victory or my pride. But you've forgotten something. I can easily keep my winning selection and combine it with my luck and crush you with my full force, like any true gambler would."

"I can't stop you from doing that, but I'll still have learned something. You're too scared to take a chance and face the truth. That's proof enough that you were never the real deal to begin with."

"Enough. You don't need to continue with your taunting. I never intended to back down from your challenge. I only wanted to hear your reasoning. Like true gamblers, let's end our game in style!"

The last match was fought. Both teams had equal members, and both gamblers were betting everything. It was chaotic from start to finish, but when the game was finally called. The audience erupted in jeers and angry screaming. The final winner of the match was Chalk, taking home a total of 2000000 coins.

The audience scorned him for his devious tricks, but luckily for Chalk, they didn't know his identity, and he was able to quietly slip through the crowds along with Crayon. But before they could make their escape, Chalk was confronted by Check fact to face.

Check held out a hand and waited for Chalk to shake it.

"This is how all honorable matches should end. You outwitted me."

Chalk smirked and shook Check's hand.

"Nope. I only conned you."

"You were a strong opponent. I underestimated you. But even as the loser, I must selfishly ask something."

"Oh yeah?"

"Tell me the truth. Do you think it's possible that my luck made you the victor to protect my ego, because my pride meant more to me than winning this match?"

Chalk patted her on the shoulder as he passed by.

"Tch. Don't be stupid. I don't believe in luck."

Check stood in the middle of the casino, utterly bewildered by his response.

Soon Note came by to escort his employer home.

"Ready to go, Madam?"

Check had a charmed smile on her face.

"Note, what do you boys like?"

"Well if nothing's changed from my day that would be flowers, immaculately arranged silverware, and pinking shears."

Check watched Chalk as he left, but as another girl appeared beside him and held his hand, suddenly Check was filled with an emotion she hadn't felt before. But it felt very, very similar… to rage.