(AN: Well he we are; the second to last story! I hope you guys have enjoyed so far, and be prepaired within the next week for the finale!)

Story 35-

Game of Go

Espio introduces Vector to Go.

Notes- This is a sequel to the story where Vector introduces Espio to hide n' seek, I dunno, I really like the idea of the two introducing concepts and games they've known since childhood to the other. Go was my choice for Espio's case in a bunch of ideas of Japanese games, along with a few others.

Also props to my computer for overheating as I wrote the first part of this story!)

Espio placed another black stone onto the board as he looked at Valdez. "It's your pick, Valdez," He said in his native language.

"Very well then, how about we go for… this!" The blue chameleon replied, placing a white stone right above the black one Espio placed down.

"Congratulations, Valdez. You helped me win this game."

Espio placed a black stone to the right of the newly put down white stone, completely surrounding it with black stones. Valdez shook his head as he sighed, Espio taking the last of Valdez's stones.

"I never was good at Go…" He said.

"And you call yourself a true Northern Mobius resident…"

As Espio wiped off the board, Vector came walking over, holding a tray with his lunch from the dining hall.

"Hey there, guys!" He said, sitting down next to Espio.

"Ah, hello there, Vector," Valdez said. The crocodile looked over at the Go board.

"What you guys got there?"

"Ah, this? This is Go. It's a board game from Northern Mobius. A very popular one at that."

"Board games? Didn't know ya had them up there."

"Vector, we didn't entertain ourselves with sticks, stones, and the mud in the historic district…"

"Really? Ha, ya could have fooled me!"

Valdez frowned at the crocodile.

"Anyway… I'm going to go grab myself lunch now. I'm rather hungry myself. Enjoy your lunch, and Espio? Don't forget to eat too."

"I know, I know. Good bye, Valdez."

Valdez left as Vector looked up from his burrito. "What did ya two say?" The quarterback asked.

"He simply told me to eat." replied the transfer student.

"Ah… So, anyway… this go thing… I've never heard of it. How do ya play it?"

"Oh! You'd like to learn how to play go?"

"Sure! Sounds interesting enough. Is it hard to understand like chess? Games like those hurt mah head."

"Chess?"

"Err, nevermind. Just, show me how to play."

And so, Espio explained the rules to Vector It seemed simple enough to the crocodile, even if it was very similar to chess. They had to 'control territories' by filling up the board, while at the same time, trying to take the other players pieces by surrounding them. After a quick demo by the chameleon, it was time to play. Vector set down his first piece, confident in his ability.

"Yeah, this is gonna go fine!"

And so it did. By the time Vector finished his entire lunch, the game was getting heated. Espio had Vector had taken nearly half of the chameleon's white pieces, and many of Vector's pieces filled the board.

"Ya better run to the hills, Espio! I'm gonna beat ya!" The quarterback said.

Espio rolled his eyes as he made another move. Vector grinned slyly.

"Alright, time to show ya whatta crappy move ya made!"

Vector slapped down a black piece, taking yet another piece from Espio.

"And now, to win this game!"

After a few rounds, Vector filled up the board with his pieces, making him the winner.

"Ha ha! I win!" The crocodile bragged. "I won! Take that!"

"Fu fu fu… good job, however, I was purposely losing."

"W-What?!"

"Would you like to see me actually try?"

"Uhh, yeah! Show me what ya got, Espio! I'm on a streak after all!"

"Okay, here we go!"

Needless to say, Vector lost terribly.

"W-What?! HOW DID YA-"

"It seems you fail to realize how good I am at this game. Back home, my mother showed off my skills to the leaders of our clan houses. It's a game I very much enjoyed since childhood."

"Oh… that's why yer so good?"

"Yes. If you want, I can teach you how to become a better player."

"Pff, like I need Go skills in life."

"Don't lie, you know you wanna learn."

Vector's eyes were wide. "N-No! Obviously not! Besides, what if one of mah football buddies came around and see me play this n-nerdy game!"

Espio smiled. "I'll see you here next weekend. In the meantime, I'm going back to the dorm to finish up homework, then to the rec room for workouts."

And the chameleon, left, leaving the crocodile behind, flustered and knowing Espio knew full and well he wanted to learn.

"ESPIO!"