Chapter 23: A Strategic Stampede
Meanwhile, at a different part of the festival, Briar, and the others, including Ace and Deuce, are looking around as they wait for the plan to be set in motion.
"Myaaah! Get a load of all the food stands! Grim says, in excitement.
Then begins to explore around the stalls, "They got churros and funnel cakes and... Ooh, is that jerky?"
"There's also a lot of cool stuff. You can get your own Spelldrive disc," Jasper says.
"And you can even get some t-shirts, and clothes," Briar says.
"And accessories," Sereia says.
"And some books," Tanzanite says.
"Can we buy some stuff?" Grim asks.
Trinket tinks as she looks at the shiny objects.
"Yeah. Can we get some food to eat," Grim asks.
Briar giggles, "We'll get something to eat later, because we have a case to solve, but we could buy some souvenirs. I think we have enough to buy a few things."
"Alright," Jasper says with a smile.
"Yay," Sereia happily cheers.
The group soon look around the stall to see if there's anything they like to get.
"Look there's a seashell necklace," Sereia says.
"And a few good books," Tanzanite says.
"I like to have my own disc to play Spelldrive," Jasper says.
"I want something to eat. I'm hungry," Grim says.
"You're always hungry," Briar says.
Meanwhile, Ace and Deuce are feeling disappointed.
"Man, I can't believe I didn't make the team after all that," Ace says.
"Me neither…" Deuce replies.
Briar turns to see Ace and Deuce are still disappointed for not being able to make the team.
Briar walks over and says, "Don't worry guys, there's always next year. For now, we can cheer on the ones who did!"
Ace sighs, "I suppose you're right."
"So did you get anything?" Ace asks.
"I got myself a pouch," Briar says, showing the pouch.
The pouch is black, but also has all the drom's crest on it. It also has the symbol of the college in the center. It also has two thick strings.
"Hmm, nice bag," Deuce says.
Just then, Sereia and the others return with their purchases.
"Look Briar, I got a seashell hair clip," Sereia says.
"I got a book about magic and casting different spells," Tanzanite says.
"I got my own disc so we can play Spelldrive together. I want to start training after the tournament ends," Jasper says.
"Well, the stall didn't have food, I want something to eat," Grim complains.
Then Trinket tinks in reply, and is holding a small leaf and flower decorated cloth.
"I see you guys got something from the festival," Ace says.
Then Deuce says, "Well, we have an important job to do anyway. We should focus on that."
"Yeah, good point. Focused. That's us," Ace says.
Then asks, "Do you have your camera, Briar?"
"Right here," Briar says, holding her ghost camera.
"Then let's get going. The game is going to start soon," Ace says.
Just then, Grim notices one of the stalls that has corn dogs.
Grim is astonished, "Whoa, what's a corn dog?!"
Then grows excited, "I wanna try one! Come to papa, whatever you are!"
"Eat later! We need to go!" Ace says.
"Then let's hurry," Briar says.
Everyone makes a quick dash to the colosseum so they can meet up with Riddle and Cater.
Meanwhile, in front of the Savanaclaw Dorm, Leona, Ruggie, and most of the dorm members are ready to set the plan into motion.
"The players should be reachin' the stadium soon," Leona says.
Then Ruggie says, "Everything's set. We're ready to go whenever.
"Last year's champion will be up first—that's Diasomnia. Hah! My heart's pumping now," Leona says.
Ruggie snickers, "Sha ha ha! Then let's get going!"
Meanwhile, at the side streets, the festival continues to take place.
Soon, the PA system announces, "... Welcome, one and all, to the Night Raven College interdorm Spelldrive tournament! Thank you for your patience. The players will be entering the stadium momentarily!"
The audience cheers, "WOOOOOHOOOOO!"
Then the PA System announces, "First up will be last year's champion. But can lightning really strike thrice? Give it up for the Reigning Light… DIIIIIAAAAASOOOOOMNIIIIIAAAAA!
The audience cheers louder, "WOOOOOOOOO!"
In the stadium, the many Diasomnia students begin to enter the field and the crowd continues to go wild.
Meanwhile, Ruggie hides in a secret spot where the plan is going to be put into motion.
"Ooh, what a crowd! It should be plenty large enough... Sha ha ha!" Ruggie says with a snicker.
He then brings out a bottle that has some kind of liquid inside.
He uncorks it, "First, to drink Azul's potion…"
Then he drinks the potion in the bottle.
However, it leaves a very bad aftertaste, "Urk?! Blech! What IS this?! It's awful! It's like...stew someone aged in gym socks."
He's soon able to get the bad taste out of his system and says, "Urgh... Okay, get it together, Ruggie. Let's go. Time to fire off my signature spell… Let's send the audience running like a stampede of wildebeests! Okay, folks… 'Laugh With Me!'"
And begins to perform his signature spell.
Back at the stadium, some of the audience members notice something wrong.
A man asks, "Huh? What's that sound?"
Suddenly, another man notices something wrong, "What is going on over there? There's a whole bunch of people charging at the players!"
Another man panics, "Wh-whaaaaa?! My body, I can't control— Ah! Out of the way! Out of the way!"
"EEEEEK! Don't push me!" A female screams.
Another audience member screams, "Run! Before you get crushed!"
Many of the people scream, "AAAAAAAAAH!"
And try to run away from being crushed by those who can't control their bodies.
The PA System also saw the trouble, "What?! What's happening?! Spectators are converging in some sort of reckless stampede! Everyone please, calm down! I beg of you!
The audience screams, "WAAAAAAAAAH!"
Still working his magic, "Ruggie says, "Whoa... Azul's potion is insane! Look at how many people I can control at once!" He soon begins panting from using a lot of his strength and magic, "I don't know how many more… I can handle, but this...should be enough!"
Ruggie smirks and says, "Let's see what you do now! Surely you wouldn't use magic against civilians? You're the Prince of the Fae, Malleus. Even if you wanted to, you wouldn't dare! So get squashed instead! Shyeheehee!" and maniacally laughs.
The PA System screams, "The rush of stampeding spectators is headed right for the Diasomnia players...! Everyone, run away! Please, run awaaaaay!
The audience screams as they try to run away from the stampede, "WAAAAAAAAAH!"
At the stadium, many of the Diasomnia are witnessing the event.
A boy with silver hair says, "If they keep coming, we're gonna get crushed!"
Then shouts, "Everyone, protect Malleus!
A boy with green hair quickly turns his head and calls out, "This way, Housewarden!"
But soon notices, "Malleuuus! N-no! We're too late! Oof! We're getting crushed!"
The boy with the silver hair screamed, "AAAAAH! MALLEUS, NOOOOO!"
Seeing what is happening from the sidelines, Ruggie smirks and says, "It worked! Exactly as we planned it!"