The second day started very similarly to the first. The remaining Elite 98 were back in the mystical training level, once again experiencing the disorienting feeling of seeing the world both as it was and as it would look from the side. Emotions were once again suppressed, almost eliminated, in the way of that land. It allowed, no demanded, focus from the individuals inside.
As they had discussed, instead of rushing through the world as they had the previous day, every Elite took time to really familiarize themselves with the strange, yet oddly familiar, ways of the training challenge arena. For several minutes, they each tried to learn as much as possible, to the best of their abilities.
Jumping was perhaps the most weird. Experimentation showed that they could make changes to their jump height in midair, unlike a normal jump which was determined at launch time. Even odder was their ability to control their fall in midair, moving forward and backward via sheer willpower. Jumps ranged in height from a mere 4 meters to nearly 7.5 meters. Running jumps provided even more height. The distance a jump could cover was also astounding - well outside anything even Olympic athletes could accomplish.
Running momentum was also not what they were used to. Instead of slowing down, stopping, and then running in the opposite direction, they would immediately turn and start trying to run but would continue moving in their original direction, essentially backwards, for a period of time. It was highly disorienting, but now they were taking time to adjust to it.
Eight minutes, twenty seconds after they had started experimenting, all 98 winked out of the level and into the void, unsuccessful at completing the experimental challenge, but successful at orienting themselves, much better than the first day. They all felt much better about facing the day's challenges than after the first day.
In the void, the first thing captains Thedragonfeeney and Grandpoobear noticed was that the '+1' was no longer associated with Jbizzle. The second was a distinct sensation that the day's challenges would be stronger than yesterday's. The third and final clear inclination was that they needed to make a selection.
"Vellhart" they thought in unison, following their previous night's discussion. A solid but potentially expendable asset was perfect for the first challenge of the day.
The first challenge held no surprises and Vellhart beat it easily. However, his collection of green mushrooms did not provide any bonus lives. The second and third levels were no different. After that, however, the challenge seemed to increase, and Vellhart failed to reach the final goal. A few other Elites challenged and failed, so that only 92 champions were left by the 7th challenge.
Shortly thereafter, Purrluna swore mightily as she succumbed to the that challenge, leaving only 91. A different approach was required. They needed a better player - someone to accumulate some bonuses and protect additional fodder lives for later trolly levels.
So Chucknorris was enlisted. One of the more knowledgeable and skillful individuals around, it was expected that he could restore the winning streak, accumulate some extra lives, and complete the rest of the daily challenges. It was a risk but one that the captains had carefully calculated. They had waited until a few bonuses were available to collect before sending him out, however.
It initially paid off. Chucknorris defeated three consecutive challenges, getting up to '+5'. After the initial disappointment (but not surprise) that they faced more than eight challenges, the viewers enjoyed watching, almost feeling, his precise movements, including grabs, spins, and other expected actions not available in the practice mode.
On the tenth level, Chucknorris miscalculated one landing, missing the solid ground and hitting a spike. It seemed innocuous enough, but when he approached the spot again, with only '+4', a jar of red liquid that seemed completely out-of-place was waiting. He ignored it, but he succumbed to the same spike a second time, in a way that didn't match his usual style. After a third falter at the same location, he paused near the jar on his fourth trip.
The entire experience changed, into something unfamiliar to all of them. Chucknorris was able to grab the jar, which was distinctly not a normal item. The liquid inside was too thick to be blood. It smelled (nothing else smelled, but the jar somehow did) like garlic, oregano, and tomatoes. Somehow, Chucknorris was able to taste it - it just seemed natural to bring the jar to his lips, even though that motion was completely unlike any other action in the strange world beyond the ship's portal. The taste was salty but recognizable. Spaghetti sauce.
The discovery of spaghetti was interesting, but it didn't resolve the problem. Even after figuring out what it was, Chucknorris was unable to pass the place where his issues had begun. On his last visit, the spaghetti was still there. He got so nervous seeing it looming there that he didn't even reach the same spot - he succumbed to a koopa a few jumps before the fatal location.
Any hopes that the spaghetti would disappear for a new Elite were dashed as soon as Potatochan789 entered the trial. The innocent-looking jar was still in place. Potatochan789 soon reached it but was unwilling to attempt the next jump. He made a split-second decision and ate the entire jarful, hoping that might eliminate the effect. But it was not to be. And when he struck the spike, spaghetti splattered everywhere, coating surfaces and making the entire area completely impassable.
Thedragonfeeney and Grandpoobear were forced to use one of the tricks they had up their sleeves - one they'd hoped to not need at all and certainly not this early. Psychrow was sent in. Before long, he had created three additional checkpoints, moved through walls, and completely bypassed the spaghetti-choked area. After he touched the axe but before the next challenge was available, a second dramatically new thing occurred.
We will not tolerate cheating. All illegal levels and moves are unacceptable. Psychrow was unceremoniously ejected from the ship. They all knew he had not been eliminated, not like so many of their friends. But it was clear that Psychrow would not be allowed back into the ship to attempt any additional challenges.
Tensions ran high as Jaku entered, to face the eleventh challenge, but the mysterious spaghetti did not reappear. Without that additional challenge, Jaku was able to power through the final six challenges, only succumbing to one pit in the fourteenth challenge which simply took him from '+6' to '+5'. After 16 challenges, the remaining 88 Elite were again returned to normal Earth, into a confused audience. The premature ejection of Psychrow had the world in a tizzy. Because of the bizarre limitations about speaking, Psychrow had only been able to say a couple things - "Spaghetti" and "They're OK."
Thus, everyone ate a hearty spaghetti dinner in front of TV cameras and frustrated microphone operators before retiring to the hotel for the night.
Thedragonfeeney and Grandpoobear again convened for discussion before sleeping.
Thedragonfeeney said, "What in the heckin' heck are we going to do if we see spaghetti again tomorrow?"
"When."
"What?"
Grandpoobear looked tiredly back at her. "You said 'if' we see spaghetti again. I'm saying it's when we see spaghetti again tomorrow."
"Why are you so sure?"
Grandpoobear sighed, not looking into her eyes. "I'm pretty sure somebody planted that jar. I … saw? Sensed? Felt? ... someone going in just before the spaghetti appeared."
Worry made the characteristic Thedragonfeeney smile disappear. "Are you saying someone planted the spaghetti?"
Slowly, Grandpoobear nodded. "I think so."
Thedragonfeeney rubbed her lower teeth against her upper lip. "Any ideas on what we can do when this heckin' jerk strikes again?"
Grimly, Grandpoobear nodded. "I've been thinking about it nonstop. I have a few ideas." He leaned close and after he explained, Thedragonfeeney was smiling again. It wasn't perfect but at least they had a plan.
