Chapter 4-1: Being Happy Rules!

"You're right. It's you all… From Royal Sword Academy!" Epel says, surprised.

Grim, Sebek, Idia & Jade react in shock, "WHAT?!"

Indeed, Briar and her friends are shocked to see Tanzanite and Jasper childhood friends from Mount Moln, who are also Royal Sword Academy Students.

Dominic smiles, "Yep, that's us! We live on the other side of Mount Moln."

Then Tanzanite says, "And they're actually our childhood friends."

"Childhood friends?" Idia questions.

"Oh yeah. We've met them during that one time at the school," Grim says.

Dominic is the first to introduce himself, "My name's Dominic. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Then Grum says, "I'm Grum, and you better not look down on me just 'cuz I'm small!"

"I'm Hop, and I'm here to have fun! Woohoo!" Hop happily says.

Shelpie is sleeping, "Zzz... Zzz…" But soon wakes up, "Ah! Hey... I'm Shelpie…"

"The name's Snick. Nice to meet you…" Snick says and sneezes, "Achoo!"

Timmy shyly says, "I'm, um, Timmy... Oh gosh, this is embarrassing…"

And Toby replies, "Uhh... What was my name again?"

"Come on, Toby, you could at least try to remember your own name," Dominic responds.

"Um, hello. I'm Epel, from Night Raven College. This is Idia, Jade, Sebek. Of course, you know Briar, Grim, Sereia, Tanzanite, Jasper, and Trinket," Epel says.

"Hi guys, it's nice to see you again," Briar says.

"It's nice to see you again too, Briar," Dominic says.

"Hey there…" Snick says and sneezes, "Achoo!"

Hop happily says, "Happy to meetcha!"

"Um, hi... Oh gosh!" Timmy says, shyly.

Grum huffs, "Hmph!"

Shelpie has fallen asleep, "Zzz…" And lets out snores and mumbles.

Soon, Toby asks, "Wait, why are we introducing ourselves again?"

"So there's seven of you…" Epel questions.

Sebek huffs, "Hmph! What are you Royal Sword Academy students doing all the way out here?"

"I'm curious about it myself," Jasper adds.

"Are you here for the Sledathon?" Tanzanite asks.

"That's right. Actually, we're racing in the Mount Moln Sledathon," Dominic says.

Sebek, Epel, Idia & Jade react in shock, "Bwha?!"

Dominic says, "We heard you get good luck if you win it."

"You came here for such a vaguely-defined prize?" Sebek questions.

"You must be in sore need of some luck," Jade says.

But Dominic says, "Not at all! We're totally fine and wouldn't dream of asking for more. It's just…"

"We want to share some luck with everyone else…" Snick says and sneezes, "Achoo!"

Sebek, Epel, Idia & Jade react in confusion, "Huh?"

"That's right. We want everyone in the world to be happier. That's why we're here," Dominic says.

Idia is dumbfounded, "WUT. If winning one lousy race could make the whole world happy, then all our problems would be solved already."

Dominic giggles, "Heh heh, you're not wrong. We know we can't make everyone happy all by ourselves. But if those close to us can be happier, like Neige… Then when other people see his smile, it'll lift their spirits! That's how we want to share it… I know it sounds a little greedy, but it's what all seven of us want."

"Yeah! Being happy rules!" Hop says.

Sebek, Epel, Idia & Jade reply, "...Huh?"

"Aww, that's very nice of you guys," Briar says.

"It's sweet," Sereia says.

Grim however, says, "What a load of hot garbage."

Epel is dumbfounded, "Racing for world happiness? Do they even hear themselves? What goody two-shoes! That sounds SO fake!"

"I've heard of doing your good deed for the day, but this is ridiculous!" Sebek says.

And Jade says, "They're speaking modestly, but they look quite confident in their abilities."

"EEEUUUGH. Who do they think they are? Just hearing that speech was enough to turn my stomach," Idia responds.

"Yeah, we got that from your earlier reply," Epel replies.

And Sebek says, "He must be HIGHLY peeved if he's speaking without his tablet."

Sebek & Epel soon say, "These guys…"

Idia & Jade then say, "...ARE GOING DOWN."

"Are you all entering the race too?" Snick asks.

"Oh, um... Yep," Epel answers, "We're a team of four-Idia, Jade, Sebek, and myself."

Then Briar says, "We're entering the race as well."

"Really? Are you competing in the race too, guys?" Hop replies.

"That's right. Briar, Sereia, Tanzanite and I are one team. Epel, Sebek, Idia, and Jade are another team," Tanzanite says.

"Oh, I see!" Dominic says, "I got worried when the staff told us that last year's champions had to drop out due to an injury."

"We heard about it, too," Jasper says.

And Shelpie says, "I hope it's nothing too serious…"

"It felt wrong for us to have fun while the champion team was stuck sitting out the race…" Dominic says, a little saddened. But then smiles, "But if you all are racing too, I'm sure it'll be loads of fun!"

"The whole place is so festive, and the townsfolk seem like they'll enjoy it too…" Snick says and sneezes, "Achoo!"

"Yes siree Bob! Now I'm feeling more motivated. This is great!" Dominic says.

"You sound rather confident in yourselves. Surely you don't think you can outrace us?" Sebek questions.

"You bet your britches we can!" Grum says.

But then Dominic says, "I wouldn't presume anything about who's going to win, but I'll definitely give it my all."

"Yeah, all of us will! Gooo team!" Hop happily says.

"On that note, we're gonna get in a little more sledding practice!" Dominic says.

Soon, Sebek realizes, "Ah, you're practicing here?"

"Would you mind if we stuck around and watched?" Epel asks with a smirk on his face.

"Oh gosh, it'll be so nerve-wracking having Night Raven College students watch us…" Timmy replies, shyly.

Time has passed, and Briar along with the others watch the dwarves practice their race, and by the end of the day, everyone has gotten some practice.

They also soon return to the Sledathon grounds.

Dominic sighs, "Whew... Okay, guys! We're gonna head out now. It was nice hanging out!"

"...Where are we going again?" Toby asks.

"I told you before-we have reservations at a hotel the next town over," Dominic says.

"We'd better hurry, or we'll miss the next bus!" Timmy says.

The Dwarves call out, "Bye, everybody!"

"Bye guys!" Tanzanite and Jasper call out.

"Just remember, we're planning on winning tomorrow, Grum!" Jasper calls out.

"You can bet on it, Jasper," Grum says.

Then the seven dwarves take their leave.

The rest of the gang remain quiet.

"What did I just witness? Their sledding was…" Sebek says, calmly, but then react in shock, "ABSURDLY FAST!"

"I'm floored too. They're REALLY good," Epel says.

"Dude, talk about meta-defining. That was a whole boatload of characters with broken stats!" Idia says.

"And they had flawless teamwork. This is quite the conundrum," Jade says.

"I have to admit, they're really good," Briar says.

"Yeah. They're going to be tough to beat," Sereia says.

Then Grim questions, "You think you guys stand a chance? You'd have it in the bag if I were competin', but as it stands, you might be toast."

This has Epel offended, "Excuse me?! There's no way we're lettin' Royal Sword Academy beat us! WE'RE WINNIN' THIS THING!"

"Right. I'll keep practicing and learn every facet of plush sledding!" Sebek agrees.

And Idia says, "Ya, srsly! It's like beating a bad game, sometimes you just gotta get that cred lol"

Jade agrees, "Agreed. We wouldn't hear the end of it from the others at school if we lost to Royal Sword Academy."

"Don't worry, we'll be rooting for you. Even though we'll be racing," Sereia says.

"We'll be sure to give it our all in tomorrow's race," Briar says.

"Thanks! You bet we will," Epel says, "Come on, guys, let's do this!"