Chapter 18 • Cornering the Suspect

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Chapter 17	Book 2 • Chapter 18	Chapter 19

Classroom

Grim	All right, where's Ruggie Bucchi?!

Ruggie

Right here. Ah... It's you guys again. I really hope this isn't about that deluxe grilled cheese. We traded fair and square.

Riddle

Ruggie Bucchi, we need to ask you some questions about the spate of injuries that have befallen prospective Spelldrive tournament players.

Ruggie

Oh ho. This sounds like some serious business.

Cater

How about we move to the hall and keep this in the figurative DMs, if you catch my drift?

Ruggie

I'm cooperating. Let's all try to be gentlemen, now.

Interior Hallway

Riddle

Very well. While we do not yet know exactly what transpired, it is abundantly clear that your signature spell is a dangerous one. I will be casting "Off With Your Head" to—

Ruggie

But Riddle, are you sure you should be casting such a powerful spell without your magical pen?

Riddle

Huh? Wait...what?! What happened to my magical pen?!

Grim	Hey, Cater! Your pen's gone too!

Cater

You're kidding me! How?!

Ruggie

Shyeheehee! Children of privilege, every one of you. So unprepared. So complacent. Like stealing candy from a baby.

Grim	Myah?! He cast his spell to snatch your pens away without us even noticing?!

Ruggie

Puh-lease. As if I'd need magic to do that! Anyway, having a showdown in the hallway is not on my agenda for today, so I'll be on my way. Toodles!

Grim	Hold it right there!

Riddle

Curse you! You will halt if you value your head! "Off With—"

Cater

Whoa, Riddle, stop! Don't be a hero, man!

Ace	Dude, your flamingo-feeding outfit was insane. Who knew they made leopard print in hot pink?

Deuce

L-look, it's not like I had a choice! It's all I had in pink!

Ace	I can't believe we still gotta follow weird rules like that. But I guess it's better than it was.

Cater

Oh! Ace, Deuce! You boys are a sight for sore eyes!

Ace	Huh? What's going on? Why are you running?

Riddle

The culprit! He's getting away! You need to apprehend Ruggie Bucchi immediately! Housewarden's orders!

Deuce

Whaaat?!

Ace	What does this gotta do with us?!

This is your chance to earn a spot on the roster!

Go get 'em, boys!

TWISTUNE

Twistune Dialogue - Chase After Ruggie!
Twistune Start
Grim	Myah! We've got you now!
Ruggie	What, you think some freshmen and a weasel can catch ME? All of you look as slow as molasses—and I'm not talking about your runnin' speed!
Grim	*hiss* I am NOT a weasel!
Ace	Save it! We got work to do!
After Phase 1
Pass Ruggie I thought you Heartslabyul guys were nothin' but tea-partying softies... But y'know something? Color me impressed. I take it all back! Deuce Keep talkin'. I'm this close to wiping that smug grin off your face. Ace Would you just let us nab you already? I don't wanna lose my head again, thanks! Ruggie If you want me so bad, then maybe you should work harder to catch me! Fail Ruggie You're in over your head! Better go recharge in your dorm with a spot of tea. Ace Argh! It's like chasing a wild animal... Deuce Hah... Hah... But if we let him get away, our heads are gonna roll... Grim Haaaaard no on that! We gotta catch that guy! Ruggie Respect for not throwing in the towel, I guess. Shyehee!
After Phase 2
Pass Deuce How do you like THIS?! Ruggie Yipe! O-okay, yeah. Maybe that one was a little fur-raisin'... ...but unlike you guys, I'm not on my last legs! Byeee! Ace Hah... Hah... H-how's he not even winded after all that running?! Fail Deuce There's no way we can outrun him... Grim I... I can't take another step. Ruggie Aww! Is that it? Were you even trying to catch me? I've seen warthogs with more spunk than you!

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