THE

ISSUE 4 LIGHTNING VOLUME 32 BOLT

SURVIVAL STORY

HUMANS OF CHANCELLOR

NEW YEAR, NEW OPINIONS

CHANCELLOR HIGH SCHOOL 6300 HARRISON ROAD, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22407 1 Jan 2020 SENIOR BREAKFAST, SENIOR PRANKS, MRS. GATTIE AND A WHOLE LOT OF THANK YOUS ADVISOR

SAVANNAH AVERSA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

FAITH REMICK LAYOUT EDITOR

BRIANA BUTCHER NEWS EDITOR

The Lightning Bolt staff participated in “Thank You Thurs- HANNAH CLOVEN day.” Underappreciated staff was gifted with a card and Mrs. Bass-Fortune stands in her rose. All bus drivers were the first to receive their thanks. office after a senior prank. On the FEATURES EDITOR Below: Ms. Haire surprised of her unexpected gift. cover is the group of students who pulled off this prank. KAITLYN GARVEY SPORTS EDITOR

CARA SEELY AND EMMA PURCELL OP-ED EDITORS

Seniors enjoy their senior breakfast at Great America Buffet. CHARGER FUR BABIES CONTEST MATCH THE NAME OF THE PET TO THE PICTURE AND TAKE YOUR ANSWERS TO ROOM A113 FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE. HAVE A PHOTO OF YOUR FURRY FRIEND YOU WANT TO SUBMIT? EMAIL SUBMISSIONS TO [email protected].

Charger 1 Charger 2 Charger 3 Charger 4 Names to choose from. Note: There are more names than pictures! Jake, Morrigan, Comet, Cupid, Charlie, Toby, Barthalomew Jan 2020 2 WHAT IS BODY IMAGE? By Hailey Patten ing thinner would make them one look and feel good, like their body shape, sixe, Staff Reporter happier and look and feel bet- no matter what the size. hair color, skin color, acne, Body image is how one ter. A lot of girls are focused on Be proud; make a list of or even the way they dress. thinks and feels about their fitting in, which can become a your positive qualities that They don’t feel as if they can body and the way they look. lot more problematic, to their aren’t specifically related be, look, or act like them- Body image is often confused physical and mental health. to body image. We are all selves without being judged. with self esteem, which is how According to www.huff- so much more than what A lot of people feel the need one thinks and feels about post.com 9 out of 10 girls we look like on the outside. to wear makeup, dress a cer- themselves as a total package. felt pressure by fashion and Be inspired; think about the tain way, act a certain way or Body image is a big prob- media industries to be thin- people you admire. Have they even cover up scars or their lem in our society and needs ner. 60% compare them- impacted your life because of bodies. Some people don’t to be fixed. Having low self selves to models and 47% what they look like or because feel comfortable wearing esteem can lead to anxiety, used fashion magazines as of what they’ve accomplished. tight or short clothing, be- depression, eating disor- a body image to strive for. Be accepting; challenge nega- cause they’re afraid of being ders and unhealthy weight Media has a huge impact tive thoughts about your stared at or being made fun of. loss ideas and actions. on the way people see them- body, try to be less judge- Everyone should feel like According to www.break- selves. 69% of girls say maga- mental and learn to talk more they can be themselves bingeeating.com approxi- zines make them want to lose positively about yourself. without the fear of be- mately 80% of women don’t weight, and 80% of girls say Be special; take time to ing judged or made fun of. like their bodies, 70% of Instagram,Twitter, and Face- pamper yourself. Try yoga, People should be able to feel women that are normally book make them feel bad get a massage, or facial, comfortable in their own bod- weighted want to be thinner about the way that they look. or take a relaxing bub- ies or skin; every single person and 34% of men are dissat- The average American female ble bath - you deserve it. should be able to feel con- isfied with their body. Over is 5’4” and 144lbs and the av- Be savvy; read books with fident in the way they look. 50% of Americans aren’t hap- erage male is 5’10” and 198lbs. positive messages that make Whether someone py with their current weight 96% of girls with eating dis- you feel good about your- weighs 50 pounds or 300 or the way their body looks. orders visited pro-anorexia self. Ditch anything that pounds, wearing makeup By the time one is a teen- websites to learn new weight makes you feel inadequate. or not, we all are beauti- ager, most girls and boys loss techniques. The more Be kind; avoid body-bashing in ful, and amazing people. suffer from dissatisfaction time a person spends time social settings, Instead, focus You only live once. Don’t let with the way they look. Over on social media, watching conversations on the positive other people ruin this life 50% of girls and over 30% of television or reading maga- traits of yourself and others. for you. Don’t let them put boys, start using unhealthy zines, the more likely they are Everyone is their own per- you down, Be yourself and weight control behaviors such to suffer from AN, BN, poor son. Everyone is unique in never give up on yourself. as skipping meals, fasting, body image, negative ap- their own ways. People feel The real you is the best you. smoking cigarettes, vomit- proach to eating, dieting, and ashamed about themselves; ing, and taking laxatives. One unhealthy weight loss diets. of the most important influ- Follow us on instagram @tlbnewspaper_ A healthy lifestyle is to ences on body dissatisfaction be balanced, to get enough The Journalism students at Chancellor High School publish The Lightning Bolt, and appearance is with ado- the only official newspaper on campus. The purpose of the newspaper is to factu- sleep, eat nutritious food, be lescent girls and how focused ally inform and entertain its readers. As an established open forum for the student physically active and avoid body, truth will be the staff’s major goal. It is the responsibility of each staffer to they are on the appearance adhere to the journalism code of ethics as set by the Society of Professional Jour- smoking, drugs, and any of their peers. Teens are also nalists, Sigma Delta Chi. The code states that a journalist can not accept gifts, favors other unhealthy behaviors. or privileges that could compromise their integrity. All material published will be influenced by their parents Be positive; people should fo- the result of brainstorm sessions by the staff. Subjects stimulating to the majority and other family members. of the student body will be used. The editorial board, which is comprised of all cus on all the amazing things newspaper staff members will determine the priority of the stories and the overall Comments about weight, about their body and what design of publication. The advisor serves to give students a better understanding body shape, developing bod- of the functions and ethics of a free press. The advisor does not serve as a censure. it can do, not how it looks Student editors will decide the material to be published. In accordance with com- ies, putting children on diets such as its ability to dance, munity standards, profanity will not appear in the publication. Students are free to to lose weight, and teasing, express an opinion on matters of public interests under the, “fair comment rule.” run, play, or create things. can all have a negative impact. Under this rule, the student has the right to intelligently criticize the school and Be diverse; recognize its policies. Editorials reflect the opinion of The Lightning Bolt. Opinion stories By the time girls and boys are reflect the opinion of the writer and do not represent the opinion of the faculty and that all people come in in middle school, they start administrWation of Chancellor High School. Controversial issues will be covered different shapes and - siz from both points of view. School news, as well as local, national and international managing their appearance. es. Embrace what makes events will also be covered. Letters to the editor are welcomed. All letters must be This heightens the risk for de- signed and be between 200- 300 words long. They may be submitted to A113 or by each person unique. e-mailing [email protected]. The Lightning Bolt retains the right to pression, anxiety, self harm, Be stylish; people should edit letters to comply with journalistic standards. Anonymous letters will not be and eating disorders like published. This is your school, help improve it through your opinions, praises, and wear clothing that fits constructive criticisms. If voiced aloud and in large enough numbers, we can bring anorexia and bulimia. Most their body type and makes about change. Our ultimate goal is to print the truth and with your help we can teenage girls think that be- reach this goal. 3 Jan 2020 EDITORIALS PLASTIC BAGS SUFFOCATE OUR EARTH By Hannah Cloven and for all. The US needs to used by America, ends up in to have a bag. While this tactic Features Editor ban single-use plastic bags. the ocean. This is equivalent to could be helpful in the reduc- Today, we live in a “throw- It is no secret that plastic pol- 73 blue whales made entirely tion of plastic bag pollution, away” society that is focused lution plagues our ocean. From of plastic. Those plastic bags banning plastic bags altogether on the idea of convenience. deep in the Mariana Trench to get entangled in coral reefs and would have a greater impact in We create inventions every giant plastic islands floating can scrape the surface of the eliminating the problem. Ban- day that make our life enor- in the Pacific, plastic contin- coral, causing physical damage ning plastic bags cuts the prob- mously easier. Our mentality ues to cause more harm than and open wounds. The coral lem off at the source, so the flow has changed from that of our good. According to Harvard. is then exposed to microbes of plastic bag pollution is pre- grandparents who fix things com, 8 million tons of plastic from the plastic and becomes vented from getting any worse. that are broken. Today, if is dumped into the ocean each infected by disease and dies. Several organizations work something gets broken or a year. This is all sorts of plastics The presence of plastic in coral hard to rid our oceans of the little bit less than perfect, it’s ranging from single-use wa- reefs raises the risk of disease plastic pollution that is pres- common practice to throw it ter bottles to toothbrushes to in coral from 4% to an aston- ent. These reliefs are great; out and buy a new one. How plastic straws and yes, plastic ishing 89%. Plastic is destruc- however, they will all be for often are we thinking about the shopping bags. While no plas- tive to the life of our oceans. nothing if we don’t eliminate consequences of our actions? tic in the ocean is good, there While plastic can be helpful, the source of pollution. The Nearly 500 billion plastic are specific drawbacks to plas- abusing it causes damage to all plastic that is recovered from bags are produced annually in tic bag pollution in the ocean. aspects of life around us. Being the ocean is only going to be the world today--103 billion One of the biggest groups of irresponsible with our resourc- replaced by fresh plastic that is of those bags are from the US marine life that single-use es has created death in what being produced daily. Until the alone. To put that in perspec- bags affects is sea turtles. Sea once was a “healthy,” living flow of plastic pollution can be tive, if all 100 billion bags were turtles’ diets include jellyfish. Earth. It is time to stop putting stopped, our efforts are in vain. lined up, the distance would be Unfortunately, plastic bags are convenience over the needs of Banning plastic bags is a step long enough to travel around often mistaken by sea turtles our Earth. The Earth takes care forward in eliminating plas- the equator over 1,330 times. for nutritious jellyfish. The in- of us, so we need to take care tic pollution. If the US alone Over one million bags are used gested bags cannot be digested of it. We only have one Earth. banned plastic bags, 500,000 globally every minute. Accord- by the turtles, causing block- Unfortunately ,we cannot solve tons of plastic would be pre- ing ourworldindata.com, the ages in the intestines and even- this problem like we normal- vented from becoming plastic US is the second largest pro- tually starving the sea turtle to ly do in society--We cannot pollution each year. While this ducer of plastics, following Chi- death. In 2015, a study done by make a new Earth when this is only a fraction of the plastic na. Each year, the US produces the University of Queensland one becomes broken or dam- that is produced globally, it is around 37 million tonnes of found that 52% of all marine aged. It is time to take action. a step in the right direction. plastic. The US is not doing our turtles world-wide have in- Several grocery stores Banning plastic bags in the US planet any favors by continu- gested plastic from the ocean. throughout the US are start- is an action that will have a big ing to produce large amounts Plastic bags not only af- ing to charge a fee for plastic effect on stopping plastic pol- of plastic. By continuing to be fect sea turtles, but coral reefs bags. Lidl, a grocery store that lution in our world today. We a leader in plastic production, as well. According to umass. originated in Germany, charg- as a society need to come to- the US is enabling our planet to edu, 10,000 tons, or 2% of the es $0.10 for a reusable bag at gether for change that will lead suffer. It is time to take a stand 500,000 tons of plastic bags checkout if customers choose to a healthier, happier Earth. and stop plastic pollution once HUMAN RIGHTS By Stephanie Martinez Either bought or sold at PUB- Wrong. The United States is these are violations the USA Staff Reporter LIC markets they are forced one of those 167 countries. has done This is important to Human Rights are rights for into unethical work and/or Criminals in prisons are being be brought up. We can stop humans. It's in the name. No marriage. They are forced to beat up by guards and some- this by calling the United Na- matter race, gender, color, na- produce the food and clothes times denied food and clean tions and by being more aware tionality, religion, or language we wear. We may not think of water,Women and men of all of what is going on. Imag- - no matter who you are - you ages are being kidnapped for ine if this act happened to and everyone else deserve the human trafficking and being any of your loved ones. You same rights. Sadly, more than “You and every- sent across the world far from would not want that, so why 167 countries are guilty of vio- one else deserve home,airstrikes on Iran and sit and watch this happen? lating human rights of its citi- the way we treat minorities by zens. According to the 2018 the same rights. killing the innocent,sending Global Slavery Index(GSI) over them to cages like animals,and 40,300,000 people who are liv- just being plain cruel to some- ing in those 167 countries are it as much since we don’t live one who is/has a different victims of modern day slavery. in those 167 countries right? background than you.All of Jan 2020 4 EDITORIALS SCHOOLS CAN DO MORE TO STOP SEXUAL HARASSMENT By Cara Hadden of the #MeToo and #Time’sUp rections to meet up outside of or their assailant won’t be pun- Staff Reporter According to a U.S. News & movements. Dismissing them class, and obsessive compli- ished, their assailant finds out World report in September as radical politics however, ments.” “The school, specifi- they told someone and hurts 2019, an investigation conduct- doesn’t make them less of cally my guidance counselor, them more, or no one believes ed by the Department of Educa- an issue. A 2002 survey con- was aware pretty much from them. If policies like Title IX tion uncovered 2,800 student- ducted by the American Asso- the start. The whole situation are more strongly enforced and on-student sexual harassment ciation of University Women started with notes that seemed if teachers and educational complaints and 280 teacher- interviewed 2,064 students innocent enough, but as it con- staff are encouraged to truly on-student complaints, all of in eighth through eleventh tinued, I made my counselor listen to their students and which were mishandled, in grade and concluded that 83% aware of what was going on. I take every claim seriously, then 400 Chicago Public Schools. of girls and 78% of boys sur- was initially told that there was the percentage of boys and girls Due to the investigation, the veyed have been sexually ha- nothing that could be done who are sexually harassed will school district was discovered rassed. Hypothetically, if all and that I was probably his decrease exponentially. Fortu- to have violated Title IX regu- of these students were to file first crush. [Therefore,] I need- nately, the staff at Chancellor lations, which is a legislation a complaint against their per- ed to be careful not to ruin his takes these situations very se- that insures equal treatment of petrators, how many of these perception of love,” said Jane. riously, and immediately puts females in government-funded children would receive jus- However, the classmate was all their resources into inves- education institutions. The tice at the hands of the school talked to by school staff about tigating the claim and mak- district didn’t even employ a district? If what transpired his actions. Unfortunately, that ing sure that the student feels Title IX coordinator, a position in Chicago wasn’t an isolated talk didn’t deter him from es- safe. “We will get as much in- required by law, and failed to situation, very few children, if calating his inappropriate be- formation out [of the student] properly address thousands of any, would see their violators havior. He began following and as we can [regarding the situ- complaints of harassment and punished. On the other hand, cornering her, invading her ation], and depending on the assault. That means that thou- there are a plethora of valid personal space, intimidating situation, we still want to sup- sands of perverse adults and excuses school officials have at her, and finally stalking her. At port the student, even with- children received impunity for their disposal to use on anyone the end of the year, the class- out having it verified. I mean, tormenting and violating other who dares to point a finger at mate sexually assaulted Jane we’re always going to give that children as young as elemen- them. For example, they may multiple times. “Throughout student credit, we’re not go- tary schoolers because the Chi- state they had no idea the ha- the whole ordeal, nothing [of ing to look at somebody as if cago school district neglected rassment existed, because the substance] was done by the they’re not telling the truth. to take action when these com- victim didn’t tell anyone until school until I came forward to Everybody needs to come into plaints were recorded. Schools it was too late. Perhaps there say that I had been assaulted school feeling safe and that in the United States need to be wasn’t enough evidence to sup- twice in one day. He had stuck this is a place where they can proactive in recognizing sexual port the victim’s claim, and the his hand up my skirt in a room be without fear or concern for harassment and stopping the school official is trapped in the full of people. It wasn’t until somebody bothering them,” perpetrators before the harass- middle of a ‘he said/she said’ the assault that [serious ac- said Brian Gebhardt, an As- ment turns into assault. These stalemate? Maybe the harass- tion was taken].” In the wake of sistant Principal at Chancellor. words are often confused with ment initially came across as this year-long nightmare, Jane If a student feels uncomfort- each other, but harassment is benign, and nothing could be doesn’t feel like her school did able or is being harassed, de- defined as “offensive remarks done until it escalated into enough to resolve the issue. pending on the specifics of the about one’s gender, requests physical, non-consensual as- “[The harassment didn’t cease] scenario, the staff will work for sexual favors, inappropri- sault, traumatizing the victim? until the end of the year. The with them to change class peri- ate sexual remarks, and verbal These are awful situations to stress of having to deal with this ods, sign a No Contact Contract intimidation.” Assault has a have happen, just so a school situation caused me to become (a school restraining order), more cut-and-dry classifica- official can say with com- more anxious and depressed involve the school resource tion as an umbrella term for plete certainty that yes, this than I was before. My grades officer, and alert the parents. inappropriate physical sexual victim was telling the truth. dropped, my teachers noticed Additionally, the perpetrator acts, including nonconsensual One such individual, called the change, and after that, I will be punished accordingly groping, incest, child moles- ‘Jane’ for the sake of protect- have never been the same. I depending on the situation, tation, and rape. Since sexual ing their identity, was given a was afraid to go to school. I be it a school disciplinary ac- harassment is verbal, it is the similar response by school em- was afraid to go outside of my tion or legal punishment. As more insidious evil to perse- ployees when she was harassed house. I never felt safe.” Jane’s for awareness, the educators, cute, as it is harder to prove, in the eighth grade. It began story is only one othousands, guidance, administration, the and is not universally regarded at the beginning of the year if not millions. Children are school social worker, and the as a crime. The terms ‘harass- when a classmate gave Jane afraid to speak up about their school resource officer are ment’ and ‘assault’ are often notes containing “extremely experiences with harassment trained to use protocol to help seen as trigger words in today’s possessive poetry, directions and assault for fear of three students who come to them society, especially with the rise to the classmate’s home, di- scenarios: they won’t be helped with their claims, but more can 5 Jan 2020 EDITORIALS SCHOOLS CAN DO MORE TO STOP SEXUAL HARRASMENT CONT. be done to encourage students their lives after experiencing this difficult for them to learn to their ful because I shouldn’t ruin [that to speak about their experiences. type of trauma.“I think, when we full potential. So that [awareness] student’s] perception of love. If “We are trying to foster more so, talk about trauma, it is adults rec- is what we are working on this people are told to be proactive which leads into the #OneCar- ognizing that students who go to year,” said Margaret Morganti, and speak up, there will be less ingAdult [campaign] we have this [school] come from a wide variety Chancellor’s Director of School of a stigma around sexual assault. year, the posters spread around of backgrounds and experiences. Guidance. When asked about [Schools] will never be able to the school to try to help the stu- And I think just [by] having some her opinions on how schools can fully rid the world of this behav- dents recognize the staff as people empathy and compassion for what further assist victims of sexual ior, but students [need to] know they can talk to if they have any [the students] are bringing to the harassment and assault, Jane re- that they have a safe, comfort- type of situation that is coming school day is a great place to start. plied, “[The issue] needs to be able place to go where they can up or has come up already. We We’re really working this year on something that is spoken on, so reach out for help. Making sure can always do better, but I think recognizing that [students] aren’t girls and guys will know that it is a student who has been in such that is something that we’re work- just these kids that show up from okay to speak up if something is a situation is safe, feels safe, and ing toward,” says Gebhardt of the these perfect lives, and they’re go- happening. Teachers and coun- can get the help they need should staff’s awareness of these issues. ing to be these perfect students selors should take [assault claims] be the top priority. No one should However, for victims of harass- who do their work and all that more seriously when they pres- feel responsible for the emotions ment and assault, it is not just stuff...A lot of students carry this ent themselves. In the beginning, of someone else. No one should about seeking help in the imme- emotional baggage, and a lot of when I went to my counselor, I felt have to be scared to go to school.” diate situation, but finding the things happen outside of school confused and helpless. I needed encouragement to move on with or inside of school that makes it advice and I was told to be care- SELF WORTH DEFINED BY SOCIAL MEDIA By Natalie Arnold get photos taken of themselves graphs. There have been many ries. The diet has an “advan- Staff Reporter and use the platform as a way to media scandals revolving tage” of being able to lose Looking into high school advertise their art. Some of around the extensive and un- weight quickly and in a short classrooms today, students are those models are promoting a wanted amount of photoshop. time frame, but the diet is lack- all scrolling through the end- certain lifestyle and physique; The image below displays the ing essential nutrients not to less abyss of Instagram, Snap- not necessarily discouraging massive amount of photoshop mention the sheer volume of chat, Facebook, and Twitter. any other body types and life- that is used on media plat- food is drastically. When look- The scene of high schoolers styles, but also not using their forms. When the two images ing into the relationship be- plugged into their phones has platform to embody what it are placed side by side, the tween self esteem and the de- become normalized. Society is means to be oneself and love drastic differences display what sire to work out, it was found social media driven, and there one’s body regardless of the ste- the media encourages and dis- that both genders have a medi- are various social media plat- reotypes. The young people, courages. Most people use pho- um and positive correlation to forms that have strongly influ- who have grown up with this toshop as a way to change de- one’s self appreciation and mo- enced most young people. Ins- immense pressure of looking a tails about their body in images, tivation to workout. When tagram, Snapchat, YouTube, certain way, aren’t meeting but sometimes it can lead to photoshop and dietary changes Facebook, and Twitter are just a these far-fetched standards. the desire to look like their al- aren’t giving people their de- few of the popular applications People using social media have tered image. The overwhelm- sired physical attributes, they that have an impact, not only appearance-changing pres- ing desire to look like their al- turn to other extremes. These on their use of time but also on sures placed upon them, which tered image has led people to drastic efforts to lose weight their self worth. Young chil- leads to The Objectification resort to changing the way and and look a certain way aren’t dren’s self worth has been neg- Theory. The Objectification amount that they eat. A num- stopping at editing images or atively impacted with the use of Theory is when a person is con- ber of people have resorted to essentially starving the body, social media by normalizing fronted mostly by sexual objec- dietary changes for the wrong but resorting to radical mea- the false advertisement of how tification, so they end up view- reasons as another method of sures like plastic surgery. A people should look, condens- ing themselves as a sexual change. People misuse diets study found that, in the United ing the meaning of success, and object (Vries). Because of the and meal plans which include: States, 35% of the surveyed 17- putting pressure on the perfect standards that aren’t being veganism, ketogenic, gluten- 24 aged females had already relationship. By only portray- met, some people are turning free diet, and the “military had cosmetic surgery proce- ing a specific body type, social to alternative methods in order diet.” The “military diet” is a dures. The conductors of the media platforms are generating to achieve what they deem their three day meal plan followed by survey had concluded that the a “false advertisement” to rep- “perfect self.” These alternative four days of normal eating. The primary reason that parents resent how people should look methods include: photoshop, calories for the three days com- had decided to have a cosmetic and feel about themselves. An dietary changes, and even plas- bined are a staggering ~3,000 procedure done on their child example of the people advertis- tic surgery. Photoshop is a calories. Throughout those was to limit bullying and im- ing this unrealistic image are widely known app for image three days the highest caloric prove body image. Since social Instagram models. Instagram editing and retouching, which meal is 554 calories and the media has become popular, models are people who take or can result in misleading photo- lowest caloric meal is 144 calo- these methods of altering the Jan 2020 6 EDITORIALS SELF WORTH DEFINED CONT. body, like plastic surgery, have fect relationship” is between a have been brought up in this trayal of perfection in relation- become overly normalized. Not boy and a girl with no fights or technologically savvy world, ships, young children, teens, only does the media generalize disagreements and constant use these platforms very often. and adults have unrealistic ex- beauty standards, but they gen- love and support; this idealistic Due to the overexposure of the pectations when it comes to eralize the value of material- viewpoint of how relationships influencers that post about the having a significant other. Un- ized success. Being successful should be is standard, in the idealistic views of bodies, rela- realistic expectations are con- in the eyes of social media eyes of the media. The social tionships, and success, the us- sistent when it comes to the means that someone needs to media platforms like YouTube, ers have become immune to role that media plays in the have expensive cars, name Instagram, and TikTok illus- the normalized and unrealistic lives of many. Success, in the brand clothing, and a specific trate the ideals of relationships. views. In conclusion, the up- eyes of the media, is depicted type of job; this ideal causes the These applications lead boys bringing of technology has al- as being extremely wealthy, meaning of success to con- and girls to have unrealistic ex- lowed for young people every- buying the most expensive cars, dense. Influencers use their pectations when it comes to where to be affected by various and spending money on over- platform to publicize their having a significant other. Rela- negative aspects of the media. priced items. By placing these wealth and flaunt their extrava- tionships posted on these plat- By tolerating the negative be- extremes of expectations on gant lifestyles. There have been forms depict perfection in rela- havior, the media has become impressionable young chil- some media influencers that tionships, only perfection. For in control. The media platforms dren, teens, and even some start out as small, but get more example, YouTube personali- have planted seeds in the minds adults, the self esteem of those fame after time goes on. The ties, Liza Koshy and David Do- of society. Throughout the people is affected. Over time, more fame and wealth that in- brik were a loved couple. In years of brainwashing by social these young people are being fluencers get, the more they June of 2018, the couple an- media, we have been pro- exposed to these ideals con- tend to “flex” their money. The nounced their break up which grammed to believe that the stantly, which results in self es- desire for fame and recognition had been a few months in the body, we were given, isn’t good teem instability. Studies show could stem from a low self making, but the couple didn’t enough. The platforms have that individuals with consistent worth. A study in 2012, made by want to hurt anyone’s feelings, embedded the false advertise- high self esteem are secure with Uhls & Greenfield, found that so they held off the announce- ment of what body types are ac- themselves and have positive 40% of 10-12 year olds strived ment. The countless number of cepted by only blasting the im- attitudes, but those with fluc- for fame as their main goal in videos prior to this one had ap- ages that have been altered and tuating high self esteem have life. Various influencers use peared like there wasn’t a bump retouched by the eyes of many, positive attributes but are their wealth to give gifts to their in the road. Not portraying the who believe that a certain body somewhat uncertain. With friends and family. For exam- issues in their relationship, pri- type is more superior than oth- these ideals constantly being ple, YouTube personality David or to the break up, had caused ers. Not only is the media only shown in the media, the young Dobrik is widely known for fans to be very shocked and up- portraying one body image for children are being negatively gifting cars to people in his life. set. With the “perfect” relation- both men and women, but they affected. While Dobrik is displaying a ship over, fans were losing hope are only portraying perfect re- tremendous act of kindness; he for themselves. Not only is lationships. Because of the por- is “flexing” his money. While there a false sense of perfection managing to obtain upwards of for relationships in society, but BENEFITS OF WRITING six million views per video and there are stereotypes when it By Katie Stafford driven guilt that I couldn’t help fourteen million subscribers, comes to relationships. Since Staff Reporter my little one. On December 18th, 2019 one Dobrik has a huge following the users of social media have According to www.thriveg- of my ferrets, Lionfrost “Frosty, and support system. A consid- been overexposed to these in- lobal.com, writing, even read- an albino ferret, passed away erable amount of those sub- fluences over a long period of ing, help with tough situations. from a tumor. I told some of my scribers and viewers strive for time, it has become normal- “Reading enables individu- teachers; however, the creative Dobrik’s wealth, cars, friends, ized. On the other side of the als to focus on a virtual world writing teacher, Morgan Dea- and the overall fame. Dobrik spectrum, there are a multitude as opposed to the challenges con, I wrote the experience. does show his viewers his ran- of influencers that promote the affecting them. They forget Writing about everything dom acts of kindness, although positive aspects of the internet. things stressing them for a mo- made me draw back to the most of his acts involve ridicu- Those influencers advocate for ment when engrossed in their agony of losing him. But it did lous amounts of food and/or body positivity and loving favorite books, blogs, journals, help once I was done. My mind money. These showy acts of yourself, healthy ways to eat and magazines. [...] Writing is felt clearer, my grief loosened kindness that involve large and workout, and give people also a fantastic stress reliever. its claws on me, and my broken sums of money distorts the an outlet for their emotions. One example is writing about heart healed slightly. Before, I meaning of success for those There are “bad” and “good” in- stressful events, traumatic ex- was stumbling in the darkness I watching Dobrik’s videos. Hav- fluencers throughout all social periences, or exposing one’s knew I’ll walk when I realized I ing such a large following on media platforms, but there are feelings through writing. Ex- was powerless to save my dying social media platforms leads some users that don’t recognize pressive writing is best for peo- ferret, and figuratively clawing people to strive for they see, the difference. Young children ple coping with trauma or un- myself to pieces from the grief- such as: relationships. A “per- to teens to young adults, that expected life developments . . .” 7 Jan 2020 EDITORIALS NEW YEAR, SAME ME By Cara Seely of a new year we will hold our order to instill that sense of ac- done. The second we fail at our Op-Ed Editor resolutions better than the last? complishment, but on Wednes- New Year’s Resolution on Febru- I’ve never really been one for the Instead of these goals we pres- day you may opt out from the late ary 2nd, we give up completely. whole “New Year, New Me” slogan sure ourselves to keep for fear of night for the 8-hour type of sleep. Say bye to the gym or bye to home and the impossibly-high standards self-disappointment, which inevi- The best New Year’s Resolution cooked meals or bye to complet- of transforming oneself into a new tably happens sometime around to have is to simply “take it day by ing your homework, because once person, just within the time it the first week of February, the only day”. Each day has different cir- you don’t meet the bar for your takes for Times Square’s crowd to goal or resolution we should force cumstances, you have different resolution, you’ll be one of those yell “Happy New Year!” The tasks ourselves to have is to “do better”. moods, and everyone else around people who say “I’ll try again next of getting straight A’s for the last To “do better” could mean different you will say and act in different year,” after the month of January. semester and eating only home- things for all of us. To some people ways. Setting the goal of starting Instead of this cycle of disap- cooked meals cannot possibly be it could mean having kinder inter- on your homework right when you pointment that’s bound to hap- instituted with the flip of a switch. actions with strangers or keeping get home from school or going pen at the beginning of every One second you are the old, un- up with daily tasks like home- to the gym five days a week may new year for the rest of our lives, organized and unmotivated 2019 work. We shouldn’t feel the need not last longer than a few weeks. our goals shouldn’t have to match version of yourself, and, quite liter- to push oddly specific agendas on Sometimes you may need a nap the Gregorian Calendar. On July ally, the next second you are the re- ourselves in order to hold our- more than a 6-pack. I know I’ve 19th start going to the gym five born 2020 version of yourself, with selves accountable. The struggle made myself much more miser- times a week, and if you fail to endless possibilities and very little with New Year’s Resolutions also able sticking to my New Year’s complete it, try again the next capacity to actually follow through largely comes from their lack of Resolutions than going: “Today I week. The things we want to ac- with such goals. I can’t name one flexibility. Each day we may need a deserve a nap.” Don’t abandon all complish don’t have to be put off person who has said, “I actually different goal. We may need to ac- your fitness goals or never do your until January 1st. Anytime will do. kept my New Year’s Resolution complish different tasks each day homework until Morning Charge, I’m not trying to kill your New this year,” on December 31st. It’s al- for us to actually feel proud of our- but starting the clock at New Year’s Year’s Resolutions. Even if you ways: “This next year I will actually selves at the end of the day. To feel with implausible resolutions may try each year and fail miserably keep my New Year’s Resolution,” self-fulfilled on Monday you may do you more harm than good. at your new diet, sometimes an I’m left wondering: If New Year’s need to have a healthy, Pinterest- New Year’s Resolutions seem to oddly specific goal isn’t the worst Resolutions are so unachievable, esque dinner, but on Thursday you possess this all-or-nothing qual- thing to have. Just from my expe- why do we even try to make them? may need to buy yourself Chick- ity. If you only make it out the rience with New Year’s resolutions Whether we write them down in Fil-A to feel like you’re treating gym four days a week instead of and seeing people lose all hope for a journal or just have small goals yourself right. On Tuesday you the five days you tried so hard for, themselves, something we could in the back of our heads, do we may need to stay up a couple of the next week you may find your- all try out is to simply go day by day actually believe at the beginning hours later to finish a project in self not going at all. It’s one-and- with the hope of “doing better”.

By Emma Purcell CELEBRATINGcelebrate each morning is just THE get- going SMALL forth with these responsibili THINGS- I may not understand my work or Op-Ed Editor ting out of bed. Have you ever ties would be easy, but as most of complete my chores, but I made It’s so easy to be hard on yourself wondered about all the people who us know, a lot of the time it’s not. a start which is all that matters. for those unsuccessful attempts to cannot leave their bed for days be- After a long day of work or school, The message I’m not trying to send accomplish each and every grand cause of a physical or mental con- I return home and most of the time, is that you shouldn’t accomplish idea that you have created for your- dition? It seems so incredibly sim- just sit around for a little while. I’m anything ever again, but that you self. Personally, I notice that I’m too ple and almost silly to appreciate not going to lie and say that I imme- should focus on the small things hard on myself way too often, espe- yourself for this, but we should be diately start my homework, do my you do each day. It could be almost cially when it comes to not always able to as hundreds of others can- chores, or simply just be produc- anything, like brushing your teeth, achieving my set goals. We need not. I then like to appreciate my- tive. I lay around and watch a movie eating healthier, taking a shower, or to adopt the mindset that when it self for either showing up to work while snuggling with my cat. Sure, even just smiling more. Of course, seems as though your whole day has or school. I could have pulled an- I could clean my room or start my you should strive to achieve your been ruined and you should be dis- other, “Mom, I don’t feel well,” or essays, but I like to take time out of bigger goals, as that sort of feeling appointed in yourself, you have to do the classic call out of work, but the day for myself. Even if it’s just an of accomplishment is like noth- remember the things you did accom- no! I remained strong and didn’t hour or so, I celebrate it. I then like ing else. However, it’s also incred- plish, no matter how big or small. let my incredibly lazy nature shine to finally attempt my homework ibly important to recognize and One of the first things I like to through. Again, it seems as though and my chores for a period of time. celebrate the little things you do.

By Savannah Aversa time withHOLIDAYS one another. For oth- AT From HOME personal experience, the ents because they don’t have to wor- Editor-In-Chief ers, such as myself, that isn’t the holidays over the years, have been ry about dropping us off. Though it The holiday season isn’t for ev- case. Families are separated, kids less enjoyable for me. My parents is better now, the holidays are just eryone. There is stress from shop- have to go to 20 different Christ- are separated so the holidays just still not my favorite time of year. ping, planning, and dealing with mases, their parents argue over turns into a mess of planning. Holidays aren’t for everyone, family. The holiday season be- plans, and it is just too stressful. Where are we going to go? What and they stress some people out comes just too much of a hassle. 38% of people say that the holi- time will they get back? As I’ve to the point it is unenjoyable. Ev- Family is the one thing that can days increase their stress level. It gotten older it has become a little eryone has different holiday - ex really make or break somebody’s could be from the family aspect easier because I’m able to drive to periences and everybody could holiday season. For some, the holi- or the shopping or the planning. the different locations: my mom’s, have a different a different mind- days are great. Their families are Either way, the stress makes the my grandma’s, my dad’s, and my set each year. It all just depends all together, they celebrate togeth- holidays less enjoyable for people. uncle’s. It makes it easier on my par- on the person and how they feel. er, and just have an overall good Jan 2020 8 NEWS RAISING AWARENESS OF SEX TRAFFICKING By Stephanie Martinez and ery: Trafficking. the homeless, abuse victims, -Older than female partner Cara Hadden Human Trafficking, the um- people in poverty, those with- -Promises that are too good to Staff Reporters out forms of documentation, Imagine that you are walk- brella term that includes the be true. and runaways with poor home ing down the street in Freder- illegal transport of people -Pushy about sex lives. They lure victims through icksburg with your significant for the purposes of labor and -Buys expensive gifts promises of protection, love, other. You’ve only been going even organ trafficking, is the -Encourages victims to engage adventure, opportunity, or a out for a little while, but this second-largest criminal activ- in illegal activities loving home. Men, women, person makes you feel loved, ity in the world, according to -Vague about profession teenagers, and children can be a feeling you don’t always the Homeland Security Digital -Encourages inappropriate be- trafficked. get from home. But today, Library. While the exact num- havior One may brush it off as pros- this person wants to take you bers are not known, between -Makes the victim feel respon- titution, but the law calls it sex somewhere new. They tell you 600,000 and 800,000 people sible for his/her financial sta- trafficking. While a prostitute it’s a nice restaurant, and hav- are trafficked across interna- bility. has autonomous control over ing no reason to doubt them, tional borders globally, and January 11th is National Hu- their commodity (their body), you follow them to a decrepit around 14,500 to 17,500 people man Trafficking Awareness a sex trafficking victim is being old building downtown. As it are trafficked in the United Day. If you know anyone exhib- forced and controlled by an- turns out, the building is not a States every year. iting these signs or if you are in other person to perform sexual restaurant, but a brothel. Your Sex Trafficking in particu- this situation yourself, please acts for a profit. partner’s caring facade disap- lar is defined as when somone call the numbers below or visit Some warning signs might be: pears, and the person who you uses force, fraud, or coercion to these websites for more infor- -A person’s personality has thought loved you is now your cause commerical sex acts with mation. Be mindful of these changed drastically pimp. After a cruel beating and a minor or an adult. signs in order to end this hor- -Signs of physical abuse: burn branding by your trafficker, Traffickers find their victims rible business that uses human marks,bruises,or cuts you find yourself tied to a bed, through social media, neigh- beings as products, with the -Less dressed appropriately ready for the night’s customers. borhoods, clubs, bars, the In- exploiters reaping the profits. -Sexualized behavior This is the fate that many high ternet, and in schools. People -Overly tired school students face if they are who are considered prime National Human Trafficking -Withdrawn/Depressed forced into modern-day slav- targets of traffickers include Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 -Brags about money National Center For Missing SENIOR BREAKFAST IS -New tattoos (Pimps use this as And Exploited Children: 1-888- a way to brand their victims) 843-5678 -Displays new articles of cloth- National Runaway Safeline: TASTY SUCCESS ing 1-888-RUNAWAY By Brianna Butcher was a variety of foods to choose -Older boyfriend or new For more information please News Editor from including fried chicken, friends along with a new envi- visit This year’s senior breakfast bacon, pancakes, and salads. ronment Humantraffickinghotline.org on November 22 was held at The seniors filled the whole -Characteristics of a Trafficker/ Antislavery.org Great American Buffet in Cen- building with sounds of laugh- Pimp Freedomnetworkusa.org tral Park, Fredericksburg and ter and joy. The students were -Jealous,controlling, and vio- included a lot of hungry se- well behaved, and it was a great lent niors attending and Mr. Dock- experience for everyone in- ery (The class sponsor ) There volved! SIXTH YEAR ANNIVER- SARY OF BLOOD DRIVE By Brianna Butcher Since the first blood drive first News Editor started they have collected 507 The sixth annual blood drive units of blood according to in honor of Caitlyn Brown was Fredricksburg.com, which is again a success held on janu- a big step in helping the need ary 1st! Many Teachers and for blood. The blood drive took students showed up this year place is January in honor of at Chancellor High School to National Blood Donor Month help support their commu- and Caitlyn Brown birthday . nity by donating blood. In the Make sure to pop out next year Photo by Hannah Cloven United States Redcross.org es- at our Chancellor Blood Drive timates that about 6.8 million The Senior class council and Senior class sponsor at to support the millions in need Great American Buffet for Senior Breakfast ! people need blood each year. for blood! 9 Jan 2020 NEWS CHANCELLOR RECEIVES NEW SCHOOL

By Cara Hadden torium wereIMPROVEMENTS greatly needed,” ability to refill a reusable water quick and easy to fill up a reus- Staff Reporter said Matthew Armentrout, the bottle while holding the bottle able bottle.” This past semester, Chancel- Theatre Director at Chancellor upright. When asked if there is any- lor has received a great deal of High. “Also, since the audito- Brian Gebhardt, an Assis- thing else in the school that he upgrades in the auditorium rium is one of the most pub- tant Principal at Chancellor, is would like to improve in the to better improve the health licly viewed areas in the school, thrilled about the how the new future, Gebhardt replied, “Of of the students. Due to water the wear-and-tear [on the cur- fountains will improve student course, we would love to have damage, a complete inspection tains] that came with many life on campus. “I think the all of the water fountains re- was conducted, which deter- years of service needed to be students will find where these placed with these new models, mined that many of the audi- replaced. Overall, the changes new fountains are in the build- but since they are expensive, torium furnishings, which have are very exciting.” ing and will choose to use them we are trying to place them in been at the school since it first The carpet was replaced first, over the older ones because the most highly-trafficked hall opened in 1988, needed to be followed by the stage curtains. these new water fountains will areas. As far as other improve- replaced. Plans are being made to replace work so much better and will ments that I’d like to see in the “Due to the water damage, the auditorium seats, as well as allow them to fill bottles a lot building, I would say anytime 85% of costume pieces [in repaint the walls. quicker. I also think that stu- you can make any upgrades Chancellor’s stock] and 25% In addition, Chancellor High dents will like that these new or improvements to the bath- of other production materials is scheduled to receive new fountains make it easier to be rooms in a building, that’s al- had to be thrown out last year, water fountains that have the eco-friendly, because it is so ways a win for everyone!”F H so the upgrades in the audi-

December 5th at ChHS: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Awards Ceremo- ny. Melody Washington and Amira Turner we’re both recognized for their outstanding academic achievement. This was a wonder- ful event for students and they represented Chancellor High

Photos by Cara Hadden School with pride. Jan 2020 10 NEWS CHANCELLOR HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

11 Jan 2020 FEATURES 2020 HOROSCOPES By Hannah Cloven and front of you. The only thing is you get overwhelmed, take a your control, take a minute to Stephanie Martinez Staff Reporter that you need to reciprocate step back and just BREATHE. remember what you do have. love back, and you’ll have the Remember that everything is Try setting a goal for this year Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18): feelings returned. going to work out in the end. Aquarius, your word for the Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21): new year is calm. This brand Cancer (June 21-Jul 22): Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Your word for 2020, Sagit- new year will be calming as Freedom is your word. This Libra, your word for 2020 tarius, is adventure. You love long as you take your time and year will bring new meaning is harmony. You love peace, to travel and explore the world, not overthink obstacles that to the word freedom. A weight which is why this year is a great which is one of your key traits. come your way. will be lifted from your shoul- year to create as much of it as Use this to your advantage this Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20): ders as you clear the stress you can in your life. Try to be year, and try to go on as many Pisces, your 2020 will be com- adventures as you can. They do forting. Last year may have not have to be big, but as sim- kicked you around, but this ple as trying a new restaurant, brand new year is the start of switching up your routine, or exciting new things. Whatever doing a random act of kind- bad happens will be replaced ness for a stranger. Adventure with comfort to ease you. awaits! Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20): Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19): Focus. That’s your word Ar- This year, Capricorn, is a year ies. Focus more towards your to let go of any grudges you are goals, dreams, and hopes. This holding. Your word for 2020 is may be hard to accomplish due forgiveness. It is time to let go to upcoming events that may of whatever wrongs someone make you turn left instead of has done against you. Was it from your mind. You will feel the peacemaker in your friends right, but everything will be unfair? Yes. Did it cause you Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22): group, or work on trying to alright as long as you maintain pain? Yes. But, it is time to let Leo, your word for 2020 is make peace with others when focus. it go. As the saying goes, bitter- selfless. Now, I know what your you disagree. Maybe even try ness is like drinking poison and thinking: this is crazy, right? yoga to achieve inner peace. Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): expecting the other person to But, this word is perfect for you 2020 is going to be a year full Taurus, you will evolving. This die. You’re only hurting your- as you can sometimes struggle of harmony and peace for you. is your 2020 word. Last year self. You’ll feel better in the with only focusing on yourself. Enjoy it! may not have been the best for long haul if you just forgive. you, but this year will be bet- Throughout 2020, try to think Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) ter. Not only is your personal- of ways that you can help oth- Scorpio, things don’t always ity evolving, but your mindset ers and put them first. Just give turn out the way they should, which will make things better it a chance! and bad things happen some- for you. Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): times. But instead of getting There are big things in store down about it, try to count Gemini (May 21-June 20): for you this year, Virgo. Your your blessings. There are lots Your word is love Gemini, word for 2020 is breathe. Some- of things to be thankful for, not only romantic, but friendly times your life can be crazy at so that is why your word for love as well. You may not havE times, which is why breathe is 2020 is gratitude. Everytime a to look for love; it may be in a perfect word for you. When situation arises that is beyond DISNEY+ BLAST FROM THE PAST By Brianna Butcher lieved Disney+ was just going most streaming services. One News Editor to be a couple of Disney clas- exclusive show that is mak- Disney Movies and shows sics and some corny movies, ing its way through social me- have been around for almost but Disney+ included Marvel dia as an internet sensation is 100 years and are still the big- movies, old Disney shows and Mandalorian for having a cute gest kids movie platform in the movies, original shows exclu- green yoda look alike. world. On November 12, Dis- sive to Disney+, and much If you are a Disney fanatic ney came out with their own more. This streaming service like myself Disney+ is the right streaming program, and it was is only $6.99 a month which streaming service for you. shocking. Originally many be- in comparison is a lot less than

Jan 2020 12 FEATURES STARTING NEW GET CHARGED UP, BEGINNINGS TRY NEW DISH By Hailey Patten think you need to rethink ev- Staff Reporter erything you’ve ever done. In- Lose weight, get good grades, stead, try working at one thing learn to draw, stop smok- at a time; it’ll be easier. ing. Check, check, check, and Talk to your family and friends check. about your goals and experi- It is really difficult to focus on ences. Try working with other achieving New Year's resolu- people to help you reach your tions, especially when your list goal. Having someone to share is as long as the Declaration of your experiences and struggles Independence. Not being able with, can help make your expe- to keep up with your resolu- dition into a healthier lifestyle tions by February, March, or a lot easier. even just till the end of January, Don’t stress too much about can be very stressful. everything; as long as you’re After the holiday season is trying your hardest, you should over, and all you can focus on is be able to successfully achieve the fact you have so many goals your goals. Perfection is unre- you want to reach but may be alistic. Remember that when failing at, can probably make trying to achieve a goal; it is you feel hopeless; but do not okay to mess up sometimes. If give up! you’re trying to eat healthier It is important that New Years or lose weight; and you eat a resolutions are meant for a per- cookie or brownie; don’t give son to want to be willing and up. It’s okay to have a few mis- able to change their character. steps here and there through- It's time for everyone to look out working on your goals. back at their past year, and see Everyone makes mistakes; just what you wish you would’ve resolve to recover from your done different and what you mistakes and get back on track want to do different this com- to achieve your goals. ing year. Don’t forget that it is okay to By making your resolutions ask for support or for help. It’s al- realistic, it’s more likely that ways nice to have people in your you will be able to keep them life to support you through your throughout the whole year. difficult times. It’s never bad First, start small. Make a reso- to want help or want someone lution that you are able to keep. to be there for you. Accepting For example, if you want to help from those who care about work out more, workout three you; and that will listen to your to four times a week, rather struggles with help strengthen than seven. If you want to lose your resilience and being able weight or try eating healthier; to manage stress caused by your try replacing your desserts with resolution. If you feel very over- something else you would en- whelmed, or that you may not be joy, like fruit or yogurt. able to reach your goal on your You don’t want to try and own; reach out to friends, fam- change everything about your- ily or even professional help if self or everything you’re used needed. These people can help to doing all at once. You want and offer strategies to help you achieve your goal. to try and change one behav- Remember that your goals will ior at a time. Trying to make take time to be able to achieve; an unhealthy behavior into a and remember that it’s okay to healthy one takes time. You ask for help. Don’t give up on want to take it slow and try not yourself or your resolution just to get too overwhelmed. and because times get difficult. 13 Jan 2020 FEATURES MATH TEACHER SHARES SURVIVAL STORY By Cara Hadden for herself and her family. Hav- me throughout my surgery deal about the preciousness of Staff Reporter ing been recently separated, and treatments. I was teach- life, and is determined to live Most Chancellor students she was solely responsible for ing at the Blue School [Court- like every day is a gift. are probably aware of the jo- raising her four children, who land High] at the time, and the “Surviving cancer has given vial countenance that radiates at the time were aged 9, 10, 11, faculty helped so much. They me a different view on life. I delight from the Math hall- and 12. fed my family for a month— truly ‘stop and smell the roses’, way, a bright smile and joyful Smith’s treatment consisted it helped me and my mom so enjoy the sunrise and sunset, eyes reserved for greeting her of a radical hysterectomy, in much. Friends took my chil- value my family and friends, students. Mrs. Jamie Smith, which reproductive organs and dren to practices and events. and never take a single person known by some as ‘Tiki’ Smith, the connective tissue are surgi- One friend even brought her or moment for granted. It has is a mathematics teacher at cally removed, chemotherapy, horse to my house, so the kids taught me what is important— Chancellor who enjoys travel- the use of cytotoxic drugs to could ride.” time.” ling, seeing live bands, garden- kill cancer cells, and radiation After seven years of fighting, If cancer were a person, Smith ing, and spending time with therapy, which uses x-rays and Smith was finally declared to would have no qualms about her children and grandchil- similar types of radiation to be in remission in 2010. Despite saying, “Bye, Felicia! I would dren. A dedicated educator, treat cancer. having won her battle against never want anyone to have to Smith makes her students feel “It was tough. It literally cancer, she was still concerned endure the struggle, pain, and at home in the classroom, and brought me to my knees for about her future health. heartache that it causes.” goes above and beyond to help four months,” Smith said of her “I still worry—they had told Truly, Tiki Smith’s experience her students learn, all while treatments. me I had a 20% chance of hav- with cancer has strengthened sharing a laugh or two. Indeed, However, Smith was fortunate ing cancer again. Being a math her as a person, and she is still this generous spirit is due in enough to have a vast network teacher, I didn't like that per- here to do what she does best: part to her experiences as a of family and friends to help centage. [Now] I just try to eat teach her students with love, cancer survivor. her through this difficult time. and live a good life.” respect, and a great deal of In October of 2003, Smith was “I was lucky that my mom In hindsight of her experi- good humor. diagnosed with Cervical Can- was able to come and live with ence, Smith learned a great cer. Of course, she was terrified KNOW YOUR RIBBONS By Cara Hadden Match the colored ribbon with its corresponding type of cancer to test your knowledge and help raise Staff Reporter awareness of the many forms taken by this disease. Want to get more involved? Talk to Mrs. Karish in room B206 to join the Relay For Life team! Potential Choices: Liver, Colon, Leukemia, Lung, Endometrial, Kidney, Melanoma, Pros- tate, Throat, Bladder, Thyroid

A) B) C) D) E)

Potential Choices: Liver, Colon, Leukemia, Lung, Endometrial, Kidney, Melanoma, Prostate, Throat, Bladder, Thyroid Answers: A) Prostate Cancer; B) Bladder Cancer; C) Thyroid Cancer; D) Melanoma Cancer; E) Leukemia E) Cancer; Melanoma D) Cancer; Thyroid C) Cancer; Bladder B) Cancer; Prostate A) Answers:

Interested in joinig Relay for Life? April 25, 2020 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Massaponax High School Go online and search “Relay for Life of Greater Fredericksburg” Scroll down and click on “All Teams” under the “Top Teams” heading Search for “Charger Chaos” team Sign up, and start fundraising. If you earn $100.00 or more, you will get a t-shirt. We will have periodic meetings at school to update you on the event, prepare for the big day, fundraise for Relay, and much more! For more information, go see Team Leader Mrs. Karish in room B206, Mrs. Gattie in A113, or contact Cara Hadden at [email protected]. Jan 2020 14 FEATURES DYING FLAME’S SHADOW CH IV By Katie Stafford keep himself alive, and just so he The last time he had been there fire burned in his eyes to make Staff Reporter could end his own life a decade he fled from battle, only stop- the Captain feel pain. Sympathy The pines’ shadows deepened as later! A chasm of doubt opened ping to bury his dead lover, Hazel. rose like a wave inside the Cap- he strolled through the woods. A up in his stone-cold certainty. He’d fled everything - his life as tain. Within a few minutes, the little bramblebush snagged against Snarling, he closed off his doubt an Atonement Warrior, the world boy would be crying on his shoul- him, and he stumbled. Muttering as swiftly as it arrived to question he’d known for seven years, the der as he made him feel better. He swear words before freeing him- his motivation to kill himself. He honor of serving as an alchemy- nervously eyed the leaping fire. self, a doe stepped lightly in front wouldn’t die like this. A snick be- warrior, and his pride in his loy- Feet thundered toward him, and of him and halted. She gazed at trayed the silver daggers a heart- alty to his now-dead regiment his head whipped around with the him curiously before continu- beat before the soothing warmth - with third-and-fourth degree speed of a scared rabbit to find ing her journey to her den. The of their hilts gave him confidence. burns and he being half-starved. where the blow was about to strike young Captain didn’t kill her, even The Captain before him leaped Tears burning his eyes, his throat to dodge it. Flesh flew at him, and though her plump form was swiftly at him, hissing his name with so tightening and searing, he stum- pain flashed and rippled through swallowed into the shadows, like much venom he was surprised his bled down.to the Glass Castle. his nostrils; blood streamed from she sensed the danger he posed if blood wasn’t acid, and he wasn’t Dark storm clouds massed over- his crooked nose. Another fist she stayed for a heartbeat longer. writhing in agony. His first mentor head, and snow fluttered to him. went for his shoulder blades, and His stomach growled as hunger prowled over to him, like a were- He was in the hollow when the with agony making him con- gnawed at him. He sighed. What wolf stalking a scared human. The frigid cold reached to his bones. fused, he pulled himself closer was wrong with him if he couldn’t Captain bowed his head as the two The Captain of the disbanded to the blow instead of evading it. kill a doe just begging to be killed, killer-warriors came up to him. Atonement Warrior’s wet clothes He gulped down a mouthful of skinned and gutted, cooked over a No; he wasn’t going to die like this! seeped the warmth from him. blood, and felt his nose. He be- fire licking at sizzling meat, then “No - I’m not going to let the A creak sounded overhead, and he lieved it to be crooked, but it eaten? He’d been murdering the two of you kill me while dead, whipped around, eyes widening in was only bleeding. He glared rest of humanity in the Four Great when you two couldn’t even kill terror, chest heaving rapidly up and at Jase, who backed away, swal- Walls for the past decade with no me when you were both alive!” He down, when the creaking turned lowing nervously at the fire mercy! Well, until he convinced leaped to his feet, hot tears slid- into an earth-shuddering, repeated burning in the Captain’s eyes. himself he was saving human- ing down his raw cheeks. Silver crash toward him. A pine tumbled Roaring in outrage, he leaped for ity by ending their entire race flew at his first mentor, and a dag- toward him. As he watched the tree him, pinning him down. The boy as the bone-marrow-deep guilt ger in his right went for the for- bounce to him, the dark sky split struggled and went limp. Frantic pricked and stabbed at him like mer Captain’s neck while his other open followed by a flash of golden feet and fists slammed blow- af red-hot daggers during the first hand groped for a second dagger. light. A rumbling roar in his ears as ter blow onto his bruising body. six months of his killing spree. The two men vanished like mist in the pine, alight with licking yellow- Slowly, the red-hot anger inflam- Out of one of the shadows strut- the sunlight, and he was aware he’d white flames, increased in speed. ing his blood chilled until he for- ted two men, one with ice-cold just killed a sparrow fluttering to A screech of pure, unbroken ter- got how they came from a quarrel brown eyes with black hair curl- the ground from his tossed dagger. ror escaping his lips, he turned and only half-baked and pathetic to ing upward at the tips, and the A pine’s dark bark was furrowed fled into the Glass Castle. -Shiver blood splattering and limbs fly- other was a burly man with hazel by a pale line from the dagger he ing and swallowing repeatedly, ing to deliver blow after blow. eyes and muscles rippling with swung. He was sure the two had a crash sounded at the entrance. Swallowing hard, the Captain even the slightest movement of his come to kill him; where did they go? Heart pounding, he looked up climbed to his feet and stood near arms and legs. The Captain of the His swallow was loud in his ears, and gasped. The flames reached the flame’s claws, the heat swirling disbanded Atonement Warriors and he stumbled blindly through for him with hot claws. The young around him like fog. His nose had blanched, collapsed on his knees, the pinewood, the dagger buried Captain scrabbled for a grip on stopped bleeding finally, and he hands gripping his blue-black hair, in the pine was still there. He lost the glass floor before scram- knew he stood as majestic as a lion. and screeched in sheer terror, rage, track of time, and he finally was at bling a few feet away; his shiver- Storm tripped over a tree root. and grief from his trembling lips. the edge of the hollow he knew he’d ing completely uncontrollable. Him, Flame, and their other He knew who these men were. find; he knew the path instinctively. “Who’s there?” a timid voice asked Clanmates had only entered the He knew they were both dead! Three stone walls was the hard- him from behind in the shadows. Pinewood less than an hour previ- The burly man was his first men- est place to travel down. The only He eyed the stranger who seemed ous, and he was finding it already tor, who he killed in cold blood “easy” way was down the steep slope familiar. He was a boy of about tough. He feared what would hap- after he had made him learn how patched with brambles and thistles. fourteen with russet-brown eyes pen for the remaining six days to to swim fully armed and clothed, In the center of the hollow was a and shaggy, reddish-golden hair. the Glass Castle. It took them a all in a planned murder attempt castle made out of glass. “The Glass He wore a simple shirt and jeans. week to get to the Pinewood, in- for him to be drowned by the for- Castle is more of a Glass Strong- He prowled around the Captain stead of four days. After the Battle mer Captain. The other man was hold,” he remembered Captain who cried, “Jase, is that you?” of Dissertation, Storm and ev- Captain Lucas, the Captain before Lucas saying on the day he learned He watched the teenager swal- eryone had to heal their wounds him, who he had no choice but to to swim fully armed and clothed. low before he asked, “How do to make the journey quicker. murder when the dead warrior ac- The Glass Castle glowed like you know my name, you little -” Thundering roared, and he cused him of deaths either as fully green fire as the sun bled orange- The stranger glanced around, al- glanced skyward; dark storm his fault, or no where close for him red light into the tall, massive hol- most like the word to describe the clouds were in the distance, but to be harmed with the evidence. low. A little distance away from the Captain would suddenly appear. not over his head - yet. Flame and Terror seared like the fire lick- many glass turrets and the bridges “Go ahead. Call me names. the other’s, including Sage, who ing at his flesh when he landed in traveling from behind the Glass I’ve been burned, starved, and suffered burns from the battle, those brambles during the Battle Castle to caverns inside the hol- seen plenty of battles in my day; raised their heads behind them. of Disbandment. He wanted to low, were two glass watchtowers. your name-calling would be as Legs weak with terror and ex- die, but not murdered by dead He was shocked there were no bod- harmful as a small scape to me.” haustion, Storm stumbled to the murderers who he slaughtered to ies lying, decaying, on the ground. The boy’s gulp was audible, but front. He tried to calm his rac- 15 Jan 2020 FEATURES DYING FLAME’S SHADOW CH IV ing heart and fought the desire sense you speak on behalf of all of “Jase, doesn’t concern me. He was storm of fire within a heartbeat? to flee. He wasn’t ready to face us. Isn’t that right, Micheal?” His a reminder to the only life and world “No, we’re going to see Draven.” danger when he was tired and in dark blue eyes snapped fire at the I had as an Atonement Warrior. Go Storm smiled when the alchemist’s pain; not including the crush- lead rider, who bowed his head ahead,” Micheal added as Halfears eyes flooded with sudden interest ing fear making him gulp for air. for a moment, for two heartbeats. raised his paw, and the water sto- then relief. He caught the muttered The thunder grew, and his terror The violet-eyed teenager jumped; len from the tree’s trunk uncoiled. pray he spoke: “My mentor, please almost made his heart burst as san- his hands scrabbled for a grip on the It was then that Storm realized do not be dead when I get there. I ity was snatched from him. He had reins and his legs kicked the horse every single person was wear- have so much more to learn from half a mind to race forward and face in his attempt to stay on top after ing what an Atonement Warrior you, and you’re the best teacher anything, even death. A scream gazing nervously at the man who wore. Were they long-lost Atone- any alchemist could wish for.” of fear begged to escape him. spoke and glared at the first rider. ment Warriors? He remembered Flame’s horse shifted beneath Shapes appeared, and dark-pelted Finally, he was able to heave him- Draven telling him he was the lone her. She was still surprised Jay had horses were abruptly halted by self up with the help of the blue- survivor of the Battle at the Glass snapped at them to get on horses snapping reins; the horses reared eyed boy beside him. He gave a Castle. Meanwhile, the black man, before ordering them to stay close onto their hind legs, neighing. nod of thanks and eyed Storm and vampire, and the girl with honey- to Micheal, who supposedly was The lead rider was a tall man with the others. “Who is your leader?” colored hair were watching the the deputy of the Atonement War- shaggy golden hair and tawny- Storm eyed him nervously. “We heated argument between the first riors before the disbandment. She brown eyes. Behind him were two have no leader, yet we are all lead- rider and three alchemists with in- knew the deputy always seceded teenagers - one violet-eyed with ers.” He saw the boy swallow hard, terest. At least if they had to fight, the Captain if he or she died or re- reddish-brown hair and look- eyes glazing in panic as he tried he knew whom was a dangerous tired. She realized nothing said a ing about fifteen, while the other to think. Clearly, he was a highly and powerful alchemist; Halfears deputy was Captain if the former had silver-blonde hair, cold ice- inexperienced leader if it came was to be a threat, the other two Captain was banished from a sinful blue eyes the color of a winter’s down to a battle. He noticed the couldn’t have had much training. ruling. Because of that, the former sky, and looked around thirteen. sickle sword strapped to his back - “Look, we’re wasting time Captain was unable to be exiled Two horses shifted, and the riders a khopesh. If this boy could fight, watching them quarrel,” Flame from ever being an Atonement peered out from behind the boys: which was unlikely by how he said as she snapped out of listen- Warrior, but she looked at Halfears One dark-green-eyed vampire with was looking like he half-expected ing to the steadily heated argu- beside Cinder; she remembered raven-black hair, and the other Storm and the others to charge into ment. She tugged Storm away, the quarrel coming down to him with blue-flecked amber eyes, battle, the khopesh would be a dif- and herded the others ahead. being exiled. Did Captain Lucas shoulder-length hair the color of ficult sword to get in a parry with. Lightning crackled, and the water- defend his sinful rule in some way honey, and a playful manner crack- The boy swallowed hard whip fell as Jay’s fingertips crackled without punishment while Atone- ling from her like lightning. Just again. “Then - then, who’ll with purple lightning before slowly ment Warriors were punished? behind them was a black man with speak on behalf of everyone?” fading. Halfears glowered, and low- The snow flew around her. She dark eyes and hair; behind him, Shadows wove around the boy ered his gaze when the boy’s eyes shivered; the cold reached her were about thirty horses without beside him. The first rider whipped snapped fire at him. Storm might bones. Heat rushed at her near a riders. A one last horse appeared his head to him. “Blade, would not have known them for a long hollow. She halted at the sight be- from the others, and Storm gasped. you stop playing with shadows? time, but he could guess the anger low her. She gasped. What was left He heard Flame gulp audibly, and Do you want them to know you’re wasn’t an emotion Jay showed often. of the Glass Castle was scarred with his other Clanmates stiffened. an alchemist? Look at Jay; he’s not “Stop! Both of you, and I’m speak- jagged white lines and two dark The horse snorted and shook using his lightning-alchemy even ing to our fleeing guests also. So, shapes huddled inside. The major- its head, almost like it was show- though a blind and deaf rabbit please, stop and wait until I dis- ity was a sea of glittering fire-bright ing them contempt for their shock could tell he’s terrified. Jay, you did miss you.” Jay’s eyes blazed outrage green shards of glass gleaming in pulsing from them with no end. say your control over your alche- and embarrassment, and lightning the pale moonlight, silvered in a The rider snapped reins with fore- my is feeble once you’re scared?” crackled from his fingertips again. coldness that gave it beauty. The paws - gray and tipped with gleam- A nearby pine shriveled as wa- Flame halted, and Storm bumped roof leaned against one wall that ing, hook-like curved claws - in- ter slapped Micheal’s back like a into her. He half-turned, eyeing was just barely there. One burn- stead of hands; the horse reared whip. He glared at the water-whip, the alchemist, who was muttering ing pine was at what she knew was for a moment, snickering. The which was coiling around the paw under his breath too soft for any- the entrance, another lay below man’s long, fluffy tail, striped with of the man; the claws glowed with one to hear him. The horse drew where the shattered glass bridges light fur and tipped with darker a blue light, which seemed to flow closer as he snapped the reins. to those underground caverns in- fur, swished the air, disturbing like a stream. “Have you two for- “Why are you here, trav- side the hollow was, while a third, the dark, jagged leaves of a holly gotten you’ve won half the battle eling in such great num- not on fire yet, lay just a little away bush. He was clearly in his for- with the element of surprise?” bers?” he asked nervously. from the dark figures as flames ties; his chestnut-brown hair was “Have you forgotten how pain- Storm bowed his head re- licked at the smothering bark. streaked with gray. His blue eyes ful your alchemy is, Halfears?” spectfully to the alchemist. “Draven!” Jay screeched, his were pools of liquid lapis, and both Micheal snarled. “Go on, whip “We travel to the Glass Castle.” horse’s hooves thundering down ears were mangled and jagged. me again if you’re brave enough. “Are you there using it as a the steep slope to the Glass Castle. Storm swallowed, the words of But I guess you’re not, after liv- rest stop before continuing Flame and the others hastily fol- greeting to the riders drying on his ing off rats for the past ten years with your journey, wherever lowed him. Micheal shouted orders tongue as he gaped at the strange after you were exiled as an Atone- that takes you?” Jay questioned. to the alchemist, who didn’t seem to human nonchalantly watching ment Warrior eighteen years ago!” Storm blinked; he never heard notice or cared the terrible names him and his Clanmates. The man “You leave my history out of this. someone making simple words the former deputy was yelling at with the tail and paws eyed one of I haven’t forgiven how abusive sound so powerful. Was this part him to weave and dodge patches of the teenagers. “Jay, please speak. you were to the son you kicked of an alchemist’s training, to stun brambles and thistles to avoid his You’re the one having the visions out of the Four Great Walls, his peers with simple talk veil- horse’s hooves from getting tan- of the Glass Kingdom; it makes and what about your drinking -” ing a raw power able to cause a gled in the spiky weeds and stems. Jan 2020 16 FEATURES DYING FLAME’S SHADOW CH IV Flame heard hooves behind gazed back at her, meowing, “Sorry.” she saw him charging at a vampire. that had Draven snapped at him. her, and she knew without look- A silver tabby she-cat with sky- The female vampire twisted away A few minutes later, Draven said, ing at those who have never been blue eyes and a plumy tail ap- the flashing silver dual swords. She “I, Draven, Captain of the dis- an Atonement Warrior were fol- peared out of the heated darkness slammed her feet into his stom- banded Atonement Warriors, call lowing those who were. Final- of the hollow pine. Flame realized ach, making the former deputy upon The Heroes to look down ly, Micheal lead the way down it was must be the vampire, Star- stumble to crash onto the only in- on this warrior. He has given his with Jay hot on his trail. Flame, light; she had told her her name tent wall of the Glass Castle, life to save his Captain. I com- Storm, and Blade soon followed when she was mounting her horse. which was barely keeping death mand him to be recognized with the others behind them. “Hello, aren’t we in danger?” from falling on top of his head. as my first deputy once dead.” The deputy leaped off his horse, Starlight asked irritatedly. Almost He gave a last battle cry, racing “What are The Heroes?” she rolled smoothly, crouched for a like the thundersnow and Glass toward the she-vampire’s flash- asked Storm, who shrugged. heartbeat with his feet so steady on Castle heard her, the glass cracked ing claw-like fingernails, before Micheal said something that she the ground he seemed to be root- more as the wind roared. Thirty- the final wall imploded. Then, can guess what he said before he ed there; then, his feet scrambled one bodies instinctively crouched, the roof shattered, and both convulsed and went still. Draven for a grip on the thick blanket of muscles ready to spring into a fran- fighters shrieked in agony as a looked at them all. “I name a new snow. White powder flying behind tic run to the smoking hollow tree. wave of gleaming green wave deputy under the body and soul of each powerful stride forward, the Flame shivered. Storm pressed of glass obscured them. What the former deputy, Micheal. The deputy jumped the smoking tree- close against her, and she placed had been a glass stronghold to new deputy will be” - he watched bridge and ran across, soon fol- her paw on top of his, hoping he the disbanded Atonement War- her and her Clanmates - “Storm. lowed by the others. Jay, Halfears, got the message; by the gleam of riors, was now gone for good. Storm will be my second deputy.” and a few others stayed behind. delight in his eyes, he did. The oth- Flame screeched in horror, and Storm, his stormcloud-gray eyes Around her, lightning crackled ers gazed nervously at the widen- she was about to run over to the gleaming with shock and happi- down to split the sky open sev- ing crack in the wall. She gasped. If destroyed Glass Castle encircled by ness, came over, his feathery coal- eral heartbeats before thunder the wall shattered, the roof would fire when Storm, his eyes wide with black hair whipped by a lesser rumbled overhead. She knew this fall on top of them, killing them shock, pulled her away. Ivy and Riv- wind. “What are The Heroes?” was a storm called a thunders- all by internal or external bleed- er were clinging onto each other. “It was meant to be a substitute now without a shadow of a doubt. ing, wounds or if they’re gashes Shadow, Thistle, Thorn, and Light- religion. It didn’t matter on race or She noticed a few of the half- festered with infection. She missed ning huddled together, muttering religion to be an Atonement War- vampires shape shifting into cats, what Micheal said, and she barely with wide eyes. Starlight bowed her rior, it mattered if you wanted to and she followed. At her side, heard Draven’s plan: for them head, tears sliding down her raw risk your life to help save humanity Storm, tabby pelt bristling and all to flee before death literally cheeks while Jay comforted her. from the vampires and werewolves. amber eyes wide in terror, was at crashed from above their heads. Cinder, Blade, and the two female Not including the preyed-pred- her side. She leaned into his soft Terror clawed at her. Around her, riders were holding back Halfears, ators that wanted to stop them.” fur, his scent comforting her from the twenty-six vampire-cats either who was struggling to race to the “Well, I think we should make the nightmare she was living in. leaped onto the hollow tree or went fire. Draven, yowling, shape-shifted The Heroes an actual religion, She couldn’t even begin to under- through the tunnel. Storm dashed beside Jase, who stood beside him. just for the Atonement Warriors!” stand how Draven had suffered away from her, and she stumbled Movement from where the Glass Flame’s leaf-green eyes gleamed a thousand more than she was over, then stopped when she re- Castle startled her. She heard Jay as she brushed a strand of thick now with fire, lightning, shards of alized the heat had grown since cry out, but she couldn’t male out flame-red hair away from her face. glass, and bone-deep cold to worry she last entered. Heart pounding, the words he spoke. Micheal ap- “That wasn’t how -” about at the moment, not to men- she cowered, her belly fur graz- peared, his body glistening with Draven began halfheartedly. tion how she’ll get Draven to keep ing the shards of glittering glass. burrowed glass, and headed to The other vampires, Jase, Jay, himself alive - if he was still alive. Storm halted, looking over his the tree-bridge, which had split Halfears, the black man, and Blade Micheal leaped onto the tree shoulder at her. Purring to her en- in two after the roof had fallen. agreed. The new deputy came over without hesitation. A boy with couragingly, he came up to her. She He tried crawling onto the oth- and asked, “Do you like it, Captain?” russet-brown eyes and reddish- shook her head when he nudged er half, but the half he was on Hot tears brimmed and over- brown hair as shaggy as the dep- her over to the tree. A paw rested on dipped toward the licking flames. flowed onto his raw face as he uty’s hair poked his head from her shoulder, and she whipped her He shifted backward until his tree sobbed it was perfect. He was behind the wall that remained. head around to see Draven as a cat. raised skyward. Pain making him beside his former and new dep- His eyes sparked with shock and “Go on,” he said, brushing her confused, he miscalculated the uty; his hand was grazing Mi- recognition as he watched the flank with his tail. She nodded, but jump he had to make to get to the cheal as he leaned next to Storm. deputy cross the hollow pine. her paws refused to move. What other tree. Clawing at the other Flame came over, and hugged Hot, acrid-smoke-scented dark- was wrong with her? It was only tree, which dipped to the fire, and them both, trying not to cry. ness swallowed her. She expected fire below a hot, dark tunnel seep- screeched in agony and terror a Rumbling growls sounded around the rotten, old wood below to burst ing with smoke to make breathing heartbeat before he fell into the them from above. She looked up into flames at any moment. For one painful with each lungful of air. heart of the flames. Somehow, he to see werewolves without the red heartbeat the heat grew until ter- She trembled, wailing in terror. was able to crawl out of the fire, werewolf, and vampires on the ror alone almost choked her, not to Storm and Draven nudged her, but his skin was red and blistered, hollow. Flame gasped, and Draven mention the smoke making each and she somehow was racing and patched with black at places. eyed the predators nervously. breath as painful as gulping fire through the darkness like a pack of Draven raced over, screaming; “What do we do, Captain?” she asked. down to sear her lungs. Then her a hundred werewolves were behind his words were carried away from “I - I don’t know.” paws slipped, and she scrabbled her. Storm followed, and when she Flame. She was able to hear him for a grip. Storm bumped into her, came out of the dark, Draven and snap an order for herbs. No one sending her landing in some glass; Jase had made it over; Jay holding moved to get the herbs he needed. pain tore at her, and she climbed Draven in his cat form. She won- Jase held his father’s blackened to her paws, glaring at Storm, who dered where the deputy was, until hand, and murmured something 17 Jan 2020 OP-ED SILENT VOICE PART II By Katie Stafford Lowering his hand, Shoya glances talk to him, away from the cinema. hiro demands to know what she Staff Reporter around before heading to the rob- As they enjoy burgers and said. This has a crowd forming to Shoya remembers trying to ber and crying boy. He offers his fries at a fast food joint, Tomo- watch the quarrel unfolds, the girl give Kazuki a music album. He own bike for the boy’s. The thief hiro asks Ya-sho if something starts using profanity to describe doesn’t like the band anymore says he’s godsent and thanked him. was bothering him. Shoya tells Tomohiro. When Shoko stands to because Shoya likes the band. As the student stole his bike him nothing was wrong be- see, Shoya abandons his buddy to Shoya, his head in his hands, ig- on Tuesday, he wonders if it was fore asking who Ya-sho was. deal with the girl. Shoko races af- nores someone trying to interest a sign to leave Shoko alone. Even Tomohiro tells him it was his ter him. Tomohiro and the girl no- him with a blimp. Later, Shoya is though he could walk there, he nickname. It showed the two were tices Shoya and Shoko aren’t there. eating lunch, and watching some sees it as begin told not to go. close. When Tomohiro points out On a balcony, Tomohiro and the students playing soccer when he A coupon for fluffy bread is blown begin friends meant being able to girl, using her zoomed in camera sees a boy with green hair that over to him by the wind, which has tell one another anything. Shoya to eavesdrop, watch Shoya and looks like the head of broccoli. him chasing the fleeing coupon asks if friendship had to have a pro- Shoko from a bridge. Tomohiro He wonders where he seen when the wind blows. He realizes cess to go through or qualification. snatches the camera to see Shoya that head before, and who he he wasn’t trying too hard. Then, he Tomohiro takes a fry, puts some talking with his hands. The girl ex- is. The boy looks at Shoya, yells and pounces on the coupon. ketchup on the fry, and pretends plains it’s sign language when To- who hastily averts his gaze. Reading it, he says, “This is it!” the fry is a cigar. He tells Ya-sho mohiro thinks Shoya is a nig hand- Shoya thinks, “It doesn’t mat- With a long loaf of bread, Shoya to give him his hand. Shoya does, talker. The girl translates by saying ter,” before wondering if he asks a girl with a camera (who’s and Tomohiro places his hand on Tomohiro is a loser, and Shoya should see Shoko, who told him voiced by Kristen Sullivah) if Shoya’s before sliding his hand never saw him before in his life. she feeds the fish on Tuesday. Shoko was there. Shoya sees off. Shoya hesitates before doing Tomohiro tells the liar to shut up. However, he argues with himself Shoko reading what looks like a the same to Tomohiro, who had Shoya tells Shoko he wasn’t by pointing out he couldn’t sud- magazine. When he points out to prompt him slightly. Shoya is sure if it was okay to see her, and denly appear when he hurt her. that Shoko was there, the girl says taking his hand away when To- for the past two weeks he was The green-haired boy bites there was nobody named Shoko. mohiro grabs his hand. The for- wondering if they could be con- into some food. The scene goes She closes the door after Shoya mer bully slowly links his hand sidered friends. In order to see to Shoya, enjoying some food, doesn’t respond to the question with Tomohiro’s. Tomohiro says, Shoko, he needed a good rea- wondering if he could apologize of her being a friend of Shoko’s. “Now you and I is friends. It can son, and he finally found one. to Shoko. The boy drinks some- Shoko wonders what hap- be simple as that, see? Friendship Shoko says she was glad he did, thing that reminds western view- pened. The girl says a really don’t got to do with rules or quali- because she was thinking the same ers of Kool-Aid. Shoya gulps down gross rat was out in the hallway. fications, ‘cause it’s about some- thing. Shoko asks Shoya if that some soda, thinking how Shoko Shoko pours some liquid - pos- thing deeper. A bond, and you was funny, Shoya, shocked, re- feeds the fish. As the boy takes sibly water - into the cap of her just can’t break that. Capiche?” members the bread, and tells her another bite, Shokya, thinking thermos, and hands it to the The scene goes to the girl with he brought bread to feed the fish. meeting Shoko would be creepy, girl, who said he won’t be back. the camera telling Shoya Shoko, As they feed the fish, Shoko notices the boy eating when he’s Later that evening after feed- who’s reading, is not there. Shoya shows him her sixth grade note- about to eat some rice. He ignores ing some fish some bread, Shoya, points to her, and the girl says book. As she flips open the note- him, and goes back to eating. nibbling on the bread, sees the she’s not. He laughs nervously, book, Shoya says she didn’t need As Shoya, now home, is about boy from earlier with his bike. and tries to explain that he wants to read what was written. Over the to turn on the TV, his mother, The boy says it was great timing, to be friends with her. The girl says tussle for it, the notebook lands in who watched him silently, says and explains the jerk dumped Shoko’s her girlfriend, and the the water, scaring the fish away. his name, startling him. Miyako it into a rice field. The boy - ex bread Shoko was holding drops. Shoko jumps into the water, apologizes for burning his hard- plains it was lucky the bike had He says that sucks, and not which, still on the balcony, alarms earned money. However, she his name and address on it. for him, personally. He adds he Tomohiro by wondering if Ya- adds the only reason he earned As a shirll, high pitch ring- bought all this bread, and he didn’t sho was okay. The girl, still spy- the money was to kill himself. ing sounds, the purple X falls off know Shoko was into younger ing, kicks him. Tomohiro asks After or before dinner, he checks the boy’s face. Shoya asks him guys. Shoya says it’s nothing why she did that. Then, Shoya his calendar for next Tuesday, his name. Tomohiro Nagatsuka against the girl, and asks if she can jumps into the river as well. which was going to be on April 22. says he sits behind Shoya, who give Shoko the bread. The girl says Underwater, Shoya notices At school, Shoya is parking his tries to play it cool by saying he if Shoya was just there to make Shoko’s legs. As water surges bike when someone asks to bor- knew Tomohiro’s name all along. himself feel better, he better leave. down his throat when he opened row a bike. Thinking it’s him, he The next morning, Tomo- As the girl is closing the door, his mouth, Shoya resurfaces. The sees the boy from lunch (voiced hiro pedals up to Shoya. After Tomohiro, who thinks the girl damp and crumpled notebook by Gramham Hailstead) begin greeting him warmly, Shoya he grabbed is a boy, suddenly on top of his head, panic floods told a student forgot something at greets him awkwardly back. tells the girl Shoya just wanted when him when he realizes some- home. He says he didn’t know the They pedal to school together. to see Shoko. Shoya, wonder- thing’s on his head. He removes student, and asked him to use his Later at school, Tomohiro asks ing where he came from, asks it to see the notebook, then he own. Shoya is walking away when Shoya to hang out with him after him what’s he doing there. To- calls Shoko. The deaf girl resur- the boy says he doesn’t have one. school that day. At a cinema, To- mohiro drops the girl, and ex- faces to only gulp in a mouthful Shoya halts when the student tries mohiro calls Shoya into an empty plains he followed Shoya because of air before going back under- to take the bike by force. The stu- theater. After watching the movie friends have each other’s backs. water. Shoya shouts her name, dent calls the boy, who’s scream- that had Tomohiro tearful, his The girl, still on the floor, says Soaking wet, the two stand next ing he’s begin robbed, fatso. As he bubbly new friend guides Shoya, Shiya, a terrible stalker, has his to the bridge Shoya was walking pleads for someone to help. Shoya who smiles weakly and begins to own equally bad stalker. Tomo- on before the movie heads to is covers his mouth with a hand. Jan 2020 18 OP-ED SILENT VOICE PART II CONT pre-teen years as a bully to Shoko. a kid. He impatiently explains ing the umbrella under Shoya, Inside an apartment, Shoko He apologizes to Shoko for drop- the child was his sister’s. Shoya pointing out it was pointless hugs her sister, who tells the deaf ping the notebook. Shoko bows pokes his head back in the sunlit bringing one if he was getting girl she’ll get wet by hugging to Shoya. In Japan, bowing to tunnel when the girl passes out. wet. He says he was an idiot for her. Shoko apologizes; Yuzuru someone shows that someone At Shoya’s house, Miyoko gives not taking two, explaining he apologizes as well. The returned is thanking someone, apologiz- Yuzuru some dinner. Shoya asks didn’t want her to catch a cold girl notices her grandmother ing, making a request or ask- where his sister was; his sister was because he’ll feel bad for Shoko. (voiced by Barbara Goodson). ing a favor. Shoya halfheartedly going to be back late. Maria says Yuzuru halts, then asks who he Yuzuru asks for some juice. As tries to say farewell when Shoko she loves the food her mother’s is. She says she can see through his her grandmother pours her some halts, turns, and signs to him mother made for her/. Shoya asks act, then she wonders if they’re a juice, Yaeko tells for her daughters that simply means “See you later.” Yuzuru why she wasn’t eating. She couple of strays. Muttering half to not hang with Shoya. Yuzuru Back on the balcony, the girl looks away to see Maria trying to to herself, and half to Shoya, she mutters, in a tone loud enough for sits down and studies a photo. give her a bite from her food. As ponders if he was trying to make her mother to hear her, she and “I don’t believe it. What a dum- Maria offers the food, Miyako himself feel better, adding he Shoko can decide who to hang out my.” Later that night, she posts says, “Open wide.” Yuzuru gets must be amused because Shoko with. Her mother doesn’t comment a photo of Shoya jumping in up, leans close to the young girl, was deaf. She adds he even went on her daughter’s brazen remark. the river online. She laughs be- and allows Shoya’s niece to feed through the trouble learned to Later, Yuzuru is returning the fore saying, ‘So long, stalker.” her from her own plate of food. sign before telling Shoya she umbrella to Shoya when Tomo- As the students show friends Later on a mattress, Yuzuru is couldn’t stand him. She finishes by hiro, still thinking she’s a boy, the photo of Shoya, the loner is bundled up in a blanket in Shoya’s asking if he thought he was a hero. asked her if she came for a re- copying the sign Shoko did to room. As Shoya sleeps on the floor, Shoya, lowering the umbrella to match. Shoya interrupts him him. “See you later. So it’s okay?” using part of the mattress as a pil- give himself an excuse to not look talking to Yuzuru, who said she He’s about to sit down at his desk low, Yuzuru remembers Shoko Yuzuru in the eye, guesses Shoko giving back the umbrella, about when a student sitting in front signing out a heated argument once told her about him bullying her in being a good boy; he explains Yu- of him asks if the young man in she discovered the photo online. sixth grade. He confesses he was zuru is not only a girl, but Shoko’s the photo was Shoya. Shocked, Not long later, a barefoot Yuzuru a horrible person, and the world younger sister. Tomohiro, who Shoya’s lost for words. He asks is walking in the downpour. Cars be better without him. Howev- had his arm around her, backs up the student where he got that. slosh water as they roar past, their er, he didn’t want to hurt Shoko several feet, saying he knew that. The former bully is glancing headlights breaking the dark- anymore. He reassures Yuzuru Shoko is dropping bread into around when the door opens, ness with pale yellow light. When he wouldn’t try to come between some water when she turns to see and a gray-haired woman asks one casts a dead frog in light, them. Shoya, before falling into Tomohiro, whose thanking her for Shoya to go to the faculty office. Yuzuru, bending down, snaps silence, finishes by saying he was looking out for Ya-sho, with Shoya Shoya’s suspended for one week a photo of the lifeless animal. selfish. Yuzuru moves the umbrel- and Yuzuru. Shoya introduces her for jumping into the river. At Hearing the patter of rain la to curiously eye Shoya from her to Tomohiro while Yuzuru has home, it looks like he had to do a against waterproof material, she vantage point of gazing up at him. her camera pointed at the water. written explanation on why he did gazes up to see Shoya holding an The rain clouds drifting away to Shoya tells Shoko he has a new something he knew was wrong. umbrella over her. He asks her reveal a silvery-gray moon, Yuzuru phone. Shoko nods when he asks His sister asks him if he could what she was doing, then add- tells Shoya he has gone far enough. her if she has a phone. He awk- pick up her daughter. Her brother ing he woke up to see her gone. She heads to apartment buildings wardly asked her if she liked tex- points out he can’t leave the house He tells her to take the umbrella; on the other side of a bridge when ting her friends (she does), and while suspended. She says it’ll take she shoves it towards him. She she halts and turns to face him. he then says she could have his only a second. Before he could takes the umbrella when he tries She apologizes for not men- phone number. After Shoya asks speak, she thanks him and leaves. again, understanding his persis- tioning she’s a relative of Shoko’s. her if she wanted a number, Sho- Crouched down beside tree, tence. Knowing she most likely She signs something, and asks ko wants to have Niyoko’s phone Shoya tells Maria it was time to be walking without shoes, Shoya Shoya if he understood. At first, number. He makes sure the Ni- go home. His niece says some- pulls up her jacket to see if she Shoya, copying the sign language, yoko she wanted was the friend one was in one of the play- needed shoes or not. Yuzuru falls glances around, trying to remem- she had in elementary school. ground tunnels. He crawls in down, crying out. He hands her ber. Then, blushing, he clamps Later, Shoya and Tomohiro are the tunnel to see Shoko’s girl- the shoes used to wear when he a hand over his mouth realizing at school when Shoya asks Miki friend, covered in dust, sleeping. was in sixth grade. He tells her they Yuzuru is Shoko’s younger sister. if she knew how to get in con- Shoya gently shakes her awake. use to be his before he outgrew As Yuzuru walks closer to the tact with Niyoko. Miki doesn’t As she wakes up groggily, he them. He adds she can keep them. apartment buildings, her mother know, but says the school might points out Shoko’s boyfriend Wearing the shoes, Yuzuru eyes stalks over to Shoya, who re- have a record. The kind-heart- would catch a cold, thinking her Shoya as he asks her why she ran members her as Shoko’s mother. ed teenager believes she goes a boy. Once awake, she asks Shoya away from home. She quietly ex- As he’s thinking aloud about to the same school as Naoka. if he was mad at her after she ig- plains she got into a fight with her, Yaeko slaps the school-age At a train station, Shoya, who has nores his question about where Shoko. Skoya says relationships teenager across the face. The no money, is given more money her shoes were. She explains she can get messy. Yuzuru lies it was woman storms over to her daugh- than he needs by Tomohiro. The posted the photo online. Shoya because she used Shoko’s shampoo ter, and, grabbing her hand, green-haired boy explains travel, says he understands why she did without her permission. She adds pulls Yuzuru, whose complaints meal, and even love hotels ex- it, and he brought it on himself. Shoko didn’t need her anymore. about the painful grip go ig- penses aren’t cheap. Before Shoya Maria tells Shoya she’s hun- Surprised, Shoya asks Yuzuru nored, away. A stunned Shoya, a can reply, Yuzuru calls out, add- gry. He says he has to leave. The if she and Shoko lived together. hand resting on his right cheek, ing Shoko wanted to come as well. girl says she’s shocked Shoya has She ignores the question, push- says, “I’m sorry for what I did.” During sunset on the train, 19 Jan 2020 OP-ED SILENT VOICE PART II CONT Shoko and Shoya are silently ka. Tomohiro bends down next off before Shoya pedals over to Sho- she said with her speaking so standing across from each other to Shoya to ask him something. ko. However, Naoka dashes over quickly. Shoko, also signing, asks when Shoya looks at her to see At the Meow Meow Club, Naoka to her, beating the former bully. him if her voice was weird. Shoya she’s staring at him. A few sec- is working at a desk when she no- Shoya orders her to stop. Na- tells her, “Yeah,” before apologiz- onds after he gazes out the win- tices Tomohiro and Shoya, who’s oka, a hearing aid in her hand, ing to a disappointed Shoko by dow from hastily averting his eyes, wearing a black hoodie and surgi- remarks Shoko only had one in saying her voice was totally okay. his phone vibrates, signaling he cal mask, coming in for an hour. her ear. When asked what she He tells her he’s going to be right got a text message. Removing his She tumbles off the stool, and was doing, Naoka tells Shoya she back with some bread, and be- phone from his breast pocket, spies on them to see Shoya came. was only trying to play a game of gins to pedal away. Shoko grabs he sees he got a text from Shoko. Having cats meowing and rub- catch, like when they were kids. his bike, to Shoya’s surprise. She She texted him to ask if he was bing against him, Shoya said Shoya takes the hearing aid, takes the bag she was holding, tired, and she received his email he didn’t expect this. Tomohiro and apologizes, trying to give it and hands it to Shoya, who asks address from Yuzuru. She also asks him what he was expecting. back, but Naoka steals it again. her if he can open it right then thanked him for finding Niyoko, Shoya tells him if he ever been She asks them if they were going and there. Shoko nods, and Shoya, which has made her very happy to a place like this. The green- out. Shoya says they were friends, not knowing what he was hold- that Shoya’s doing this. He low- haired boy said he never, and he which has her laughing. In be- ing, sniffs the flower bed decora- ers his phone to see Shoko’s warm came to see Naoka. Tomohiro tween her laughter, she wonders tions to see if there was a scent brown eyes and a sweet smile. asks where she was. Shoya said if the reason why he was only be- to betray if it was food or not. As the two are trying to de- he didn’t want to call her friend. gin friends with the girl he used to Shoya turns to thank her. Shoko cide what to do as they ride After Tomohiro asks, Shoya said bully was to atone. Shoya admits it says, “I love you,” softly to Shoya, down an escalator, Niyoko (now stuff happened in sixth grade, wasn’t really, implying a small part who asks her if what she said was voiced by Melissa Hope), rid- and it was awkward. They decide of the friendship was to atone for about his present. Shoko, trem- ing up the neighboring escala- to leave the Meow Meow Club. his sin of bullying Shoko. Naoka bling and gripping her skirt, re- tor, notices Shoko. She wonders At an Audiometry Laboratory, wonders what had gotten into peats her love confession slightly if the boy she’s with was Shoya. Shoko is begin asked questions him, then leaves them to their louder. Seeing Shoya still didn’t Later, Niyoko explains she hasn’t she, nor the viewer, can hear. fake friendship. Shoya tells Shoko understand, she yells the confes- forgotten Shoko, and was trying to When her eyes meet her grand- it was nothing to worry about af- sion and bows. Still not under- learn sign language. The two girls mother’s, she smiles warmly. ter she asks him what she said. standing, Shoya wonders if she converse in sign and laugh to- Yuzuru is playing with Ma- The next morning, Shoko was talking about the moon. He gether. Shoya, listening to them, is ria when Shoya comes in. He wakes up her sister. As Shoko’s glances at the moon, saying it shocked when Niyoko says Shoko’s asks her what she’s doing. Yu- says breakfast will be waiting for was pretty. Shoko, tears gleaming chest was bigger. Shoya then gets zuru explains she was spend- them, Yuzuru asks Shoko about in her eyes, nods before bolting. up and leaves the two girls alone. ing time with his niece. Shoya her hair: It’s in a ponytail, some- Shoya gets a text from Tomohiro A black-haired girl with fake cat asks Yuzuru if Shoko would like thing that both suits Shoko and to get food with him. At the fast ears and tails gives out coupons. a pouch shaped like a cat head, gets the message across a pony- food joint, Shoya asks him what As she passes him after giving That night, Yuzuru dashes in tail isn’t the normal fashion the the things Shoko gave him. He him one, Shoya and Naoka (now with the gift. She halts when she deaf girl has her hair. Shoko only adds Shoko gave them to him as a voiced by Kira Buckland) rec- sees Shoko on her bed without her smiles before leaving. Yuzuru, gift, but he didn’t know what they ognizes each other. The purple- hearing aids in. The deaf girl be- picking up her phone, says Shoya were. Tomohiro says they don’t eyed girl rushes over to a group gins to cry. Yuzuru, shocked, plac- would love her hairstyle. At his look like the moon. He asks if they of people, offering her coupons. es the gift on the foot of her bed. house, Shoya sees Yuzuru texted were candy. Shoya tells him he At school, Shoya is looking at Waiting to cross the busy street, him about a mass carp spawning. didn’t think it was candy, adding the 30% off coupon for the Meow Naoka comes up to Shoya staring The late evening sun’s pale golden Shoko gave them to him as a gift, Meow Club when he gets a text intently at the light. He turns after rays striped with shadows, Shoya, but didn’t know what they were. from Niyoko; she had given a vid- his jolts with the extra passenger. riding his bike, wonders why Sho- Shoko runs home, and plops eo of her and Shoko singing, and After greeting each other, Naoka ko is wearing a ponytail. Shoko down on her bed. Her sister asks thanking him for getting them sees the deaf girl picking out glances up from her phone to see her if she was okay. She gets a back together while also pointing flower bed decorations that have Shoya, who’s heading over to her. text from Shoko, explaining she out how impressed she is that he cute animals on poles. She says Once together, Shoko coher- told Shoya she liked him. How- knows how to sign. After he watch- the poor thing was still all alone. ently asks Shoya where he’s going. ever, he didn’t understand her. es the foreign language song for a Naoka tells Shoya it’s been too Her voice sounds a little strange, At school, Shoya sees Miki has few seconds, he guiltily stops the long, and the two of them should but other than that, it’s coherent. a crowd of students wondering video, clearly not wanting to dis- hang out soon. Shoya declines, Shoya, not fully understanding, re- why she changed her hair. Even turb any of his chatting classmates. and Naoka wonders if he hates peats what she said, checking that when she says she didn’t have Once saying he never be brave her. He says he never said that. was her question. She nods to tell time to do it that morning, a boy enough to sing with Shoko, he Naoka apologizes for what hap- him that was what she had asked. with flame-red hair (voiced by wonders if connecting Niyoko pened when they were kids; how- Shoya explains he’s going to Max Matthews) said he liked it. and Naoka was a good idea. He ever, adds it wasn’t a big deal. the bakery to feed the fish at Yu- Shoya, coming up, asked her why gets a vision of a sixth-grade Na- Shoya tells her to get off. Naoka zuru’s request. At this, Shoko she changed her hair. The X falls oka telling him it was his worst sees Shoko with the pouch from swiftly says Yuzuru already had off her face. Miki says she doesn’t idea; his low self-esteem playing Meow Meow Club. Shoya explains bread, and probably would only need a reason, and girls liked to tricks on him again. Lowering he gave it to her, ignoring Naoka eat it. Shoya, hastily interrupting change things up. Miki pokes his his head to the desk, he says he’ll calling Shoko a deaf freak. The her, asks her to sign it, because back, and explains Satoshi Mashi- pass, agreeing with vision-Nao- light turns green, and Naoka gets he can barely understand what ba thought Shoya was a cool guy Jan 2020 20 OP-ED SILENT VOICE PART II CONT to hang out with. He turns to see with his teeth gritted; Niyako, Naoka says she hates Shoko, Ya-sho would never bully someone. the ginger-haired boy’s X falls off. meanwhile, is screaming with who’s trying to give her a little Miki snaps at him that she At a bridge, Niyoko and Sa- delight with her hands in the air. yellow notebook and pen. She wouldn’t lie about something toshi greet each other over To- After the ride, Shoko, her gently pushes the items back like that. Shoya points out she mohiro’s head. Shoya watches legs shaking, gets help by Ni- to the deaf girl. Naoka explains used to make fun of Shoko. Tomohiro snap at them not to yako and her sister. Shoya signs she was going to speak slowly so Miki defends herself by say- shake hands over his head. Yu- and asks her if she was okay. Shoko could understand, and she ing she never spoke behind her zuru is next to him with her cam- The deaf girl smiles weakly. Sa- was willing to listen to Shoko. back. Satoshi asks Shoya if he era in her lap, either cleaning it toshi and Miki are impressed To Nakoa, back in elementary picked on Shoko. Miki tells them with her sleeve or looking at her Shoya learned sign language. school, Naoka didn’t understand Shoya made Shoko’s life hell. photos. He asks Yuzuru if Shoko As they joke around and enjoy what Shoko went through; how- She grabs Satoshi’s shirt, and was coming as Niyoko and Miki some more rides, Shoya thinks, ever, Shoko didn’t try to under- explained she begged him to greet each other after five years “Is this . . . What is this? Is it okay stand Naoka. Instead of getting stop, but Shoya never listened of not hearing from the other. for me to have this much fun? a clue, Shoko kept giving Naoka to anyone. She was scared of Yuzuru explains Shoko has a This feels so familiar. Oh, yeah” the stupid notebook. Shoko, him. Shoya releases the breath stomachache. Crouching down, - Naoka’s X slips off her face - “it who was said to be weird, would he’s been holding. When Tomo- he wonders if Shoko was avoid- feels like . . . like we’re all friends!” apologize for everything. So, hiro says his nickname, Shoya ing him. He explains Shoko was Naoka asks Shoya to come with Naoka tried ignoring her; her clamps a hand over his mouth trying to tell him something, but her to get some takayaki. After the way to tell Shoko she didn’t want and leaves. As he’s getting his couldn’t understand her. Yuzuru salesman (voiced by Micheal Sin- to hang out with her anymore. bike, he fights the urge to vomit. snorts with laughter when Shoya terniklaas) tells Naoka to mind However, Shoko kept com- During sunset, he leans against a says she was telling him some- her own business, Shoya glances ing to her with the stupid note- bridge railing. Staring at the gold- thing about the moon. Shak- up to see his old friend. After hav- book and stupid signs. Naoka en water, he says he hates himself. ing with silent laughter, Yuzuru ing flashbacks of happy times with tells her she’s clueless before Shoya is heading to the bridge tells Shoya she must have been him, Shoya stammers Kazuki’s saying she ruined Shoya’s life where everyone met before go- annoyed. She adds to just ask name. In a daze, he walks away. by running to the grown-ups. ing to the amusement park when Shoko out; if she said no, he’ll He no longer takes notice of his Shoko, her clasped hands trem- he notices Shoko, Yuzuru, and know then. He agrees with her. old friend nor Naoka. She follows bling, apologizes; Naoka’s not Niyako on the bridge. After Ni- Later that night, Yuzuru sees him, and asks him if he’s mad at looking for an apology. Naoka yako asks if something was wrong, Shoko seems happier when Shoya her. He shakily says he’s fine. Nao- explains they both were through Shoya said nothing was. They all texts her a few of them were go- ka points out they could be friends a lot, but she still hated Shoko. turn to see Miki, Satoshi, Naoka, ing to hang out Shoya asks her again. He tells her not to do him She extends her hand for the two and Tomohiro, who has Shoya’s if she was going with them. any favors, his voice trembling. He to shake from one hater to an- backpack along with his own. At an amusement park, Miki then notices Niyako and Shoko other. Shoko does take Naoka’s Miki explains she brought Naoka runs over to a rollercoaster, saying signing, and says he did the same. hand; she, her hands gripping her along, then apologizes to Shoya. on one should get separated from Sitting several feet apart, Naoka skirt, says, “But, you wrong. I - I - However, she adds it was Shoya the group before racing ahead of says they’re more alike than they I hate myself.” This angers Naoka, who started the trouble in the the group that wasn’t rushing to think. Shoya says they aren’t. She and she either hits or slaps Shoko first place, but Satoshi said she stay by her side. Yuzuru asks Shoya remarks if Shoko hadn’t come, until she crashes down onto the should apologize, because Shoya who was with Shoko. Shoya sees they all could be friends and happy. floor. While the deaf girl is - get was trying to atone by making Naoka with her. Shoya explains she Shoya tells her she doesn’t know ting up, Naoka asks her if she was things right with Shoko. Naoka was a friend in elementary school. that. Naoka points out her rela- going to apologize. She explains says that was wrong on so many Getting on the rollercoaster, tionship with Niyoka wouldn’t be it’s been five years, and Shoko levels by solely blaming Shoya. Shoya sits next to Niyako. Yuzuru, so awkward, and Shoya and Kazu- still hasn’t changed. To Naoka, Naoka explains they were all sitting with her sister, smiles at ki would still be friends. Shoya, his Shoko has no intention of being guilty. Miki never made fun of Shoko. Miki tells Satoshi it might hands trembling, says he ruined real. Yuzuru stops the video, and Shoko or tried to bully her the be scary. Noaka seems bored their friendship all on his own. asks what Shoya thinks. Shoya way the others did. She then cor- next to an excited Tomohiro. When Naoka asks him if he hates just wants Shoko to like herself. rects herself: Miki never bullied Before the first hill, Niyako, at her, he tells her he probably does. At school, Shoya tells Satoshi her, she laughed with everyone Shoya’s question of being cool with Naoka stands up, and declares a what happened as both get some else. Miki denies the claim. Nao- Naoko, tells him the black-haired ride on the Ferris Wheel, her voice drinks. Satoshi says Miki said ka counterattacks by telling Miki girl has great taste in their school’s unusually, and unnaturally, full of something serious happened in to ask Niyako. The black-haired design department. She explains forced cheerfulness as she bluntly elementary school. After Shoya girl said she was only voicing she learned a lot from Naoka. decides to see if Shoko wanted to agrees Shoko can barely hear, Sa- what everyone else was thinking Niyako says in elementary school come along. The deaf girl is given toshi says someone had to be “a ma- when accused of bullying Shoko. she’ll never would have rode a Yuzuru’s camera before the girl jor douchebag” to bully a deaf girl. Niyako said she was scared of rollercoaster. She then explains, dashes back to the rollercoaster. Before class starts, Shoya con- both of them, back in school as one day, she looked at it differ- Presumably the next day, Yu- fronts Miki, who says he’s still the kids. Naoka demands to know ently: she was going to decide if zuru goes to Shoya’s room. She same person he was in elemen- whose side she was on. The girl ex- it was scary after she rode it. She wants him to watch a video from tary school. Tomohiro and Satoshi plains she never took a side. Shoya adds she couldn’t help feeling a the Ferris Wheel ride Naoka and come over to them. Miki tells Sa- tells them to stop, and he was the little scared. As they go down the Shoko had. When asked how toshi Shoya bulled Shoko in el- sole bully. Naoka said she doesn't first drop, Shoya grips the lap bar she found out, she tells him she ementary school. The rest of the like liars. Shoya says for her not to for dear life, his eyes tightly shut was spying. She starts the video. class turn to see Tomohiro saying drag everyone down to her level. 21 Jan 2020 OP-ED SILENT VOICE PART II CONT Niyako snaps at him for his too personal. He puts his phone would be unhappy with her. How- fireworks start, Shoya, Shoko, harshness. Shoya argues Niyako away and feeds the fish alone. ever, he believes it's the reverse: Yuzuru, and Yaeko are getting would only run away when things He then notices Yuzuru crying. Shoko would be unhappy with him. the blanket on the ground. As the get tense. When Miki is about to Uncertain of what to do, he turns At his house, Shoya realizes there display of fireworks begins, every lecture him on his rudeness to around and sits down. Yuzuru was no going back. He decides to family and recent friend Shoya his friends, he tells Miki she re- comes over to him looking, like she have Tomohiro's bubbly personal- has made is watching the display. ally loves the sound of his voice. hadn't been crying. He asks her ity when being with Yuzuru and At the end of the first round, Tomohiro runs up to Shoya, what she's wearing. She explains it Shoko. They see a movie, he greets Yuzuru and her mother go and saying he's got Ya-sho's back. was her school uniform; however, them at class, and enjoys some buy snacks. When they're alone, Shoya mutters he doesn't care Shoya says they were on summer lunch with them, all while in the Shoko gives Shoya something to because he barely knows him. break. As they drop bread in water, cheerfulness that isn't Shoya at all. drink. He thanks her for the drink, After Miki leaves, Tomohiro Shoya asks her what was wrong. When Shoya asks them what and letting him go with her house places Shoya's backpack next to Yuzuru says she has to go, and they wanted to do the next day, to celebrate her mother's birthday. him. Tomohiro explains he knows Shoya offers to escort her there. Yuzuru says they're busy. Shoko Shoko signs to him her expres- Ya-sho doesn't mean it, and will He then asks her why she was signs something to Yuzuru, whose sionless mother was happy. Shoya give him some space. Niyako goes crying. She tells him it didn't in- shocked at the suggestion. Shoya aks her when her birthday was. up to Shoko and signs she'll see volve him. He points out he's asks Yuzuru what she signed. An eighteen-year-old Shoko signs her later. Naoka comes over to worried about her. She says he's The unusual cheerfulness vanish- her birthday was June seventh. Shoya, apologizes, and says she like her grandmother, but he es into nervousness when Shoya, Shoya says he missed it. He signs should never have come. Satoshi can come with her if he wished. his legs trembling, stands in the and tells her they would have to remarks about Shoya being too She tells him to stop walk- Nishimiya kitchen, watching Sho- celebrate her nineteenth togeth- harsh. Shoya tells him he didn't ing. When she leaves, Shoya ko, who's wearing a party hat, and er, and throw a big party. Horri- know anything because he wasn't wishes her luck. Yuzuru is go- Yuzuru gather baking supplies. fied, Shoya realizes he made it part of the group. Satoshi, leav- ing to her grandmother's fu- Yuzuru explains his mission is to sound like they’ll do it together. ing, says he thought they were neral. Walking away, Shoya stops help the sisters bake a birthday The second display appears, and friends. Shoya looks at Shoko, when Yuzuru comes up to him, cake for their mother. Worried the two watch the display together. and asks her if she wanted to go confessing she's frightened. he'll be hit again, Yuzuru reas- When the display is ending, Shoko somewhere when school let out After the service, Yuzuru sees sures him Yaeko would probably signs to Shoya she’s going home. for summer vacation. Shoko only her mother crying in a bathroom. kill him this time. The statement Perplexed, he watches her leave smiles sadly at her former bully. Outside, a butterfly lands on Yu- makes Shoya's nervousness grow. to study. She turns to look at him, Later that night, Yuzuru is zuru before heading to Shoko. As they're admiring the cake, and she stares a heartbeat too long reading from Shoko's sixth grade The deaf girl raises her hand to Yaeko walks in and demands to at Shoya’s for seeing her later. Yu- notebook when her grandmother the fleeing butterfly. Her hand know why Shoya is with them. zuru, holding some snacks, asks says she'll hurt her eyes read- still raised, she signs the word Yuzuru tells her not to behave where Shoko is. The first ques- ing in the dark. In the kitchen, "sister" to Yuzuru. Shoko's sister like that, and to celebrate. Hear- tion unanswered, she asks Shoya her grandmother gives her some copies the sign language from ing Shoko clapping, she turns to if he didn’t mind getting her cam- juice before explaining she's too across a pool of green water. see her deaf daughter smiling. era because she left it at home. involved in Shoko's life that she After texting Shoko to hang Shoya, who seems shocked At the Nishimiya’s, Shoya, find- doesn't have time for herself. out with him the next day, Shoya he wasn't going to kicked out ing the camera near the front Her grandmother says Yuzuru is glances up from his phone to look or figuratively killed, stares at door, wants to make sure its a good kid. The girl remarks her at the wall between two windows. Yaeko. The girls' mother lowers charged. Music that’s been play- mother chews her out, and she The next day, the two take a train her glare, and takes a bite out of ing since he entered the house hasn't gone to school in weeks. to a park with woods and strange her forty-fourth birthday cake. grows louder as he notices Sho- Her grandmother tells her and structures. At one with a steep con- Shoko takes a deep breath when ko on the balcony. Seeing she’s Shoko were doing their best. crete slope downhill, Shoya goes Yuzuru says Shoya locked out of getting on the balcony wall, Sleeping with her grand- down to see Shoko not following being killed, making it a victory. Shoya heads over to her swiftly. mother, Yuzuru has a dream him. He looks up to get memories Yaeko tells Yuzuru she submitted By the time she’s on the bar- of a tearful Shoko telling them of Shoko asking him to be friends some of her photography to a local rier, and he’s in the kitchen, something before the girl is on the playground, him pulling off contest. She admits it was Shoko's Shoya realizes what she’s going seen dead in a pool of blood. Yu- her clip-on hearing aids, and the idea. Shoko signs something to her to take her own life! Crying out zuru wakes up, and shifts closer fight when Shoya found her clean- sister. Yuzuru says she's no good, in terror, he runs into the table, to her sleeping grandmother. ing his desk. He heads over to her, and she's messing around. Yaeko slamming into the floor. Scream- After work, Shoya is talking to and loses his footing to have the says that wasn't true. As Yuzuru ing her name, he scrambles to himself about how to ask Shoko slope rush up to meet him. The asks why they would do that to her, his feet, his sneakers squeaking. to feed the fish with the bread he deaf girl is about to grab his hand Shoko laughs, and Shoya smiles. The intense music’s crescendo bought. This ends up comparing when he slides down further. She Yuzuru, getting another fork- only dies into horrible silence her to the bread. He tells him- apologizes to him after Shoya says ful of cake, asks Shoya if he when a billowing curtain ob- self that didn't make sense. He he's fine. She signs something that was going to see the fireworks scures Shoko. The last note trem- looks up to see she didn't come. looks like she's blaming herself on Tuesday. Shoya tells her he ors as the curtain shows only the Eating the bread, he waits for for his fall. Shoya says that wasn't doesn't have to, but Yuzuru says display of fireworks; Shoko has her. When she doesn't come he's true, and asks her if she would he's going. They look at Yaeko. jumped. The next silent seconds about to text her, asking her if like to hang out the next day. On Tuesday, a massive crowd having the viewer watch a stun- her stomach was better, when On the train ride home, Shoya has gathered to watch the fire- ning display of fireworks while in he wonders if the question was thinks how Shoko's really meant he works. A few seconds before the a silence of disbelief and horror. Jan 2020 22 OP-ED MEMES OF THE MONTH By Jessica Wells and Kaitlyn Garvey Staff Reporters

WWIII Memes. As we all know, President Donald J. Trump had ordered and carried out the assassination of Iranian Gen- eral Qasem Soleimani in Bagh- dad on January 3, 2020. This has Did you know, you can been perceived as an act of war turn a Coca-Cola can into and the event that could po- a nifty popcorn maker! tentially spark the beginning of Just cut the can in half, World War Three. As a re- cut out specific shapes, sult, social media users have place the top half on top voiced their concerns through and pour the popcorn commendable reaction memes. in! Place the contraption over a lit candle and Ep- stein didn’t kill himself. “Epstein didn’t kill him- self” originated after fi- nancier and registered sex offender Jeffrey Epstein died in prison after be- ing convicted with charg- es of sex trafficking and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking. Epstein was per- sonally acquainted with many high-profile individuals such as Former President Bill Clinton, President Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth’s son Prince Andrew. He was found deceased in his cell by apparent suicide, but many people believe that he was murdered. The meme consists of strategically placing the phrase “Epstein didn’t kill himself” within im- ages or long strings of words in unexpected ways.

23 Jan 2020 OP-ED DEEP THOUGHTS What have you done lately that you are proud of? Who is hiding behind the mask you present to the world?

Madeline Price Kyler Winston Class of 21’ Class of 21’ The girl with an IEP and learning disorder who tries Recently I quit a job that had a really bad en- really hard to wear the mask she presents to the vironment and began a new job playing pia- world as the most confident person ever she’s the no for a children’s chorus, which is a job that girl who’s smile is really just a disguise so no one involves something I love and am good at. will notice her insecurity the one who makes every- one happy, but can’t seem to find that ray of sun- shine herself. But everyday she still continues to wear that exact mask that got her in the place she’s in now. ART FOR THE SOUL By Kaitlyn Garvey believe stress is your greatest can be proud of, but that only which is used in the treatment Staff Reporters quality, there is still something makes sense of accomplishment of children, adolescents, as well Taking a break every once in a in it for you. If you’re willing to try you feel that much more valid. as adults, has been prov- while is necessary to succeed at it, art could potential- One might also say that it can en to help patients ex- anything in life, at least in my ly allow you to meet new be frustrating if you are a begin- plore their emotions, im- personal experience. When I people, help to expand ner and not quite as skilled as prove self-esteem, cope think of a break, doing nothing your creativity, and if you artists you may look up to, but if with mental and physi- is what comes to mind, but for become confident in your you go at your own pace cal illnesses and still has someone who likes to stay work, it could even be an and focus on improv- many other benefits. busy, even when they do take extra source of income. ing steadily, you’re frustra- There are only benefits to do- breaks, there may be a perfect Perhaps the best thing about art tion will be replaced by ing art, especially as a hobby so medium in art. is that any cons double as pros! amazement at what you don’t be afraid to try it. What It is a rejuvenating and thera- One might say that it takes a long are really capable of! you’re able to cre- peutic activity as well as an ef- time to create something you Still not convinced? Art therapy, ate may surprise you! fective stress reliever. Even if you REVIEWS OUT By Savannah Aversa suicide of their father Har- Marta (Ana de Armas) and and I will definitely watch it Editor-in-Chief lem Thrombey (Christopher her story of what happened again. The twists and turns Knives Out, directed by Rain Plumber). The film starts with that night and what happens that the movie took were su- Johnson, is a “murder mystery” the detectives inter- to her throughout per interesting. I’ve never and drama film that hit the- Was viewing all the mem- the investigation. watched a movie like it. The aters November 27, 2019. It is bers of the family and Harlan‘s Was Harlan‘s pie was complicated, intrigu- rated PG-13 and is 2 hours long. the employees that death really a sui- ing, and entertaining. I defi- The story follows the death really a were in the house at cide? If not who is nitely recommend watching it. Thrombey family going the time. It goes onto suicide? the guilty party? through the interrogation in- watching the in home Medic The movie was really good vestigation after the supposed Jan 2020 24 SPORTS MORE THAN HOOPS By Kaitlyn Garvey injury that would prevent them step foot on the court, what hap- ketball most helped her Sports Editor from playing is a nightmare, and pens between the first and last improve was communi- “It’s like a sisterhood.” says even so, Ainsworth took it in whistle is your best effort,” she cation. While it may be a senior, M’kayla Ainsworth, a stride, and kept on going. This stated. The season is well un- seemingly subtle part of contact team captain for the Chancellor year, she is a captain for the team. derway and the team has played sports such as basketball, it is girl’s varsity basket- “This team means a lot to me, many games and a couple of vital to the success of the team. ball team. “We’re fam- and it is truly an honor to lead tournaments by now, so Ainsworth has played basketball ily on and off the court, win them this season,” she states. it’s not a difficult task for a total of twelve years, four or lose.” With any team, Every athlete loves their sport to decide on a favorite. of those those years being on Good sportsmanship and a for different reasons. For some “I really enjoyed traveling to Chancellor’s varsity team. As a strong bond between its mem- it’s the rush they get when they Hampton for the Boo Williams senior, she has her next steps bers can only help, and the girl’s make a goal, or cross the finish tournament over winter break,” after high school to consider, basketball team has all that line: essentially, the destina- Ainsworth says. beginning with college. “I hope and so much more.“ There are tion. But for Ainsworth, it is the to play club or intramural bas- quite a few young players, but journey that is most rewarding. ketball or soccer in college,” she because we played a bit of pre- “I look forward to getting better states. season together, we are able to by learning from my mistakes on “Hard work beats “Being a female athlete, I’ve be more comfortable with each the court,” she says. gained a perspective on how dif- other,” Ainsworth states. talent when talent Basketball has many aspects ferent the support is for girls and Athletes are often re- to it, for example, the form doesn’t work hard.” boys sports and I really hope quired to push through dif- for shooting the ball, or even that in future seasons the stu- ficult situations to play handling the ball alone, dent body supports all student the game they love, and which can be a lot to think Sports are known to teach ath- athletes, male and female,” Ain- Ainsworth has faced such a sit- about in a fast pace set- letes life skills such as teamwork sworth stated. To best sum up uation earlier this season. “I got ting such as the court, and self discipline, but they what basketball has taught her, a concussion before the season but Ainsworth has a good sometimes give athletes oppor- Ainsworth uses a quote by Tim started and I don’t want to be handle on all of it. “I tunities to learn or improve on Notke: “Hard work beats talent out again, watching from the think it’s important to re- unexpected skills as well. For when talent doesn’t work hard.” sidelines.” For many athletes, an member that when you Ainsworth, the skill bas- ELLE’S BELLS By Christelle Temple any Apple product. This app Reporter has thousands of workout vid- Happy New Year! What a wonderful time of year for fam- to one’s needs. Regardless of ily, friends, joy, presents, and theeos thatdesired can adjustlength specifically of work- FOOD! The holidays, no matter out, 10 minutes to 1 hour, the how much fun they can be, they can also bring a lot of stress. It’s levels ranging from beginner toapp advanced offers different workouts. difficulty An- realize that stress, whether important to find some time to other great part of the app is “The holidays, no the range of workouts: yoga, cardio, abs, arms, legs, and full matter how much fun “An easy way to work they can be, can also out during one’s bring a lot of stress.” free time and do it it’s from your in-laws being in town, worrying about getting in the comfort of a bonus or not, preparing for one’s own home...” midterms, or even just trying to body. This app not only pro- get everything that seems to be vides FREE workout videos, but piling up through the day done. it tracks one’s progress to ev- An easy way to work out dur- ery video completed and offers ing one’s free time and do it in the comfort of one’s own - home is using The Nike Train- outfitness without programs. having This to go app to isthe a ing App, which is available on gymgreat or way change to find out a quickof your work pj’s. Melody Washington and M’kayla Ainsworth 25 Jan 2020 CHARGING CENTER LUIGI’S JORNERY THROUGH THE LAST RESORT HOTEL By Katie Stafford Peach, and the three Toads wander as he settles down with a book. Doesn’t it SCREAM good taste?” Staff Reporter off; the player has control over Lu- I chuckle as Luigi plops down before explaining she has some- Luigi’s Mansion 3 is the third igi. This is where I grew intrigued with Polterpup, a book in hand one giving her the inspiration installment of the Luigi’s Man- enough to explore what was to be to only fall asleep within a second to invite Luigi over to the hotel, sion trilogy. The first game, Luigi’s the main setting for this game’s after flipping to the middle of the and that same someone wanted Mansion, came out on Septem- conflict, which usually would book. Polterpup’s reaction is sim- to see Luigi. She moves aside ber 14, 2001 for the GameCube; have appeared well before now ply adorable. The ghost pup’s eyes to reveal that special someone. its successor, Luigi’s Mansion 2: in Luigi’s Mansion 3’s processors. widen as its tail stiffens in shock be- It’s King Boo, wearing the glow- Dark Moon, came out on March If the player talks to Mario, fore settling down, and half-opens ing purple crown from Dark 20, 2013 for the 3DS. This game who’s near a table of sweets, he’ll one eye to seemingly stare at the Moon. The antagonist of the tril- has a hilarious initial release devour a slice of cake before be- player before drifting off to sleep. ogy explains this hotel was simply date on October 31, 2019 for the ing startled by Polterpup. After The loading screen darkens the revenge for trapping him in paint- Switch. Luigi’s Mansion 3 will laughing at Mario’s small scare, I cutscene, and I expect to jump ings; so, he’ll do the nice thing take fifteen hours or more to play. come over to the three Toads, all right in immediately, but Peach’s of letting Luigi and his friends The way these games work is the unloading Peach’s luggage while text screen comes up within the enjoy their vacation - in frames! player plays as Mario’s overshad- finding the time to half-complain, loading screen. The text shows her King Boo tells him not to fret owed, green-clad, cowardly broth- half-comment the Princess of the scream as her voice cries out at the as there was one more picture er, Luigi. Luigi is usually tricked Mushroom Kingdom doesn’t leave same time the text screen pops up. frame for him, then both the into going into an abandoned anything behind. I head over to The cutscene continues: As the player and Luigi notice Mario, house infested with ghosts, except Peach, who remarks on the beauti- moonlight and shadows dapple the Peach, and the three Toads all in in Luigi’s Mansion 3, where it’s a ful interior of the hotel. After this, room, Luigi bolts upright in shock frames, which vanishes behind hotel. There, he meets the greedy I talk to a few of the hotel staff for to stare nervously around before a wall. After telling Luigi to “put Professor Elvin Gadd. Gadd always on your best terrified face,” the helps Luigi by giving him the Pol- cutscene ends with King Boo chas- tergust 3000 (in Luigi’s Mansion), ing Luigi, a frame at the ready. Poltergust 5000 (in Dark Moon), This is where the player has con- and Poltergust G-00 (in Luigi’s trol. The chase down the hallway Mansion 3). However, it’s a trick, is short but intense. It doesn’t a trick created by King Boo, one help matters that Luigi practically of the villains in the Mario Uni- freezes in terror when King Boo verse. Instead of Bowser kidnap- sends plates and luggage at the ping Princess Peach for Mario to poor plumber. When the player’s only save her, King Boo traps ev- control over Luigi is over, another eryone, including Mario, in paint- cutscene comes up to show Luigi ings; but, Luigi narrowly escapes. at the end of the hall, making the (Spoiler Warning: This game’s most difficult choice he had to story and ending as a first-time make: climb into a dumbwaiter player playing this game will and most likely fall into smelly be revealed. Some bits, how- awhile, realizing some look like picking up the flashlight. The play- sheets, or follow the fate of his ever, will be summarized.) they’re funny-looking zombies. er has control at this point as mist friends. The cutscene abruptly The game, Luigi’s Mansion 3, Once Luigi checks in, he and shrouds the hotel room’s floor. ends with Luigi’s screams echo- opens up with Red Toad driving a the player meet Hellen Gravely, I take this point to see if the ing down the long vertical tunnel bus on a bumpy road. Mario and the owner of the Last Resort Ho- jumpscare I received was still there. through the dumbwaiter before Peach are jostled, along with Yel- tel. She strolls over to Luigi while It was; however, it wasn’t what ap- showing the title of the game. A low Toad and Blue Toad. Luigi, his five other companions come peared to be a yellow smiley face, relieved Polterpup licks Luigi back whose in the back of the bus, is up, along with Polterpup. She but a purple demonic devil face. into consciousness as he lays in jolted awake, which startles him tells him they’re her VIP’s be- At that, I’m impressed; I didn’t some sheets. The player has con- until he relaxes, to only be alarmed fore heading to an elevator. Up expect something so small as a trol once more after Polterpup once more when a very energetic, on the fifth floor, Mario, Peach, little fright for Luigi and the player red-collared, translucent, pearl- and the three Toads head off to to have changed to fit the eerie white ghost pup pops out of his their own rooms while Luigi and and dark aura of the hotel room. closed suitcase - Polterpup! Pol- Polterpup take the last room. Luigi steps outside to see the terpup was a mini-boss in Dark In the room, I headed to the bright hallway begin transforming Moon, but appears to be a friend, armoire, where there’s what ap- into a dark, frightening corridor. the character to guide the player pears to be a smiley face jumps- The player has control over Luigi through controls, and to cause a caring not just Luigi, but me as just enough to have the poor fel- little chaos within the conflict of well. I control Luigi over to Polter- low take the few steps to the eleva- Luigi’s journey to save his friends. pup, who woofs a question about tor to notice Hellen Gravely com- Not long into the journey, they heading off to bed. A cutscene ing out of the elevator. It goes to head to a hotel. Contented, Luigi has Luigi place a flashlight on a cutscene of her asking, “Is your enters to show a view of the bright the nightstand next to the bed, room up to your expectations? foyer. Once inside after Mario, Jan 2020 26 CHARGING CENTER LUIGI’S JORNERY THROUGH THE LAST RESORT HOTEL PT.2 races off screen, and when Luigi’s removed, except for the base- his friends and family. He tells Lu- search of the briefcase to only back on his feet, flashlight in hand. ment floor button. They all head igi to do that he’ll have to explore be called again; Gadd remem- This is where I explore the base- to the basement where they spot the hotel on his own; this has bered the room was 508. Going ment. There’s not much to it, a steward ghost pushing luggage. Luigi visibly nervous, and Gadd there, the player and Luigi no- except the player can spot a fa- Gadd slips behind some lug- gives him one of his inventions. tice a maid ghost dusting with a miliar old red car, shaking with gage beside the professor and The invention: the Virtual Boo feather duster before spotting the something - or someone - on the plumber, and runs off to let Lu- (VB). In Dark Moon, Gadd gifts Lu- case. Eyeing a nervous Luigi, she hood. If the player has played Dark igi fend for himself. At Gadd’s igi with a 3DS to stay in touch while swallows it before vanishing be- Moon, they’ll know this is Gadd’s flight, I’m slightly irked to see he explores. There’s something hi- hind a wall, proving it difficult to car. At this, I’m wondering where this fictional AI leave the poor larious about playing a game con- do with the briefcase inside her. Gadd is; there has been around fellow to use his own invention sole when one of the characters After the battle, Luigi gives Gadd seven minutes of gameplay (twelve to do battle, when in the first is using the same console as the the briefcase which contains his if the player has carefully explored game of this trilogy it was Gadd player. But the Virtual Boo sounds latest invention to aid Luigi as he’s every nook and cranny, like I did) who was Luigi’s salvation before an awful lot like the Virtual Boy. too old to continue ghost hunt- without the slightest hint of the gifting him the Poltergust 3000. The Virtual Boy was released in ing. He explains the invention is professor, until the appearance This battle of dodging flying lug- the summer of 1995, discontinued Gooigi, a Luigi-clone made out of the old red car. In Luigi’s Man- gage to suck up the ghost makes later that same year (Japan) and of a substance the professor calls sion, the player would have seen me more aware Luigi can’t jump in early in 1996 (North America), goo. He tells the plumber to turn Gadd in a little over two minutes; this game; all the trilogies did this, as Nintendo’s first attempt at 3D. around, and Gadd slams a contain- in Dark Moon, the player sees the but it’s these battles where, if it This console has the infamous er of green liquid into the empty professor within a little over a min- been like Mario and Luigi: Partners legacy of being one of Nintendo’s compartment of the Poltergust ute, both times physically present of Time (2005) or Mario and Lu- worst consoles. The color scheme G-00 to pump it in. Gadd guiding (Luigi’s Mansion has him fight off igi: Dream Team (2013), the player was a headache-inducing red Luigi to test Gooigi, the cutscene a ghost with the Poltergust 3000, could jump as a way to dodge. I’m and black, and this coloration continues outside the portable lab. and Dark Moon he’s in his lab). not referring to the “jump” he does was all there was. There was no Luigi seems intrigued by a con- Once I see the car, I have Luigi in this game. However, in those pink, white, yellow, green,or traption with a massive wooden look at the hood. Polterpup pops games, Mario and Luigi team up blue to give the player a break iron-bar cage over his head, which out before pointing at the hood to save Peach (Mario, Luigi, Baby from a pounding headache, if seems to have the fellow awed with his tail to have Mario’s brother Mario, and Baby Luigi save Peach played for long stretches of time. before the old, greedy professor spot the Poltergust G-00 (or what and Baby Peach in Partners of Even though this console was pushes a button on a controller I’ll most likely call the Poltergust Time through), not Luigi acting as a fail, it gave Nentendo the un- and side steps away from Luigi. Double-Zero or simply Poltergust). a solo hero to save his friends from derstanding of how to use 3D. The cage traps Luigi with a bang. After Polterpup barks at the King Boo, and to keep himself The color scheme of red and Horrified, confused, and pan- player if they failed to do the basic from following in the footsteps of black is there for the Virtual Boo, icked, Luigi stammers to him, Poltergust movements: to stun a his friends to a picture-frame fate. but it’s used as a pause screen who says his name, and gives him ghost with the flashlight, to push After the battle, the ghost is and a more detailed map. So, a thumbs-up. The cutscene ends a ghost away, pull a ghost toward sucked up in the Poltergust G-00 the player is not going to see this with him groaning and gazing Luigi, and making Luigi jump as it leaves behind the buttons scheme in long stretches, but only worriedly at the inventor. After, using the Poltergust to shoot air one and five. Gadd guides Lu- for about a minute, even less than Gadd explains he won’t release downwards, Polterpup leads the igi and Polterpup over to his car, that. After telling Luigi they’ll get him - Gooigi will. Gooigi works player to the entrance, to show two where he then shows them one of in touch later for Gadd to explain like Luigi controls-wise, but he ghosts keeping Luigi from simply his latest inventions; the plumb- the communication with the VB, melts in water and disintegrates at walking out, like he does before er’s jaw dropping in surprise the plumber leaves the lab and the touch of flames, and the player saving his friends. After the battle, is simply hilarious after seeing heads to the elevator to only get a can only use one at a time. Let’s Luigi finds a Dark-Light Device, Gadd’s invention: a portable lab. call from Gadd: He wishes for Lu- say Luigi is using the Poltergust to like from Dark Moon; like its pre- Once inside, Gadd explains he igi to get his briefcase on the same make a wind-powered something decessor, this device allows Lugi to was tricked into coming because a floor as Luigi was on before con- move, but it needs more power. find hidden doors and items, along ruse invitation told the professor fronting King Boo, but he couldn’t The player can activate Gooigi to with exposing the traces of ghosts, the owner of the hotel “had a pre- remember the room number. use his own goo-Poltergust as Lu- and rescue his friends from their cious collection of ghosts, gath- In the elevator, Luigi is about to igi. Seemingly asleep, he will still painting-prisons. After attaching ered from all over the world!” Not place one of the buttons in the slot continue to use his Poltergust. the Dark-Light Device to the Pol- only was Gadd captured, but his when it trembles in his hand be- This can be done vice versa as well. tergust, Polterpup leads Luigi to ghost collection was taken from fore flying into the hole; he takes The player and Luigi meet their a room to reveal a painting. This him, including King Boo. Horri- the other and allows it to fly into second boss on floor three, the painting doesn’t contain either fied that the hotel owner released place. As the cutscene ends, Luigi Hotel Shops. The goal is to get a of the Toads, Peach, or Mario; it King Boo, he tells Luigi to get his installs a machine of a map and star-shaped key to meet and fight contains the old ghost-collector ghost collection back, and to give names of the floors, which Gadd the boss, who is a purple ghost. himself, Professor Elvain Gadd! all the ghosts Luigi collected. gave Luigi before the plumber The easily startled, funny ghost After freeing the professor, Lu- After depositing the captured left. This gives the player a swift is in a stereotypical police-style igi, Gadd, and the player discover ghosts, Gadd apologizes for for- view of what the layout is like. room. A fat ghost wearing a dark all the elevator buttons have been getting Luigi’s main task: to save At the floor, Luigi walks off in suit with sunglasses has his back 27 Jan 2020 CHARGING CENTER LUIGI’S JORNERY THROUGH THE LAST RESORT HOTEL PT.3 turned away from security cam- The battle is truly a food fight: stage with auditorium seats fly- plant’s flytrap-like mouth closes eras, with a large pink-frosted the ghosts attack Luigi with food, ing towards him for company. around the button. An old garden- doughnut in one hand and a cup of and Luigi sucks up eight ghosts. The strategy I used was to keep er ghost appears, and pours enough coffee on the table in front of him. Once in the kitchen, I guide Lu- Luigi moving up and down the water to have the ground shud- After finding the last key on igi further in, but the poor fellow aisles. Don’t let Luigi get cornered der. An astonished Luigi watches the first level near a set of escala- backs off from a massive cloud of to lose ten health points out of the plant grow up to the ceiling. tors, for one to get up to the sec- smoke, breaking into a terrible 99, like I did after my first death; As Luigi travels upwards, the ond level and police-guard boss coughing fit. After both Luigi and it’s not a pleasant experience. objectives become hidden, lit- fight, a cutscene shows a big red Gooigi suck up the smoke, a brown The next stage - get it? - of the erally. There’s one where Lu- square-shaped ghost making the chef ghost isn’t pleased to find Lu- battle is four ghosts dancing in igi has to destroy a toilet just to moving staircase move too fast for igi. I died twice in this fight; once a ballet-style. The trick was to reach the roots of a bramble with Luigi to stay on, even when run- when I realized what to do, but remove their sunglasses (any- red thorns, to allow himself a ning. The ghost advances on Luigi. was too slow; the other was be- thing shielding a ghost’s face way to get across without hurt- This is where I discovered the cause the chef-ghost cornered me, wouldn’t stun them), before ing himself. Another has him in death animation for Luigi and the and I could not escape with only stunning and sucking them up. a room with what sounds like game over screen. If Luigi “dies” he nineteen hearts of health when The final part was the piano and looks similar to a chainsaw. collapses on the ground, using his each blow takes away twenty. player getting so enraged it pos- In this chainsaw-room I took hands as a pillow. Luigi, eyes wide After the fight, a mouse swallows sessed the piano. The way this it upon myself to destroy every- with terror and hands pressed the button, and Luigi lures it out battle works is the player has to thing in said room - the bed, the against his cheeks, is in a paint- with cheese to only have a second wait until the black piano is up on couches, the two armoires, the ing with King Boo staring at the mouse swallow it and flee into a stage to throw exploding musical grass and bushes growing in this screen, laughing. Then, the words nearby gaming room with pool. notes or bombs into it, to make room, and a frame that had coins “Good Night!” comes on screen, A two-ghost fight ensues, and the it land on its side. This is where painted on it until I exposed the but it’s shown like a light swing- battle wasn’t at all that difficult. Luigi uses a plunger attached contents using the Dark-Light. ing over the words before fully The room connected to the gam- to some rope to heft it off stage Once I had my fun, I simply take revealed. I died four times; once ing room was a bathroom, and a to slam it onto the floor. At this the chainsaw to the window, push when I didn’t know what I was little bit of problem solving did point the ghost can be sucked up. it out of the Poltergust G-00, and doing, and the other three when I the trick for Luigi to be slightly After the player frees Red Toad, go off to the door to the next room. was obeying Gadd’s advice on cir- disgusted as he held the twice- Gadd calls Luigi with the VB to let Or, I would have gone to the next cling the ghost to suck him up, but swallowed button in the cutscene. the Toad stay in his lab. As Toad room if a branch hadn’t exploded it wasn’t working until the fifth try. At this point I went back to the and Luigi depart, Gravely is watch- in, snatching Luigi and refusing to However, the police ghost I fought lab to see the gallery of ghosts I ing through a screen from a secu- let him go. This branch took five was the battle that I didn’t die at all. had collected before I head off to rity camera a ghost cat in her lap, health points from Luigi by the For that battle, the player needs the next floor. The player and Lu- and she strokes it. The cutscene time he got hurt, and I tried all I Gooigi to fight the water-gun igi find one of the three Toads on ends for Luigi to go off on floor six. could think of when I’m busy pan- wielding ghost, who is too busy floor four. Once out of the eleva- With each new floor Luigi finds a icking to keep Luigi alive. When pretending he’s a mean tough tor, there’s a ghost who trips Luigi cutscene that shows him nervously his health is at nine, Gadd’s text ghost when he panicked worse up by snapping the rug to make a exiting the elevator. The poor fel- box comes up, suggesting I use than Luigi did once he spot- wave. I tried everything to avoid low hasn’t even taken his first step my partner. Realizing in my panic ted the green plumber. At the losing the five points of damage: outside the elevator before a me- to free him, I didn’t think of the end, Luigi jolts awake in the Pushing the wave back, and even dieval axe comes crashing down obvious: Gooigi! I summon Lu- cutscene, and cheers that he did it. pulling it towards Luigi; I attempt- for Luigi’s head. This floor is medi- igi’s goo-clone, and the chainsaw After the boss fight, Polterpup ed a blinding flash of the flash- eval-themed with a lot of puzzles is on the other side of the room. shows Luigi a sign clearly mean- light. Even with it fully charged to solve. The battle is simply charg- Swiftly, I direct him over to the ing not to enter on floor two. The up, I tried the Dark-Light Device ing up a full blast from the flash- saw and back to the branch. Af- pup jumps through the sign and to see if another ghost was there light, and stunning the red ghost ter the ten agonizing seconds door, and Luigi breaks in and en- or if I could stop it using the Dark- possessing armor and a jumble of are over, Luigi’s health is at four. ters to see Polterpup lead him to Light. Finally, I braved the ten metal that’s meant to be a horse. After several falls that remove ten what appears to be a kitchen. Lu- points of health gone just to suck On floor seven, the Garden Suites, health points, gold-eyed ravens igi starts to follow, and noticing a up that stupid ghost who tripped it’s filled with leafy plants, moon- snatching five, and mini-bosses tableful of ghosts enjoying some Luigi twice on the jounrey to him. light, and shadows. Not long onto taking away ten health points if food, gulps, clicks off the flashlight The boss fight to save the Toad this floor, the button is just- hov they could harm Mario’s brother, and inches to where Polterpup was interesting. Luigi’s in this ers on a birdbath. Even through Luigi finally makes it to the top. Af- had leaped through a wall. Luigi auditorium as an old ghost plays Luigi glances around to make sure ter Luigi and Gooigi pry the flytrap makes it halfway to the door when the piano. The cutscene shows he’s not going to be spotting any mouth open, the button goes over he bumps into what I can guess the plumber creeping onto the ghosts, I just know it won’t be as to Gooigi, who doesn’t react when is some amber-colored olive oil. stage to only back away slowly simple as pocketing it and leaving. the shiny eighth-floor button The shattering glass alerts the before fleeing off when the pia- When the plumber holds the bounces off his head to bounce and ghosts to a horrified Luigi before no-playing ghost spots him. The button, a watering can pours water roll towards the edge of the flower. four more ghosts come out of the stairs magically pushed back onto a plant. Luigi releases the el- I had just finished repeating the door - making eight ghosts to fight. into the stage, Luigi is stuck off evator button by mistake, and the word “No!” when Luigi echoes my Jan 2020 28 CHARGING CENTER LUIGI’S JORNERY THROUGH THE LAST RESORT HOTEL PT.4 cries of disbelief as he runs over to by an unedited version? A midlife able to clasp both hands around little room before hers has a ghost snatch it before it’s too late. I can- - sorry, a mid-death - crisis hav- the button, rolls of film in a ghost- who grabs Luigi by the ankle and not help smiling sadly at Luigi’s ing shaken his confidence? No; ly hand, float through the door in hits him with one of its two blue mixed look of fear and shock, as it’s a lost bright red megaphone! the editing room. I chuckle after tongues; five health points lower the button lands on the cracked What sympathy I have vanishes Luigi, the floor-nine button raised with each hit. After Gooigi stuns stone floor. I chuckle as Luigi, not swiftly, and I’m laughing so hard to the ceiling, says, “I’m a star!” it, Luigi and his goo-clone rip off amused by the journey to the floor, at the sorry excuse for a sorrow- After this, I check on Morty its tongues to then enter the room. travels down in the only way pos- ful film director that I’m crying, who’s editing. I decide to leave This is where Luigi has to reveal her sible: sliding down a thick vine. and half-wishing I can skip this him for two reasons: One, if left hiding in a pile of petals, and give On the stone floor with grass floor to leave Morty, the sad film alone, he’ll finish editing the mov- her a nice bath to stun her before shooting out of the cracks, Luigi’s director who lost his bright red ie; two, if he loses his red mega- going full lioness on Luigi. Do the about to grab the button when a megaphone, to continue to stay phone again, I’m not controlling trick a third time, and at one health roaring set of jaws from a piranha- in his director’s chair to mope. Luigi to help him a second time. point, she’ll spit up the button. plant-like creature snatches it. Luigi meanwhile tentatively The floor-nine button is Floor nine is a museum, and Scared by the plant’s sudden ap- raises his hand to grab the eleva- snatched before it slips into its Luigi and his goo-partner pull a pearance, Luigi doesn’t try to wres- tor button when Morty is too busy hole. The purple ghost cat the heavy curtain aside to find an- tle the button out of its mouth, not sobbing about his missing mega- hotel owner was stroking in the other Toad. As Luigi uses the when he had instinctively shielded phone that “even the sparkle from cutscene after Red Toad’s rescue, Dark-Light, a T-Rex skeleton his face when the creature drew this beautiful button is now noth- swallows it. Horrified, I guide Lu- comes to life. His teeth chattering back, its head level with Luigi’s. ing but a dull hue.” However, at the igi to see this devilish feline pass and trembling from head to toe, After gifting the floor-eight but- last moment, the director pulls his through a wall with the button. It Luigi turns to confront the boss. ton to the ghost, the plant lunges hand away from Luigi, who lurch- didn’t take me long to find out this The T-Rex snatches the Toad pic- for Luigi, who dives out of its way. es forward, and not noticing the cat’s name was Polterkitty. Polter- ture, swallows it, and the player The plant’s jaws embed in some green-clad plumber behind him. kitty has swallowed the button, has control over Luigi to fight. stone before retreating, the stone This leads into finding the and it’s up to Luigi to retrieve it. After destroying the T-Rex with destroyed to expose a chainsaw. megaphone in one of the studios After using the Dark-Light De- the help of artifacts in the first I only died once in this battle; in some cobweb. At this E. Gadd vice to see which studio the cat round, using Gooigi in the second the reason: I felt like reading a suggests using fire. This quickly is in, Luigi battles some ghosts. round, and using more artifacts book, and I forgot to pause at the becomes hopping from one TV At this point Polterkitty comes at a rampaging dino, a caveman- start of the fight. One minute, I’m to the next to get water for the out, where Luigi has to enter the ghost appears. The player has reading; the next, I’m gaping in leaf-ladder to get the torch, and same building she was in only to to wait until the ghost slams his horror as Luigi’s beeping hearts to get flames for the torch, and use Gooigi to try and suck her up. bone-club onto the ground, shoot of health dulls the sound of the to destroy the webbing trapping However, she has some fight left air on the ground to make the ghost’s fanged plant snapping Morty’s bright red megaphone. in her when she at first simply ap- Poltergust send Luigi into the air the last six health from him. That Luigi then nervously gives the peared scared. This sweet ghost to avoid the red wave of light or just shows I should double check megaphone to Morty, who drops kitten unsheathes her claws, slash- else become too dizzy to climb to if the game’s on the pause screen it onto the floor before grabbing es them in front of Luigi’s goo- his feet, to then stun and make before reading for awhile. About the frightened fellow by the shoul- clone, and leaps onto a building. him a ghostly club to the green- ten to fifteen minutes later, I go ders to comment on how his face No longer needing Gooigi, Lu- clad plumber. The battle over, into battle with the ghost gardener has nice features..There he forces igi has to lure her off the building Blue Toad, holding the B2 but- and his little fanged-plant friend. Luigi into his film, not even -not having his back facing towards ton, then cowers behind Luigi It was simply making the plant ing Luigi’s cowardice by the way her. This is where the player has before noticing him. Luigi gin- embed its jaws into the plants he feebly protests, trembles, and to be quick enough to suck her gerly takes the button from him. inside the battlefield, then saw- eyes the film director nervously. up or have to try again, but not Gadd calls to send the Toad back ing the stem of the cool ripoff of Luigi and this ghost wear- too quick that she jumps right to him. As they depart, Gravely a piranha plant before sucking the ing a monster costume are on back up. When her health is at glares at the video screen before ghost up. After this it’s watering a set, and Morty tells the player one, she will leave the studio. she sends two ghosts off to Luigi, green shoot to expose a leaf-ladder to attack when a blue ball of en- Outside the studio, she is on top Polterkitty having already dashed to receive the floor-eight button. ergy comes towards him. Us- of some metal beams, and with over to a wall leaps through it. Floor eight has to be one of the ing both Luigi and Gooigi, the the help of Gooigi, Luigi is able At the second basement, Luigi most creative and fun floors of ball is pushed back three times to stun her with the flashlight. accidentally wakes up a sleeping this hotel. First, Luigi has to get a before the costume comes off She leaps down, and heads off to one-toothed ghost working as a key by going through a TV to land the ghost to then be sucked. the seventh floor. Before reach- mechanic by stepping on a yel- outside another one to reach the After the performance, Morty ing the seventh floor, Luigi has to low rubber duckie, which startles key. Once in the film studio Luigi comes to Luigi, who shields his battle a possessed safe and some them both. After reaching a high sees a ghost, sobbing about losing face for a moment, before lower- ghosts at the elevator entrance. section of the third area, the me- something. Feeling sympathetic, ing them to have the film director On floor seven, Luigi has to find chanic ghost flips a switch, and I wonder what could be missing gives him the floor-nine button. her, scare her out of hiding, and scares Luigi into rising water level. that will make this ghost so upset. The button slips out of his hands do the same trick as on floor eight. Floundering from being unable Is it a missing roll of film? A mis- several times, almost like it was When her health is at one, she to swim with the Poltergust Dou- placed fully edited film replaced slippery as a bar of soap. Finally flees, and Luigi follows her. The ble-Zero strapped to his back, he 29 Jan 2020 CHARGING CENTER LUIGI’S JORNERY THROUGH THE LAST RESORT HOTEL PT.5 grabs Polterpup’s collar; the ghost ten health points lost after Gadd’s to see what true art he created. It igi in the room with the mummy. pup calmly floats over to Luigi to invention snags the yellow ball. was more hilarious than all that Once the fight is over (shooting air help him. Even with holding onto A few agonizing seconds of be- Morty said, and even Luigi seemed downward with the Poltergust to the ghost’s collar, he still struggles ing hunted by sharks - mechani- more bewildered than amused. make Luigi jump through the air) to keep his head above water for cal or real, it did not matter when The lie of a true masterpiece to expose a ghost easily captured, I the few seconds he’s being led to I was fearing for the floaty and meant to be so intriguing and go back over where I was trying to a ladder. Once out, and when he Luigi’s life. Later, I control Lu- was strangely awkward, I sucked find a way out. This causes a ghost is done coughing and spluttering, igi over to a platform for him Morty up. This lead to him mak- to come out. I must have set off a he hugs Polterpup telling him he’s to hop out of. In some ankle- ing a dramatic farewell before the trap, because when this ghost is a “good puppy” before the ghost deep water, the plumber faces Poltergust G-00 swallowed him. nearly sucked up, a large stone ball pup pulls free and shakes out a skirmish with a ghost before While leaving floor eight, I was rolls over to me. Crying out from his ghostly pelt, which has Luigi Gadd finds the mechanic ghost. ambushed by some ghosts. I don’t pure shock, I let the ghost go, and shield his face with his hands due After lowering the water, Lu- die, but it takes awhile for the let Luigi run around for awhile to the flying water droplets. The igi goes back the same way he shock of the ambush to wear off. before noticing it was going in a cutscene ends with Gadd calling came, minus the water. It turns Luigi isn’t the only one weary about circle, and I shouldn’t be worried to tell Luigi and the player the Pol- out the “sharks” weren’t real, nor exploring floor ten of the hotel. unless I get in the sphere’s way. I tergust is waterproof from a depth made out of metal, but ghosts I forget to be careful once I enter did; once the ghost was a heartbeat he can’t remember how deep be- in pathetic shark costumes; all the pyramid in the Tomb Suits. from being sucked up, the sphere fore it either malfunctions, or three were swiftly dealt with. Once inside, Luigi and the player slams into Luigi, which losses him becomes too waterlogged to use. Inside a round metal hollow, find a coffin. Curiously peering thirty health points. Soon, I fight Not long after Luigi’s near- Luigi spots the ghost, dozing in, Luigi notices a pharaoh-ghost another mummy-wrapped ghost, drowning, the player goes into an as he leans on a floaty as well. with closed eyes. A moment later, but my luck is even worse. For area with a pool of water and a The plumber nervously glances its glowing white eyes open, star- one, I set another stone sphere yellow duck floaty. It takes awhile around as he tentatively walks in tling the poor plumber, who sits at me, and not long after that getting used to, but soon it’s not before a squeak stops him; he had on the floor, gaping at the ghost. that the poor plumber’s health is so bad pulling the water to move stepped on another rubber duck- I expect the floor to vanish from at four, which is literally shoved forward if sucking the water, and ie, waking up the cranky ghost. underneath him (which it did), away when the unwrapped ghost the other way if pushing the water Angered his nap was disturbed, and he lands on what appears pushes Luigi on the ground. He away. The player has to get Googi the ghost raises the water level. to be two fake snakes coiled to- climbs onto his feet and collapses. over to a chain with a yellow ball at Luigi struggles to heave himself gether. The camera zooms out, After several mummy and ghost the end of it to get Luigi over to the onto another floaty in the waist- like Luigi is about to climb onto fights, having laser beams heat newly flooded area by raising the high water. The battle starts his feet to then continue his up metal chains until they snap metal door. In one area with a met- when the ghosts splashes into journey to save the remaining to try and crush him, deadly al door covered with lethal spikes, the water with a floaty and ap- Toad, Peach, and Mario, and the spikes descending upon Luigi I was so engrossed with getting pears to be a rolled-up paper. ground recoils from under him. as he makes the weight of the Luigi’s goo-clone over to the ball The is simply to make the ghost Landing with his face in the picture shown to him, and him and chain that I didn’t realize dizzy, suck his floaty, expel him sand (for a few seconds his feet are vainly blocking holes expel- the floaty had popped, drown- and his floaty into some spikes sur- thrashing the air before he plants ling poisonous air depleting five ing Luigi, and putting him back rounding the flooded battlefield, them firmly on the sandy ground health points with each breath he in the room prior to the spike- stun him, and knock him around to pull himself free), he notices takes, the player reaches the door. room with ten health points gone. until he is sucked up. After pick- he’s in a small cavern. Sucking up To save Luigi from being crushed, Once through that room, I acci- ing up the floor-ten button, Luigi some of the sand, he exposes a the player has to make it through a dentally melted Gooigi when I was says, “Gotcha yah!” Once on the statue like the one at the entrance tunnel with spiders, cobwebs, and too close to water. I was trying to floor of a once-flooded battlefield, of the pyramid. After touching it, dash up some stairs. Luigi comes get him through a pipe grate that I lose 20 health points because I moonlight silvers part of the sand, over to see the ghost, who heads had a cover on it once I had Luigi, didn’t realize the mine bombs the revealing a stairwell too high for outside. When the plumber’s out, who was happy lounging in his ghost was throwing would still Luigi to reach, and the Dark-Light he nervously creeps onto the sand, duck floaty, and guiding himself hurt Luigi even after the fight. exposes the same stone wall. A noticing the ghost only when she using the Poltergust, and using a I went off to Paranormal Produc- simple trick of pushing the sand to blows sand onto him, making different ball and chain to lift the tions to see how Morty was doing. the moonlight gives him a way out. him shudder. After leaping away, cover. Luigi lost ten health points Instead of busy editing, the ghost After going through a dark tun- he stares as she cocoons herself by drowning from a popped floaty; is relaxed. I accidentally used the nel full of flying arrows meant in sand shaped like her head. this time I didn’t see the spiked flashlight and stunned him to to be blocked by Gooigi, and a Snakes with eyes glowing appear gate until a heartbeat too late leave a startled wide-eyed look ladder leading to both a way out in the sand woman’s head, like to try and save Mario’s brother. cross his blue face, before he re- and a swarm of bats, Luigi goes Medusa, which starts the battle. Once I was able to get both Lu- sumed a nonchalant closed-eyed into a room with a way to the How to defeat the ghost is Lu- igi and Gooigi over to the raised relaxed air about him. After Morty surface. However, when he’s find- igi has to suck up enough sand gate, three purple shark fins chase told Luigi and me the film was ing a way out, a mummy comes for her to expose herself; once she Luigi down. They do this until the ready “with gripping action, drip- up. At the sight of the mummy, does, she’ll send a guard of snake duckie and Poltergust G-00 decide ping with emotion . . . Oh, and the I try and find a way to run away, statues to shoot out darts remov- to let Luigi drown with another suspense!” I had to check it out but the magical gates keep Lu- ing twenty health points and mak- Jan 2020 30 CHARGING CENTER LUIGI’S JORNERY THROUGH THE LAST RESORT HOTEL PT.6 ing Luigi’s timeframe to attack to the chest’s jaws. Then, Gooigi downward by Gadd’s invention. With Gadd holding the miss- her close to zero. Do this three uses the Dark-Light Device, sucks Soon, they circle Luigi, and he ing part, he asks Luigi to give him times, and Luigi and the player up the three will-o’-wisps, and has to jump to give him a chance the Poltergust. When the profes- receive the floor-eleven button. is resummoned inside the see- to capture one. When one is gone, sor works on it as Luigi gazes cu- In the Twisted Suites of the new through container connected to the third is replaced by a bomb to riously behind his back, Mario’s floor, three female magician ghosts Luigi’s Poltergust. That’s when Lu- deplete the plumber’s health by brother looks a little odd without frighten Luigi, who hasn’t even igi, with only 24 health points left, twenty. It’s easy to have an eye on the old man’s invention strapped ventured towards the threshold of retrieves the key to the next room. the bomb, versus the other two. to his back, as the player would the elevator.. Luigi gets out of the When I enter the next room, Lu- With only one to go, the trick is to have become accustomed to the elevator, and I find a secret door. igi’s health is at 64 once I find two guess, as the lights blackout for a cowardly plumber having it on. Once through, I fight a possessed hearts in the room with the chest. moment making following harder The modification completed, cabinet, and then I enter a room It is better than it was before, but than the second act - get it? After Gadd tells Luigi the up-grade is to see the three female ghosts. still nerve-racking entering with the fight, Luigi receives the floor- something he calls Super Suction, One of them waved her wand, and that amount of health. This room twelve button for his troubles. which is basically a super power- Luigi floats to stand on the upside has a stage, and I soon found no When Luigi is at the Spectral ful blast of sucking up large, heavy down floor, which looks like a day- ghosts. I did find something that Catch, he sees a ship blocking the objects; however, Luigi has to plug to-day floor. When all three leave, looked like a vending machine, way further into the new floor. it in using an electrical outlet. the magic binding Luigi to the which was destroyed to find a room. Gadd calls to tell him to return be- “Super Suction rocks!” I cry out floor ends, and he thuds back to Entering this room exposed a cause some trouble has hit the lab, in delight once Luigi nervously the inverted ceiling he been stand- curtain to be pulled, the Dark- and he’ll explain in more detail plugs in his Poltergust and be- ing prior the magic. In that room, I Light used, and Gooigi to go into a when Luigi comes over. Wonder- gins the mass destruction of the find a second secret door, this one sewer grate to suck up the will-o’- ing what he could want, I control ship blocking the way. There with a timer to reveal it. Once Lu- wisps, to then enter the room. In- Luigi towards the portable lab. is one drawback to having the igi is in, a big chest is near the door. side this room is a key. When Luigi Luigi enters the lab to see Red plumber plugged in: the player I’m panic-stricken once the chest tries to take it, three purple purr- Toad missing. Gadd explains he has limited movement with Luigi. opens its fanged jaws, and drains ing will-o’-wisps come to turn the was simply thinking of powering After going through a rocky cav- Luigi’s health five points at a time key into a golden rabbit that has to up the Poltergust G-00 for Luigi. ern with torch flames for light and in quick succession. The Polter- be held by either Luigi or Gooigi to He sends Red Toad out to look a quiet roar from a few waterfalls, gust Double-Zero won’t work, nor have the other use the Dark-Light, for the part, with a camera, so the Luigi goes up to a peer and rings a can I get Gooigi to save the harmed and suck up the will-o’-wisps, and professor can view Toad’s process. bell. Once the bell is rung, a large plumber. This is when I notice the then get the key to the next room. Asking Luigi to look at the video ship comes. The plank’s loom- game telling me to mash the A but- After this, I simply walk through feed, a clip shows Red Toad begins ing shadow shades Luigi from the ton; I obey, and the chest spits out the halls and stage to the ward- to be frightened by one ghost and moonlight before it crashes down. Luigi. I only leave the room when robe. At the wardrobe the female flees with the camera detached His feet scrambles for a grip on the I try fighting the chest for a- sec ghosts perform a little magic act along with the lost invention, rotten-looking wood; the fright- ond and last time. Luigi leaves the for Luigi. One makes a toy bunny all shown in first person point of ened plumber barely dives away be- room with only 69 out of 99 health. come out while the other has three view. After the clip, Gadd asks Lu- fore the plank thuds onto the dock. When I have tried to find an- balls appear; the third one has Lu- igi to find the missing Toad and On the ship, a ghost shark wear- other way to the female ghosts igi’s hat come out of the top hat. part, along with searching the ing an eye patch, hiding the eleva- (there isn’t another way), I headed This disgusts the ghosts, and the area where Toad went. Clearly, tor button, appears while Luigi, back to the living-chest-room. one who made the hat appear, Red Toad’s scare happened in B2, who seems to have learned from This time I try summoning Goo- tosses it at his face. Then all three and that’s where Luigi went off to. being attacked by the T-Rex that igi first before a third round of depart for the stage as Luigi, cow- After finding Toad and -get it wasn’t that easy rescuing the draining Luigi’s health swiftly to ering on the floor, one hand on his ting the missing part, the way last Toad, is pondering how to get find a key to enter the next room. hat, nervously watches them leave. Luigi comes in is blocked by a up onto the highest deck of the The battle isn’t as smooth as I ex- This is when the player has to fight big red square-shaped ghost. ship. The battle starts when the pected: By the time Gooigi has fin- his or her way to the female ghosts. The player has to travel a similar shark possesses the deck itself. ished using the Dark-Light on the Once Luigi’s trembling on stage, route as when he or she had to The goal is to let the shark- chest, which expels three to four a spotlight pours onto the plumb- fight the cranky mechanic ghost, possessed floor swallow the- ex purple will-o’-wisps-like-creatures er, who shields his eyes from the with several ghost fights in the plosive barrels ghosts that are out once done, Luigi’s health is at brightness. The three ghosts, ap- way. After Gooigi goes through tossed down for Luigi, although 39. This means I have one shot to pearing in the spotlight that has a pipe grate to head up towards their purpose to them is to hurt use the Dark-Light and suck up been on the poor fellow divides the ghost to beat it, I go the same him. After this, the shark will ap- the will-o’-wisps in his goo-Polter- in three for each one to have her way Toad and Luigi came to allow pear, and the player can knock the gust, and this has to be done be- own, and overwhelms the poor fel- the plumber’s goo-clone to fight. ghost-shark around before doing fore Luigi has been killed by a pos- low by circling him before trans- At the elevator hallway, the ghost it a second time. By the third time, sessed fanged chest. First, I inch forming the dark, dusty stage who frightened Toad attacks Lu- the ghost shark changes his mind, Gooigi as close to the chest as I can into a misty-voided, spotlit stage. igi, who soon sucks him up. In the and possesses the wall instead. It without it trying to swallow him; it The ghosts shoot cards for Lu- hallway leading to the lab, another is done the same way, but the ship took me a few tries, but I was able igi to either send away or jump ghost goes after the plumber and tips until Luigi has to use his rope- to get it. Next, I moved Luigi over over with the help of shooting air Toad. The fight isn’t difficult. attached-to-a-plunger trick to 31 Jan 2020 CHARGING CENTER LUIGI’S JORNERY THROUGH THE LAST RESORT HOTEL PT.7 keep from being ghost-shark food ter at him, trying to melt him with After a ghost battle and a the plumber, and offer him to King making the player mash the A the spat-out pool-water. Luigi uses scare and fight with a possessed Boo, who should be delighted at button to then lose twenty health volleyballs to knock him sense- cabinet, Luigi enters the dance Luigi’s abduction, as a peace of- points once Luigi is spat out. less in the pool with just enough floor. The floor-fifteenth- but fering; remember that argument With the ghost-shark defeated, time for his clone to have the water ton is on the electronic multi- between them when Yellow Toad Polterpup then appears to give Lu- drain, trapping the muscular ghost colored dance floor. As he stands was freed? She wonders if King igi a helpful ghost-paw: he noses in the drain. With his goo-clone’s there eyeing it, the dance floor Boo would display Luigi with his a rope ladder down towards the help finished, Luigi shoots a - vol rises to become a stage, and brother, who’s above her head. green-clad fellow. When Yellow leyball at the ghost’s head to then stairs come out of the stage The owner tells him to find her, Toad is saved from his painting- suck his shades off, to only then traveling towards the plumber. and she finishes the clip by - say prison he slides down a cannon suck him up, finishing the battle. Both me and Luigi know it isn’t go- ing, “Try not to faint from sheer to Luigi. Once put back on his The new elevator button - the ing to be that simple. The plumber terror before then. I’ll be waiting feet, the Toad seems embar- fourteenth floor - slides into its journeys up the stage and towards in anticipation!” She puts on the rassed by the way he came to hole a heartbeat before Polterkitty the button, glancing around ner- same make-up from the start, and the plumber. Luigi and Yellow snatches it in her jaws to only swal- vously. After nothing comes up to the clip ends. Luigi, trembling, Toad, who would join his friends low it. Polterpup and Luigi come him, Luigi sighs in relief before a raises one hand to the screen, and with Gadd, head to the elevator. over to her as she licks a translu- ghost wearing a red afro appearing shakily says his brother’s name. Gravely watches from a screen cent forepaw. Nervously saying, to be a DJ, blasts out enough sound Gadd calls to tell him to find the as the third Toad leaves. She “No, no, no. Nice kitty,” Luigi and to send the plumber flying off owner and free his big brother. turns to see King Boo, who isn’t the ghostly pup at his side watch stage. This is where some ghosts After this, Luigi has to gather pleased there was a “ tiny slip- Polterkitty nonchalantly stroll come to enjoy her DJ playing. One keys to enter a room, but the keys up,” nor seems glad Luigi will be out of the elevator to then leap of the ghosts hides the elevator aren’t easy to get when red laser locked up in a frame. King Boo through a wall, with some difficul- button in his hoodie while the beams bar the way to them, and takes Mario and Peach’s paint- ty with the elevator button in her. other background dancer ghosts Gooigi can’t slip through. The first ings with him, as he doesn’t trust By chasing her for awhile, Luigi dance; then, the battle starts. room I tried had a model of the her with them. The owner seems has a chance to stun her before Once breaking up the dance to haunted house from Dark Moon disappointed she failed King Boo, she turns back into a big scary suck up the hoodie-wearing ghost along with a glowing, gem-like, then growls as the cutscene ends. cat with unsheathed claws at the with the button, the Poltergust and purple crescent moon up in Before Luigi can enter the eleva- ready. After doing the trick from expels the elevator button to- the “sky” of the model. This is tor to go to the thirteenth floor, earlier, she’ll head off to the cav- wards the DJ-ghost, who snatches where the camera zooms in to only he gets a call from the professor ern on floor twelve. On the way to it. Luigi gasps before the battle have a ghost startle both Luigi and with the VB. Gadd congratulates her, Polterpup, who is following starts with her tossing records at the player. The battle is quick and Luigi on saving all the Toads, Luigi like the loyal ghost-puppy the player. It simply makes the simple. After being re-spawned, and then wonders where Mario’s that he is, frightens him by jump- plumber jump to reveal her eyes, I was able to stop the lasers by and Peach’s paintings are, which ing out from behind a waterfall. stun her, and knock her around having Gooigi pull the power is a hilarious dramatic irony. After fighting off some ghosts, -Lu before she tries vainly not to be switch, then Luigi got the key. On the thirteenth floor, Luigi igi does the same trick, and then sucked up. Then Luigi gets the After a ghost fight with mummy- answers a call from an old-fash- heads off to the floor prior to the elevator button, with me chuck- wrapped ghosts, I head to the next ioned telephone; the call tells Spectral Castle. During the el- ling after the green-clad fellow door, only to dodge the lasers, this him Channel 3 will be playing evator ride to the Twisted Suites, says, “Groovy,” as he holds the is where I learned the player has to music for the training area. On three ghosts ambush Luigi for a floor-fifteenth elevator button. use Luigi to get the keys, not Gooi- the way to the boss fight, Luigi short and sweet ghost fight. After At the elevator, there’s a ghost gi. Since there was no ghost battle, doesn’t just go through several finding both Polterpup and Polter- fight easily won. The floor-fif- I head to the next room; this had ghost fights, he disturbs two big kitty hiding in top hats, the ghost teenth and final elevator button Luigi travel onto an elevator-like red ghosts working out, and in- kitten runs off to one of those box- trembles in his hand before fitting platform. By the time I left, I had vades some ghosts’ privacy as they es where a magician “saws” some- in its slot. Luigi’s visibly more ner- only nine hearts of health out of take a hot, steamy shower, which one in half (ending with Gooigi vous on this floor than the prior the twenty had. Because I was so is halted by Luigi, which soon and Luigi opening it to turn her floor with the many hoodie-wear- low on health, the long corridor ends with each ghost sucked up into the prowling lioness once ing ghosts and the DJ-ghost. On housing an army of ghost eas- by the Poltergust Double-Zero. more). The player has to do the the Master’s Suite, Luigi watches a ily killed me, but not the second Luigi enters the pool room. A vol- trick a third and final time before clip of Gravely, who clearly wasn’t round. Once the battle was over, I leyball flies towards the plumber the Poltergust sucks her up, and ready to be on camera as she swift- retrieved the fourth and final key. who dives away and crawls over to spits out the button instead of her. ly puts what looks like rouge on. On the way to the King Boo an electronic scoreboard. A burly On the fourteenth floor, the Dance She wonders how her staff can statue to place the keys, a battle ghost with sunglasses on appears Hall, Luigi isn’t nervously peer- be “so incompetent.” She real- in the corridor ensues. It isn’t as in the swimming pool, heaves a ing from the side the elevator like izes she underestimated both the simple as knocking some ghosts second ball, and the battle starts. he did for the last few floors, but plumber and professor, but just a around and sucking them up. Lu- Gooigi slips through some bars to creeping nervously into the neon bit though. She then congratulates igi has to shoot air downwards to where Polterpup is barking to show lights, like he similarly did on the Luigi by making it so far; howev- avoid a laser beam coming towards him where the water-pressure le- sixth floor - the Castle Macfrights er, that didn’t mean he won. The him. The battle over, he then ap- ver is; however, the ghost spits wa- - before the axe came for his head. owner explains she will capture proaches the King Boo statue, Jan 2020 32 CHARGING CENTER LUIGI’S JORNERY THROUGH THE LAST RESORT HOTEL PT.8 and puts all the keys in the holes on the ground to allow Luigi to Motioning with his hand for Luigi igi, who spins before falling down. of the statue’s large blue tongue. knock her around, and to avoid to follow, he enters another room. This is where the view is of the ho- He backs away nervously once the water rushing to melt Luigi’s This time not afraid of what was tel - dark, sinister, with neon green tongue retreats into the mouth to goo-clone. So with six things to on the other side, the green-clad and purple lights glowing into the open up a safe-like door, expos- keep track of, I died seven times. plumber takes out his flashlight to starry, inky-black night from a ing Gravely and Mario’s painting. There was one point where her explore the unknown with his big big King Boo sign, and a swarm Shaking from head to toe, the health was at 77 and Luigi’s was at brother. This is where the player of bats fluttering and screech- plumber listens to the owner say- 19; a red laser beam, which does has control over Luigi. At the door, ing. With Mario still calling Lu- ing, “Well, well, well . . . I honestly twenty, slams into the plumber, Gadd calls to explain he detects an igi over, the cowardly plumber didn’t think you’d had it in you. A killing him. I wanted to cry, be- unusual presence, and asks if the comes up to Mario, who wall scaredy-cat like you, making it this cause that was the closest I got to plumber is ready. The player has jumps to the top. Peering down at far . . . You’re just FULL of surprises!” defeating her. Gooigi deactivated the option to select either yes or no. Luigi, Mario calls, his voice echo- She turns her desk chair around lasers that are purple, teal-like I pressed no, because that’s what ing distantly down at the red- to face him. “You ransacked my blue, orange, and yellow, which the option was on first. I looked clad plumber’s younger brother, hotel, captured my staff with that all depletes ten hearts of health. around the room to find a heart, “Come on, bro!” before vanishing. strange vacuum of yours . . . And After fighting this boss for nearly but Luigi’s health was at a safe, The Dark-Light Device not ex- to top it off, you catnapped my an hour, I finally sucked her up. At full 99 hearts of health. Gadd posing a ladder connected to the sweetie, my little darling . . . my one point, I was sure I didn’t have calls again, and I answer yes. If rusty ladders leading to the top, precious Polterkitty! This isn’t her. My hands become sweaty not pressed no, he’ll tell Luigi to be Luigi has to travel by creeping ner- how it was supposed to happen!” long after my heart started pound- prepared; if pressed yes, he’ll say vously through the shadows to the Unable to keep her calm compo- ing ,and I noticed the health he has no more advice for him, top. At the top of the hotel, Mario sure, her eyes glow an evil red, and she had was less than a hun- wish him the best of luck, and stared pleadingly at his brother, her hair becomes unkempt, she dred when she had 600 health! the professor will shout out the to then beg Luigi to help Peach continues with her venting. Luigi, I really wanted to cry as I used word “No!” before static breaks in her painting. I pause the game still trembling visibly, shields his the Dark-Light on Mario’s paint- the deathly quiet with Gadd for when Mario’s cries of distress. as face with one hand while he sits on ing, because of how hard I found only a second. This is where the he stares at Princess Peach’s paint- the floor: “You weren’t supposed the boss fight. For someone - ac call ends, with the professor ing, echo around the roof of the to run away from King Boo like a tually good at video games, this seemingly not in his portable lab. hotel to then laugh. Never before filthy coward! If you’d let yourself would be a walk in the park. For Inside an unknown corridor, Ma- would I have dreamt of Mario - get caught in that painting, King me, who does not play video rio, who’s at the end of the hall, courageous, selfless, kind-hearted Boo would have showered me with games all that much because I vanishes to the left. If the player Mario - would be begging Luigi praise for my brilliant trap! But in- know I am somewhere between a pauses, instead of the map, it’ll to save Peach, and then cry out stead . . . Instead . . . I”VE LOST EV- mediocre player and a decent gam- be red mist blocking any form his distress aloud to echo eerily ERYTHING! BECAUSE OF YOU!” er, I found this really difficult, and of map; making this part of the and distantly off the Last Resort Realizing her demonic appear- I had to take a break to calm down game truly in the unknown, and Hotel’s roof. It’s almost scary to ance, she puts the same make- and to take some time off the frus- frightening as the player has no listen to, and if I wasn’t holding up on, appearing as she done tration and the fear I felt through- guidance from Gadd, just Ma- my Switch, I would have thought before losing control. She asks out this boss battle, especially the rio, who ran off soon after Luigi his cries were some fanfiction. if they should begin. After re- unbroken terror I felt as the boss’s enters this unknown hallway. But no; this is really in a Ninten- minding Luigi he’s a peace of- health was below a hundred. My heart pounding with fear I do game; this is really in a Mario fering to make King Boo trust Once Mario falls out from his hadn’t felt since I fought Gravely, game, though a spin off series. her again, she tells the plumber picture-prison, he looks at him- I control Luigi at the end of the After she floats down on the to make the fight enjoyable for self before spotting his little hallway; my heart must have ground, Peach exams herself to her. This is when she snaps her brother. Eyes wide and gleam- stopped when I cried out when hug the Mario Brothers, who fingers to prepare for battle. ing with delight, he then rushes Mario leaps in front of Luigi, come to embrace her. As he Mario’s painting, which is on a over to his brother, leaping into who falls onto the ground in hugs, Luigi glances behind him wall, flips behind the wall, and the Luigi’s embrace. As he dashes panic, to tell him to “Come on!” to see King Boo float up to con- door slams shut. Still trembling over, he congratues his brother This is where Mario guides his front him, Mario, and Peach. from head to toe, and whimper- as Luigi calls out Mario’s name. younger, more cowardly broth- King Boo tells the green-clad ing in terror as he glances around With the warm greeting between er up some stairs. As I lead the plumber he should have run while nervously for an escape route to the brothers over, Luigi pulls him plumber to his brother, Mario he had the chance (he wouldn’t avoid a fight, Luigi climbs onto his toward the way he came. Ma- calls Luigi to “Come on!” and by have gotten far with the hotel feet, about to face down the hotel rio, breaking free from his little name, which when he does say his door welded shut), then vents owner of the Last Resort Hotel. brother’s seemingly gentle but brother’s name, he sounds impa- how Luigi was able to capture all The battle wasn’t easy. For one, firm grip, tugs Luigi to the spot tient. At one point, Mario leaps the ghosts, how he was able to free Gooigi has to deactivate some la- he been standing before guid- onto a landing, which crumbles the three Toads, Mario, and Peach sers, and the player has to watch ing Mario, pointing towards his away, then, dashing up anoth- from the paintings, all which was Gooigi’s process underground. paining. He runs over to the place er flight of stairs, calls his little frustrating for him to know. The If the lasers are too close to Lu- where his picture was hidden and brother by his name, with more King of all Boos calls Gravely use- igi, where Gravely is at that point rams his shoulder into the wall, impatience than a moment ago. less when she failed to keep every- of time, she will slam her mirror exposing a door behind the wall. At the top, he jumps out at Lu- one in paintings. He finishes his 33 Jan 2020 CHARGING CENTER LUIGI’S JORNERY THROUGH THE LAST RESORT HOTEL PT.9 little monologue by saying, “I’m his tongue to attack, as well as a tel collapses from its foundation. struction hat at Luigi before hand- sick of this! No more mercy for spikey ball. The spikey ball ex- The roof cracking underfoot, ing over some to the ghosts; the you, Luigi! No more tricks - no plodes to reveal bombs, which Gooigi says, “Bye-bye,” before professor’s wearing one as well. more carefully laid plans! Now have to be tossed into his mouth. plumber, goo-clone, Dark-Moon The end credits start, and pic- it’s time for raw King Boo gusto! With his mouth on fire and smok- gem, and painting get swal- tures of Luigi and the others, in- You’re all going in a painting! An ing, he lays down for Luigi and lowed by a massive dust cloud cluding the ghosts, Gooigi, and ensemble portrait is your fate!” Gooigi to knock him around. as the ground crumbles away. Polterpup, all help to make a King Boo then shows the portable After the first round of being Screaming in sheer terror, eyes museum out of the ruined Last lab, which he uses his Dark-Moon knocked around, he makes a copy closed for the impact of shatter- Resort Hotel. The player sees the crown to destroy before stuffing of himself. Once doing it a second ing bones and torn flesh throb- work done to the new building. the professor and the three Toads time, it gets worse as a cutscene bing with blood-gushing wounds, The amount of money Luigi col- into a massive frame. He advanc- plays: King Boo makes the frame gripping the painting for dear lects determines the rank of the es to the trio as Polterpup chases massive, as Luigi, crying out in life, the green-clad plumber stops museum he builds with his men- a purple-black bat. Mario steps terror, with one hand shielding his from falling several hundred feet tor, ghosts, friends and family. in front of face, off the ground. “Polterpup!” I Mine was rank C, and I’m proud Peach as notices cry out as Luigi notices the ghost of that; it’s better than I expected. the King the pup holding him before the en- I also forgot to mention this game of all Boos hotel ergetic pup barks in delight. has multiplayer options, along moves the seems As Polterpup woofed in con- with collecting Boos and gems. frame over to be- tentment born from pride for So, any person wanting to play to them. gin helping the cowardly plumber, this game with friends can, and Polterpup to be Luigi lands in the dirt, a dust those dedicated gamers who want crashes into swal- cloud appearing under the frame. to complete this game can know Luigi, send- lowed Overjoyed to see Luigi, Polter- I hadn’t even attempted to com- ing him fly- up in pup comes over to him, licking plete this game 100%. This game ing off his the pic- him and tail wagging when the took me 13 hours, 44 minutes, feet, a heart- ture, plumber pets him under the chin. and 40 seconds to fully complete. beat before which Gooigi falls, splashing into The ending cutscene starts: Ma- the frame is swirl- flecks of green goo; then, the goo- rio, Peach, the three Toads, and slams onto ing clone reforms, waving to Liugi, Luigi, whose waving farewell, are Mario and with who greets him by saying, “Oh, on the bus back to their home, Peach. The blue hello.” Getting up, Luigi takes probably the Mushroom King- ghost pup and the frame over to a large boulder, dom. Luigi bids farewell to his jumps off his chest to continue the purple light. This is where King leans it against the rock, and uses mentor, his goo-clone, and ghosts. chase, and Luigi climbs to his feet Boo makes two copies of him- the Dark-Light on the painting. He sits down in the middle of the as he watches the picture moved self - three King Boos! But, oh First Peach appears before head- double-seat, then moves closer next to King Boo, who notices no, it gets even worse. There’s a ing over to Luigi; Mario, com- to the window, which is pour- only six in the frame, not seven. timer steadily, terribly, count- ing next, who’s followed by Red ing golden sunlight from either Glaring at Luigi, King Boo won- ing down, starting at 3:59. Toad and Blue Toad, whom land dawn or dusk; presumably dawn ders how the plumber avoided the “This is chaos!” I shout at my in a heap; Yellow Toad stumbles though. As Luigi watches the sun frame before saying, “UGH! That’s Switch as Luigi, in vain, dodges into the heap of Toads. Finally, tainting the green hills and trees it! I’m sick to double death of you! at-the-ready explosives raining Luigi’s mentor and inventor of gold, Polterpup pops out from the You want to fight me? FINE! Let’s down from the black night sky. It’s the Poltergust G-00, appears last, other seat. The ghost pup licks go, Luigi! This is the end for you, in vain, because I die soon after landing in the dust before be- the green-clad plumber, curls up once and for all! HERE I COME!” the three King Boos’ laugh as Lu- ing helped to his feet by Gadd’s next to him to drift off to sleep, Whimpering and his teeth igi, who stands on his feet to only tester of the Poltergust G-00, and Luigi watches the dawn for chattering in terror, Luigi ner- collapse with a heart right beside Gooigi, and the Super Suction. a moment before yawning. As he vously waits for the start of the him, climbs to his feet and dies. After being greeted by the friends stretches, he falls asleep, snoring. battle that could have him save Finally with 34 health and with and family he saved, Luigi picks up The bus heads towards the sun his mentor, friends, and family, 1:43 on the timer, Luigi sucks up the Dark-Moon gem. A few ghosts before being swallowed by its or have him follow Blue Toad, Yel- King Boo. The Poltergust Double- pop out of the gallery container, golden rays. And with that ends low Toad, Red Toad, Peach, Ma- Zero spits out the Dark-Moon gem and with eyes closed tightly and the game, Luigi’s Mansion 3. rio, and Professor E. Gadd. The the King of all Boos had worn holding onto the gem for life, Lu- battle starts, and the player has on top of his Dark-Moon crown. igi braces himself for a ghostly re- control over Luigi, who died (for Luigi picks it up, and the gem venge; however, it vanishes before me) seven times in the final battle. allows the frame to shrink to its any harm can be done to Luigi. King Boo’s attacks are a purple- normal size; the picture falling, This is when Luigi and the ghosts lightning attack where the player the plumbers toss aside the gem notice the destruction around has to avoid the glowing purple to snatch the frame. The ground them: boulders, a King Boo statue, squares before being struck. There trembles under both Luigi and columns surrounding them all. are tongue moves where he uses his goo-clone’s feet, and the ho- Gadd comes up, thrusts a con- Jan 2020 34 CHARGING CENTER UNIIQUE MMO MOBILE LEGENDS By Mikah Nelson can choose to divide the points By Mikah Nelson which is covered by this section Charging Center Editor received from leveling up. Toram Charging Center Editor more than expected. Like the Toram is a very unique mass also has something that most Looking for a good mobile game other MOBAs we’ve covered, there multiplayer online role playing RPGs don’t have and that is that to play? Well have I got a game for are different roles such as jungler game (MMORPG). Unlike most a player can buy skill pages which you. Introducing Mobile Legends: champion and a tank champion. MMOs where the class you pick is also means that one can have Bang Bang. Before we get into the There is a three lane battle system what your stuck with, with Toram five classes but you need to have what the game has in store for as usual with MOBAs, and there is a player can pick from a variety the skill for that class equipped you this game is free to play. Yeah, of course the shop. There are more of weapons from a Katana (Japa- in your quick slots. Come take that's right. There are in app pur- than twenty plus champions to nese sword) to a bow. Like in most a look a this wonderful game. chases, but that doesn't increase choose from. From a cyclops as- RPG’s there are stats where one your skill. Now let's get into the tronomer to an interdimensional game. Mobile Legends (ML), is wolf boy. There are tons to choose a Multiplayer online battle arena from, so why not give it a shot? otherwise known as a MOBA 2020 Chancellor Yearbook Senior Recognition Ad Order Form Senior recognition ads are on sale from now until February 15, 2020.

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