The Great Aquapit

Imagine the show showdown they have in store for us.

Hehe, this brings me back to the dome design contest they had a few years ago, when they just made their debuts!

The duel ended all those years ago without a winner, but who will win the right to design Zeruertza's next landmark? Let us—

Let me get a sip of water first.

Croque, I've never seen you so enthusiastic. Have you been drinking?

No. Not yet, at least.

Now this isn't like you at all.

I was watching videos of a competition on the surface that I got from Inam, and it seems they have a role called 'the MC'.

I thought I might dip into a new career path.

Anyhow! Although the architects' designs are yet to come, my fellow citizens, the tail end of our summer is going to be a fleeting one!

Before the slide is blown up, let us enjoy it all we can!

Ohhhh!

Gavial!

Tomimi, watch out! Slow down!

I was so, so jealous when I heard you guys went to the waterfall in Acahualla!

Hehe, and this time I get to join in on the fun!

You're such a kid.

Hm? What's wrong? You're usually so careful to hide your tail. Let's see... Did it get thicker again?

Eh? Nope, not even a little! I checked with a measuring tape before I got here! It's been months since I got any thicker!

Oh? Sounds like you're really hung up on it.

Waaaahhh... Eat my water blast!

Heh, you little runt! It's on!

They're more like Durins than you are.

How would you know what it means to be 'Durin', Lupo?

You seem a little nervous. Are you worried about your contest with Catch?

Worried? Over him? Don't make me laugh. I haven't fallen so low. It's just laypeople tend to like his proposals more.

Mine get their fair share of fans, too. Perhaps I should be bringing something different to the table. That's how I'll win.

Perhaps I should just... *sigh*! I should probably take my mind off of that right now.

To tell the truth... if we don't care about aesthetics and just look at how fun it is, this 'Great Aquapit' isn't so bad.

Oh, so you enjoy these things, too?

Every now and then.

Stitch, you're here!

Want to try out the slide with the downstream speed set to max? It wears the equipment out, so we don't usually get to do it.

I just tried it a couple times with Elysium. It was amazingly fast!

It does hurt a little when you hit the water, though. Still, wanna try?

No, thanks. I'm not one bit interested in fun and games like...

Whooo! Bombs away!

Catch, my brother! This impact force is on another level! Did you see how high that splash went?!

Maybe we should try something different. Say... see which of us can land with the tiniest splash?

Keep the splashes small? Good idea! Sounds like it won't hurt nearly as bad.

My sand castle...

(Hey, uh, Catch, did we perhaps... screw up?)

(Uh, even though this is Stitch we're talking about, he can't possibly be mad over a sand castle, right?)

(He seems rather angry to me, though.)

(In that case, we should probably...)

Hey, where are you two going? You're just going to run? Get back here!

Yep, you did very well getting everyone going.

I have your video tapes to thank. That's where I picked it up.

Next, we can hold a series of contests to keep the enthusiasm that goes with this 'championship' contest going, then we'll use Catch and Stitch's design contest in a few months to pump everyone up to the max.

We could print some paper slips for the audience to use to show their support for one side, with prizes given to those who pick the right side.

We call those lottery tickets. You're really good at picking things up. Up on the surface, there are merchants who line their pockets by selling them.

We Durins don't much care for money in that way... Let's have the losing side pay for the winners' drinks for a month!

Hm, we could make it two months to make things more exciting, too. We'll have to decide with a referendum.

Later on, perhaps we could issue some more lottery tickets covering how many months' worth of alcohol are owed in the end.

I'm starting to worry about the Zeruertzans' future.

Hm, I'm not used to feeling unhelpful.

What's wrong? Do you have to beat something up to satisfy yourself?

Not really.

Still, if this goes well, Acahualla will get its hands on some Durin. Would've been a totally pointless trip otherwise.

Gavial may have left home a long time ago, but she actually really cares about Acahualla!

Yeah, I've been to so many different places, but the rainforest is the one place where I feel most at home.

Are you going to come back, then?

Not planning on it. Not yet, at least. I still have lots of patients to take care of back at Rhodes Island.

There are plenty of Tiacauh who want you to go back. You could think about becoming their lord ameer, even.

Yeah, and they want bananas to sprout straight out of the soil, too. Can't always get what you want.

Gavial, you would be the most fitting lord ameer for Acahualla. You are the only one who can rein in each and every Tiacauh.

Everyone is awaiting your return.

And if you simply cannot do it, then it's ultimately likely... that a lord ameer from the Court of Sargon will come to govern Acahualla instead.

And when that happens, Acahualla will no longer be the free land you knew.

But don't we already have you for our Great Chief?

There are some things I can't do anything about.

I can come up with ideas to help get us in better shape, but I'm not the one who can really bring the Tiacauh together.

It's not like I'm running away from responsibility here, Inam.

It's just... I haven't thought through how to actually do it.

You know how to think? Color me surprised.

Hey, Zumama, you picking a fight?!

What I'm saying is, you usually do stuff without thinking.

And that's fine when it's just me, but this is about all those Tiacauh...

All good things must come to an end. Isn't that right? So this giant slide will be torn down for something new.

I actually didn't catch much of what you were talking about. All I want to say is, my friends, let me get a picture of all of you together while it's still standing.

Haha, alright, let's toss all this complicated stuff aside for now.

Right now, we gotta have fun!

Tomimi, you gimme a smile, too!

Looks like you've mastered the Durin philosophy.

Well, it's not often we get a vacation. As if I'm gonna waste it!

Well said! Here's to you! How about some berry tomato wine? It's on me.

Nah, I'll have to pass on that.

My, what a graceful way to disappear.

Here I thought you would pass out from all that drink and miss the demolition.

Haha, I know how to have a good time.

Though, at times like these, I generally keep myself clearheaded.

That's the most basic respect I have for things as they fade away.

Whoa, were you actually a secret genius? That would be such a cheap cliche, even in the Zeruertzan library.

Oh, you little rascal!

Stitch.

Catch...

It's time we got serious. Let's both do our best, fair and square.

Shake hands if you agree?

Alright... Out of the most basic respect for another Zeruertzan.

Say, you two actually get along pretty well, don't you?

What, are you blind?! Where'd you get that idea?

Now, things are going to get real from here on out!

Has Croque been drinking...?

The warm-up of warm-ups, the prelude to preludes! The first season of the Zeruertza Competition Series!

*Drumroll*—Ta-dah! A swimming contest!

How about it?