Spectre's Secret

by inpartial

Chuffer Bob the Meerca sighed. He knew he couldn't win even one game of Cheat!. But why did he always keep trying and trying every year? He even counted the days left until the next tournament. Although Chuffer Bob was an experienced Cheat! player and had played Cheat! since he was 8, he never won one single game. He was an aggressive player and always accused people of cheating. But most times his opponents weren't cheating. Chuffer Bob walked outside his straw hut and into Neopia Central with a low self-esteem trailing along behind him.

The Cheat! Tournament was held inside a beautiful glass dome where more than 7000 NeoPets and their owners could watch the action. Chuffer Bob greeted his friends, Brucey B, Agent 00 Hog, Kalora the Kau, and Branston the Eyrie. Spectre, as usual, strutted into the dome, with his towering Grarrl bodyguards behind him. The Jetsam smiled, and went to his first three opponents' table. Chuffer Bob was one of them, and Kalora and Capara the Kyrii were another of his victims. Chuffer Bob let out a drop of sweat. Spectre! he thought. Why do I have to play Spectre first? Can't I just play the easier opponents first?

The Grundo announcer boomed from his microphone, "Welcome to the 74th Annual Cheat! Tournament! There are currently 18 players present in the tournament! Spectre was our last champion. Well, actually, he was our champion 19 times, not losing any of his games! Let's hope this year there can be somebody brave and smart enough to outwit him."

Spectre snickered, and the game began. Chuffer Bob, with 4 jacks, 3 fives, 2 sixes, 1 seven and 3 fours in his hand, played his 4 jacks. Spectre watched Chuffer Bob's every move with this glaring eyes. No one accused Chuffer of cheating and Kalora and Capara played their cards, no one accusing them. It was Spectre's turn. He played 3 ones. Chuffer accused Spectre, but he wasn't cheating. Spectre laughed a sinister laugh, and the next turn began. Chuffer had 16 cards in his hand now! He couldn't afford to lose. But Spectre knew his every move. He had to play a 2, 3, or 4 now. But instead, he played a five. Spectre accused him, and Chuffer got back his cards. ....But how did he know? Chuffer had on one of his calm and casual looks on him....That was weird.......

After Kalora and Capara played, a strange thing had happened. One of Spectre's cards seemed to have floated 3 inches off his hand! Chuffer asked Kalora and Capara if they saw that. They nodded. Spectre was sweating, but it didn't seem like he had noticed that. But Chuffer asked Spectre anyway. "O-o-o-of course not....That's a crazy idea. My Cheat! skills must be driving you crazy, eh?" he replied weakly. Spectre was sweating more than ever! Another card floated 5 inches off his hand ,then another and another!

"ARGH! NO! MY PSYCHIC POWERS ARE MALFUNCTIONING!" he cried. The crowd gasped. "Psychic powers!?" Chuffer exclaimed. "N-n-o-o-o-o, uh, um...you heard something?" Spectre replied. ".....I GET IT! That's why you play some well! You gained Psychic powers from the Light Faerie!" Chuffer smiled. Speechless, Spectre hung his head in shame. He admitted to his crime and was banned from the Cheat! tournament forever. "I'll get my revenge......someday!" the steaming Jetsam screamed.

The game went on, and Chuffer had won! It was a close game, Capara with 2 cards, Chuffer with 1, and Kalora with 4. The cheerful Meerca went home with a beautiful shining trophy and 250000 Neopoints. One of life's greatest mysteries have been solved.....he thought.

The End