//------------------------------//
// Y.U.C.S Mission #1: Part 2 
// Story: Spike and the Yo-kai 
// by Darth Severus 
//------------------------------//

Spike followed Chocolate Harmony to a back alley, a bit nervous, he asked, "Is this where we're looking for Yo-kai?"

Chocolate Harmony nodded, "Yo-kai tend to like places like this, you'll always find a couple of Yo-kai in areas like this. Do be careful though, Yo-kai aren't the only thing you'll find in a back alley, so keep this for protection from any thugs that aren't Yo-kai." before handing Spike a capsule of mace.

Spike's eyes widened when she gave him a capsule of mace, but considering how nervous he was being in this back alley, he thought it would keep him safe from anyone lurking in the alley.

As they walked around the alley, both of the Y.U.C.S members' Yo-Kai Watches reacted to a hidden Yo-kai. Chocolate Harmony smiled and said, "Well, here's your first test, find the hiding Yo-kai and try to become friends with it. There's two ways to become friends with Yo-kai outside the Crank-a-Kai, negotiation or confrontation. But I'm sure you already knew that."

Spike nodded, "Yeah, Whisper told me that a while ago." before activating his Yo-Kai Lens and looking for the Yo-Kai. Suddenly, a small Yo-kai appeared, and Spike asked, "Hey Whisper, what's this Yo-Kai?"

Whisper looked at his Yo-kai Pad and said, "Ah, this is Ake. He causes mildly painful shoulders. You see him in gyms where people get sore from working out too much without proper rest and recovery."

Spike was slightly concerned about a Yo-kai that causes physical pain, but he also wondered what Ake was doing in a side alley like this instead of a gym like Whisper had mentioned. He walked up to the Yo-kai and asked, "Excuse me? My name's Spike. I was wondering, what are you doing here? You seem like you'd have more fun being in the gym a few blocks away."

The Yo-Kai sighed, not even realizing a human was speaking to him, "Normally, yeah, I hang out at that gym, but ever since that jerk Agon arrived there, he won't let any of us Ake in the gym anymore, says that we can't come in until we evolve into Payn, but evolving's not that easy..."

Spike was upset that even Yo-kai were subjects to bullying and said, "Hey, if you want, we can be friends and I'll help you evolve."

Ake looked to Spike with a gleeful look and said, "Really!? Thank you so much! It's a deal!" before summoning his Yo-Kai Medal and giving it to Spike. "Call me whenever you need me or think you can evolve me into Payn!" before disappearing.

Spike smiled, and Chocolate Harmony told him, "Good job Spike, part one of your test is complete. Now, let's go to Shoten Temple for the next part, evolving Ake into Payn."

As Spike followed Chocolate Harmony to the temple, he wondered what would be at the temple that could help Ake evolve. When he saw a monk, he asked, "Are you able to help me evolve Ake?"

The monk chuckled, "Indeed I am. I've been using these for a while, but I'm too old to use them anymore." before handing Spike a pair of 20 lb. dumbbells.

Spike realized that Ake must need the dumbbells in order to evolve into Payn and summoned him.

As he put Ake's medal into his Yo-Kai Watch, a song played, "Marvelous thee, gutsy free banshee, sing song Shady!" which must have been a summoning chant for Shady Yo-kai.

When Ake arrived, he noticed the dumbbells Spike was holding and said, "Th-Those are Buff Weights! That's just what I need to evolve into Payn! Are you really giving them to me?"

Spike nodded, handing the dumbbells over to Ake, saying, "Of course, friends help each other out. If you really want to show Agon that you're strong, you'll need the proper equipment to get stronger."

Ake nodded, "Thanks!" before lifting the dumbbells in his small hands and soon enough, he started to glow, and he looked completely different. He had some orange hair and a goatee, as well as a more muscular figure, and a pipe in his mouth. Ake, now Payn, thanked Spike, "Thanks a lot pal, without your help, I don't think I'd have been able to evolve. I owe you one, so if you ever decide to come to the gym, I'll make sure not to inspirit you and let you enjoy your workout in peace."

Spike smiled, "Thanks for that Payn. Now go show Agon how strong you really are!"

Chocolate Harmony smiled, "Good job Spike, you've learned about evolution now. Some Yo-kai evolve when they get strong enough, but others need special items, or even other Yo-kai in order to evolve. Learning about evolution was your test, and you passed with flying colors. But it's starting to get dark, you should get home before your mom starts to worry."

Spike nodded, "Right." before heading back to Y.U.C.S HQ to grab his bike and pedaled back home, thinking about how he reacted towards Ember earlier before. "I should apologize the next time I see her... I know they mean well, but they don't know what it's like to grow up without your father around."

Whisper nodded as he followed Spike, "Apologizing would be the best course of action."

As Spike put his bike in the garage for the night and walked into the house, his mom called for him, "Just in time Spike! I finished that spicy chicken stew recipe you've been wanting me to make!"

Spike licked his lips as he sat down at the table and started eating. The soup was so spicy that he had gone through three glasses of milk to cool his mouth down.

His mom giggled as he kept pouring himself more milk and asked, "Too spicy for you? I'll alter the recipe a bit next time, so it won't be as spicy."

Spike smiled, "Thanks mom, I'm going to go to bed." before stretching his arms and yawning, heading upstairs to bed.

As she washed the dishes, Spike's mom sighed, taking off her glasses and looking at them. "Should I tell him about the fact I can see that marshmallow ghost friend of his?" before putting them back on and continuing to wash the dishes.