At night
Matthews Apartment
Riley, Topanga, Cory, and Elliot were at the dinner table.
"Family Game Night. My favorite night of the month. Just me, my family, and my jammie pants." Cory smiled.
"Why do you guys have to make such a big deal about Game Night?" Riley asked.
"Because Game Night is sacred, Riley. I know this is gonna come as a shock to you, but there's gonna come a day where you start to prioritize friends over your family." Cory told her afterlife.
"What? No." Riley shook her head in 'disbelief'.
"Oh boy." Elliot sighed.
Topanga raised an eyebrow.
Maya and Farkle then came in.
'Did you tell them yet? Did he freak? Did she tell you? Did you freak? Show me what you did. Freak out for me." Maya smiled.
"Wait let me get this on camera." Farkle took out his phone and began recording.
"Why would I freak out? I don't freak out. What did you do?!" Cory asked Riley in a freaked out voice.
Just then Josh and Auggie came in.
"Family Game Night, now with extra family." Auggie pointed to Josh.
"Well, hello." Maya twirled her hair and smiled at Josh.
Elliot rolled his eyes at Maya.
"Well, hello." Auggie mocked.
Elliot chuckled.
"Auggie didn't want to miss Game Night. We never made it out of the city. Oh, here's your money." Josh gave Cory a dollar.
"Hey, this is a dollar. I gave you a hundred." Cory told him.
"With that kind of money, you think we're not gonna buy steaks?" Josh asked.
"Thank you, papa." Auggie lifted his shirt and patted his stomach.
Topanga chuckled.
"You know what? My brother!" Cory stood up and cheered.
"My brother!" Josh cheered.
They hugged.
"Listen, you're here for Game Night. You're family, you're in." Cory told him.
"Lucas." The intercom buzzed.
"Come on up." Riley buzzed him in.
"Oh boy." Elliot sighed.
"Topanga. It's happening. I thought we had a few more years." Cory whispered to Topanga.
"Calm down," Topanga told him.
"No calm. It's happening right now. Riley invited her crush to family game night." Cory whispered.
"Ok A) you suck at whispering and B) he's not just her crush he's her friend," Maya told him.
"Riley, snookums. Um, you're gonna have to start to prioritize what's more important to you, your family, huh? Or your friends? There is only one right answer." Cory told her.
"Why do I -" Riley began.
"Wrong answer." Cory cut her off.
"-have to choose between-" Riley began again.
"Wrong answer." Cory cut her.
"I love my friends and I want to hang out with my friends," Riley told him.
"Welcome to Family Game Night, friend." Riley opened the door for Lucas.
"Wrong, wrong answer," Cory said upset.
"How are you ok with this?" Cory asked Elliot.
"Well, we are in a family-friendly environment, I am here to stop anything from happening and nothing will happen in the first place," Elliot told his dad.
"Right Cowboy?" Elliot glared at Lucas.
Lucas nodded.
"We've developed an understanding," Elliot told Cory.
"You've betrayed me." Cory hissed at Elliot.
______________________________________
At night
Matthews Apartment
Cory was talking to Elliot, Riley, and Topanga in the kitchen while Maya, Farkle, Lucas, and Auggie were watching from the living room.
"Get rid of him," Cory told the twins.
"Why do you have to be you all the time?" Riley asked.
"You think it's easy?" Cory asked.
Cory then turned to Topanga.
"Say goodbye to your children, honey. Riley and Elliot have chosen their friends over their family." Cory told her.
"We didn't choose anyone you're overreacting," Elliot told her.
"Why can't we just play with her friends?" Topanga asked.
"Because Topanga, the second they allowed Mr. Howdy into our household, our family was compromised an interloper," Cory told her.
Riley and Elliot went to their friends and began watching Cory and Topanga from afar.
"Maybe I could just come back another time," Lucas said.
"Oh, yeah, we don't have walls," Cory said then turned to Topanga.
"I told you we needed walls, Topanga," Cory told Topanga.
"So you must be-" Josh began.
"Howdy," Lucas said.
They shook hands.
"See this? 'The Family Game. The game for families'." Cory read off the box of the game.
"Not 'The Friends Game, a game for friends.' I saw that game. I didn't buy that game. I bought this one because I used to have a family." Cory hissed.
"Will you stop?" Topanga asked as she was getting annoyed.
"How could they choose their friends over us? I mean, did they burp them? Did they change their diapers?" Cory asked as he stood up on the couch.
"We haven't yet, but we will when they're old." Farkle smiled.
"Ok, none of you are going in my end zone. Except for you babe." Elliot winked at Maya.
Maya gave him a disgusted look.
"Speak for yourself, honey. I know that I have the absolute love and loyalty of my children who like me fine and always will." Topanga smiled as she sat down next to Riley.
"Everybody's here. Everybody plays." Riley said.
"Cory, flipping out is only gonna make things worse. Do you really want that?" Topanga asked.
"Yeah, dad. It's like what you were teaching today." Riley stood up on the couch as well.
"I was teaching about The American Revolution, Riley. How is this anything like The American Revolution? How?" Cory asked.
"Let's think." Riley said and they both began to think.
______________________________________
That morning
History Class
"The American Revolution. Imagine England as a father. And America, it's a child. Knowing it's time to break away. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Revolutionary War." Cory announced.
Farkle then came in dressed as a King.
"Subjects. It is I, King George III, ruler of The British empire. Now, where is that rebellious John Adams? Who dares chooses his American friends over his King?" Farkle asked.
"Here I am!" Riley came running in and pushed Farkle out of the way.
"John Quincy Adams," Riley announced.
"Riley, uh, you're actually John Adams," Cory told her.
Riley then went to Cory.
"Who's that?" Riley asked.
"John Adams was the father of John Quincy Adams," Cory told her.
"But our school is John Quincy Adams," Riley told him.
'My school was John Adams." Cory told her.
"Your school was the father of my school?" Riley asked confused.
"Does that make sense to you?" Cory asked.
"None of this does," Riley told him.
"I'm also gonna be your teacher next year," Cory told her.
"You're kidding me." Riley sighed.
"Now back to our story," Corey told her.
Riley stood in front of the class.
"It is I, John not Quincy Adams," Riley announced.
She then went back to Cory.
'Wait, why'd they name the school after this guy? I mean, he must have done something." Riley told him.
"He did. He did something, we're gonna get to it." Cory told her.
"So, John Adams, where are your rebel friends?" Cory asked.
"With me as always. Hark! Here's one right now." Riley said.
Lucas then came in dressed as George Washington.
"Looking good, Georgie Washington." Riley flirted.
"John, you're embarrassing me," Lucas told her.
"Good! Now, may I introduce, he is crazy smart, he's rocking granny glasses, the old kite flyer himself, Benjamin Franklin!" Riley announced.
"I'm not doing this," Maya said from outside.
"Come on, we can't start The Revolution without you," Lucas told her.
"Fine, but nobody looks at me," Maya said.
"Okay, nobody look at Maya!" Riley announced.
Maya then reluctantly came in and looked incredibly funny in her Benjamin Frankin costume.
The whole class laughed.
"Why, Benjamin Franklin, can you feel the electricity between us? Haaa!" Farkle flirted with her.
"When do we get rid of this guy?" Maya asked as she pointed to Farkle.
"Right now! King George, the American colonies want their freedom." Riley announced.
"You belong to me, and I will never let you go. It's the King's law!" Farkle announced.
______________________________________
That Night
Matthews Apartment
"You and Elliot belong to me until you both are 18. It's the law." Cory told Riley.
"God, why are you being such a King Geroge. Can't we work something out." Elliot suggested.
"Yeah, King George." Riley glared at Cory.
"Stop calling me that," Cory told his kids.
"What's the matter? Pops doesn't like pops' lesson?" Maya asked.
"Yeah." Riley glared at Cory.
Maya took the board and began setting it with everyone.
"Listen, guys, not everything I teach you in class applies to our lives," Cory told them.
"It does, every time, sir," Lucas told him.
"Okay, the game is all set up. We're doing this thing, or what?" Josh asked.
"No," Cory said stubbornly.
"Yes," Riley said.
"Do you guys even know how to play The Family Game?" Cory asked with attitude.
"Let me teach you." Maya stood up and pushed Cory and he sat on the couch.
"Because I'm always here, and you can't get rid of me," Maya said.
"Always wins." Maya pointed to Topanga.
"Always eats too much popcorn and says, 'I'm never eating popcorn again.' Maya said as she pointed towards Riley.
"But it's so delicious," Riley said as she had popcorn in her mouth.
"Always cheats because he wants to win.' Maya pointed to Farkle.
"Always ends up to tipping the board game off because he is a sore loser," Maya said as she pointed to Elliot.
"I have a short temper." Elliot defended himself.
"Would you be on my team, Uncle Josh?" Auggie asked.
"Try and stop me." Josh smiled.
"Okay, I'll stop you. You're on my team." Maya pulled Josh towards herself.
"He's my Uncle." Auggie pulled Josh towards his side.
"He's my husband." Maya pulled Josh towards her.
"Congratulations." Auggie let go of Josh.
"Wait, Maya, what are you doing? We are always teammates for game night." Elliot said hurt.
"Elliot we need to have a talk," Maya told him.
"What kinda talk?" Elliot asked.
Maya took Elliot to the side.
"Josh is never really here for Game Night," Maya told him.
"So?" Elliot asked with attitude.
"So can I please be with him?" Just this once?" Maya asked.
"No." Elliot shook his head.
"Please." Maya pouted and gave him a puppy dog look.
"Don't give me that look. You know I can't say to no to you when you give me that look." Elliot said miserably.
Maya continued giving him the look.
"Alright fine! You can be with Josh." Elliot said bitterly.
"Yes thank you." Maya kissed him on the cheek.
Is that all I'm ever gonna get... Elliot thought.
"The goal is to get into one of the four success squares with your teammate," Farkle informed.
"And then you win. It makes this sound." Auggie pressed the button and it made a victory sound.
" I win!" Topanga cheered as she sat up a little.
"Oh, it hasn't happened yet." She then sat back down.
"What's the big circle in the middle for?" Lucas asked.
"Oh, we don't go there. If even one person goes in there, then you have to play The Long Game." Elliot told him.
"What's The Long Game?" Lucas asked.
"I don't know. We've never played it." Riley told him.
"It sounds intriguing, right? Should we find out today?" Farkle asked.
"No, it takes forever," Topanga told him.
"And you don't get to hear this." Cory pressed the button and it made a victory sound.
"I win! Oh, something's wrong with me." Topanga said after she cheered.
The doorbell rang.
"I win! Oh, my goodness." Topanga sighed.
"Now who could that be?" Cory asked.
Auggie opened the door.
"Hi, Auggie." Ava was outside and waved.
She then saw the board game.
"Hey, you're playing a game? Can I be on your team?" Ava asked.
Auggie then brought Ava in.
"You're on your own, pal. My woman's here." Auggie told Josh.
"Sure, Auggie. Bring your woman in. Let's bring in everybody. Why don't we put up signs on the telephone poles next to the cats and the dogs? 'Matthews Family Game Night.' Only not really, it's kind of Everybody Family Game Night. Isn't it? Huh? Isn't it?!" Cory freaked out.
"There's the freakout. Best show in town. Do you feel better now, buddy?" Maya asked.
"I do, thank you." Cory smiled.
"Thank you." Maya pointed to the sky, basically thanking God.
Josh then got a text.
"Oh, I can't stay. My buddy is having a really cool party tonight." Josh said after he read the text.
______________________________________
That night
Matthews Apartment
Soon Josh left.
"Well it looks like you and I can be teammates," Maya told Elliot.
"Oh great. I'm sooooo happy to hear that I'm your second choice." Elliot said bitterly
"You're not my second choice. I just wanted to be with Josh for a change." Maya told him.
"Oh that makes everything better." Elliot said sarcastically.
______________________________________
That night
Matthews Apartment
"Wait everyone is partnered up but me," Cory told them.
"You can be with Maya dad. I've decided that I'm not playing tonight. I'm gonna be the Game Show Host." Elliot announced.
"What?!" Everyone shouted.
"But Elliot we're always teammates," Maya told him.
"That's exactly what I told you before you chose Josh over me." Elliot glared at her.
"El-" Maya began.
"Ok here is what the Game Show Host will do. I make sure everyone follows the rules and plays fair." Elliot announced.
Elliot then saw Ava putting fake game money in her bag.
"Especially this one," Elliot said and tried to grab as many as fake money from her as possible.
"Ava!" Auggie said in disbelief.
"Shh. I'm doing this for us, baby." Ava smirked.
"Okay. The object of this game is to create a family, protect it, and get safely through a world of obstacles that will test how strong your family is." Elliot smiled at Topanga.
Topanga smiled back.
"The winner of the short game is the first team to end up in one of the four success squares with a car and a house," Elliot announced.
"Get me a car and a house," Ava demanded August.
"I'm trying," Auggie said tiredly.
"Okay. Um, Maya and I up first." Cory began to roll the dice.
"Oh, says who?" Riley asked.
"Says the King of the castle." Cory stood up on the couch.
"Just because you're the King, doesn't mean you get to make all of the rules." Riley stood up as well.
"Oh, yeah? That's actually the first rule in the King's handbook." Cory glared at Riley.
They were making Lucas uncomfortable as he was in the middle.
"Well, it's been a lovely evening. And now I need a hug from my mama." Lucas said as he left the couch.
"Mama?" Maya questioned amused.
"Yeah." Lucas nodded.
Elliot chuckled.
"What's so funny? What do you call your mama?" Lucas asked Elliot.
"Mom, like a normal person. Sometimes I call her 'Ma'. Try it out." Elliot told him.
"Ma." Lucas tried it.
"Nah, she'd put me in the shed," Lucas told him.
"What's that?" Elliot chuckled.
"You don't want to know." Lucas shook his head.
Elliot then saw Riley and Cory were still glaring at each other.
"Ok guys, you know what else the Game Show Host does? He makes sure everyone gets along. So no fighting." Elliot told them.
"You know what, dad, you may be the King, but I am going first," Riley said as she took the dice and rolled a number.
Cory gasped dramatically.
______________________________________
That Day
History Class
Farkel gasped.
"You are staging an act of open rebellion against your King," Farkle said.
"You have left the colonies no choice but to break away from you and become independent," Riley told him.
Cory then went to Riley.
"Because you're fighting for the sake of your families," Cory told Riley.
"And friends," Riley added
"And family is the most important thing in the world," Cory told her.
"And friends," Riley added.
"Riley, you don't think the family should come first?" Cory asked.
"I cannot do this right now. I am in the middle of a rebellion." Riley told him.
"Oh, yeah." Cory turned Riley back to Farkle
"Oh, yeah. Let's see how your little rebellion fares against the might of the British empire." Farkle said as he opened the class for and outside was a cannon.
"Whoa, Farkle. Where'd you get the cannon?" Cory asked shocked.
"From my cannon guy." Farkle smiled.
Lucas raised his hand.
"Yes, General Washington," Cory called on him.
"You really have to wonder if the King wasn't so stubborn, could something have been worked out so America would still be in the British family?" Lucas asked.
"A nation or a family can only remain united if its leaders govern fairly and address the needs of all of its members both old and young," Corey told them.
"Well, I'm not gonna. So let's get this party started. Is this thing loaded?" Farkle asked as he went inside the canon.
Maya popped out from behind the canon with a firework lighter.
"It is now. Happy Fourth of July, everybody." Maya smiled.
"Maya, the war hasn't even started yet," Cory told her.
"You're gonna love Boston," Maya told Farkle.
"When am I going to Boston?" Farkle asked.
"In five Four, three-" Maya was about to light the canon and everyone stepped out of the way.
______________________________________
That Night
Matthews Apartment
Cory was moving his piece.
"Four, five, six, and as usual I will choose the fatherhood path. Bing, bing, bing, bing. And the pink square means I get a daughter." Cory picked up a pink car.
"Actually sir, Farkle and I already own that square," Lucas told him.
"So?" Cory asked with attitude.
"So, your daughter's ours," Lucas told him.
"Excuse me?" Cory asked with attitude.
"Let him talk." Riley smiled.
"According to the game, we get your daughter," Lucas told him.
Riley was about to happily jump at Lucas when Topanga stopped her.
"Elliot! Tell Howdy and Dr. Turtleneck they can't have Riley!" Cory yelled.
"She's not Riley Matthews anymore, dad She's now Mrs. Dr. Howdy Turtleneck," Elliot announced.
Lucas held his hand out for the card but Cory was holding on to the card right.
"Uh, sir, you're holding on a little tight," Lucas told him.
"You really need to let go, sir," Farkle told him.
The card eventually ripped.
"You killed my daughter." Cory gasped.
"Dad it's just a game," Elliot told him.
"Are you gonna go to them too?" Cory asked.
"Just. A. Game," Elliot told him.
"My turn. I pick six." Ava said.
"Uh, Ava you need to roll the dice," Topanga told her.
"One, two, three, four, five, six." Ava moved her piece as she ignored Topanga.
"Elliot, objection." Topanga stood up.
"I'm going to allow it," Elliot told her.
"Why?" Topanga asked.
"Because she cracks me up." Elliot smiled.
"I get a 'Make Your Own Luck' card." Ava picked up the card.
"Take over someone's family business. Choose one player to send back to start." Ava read.
"I choose Hmm... One Topanga, two Topanga, three Topanga, four. Five Topanga, six Topanga, seven Topanga, or-Topanga!" Ava picked Topanga.
"Wee! Poom!" Ava moved Topanga piece back to the starting line
"This stinks." Topanga hissed.
"This had to be done, mommy," Auggie told her.
"It's okay, my lovebug. Luckily, my team always wins. And my teammate has a turn, and I'm sure she's going to use it to help me." Topanga smiled.
Riley rolled the dice.
"Right, Riley?"
Riley began moving her piece.
"Sweetheart?" Topanga asked.
"Mom, I really hate to do this but I have a 'Go to Europe With A Friend' card. And you're all the way back there. And I've never been to Europe." Riley told her.
"I want to go to Europe," Ava demanded Auggie.
"Get off my back!" Auggie yelled.
"Wait, you're leaving me?" Topanga asked, hurt.
"Mom, it is not personal, I just got this card and-" Riley began.
"Wait, you're leaving me?" Topanga asked again, hurt.
"Here it comes," Cory said.
"I am your mother. I have your absolute love and loyalty. What do you think you're talking to him?" Topanga pointed to Cory.
"Hey, Farkle. How do you that again?" Cory asked.
"Ha!" Farkle demonstrated.
"Ha!" Cory failed at doing Farkle's laugh.
"Now you run, sir," Farkle told him.
"No, actually now I go right over here which is exactly where I belong." Cory went to Topanga's side.
"Well, this game just got real. Will the daughter go off on her own or does the mother hold on to her forever?" Elliot asked.
"I'm sorry, mommy." Riley apologized and then went to Maya.
"Partners?" Riley asked Maya.
"Forever." Maya linked arms with her.
"Riley?" Topanga asked hurt.
"Mom, I am just playing a game. Isn't that what you want me to do? Win?" Riley added.
"Not without me," Topanga asked hurt.
"Hey, Topanga. You and me." Cory comforted her.
Topanga gave Riley one last glance but Riley looked away.
"You and me. Let's win this thing." Topanga said determinedly.
"You and me. Let's win this thing." Maya smirked at Riley.
"You and me." Farkle began.
"I just want to go home." Lucas sighed.
"You and me. It's way past our bedtime." Auggie told Ava.
"Yay!" They cheered.
"You and-" Elliot began.
And then he realized no one was beside him.
"Oh wait, I have no one. I'm going to be alone forever." Elliot fake smiled.
"Elliot-" Maya began.
"Ok, how about we all take a five-minute break. You all can talk strategy." Elliot cut Maya off.
Everyone dispersed.
"El can we talk?" Maya asked.
"No, if you really wanna talk to someone call Josh. I'm pretty sure you would much rather enjoy talking to him than me." Elliot told her bitterly.
"We're going to my room." Elliot took Farkle to his room.
"Wait if we're not talking strategy can I go home?" Lucas asked.
"Shut up!" Elliot told him.
______________________________________
Elliot and Auggie's room
Elliot and Farkle were sitting near the window.
"I mean she chose Josh over me! How could she do that?!' Elliot asked hurt and shocked.
"El, it's like you said it's just a game," Farkle told him.
"It's not about the game Farkle. It's- well I've been in love with Maya since I was seven and there are times where I think she likes me back. Because recently when I go out with girls she has this jealous look and jealous tone. And I tell myself that maybe she just has a hard time admitting it. That she has a hard time adjusting to love because of what happened to her parents. But then Josh comes along and she openly tells him she likes him. Am I wasting my time? Maybe she doesn't like me and its all in my head." Elliot told Farkle.
"You're not seriously gonna give up on Maya are you?" Farkle asked shocked.
"I'm getting tired Farkle. I'm getting tired of being of shut down all the time." Elliot told him
"But you guys are Elliot and Maya. You're Elaya. Don't give up just yet." Farkle told him.
"Why are you encouraging me? Don't you love Maya?" Elliot asked.
"I do. But I love you too buddy. And I'm a genius so I'm never wrong. I know you guys are meant to be together." Farkle told him.
Just then Maya came in.
"El?" She questioned.
"Maya?" Elliot questioned and stood up.
"Can we talk?" Maya asked.
"Sure." Elliot nodded.
"Look, I'm sorry. Game Night is our thing. I shouldn't have chosen a crush over you." Maya apologized.
"Maya do you not feel anything for me? Romantically?" Elliot asked.
"Elliot-" Maya began.
"Be honest," Elliot told herm
"Ok, honestly in my book. Friendship is always better than a relationship. Relationships always end up in heartbreak." Maya told him.
"Not all of them," Elliot told her.
"In my family, yes, all of them end up in heartbreak. I can't risk that with you. I don't want you gone from my life. With Josh, it's ok because I don't see him as much and we're not that close like you and I." Maya told him.
Elliot sighed.
"So we good?" Maya asked.
"For now, yeah we're good. But one day I'm gonna change your mind about love Maya. I promise." Elliot told her.
Maya rolled her eyes.
"Ok, for now, can you help me convince Riley to not destroy your parents this is more than just a game to them and you know it," Maya told him.
"Yeah come on." Elliot nodded.
"I'll go talk to Lucas then about our game strategy," Farkle told Elliot.
"He's being whiny good luck with that." Elliot smirked.
______________________________________
Riley's room
Elliot, Maya, and Riley were sitting at the bay window.
"Okay, we have a five-minute break for new team strategy talk. Which means we can not waste a second. Elliot, what are you doing here?" Riley asked.
Elliot opened his mouth to reply but Riley cut him off.
"Nevermind, Maya what do you got?" Riley asked Mya.
"You're destroying your parents," Maya told her.
"That's the object of the game," Riley told her.
"Riley-" Elliot raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, come on, El. It's not like we're actually going backpacking through Europe." Riley told her.
"We should definitely go backpacking through Europe," Maya suggested.
"And we'll bring Lucas and Farkle to Europe." Riley smiled.
"Yeah, and we'll bring mom and dad," Elliot told her.
"Why would you want to bring mom and dad?" Riley asked.
Elliot raised an eyebrow.
"Oh. I get it. This isn't a game to them at all, is it?" Riley asked.
"No, it isn't. I kinda realized that the minute Howdy took dad's pink card and dad asked me if I was going with cowboy and Farkle too." Elliot told her.
"Then how do we possibly win?" Riley asked.
"You don't win. You just play with them, Riley." Elliot told her.
"It's Game Night. Their favorite night of the month." Maya told Riley.
______________________________________
Living Room
Topanga and Cory were sitting at the bay window.
"I just thought you get more time with them. She's 12, and she's gonna be gone in a blink. Elliot has already found the one he loves but gets shut down nearly every day. I mean don't get me wrong I love Maya like my own daughter but I just hate seeing him get hurt." Topanga told Cory.
"You and me both. But I don't think he's gonna listen to us. We still have Auggie though." Cory pointed to Auggie.
"Are you kidding me, he's five, and already been married for 20 years," Topanga told Cory as Ava cleaned Auggie's face.
"He gets that from me." Cory nodded.
Topanga chuckled.
"Listen Topanga. We've been a team all our lives, so now we're a team in this game. That's not so bad, is it?" Cory asked.
"You just get so much of them and you do such a great job teaching them, I just want to know that I've made an impression on both of them," Topanga told him.
"Every parent I know who has kids this age tells me this is when they head towards their friends But eventually, they make their way back," Cory told her.
Topanga put her head on Cory's shoulder.
Just then, Maya, Elliot, and Riley came into the living room and smiled at them.
"Oh, look at that. They're already back." Cory smiled.
Topanga smiled at the kids.
"Ok, break's over. Game on!" Elliot cheered.
______________________________________
That day
History Class
Farkle was underneath Riley's foot as she was waving the flag of The United States of America.
"Game over. God bless America." Riley said as she waved the flag and then gave it to Lucas, who put it to the side.
"How could you do this? My kingdom. I have nothing left." Farkle said defeated.
"Actually, you still have India, Ireland, Australia, Shakespeare, Dickens, and the Beatles," Cory told him as he helped him up.
"Oh, yeah. Who needs you anyway?" Farkle smirked at Riley.
"You know you do." Riley put her arm around Farkle and they sat down.
"The Revolutionary War ended in 1783 leaving a rift between England and the United States," Cory told the class.
"But we love each other now, though, right?" Lucas asked.
"We do, but it took some time. In fact, it wasn't until someone helped mend that relationship. His name was John Quincy Adams." Cory told the class as he opened the door and Elliot came in dressed as John Quincy Adams.
"About time you invited me in here. Now before I make everyone friends again." Elliot took out his phone and took a picture of Maya dressed as Benjamin Fraklin.
"And I have my new screen saver." Elliot smiled.
"I hate you." Maya glared at him.
"Love you too." Elliot smiled.
Elliot then went to Riley and Farkle.
"Ok, so now hug it out. Come on you know you want to." Elliot told them.
Farkle and Riley nodded and hugged.
"See, it took the next generation to bring everybody together," Cory told the class.
'So people that go to war can actually become friends?" Riley asked.
"Revolution is a short moment in time. But if you play The Long Game correctly, everybody can end up just where they're supposed to be." Cory told the class.
______________________________________
That night
Matthews Apartment
"Someone has to get a 12. Anything but a 12. Nobody throws a 12." Cory said.
Riley rolled the dice at it was a 12.
"12!" Riley cheered.
"Oh, thank goodness. It's over." Lucas was relieved.
"No, it's not. I'm not going for the success square. I'm going for the circle in the middle. We are going to play The Long Game." Riley told everyone.
"What?" Lucas asked shocked.
"You could win," Topanga told herm
"Dude, why would you do that?" Elliot asked as he pretended the whisk was a microphone.
"Because tonight The Family Game is not about winning," Riley told them.
"Uh, say what?" Topanga asked shocked.
"Mom, I was only trying to beat you because I want you to be proud of me," Riley told her.
"You do?" Topanga asked with a smile.
"Yeah, I want to be like you," Riley told her.
"You do?!" Topanga asked extremely shocked.
"A killer shark who always wins?" Riley smiled.
"That is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard of." Topanga hugged Riley.
"So tonight, let's find out what happens when you play The Long Game," Rily told everyone.
"I'm never gonna see my mama again." Lucas sighed.
"I wanted someone to land on the success square. I kind of wanted to hear-" Cory pressed the button and the victory buzz played.
"I win!. Seriously, help me." Topanga turned to Cory after she cheered.
Cory chuckled.
'In The Long Game, the players all play together to conquer the game itself." Elliot read the instructions.
"So we're all on one big team then?" Cory asked.
Riley stood up.
"If you'll let us be. And dad, I promise that nobody is going anywhere." Riley told him.
Cory stood up.
"Well, Riley, you know what? If these are the people you and Elliot have chosen to leave us for someday, they're welcome to play with us anytime. You've made some wonderful choices. You too Elliot." Cory told his kids.
Riley and Elliot smiled.
"You're gonna buy The Friends Game?" Riley asked.
"Yeah." Cory nodded.
"Can we play that one with you guys?" Topanga asked as she stood up.
"Anytime you want," Maya told her as she stood up.
"You're a good King," Riley told Cory.
"You're a good John Adams. You fought for what you believed in." Cory told her.
"Yeah well, Elliot is a good John Quincy Adams. He made me realized I wasn't completely right." Riley said as she smiled at Elliot.
"Yeah, I know. I'm the kid who brought everyone together. What would you all do without with?" Elliot smirked.
Everyone rolled their eyes.
Riley moved her piece and the long game began as the victory buzz was heard.
"Who's joining us?" Riley asked as linked arms with Maya.
"We are," Topanga said as she lines arms with Cory.
They sat down and Topanga rolled the dice.
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Sunrise
Matthews Apartment
All the players had a blanket over them as they were really tired.
"Well, birds are chirping. Sounds of a sleepy city coming to life as the sun peeks its smiling face, upon 8 tired game players. And if Auggie Matthews can roll a two, then we will finally find out what happens when you win The Long Game." Elliot announced.
"Nobody can roll a two," Topanga said tiredly as Auggie was about to roll the dice.
"We pick two," Ava said tiredly.
Auggie then stopped moving the dice in his hand.
"You know what, Ava? I finally like you." Topanga smiled.
"Okay," Ava said as she moved her piece.
A weird sound of a spaceship landing was heard.
"That's it?" Riley asked disappointed.
"Hold on," Cory said as he sat up.
The circle in the middle stood up and moved in a circular motion as a light was shone through it.
Everyone was amazed.
"And as everyone is joined together, we see that in The Long Game, friends become family." Elliot smiled as he announced.
"It's not a game at all." Riley realized.
"What is it, mommy?" Auggie asked tiredly.
"It's life," Topanga told him.
"Life is The Long Game?" Auggie asked.
"Yeah, Bubba. Life is The Long Game." Cory smiled.
"Maya," Elliot called her.
"Yeah?" Maya sat next to him.
"It's ok if you don't return those feelings I have for you right now. I'm not gonna pressurize you because guess what? I'm in it for The Long Game." Elliot smirked.
Maya raised an eyebrow at him and Riley chuckled.
Riley then sat with her parents as Cory picked up Auggie and sat him on Cory's lap.
"Yeah, me too." Riley smiled and hugged her mom.
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Yesterday
John Quincy Adams Middle School Hallway
Farkle, Riley, Elliot, Maya, and Lucas were in the hallway.
"I'm glad we're all friends again." Riley smiled.
"Yeah, I'm glad I can take this off." Maya took off the glasses and wig.
"It's amazing that people so close can go to war. Take off your crown." Lucas told Farkle.
"No." Farkle shook his head.
"Delete the photo you have of me," Maya told Elliot.
"No." Elliot shook his head.
"Luckily, it's all history and not our real lives," Farkle told the group.
"Hey, we're having Family Game Night tonight. You wanna come?" Riley asked.
"Sure, thanks, I'd love that," Lucas told Riley.
"Take off your crown," Lucas told Farkle.
"No." Farkle shook his.
"Delete the photo," Maya demanded Elliot.
"No." Elliot shook his head.
"It's gonna be fun with you," Farkle told Lucas.
"So you're never going to take off your crown?" Lucas asked Farkle.
"No," with that Farkle left.
"And you're never gonna delete the photo are you?" Maya asked Elliot.
"No." Elliot followed Farkle.
Lucas left as well.
"Don't you think you should ask your dad?" Maya asked Roley.
Riley began thinking.
"Nah. What could possibly go wrong?" Riley asked with a smile.
"Probably everything and Elliot is gonna be the one to fix it," Maya told her.
"You're probably right." Riley nodded.
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Chapter 17: Life: The Long Game
Family Game Night, my parents' favorite night of the month. This month's Game Night was different from the rest.
Riley invited her crush who is kinda my friend, The Cowboy. But that's not the only thing that changed. This Game Night My Girl decided that she wouldn't be on my team but Josh's: The Uncle. More specifically my uncle.
It broke my heart when My Girl chose him over me. She says that's it's easier for her to express feelings to him because she is not close to him like she is with me and he is not always around whereas I am.
But I'm not giving up. If there's one thing that this Game Night taught me its that Life is The Long Game and if you play The Long Game correctly everybody can end up just where they're supposed to be. And I still have faith that My Girl is supposed to end up with me.
In The Long Game Maya and I are endgame.
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Edited with the help of Riptide_son_of_none
Sorry if this chapter sucks I have had writer's block for this chapter because it's a major Joshaya episode and no offense to Josh or the Joshaya shippers but even though Elliot is an OC I'm Elaya all the way!
Also, thank you so much, everyone, for being very patient with me!