Author's Note (Update): 10/31/06
Happy Halloween, people! May the fun of the race begin!
Review Answers:
llpoo33: Yup, Smorgo and Smorga are the official comedy-makers of this season!
SSBFreak: You know it! Yay for the homeboys!
Yoshi Hoshi: Heheh, thanks…but I'm sorry to say that it was my crew (me, myself, and I) that ended up casting the two Smorg in the race after the vote. Lol, yeah…if Flavio was so bad the last season, I really do wonder what I'll do to the Smorg this season, with their new present, the odds of 10:000 to 1 of winning the race! As for my opinion of TAR10, I can agree with you on some of the things…but to me, the non-elimination penalty does seem a bit watered down…or maybe that's just because I'm weird. Oh well. Anyways, yeah…I'm sorta unfazed by the "new" twists and turns…as a matter of fact, I found the early elimination in Beijing just cruel! Still, the race seems to have kept most of the charm…but it does seem to have lost a little bit.
Loading the Memory Card… The save file in Slot B has been loaded!
…
Previously, on the Amazing Race…
"GO!"
The teams flew by Miles and Blaise in an attempt to arrive at the packs first!
Twelve teams of two departed from the remote island of Keelhaul Key to grab a spot on a ferry that would take them to an unknown destination. At the sign-up sheets, several teams faltered when they realized they had forgotten to grab pens to use, relinquishing their chances in making the first transport.
"We didn't get a pen at the door!" Too cried.
"I thought you got it!" Waitress gaped.
"DON'T TELL ME YOU FORGOT A PEN!" Wife screamed.
"First ferry has just one more spot left!" Pa-Patch remarked. "And it's all ours…"
"It would've been, amigo…it would've been." Cortez corrected.
With their arrival in Mushroom City, several teams found trouble with taxi drivers.
Screamy trailed off. "That taxi driver dropped us off in front of the wrong place."
"By the looks of your actions, you don't know where you're taking us." Toodles observed.
The following morning after the ride down the zip line, teams encountered their first Detour. Some teams excelled with a natural aptitude…
"Awesome, now we can try going around the whole race track! This'll be cool!" Andy exclaimed, pushing the gas pedal forward.
"Don't worry, we've got it! There's the straightaway for the first lap!" To cheered.
While others struggled just to keep their sanity.
"They've already started on the third task, Shimi…I can't take this! We're probably fighting to stay out of last place!" Waitress bit her lip, tears forming at her eyes.
"Dang!" Flare slammed his fist down on the dashboard, particularly aiming for the watch that read 0:34:86.
Bandy Andy and King K. managed to fend off the rival Glitzville team for a first-place finish.
"You're team number one!"
"YEAH-HAH!" King K. whooped. "Awesome, yo!"
"Yes to teamwork!" Bandy Andy held a thumbs up.
In the end, a three-way race to the pit stop ensued between the Smorg, the Punis, and the best friends. Screamy and Torque arrived last…
"…Nevertheless, I'm sorry to tell you that you've both been eliminated from the race." Miles affirmed.
"Oh well…it's okay with us…at least me. I don't know about Screamy." Torque looked at his partner.
"Yeah…" Screamy sighed.
…And became the first team eliminated.
Homeboys Hit Home; Screamy & Torque Scared Off
Now, eleven teams remain. Who will be eliminated next?
-----
"This is downtown Mushroom City. Surrounded by a large number of apartment complexes and office buildings in the relatively rural central section of the metropolis is this pristine recreational area, Shell Circle Park. This calm getaway from the stress and effort of city life, which features sculptor and designer Koolour Koopa's majestic work, the Tri-Shell Fountain, was the first pit stop in a race around the world.
At the end of the last leg, teams took part in a mandatory rest period that allows them to eat, sleep, and mingle with the other teams. The eleven teams waiting here have no idea where their next destination is, or what kinds of challenges await them. They must use a series of clues found in sealed envelopes to make their way to the next pit stop.
Andy and King, who arrived at 9:49 A.M., will depart at 9:49 P.M."
-----
Andy & King: Homeboys- 1st TO DEPART, 9:49 P.M. (Shell Circle Park)
Although it was the beginning of the nighttime period in the day, activity in Mushroom City was just getting started up once more—neon and bright lights had already been turned on, giving the whole area a fantastic glow of different colors. Secluded from the majority of these illuminations, Shell Circle Park wasn't as brightly lit as some of the other areas. Instead, the Tri-Shell Fountain glowed with light hues of green, blue, and red, the colors accepted as being the most common tones of Koopa Shells. Along with the faint glow of the fountain, the pit stop marker was lit up with a small neon lining. However, both sources of light weren't nearly enough for the departing first team to read their clue.
As for outfits, Bandy Andy hadn't changed his robe, and King K. hadn't done anything about his choker.
King K. turned his headlamp on before opening the envelope.
"Well, man…here we go! '…Make your way to Mushroom International and locate a flight for Faire Square. Once there, drive yourselves into the downtown area using a marked car from Faire Airlines and find the Star Exchange. In order to get your next clue, you must purchase a star for a certain amount of coins that will depend on what time you arrive. You have 77 Smash coins for this leg of the race.'"
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Author's Note: Clarification. Faire Square, a board featured in Mario Party 6, can be considered in itself, a city. However, for the Amazing Race series purposes, the board area itself is known as the downtown part, where gambling and luck-based games take place. All other areas featured outside of it are thought of as an outer shell that lies around the middle of the city with more classic luck and casino games. In the downtown area, no cars of any sort are allowed; this is partially reinforced by the fact that the downtown area is on a raised platform that is always shrouded by a light fog that smells of money…my explanation is an exaggerated form of the replica as shown in the game, where it seems as if Faire Square is a raised area in the clouds.
-----
Teams must find transport 7 miles to one of the biggest, most expansive airports in the Mushroom world—Mushroom International. Once there, they will need to board a flight that will take them 3,109 miles to Faire Square. Once there, they will need to hop into one of these marked cars and drive approximately 1 mile to the central area of Faire Square. Once there, teams will need to abandon their cars and run to the Star Exchange, where they'll need to pay to buy a star that is accompanied by their next clue. The first five teams to arrive will only have to pay 20 Smash coins to buy their stars; the last six will have to lose 30.
"Alright…" Bandy Andy watched as the bill he held up to the credit card turned into Smash coins before being sucked in. "…That's cool."
As the duo walked off the mat, the brothers stepped on.
"So far, the race has been pretty difficult and strenuous…lots of running, stress, and anxiety every second." Andy stated. "Although I know that King K. and I make a really strong team, I don't know if we'll keep the front of the pack status…there are other really powerful teams on the circuit that we'll have to watch out for." (After-Leg Interview)
"Yo, taxi! Over here!" King K. flagged down a taxi. "Hey, you know how to get to the flight base, right?"
"Airport? Of course…"
"Cool, man! Andy, we got one!"
Andy proceeded to throw his pack into the trunk.
Hamma & Flare: Brothers- 2nd TO DEPART, 9:50 P.M. (Shell Circle Park)
Both brothers looked exactly the same as when they'd left the hotel in the morning, except for a few added bandages and bruises.
"We've gotta purchase a star with our money?" Hamma complained. "What'll we need that for?"
"How am I supposed to know?" Flare retorted. "Heck, this Faire Square place sounds boring…who'd want to do fair play, anyway?"
"It was just a fluke that King and Andy got first place last leg…a fluke. You better believe it, we're getting first place this time! Uh huh, that's right! US!" Hamma exclaimed and struck a pose, not realizing how redundant his statement was. (After-Leg Interview)
"Okay…Mushroom International. Hey, Jolene told me about that place one time…" Hamma recalled. "Eh, whatever."
"TAXI!" Flare spat a fireball at an oncoming taxi, causing it to skid out of control and miraculously halt in front of the brothers.
"Geez, what's your deal?!" Demanded the driver.
Zess & Toadsworth: Possibly Dating- 3rd TO DEPART, 9:57 P.M. (Shell Circle Park)
Swapping out her apron for a more casual set of blue jeans and a tank top, Zess T. had more of a relaxed look than Toadsworth, who was wearing a solid yellow vest over his purple shirt.
"We have a 77-coin bill in here…" Zess handed the paper to Toadsworth. He held it in front of the credit card, causing it to disappear in the form of coins.
"I say, we're off to a jolly good start of the second leg!" Toadsworth chuckled.
"I really am glad to have Toadsy-worthsy as my partner. It's not because of his travel experience or knowledge about potential locations we might visit…it's because…well…" Zess trailed off, blushing. (After-Leg Interview)
"Over here! Taxi!" Zess waved her hand around wildly.
Beldam & Queen: Shadow Folk- 4th TO DEPART, 10:01 P.M. (Shell Circle Park)
Neither of the shadow folk regularly wore clothes, so they had no wardrobe to change.
"…A flight for Faire Square…" Beldam paused to take a breath in between words.
"This is ridiculous, I mean really! Fourth in the first leg of the race? That's such an outrage, I swear!" Queen screeched. "Oh, well…at least we're the top female team…it doesn't help the other two very much that they're just girly Toads…as if they can do anything." (After-Leg Interview)
"77 Smash! Let's move it! Get a taxi! Go go go!" Queen ordered.
Beldam yawned. "Do we REALLY have to do this tonight?"
"You had twelve hours of relaxing! Get a move on, you slacker!"
"…I don't know what she's talking about…crazy didn't even give me one hour…" Beldam grumbled to herself.
-----
The major airport of Mushroom City, Mushroom International Airport, wasn't quite as busy during the nighttime as it was in the day; however, activity was always happening somewhere. Brightly lit just like the buildings around it, the large airport was balancing a tight schedule as planes took off and landed.
Andy & King: Homeboys (Mushroom International)
"Wassup? Midnight flight to Faire Square, yo?" King K. asked incredulously. "That's frosty!"
"Yeah, I know!" Andy replied. He turned back towards the ticket agent with three words. "We'll take it!"
(Andy & King- 1st ON FLIGHT 1, Mushroom Airlines)
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To & Too: Sisters- 5th TO DEPART, 10:09 P.M. (Shell Circle Park)
Both Toads had changed their outfits from the previous leg; they had shirts that matched their respective red and pink hair colors, along with REALLY short shorts and sneakers.
"'Find the Star Exchange…'" Too read.
"Our dip into the first leg was pretty cool, it being Mushroom City and all. We've never been to any big cities like this before, so it's pretty sweet!" To giggled.
"Yeah, but we both know that there are other things that we want to see besides cities…exotic things, wild things…we've seen a lot before, so now we're aiming for seeing it all!" Too laughed. (After-Leg Interview)
"This water is so pretty…I dig those glowing colors!" To twirled her finger around in the fountain water. "I guess that these three colors show the main three of the Koopa shells…they're glowing directly onto them!"
"I thought that purple and yellow were colors, too…" Too murmured confusedly.
"But red, green, and blue are the main ones. That's all." To shrugged. "Hey, a taxi! Yay!"
-----
Hamma & Flare: Brothers (Mushroom International)
"It leaves at midnight? Dude…" Flare yawned. "We better get some shuteye on the ride there…"
"So do we take this flight or what?" Hamma asked.
"Duh, yeah! What are you, stupid or something?" Flare rolled his eyes.
"Oh, shut up!" Hamma replied, passing the passports over the counter.
(Hamma & Flare- 2nd ON FLIGHT 1, Mushroom Airlines)
"I wonder who else might make this flight…" Flare yawned, exhaling warm breath on his brother's face on purpose.
"Jerk!" Hamma slapped Flare, causing the Fire Brother to retaliate by knocking him over.
Zess & Toadsworth: Possibly Dating (Mushroom International)
"Okay…12:30…sounds good to me." Zess remarked. "I think we should go for this one."
"…Hm…I guess…" Toadsworth nodded hesitantly.
"Alright, then!"
(Zess & Toadsworth- 1st ON FLIGHT 2, World Flyer)
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Pa-Patch & Cortez/ Husband & Wife- 6th TO DEPART, 10:15 P.M. (Shell Circle Park)
Since neither of the duo usually had clothes, the only glaring appearance change was Pa-Patch's switching out to a pure red bandana. Husband and Wife, on the other hand, were both wearing black shirts that had white silhouettes of a scene from Twilight Town, along with long pants. Additionally, Wife had her blonde hair, which had been allowed to hang freely in the last leg, in a tight braid that hung down her back.
The pirates opened their clue, shortly followed by the married Twilight citizens. Waiting patiently off of the mat were Toodles and Toadia.
"Make your way to Mushroom International…"
"And locate a flight for Faire Square…"
"Right now, I'm just seeing the edge of the competitive side of Cortez. We've never been in any high-stress situations as a team, so we're relatively new to working together under pressure like this. So far, I think we're doin' pretty good." Pa-Patch remarked. (After-Leg Interview)
"I love my wife to bits…she's my one and only, and that's why we're married. But, things happen, and we argue. There's nothing to it then that. We've learned to accept it, but it still doesn't mean that we don't always remember our relationship in the heat." Husband said. (After-Leg Interview)
"77…that makes only about 120 for this leg, amigo. Come on!" Cortez urged.
"We better find a taxi, babe…" Wife muttered as she rushed after her husband.
Having not wasted time counting money on the mat, the teacher-student team was able to quickly leave the pit stop. It became apparent that Toodles had applied more make-up, and was wearing a sparkling red tank top that had frills near the collar area. Toadia had opted to wear blue overalls, a green shirt, and a pin in the shape of an "L" in homage to a certain Mario brother.
"Hopefully we can get a good flight…" Toadia stated, stuffing the Route Info in her pocket.
"Right…"
"Our relationship as a teacher-student team is quite different from that of any relationship of the other teams…in a word, it is quite…unique, if not strange." Toodles admitted. "Currently, we aren't having any problems with each other…and we hope not to. It all depends on how we perform as the race progresses." (After-Leg Interview)
"We should be able to find a taxi pretty quickly." Said Toadia as she stepped onto the sidewalk.
Shimi & Waitress: Express Workers- 9th TO DEPART, 10:20 P.M. (Shell Circle Park)
Chef Shimi was without any accessories; Waitress, on the other hand, was wearing her shell earrings, pearl bracelets, and a necklace with a small diamond in the shape of the Excess Express dining car. She had on a white T-shirt and a pink mini-skirt.
"Drive yourselves into the downtown area using a stoked bar…er, marked car…"
"As a team, Waitress and I look backward toward making a higher landing in the…oh, wait… We look forward to making a liar standing in… We cook rearward… ARGH!" Shimi bounced around, frustrated with himself. (After-Leg Interview)
"I called a taxi shortly before we left the hotel area…it should be here by—oh, there it is!" Waitress exclaimed.
"Great." Shimi stated flatly, emphasizing the fact he only used one word.
-----
Beldam & Queen: Shadow Folk (Mushroom International)
"There's nothing else?! That's lame! At least give me private seating!" The Shadow Queen demanded.
"Sorry…we only have economy class open." The agent apologized.
"UNACCEPTABLE, YOU PEASANT FOOL! I'M CALLING THE MANAGER FOR PERMISSION TO DESTROY THIS AIRPORT!"
Watching as her partner floated off angrily, Beldam turned back toward the flustered agent.
"Ignore her. She has issues." Beldam stated, handing over the passports.
"I HEARD THAT!"
(Beldam & Queen- 3rd ON FLIGHT 1, Mushroom Airlines)
To & Too: Sisters (Mushroom International)
"Midnight departure? What time does it arrive? That's what counts the most."
"Give or take, most likely about 5:00 local time."
"Oh, that's great!" To exclaimed. "Two tickets for that, please."
(To & Too- 4th ON FLIGHT 1, Mushroom Airlines)
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Smorgo & Smorga: Things- 10th TO DEPART, 10:28 P.M. (Shell Circle Park)
Neither of the two Smorg had on any clothes; they were cloaked in a layer of trash and disgusting odors. Both of the Punis, who were standing off of the mat, were wearing matching hats—in Pungent's case, it was covering his bulb.
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (I have no feeling in my street sign!)" Smorga remarked, rolling on the mat like a dog.
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (You hurt my feelings, you big crybaby! Now you're going to give me my candy!)" Smorgo screamed at the pit stop marker.
Pungry and Pungent just looked at each other before opening the clue, annoyed by the two Smorg's repetitive low-pitched pronunciation of their name.
"…Make your way to Mushroom International and get on a flight…"
"Coming in second to last on the first leg of the race isn't very appealing at all…it felt really bad that we had to watch another team's elimination like that. Hopefully we'll be able to get out of the back of the pack." Pungry remarked. (After-Leg Interview)
"Let's ditch these two…" Pungent rolled his eyes as the Smorg started bouncing up and down.
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (Grape jelly took my fiancé for my teddy! HE'LL PAY!)" Smorgo squealed like a toddler.
"SMORGSMORGSMORG (Taste the rainbow!)" Smorga jumped into the fountain and started making the water turn hideous colors of green and black from the various grime-based items on his/her/its body.
"…Gross." The two Punis remarked in unison.
-----
Husband & Wife: Married (Mushroom International)
"…Leaves 12:30…got it. That should be good enough." Wife quipped. "What do you think, hon?"
"Sounds good…I think we should go ahead and take it." Husband agreed. "Two for the flight."
(Husband & Wife- 2nd ON FLIGHT 2, World Flyer)
"This better be the earliest one…we can't afford to be last to the Star Exchange." Husband proclaimed, plopping down on a seat.
"Well, that Star better not be too bright…these city lights already hurt my eyes as it is…" Wife complained.
"Twilight citizens are used to livin' under the moonlight. Although we've all been under the sun and in bright lights before, the race is sure to expose us to a factor that we're just not used to…it'll make it a whole lot more interesting!" Wife stated. (After-Leg Interview)
Pa-Patch & Cortez: Pirates (Mushroom International)
"Muy bueno…this flight definitely works in our favor!" Cortez smiled with a big, toothy grin.
(Pa-Patch & Cortez- 5th ON FLIGHT 1, Mushroom Airlines)
"Man, I'm tired…where's a bed when you need one…" Pa-Patch yawned widely.
"Heh, you'll have to sleep on the plane when we take off, amigo…others are waiting in line." Cortez reminded.
Shimi & Waitress: Express Workers (Mushroom International)
"Two tickets, please…it sounds like a good flight." Waitress smiled.
"Sure thing…" The clerk waited for the tickets to print. "Here you go."
(Shimi & Waitress- 6th ON FLIGHT 1, Mushroom Airlines)
"Thank you very much." Waitress bowed. She then went over to one of the rows of seats, where Chef Shimi was reading a cooking magazine.
"Oh, please…I learned how to cook something like that in grade school! How can this be a confessional—I mean, professional, magazine?" Shimi pointed at a Shroom recipe.
"Really? That's weird…I never learned how to make a Shroom Granola…" Waitress revealed, giggling.
Toodles & Toadia: Teacher & Student (Mushroom International)
"There are no connections or stops during the flight, correct?" Toodles inquired.
"No ma'am…straight there."
"I think we should go ahead and get it." Toadia voiced her opinion. "Maybe it's the quickest one there!"
"I don't know…but okay…" Toodles nodded slowly.
(Toodles & Toadia- 3rd ON FLIGHT 2, World Flyer)
"I could go for a midnight snack right now…" Toadia laughed, running off. "I'm hungry!"
"Airport food is so overrated…" Toodles rolled her eyes.
Pungry & Pungent: Best Friends (Mushroom International)
"Sounds like a good flight…we'll take two tickets, please." Pungry requested.
"Sure…"
(Pungry & Pungent- 7th ON FLIGHT 1, Mushroom Airlines)
"I really hope that we can beat the other teams to central Faire Square…" Pungry muttered.
"We should. Not like we can't drive or nothin', right?" Pungent asked. "Don't worry about it, Pungry…just relax for now."
"Right…" Pungry exhaled.
Smorgo & Smorga: Things (Mushroom International)
"Mommy, look at the cute little dolls!"
The Toad girl squealed with joy as the two Smorg passed by her on the luggage conveyor belt.
"They're absolutely filthy…wouldn't you prefer something of a cleaner caliber?"
"No, no! They're pretty!"
Giggling, the Toad girl waved as the unmoving Smorg disappeared from view.
-----
"Geez…people's luggage gets stranger every day…"
"And a lot smellier, too…"
The two Shy Guy workers closed the baggage compartment of the plane and walked off, complaining about how badly the last two bits of luggage, the Smorg, had felt, smelt, and looked.
(Mushroom International 300, FLIGHT 1- DEPARTING AT 11:59 P.M.)
Needless to say, the seven teams aboard the flight were surprised at seeing each other, as well as not seeing a certain few of the others.
This is the first flight heading for Faire Square. Aboard are brothers Hamma and Flare, shadow folk Beldam and Queen, homeboys Andy and King, pirates Pa-Patch and Cortez, sisters To and Too, best friends Pungry and Pungent, express workers Shimi and Waitress, and stowaways Smorgo and Smorga.
"SMORGSMORGSMORG (Weird accommodations for a tube hotel…)" Smorgo remarked on the crowded luggage area in the plane.
-----
(World Flyer 59, FLIGHT 2- DEPARTING AT 12:35 A.M.)
Although slightly worried from not seeing any others, the three teams riding were all able to fall asleep before the plane even took off.
This is the second flight going to Faire Square; the teams that are on it are possibly dating couple Zess and Toadsworth, teacher and student Toodles and Toadia, and married couple Husband and Wife.
-----
It was early morning in Faire Square. Without the morning sunlight to brighten up the area, the dim appearance was further moved by the fact that the whole city was under a light drizzle, which gave the streets a faint light gray manifestation.
(Mushroom International 300, FLIGHT 1- ARRIVING AT 5:16 A.M.)
Shimi & Waitress: Express Workers- CURRENTLY IN 1st (Faire Airlines, Parking Lot)
Rushing with the knowledge that the other teams were behind them, the train workers hadn't even bothered to pull on their ponchos as they dashed for the marked vehicles.
"I guess this is it!" Waitress commented, seeing the large red and yellow sticker planted on the windshield and a picture of her and Shimi posted on the other side. Running to the back, she quickly deposited the bags in the trunk before jumping into the passenger's seat.
"Here's a map of Faire Square that's been divided…" Shimi handed back a map. "Er, oops…provided. …Geez…"
"Great! Okay, make a right turn out of the airport lot." Waitress directed. Shimi followed her order, and in no time, the first marked car was out of the parking area even before another team had exited the airport.
Beldam & Queen: Shadow Folk- CURRENTLY IN 2nd (Faire Airlines, Parking Lot)
"Quickly, the other teams are right behind us!" Beldam urged, getting into the back seat.
"Don't order me around or rush me! I'll go when I'm good and ready!"
The two sat in silence for about ten seconds before the Shadow Queen realized what she'd just said.
"CRAP!"
Hamma & Flare: Brothers- CURRENTLY IN 2nd (Faire Airlines, Parking Lot)
"Hah, see ya, suckers!" Hamma jeered out the window as he cut off Queen from backing up.
"Nice one, bro!" Flare snickered as both shadow beings sputtered a few swear words. "Tsk, tsk…what awful English."
To & Too: Sisters- CURRENTLY IN 4th (Faire Airlines, Parking Lot)
"Hurry, here's the map! Which way do I turn?" Too asked, throwing the map behind her seat to her sister.
"Right turn!" To answered quickly, as Too came up to the curb out of the lot.
"Hey, there's the Shadow Queen and Beldam up there!" Too noticed.
Smorgo & Smorga: Things- CURRENTLY IN 5th (Faire Airlines, Parking Lot)
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (Stick to the script, Lincoln…we're supposed to go into the mouse ears and come out at the head.)" Smorgo commented.
"SMORGSMORG (Ridiculous gibberish, I say…you must get rid of those dashing split ends.)" Smorga argued.
As if they understood what they were supposed to be doing, the two Smorg jumped into the driver's seat of a car...however, it wasn't a car that was marked with their picture on the windshield, as team cars were specially formatted to their bodies. Smorgo hopped down to the area with the pedals, while Smorga jumped onto the dashboard near the steering wheel. Somehow, they managed to pull off a successful back-up without crashing into any other cars, but that streak ended as Smorgo stomped on the gas pedal and made a noticeable dent in both their car and that of a freaked out team…
Andy & King: Homeboys- CURRENTLY IN 6th (Faire Airlines, Parking Lot)
"WHOA, DUDE! THAT AIN'T COOL!" King K. hollered as he jolted forward in his seat. "Man, who the heck did that?!"
"…It's the Smorg…figures." Bandy Andy replied, looking out the window. "I'm surprised they're even driving…major freaky."
"Should we stay behind those things or get ahead of 'em?" King asked.
"…Ahead. They're gonna leave a trail of stuff…it's better to risk being in front of them than losing time from a jam." Andy decided.
"Since we live in Glitzville, car wrecks and such are things we don't have to deal with…but nevertheless, it's something that we're aware of. When the Smorg crashed into us, we sorta had a delayed reaction…it felt really weird." Andy remarked. (After-Leg Interview)
Pungry & Pungent: Best Friends- CURRENTLY IN 7th (Faire Square, Streets)
"Okay…this is working well…" Pungry remarked on Pungent's performance. The Great Tree store owner was using his bulb to control pedals that were at seat level, and he moved the wheel with his body.
"Well for you! I ain't thinkin' that this is goin' fine for me!" Pungent answered back harshly.
"Geez…calm down…" Pungry replied defensively. "Just be careful…it's wet out there."
"I think I know that already!"
Pungry sadly looked out the window.
Pa-Patch & Cortez: Pirates- CURRENTLY IN 8th (Faire Square, Streets)
"This rain is making it really foggy…it's hard to see…" Pa-Patch complained.
"You're doing fine, amigo…just take it slowly. The last thing we want is an accident…that'll cost us more time than going slow will." Cortez warned.
"Yeah…" Pa-Patch nodded.
-----
Downtown Faire Square was covered in an even lighter drizzle than that of the surrounding areas, but it had a worse fog. The majority of the buildings had applied awnings to their entrances to encourage visitors, as activity was always happening day and night, unless weather was extreme. A marked car pulled up to the boundary area of downtown Faire Square.
Shimi & Waitress: Express Workers- CURRENTLY IN 1st (Downtown Faire Square, Entrance)
Shortly after getting out of their car, it was clear that the team had taken some partial precaution to the rain—Waitress was wearing a yellow poncho that advertised the Excess Express, whereas Chef Shimi wasn't wearing anything.
"Wow, this place feels so…lucky." Waitress snickered. "It feels weird…"
Walking through the gates, the two made note of signs that pointed to different locales, as well as a stand that was holding brochure maps.
"Star Exchange…it's up there, on that braised—raised, platform!" Shimi stated, reading the map.
After heading down and up a few stairs, the duo passed by a ladder and ended up on the same level as the Star Exchange, where a sun-shaped creature was standing. He didn't seem to mind the shower as it made small splotches of water on his red robe.
"Hi, we'd like a Star, please." Waitress appealed, jumping up to the service area.
"For the race? Awesome…okay, all you need to pay is 20 Smash…" Brighton, the sun, told the team.
"Twenty…here." Shimi watched as 20 Smash coins flew out of the credit card and into a collection bin on one of the ledges.
"That's all there is to it!" Brighton gave the duo a thumbs up and handed them a Star, along with a clue envelope.
Waitress opened the clue and took out a red folder, along with a strange photograph of a top hat-shaped building. "'Roadblock. Who has eyes for victory?'"
A Roadblock is a task that only one person may perform, and no one person can perform any more than eight on the entire race. In this Roadblock, that team member will have to take part in a popular game in Faire Square by wagering the Star they purchased at the Star Exchange—the Star Shuffle. Using the picture provided in the clue, the participant will need to make their way through the streets to the Star Shuffle gaming area, symbolized by this large, hat-shaped building. The team member will have to watch carefully as their Star is placed under one of six top hats that will be shuffled around at random. In order to win, he, she, or it will need to choose the right hat that their Star was placed under. If they choose right, they'll receive their next clue, along with a refund amount that will be changed depending on how many times it took them to complete the task. Unlike the usual wagers that the company goes under, teams will receive their Star back if they fail to complete the task on their first try; however, they might lose ground by having to wait in a line, as only one session can be performed at a time.
"It's my turn…and I'm going to keep us in." Waitress announced. She opened the card… "'Use the picture provided to locate the race area for the Roadblock. You will use your Star in a game known as the Star Shuffle—it will be placed under one of six hats, and you will have to pick which one it was under.' Hey, I've played a game like that before!"
"I see the rat in the—I mean, I see the hat in the picture!" Shimi pointed towards a large top hat building that was sitting next to a circle-shaped platform.
Hamma & Flare/ Beldam & Queen (Downtown Faire Square, Entrance)
"Move it! Outta my way!"
"Ha! As if!"
Pushing and shoving down the stairs, the brothers and the Shadow Queen fought just to get a few steps ahead of each other. Beldam, on the other hand, trailed behind, uninterested in Queen's plight.
"I WAS HERE FIRST!"
Slightly startled, Brighton jumped back at the trio's simultaneous shout.
"We were here first! Get in line, girl!" Flare pointed.
"Yeah! Move back!" Hamma demanded.
"Pfft! What're you going to do about it?" Shadow Queen asked sassily.
"Ever feel what a wooden hammer rammed against your face feels like?" Hamma inquired testily.
"Or how 'bout a ball of intense fire lickin' at your head?" Flare asked, readying a small flame in his mouth.
Queen looked like she was about to burst out laughing.
"OH, REALLY?! HAHA! WHAT WOULD THAT DO?! I'VE ALREADY FELT IT, AND IT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO ME! …Much…"
"If it weren't for the fact that this was a family fan-fic, I'd be weighing your fat purple head down with swear words right about now!" Flare shot.
"Hah, really? You can't do anything to me, anyways! No one controls the likes of my greatness!"
"This could take a while…" Beldam sighed.
"It's become really apparent over the last three days that not only am I partnered with the most hard-headed people in the race, but we're also rivals with the two most stubborn ones. Considering my position as somewhat neutral, my standpoint can say this…it SUCKS listening to them." Beldam shook her head. "You think their argument is NEVER going to end…" (After-Leg Interview)
Shimi & Waitress: Express Workers (Downtown Faire Square, Star Shuffle)
Waitress handed the Star to the top hat-wearing Shy Guy for the second time.
"I'll try it again…" Waitress muttered.
"Rightio…"
After the Star was placed under one of the hats, they began to quickly spin around in a circle before stopping momentarily to swap places with each other. The pattern repeated several times before the hats stopped all the way.
"Go ahead and choose." The Shy Guy motioned.
"Um…" Waitress glanced at Shimi, who signaled that he couldn't help her. She then looked back at the circle. "…That one."
Looking over at the circle, the Shy Guy showed no emotion as the hat lifted to reveal…nothing.
"Drat!" Waitress shouted. "…Oh, no…"
While the mix-up of the hats had been going on, other teams had arrived at the downtown area, bought their stars, and walked over to the Star Shuffle. Directly behind the express workers were the Smorg, who were bouncing a few feet ahead of the sisters and the homeboys.
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (I'm ready to be mummified for breakfast!)" Smorga announced. The Shy Guy just stared at him/her/it, while Waitress completely freaked out and practically dove for the end of the line.
"…I have no idea what the HECK this thing is saying…oh well."
The hats started spinning…
Hamma & Flare/ Beldam & Queen (Downtown Faire Square, Entrance)
"Alright, alright! Go ahead!"
Queen giggled in a childlike tone that seemed completely unnatural as the 20 coins passed over, and she pulled over a Star.
"Hey, guys…since you're the sixth team, I'll need 30 coins." Brighton informed the brothers.
"What?! Hey man, that's crap!" Hamma shouted. "How'd we get into sixth place?!"
"…I shouldn't tell them. They wouldn't catch on." Beldam whispered to Brighton.
"YOU KNEW WE WERE DROPPING AND DIDN'T INFORM ME?! SHAME ON YOU, BELDAM! SHAME, SHAME, SHAME, SHAME! YOU'RE GETTING PUNISHED AT THE NEXT PIT STOP!"
Smorgo & Smorga: Things (Downtown Faire Square, Star Shuffle)
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (Sausage sautéed in savory salad sauce saved Stonehedge.)" Smorga remarked.
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (How do I get to Onett from here?)" Smorgo directed at Too and To, who nervously giggled before backing away.
The hats stopped spinning. Smorga jumped onto a hat and started bouncing on it.
"SMORGSMORG (Bouncy bouncy bouncy bouncy bouncy bouncy bouncy bouncy…)" Smorga flipped over as the hat rose up to reveal…the Smorg's Star.
"…Wow. Didn't think you'd make it on your first try." The Shy Guy stated. He reached over to plant a clue on Smorga, along with an amount of 75 Smash coins.
"SMORGSMORGSMORG (How come you got earrings, but I didn't? That's not fair!)" Smorgo tackled Smorga, causing the two Smorg to roll away from the Star Shuffle.
"…Okay. Who's next?" The Shy Guy asked. Too stepped up in a pink poncho that matched her hair.
"Me…here." Too handed the Star over. He placed it under a hat and started the six spinning once more…
Pungry & Pungent: Best Friends- CURRENTLY IN 7th (Downtown Faire Square, Star Exchange)
"'Roadblock. Who has eyes for victory?'" Pungry read. "It's my turn…I'll go for it."
"What's with this freakin' rain…this is gettin' annoyin'…" Pungent complained, feeling the light raindrops hit his bulb. "These puddles are gonna get big real soon…"
The two watched as the Smorg rolled by, muddy from rolling around on the streets.
"If they're in first, you can hit me with a hammer and use a HP drain on my dead body…" Pungent swore, causing Pungry to give him an astonished look.
To & Too: Sisters- CURRENTLY IN 2nd (Downtown Faire Square, Star Shuffle)
"Yeah, first try!" Too cheered, causing a jealous Waitress near the back of the line to fume. To held out the credit card as a 75-coin bill was handed to her, along with the envelope.
"Okay." To opened the card. "'Get back in your marked car and drive yourselves to the House-Edge Casino on the edge of town, and locate your next clue close to the slot machines.'"
Teams will now need to leave downtown Faire Square, get back in their marked cars, and drive 4 miles to this place, the House-Edge Casino, sitting on the edge of town. Contrary to its name, a lot of the games played in this brightly-colored, famous casino are bent in favor of players, which is a deep contrast to the majority of the other casinos in classic-game Faire Square. Teams will locate their next clue inside the casino, next to one of the five rows of Mushroom Kingdom slot machines.
"A casino?! Cool…" said Too.
"Come on, let's go!" To cheered. The sisters ran off and down the steps.
"Next!"
Bandy Andy walked up and handed the Shy Guy a Star.
Pa-Patch & Cortez: Pirates- CURRENTLY IN 8th (Downtown Faire Square, Star Exchange)
"30 coins for just a clue? Somefin' feels like highway robbery…" Pa-Patch growled, opening the envelope.
"Amigo, skim the Fast Forward!" Cortez ordered.
"Fine…" Pa-Patch pulled out the Fast Forward clue. "'Make your way to the Luck Wheel, and attempt to match three vertical symbols. Each spin costs 1 coin.'"
There is one Fast Forward award hidden on most legs of the race, and any team that receives it can skip all tasks and head directly to the pit stop. However, once a team uses a Fast Forward, they cannot use another one for the rest of the race, so they must decide when it is most advantageous to go for it. In this Fast Forward, that team will need to travel in the opposite direction of the Star Shuffle and instead head for this treasure chest-shaped building, called the Luck Wheel. Teams will spin the slots of the game in an attempt to get a possible match of all three rows with matching symbols. While usual players of the game find the winning capabilities of one row or diagonal relatively high, the likelihood of making three matching rows on the wheel has been toned down to 1:400. Even worse is the fact that for each spin, the team will have to pay one Smash coin, and unlike the regular rules, teams won't receive payback for regular matching rows of one. If a team is lucky enough to succeed in this unfortunately chance-based task, they will receive the Fast Forward award.
"ONE COIN FOR EACH SPIN?! Geez! That's friggin' impossible to get within our range of money!" Pa-Patch exclaimed, astonished.
"We might as well try for it…there are so many teams already ahead of us." Cortez reasoned. "Besides…how hard could it be? I'm feelin' lucky!"
"Oh, fine…"
Ignoring one of the map brochures they'd picked up, the pirates headed out of downtown Faire Square and hopped back into their marked vehicle.
Andy & King: Homeboys- CURRENTLY IN 3rd (Downtown Faire Square, Star Shuffle)
"'Get back in your marked car and drive yourselves to the House-Edge Casino on the edge of town, and locate your next clue close to the slot machines.'" King K. read. "Nice job, man! Now we can move on and try to catch up!"
"Right." Andy agreed, picking up his pack.
"I guess I'm next again…" Waitress meekly held out the Star.
"Hurry up! Time's a wastin'!" Queen yelled.
"Yeah! What she said, but I'm just not agreeing with her!" Hamma stated, causing everyone to sweatdrop.
Shimi & Waitress: Express Workers- CURRENTLY IN 4th (Downtown Faire Square, Star Shuffle)
"Finally…" Waitress sighed as she was handed the clue, and a bill for 30 Smash coins. "…House-Edge Casino."
"I haven't gone rambling before!" Shimi exclaimed.
"…Don't you mean 'gambling'?" Waitress asked as the two jogged away from the Star Shuffle.
"…Oh yeah. Fumbling—I-I mean, gambling!" Shimi quickly tried to recover, causing a sigh from his partner.
-----
(World Flyer 59, FLIGHT 2- ARRIVING AT 5:50 A.M.)
Husband & Wife: Married- CURRENTLY IN 9th (Faire Square, Streets)
"Okay, we're on the road now…and I'm STILL sleepy." Wife muttered crossly, rubbing her eyes with one hand.
"Both hands on the steering wheel, babe…make a left on Able Avenue." Husband directed, reading the map.
Zess & Toadsworth: Possibly Dating- CURRENTLY IN 10th (Faire Square, Streets)
"Are we in last, Zess?" Toadsworth asked curiously.
"I don't know…I think we are, but I thought I saw another marked car in the parking lot." Zess replied, turning the steering wheel.
Toodles & Toadia: Teacher & Student- CURRENTLY IN LAST (Faire Airlines, Parking Lot)
"This is the Smorg car…but ours isn't here? What gives?" Toadia asked, confused and hurt.
"I'm afraid I don't know, but we can't do anything about it but use theirs." Toodles replied.
In the TTYD race, all cars are formatted to fit a specific team. If a certain team drives off with another team's car, the team will have no choice but to use the remaining car used by that team. Any confusion with marked cars that occurs will be traced back to the first perpetrator.
Stepping into the Smorg car, Toodles looked with disgust at the fact that the brake pedal and gas pedal were right next to the steering wheel.
"They better be penalized for this…" Toodles groaned angrily.
"Although it's sort of weird, I know something about Toodles that most don't…she's headstrong, and always expects things to go the way she wants." Toadia remarked. "The problem is…on the race, that isn't always possible…so I think we might have quite a few waves going our way." (After-Leg Interview)
-----
Pa-Patch & Cortez: Pirates (Faire Square, Streets)
"This is really weird…I don't see this Luck Wheel anywhere on the map." Pa-Patch murmured.
"Thank you, amigo." Cortez replied to a Goomba outside. "Pa-Patch, we made a very big mistake…"
"Huh? What're you talking about?" Pa-Patch asked in confusion.
"The Luck Wheel is back at downtown Faire Square…" Cortez answered, causing Pa-Patch to groan.
"We're idiots…"
-----
Hamma & Flare: Brothers- CURRENTLY IN 5th (Downtown Faire Square, Star Shuffle)
"HAH! Take that, Queenie! I got it, and you didn't!" Hamma shouted, sticking his tongue out at a fuming Queen while holding up a 75-coin bill.
"It's so obvious that she'd fail, though…she sucks at everything." Flare replied, laughing as he picked up his backpack.
"…Who's going to tell them that I'm the one that did the Roadblock and not Queen?" Beldam asked rhetorically to the air.
Trembling, the Punis moved away nervously as Queen glared daggers at the passing by brothers.
"Next!"
Pungry & Pungent: Best Friends- CURRENTLY IN 6th (Downtown Faire Square, Star Shuffle)
"…Um…it's that one." Pungry pointed his snout in the direction of the hat closest to him. It lifted to reveal…his Star.
"YEAH!" Pungent shouted. "Awesome job, Pungry! I just KNEW you'd do it right!"
Pungry accepted the clue and a 75-coin bill.
"Come on, we can't waste any time…" Pungry ushered.
As the Punis hurried off, Beldam stepped up for her second try.
-----
A marked car stopped in front of the House-Edge Casino, a brightly-colored building that glimmered with a golden yellow that matched the brilliance of a Star. The front canopy was held up by decorative columns that resembled stacks of coins. Several red-carpeted stairs led up to the front entrance, which was surrounded by a purple semi-oval of glass.
To & Too: Sisters- CURRENTLY IN 1st (House-Edge Casino, Parking Lot)
"Wow…this color scheme reminds me of Mardi Gras." To gasped as the two got out of their car, the red-haired Toad carrying the travel pack.
"Yeah…"
Stepping inside, the two immediately noticed the clue box standing on the intricately-designed carpets. Too took one out and opened it to reveal a yellow folder.
"Detour. Spin Out or Fall In," Too began.
A Detour is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons. In this Detour, teams will have to choose between two more classic casino games often played in Faire Square…their choice—Spin Out or Fall In. In Spin Out, teams will need to choose one of these roulette tables and partake in several rounds of roulette. Teams will be limited to choose only three of the thirty-six numbers on each try, and will win a round if one of their chosen numbers is landed on. Once the team wins three rounds, they'll receive their next clue from the croupier. In Fall In, teams will need to choose one of these large pachinko machines. Starting with five steel balls in their launcher, teams will have to control over the pins in the field in an attempt to make the balls fall into certain gates that will add more balls in for their next go. Teams will need to accumulate a total of twenty-five balls for a game, at which point the machine will produce their next clue.
"Wow…and we're the first team here, Too!" To noticed.
"Awesome! What should we do? I think we should do…"
"Fall In?!" the sisters asked in unison. "Yeah, totally!"
-----
Beldam & Queen: Shadow Folk- CURRENTLY IN 7th (Downtown Faire Square, Star Shuffle)
"House-Edge Casino…okay, let's go!" Beldam held the 60-Smash bill up to the credit card.
"Don't order me around or tell me what to—"
"JUST GO!" Beldam screeched, pulling her hat over her hair in an effort to try and keep it dry.
-----
To & Too: Sisters (House-Edge Casino, Pachinko Machines)
Having found the set of decorative Fire Flower pachinko machines, the sisters quickly hustled to each side of the closest contraption. In a way, the controls were set up somewhat like a foosball table; there were levers on alternating sides that allowed the two to control the movement of the pins. At the very bottom of the field were fifteen different holes. Only six of the fifteen were marked with labels that showed they would add more balls for the next turn; one hole would add five, two would add three, and the remaining three holes would add one.
"I guess we're ready!" Too smiled brightly. She pushed a button next to the clue slot labeled 'Start' that started a timer. It clicked down from five seconds before launching five balls out.
"Oh, wow!" To and Too laughed as the balls caused the pins to make distinct clinking sounds similar to that of a pinball machine.
Smorgo & Smorga: Things (House-Edge Casino, Pinball Row)
Amazingly, the two Smorg had somehow driven themselves through the showering streets of Faire Square and achieved getting to the House-Edge Casino. Although a clue envelope had gotten stuck to Smorga, the oblivious Smorg weren't interested in getting the Detour accomplished…they were distracted by the bright flashing lights on many of the machinery, and were having a moment comparable to a seizure.
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (Power depleting…30…54…)" Smorgo remarked dizzily.
"SMORGSMORGSMORG (Really? I had no idea ice was so warm…)" Smorga responded.
-----
Pa-Patch & Cortez: Pirates (Downtown Faire Square, Luck Wheel)
"…Great…that's one coin gone." Pa-Patch sighed as he stared at the slots. "What now?"
"We try again, amigo." Cortez replied. "We wasted time coming back here, so now we need to finish it off!"
Pa-Patch nodded grimly, and hit the block. On the second jump, it became apparent that the attempt was a failure.
"This is going to take forever, though…" Pa-Patch complained warningly.
Husband & Wife: Married- CURRENTLY IN 9th (Downtown Faire Square, Star Exchange)
"30…here." Husband tapped his foot impatiently. "Even I can do better service than this, and I don't handle the sales…"
Wife smiled furtively, while Brighton narrowed his eyes.
"Roadblock. 'Who has eyes for victory?'" Husband read. "That's my wife."
"No it's not." Wife said, grabbing the Fast Forward folder. "We're in last, remember? Let's read this…"
"We are NOT in last!" Husband argued. "There are teams behind us!"
"So?" Wife opened the folder. "…This sounds easy enough. Come on!"
Struggling, Wife managed to drag Husband away in the direction of the Luck Wheel, in spite of the fact that they were putting up a lot of water as a result of Husband's skidding feet.
Zess & Toadsworth: Possibly Dating (Downtown Faire Square, Star Shuffle)
"Let's see…I know I can do this…" Toadsworth murmured as he watched the hats. They suddenly came to a stop.
"…These are the kinds of games people play these days?" Zess asked in disgust.
"Would it be…that one?" Toadsworth asked, pointing at a far hat. It lifted to reveal…a Star.
"Glorious!" Zess cheered as Toadsworth took the clue and a 75 Smash coin-bill.
"…The House-Edge Casino is the next destination…"
As the elderly Toads quickly speed-walked away, Toadia stepped up.
"I'm next!"
Pa-Patch & Cortez/ Husband & Wife (Downtown Faire Square, Luck Wheel)
"We're going to really run out of money fast…" Wife muttered incredulously, staring at the credit card's coin number, which had been dwindling down at an astounding rate for the past two minutes.
"You know what? Maybe one of us should do the Roadblock…" Husband remarked.
"No. We're going to keep going and get the Fast Forward!" Wife retorted harshly. "A few lost coins ain't gonna hurt!"
"She has no idea what she's talking about…we're losing more than just a few coins…" Cortez muttered as another Smash coin was taken, and Pa-Patch jumped into the block.
Toodles & Toadia: Teacher & Student- CURRENTLY IN 10th (Downtown Faire Square, Star Shuffle)
"Make your way to the House-Edge Casino…alright." Toodles pulled her pack back on.
"These puddles seem sorta weird…" Toadia stated, putting her foot down in one of the shallow puddles on the street.
"Toadia, come on."
"Oops, sorry!" Toadia giggled.
-----
Pungry & Pungent: Best Friends (Faire Square, Streets)
Startled, Pungry looked out the window.
"Pungent…are you sure that this is the right way? I coulda sworn that I saw that exact same travel agency for the fourth time now."
"…This is the right way…no worries or nuthin'…" Pungent reassured.
"Are you sure we're not going in circles?" Pungry asked.
"Wha? Of course not? You not trust me or somethin'? I'm appalled at ya, Pungry!"
-----
Andy & King: Homeboys (House-Edge Casino, Roulette Tables)
"Um…let's see…" Andy paused. "My personal lucky numbers are 7, 4, and 30…let's go with that."
The two Glitzville fighters were sitting on two red-seat stools that were pulled up to a green roulette table that had an alternating color scheme of red and white on the number panels. Overall, each roulette table seemed like a 3-D mushroom with a red-and-white base when spinning.
"Come on, baby…land on one!" King K. chanted. Unfortunately, the ball ended up on the number 22. "Darn…"
"You pick some numbers this time…" Andy decided.
"Alright…"
To & Too: Sisters (House-Edge Casino, Pachinko Machines)
Even though they'd arrived relatively early in comparison to King and Andy, the sisters weren't faring very well on the pachinko game. Their counter stated they'd only accumulated 8 steel balls.
"Okay…this is harder than it looks." Too murmured nervously.
"Wait, hold on!" To gasped. "Yes! 3 more!"
Smorgo & Smorga: Things (House-Edge Casino, Pinball Row)
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (THIS IS SO AMAZING I CAN'T STOP!)" Smorga screamed, even though he/she/it wasn't doing anything.
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (I can't hear the water gurgle.)" Smorgo started bawling as the pinball machines made more loud noises.
"Detour. Spin Out or Fall In." Waitress read. "Oh, boy…this doesn't sound very promising."
"…Eheheh…uh…" Shimi cleared his throat, causing Waitress to look at him questioningly. "…Yeah, um…leave it to me…I'm sorta a kind of…raving whiz when it comes to roulette-er, gaming whiz…"
"Really?!" Waitress gasped, clearly shocked. "Cool! Come on, let's go before those Smorg get over here…"
-----
Husband & Wife/ Pa-Patch & Cortez (Downtown Faire Square, Luck Wheel)
"This is going to turn nasty…if one team gets the Fast Forward, the other will probably be eliminated…" Husband mused to himself as Cortez hit the block, but failed to get any matching rows.
"You're right. So you better get the Fast Forward." Wife concluded, causing a sweatdrop from Husband.
"Shut up!" Husband hissed.
"We're getting low…we better do somefin' before we go flat broke." Pa-Patch warned.
"Yeah…" Cortez observed as Wife hit the block. "But what can we do except hope that we're lucky enough?"
-----
Hamma & Flare/ To & Too (House-Edge Casino, Pachinko Machines)
"Okay…that SUCKED." Hamma stated on their first go at the pachinko machine. "We didn't get anything!"
"Keep trying! Launch!" Flare slammed the button impatiently. "Come on, what's with this stupid stall?"
"We got it…that's one more." Too remarked.
"After a few tries at the pachinko machines, we both agreed to take it easy and try to aim for spots where the add-holes were somewhat grouped in hopes that the balls would go in. There wasn't really any reason to stress about it…we had a comfortable lead over the arriving teams." To stated. (After-Leg Interview)
"Fourteen down, eleven more to go…" To nodded. She pushed the Start button.
Andy & King/ Shimi & Waitress (House-Edge Casino, Roulette Tables)
"Dang!" King K. blinked as the ball stopped in panel thirty-two.
"This isn't getting very promising…" Andy sighed. "Okay…2, 15, and 36."
"Oh, it didn't go in…" Waitress sighed. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"Yeah, of horse." Shimi grinned, causing the croupier to look at him strangely. "28, 27, and 26."
Smorgo & Smorga: Things (House-Edge Casino, Refreshment Bar)
Several screams were heard as the two Smorg bounced around the bar, causing security to come out. Every time an officer leapt to catch one of the Smorg, he or she always crashed into another officer.
"SMORGSMORGSMORG (MY TEDDY-WEDDY BEAR! YOU CAN'T HAVE IT!)" Smorgo roared.
-----
Pungry & Pungent: Best Friends (Faire Square, Streets)
"Are you sure you don't know where it is?"
"Sorry, I don't…"
Undaunted, the best friends walked out of the convenience store.
"Well, we're in the back of the pack now…we're sure to be eliminated…" Pungry sighed.
"Do you think it really matters? Punio and his sis started in first and fell! It's just fated to happen!" Pungent argued.
"How could you say that? Punio and Petuni missed a connection. We didn't. We just got lost!" Pungry responded, his tone rising.
"We didn't just get lost! WE'RE LOST! WE LOST, FLAT OUT!" Pungent shouted. "There's no way to win this freakin' thing now! We might as well catch a flight home! We've been drivin' around forever!"
"You're so pessimistic! I bet that's the whole reason we're not in this…you don't have any self-confidence. That's why we're in last." Pungry stated, causing Pungent to stare at him in shock.
-----
Husband & Wife/ Pa-Patch & Cortez (Downtown Faire Square, Luck Wheel)
"We're down to like, 20 coins…we aren't doing so well…" Pa-Patch warned. "Maybe we should give…"
"…You're right, amigo…" Cortez sighed unhappily, taking out the Roadblock. "We might as well…there's no way we're going to get this Fast Forward. Roadblock… 'Who has eyes for victory?'"
"That's you." Pa-Patch claimed.
"Bueno…so we just need to find the Star Shuffle, then." Cortez murmured. "Wait, I think that's it!"
As the pirates took off for the Roadblock, a nervous and doubtful Husband and Wife looked at each other.
"Should we follow? We ain't got much money neither…" Wife said, showing the credit card's count.
"…No. We're stayin'. We can get it!" Husband said, determined. "If not, you can just blame me when we're eliminated."
"No need. I already blame you for everything." Wife waved it off, causing her husband to face fall.
-----
Beldam & Queen: Shadow Folk- CURRENTLY IN 6th (House-Edge Casino, Pinball Row)
"'Detour. Spin Out or Fall In.' …I say we do Fall In." Beldam chose.
"NO WAY! There's too much effort in that, anyway…Spin Out." Queen ordered.
"But—"
"SPIN OUT!"
Andy & King/ Shimi & Waitress/ Beldam & Queen (House-Edge Casino, Roulette Tables)
With the Shadow Queen and Beldam joining them, the other two teams sat anxiously at their respective tables. Although they'd arrived first to the tables, Andy and King hadn't won a single round yet. However, Shimi and Waitress had already obtained an amazing two.
"36…23…16." Shimi said slowly. The croupier raised those numbers, set the ball atop the roulette spinner, and started it.
"This is taking forever…" Bandy Andy realized. "Should we switch? We're not having much luck."
"I dunno, dude…" King K. answered. "I'll leave that up to you."
"…We should go to the pachinko."
As the friends stood up, they partially startled Beldam and Queen.
"Is it really that hard if they're giving up?" Beldam asked, astonished.
"Maybe…whatever. I chose 1, 11, and 111." Queen said.
"Sorry, but there's no 111 on the table, ma'am."
"I WANT 111!"
Smorgo & Smorga: Things (House-Edge Casino, Billiards Tables)
Currently, the Smorg were playing the role of two overtly large billiard balls on the pool tables. Strangely enough, no one seemed to notice.
"Mommy, mommy! It's the cute dollies I saw at the plane building back at the big city! They're so cute and fluffy and pretty and I want one, mommy!"
"Dear, that's impossible for them to be the same ones…except they don't look as atrocious…"
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (I feel like a mannequin.)" Smorga whispered.
"SMORGSMORGSMORG (I feel loved!)" Smorgo replied quietly.
To & Too/ Hamma & Flare/ Andy & King (House-Edge Casino, Pachinko Machines)
"Okay, we've almost got it…just three more…" Too mentioned excitedly.
"Oh, move that row to the left! No!" To cried as one of the balls fell into an unused hole.
A few machines over, the brothers weren't communicating as well, most likely resulting in the fact that they were still stuck at 10 steel balls.
"This is crap. How're they doing this so easily?" Flare asked rhetorically.
"Maybe our machine's rigged…" Hamma rolled his eyes.
"This doesn't look so hard…" Andy observed, slamming the Start button and starting the countdown.
"We'll see in just a sec, man…" King watched as the balls were launched into the field of pins.
-----
Pa-Patch & Cortez: Pirates (Downtown Faire Square, Star Shuffle)
"Would it be that one?" Cortez asked, directing his gaze at a hat. It lifted to reveal…ground.
Pa-Patch groaned.
"Um…okay, go again…" Cortez requested.
Husband & Wife: Married (Downtown Faire Square, Luck Wheel)
"We're down to like our five coins, babe…hurry it up so we can just leave already!" Wife urged.
"Hold your angry horses!" Husband commanded, jumping into the block.
Suddenly, a bell went off. Wife looked up in shock. All three vertical rows were matching—the first was three treasure chests, the second held Koopa shells, and the third several Mushrooms. The Koopa supervising the event applauded.
"You finally got it. That deserves…this." The Koopa handed over the Fast Forward.
"YES! OH, THANK YOU!"
"What'd I tell ya? We'd get it!"
After sharing a brief embrace with his spouse, Husband opened the Fast Forward.
"'Congratulations for winning the Fast Forward. Now, make your way to the next pit stop at the Sun and Moon Hotel.'"
Having won the Fast Forward, Husband and Wife can now skip all tasks and proceed to the next pit stop, the Sun and Moon Hotel.
"Come on, let's go!" Wife exclaimed. The married couple excitedly ran off towards the entrance to downtown Faire Square and their marked car.
-----
Shimi & Waitress: Express Workers- CURRENTLY IN 2nd (House-Edge Casino, Roulette Tables)
"YEAH! YES!" Waitress shouted excitedly, startling the other teams in the casino.
"I told you I knew what I was doing…" Shimi grinned as the croupier handed over the clue.
"'Drive yourselves to the next possible pit stop, the Sun and Moon Hotel. Warning, the last team to check in may be eliminated.'"
Teams must now make their way 6 miles to the next possible pit stop, at the Sun and Moon Hotel. Built in what was considered the 'level ground' city of the six feuding areas, it is a monument to the peace between the sun and the moon after their remarkably narcissistic and relatively unimportant argument. This towering 5-story castle-like hotel, standing over 150 ft. tall, is the possible pit stop for this leg of the race. The last team to check in here may be eliminated.
"Possible pit stop? What does that mean?" Waitress asked curiously.
"No idea, but we better scurvy! Er, hurry!" Shimi stuttered.
To & Too: Sisters- CURRENTLY IN 3rd (House-Edge Casino, Pachinko Machines)
"That's twenty-five!" To exclaimed. As the last of the steel balls fell into holes, a race envelope slowly came out of the slot as a shutter moved over the pachinko field.
"'Drive yourselves to the next possible pit stop, the Sun and Moon Hotel.'" Too read. "Another hotel? Wow…"
"I saw the other two leave just a minute ago; we can still catch up!" To exclaimed.
Zess & Toadsworth: Possibly Dating- CURRENTLY IN 8th (House-Edge Casino, Pinball Row)
"Oh, my…I haven't played a round of roulette in a long time…shall we do that?" Toadsworth inquired.
"Well, sure! You deserve to get a chance after doing that Roadblock." Zess replied. "And anyways…I'm feeling lucky right about now!"
"How quaint, so am I!"
Toodles & Toadia: Teacher & Student- CURRENTLY IN 9th (House-Edge Casino, Pinball Row)
"Wow, there's Toadsworth and Zess right there…we caught up to them on the way here!" Toadia observed.
"Interesting…" Toodles murmured, drawing her partner's attention back to the task. "Detour…Spin Out or Fall In."
"…Um…what should we do?"
"…Roulette sounds easier than controlling a pachinko machine…I don't even know what one is." Toodles chuckled.
-----
Pa-Patch & Cortez: Pirates (Downtown Faire Square, Star Shuffle)
"We have more money! Maybe we can—"
"Oh, gosh…you've gotta be kiddin' me…"
After rushing back to the Fast Forward upon discovering that they'd obtained more money in hopes of retrying, the two pirates were obviously shocked to discover the sign in front of the Luck Wheel: 'Fast Forward Taken.'
"Crud…now we're in last for sure…" Pa-Patch groaned.
"Well, amigo…at least we tried…but hey, look at the bright side! We have the Route Info! We still have a chance in this!" Cortez exclaimed.
"…Hey, you're right…" Pa-Patch opened the envelope. "Please be somewhere we can find without getting lost…"
-----
Andy & King: Homeboys- CURRENTLY IN 4th (House-Edge Casino, Pachinko Machines)
Using teamwork, the Glitzville duo was quickly able to surpass the constantly squabbling brothers and finish collecting all twenty-five steel balls.
"Cool, yo!" King K. exclaimed, taking the envelope from the slot. He opened it and handed the Route Info to his partner.
"…Pit stop at the Sun and Moon Hotel." Andy remarked. "…Hey, I've heard a rumor about that place…supposedly, Brighton and Twila still feud over what to serve guests at the all-you-can-eat buffet dinners…"
"…That's…um…TMI, man…"
"Look, they passed us because you can't hit that 5-ball hole!" Hamma said angrily.
"So what? It's not like you can either!" Flare argued.
The brothers both sighed. "All we've been getting are ones…"
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (This isn't enjoyable in any fun way!)" Smorgo complained.
Although they were randomly pushing levers, the two Smorg were quickly accumulating steel balls after their unannounced entrance into the Fall In task.
Beldam & Queen/ Zess & Toadsworth/ Toodles & Toadia (House-Edge Casino, Roulette Tables)
"This is just great…we've only got ONE! It's all YOUR fault, Beldam!" Queen pointed fingers.
"Me?! But how? "…That's impossible…I NEVER CHOSE THE NUMBERS! That's—"
"I just know!"
"They're creating quite a ruckus, aren't they…" Toodles rolled her eyes. "36, 35, 21."
"I know we can get our second one this time…YAY!" Toadia cheered as the ball stopped on the panel labeled '35.'
"They're going for their third, Toadsy…but we're going for our second. We really need to hurry this up." Zess warned.
"Heh, I'm quite aware…" Toadsworth nodded. "This is quite troublesome, though…"
-----
Husband & Wife: Married (Faire Square, Streets)
A worried Wife looked out the window at the still-showering skies.
"Hon, are you sure we're on the right track? We've been by here already…"
"Well, I can't read the map, babe. You have it." Husband answered.
"Right…but there's one problem."
"What's that?"
"The stupid hotel ain't on the map."
"…FRIGGIN' IDIOT!"
Shimi & Waitress: Express Workers (Faire Square, Streets)
"Okay…I think we're getting close." Waitress informed Chef Shimi.
"Good! We'll have snagged first case in no time!" Shimi exclaimed. Waitress made no attempt to correct him.
Pungry & Pungent: Best Friends (Faire Square, Streets)
"Okay, we're getting close now…I can feel it." Pungry remarked.
"After our argument on the way to the House-Edge Casino, the rest of the way there was extremely uneasy. We were both on edge…you could just feel the tension in the air." Pungry reminisced. (After-Leg Interview)
"That's great…now if only we were just there already." Pungent stated dryly.
To & Too: Sisters (Faire Square, Streets)
"There's another stoplight down that hill…there're an awful lot of stoplights here…more than in Mushroom City." Too remarked dubiously.
"I think there are more in Mushroom City." To responded. Suddenly, the sisters heard a strange sizzling sound.
"Wait…what's that noise?" Too asked.
"…I have no id—the front of our car is smoking!" To screamed. Seconds after the smoking started, the car curved out of control after going through a large puddle!
"OH MY GOSH! LOOK OUT!"
-----
Smorgo & Smorga: Things (House-Edge Casino, Pachinko Machines)
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (This is boring. I'm going to go play outside in the maelstrom.)" Smorgo informed.
"SMORGSMORG (I'll join you.)" Smorga hopped in the opposite direction.
Although the arguing Hamma and Flare didn't realize it, Smorgo and Smorga had completed the task and had left the clue envelope. However, instead of going outside or going back to retrieve it…
Beldam & Queen/ Zess & Toadsworth/ Toodles & Toadia (House-Edge Casino, Roulette Tables)
…The Smorg picked a roulette table. Fortunately for them, numbered chips had been provided.
"Who let those delinquents in?" Queen demanded at the croupier.
"Ma'am, I'm afraid I don't know."
"HOW DARE YOU CALL ME 'MA'AM!'"
Pa-Patch & Cortez: Pirates- CURRENTLY IN 10th (House-Edge Casino, Pinball Row)
"It looks like everyone else already passed through or is already here…" Pa-Patch remarked. "Dangit…and we're so far behind!"
"Amigo, calm down! We can get this!" Cortez opened the envelope. "Detour. Spin Out or Fall In… …Gosh, I haven't played roulette ever since I was skin 'n' bones that hundred years back!"
"…Ew." Pa-Patch said.
Toodles & Toadia: Teacher & Student- CURRENTLY IN 5th (House-Edge Casino, Roulette Tables)
"We're going to the pit stop! Yay!" Toadia cheered. "Come on, Toodles!"
"Coming, darling!" Toodles quickly threw the croupier a tip for some unknown reason before following. Toadia didn't bother to question.
"I bet Luigi would be so proud of me for handling that so well!" Toadia grinned.
"…I bet he would." Toodles said, playing along.
-----
To & Too: Sisters (Faire Square, Streets)
"This can't be happening…" Too sobbed. "We can't make up time now…"
"What should we do?" To asked through her tears.
"We can't do anything except wait…" Too bit her lip.
The two Toad sisters were sitting down on the side of the road in the light rain as a tow truck slowly dragged away their marked car. Although they'd salvaged their bags and weren't hurt, the two were extremely shook up about the situation.
"Well, at least we're safe…that's the good thing…" To sighed, hugging her sister reassuringly.
"Yeah…but…we need to wait for another car…who knows how long that could take? The others might catch up to us by then…" Too murmured worriedly.
"Oh, don't worry about that…we can't help that." To reminded. "The man said there was a malfunction in one of the parts because of the rain…we didn't really have any control."
"Right…"
"That's the reason why I really love my sister…she's always there for me, and whenever I'm down, she can cheer me up and vice-versa…I know we were both scared, but the way she reassured me…it was the most amazing thing in the world." Too commented. (After-Leg Interview)
-----
Team ? (Sun & Moon Hotel, Parking Area)
A marked car pulled into the covered parking zone of the Sun and Moon Hotel, a towering building decorated with four main colors divided into small square tiles that seemed to avoid the opposing tints: regular and pale red, and regular and pale blue. In front of the main doorway were two small statues, one of Brighton, and one of Twila. On the maple door itself was an intricate carving that followed the breaking of the two pieces, one of the sun and the moon that were on the same side as their respective personifications.
"If this isn't it, I have no idea what other place in town could resemble the sun and the moon more!"
Overhearing this comment was none other than the red Yoshi host, Blaise, and the greeters for the second leg, as well as the owners and managers of the hotel: Brighton and Twila, who stood on opposite sides behind the dinosaur.
Within seconds of the remark, a team entered through the front doors of the large hallway. Grinning largely, they made a gigantic leap onto the world map.
"Welcome to the Sun and Moon Hotel!" Brighton and Twila chimed in unison.
"Thanks!"
"Blank you."
Looking at each other in confusion, Brighton and Twila shrugged the statement off.
"Shimi and Waitress." Blaise looked both team members in the eyes, partially freaking them out. "You are…team number one."
Shimi & Waitress: Express Workers- 1st Place, 9:45 A.M.
"We got first?!" Waitress exclaimed in shock. "Oh, wow! Awesome!"
"You're smoking, right?" Chef Shimi asked Blaise. Upon receiving a dark glare for an answer, Shimi let out an audible 'eep.'
"…By the way…I have some more good news for the both of you…" Blaise continued, "To reward finishing first on this second leg of the race, you've both won an all-expense paid trip to scenic and lush Castaway Bay for two weeks. You'll be experiencing rafting down the famed mountain rapids, learning to dance with the natives, and possibly even be able to spot a UFO…all within walking distance of your log cabin suite, compliments of Mushroom International, which you can enjoy after the race."
"Castaway Bay?! That sounds so COOL!" Waitress shrieked with excitement.
"Indeed! Never have I been so lucky to contain such an amazing vocation!" Shimi grinned widely. Blaise just rolled his eyes, while the two greeters quietly snickered to themselves, leaving a confused Shimi glancing at his partner questioningly.
-----
Pungry & Pungent: Best Friends- CURRENTLY IN LAST (House-Edge Casino, Pinball Row)
"Detour…we're last, I just know it…" Pungry muttered. "Spin Out or Fall In…okay…"
"I say we Spin Out. Don't trust some dumb ol' pachinko machines with our race fate…I'd rather go with somethin' I'm safe with." Pungent decided.
"You sure? It's luck-based…we at least have control over how we do with Fall In." Pungry stated.
"Well? Make up your mind!" Pungent replied.
"What? …Oh, fine! We'll do Spin Out…" Pungry sighed.
Beldam & Queen: Shadow Folk- CURRENTLY IN 6th (House-Edge Casino, Roulette Tables)
"It's about time!" Queen swiped away the envelope from the croupier, who gave an offended look and turned away.
"You should really behave once in a while…or at least once in a blue moon…" Beldam remarked.
"SHUT UP!" Queen ordered, causing an annoyed sigh from Beldam. "Make your way to the next pit stop and blah blah blah…okay."
"That doesn't help at all, you know. Where are we going?"
Beldam seemed to glare at Queen angrily when the crumpled Route Info was shoved into her left hand.
Zess & Toadsworth: Possibly Dating- CURRENTLY IN 7th (House-Edge Casino, Roulette Tables)
"My…that was exhilarating." Toadsworth breathed a sigh of relief as the croupier gave him the clue. "I've never been so on edge…"
"It's part of the game." The supervisor winked.
"Yeah, sure…" Zess said impatiently. "Hurry it up and open the clue!"
"Right…" Toadsworth cleared his throat. "Make your way to the next possible pit stop…"
Hamma & Flare: Brothers- CURRENTLY IN 8th (House Edge Casino, Pachinko Machines)
"…At the Sun and Moon Hotel. Warning, the last team to check in may be eliminated." Hamma read.
"That won't be us…I'm making sure of it!" Flare stated confidently.
As the brothers rushed out, they ended up knocking the Smorg's envelope out of the machine. Neither seemed to notice, and neither probably would've cared.
"Could you run any slower?"
"Hah! I can run faster than you can!"
-----
Husband & Wife: Married (Sun & Moon Hotel, Front Hall)
Smiling happily, the couple hopped, skipped, and jumped onto the mat.
"Welcome to the Sun and Moon Hotel!" Brighton and Twila called out.
"Tell us the news!" exclaimed Wife exuberantly.
"…Husband and Wife." Blaise paused. "You are team number two."
Husband & Wife: Married- 2nd Place, 9:59 A.M.
"Two?! Second?!" Husband gaped in shock. "That Fast Forward ended up as a rip-off!"
"Really…well at least we're at the top now." Wife sighed.
"Needless to say, we were both pretty disappointed to end up being only second. After all, we expected the Fast Forward to get us to first…but it probably wouldn't have happened with such a luck-based task, anyway…" Husband explained. (After-Leg Interview)
-----
To & Too: Sisters (Faire Square, Streets)
"How many marked cars have passed this way now?"
"Too many."
Still sitting in the rain, the two sisters patiently waited for their replacement car to arrive.
"This is taking forever…" Too moaned. "…Wanna play rock, paper, scissors?"
"Sure!"
-----
Smorgo & Smorga: Things- CURRENTLY IN 9th (House-Edge Casino, Roulette Tables)
Although it seemed unreasonable, the Smorg completed their three rounds and accepted the envelope the croupier gave them.
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (Is it Christmas already? I didn't buy this guy a present…)" Smorgo sighed. "SMORGSMORG (I guess he'll just have to deal with ice cream pork chops.)"
"SMORGSMORGSMORG (Halloween? I thought it was Mother's Day!)" Smorga squeaked, holding up a card made of dirt and dust.
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (Happy Valentine's Day!)" Smorgo ate the 'card.'
"They're finished? Geez…if they can do it, we better be able to do it to beat the Punis to the pit stop…" Pa-Patch muttered to himself as the Smorg bounced out of the casino.
"Muy bien! Just one more round to go!" Cortez exclaimed.
"Really! Cool!"
"…They're gonna beat us…" Pungent shook his head. "We should just give up now…face it, we only have one round!"
Pungry ignored Pungent's pessimistic words.
-----
Andy & King: Homeboys (Sun & Moon Hotel, Front Hall)
"Welcome to the Sun and Moon Hotel!" Brighton and Twila cried happily.
"Thanks! Hey, is it true that—mf mmf!"
King K. sweatdropped at having to cover Andy's mouth to prevent the question about the rumor from escaping.
Blaise gave the two a strange look before speaking. "Andy and King. You are team number three."
Andy & King: Homeboys- 3rd Place, 10:09 A.M.
"Dude, we got third! That rocks!" King exclaimed.
"Yup. Hopefully lucky number three will keep us going in the next leg." Bandy Andy remarked. "By the way…I heard that you guys one time accidentally release magic on the wall of—mmf!"
Brighton and Twila blinked in confusion while King K. laughed nervously and pulled his partner away.
-----
Pa-Patch & Cortez: Pirates- CURRENTLY IN 10th (House-Edge Casino, Roulette Tables)
"YES! OH, THANK GOODNESS! THANK YOU!"
Cortez raised an eyebrow as Pa-Patch exaggeratedly kissed the envelope before he opened it.
"Makeyourwaytothenextpitstopatso-and-soplace! Come on, let's go!" Pa-Patch exclaimed.
"…Right…" Cortez quickly floated behind the Bob-omb.
"Great…we're a shoe-in for last now…" Pungent groaned.
"3, 7, and 33." Pungry told the supervisor, still ignoring Pungent.
-----
Toodles & Toadia: Teacher & Student (Faire Square, Streets)
"Really, now…we passed it that far back?"
"Yeah…you need to go back in that direction."
"Oh…well, thank you very much." Toodles sighed.
A disappointed Toadia stared down at her feet.
"Sorry, Toodles…but I seriously couldn't find it on the map!" Toadia twiddled her fingers, constantly creating the letter 'L' with her outlines.
"…It's alright…we won't be last, I'm sure of it." Toodles breathed in and out before pushing the gas pedal with her hand.
To & Too: Sisters (Faire Square, Streets)
"Finally!"
The relieved sisters dumped their damp backpacks into the trunk of the marked car.
If a team's car breaks down or becomes inoperable during the course of the race, a replacement vehicle may be given to them. However, no time credit will be given in this unlucky situation.
"Now we're back on the road!" Too cheered.
"Hopefully we won't be pulling in last today." To mused. "Oh well!"
-----
Pungry & Pungent: Best Friends- CURRENTLY IN LAST (House-Edge Casino, Roulette Tables)
"Pit stop…hopefully we can make it in time." Pungry said wistfully.
"I'll bet ya a Life Shroom we ain't." Pungent remarked. Pungry ignored him.
-----
Beldam & Queen: Shadow Folk (Sun & Moon Hotel, Front Hall)
"Welcome to the—"
"Yeah, yeah…who cares?!"
Brighton and Twila both gave a small 'hmph' at the Shadow Queen's rudeness.
"Beldam and Queen." Blaise nodded slightly. "You're team number four."
Beldam & Queen: Shadow Folk- 4th Place, 10:17 A.M.
"FOURTH?!" Queen repeated in anger. "How despicable of you to give me such a low placing! I hate you Yoshis! Why of all the species in the world, you have got to be the most ridiculous, most repulsive, most…"
For some reason, Queen was actually silenced by a staggeringly menacing glare from Blaise.
"At least we're being consistent…" Beldam murmured. "If we continue making fourth for a few legs, it wouldn't matter at all."
"Yes it would! My reputation is at stake!" Queen sniffed.
Zess & Toadsworth: Possibly Dating (Sun & Moon Hotel, Front Hall)
The elated elderly duo made a gigantic leap onto the map.
"Welcome to the Sun and Moon Hotel!" Brighton and Twila both winked.
"My, my…so nice to see you again." Toadsworth hinted towards the cameras as he shook the hands of the two.
"Zess and Toadsworth…" Blaise sighed, visibly swaying the confidence of the two Toads. "You are team number five."
Zess & Toadsworth: Possibly Dating- 5th Place, 10:23 A.M.
"Five? That's not too shabby…" Zess grinned. "But then again, I was kinda worried when we were at the back of the pack from the airport…"
"It just goes to show just what we can come back from…right, Zess?" Toadsworth smiled.
"Oh, of course…" Zess T. giggled.
Smorgo & Smorga: Things (Sun & Moon Hotel, Front Hall)
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (I wish for a shooting star.)" Smorga remarked as the two rolled into the front hall of the hotel, trailing grime and mud. Brighton and Twila shrieked and ran to grab mops.
"…I guess they weren't kidding when they said they knew their way around…" Blaise muttered, checking his watch.
"SMORGSMORGSMORG (Look, a Fire Flower!)" Smorgo joked.
"Smorgo and Smorga." Blaise paused. "You're the sixth team to arrive."
The two Smorg sat there, blinking.
"…Um…yeah. However, you two took a marked car that was not your own…for that, you will have to incur a thirty-minute penalty. You two should go stand over there…"
After several seconds of waiting, an impatient Blaise ended up kicking the Smorg off the mat, causing more mess next to the mat, which Brighton and Twila rushed to clean.
Toodles & Toadia: Teacher & Student (Sun & Moon Hotel, Front Hall)
"It smells weird in here…" Toadia remarked. "Oh no…that's why."
Flies had started to buzz around the two Smorg, causing the two females to turn their backs to the Smorg.
"Welcome to the Sun and Moon Hotel…" Brighton and Twila greeted tiredly, leaning on each other for support.
"Toodles and Toadia," Blaise stated, "You are team number six."
Toodles & Toadia: Teacher & Student- 6th Place, 10:29 A.M.
"Great…can we leave now?" Toadia asked, pinching the area where her nose would be. Toodles simply took out a can of air freshener, shook it, and sprayed, sending the scent of berries into the hall.
Hamma & Flare: Brothers (Sun & Moon Hotel, Front Hall)
Panting, the two brothers ran up to the mat.
"Heh, traffic is getting crazy out there…" Flare laughed, pointing out the window.
"Yeah…that's why we're late, bro…" Hamma told Blaise, who shrugged.
"Welcome to the Sun and Moon Hotel!"
"Hamma and Flare. You are team number seven."
Hamma & Flare: Brothers- 7th Place, 10:37 A.M.
"Seventh?! Dang…we're slipping! Dude, you better step it up." Hamma accused.
"Me?! What the heck?! Bro, get over yourself!" Flare demanded.
Blaise rolled his eyes as an all-out brawl ensued on the mat.
"SMORGSMORGSMORG (Did you notice that the smell of car tires disappeared a few minutes ago?)" Smorgo asked.
"SMORGSMORG (Not really…I was too busy plucking my rhododendrons.)" Smorga responded.
Team ? (Sun & Moon Hotel, Front Hall)
A marked car parked in the parking area, and a team rushed out. They both energetically ran through the front doors and made a beeline straight for the pit stop mat.
"Welcome to the Sun and Moon Hotel!" Brighton and Twila exclaimed.
"Thanks!" The duo replied in equally perfect unison.
"…To and Too." Blaise started, "You're team number eight."
To & Too: Sisters- 8th Place, 10:48 A.M.
"Eighth? Oh, wow…"
The relieved sisters hugged each other…and Blaise, who didn't complain.
"I didn't think we'd still be in it after our car broke down…" To stated in amazement.
"Yeah…but I'm glad we didn't give up, though." Too grinned.
Smorgo & Smorga: Things (Sun & Moon Hotel, Front Hall)
Blaise looked over at the two Smorg, who were both staring at each other.
"You guys can come on in now." Blaise told them.
However…the two Smorg just sat there.
"SMORGSMORGSMORG (I'm gonna win this eating contest!)" Smorga announced.
"SMORGSMORG (Whatever! It's clear that I can poke much better than you can!)" Smorgo argued.
When it was clear that the two Smorg weren't moving, the trio waiting at the mat sighed.
Team ? (Sun & Moon Hotel, Front Hall)
"…Hey, look! It's…it's the Smorg! We may not be last after all!"
With renewed hope, a team rushed towards the mat, while the two Smorg continued staring at each other.
"Welcome to the Sun and Moon Hotel!"
"…Pungry and Pungent." Blaise nodded. "You're team number nine."
Pungry & Pungent: Best Friends- 9th Place, 11:02 A.M.
"…Yer kiddin…" Pungent gaped.
Pungry smiled in satisfaction.
"I knew we were still in this…" Pungry nudged Pungent, who blushed embarrassedly.
"What I really learned today was to not give up. Pungry was right; my pessimism ended up gettin' us in nearly irreversible trouble. But in the end, I'm glad that we made it through…" Pungent explained through a few slight tears of shame. (After-Leg Interview)
Pa-Patch & Cortez: Pirates (Sun & Moon Hotel, Front Hall)
"Surely, getting lost made us last now…" Pa-Patch sighed. "We can never stop with the navigation problems, can we?"
"Amigo, don't be so hard on yourself…" Cortez comforted.
The two slowly walked/floated towards the mat…
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (There she blows!)"
"SMORGSMORGSMORG (They're getting away! Oh no!)"
Bouncing quickly, the two Smorg landed on top of the mat in time to pounce on a speck of dirt.
"Wait…what're they doing?" Pa-Patch asked in confusion. "Somefin' feels fishy…"
"Smorgo and Smorga. You're team number ten." Blaise announced.
Smorgo & Smorga: Things- 10th Place, 11:10 A.M.
"WHAT?! THEY WERE STILL RACING?!" Pa-Patch asked in shock.
"…" Cortez just gaped.
"SMORGSMORGSMORG (London bridge fell down!)" Smorga laughed.
"SMORGSMORGSMORGSMORG (My pail of buckets is slow!)"
"Mommy, look! It's those cute little dolls again!"
Blaise, Brighton, Twila, Pa-Patch, and Cortez turned to see the little Toad girl and her mother enter the hotel.
"I want the dollies!"
Laughing, the girl ended up chasing the Smorg around the hallway.
"Stop that, young lady! Come back here!"
"…This is seriously messed up." Cortez spoke at last.
"…Yeah…Pa-Patch and Cortez. As you know, you're unfortunately the last team to arrive." Blaise informed the pair.
Pa-Patch & Cortez: Pirates- Last Place, 11:10 A.M.
"What of it?" Pa-Patch asked hopefully.
"…I'm…sorry to inform you that you've both been eliminated from the race." Blaise ended ruefully.
"Oh well…" Cortez sighed.
"Geez, they're giving me a headache!" Pa-Patch cried out at the chasing occurring between the Smorg, the little girl, and her mom. Brighton and Twila just watched, giggling uncontrollably.
"Being on the race with Pa-Patch has given me some good insight on how I live…or don't live, really. Anyways…estoy realmente contento haber estado en la carrera. el asunto ..no cómo la vuelta fuera fue. It doesn't make a difference that we didn't win. The experience itself was enough for me." Cortez smiled sadly. (After-Leg Interview)
"It's just sad, really. We got eliminated for a stupid reason…if it weren't for the fact that I'm scared of ghosts, even my own, I would probably have killed myself over this…but as they say, you just have to keep on going. Besides…there's more seas to be conquered. With this newfound confidence we have as an actual team now…I just know that Cortez and I can work as more than just sailin' mates…now we're actually buds." Pa-Patch remarked. (After-Leg Interview)
The light drizzle suddenly started to clear up as the pirates exchanged their good-byes to Blaise before leaving the map. Before they could leave the building, however, they had to jump out of the way to avoid the mad chase going on in the hall.
Finally clearing the nearby clouds, the sunlight penetrated the foggy area of the city, brightening the unusual all-year autumn décor. Although a team had lost their shot at winning the race…they had gained so much knowledge about each other while experiencing the city of Lady Luck…known as Faire Square.
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Leg 2 Special Guest…
Now…for the special guest of leg two…none other but the Puni Elder!
"QUIET DOWN AND QUIT INTRODUCING ME! I can do it myself…" The Puni Elder sniffed. "Anyways…I don't particularly have a bond with Pungent and Pungry like I do with Punio and Petuni…so I can't say much more than I'm proud of 'em. That's it. Plain and simple. Okay…what was I supposed to do now…oh, yes, that's right. The next leg, the third of the race, occurs at a quite sandy, but wood-covered place…or something like that. I knew I shouldn't make rhymes…
So…next time, on the Amazing Race…
Married couple Husband and Wife's arguing escalates to an even higher level than before."
"JUST SHUT UP, YOU GRIM-FACED IMBECILE!"
"LOOK IN THE MIRROR!"
"Toadsworth and Zess T. get trouble with a tough Detour."
"This wreaks something awful…" Zess complained. "How are we supposed to do this?"
"There aren't any instructions…I'm afraid I don't know…" Toadsworth stated dismally.
"And Beldam and the Shadow Queen find themselves hopelessly lost."
"This is so STUPID!" Beldam angrily crumpled the map up into a tight ball and chunked it as hard as she could into the air, her hands freezing with her icy powers.
"So, yeah…a pretty conflict-filled third leg…yadda, yadda…what'd you expect?" Puni Elder yawned. "Now, if you'll excuse me…it's time for me to go to sleep…not that I require a nap every day, but…zzzzzzz…"
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Leg 2 Trivia:
- Unlike the Roadblock and Fast Forward for this leg of the race, the Detour was planned in less than 5 minutes after the author reached the point where To & Too obtained the Detour clue. The specific details, such as how many numbers were allowed to be used in roulette, and how many steel balls were needed to pass, were constantly amended in a total count of 3 and 5 times, respectively.
- The pit stop for this leg of the race, the Sun and Moon Hotel, was used in all previous versions and attempts at the MKAR, all of which featured a first leg of the Mario Party 6 Board Tour Part I, which ended at Faire Square.
- This is the first leg in all of the author's AR series to officially introduce/hint at the concept of specialized marked cars for teams.
- The little girl and her mother that made three appearances in this leg sadly have no interesting roots, as they come from the author's head of weirdness, not some ultra-strange, wacky-coincidental incident in real life.
- Brighton made an appearance as the greeter at Clockworks Castle in TTYD Season 1 on the third leg.
- The submission of this leg was done on Halloween. Coincidentally, some decorations in the Faire Square board are an allusion to Halloween, with jack-o-lanterns and other objects related to that nature.
Previous Leg Trivia (Leg 1):
- Unless overlooked by the author, this is the first chapter in which a reviewer made an allusion to a team member's speech in the leg. The only thing close to this was in season one, when a reviewer used quotations to correct a continuity/grammatical/spelling error made by the author.
Previous Race Trivia (TTYD 1):
- All teams that were eliminated, with the exception of Ms. Mowz & Peeka and Vivian & Marilyn, received exactly two comments of regret or pity the chapter of (in the case of Don & Fransesca, the chapter after) their elimination.
- The team that received the most mentions in reviews (which included cheers, relief, and miscellaneous comments) was Flavio and Bobbery, with at least nine various comments that don't include regret or pity. In a tie for second were Merluvlee & Merlee and Jolene & Mush with seven mentions.
- The team that was least covered in total reviews was Ms. Mowz & Peeka, who only received one mention when they got first place. Also, Vivian & Marilyn only received two mentions—both teams received no pity comments, as stated above.
- Koopley & Koops were the latest to start receiving mentions, as their first was in one of the double-digit chapters.
- The only teams not to receive mentions not including pity or regret remarks were the first three eliminated: Flurrie & Doopliss, Punio & Petuni, and Goldbob & Sylvia.
- Out of the final four, Don & Fransesca received hardly any negative comments, as did Koopley & Koops. On the other hand, Jolene & Mush and Merluvlee & Merlee received several 'nay' reviews against them.
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Author's Note: Sorry for all the race trivia and stuff…but I just find all of that statistical data so interesting! By the way, I'm not entirely positive if numbers on the previous race trivia are correct…oh well.
I'm so sorry about the elimination…the leg was pre-planned directly after the first was typed up…however, the third isn't…yet. So…who'll be eliminated next? And what kind of surprises will the author be giving to this version of the race (the previous episode's sneak-peak of the sign that looked like an intersection or crossroad will not make an appearance at all in this version once it is aired) once it starts heating up? We have the Yield coming…but something else, too…