Author's Note: Um…read if you'd like?
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Loading the Memory Card… The save file in Slot A was loaded!
…
"Previously…on the Amazing Race…
Nine teams of two left Ancient Valley's Pagoda Peak, with one team penniless."
"I really hope we can make it through this leg without money…" Peeka whispered.
"They flew over 1,000 miles to Lakitu Valley. While Don and Fransesca's search for a better flight allowed for a three-hour lead, Frankly and Goombella became tangled in a search for a flight once the other teams' had no seats left on theirs. The professor-student team managed to obtain a flight that would have arrived at 11…"
"Ma'am…we have a flight that will arrive at Lakitu Valley at 12:10. Would that work just as well?"
"Yes…it would." Frankly said.
"Three hours ahead of the second flight, Don and Fransesca worked along the main track, driving to the rural town of Verdeville. At the windmill, the two found a Detour…where they decided to try their hand at golfing. Although Fransesca had a small bit of trouble, the two managed to finish relatively quickly."
She putted with the wood…and the ball went in. "Hahahaha!"
"The two traveled to Sky Blue City, and encountered a Roadblock requiring teams to eat three pounds of Spiny eggs. Don started on his dish even before the majority of the others even touched down. When he finished…"
"You're team number one."
"YEEEEEESSSS!" Fransesca screamed, hugging Don.
"Woooooooow." Don remarked bluntly.
"Behind the others, Frankly and Goombella opted for the golf option of the Detour. The other teams met trouble as their luck proved to take a long time to kick in at Chip In Two."
"Man." Mush sighed.
"This option caused fighters Rawk Hawk and Yoshi to get even more angry at each other after their arguments at the airport. On top of that, both stressed over how long it was taking for them to win."
"This is really frustrating…" Yoshi muttered to himself.
"GRRAH!" Rawk Hawk screamed out in frustration.
"At the Roadblock, Goombella and Ms. Mowz faltered at eating the eggs. Jolene pulled her team to a second-place finish, while three teams managed a third-place tie. In the end, the four teams ended up racing to the pit stop at the same time. Parking far away, the four teams ran as fast as they could to avoid last place."
"Phew…that came close, but we managed it." Bobbery sighed.
"That was really close, hon…" Peeka breathed.
"Frankly and Goombella were the last to check in."
"You're the last team to arrive."
"I'm…sorry to inform you that you've both been eliminated from the race." Miles apologized.
"Oh well…" Goombella leaned against Frankly sadly.
"That's alright. Thank you for having us." Frankly grinned.
Don and Fransesca Make First; Frankly and Goombella Close but not Quite"Eight teams remain in the race. Who will be eliminated next?"
…
"This is Sky Blue City. It is the sole urban area of Lakitu Valley, and is economically famous for its sales and trading. To the north of this bustling center is Cloud Mansion. This rustic five-story building sits upon a vast plain of flowers, and was also the fifth pit stop in a race around the world.
Teams checked in here to take part in a mandatory twelve-hour rest period where they can eat, sleep, and mingle with the other teams. After arguing continually throughout the previous leg, will Rawk Hawk and Yoshi be able to make up, or will their angers boil over to the point of putting them in last? With a three-hour lead, will Don and Fransesca overcome the challenges in the next leg to reclaim the lead spot?
The father-daughter team arrived at 12:13 P.M., and will depart at 12:13 A.M."
Don & Fransesca: Father/Daughter- 1st to Depart/ 12:13 A.M.
"Okay…hopefully we can keep our lead." Fransesca breathed.
"No need ta worry about dat, Frannie. We'll do it right. …Route Info… Drive yous selves to Lakitu Valley Airport and find a flight to…Cheese Land? …From dere…proceed to de Peace Monument de la Cheddar and search for your next clue."
"Teams must now drive themselves back to the airport, out in the countryside by 15 miles. From there, they have to find some kind of connection to Cheese Land, 6,100 miles away. There are no flights directly from Lakitu Valley to Cheese Land, so teams will have to be careful about what kind of connection they get. Once in one of the closest points to outer space, teams will have to travel an additional 21 miles and find the Peace Monument de la Cheddar in Swiss City. This monument was carved over 200 years ago, and still stands today, serving as a magical force field to this mouse lover's paradise. Their next clue will be waiting here."
"You've got some 200 coins for dis leg of de race…"
"200. We have a bit over 250 now. Let's go!"
"Right now, we've gotta play smart. We've done good and are at de front of de pack, but one mistake…we'll be last. I'm worried most about our funds, dough. Piantas aren't evah de best at swallowin' their pride and beggin for anythin." Don commented.
"I really hope that the airport is open now…or we can just say goodbye to this lead." Fransesca sighed.
Area change
"It's open." Don remarked, waking Fransesca up.
"Serious? AWESOME!" Fransesca gleefully ran through the double doors and to a counter reading "Mushroom Airlines International."
"If I know anythin…dis place is bounda got a connection to Cheese Land." Don voiced.
"Hi. We need to find a connection to Cheese Land." Fransesca said.
"Okay…uh…we have one leaving at 6:00 A.M. that arrives at 7:00 P.M. tonight at Ribbon Land, local time. Then…the flight goes from Ribbon Land to Cheese Land at 9:00 P.M. at the same airlines, and arrives at 5:30 A.M. the following morning. Would that work?"
"Sure!" Fransesca said happily. "We'll go with that!"
Jolene & Mush: Siblings- 2nd to Depart/ 3:42 A.M.
"…find a flight to Cheese Land. From there, proceed to…um… the Peace Monument de la Cheddar?" Mush burst out laughing.
"Mush, give me that!" Jolene chuckled. "Search for your next clue; you have 200 coins for this leg of the race. That's better."
"I think that we've been doing very well on the race. We've been playing fair, we've been playing smart, and look where it's got us. We're in the top three. But I don't exactly want to reminiscence on the taste of those eggs last leg." Jolene giggled.
"Back to the airport?" Mush asked.
"Yup."
Koopley & Koops/ Vivian & Marilyn/ Merluvlee & Merlee- 3rd to Depart/ 3:49 A.M.
"You have 200 coins for this leg of the race." Vivian read.
"Let's do it." Merluvlee said.
"Our alliance helped us do very well last leg. We're the underdogs right now, no matter where we are. Or so that's what we like to say. If we work together like this, we can probably edge out everyone else, so it'd be only us three racing at the end. That'd be great." Koops remarked.
"Guh guh guh guh, guh guh guuuuuuh. Guh guh guh? Guh guh guh guh guh. Guh." Marilyn said proudly.
"If anything, I just want to pull away from where it's crowded and in a danger zone of being close to the back of the pack. It's the worst place to start off a leg or end a leg, and one team has to be there…I really don't want it to be us." Merlee commented.
"Vivian, you go ahead and lead if you want." Koopley said.
"Sure!"
Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- 6th to Depart/ 3:58 A.M.
"Peace Monument de la Cheddar…okay. Bobbery, come on!"
"EELY-MOUTH'S DENTIST! FA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA!" Flavio sang soprano before he started bawling for no reason.
Rawk Hawk & Yoshi: Fighters- 7th to Depart/ 3:58 A.M.
"It's a Peace Monument of some kind…better stuff it over your head." Rawk Hawk muttered to Yoshi, who responded by using Gulp.
"GAAAH! IT'S SO SALIVA-ICKY!"
Ms. Mowz & Peeka: Store Workers- Last to Depart/ 3:59 A.M.
"Come on, Peeka! Just open the clue in the car while they're fighting amongst themselves!" Ms. Mowz urged.
"We're an intelligent team, but we're exhausted. We can do better, and we're cruising right along. We all want to win, and we're doing just fine…but departing in last place isn't good." Ms. Mowz remarked.
"…" Flavio drooled.
"I really think we have what it takes to get first place just once. Honestly. We make too many mistakes, and it's costing us." Yoshi commented.
Lakitu Valley International Airport
"Come on, Mush! The others caught up somehow!" Jolene ushered her brother through the empty areas to the Mushroom Airlines counter.
"We need tickets to Cheese Land." Mush said.
"Okay…we have one leaving at 6, arriving at 7 local time tonight at Ribbon Land…you'd have a two hour transition on the same airlines at 9…it would arrive at 5:30 the following morning." The ticket agent said.
"What do you think, Jolene?"
"Erm…I think that'd work."
The siblings received their tickets and hurriedly walked away before the other three teams saw them.
"Hi sir…we need tickets to Cheese Land." Vivian said.
"Okay…we have one flight that leaves at 6:00 A.M. that will arrive at 7 P.M. tonight at Ribbon land, local time. Then, the flight goes to Cheese Land at 9 P.M. at the same airlines…and arrives at 5:30 the following morning."
"Let's go for that." Merlee said.
"Yeah." Koops voiced.
"Guh guh."
"Ditto."
"Sir…have there been any others with big backpacks like us asking for tickets?" Koopley asked curiously.
As the agent got the tickets ready, he replied "As a matter of fact, yes. Two Piantas and two Toads."
"That'd be Don, Fransesca, Jolene, and Mush…" Merluvlee muttered.
Area change
"Okay…the flight leaves at 7 A.M.?" Bobbery asked.
"Yes."
"Arrives at Vanilla Lake at 3 today…leaves at 4:30, and will arrive at 5:20 tomorrow…strange." Bobbery sighed. "But I guess we'll go with this airlines. Right, old boy?"
SLURP!
Flavio couldn't make a random remark because he was drinking a slushie that had chili dog and onions in it…before he started squirting it out his nose at the counter.
"Um…thank you for the tickets?" Bobbery sweat dropped as the ticket agent fainted out of horror.
Area change
"Hi…we'd like tickets for Cheese Land, fastest out." Ms. Mowz said.
"I'm sorry, but we don't have any seats left on our airlines…won't have another flight until tomorrow." The ticket agent apologized.
"You sure, sweetie?" Peeka asked.
"Mm hm…yeah…maybe another airlines has a flight."
"Okay, thank you."
Area change
"Hello? HELLO?" Yoshi yelled, waking up the ticket agent that had fainted. Traces of the smoothie…were still on the counter, which had stunned Rawk Hawk.
"Wha?"
"We need tickets…" Rawk Hawk muttered while still making faces about how gross the smoothie looked.
"To…"
"Cheese Land." Yoshi said, prompting the agent to go to her computer.
"Okay…we have one that leaves at 7 this morning, and arrives at Vanilla Lake at 3 P.M. in the afternoon, local time. It leaves at 4:30 from the same airlines, and arrives at 5:20."
"I think we can work with that." Yoshi remarked.
"Yeah." Rawk Hawk threw a napkin at the smoothie (the smoothie jiggled in response like jello), making Rawk Hawk look away, disgusted.
"Thanks…" Yoshi pulled Rawk Hawk out of the way before the ticket agent collapsed in horror again.
Area change
"There should be a flight somewhere…" Ms. Mowz murmured. "Excuse me, sweetie…but do you know any airlines that might go to Cheese Land?"
"Well, duh…you're a mouse. You should know. There's one at Super Air."
"Thanks, hon." Peeka replied.
Area change
"Hi, we need tickets to Cheese Land."
"Okay…sure. There's one leaving at 8:00 in the morning…it arrives at Giant Land at 4 P.M. local time…then, there's a flight leaving from the same airlines at 7 P.M. that should arrive at Cheese Land at 5:50 tomorrow."
"We'll take that."
Flight Departing at 6:00 A.M. (Lakitu Valley to Ribbon Land)
"This is the first flight out of Lakitu Valley which will arrive at 5:30 through Ribbon Land. On this flight are father-son Koopley and Koops, twins Merluvlee and Merlee, siblings Jolene and Mush, father-daughter Don and Fransesca, and sisters Vivian and Marilyn. However, this flight arrives after one that leaves one hour later, the Vanilla Lake flight, because it has a shorter layover."
Flight Departing at 7:00 A.M. (Lakitu Valley to Vanilla Lake)
"This is the second flight out of Lakitu Valley which will arrive at 5:20 through Vanilla Lake. On this flight are sailors Flavio and Bobbery and fighters Rawk Hawk and Yoshi. This flight arrives earlier than the first one because of a shorter layover."
Flight Departing at 8:00 A.M. (Lakitu Valley to Giant Land)
"This is the last flight out of Lakitu Valley which will arrive at 5:50 through Giant Land. On this flight are store workers Ms. Mowz and Peeka."
Cheese Land International
Flight Arriving at 5:20 A.M.
Rawk Hawk & Yoshi: Fighters- Currently in 1st
"Yoshi, the taxis are in this area! COME ON!"
"Just get someone that speaks English! I'm trying to find a map just in case!"
Rawk Hawk just stared at Yoshi's back for a few seconds before turning to a taxi driver. "You better take us to the Peace Monument…she da Cheddah…or something like that…FAST! OR BE RAAAAAAWKED!"
"Y-Y-Yes, sir!"
Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- Currently in 2nd
"Flavio, please! We can get you some cheese fries, cheese yogurt, and cheese pasta later! Come on…I'm begging you!" Bobbery pleaded as Flavio sat down to a cheesy breakfast in the airport.
"Tastes just like clown…" Flavio murmured to himself before slapping cheese yogurt on his face.
Flight Arriving at 5:30 A.M.
Don & Fransesca: Father/ Daughter- Currently in 2nd
"Daddy, there are taxis over here!" Fransesca said.
"We need de Peace Monument de la Cheddar and we have to go very fast!" Don urged.
"I think Bobbery's stuck back there…" Fransesca giggled.
Koopley & Koops/ Merluvlee & Merlee/ Vivian & Marilyn- Tied for 3rd
"Sir, could you tell them to follow you? We need to go to the Peace Monument de la Cheddar right now!" Koopley requested.
"Sure thing."
Jolene & Mush: Siblings- Currently in 6th
"Mush, hu-wow! Cheese items across the menus! Sheesh…I already got my calcium tod-there's protein in this cheese? Wow…"
"Flavio and Bobbery won't be moving for a short while…" Mush murmured. The two looked at each other for a second before deciding to buy a few cheese energy bars.
Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- Currently in 7th
"Old boy, are you quite done yet?" Bobbery asked.
"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…" Flavio wiped his mouth with his hat.
"You didn't use that brush, did you…well, come on!"
Rawk Hawk & Yoshi: Fighters- Currently in 1st
"Thanks, man." Yoshi paid the driver hurriedly before rushing out to the clue box. "Believe it or not, this is one of the closest points to outer space in the world. Use the tile in the building behind the monument to go to space and locate a clue inside of a globe at the Astro Avenue Disco!"
"Teams must now use a teleportation tile to access Astro Avenue, only a mere 259 miles out from Cheese Land. This city is actually affected by gravity, and as all outer space…no oxygen is required. Once there, teams have to walk along the starry streets to this place: the Astro Avenue Disco. What teams don't know is that globes aren't found anywhere on the dance floor. Instead, the disco's bar has globe balloons on the counter containing their next clue."
"Outer space!" Yoshi questioned.
"Astro Avenue!" Rawk Hawk gasped.
"OMG!" The two yelled out in unison. They immediately dashed into the building and onto the teleportation tile.
Area change
Astro Avenue Tile Deposit
"I thought I'd seen it all…" Rawk Hawk muttered.
"It was amazing. Interconnected rocks that looked like planets, the streets were like stardust…the city was in outer space, and we could breathe! I was beside myself…I could hardly believe my eyes!" Rawk Hawk recalled.
"So we need to find the Astro Avenue Disco…" Yoshi said under his breath. "How cliché…"
Flight Arriving at 5:50 A.M.
Ms. Mowz & Peeka: Store Workers- Currently in Last
"Taxi! Please! Won't someone stop to help a couple of cute chicks?" Ms. Mowz called out, laughing. Immediately, several taxis pulled up.
"Who can drive fast to the Peace Monument de la Cheddar?"
Merluvlee & Merlee/ Koopley & Koops/ Vivian & Marilyn/ Don & Fransesca/ Jolene & Mush/ Flavio & Bobbery- Tied for 2nd
Arriving at approximately the same time, the six teams piled out of their taxis and grabbed the clue. Mumbling to themselves, the morning air was suddenly filled with-
"WHAT?"
"NO WAY!"
"I LOVE APPLESAUCE!"
"AWESOME!"
"How do we breathe!"
"Guh guh guh!"
"Impossible…"
"This just HAS to be a fake clue!"
"No kidding?"
"Yours says it, too?"
The six elated teams ran through to the building with the tile, and eagerly shoved for positioning.
Area change
"Oh…my…gosh…"
"This is amazing!"
"If only I had my camera…"
"Is there a gift shop here?"
"Dis is just too weird…"
"Guh guh."
"I LOVE APPLESAUCE!"
Flavio's shout somehow reminded the teams of their task at hand, prompting them to start walking instead of staring. Most looked at the dulled sun, while a few looked at the surrounding buildings. Eventually, they all split up. Then…they ran back and got back into the appropriate teams.
Rawk Hawk & Yoshi: Fighters- Currently in 1st
"A globe…where's a globe at?" Yoshi murmured.
"The bar." Rawk Hawk commented.
"Yeah, you would look there." Yoshi jested, causing Rawk Hawk to fume.
"WHATEVER! RAAWK!" Rawk Hawk ran forward, thrusting his left pointer finger through the dancers whom moved aside like nothing was happening. Rawk Hawk's finger popped the balloon at the bar, and the clue flew into an outstretched right hand.
"Since when were you able to…oh, never mind. Just read!"
"Detour. Alien Nation or Pro Motion. Which exploration will you take?" Rawk Hawk read.
"A Detour is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons. In this outer space Detour, teams have the option between Alien Nation and Pro Motion. In Alien Nation, teams will have to obtain rocket boosters from this place: Bonjen Rocket Fuel. They will then have to steer 11 miles through space to this area: Shroomus Largus. They will then have to find this certain alien with the next envelope using a picture included in the clue. If teams have an eye for detail and know how to direct themselves using very quick rockets in outer space, they could finish quickly. In Pro Motion, teams will have to come to this place: Mon Wok Training Camp. To get the clue, teams will have to follow an instructor in different types of moonwalks. Once teams have done the chosen movements correctly, they'll receive the clue. They won't have to travel far, but mastering difficult maneuvers without gravity could take a long time."
"What's up with the freaky name…" Yoshi muttered. "…Wait. HOW COME WE CAN ACTUALLY HEAR EACH OTHER IN THIS LOUD DISCO?"
"Why're you yelling? Come on, that rental was next door…let's just do Alien Nation!" Rawk Hawk pulled a panicking Yoshi back through the dancers, who were doing the wave.
Area change
"Hi, we're on the race and we need the rocket boosters." Rawk Hawk told a worker at Bonjen Rocket Fuel.
"…AAAAAAAAH!" The worker screamed and fainted for no apparent reason.
"…What does it take to get some good help around here?" Yoshi sighed.
Ms. Mowz & Peeka: Store Workers- Currently in Last
"Believe it or not, this is one of the closest points to outer space in the world. Use the tile in the building behind the monument to go to space? And locate a clue inside of a globe at the Astro Avenue Disco! OHMYGOSH!" Peeka screamed, floating around happily. "Let's go!"
"I wonder what it looks like…" Ms. Mowz pondered, nibbling on a bit of cheese.
Area change
"Unbelievable…" The store workers just stood, mouth agape at the floating city.
"Okay…so we have to find a disco…shouldn't be too hard. Discos typically have all these neon things everywhere." Ms. Mowz muttered. "Then again, everything here looks like it's glowing."
"And…" Peeka asked, thinking that Ms. Mowz had a conclusion.
"We just need to ask someone." Ms. Mowz replied, taking a bite out of a hunk of cheese shaped like the moon.
Merluvlee & Merlee: Twins- Currently in 2nd
"Why did everyone split up…" Merluvlee muttered. "And where are these globes?"
"Look over at the bar, Merluv!" Merlee exclaimed.
"OW! I can't look…people are pushing everywhere…"
"Come on!"
In a few seconds (more like thirty) the twins reached the bar. Merlee popped the balloon and grabbed the clue.
"We need to go outside to read it." Merluvlee yelled over the loud music.
"Detour! Al-"
"OUTSIDE!" Merluvlee pushed a surprised Merlee out of the disco before Merlee continued reading.
"Okay…Detour. Alien Nation or-ow!"
"I'm super-duper!"
"Sorry!" Bobbery apologized, pulling Merlee up before chasing after Flavio, who had ran into the disco.
"What is with Flavio?" Merluvlee muttered.
"Detour. Alien Nation or Pro Motion. Which exploration will you take?" Merlee read.
"Pro Motion." Merluvlee answered.
The twins ran off.
Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- Currently in 3rd
"Detour. Alien Nation or Pro Motion." Bobbery murmured. "Well…I don't know…I guess it'd just be Alien Nation…"
"BOOGIE!" Flavio screamed out as he break-danced, catching everyone's attention. Most people clapped and threw out money as Flavio took his hat off.
"Well…I guess we won't have any…fund issues…" Bobbery chuckled.
Jolene & Mush: Siblings- Currently in 4th
"Mush, try to pop it!" Jolene encouraged.
"Maybe if I put it on this straw…" Mush took the balloon off the string and hit it against the counter. It remained intact. "Different balloon…" Mush retied the balloon and just touched another to get the clue out.
"Great!"
"We need to go back outside." Mush said. The two went outside, but caught the attention of Vivian and Marilyn.
"Guh guh guh!"
"It's inside." Jolene pointed.
"Thanks!" Vivian yelled back.
"Detour. Alien Nation or Pro Motion. Let's just do Pro Motion." Mush decided.
"Okay, I'm with you." Jolene agreed.
Vivian & Marilyn: Shadow Sirens- Currently in 5th
"Guh guh guh guh guh guh. Guuuuuh."
"Okay…but…I wonder where our feet will go if we were to do Alien Nation…" Vivian pondered.
Don & Fransesca/ Koopley & Koops/ Ms. Mowz & Peeka- Tied for 6th
Coming into the disco, the three teams were neck and neck to the balloons. Koopley and Koops grabbed the balloon that refused to pop for Jolene and Mush minutes ago.
"EEK! Where'd they come from?" Vivian squealed. "Well, Marilyn, come on!"
"GUH GUH GUH!"
"Detour…Alien Nation or Pro Motion. Which exploration will you take?" Ms. Mowz read. "Let's just try Pro Motion."
"Frannie, what's your opin on dis…"
"Alien Nation, Daddy! I don't think we'll be able to master moves in space easily!"
"OPEN UP ALREADY!" Koops yelled at the balloon while Koopley hammered it with his heavy backpack. Eventually, after the other two teams had left, the balloon released a clue.
"Detour. Alien Nation or Pro Motion. Let's just do Alien Nation." Koopley said.
Mon Wok Training Camp
"I really hope this will be easy…" Merlee sighed. The two showed their clue to a person at the gates, who directed them towards a building.
Area change
"Follow these steps." The twins struggled to keep up with the instructor's movements in the no-gravity zone.
"We could take a long while…" Merluvlee whispered to Merlee.
Shroomus Largus
"Which alien…bleh!" Yoshi jumped back as a puddle of green goo moved toward him. "Gross… Rawk Hawk, where's the photo already?"
"Got it!" Rawk Hawk came running back, stomping on the green goo, which let out a loud moan as it disappeared. "Oops…"
Rawk Hawk & Yoshi: Fighters- Currently in 1st
"Get yourselves to the Astro Constell Observatory upon Starshape Saucer and search for your next clue." Yoshi read.
"Teams must now make their way to the Astro Constell Observatory, which sits inside of the Starshape Saucer, an indent in the normally flat landscape of Astro Avenue. This observatory is known for saving Astro Avenue by scanning the skies and setting off the automated meteorite shield time and time again. Once they've made their way down the 45 feet to the bottom of the crater, teams will find their next clue."
"We need to hurry…no telling where the others are." Yoshi said while Rawk Hawk groaned at the fact that green goop was all over his shoe. "Look, a tile! It's labeled…it goes back to Astro Avenue! SUHWEET!"
Mon Wok Training Camp
"You have successfully mastered the Twirling Rebound. Here is your clue."
"Thank you so much!" Vivian exclaimed.
"Guh guh guh!"
"Route Info… Get yourselves to the Astro Constell Observatory upon Starshape Saucer and search for your next clue." Vivian read. "Come on, Marilyn!"
"Doing good, you two. Just try to relax." The instructor of Jolene and Mush told them.
"Merlee, I don't think we can do this…"
"Merluv, just concentrate! Please! We're doing fine."
"The techniques that they were using…it was really hard. You had no control over your floating, and all you could do was rebound off of rocks and other things. I just didn't think I could do it right." Merluvlee remarked.
"Hon…floaters can't do this…" Peeka gritted her teeth, frustrated.
Astro Constell Observatory
Rawk Hawk & Yoshi: Fighters- Currently in 1st
"There's the clue…" Rawk Hawk murmured. In a matter of seconds, the fighters had grabbed a clue from the clue box.
"Roadblock. Who has the eyes of an astronomer?" Yoshi read, slightly confused.
"A Roadblock is a task that only one person may perform. In this Roadblock, that team member will have to step into the observatory and find three specified constellations on a map printed over 50 years ago. What makes this difficult is that many stars are clustered together, and many constellations look alike. Once the team member finishes the task, they'll receive their next clue."
"That is you." Rawk Hawk pointed.
"Fine… Find three constellations on a 15 ft sq. map? What! Oh, gosh…you've gotta be kidding me…"
Shroomus Largus
Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- Currently in 3rd
"I don't know how we managed…but…" Bobbery muttered. "Get yourselves to the Astro Constell Observatory upon Starshape Sacuer and search for your next clue."
"Untypically astromonicially logchessterbinacle." Flavio kissed the floor before wiping his tongue on a slimy alien.
"GAAAAAH! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!"
Vivian & Marilyn: Shadow Sirens- Currently in 2nd
"Roadblock. …Who has the eyes of an astronomer?" Vivian read.
"Guh guh guh guh guh." Marilyn replied.
"Are you sure?"
"Guh guh guh."
"Good luck, then."
Jolene & Mush: Siblings- Currently in 4th
"Okay…we need to find the Astro Constell Observatory!" Mush hurriedly read. "Come on, Jolene!"
"Mush, you forgot your pack!"
"Peeka…come on!" Ms. Mowz yelled impatiently.
"Ms. Mowz…I can't do this…"
"Help me down, sir. We need to switch tasks and fast!" Ms. Mowz screamed.
Don & Fransesca: Father/Daughter- Currently in 5th
"Okay…we've got to go back to the Astro Constell Observatory." Fransesca muttered. "Come on, dad! There's a tile!"
Astro Constell Observatory
Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- Currently in 3rd
"Roadblock. Who has the eyes of an astronomer…?" Bobbery murmured to himself. "That's me."
"Yield?" Flavio asked cluelessly.
"How about that…no. We don't have our Yielding power any more.
Inside of the observatory were the maps.
"Rawk Hawk, hurry up! There's Bobbery and Flavio already!" Yoshi whispered to Rawk Hawk.
"Be quiet…I'm trying to concentrate…" Rawk Hawk whispered to himself as he searched for his first constellation.
"Guh guh guh." Marilyn circled her first constellation with a marker.
Koopley & Koops
"Give us back our photo!" Koops yelled after an alien with many mouths as it ran off with the photo in its front.
"…Shell SLAM!" Koopley slammed into the alien while in his shell, pushing the alien into…none other than the alien with their clue. "Oops…"
"Aw, poor little guy was just trying to help us…thanks, fella!" Koops patted the alien with his hand apologetically.
Koopley & Koops: Father/Son- Currently in 6th
"Thanks. Okay…we need to find the Astro Constell Obsrevatory." Koopley read. "Koops, follow me. I think I saw a tile that would get us back to Astro Avenue back there!"
Merluvlee & Merlee: Twins- Currently in 7th
"Man…I feel guilty…" Merlee muttered. "Ms. Mowz and Peeka left a while back and here we are, finishing the Detour." Merlee tsked as Merluvlee managed to get back down from the landing point with the clue.
"Okay…we need to find the Astro Constell Observatory!" Merluvlee said.
Jolene & Mush/ Don & Fransesca- Tied for 4th
"It's a Roadblock. Who has the eyes of an astronomer?" Jolene read. "Mush, should I do it?"
"I will." Mush replied.
"Daddy, think you can do it?" Fransesca asked.
"Just try and stop me."
As the two teams ran for the maps, Marilyn circled her third constellation.
"Guh guh!"
"Sir, could you check us?" Vivian asked.
"Sure. …Okay, that one is incorrect."
"GUH!" Marilyn banged her fist on the map.
"Marilyn, calm down! Just search carefully!" Vivian tried.
"Sir, try us!" Yoshi yelled.
"Here's your clue."
"YEAH! Thank you!" Rawk Hawk let out a peace sign before running out the door.
"Gosh they're annoying…" Jolene muttered to herself.
"Route Info…it's not the pit stop?" Rawk Hawk muttered. "Take a rocket taxi out to the Twila Resort and locate your next clue in the lobby."
"Teams must now take a rocket taxi out of Astro Avenue 200 miles to the Twila Resort. This romantic hotel in outer space rests on a floor of moon shards. Once there, teams will find their next clue in the lobby."
"Where's a rocket taxi…" Rawk Hawk murmured. "TAXI!"
Koopley & Koops: Father/Son- Currently in 6th
"Roadblock. Who has the eyes of an astronomer?" Koops read.
"Koops, leave it to me." Koopley ran over to a map.
"Guh guh guh!" Marilyn shouted.
"Fine, then…here's your clue."
Vivian & Marilyn: Shadow Sirens- Currently in 2nd
"Great job, Marilyn! Come on!" Vivian and Marilyn ran outside of the observatory before opening the clue.
"Guuuuuuuuh…ugh…guh guh guh guuh." Marilyn read.
Merluvlee & Merlee: Twins- Currently in 7th
"Roadblock. Who has the eyes of an astronomer?" Merlee read.
"That's gotta be me." Merluvlee said. "I'm the one who uses astrological cards, anyways."
Ms. Mowz & Peeka: Store Workers- Currently in Last
"Thanks, hon!" Peeka yelled back to the alien.
"Get yourselves to the Astro Constell Observatory upon Starshape Sacuer and search for your next clue." Ms. Mowz read. "Come on, Peeka! We have got to get out of here!"
In their rush, Ms. Mowz and Peeka failed to notice the teleporter.
Flavio & Bobbery/ Jolene & Mush/ Don & Fransesca/ Koopley & Koops/ Merluvlee & Merlee
"Done!" Bobbery exclaimed.
Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- Currently in 3rd
"Okay…here." The astronomer handed Admiral Bobbery the envelope.
"Flavio, make haste!"
"Haste!" Flavio repeated like a parrot, pretending to mix up cake batter. Koops, Fransesca, Merluvlee, and the astronomer giggled at this.
"Not what I had in mind…" Bobbery muttered as he read the clue to himself before pulling Bobbery with him.
Time passes
"Okay…done!" Don yelled out.
Don & Fransesca: Father/Daughter- Currently in 4th
"Here's your clue."
"Come on, Daddy!"
"Let's see… Take a rocket taxi out to de Twila Resort an locate youse next clue in te lobby." Don read. "Frannie, flag down a taxi wit dat whistle!"
Fransesca breathed deeply before blowing into the whistle, startling the three teams still at the Roadblock. A taxi pulled up.
Ms. Mowz & Peeka
"I bet there's someone going to the pit stop right now…" Peeka sighed. "And it's all my fault…"
"Peeka, don't worry. It isn't." Ms. Mowz tried to reassure her partner. "We can catch up…don't worry, sweetie."
Jolene & Mush/ Koopley & Koops/ Merluvlee & Merlee
"Where is the stupid constellation…" Mush muttered. "I really dislike this…" He banged his head on the table bitterly.
"Done!" Merluvlee shouted excitedly.
"…That one is incorrect."
"What? …" Merluvlee just stared blankly at the astronomer as if she'd just been slapped across the face. …Then, she slapped him across the face and returned to her table.
"OW!"
"Okay, here!" Merluvlee repeated herself and put her finger in the astronomer's face. "YOU BETTER SAY-"
"Fine! Here's your clue…geez…people these days…"
Merluvlee & Merlee: Twins- Currently in 5th
"Come on!" Merlee said as she gave Merluvlee her pack.
"Okay…Twila Resort! TAXI!"
Koopley & Koops: Father/Son- Currently in 6th
"Great, dad!" Koops breathed as his father circled his third constellation and the astronomer gave a nod of approval.
"Let's go!" Koopley grabbed his pack and the two ran out of the observatory.
"I don't understand why this is so hard…" Mush said, frustrated.
"Mush, don't give up! I don't think we're in last place yet." Jolene reassured her brother. "Just keep looking, please!"
Vivian & Marilyn: Shadow Sirens- Currently in 1st
"Great job, sir! Thank you so much!" Vivian said as she paid their taxi driver.
"Guh guh guh." Marilyn said, grabbing the clue and giving it to Vivian.
"Okay… Locate the Lunar Fountain and dig through the shards to your next clue." Vivian read.
"Teams must now find the Lunar Fountain, the largest fountain that spurts water in space. Teams will have to go to the back of the resort to find it on the first floor grounds, and wade through the waters, getting rid of shards until they find their next clue."
"Come on, Marilyn!"
Area change
"Wow…that's a pretty fountain!" Vivian exclaimed.
"Guh guh guuuh." Marilyn picked up a shard and looked under it. "Guuuuuuuuuh."
"We've got to step into the fountain and look, Marilyn."
"…Guh!"
Area change
Rawk Hawk & Yoshi: Fighters- Currently in 2nd
"Locate the Lunar Fountain and dig through the shards to your next clue!" Yoshi read. The fighters immediately took chase to the fountain.
Jolene & Mush
"Thank you so much…" An exhausted Mush managed while Jolene opened the clue.
"Okay…it's not the pit stop."
"Man!"
"We have to go…to the Twila Resort. Come on, we've gotta find a taxi!"
Rawk Hawk & Yoshi/ Vivian & Marilyn
The two teams in the fountain frantically searched for a clue envelope, knowing that the race to get first was on. Under one hand…something yellow had appeared.
"Yoshi, I got it!" Rawk Hawk held up an envelope triumphantly and stepped out of the fountain. The two started walking towards the lobby before ripping it open. "Get to the pit stop via rocket car at…huh? The X-Naut Fortress upon the moon?" Rawk Hawk read.
"Teams must now use a rocket car in the parking lot of the Twila Resort to travel through space 400 miles to the moon and locate this place: the X-Naut Fortress. This former hideout for an evil organization held the seventh and final Crystal Star, and is also the pit stop for this leg of the race."
"But I thought that…" Rawk Hawk just pondered to himself while walking. In seconds, the two were in the parking lot.
"Rawk Hawk, come on! I can fill you in while driving to the moon! Just put your pack in the trunk already!" Yoshi yelled impatiently, snapping Rawk Hawk out of his thinking mode.
Ms. Mowz & Peeka: Store Workers- Currently in Last
"Roadblock…who has the eyes of an astronomer?" Peeka read. "Do you want to do it, hon?"
"If you want to, you can. It doesn't matter to me because I think we can finish it equally fast."
"'Kay…I'll perform it."
Vivian & Marilyn: Shadow Sirens- Currently in 2nd
"Get to the pit stop via rocket car at the X-Naut Fortress upon the moon!" Vivian read. "Come on, Marilyn! We can still catch them!"
"Guh guh guh! Guuh!"
On their way out, the sisters saw the taxi of the sailors stop. Bobbery pulled a thumb-sucking Flavio out of the taxi, not noticing Marilyn and Vivian, who had closed their car door.
Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- Currently in 3rd
"Locate the Lunar Fountain and dig through the shards to your next clue." Bobbery read. "Flavio, come on! We've gotta find…where'd he go?" Bobbery found himself talking to air.
"Joy to the world! Joy to the moon! Joy to…to…" Flavio paused before starting up something else. "Glittery, glittery, timbery, timbery, aaaaaaaaaaaah!" The screech made a vase fall off its perch and crash upon the tile.
"Um…okay, where's the fountain…" Bobbery muttered, ignoring Flavio's opera.
Ms. Mowz & Peeka
"Second one…this looks right." Peeka thought aloud. Ms. Mowz bit her lip nervously.
Don & Fransesca: Father/Daughter- Currently in 4th
"Locate de Lunar Fountain and dig drough de shards to youse next clue." Don read. "Frannie, look at dat map over dere. Where is it?"
"The back of this floor!" Fransesca replied. The two entered the area of the fountain, and were slightly surprised to see Bobbery and Flavio still searching for their clue. More of Bobbery searching for the clue.
"These beef tacos taste yummy…" Flavio said dreamily, taking bites out of the shards. Incidentally, the shards broke in his mouth…but his teeth remained unharmed.
"Ugh…" Fransesca stuck her tongue out in disgust before putting her pack down to join Don in the search for a clue.
Ms. Mowz & Peeka: Store Workers- Currently in Last
"Last one!" Peeka shouted.
"Here's your clue."
"Okay…we have to go to the Twila Resort! Taxi!" Ms. Mowz called out.
Merluvlee & Merlee/ Koopley & Koops- Tied for 5th
"Locate the Lunar Fountain and dig" Merluvlee started.
"through the shards to your next clue." Koops read.
"I think I can hear a certain someone over there…" Merlee sighed as splashes and shouts came from the area of the fountain. Jogging slowly, the twins let the Koopas ahead of them. Sure enough, Flavio was splashing around in the fountain like it was a kiddie pool. Ignoring him, the father-and-son team placed down their packs and stepped into the water.
"Why is he here…can't they just leave already!" Merluvlee muttered to herself.
"Ooh…" Flavio reached under a shard and got a clue.
"You have got to be kidding me." Fransesca rolled her eyes.
"Merluvlee!" Merlee yelled.
"What! It's ironic, isn't it?" Merluvlee asked, causing her sister to give off an annoyed sigh and go into the fountain.
Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- Currently in 3rd
"Highly unexpected." Bobbery murmured. The sailors got out of the fountain area before Bobbery opened the clue. "Get to the pit stop via rocket car at the X-Naut Fortress upon the moon. Flavio, come now."
Flavio cart wheeled into the door of the rocket car and slid off. Bobbery threw him in before getting into the driver's seat.
Koopley & Koops: Father/Son- Currently in 4th
"Yeah-hah!" Koopley dug up a clue from underneath a shard, causing groans of discouragement to escape from the other teams.
"Awesome, dad!" Koops congratulated.
"Thanks!" The two grabbed their packs as Koopley ripped open the clue. "Pit stop via rocket car at the…X-Naut Fortress! Great! Now I can see it for myself!"
"Drive fast, dad…Bobbery and Flavio left not too long ago." Koops mentioned as Koopley started the engine.
Jolene & Mush: Siblings- Currently in 7th
Approximately fifty seconds after Koopley and Koops departed, another taxi pulled up. This one carried the Toad siblings.
"Thank you, sir!" Jolene called back. Mush had both packs while Jolene got the clue. "Okay…we have to…locate the Lunar Fountain and dig through the shards to find a clue. Come on, Mush!" Mush followed his sister as they entered the area of the fountain.
Rawk Hawk & Yoshi
"There's the moon…but where's the fortress?" Rawk Hawk asked.
"It's always on the dark side. It doesn't show in the night sky since it's at the back. Just go around and we'll see it."
Vivian & Marilyn
"There are the boys right there…" Vivian said happily. "Maybe we can nab first after all."
"Guh guh guuh!"
Don & Fransesca: Father/Daughter- Currently in 5th
"Frannie, get de packs! I got de clue!" Don exclaimed.
"Yes!" Fransesca and Don walked outside before the latter opened it.
"Get to the pit stop via rocket car? …At de X-Naut Fortress upon de moon! DE MOON? Whoa!"
"Let's hurry!" Fransesca said excitedly.
Rawk Hawk & Yoshi/ Vivian & Marilyn
Parking the rocket car just outside of the mysterious glassy shield, Rawk Hawk and Yoshi grabbed their packs and entered the fortress. They followed the race flags wordlessly…
"This elevator…it goes to…TEC's room!" Yoshi realized as the elevator door closed. Seconds after, the sisters got to the same corridor.
"There's Blaise!" Rawk Hawk pointed. The two fighters sprinted onto the mat, not seeing a greeter.
"Welcome to the X-Naut Fortress." TEC said, startling Rawk Hawk.
"Thanks, TEC! Great to see ya again!" Yoshi exclaimed.
"Rawk Hawk and Yoshi." Blaise started. A smile crept onto his face. "You're team number one!"
Rawk Hawk & Yoshi: Fighters- 1st Place/ 7:23 P.M.
"YEAH! RAWK!" Rawk Hawk yelled out with glee.
"It's about time!" Yoshi laughed.
"I've got some more good news for you. As the winners of this sixth leg of the race, you have both won a seven day cruise vacation aboard King of the Seas Cruise Lines, compliments of Mushroom Airlines International…which you can enjoy after the race." Blaise informed.
"Yes!" Yoshi grinned.
"WOO-HOO!" Rawk Hawk yelled out. "NUMBER ONE IS TEH ABSOLUTE BEST!"
"Being in first place felt great. We were ahead of the pack, had a vacation to look forward to…it's really motivating." Yoshi commented.
"Vivian and Marilyn, come in if you will." Blaise motioned for the fighters to step off the mat.
"Welcome to the X-Naut Fortress." TEC said.
"Thank you, TEC!" Vivian replied warmly.
"Guuuuuh. Guh guh guh."
"Yes, yes, Marilyn. You're team number two."
Vivian & Marilyn: Shadow Sirens- 2nd Place/ 7:24 P.M.
"GUUUUUH!"
"Oh, yeah! Best we've gotten so far!" Vivian said happily.
"We didn't get first, but that's just going to fuel us to go faster next leg. When you're not in the lead, you always strive harder. We should know." Vivian remarked.
Jolene & Mush/ Merluvlee & Merlee
"Mush, hurry! I found one!" Exclaimed Jolene.
"What? Yeah!" Mush got the packs as the two ran out, leaving the twins to search by themselves. Merlee kept shooting moderately angry looks at Merluvlee.
Flavio & Bobbery
"Welcome to…huh?" TEC stopped as Flavio started tickling his screen with a feather.
"Flavio!" Bobbery pulled his partner onto the mat.
"Flavio and Bobbery." Blaise paused. "You're team number three."
Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- 3rd Place/ 7:32 P.M.
"Yummy!" Flavio bombarded Bobbery with pieces of cheese.
"Erm…thank…you?" Bobbery managed before exploding out of anger, sending Flavio flying through the doors and into the bathroom, narrowly missing Koopley and Koops.
"Whoa." Koopley said as he dusted his shell.
"Welcome to the X-Naut Fortress." TEC greeted.
"Thanks, TEC!" Koops responded.
"Koopley and Koops." Blaise tried to stop from laughing at Flavio in the other room, who was…acting like a ducky in the bathtub. "You're…uh…team number…four!"
Koopley & Koops: Father/Son- 4th Place/ 7:33 P.M.
"Great!" Koops breathed a sigh of relief.
"Nice place you got here." Koopley said to TEC.
"If there's one memory that I won't forget anytime soon, it's being in outer space. Astro Avenue and the X-Naut Fortress were real beauts…man, and TEC…real friendly!" Koopley said.
Merluvlee & Merlee: Twins- Currently in 7th
"Finally…a clue." Merluvlee muttered, pulling one out. Merlee got up and got the packs. "Get to the pit stop via rocket car at the X-Naut Fortress upon the moon? Cool beans!" Merluvlee said. Merlee didn't reply.
Don & Fransesca
"Blaise, we made it!" Fransesca laughed as she and her father jumped onto the mat.
"Welcome to the X-Naut Fortress." TEC greeted.
"Danks." Don replied.
"Don and Fransesca." Blaise paused. "You're team number five."
Don & Fransesca: Father/Daughter- 5th Place/ 7:49 P.M.
"That's still pretty good." Fransesca smiled.
"Good, but we'll get better next leg." Don said.
"We're getting stronger and stronger each leg, and soon enough, we'll be ahead of the pack by too much for the others to catch. They really do think that we're a force to be reckoned with." Fransesca commented.
Ms. Mowz & Peeka: Store Workers- Currently in Last
"Last one…" Peeka gave off a sad smile as she opened the clue. "Locate the Lunar Fountain and dig through the shards to your next clue. Well, we better find it, hon…"
"Judging by the water on the ground, it's probably over there." Ms. Mowz said.
Jolene & Mush
"We're actually on the moon…amazing." Jolene said to herself.
"I know!" Mush remarked excitedly.
"Welcome to the X-Naut Fortress." TEC said.
"Thank you." The two replied.
"Jolene and Mush." Blaise stopped. "You're team number six."
Jolene & Mush: Siblings- 6th Place/ 7:58 P.M.
"That's great!" Mush said excitedly.
"Cutting it close, but that'll be fixed." Jolene straightened her glasses.
"We're doing better each leg, and that's good. We're making less mistakes…soon, I think that we can come in first place." Jolene said.
Merluvlee & Merlee
"Please don't say we're last…" Merlee muttered as she slowly followed her sister to the mat.
"Welcome to the X-Naut Fortress." TEC greeted.
"Thanks!" Merluvlee said.
"Merluvlee and Merlee." Blaise paused. "You're team number seven."
Merluvlee & Merlee: Twins- 7th Place/ 8:08 P.M.
Merlee just smiled before walking off. Merluvlee just glanced at her, smiled back at Blaise, and followed.
Ms. Mowz & Peeka
"Get yourselves to the pit stop. Yay!" Ms. Mowz and Peeka laughed. "At the X-Naut Fortress upon the moon? Awesome!" Ms. Mowz exclaimed.
Area change
"There's the mat, hon." Peeka said. The two walked onto the mat, smiling.
"Welcome to the X-Naut Fortress." TEC said.
"Thanks, hon."
"Nice to see you again, TEC."
"Ms. Mowz and Peeka." Blaise's words turned the girls' attention to him. "You're the last team to arrive."
Ms. Mowz & Peeka: Store Workers- Last Place/ 9:13 P.M.
"We could've figured." Ms. Mowz chuckled.
"Lay it on us." Peeka squeezed Ms. Mowz's hand.
"I'm sorry to tell you that you've both been eliminated from the race." Blaise apologized.
"Oh, that's okay." Ms. Mowz said. The two looked at each other and smiled.
"It was really fun, so it doesn't really matter." Peeka remarked.
"We made a great team. I only remember arguing with Peeka once in the race, and that's something to be said. It really is a shame that we're eliminated, but I still have things in life to look forward to. Especially the fact that Peeka and I are closer as friends now." Ms. Mowz commented.
"Coming into the race, I didn't know what to think about what would happen. I was really nervous…but with Ms. Mowz at my side, it didn't matter what we faced. I still think that we saw some very amazing things, and it's just too bad that we won't be able to see the rest. But…there is someone we know that will." Peeka winked to the camera.
-----
Author's Note: Yeah…it's getting really, really hard to decide who must go…ARGH!
