Author's Note: Continuation of the seventh leg...wonder what happens? Read to find out...


Loading the Memory Card… The save file in Slot A was loaded!

Miles and Blaise waited atop the roof with the mat.

"I think I see a team…" Miles murmured.

"So…you say the teams?" Blaise asked.

"Sure…" Miles replied.

As the seconds passed, two teams became visible, running up the steps. In front were Koopley and Koops, closely followed by Jolene and Mush. Slightly behind were Don and Fransesca. No other teams were in sight.

"Yeah!" Koops and Koopley jumped onto the mat first. Jolene and Mush came in behind them, and Don and Fransesca came up after that.

"You guys can come on in." Blaise commented.

"Okay." Don said. The two other teams stepped on.

"Koopley and Koops…you're the first team to arrive. Jolene and Mush, you'd get second, and Don and Fransesca, third." Miles said.

"We would get?" Jolene asked.

"Yep." Miles replied.

"You see, everyone…this leg of the race is not over." Blaise said, arousing cries of shock from the teams.


"Previously…on the Amazing Race…

Seven teams left the outer space pit stop of the X-Naut Fortress and went back to Cheese Land. They raced over 9,000 miles to the tropical island of Isle Delfino. When the playing field became level, the lead teams complained."

"When de chips are down and you got the lead…it is very disappointin to see dat you gotta wait…it is really annoyin." Don commented.

"At the Detour, several teams faced their fear of heights."

"Come on, Marilyn…I'd hold your hand out of fear if I could…" Vivian murmured.

"It sure is high…" Merluvlee muttered as the assistance suited her up first.

"While some others enjoyed surfing on Bloopers."

"This is awesome!" Fransesca screamed out as she got her Blooper to jump over a wall.

"Struggling to meet the required time, Yoshi's failure to do the Detour correctly angered Rawk Hawk."

"You were so stupidly slow, Yoshi! Do it again!" Rawk Hawk rolled his eyes.

"Grr…" Yoshi bit his lip before stepping back onto the Blooper.

"Merluvlee fell at Bianco Hills, hurting her ability to run. Providing a helping hand, Jolene and Mush aided the twins for a while, allowing them to stay in the lead."

"From the bottom of my heart…I just loved Jolene and Mush to death…they helped me instead of ignoring our struggling. I don't think that just anyone would do that for anyone else in a competition…it just…" Merluvlee paused. "Well…I really don't know how I could ever thank them."

"Still behind, Rawk Hawk's anger was nearly breaking out."

"GOSH! YOU IDIOT! Why can't you do this!" Rawk Hawk yelled at Yoshi.

"I told you! That's why I wanted to complete High Up in the first place!"

"Get off! I'm doing it so you DON'T WASTE ANY MORE FREAKIN' TIME!" Rawk Hawk shouted, causing Yoshi to wince.

"A time-consuming digging Roadblock frustrated Koops."

"I'm sorry if we don't make it, Dad…" Koops sighed.

"Managing to finish the Roadblock, Koops led his team to stepping onto the mat in first…"

"You see, everyone…this leg of the race is not over." Blaise said, arousing cries of shock from the teams.

Koopley and Koops Get First, But Leg Isn't Over

"After a leg of difficulties, will the teams break down from stress and having no time to take a break? Who will be eliminated next?"

"It's not over? Argh…" Koops held his head in frustration.

"You're kidding." Jolene mumbled.

"No…" Fransesca sighed.

"The leg isn't over?" Mush looked away.

"Dis isn't very sporting…" Don muttered.

"So…we get a clue?" Koopley inquired.

"As a matter of fact, yes." Miles replied. "Here you go."

"Thanks?" Koops ripped the clue open. "It's…a Detour! Um… Fluff Grab or Melon Roll."

"A Detour is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons. In this Detour, teams have a choice between activities in two different festivals celebrated around the island. Fluff Grab…and Melon Roll. In Fluff Grab, teams will have to find the red pipe relocated from atop the Shine gate to Pianta Village. Following traditions of the Fluff Festival, teams will have to climb to a high spot in the village and grab onto a fluff to ride to the clue box, 100 yards above the ground atop a cloud. It can be a terrifying task, but if teams can gather the nerve and calculate the wind's direction, they can finish quickly. In Melon Roll, teams will have to use the warp on the lighthouse to travel to Gelato Beach. Following traditions of the Watermelon Festival, teams will have to roll a watermelon from the lookout point atop the mountain down the stretch of beach, over the boardwalk, to the beach house. Once they complete the task, the owner will give them their next clue. There is nothing scary about the task, but the melons are very delicate, and may pop at the slightest provocation. With Cataquacks and rivals on the same path, completing the task could take a very long time."

"Traditions are in your hands…so which one will you follow?" Koops read. "Well, it's not like we haven't braved heights yet…"

"So it's Fluff Grab?" Koopley asked.

"Yeah…I guess." Koops said as the two went down the nearby stairs.

"Melon Roll. I don't want to have to do something like that…just being above the ground like that…so high." Jolene worried.

"Gelato Beach? Cataquacks…well, we are careful…so I guess we can do it." Mush agreed.

"Da deal with da fluffs doesn't sound good…" Don muttered. "Melon Roll sound good to ya, Frannie?"

"Sure, Daddy!"

Vivian & Marilyn

"Vivian and Marilyn…you're the fourth team to arrive." Miles said.

"Yes!" Vivian and Marilyn high-fived.

"But…" Blaise said, stopping the celebrating. "This leg of the race isn't over…here's your next clue."

"Guuuh? Guh guh guh?"

"Whoa…" Vivian ripped the clue open. "Detour. Fluff Grab or Melon Roll. Traditions are in your hands, so which one will you follow?" Vivian read.

"Guuuh guh guh guh."

"Yeah…I can't imagine what we'd do like that in mid-air." Vivian agreed. "So, it's Melon Roll…"

Merluvlee & Merlee

"Merluvlee and Merlee…you're the fifth team to arrive." Miles stated.

"Phew! That's pretty good!" Merlee sighed.

"So there's two teams behind us…great!" Merluvlee hugged her sister.

"But." Blaise again stopped the celebrating. "This leg of the race isn't over. Here's your next clue."

"What!"

"You're kidding…" Merluvlee looked nervously at her leg then back at the clue. She took it and opened it. "Detour. Fluff Grab or Melon Roll. Traditions are in your hands, so which one will you follow?"

"I don't think we should be running up and down a hill with failure…" Merlee said, looking over Merluvlee's shoulder at the clue.

"So it's Fluff Grab? Another aerial challenge…" Merluvlee bit her lip.

Flavio & Bobbery

"Ehehehehe!" Flavio rolled onto the mat.

"Well…tell us the news." Bobbery walked up.

"Flavio and Bobbery…you're the sixth team to arrive." Miles said.

"Okay…" Bobbery sighed.

"Hm?" Flavio started jumping up and down like a fish.

"But…this leg of the race is not over. Here's your next clue." Blaise said.

"Oh, really…didn't see that coming." Bobbery ripped open the clue. "Detour. Fluff Grab or Melon Roll. …Melon Roll."

Koopley & Koops

"This should be the pipe to Pianta Village." Koopley nervously jumped in.

"…Well, here goes nothing!" Koops hopped in.

Area change

"Whoa…look at all those fluffs." Koops and Koopley ran across the bridge and inspected the fluffs in the air.

"I think I see the cloud…all the way over there." Koopley commented.

"Aww man…this is going to be a long day…" Koops shook his head.

Jolene & Mush/ Don & Fransesca

"Dis should be it." Don said as he jumped in front of the lighthouse's warp. Fransesca followed.

"There go Fransesca and Don!" Mush spotted the lighthouse, with Jolene close behind.

"That seems like a really strange place for a warp." Jolene commented as she jumped in.

Area change

"Dat should be de hill de clue talks about." Don spotted a watermelon atop the hill.

"But look at all these obstacles…" Fransesca mumbled. The two ran for the hill to take the first melon. Seconds later, Jolene and Mush fell from the warp point.

"They look like they know where they're going." Mush said. "We've got no choice but to follow them."

"Right…although I don't know about this…look how many things are going to get in the way!" Jolene said.

"We'll just have to knock the Cataquacks out." Mush replied.

Vivian & Marilyn

"That's the lighthouse?" Vivian asked a Pianta.

"Yup…it goes to Gelato."

"Thank you." Vivian yelled for her sister. "Marilyn, I found it! Let's go!"

"Guh guh guh guh!"

Flavio & Bobbery

"Look, there go the sisters!" Bobbery dragged a fish-like Flavio to the lighthouse. "Well, bombs away."

"Ooooooh…" Flavio pulled a bomb out of nowhere.

"AH!" Bobbery threw it into the water, where it exploded, sending a tidal wave crashing over locals. Before they had a chance to protest, the sailors went through the warp.

Merluvlee & Merlee

"Let's see…where's the pipe…we should be able to find a red pipe besides the one on that house." Merlee commented.

"I think it may be that one." Merluvlee pointed out a pipe behind the Shine gate, close to the water.

"Okay, sis…whatever you say. I'll go with you on this!"

Pianta Village

"I'm so going to die…" Koops muttered as a Thrower Pianta wound up to try throwing him to the tree's platform. He let loose…and got Koops to meet up with his partner.

"Whoa…that wasn't so bad, hm?" Koopley laughed. "Okay…so now all we need to do is go up the rest of these platforms…"

"Well, there are indents all over." Koops suggested. "We are suited up in case of a crash."

"Okay…let's go for it." Koopley agreed.

Gelato Beach

Jolene & Mush

"Stupid watermelon!" Mush sighed as their watermelon hit the first beach house.

"I don't think we should waste time by rolling it all the way down the path anymore…the jostling just stops us in our tracks." Jolene said. "Come on, Mush…we have to get it sooner or later."

Don & Fransesca

"Take that!" Fransesca slapped a Cataquack silly before letting her dad pass by. Suddenly, another Cataquack came by and flipped the watermelon into the air, breaking it.

"Dat's not good…" Don muttered.

"GRAH!" Fransesca chased after the culprit in an attempt at revenge, making a ditch in the sand.

Vivian & Marilyn

"Careful, Marilyn!" Vivian exclaimed as the two narrowly avoided a Cataquack on the ground.

"Guh…GUH!" Marilyn knocked out another nearby Cataquack with an electric pound.

"If only…" Vivian thought before attempting a Fiery Jinx. The attack connected with all the nearby Cataquacks…and the watermelon. "Please don't tell me that didn't just happen…"

"Guh guh. Guuuuuuh guh."

Flavio & Bobbery

"Oink! Oink! Oink…oink? OINK! SQUEAL! SEAL! STEAL! BANANA PEEL CRÈME PIE AND SAUSAGE!" Flavio panicked when he stepped on the sand.

"Flavio, help me…or not." Bobbery trailed off as Flavio popped the watermelon with the feather on his hat. "We're never going to get that clue at this rate…"

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi

"Now the ferry leaves…we're prepared for the worst." Yoshi sighed.

"Fine. But until then, you better run your tail off…because…IT'S RAWK!" Rawk Hawk hopped onto Yoshi's back before giving him a banana bunch found on the beach.

"Bananas? Wow! Sweet, Rawk man!"

Koopley & Koops

"My hands are tired…it's impossible to support my own weight like this…" Koops said breathlessly. He was heavily lagging behind Koopley, who was higher up than he was.

"Koops, don't give up! I know it's hard, but if you can do this, we might make it first!" Koopley urged.

"I'm trying!" Koops stopped for a second before continuing his climb.

Merluvlee & Merlee

"OH…MY…GOSH…" Merluvlee stared in shock as she watched the father-son team ascend the giant tree. "There is no way we can actually do that!"

"…If we have to hold onto a Fluff from that altitude…I'd rather read the Fast Forward right now." Merlee remarked.

"Fast Forward? When did you get that?" Merluvlee asked.

"It was in the clue that Miles and Blaise gave us…" Merlee opened up the Fast Forward.

"The Fast Forward pass is a reward found on each leg of the race that can allow a team to skip all tasks and head directly to the pit stop. To earn this leg's Fast Forward, teams will have to make their way to Noki Bay, where they will have to make their way to this secret ancient tomb…also the former location of a Shine Sprite. They will have access to water guns and climbing equipment, and if they can beat the closing cliffs to the tomb, they can utilize the Fast Forward."

"Climbing and racing against time…won't work at all." Merlee sighed.

"Then we just have to do that." Merluvlee looked up at the tree. "Climbing like this…since I can't outpace a cliff…kinda sad. And you're more worn out than I am…"

Vivian & Marilyn

"FIERY JINX!" Vivian shouted as flames attacked all the Cataquacks nearby, and managed to keep her energy from hitting the watermelon.

"Guh guh guh guh guh!" Marilyn giggled. "GUH GUH GUH!" Marilyn's magic paralyzed a nearby Pianta.

"Marilyn!"

"Guh guh guuuh…" Marilyn laughed.

"Wait! Don't roll it so fa-" Vivian was interrupted by a loud SPLOOSH! as the watermelon rolled into the water.

"Guuuuh?"

Don & Fransesca

"Dat's de way, Frannie…" Don muttered. "Easy on de sides…we don't want dis melon to fall into de water."

"I know, Daddy." Fransesca and Don were currently pushing the melon up the dock towards the beach hut. "Wait…what's that noise?"

"Hm? …WAAAA!" Both Piantas were thrown up into the air as an angry Cataquack flipped both them and the watermelon.

"WHY YOU PESKY LITTLE"

Flavio & Bobbery

"Flavio, stop!" Bobbery panicked as Flavio dived through the water and swerved into the watermelon. The fruit went flying like a balloon…and ironically enough, landed on a tree and popped.

"BYE-BYE!" Flavio waved towards the ocean, making a dissatisfied Bobbery moan in anguish. "Picnics like this are fun!" Flavio placed sand in his pockets.

Jolene & Mush

"That's the last of 'em…" Mush withdrew his fighting staff and returned it to its hilt (Glitz Pit champion's gotta have something cool to wield). The Cataquack squeaked as Jolene prodded it with her finger.

"Okay…let's try this again." Jolene and Mush started pushing the watermelon towards the hut. But…bad fortune struck.

"LOOK OUT FOR THAT TREE!" Flavio ran up to the siblings' watermelon and punched it towards the coral reefs, which were still quite a ways away.

"…" Jolene, Mush, and Bobbery just stared at the watermelon, which landed on the dock…before bouncing off and landing in the water, creating a small wave.

"Maybe if he did it again he'd get it right…" Mush said sarcastically.

"I love my cupcake teddy weddy bear!" Flavio ran back to the beach house and grabbed a surfboard…chucking it at the closest leaflet in the sand.

"…I apologize." Bobbery told them before going off on an actual 'wild-goose chase' on Flavio.

"Well, the clue did say that rival teams might slow us down on accident…" Jolene sighed.

"Please tell me that you're kidding…" Mush reluctantly followed his sister back towards the lookout point.

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi

"Thank goodness…we're here." Yoshi sighed.

"Well? Just lay it on us…we know we're out." Rawk Hawk looked down at his boots.

"Rawk Hawk and Yoshi." Miles started. "…You're the last team to arrive."

The two fighters looked at each other.

"However…this leg of the race is not over." Blaise continued.

"WHAT!" Yoshi cried out. "DUDE!"

"AWESOME! WOOT! RAAAAAAAAWK!" Rawk Hawk jumped up and down, somersaulting in the air.

"Here's your next clue, guys." Miles handed an elated Yoshi the clue.

"Detour. Fluff Grab or Melon Roll. Traditions are in your hands…so which one will you follow?"

"Well…Rawk isn't going to make the same mistake as last time…" Rawk Hawk muttered. "It's heights time!"

Koopley & Koops

"Here at the top…" Koopley put his hand over his eyes as he looked into the distance. Over the mountains, he could see some buildings…but he wasn't sure where the buildings belonged to. "…Is that Delfino Plaza? …Possibly…it may be one of the other areas…"

"Dad…I'm…coming…" Koops managed, still a few feet below the very top.

"Give me your hand, Koops!" Koopley pulled and exhausted Koops to the top.

"…Whew…" Koops took out a bottle of water and drank. "…Hey…are we going to trust the fact that to catch a Fluff…we have to go out on those palm leaves?" Koops pointed out.

"…Oh, gosh..." Koopley said in realization.

Merluvlee & Merlee

"How are you holding up, Merluv?" Merlee voiced.

"I'm…okay…" Merluvlee called back from her position underneath Merlee by a few feet.

"I am really going to be aching in the morning…hopefully I won't be at home tomorrow." Merlee gritted her teeth, although that couldn't be seen.

"Whoa! Merlee!" Merluvlee yelled.

"What? Is your leg hurting?"

"No…Yoshi and Rawk Hawk are here." Merluvlee replied.

"…Great…" Merlee groaned.

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi

"The twins are quite a bit up…" Yoshi grimaced, seeing the twins already up so high.

"It's a big tree, dummy…they NEED to get up high." Rawk Hawk rolled his eyes.

Don & Fransesca

"We were so close last time…we can do it again." Fransesca said confidently.

"Yep…" Don said only one word. The two pushed the watermelon atop the mountain, on the small path. Eventually, the melon started to roll faster as it slid down towards the beach. The Piantas followed.

"Oh no! It's going to hit a Cataquack!" Fransesca panicked.

"…No you don't!" Don yelled, flinging his sunglasses in mid-slide.

The well-aimed throw hit the Cataquack, stunning it. Fransesca hardly had time to realize what had just happened before Don put his sunglasses back on.

"Daddy…wow…" Fransesca gasped.

"No time now, Frannie…dat melon's gonna be delibered!" Don smirked.

Jolene & Mush

"Did you just see that?" Jolene asked Mush.

"Yeah…I'm starting to think we should do something like that." Mush observed. Fed up with the current mission, Jolene booted the watermelon toward the island with the palm trees and wooden swing. The melon popped before it even got there.

Vivian & Marilyn

"Guh guh…GUUUUH!" Marilyn punched a Cataquack out of the way as Vivian pushed the melon as fast as she could through the cleared area.

"We can make it…" Vivian whispered.

Flavio & Bobbery

"That should keep you occupied…" Bobbery muttered. He went back to the watermelon, and started pushing. Flavio, tied up to a tree, did nothing but smile. But for one second, a hurt look came into his eyes before being replaced by the twinkle of stupidity.

Koopley & Koops

"Almost there now…" Koopley muttered.

"Good…I don't wanna look down." Koops yelled out, his eyes closed. The two were currently hanging onto a Fluff that was coming close to the cloud.

Merluvlee & Merlee

"We have to do that? Oh my gosh…" Merluvlee quietly said to herself.

"If we slip…I don't want to think about it." Merlee gritted her teeth again…but, that couldn't be seen.

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi

"…Impossible." Yoshi just stared at the silhouette of the Fluff that Koops and Koopley were on. The cloud was apparently above a corner of the village.

"That is the right cloud…right?" Rawk Hawk asked, pointing to one on the side.

"No…it's the one that they're aiming for!"

"They're probably just off-track. Now shut yer trap and keep climbing!"

Koopley & Koops: Father/Son- Currently in 1st

"Get to the area called Noki Bay, and locate the boat rentals. From there, rent a boat to make your way behind the waterfall where your next clue is." Koopley read.

"Teams must now get back to Delfino Plaza, and warp with the ray of light in the relative center of town, teleporting them to Noki Bay. From there, they'll have to make their way across the floating rocks to the Boat Rentals, where they will be allowed access to motorboats. They will use them to propel behind the waterfall, finding their next clue behind it."

"If you are atop the cloud at Pianta Village, just jump. Your gear is designed to let out a parachute once it feels air rushing upward…" Koopley trailed off.
"They're kidding…right?" Koops squeaked.

"Um…I'll go first?" Koopley nervously walked over to the edge of the cloud and deeply exhaled. "Here I go!" Koopley jumped off, and a few seconds later…a Pianta-shaped parachute was let out of the back of the gear. "Looks safe…" Koops gulped. "Then again…what if mine doesn't work…" Koops shivered. "No…I've got to, now…" Putting his hands out, Koops sighed. "Three…two…one." Jumping off, Koops' parachute kicked in seconds later.

Merluvlee & Merlee

"That has got to feel so cool…" Merluvlee murmured.

"Are they nuts?" Merlee asked no one.

The two were reaching the top.

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi

"We're gonna do that? SWEET!" Yoshi yelled.

"…Oh…great…" Rawk Hawk weakly said.

Don & Fransesca: Father/Daughter- Currently in 2nd

"Thank you so much." Fransesca thanked the Pianta before opening the clue.

"So…where's we going next?" Don asked.

"Get to the area called Noki Bay, and locate the boat rentals. From there, rent a boat to make your way behind the waterfall where your next clue is." Fransesca replied.

"We've gotta go back drough dat warp." Don said this as more of a statement than a question. Fransesca nodded. The two jogged over to where their packs where, on the other side of the beach near the warp.

"Good luck, guys!" Fransesca yelled out to the other teams as they passed by.

Flavio & Bobbery

"They already finished?" Bobbery sighed and looked to his right side, only…

"HIIIIIIIIIIII, BAH BAH BAH!" Flavio shouted at Bobbery.

"What? How'd…" Bobbery paused to see another Flavio next to him, and the two started spitting in a circle, popping the watermelon. They then fused back into one, then went back to the tree.

"…" Bobbery just stood there, dumbfounded, as Flavio tried to tie himself back up.

Jolene & Mush

"Argh!" Mush shouted as the watermelon rolled off the dock, into the water.

"…Maybe we should head for the Fast Forward." Jolene said, taking out the Fast Forward clue. "It was getting tiring, anyway… Head to Noki Bay and use water guns at the boat rentals to fire at a crack in the wall. Climb against time through the tunnels to make your way to the Fast Forward in a tomb."

"Let's go for it." Mush said determinedly.

"You sure?" Jolene asked. "If we find it already taken…we could be out."

"I'm sure." Mush clenched his fist.

Vivian & Marilyn

"Guh guh guh guh guh?" Marilyn asked.

"I don't know…they didn't get the clue." Vivian responded.

Flavio & Bobbery

"This is the best merry-go-round ever!" Flavio screamed out as he walked in a circle, still unbound from the tree.

"They must be going to the Fast Forward…" Bobbery muttered, taking a break.

Merluvlee & Merlee

"They're catching up…" Merluvlee whispered to herself.

"Come on, Merluvlee! You're doing great, sis!" Merlee shouted encouragement from above.

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi

"We better pass her…" Rawk Hawk scrambled to climb faster.

"Oh my gosh…" Yoshi gulped as he took a look back down. "This is going to be awesome!"

Noki Bay

Jolene & Mush

"So we just make it through the tunnels and everything, and we'll be okay?" Jolene asked nervously.

"Yes…make it through each tunnel before the cliff walls push you back out." The Pianta replied.

"Come on, sis…"

Area change

Koopley & Koops: Father/Son- Currently in 1st

"There's the clue box…" Koops mumbled. The small container was floating on a buoy, tied down to a rock behind the raging falls.

"Just a bit more, Koops…stop!" Koopley reached out for the clue box, and took one out. "Roadblock. Who isn't afraid of sinking?"

"A Roadblock is a task that only one person may perform. In this Roadblock, that team member will have to take on the challenge of using scuba gear to dive deep down into the underwater city of Noki Bay, and locate their next clue inside of a small cove at the very bottom. Unlike journeys for the Shine Sprites, this scuba gear is specially made to provide oxygen by merely being in water, so teams won't have to worry. However, their only difficulty might be in surfacing once again, as the scuba gear is slightly heavy."

"We've got to choose before we open. What do you want to do?" Koopley hurriedly asked.

"…" Koops peered over the edge of the boat. "…I… …Y-You should d-do it, dad…"

"Okay…don the scuba gear included in this clue?" Koopley, confused, pulled out a small package from the clue. He opened it, and within seconds, a diving suit was around his body.

"Whoa…"

"Wish me luck!" Koopley yelled before he disappeared under the surface.

Don & Fransesca: Father/Daughter- Currently in 2nd

"Dere's Koops…dat means a Roadblock." Don observed as the motorboat sped towards the falls.

"I bet someone has to go underwater…" Fransesca nervously pleaded her eyes at her dad, who sighed.

"Fine…I'll do da task…but we's gotta get over dere first…"

Vivian & Marilyn

"This is going to take forever…" Vivian wiped her forehead with her glove as Marilyn attacked a Cataquack.

"Guuuuh guh guh guuh?" Marilyn asked.

"No…we can finish it…hopefully before Bobbery does."

Flavio & Bobbery

Bobbery landed from exploding close to a Cataquack, warding it away. It was the last obstacle besides the challenging dock.

"Okay…I can do this…" Bobbery took a deep breath and started to push.

"I LOVE CANDY!" Flavio shouted from afar.

Merluvlee & Merlee

"We just need to grab a Fluff…" Merlee muttered as Merluvlee took a drink of water. "HEY! YOU! YEAH, YOU! FLUFF! GET OVAH HERE!"

"Merlee, that's not going to help…" Merluvlee sweat dropped.

"I know, Merluv, but… There's one!" Merlee exclaimed. Merluvlee put the cap back on her water and hobbled quickly to catch up with her sister.

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi

"Yike!" Rawk Hawk managed to keep his hand on the tree as it slightly slipped.

"Must…not…look…down…" Yoshi whispered to himself excitedly. "Must maintain seeing everythingn unti llater…"

Don & Fransesca

"Can't dis thing go any faster?" Don flailed about, trying to descend quicker. A few Nokis in bubbles nearby giggled at him. "Wha? What's dat dats so funny?"

Koopley & Koops

"Don's up there…" Koopley mumbled as he looked up. "The clue said the clue is hidden in a cove…man, that's a big place to search…"

Jolene & Mush

"We're doing good…" Mush remarked. The two were at about the mid point of the path to the tomb of the ancient king.

"If we get pushed down now…" Jolene shuddered.

Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- Currently in 3rd

"Yes! Thank you!" Bobbery exploded for joy as he walked away from the dock with the clue.

"Aww…" Flavio started munching on his coat like a goat.

Vivian & Marilyn

"Guh guh guh guh guh…" Marilyn sighed.

"Jolene and Mush might have gotten it by now…we shouldn't risk it." Vivian said.

"Guuuuh guh guh guh guuh." Marilyn replied. The two were now at the docks.

"Oh no!" Vivian tried to support the melon as it rolled off course, but was too late to stop it from falling into the water. "This is unbelievable…"

"Guuh guh guh guh guh…" Marilyn agreed.

Merluvlee & Merlee: Twins- Currently in 4th

"Get to the area called Noki Bay, and locate the boat rentals. From there, rent a boat to make your way behind the waterfall where your next clue is. If you are atop the cloud at Pianta Village, just jump. Your gear is designed to let out a parachute once it feels air rushing upward." Merlee read. "Shall we, Merluv?"

"I don't like this…but okay." Merluvlee gulped.

"On go…one. Two… Three… Go!" The twins jumped, and screamed in excitement as the wind blew by. Their parachutes opened up.

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi

"We're making good time…I just hope it's good enough." Yoshi scanned the sky for a suitable Fluff.

"Pfft! Yeah, right! I bet that we're in last place right now!" Rawk Hawk complained.

Koopley & Koops

"So I just need to look for the clue now…" Koopley mumbled as he slowly moved along the sea floor. "But there are so many coves…"

Don & Fransesca

"Not in dis cove…nope…" Don sighed as he checked. He was halfway on the descent to the seafloor, and was checking coves all around.

Jolene & Mush: Siblings- Currently in 1st

"We made it! Yay!" Jolene hoisted herself up onto the grass.

"This is the tomb?" Mush looked down a hole that went down to the burial chamber. "Well…here we go."

The team jumped down into the tomb, landing on the floor.

"Got it!" Jolene ripped the clue from a string and opened it. "Congratulations for obtaining the Fast Forward. Now head directly to the pit stop, at Hotel Delfino's casino in Sirena Beach!"

"Having won the Fast Forward, Jolene and Mush may now proceed to the next pit stop: Hotel Delfino. To enter, they will need to show the Fast Forward Pass to the Piantas."

"Use the warp in the room to return back to Delfino Plaza. Great!" Jolene exclaimed.

"What warp?" Mush looked around.

"It should be this…" Jolene touched a discolored area in the floor, and disappeared.

"She's so smart…gotta love her." Mush shook his head.

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi: Fighters- Currently in 6th

"Get to the area called Noki Bay, and locate the boat rentals. From there, rent a boat to make your way behind the waterfall where your next clue is. If you are atop the cloud at Pianta Village, just jump. Your gear is designed to let out a parachute once it feels air rushing upward." Yoshi read. "Well, let's do it…"

"Huh? Whatever…I'm not gonna do that. You do it first." Rawk Hawk pushed Yoshi off the edge.

"WHOOOOOO! WHAT'S THE MATTER, CHICKEN?" Yoshi yelled out as he plummeted down.

"…What? Oh, you're in for it now! RAWWWWK TIME!" Rawk Hawk struck his bold pose and dove down head first.

Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- Currently in 4th

"Roadblock. Who isn't afraid of sinking…" Bobbery sighed. "That'd be me…even if you were normal, you were still afraid of sinking with your ship…"

Merluvlee & Merlee: Twins- Currently in 5th

"Three other boats!" Merluvlee shrieked, and applauded happily.

"Awesome!"

"Glad to see you guys!" Koops said hesitantly.

"Please be quick, Daddy…" Fransesca muttered.

"Roadblock…who isn't afraid of sinking?" Merlee read. "That'd be me… Okay, we've got to… …I've got to take a dive?"

"Oh, Merlee…be careful!" Merluvlee hugged her sister before Merlee opened the strange package in the clue.

"I'll be back!" Merlee jumped in.

"Swimming!" Flavio exclaimed as he flailed about in the water.

Koopley & Koops: Father/Son- Currently in 2nd

"Finally…" Koopley looked up in the direction of the above waters as he walked out of the cove, making sure no one saw him. He began to try and propel himself upward.

Don & Fransesca

"Where is it…" Don paused as he saw Koopley heading towards the surface. "He found de clue…it must be down dere!" Don went down toward the sea floor.

Vivian & Marilyn

"Hiya!" Vivian attacked a Cataquack, letting her sister continue towards the dock.

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi: Fighters- Currently in 6th

"Roadblock… Who isn't afraid of sinking?" The two fighters looked at each other expectantly. "What're you looking at me for? You should do it!" The two sweat dropped as they found themselves pointing at each other.

"Bubbles…" Fransesca mumbled.

"YES!" Koopley sprang up and out of the water.

Koopley & Koops: Father/Son- Currently in 2nd

"Dad, you got it! Awesome!" Koops exclaimed. Koopley got into the boat, and the scuba gear disappeared.

"Now to open it…" Koopley moved the motorboat out of hearing range, and headed towards the rental. "Make your way to the next pit stop at Hotel Delfino's casino in Sirena Beach. Before doing so, locate a Pianta Emblem in the 3rd floor pool."

"Teams must now make their way to the next pit stop: the Hotel Delfino. This mysterious building was once inhabited by ghosts, but is now inhabited by the pit stop for this leg of the race. To get into the casino, teams will need to obtain a Pianta Emblem, a wooden crest in the shape of a leaf, from the third floor swimming pool. The last team to check in here…may be eliminated."

"Warning: the last team to check in may be eliminated!" Koopley finished.

"Fine…I'll go in…a simple Ground Pound'll get me down in no time." Yoshi said as he got the scuba gear on.

Jolene & Mush

"Fast Forward! We're allowed in!" Mush held the clue in front of the Pianta security that guarded the casino, who nodded and opened the doors.

"Wow…" Jolene gasped as she walked in.

"There's the mat!" Mush exclaimed as he spotted Miles and… Bowser Jr.

"Miracle that I was allowed back in here…" Bowser Jr. muttered before noticing the team, who stepped on. "Uh…yeah. Welcome to… …romantic… …Hotel Delfino…" Bowser Jr. took out soap from behind him and washed his tongue with it.

"Jolene and Mush." Miles interrupted the giggling duo. "You're team number one."

Jolene & Mush: Siblings- 1st Place/ 4:32 P.M.

"YEAH!" Mush yelled out.

"Wonderful!" Jolene and Mush hugged each other.

"I have some more good news." Miles said. "As the winners of this seventh leg of the race, you have both won a two-week vacation to beautiful Tropicaland, compliments of Mushroom Airlines International, which you may enjoy after the race."

"Thanks so much!" Jolene sighed in glee.

"Woo-hoo!" Mush hugged Jolene again.

"This was the best news we had received in the race…we loved it!" Jolene commented. "But, it will not change the fact that we will be trying our hardest to advance."

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi

Ground pounding to the bottom, Yoshi quickly scanned the area for the clue. Sensing a weird smell to his left, he headed for the correct cove. Noticing this, Bobbery and Don followed. Merlee wasn't aware until she turned around to find all the others gone.

Vivian & Marilyn: Shadow Sirens- Currently in Last

"Get to the area called Noki Bay, and locate the boat rentals. From there, rent a boat to make your way behind the waterfall where your next clue is." Vivian read.

"Guuuh guh guh guh guuh…"

"No, Marilyn…I'm not going to hold back. We aren't last just yet." Vivian remarked.

Koopley & Koops

"That's where it is?" Koops sighed as he glared at the red pipe atop the building.

"Come on, Koops…let's not waste any more time." Koopley muttered.

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi: Fighters- Currently in 3rd

Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- Currently in 4th

Don & Fransesca: Father/Daughter- Currently in 5th

Merluvlee & Merlee: Twins- Currently in 6th

The four were in a race to ascend to the surface in order to get to the partners. Far in front was Yoshi, with Bobbery and Don quarreling to stay ahead of each other. Even farther behind was Merlee, who had located the clue after the others.

Vivian & Marilyn: Shadow Sirens- Currently in Last

"We made it!" Vivian exclaimed.

"Guh guh guh guh." Marilyn read.

"…I'll do it." Vivian sighed.

"Guh guh guh?"

"It's okay…I'll manage." Vivian opened the package, and the scuba gear appeared. It also made the shadow that she touched the ground with disappear.

"Guh guh guuh… guh guh guh guh guh guuuh guh guh. (Approximate Subtitles: She's so determined… It's amazing that I have such a sister who is so dedicated to her life, and especially me; I would have never imagined such strong will to emit from her.)"

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi: Fighters- Currently in 3rd

As soon as Vivian dived, a red mohawk surfaced.

"YEAH! RAA-WHOA!" Rawk Hawk's shaking made the boat turn over, sending him and the packs into the water.

"Oh my gosh…" Yoshi sighed as he worked to flip the boat back over. Some of the other teams snickered slightly, receiving dirty looks from Rawk Hawk.

"Quiet, you!" Rawk Hawk hopped back into the boat, making it tip. It managed to even out, allowing for the fighters to take off.

"The pit stop." Yoshi remarked.

"FASTER, YOU DUMB BOAT!" Rawk Hawk jerked the controls of the motorboat, making the boat crash into the rental station. "Oops…"

Koopley & Koops

"Got it!" Koops exclaimed as he came back out of the very small room carrying a small piece of wood.

"That's what it is?" Koopley eyed it, somewhat annoyed. "Well, then…come on, Koops!"

Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- Currently in 4th
Bobbery jumped out of the water and landed perfectly back on his boat. Flavio, however, was taking a swim under the falls, but didn't seem to sink despite the immense pressure.

"Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

Flavio was blasted out of his spot as Don re-surfaced.

Don & Fransesca: Father/Daughter- Currently in 5th

"Come on, Frannie!" Don powered the boat into high-gear, passing the sailors.

"Go, Daddy! Yeah!"

"Flavio, stay down already!" Bobbery managed to settle down a hyper treasure hunter before getting the boat to move.

"Merlee, where are you?" Merluvlee mused to herself as she looked through the waterfall.

Koopley & Koops

Jogging into the casino, Koopley seemed a bit mesmerized by the surroundings.

"Dad, come on! You can play the stuff later…but don't use our money!" Koops begged as he jumped onto the mat.

"Um…this is Hotel Delfino. Yeah." Bowser Jr. remarked, fiddling with a small flamethrower.

"…Koopley and Koops." Miles swiped the weapon out of Jr.'s hands. "You're team number two."

Koopley & Koops: Father/Son- 2nd Place/ 5:06 P.M.

"Thank you!" Koops breathed a sigh of relief.

"Great effort, son…" Koopley patted Koops on the back. Bowser Jr. tried to grab the flamethrower back.

Merluvlee & Merlee: Twins- Currently in 6th

"Merlee!" Merluvlee screamed in joy as her sister came out of the water and onto the boat. The scuba gear disappeared.

"Yes, I got it…" Merlee opened the clue. Merluvlee moved the boat out from behind the falls, leaving Marilyn alone.

"Guh? Guuuh guh guh guuh…"

"The pit stop!" Merlee shouted. Merluvlee parked the boat onshore, and started to hop carefully across the platforms back to the warp.

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi

"This is not a hotel…it's more like a dump." Rawk Hawk murmured before Yoshi nudged him.

"That's it, isn't it?" Yoshi pointed towards the room blocked by translucent glass.

"I guess." Rawk Hawk pushed Yoshi into the door.

"Hey! …Roughhousing…" Yoshi opened the door and went inside to retrieve a Pianta Emblem.

Don & Fransesca/ Flavio & Bobbery

Entering the hotel, the sailors ran ahead of the father/daughter team.

"WATCH IT!" Rawk Hawk boomed out as Flavio bumped into him. The fighters brushed past Bobbery to the casino.

"Third floor…come on, Daddy!" Fransesca gasped as she re-read the clue.

"Flavio, get up for Pete's sake!" Bobbery exploded as quickly as possible, sending Flavio ricocheting up to the second floor.

Area change

"Come on, Frannie!" Don pulled his daughter to catch up with the quicker duo ahead of them.

"Flavio, you better not eat that…" Bobbery managed to say with a giggling Flavio on his head.

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi

"…Oh, man…am I gonna have fun with this!" Rawk Hawk laughed as he casually walked onto the mat.

"Hey…what's up?" Bowser Jr. asked.

"Rawk Hawk and Yoshi." Miles paused. "You're team number three."

Rawk Hawk & Yoshi: Fighters- 3rd Place/ 5:08 P.M.

"Good comeback, I guess." Yoshi said.

"I guess." Rawk Hawk rolled his eyes.

Vivian & Marilyn

"At the bottom…" Vivian said to herself. "The clue said the next clue is in a cove…but where do I start? Oh…"

Flavio & Bobbery/ Don & Fransesca

Ahead the whole time in the hotel, Bobbery dropped Flavio onto the mat.

"Try the fruit later…it's really tangy." Bowser Jr. pointed towards a stick of dynamite.

"Flavio and Bobbery." Miles said. "You're the fourth team to arrive."

"Decent." Bobbery nodded.

"Hullabaloo!" Flavio shouted.

"However. At the Delfino Airstrip, you found it necessary to obtain a duplicate clue from the clue box. Because you did that, you must have a thirty minute time penalty."

"…Flavio…" Bobbery sighed.

"If all of the other teams check in before the thirty minutes are up, you will be in last place. We will see what happens from there." Miles said. "If you could…please wait over there."

"Of course." Bobbery escorted Flavio, who was acting like a puppy, off of the mat, allowing the Piantas on.

"Don and Fransesca." Miles started. "You're team number four."

Don & Fransesca: Father/Daughter- 4th Place/ 5:10 P.M.

"Nice!" Fransesca hugged her father.

"It was nice to be here…" Don muttered to himself.

Vivian & Marilyn

"Where is it…" Vivian walked out of yet another cove, searching for the clue.

Area change

"Guh guuuh…guh guh guh." Marilyn sighed.

Merluvlee & Merlee

"Come on, Merluv!" Merlee supported her sister as they went for the mat.

"This is Hotel Delfino. Your pit stop." Bowser Jr. said, not caring.

"Merluvlee and Merlee." Miles paused. "You're team number five."

Merluvlee & Merlee: Twins- 5th Place/ 5:16 P.M.

The sisters sighed happily and hugged.

"Merluvlee, I understand that you had an accident in the first part of the leg." Miles remarked. "What propelled you to keep racing?"

"Well…I guess it was all because of Merlee. She was counting on me to help, and I didn't want to let her down." Merluvlee responded.

"You haven't let me down any minute of this…" Merlee said, prompting another warm hug.

Vivian & Marilyn

"Finally…" Vivian took the clue in a plastic wrap out of the box, and went back out of the cove. "Why…is this so hard? Can't…I…go up?"

Flavio & Bobbery

"It's only a matter of time until the sisters come." Bobbery sighed.

"Is this the muffin man?" Flavio poked himself in the eye.

Vivian & Marilyn

"Make your way to the next pit stop…" Vivian read.

"Guh guh guuh guh guh!" Marilyn exclaimed, powering up the boat.

Area change

"Guh guuuh guh guh guh!" Marilyn grabbed a Pianta Emblem from the pool.

"Well…here's the moment of truth…" Vivian sighed. The Shadow Sirens held each other's hands the whole way to the pit stop.

Area change

Vivian and Marilyn came into the casino, to find the sailors back on the mat for reasons that they didn't know about.

"Vivian, Marilyn! Proceed!" Bobbery called out.

As the sisters stepped on, Bowser Jr. yawned.

"Vivian and Marilyn." Miles said. "You're the last team to arrive."

"Guuuh guh guh guuh." Marilyn muttered.

"Yes?" Vivian waited patiently for the next bit of news.

"There is something you should know, though. These guys…" Miles indicated the sailors. "…Received a penalty for a duplicate clue. Their penalty time was thirty minutes additional waiting upon attempting to check in."

Both two teams waited in anticipation for Miles to go on.

"However…I'm afraid that it was not enough time to save you from being in last place." Miles said.

"I like pie." Flavio drooled on the mat.

"Awesome!" Bowser Jr. exclaimed.

"Vivian and Marilyn… I'm sorry to tell you that you've both been eliminated from the race." Miles apologized.

Flavio & Bobbery: Sailors- 6th Place/ 5:40 P.M.

Vivian & Marilyn: Shadow Sirens- Last Place/ 5:41 P.M.

"That's alright…" Vivian smiled as she congratulated Bobbery. Marilyn followed suit…but neither dared to hug Flavio, of course.

"Guuuh guh guh guh, guh guh guuuh guh guh. Guuuuh. (Approximate Subtitles: I'm very proud of how we performed in the race, and I have no regrets. I feel that as sisters, we did as a matter of fact, do very well.)"

"Of course I'm sad to have to go…but it's how the game goes. We did amazing, and I'm happy to have such a wonderful experience to look back on." Vivian commented.

Happy tears ran down Vivian's face as she hugged Marilyn once more.


Author's Note: I feel that I didn't portray the frustration at the Detour well enough, but...oh well. That's just in my eyes. Yes, Flavio has almost gotten Bobbery eliminated...and sadly, Vivian's determination wasn't enough to keep her and Marilyn in the race... Who knows what happens next? Stay tuned to find out...with half of the teams remaining...and only the top three in the end...it's all downhill from here.