ANIMOLE: CHAPTER 7
For My Sweetheart
After the exhausting ordeal that was the AS5/AM crossover, we resume to your normal service.
I, CHRIS HOMER, PLEDGE IF ANIMOLE BECOMES AN ANIMATED SHOW, THAT IT MAY BECOME A DATING SIM, SCI-FI EPIC, DRAMA ABOUT SOCIAL PROBLEMS…
(Two guys in suits enter with sunglasses on, and try to tear up the opening, saying that this opening represents the 'Excel Saga' estate and should not be imitated. Koshi Rikdo is turning in his grave…well he would if the Great Will Of The Necroism would let him…)
VOTE POLLS
Akari Kanzaki: 27% Yolei Inuoe: 20% Kensuke Aida/Rika Sasaki/Chiriko: 13%And now let's continue…
* * * *
(Shot of the moon sky, where our contestants were last seen. Back on Earth, Yukino narrates…)
Yukino: This time…I'm afraid it means nothing for smarts…Giselle Dexter was eliminated because of confusion, mistrust…and just for being too confident. As I know, smarts and confidence are two ingredients needed for victory. However, overusing them leads you to being found out that things are not always what they seem. So 10 contestants remain, and Pokemon is the latest show to claim a victim…for the mole.
Remaining contestants (eliminated ones not in bold);
Akari Kanzaki – Cosmo Beauty – Battle Athletes Victory
Chiharu Mihara – Student/Cheerleader – Card Captor Sakura
Chiriko – Suzaku warrior and researcher – Fushigi Yuugi
Cody Hida – Digidestined of Knowledge and Reliability – Digimon 02
Duplica Imite – Actress and Ditto Master – Pokémon
Giselle Dexter – Valedictorian – Pokémon
Haitani Masayuki – College Pervert – Love Hina
Haley Mabiki – Navigator – Nadesico: Prince Of Darkness
Ken Ichijoji – Digidestined of Kindness – Digimon 02
Kensuke Aida – Otaku – Neon Genesis Evangelion
Naoko Yanagisawa – Student/Horror Otaku – Card Captor Sakura
Rika Sasaki – Student/Model Housewife – Card Captor Sakura
Shampoo – Amazon – Ranma ½
Shirai Kimiaki – College Pervert – Love Hina
Touji Suzuhara – Bionic Man – Neon Genesis Evangelion
Yolei Inoue – Digidestined of Love and Sincerity – Digimon 02
* * * *
(Last night, the remaining 10 contestants got to sleep in a hotel suite. The bad news…all in the same room.)
(Shot of 10 sleeping bags, obviously there was some shuffling to avoid any perversions, no-one sharing a bag of course unlike last time, but they have to get up at 8.00am, because at that time…)
(Shot of Skuld, entering the hotel. It appears that she is the designated 'Yukino' for the moment)…
(Same penalty applies. If no-one is ready, £1,000 will be deducted…)
* * * *
(…and it seems that two people are completely forgetting that…)
Naoko: Wake up Kensuke!
8.00am
(You'd think with 10 people, most of them getting up would be easy, but for Kensuke, it seems like a dream world…and he's not the only one…)
Yolei: Why do we have to get up a couple of perverts?
(The current kitty is £79,500. Which may become two grand less if they don't get Kensuke and Haitani up…)
Haitani: (in his sleep) Mutsumi-san…
(…of course, Haitani is pretty much in dream land)
Ken: Either we get them up, or we lose 2 grand.
Akari: (cheery) Here's the water!
Yolei: (evil smile) Thank you Akari dear.
(I wonder what will happen next…)
Two perverts: YAARRRRGGGHHHH!
(Silly question…)
(knocking on the door)
Skuld: Knock knock!
Chiriko: Who's there?
Skuld: Yugi!
Chriko: Yugi who?
Skuld You geet out of there ya whippersnappers!
(Skuld laughs at the bad joke, Chiriko doesn't get it)
Skuld: These guys from the past have no sense of humour…(Skuld enters)…well, I'm here! (scours the room) And it seems two people aren't ready yet…
Kensuke: Give…us…
Haitani: …a break!
Skuld: I think 2000 pound coins gone is enough to break anyone, but I digress.
(A few of them look at the two guys with murderous intentions)
Skuld: Anyway, I hope you enjoyed your stay as this room will be inhabited by the author by the end of the day so we'd better get out of here before he finds out. So, we'll get down where the early Trailmon is waiting for us…
Yolei/Ken: Trailmon?
Skuld: You'll see. All aboard!
(Goddess Space Inc. is a better ride than the tunnel they used to get there, but they'll soon be ready for a real ride…)
* * * *
(Yokohama Port: Train Station)
(Shot of Yukino reading 'How to Become a Millionaire' when the 10 Animole contestants come into view. Yukino hides the magazine quickly as they approach…)
Yukino: Ah, how was your trip?
Most of the team: Great!
Yukino: Huh? Why?
(Looks around, and spots Giselle is missing and grins evilly)
Yukino: Oh, I see. Well done mole!
(Also looks on and sees Chiriko with a real sweet smile with Rika behind him, Yukino now goes into Chibi-Yukino with cute doe eyes…)
Yukino: Awwww…how cute! Did something happen? (the two blush)
Naoko: Hey, let them be! They're embarrassed already!
Yukino: Well, no matter. Besides, it's time to play the mole game back on earth, and we've got a challenge for you. We have here, the Frontier Express, and we will be playing a game inside the Trailmon…but first, I need two people who prefer to get some exercise than sit on the train.
(A discussion is made, and Akari and Ken are chosen. Yukino nods…)
Yukino: Very well…Akari and Ken come with me and we'll discuss what you guys have to do. Skuld-chan, take over for the others please…
(Yukino takes off, Akari unaware this could be her second free pass in a row. Meanwhile, Skuld explains the challenge to the remaining 8)
Skuld: O.K people, the challenge is simple. You'll be taking a train ride from Yokohama to a nearby restaurant business. On this journey, you will be stopped 5 times. Each time you're stopped, a girl will enter. Your task is to find out who these 5 people are. As soon as you find out a person, you'll continue to the next stage. How you do this?
(Inside the Trailmon, on each of the seats, are various newspapers, magazines, and even books on anime and anime characters. In at least one of these for each person, there will be a picture/story on the anime female that enters. They'll need to identify and recognise them.)
Skuld: …and that's the story! Now, all we have to do…
(The Trailmon pulls in)
Trailmon: Sorry I'm late!
Skuld: …is wait. I guess it's not as good as Yggdrasil, but at least it's better than Earthian stations…the challenge is worth £10,000. Enjoy!
(However, there is another part of the challenge, and it depends on Akari and Ken…)
* * * *
(Shot of Yukino with the former emperor and the Cosmo Beauty)
Yukino: So now, I bet what you're wondering what you've got to do?
Ken: Bet it's something to do with a free pass…
Akari: No, not another one!
Yukino: Akari, you earned that last one apparently, so that doesn't count. Besides, it's all up to you.
(Yukino hands Ken and Akari a map each)
Yukino: On there is a detailed map that even Ryoga Hibiki could follow. It gives you where the 5 contestants are going. At 5 intervals, they will be stopped and have to answer a question so to speak to continue on. You on the other hand, have to get there by bike. Now, to win the free pass…you must be at the station for the Mizuki Restauarant in Yokohama Bay BEFORE the train people get there. Simply put, it's all up to you if you win the money or not.
Ken: (sighs) Thanks a lot.
Yukino: (genki) No problem!
(Yukino leaves to get to the station herself, as Akari and Ken have to consider betraying their teammates…)
Akari: So what to do?
Ken: I'm not sure…I want to stay in the game…but I don't want to face Yolei's wrath.
Akari: Good point…(hops on her bike)…shall we get started?
Ken: Sure.
(As Akari and Ken get going, the Trailmon is also starting up…)
* * * *
(The 8 contestants head off, all sitting seperately. On each of their desks are various anime magazines and books, including mangas, (Japanese and English) NewType magazines, Manga Max, Animerica, Animeco, Protoculture and AX. In each of the magazines, there will be a picture of the girl that comes up every time, it's up to the teams to find her…)
(Shot of the teams discussing…)
Kensuke: So basically we're going to find 5 hopefully cute girls coming onto the train?
Haitani: (Lina Inverse impression) LUCK-Y!
Naoko: Keep it down, it's a challenge guys!
Yolei: So this is a Digimon huh? How come I've never seen it before? I wonder if it's to do with those weird kids at the Hotel…
Chiriko: This is so unsusual…
Rika: …Sorry Chi-chan, no help this time…I'm as lost as you are…
Duplica: I don't care, it's travelling the world, as long as you last the game, you can enjoy it as much as you can…
(The Trailmon screeches to a halt, making all the contestants bolting slightly…)
Haley: Um…you were saying?
(Yukino enters…)
Haitani: That's Yukino Miyazawa!
Yukino: (sighs) I'm not one of the five moron. This is your first person…
(The first girl enters. What the contestants don't know is that they are all from 2002 animes…and even worse, one magazine that they have actually has all 5 in them, but can they figure it out?)
(The girl is a bright eyed ad bushy tailed dark blond girl. She is Valkyrie, from UFO Princess Valkyrie.)
Valkyrie: (sugary sweet voice) Hi, you better be nice to me!
Yolei: (sweatdrops) I don't know where to scream about the cute voice or about the attitude….
Yukino: Start searching people…
(As they do, let's check in on Akari and Ken…)
* * * *
(It was roughly take them an hour to get to their destination…and that's only because Akari has to stay on Ken's level of speed. The main focal point is the fact that one wants the free pass…and the other doesn't.)
Ken: It's O.K for you, you've already had a free pass! I want to stay in this game and I'm not 100% sure who the mole is…
Akari: I never asked for the free pass at the Moon, besides, we've been losing so much recently, I wouldn't mind winning now…
Ken: (sigh) This could take all day…so we make a turn here?
Akari: I've been suspecting Ken for a while now, and the way he wanted the free pass suggests a brilliant double bluff…
(Whilst Ken complains and Akari suspect, the team on the train aren't having much luck…)
* * * *
Valkyrie: For the last time, I'm not Lina Inverse!
Kensuke: Drat…
(It's been 10 minutes, and no luck. Finally, Naoko gets lucky with a magazine focus on sci-fi eps…O.K, she's been reading it more than searching, but finally gets the break)
Naoko: Are you…Princess Valkyrie!
Valkyrie: Yep!
Yukino: Well done! Trailmon?
(Trailmon continues on the road, 10 minutes gone. At one point, the bike team will cross a rail line on their journey, this is the only time the two groups may meet. Another few minutes, and the Trailmon stops again)
Yukino: Can we have beauty contestant number two please?
(This time we have a pink-haired cutie-pie with beautiful blue eyes. Her name is Milfeulle Sakuraba, from Galaxy Angel. She is a dead ringer for Chibi-Usa, except she is more Usagi airhead (but has amazing luck…it turns the galaxy inside out…) Her main point is that she always is smiling…)
All girls: KAWAII!
Milfeulle: Thank you!
(The first speak out is Chibi-Usa from Rika, which is wrong. Duplica then pitches in with Cutey Honey. VERY Wrong. Then Yolei that's it's Misha from Pita-Ten…close but wrong. However, Haitani gets it right in about 3 minutes, saving them a bit of time as they head one step closer...)
* * * *
Akari: We'll see how far we get and then decide when we get closer…
Ken: That's fine, I need a break anyway…
(Ken and Akari are now just walking side by side by the bikes…)
Ken: I'm sorry.
Akari: What?
Ken: I'm sorry if I sounded forceful. I honestly don't mind, but I'm always worried. If someone as smart as Giselle can go it means anyone can go…
Akari: (smiles) I know. I'm just as worried at times, and will admit…I've been thinking about taking it.
Ken: Huh?
Akari: However, I was always seen as selfish in my early years after my mother's death. Being in Antarctica and the Satellite changed that. I feel playing as a team rather than as individuals is the real spirit, even in a game like this.
Ken: (nods) You're smarter than you take yourself for Akari.
Akari: Ken!
(The two laugh)
Ken: It's weird. I've never got to know Akari too much, aside from when Yolei and her talk. However, she's certainly a nice girl…but I do suspect her on the inside as well.
* * * *
(A third stop, and girl number three enters)
(This one is going to be tough because she is quite a familiar look with the innocent eyes and blue hair…Teletha Testarossa from Full Metal Panic is a 16 year old captain (sound familiar, should to Prince of Darkness fans) of a high-tech submarine (O.K, scratch that). A military whizz kid, who forgets it around the man she likes. But as she is so familiar as other girls, this one could be tougher…)
Teletha: (bows) Nice to meet you…
(And indeed, this one is tougher…)
3 MINUTES
Yolei: Are you Tsunami?
5 MINUTES
Chiriko: Ruri Hoshino?
(Haley is aghast)
Haley: I can't believe Chiriko thought that was Ruri…O.K, they seem similar but that's not the point…
10 MINUTES
Haley: Are you Ifruita?
13 MINUTES
Duplica: Yurika Misamaru?
(Again, Haley is surprised…)
18 MINUTES
Naoko: Sylia Stingray?
* * * *
(At this point, the train is in view of the two cyclists, and Akari and Ken know they are ahead of the team, which makes their decision now crucial…)
Akari: So…
Ken: (nods) Let's do it.
(They ride past the train. Meanwhile…)
Haitani: Well, it sure as heck isn't Shinobu-chan…
(Kensuke is reading on 'Angel' mag…and misses the obvious shot of Teletha on the centre page. Fortunately, there is a double-feature of her on a double page…)
Kensuke: WHOA! That's got to be her…Teletha Testarossa?
Teletha: About time.
Yukino: It took you nearly 22 minutes to do that one…but you've done it, Trailmon?
(Trailmon toots an affirmative as it heads off into the sunset…we cut to shots of Akari and Ken walking with their bikes, whilst the group wait for the next stop…)
(As it does, we introduce our fourth cutie-pie, and a personal favourite apparently of Miss Star Otaku, Mahoro-chan! (Mahoromatic – Motto Utsukushii Mono) She's a sweet little maid like girl with a pure heart of gold…plus she doesn't stand for hanky-panky…)
Mahoro: Nice to meet you!
Rika: Oh, I saw her…
(Rika goes through one of the past magazines, and flicks through until she finds Mahoro-chan…)
(After getting it right, they head off next, unknowning of Ken and Akari's movements…)
* * * *
Akari: (genki) So who needs a free pass?
Ken: (mock sad) I do…
* * * *
(The final stop, and the final girl. This one may be slightly more familiar. Mimiru from .hack//SIGN. Although tanned and tough, he has enough innocence around others to make her quite attractive.)
(Fortunately, the magazine that has her photo is in Haley's hands. However…he doesn't seem to notice it…)
Haley: Come on then…
(It takes a lot of patience, but after 8 minutes, Haley finally gets the girl and wins the game…or does he? As the Trailmon continues it's long winding road, did Akari and Ken think of the team, or themselves?)
* * * *
Yokohama Train Station Stop: Outside Mizuki Restauarant…
(The 8 get off along with Yukino. They thanks the 5 guests and head off outside…unsure of when Ken and Akari are…)
Yukino: Ah, are we alone, despite all that time?
(Just as she says that, Akari and Ken appear behind them)
Akari: Yo!
Yukino: Akari and Ken, welcome, now we're all here, let's explain what happened. (to the 8 Trailmon contestants) The challenge was if you guys made it before Akari and Ken did, you guys would win the money. If not, those two would win a free pass.
Naoko: They didn't make it in front of us!
Yukino: Correct…although considering how slow you guys were, it was only the kindness of their hearts which stopped them. They would have ran laps, but fortunately, they didn't and came through for the team. So well done, 10 grand in the bank!
(Cheers)
Yukino: However…I'd like to point out that Rika…had actually the one magazine that held all 5 of our lovely ladies in the same mag, the very same one she saw Mahoru in actually…
(Quick shot of the mag, Newtype USA April 2003, and the feature, the top 100 heroines from 2002, Number 5 is Mahoro, 9 is Mihiru, 12 is Teletha, 15 is Milfeulle and 25 is Valkyrie. Also on there are some more familiar names include 14 (Kagome Higurashi – Inu Yasha), a few Azumanga Daioh characters (including Osaka at 7), and even more familiar names like Lina Inverse, (26) Naru Narusegawa (67), Ruki Makino (69) and Ryoko (86) are there because of new versions of their shows (in Ruki' case, Tamers finishing in 2002).)
Yukino :…it didn't matter because you won, but there was plenty of delaying in case Ken and Akari had a change of heart, so to speak.
(Yukino leaves, the team happy, yet always thinking)
Yolei: The fact that Rika was pointed out as a culprit seems either obvious or too obvious.
Haley: Two people mentioned people from Nadesico…surely they would have know if it was them…
Kensuke: It's tough, knowing you've won and yet also knowing there was definitely plenty of sabotage. We don't even know what happened between Ken and Akari, if there were arguments or not…
Akari: Whether I'm suspicious of Ken or not is irrelevant, we still made the right decision.
Ken: I guess it's better arguing with Akari than it is arguing with Yolei…
* * * *
(For now, the guys are enjoying rest at a nearby ryokan. And the talk is of what happened on the island…)
Yolei: So you guys finally gave her the elbow?
Chiriko: I'm not sure if I understand the term but if you mean, we stood up to her and probably helped cause her elimination, then yes.
Yolei: (smiles) Perfecto!
Haitani (sobs): But why? Aside from Akari she was the only g…
Yolei/Duplica: (pissed) WHAT WAS THAT?
Haitani: N-nothing!
(Naoko and Rika chuckle, and it does seem the mood is much more relaxed after Giselle's elimination)
Kensuke: (working on something) O.K…that should…
Naoko: Hey, what are you doing?
Kensuke: Oh…I'm making models of each of the contestants…as long as I'm here anyway…
Haley: Sounds a bit like Mr. Uribitake…
(Kensuke has indeed made a few models of the contestants, surprisingly he's made more than expecting, and not just of Akari and Giselle, but of his buddy Touji, Haitani, Shampoo, Chiharu, Ken, Chiriko, Rika and Naoko done so far.)
Ken: That's very impressive…
Kensuke: Got to do something when I'm not sabotaging…(covers mouth)…OOPS!
(smiles) Kidding!
Akari: Are you?
Kensuke: (smiles) That's a secret Akari-dear.
(a few laugh, as they reminisce over last night…)
Haitani: …it was like the love life over my years flashed before my eyes…
Yolei: Dark grey was it?
Haitani: Hey! More like black really…
Akari: Mutsumi-san…she's a bit…different…(thinks), then again, I live on campus with Kris Christopher so…but Ukyo-san, she reminded me of Ichino a lot, she was really nice…
Chiriko: I was glad to see the Suzaku no Miko, I've barely got to know her during my brief time with the Suzaku Seven, and it was nice to see the others back at the…
Rika: (helping) Hotel.
Chiriko: Thank you…I will get the hang of this, but Ah-Tsing, he was a big help in confronting Giselle, he gave us the confidence to not be afraid.
Ken: (smiles) I noticed…but Akari, you will so pay for embarrassing us like that…
Akari: AND WHAT ABOUT ME?
(They laugh, and notice that one normally chatterbox person isn't speaking as much…)
Akari: Hey Dupi-chan, what's wrong?
Duplica: (turning, we can see tears in her eyes) I'm sorry, just thinking about life…I think hearing and seeing all those people…(wipes eyes), sorry, just bad memories.
(A small silence is scene…)
Yolei: She's usually so friendly, so when she gets like this it was surprising, but we forget that Duplica is an orphan and lives along just making ends meet…
Haley: I guess someone like Goten would trigger something like that…
Duplica: (nods) Yes, he was so sweet and innocent, yet so strong. He's part of a family, and maybe I was jealous, maybe I wanted someone like that to be my little brother…(sighs)…I'm sorry, I'm acting like a crybaby.
Naoko: Won't be the first acting you've done!
(Duplica chuckles and then laughs)
Yolei: That's more like it! I'd thought you'd be the happiest with Giselle gone!
Duplica: Oh it's happened before, I fooled Giselle into getting eliminated on a survivor before…
(Things back to normal as Duplica explains how Giselle was eliminated at Pokevivor, the sun is about to drop on an interesting and successful day, as tomorrow, two more challenges to test the contestants and mole…)
* * * *
DAY 14
(It's been two weeks since they started on their mole journey, and things aren't lightening up. Half way through the series with a 7th victim by the end of the day, a nasty physical challenge is awaiting them…)
Yukino: It's 10.00am and the team have been getting through their morning routine. I hope they haven't had too much rice and horseradish because today's challenge is going to be exhausting.
(Inside, the teams are naturally together, but in their minds, they are working with their alliance partners, some more suspicious than others…)
Yolei: (washing up) You don't need to do this Haley, I do it all the time back home…I do much worse when I'm not at home…
Haley: It's O.K Miss Yolei, I feel obligated to help a lady at all times…
Yolei: (smiles) A lady, I don't think I remember anyone calling me that…(throws some foam bubbles at Haley…)
Haley: Hey!
Yolei: Well…are you a man?
(Haley is hesitant, but throws some back…it becomes a foam fight with the two washing themselves as much as the dishes. On the watching, Ken is looking on, not with too pleasant eyes…)
(On the table, Rika, Chiriko, Naoko and Kensuke look all business like, whilst outside Akari and Duplica are doing some warm up exercises…and Haitani is watching on with a deathwish…)
* * * *
Yukino: So, we meet again…O.K, so we meet nearly every day but that's not the point…because for you 10, I have a challenge for you, and it's worth £5,000.
(She sweeps her arms around, indicating the whole area)
Yukino: We are heading out to Yokohama Bay, and you are going to be in pairs for this challenge, so I suggest you do so…
(It's quickly decided, although there is slightly doubt by some people, it's all resolved as the pairs are…)
Team 1: Rika, Chiriko
Team 2: Naoko, Kensuke
Team 3: Ken, Yolei
Team 4: Akari, Duplica
Team 5: Haitani, Haley
Kensuke: When we heard it was a pair challenge, we knew that it would be a good idea to go into who we consider our 'alliance' partners, this may be a useful challenge after all.
Haley: I knew Ken was going to go to see if Yolei would be his partner, so I didn't interfere and just asked Haitani who seems to be the odd one out now.
Ken: I'm surprised Haley didn't ask Yolei…but then again…
* * * *
Yukino: O.K, with teams done, let's have a looksee about the challenge! In 5 areas of Yokohama Bay, we have hidden two pictures of the author's only things he watches on T.V aside from seeing his football team getting thrashed week after week…in other words, Anime and Wrestling.
(Yukino hands each of the teams an envelope)
Yukino: On there is just a single word to help you find two pictures posted or hung on the area questioned. I suggest you get a map of the area to help you…
(The 5 teams open them. Team 1 has 'INFO', Team 2 has 'SHIP', Team 3 has 'STEEL', Team 4 has 'GROUND' and Team 5 has 'RAIL'.)
Yukino: Those are your only clues where you have to find the pictures. I hope you've got luck on your hands…you've got an hour guys, so go!
(The 5 teams looks on, and most moving, although Haitani and Haley stay for a bit, having a good think, and trying to remember where the rail line was…)
* * * *
TEAM 1
Chiriko: All of them, they have to be in one area right?
Rika: If they were, it wouldn't be an hour long, I think we need to find a radius of the time we need to take…
Chiriko: If that's the case, there would be a half an hour deficit…we need to stretch that far at the most…
Rika: Well, the clue says info, short for information. Maybe a library or an information centre, I think there is one of each…
Chiriko: Cool, shall we split up, I'll go for the library…because I don't know what an information centre looks like…
(Rika smiles, although a form of a sweatdrop comes down the back of her head)
TEAM 2
Naoko: …so we need to find a ship…
Kensuke: As well as a mole, we seem to be doing a lot of finding around nowadays…
Naoko: I want to find home, this game is getting a bit tiresome and stressful…
Kensuke: I thought you wanted to win!
Naoko: I do! I just wanted it to be a bit easier…
Kensuke: (chuckles) Trust me, this is easier than trying to tease Touji about his relationship with Hikari…
Naoko: (smiles) Very well then, where's the port?
Kensuke: Let's see…
(Kensuke looks at a map where an information centre is, in fact the same centre where Rika and Chiriko need to find…)
Kensuke: There's one that's half a mile away, we'd better get walking.
Naoko: (sighs) What I wouldn't give for Sakura-chan's athletism…
TEAM 3
Yolei: Steelworks then?
Ken: Yep, there's one which is roughly 20 minutes away…
Yolei: We should be back by the hour then…and if I can't make it, can you carry me back please?
Ken: Oh no…I saw you pigging out on one too many deserts back there!
Yolei: I can't help it, this is much better than getting crumbs off my fa…HEY, DID YOU MEAN I WAS FAT?
Ken: (gulps) Nooo!
Yolei: I would kill you…but then that would incriminate me as the mole…come on honey, let's go…
Ken: Of course cupcake…
TEAM 4
Akari: …it could mean anything!!!
Duplica: Trust the mole to put something in the ground…my guess we need to find a deserted area, like a sandpit or something where it would be obvious to hide underground…
Akari: We need a map then…
Duplica: Sure…but first, you want to do that cool super jump thing and see if you can spot anything?
Akari: (shrugs) Why not?
TEAM 5
Haitani: (sobs) Again, my luck is bad…
Haley: You're saying you don't want my company?
Haitani: Not that, just…
Haley: (sighs) You're worse than Saburota. Come on then, let's get back to the railway station…
* * * *
(For most of the teams, the route is straightforward, although Chiriko and Rika have split up to search a library and an information centre. Duplica and Akari seem a bit stuck, whilst the others seem fine…)
15 minutes gone…
Kensuke: Ahoy there!
Naoko: You into ships?
Kensuke: I went on one to see Misato retrieve Eva-02…although some of the memories weren't that pleasant…
Naoko: Let's just get on with it…
(Team 2 are the first to find their clue, and retrieve the pictures nailed to one of the masts...although it does a bit of pleading from Naoko towards the first mate to even touch the boat. The pictures are of Hyatt of Excel Saga and of Bubba Ray Dudley from the WWE)
Naoko: That wasn't bad!
Kensuke: We've still got to walk back…
Naoko: That's bad.
* * * *
20 minutes gone…
(After 5 minutes of looking, Akari noticed a desert area south of the bay which seemed to double as a children's area. Wasting no-time, they head off…although there is a problem…)
Duplica: Akari, slow down…(puff)…I'm not as fast as you…
Akari: Oops…sorry.
Akari: I keep forgetting about the differences between me and anyone here…only Shampoo could compete with me in that respect, and as much as I hate to say it, it feels frustrating at times…
Duplica: We can make it…just make sure I don't have a stitch whilst I'm doing it…
Akari: It's O.K…I forgot that the Satellite didn't even exist at this time. Sorry…
Duplica: (smiles) No problem Akari.
TEAM 1
(Rika has got the pictures, of Tomoko from Great Teacher Onizuka, and of Matt Hardy but has the problem of waiting for Chiriko. Rather than doing so, she heads for the nearby library…)
Rika: (calling) Chi-chan?
(Rika's quiet voice isn't good really in the hussle of Yokohama, but fortunately, Chiriko's style of dress aren't difficult to spot, as the young bishy, casually dressed in a green Chinese shirt and Ranma-esque trousers/pants, Rika does spot him, and indicates to come over. The Celestial Warrior does as Rika tells him the good news…)
Chiriko: Phew, that's a relief, libraries from this world are so full of information, I don't want to be spoiled of the future!
Rika: (grabbing his hand) Come on!!!
(Rika and Chiriko, almost acting like giddy schoolkids, walk along back to 'base' where Yukino is enjoying her Millionaire magazines again. Meanwhile…)
* * * *
(Haitani and Haley are sweatdropping at the 'clue'…basically strapped around the rail-line like an old black and white western…)
Haitani: Have they got a sick sense of humour?
Haley: No…wait until the author does the Murder Game…THAT'S a sick sense of humour.
Haitani: How do you know this?
Haley: (gets the pictures, one of Edge and of Sana Kurata) I'm from the future…I'll tell you that…
Haitani: So do you know who wins this and who is the mole?
Haley: Sadly, that information was withheld from me…I think the captain did it as a practical joke…if she does them…
(Three times fine, two to go)
30 minutes gone…
Yolei: Gotcha!
(Yolei swipes the pictures from the door of the steel mill, one of D-Von Dudley and of Akari Anryu from Ranma ½)
Yolei: Now can you please carry me back, my legs are killing me…
Ken: How many times have we trekked round the Digiworld pray tell me?
Yolei: Good point…I can still complain about it though…
Ken: Sure.
(4 times seem O.K…but Akari and Duplica aren't having as much luck…)
* * * *
40 minutes gone
Duplica: We need to dig!
(Akari has finally found the place, a kid had sat on where the X was, which was labelled, bad luck or good coincidence?)
Akari: (digging) I…hate…moles…
(Akari manages to retrieve the final pictures, Evangelion's Asuka and Christian as Akari begins to head back. They need to make it back together, and sadly, Akari can't go full speed…)
Duplica: I'm really really really sorry!
Akari: Come on, let's just get there…
* * * *
(Shot of 'base', outside the restaurant. Yukino is there, already Kensuke and Naoko have returned, and Rika and Chiriko are just coming up on the port bow…)
Kensuke: Ahoy!
(Rika hands the pictures to Yukino who then hugs Naoko in victory. 20 minutes left however and three teams still need to return…)
Chiriko: Will they come?
Kensuke: I'm sure they will…
(5 minutes later)
Kensuke: …O.K, I'm not so sure…
Haley: Sorry we're late!
Kensuke: …I'm back to being sure!
(Haley and Haitani have made it back from the railway lines, with their pictures in hand. Which means they need to wait for Yolei/Ken and Duplica/Akari)
(Shots of said two teams, Ken and Yolei are pretending that a Drimogemon is hunting after them and heading back as quickly as possible, whilst Duplica and Akari are going only as fast as Duplica is letting her. It's going to be tight…)
(58 minutes gone…)
Haitani: Still so sure now?
Kensuke: Oh shut up.
Yolei: WE'RE HERE!
(Yolei and Ken are coming up and Yukino smiles and gets the photos, as Yolei collapses…much to Ken's dismay…into Haley's arms…)
Yolei: Too…much…running…
Naoko: But our fastest isn't here…
Kensuke: Where's Akari?
(They search high above hill looking for the Cosmo Beauty and the Ditto Mistress, but no sign…until…)
Akari: (off screen) We're coming!
Rika: Akari! Duplica! Come on!
Chiriko: You're so close, don't fail us now!
(We see Duplica and Akari coming into tow, Duplica looks exhausted, Akari edging her on as she tries her best…she nearly collapses at one point, but continues struggling. Finally, she gets to base with Akari and they hand the photographs….)
Yukino: (looks at watch) 10 seconds late.
Haley: What?
Akari: For 10 seconds, we lose?
Yukino: Sorry, it was to be back in an hour, and you made it in 1 hour and 10 seconds…(points at her watch), see Mickey's hand?
(A few sweatdrop, but most are just disappointed)
Akari: Dup-chan?
(Duplica hands Akari her 'house' as a few of the other contestants try to get it off her, but it's disappointment and suspicion…)
Ken: A Cosmo Beauty failing in something like that? That is surprising…
Yolei: I like Akari a lot, but I've always been a tad suspicious about her…maybe behind that pretty face is a mole ready to pounce…
Kensuke: For the first time, I'm considering Duplica as a suspect after this. Akari…people forgot that it could be an easy excuse that she's an athlete, but someone could have been dragging her down…
* * * *
Haley: So…
Yolei: It's just weird. Is the mole on one of those two, but…oh cripes, talk to you later k?
Haley: Sure.
(Haley goes off as Naoko and Kensuke round the corner are talking…)
Kensuke: It's hard that you can suspect your friend…
Naoko: I know. Rika is the least obvious mole I can think of…but that's probably what propels her to the top of the list.
Kensuke: On my side, it's seems the most obvious are the mole! I'm going wrong somewhere!
(The two laugh as Yolei says hello and goes by….and literally bumps into Ken)
Ken: So, what do you think?
Yolei: I think being in space has effected your brain.
Ken: Akari seems too obvious…I've wondered about someone like Kensuke…
Yolei: Kensuke a mole? I doubt it…Akari is a stronger possibility.
Ken: (slightly angry) I guess you told Haley that didn't you…
Yolei: Huh?
Ken: (sighs) Come on, it's obvious you guys have some sort of an alliance…are you telling him the same things I'…
Yolei: Hold it Ken! Don't you trust me. Sure Haley and I are friends, we talk strategy, and yes, he's so cute…but…
Ken: In this game, I don't trust anyone…even you.
Yolei: Ken, wait!
(Too late, he's gone…)
Yolei: I guess this double jeopardy was going to come sooner or later…
(Whilst some talk strategy, others…)
Duplica: (German accent) We know you're in there Miss Kanzaki! Surrender the house now and no-one gets hurt!
Akari: (Hiding in her Akari House) No….I'm so embarrasssed!!!!
Duplica: Hmmph, very well, you resist us. Then we'll have to use force…(snaps her fingers)…
(Cue Haitani with a goofy grin, flanked by Rika and Chiriko)
Duplica: You may torture at will.
(All of them bring out…the feather dusters…)
Akari: NO…KEEP AWAY!
(Too late, she's a goner…)
* * * *
(Despite Akari's best efforts, they remove the Akari house from her and are ready for a bit of déjà vu. It's another restaurant challenge, but this time…)
Yukino: Ah, nice to have a ryokan next to a restaurant, and I hope some of you have an empty stomach, because two of you are going to have a fun challenge, worth £10,000. The other 8 have to prepare you with or without any prior skills…because after Survivor, I think some of you had so much fun crossdressing…
Naoko: Oh…
Chiriko: …no!
Yukino: …it was so nice, we felt we should do it twice! For this challenge, we are setting two of you to go out on a date…with someone of the opposite sex. However, the catch is…the two people in question are gay…
Haitani: These challenges are getting weirder…
Yukino: …to do this challenge, we need two victims…I mean volunteers to be the dates…however…
(Yukino brings in a selection of cosmetic equipment, make up, perfumes, deodrants, clothes, etc.)
Yukino: …the challenge is this. A guy will have to dress as a girl and vice versa, to entertain their dates. The challenge is for the person you're entertaining to not notice you are a guy/girl. So if Haitani has to do it, there would be a girl opposite him, who was a lesbian, but he couldn't let on he was a guy…and considering who he is, that would be impossible…
Haitani: Thanks a lot!
Yukino: So, first, we need two people who you think would act best as a girl and a guy…
(This decision becomes difficult, and quite embarrassing. The 'guy' gets chosen after begging and pleading…)
Kensuke/Haitani: Please sirs we don't want to do it!
Ken: Besides, I think only one of you two could pull it off…
(Haley and Chiriko both sweatdrop…)
Haley: Jankenpon?
Chiriko: What's that?
Haley: (sigh) Never mind…
Ken: Chiriko did it well at Survivor, you didn't mind then…
Kensuke: (teasing) Besides, I bet Rika would find it quite cute…
(Chiriko blushes, but eventually nods…)
Chiriko: O.K…
(The girls however, are finding it much more tricky, as of the five girls, three of them are being considered…)
Yolei: But you did it at Survivor!
Naoko: But she's the master of disguise!
Duplica: And she's the one that looks most like a…
Yolei: (evil) Care to rephrase that?
Duplica: (sweatdrops) Er…sorry?
Rika/Akari: This is getting ridiculous…
Yolei: Anyway, Naoko…I think it would be better if Duplica did it really anyway…
Duplica: Hey who dec…
Naoko: Sure!
Rika: That's settled…
Akari: Come on, let's get her suited up!
(The 4 girls leave…)
Duplica: Guys…guys…aw nuts…
* * * *
Yukino: After a unilateral decision…
Chiriko/Duplica: Unfair!
Yukino: …now it's up to you guys to dress them up as best as you can! The girls have to dress up Chiriko, whilst the guys have to dress up Duplica…and nothing too perverted, they are both just 13 after all…
Kensuke/Haitani: WHY WERE YOU LOOKING…
Yolei/Akari: …AT US?
Yukino: (innocently) No reason! You've got an hour and a bit to turn Chiriko and Duplica into fine members of their opposite sex…good luck ladies and gentlemen!
(As she rushes to get a front row seat to laugh…er, I mean view the spectacle, you can tell that Chiriko didn't realise what he's getting into…)
Yolei: Now, we'll be gentle honest…
Chiriko: (sweats…) Help…
(Chiriko's hair is let down from his ponytail. Chiriko's features are on the Naozumi range, they are already quite girl-like, so the girls have to simply help make it more so…Chiriko's hair let down is a good start, and Rika blushes…)
Naoko: My, he is quite cute isn't he Rika? Maybe I should try to steal him from ya…
Rika/Chiriko: NAOKO!
Akari: No moving, make-up is hard to do…
(Akari puts on make up as Yolei figures out what Chiriko should wear. On the guys side, it's a delicate touch as they try to turn Duplica into a guy…without doing anything that would warrant a mallet smack, these Pokemon girls are dangerous no da…)
Ken: We've got to somehow get those pig-tails back…
Duplica: Don't cut them please!!!
Haitani: Don't be difficult Miss Imite…anyone a good hairdresser?
(Silence…)
Haitani: Looks like the death sentence has been lifted…
(Duplica lets her hair down, and Haley tries not to blush too much, as they have the tough job of tying her back making her look boyish…)
Kensuke: We need to…well…you know…cover them up…
Duplica: DO you want me to hit you?
Kensuke: No ma'am!
(Haley, surprising good with tying the pig-tails…maybe he's done it before…^_^…has put a band around Duplica's hair. The guys also decide to try and hide the long hair, they need to put a big jacket on…)
(Back to the girls…)
Naoko: This is fun!
Yolei: Not too much eyeliner Rika…
Rika: Hai!
Chiriko: I've decided 21st century fun is very…weird…
Akari: O.K, lipstick is done!
Yolei: Let's have a look…(swoons)…so cute!
Akari: Not yet, I'm going to braid his hair now, make 'her' real authentic…
Rika: (whispering) I'm sorry about this…but you do look cute…
(As Chiriko blushes, Duplica fidgets…)
Duplica: I'm used to putting my own costumes on…
Haley: Sorry miss…
Duplica: (smiles) You're O.K Haley, I trust you.
Haitani/Kensuke/Ken: And us?
Duplica: (smiles) No comment.
(They all sigh as they get back to work, the thick jacket being the choice not only to try and hide Duplica's hair, despite Haley's decent job, and also to hide the obvious problem…)
Duplica: This is going to be so hot…
Kensuke: O.K, that should be O.K!
(The finished articles aren't that bad really…Chiriko's braided hair and cute face are fine, the main problem is the fact he's a bit uneasy in the modern clothing put out of a shirt and jeans (he refused the skirt idea)…also Yolei decided to put a bra on him, the main problem being the flat chest…)
(…as for Duplica, Haley's great bobbing and tucking in Duplica's long hair makes her hair style like Hibiki Amawa's. The thick jacket should hide her figure occampanied by jeans. But now, there is one more problem…)
Yukino: On the outside, they are fine…but what about the voices? They now have a costly option if they want the total job….
(The team is gathered together as Yukino brings in a special guest, Ruru or Ba-chan from I My Me! Strawberry Eggs! She brings out two plates with locket like items on them…)
Ruru: These are voice disrupters. My tenant Amawa uses them to disguise his voice as his job as a kyoshi. These will help you more in the test…however, they come at a cost. 1,000 pound each.
(Decision: Do Chiriko and Duplica want to take the chance?)
Rika: Can you do a girl's voice?
Chiriko: I'll try and copy yours…
(AUTHOR'S NOTE: Shouldn't be too hard, they have the same Jap seiyuu)
Naoko: It's a 1000 pounds…is it that bad?
Yolei: I think no, it's not that bad. It's worth it for 10,000. Duplica I think will be fine, but I think we won't any chances…
(Chiriko agrees and they sacrifice £1,000 (Total kitty: £81,500). On the other hand…)
Ken: Are you sure? I don't mind losing £1,000 if you want to be completely sure…
Duplica: I'm an actress by trade…although admittingly I normally do pokemon impressions…
Ken: So what's the problem?
Duplica: Guys…it's your decision…Haley?
Haley: Ummm…I think we should get the voice thing.
Kensuke: Second.
Haitani: Third…
Duplica: You guys trust me that much huh? (sigh) Fine…just for you guys.
(Duplica also accepted the voice changer. (Total kitty: £80,500) It will be worth it IF they win…)
* * * *
Yukino: Their challenge now is to sit and wait. Chiriko, renamed Chirai, and Duplica, renamed Ditomi, now have to enjoy a date with someone of the opposite gender, but prefer the same gender. The challenge: To last an hour without giving away their real gender.
(Shot of the other 8, in pairs sitting at different tables nearby. At the north table, is Rika and Haley. At the east, it's Naoko and Kensuke. At the south, it's Yolei and Ken. At the west, it's Haitani and Akari.)
Yukino: Everyone else also have a part, they must not reveal that they are there to watch, and just enjoy the night. It's a free meal at this sushi restaurant, based on the franchise of the Mizuki family from the first episode of GTO…stupid advertisements…
* * * *
(On one side, in view of North and East, is where 'Chirai' is. In view of West and South, is where 'Ditomi' is.)
Chiriko: (voice sounding very much like Rika now) I hope I don't mess up…
Chiriko: Again, all this experience, it's weird how the world's will change…
(Suddenly a girl enters to the table…dark red hair, white blouse and long blue skirt. Chiriko looks up and the girl does have a smiling face…)
Girl: Hello there! Sorry I'm late…
Chiriko: Oh that's O.K! I just got here myself…
Girl: I know, I was told this was a blind date, geez, if my friends ever saw this…oh sorry, I haven't told you my name! Akane Kasuga, nice to meet you!
(Akane Kasuga: Kimagure Orange Road)
Chiriko: Hello, and I'm Chi…Chirai Doukon!
Akane: Doukon, that's Chinese right? Wow, you speak Japanese so well!
Chiriko: That's fine and thank you for saying that!
(Whilst 'Chirai' gets to talk with Akane, if he saw who was entertaining 'Ditomi', the game may be over already…)
(A man in a blue/grey Chinese uniform is chatting well to the Ditto girl, his dark blue hair swivelling almost like a girls…)
Duplica: (nervous) So how would you like me to address you as…
Man: Oh sorry, I'm Ryuen, but everyone calls me Nuriko!
(Nuriko: Fushigi Yugi)
Duplica: This is not good…I saw Chiriko in the watching of Miaka's video…and I saw what happened to him…it was hard to stay professional knowing what happens to the poor guy…
Nuriko: Hey relax, it's not like we're going to marry you or anything…it's just a nice day out, although how I got here is anyone's guess, I was at a…
Duplica: ..hotel?
Nuriko: Yep, and…hey, how did you know?
Duplica: (thinking) Crap. (out loud) It's just a common area around here, hotels and I heard you were from ancient China…
Nuriko: Oh right, so you got info on me…well, (haughty voice) it doesn't matter, as long as the Emperor Hotohori is watching me and getting jealous…
Duplica: (sweatdropping) Er….
(As the two are 'entertaining', the rest are watching on. They also can't interfere in the game, but for them, it's a nice free deluxe sushi combo for each of them…)
Rika: (giggles) Chi-chan is getting embarrassed by this girl…
Haley: (embarrassed himself) I can see why…this Akane girl is a bit…talkative…aggressive…
(Any comments about how it reminds them of another Akane will be stricken from the record…)
(…however, Akane's sharp eyes have noticed something with Chirai…)
Akane: Hey there, you've got cuts in your chest clothing…
Chiriko: Huh? (sees and gulps) Um…how did that happen?
Akane: Are you O.K, do you want me to fix them?
Chiriko: (red) Um…n-n-n-no, that's already madam…
Akane: Ah, a polite young lady, I can see that…no more than 13 I'd guess…
(A mental sigh of relief from the Suzaku Warrior as the 'date' continues. He was almost caught…because of some cuts to his clothing? Suspicious…)
Naoko: Chiriko dodged a bullet there…
Kensuke: (scoffing down some sushi) More please…
Naoko: (sweatdrops) Kensuke…
(South and West don't seem to be paying much attention to Ditomi and Nuriko…)
Yolei: WOW, A DATE WITH KEN AT AN EXPENSIVE RESTAURANT…IS THIS MY FUTURE?
Ken: As long as you're paying…
Yolei: (humphs) Ruin my parade why don't ya?
(If you think Yolei is bad…)
Haitani: Shirai, you poor sap! I'm here at a sushi restaurant with a beautiful girl and you're…well not…
(Whilst Akari is not into violence…)
Akari: SHUT UP! If they find out we're with them, we're screwed!
Haitani: Gomen! But still…
(Another few minutes pass, and suddenly, Duplica is feeling uncomfortable…)
Nuriko: Are you all right young man?
Duplica: Huh…oh yes, I'm fine…
Nuriko: Don't scrunch in pain, your face is as cute as a girls. As cute as young Chiriko's…
(A sneeze occurs on the other side of the restaurant…)
Nuriko: Hmm…someone's got a cold.
Duplica: (blushing) Um…yes…
Duplica: It's bad enough that I know what happens to Nuriko…but someone had the smart ideas of strapping up my…well, you know…and it is hurting like heck now!!! And the jacket…
Nuriko: You're sweating badly, you want to take that jacket off?
Duplica: Ummm…no, it's O.K, I've just got a bit of a chill that's all…
Nuriko: (shrugs) O.K then.
(35 minutes have gone, and so far so good…until…disaster.)
Akane: Thanks for the meal!
Chiriko: So…want to talk?
Akane: Sure!
(However, she bends down and her glass of wine falls over an unsuspecting Chiriko…onto the voice modulator…)
Chiriko: (normal voice) Oh are you…(realises and tries to get his voice like before, desperately trying to imitate Rika)…um, I meant are you O.K…
(It seems like Akane hasn't noticed…but the wine seems to have disrupted the electronics of the system)
Akane: Oh, it's O.K…it's my stupid…no, I better not tell you that, it's a family secret.
Chiriko: Oh, that's O.K…
Akane: Are you alright? You're voice seems to be a bit different…
Chiriko: (sweatdrops) Sorry, I think it's must have been the cheese, a bit rough on my throat…
Akane: All right then, so…
(Chiriko has survived…for now…)
40 minutes
Yolei: So, how they doing?
Ken: I think she's on breaking point…
(Whilst Nuriko has been behaving like a perfect gentleman, Duplica has been struggling the whole night, the guys may have overdid it a bit…)
Duplica: I feel like I'm going to faint…
Nuriko: Hey, don't collapse, are you really coming down with something?
Duplica: (tries to put on a good façade) It's O.K…I don't want to spoil your evening with my conditions.
Nuriko: Still…
Duplica: I'll be fine for the rest of the night, honest!
Nuriko: If you say so…although I do think you should take that jacket off…
(Duplica cringes…)
(Back to Chiriko)
Rika: I guess the voice thing broke…
Haley: …but he's still holding his own…
(However, the hole in his shirt is about to become a big problem, as the stain has grown…and something has become very obvious…)
Akane: Hey…um, don't be embarrassed but…
Chiriko: Yes?
Akane: Are you…kinda flat…
(On the next table, Kensuke spits out his drink with laughter. Naoko tries to reprimand him, but it's too late, Akane has heard it…)
Akane: Hey, what's so funny about that? You shouldn't be eavesdropping on anyone…
Naoko: Oh, look what you've done now Kensuke!
Kensuke: I-I-I'm sorry miss…
(Haley and Rika)
Rika: Naoko-chan…
Haley: They can't give anything away…
(And that isn't the only problem…)
Duplica: Is…there a problem?
(Duplica, out of sheer torture has been forced to take the jacket off. Whilst she has 'strapped herself' up a la Ukyo, Nuriko's stare is putting her into an intense gaze…)
Nuriko: You look…kinda small now…and more of a girl than a guy…then again, you can never judge by appearances…
Duplica: Oh…er….well…(wipes sweat)…um…
(Yolei and Ken)
Yolei: Grrrr…either she's the mole or she's an idiot!
Ken: Calm down, Yolei, calm…oh never mind…
Nuriko: There has been a few disturbances here…those guys with glasses have been making disturbances…
Yolei: (pissed beyond belief) I'M NOT A GUY!
Nuriko: (sweatdrops) You weren't supposed to hear that…
(Yolei swinging a chair as Ken in vain tries to stop her)
Yolei: I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT I CAN AND CAN'T HEAR!
Duplica: YOLEI, STOP!
(Crap…)
Duplica: Er…
Nuriko: (confused) Huh? You know her…
(She's blew it. But at the same time…)
(Chiriko steps forward to try and calm the situation between Akane and Kensuke, and his shirt falls slightly to reveal a very flat chest…even Lina Inverse is stacked compared here…)
Akane: (a la Miaka) No…breasts…YOU'RE A GUY?!!
(A double failure at roughly the same time…the teams sweatdrop in unison, as this challenge is a failure.)
CHALLENGE FAILED
Yolei: LET ME AT 'EM!
Akari: Oh yeah Yolei, you think you can beat Nuriko? What did Chiriko say?
Nuriko: Chiriko's here…*snaps fingers*, ah yes, the Animole guys!
Chiriko: (round corner) That you Nuriko?
Nuriko: Yep, it's me sweetheart.
(Nuriko and Chiriko hug as Akane also comes round…)
Akane: Ah, I'm sorry about this…
Rika: It's O.K, no harm was done…except to Yolei by the looks…
Haley: …and sounds…
Rika/Haley/Chiriko: …of it!
Yolei: No fair!
Haitani: Ah well…it's another momento of my trip, being kissed by Mutsumi-san and going on a date with Akari-chan…
Akari: IT'S WASN'T A DATE!!!
Yukino: What, you wanted to pair you up with Ichimatsu?
Akari: (stops) O.K…good point…
Kensuke: Who's Ichimatsu?
(Akari remains silent, but whilst mingling goes on, what has happened is simple. The mole won this game…)
* * * *
(After thanking Nuriko and Akane, the group meet outside the restaurant where Yukino gives them the final 'briefing')
Yukino: Well, it's been a disaster for you guys, but a victory for the mole. With only £3,000 won this episode the mole seems to be back in business. And now we head back to the hotel where one of you will be discarded from the deck, as we approach half way through the series. Make sure it isn't one of you with your 'Universe Of The Four Gods' scripts, and use your notes and alliances to perfection. Because this will be one of you guys last stands.
(Yukino heads off as it's time for the game to go in their heads…)
(Shots of Naoko comparing notes first with Kensuke, and then with Rika, who in turn, looks over with Chiriko, the two looking comfy on a futon.)
(We see Yolei with Ken, as Akari and Duplica join them. Yolei secretly heads off for a rendez-vous with Haley, much to Ken's suspicion and annoyance)
(See Haitani still in dream land despite Kensuke's elbow jabbing, as the remaining 10 know the numbers are gradually shortening…)
Naoko: There was so much possible sabotage. How did Chiriko get a rip, did he do it himself or did one of the girls do it? Did I even do it…I've never been that good at sowing…
Yolei: The suspicion of the mole always seems to lead either to the most obvious or the least obvious. The running game we failed because our fittest person failed to get back in time, but is that the case or was it something else?
Ken: The only reason we won the first challenge was that because Akari and I let them. Despite what I said, and yes, I still suspect Akari, but it has to be someone delaying the Trailmon, it's just has to be…
* * * *
(Shot of Akari doing the quiz…Question 1, Did the Mole ride the Trailmon? She clicks 'Yes')
Akari: I still have suspicions about Ken, but I'm inclined to think Yolei and Haley are somehow connected to being the mole. Haley is a quiet one, whilst Yolei out and brash. Different, but both possible mole faces.
(Next is Rika, on Question 2, 'Does the mole have a representative for AS5?' She clicks 'Yes')
Rika: The feeling is that Chiriko isn't the mole…I also don't think Duplica or Akari are the mole. I refuse to believe Naoko is the mole, and I've discounted Kensuke and Haitani as the mole. Which leaves three people, Ken, Yolei and Haley. I feel it's one of these three…
(Haley is next, question 3- 'Did the mole get a person correct on the Trailmon challenge? After a long think, he clicks 'No –the mole was bike riding…)
Haley: I'm inclined to think the mole is Akari. I've got a strong suspicion it could be her, at times she can be brilliant and at others…well…
(Question 4 and Naoko is up. She is asked 'Does the moles show have a character voiced by Aya Hisakawa in it?' Being the otaku she is, she thinks and answers 'Yes')
Naoko: Rika-chan…are you being fooled or are you fooling? I hate to suspect Rika but it doesn't seem the least obvious…although it's her 'boyfriend' I'm more suspicious of, especially the way the shirt was ripped…
(Number 5 with Kensuke trying to remember 'What was the word that the moles team were finding?' He goes for broke and hits 'GROUND')
Kensuke: Duplica I thought was just a happy-go-lucky girl, however, she is obviously a deeper character than I thought and the way I think of it, she has made plenty of mistakes, but it seems too obvious. Maybe that's why I'm going for her, it's a perfect double bluff. I still suspect Akari as well a bit though, it's more 70-30 in Duplica's favor.
(Number 6 is Yolei's turn, and she got 'Who was the moles partner in that challenge?' She thinks and types in 'Chiriko')
Yolei: Rika and Chiriko sitting in a tree…yeah yeah. Chiriko or Rika, it's one of those two, I can feel it. Rika is the token girl you can't believe is the mole, whilst Chiriko is the genius who can outwit anyone in seconds. I don't know if he's outwitted me yet though…especially if he is, as I suspect, the mole…
(Question 7, 'What channel in the UK is the moles show on?' is giving Haitani a bit of difficult. He goes for 'Sky One')
Haitani: If Rika is the mole, she did a quiet job today. The noisy people and saboteurs were Duplica, Akari, Naoko and Haley…not a good idea to spread answers now…
(Question 8, for Ken this time, 'Where was the mole sitting in the crossdressing challenge?' He goes for 'North')
Ken: Rika…and Haley. There is something that a shy character shows which seems to hook you into thinking he or she is the mole. Haley in particular however is getting more and more suspect…
(Question 9, Duplica has the question of 'Who is the main hero/heroine of the mole's show?' She puts in 'Sakura')
Duplica: Naoko seemed to be in her element in the Trailmon challenge but seemed to do poorly on it. Also, Yolei rose from the grave and yes, I messed up…but was that for me to do thanks to Yolei's actions?
(Finally, Chiriko on the final question, 'Who is the mole?')
Chiriko: Eyes have been looking around, and I think I can safely eliminate half of the team. This focuses on 5 more though of course, but Ken…Ken or Akari I think, mainly of the way I found out on the bike ride. Yes, they let us go…but a mole's job isn't just to sabotage, it's to convince others you aren't sabotaging.
* * * *
(The ryokan is lit and in the main room, Yukino is smiling as the dozen minus two are waiting for their fates to be sealed…)
Yukino: Well guys, 6 down, 10 to go, and tonight, one more will be added. So who will be unlucky seven?
(The team are silent. We can see Chiriko between Rika and Naoko, both the girls looking nervous.)
Yukino: You have £80,500 now, and half way through. Not bad, but the mole did the damage in this episode with only a bit added. Let's see what happened as tomorrow comes.
(Shot of Duplica, Akari and Kensuke, all nervous. Haitani is trying to look cool, whilst Ken, Yolei and Haley are placid.)
Yukino: The results are in, the elimination has begun.
(Ready, go!)
Yukino: We'll do it in reverse order this time, so Yolei, you're first.
(Yolei nods, trying to remain calm as Yukino types her name in, 'YOLEI')
(Flashes…green. Yolei breathes a sigh of relief as Ken pats her hand and Haley smiles.)
Yukino: Rika.
(The first CCS girl closes her eyes as 'RIKA' is typed in.)
(Flashes green, as Rika opens her eyes, smiles and gets hugged by Naoko. Chiriko seems embarrassed but eventually the two hug as well…)
Yukino: What about your teammate? Naoko.
(Naoko nods, hoping that wasn't bad luck with Yukino typing in 'NAOKO')
(Fortunately, it wasn't, as it flashes green, Kensuke gives Naoko a thumbs up and Rika hugs her back.)
Yukino: Kensuke.
(The Eva rep nods, hoping for the best as the computer and Yukinon do their thing (no that wasn't a typo, it's a nickname of hers), 'KENSUKE')
(Flashes green as Kensuke simply smiles, knowing he's staying in the game longer…)
Yukino: 5 down, it's one of you five. Is it you Ken?
(The former Emperor nods as three letters are typed in quickly, 'KEN')
(Flashes green, making one pervert, one actress, one child prodigy and one Cosmo Beauty starting to sweat…)
Yukino: Oh dear…Haitani?
(Haitani is gritting his teeth as his letters 'HAITANI' are passed through Yukino's laptop…)
(Flashes…red. Haitani sighs.)
Yukino: Haitani, time to go.
Haitani: Ladies and gentlemen, the sex apocalypse has left the building…
(Haitani shakes hands with all his competitors, and no, he doesn't have a Keitaro slip-up moment with Akari. We'll give the guy his dignity on his leave…)
Akari: He was weird, weird and weird again…or was he perverted? Either way, it didn't matter…
Kensuke: He was always ready to get beaten into oblivion, and it always brought out a smile out of anyone. I guess he was the comic relief, but credit for him lasting so long when his friend went so early…
Yolei: Aw, now who can I hit?
(Haitani takes his leave from the ryokan as Skuld is ready outside)
Yukino: Rough night?
Haitani: Maybe…
Yukino: Sad to go?
Haitani: Yeah, but it's been a blast. I've been with cute girls, done things I've never thought about, been with cute girls, flown to a Moon and been with cute girls!
Yukino: (sweatdrops) I'm beginning to see why you didn't last too well…
Haitani: …but you're the cutest of them a…
(Suddenly Skuld may not need to teleport him back, as Yukino's fist has sent Haitani a one way trip to Hinata…but it was the mole that gave him the early kick.)
* * * *
And then there were 9!
There should be a poll about Animole coming up on the mailing list to see what you think of the fic, the characters and the suspicions.
As we are half way now, the people who are still eligible for the prize will be mentioned in my next e-mail, so if you're in that list, you can still win a couple of DVD's of your choice…or mangas…or CD's…depends what you've got I guess…
O.K, and now, I think I need to return to writing my Ranma fic…adios!