ANIMOLE
The N-Pika March
This episode marks episode 8 out of 14, meaning we are past the half way mark in trying to discover who the mole is. So who is it?
It seems like last week was just a hitch for the person currently with the most votes…but we do have a new leader.
POLLS
Yolei: 33% Chiriko/Akari: 20% Duplica/Rika: 13%* * * *
(Yukino steps out of the ryokan, seeming bright and early. She introduces the latest chapter…)
Yukino: The first trick to discovering a mole…don't get distracted. Haitani Masayuki sadly didn't follow this rule, his old ways coming back to haunt him, and consequently getting his butt booted back to Hinata, in the only way they can. Now 9 remain, and soon, we'll make it 8. Who will be the half-way cut…only one person knows that they aren't…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
* * * *
(With 9 remaining, hustle and bustle has been more limited, and the remaining contestants are working well with each other in getting up, and preparing breakfast. With the game players now starting to thin, the group are starting to become closer together…)
Kensuke: There you go Haley my man…
Haley: Thank you!
(Shot of Kensuke and Chiriko on cooking duty…Chiriko more adapt at it than you'd think, whilst the rest of the team are just chatting in general, and trying to keep their minds off the game…)
Akari: …so I enter the room, and the first thing I see is a cow!
Yolei: Would that be the animal…or your roomate?
Akari: Well actually…(realises what she said) Yolei, that was mean! Kris is nice, just…
Naoko: Obsessive?
Akari: Yep, that'll do.
Ken: Kensuke, I'll give you credit, you're a pretty good cook…
Rika: Chi-chan, how did you make Chinese cuisine out of rice, eggs and radish?
Chiriko: (blushes) Practice.
Duplica: Well, keep it up, this is excellent!
(Sadly, breakfast is cut off early this morning, as Yukino barges in)
Yukino: Good morning everyone!
All: Morning!
Yukino: Well, I'm afraid it's time to say goodbye here, because we've got a challenge coming, and I hope none of you are afraid of heights…
Naoko: Heights?
Yukino: Yep, heights, because we've got not one, but two challenges on heights today, so buckle up guys…
(The team of 9 begin cleaning up, as they have a couple of challenges to prepare for. It might be fun, but when they are ready, it's all business…)
* * * *
(Shot of the team now travelling to a new city, and when they learn of the location, Akari seems a bit indifferent…)
Akari: Hokkaido?
Akari: Hokkaido is my home town, it's where everything began and ended for me…the death of my mother, fulfilling the promise to go to University Satellite, becoming Cosmo Beauty…I know we are nearly 3000 years behind, but it's still a feeling of nostalgia and home for me…
(Shot of Skuld taking the 'quick route', they could get by vehicle of course, but we don't have anyone who can drive…plus we couldn't get any cameos in time…)
(The team suddenly realise what the height part of the challenge entailed. There are hot air balloons everywhere…)
Rika: Pretty!
Yukino: Well, they aren't hear for decoration because my friends, I have a challenge for you, and it is worth £10,000. Every year in Kanto, millions of Butterfree trainers release their Butterfree for them to find a mate for the breeding season. You won't be doing that, but it's time for some butterfree catching.
(Yukino indicates the pokeballs in front of her)
Yukino: We paid…well Chris paid…a lot of money for these Master Balls, but they are designed to catch anything that you throw at, Dragonites, Mewtwos, Celebii's, etc. For this challenge, you'll need to catch some free moving Butterfrees…up there.
(Yukino indicates the balloons)
Yukino: This challenge requires intense aim and concentration as the Butterfree like to move about whilst in the air and from the sky, it can be very difficult…and to win the challenge, you need to capture 5 Butterfree. You will all go as individuals in this challenge, one at a time. Any questions?
(Silence as they digest this information)
Yukino: (smiles) That's why I like to see…O.K, who wants to go first?
(Silence…)
Yukino: Oh thanks for that…(sweatdrops)
(Eventually, they bring Haley to going first. Meanwhile, Naoko is entertaining everyone with one of her fabled scary stories…)
Naoko: …and as the balloon travelled up, the air seemed to implode, as the night sky came above everyone. The stars were shining, yet the air continued to compress…
(Shot of Kensuke amazed, Rika smiling, Chiriko confused, Yolei chuckling, Ken sweatdropping, Duplica sighing and Akari scared out of her wits…)
Chiriko: (whispering) Does Naoko like this sort of thing?
Rika: (smiling) Naoko-chan just like scary stories…
Chiriko: I think she should meet the Seiryu Seven, then real fear could be shown…
(Anyway, Haley is up as the first to take on the Butterfree catching challenge. He gets just one shot at it, so he has to get it right. Fortunately Butterfree whilst friendly, aren't too intelligent, so they could come up close to him…or not. It depends how lucky he can be…)
(That is…if it wasn't for our guest cameo…)
Yukino: You may release the first butterfree!
(The person doing the job is Bugsy, a famed bug trainer/gym leader, and his Butterfree are extremely well trained, enough to make Haley's job very difficult, and indeed all the others as well…)
Haley: O.K…let's do this…you've learned aiming enough times…they shouldn't be too…
(A Butterfree appears and begins to float around the balloon as Haley literaly goes round in circles as the Butterfree floats in and out…)
Haley: …tough. Me and my big mouth.
(Haley kneels down and tries to keep his eye on the Butterfree, who begins to drift out…Haley throws the pitch…)
(…and misses by about a foot.)
Haley: Oh dear.
(Shot of the group, some still listening to Naoko, others watching the challenge.)
Rika: Poor Haley…
Yukino: One fail. Whose next?
(After dragging her away (by Akari), Naoko is the next volunteer. Haley comes down disappointed…)
Haley: Sorry guys…
Yolei: Don't worry, this does look tough…
Ken: Watch Naoko do it now…
(Yolei and Haley both facefault, but turn to watch anyway…)
(Naoko is watching carefully, and pretty much admiring the view. Naoko waits until a Butterfree is as close as possible. Whilst Naoko doesn't have the best pitchers arm in the world, her aim is good and it just tags the Butterfree on the lower wing, a good enough hit to be dragged into the master ball. Naoko yips it up)
(Back on the floor, Ken smirks as Haley looks on disappointed. Yolei turns to Ken, a bit surprised)
Yolei: Can't be…
(Next is Kensuke. He waves as he rises up to get the next Butterfree, at least he hopes…)
Rika: Well done Naoko-chan!
Naoko: Aw shucks, it was easy!
Duplica: How natural was it to use a pokeball?
Naoko: It was weird, it was like a powerful force could suck yourself in…hey, that's a good topic for…
(Chiriko and Rika quickly cover her mouth…)
Duplica: Good thinking guys.
Chiriko: No problem. Besides, you should know how to use those things well right?
Duplica: Er…erm…actually I've never used one.
Rika: Huh?
Duplica: (embarrassed) Both my pokemon don't live in pokeballs…they sorta…followed me…
(Rika smiles despite the sweatdrop as Chiriko mumbles an 'aiya…')
(Kensuke, with no fear of heights needs to target a Butterfree. He's finding it quite simple, maybe from sight training, he seems to have a knack for this. With quick speed, he throws a pokeball and a direct hit scores for Team Mole. +2, -1)
Kensuke: Howzat!!!
Haley: Geez…everyone is making me look bad…
(As Kensuke goes down as Naoko is allowed to talk again, the next to go up is Yolei. As she does, Kensuke talks to his alliance partner)
Naoko: Score two for the two of us!
Kensuke: I know, it's such a unique feeling…then again, almost everything I've done has been very different…
Kensuke: I feel I can win this. Every challenge I want to step up to the plate and get a home run. I've got my mole suspicions ready and my target locked…
(On cue, both Naoko and Kensuke get their pads out, and compare notes. In the back, we see Rika and Chiriko also do so)
Chiriko: Let's see if Yolei fails or not…
Akari: Come on Yolei!
(Yolei, seems a bit distracted up there as she waits…and waits…and waits again for the perfect shot. Her aim is true…but her target is not as the Butterfree were waving around for too long or Yolei to get a true shot. +2, -2)
Duplica: (writing down) Yolei fail…
Akari: ..after waiting too long.
Together: Check.
(Yolei comes down, and doesn't even look at Ken or Haley, or anyone else. Rika is about to go over, but decides not to…)
(Chiriko goes next, again something new for him to do, as the technology of a simple hot air balloon is astounding. However, maybe the view is a bit too distracting for him…as Chiriko misses an easy Butterfree, as his pitch really needs work)
Chiriko: Awwww….+2, -3
Rika: Chi-chan…
(Chiriko comes down, disappointed, but Rika simply smiles as she does her turn. Chiriko simply watches her retreating figure…)
Akari: Oh, and watch as the hero watches the heroine sail into the sunet…
Duplica: …nothing but the beautiful girl to watch…
Akari/Duplica: (hugging each other) How romantic!
(Cue the mass facefault…)
(Rika however, is surprisingly adapt at the Butterfree catching. After watching the movements of the Butterfree, she finally gets on in a straight line and catches it without too many problems. +3, -3)
(As Rika comes down, a blushing Chiriko flanked by Akari and Duplica congratulate the girl)
Duplica: I'll leave you two adieu then…make sure they don't do anything they regret Akari!
Akari: K!
(Rika tries (and fails) to hide her blush)
Chiriko: Um…good work Rika…
Rika: Thank you.
(That's it? Nuts…oh, we've got a challenge? Right.)
(Duplica as mentioned actually isn't too experienced with Pokeballs, and it shows. Duplica doesn't get to grips with the movements of the Butterfree like Rika, and completely screws it. +3, -4. Just two left, Akari and Ken.)
Ken: I guess I'd bet…
Akari: No, I will now. I'm confident…
Ken: But…
(Too late. After Akari consoles Duplica, she heads off)
Kensuke: The pressures on now Ken…
Ken: Yeah…
(Akari didn't get to being Cosmo Beauty without a few skills…her aim is pretty good and her throw perfect. The speed catches the Butterfree by surprise before it's sucked it. Akari flashes a V-Sign as she comes down. +4, -4)
(Now, it's up to Ken…and he's nervous.)
Ken: I will admit, I liked it when Haley failed. But then Yolei did…and then I realised I'd better put my money where my mouth is…)
(Ken heads up as Haley looks on)
Haley: Is it me or…
Yolei: ..he's giving you a bit of a hard time?
Haley: Miss Y…I mean Yolei?
Yolei: He knows about our alliance…but I'm not completely sure why he's upset…I've been helping as much for both of you, I like you both…
Haley: Umm…maybe…
(But before Haley says anything, Ken is up as Bugsy releases the final Butterfree)
(Ken keeps his focus and closes his eyes. After a while, he snaps them open, and throws it…about a foot below the butterfree. He looks on in disbelief…)
Ken: Always worked in the movies…
(+4, -5 = CHALLENGE FAILED)
(Ken heads down to commerisations from the team, but it's a losing start for the team…well, except for one person.)
* * * *
(Shot of Yukino with an obviously disappointed team)
Yukino: (tutting) Not a good start my friends. Where was the suspicion? In the failures, in the successions or…in the fact that you didn't read the Butterfree's pattern?
(Yukino brings a Washu-diagram out)
Yukino: You see, the Butterfree always followed a similar path, initially of a simple straight line, and then of a wavy line which was much more difficult, and it was with no surprise that most of the failures came with the wavy. Was that a perfect ploy from one of you…maybe even a success coming for being a double bluff? Only time will tell…
(Yukino is now all smiles)
Yukino : …but for now, I hoped you enjoyed your first taste for heights, as we've got another height challenge, to catch up and it's worth £10,000 again. Just follow me to the cliff faces my friends…
Ken: I blew it. And I know I can't face Yolei now…
Yolei: Ken pretty much accused me of 'betraying' him the other night, and was pretty smug when Haley missed his throw. I hope I'm not thinking what I am thinking…
Duplica: What can I say? I just had as much experience with Pokeballs as the rest of them did…zip! And I screwed up!
Haley: I felt a bit bad when Yolei told me about her and Ken, it makes me feel guilty to them and to myself…
* * * *
(It's no rest for the wicked as after their first taste for heights, the team now having to act like a lemming and jump…)
Yukino: So now we are at a local cliff face here, so why are we here guys? This is why!
(Suddenly, a demonstration shows as just above the team, Kunio Murai from Great Teacher Onizuka leaps off the cliff into the waters below! A huge splash as the group gasp, as some obviously not relishing this challenge.)
Yukino: Don't worry, it's not a suicide challenge. It is the ancient art of cliff jumping, and as stated, worth £10,000. There are three varying heights of this cliff, 20ft, 30ft and 40ft. Between the 9 of you, you must choose a height and jump of it. To win the challenge, the combined total of your height must exceed 280ft. If you do that, you win the money. However, you won't learn of what your friends choose, so you won't know how well they've done…AND you can back out if you wish.
(The group are deadly quiet as they think it over…)
Yukino: I'll be back when you've decided…
(And as she leaves, from the sea below…)
Murai: HEY! SOMEONE GET ME OUT OF HERE!
* * * *
(Akari has bravely volunteered for the first jump. We see she has a card in her hands, which reveals which height she has chosen…)
Akari: I've chosen 40ft. I think a lot of the younger girls are very nervous about this, so we need as much height that we can get…
(The 40ft cliff face is shown in the north side, whilst 30ft is based on the west and 20ft on the east. Akari is led towards the north, whilst the others consider their options…)
Duplica: Akari will do it, no problem.
Haley: Maybe, but what of the others…
(Shot of Rika, very nervous, and has both Naoko and Chiriko trying to calm her down…)
Ken: You can't say that none of us are nervous…
Yolei: As long as we calm down, we can do this…
Kensuke: Come on Akari.
(Shot of Akari now on the cliff face. She has been instructed to do a running job and take a deep breath as she jumps and release as she jumps. Akari, despite being the Battle Athlete, is now having second thoughts…)
Akari: Geez…(wipes sweat)…this is higher than I thought…
(Akari crouches and does a few stretching exercises…she stands up and breathes in and out. Finally, she nods, and goes into the running starting position, almost like she's attempting a long jump)
Akari: Persistance…spirit…
(She runs)
Akari: …and GUTTTTTTSSSS!
(Which may be spilled if she lands wrong, but she makes the jump of 40ft with a loud splash…but not without side effects..^_^)
Akari: Whoa, my chest is burning…(sniffs)…and appears my nose is bleeding is well…
(Akari is picked up by the boat)
Akari: I'd better wipe this, don't want the others to see the blood…might put them off…
(Akari now can watch the others as inside the cave hideout, as they choice Kensuke to go next. The Eva man heads out, with his choice, also 40ft)
Kensuke: I'm going for 40ft, I know I can do it, plus Rika is a bit nervous, so I think we need as much height as we can get.
(Kensuke also heads to the north side, with Akari cheering on. If that isn't incentive for Kensuke, I don't know what is…)
Kensuke: O.K…(takes glasses off)…let's do it!
(Without fear, Kensuke simply takes a standing jump and plunging into the cold water below…and it shows as he pops up…)
Kensuke: OUUUCHHH! I felt that…rushing waters…brrrrrrr!!!
(Kensuke has successfully done 40ft, so far so good. Meanwhile, they need to cajole Rika to doing it…)
Rika: I…better get it done out of the way…
Chiriko: Hey, don't worry…
Naoko: Rika-chan, it's just a cliff! A big scary cliff face which you have to jump off and plunge into the ice water…
(Rika suddenly turns into Sakura style scared, and clings onto Chiriko. Yolei puts a hand on Naoko's shoulder)
Yolei: You're not helping here Naoko.
Rika: No…it's O.K…I'll do it…
(Rika gets applause as she gets up and goes out into the darkness. No surprise, she picks '20ft')
Rika: I'm pretty scared…I'm not a good swimmer, so I'm just hoping that I can get through with it…
(With Yukino fortunately prepared as a boat immediately await Rika on the east side. Akari and Kensuke look on, and pray for Rika's well being as well as success.)
Rika: Oh…what am I doing?
(The instructors try to calm her down as Rika knows she can back out if she wishes. However, Rika doesn't seem to want too, despite her fear of water)
Rika: (deep breathing) Come on…you can do this…you can do this…
(Rika stays there contemplating, at one point, she goes to jump but stops. She sees the boat below and looks to the sky. Finally, she gets the courage and with a pushing like jump, she screams down into the water…as soon as she surfaces, Yukino grabs her hand and helps Rika into the boat)
Yukino: It's O.K…we knew about your fear of water, it's O.K.
Rika: Th-thank you…
Rika: I'm so happy I got through that. I think I broke through a barrier then with that jump.
(Akari and Kensuke applaud as Rika comes by to rest. Now it's Ken's turn.)
Ken: I'm picking 40ft, because I think I can do it…and I think that others may not do it.
(Ken is the third to go for 40ft, and he sees the height, he may have wish he reconsidered…)
Ken: O.K…I've been up high cliffs before…mostly as the Digimon Emperor but that's beside the point…
(Ken is obviously hesitant, but after a couple of deep breaths, he manages the jump. The loud crash of water is heard and Ken is gasping)
Ken: Ow, my chest…
Yukino: Easy…
(Ken is retrieved. So far, 4 people gone, 140ft combined. Half way through)
* * * *
Naoko: My turn!
Yolei: (tapping her hand) Go for it!
Naoko: (singing) High places, scary places, high places, scary places…
(Mass sweatdrop)
(Naoko emerges and makes her selection)
Naoko: The higher the better, so 40ft!
(Naoko is pretty excited…until she gets there of course…)
Naoko: This…is high…
(Still, the fear factor of it is enough to keep Naoko on course. She makes a leap of faith and crashes down to the water below.)
Naoko: (gasp) What a rush!
(Naoko is retrieved, with another 40ft in the bank, 180ft with 100 to go from four people. Chiriko is next…)
Chiriko: I think I need to do this just to console Rika…
(To our surprise, Chiriko picks 20ft.)
(The young Suzaku warrior is pretty nervous, he's not the gung ho hero like a Tamahome or a Tasuki, so he's not quite up to their standard of life or death situations…still.)
Chiriko: I've figured out something…I don't like two things. Heights…and jumping from them.
(Chiriko consoles himself that it's the smallest height, and closes his eyes. He takes a small jump from the edge of the cliff face and makes it, although Yukino has to be ready, unsure if Chiriko can swim either…fortunately the Suzaku bobbles up and grabs the boat…)
Yukino: Hey watch what you're rocking!
Chiriko: Sorry!
(200ft, 80 to go, three left, Duplica, Yolei and Haley. Duplica goes next.)
Duplica: I'll pick 40ft. I live in cliff areas and I've gone through the stunt tricks in working at films. This I hope won't be a problem.
(Duplica goes up to the 40ft cliff face, the height again much more than they anticpated…)
Duplica: I guess any attempts of a queen of the world speech shouldn't really apply…
(After a failed Titantic state of mind, Duplica simply jumps and prays. Well, she jumps at least. After the plunge, she emerges, coughing and spluttering…)
Yukino: Should never open your mouth jumping into the sea…
Duplica: Now you…(coughs)…tell me…
(With Duplica's jump, the only way they can fail now is if either Haley or Yolei don't attempt the jump. Haley goes next.)
Haley: I'll go with 40ft, I have no fear of heights. I fear a lot of things, but not heights.
(Haley may not be afraid of heights, but he's always had the safety of a megaton space battleship…now, he's alone.)
Haley: Oh…
(Haley sees the LONG drop down…)
Haley: Maybe I should have thought about this…
(Haley does seem nervous, but just calms himself down. He takes a small run and jumps, screaming, but makes the 40ft jump.)
(Yolei doesn't know, but the challenge has been completed already. Still…)
Yolei: I'll do 40ft, because I'm confident I can do it.
(Yolei also does the big jump. At the cliff face, she's also fairly scared, but eventually after some deep breathing, makes it.)
CHALLENGE COMPLETED
(The team get back together as Yukino emerges from a rope ladder from the cliffs, with a harness (just in case). She smiles.)
Yukino: Well, I can safely say you passed that with flying colours. 7 of you did the 40ft jump, doing the challenge 280ft yourselves, and even those who didn't still managed a 20ft jump…or was that a failed sabotage Rika or Chiriko?
(Both look down, but they get nothing but smiles anyway)
Yukino: Oh well…it's been a hectic day, and I suggest some of you may want a change of underwear now…
(Laughs)
Yukino: …so we'll head to a ryokan, and tomorrow we are taking a trip back to Tokyo, for a nice easy fun challenge…honest!
(Disbelieving looks…but whatever, they got the 10 grand.)
Rika: I felt scared…but I'm pleased I went through with it.
Akari: Even if Rika is the mole, she was so scared to do that so she should be proud of herself. I was scared of the water for the longest time as well…but when you have support, there is nothing you can't do.
Haley: I was a bit surprised that Chiriko did only the 20ft…I'm not sure whether I can see that as Mole activity or not, but considering how scared Rika was, maybe it was genuine compassion.
Chiriko: I know Tasuki-san will make fun of me for that, but I don't care. I was confident the others would pull through, and this at least, gave Rika someone to solidify with.
* * * *
(Once again, the team check into a ryokan, and with 9 remaining, the atmosphere is probably the most relaxed and less chaotic as it ever has been.)
Duplica: (humming the Neko Hanten song) I guess you got the statistics for her at least…well…
Kensuke: (embarrassed) I'm sorry!
Haley: It's no problem, I can understand Seiya's enjoyment of this now.
Yolei: Hey, there's nothing wrong with doing something like this at all!
Naoko: I know…this is fun!
(Shot of the five working on Kensuke's modelling of the Animole team, with Chiriko watching)
Chiriko: It looks…
Kensuke: What? Crummy? Outdated? Unusual?
Chiriko: No…fun! I guess with my work in becoming a government official made me forgot anything like that…
Akari: (bouncing up) I wouldn't say that Chichan. You've been a lovely person.
Chiriko: (smiles) Thank you Akari…
Rika: (joining them) Here you go…
Naoko: Thank you Rika-chan!
Duplica: Rika's home-made tea in a flash, $10 in 5 minutes or it's free…
Ken: (sweatdrops) She's not a delivery service…
Rika: It's hard to forget that you're in a game, especially when you realise how close we are. It seems like a happy family, which always reminds me of home.
Duplica: I've always wanted to be in this kind of atmosphere at heart. Sure, I want to be a star, but sometimes I just want to be in a family…
* * * *
(As the 9 sleep off the days events…outside, we can see a car…and from one of the windows, we can see a light going on and off…)
* * * *
(The next day, the team are up bright and early, in a unit. It seems they've begin sorting a timetable…)
(Up and helping breakfast are Kensuke, Haley and Naoko, whilst making the beds are Rika and Akari. Washing up duty is Chiriko and Ken, whilst Yolei and Duplica take out the trash for the day.)
Yukino: Well, looks at least you've been taught with manners at least.
Kensuke: There you go Miss Yukino!
(Shot of a rice, horseradish, miso soup, plus an egg as well for Yukino)
Yukino: Well…thank you. I guess the challenge can wait…(smiles)
(The team enjoy a group breakfast as Yukino gets involved with the conversation…)
Yukino: …I know what I did seems weird, but it was like a mission to me to always comes first, it was a dedication, it was a…
Ken: Habit?
Yukino: (shrugs) Guess that works.
(The table laughs as they enjoy breakfast)
Akari: I guess with Giselle gone, plus Haitani as well makes the atmosphere more calm. Kensuke isn't that bad really, and everyone else is quite nice in their own ways, so it's almost normal now.
(After breakfast is done and washing up and chores finished, Yukino finally gets back to work…)
Yukino: I guess it's fortunate that the challenge for today isn't too streneous, that was a full breakfast. However it does involve a bit of embarrassment for everyone, as we head off to Bonnie Scotland, for a challenge involving music, kilts and Pikachu.
All: WHAT THE…
Yukino: Heh. Not as perverted as you expect…honest! Follow me to the Skuld mobile and we'll get ready…
(This challenge is going to be one for the road…or at least the moors of Scotland anyway…)
* * * *
(With the teams now pretty much used to nausea from Skuldtech™ travel, the team arrive in the foggy moors of Scotland…and pretty much get an awakening…)
Yukino: Hampden Park, but not a football challenge…thank god. We've got a heck of a challenge for you…I need you to split into three teams of three, and you need teams of co-ordination, it's going to be vital if you have any chance of winning this challenge.
(The teams are pretty tough, especially as Yolei wants Haley to work with her, much to Ken's hidden anger. Also Naoko and Rika are unsure about if they should work together, especially with Kensuke and Chiriko also undecided. Eventually a choice is made…although not without conflict…)
Yukino: Teams please.
(Team 1 will be Akari, Duplica and Kensuke. Team 2 will be Naoko, Chiriko and Rika. Team 3 will be Ken, Haley and Yolei.)
Yukino: O.K, now if you follow me, here's is the challenge.
(Yukino heads them into the camp…and what follows is a pretty…erm…)
(A line of Pikachu's, a line of Poyomon and a line of Puchuu's (Pokemon, Digimon and Excel Saga respectively) are all being led by what appears to be the same blue haired girl in each line (all in fact Rei Anayami (Evangelion) but of course, fans of the show know that she is in fact a clone…and indeed many clones…)
(…in front of the Rei's is a elfish boy with white curly hair, white robe and what appears to be a curly flute in his hand. This is in fact the young hero from Sailor Moon Super S Movie, Periru, an elf like boy who visit's children in their dreams, and also seems to have a crush on Chibi-Usa)
(Suddenly, Periru begins playing the flute, and the Rei's and the creatures of choice begin to march. The Rei's all have what appears to be a conductor's baton, and occasionally they all point in directions, which the creatures behind them following in that direction.)
All (mostly the girls): KAWAII!
(Then again, maybe the adorable P's might be the real test of the challenge, to try and avoid screaming 'Kawaii' every 5 seconds (Space Butler and Nabeshin sadly…failed.) J
Yukino: Yes…very cute…BUT WHO CARES?
(They snap back to attention…)
Yukino: Bascially, for your third attempt for 10 grand, with one pass and one fail, you must learn how to do what the Rei's do. March in a line waving your baton at particular intervals to go in certain directions. However, there is as you may guess…a few complications.
(Shot of the pitch, which now has 9 flags, 3 red, 3 green, and 3 yellow.)
Yukino: You will all be given a colour, and you have to collect the flags. Periru will take care of the music and because of the tune frequencies, all the P's will be following your directions. However, two reasons could cause your failure.
(Yukino gets another Washu-diagram and points at rule 1.)
Yukino: Rule 1: If you bump into one of your fellow contestants whilst marching, you fail.
(Yukino points to the second rule)
Yukino: Rule 2: If you fail to get all 10 flags before the song runs out, which is roughly 5 minutes, you fail.
(The teams digest this new information.)
Yukino: You will go in three teams, and 2 out of 3 have to pass to win the challenge. You will not however be able to watch your fellow teams perform…and one more thing.
(Yukino shows them…their 'uniform' as a mass facefault occurs…)
Chiriko: I've had enough of cross dressing…
Yukino: What? This is the national dress of Scotland? Highland shirt and kilt…not skirt….kilt in full form. When you get out there, Periru will give you brief instructions and you'll be ready. Team 1, Akari, Duplica and Kensuke, you're up first so get yourselves suited up, whilst everyone else, meet in the lobby and we'll wait for a bit…
(A few minor protests, but a quick glare from Yukino shuts that up. Akari and Duplica change in one room whilst Kensuke goes in another…and they have wavering thoughts on their state of dress…)
Duplica: It's not much worse from some of the costumes I've worn…
Akari: (Putting on the kilt) It doesn't seem much different from the university satellite skirt to be honest…
(On the other side, Kensuke stiffles a chuckle…)
Kensuke: I apologise to all Scotsmen around…er Scotland I guess. Does Groundskeeper Willie count?
(Kensuke, Akari and Duplica are the first to go out. Periru greets them, although he blushes when Duplica comes out…)
Periru: Um…that suits you…
Duplica: Err…(blushes)…thanks I think.
Akari: Oh boy…
(Eventually, Periru gets the three ready. Akari will be controlling the Puchuu, Duplica naturally gets the Pikachu, whilst the Puyomon are all Kensuke's. Akari has to get them round the red flags (whilst picking them off), Duplica past the yellow ones and Kensuke past the green ones.)
(Periru gives the final orders before getting ready to play their pipe. Those orders however include…)
Akari: Puchuu…
Duplica: Pikachu…
Kensuke: (embarrassed) Do I have to do this?
Akari/Duplica: KENSUKE!
Kensuke: (sighs) Poyomon…
All: Attention!
(The P's do their sounds)
All: Forward march!
(Periru begins playing and the three begin moving. Akari moves the direction to the left, Duplica continues straight and Kensuke goes right. A smart strategy at first, it avoids any early collisations. However, will it work through the 5 minutes…and they need to collect the 10 flags.)
(Akari does well it seems, moving in pace with the music with the army of evil (yet incredible cute) aliens behind her. However, it seems Akari moving in a kilt is a cause for distraction for Kensuke…)
(Shot of Kensuke trying to get a peek at Akari occasionally, and completely missing a nearby flag. And Duplica also has problems, but it's not the direction…)
Duplica: Come on please!
(…it's actually removing the flags from the ground.)
(Whilst Akari continues quickly with 5 flags already in her hand, the other two are a bit more disillusioned. Duplica has to make a quick turn left to avoid her line of electric mice to be caught in a web of Poyomon. Duplica has 2 flags, Kensuke has 3.)
(Now Kensuke is a bit far for Akari…but is now trying hard to get a glimpse…of Duplica?)
Kensuke: O.K, so she's a year or two younger…so what, she's still more stacked than that Misty girl…
(Duplica's ears enlarge…)
Duplica: I didn't hear that.
Kensuke: Crap! Don't come here, we'll crash!
(Sadly, Duplica doesn't heed the warning and it's too late, a combination of Kensuke being an idiot and Duplica being an even bigger one, the two of them crash despite emergency directions. Akari hears it and stops…)
Akari: Awww…
Periru: Sorry, but you lose.
Duplica: Geez…
Kensuke: Why did you do that?
Duplica: Because I (cracks knuckles) don't like perverts…
Kensuke: (cowers) Eep!
(What happened next we can't revealed to you under the Fanfiction.net rules that anything NC-17 rated in terms of violence cannot be written, so instead, we see that they've failed, and we await team two.)
* * * *
Naoko: So how adorable are you going to be Rika?
Rika: (smiles) Please Naoko…
Naoko: (teasing) Or shall I say…how adorable is Chiriko going to be?
Rika: (embarrassed) Naoko…(smiles)…then again…
(A sneeze opposite them makes them back to the task in hand. Meanwhile, Chiriko is fixing his sporran, and wondering who has got it in for him in the Universe of the Four Gods…)
* * * *
(NOTE: The following is a complete rip-off from Slayers and I don't claim to own anything…but it's still funny…)
Naoko: So here we are…(pose)
Rika: …just three beautiful girls…
Naoko/Rika: …on our way around the world!
Chiriko: (bows his head solemly) Someone take my life…
(O.K, end rip-off)
Periru: It's like the world sends me all the quiet fairies…
(Periru prepares as the crew do the chants. Rika get the Puchuu, Naoko the Pikachu and Chiriko the Poyomon. Rika will collect red, Naoko the yellow and Chiriko the green)
Naoko: Co-ordinate troops!
Rika/Chiriko: Roger!
(Rika and Chiriko quickly seem to gel and move well. Chiriko occasionally calls out chants which the two girls seem to follow well…)
Naoko: Chiriko said that we need to turn on something like this, so he made some chants up in case we had to do turns or something…
(Chiriko's words seem to do wonders. Chiriko nearly collides with both Naoko and Rika at one point, but Rika's smartly changes direction giving the Suzaku warrior more breathing space. Chiriko whispers a thank you to the girl as they seem to get 5 flags almost in unison with over 2 minutes to go.)
(Fortunately, all three left a straight line of flags and they literally criss-cross to pick them up (although Rika struggles a few times picking them up.) By the time a minute is left, they are all on their last flag…which they collect in time.)
Periru: Well done!
(Rika and Naoko hug and cheer as Chiriko nearly collapses. Naoko helps him up and the two hug. Rika and Chiriko then hug…for a LONG time.)
Naoko: Er guys…
(And neither seems want to break it. Chiriko seems embarrassed and relaxed at the same time.)
Periru: (crying) So sweet…shame I have to break it, we have one more team…
(Grudgingly, the two part, and team 3 now have to challenge…but this one is a bit more problematic than a peeking Kensuke…simply because two of them don't get along…)
* * * *
(In the men's side of the dressing room, the two can barely acknowledge, whilst Haley seems nervous of Ken's presence, Ken is quite stern.)
(Yolei, obvilious of the tension of her two friends/more than friends, is giggling like a schoolgirl with the Scottish outfit.)
(As Periru get prepared, the tension can be cut with a knife. But can they work together to pass the challenge, unknowing of the one pass and one fail so far…)
(Haley gets the Puchuu, Yolei in the centre with Pikachu, and Ken gets the Poyomon. Periru sets up as Haley will get the red flags, Yolei with the yellow and Ken with the green.)
Yolei: Forward march troops!
(The group begin as Periru plays his song, as this team have to pass to complete the challenge. It starts pretty well, as Haley, part of a military organisation, is pretty good within his movements, and of course, being a navigator, he's quiet sturdy…or so we thought…)
Haley: (turn right when his baton goes left and the Puchuu's turn left…and Haley NEARLY crashes into Yolei) Oh no…
(Fortunately he recovers in time and continues, but misses a flag. Ken's distracted by Haley's movements and also misses a flag. As for Yolei herself, he struggles getting the flags out slightly, but has the most so far with 3, Haley has 2 as does Ken.)
(Continued shot of Periru playing his flute and Haley seems to try and keep out of Ken's way as far as possible…which doesn't help when they are collecting flags. Yolei seems fine, but Ken realises that some of his flags are close to Haley, who has collected all the flags on the left side and has to make it to the right.)
(The two criss-cross, without hitting each other, and it seems all is O.K…until…disaster.)
(The music stops.)
Yolei: Oh…no. We haven't done it. (sighs)
Haley: Oh dear.
(Ken is silent.)
Periru: As you failed to collect all the flags in the 5 minutes the song lasted, you have failed your part. However, did the others pass?
* * * *
(The answer, as Team 3 soon find out, is pretty obvious)
Yukino: Well, sadly whilst Team 2 did a sterling performance, Team 1 and Team 3 both failed in their challenges, and 2 needed to pass, so sadly, today's experiment…failed.
(Now kiddes, how many Excel Saga rip offs have there been in the last two episodes? ^_^)
Yukino: However, it's not a total loss, because you won £10,000 in the last three days, putting the total now up to £90,500. Looking good for one of you, but the mole has been getting better the last few episodes. Will that trend continue when you wake up tomorrow morning at 6.00am.
All: 6?
Yukino: Yes…tomorrow's challenges are going to be hell that's for sure. There will only be 8 of you however to witness it, as tonight there will be one more victim courtest of the mole. So we are going to a hotel in Glasgow, and enjoy the night, as it will be the last night one of you will enjoy.
(Yukino hands them the UOTFG scripts, for revision purposes, as the team feel a bit disappointed…except for a slightly bruised Kensuke of course…at least they get out of the outfits…)
Rika: That was more fun than I thought it would be. It was unfortunate that we lost the challenge but nope, I had fun. Mmmm!
Yolei: I definitely felt there was some tension in our team…was that what lead to our failure, via the time wasting?
Kensuke: I guess that was a bit of good and bad for me…you can guess which was good and which was bad I'd figure…
Haley: I felt…bad. That was not my luck or my day in the game.
* * * *
(At the nearby hotel, comparing notes is now the last thing on most of the team's mind. Most of the group just enjoy the hotel's luxuries…)
Kensuke: (playing a game of pool) So…another one bites the dust…
Haley: (playing and a bit behind) I guess…
Kensuke: Something on your mind?
Haley: I guess…
Kensuke: (sweatdrops) Is that all you can say?
Haley: (smiles slightly) I guess…
Haley: I'm now tired…sad, and very much homesick. I want to be back on my home, the Nadesico, it is my home no matter what anyone says. But I know the captain said she wanted me to win, and as long as that one thought remains in my memory I will keep on trying…
Yolei: So?
Ken: So what?
Yolei: Just days on a island you confessed to me and just days later, you're acting like a jealous lover.
Ken: Yolei…you won't understand.
Yolei: Yeah…sure…
Yolei: I have a feeling that the main problem between Ken and Haley is me. I have somehow got stuck in the middle between these two. There is nothing between Haley and me, we are just friends, besides he's in love with that Ruri girl. However, Ken obviously does not feel the same way…
Rika: I hope we'll be here tomorrow.
Naoko: Me too.
Together: Kampai!
Naoko: I always forgot the game when Rika's around…even if she is one of my mole suspects. I just hope that we do get to the end of the game together, even if she is the mole of course…
Chiriko: It's nice to talk to you, we don't get much time…
Duplica: I know. I guess the fact that Rika and Naoko are having a heart to heart helps…
Chiriko: (smiles) Well, we seem to be the resident cross-dressers…
Duplica: Why Chiriko, what an evil sense of humor! (the two laugh)
Chiriko: My disadvantage if you call it that from being in the past has obviously faded way because of how long I have lasted so far. If I can make it to the end, whilst I'd prefer to be with Rika, almost anyone else in the end I would be honoured to get there…if I make it that far.
Akari: Can I join you guys?
Chiriko: (bows) Of course Miss Kanzaki!
Akari: There you go, three orange juices, on me!
All: Kampai!
Akari: By tomorrow, half of the competitors will be gone. I've been down this path where against all odds, I've got to the end…and I hope that I'll do the same again.
* * * *
(Time to play the game! Yolei takes the first question, At the start of the game, how many other people from the moles show were also playing the game? Yolei picks 2.)
Yolei: I feel that Rika is the mole. She seemed too scared to take the jump…I didn't know Rika was scared of water, you know what I mean? However, my partner Haley is quickly coming into suspicion, especially after the last challenge.
(Next is Naoko. She looks at the laptop with thoughtful eyes…)
Naoko: I've decided I'm going to trust Rika and not go for her. Ken maybe…Chiriko, possibly? His jump seemed a bit fishy if you forgive the pun…although I do feel Rika and Chiriko are utterly cute to each other.
(Next is Haley, he's on question 3, How many vowels are there in the moles name? He sits down and thinks.)
Haley: I feel I have to go for it now, and I'm about 70% think ingling towards Akari, 20% Ken and 10% Yolei. It's kinda hard especially as Akari did so much right this week…but then again, those challenges were up her alley, and she did fail in the marching challenge. But Ken…he's scaring me.
(Contestant four is Kensuke, who is pretty fast through the quiz)
Kensuke: I think it's Duplica. The girl…is incredibly intelligent, she has this happy-go-lucky exterior, but inside, she's always thinking. Our failure in the Scots challenge brings me more to suspect her more than ever.
(Rika goes next, on Q5, What height did the mole jump from in the cliff challenge? An easy one apparently for Rika who clicks '40ft')
Rika: Ironically, my three main suspects all failed together. Ken, Yolei and Haley in the Scots challenge, and also in the parachute challenge, the two digidestined didn't do well, especially Ken, who I'm starting to lean more towards now.
(Next is Akari. She's never been the best at exams, but seems to fly through the Mole's quiz with ease.)
Akari: If the cards fit, then Haley is the mole. Today he seemed to be his most nervous, but yet, he's normally done well at challenges. Is he starting to sabotage more and more?
(Chiriko gets onto lucky 7, What colour flag was the Mole collecting in the Pied Piper Challenge? He answers 'Green.')
Chiriko: If Ken is the mole, he's doing a job well, because after Giselle, he's starting to be the most unsettling. It's hard to notice, but you can see the panic in Haley's eyes after that challenge. And also, Kensuke is slowly creeping up, he's not too obvious, but he's smart, he could be a surprise, so he's not out of the woods yet.
(Duplica is next, and she seems to be struggling.)
Duplica: Kensuke has moved up a few notches after the Pied Piper Challenge, but Yolei still is a big suspect. And Naoko isn't gone yet either from the back of my mind…
(Finally, Ken is on the final question, Who is the mole?)
Ken: I'm sure the mole is either Rika or Haley. Haley is starting to get on my nerves, which is a perfect mole strategy. But Rika…between that doll face, those pretty eyes and that innocent face…there is a thinker, she knows whats going on at all times…which can be pretty unsettling.
* * * *
(They gather in the hotel's lobby where Yukino awaits, as we are about to go half-way with 8 remaining from the original 16.)
Yukino: Well, over 90 grand won and we're half way through the cast now. It's getting cutting edge and more cut-throat. Who will win it? We'll find out in a few more episodes time. But for now…we eliminate another one, so who is going this week? The 8th elimination has begun.
(They all nod)
Yukino: You know the rules, if it flashes green you're safe, it flashes red…you're gone. We'll start with…Chiriko.
(The Suzaku boy nods as Yukino starts the elimination with his name, 'CHIRIKO')
(Flashes green. The Suzaku nods as he gets congratulations from all)
Yukino: Duplica.
(The ditto girl is very nervous as Yukino types her name in, 'DUPLICA')
(Flashes green. She's safe as Akari applauds and the others congratulate her.)
Yukino: Haley.
(The Nadesico rep is almost hyperventaling as his name is typed in. 'HALEY'.)
(Flashes green. Yolei gives him a pat on the shoulder, as Kensuke and Chiriko congratulate him and the others also applaud.)
Yukino: Naoko.
(The CCS girl holds Rika hand as her name is typed in. 'NAOKO.')
(Flashes…red. Naoko (and half the group) are stunned.)
Yukino: (sadly) Naoko-chan, we have to go.
Naoko: Oh…(sighs) O.K…
(Naoko gives a hug to Rika for a while, then hugs Chiriko and then Kensuke. She waves goodbye to the rest, as they are disappointed that Naoko has gone.)
Haley: I honestly thought Naoko would win this. She was so into the game and so smart, I thought 'she's the one to beat.'
Chiriko: She and I were started to get close via Rika, and now she's gone. It's saddening…
Kensuke: I liked her, she was a nice girl and we had a lot in common. I guess we screwed up in our alliance, and now I have to go alone…with a sad heart.
Rika: Naoko…I'm sorry we couldn't get through the end. I really am…
(Naoko leaves the hotel with her stuff as Yukino heads her out as Skuld prepares to take her home)
Yukino: Did you enjoy yourself?
Naoko: (smiles) Yes…I did so many things I only thought I could dream about. I went to the moon, I went on hot air balloons, and I made new friends. I'm disappointed I couldn't win this, because I did want to, but…that's the way the cookie crumbles.
Yukino: Well, we'll miss you, and we'll see you at the reunion!
(Naoko leaves with a wave, but despite being one of the smartest there…she is the next victim of the mole.)
(8 remain.)
* * * *
Next week;
The toughest ordeals yet. We head to San Diego, California, where 4 people await our remaining 8…with some of the harshest challenges yet…
The Yolei/Ken/Haley triangle finally is confronted when Ken seems to go too far…who will Yolei take the side of?
Kensuke's partner eliminated, can he stay on any longer now?
And who will be the 9th person to go?
* * * *
Another chapter in the bag, and more questions than answers for next week.
Hopefully, I should have sorted out a poll for Animole, and we'll see who you think will win this competition. It's looking good and the quizzes are rolling in, it seems the mole pick always changes…
Anyway, until next Tuesday, ja ne!