ANIMOLE
I Know
This is it everyone. The last chapter of the main story, as soon all will be revealed. You've got nearly two weeks to wait after this to see who is the winner, who is the loser and who is the mole.
That counts with the quiz as well. Who has won the prize? All will be revealed in the next chapters.
POLL
Rika: 55%
Haley: 27%
Yolei: 18%
Tension is high, the game is closing, and one of these three will be walking away with the prize money. But who?
Hush…and Chromus will tell you.
On second thought, better to make you wait.
"BASH!"
Ouch…rabid fans…
* * * *
(Shot of Yukino in good old Tokyo, as she delivers her final opening speech…)
Yukino: Answers kind ones. Your answers to the quiz. So close, yet so far, but if you don't have them, you don't win. Chiriko, loved by all, smiling, sweet and above all darn cute, his smarts got him this far…but not far enough. His refusal to believe Rika was the mole, was it his downfall? We'll find out…as today, the last chance saloon is open and our three remaining entrants, Haley, Rika and Yolei, give a chance of winning it's keg. Everyone…it's time to play for keeps. Who will win…who will lose…and who…is our mole?
Remaining contestants (eliminated ones not in bold);
Akari Kanzaki – Cosmo Beauty – Battle Athletes Victory (eliminated 10th)
Chiharu Mihara – Student/Cheerleader – Card Captor Sakura (eliminated 2nd)
Chiriko – Suzaku warrior and researcher – Fushigi Yuugi (eliminated 13th)
Cody Hida – Digidestined of Knowledge and Reliability – Digimon 02 (eliminated 5th)
Duplica Imite – Actress and Ditto Master – Pokémon (eliminated 12th)
Giselle Dexter – Valedictorian – Pokémon (eliminated 6th)
Haitani Masayuki – College Pervert – Love Hina (eliminated 7th)
Haley Mabiki – Navigator – Nadesico: Prince Of Darkness
Ken Ichijoji – Digidestined of Kindness – Digimon 02 (eliminated 9th)
Kensuke Aida – Otaku – Neon Genesis Evangelion (eliminated 11th)
Naoko Yanagisawa – Student/Horror Otaku – Card Captor Sakura (eliminated 8th)
Rika Sasaki – Student/Model Housewife – Card Captor Sakura
Shampoo – Amazon – Ranma ½ (eliminated 4th)
Shirai Kimiaki – College Pervert – Love Hina (eliminated 1st)
Touji Suzuhara – Bionic Man – Neon Genesis Evangelion (eliminated 3rd)
Yolei Inoue – Digidestined of Love and Sincerity – Digimon 02
* * * *
Rika: Ohayou!
(Shot of Rika just getting up, Yolei and Haley are already up, having breakfast and looking at their notes.)
Haley: Good morning Rika, you O.K now?
Rika: (looking a little less genki) Yes…I'm fine. Don't worry about me…
Yolei: Rika, we need to worry about you, mole or not, you're our friend, so…
Rika: (smiles) Thank you.
Haley: Last night really drained Rika after Chiriko's elimination. I don't know if she can hold it for this important stage, mole or not…
Rika: Chiriko told me last night before he left to always be strong, and whilst I feel disappointment, I've got a new reason to win…I'm going to win…for him, and for myself, I'll prove them all.
Yolei: I'm not sure if this development will effect Rika. If she is the mole, will her sabotages become more obvious, and if she isn't, her performances will…ahh, never mind…
(Shot of Yukino as she enters, smiling)
Yukino: Hello there!
Haley: Yukino-san, morning!
Yukino: A morning to you, the final three. Congratulations! Now can one of you climb the ranks of best contestant and head for the top spot to be the superior and envy of everyone else…
Yolei: Er…Yukino?
Yukino: …and crush all others whether they be friend, rival, boyfriend…in my case sometimes all three…
Rika: Yukino-san?
Yukino: …and not feel the misery of not being the best when you find your scores are down a whole 13 places, oh Arima, why, why?!
Haley/Yolei/Rika: YUKINO!
(The girl snaps out of her speech and shakes her head…)
Yukino: Sorry…I guess I'm missing home a little. It will be over though after today, as we have two challenges over two days. They are both very physical challenges, so I hope you're ready for the worst.
Yolei: Our friends back home are going to be so impressed with our athletic abilities when we get back…
Yukino: Yep, yep. So shall we?
(The team finish off breakfast, clean their table and head out into the unknown…)
* * * *
(Shot of the van, driven by Rei Sagami of all people (Kodoma No Omocha), the official valet of Animole…)
Rei: Where to today Miss Yukino?
Yukino: Head to tough spot twenty 26, otherwise known as 'The Labyrinth.'
Rei: Gotcha.
(Rei, with a baggage of four heads off. Yukino gets involved with the casual talk of the remaining contestants…)
Yukino: So, you pleased you got this far?
Haley: I guess…I've been very surprised about getting so far, I feel that everyone is surprised…Minato-san, kanjou…I hope they're proud of me.
Yolei: I can't say I've been lucky…after all, two of my friends left in my competition as did Rika. I guess Haley was a bit lucky in that respect, Rika and I have had to deal with losing our closest friends.
Rika: Yes…but almost everyone that has left, we've missed, so it isn't any easier for Haley as it is for us. Seeing Naoko and Chiharu go was saddening yes, but it wasn't hard getting upset for people like Chiriko, Duplica, Akari, Cody, Touji…
Yolei: You're right, I'm sorry.
Haley: No it's O.K…I understand completely.
Yukino: It's weird…getting to know you all for this time, I've really enjoyed watching you guys compete, but also, watching you guys enjoy yourself. It's like watching blossom's bloom, and I'm certainly proud of you.
Haley: Thank you Miss Yukino!
Yukino: Although Skuld still won't tell me who she thinks the mole is…
Yolei: Well, who do you think the mole is?
Yukino: Now I can tell you that can I? Him-et-su!
Rika: (giggles) Yukino-san, you've been a great host.
(Yukino gets slightly embarrassed…of course, the praise always gets to her and she goes into wavy drawing mode…)
Yukino: Oh…I haven't been that good… (Yukino's mind: I've been great! It's official!)
Haley: Hmmm. I agree.
Yolei: She's definitely been fun, that's for sure.
(The amount of praise she's getting proves a bit too much for Yukino and she collapses, twitching in praise pleasure. As the other three sweatdrop and Rei wishing he didn't say yes, we are heading towards the first site where the first of just two challenges will take place for the final two days…)
* * * *
(Shot of what appears to be a Quasar Labyrinth, a.k.a. a light gun game. However, it has been revamped for this rather tough challenge…)
Yukino: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Labyrinth. This light gun game is the next and penultimate step in your mole journey. Also known as the three stages of hell.
Yolei: (sarcastic) Nice thought.
Yukino: Yeah, it's quite an appetising name isn't it. Basically, there are three stages to this game. First, you'll be suited up and have to go through three areas, Past, Present and Future.
(Shot of the three areas. The past looks like a combination of Fushigi Yugi and Princess Mononoke in it's ancient pathing and foliage. Present is of a background of the night sky in Paris, whilst future is more Evangelion like, without the giant angels of course…)
Yukino: Inside each area however is a known bounty hunter, from each era of course. They will be trying to get you with their own laser guns. Of course, you'll be equipped with them as well. The best defence is offence of course, although you may just want to 'tonzura koite' if you know what I mean…
(Yolei nods as Haley scratches his head and Rika just smiles…)
Yukino: If just one of you manages to get through past the final area, future, then a win of £15,000 is yours. If you're all shot of course, you lose. Simple as that. The plan is to try and make it to the next area, hide from the bounty hunter and get a bit of luck. Let's fix you up first though…
* * * *
(Rika, Haley and Yolei are all struggling with the equipment, and not enjoying it. They are wearing pads on their stomach and back. The rules of the game are simple, the laser effective shots must hit their targets of back or chest. Even if the laser hits on the head, the shot won't be registered. So both assassin and hunted have to keep that in mind and try to keep their parts of the bodies protected from our shooters.)
(The three musketeers, armed and ready, takes a few gentle steps forward to enter the laybrinth/three stages of hell. First off, past.)
Rika: So it's back to the past.
Haley: More like back to the howling wolves…
Yolei: Oh, it's not that bad…
(A pinpoint shot lands at their feet…and one word comes to mind.)
Yolei: Panic!
(The three split up, as the 'warning' shot becomes three.')
Naru sounding voice: Hey, bounties aren't supposed to run away! You're supposed to come to me so I can torture you!
Haley/Yolei: NO THANKS!!!
(The girl in question is a very attractive girl wearing a loose robe. She is Yuyu Shiina, from Samurai Deeper Kyo, and despite the samurai style anime, she's actually a sharpshooter and has a three prong gun as her weapon…which her victims are quickly finding out.)
Yolei: Damn it! Just run like hell!
Haley: Wait, where's Rika?
Yolei: No time to worry, just get out of here!
(Yuyu is coming out of cover, and checking…and just backs off from a shot from Rika.)
Haley: (stops) Rika?
Rika: Just get out of here…I'll stop her and catch up…
Yolei: And thus the young maiden becomes a sacrifice, will they live it down…HELL YEAH, COME ON HALEY!
(Before Haley can argue, Yolei drags the flustered boy as Rika smiles. Yuya is understandably a bit unnerved, not used to such cuteness…)
Yuyu: Dammit! (fires three shots…)
* * * *
(Shot as Yolei and Haley running down the path towards the 'present' area. A voice then calls out.)
'CONTESTANT RIKA HAS BEEN ELIMINATED'
Yolei: Damn, let's just get there.
(The two don't look back and just keep going, fortunately Rika's 'sacrifice' has delayed Yuyu enough so she is so far back that she won't catch up with the two.)
Yolei: Yosha! We're there!
(They head into a gate marked 'PRESENT' and enter…)
(The next scene is of them in what appears to be a manufacturing plant. It's fairly dark with lamps on, and the atmosphere isn't want they were expected…)
Haley: Whoever it is is just going to come out and surprise us aren't they?
Yolei: Oh yeah…
(Yolei takes a step forward…and the next thing we hear is a crunch.)
Yolei: Damn!
(Yolei quickly amskrays, Haley looks down…a fatal mistake…)
Haley: Popcorn?
(A blast on the back of him gets his attention soon enough, as the assassin, Mireille Bouquet (Noir), a blonde stunner from Paris, emerges from the darkness.)
Yolei: Damn it!
Haley: Don't talk, she'll know where you are…
(Technically, dead people don't talk, but as this is a game, Haley keeps shouting instructions to Yolei to avoid Mirielle's shots…)
(Shot of Yolei as she fires back shots, which are not even close towards Mirielle who experts hides. However, Yolei has had enough life shaving experiences in the digiworld to know how to avoid danger, and the obviously run like heck method is working well, with Yolei ducking under various devices. However, the popcorn (used legitimately by Kirika and Mirielle in an episode of Noir) on the floor is a pain in the backside as Mirielle swiftly gets from place to place…and yes, that end music of Noir is playing in my head…)
Yolei: I must run away, I must run away….
(Mirielle fires a precise shot from about 100 yards, which clips Yolei on the shoulder strap…fortunately it doesn't count in the game…in real life, she'd be ripe for the picking.)
Mirielle: You lucky…
(Mirielle decides not to give chase, and Yolei heads to the final area, 'FUTURE'. If she makes it past there without being shot, the team win £15,000.)
* * * *
'CONTESTANT HALEY HAS BEEN ELIMINATED'
Yolei: Like I didn't know that.
(Yolei heads to a new area, and we are now in an outer space environment…with the poor gravity as Yolei finds out.)
Yolei: Aw nuts…
(There are plenty of places to hide though, behind pods, rocks, broken asteroids, etc. However, the main problem is…)
????: Ah ha, the target!
(A few shots come by, scaring the heck out of Yolei. The shots are coming from a gun…but the person firing them is on a spaceship!)
Yolei: Oh come on!
(The bounty hunter of the future is none other than Faye Valentine (Cowboy Bebop), and she's not to be an easy stoppage…the speed of the spaceship is too much for Yolei's slow 0G movement, and her shots are coming closer. Yolei's only real option now…)
Yolei: I guess let's get lucky.
(Yolei opens fire at the speeding Faye…but it's pretty difficult. Faye's chest plate is covered by the ship and the only real way to get a shot is when she's passing by and you can aim for your back.)
Faye: Oh, you can do better than that…
(Yolei is pausing, trying to move without coming too close for comfort as Faye keeps swooping. At this rate, it won't be long before she does get a shot in. Yolei fires randomly hoping for luck to aid her…)
Faye: (tutting) No good. My turn…
(Faye fires from swooping close to Yolei. It somehow misses…making her back now in clear view. Yolei fires…)
(…and misses.)
Yolei: Damn it!
(Yolei tries to break for it whilst Faye is regrouping, but she is now wide open. When Yolei realises this, she heads for an asteroid part…but Faye makes no mistakes a second time.)
(A gunshot fires, a beep registers and a voice comes out, 'CONTESTANT YOLEI HAS BEEN ELIMINATED')
Yolei: Damn it…again.
CHALLENGE FAILED
* * * *
Yukino: And thus, the start ends in sorrow.
(Shot of the three of them outside the specially made Quasar game, and Yukino smiles)
Yukino: The mole seemed to win that game. Firstly, Rika was eliminated by Yuyu, by managing to distract her with pot shots but was caught with a shot in the back. (Shot of Yuyu's winning shot about 2 minutes after Rika first said she'd sacrifice). Then Haley was caught with a Kirika trick and was eliminated. Finally, Yolei couldn't handle gravity or her weapon and was promptly eliminated by Faye. So you lose this challenge. However, that does mean that there is just one challenge to go. It will happen tomorrow morning though, and it could be the most dangerous yet…
(That marks a few beads of sweat on all three of their faces…)
Yukino: So for today, I suggest you enjoy a day in Tokyo, forget about the game…that includes you whoever is the Mole…and enjoy yourselves. It will be the last time that you can. For now…
(Yukino leaves….and then comes back…)
Yukino: Aww…I'm coming as well, I want some fun too!
(The three sweatdrop, but smile.)
Rika: I don't know what happened, but they both got eliminated, so someone there must have done something.
Haley: I don't know how Rika was eliminated, but she's still my top suspect in my eyes…considering that I'm partnered with Yolei…I just need to hope my strategy works…
Yolei: Haley-kun fell into the trap way too easy and I don't know what happened with Rika, she could have let her win for all I know…it doesn't make things any easier. But at least it's time for a bit of fun!
* * * *
(Shot of Yolei and Rika towards an ice-cream shop, Yolei ordering a mega-deluxe version of course…whilst Haley looks on in amazement at how someone so thin can eat that much…)
Yolei: (muffled) Well, I love desserts!
Haley: (sweatdrops) Yes…I noticed.
(Rika puts the sundae she has, which is much smaller, and delicately eats it. Yolei smiles.)
Yolei: And there's a lady right here.
(Haley is about to open his mouth, but shuts it when Yolei glares at him as Rika giggles.)
Haley: It's certainly nice though to relax…I've never known any time I've truly relaxed after I graduated from the space academy.
Yolei: Someone your age? You really need to get out more Haley-kun.
Haley: I do…more times than I wish…
(Yolei sweatdrops as a bit of ice cream is ended on her noses, which Rika wipes off. Yolei smiles.)
Yolei: So if you win, how you going to spend the money? Rika-chan, you first.
Rika: Me? I guess…I'll hold it ready for my future. I've always been prepared in life, my family is…well, it's not poor, but not brilliant rich. I'll certainly supply some to my parents, but keep it ready for a rainy day.
Yolei: Haley?
Haley: Well…I've never really had much need for money…(blushes)…but like Rika, I guess it could be a nice nest egg for the future…marriage…
Yolei: Ooh…you dog!
Haley: (embarrassed) Well…what about you Yolei-san?
Yolei: I guess I've never thought about it either, but I guess you guys are on the right idea of keeping it as a nest egg. Maybe for a business in my thoughts, but it would certainly be nice to fall back on.
Rika: Agreed.
Haley: Well…what do you girls want to do now?
Yolei: What do you think?
(Yolei indicates the shopping complex behind them as Haley sweatdrops…)
Haley: And I thought I considered Ruri normal…
(Yolei puts an arm around Haley)
Yolei: You've still got a lot to learn Haley-kun. (puts an arm around Rika) Ready to tire our little prince out?
Rika: (nods) Mmmm!
Haley: Even Rika's been infected with evil…
(The three laugh as Yolei, Rika and Haley, rivals, enemies, a mole…all forgotten, as three friends enjoy a day out in Tokyo…)
Yukino: HEY, I DIDN'T FINISH HERE!
(Shot of Yukino with the largest sundae imaginable, and privately curses the three of them…but sits down to eat it with Skuld (who else did you think), as the wonders of Tokyo aren't lost on them at least…)
* * * *
Yukino: I'll kill 'em, I'll kill 'em, I'll kill 'em…
Skuld: Cheer up! They just went ahead of you!
Yukino: It was your fault, how the heck do you each so much anyway?
Skuld: (shrugs) I'm omnicisent. You work it out.
Rika: Yukino-san! Gomen!
(Yukino barges by, intent of committing three degrees murder, but the Chi like eyes of Rika…and the fact that she's offered her a glittering mauve dress may help as well…)
Yolei: If cuteness doesn't work, greed might.
Yukino: You are buying this for me?
Rika: You gave us the money to do as we please? I'm spending it on a present for you…well, we all put some together for being an enjoyable host.
(Yukino goes into happy puppy mode, Yip yip!)
Yukino: Oh, how could I have ever doubted you guys?
Skuld: And bang goes her mood again…
Yolei: We would have offered Skuld something…but how do you get a goddess anything?
Haley: We thought ice-cream maker but you've probably got goddess enhanced ones somewhere…
Skuld: (bobs her tongue out) Sure, leave the goddess out…BLEEEAAAAHHHH!
(Yukino in euphoria, the five of them, 4 girls of course, overruling everything the solitary young man has to say…and he's carrying half of their stuff to boot…)
Haley: Yep…I'm safer back home…I never thought I'd say that…
* * * *
(After all the days action, they finally arrive back at the hotel. They get through various activities, like a late dinner, relax in the springs, and of course, using their free time to get all their evidence…)
(We are treated to three separate shots, one of Haley first, taping his notebook, and we see that his notes are not quite detailed, and seem brief, but he has made crossings out on many of the pages. Is the lack of detail relevant?)
(Rika's shot is of her looking at the pad, and doodling stars around Haley and Yolei's names when she can. She seems transfixed on one page as well, the piano challenge. Is that significant?)
(Yolei's notebook as she's actually reading it in the hot springs, we see lots of scribbles and muddles. She's highlighted 'working with the mole' on one page, and then flicks by and looks at a specific page, all revolving around Rika. Is she thinking?)
(Night falls, and the team gets ready for the final night before the mole game concludes the next day…)
Yolei: (yawns) This game takes it out of you…
Haley: Just one more day Yolei-san…
Yolei: Yep. And Haley…
Haley: Hai?
Yolei: Thank you…for being my light all this time.
Haley: (smiles) No problem.
(Yolei bends over and kisses Haley on the cheek, surprising the heck out of the Nadesico navigator.)
Yolei: Nonetheless, thank you.
(Haley blushes, but shakes his head.)
Haley: At the reunion, Ken is so going to kill me…
(Already in her room, Rika seems to be reciting a haiku…)
Rika: Oh the days I spent
Searching for the one I seek
Thus who is the mole?
(Rika lies down on the bed)
Rika: Chi-chan…I'll win this.
* * * *
(The judgement day…literally…as the team get ready for their final morning together…)
(Shot of Haley, as fangirls go in 'kawaii' mode as the young bishounen in a simple T-Shirt and shorts, waking up as their final destination is today. Rika is already up as well, just eating a bowl of muesli.)
Rika: Ohayou Haley-kun!
Haley: Ohayou Rika-chan!
Rika: So this is it then…
Haley: Yep…and I must say I'm impressed that throughout this game you've still been yourself…whether you're the mole or not, you've always been yourself, that's good.
Rika: (nods) Mmmmm! Thank you…and same to you as well!
Haley: Hai!
(Shot of Yolei, not quite as genki as the other two…let's just say that Rika is Chiyo, Haley is Yomi and Yolei…)
Yolei: (drowzy) Oh…ay….ou…
(…is Yukari-sensei.)
Haley: And now the stage is set and the players are ready!
Yolei: No metaphors please…
(Yolei settles down to a cup of green tea, and tries to wake up for this final day. In truth, all three are quite nervous and are afraid to say anything now they are all together…)
Yukino: (off screen) Just today left and I can show Arima everything I've done…and got…from this trip! Arigatou Skuld-san!
Skuld: Takes a month but finally, respect!!!
(Shot of Yukino and Skuld entering the lobby, and the last day has dawned on them…)
Yukino: Well, everyone is here…be ready in 30 minutes, because the final challenge is a bit difficult…heck, we had to use Urd again to try and get the guy to actually co-operate…then the author intervened.
Skuld: I guess that wish of his actually comes in useful…
Yukino: In any case, we are heading to Tokyo Dome, one of two sport locations…one for a challenge, the second…it a secret.
(As Yukino finishes the obligatory Xelloss impression, the three remaining are tense, nervous and excited. It's going to be the last day of a LONG trip…)
* * * *
(The trip of 5 to Tokyo Dome is a quiet one, as the others are trying to use their notes without being too nosy. With the end so near, the mole has to be on his or her guard. Then again, the other two probably know who he/she is anyway by now…then again, that is not always the case…)
(Shot of the Tokyo Dome, normally reserved as a baseball stadium, is now pretty much empty, just full of ground tarmac. On the stands there are three what looks to be toilet stands, and one larger one on the opposite end. However, this challenge could be fatally difficult…fortunately we've made lots of precautions…)
Yukino: Welcome to the Tokyo Dome, this baseball ground will be the last challenge saloon for you. It is worth £15,000 and we are going to go to one of the author's favourite games of last year for this challenge. However, to help you in this challenge, we've enlisted in a couple of heroes of our own. First of all…
?????: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! THAT'S RIGHT! ONLY I CAN MAKE MY OWN INTRODUCTION, AS I, THE LEGENDARY HERO HERCULE, FINALLY MAKE MY DEBUT IN THIS FIC!
(Cover your ears, it is Hercule Satan (DBZ), the hero of Satan City…yes he's a fake, but they believe him…as Yukino shakes her head, Rika smiles politely, Haley is confused and Yolei is in awe.)
Yolei: Wow, it's THE Hercule!
Haley: I know this is normally kanchou's line but…
Yukino: Hai hai. Does he do this all the time?
????: Sadly.
(Shot of his daughter, Videl by his side as Videl is quite rightly embarrassed by her father's behaviour. However, we have two heroes and three people, so…)
Skuld: Can we get the REAL afro hero now?
(Cue those funky chords…)
(Someone jumped down with a psychadelic suit, and a mad afro which is pretty close to a hidden weapons closet, but the man himself…)
????: I'm Nabeshin!
(Yep, Excel Saga fans rejoice, the man with the 'fro is here, as the ninja commander from Hell Nabeshin (Excel Saga) makes his debut.)
Nabeshin: And now I shall help turn these three young people into the stuff that dreams are made of…
(A Puchuu comes out of nowhere…)
Nabeshin: Oh so cute!
(Videl casually chops it (and turns into the ugly Puchuu face) as Yukino explains the details of this challenge)
Yukino: This challenge is based on the cup games in Olympic Stadium of the PS2 game 'Kingdom Hearts'. The three of you will be trained in skills of sword, shield and magic…well, not really, you'll be based in the simulations behind you…
(Indicates the toilet stands behind them are actually virtual devices.)
Yukino: Trust me…you need them against our opponent. We've made sure he can't hurt you…
Haley: I'm liking this less and less…
Yukino: Chromus, Urd, Skuld and even Belldandy…an authority of those 4 is too much even for him. He'll be entering soon, so we'd better get you ready. Hercule, Videl, Nabeshin, start your training.
Yolei: Hold it, you expect us to fight this guy!
Yukino: Right, within Kingdom hearts rules as well, so we'll have a magician, a swordsperson and a defender. I suggest you guys decided what.
(Hercule has a big shield with him, Videl has a sword (which might look eerily familiar…) and Nabeshin has a few gems with him. Let's see what happens…)
* * * *
Hercule: Are you a man? You can handle something like this…
(Shot of Haley, who has drawn the short straw by getting 'tutored' by Hercule. Plus he's got a heavy shield to deal with…)
Haley: This is…kinda heavy…for a simulation…
Hercule: You'll be wearing it into the simulation…you should use the shield for defending your team, but also to rush in with attacks, you know, charge head first…with a bit of training you can get quite strong! Not as strong as me but…
Haley: It may be the last day…but it's a long last day…
(His daughter is having much better luck however…)
Videl: You seem a natural at this!
Rika: I know…it feels weird, but it's like I've done this before…
(She has…Rika actually has what appears to be a version of the sword card when she was controlled. It seems to work like the real deal as well, because she's handling the sword like a fencing expert…)
Videl: No matter, you're handling it great…(has to duck a mis-cued swing)…but take it easy!
Rika: Hai! (poses with the sword)
(Finally, Yolei is designated with the magic gems, or materia in this case. Yolei also gets some gloves to attach the gems in as Nabeshin explains…)
Nabeshin: So you focus your spirit and mind in using the gems. They are four in this case, fire, ice, lightning and cure. Use these wisely and make sure you don't get hurt…
Yolei: I thought this was only a simulation…
Nabeshin: (nervous) Oh…yeah…right. Anyway, let's try a spell…
(The next thing we see is a lightning spell gone a bit wrong…and Hercule and Nabeshin with matching frizzled afros…)
Yolei: (sweatdrops) This is like science class all over again…
(Haley, Rika and Videl join her in sweatdropping…)
* * * *
Yukino: O.K…you all set?
Yolei: I guess…
Rika: I'm nervous.
Yukino: You should be…I think we'll get you in those simulators, a bit like Evas, they seem to be the safest place at the moment. Our opponent will be always under guard and you won't get hurt there when your figures appear on the battlefield…it will just feel like that…
Haley: This is not a good sign…
Yukino: Get in there…
(As they do, the final guest of the series (at least for the challenge) Ayeka Jurai (Tenchi Muyo) enters and bows to Yukino)
Ayeka: Is it time?
Yukino: Yeah…I know Chris said it would be fine…but just in case…
(Ayeka nods and casts her trademark shield manoever…but thanks to the goddess' power, it surrounds the stadium. At this point, Urd comes in with the 'opponent'…)
(The music appears and represents 'One Winged Angel' but it certainly isn't Sephiroth, Chris isn't that sick…but it's a close second.)
??????: So…this is the world where the priestess' come from?
Urd: Not this place exactly but…
??????: You have no need to fear me. A goddess' power is someone even I can respect. My job is simple isn't it, deal with my adversaries. That I can deliver.
(Our enemy is Nakago (Fushigi Yuugi), a blonde bishounen who should be a familiar name, but he's the 'leader' of the Seiyuu warriors, and is by far the strongest of all the warriors, Suzaku and Seiryu. His methods of manipulation, tactics and power in his intelligent mind is also backed up by his incredible life force attacks...like all super villains, he wishes to be a god, and the Priestess of Seiryu can make that dream happen…but first…)
Nakago: So then…what do I do?
Urd: Just enter here and do what you normally do when you see someone trying to interfere with you…
Nakago: (nodding) Understood. (he enters the simulator) Modern technology huh? The priestess' come from a world of wonders…
Urd: (sighs) O.K…it's on.
Yukino: O.K, let's hope we make this alive. Ayeka, Skuld, Urd, get your positions ready…now I'd better hide!
(As Yukino makes herself scarce, the simulators expand into large devices, allowing the three to have plenty of room to cast their magic, chi or attack. They are hooked to wires simulating their movement, and thanks to Washu's skills, they won't get damaged when they make their attacks…even Nakago's.)
(On the simulation, the three people see Nakago and themselves like in virtual reality. Ayeka holds her shield steady for reiforcement.)
(Each of them has a life bar above them. Nakago's, as a 'boss', is much larger. Yolei also has a magic bar consisting of 6 bars. Each spell will eliminate ½ a bar. Rika has two attack metres, one marked 'Stun' and the other 'Cut.' Haley has a fight metre of 4 bars, allowing him to do special attacks as well if he calls the names out, such as 'Charge', 'Rising Upper' and 'Shield Slash')
(Nakago on the other hand, doesn't really need any fancy names. He just kicks ass. ^_^)
Yukino: If all three are defeated, the challenge is lost. If you defeat Nakago, you win 15 grand. Now, begin!
(The battle begins…)
* * * *
Rika: This is Chi-chan's enemy?
Nakago: Ah, a friend of one of the Suzaku Seven. Very well…you may go first.
(Nakago casually blasts a ki ball at Rika, who JUST dodges out of the way. Rika poises with her sword, even though it's her simulation body, she's scared stiff.)
Yolei: O.K, let's try this…
(Yolei casts a lightning spell…which dispels against Nakago's ki shield)
Nakago: Hmph…hardly worth my notice…
(Nakago then teleports and lands in front of Yolei, who panics and jumps back…)
Yolei: Cra….
(Nakago strikes with an open hald palm strike, powered with his chi energy. As well as a master of life force, he's also a formidable hand to hand opponent, on a scale at least of Tamahome's, if not much higher.)
(Yolei falls back and her energy bar is down a bit…Nakago smiles, and then feels Haley's charge and sends him down, knocking a bit of energy…)
Nakago: Futuristic insects. Nothing more.
(Nakago fires blast after blast as Haley, used to avoiding things on the Nadesico, goes into dodge roll mode…)
Haley: How much magic and HP does he have? (Haley throws his shield which harmlessly goes off Nakago's shield, who smirks.)
Nakago: No use…my shield protects me from all who oppose me…
(SLASH!)
(Nakago turns to see Rika in a fencing pose, and using the swords ability, has slashed through the ki shield. Nakago smiles.)
Nakago: So, we've all come out to play. I guess now I'll clue you in. I'll fight you on my own level! COME ON!
(Nakago goes into 'Lord Reizo' mode and speeds up and focuses his attack on Rika. Rika is no slouch, but she's not fast enough to avoid the blows. (AND I REMIND YOU THIS IS A SIMULATION, SO NO HORRID COMMENTS ABOUT HURTING RIKA-CHAN!)
Yolei: Rika! (Yolei casts a cure spell on Rika as Haley charges into Nakago, who swats him away after his poor attack. Nakago seems to focus mainly on Rika who seems 'possessed' by the magic sword with quick fencing slashes, and knocking a bit of HP off Nakago.)
(Nakago teleports back and fires another blast, this one more powerful and Rika is rooted to the spot. It takes a massive chunk of energy as Yolei begins curing again…)
Nakago: Hmmph. So that's how you're going to play it.
(Nakago fires a chi blast from both hands, one aiming at Yolei, one at Rika. Yolei sees it mid-spell and is forced to dive, but costing some HP. Rika also barely avoids the blast…but her energy is very low.)
Nakago: I'll finish you now.
(Haley desperately goes in to cover Rika as Nakago smirks.)
Nakago: Fools…(he fires…at Yolei!)
(Yolei, totally unprepared for the blast, gets hit full front. And her HP goes down to 0. Nakago's is currently around half left, as Yolei 'dies')
Nakago: I am the general of the Kutou army. You think I don't know about tactics? Of course, I also figured your teamwork would come into play. I focused on one person, and when you came to protect her, the other was an easy target. Now, you two are next.
(Haley's HP is about over half, whilst Rika's is very low. Haley changes strategy slightly.)
Haley: RISING UPPER!
(The surprise attack catches Nakago off guard and the chin he connects. Nakago goes flying as Haley guards against any retaliation.)
Nakago: Impressive…but is it good enough?
Rika: STUN!
(Nakago, stunned to see Rika on the other side, shoots a stun beam from her sword. Nakago is forced to block, as Haley gets ready to charge…)
(…and Nakago smirks.)
Haley: What?
Nakago: Fool.
(Nakago recovers way too quickly than what Haley expected and take a full brunt of a life force blast. Rika looks frozen.)
(Haley is down to his last blast and is on the floor with Nakago ready to finish him off…)
(Rika moves…but hesitates. She aims her cut…)
(…too late. Haley falls.)
(Rika and Nakago are left, Nakago has under half energy, but Rika's energy is much lower. Nakago smiles.)
Nakago: I guess it's over.
(Rika poises her sword…and lowers it. With a tear, she gives up.)
(Nakago nods and finishes it. CHALLENGE FAILED.)
* * * *
(The three people come out of their simulations, very disappointed, but at least alive. Nakago also leaves, all the powers ready in case…)
(…fortunately, Nakago does exit peacefully and gets ready to return to his own world. Despite his power, he actually does keep his word, he just is a good manipulator…^_^)
(Yukino breaths a sigh of relief as Urd escorts him out of there.)
Yukino: Memo to Chris: Never do something like this again. I don't care what kind of contract he's got with Belldandy-sama, this is rid…
Haley: Um…Yukino-san?
Yukino: What? Oh…you're O.K. Phew! However, despite all this, it was a challenge, and you failed it. That was the final challenge of the series, which means the winning pot is £141,700. Believe it or not, there was £300,000 on offer, so the mole takes the slight advantage, but it's still very respectable. So we can get out of this madhouse…and head to one more resting place…and then…
Haley: It's time?
(Yukino nods)
Yukino: Yes Haley my boy. It's time.
(The three nod as they head off with Yukino, for the final stop…)
* * * *
All: Ikadatemasu!
(Shot of the four around a table in an areas which appears to be a bar, and it is, but it's an oden bar (a popular egg dish in Japan which takes a LONG time to prepare, which also has stewed daikon (radish), chikuwa (grilled fish) and potatoes). This place is signifcant however…)
Yukino: So here's to the three of you, our final three.
All: Kampai! (chink of glasses, all soda)
Yukino: So, now the journey is over, how do you all feel?
Yolei: It's been very tiring, that's for sure, but I wouldn't have changed it for anything. It's been a real experience for me, and I've enjoyed it without a doubt. And I've enjoyed everyone's company as well.
Haley: I agree. I think we can all safely say this is totally different than from what our normal lives are…even if our normal lives are considered less than normal. But it's been a change, the money is a second thought after all this.
Rika: I won't change my memories of this for anything in the world…past, present and future.
Yukino: Rika-chan, you're amazing. How the heck can you stay calm in this situation?
Rika: Huh? But everyone is…
(Yukino points to behind Haley and Yolei, both their knees are trembling…)
Rika: Ah.
Yukino: Well, never mind, one final toast as we enjoy this oden stew! Miss Shino, can we have one final round of sodas please?
(The hostess of the bar, Shino Hayakawa (yes, there is a point) comes around)
Shino: Not a problem!
Yukino: Thank you very much…
(The 4 enjoy their last moments before the final quiz begins, so full with food and anime soda, now they must work their minds…as we will have a winner, a loser and a mole…)
* * * *
(The final stage…the three contestants with Yukino arrive at the meeting point. Butterflies are in the stomach of all three as everything is about to be decided.)
Yukino: Welcome to Koshien Stadium!
(Koshien Stadium is a famous stadium which kind of represents the World Series to Japanese high school students. And it's a pretty famous dream in one particular anime…)
Yukino: This is where the dreams are made. On second base, third base and the catchers mound, there is a laptop computer on a stand. In a moment, all three of you will take one of them, and input your answers on 20 questions throughout your journey. At the end of it, we will find out who has the most correct answers. That person is the winner…or the mole. (smiles) I let you sweat it out.
(In the top director's box area, there is some movement and light, but they pay no heed. Yukino finalises.)
Yukino: Rika, take the catcher's mound. Yolei, second base. Haley, third base. Get your minds ready…anything to say?
Rika: Yes. Good luck to everyone.
Haley: Thank you.
Yolei: Agreed.
(The three shake hands and get into their final group hug. They head off to their destiny…)
* * * *
Rika (catchers mound):
Rika: It's amazing I've made it this far, and I hope to make it even further. I pray for all my friends that I still can do this, and having to think so hard now is tough…but not impossible.
Yolei (second base):
Yolei: After this long, I knew I could get this far, although who with was a bit more surprising. It's been tough…but I've got plenty of memories to last me a while. Let's see if I can add one more…
Haley (third base):
Haley: I'm the only one of the 'sole' animes remaining, Chiriko, Shampoo and Akari all gone…but I've got this far and with the gods on my side, I know I can win this.
(We then get random shots of all three, looking at the questions.)
Rika: Haley has been a pandora's box all the way through. At one minute he's been Mr. Dependable, and the next, a nervous wreck. The split personality of a mole in action?
Yolei: Rika has demonstrated time and time again how good she can be as a mole. Her mind and spirit are strong, despite her young age and supposed weak body. She's someone with a perfect disguise, could easily be a mole.
Haley: Yolei is someone dependant and strong, but can be downright sneaky when she wants to be. She's not stupid, she's knows what she wants in life, and if she can get it, she'll get it.
(Shot of Yolei making the mistake of sending the remaining ore onto the side back in Episode 2)
Rika: Yolei is someone who you need to keep an eye on, mole or not. She's that unpredictable. Yolei could be a good mole, and I'm feeling more vibes that she could be…
(Shot of Rika 'accidentally' spilling her identity to Chiriko in the restaurant challenge during the 'date' between Chiriko and Akari)
Haley: Rika…she's a wonderful girl. She has been that bit of innocence that anyone would love to have by their side. This is also the reason she can be an excellent mole. Her friends I believe never suspected her, so their destruction from one of their own…it's happened on the Nadesico, it could happen here.
(Shot of Haley constantly tripping during the excursion during the Boot Camp episode…)
Yolei: I've been close enough to Haley to see that he is mole material. Nervous, sweet…but intelligent. He knows what he is doing, he's had military experience, and above all, he seems innocent, but not enough to not be out of the picture.
(Hoping you are also playing at home, because it's nearly time…)
* * * *
(All three have stopped and the laptops have been let off the stands. Yukino moves to centre stage)
Yukino: The results are in. Now it's time to see. Enter our final guests.
(The final, final, FINAL guests of Animole enter. All of them are from Princess Nine, which include the second base girl Seira Morimura, catcher Mao Daidouji, third base and former tennis champ Izumi Himoru and the heroine of the show (and daughter to Shino from earlier), the pitcher, Ryo Hayakawa.)
Yukino: Thank you for coming as it's a dream of yours, but I'll explain the final stage.
(Yukino drops a baseball in Ryo's hand. Ryo nods and goes to the pitcher's mound. The other three girls go to their respective bases and wait. A device then appears below the pitchers mound.)
Yukino: Below Ryo is a Roulette Spider, normally in Yu-Gi-Oh, this will spin until it locks with a target. When the target spots, Ryo will throw a ball. If you are the one that Ryo throws at, and is caught by the respective player…you win the game.
(Rika, Yolei and Haley gasp.)
(Shot of Haley with Izumo)
(Shot of Rika with Mao)
(Shot of Yolei with Seira)
Yukino: (shouting) LIGHTS…OUT!
(The lights go out from the stadium, meaning that the spider is the movement and no-one can see who she throws to..)
Yukino: The spider has the data of the winning score…so no more games. Let's end this. SPIN!
(Ryo closes her eyes as the roulette spider spins…brief shots of Haley, Rika and Yolei respectively.)
(It spins fairly fast, but not too much for poor Ryo to handle…and then…starts to slow down. It's still dark and no-one can see where's it's slowing down…)
(…and then…it stops.)
Ryo: Here it comes!
(The pitch throws towards whoever is catching it…ball meets glove…)
* * * *
…and there is the cliffhanger!
So who will win? Who will lose? And who is the mole? All will be revealed next episode! CCS, Digimon or Nadesico?
This is the last quiz as well, 20 questions, which can make or break the win. I hope you've got your thinking caps on.
Next time;
The 16 reunite in Koshien…but who has won it? Who needs to be consolled? And how is the mole?
We reveal the mole sabotages, and all the clues, hidden or not so hidden you may have spotted which linked towards the mole.
And there is another epilogue story for all those who loved the Casey/Mikey coupling last time!
Because of all this, the final chapter will be posted on a week Sunday, where I'll also host a chat for anyone wanted to join me for the grand finale personally. So until then…I fare thee well.