Leg Seven

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Before the race starts, we see Mr. Jowai walking in a parking lot, alongside a huge, parked ship.

Mr. Jowai: The world of Starfox. No humans in sight, only animals live here. This galaxy of several planets and space sectors has enough technology to make anyone jealous. And, parked in this parking lot: The Great Fox. This giant ship with the sixth Pitstop in a race around the VG universe.

We see clips of the five remaining teams checking in, starting with Billy and Lily. We then see all the teams sitting in a futuristic diner, eating and talking.

Mr. Jowai: After checking in, the remaining teams received a mandatory rest period. This allowed them to eat…

We see Guile relaxing on a chair, asleep.

Mr. Jowai: …Sleep…

We then see Billy laughing as he talks with Samus.

Mr. Jowai: …And mingle with the other teams. Billy and Lily, whom were the first to arrive, will be the first to depart, twelve hours later.

(PITSTOP)

Billy and Lily stand on the Pitstop mat at night, waiting to open their clue. Ratchet and Skid stand just off the pad. As soon as the clock on the Pitstop hits the correct time, Billy rips open the clue.

(BILLY and LILY – First to depart)

Billy: (rip) Travel to the world of Earthbound.

Mr. Jowai: Teams must now take one of two charter flights to the world of Earthbound, where four mismatched kids had saved the world from an evil being. Once they arrive, teams must travel by a marked car to the headquarters of the blue cultists, where they'll find the next clue.

Billy: (reading) You have seventy-three bucks for this leg of the race.

Lily: Let's get going, bro. We've got a lead, so let's try to keep it.

Billy: Right you are, Lily. Let's go.

The two siblings run off towards the line of five marked cars and grab one. As they start loading their backpacks into it, Ratchet and Skid prepare to leave.

(RATCHET and SKID – Second to depart)

Ratchet: (rip) The world of Earthbound.

Skid: Let's get going, dude. We need to catch up with Billy and Lily.

The tall and short team goes towards another of the marked cars. Just as they arrive, Billy and Lily drive off. Skid loads the backpacks into the trunk as Ratchet jumps into the backseat and grabs the map. Skid quickly jumps behind the wheel, starts the car and drives off, hoping to catch up with Billy and Lily.

(BILLY and LILY)

Billy: Where are we heading, sis?

Lily: (using a flashlight to read the map) Turn right up here, Billy. The airport is about another ten minutes away.

Billy: (nods) Okay. Right it is.

(RATCHET and SKID)

Ratchet: Follow them, Skid. They're going the quickest way to the airport.

Skid: Got it, dude. Hang on!

Ratchet: I hope we get on a quick flight. Higsby and Mari didn't check in too long after us.

Skid: Right you are, little dude. Does the clue say where the counter is to get on those charter flights?

Ratchet: (looks at the clue) Nope. We're going to have to look around the airport.

(PITSTOP)

(HIGSBY and MARI – Third to depart)

Higsby: (rip) The world of Earthbound.

Mari: Thank goodness Luigi and Daisy have already been eliminated. They probably know that world as well.

Higsby: Well, let's go.

Higsby and Mari walk along the parking lot, towards the line of three remaining cars. After loading their backpacks into the trunk, Mari picks up the map and slides into the back seat. Higsby gets behind the wheel again and drives the team off towards the airport.

Higsby: Mari, I'm sorry if I sound demanding here, but I need you to look over the map and try to find a quicker way to the airport than the main route.

Mari: Sure thing. You keep driving and I'll start searching for a quicker way.

Higsby: Got it.

(AIRPORT)

As Ratchet and Skid pull into the airport parking lot, they see Billy and Lily already parking. The siblings grab their backpacks, shut the trunk and race into the airport.

Skid: Hey! There go the Kanes, Ratchet!

Ratchet: Park this thing and let's go after them, Skid!

Billy and Lily run through the front doors to the airport and look around.

Billy: Where would that counter be? We need to find a flight before Ratchet and Skid can!

Lily: (points down the right hallway) Let's try down that way, Billy. Maybe we'll come across it.

Billy: (nods) Sounds like a plan.

With that, Billy and Lily run off, and not too long after they do, Ratchet and Skid burst through the doors, looking around.

Skid: We lost them, man! Where'd they go?

Ratchet: Well, I guess we should start looking for the airline with the two charter flights. (points down the left hallway) Let's try going that way first.

Skid: Okay, dude.

Ratchet and Skid run off down the left hallway, going in the opposite direction as Billy and Lily.

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Mari: Hey, Higsby! I think I found a quicker way!

Higsby: Really! Where do I go, Mari?

Mari: Go straight through this intersection coming up, then turn right at the first stop sign.

Higsby: Got it. Maybe we'll be able to shave off a few minutes by doing this.

(PITSTOP)

(GUILE and AMY – Fourth to depart)

Guile: (rip) Go to the world of Earthbound.

Amy: Finally! Somewhere none of the remaining teams have any advantage in! Maybe we'll be able to catch up!

Guile: Maybe so. Well, we'll catch up anyway. It says here we need to book a flight on one of two charter planes.

Amy: Well, if we're going to make it, dad, we'd better get going.

Guile: (nods) Let's go.

As Guile gets behind the wheel again, the father and daughter drive off.

(BILLY and LILY)

Billy: Hey, sis! What's that over there?

Lily: (gasps; starts running faster) It's the airline! See the flag on the counter!

Billy: Hey, yeah! (picks up the pace) We can get on the charter flight!

The two run over to the counter and over to the sign-up sheet. They quickly see that no one else has registered yet.

Billy: Alright! We beat Ratchet and Skid! (signs he and Lily down for the earlier charter flight)

(RATCHET and SKID)

Skid: You see the counter, man?

Ratchet: No, Skid. I have a sinking feeling that we made a wrong turn.

Skid: Well, let's turn around then, dude.

Ratchet and Skid turn around and start working their way back to the front doors to the airport to find the charter flight.

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Before Ratchet and Skid make it back to the front doors, Higsby and Mari run into the airport and look around.

Mari: Where do we go from here?

Higsby: Let's ask. (goes over to a worker) Excuse me? Which way would the charter flights be?

Worker: That-a way. (points to the right) It's not too far off down that way.

Higsby: Thanks! (turns to Mari) Let's go!

(PITSTOP)

(SAMUS and REED – Last to depart)

Reed: Well, we're starting last again.

Samus: Let's hope we can do better in this leg. (rip) Go to the world of Earthbound.

Reed: Well, let's get moving.

The two friends walk across the parking lot, towards the final marked car. Reed gets behind the wheel this time as they drive off.

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Running through the airport, Higsby and Mari can only hope that they get to the charter flights first. They quickly spot the race flag attached to a counter.

Mari: Look! I see the flag!

Higsby: Let's go!

The two rush over to the counter and look to see that they indeed have beaten Ratchet and Skid.

Mari: The Kanes managed to beat us.

Higsby: (writes the team name down on the first charter flight) That's fine, Mari. We managed to beat Ratchet and Skid. Looks like they'll have to settle for the later flight.

(GUILE and AMY)

Guile: Where're we heading now, sweetie?

Amy: Turn right, dad. The airport should be coming up soon.

Guile: Okay. Right it is.

Meanwhile, a good ways behind the father and daughter, Samus and Reed are driving along.

Reed: You know where we're heading, Samus?

Samus: I think so. I don't know which way to hold this map.

Reed: Well, we can only hope that we get to the airport soon.

(RATCHET and SKID)

The tall and short duo finally spot the flag at the counter and run over. However, on their way, they spot Higsby and Mari sitting on a bench with Billy and Lily.

Skid: No way, man! They beat us!

Ratchet: Let's hope that there's more than two slots available for the first charter flight.

The two run over to the counter, but see that there are only two available slots for the first flight, and they've both been taken.

Skid: Man! This stinks! (writes down the team name on the first of three slots for the second flight)

Ratchet: (voice-over) Skid and I had a huge lead on Higsby and Mari! When we arrived at the counter and saw that they had already signed up for the first flight, you can't imagine how stupid we felt.

Mari: (voice-over) Beating Ratchet and Skid to the first charter flight was one of the most satisfying things that happened to me on the race. Now, we have a big lead on the others, and we only have the Kanes to compete with when we arrive.

Not too long after Ratchet and Skid walk away from the counter, Guile and Amy show up. They rush over to the counter and look at the list.

Amy: Looks like we're on the second flight, dad.

Guile: That works for me. (signs he and Amy up) Let's go find a bench, Amy. The first flight won't take off until all the teams are here.

Amy: (looks at the benches to see the other teams) Yeah, and from the looks of things, the only ones missing are Samus and Reed.

(SAMUS and REED)

Just as Amy says that, the two friends burst through the airports doors and look around.

Reed: Excuse us, but would you happen to know where the charter flight to Onett is?

Worker: Funny. Another team asked me that a little bit ago. Just turn right here. You should soon see the counter.

Samus: Thank you.

With that, Samus and Reed run off to get to the charter flight. Eventually, the friends spot the flag attached to a counter.

Reed: Look, Samus! There it is!

Samus: (sees the teams sitting on the benches as they run over to the counter) Well, the gang's all here.

Reed: (signs he and Samus down for the second flight) Well, we've caught up. That's the main thing.

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) All five teams are spread out amongst two charter flights, both heading for the world of Earthbound. Billy and Lilly, and Higsby and Mari are on the first flight, which will land in Onett at seven-thirty. Ratchet and Skid, Guile and Amy, and Samus and Reed are on the second flight, which will arrive half an hour after the first.

(PLANE 1 – Arriving)

The first flight lands in Onett and comes to a stop along the runway. After it comes to a complete stop, the door opens, allowing the first two teams to exit. Higsby, Mari, Billy and Lily race through the airport, hoping to get outside first.

Eventually, the two teams reach the front doors to the airport. All four racers dart out the doors at almost the same time and look around.

Higsby: Where would the marked cars be?

Lily: (spots the flag) Over there! I see them!

The four racers run over to the line of five marked cars parked a good ways away. Everyone starts loading their stuff into the backs of two of the cars. Although Higsby and Mari get in and drive off quickly, Billy and Lily still manage to do it quicker and are out of the parking lot first.

Lily: This is great! We've got a lead over Higsby and Mari!

Billy: Yeah. So Lily, which way is the HQ of the blue-boys?

Lily: (looking at the map) It's about five miles to the east. We should be able to get there soon.

Billy: (nods) Okay. Let's do this!

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Higsby: Should I follow them?

Mari: (reading the map) Yeah. They're heading in the right direction

Higsby: (nods) Let's hope we can still beat them to the Pitstop.

Mari: Ah, I'm not worried. We've got a half an hour on the others, and the way we've been playing the race, I think we'll have no problem.

Higsby: Yeah. I guess so.

Eventually, after a bit of driving, the teams make it to the cultists HQ. Billy and Lily are out of their car first, and dash over to the building, where they see five cans of blue paint sitting outside with the clue box.

Billy and Lily rush over to the clue box and pull the first clue out. Billy rips open the envelope and becomes surprised when a green card is pulled out.

(BILLY and LILY – First at Clue 1)

Lily: (jumping in place excitedly) A Cheat Code! We got the Cheat Code!

Before the race continues, we see Mr. Jowai walking along outside of the HQ.

Mr. Jowai: This is the last of two Cheat Codes on the entire race. A Cheat Code gives one team a chance to skip all tasks and go directly to the Pitstop, but they must do a challenging task beforehand. In this challenge, that team must drive twenty miles outside of Onett to Saturn Valley, home of the Mr. Saturns. Once there, each of the two racers must traverse this bridge hanging a hundred feet over the lake. Once each of the team members have gone across the bridge, they'll complete the Cheat Code. However, once one team has completed a Cheat Code, they won't be able to do any more.

Billy: Should we go for it, sis?

Lily: Heck yeah! This is the last one on the race! We may as well be the ones to use it!

Billy: (nods) Okay. Let's get back to the car.

As Billy and Lily run back towards their car, Higsby and Mari get out and rush over to the clue box. Mari quickly pulls out a clue.

(HIGSBY and MARI – Second at Clue 1)

Mari: (rip) Go to the Suburb District.

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) Teams must now carry one of the blue paint cans to the Suburb District of Onett and look around for the main sign. Just beside the sign is where teams will find their next clue.

Mari: Funny. It says here that we have to take a paint can. I didn't see Billy and Lily taking one.

Higsby: Looks like they found a Cheat Code.

Mari: Man. We'll have to hurry if we want any hope of beating those two to the Pitstop.

Hisgby and Mari grab a paint can and start running back to their car. They quickly see Billy and Lily jumping into theirs and taking off.

Mari: Let's go! Quickly!

(BILLY and LILY)

Billy: You sure you want to do this, Lily? What if it involves us shaving our heads?

Lily: I'll still do it anyway. This could be our ticket to winning the race!

Billy: (nods) You're probably right. Okay. If you're alright with it, we'll do it.

Lily: Okay. The clue said that it was about twenty miles to Saturn Valley, so I imagine we'd get there in less than twenty minutes.

Billy: Okay! We'll have the leg done in no time!

The two cars drive off in opposite directions, each of the teams going towards their destinations. It takes Higsby and Mari about five more minutes, but they eventually arrive at the main sign of Onett, which has the city's name printed on the front in big, bold letters.

Higsby: Well, here's the sign. You see the clue box?

Mari: (sees the box behind the sign) Yeah! There it is!

Higsby quickly parks the car as he and Mari get out. They rush over to the clue box and yank out the first clue.

(HIGSBY and MARI – First at Boss Battle)

Higsby: (rips open the envelope and pulls out a red card) A Boss Battle.

Before the race continues, we see Mr. Jowai walking along in the huge parking lot on the other side of the sign.

Mr. Jowai: A Boss Battle is a task that only one racer can perform, and the team cannot move on until the task is complete. In this Boss Battle, that racer has to use the can of blue paint from the cultists HQ and paint over a marked section of this building's wall. As the racer paints, they'll eventually see a one-word clue appear on the wall, telling them where the next clue will be.

Higsby: I'll do it. You did the last one.

Mari: (nods) Okay. Good luck, Higsby!

Higsby grabs the can of paint, walks over to the side of the nearby building and chooses one of the marked sections. Once he is satisfied, he grabs a brush, dips it in the paint can and starts painting it on the section of the wall.

(PLANE 2 – Landing early)

The second charter flight arrives in Onett about two minutes later. Once it lands, the doors open, allowing the six passengers to exit, although they're all racing to stay ahead of the other. Samus is currently leading the pack with Guile close behind him. At the back of the pack is Ratchet, trying to keep up with everyone due to his small size and short legs.

Eventually, all three remaining teams fly out the airport doors at almost the same time. They all run out into the parking lot.

Amy: Does anyone see the marked cars?

Skid: Yeah! Over there, dudes!

As they run, everyone looks in the direction Skid points and they indeed see the three remaining marked cars.

Reed: Let's go!

The teams race to their cars and get in at almost the same time, but Samus and Reed manage to drive away first with Guile and Amy following shortly. Ratchet and Skid bring up the rear.

Reed: (driving) Okay, Samus! How long until we reach the blue cultist HQ?

Samus: (reading a map) About five minutes. Turn left here.

Reed obliges and turns left as the other teams follow suit.

(BILLY and LILY)

The two siblings successfully drive their car to Saturn Valley. They both look around in awe from inside the car at all of the Mr. Saturn's around the village.

Billy: Man! Can you believe that a village like this actually exists, sis?

Lily: I find it very hard to believe, but here we are.

Billy: Well, we should look for that Clue Box.

Lily: (looks up and points) Is that it way up there on that cliff?

Billy stops the car for a second and pokes his head out of the window to see. He sees the race's red and yellow flag perched on top of the cliff, just in front of a bridge hanging above the lake.

Billy: I think that might be it!

Lily: Looks like we'll have to do some climbing. This car won't make it up that narrow pathway over there.

Billy: True. (gets out of the car as Lily does the same) Alright. We'll go up there, do the Cheat Code challenge and get back down here.

Lily: (nods)

The two siblings run towards the cliff face and start running up a path to get to the top. They quickly reach the top of the cliff and see the flag.

Lily: (sees the bridge and the hippie standing by the edge) Do we have to walk across that bridge! It doesn't look that sturdy.

Billy: (to the hippie) Is this the Cheat Code challenge?

Hippie: (grins) Yeah, man. You both have to go across this gnarly bridge one at a time. Once you're both over there, my cunning friend will give you the clue.

Lily: (looks over the cliff and into the lake) Man! If we fall of the bridge, it'll take us a while to get back up here.

Billy: Well, we may as well get this started. I'll go first.

Slowly, Billy steps onto the rickety bridge and starts taking slow steps across, looking like he struggling to keep the bridge from rocking back and forth.

(BLUE CULTIST HQ)

The final three cars pull up to the HQ and spot the Clue Box. Samus and Reed jump out first and run over to the box, pulling out an envelope.

(SAMUS and REED – Third at Clue 1)

Reed: (rip) Take a can of blue paint to Onett's main sign.

Samus: (grabs a paint can) Got it. Let's go!

As Samus and Reed run off, the final two teams show up at the Clue Box.

(GUILE and AMY – Fourth at Clue 1)

(RATCHET and SKID – Last at Clue 1)

Guile: (rip) The main sign.

Skid: (rip) Come on, dude! Grab a paint can!

Ratchet and Skid run after Guile and Amy back to their cars just as Samus and Reed are seen driving off.

(BOSS BATTLE)

Higsby continues painting on his section of the wall and has now covered a good deal of it. Slowly, however, he starts to begin to see a word written on the wall.

Higsby: Hey! This paint is starting to make the word show! (continues to paint) Now if I could only make it out.

After a couple more minutes of painting, Higsby suddenly sees the word appear.

Higsby: "Arcade"!

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) Teams must now race through the city to the Arcade. There, they must search the huge building for this specific arcade game, where they'll find the next clue.

As soon as Higsby leaves his section of the wall, the race officials standing beside it close it off. Higsby receives a clue and runs back over to Mari.

(HIGSBY and MARI – First at Clue 2)

Higsby: (rip) We need to find the arcade!

Mari: Let's go!

Higsby and Mari jump back into their car and drive off.

(BILLY and LILY)

Billy has managed to cross most of the bridge and is almost at the other end. Lily still waits on the first end.

Lily: You're almost there, Billy! Just a little longer!

Billy: I'm trying, sis! It's just extremely hard to cross this thing without making it rock!

After managing to walk another several steps, Billy sets foot on the other side of the bridge. It isn't until a few seconds after he does so that he realizes he's been holding his breath since he last spoke with Lily. He exhales in relief and turns around.

Billy: Lily! I made it!

Lily: Great job, bro! Okay, I'm on my way!

Lily then proceeds to start working her way across the bridge. She quickly realizes that Billy was right in saying how hard it was to keep the bridge from waving.

Lily: Man. This is tough work.

(BOSS BATTLE)

The first of the final three cars show up. After spotting the Clue Box, the two racers jump out and grab an envelope.

(SAMUS and REED – Second at Boss Battle)

Samus: (rip) Another Boss Battle.

Reed: (picks up the paint can) I might as well do it.

As the blonde soldier runs over to the wall to start painting, the final two cars show up. As the two teams get out, Skid barely manages to beat Guile and Amy to the clue.

(RATCHET and SKID – Third at Boss Battle)

(GUILE and AMY – Last at Boss Battle)

Skid: (rip) It's another Boss Battle, little dude!

Ratchet: I'll take it, Skid. You did the last one.

Guile: (rip) Yep. Another Boss Battle.

Amy: I'll do this one, dad. I'll be right back.

(BILLY and LILY)

Billy: Come on, sis! Just a few more steps and you've got it!

Lily: (starting to shake nervously) This bridge is starting to wave, Billy. I'm trying to control it.

Billy: You can do it, Lily! You're almost here!

After a few more slow steps, Lily manages to cross the bridge. The siblings let out a shout of joy and embrace.

(BILLY and LILY – Cheat Code Completed)

Lily: Well, now what?

Billy: (looks around) That hippie said that his friend would give us the clue, but I don't see anyone.

Hippie: (walks over) Hey, man! Congrats on making it!

Billy and Lily end up doing a double-take, as the hippie looks exactly like the one on the other side of the bridge. Billy scratches his head, but takes the clue.

Billy: (rip) Congratulations on completing this Cheat Code. You are now allowed to skip directly to the Pitstop!

Mr. Jowai: (voice over) Now that Billy and Lily have completed the Cheat Code, they can skip all remaining tasks and jump directly to the Pitstop, the home of young hero Ness.

Lily: Let's get back to the car, Billy!

Billy: Uh…Sis? How're we going to get down without going across the bridge?

Lily: We jump! Come on, bro!

Without giving Billy time to object, Lily leaps off the cliff and lands directly into the lake below. Billy contemplates the decision for a second before jumping off the cliff as well, landing in the water.

The soaked siblings climb out of the lake and quickly run back to the car, which is still waiting for them. Without giving themselves time to dry off, Billy and Lily jump in and drive off.

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Higsby: Any sight of the Arcade yet, Mari?

Mari: Uh…(suddenly sees the Arcade a couple of blocks down) Down there! I see it!

Higsby: I'm on it! (turns to the right and drives down the road leading to the Arcade)

The strong-willed team pulls their car into the Arcade parking lot as Higsby turns the car off. He and Mari jump out and run into the Arcade.

Mari: The clue said that the Clue Box was around the Arcade somewhere. I wonder where it could be.

Higsby: Let's start looking.

Higsby and Mari start searching the Arcade for the Clue Box, without much luck. Eventually, after a couple minutes of searching, Mari spots the red and yellow box sitting beside a machine.

Mari: Over there! Higsby, over there!

Higsby: (looks) I see it, Mari! Come on!

The two run over to the box and rip out a clue, seeing that they're indeed the first ones.

(HIGSBY and MARI – First at Split Track)

Higsby: (rip) Split Track. Playing or Paying?

Before the race continues, we see Mr. Jowai walking along a line of Arcade machines.

Mr. Jowai: A Split Track is a choice between one of two tasks, each with it's own pros and cons. In this Split Track, teams must choose between 'Playing' and 'Paying'. In Playing, teams must play the game that the clue box is beside and try to work up a combined score of 20,000 points, which could be hard for the inexperienced gamer. Once the team has racked up enough points, the kid beside the machine will hand them the next clue. In Paying, teams are given baskets and must search the Arcade, opening up different games and collecting $52 worth of quarters from within. There's nothing challenging about the task, but some machine have more quarters inside, and finding 52 dollars worth could take a while.

Mari: I say we search for quarters. It shouldn't take us that long if we know where to look.

Higsby: (nods) Okay. We'll do it.

(BOSS BATTLE)

The race to finish the Boss Battle is pretty close, but Reed is clearly winning, as he is well on his way to finding out what the mysterious word on the wall is. He has uncovered about fifty percent of the word, but still can't quite make it out.

Samus: How's it coming, Reed?

Reed: I'm getting there. I'll let you know when I figure it out.

Meanwhile, Amy and Ratchet are catching up, each of them looking about the same judging by how much they're painted.

Guile: Are you getting there, sweetie?

Amy: I'm not sure, dad, but I can tell that there's at least two A's in it.

Skid: Yo, Ratchet! How's it coming?

Ratchet: Not bad, pal. Give me a couple more minutes and I should have this finished.

After another minute of painting, Reed suddenly begins to see what the word spells. He starts painting faster until he can finally see what it says.

Reed: (whispering so he won't alert Amy ad Ratchet) "Arcade"!

The blonde soldier runs away from his section of the way as the race officials close it off. Reed quickly runs back over to Samus with a clue.

(SAMUS and REED – Second at Clue 2)

Reed: (rip) Make your way to the Arcade.

Samus: Let's go, Reed! We've got a lead!

The two friends run back to their car, get in and drive off.

(PITSTOP)

Mr. Jowai stands outside Ness' house with the Pitstop mat in front of him. In his hands, he holds a phone (with Ness' father on the other line, per usual), which he talks into to explain that the first team should be arriving soon.

Suddenly, we hear a car screech to a halt in the distance, followed by quick footsteps, showing that two people are running. The footsteps get closer as the first team approaches the Pitstop.

Billy and Lily, still dripping wet, run along the sidewalk and round the corner leading up the walkway leading to Ness' house. The excited siblings jump onto the mat as Mr. Jowai holds the phone out to them.

Ness' father: (over the phone) Welcome to Onett!

Billy: Uh…Thanks?

Mr. Jowai: Billy and Lily…You are team number one!

(BILLY and LILY – First Place)

Billy and Lily: YES! (hug each other)

Mr. Jowai: You guys have a big lead for the next leg. How does that make you feel?

Lily: Amazing! We may actually have a chance of winning this, now!

Billy: Yeah. I didn't even think we'd LAST this long! But here we are, in the final four teams.

(TIME PASSES)

(HIGSBY and MARI)

So far, Higsby and Mari have emptied about thirty dollars of quarters from the machines and are still searching for even more around the Arcade.

Mari: Which game do you think we should search next?

Higsby: (points) Let's try that one. I've heard that it's extremely popular.

Mari: (nods) Okay. Let's try it.

The two go over to an Arcade game and stick a key into a panel. After opening it, Higsby looks inside to see how many quarters are in there.

Mari: How is it, Higsby?

Higsby: YES! Jackpot!

As Higsby starts pulling out quarters and adding it to the basket, Mari starts jotting the numbers down on a piece of paper. After finishing, Higsby stands up and looks at Mari.

Higsby: How're we doing?

Mari: Let me see………We're good! We've got more than enough!

Higsby: Alright! Let's take this in and exchange it for a clue!

Higsby picks up the basket of quarters and lugs it to the front desk. The woman behind the counter pulls out a clue and hands it to Higsby.

Higsby: Thanks! (rip) The Pitstop, Mari! We're heading to the Pitstop!

Mari: (grabs Higsby's arm) Come on! Billy and Lily probably beat us, but let's try to close the distance gap a little bit!

(BOSS BATTLE)

Amy and Ratchet are still amazingly close to finishing painting, but it is much too close to tell who's winning. Guile and Skid stand aside, hoping that they'll finish the task soon.

However, Amy suddenly is able to make the word out as she drags her paintbrush over it.

Amy: (whispering) "Arcade"!

As quick as she can, Amy turns from her section of the wall and runs back to her father. As soon as Amy leaves her part of the wall, it is closed off as a race official hands her a clue. The energetic teenager quickly arrives at Guile's side with the clue.

(GULE and AMY – Third at Clue 2)

Amy: (rip) Drive to the Arcade. Let's go, dad!

Guile: Coming, sweetie!

As the father and daughter team get back into their car and drive off, Ratchet also manages to figure out the secret word. Receiving a clue, the small Lombax runs back to Skid.

(RATCHET and SKID – Last at Clue 2)

Ratchet: (rip) The Arcade.

Skid: Let's move, little dude! We're in last place!

(SAMUS and REED)

The friends' car pulls into the Arcade parking lot and pulls into the space that was previously occupied by Higsby and Mari's car. Samus and Reed jump out and run into the Arcade to begin searching for the Clue Box.

Samus: You see it, Reed?

Reed: (looking around) Not yet. I can't believe how hard it is to spot a red and yellow box in a darkened Arcade.

Samus: Yeah. It's kinda weird. (suddenly spots the box sitting beside a game) Look! I see it!

Reed: (spots it as well) That's the box alright! Let's go get it!

The Tinto soldiers run over to the box and pull out an envelope, satisfied that they're not in last place.

(SAMUS and REED – Second at Split Track)

Samus: (rip) It's another Split Track.

Reed: (looks over the clue) I say we play the game. I think that may be the quicker challenge.

Samus: (nods) Okay. We'll do that one, then. Which game do we play.

Reed: (points to the circle of five identical shooter games beside the Clue Box) The clue says that we play that one.

The two friends walk over to one of the games and grab the two guns provided. The game starts as Samus and Reed start shooting the screen, racking up points.

Samus: (shoots a couple of monsters charging at him) This isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Reed: No, actually. It's quite easy to pick up.

(PITSTOP)

Higsby and Mari run up the walkway leading to Ness' house and stop on the mat, waiting for the verdict from Mr. Jowai.

Mr. Jowai: Higsby and Mari…You're team number two!

(HIGSBY and MARI – Second Place)

Higsby: Yes! We made it!

Mari: I kinda figured that Billy and Lily would beat us, though. (looks at Mr. Jowai) When did they arrive, anyway?

Mr. Jowai: Billy and Lily arrived here about half an hour ago, so you aren't too far behind.

Higsby: (nods) Thanks.

(GUILE and AMY)

Guile: Where does the map say the Arcade is, sweetie?

Amy: (reading the map) Not too far off. We should arrive in about five minutes.

Guile: We'd better hurry. Ratchet and Skid are right behind us.

(RATCHET and SKID)

Ratchet: Don't lose them, Skid! We need to beat them to the Pitstop!

Skid: Don't worry, Ratchet! They'll have to drive like lightning to outrun the Skid-man!

(SAMUS and REED)

The two friends have proven that they are just as good with a gun as they are with a sword. They have almost gotten enough points to complete the task.

Samus: (shoots down the last monster) Okay. That was the last of them.

Reed: (looks at the score) We're still not quite there yet. What haven't we done?

Samus: (notices the game take them into a huge, dark room) The boss. We have to take down the boss to finish the task.

Reed: Hopefully, we'll be able to do this fast. We aren't that far ahead of the others.

The huge boss monster proves to be a slight challenge for the two friends, but in the end, Samus and Reed manage to overpower it and defeat it, although they manage to do so with barely enough health to stay alive.

Samus: How'd that affect the score?

Reed: (looks at the final score) We cleared it! We're done!

Samus and Reed quickly set the guns back and run over to the counter, where they receive a clue.

Samus: Thanks. (rip) The Pitstop! We're going to the Pitstop, Reed!

Reed: This is great! If we hurry, we're still n the race!

The two friends run from the Arcade and go back to their car, Samus behind the wheel. Samus backs out of the parking space and drives off, starting the trek to the Pitstop.

A couple minutes after Samus and Reed leave, the last two cars drive into the parking lot. The two teams jump out and run into the Arcade. Once they enter, they look around a little bit.

Guile: Where's the clue?

Ratchet: I don't know. It's supposed to be around here somewhere.

Amy: Uh…(suddenly spots the clue) Look! Over there! I see it!

Before Ratchet and Skid can look in the direction Amy points, she and Guile have already started running over to the clue.

Skid: After them, dude!

As much as Ratchet and Skid try to keep up, Guile and Amy still manage to beat them to the clue.

(GUILE and AMY – Third at Split Track)

Amy: (rip) A Split Track!

Guile: (reads) A shooter game. We're both pretty good shots. Let's do the game.

Amy: Okay. Let's pick a game.

As Guile and Amy choose a game, Ratchet and Skid grab a clue.

(RATCHET and SKID – Last at Split Track)

Ratchet: Funny. That wasn't the last clue.

Skid: Someone must have found a Cheat Code, man.

Ratchet: Well, let's just try harder. (rip) A Split Track.

Skid: We're awesome at games, Ratchet! Let's play!

The tall and short duo runs over to one of the games and grabs a gun. As they do, Guile and Amy have already been playing for about thirty seconds.

Guile: (picks off three monsters with pinpoint accuracy) How're you holding up, Amy?

Amy: (doing surprisingly well as she shoots a couple more monsters down) Pretty good. I'm real thankful for that training you gave me, dad.

The four racers continue to shoot down monsters, their scores quickly adding up.

(PITSTOP)

Samus and Reed run along the short walkway leading to Ness' house and jump on the Pitstop mat. They look at Mr. Jowai hopefully.

Mr. Jowai: Samus and Reed…You're team number three!

(SAMUS and REED – Third Place)

Samus: YES! We're not second-to-last again!

Reed: This is amazing! I can't believe we've lasted this long!

(SPLIT TRACK)

Once again, the two remaining teams are pretty much neck-and-neck, although they all look pretty close to finishing the respective games.

Guile: (as he and Amy fight the boss) If we can take this guy down, we'll have enough points to complete the task.

Amy: Don't worry, dad. This guy's about as predictable as Abigail from Final Fight. We'll have him beaten in no time flat.

Skid: (he and Ratchet haven't made it to the boss yet) Hey, look! Ratchet, what's that sitting to the side there?

Ratchet: Ooooo! The Bonus Box! (shoots the box, giving he and Skid a lot more points, putting them well over the amount needed)

Skid: We did it, man! We got it!

Ratchet and Skid quickly dart away from the game and run over to the counter. After receiving a clue, Skid tears open the envelope.

Skid: (rip) Let's get back to the car, dude! We're going to the Pitstop!

As Ratchet and Skid run out of the Arcade, Guile and Amy complete the game and arrive at the counter, receiving a clue as well.

Guile: (rip) Let's get moving, Amy! If we hurry, we can beat Ratchet and Skid to the Pitstop!

Guile and Amy rush out into the parking lot just in time to see Ratchet and Skid jump into their car and drive off. The father/daughter team rushes towards their car and quickly gets in to make up for lost time.

(RATCHET and SKID)

Ratchet: We're ahead of them! We're actually ahead of them!

Skid: Quick, dude! Which way to Ness' place?

Ratchet: (quickly pulls up the map, then points to the right) That way. Give it about five minutes and we're there.

Skid: Got it, man!

(GUILE and AMY)

Amy: Come on, dad! We can't lose to them! We need to go faster!

Guile: Sorry, sweetie. If I go any faster, we'll get nailed with a speeding ticket.

Amy: Let's just hope we can make it.

(SOON; PITSTOP)

Mr. Jowai stands on the mat, waiting patiently for the final safe team to arrive. After a little bit, he hears a car coming to a halt down the road, followed by a couple of doors shutting. Mr. Jowai stands straight, knowing that the final safe team is about to round the corner.

Ratchet and Skid, breathing heavily, run onto the scene and turn onto the walkway leading to Ness' house. The mismatched duo stops on the mat as they look at Mr. Jowai.

Mr. Jowai: Ratchet and Skid…You are team number four!

(RATCHET and SKID – Fourth Place)

Skid: We're still in! I don't believe it, man!

Ratchet: Here's hoping that we might actually win this thing.

Sad music plays as Guile and Amy run along Ness' walkway and step onto the mat.

Mr. Jowai: Guile and Amy…(sighs) You're the last team to arrive.

Amy: (sighs sadly)

Mr. Jowai: I'm sorry to tell you that you've both been eliminated from the race.

Guile: Well, it's been fun.

(GUILE and AMY – ELIMINATED)

We later see Guile and Amy sitting in front of the camera at night, talking to it.

Guile: It's a disappointment being eliminated after being in the race so long, but then again, Amy and I have been in the race longer than either of us could have imagined. I wish the final four teams luck and look forward to seeing the winner at the finish line.

Amy: Like dad said, I'm a little upset at being eliminated. However, I had a real blast doing it. This is one of the most fun things I've ever done in my life, and I did it with my dad. I can't consider myself any luckier.

Guile: Amy's my little girl and I love her, but I am so amazed and impressed at all the things she managed to accomplish in the race. This race has brought the two of us closer together, and I feel like I've already won.

Current standings:

1 – Billy and Lily

2 – Higsby and Mari

3 – Samus and Reed

4 – Ratchet and Skid

5 – Guile and Amy (ELIMINATED)

6 – Luigi and Daisy (ELIMINATED)

7 – Tabby and Bea (ELIMINATED)

8 – Plum and Scarlet (ELIMINATED)

9 – Nina and Steve (ELIMINATED)

10 – Jon and Jody (ELIMINATED)

11 – Crono and Marle (ELIMINATED)