NOTE: Yes, all legs are elimination legs. However, if I ever do a sequel, I'll still make it as long as a normal Amazing Race by throwing in fourteen teams rather than eleven.

Leg Eight

111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

Before the race starts, we see Mr. Jowai walking along a sidewalk.

Mr. Jowai: The world of Earthbound. Here, weirdos dressed in blue run amuck, tree-hugging hippies look alike and one particular villager bares a striking resemblance to Mr. T. And, in the heart of Onett, Ness' house. This home of the young hero was the seventh Pitstop in a race around the VG Universe.

The portly alien starts walking towards the camera and continues talking.

Mr. Jowai: When we started, we had eleven teams. But one by one, they were eliminated…

We suddenly see quick clips of all of the other teams being eliminated, starting with the first.

Mr. Jowai: (archive footage) Crono and Marle…Jon and Jody…Nina and Steve…Plum and Scarlet…Tabby and Bea…Luigi and Daisy…Guile and Amy…

The camera suddenly goes back to the present, where the host is talking.

Mr. Jowai: And now, we are down to our final four teams:

We see footage of Higsby and Mari shell-surfing in the Mushroom Kingdom.

Mr. Jowai: Higsby and Mari…

We see footage of Ratchet and Skid skating through Neo-Tokyo.

Mr. Jowai: …Ratchet and Skid…

We see footage of Billy and Lily wandering the streets of Station Square, looking for a taxi.

Mr. Jowai: …Billy and Lily…

We see footage of Samus and Reed at the Pitstop in Southtown, being told that they're still in the race.

Mr. Jowai: …And Samus and Reed. Which one of these four teams will walk away with the one million dollars as the winners of the Amazing Race: VG Style? Before that can happen, one more of these teams needs to be eliminated. Which one will it be? We're about to find out.

We see Billy and Lily, soaking wet, arrive at the Pitstop.

Mr. Jowai: Billy and Lily, whom were the first to arrive, will be the first to depart, twelve hours later.

(PITSTOP)

As if you were expecting something different, it's night out as the Kanes prepare to leave the Pitstop. Just as the clock on the Pitstop goes to the appropriate time, Billy turns on his flashlight as Lily rips open the clue.

(BILLY and LILY – First to depart)

Billy: Where're we heading?

Lily: (rip) Metro City!

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) Teams must now race to the airport and book flights to the world of Final Fight, where the trio of Cody, Guy and Haggar took down the dreaded Mad Gears gang. Once they arrive in Metro City, they must go to the Industrial Sector of the city, where they'll find the next clue.

Lily: Come on, Billy. We need to get to the airport as quick as we can.

The two siblings walk towards the road to hail a taxi to take them to the airport.

Billy: (voice-over) You can't imagine how proud I am of my sister. We've done pretty much everything imaginable, and then some, and Lily's taken it all like she's been doing these things for years. I mean, she leapt off a cliff into a pond. I think this race is really bringing us closer together.

Lily: Taxi!

Luckily, a taxi pulls over, allowing the two to get in. Billy and Lily throw their backpacks into the trunk and jump in the backseat.

Billy: To the airport! We have a flight to catch!

The taxi takes off as Billy re-reads the clue to make sure that they know what they need to do. Eventually, they arrive at the airport and get out and pay their driver. After grabbing their backpacks, Billy and Lily run into the airport.

Lily: Okay. We need to find an airline and find the quickest flight possible.

Billy: That shouldn't be a problem. Let's go.

The two siblings run to the nearest airline to see what the earliest flight is at.

Billy: We need a flight to Metro City. Are there any seats available on the earliest flight?

Ticket agent: (checks) Yes, actually. We've got a few seats left. The flight leaves in three hours.

Lily: (sighs) Well, there goes our lead. We'll take it, thanks.

After purchasing the tickets, Billy and Lily go over to a bench and sit down.

(PITSTOP)

(HIGSBY and MARI – Second to depart)

Mari: (rip) Book a flight to the world of Final Fight.

Higsby: Let's get moving.

We see Higsby loading their backpacks into a taxi as Mari tells the driver where to go.

Higsby: (voice-over) Mari and I have been in the race longer than we could have predicted. We've been surprising ourselves since the first leg, and now that we're in the final four, we're in this to win.

Mari: (gets into the taxi) Okay, so you know where we're going, right?

Driver: Airport. No problem.

Higsby: Good. Let's get going.

Because Higsby and Mari have such a lead on the next team, they arrive at the airport before the next team departs. Higsby grabs their backpacks as Mari pays the driver. As the taxi drives off, the two run into the airport and quickly find a ticket counter.

Higsby: We need two tickets to the world of Final Fight.

Ticket agent: No problem. There's still some seats left.

Higsby and Mari pay for the tickets and walk over to the benches, where they spot Billy and Lily. They sit down and wait.

(PITSTOP)

(SAMUS and REED – Third to depart)

Samus: (rip) Make your way to the Industrial sector of Metro City.

Reed: Well, Samus. Here's hoping that we can survive another leg.

Samus: Yeah. We've been struggling the past several legs. If we can survive one more, we're in the final leg.

The two friends run up to the streets and hail a taxi. They quickly load their stuff into the trunk just as the next team is ready to leave.

(RATCHET and SKID – Last to depart)

Ratchet: (rip) The world of Fatal Fury.

Skid: Let's move, dude. We're last.

The two friends run down the street just in time to see Samus and Reed's taxi driving away.

Ratchet: There goes Samus and Reed!

Skid: (whistles) Taxi!

Ratchet: (voice-over) This race is definitely helping Skid and I work together better. You see, Skid's never exactly been the adventurous type, and is usually on the cowardly side. But the further we go in the race, the better Skid seems to be doing.

(SAMUS and REED)

Reed: (to camera) Okay. We have no idea how to get to the airport, so we're just hoping that our driver here knows the way.

Samus: What I'm more worried about is that Ratchet and Skid pass us. They're been known to be speedy, even in taxis.

Eventually, the two taxis arrive at the airport, Samus and Reed barely managing to beat Ratchet and Skid. As Samus and Reed run into the airport, Ratchet and Skid grab their backpacks.

Inside the airport, Samus and Reed don't end up going to the airline the previous teams had gotten tickets from. Instead, they mistakenly run right past it and try to find another airline.

As the Tinto soldiers run off, Ratchet and Skid run into the airport and dart over to the ticket counter.

Ratchet: We need tickets to Metro City, please.

Ticket agent: Here you are. (hands them the tickets) The flight leaves in four hours.

Ratchet and Skid thank the ticket agent and walk over to the benches, where they're surprised to see Samus and Reed absent.

Ratchet: Where's Samus and Reed?

Billy: I thought they were with you guys.

Skid: They didn't get tickets from over there, dude?

Higsby: (shakes his head) Sorry, but none of us saw them.

(SAMUS and REED)

Reed: Where the heck can we find an airline!

Samus: Look! Over there!

The two friends run over to the counter to order tickets.

Samus: We're wondering if you've got tickets available for the flight to Metro City.

Ticket agent: I do, actually. (hands the two the tickets) The flight leaves in three hours.

Reed: Say, did any other teams come here for tickets?

Ticket agent: What? No. You guys are the first ones.

Reed: (sighs, then looks at Samus) I think we just got ourselves eliminated. Everyone else probably got an earlier flight.

Samus: Well, it was good while it lasted. Let's go sit down.

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) Unknown to them, Samus and Reed actually got the earlier flight, and will land in Metro City an hour ahead of the second flight containing the Kanes, Higsby and Mari, and Ratchet and Skid.

(PLANE 1 – Arriving)

Completely oblivious to the fact that they're in the lead, Samus and Reed, carrying their backpacks, dart out of the doors coming from the plane amongst a large group of people. The two friends, thinking that they're last again, run out into the roads to hail a taxi.

Reed: Taxi! Taxi!

Luckily, a taxi quickly stops, allowing the two friends to jump in.

Samus: (to the driver) The Industrial District! Hurry!

The taxi drives off with Samus and Reed inside, leaving the two friends to wonder what their position is.

Samus: Hopefully, we're still in the race. We can't be THAT far behind.

Reed: Let's face it. There's probably a reason none of the others got on our flight. They found a quicker flight and are probably halfway to the Pitstop by now.

Samus: Say. How far IS it to the Industrial District from here, anyway?

Reed: (checking the map) I'd say about a ten minute drive in good traffic.

Soon, Samus and Reed's taxi arrives in the Industrial District. The two friends look out the windows for the clue.

Reed: You see it, Samus?

Samus: No…Wait a minute! Yes! There it is!

Reed: (to the driver) Stop the taxi!

After the taxi stops, the two friends jump out and run over to the clue, completely unprepared for what they're about to discover.

(SAMUS and REED – First at Clue 1)

Samus: (opens the box, then does a double-take at all the clues inside) What! All the clues are still here!

Reed: We're first! I don't believe it! We're in the lead! (pulls a clue from the box)

Reed: (voice-over) When Samus and I saw that we were actually in the lead, we just couldn't believe it. We had been worried on the plane that the others had managed to find an earlier flight, but as it turned out, we were the ones to get the earlier one! Our luck had just made a drastic turn for the better for once.

Reed: (rip) Climb the elevator and search for the next clue.

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) This elevator is the same one Guy had his fight with Rolento. Teams must now ride this elevator one at a time until they get to the top. Once at the top, they must look out around the city for the race flag, which shows the location of the next clue.

Samus: Let's move, Reed! Now that we know that we're winning, we don't know how far behind the others are.

Reed: Where do we go? The elevator could be anywhere here.

Samus: Look. I see a little flag over there. It's telling us where to go.

Reed: (nods) Okay. Let's go!

The soldiers dash headlong into the Industrial District, following the trail of flags with hopes of finding the elevator quickly. It takes them about five minutes to run, but they eventually spot the elevator and run onto it. Reed jams the up button several times as the platform starts moving, taking the two friends upwards.

Reed: So, we can't look around the city until we get to the top?

Samus: (reading the clue) It doesn't look like it.

Eventually, the elevator reaches the height of the lift. As soon as it does, Samus and Reed start looking out around the city for the flag.

Samus: You see it, Reed?

Reed: (sighs) Not yet. I'm really hoping we spot it soon.

The two friends continue watching for the flag for a couple more minutes, still having not a lot of luck. When suddenly…

Reed: Hey, Samus! I see the flag! It's over there! (points to a huge flag hanging on the side of a building)

Samus: (squints and looks in the direction Reed is pointing) Isn't that area the Slums?

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) Teams must now ride the elevator back down to the ground, jump into a marked car and ride across the city to the Slum District, where they'll find the next clue.

Reed: (jams the down button on the elevator) It'll take a good while to drive over there. That could give the others time to catch up.

Samus: We have to remain optimistic, Reed. We're in the lead for once, so let's try and keep it that way for the leg.

Reed: Got it.

Samus and Reed eventually reach the ground again and race out of the elevator, quickly finding some marked cars.

Reed: Here, Samus. I'll drive. You navigate.

Samus: Okay. (jumps into the back and grabs the map)

Reed gets behind the wheel, throws the car into gear and drives off, and it just so happens that at that time…

(PLANE 2 – Arriving Early)

The other teams race through the airport, Higsby and Mari in the lead once again. The teams dash out of the airport and hails taxis. A trio of taxis pull up, allowing the teams to get in. Ratchet and Skid, although not the first ones out of the airport, are the first ones to drive away. Higsby and Mari follow and the Kanes bring up the rear.

Ratchet: (looks back) Okay. We need to get to the Industrial District ahead of them if we're going to stay in the race.

Skid: I'm not worried, dude. Samus and Reed are probably way back there with no hope of catching up in time.

Ratchet: Yeah. You're probably right.

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Higsby: Hey. Ratchet and Skid are turning down that road. Is that the way to the Industrial District.

Driver: That way? No. To get to the Industrial District, you need to go straight.

Mari: Those two are going in a completely different direction!

Higsby: Well, I guess they'll figure it out sooner or later.

(BILLY and LILY)

Billy: (points at Higsby and Mari's car) Follow them. I have a feeling Ratchet and Skid just took a wrong turn.

Driver: Yes, sir.

(RATCHET and SKID)

Skid: (looks back) They're not following us, dude.

Ratchet: We must have taken a wrong turn! (to the driver) This is the way to the Industrial District, right?

Driver: What? You wanted to go to the Industrial District?

Ratchet and Skid: YES!

The driver quickly turns the taxi around and starts going the right way.

Ratchet: I don't believe this! We're behind again!

Eventually, the two lead taxis reach the Industrial District. Thinking that they're in the lead, they jump out, pay their respective drivers and race over to the clue box.

(HIGSBY and MARI – Second at Clue 1)

(BILLY and LILY – Third at Clue 1)

Mari: Huh! (pulls out a clue) One's already been taken!

Lily: (voice-over) When I heard that one of the clues was already taken, I quickly knew that it wasn't Ratchet and Skid. That meant that Samus and Reed managed to find a different flight and get here first! Now that I knew that Billy and I were among the teams bringing up the rear, I knew we had to try even harder.

Mari: (rip) Take the elevator one team at a time to the top and search for the next clue.

Billy: (rip) Follow the trail of flags to the elevator.

Lily: Come on, Billy! Let's go!

The two teams race off down the trail of flags just as Ratchet and Skid show up. The tall and short duo get out of their taxi and pay their driver, then run over to the clue box.

(RATCHET and SKID – Last at Clue 1)

Skid: What the hey! (pulls out the last clue) This is the last one!

Ratchet: Samus and Reed got an earlier flight! No way!

Skid: We gotta try really hard here, Ratchet. (rip) Take an elevator ride and search for the next clue around the city.

Ratchet: I see the trail of flags, Skid. Let's get moving!

Meanwhile, at the elevator, Higsby and Mari manage to beat Billy and Lily to the elevator and are the first to ride it upwards. The strong-willed duo travel upwards.

(SAMUS and REED)

Samus: Here we are! The Slums!

Reed: (notices the huge flag on a building with the clue box on the ground) Okay! There's the box!

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Mari: (looking through binoculars) Higsby! I see the flag!

Higsby: You do? Where is it?

Mari: The Slums! And I think I see Samus and Reed there as well!

Higsby: (jams the down button on the elevator) We're not terribly far behind then. Hopefully, we can catch up.

(SLUMS)

(SAMUS and REED – First at Boss Battle)

Reed: (rip) A Boss Battle. Who has a keen sense of direction?

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

Mr. Jowai: A Boss Battle is a task that only one person may perform, and the team cannot continue until the task is done. In this Boss Battle, that person has to navigate through this building and get to the top floor, where they'll see the clue. Once they find the clue, he or she must navigate back through the building and get back to their partner.

Samus: I'll do it. Wait here, Reed. I'll be right back.

Reed stands on the sidewalk as Samus runs into the building.

(ELEVATOR)

Higsby and Mari jump off the elevator and run off to find the marked cars as Billy and Lily get onto the elevator. Ratchet and Skid stand and wait for their turn.

Higsby and Mari quickly find the marked cars. Higsby gets behind the wheel and drives off once Mari is in the backseat with the map.

(BOSS BATTLE)

Samus wanders through the building, looking for the staircase that will take him to the upper floor. So far, he has already managed to get to the second floor, and only needs to go up one more floor to get to the clue.

Samus: Man. Where the heck is it? I need to hurry. I'm losing time.

Luckily, Samus manages to find the staircase and climbs up, getting to the top floor.

Samus: Okay. Now where's the clue?

The dark-skinned soldier searches the top floor, but eventually finds the clue box by the window. Samus quickly runs over to the window and sticks his head out to look at Reed.

Samus: Reed! I found the clue!

(BILLY and LILY)

Billy: There's the clue, sis! It's over in the slums!

Lily: (looks) Hey, yeah!…Isn't that Samus sticking his head out the window?

(BOSS BATTLE)

Samus quickly reaches into the clue box, grabs a clue and runs off, starting his trek back through the building.

(ELEVATOR)

Ratchet and Skid wait impatiently for the Kanes to finish on the elevator. Once Billy and Lily touch the ground again, Ratchet and Skid jump onto the elevator and start their trek to the top. Billy and Lily, in the meantime, run off to find the marked cars.

The Kanes quickly come upon the marked cars and jump into one of them, driving off to get to the slums.

(BOSS BATTLE)

Samus flies out of the building's door and reunites with Reed. As soon as he does, he opens the clue.

(SAMUS and REED – First at Clue 2)

Samus: (rip) Drive to the other side of the Slums.

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) Teams must now drive themselves to the other side of the Slums until they see this group of fifty Mad Gear henchmen scattered around the area. Only four of them have a clue, and they all look alike, so teams must search carefully for the right ones.

Reed: Let's get going. (jumps back into their car)

Samus gets back into the backseat as Reed starts the car and drives off.

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Mari: Okay. We should be arriving at the Slums within the next fifteen minutes, so we can only hope that Samus and Reed run into some troubles with their clues.

Higsby: Well, we're in second place. That's not too bad.

(ELEVATOR)

Skid: There it is, dude! I see the flag!

Ratchet: (presses the down button, making the elevator start to travel down) Where is it?

Skid: The Slums, Ratchet! If we hurry, we can catch up to the others!

(BILLY and LILY)

Billy: (to the camera, but doesn't take his eyes off the road) Right now, Lily and I are about three minutes behind Higsby and Mari, and we don't know how much of a load we have on Ratchet and Skid.

Lily: But man, Samus and Reed. They're WAY ahead. I wouldn't be surprised if they beat everyone to the Pitstop with half an hour to spare.

(SAMUS and REED)

The two friends drive along the Slums until they finally spot a large group of men scattered around. Some are standing, some are sitting, some are talking to others. And to make matters worse, they indeed all look alike. Reed pulls the car into a parking space and gets out.

Reed: How're we supposed to find a clue in THIS crowd?

Samus: (gets out) Let's start looking and hope we find a clue quickly.

Reed: (goes over to one of the men) You wouldn't happen to have a clue, would you?

Man: (shakes his head)

Reed: (sighs) This could take a little while.

(RATCHET and SKID)

Skid: (driving) This isn't looking good, Ratchet. We're in dead last and the team in the lead has about thirty minutes on us.

Ratchet: Well, we'll see what happens, Skid. Keep driving and we'll see how quickly everyone is doing the tasks.

(BOSS BATTLE)

Higsby and Mari pull up to the building with the flag on the wall and jump out of their car. The two race over to the box and pull out a clue.

(HIGSBY and MARI – Second at Boss Battle)

Mari: (rip) Boss Battle. Who's ready to be 'A-MAZE-ed'? I am.

Higsby: You sure you wanna do it?

Mari: Positive. You've done so many already.

Higsby nods as Mari runs into the building. Not long after she does, the next team shows up. Billy and Lily jump out and run over to the clue box.

(BILLY and LILY – Third at Boss Battle)

Billy (rip) Boss Battle.

Lily: (raises hand) I'll do it!

Billy: (shrugs) Okay. Good luck, sis.

Lily runs into the building, chasing after Mari. Billy walks over to Higsby and waits with him.

(SAMUS and REED)

Reed: This is taking forever! We must've gone through about twenty of these guys so far!

Samus: (to another possible clue-holder) Are you one of the guys with a clue?

To Samus' surprise, the man reaches into his jacket and pulls out a clue.

Samus: Hey! Thanks! Reed! I got a clue!

(SAMUS and REED – First at Clue 3)

Samus: (rip) Travel by subway to the docks.

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) Teams must now abandon their cars and run to the subway station two blocks away. They must get on a subway train bound for the docks. Once there, teams must search along the long pathway for the next clue.

Samus: You up for a jog, Reed?

Reed: Sure. Why not?

After grabbing their backpacks from their car, Samus and Reed run off, starting their trek towards the subway station.

(BOSS BATTLE)

Inside the building, Mari has made it to the second floor, while Lily has just found the stairs leading to the second floor. Both women keep looking for the next set of stairs leading to the clue, but so far haven't had any luck.

Mari: It must be around here somewhere. I've been searching the middle floor for about three minutes now.

Suddenly, Mari spots the next set of stairs, and rushes up them. At the top of the stairs, Mari finds herself in a huge room wit the clue box against the far wall. Mari dashes over to the clue box and pulls out an envelope.

Mari: (quickly sticks her head out the window) I found the clue, Higsby! I'm coming down!

Just as Mari starts running back towards the stairs, Lily appears at the top. The younger Kane sibling quickly spots the clue box and rushes over, pulling out another envelope.

Meanwhile, outside, Ratchet and Skid, slowed down from a couple of lights, finally show up. They pull up, jump out and grab the final clue from the box.

(RATCHET and SKID – Last at Boss Battle)

Skid: (rip) I'll do it, man. Wait here a second.

As Ratchet joins Higsby and Billy waiting outside the building, Skid high-tails it inside to start searching for the clue.

(SAMUS and REED)

The two friends run down the stairs leading to the subway station and quickly go over to a counter to buy tickets.

Samus: We need tickets for the train heading to the docks.

The two soldiers quickly get the tickets as they continue on and jump onto the subway.

Reed: (sits down) Well, now what?

Samus: Hope that none of the other teams show up.

(BOSS BATTLE)

Mari dashes out of the building with the clue and runs over to Higsby, whom runs towards her to close the gap between them.

(HIGSBY and MARI – Second at Clue 2)

Mari: (rip) Drive to the other side of the Slums.

Higsby: Let's get going. Samus and Reed have already come and gone.

As Higsby and Mari jump back into their car and drive off, Lily comes out of the building as well. Billy quickly goes over to meet his sister.

(BILLY and LILY – Third at Clue 2)

Lily: (rip) Come on, bro! We're behind!

The Kanes get back into their car and drive off, leaving Ratchet waiting outside the building, alone.

Ratchet: I wonder where Skid is…

Meanwhile, Skid is seen reaching the clue box. He quickly grabs a clue and runs back downstairs.

(SAMUS and REED)

Luckily, none of the other teams show up, and the subway doors close. The train starts moving, taking Samus and Reed towards the docks.

Reed: (sighs in relief) Whew! That's a relief.

Samus: (nods) We're still in the lead, so hopefully we can get to the Pitstop with plenty of time to spare.

Reed: (silence for a few seconds) Boy. This feels kinda weird, being up front for once.

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Mari: (looking at a map) Okay. We should be getting there anytime now.

Higsby: Right. Just look for a huge group of people.

The two quickly spot the large group and look around.

Mari: How're we supposed to find a clue among these guys? They all look alike!

Higsby: We may as well start. Billy and Lily are right behind us.

As Higsby and Mari get out of their car and start searching, Billy and Lily show up.

Billy: Here we are! (parks the car) Now, we just need to find one of the four guys with a clue.

Lily: Three now. Samus and Reed were probably here already.

The Kanes quickly get out and start wandering the crowd.

(BOSS BATTLE)

Skid finally flies out the door of the building, clue in hand. Ratchet quickly meets up with him.

(RATCHET and SKID – Last at Clue 2)

Skid: (rip) Search a large group for a clue.

Ratchet: Let's go, Skid! We're in last place!

The tall and short duo jump back into their car as Skid drives off.

(SAMUS and REED)

The friends' subway arrives at the docks and stops at the station, allowing Samus and Reed to jump off and run up a flight of stairs that takes them into the streets.

Reed: Okay. Where's the clue box?

Samus: (reading the previous clue) It says that it's somewhere along the long pathway.

Reed: Let's start searching. It's around here somewhere.

The soldiers of Tinto start walking along the walkway, looking around for the clue box.

(RATCHET and SKID)

The mismatched duo's car shows up at the huge group of Mad Gear henchmen. They quickly get out of their car and look around.

Ratchet: I see Higsby and Mari over there!

Skid: And there's the Kanes, dude! We caught up!

Ratchet: Let's start searching. There are still three clues around here somewhere.

Shortly after Ratchet and Skid start searching, Billy and Lily get lucky.

Lily: Do you have a clue at all?

Man: (reaches into his jacket, pulls out a clue and hands it to Lily)

Lily: Wow! Thanks! (calls out) Billy! I got a clue!

(BILLY and LILY – Second at Clue 3)

Lily: (rip) Travel by subway train to the docks.

Billy: It says we have to run to the station. Let's go.

As Billy and Lily run off, Higsby manages to find a clue as well. Mari sees this and runs over.

(HIGSBY and MARI – Third at Clue 3)

Higsby: (rip) Travel to the docks by subway.

Mari: Let's move, Higsby!

(SAMUS and REED)

Reed: Look, Samus! There's the clue box!

Samus: (starts running faster) Let's go get it! We're still in the lead!

The two best friends run over to the clue box and pull out the first clue.

(SAMUS and REED – First at Split Track)

Samus: (rip) A Split Track.

Before the race continues, we see Mr. Jowai walking along the docks.

Mr. Jowai: A Split Track is a choice between two tasks, each with it's own pros and cons. In this Split Track, teams must choose between 'Barrels' and 'Beaches'. In Barrels, each team member must carry a barrel on his or her back and carry it through this marked course. The course isn't very far, but carrying the barrel that long could be difficult for some racers. In Beaches, teams must run out onto the beach and search this marked area for a clue buried in the sand. This task isn't physically challenging, but it could take a long time for teams to actually locate the clue.

Reed: I say we carry the barrels. We're both in good shape.

Samus: (nods) You're right. Okay. Let's do it.

(RATCHET and SKID)

Ratchet finally manages to get a clue. After calling Skid over, he opens the clue.

(RATCHET and SKID – Last at Clue 3)

Ratchet: (rip) Let's start running, Skid! We need to catch the subway before it leaves!

Skid: Right behind ya, little dude!

(SAMUS and REED)

The two friends walk along the marked course, a barrel strapped to each of their backs. They're proving that they are indeed in shape, as they're making good time.

Samus: You think we're still in the lead, Reed?

Reed: I'd say so. We were the only ones on that subway.

(SUBWAY)

Higsby and Mari are waiting at the subway station with Billy ad Lily, hoping that the next train comes by soon.

Suddenly, the subway train arrives and come to a halt by the platform. The two teams step onto the train and sit down.

However, just as the doors are about to shut, Ratchet and Skid fly down the stairs leaving to the platform and jump onto the train. The doors shut as the train starts mving along the track, taking all three teams to the docks.

Ratchet: (clutching his knees) Man! We barely made it!

Skid: (voice over) I was so relieved when Ratchet and I made it onto the train. Now we were even with the others in a battle for second place, because we knew where Samus and Reed were.

(SAMUS and REED)

The friends, carrying the barrels, are still walking along the route until they spot the race flag by a clue box.

Samus: There's the box! Let's go, Reed!

Reed: (running) I'm trying, but this barrel is really weighing me down.

The two friends run past the flag, finishing the task. Race attendants aid them in taking off the barrels, and once they're off, Samus and Reed run over to the box and take out a clue.

Samus: (rip) Run to the next Pitstop!

Before the race continues, we see Mr. Jowai walking down a ramp in a wrestling ring as the crowd screams in applause.

Mr. Jowai: (having to shout over the roar of the crowd) Teams must now run, not drive, to the wrestling ring that mayor Mike Haggar defeated Sodom in, which is about seven blocks away. This arena, now being used as a normal arena, is the Pitstop for this leg of the race. The last team to check in here will be eliminated.

Samus: Warning. The last team to check in may be eliminated.

Reed: Well, we know it's not us! Let's start running!

The two friends easy spot the buiding containing the wrestling ring a long ways away and start running towards it. It takes them a good seven minutes, but Samus and Reed arrive at the building.

Samus: Here it is!

Reed: Race you to the Pitstop, Samus!

(SUBWAY STATION)

As Samus and Reed run into the building, the subway train containing the other teams arrives. All six of the racers fly out of the train and run up the stairs leading into the streets.

Higsby: Okay. The clue box is supposed to be along the walkway by the beack somewhere.

Skid: Have you seen how long that thing is though, dude? It'll take us forever just to find it!

Lily: Let's start looking. Samus and Reed are probably at the Pitstop by now.

The three teams run along the walkway for a few minutes before Higsby suddenly spots the clue box.

Higsby: There! Over there!

The three teams run over to the box and grab a clue at almost the same time.

(HIGSBY and MARI – Second at Split Track)

(RATCHET and SKID – Third at Split Track)

(BILLY and LILY – Last at Split Track)

Higsby: (rip) Split Track. You think we should search the beach, Mari?

Mari: No way! The barrels are the quicker task. I say we do that.

Skid: (rip) I say we search the beach, little dude. I don't think either of us are fit enough to carry a barrel that size.

Ratchet: You said it, Skid. Let's go!

Billy: (rip) I'm with Higsby and Mari on this one. The barrels are the quicker task.

Lily: (nods) I agree, Billy. Let's go.

(PITSTOP)

Mr. Jowai stands in the middle of the indoor wrestling ring with mayor Haggar by his side. The stands are packed with screaming fans as Mr. Jowai points to the entrance ramp, showing where the teams will come from.

Suddenly, Samus and Reed emerge from behind the curtain and freeze when they see all of the cheering people around. As soon as they see the two friends, the audience's cheering goes up about ten notches. Samus and Reed look aroun din awe.

Reed: Look at all these people!

Samus: And they're cheering for us! Come on, Reed! Wave!

As Samus and Reed run down the ramp leading to the ringside, they wave to the crowd, showing their appriciation. Once they reach the ringside, Reed slides underneath the ropes around the ring and helps Samus up. The two friends run over to the mat and jump on.

Haggar: (using a microphone) Welcome to Metro City!

Reed: Thanks!

The audience's cheering dies down as Mr. Jowai gives the verdict.

Mr. Jowai: (using a microphone) Samus and Reed…You're team number one!

(SAMUS and REED – First place)

As soon as Mr. Jowai says that, the audience goes ballistic.

Samus: (shoots his arms into the air) YES! WE'RE FINALLY FIRST!

Reed: (pulls his friend into a hug) The final three teams, Samus! Let's win this thing!

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Mari: (easily carrying a barrel) This isn't so bad.

Higsby: No. But all we can do is hope that we can beat the others to the Pitstop.

(BILLY and LILY)

The Kanes are a little ways behind Higsby and Mari, and look like their struggling a little.

Lily: I don't understand how Higsby and Mari are doing this so easily. This barrel is pretty heavy.

Billy: Unless something happens, it looks like we'll have to settle for third as long as we can beat Ratchet and Skid.

(RATCHET and SKID)

Ratchet and Skid are digging through a large area of sand, searching for a buried clue. So far, they haven't had much luck.

Ratchet: The clue has to be in here somewhere. It's not like there's only ONE hidden in the sand.

Skid: (continues digging) I know, dude. Don't worry, though. We'll find it.

Ratchet: Yeah, but I'm just hoping that we can find it fast enough to stay in the race…

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Mari: Look, Higsby! There's the flag!

Higsby and Mari pick up the pace and quickly reach the flag. After the race officials get the barrels off of their backs, Higsby and Mari go over to the clue box and take out the clue.

Higsby: (rip) The wrestling arena. Let's go, Mari! It says we need to run there!

Not long after Higsby and Mari run off, Billy ad Lily arrive. Carrying the barrels on their backs, the siblings pass the flag, completing the challenge. After the barrels are taken off their backs, Billy and Lily run over to the clue box and take out a clue.

Billy: (rip) The Pitstop! Come on, sis!

Lily: I wonder if we're still ahead of Ratchet and Skid.

(RATCHET and SKID)

Skid: Dude! I found a clue! (pulls an envelope from the sand)

Ratchet: Great! What's it say?

Skid: (rip) Run to the next Pitstop!

Ratchet and Skid: Let's go!

(BILLY and LILY)

Billy: (running) That's the building we need to get to over there!

Lily: (running) And I see Higsby and Mari going inside!

Billy: We need to pick up the pace, sis! We could be in last place now!

(RATCHET and SKID)

Ratchet: (running) You see the building, Skid?

Skid: (running) Yeah, dude. It's about five blocks away now.

Ratchet: Let's just hope that we're not out.

(PITSTOP)

Higsby and Mari run down the ramp leading to the ring, waving to the crowd as the audience cheers them on. The strong-willed duo climbs into the ring, runs over to the mat and step on. The audience quickly quiets down.

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

(HIGSBY and MARI – Second place)

As the crowd erupts in cheers, Higsby and Mari celebrate.

Higsby: YES! We're still in!

Mari: (hugs Higsby, again making him blush) This is it! We're in the final three teams!

Mr. Jowai and Haggar wait for the final safe team to show up. The crowd is silent in anticipation. Suddenly, the curtain at the top of the ramp is thrown aside as the audience erupts with cheers again.

Billy and Lily jump in surprise at the sudden outburst of applause, but they quickly recover and run down to the Pitstop, waving to the crowd. The Kanes climb into the ring and step onto the mat as the cheering dies down.

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

(BILLY and LILY – Third place)

Billy and Lily: YES! (embrace each other as the audience explodes with cheers)

Sad music plays as Ratchet and Skid run down the ramp leading to the ring. Even though they're in last place, the audience still cheers them on like there's no tomorrow. The mismatched team climbs into the ring and checks in. he cheering dies down again.

Mr. Jowai: Ratchet and Skid…(sigh) You're the last team to arrive.

Ratchet and Skid: (both nod)

Mr. Jowai: I never thought I'd say this to my own nodal companions, but I'm sorry to say that you've both been eliminated from the race.

Ratchet: Well, it was great while it lasted.

(RATCHET and SKID – ELIMINATED)

Later on, we see Ratchet and Skid talking to the camera.

Ratchet: While it's a real letdown being eliminated, I can't believe Skid and I made it to the final four teams. That's something that I'm really proud of.

Skid: I was hoping that Ratchet and I would go on to win this thing, but I guess that's the way the ball bounces. I'm totally satisfied with fourth place, though. I'm guessing that we really left an impression on our opponents, because Ratchet and I did things that people would think wold be impossible for someone as skinny as I am or as small as Ratchet is.

Ratchet: Aside from Clank, I would consider Skid my best friend. After all, he's the only one on the Phoenix that actually went into the line of danger aside from me. I'm really impressed at what he was able to accomplish, and I personally wouldn't have done the race with anyone else.

Skid: I owe Ratchet my life, man. I was turned into a robot once and the little guy here stopped at nothing until I was returned to normal. I knew that I had to overcome my fear of danger if I was to make it up to Ratchet, and I think that the race has really helped me with that. And now, I have this way past cool story to tell everyone when Ratchet and I get back to the Phoenix.

Current standings:

1 – Samus and Reed

2 – Higsby and Mari

3 – Billy and Lily

4 – Ratchet and Skid (ELIMINATED)

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 Joy (ELIMINATED)

11 – Crono and Marle (ELIMINATED)