Leg Nine

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Before the race starts, we see Mr. Jowai walking along the inside of a wrestling ring.

Mr. Jowai: The world of Final Fight. Here in Metro City is where the dreaded Mad Gears gang collapsed. And in the heart of the city is Sodom's wrestling ring, one of the more popular attractions now, was the eighth and final Pitstop in a race around the VG universe.

Mr. Jowai: We're now down to our final three teams. Only one of these teams can win the grand prize, but they must get to the finish line if they want it.

We then see clips of the six remaining racers, talking one-on-one to the camera.

Higsby: (to the camera) Mari and I have lasted this long. We may as well go all the way. The other teams have to watch out, because Mari and I are going to pull every stop for this.

Reed: (to the camera) I would love to see Samus and I come in first, mainly because it would shock everyone else so much. I mean, the two of us have just barely avoided elimination more times than anyone else so far.

Lily: (to the camera) All alliances are dropped now. It's every team for themselves. Billy and I are going to cross that finish line first. I can assure you that.

Samus: (to the camera) Reed and I are in this to win. Now that we're in the final three, we can show everyone else what we're made of. I'm confident that the two of us can pull out on top for this.

Mari: (to the camera) We're going to win. No questions asked. Higsby and I have a teamwork that the others don't, which gives us the edge here. We have to make sure we do everything right, because every move cunts at this point.

Billy: (to the camera) For Lily and I to win, we'll need to use our heads as much as we can. We'll show everyone that if we work together and get along, we'll be the ones standing on the finish line first.

We see a clip of Samus and Reed arriving at the Pitstop to the roar of cheering fans.

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

(PITSTOP)

It's early in the morning as Samus and Reed prepare to leave the Pitstop. However, it's so early that it's still dark out, meaning the two friends still need a flashlight to read the clue. Once the appropriate time arrives, Samus and Reed open the clue.

(SAMUS and REED – First to Depart)

Samus: (rip) Drive yourselves to the Entertainment District.

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) Teams must now drive to the Entertainment District of Metro City and search for this restaurant. Inside, they must search around the place for this person, Andore, who will hand them their next clue. However, the restaurant won't open until eight in the morning.

Samus: You get one dollar for this leg of the race.

Reed: (pulls out a single dollar bill) Got it. Let's go.

Samus and Reed get out of the wrestling ring (with empty bleachers) and walk up the ramp leading out of the arena. The two friends end up walking out of the building, where they spot three marked cars lined up outside, waiting for them.

Samus: There's the cars, Reed. Let's grab one and start driving.

The best friends jump into one of the cars, start it and drive off with Reed behind the wheel.

Reed: How far is it going to take us to get there, Samus?

Samus: (looking at a map) A good while. By the time we arrive, the others will probably be getting ready to leave.

(30 MINUTES LATER)

(HIGSBY and MARI – Second to Depart)

Higsby: (rip) Let's get going, Mari. With any luck, Samus and Reed will be stuck somewhere until the morning and we'll be able to catch up.

Mari: (nods) Okay.

Higsby and Mari leave the building and get into one of the two remaining marked cars. Higsby throws the car into gear and drives off as Mari directs him. As they pull away, the final teams leaves the Pitstop.

(BILLY and LILY – Last to Depart)

Billy: Well, here we are, sis. The final leg.

Lily: Maybe we can pull ahead.

Billy: There's always the hope. (rip) Drive to the Entertainment District.

Lily: Let's go, Billy!

The siblings run out of the building and dart over to the final marked car, hoping to make up for lost time. Billy gets behind the wheel and drives off.

(SAMUS and REED)

The two friends arrive at the restaurant and park their car, Getting out, Samus grabs their backpacks as Reed goes over to the door.

Reed: Samus, the restaurant's closed.

Samus: Just as we figured. What time does it open?

Reed: Eight.

Samus: (sigh) So much for our lead. Looks like we're camping out for a few hours, Reed.

(TIME PASSES)

Higsby and Mari pull up to the restaurant and see Samus and Reed sleeping on the ground.

Higsby: Looks like it's closed. (parks the car)

Mari: Yeah. It looks like we have to sleep for a bit.

Just as Higsby and Mari pull out their sleeping bags and lay down, Billy and Lily show up. They see the others and get out of their car.

Lily: (checks the sign on the door) It opens at eight.

Billy: (sighs in relief) Well, we caught up. It's anyone's game now.

Lily: Let's get some sleep, bro. I think we're going to need it.

(8:00)

The three teams wait impatiently for the restaurant to open. Samus and Reed stand at the front of the line and are the first to spot a worker approach the window and unlock the front door, letting everyone in.

Getting inside, the three team look around at all of the people inside the restaurant that were let in through the back door. Some are sitting, some are ordering food and some are reading newspapers.

Billy: How're we going to find this 'Andore' guy in this crowd?

Higsby: (whispering to Mari) From what I know, I think Andore is a huge wrestler in a pink outfit.

Mari: (nods and whispers) I think you're right. Let's start searching.

Higsby and Mari sneak off, managing to do so without the others noticing.

Reed: (goes over to a guy sitting at a table) Are you Andore?

The man shakes his head, leaving Reed to go find someone else.

Reed: This is tricky. I sure wish I had paid more attention to the Final Fight games.

As it turns out, Billy and Lily are having just as tough a time finding Andore as Samus and Reed are. They try talking to several different people and don't have very much luck in finding anything.

Lily: This may take a while, Billy. Neither of us have any idea who this guy looks like.

Billy: The only thing we can do is keep searching, sis. Come on.

Meanwhile, Higsby and Mari are searching around the other side of the restaurant and spot a huge man, reading a newspaper that covers his face.

Mari: Look at the size of that guy! It's gotta be Andore!

Higsby: Excuse us, sir?

The man pulls the paper away from his face, showing that he is, in fact, Andore.

Higsby: I understand that you have a clue for us.

Andore nods and hands Higsby an envelope.

Mari: Thanks!

(HIGSBY and MARI – First at Clue 1)

Higsby: (rip) Fly to the world of Ratchet and Clank.

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) Teams must now book fights to the world of Ratchet and Clank. Once they land, they must find these marked cars in the parking lot, where they'll find the next clue on the dashboard.

Mari: Let's get out of here before the others notice us.

Higsby: I'm with you.

Higsby and Mari quickly start going towards the exit, but Lily manages to spot them leaving Andore.

Lily: Billy! Look!

Billy: Higsby and Mari got the clue! Let's go!

Samus and Reed luckily heard Lily as well and spot Higsby and Mari leaving.

Samus: Okay! The big guy with the newspaper is the one we want!

Reed: Let's hurry and get the clue!

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Higsby and Mari fly out the front door of the restaurant and quickly jump into their car, driving off.

Mari: Okay. (picks up the map) We need to find the airport now.

Higsby: Shouldn't be too hard. Let's see if we can keep this lead until we reach the airport.

Inside the restaurant, Andore hands the other teams their clues, then returns to his newspaper.

(BILLY and LILY – Second at Clue 1)

(SAMUS and REED – Last at Clue 1)

Billy: (rip) Fly to the world of Ratchet and Clank.

Lily: Let's go, bro!

Samus: (rip) Come on, Reed! Our lead's gone and we're last again!

Reed: Way ahead of ya, Samus! Luckily, we parked our car close to the door.

The two teams race out of the restaurant and Billy quickly sees that Higsby and Mari are long gone.

Billy: Man. We lost them.

Lily: Billy! Come on!

Billy snaps back to attention and sees Lily waiting for him in the car and Samus and Reed pulling away. Billy quickly jumps into the remaining car and drives off after Samus and Reed.

(SAMUS and REED)

Samus: Quick, Reed! Which way to the airport?

Reed: (looking at a map) Left!

Samus turns the car to the left, making it go around the corner.

(BILLY and LILY)

Lily: Follow them, bro!

Billy: Got it! Hang on, sis!

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Mari: There's the airport entrance over there!

Higsby: I see it, Mari!

Higsby pulls into the parking lot and quickly finds a spot to park their car. They quickly get out, grab their backpacks and run into the airport.

Higsby: Okay. We just need to find an airline with an early flight.

The two look around the airport and quickly spot an airline. They go over to the counter.

Mari: We need two tickets to the world of Ratchet and Clank.

Ticket agent: (hands them the tickets) The flight will leave in two hours.

Just as Higsby and Mari receive their tickets, Samus and Reed come into the airport, followed by Billy and Lily. They see Higsby and Mari leaving the counter and run over.

Billy: Did those two just buy tickets to the world of Ratchet and Clank?

Ticket agent: They did.

Samus: We need some tickets for tat flight as well.

Ticket agent: Let me just check and see if there's any more room.

The two teams wait in anticipation, knowing that this could determine whether or not Higsby ad Mari get a huge lead on them.

Ticket agent: You're all on the flight. (hands them the tickets)

Lily: (exhales) That sure is a relief.

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) All three teams are now on the same flight, and will arrive at their destination at one in the afternoon.

(PLANE - Arriving)

The six racers dash through the airport, although Higsby is leading the pack. As they get out o the airport, they spot the line of three marked cars parked, waiting for them. They can easily see a clue resting on each dashboard.

Higsby reaches the marked cars first, picks one and opens the driver's door. As Mari approaches, Higsby grabs the envelope from the dashboard.

(HIGSBY and MARI – First at Clue 2)

Higsby: (rip) Drive to Jowai Resort.

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) Teams must now drive to Jowai Resort, the vacation spot owned by yours truly. Once there, they must look for this bridge hanging over the ocean, where they'll find the next clue.

Mari: Let's go!

As Higsby and Mari climb into their car, the other teams grab the other clues.

(SAMUS and REED – Second at Clue 2)

(BILLY and LILY – Last at Clue 2)

Reed: (rip) Jowai Resort.

Samus: I'll drive, Reed. Let's get going.

Billy: (rip) Come on, Lily. We need to catch up.

Lily: Got it, bro. You just drive.

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Mari: Okay. According to this map, there should be a space tunnel connecting this planet to Pokitaru. That planet is where the Jowai Resort is.

Higsby: Okay. Where is it?

Mari: Give it about ten minutes and we should see it in plain view.

Higsby: Got it.

(BILLY and LILY)

Billy: Which planet is the Jowai Resort on, sis?

Lily: (reading a map) Pokitaru. There's a space tunnel a little bit away that should allow us to drive there.

Billy: Works for me.

(SAMUS and REED)

Reed: Keep driving, Samus. The space tunnel connecting Kerwan to Pokitaru should be coming up soon.

Samus: No problem, Reed. Just let me know when we're getting close.

The three teams drive on for a bit until the team in the lead spot a see-through tunnel shooting off into space.

Higsby: Is that it, Mari?

Mari: Yes! That's it! That's the tunnel!

Higsby: Okay! Hang on!

(SAMUS and REED)

Samus: They're driving towards the tunnel!

Reed: After them, Samus!

Just as Samus is about to speed up, he notices Billy and Lily pulling up beside him, then passing him.

Samus: Drat! Billy and Lily just pulled past us!

Reed: We need to keep up with them! We don't want to fall behind!

(BILLY and LILY)

Lily: You passed them, Billy! Great work! You think we can pass Higsby and Mari as well?

Billy: No way, sis. They're too far ahead and they're almost at the tunnel.

Billy is indeed right, as Higsby and Mari's car quickly goes into the tunnel.

(HIGSBY and MARI)

As soon as the car goes into the tunnel, it starts floating upwards.

Mari: Hey! What's going on?

Higsby: Heh. Whaddya know? An anti-gravity tunnel. (turns off the car) It saves us the gas getting there.

The three teams fly through space inside the tunnel, going towards Pokitaru.

(BILLY and LILY)

Lily: (looking out the window) Wow! Look at this, Billy! This is so cool!

Billy: Yeah. I never thought I'd see the day when we'd actually be going through space. This is great.

Eventually, the three cars arrive at Pokitaru. The drivers turn on the respective cars as they're pushed out of the tunnel and onto the sunny, water-filled planet of Pokitaru. After they land on the wooden dock, Higsby and Mari quickly spot the clue box sitting by a walkway over the water.

Mari: There's the clue box!

Higsby quickly parks the car and jumps out, running over to the clue box. The tall man reaches inside the clue box and pulls out the first envelope.

(HIGSBY and MARI – First at Boss Battle)

Higsby: (rip) It's a Boss Battle!

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

Mr. Jowai: A Boss Battle is a task that only one person can perform, and the team may not proceed until the task is finished. In this Boss Battle, that racer must get to the top of this bridge by using the many walkways and take a leap of faith into the warm waters of the planet. After they hit the water, the racer must then swim over to the ladder by the docks and climb out. Only then will they receive the next clue.

Higsby: "Who's ready to take the plunge?". That'd be me.

Mari: Are you sure.

Higsby: I'm fine. I'll be right back.

As Higsby runs off, the other two teams show up, get out of their cars and run over to the clue box.

(BILLY and LILY – Second at Boss Battle)

(SAMUS and REED – Last at Boss Battle)

Billy: (rip) I'll do it, sis.

Lily: Okay. Be careful, Billy.

Samus: (rip) You want me to do it, Reed?

Reed: It's all right, Samus. I can do this one.

Billy and Reed run off after Higsby as Lily and Samus join Mari in waiting for their return.

(HIGSBY)

Higsby runs along the wooden walkways as fast as he can, trying to get to the bridge.

Higsby: Okay. Where do I have to go to get to the bridge.

Suddenly, Higsby spots a tent covering the walkway. Curiously, he goes inside.

Higsby: What the deal with the tent?

Worker: You need to change into your swim trunks. Don't worry, we'll make sure your partner gets your stuff for you.

Higsby: (nods) Okay.

As Higsby goes behind a curtain to change, Billy and Reed arrive in the tent.

Worker: Before you guys go any further, you need to change into your swim trunks so you won't lose any valuables when you hit the water.

Billy: Works for me.

Billy and Reed go behind two more sets of curtains to change.

(DOCKS)

Mari wrings her hands nervously and Lily and Samus notice this.

Lily: What's wrong?

Mari: I'm just a little worried for Higsby. I'm looking at that bridge over there and it looks like it's at least two hundred feet to the water.

Lily: Ah, don't worry. Back in Onett, Billy and I jumped off a cliff inSaturn Valley into a lake after completing the Cheat Code.

Samus: Yeah. If Higsby is as strong alone as you two are as a team, I wouldn't worry.

Mari: Thanks. I'm feeling a little better now.

Lily: Say, Samus? You're looking amazingly calm. Aren't you worried about Reed?

Samus: (laughs) You kidding? Reed and I jump into lakes all the time. Sometimes, it was the only way to get away from our employer.

(TENT)

Higsby emerges from the other side of the tent, clad only in a pair of loud swim trunks. Even his glasses were left behind. Due to this, Higsby is having a bit of trouble seeing where he's going.

Higsby: Where's the bridge? Where's the bridge?

Not long after Higsby runs out of the tent, Billy and Reed come out as well, each of them clad in a pair of swim trunks.

Reed: The bridge is just up ahead now.

Billy: Yeah, but why does Higsby look like he's struggling to run a little?

Reed: Did you see him put his glasses back on?

Billy: Uh…I don't think so.

(DOCKS)

Worker: (approaches Mari) Excuse me, miss.

Mari: (turns) Yes?

Worker: (hands Mari Higsby's clothes) Once the guy with the funny hair reaches the docks again, give him these. It's all his stuff he was to leave behind after changing into his swim trunks.

Mari is about to reply when she spots Higsby's glasses sitting atop the pile of clothing.

Mari: (wide-eyed) He didn't wear his glasses!

(BRIDGE)

Although his vision is a little fuzzy, Higsby manages to spot the bridge coming up. He works his way over to the edge and gets ready to jump.

Higsby: When can I jump?

Worker: Anytime you're ready.

Higsby nods and, after a moments hesitation, jumps from the bridge. He then does the two hundred-foot free-fall into the ocean. After he goes under the water, Higsby frantically swims to the surface and pokes his head above the water.

Higsby: Mari! Where are you? I can't see that well!

Mari: Over here, Higsby! Over here!

Higsby swims in the direction of Mari's voice and soon manages to reach the ladder. Higsby climbs up the ladder until he reaches the top, where Mari quickly puts the glasses back on his eyes.

Mari: Why the heck did you jump without your glasses!

Higsby: I didn't want to run the risk of losing them underwater.

After Mari hands Higsby his stuff, a worker hands her the clue.

(HIGSBY and MARI – First at Clue 3)

Mari: (rip) Go back to the airport and book flights to VG Central!

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) Teams must now drive back to the airport and book flights to VG Central, a world where all sorts of franchises collide. Once there, they must climb to the top of the largest tower in the node, where they'll find the next clue on the roof.

Mari: Higsby, this is the final destination! Let's go!

Higsby: (wearing a shirt and shoes over his swim trunks) We're almost finished!

Lily doesn't see Higsby and Mari climb into their car, as she is busy watching Billy jumping off the bridge. A worker had handed her Billy's clothes a while ago, and she is ready to hand them to Billy as soon as she can.

Samus, meanwhile, is watching Reed get ready to jump. Reed, however, has a pair of goggles on as he looks down at the water. As soon as Billy is far enough away, Reed jumps. However, as soon as he is under the water, Reed puts his goggles to use and starts swimming towards the ladder before he even swims to the surface.

Meanwhile, Billy has arrived at the top of the ladder and takes his stuff as Lily recieves the clue.

(BILLY and LILY – Second at Clue 3)

Lily: (rip) Fly to your final destination, VG Central!

Billy: (slipping a shirt on) Let's go, sis!

As the Kanes run off, Reed pulls himself onto the docks, grabs a towel and quickly dries himself off before grabbing his shirt. Samus receives the clue.

(SAMUS and REED – Last at Clue 3)

Samus: (rip) Fly to VG Central. Reed, this is the last flight we're going to take!

Reed: You drive, Samus. I'll continue getting changed in the backseat.

(HIGSBY and MARI)

The duo's car is floating down the space tunnel, flying towards Kerwan again. Like before, Higsby has the engine turned off.

Mari: Hey, Higsby? You have a phone on you?

Higsby: Yeah. (hands Mari a cell phone) Why?

Mari: (looks up a number on the map and starts dialing a number) I'm phoning the travel agent at the airport to make sure we get on the earliest flight.

Higsby: Great thinking! That way, we can get on the plane quicker.

Mari: Well, you'd better start thinking fast, Higsby.

Higsby: What for?

Mari: We're approaching Kerwan.

Higsby turns to see Kerwan approaching rapidly. He snaps to attention and starts the car.

(SAMUS and REED)

Reed: (now fully changed and reading a map) Okay, Samus. To get back to the airport we need to hang a right after exiting the tunnel.

Samus: No problem. The thing I'm worried about is that the others will get on an earlier flight.

(HIGSBY and MARI)

At the end of the tunnel, Higsby and Mari's car shoots out. Higsby hangs a right, making the car go down the road leading back to the airport.

Mari: Thanks. (hangs up the cell phone) We managed to get on the flight leaving at four. I triple-checked it and that's the earliest flight.

Higsby: (exhales) That's good. If none of the others get on that flight, we'll be a good bit in the lead.

(TUNNEL)

The other teams arrive at the end of the tunnel and turn right, following Higsby and Mari.

(AIRPORT)

After about ten minutes, Higsby and Mari pull into the parking lot. Higsby quickly parks the car and gets out. After they grab their stuff, Higsby and Mari dash into the airport, hoping to get their tickets before the others see them.

Inside the airport, Higsby and Mari end up knowing where to go due to Mari's earlier phone call and quickly arrive at the ticket counter.

Mari: We were the ones who ordered the tickets to VG Central a few minutes ago.

Ticket agent: Ah, yes. Just a second.

Higsby and Mari quickly get their tickets for their flight, which leaves in a good two hours. After their seats are confirmed, Higsby and Mari quickly go over to the benches and sit down, Higsby putting on a cap to hide his hair.

Suddenly, Billy and Lily show up.

Lily: That was some driving, Billy! You pulled away from Samus and Reed and gave us about two minutes!

Billy: Thanks, sis. But we need to get the tickets for the flight.

The Kanes go over to the counter Higsby and Mari were at, hoping to get tickets.

Billy: We need two tickets to VG Central.

Ticket agent: Here you go. (hands them the tickets)

Lily: Thank you, sir!

The Kanes go over to the benches and sit down, unknowing that Higsby and Mari are sitting a few benches behind them.

Lily: (suddenly spots something, then whispers) Billy! Here comes Samus and Reed!

Billy: (rips his bandana off his head) Head down, Lily. Head down.

Billy and Lily slouch over and look at the ground. Luckily, Samus and Reed don't notice them and continue on, looking for an airline. They also unknowingly pass Higsby and Mari.

The two friends continue on through the airport, almost going to the other side of the building.

Reed: Man. Where's the airline that can take us to VG Central?

Samus: Let's try that one over there.

Samus and Reed go over to the counter to try and get tickets.

Reed: Do you have any tickets to VG Central?

Ticket agent: (hands the pair some tickets) The flight leaves in two and a half hours.

Samus: (nods) Thank you.

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) Unknowingly walking by the earlier airline, Samus and Reed are behind the first plane containing Higsby and Mari, and the Kanes. Samus and Reed will end up in VG Central half an hour after the first two teams.

(PLANE 1 – Arriving)

Hisgby and Mari run through the airport with the Kanes hot on their heels. Soon, they race out of the airport and run out to the road to hail a taxi.

Higsby: Taxi! Taxi!

Lily: (whistles) Taxi! Stop!

Luckily, the teams manage to get two taxis, although Higsby and Mari get theirs first.

Higsby: (gets in) Pong Memorial! Pronto!

Billy and Lily get into their taxi as Higsby and Mari's taxi drives off.

Billy: Follow them! We're in a race!

Driver: Yes, sir!

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Mari: How long will it take to get to Pong Memorial?

Driver: About twenty minutes.

Higsby: We don't know how far we are ahead of Samus and Reed, so we need to hurry with the next task.

Mari: (nods) Exactly what I was thinking.

(BILLY and LILY)

Billy: We need to get to Pong Memorial. Are we going in the right direction?

Drive: Yes, you are.

Lily: Man. If we're competing against Higsby and Mari for the grand prize, we're going to have a tough time.

Billy: No argument here, sis. We need to pull every punch if we're to finish first.

(SAMUS and REED)

Reed: (returns to his seat on the plane) Samus, I've checked everywhere on the plane I can go. I can't find any sign of the others.

Samus: So we're either up front or behind.

Reed: (nods) I don't really have a good feeling about this, Samus. I have a feeling we got on the wrong flight.

(VG CENTRAL)

Eventually, Higsby and Mari's taxi pulls up into the giant building's parking lot. Billy and Lily quickly follow. After paying the drivers, the two teams race into the building, almost neck-in-neck with each other.

Higbsy: The clue said to get to the roof! But how do we get there?

As Higsby ponders this, Billy and Lily dive into an elevator and close the doors, starting their trek to the roof.

Higsby: Huh!

Mari: Quick, Higsby! Into the other elevator!

(BILLY and LILY)

Eventually, the elevator arrives at the roof. Billy and Lily jump out and run onto the roof. They quickly spot the clue box sitting close to the edge.

Lily: There it is!

The siblings run over to the clue box and pull out the first envelope.

(BILLY and LILY – First at Split Track)

Lily: (rip) The last Split Track!

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

Mr. Jowai: A Split Track is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons. In this Split Track, teams have to choose between 'Quick' or 'Long'. In 'Quick', teams must repel themselves down the wall of the building all the way back down to the parking lot, where they'll receive the next clue. This task is frightening, but teams will finish faster. In 'Long', teams must take the elevators back down to the eleventh floor and search the rooms on the floor until they find a clue in one of the desks in an office. There's nothing scary about this task, but searching through all of the desks on the floor could take a long time.

Lily: I say we repel.

Billy: I'm with you, sis. Let's go.

As Billy and Lily go over to the edge and start to get suited up, Higsby and Mari dart onto the scene. They race over to the clue box and grab the second clue.

(HIGSBY and MARI – Second at Split Track)

Higsby: (rip) You wanna repel, Mari?

Mari: (nods) It may be the only chance we have left.

Higsby and Mari run over to get suited up and see that Billy and Lily are just about ready.

(PLANE 2 – Arriving)

Samus and Reed, somehow knowing that they're in last place, run out of the airport as fast as they ca and quickly run into the streets.

Reed: (sees a taxi coming) Taxi! Over here!

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

Samus: We're in a race and we need to get to Pong Memorial!

The driver takes off, making his car zoom out of the parking lot.

Samus: If we hurry, maybe we can catch up to the others.

Reed: There's always the hope.

(SPLIT TRACK)

Billy and Lily start to repel down the wall of the building as Higsby and Mari suit up. The Kanes amaze the others by going down the wall at a quick pace.

Higsby: (straps a helmet on) Man. Look at those two go.

Mari: We're going to need to go fast here, Higsby.

Higsby: (turns to a race official) When can we start?

Official: You can't go until the other team reaches the ground.

Mari: (sighs) This could be trouble.

Billy and Lily quickly reach the bottom of the building and are detached from the cables. As soon as Billy is released, he is given a clue.

(BILLY and LILY – First at Clue 4)

Billy: (rip) Drive a marked car to Sundown Beach and find the Eternal Champion.

Mr. Jowai: (voice-over) Teams must now take one of three marked cars and drive to Sundown Beach. Once there, they must find the Eternal Champion, whom is sitting down along the shoreline. Once they find the Champion, he'll give them the final clue.

Billy slips out of the climbing outfit as Lily gets unhooked. As soon as Lily gets unhooked and gets out of the climbing outfit, they race over to the line of marked cars, pick one and get in. After starting the car, Billy drives off. As Billy and Lily leave, Higsby and Mari start repelling down the wall of the building.

Higsby: (going down the building semi-quickly) How're you fairing, Mari?

Mari: (going a little slower) This is a little scary, Higsby. I'm trying to go as fast as I can.

Higsby: Let's just try to do this. We're almost done.

It takes Higsby and Mari a little bit, but they eventually reach the bottom. Higsby is released first and is given the clue as the officials start working on releasing Mari.

(HIGSBY and MARI – Second at Clue 4)

Higsby: (rip) Sundown Beach.

Mari: (slips out of her climbing outfit) Come on, Higsby! We need to catch up to the Kanes!

Higsby: (quickly gets out of his climbing outfit) Coming, Mari!

Higsby and Mari quickly get into the second marked car and drive off, hoping to make up for lost time.

(BILLY and LILY)

Lily: (reading a map) Sundown Beach is about ten minutes west, Billy!

Billy: No problem, sis! We're in the lead and hopefully, Higsby and Mari are far enough behind.

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Higsby: Okay, Mari! Where's Sundown Beach?

Mari: (reading a map) Give it about fifteen minutes and we should be getting close.

(SAMUS and REED)

The friends' taxi shows up at Pong Memorial. The two get out, grab their backpacks, pay the driver and race into the building.

Samus: Okay. We need to get to the roof.

Reed: (presses a button on the elevator) Going up!

Samus and Reed jump into the elevator and go up to the roof. Once they reach the roof, they get out of the elevator and see the clue box.

Reed: There it is, Samus! Let's get it!

Samus quickly reaches into the box and pulls out the last clue.

(SAMUS and REED – Last at Split Track)

Samus: (rip) Let's repel, Reed. We're in last place and we need to finish quick.

Reed: Agreed. Let's go.

The two friends go over to the edge of the roof and allow themselves to be suited up.

Samus: We made good time getting here, so maybe we can finish this task quickly and stay in the race.

(BILLY and LILY)

Lily: Here we are, Billy! Here we are!

Billy: Okay! I'll just park the car and we can start searching for the Eternal Champion.

Billy parks the car as he and Lily jump out and run onto the beach to start searching for the Eternal Champion. Unfortunately, the beach is littered with a lot of people, meaning that the two will have a harder time.

Lily: This could be tough. What would the Eternal Champion look like?

Billy: From what I hear, he looks like the boss with shiny skin. Let's see if we can find him.

(SPLIT TRACK)

Samus has reached the ground in record time, and Reed touches the ground a few seconds later. The two are helped out of their climbing outfits as Reed gets the clue.

(SAMUS and REED – Last at Clue 4)

Reed: (rip) Find the Eternal Champion.

Samus: Let's go, Reed! We did that in record time!

Reed: Yeah! We might still be in the race!

The two jump into the marked car left and drive off, hoping to catch up.

(BILLY and LILLY)

Lily: Look, Billy! Is that him over there?

Billy: He looks like Geese and he's got a shiny face! That's gotta be him!

The Kanes run over to the sitting figure, hoping that it's who they're looking for.

Billy: Are you the Eternal Champion?

The man looks up, reaches into his gi and pulls out a clue, handing it to Billy.

Billy: Thanks! (rip) Make your way to the Finish Line!

Before the race continues, we see Mr. Jowai standing on a platform in field.

Mr. Jowai: Teams must now drive themselves to this field in the heart of VG Central, which is used by almost everyone in the node. This field, which gives people an amazing view from all angles, is the Finish Line of the race. The first team to check in will be declared the winners of the race.

Lily: Let's move, Billy! We're heading to the Finish Line!

Billy and Lily fly back to their car, get in and drive off just as Higsby and Mari show up. The two get out of their car and run onto the beach.

Mari: You know what this Eternal Champion guy looks like, Higsby?

Higsby: The only thing I know is that he's got a shiny head. But that describes at least ten people around the VG universe.

Mari: Well, we'd better hurry if we're to catch up with the Kanes.

(SAMUS and REED)

Samus: How much longer, Reed?

Reed: We've been taking short ways ever since we left the Split Track. Give it about five minutes and we should be there.

(BILLY and LILY)

Lily: Well, this is it. The Finish Line.

Billy: Yep. (looks at Lily) You nervous, sis?

Lily: Terrified.

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Mari: Huh? (suddenly spot the Eternal Champion sitting on the beach) Higsby! I think I see him!

The strong-willed duo dashes over to the Eternal Champion to ask for a clue.

Mari: Are you the Eternal Champion?

The Champion again reaches into his gi, pulls out a clue and hands it to Mari.

Higsby: Thank you, sir! (turns to Mari) Where now?

Mari: (rip) (gasp) The Finish Line!

Higsby: Let's move, Mari! If we're to have any hope of catching up with the Kanes, we need to leave now!

Higsby and Mari run back to their car and get in. Starting the car, they drive off to the Finish Line.

(BILLY and LILY)

The Kanes, unfortunately, have run into severe traffic problems and are stuck.

Lily: Oh, no! This isn't good at all! Higsby and Mari are gonna beat us there for sure now!

Billy: We're not out yet, Lily! The traffic's starting to break up, so we can continue on soon!

Lily: I only hope it's enough…

(SAMUS and REED)

The two friends fly onto the beach to start looking for the Eternal Champion.

Samus: Man. This stinks. I don't have any clue what this Champion guy looks like.

Reed: Don't worry, Samus! I know what he looks like perfectly! This won't take us long at all!

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Mari: We're almost there, Higsby! Once we arrive, we start running.

Higsby: Yeah. We'll need to run through a couple of pathways first I hear.

Mari: (nods) I've been to VG Central before. The Central Park is actually uphill a bit. That's what gives it a great view from wherever you stand.

(SAMUS and REED)

Luckily, Reed did know what the Champion looked like, and managed to find him in a matter of seconds. He and Samus are given the clue.

Samus: Thanks! (rip) Reed! We're going to the Finish Line!

The two friends run back to their car, get in and drive away, hoping to stay in the race.

(BILLY and LILY)

Billy: (looking around) You see Central Park, sis?

Lily: (points) Is that it over there, Billy?

Billy: Yeah! That's it!

(HIGSBY and MARI)

Mari: There's Central Park!

Higsby: We're going in!

The two teams park their cars and run into Central Park from different angles, although we don't see how much time is between them.

(THE FINISH LINE)

Mr. Jowai is standing on top of the race platform, watching the path where the teams will come from. Standing in two lines on either side of the platform are the eight eliminated teams, with the final eliminated teams standing closest to the platform. Everyone watches and waits intently for the first team to arrive. Suddenly, they hear people coming. Everyone instantly starts cheering as………

………Billy and Lily round the corner. The siblings see everyone cheering for them and instantly are excited. They start running up the hill leading to the Finish Line, the platform Mr. Jowai is standing on.

We see Crono and Marle. Marle is cheering while Crono is silently pumping a sign that reads 'Go, Kanes, Go!' into the air.

We see Jon and Jody. They're both cheering for their two friends excitedly.

Jon: (motioning for Billy and Lily to come forward) Come on, guys! You're almost there!

Billy and Lily continue running up the hill. Billy pumps his fist into the air several times as he runs.

We see Nina and Steve. Although she isn't as excited as Steve is, Nina is clapping her hands with a slight smile on her face.

We see Plum and Scarlet. Scarlet is clapping with an excited smile while Plum is much more excited, also pumping his fist into the air.

Billy and Lily are about to reach the two lines of teams. Both look tired, but neither are slowing down in the slightest.

We see Tabby and Bea. The girls are jumping in place as they clap and cheer excitedly.

We see Luigi and Daisy. Daisy is jumping excitedly just as Tabby and Bea are as Luigi cheers Billy and Lily on.

Billy and Lily reach the lines of teams and start high-fiveing everyone as they run.

We see Guile and Amy. Amy cups her hands over her mouth and lets out a loud shout.

Guile: (pointing at the Finish Line) Right here, guys! Right here!

We see Ratchet and Skid. The mismatched duo claps and cheers wildly for the first-place team.

Billy and Lily run through the lines of teams and jump onto the huge platform with Mr. Jowai to await the final result. Everyone stops cheering.

Mr. Jowai: Nine legs! Ten destinations! Over 78,000 miles! Billy and Lily, you ARE the winners of the first-ever Amazing Race: VG Style!

(BILLY and LILY – Winners!)

Billy and Lily: YES!

As everyone resumes cheering like there's no tomorrow, the siblings embrace, Billy lifting his little sister off the ground.

Mr. Jowai: (smiles) How does it feel, guys?

Billy: (sets Lily down and smiles widely) I don't believe it! When Lily and I applied for the race, we never thought we'd actually be the ones to win! This feels so great!

Lily: (wipes tears of happiness from her eyes) I never thought Billy and I would win anything in our lives! This is the best I've ever felt in a long time!

Mr. Jowai: Do you have anything to say to these eliminated teams that stand before you now?

Lily: (turns) I'm really sorry that you guys didn't win, because you were all amazing racers and good competition. A few times, Billy and I were worried that we would lose to some of you because you were such good racers.

Mr. Jowai: How about your partner? You have anything to say about each other?

Billy: (wraps an arm around Lily's shoulder) Lily is the best sister I can ask for. She's put up with me for all these years ad I love her more than anything else in this world.

Lily: (hugs Billy) I couldn't have done this without Billy! Without him, I wouldn't be able to do anything! I owe him so much more than he realizes and he doesn't even expect anything in return! How could I ask for a better brother?

Later, everyone cheers as Higsby and Mari run through the lines of teams and jump onto the platform, joining Billy and Lily with Mr. Jowai.

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

(HIGSBY and MARI – Second Place)

Higsby: (nods) Hey, we had a great time.

Mr. Jowai: No one expected you two to last very long, but here you are,standing on the Finish Line in second place. That's gotta be something special, huh?

Mari: It is. I'm real glad that Billy and Lily beat us, because they deserve and need the money so much more than Higsby and I do.

Mr. Jowai: Anything you'd like to say about each other?

Higsby: Mari has surprised me leg after leg. She's braved everything imaginable to be here and all I can say is that I wouldn't be standing here right about now if I didn't have Mari as my partner.

Mari: Same with me. Every time I felt like I wasn't going to make it, Higsby pulled me back up and helped me continue. In my opinion, he's the perfect partner and I couldn't have asked for anyone better.

Soon, everyone is cheering again as Samus and Reed run up the hill and jump onto the Finish Line with the other two teams.

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

(SAMUS and REED – Third Place)

Samus: (whew)

Mr. Jowai: You guys have had more escapes than anyone else in the race, yet you still managed to last this long and finish third. How does that make you feel?

Samus: I'm okay with it. Reed and I had a blast doing this and that's all that matters. We've been through so much during the past twelve years that this was an amazing experience.

Mr. Jowai: What do you two have to say about each other?

Samus: What can I say? Reed's been my best friend since the Tinto Academy. He and I did things in the race that I never thought we'd ever get to do. I wouldn't have done the race with anyone other than him.

Reed: Samus said it all. He's my pal and we've been through everything you could possibly imagine before applying for the race. I'm fine with the outcome, because we lasted this long and were able to travel to places I could only dream of visiting. Without Samus, I wouldn't even be here today.

We then see clips of the six racers talking one-on-one with the camera.

Samus: (to the camera) I loved doing the race. Every second of it. I would gladly do it again in a heartbeat, but only if Reed would be my teammate again. If I had anyone else, I wouldn't last nearly as long.

Reed: (to the camera) This race has taught me to give it your all no matter what you do. Samus and I came in third. Out of eleven teams, that's really good, so I'm perfectly happy with the results.

Higsby: (to the camera) Second place isn't so bad. Hey, I applied for the race in hopes of getting to know Mari more, and due to the fact that we lasted so long, I know more about her than I ever thought possible. Now I think I finally have the guts to finally ask Mari out.

Mari: (to the camera) Higsby has shown me just how much we know about each other. This race has finally allowed me to realize my feelings for Higsby, and now the only thing I can do is hope that he'll ask me out sometime.

Billy: (to the camera) Winning this race is the best thing that's ever happened to me. Like I said, I never would have thought that Lily and I would arrive at the Finish Line first. I had so much fun, and I did it with my sis. I couldn't ask for anything better.

Lily: (to the camera) This was the biggest thing that's ever happened to me. I've done things I never would have done outside of the race, and now I'm so glad Billy and I entered, because now here we are: the winners! Next thing on my list is to get Billy to quit Geese's organization.

The final thing we see is a slow-motion shot of all eleven teams gathered around, letting out a loud cheer together.

Final Standings:

1 – Billy and Lily (WINNERS!)

2 – Higsby and Mari

3 – Samus and Reed

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 Jody (ELIMINATED)

11 – Crono and Marle (ELIMINATED)

Author's note: Finally! I'm done! I'm thinking of starting a brand new race eventually, but I want to get to work on my site for a bit first. Thanks for the hits and reviews for the story!