Chapter 18: Austin

"Last time on the Ridonculous Race, teams went to Thailand where they ate a veggie feast, made metal bowls, and went roller blading. The Ice Dancers got a penalty, but they were able to get into the Chill Zone. The Adversity Twins finished last, but they were able to stay thanks to it being a non-elimination round. Where will we go next? And will it be another non-elimination challenge? Find out now on the Ridonculous Race." Don announced.

"We're still in Thailand, and last time's winners, the Cops get the first tip from the Don Box." Sanders hit the button, and got the tip.

"Our next stop is Austin." she read.

"Austin, Texas. Home to the capital building of Texas, scorching hot temperatures, and cowboy hats and boots. Teams will have to catch a flight to get there."

"Let's go, partner." MacArthur told Sanders.

And with that, all the teams hurried to the airport.

At the airport, there was a flight leaving, but there were only five spots available. The Cops, Ice Dancers, Sisters, New Couple, and the Surfer Dudes managed to get the spots, and the Goths, Adversity Twins, and Daters had to wait 20 minutes for the next flight.

"I wonder what we'll be doing in Texas." thought Kitty.

"I hope it isn't something too strenuous." Emma replied.

"You think we're gonna get to be cowboys?" Brody asked Geoff.

"I hope so, dude." Geoff replied.

Back at the airport, the other teams waited for the next flight.

"Don't worry, babe. The next flight will be here soon and we'll pull up in the rank." Ryan assured.

"I hope so. I want to get higher than we did last time." Stephanie told him.

"Do you think we have a chance of winning?" Crimson asked Ennui.

"Maybe." Ennui answered.

"If we win we want to go back to Transylvania and Finland." Ennui told the audience.

"It was so romantic when we went there." added Crimson.

When the second plane arrived, the teams hurriedly got on it, and flew off to Austin. With the first flight, it had just landed in Austin, Texas. The first group of teams ran out of the airport, and the Ice Dancers got to the Don Box first.

"It's an either/or." Jacques read.

The scene then cut to Don at a rodeo.

"For this either/or, teams will have to come to this rodeo and will either have to ride an actual bull for two whole minutes, or they can try their hand at being a rodeo clown with these other clowns at judges."

The teams caught taxis, and drove off to the rodeo.

"Do you want to go with the clowns or the bull?" asked Carrie.

"I think we should try the clowns. I remember what happened that last time I rode a bull." Devin told her.

"(Giggles), that's true."

Just when they arrived the second plane had just landed.

"And the second plane has just landed." Don announced.

The other teams got their tips, and then got their taxis. The Cops, and Ice Dancers chose to do the bull riding, while the Surfer Dudes and New Couple got dressed up in clown attire.

The Sisters were trying to decide which one they should do. Kitty made the decision for them to do the clown act.

"I can't believe we're going to be clowns." Emma complained, as she put a red nose on.

"Hey, would you rather ride a live bull?" Kitty asked her, as she took off her regular shoes and put on clown shoes.

Emma looked back, and saw the bull looking very aggressive.

"Let's get clowning."

"It's already embarrassing to be dressed like this on live TV. I just hope Noah or anyone at work doesn't see this." Emma confessed.

"They're totally gonna see it." Kitty whispered.

"All right, we've ridden a mechanical bull, so surely we can handle a real bull." MacArthur said.

"And plus we won't have full stomachs like last time." added Sanders.

"Stay out of our way cops. We're winning this challenge." Josee threatened.

The two scowled at them, and then headed towards the bull. The bull looked irritated and aggressive as they approached it. Josee carefully got on, but the second she sat on its back the bull started bucking and jumping around.

And just like that, the bull threw her off.

"Was that two minutes?" she asked.

"Actually it was five seconds." Jacques told her.

With the other teams, they were ready to start their clown act. There were three clown judges, and they were sitting behind a desk, waiting for them to start. The Surfer Dudes went first. Geoff was dressed in colorful shirt, and clown shoes and Brody had on big pants with suspenders, clown shoes, and a clown hat.

They began acting silly, but when they finished the clowns gave them a thumbs down. The two were dumbfounded.

"How could they have not liked our act?" asked Brody.

"Gotta step it up bro." Geoff told him.

As the other teams arrived, and quickly decided which challenge they would do. The Goths and Daters picked the bull, and the Adversity Twins picked being clowns. The bull was proving to be a tough challenge.

None of the teams were last even one minute. The Twins had got dressed in big shoes, silly hats, and pants with big suspenders.

"Well here goes nothing." said Mickey.

They went up to the clowns, and started acting silly. But then Jay accidentally, tripped over his own feet and fell. Then Mickey fell over his brother and the two ended up in a mess on the ground.

But to their surprise, the clown gave them a thumbs up, one of them gave them the next tip.

"We actually got the first tip?" asked Jay.

"This is amazing." added Mickey.

Mickey took the next tip, and read it.

"Race to the Chill Zone in the clown cars."

They hurried to a bunch of little colorful cars, and squeezed into one. Luckily it was easy to drive, and off they went. With the other teams, they were getting the hang of the bull.

The Goths managed to last the two minutes, and they got their next tip. Next to finish were the Surfer Dudes, then the Cops, and then the Daters. While the other teams struggled with their challenges, the others got into the clown cars.

"How am I supposed to get in there?" Ryan wanted to know.

"Come on, babe. If regular sized people can get in here you can fit in." Stephanie encouraged.

And so, Ryan squeezed inside the little car. He was able to squeeze in, but it was pretty cramped in there. "As the first group of teams make their way to the Chill Zone, the others are still trying to finish their challenges.

The first group are getting closer to the Chill Zone." Don announced.

The Adversity Twins, Goths, Surfer Dudes, Cops, and the Daters were driving down the road, and the Chill Zone was just a few feet away. Mickey stepped on the gas pedal harder, and their car sped up.

And then to their surprise, they got the Chill Zone first. As they got out of the car, Don smiled at them.

"Congratulations Adversity Twins. For the first time you're in 1st place." he told them.

The two looked at each other smiling.

"First place? This is amazing." Jay said.

"Our luck has officially turned around." Mickey added.

They then hi fived, and to their surprise they got it right.

2nd were the Goths, 3rd came the Cops, and the Surfer Dudes 4th. The remaining teams, the New Couple, Sisters and Ice Dancers finished riding the bull, and getting the thumbs up from the clowns.

They got in the clown cars, and raced to the Chill Zone. On the road, the Daters were going pretty slow. It turned out that Ryan's massive body was slowing them down.

"This is getting us no where." complained Ryan.

"Well that should we do?" Stephanie. Ryan thought for a moment, and then he got out of the car, and ran beside it.

"We may get a penalty, but at least we still have a chance." Ryan said.

"Hopefully." replied Stephanie.

As they hurried down the road, other cars passed them.

"Keep going, Jacques we must've come in last." demanded Josee.

"I'm going!" Jacques told her.

5th place came the Sisters, 6th the New Couple. It was now down between the Daters and Ice Dancers. The Ice Dancers went faster, and Stephanie and Ryan tried to go faster. They all came close to the Chill Zone, and it was close.

Then deciding to play dirty, Josee reached into her pocket and pulled out some marbles.

"I knew these would come in handy." she whispered.

And then she threw them out the window. They rolled on the road, and Ryan slipped while running and fell. Stephanie stopped the make sure he was okay, and this gave the Ice Dancers the advantage.

"Ice Dancers, you're 7th." Don told.

"We're still in this things!" Jacques cheered.

"Yes, but we better not come in so low again." threatened Josee, as she squeezed her partner's neck.

"Right." Jacques chocked.

"And Daters, I'm sorry but you're out." Don informed, as they came to the Chill Zone.

The two groaned and left.

"If it wasn't for those Ice Dancers we probably would've made it." Stephanie complained.

"I know, but hey we can cheer ourselves up with a date." suggested Ryan.

Stephanie smiled at him, and jumped on him.

"You always know how to cheer me up, babe."

That's chapter 18