The Mole 2: Anime Edition

Episode Six

Author’s Notes
Well, after the whole Moon thing, there hasn’t been all that much in terms of "Anime Edition," besides the cameos. That changes today, as Gundam Wing and Digimon provide us with some very interesting challenges today. Surprisingly enough, however, all of them are based on real challenges from international versions. Although, the Australian version obviously didn’t have Mobile Suits or Digimon to work with, they managed to find a decent alternative to use. Good for them. Also, since one challenge is based off of Survivor (yes, there are international equivalents!), there are a few references to Animation Survivor, the first fic in the AA canon.

Week Five Mole Poll: Ruki- 24%, Tamahome- 19%, three tied at- 14%

English/Japanese Name Changes
Frigimon/Yukimon
Divermon/Hangyomon

Contestants
Akane- Tomboy: "Ranma ½"
Jenrya- Puppy Watcher: "Digimon Tamers"
Kasumi- Romantic Tension: "Pocket Monsters"
Keitaro- Resident Manager: "Love Hina"
Kenji- Research Assistant: "Pocket Monsters"
Miaka- Student/Priestess: "Fushigi Yuugi"
Mitsune- Slacker: "Love Hina"
Motoko- Kendo Girl: "Love Hina"
Ranma- Freak of Nature: "Ranma ½"
Ruki- Card Shark: "Digimon Tamers"
Takato- Goggle Boy: "Digimon Tamers"
Takeshi- Hugh Hefner-Wannabe: "Pocket Monsters"
Tamahome- Bishonen: "Fushigi Yuugi"
Washu- Genius: "Tenchi Muyo"

Episode Six
(Mike is standing in front of an innocent looking computer.)
Mike: In many games, the fate of each player is determined by the other players. Friendships can be ended, alliances can be betrayed, and treachery can be rewarded… all by just writing somebody’s name on a piece of paper. But in The Mole, the quiz determines each victim. So does that mean that each player is responsible for themselves, and can control their own fates? Or is true when we say that each player executed… is a victim of the Mole?

Kenji: Kasumi certainly let me down. I had a lot riding on her. She was a source of information, and was a big help to me. But she failed. Fortunately, Takeshi is my trump card. I’ve noticed that he’s been particularly close to Kitsune. With her as one of my top suspects, that can definitely play to my advantage.

Mitsune: No offense Kasumi but that’s what you get for trusting Kenji!

Day Thirteen
(Morning. Everybody is in the lounge, where Barb awaits with a black haired woman of nineteen. Gundam Wing fans may know her as Lt. Lucrezia Noin. On the coffee table is a folder with the Mole thumbprint clearly imprinted on it.)

Barb: Once again, we’re going to hit the Anime Edition part of the show’s title pretty hard. We’re dividing you up into two groups. We need three people who are into mecha anime, and six people who like monster anime. The mecha trio will be taking off right now, so please make your decision fast.

(Washu raises her hand.)

Washu: I don’t know about you, but I’d rather work around machines than monsters.

Akane: That’s fine. Tamahome? Maybe you should do mecha.

(Tamahome smiles and raises a hand.)

Tamahome: Sure. Sounds good.

Barb: I need one more.

(Jenrya raises his hand.)

Kenji: Uh… Jenrya? Mecha over monster?

Jenrya: I’m already in a monster anime… I’m expanding my horizons!

Kenji: Whatever.

Barb: Alrighty. Washu, Tamahome, and Jenrya can come with me and Lt. Noin, while the rest of you can wait for Mike to get out of bed and set up the next challenge.

(Barb, Lt. Noin, Jenrya, Tamahome, and Washu walk out while most of the others go back upstairs. However, while nobody is looking, Akane takes the folder, hides it, and heads back upstairs.)

Akane: Last time, Tamahome and I were really caught off guard. We missed a lot of possible hints since we were both out of the running game. If Kasumi hadn’t filled me in on some of the details, we’d be in trouble. This time though, we’re a little more careful. Both Washu and Jenrya are high on my list, so that’s why I wanted to make sure Tamahome was watching them. He’s been suspecting Motoko and Ruki, so I can return the favor.

(Kenji is writing in his journal as Takeshi enters.)

Kenji: Hmm… why do you think Washu volunteered for that challenge?

Takeshi: Don’t know.

Kenji: Think it could be suspicious?

Takeshi: I think anything could be interpreted as suspicious.

(Kenji thinks for a second, then nods.)

Kenji: How true.

Takeshi: Tamahome on the other hand…

(Kenji shakes his head.)

Kenji: Tamahome volunteered for the challenge on Akane’s orders. I think she wants him to keep an eye on them. It’s obvious that they have an alliance and are trying to keep it secret.

Takeshi: Really?

Kenji: Yeah… amateurs.

(Kenji turns to Takeshi.)

Kenji: So what do you think this monster anime thing’s about?

Takeshi: No idea.

Kenji: Personally, I hope it has something to do with Digimon.

Takeshi: Digimon?

Kenji: Yeah. I mean, I’ve heard so much about them, and it would be great if I could finally get to sketch some. You know I’ve only seen one Digimon in my entire life?

Takeshi: I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Kenji: You know something… I don’t think Kasumi’s ever seen a Digimon before.

Takeshi: You shouldn’t have stabbed her in the back then.

(Kenji stands up, livid)

Kenji: Oh not this again! I did not stab Kasumi in the back! And since it’s going to come up eventually, I still didn’t stab Takato in the back!

Takeshi: Okay… okay… I believe you…

Kenji: I’m starting to think you did.

(Takeshi’s caught off guard.)

Takeshi: What? Me?

Kenji: Yeah. You and your Tamahome kick. I’ve been voting Kitsune for four straight quizzes and I’m doing fine. And I’ve been advising Kasumi to do the same thing. You come in, and you tell her that Tamahome’s the Mole. I think she was starting to buy into that. I bet that she was so unsure of whether to pick Kitsune or Tamahome that she couldn’t decide and got executed.

Takeshi: So it’s both our faults?

Kenji: No! Kitsune’s the Mole!

(Takeshi turns around and shakes his head.)

Kenji: T… Takeshi?

Takeshi: You got me. I could outsmart Kasumi, but there’s no outsmarting you.

Kenji: Pardon?

(Takeshi turns around and smiles.)

Takeshi: You’re right. I tried to get Kasumi executed by convincing her that Tamahome’s the Mole.

Kenji: (shocked) You did?

Takeshi: Sure. I mean come on, who would think Tamahome’s the Mole? What’s he done? Nothing!

Kenji: You’ve got to be kidding me! You orchestrated Kasumi’s execution!?

Takeshi: Certainly. You know what they say- can’t trust those third wheels. Now that she’s gone, we can work together to really do some damage. Kitsune’s been trying to get me on her side. I say we use that connection to get as much info as we can.

Kenji: Uh… um… yeah. Sure thing. I uh… gotta go.

(Kenji hustles out. Now alone, Takeshi frowns.)

Takeshi: I can’t believe I actually said that.

Takeshi: I feel really bad saying that to Kenji. The only reason I tried to convince Kasumi that Tamahome was the Mole was because I think Tamahome’s the Mole. But now that she’s gone, I really have to try to stay friendly with both Kenji and Kitsune. When it comes to Kenji, the only way I can keep from being controlled by him is to earn his respect. Hopefully that did the trick. If we’re on the same level, I have much more of a chance.

(Akane is in her room, looking through the contents of the folder. Inside are nine sheets of paper. Each has a picture of a Digimon, with various stats written below.)

Akane: Weird… what’s all this about?

(Akane walks into the hall, where she sees Ruki.)

Akane: Ruki? You’re into Digimon. I need your help with something.

(Ruki enters Akane’s room and looks at the picture.)

Akane: What is all this?

Ruki: They’re pictures of Digimon. Where’d you find them?

Akane: I found them downstairs. What do you think they’re for?

Ruki: I don’t know. Probably for a challenge or something.

(Ruki walks back out. Akane continues to look through the pictures.)

Challenge Eleven
(Meanwhile, at a nearby army base, Lt. Noin stands in front of a black mobile suit standing over fifteen feet tall. Jenrya and Tamahome are in awe. Washu nods in respect.)
Barb: Since you three are interested in mecha anime, we’re going to give you the opportunity to fly a mobile suit. This is Lieutenant Lucrezia Noin, who will explain how this challenge works.

Lt. Noin: Thanks Barb. This is the Taurus Mobile Suit, standing at over fifteen feet tall and weighing almost eight tons. And you’re going to get to fly this guy. Using various methods, I’ll be teaching one of you the basics on flying the Taurus. That person will have to fly it along a short course, and hit a target with its beam rifle. Afterwards, that person will have to teach the second person, who will also complete the course. The second person then repeats with the third person.

Barb: You have until 2:00, or about five hours, for all three of you to complete the course. If you do, 20,000 yen is added to the pot.

Lt. Noin: So… who’s up first?

Tamahome: Why don’t you go Washu? You can probably teach us the best.

Jenrya: Yeah. I’ll go last.

Washu: Swell! This could be fun!

(Washu and Lt. Noin enter the building. Jenrya, Tamahome, and Barb follow, but only to wait inside.)

Barb: You two can wait inside with me until Washu is ready to try the course.

Jenrya: Right. Taurus model, huh?

Barb: Yeah… why is everything named after signs of the Zodiac?

Jenrya: At least it isn’t the Chinese Zodiac.

(Tamahome pinches the back of Jenrya’s neck, a tad offended.)
Tamahome: Do you have a problem with Chinese astrology?

(Shot of Lt. Noin instructing Washu on how to fly the Taurus.)
Barb: (VO) After an hour of intense training and a brief stint on a simulator, Washu is ready to try her luck.)

(Tamahome and Washu stand in a field and watch as Washu enters the Taurus with Lt. Noin’s help.)

Noin: Simply fly around the markers, and when you get a clear shot at the target, do exactly what I told you. Got it?

Washu: Got it!

(Lt. Noin stands back as the Taurus takes off down the course. Washu maneuvers surprisingly well past all of the markers. However, when it comes down to firing the beam rifle, she can’t pull it off right. She eventually gets a shot off, but it misses the target completely.)
Barb: (VO) Washu missed the first shot, so she will have to circle around and take another one.

(Washu does so. She misses again. Fortunately, the third attempt is successful. Jenrya and Tamahome applaud as Washu brings it to a landing.)

Lt. Noin: A little trouble with the beam rifle but very nice maneuvering around the markers.

Barb: Whenever you’re ready Washu, you can begin training Tamahome. It is now 10:30. Lt. Noin will accompany you, but only to make sure that Tamahome is fully prepared to fly. She can not help him in any way.

Washu: Swell!

(Washu, Tamahome, and Lt. Noin go back inside. Barb and Jenrya are alone.)

Barb: So, uh… what’s up Jenny?

(Jenrya gives Barb an odd look.)

Barb: Fine… I won’t try to be friendly.

(Washu is using complex diagrams and techno-babble to try to explain to Tamahome. Needless to say, she’s having trouble getting the message across.)
Barb: (VO) Either Washu’s too smart or Tamahome’s too stupid, as the two have quite a bit of difficulty getting anything across.

(Shot of Tamahome in a simulator.)
Washu: (VO) This is just basic quantum mechanics. I want him to understand exactly how this works, and everything seems to fly past him.

Tamahome: (VO) You’d think learning how to pilot a mech wouldn’t put you to sleep… but here we are.

(After a while, Tamahome is in the Taurus, flying the course.)
Barb: (VO) By the time Tamahome starts the course, it’s already past 12:30. If they expect to have enough time to get Jenrya in, they’ll have to hurry.

(At the very least, the extended training session ensures that Tamahome gets through it cleanly. He hits the target on the first try and goes in to land.)
Barb: (VO) Tamahome hits it in time, but with less than ninety minutes to teach Jenrya and have him fly the course, he’ll be cutting it close.

(Tamahome is teaching very rapidly. Jenrya’s trying to slow him down.)

Jenrya: Hold on, hold on. I don’t get what you just said. We still have fifty minutes, it’s plenty of time.

Tamahome: No it isn’t, I still have to teach you how to use the beam rifle.

Jenrya: Right now, I don’t feel comfortable flying this thing.

Tamahome: Okay, tell you what- we’ll work the kinks out on the simulator. Okay?

Jenrya: Fine.

(Later on, Jenrya exits the simulator, still quite unsure.)

Jenrya: Look, I can handle the flying part, but I need to get the rifle down better.

Tamahome: We only have fifteen minutes! You’ll be fine.

Lt. Noin: I’m sorry, but if he doesn’t feel comfortable with it, I can not let him pilot. Standard policy.

(Tamahome shakes his head.)

Tamahome: Alright…

(Tamahome and Jenrya go back into the simulator.)
Barb: (VO) By the time they get out to the course, there are only nine minutes remaining. It’s going to be close.

(Jenrya is finally in the Taurus suit and maneuvers around the markers carefully, but at a brisk pace. The other four watch on the sidelines.)

Tamahome: C’mon Jenrya! We don’t have much time!

Washu: I don’t think he can hear you.

(Jenrya completes the maneuvering course and prepares the beam rifle.)

Washu: Hope you taught him enough…

Tamahome: I didn’t have time… c’mon Jenrya.

(Jenrya fires once… it connects. Caption: "Challenge Completed")

Washu: All right! Way to go Jenny!

Barb: Huh… two minutes left, barely even exciting.

Washu/Tamahome: What are you talking about?!

(Jenrya lands and exits the Taurus. He appears very unnerved, but smiles and high-fives Tamahome and Washu.)

Barb: Good work team, 20,000 is added to the pot. But you won’t get too long to rest, for we’ll need to take you to yet another location for yet another challenge.

Washu: Where is it?

Barb: Oh… someplace special.

(Back at the hotel, Mike has finally woken up and is with the other six. He holds a D3 digivice, and is in front of a table with a laptop computer.)
Mike: Since you six are interested in monster anime, this round will be held entirely in a more appropriate setting. Namely, the Digital World. I’ve asked you to bring one day’s worth of clothing because you’ll be spending the night there. More on that later. For now…

(Mike holds the D3 to the computer.)

Mike: Digi-port open!!

(Nothing happens.)

Mike: Uh…

Ruki: This isn’t the dub.

(Mike turns around, angrily.)

Mike: Don’t tell me it’s that picky!!

Ruki: How should I know?

Mike: Jeez…

(Mike tries again)

Mike: Digital Gate Open!!

(It works, and Mike and the six players are zapped to File Island. They end up on the beach, which has a small table nearby. On it are three digital cameras and a jar, inside of which are six plastic eggs. Mike walks up to the table and addresses the group.)
Mike: A few days ago, a journal with the Mole trademark- a thumbprint, was in the center of a table for everybody to see. It took you awhile to notice it. Hopefully your eyes have improved, as you would have noticed a folder in the lounge. That folder is a tremendous asset to you today, as inside were pictures and information on various Digimon. To be specific, the nine Digimon which you are looking for today. You will have until 7:00, about four and a half hours, to find and locate six of these nine Digimon, and snap their picture with these digital cameras. The pictures must be clear enough to identify exactly what it is. You six will be separated into three groups, each receiving one camera. One group will go up to the mountain and search for Unimon, Yukimon, and Meramon. The second group will search the forests, and find Cherrymon, Gotsumon, and Tortomon. Finally, the third group will explore the beaches and the perimeter of the island for Gekomon, Hangyomon, and Seadramon. Some of these creatures can be hostile so uh… don’t get yourselves killed. To determine the groups, I’d like each of you to pick an egg out of the jar. Whatever’s inside is your patrol. Again, if the group can collectively snap six of the nine, 20,000 yen is added to the pot.

(While Kenji goes to pick an egg, Ruki turns towards Akane.)

Ruki: Well, are you going to pull out the folder yet?

(The others turn towards Akane.)

Akane: Yes! I was just about to… don’t give me those looks.

(Akane retrieves the folder from her bag.)
Takeshi: (VO) It’s a good thing she found it, otherwise we’d be in trouble. I just hope she really was planning to share it with everybody.

Challenge Twelve
(After everything’s sorted out, everybody heads to their sectors and begins the hunt.)
Mike: (VO) With Akane providing the information on all the monsters they need to find, the task is much more manageable. But with such a large area to cover in such a small period of time, it won’t be a walk in the park.

(Akane and Ruki are climbing uphill. Caption: "Mountain Team- Akane and Ruki.")
Akane: So what should we start looking for first?

Ruki: I don’t know. This is not usually how Digimon taming works.

Akane: Right, right… well which of the three are more likely to be at the base of the mountain?

Ruki: My guess would be Meramon. But it could be anywhere around the mountain.

Akane: Well when you think we’re far enough, how about we split up and we each try to get as far around the mountain as we can in say… half an hour? If we find him, great, if we don’t, we move on.

Ruki: But we only have one camera.

Akane: Well… it said that Meramon was not usually a hostile creature. If you don’t have the camera and we find it, maybe we should just… talk to it.

Ruki: Talk to it?

Akane: Sure! Try to stay with it until the person with the camera can get there.

Ruki: Look… just give me the camera. Okay?

Akane: Oh. Okay.

(Akane gives Ruki the camera and they split up.)

(Takeshi and Motoko are walking through the woods. Caption: "Forest Team- Motoko and Takeshi.")
Motoko: How did I get paired with you?

Takeshi: Just luck of the draw!

Motoko: What do we have to find?

Takeshi: Looks like we have something disguised as a tree, something disguised as a bunch of rocks… and a giant turtle.

(Motoko face faults.)

Motoko: T… turtle?

Takeshi: I’m sure it’s not that bad.

Motoko: Let’s look for the tree and the rocks first.

Takeshi: Well… there’s plenty of those around.

(Kenji and Mitsune are walking along the beach. Caption: "Beach Team- Kenji and Mitsune.")
Kenji: How did we get stuck together for this anyway?

Mitsune: I don’t know. Motoko got stuck with Takeshi. That one’s the one I’m worried about.

Kenji: Sure you are. You’re just trying to play both of them so they get executed, right?

Mitsune: What… like you did with Kasumi?

Kenji: No… more like what you did with Keitaro.

Mitsune: Come on, Keitaro’s an idiot. Anybody could have gotten him executed.

Kenji: After saying that, you’re not allowed to bring up Takato, okay?

Mitsune: Whatever you say… let’s just get this done and worry about everything else later.

Kenji: Fine.

Kenji: I can’t believe I got paired up with her. Of all the people out there… unbelievable.

(Back on the beach, Mike is waiting patiently near a television screen as Barb, Jenrya, Tamahome, and Washu appear.)
Mike: Yo.

Jenrya: Wow. The Digital World.

Washu: An entire world composed of digital data… remind to dissect this place some time.

Barb: I’d better get you squared away. You don’t have much time. When the other six get back from their challenge, they’re going to have to spend the night here. Your job is to make it as hospitable as possible for them. Since there is money staked on them staying the entire night, it’s very important to prepare the camp well enough to last them that long. The supplies are provided, and you have until 7:00.

(Akane is searching along the base of the mountain. Amazingly, she does see the flaming Meramon some yards away. With lack of anything better to do, she calls its attention.)

Akane: Hey! Meramon?

(Meramon turns towards her, unsure of how to react.)

Akane: Hi. I’m Akane.

Meramon: A… kane?

Akane: Yeah. Could you do me a big favor?

(Shot of Akane walking back along the mountain, with Meramon following behind.)

Akane: Ruki!! Ruki, I found him!

(Ruki walks up to her.)

Ruki: You did? Wow.

Akane: Yeah. Get his picture.

(Meramon stands in place as Ruki snaps his picture.)

(Back at seaside, Kenji has spotted a Gekomon.)

Mitsune: Good… let’s take the picture.

Kenji: Yeah… yeah… how does this thing work?

Mitsune: It’s going to run off.

Gekomon: No I won’t!

Mitsune: Quiet you!

Kenji: Okay… let me try this. I hate cameras. To think photography is hailed as an art.

Mitsune: C’mon, less flap, more snap!

Kenji: I’m getting it!

(Kenji takes the picture.)

(By now, Motoko is getting increasingly nervous. Takeshi is perfectly calm.)

Takeshi: Look, if you’re scared, you can always hold on to me!

(Motoko stares at Takeshi.)

Motoko: I’d rather deal with the turtle.

Takeshi: Glad to help!

(Motoko walks a little farther, then stops in shock.)

Takeshi: What is it?

(Takeshi looks up and stops as well.)

Takeshi: That thing… is a lot bigger than the picture suggested.

(In front of them is the giant turtle Tortomon, looking right back at them, particularly menacing. Motoko is frozen in shock, and is breathing heavily. Takeshi slowly raises the camera.)

Motoko: (quiet) What… what are you doing?

Takeshi: (quiet) We need its picture.

Motoko: Don’t make it mad.

Takeshi: I’ll leave the flash off. I don’t think we need it.

(Takeshi snaps a picture. Unfortunately, the flash was on. Tortomon blinks his eyes as a result, and gets mad and growls at them. Takeshi looks down at the camera.)

Takeshi: Oh… crap.

(Takeshi and Motoko run for their lives as Tortomon starts chasing after them. They run for a minute, until Takeshi gets an idea.)

Takeshi: Motoko! Kendo! Now!

(Motoko nods, then turns towards Tortomon with her stick in hand. Tortomon stops and looks at her. Motoko feels particularly uneasy, and catches her breath before trying an attack. Unfortunately, it appears to be too much for her and she faints.)

Takeshi: Motoko!

(Takeshi manages to catch her. Takeshi slowly drags Motoko away into a thicket of trees, where Tortomon can’t reach them. After trying, it gives up and turns around. Takeshi looks at Motoko, who is still unconscious.)

Takeshi: Motoko… Motoko?

(Takeshi hears some people talking in the distance. He goes to see what it is. Down on the beach, Mitsune and Kenji are still talking/arguing.)

Kenji: So what about Takeshi?

Takeshi: (OS) Kitsune!! Kenji!!

Mitsune: He’s um… up there.

Kenji: That he is.

Mitsune: (shouting back) What’s up Takeshi??!!

(Takeshi is up on a hill shouting back at the two.)

Takeshi: Get up here! Quick!

(On the mountain, Akane is about to take the snowmon Yukimon’s picture… which sounds really silly if you know Japanese.)

Akane: Ruki… stand next to it!

Ruki: Why?

Akane: Well, you both have such cold personalities!

(Ruki shakes her head, but does so.)

Akane: Smile!

(Yukimon doesn’t have a mouth, but Ruki at least manages a brief smile. Akane takes the picture.)

Akane: That’s two!

(On the beach, Washu is formulating a blueprint for a shelter. Tamahome is carrying in timber while Jenrya works on starting a fire)

Tamahome: Washu! We don’t have time for anything detailed. We need to just throw something together so it lasts one night!

Washu: If you do it that way it won’t last one hour! I’ll have one primo shelter coming up in a jiffy… if you’ll let me work.

Tamahome: Fine, go ahead.

Tamahome: Washu is doing nothing to help right now. She thinks that we can take our time to create something permanent when we have to hurry and get this done! If we aren’t ready, then it’s our heads.

(Mitsune and Takeshi are both trying to wake up Motoko. Kenji is standing nearby.)

Mitsune: Motoko! Motoko!

(Motoko starts to come to.)

Motoko: Hmm? What’s going on?

Takeshi: You don’t want to know. We had a little run-in with a nasty turtle and you fainted. I got you out of there though.

Motoko: Oh… thank you.

Takeshi: No problem. (to Mitsune) So what do we do with her?

Mitsune: Well… we only have an hour left. I don’t think it’s worth going back out. She should take it easy for awhile.

Kenji: What?! We can go out! We need to at least find one more.

Mitsune: Come on, Kenji, don’t you care at all?

Kenji: I’m just saying, at least one person has to keep looking for Digimon. We only have one… how many do you have Takeshi.

Takeshi: We, uh… we got one. It almost killed us but we got it.

Kenji: So even if we find one more, we’d still need Akane and Ruki to get all three of theirs to win. I don’t think we should take that chance…

Mitsune: Kenji?

Kenji: Yeah?

Mitsune: Shut up. Right now, I don’t care. The most important thing right now is helping Motoko.

Kenji: I’m not saying that’s a problem! You can stay if you want! Point is, I’m going, and I think Takeshi should too!

Mitsune: I think that’s up to Takeshi.

Takeshi: Sorry Kenji, but I think I’d better stay here. I kinda got her into this and I don’t feel right leaving. If you want to keep looking, go ahead, but I’m staying here with Motoko.

(Kenji shakes his head and storms off.)

Mitsune: Kenji seems to have no concern whatsoever for Motoko. When something like this happens, the game stops. Kenji doesn’t seem to understand that. He sounds like he’s trying to still win the challenge, but in reality… I think he’s trying to shake things up.

Motoko: I hate having to admit it, but Takeshi really helped me out back there. Sometimes you can’t judge a person on first impressions. Maybe he’s not as much of a disgrace as I had originally thought. I’ll still kick his ass if he gets too close, but maybe I should give him a little more respect.

(Time has run out, and the nine are gathered around the table, where Mike is looking through the pictures taken. Jenrya, Tamahome, and Washu have joined them. The beach has been developed enough, and has a shelter and fire pit going. Akane goes up to Tamahome discreetly.)

Akane: So what happened on your end?

Tamahome: We had some problems but we won the challenge. I’ll fill you in later. You?

Akane: Ruki’s acting like normal but we did our job.

Mike: Okay! I’ve had a look at the pictures, and here’s the results- mountain team successfully took pictures of all three Digimon… however, beach team and forest team were only able to get one picture each. That’s only five, you were required to get six, so no money is added.

(Akane, Kenji, and Ruki are upset, but the others aren’t too concerned. Caption: "Challenge Failed")

Mike: But on the plus side, you can make up for that right away. We have a very interesting challenge coming up now. Barb?

(Barb walks up to address the group.)

Barb: I’m sure most of you are familiar with Survivor, and we have ourselves a little tribute challenge here. What can we say- we suddenly have a lot more respect for a reality series that doesn’t get cancelled midway through. Regardless of why, it’s another torture method for you guys. You’ve been staying in five-star hotels and eating fantastic meals so far in the game. But tonight, you’re living off the land. File Island can be particularly harsh, and although you won’t be carving out a new civilization any time soon, odds are that you will not enjoy this night. You six will have to remain on this island until 8:00 tomorrow morning. Do so, and 30,000 yen is added to the pot. Jenrya, Tamahome, and Washu have spent all afternoon setting the place up to be as hospitable as possible, but it still won’t be a day on the beach. Naturally there is a catch to all this, but that won’t come into play until later tonight. Hopefully you have warm clothing, because it could get chilly. For any other details, ask Kenji, he’s done this before. Jenrya, Tamahome, and Washu-chan can come with me, and we’ll leave the tribe to themselves.

(Barb, Jenrya, Tamahome, and Washu head back through the gate, leaving Mike and the six.)

Mike: I’ll be in a nice, heated cabin a half-mile down the beach if you need anything. You’ll find out about the catch later. Have fun!

(Mike leaves. The others are left to take in the situation.)

Akane: Wow… this is just cool.

Kenji: Yeah… back to the roots. Let’s fry up some rats and get this party started!

Kenji: Survivor, that’s where it all began. It was quite the experience for me, and it just feels great to be in a similar environment again.

Challenge Thirteen
(Nearing nightfall, the six are huddled around the fire, talking.)
Mitsune: So my question is, do we stop playing Mole?

Akane: What do you mean?

Mitsune: Well it’s Survivor now, how is the Mole supposed to sabotage this game anyway?

Ruki: They said there was a catch. That’s probably where the Mole comes in.

Mitsune: Great- until that catch comes into play there’s nothing Mole-ish going on. We’re just enjoying a little Survivor sampler, so we can sit back and not worry about suspicion.

Akane: I could use something like that.

Kenji: (to Mitsune) Wait, wait… can I still hate your guts?

Mitsune: Huh? Oh, yeah, sure, that’s all part of the game.

Takeshi: Gotta have the cheap personality conflict!

Motoko: So there’s just one question…

Takeshi: Yeah?

Motoko: Who do we vote off?

(The other five, sans Ruki, laugh.)

Akane: It’s cold, we’re starving, and the shelter’s terrible. But we’re having a blast. I think it’s because we can’t figure out how the Mole could sabotage this game. Obviously chickening out is an option, but we all pretty much agree that that’s such an obvious move that the Mole wouldn’t do it. So we’re all just living it up like we’re all on a camping trip!

(Again, around the fire.)

Takeshi: So I gotta ask… who’s up for a little island fling?

(Everybody, except for Ruki, laughs.)

Kenji: How did I know you were going to say that?!

Mitsune: Hey! Ruki, get in the conversation!

Ruki: No thank you.

Ruki: This isn’t what I came here for. I don’t want to sit around and goof off all day. I’m here to play the game. Period.

Mitsune: Everybody’s really loosening up so far. Well, except for Ruki. I don’t know, she’s still not much of a talker. I mean, Motoko’s not the life of the party, but she’s not sucking the fun out of everything like Ruki is. I still don’t say she’s the Mole, but I wished she’d lighten up and have some fun for once. Because that’s what this is all about.

(Still around the fire, but now, a horn blares from the ocean. Takeshi and Kenji stand up to see what it is. Kenji is pelted on the head with a scroll of paper. Motoko picks it up.)

Takeshi: What's that?

Mitsune: Hm… first came e-mail, then came tree-mail, now it’s sea-mail.

Takeshi: What’s it say?

(Motoko reads the scroll, complete with the usual clever rhymes.)

Motoko: We don’t have time for tree-mail so we have to do this now. I’m sure you all have seen the game, and know the why and how. The talisman and idol are important to the game, and everything’s decided when you’re writing down the name. But since this is The Mole, everything will be reversed. Immunity is coming later; the council’s coming first.

Akane: Okay, now I think they’re milking this a little too much.

(Kenji’s almost giddy.)

Kenji: We have a tribal council now? I’m feeling nostalgic, who wants to form an alliance with me?!

Takeshi: Only if you stab me in the back later!

(A similar set to that of a tribal council. Mike presides as the very confused six enter and sit on a bench nearby.)
Mike: Welcome to tribal council, let’s get over with. Obviously, this isn’t the perfect unit. There has to be somebody that you don’t like. Somebody that you think deserves to be kicked off the island. That’s what council’s for. You’ll head down the path, and write down the name of the one person you want off. You can say your piece… but it won’t be aired so it doesn’t really matter. Motoko- start us off.

(Motoko gets up and walks down a path. The others look back at Mike.)

Mitsune: So really, what’s this about?

Mike: You shall find out once everybody’s done voting.

Akane: I don’t understand why this reality series is sucking up so much to a different reality series that airs on a different network.

Mike: Why, would you rather we spoof Millionaire?

(Motoko returns, Ruki heads down. Slowly, but surely, the others all vote. Mike takes the bin and sets it on a pedestal.)

Mike: Once the votes are tallied the decision is final and the person voted off will stay with me and will be the first to find out about… the catch. I’ll tally the votes.

(Mike holds up the first slip, it reads "Kenji")
Mike: Kenji…

(Mike continues reading through the slips.)
Mike: Ruki… Ruki… Ruki… Ruki… the last vote doesn’t matter… or at least it wouldn’t if it wasn’t on the quiz tomorrow night.

(Everybody except Kenji pulls out their journals simultaneously and starts writing.)
Kenji: Aw shoot… I left my journal back at camp.

(Mike holds the last slip, which reads "Mitsune")
Mike: The last vote is for Mitsune. Ruki? You stay here with me, while the others can head back to camp.

(The others do so, while Ruki remains behind. When they are good and gone…)

Mike: Ruki, the others obviously don’t want you here. They have selected you as the person to be voted off. With that in mind…

(Mike pulls out a cell phone and hands it to Ruki.)

Mike: I present to you the nature phone. Simply hit "1" on the memory dial, and you can call me and ask to leave the island. You can leave at any time. Naturally, this will spoil the challenge, and none of the 30,000 yen will be added to the pot. But do this… and you will receive an exemption from tomorrow’s quiz. This phone can be used by any of the other five as well, it’s simply a matter of whether or not you want to tell them about it. If you want to, you can head back.

(Ruki looks at him, then at the phone, then slowly starts to walk back to camp, mired in thought.)
Ruki: (VO) This is a tough decision. I mean, obviously I want to win the game, but leaving now seems so… cowardly. They want me to go, so it doesn’t seem right to just give in to their demands, even if it does give me an exemption. The way I see it, I’m not going to let them tell me what I should do. I’ll show them all exactly what Ruki Makino is all about.

(Ruki is walking along the beach, almost back to camp. She can see the campfire some yards away.)
Ruki: Well I’m not going to leave… but I don’t trust the others. Knowing them, they’ll jump on this exemption first chance they get. If I’m not taking it… then nobody will.

(Ruki hurls the phone into the ocean, then continues back to camp. The others are still chatting up a storm.)

Mitsune: Hey… Ruki-chan!

Akane: Didn’t we vote you off?

Kenji: What’s the catch?

Ruki: Hm? Oh, nothing.

Takeshi: There’s no catch?

Ruki: Nope.

Kenji: There had to be something.

Akane: Yeah, we had to march up there, vote you off, and march back. That had to be more than a cheap homage.

Takeshi: Exactly. So what was it?

Ruki: You want to know?

All: Yeah!

Ruki: Fine… Mike gave me the opportunity to get an exemption by forfeiting the challenge and leaving the island.

Kenji: He did?

Ruki: Yeah. But you aren’t getting rid of me that easily. What do I look like, a wuss?

Mitsune: Ah… turned down an exemption for the better interests of the group. Nice!

Ruki: D… don’t get me wrong. I don’t care about the group. But I’m not going to let all of you tell me what I should do. I’m not going to leave because you all think I should.

Kenji: Wait a second… just because we picked you means that you’re the only one that gets offered the exemption?

Ruki: Uh… no… he gave me a phone, which any of you could use if I let you get your hands on it.

(Others nod in response.)

Motoko: That makes more sense.

Kenji: Yeah… so uh… just out of curiosity… where, uh… is this phone? Not… that I’d use it or anything.

Mitsune: How did I know you were going to ask that? You’ll take that exemption first chance you get! Ruki… you better give me the phone for safekeeping.

Kenji: No way, you’d take the exemption in a second! Ruki, give me the phone.

(Kenji and Mitsune continue to argue. Ruki walks past them, with a sly smile.)

Ruki: You can have the phone if you want. Of course, you’ll have to break out the swimwear.

(Kenji and Mitsune look back at her.)

Kenji/Mitsune: What do you mean?

Ruki: I’m not letting you two use it. Or any of you. I tossed it in the ocean.

(Kenji and Mitsune are shocked. Motoko quietly starts applauding.)

Motoko: About time somebody did something smart around here.

(Takeshi and Akane join in the applause. Ruki tries to hide her face.)

Akane: Well that settles it. We’re gonna win this challenge whether we want to or not!

Motoko: Whatever the reason was, it was definitely a big move. It takes away the chance of anyone spoiling the challenge. Ruki made a very bold statement today.

(It’s good and dark now, and the six enter the shelter.)

Kenji: Wow… Tamahome did a nice job on the shelter.

Akane: Good night everybody!

Motoko: Takeshi… stay on your side.

Takeshi: You know I did save your life…

Motoko: Thank you… stay on your side.

(A gust of wind picks up, and blows the roof off the shelter.)
All: TAMAHOME!!!

Takeshi: That shelter was definitely designed in a hurry. I don’t know how much time the other three got to put it together, but it didn’t take long for it to come apart.

Kenji: It didn’t bother me too much. I like sleeping outside anyway.

(Shot of some people sleeping in what remains of the shelter, while others sleep outside.)
Ruki: (VO) That. Night. Sucked.

Day Fourteen
(Shot of Mitsune waking up along with everybody else.)
Motoko: Survivor: Anime Edition… day two.

Mitsune: And not a wink ‘a sleep for me either.

Takeshi: It wasn’t that bad. This is on par with normal sleeping conditions.

Akane: Yeah. I felt very secure after we strapped Takeshi in.

(Kenji walks into view, stretching out. He gets pelted with another scroll.)

Akane: What now… a reward challenge?

(Mitsune picks it up, reads it, and holds it up.)

Mitsune: Ladies and gentlemen… we’re back to playing the Mole!

(The six are down on the beach. Mike walks up to them. He is accompanied by Ranma’s father, Genma Saotome.)

Mike: Hello team. I see all six of you have made it the entire night. It is now 8:00, therefore you have added 30,000 yen to the pot.

(Cheers from all the players who normally cheer… as in not Motoko or Ruki.)

Mike: If Ruki hadn’t told you, you had the opportunity to use the nature phone to get off this rock in exchange for an exemption. I see none of you used it. Good. Ruki, where’s the phone?

Ruki: Fifty feet under water.

(The others laugh… except for Mike.)

Mike: No… seriously Ruki… where’s my phone?

Ruki: I threw it away so nobody could use it.

Mike: That’s not the answer I’m looking for. Where’s my phone?

Genma: Hey, don’t worry Mike, just explain the challenge and you can cool off with a nice game of shogi.

Mike: No game of shogi can replace my phone. Ruki, I’ll bill you later. Anyway, now comes the challenge of getting you outta here. Off in the distance, in a boat 300 yards away, is Barb and the other three, fresh off a good night’s rest at the hotel in Italy.

(They all look. Sure enough, a boat is out there.)

Mike: I’m giving you a chance to earn an additional 10,000 yen before your trip to the Digital World concludes. This is Genma Saotome. There’s something you should know about him.

(Mike pulls a blue squirt gun out of his pocket and sprays Genma with water. Genma turns into a panda. Genma is holding up a sign reading "Abracadabra." Mike pulls out a red squirt gun and sprays Genma. Genma returns to human form.)

Mike: Since you met Ranma, you are already familiar with how that works. Cold water turns Mr. Saotome into a panda. You will have two hours to get yourselves and Mr. Saotome to the boat… without having Mr. Saotome turn into a panda. Good luck.

(Mitsune yawns.)

Mitsune: Tell ya what… let’s just screw it.

Kenji: What?

Mitsune: I didn’t get any sleep last night, and this sounds like way too much work for a measly ten grand.

Takeshi: (passionate) I can’t believe you Kitsune- this is a challenge, and we are expected to compete to our utmost ability, regardless of how much we could win!

(Mitsune falls asleep on Takeshi’s shoulder. He looks at the others.)

Takeshi: (monotone) What does everybody else think?

Akane: Well, we’d have to build some sort of a raft. I just don’t know how we could build a raft for all of us in two hours.

Kenji: We don’t have to build one for all of us. Just Genma.

Takeshi: The rest of us can swim, right?

(Akane turns around, unsure of what to say in response to that.)

Kenji: The toughest part would be getting the material. We obviously can’t use whatever they used to build the shelter.

Motoko: Leave it to me.

(Motoko walks up to a row of trees, and with one slice of the sword, cuts all of the trees into perfectly cut, treated, and formed lumber. Hey- it’s anime!)

Kenji: I… stand corrected.

Takeshi: So if we just find some way to tie this together and make it strong enough to support Genma, we should be fine!

(Takeshi, Kenji, Ruki, and Motoko are putting the raft together. Mitsune is sleeping on the beach and Akane is off in the distance, seemingly upset about something.)

Ruki: Um… what about Mitsune?

Kenji: Hey! Kitsune!

(Mitsune is still asleep)

Kenji: Hey! Mole!

(No reaction. Kenji snaps his fingers.)

Kenji: Shoot… I seriously thought that was going to work.

Takeshi: Just leave her, we’re almost done anyway.

Ruki: What about Akane?

(They look up at Akane.)

Takeshi: Akane- what’s wrong?

(Akane turns around, really worried.)

Akane: Uh, well…it’s um… nothing.

Takeshi: You sure?

Akane: Well… the thing is… uh…

(Genma appears next to Akane.)
Genma: What dear Akane is trying to say is that she can’t swim!

Akane: (angry) Mr. Saotome!!

Genma: Well it’s the truth, isn’t it? Don’t let it get you down, I’m sure you’re completely humiliated but it’s really nothing to be too concerned about. You’ll cost everybody the challenge, but they won’t mind, right?

(The other four look at Genma blankly.)

Akane: Mind this!

(Akane picks up Genma, and is about to drop-kick him into the water.)

Takeshi: WAIT!!

Akane: What?

(The other four are about ready to have a coronary.)

Kenji/Motoko/Ruki/Takeshi: PANDA!!

(Akane drops Genma on the beach.)

Akane: I never get to hit anybody…

(Meanwhile, on the boat, Washu and Tamahome are seated, and stretched out. Jenrya’s sitting upright.)

Jenrya: Man, we don’t have to do anything today.

Washu/Tamahome: So why are you complaining?

Jenrya: I’m not…

(Jenrya pulls out his sunglasses, puts them on, and kicks back.)

Jenrya: This is great.

(Back on shore, the six castaways have the raft built.)

Kenji: Okay Mr. Saotome, Akane, hop on.

Takeshi: Remember, Akane, make sure to keep him dry, and do whatever it takes to keep the thing afloat. We’ll guide it to the boat.

Mitsune: What happens if one of us gets tired?

Kenji: Tell us so, and just ride along. We’ll have to pick up the slack somehow.

Takeshi: Are we ready?

(The group nods.)

Kenji: Then let’s Gekiga-In.

(Akane and Genma get on the raft, while the others push off into the water and start swimming to the boat.)

Motoko: Keep a steady pace, we have plenty of time.

(About halfway there, but Ruki appears to be tiring. Akane crawls over to her.)

Akane: Ruki? How are you doing?

Ruki: I’m a bit tired…

Akane: Everybody? Can you cover for Ruki?

Mitsune: Sure, sure, we got it.

Kenji: She’s light, she could probably fit on the raft.

Akane: Mr. Saotome, get on the other end to balance it while I get her on.

(Genma does so and Akane helps Ruki get on the raft.)

Akane: Everybody else good?

Takeshi: Good to go!

(Slowly but surely, they successfully reach the boat. Genma is still human, and Jenrya, Tamahome, and Washu help the others board. Caption: "Challenge Completed")
Mike: (VO) A good team effort gets Genma across and earns an additional 10,000 for the pot, bringing the grand total to 217,000 yen… but it still doesn’t replace my phone.

Kenji: (VO) Overall, this was a really strong effort from everybody. Ruki did a lot to ensure that we’d all stay the night, while Takeshi and Motoko did a great job getting us and Mr. Saotome over. As much as we’re all sick of the Survivor terminology… we’re beginning to gel.

Takeshi: (VO) Akane had her share of suspicious activity, and the job Tamahome and Washu did on the shelter was less than spectacular, but we all got through it okay, so we’re all laying off the finger pointing… at least until tonight.

(Barb stands at the front of the boat, where the nine players, are standing.)
Barb: Good work team, this was another profitable round for you. But tonight, another quiz, and another execution. The pot now stands at 217,000 yen, and as you can see it is climbing fast. But tonight, one of you will fall from the ladder.

(Tamahome is taking the quiz. His question is "What was the Mole's patrol in the Digimon Snap game?")
Tamahome: (VO) Thank Suzaku for that alliance with Akane. Motoko is a very stable person, and I don’t see how she can be that afraid of turtles to lose a challenge because of it. Even if she is afraid of them, it’s no reason for what she did in the picture game.

(Akane is taking the quiz. Her question is "In which order did the Mole fly in the Mobile Suit game?")
Akane: (VO) From what Tamahome tells me, Jenrya and Washu are still heavy suspects. It sounded like either of them could have tried to stall the game on purpose and make sure that not everybody would finish.

(Takeshi is taking the quiz. His question is "Did the Mole swim the entire way to the boat?")
Takeshi: (VO) Akane waited as long as possible before admitting that she couldn’t swim. We were already halfway done building the raft when she came out and said it. If she had admitted it sooner, we could have prepared for it better.

(Mitsune is taking the quiz. Her question is "Did the Mole photograph a Digimon in the Digimon Snap game?")
Mitsune: (VO) Kenji didn’t care at all about Motoko. He went off to find more of those Digimon things on his own. And surprise, surprise- he didn’t find any more. His camera work also left something to be desired.

(The nine gather around the computer as Barb prepares to kick off execution- part six.)

Barb: Once again, I will enter your names into the computer. Once the computer flashes read the decision is final and the person executed must leave the hotel area immediately. I’ll start with Ruki.

(Barb types "RUKI" into the computer. Ruki has a slight smile due to Barb’s comments.)

(It flashes red.)

Kenji: What the?

(The group, including Barb, is in shock, especially Ruki. They take a second to recover.)

Barb: Ruki?

(Ruki sighs, stands up, and walks out with Barb.)
Ruki: (VO) I can’t believe it’s over already. This was such a weird experience, and I don’t know how to put it into words. Sure some of the others were pretty much morons, but I actually did enjoy this. I think if you go into this thinking you’re going to win, you could be in for quite a letdown. I guess it doesn’t matter how much I can take out of this experience… right now I’m feeling the letdown.

(Back in the room, most of the others seem a bit sad.)
Jenrya: Did she do a lot of suspicious things? Yeah. Did it seem like she went out of her way to cause trouble? Definitely. Did some of us suspect her as the Mole? You bet. But you know, in the end it’s not Ruki being the Mole… it’s Ruki being Ruki.

Kenji: So many of us feel the need to act a little bit differently to play the game. I think everybody’s guilty of that in some way. But of all the people here, I think Ruki was the least afraid to be herself. Say what you want about how smart it is, but it’s definitely bold.

Mitsune: I have a feeling that she really did care about this group. She didn’t want anybody to think so… but you could tell.

(Barb walks Ruki to the van.)

Barb: Well… the Mole has spoken. It’s time for you to go.

(Ruki silently nods. Barb whispers to Ruki.)

Barb: We’ll cover you for the cell phone. Next time though… you’ll have to pay.

(Ruki gets in the van and it drives off. Six down, six to go.)

End Episode Six

Author’s Notes
If you're checking out the quiz, you may notice that I’ve started to reuse quiz questions. This is unavoidable, especially since I don’t have the real quiz questions to go off of anymore. On average, expect two or three questions to be recycled each week. Seriously, who do I look like, Alex Trebek?

You would honestly be surprised how many international Moles have a challenge similar to the Survivor thing. I used the first British season as a base (and yes, that has something similar to the panda challenge as well), but a lot of versions do it. Both the Mobile Suit and Digimon Snap games are from the Australian version… don’t ask.

Well, I gotta talk about Ruki. First off, I’m surprised at the number of votes she got, since a lot of the things she did are a regular part of her character, especially the Cosplay challenge and the distaste for Miaka and Tamahome’s proximity to each other (Miaka and Tamahome don’t actually do the deed, but the issue comes up more than a few times). I was also surprised at the number of people who didn’t know she wore a uniform to school. Anyway, in the press conference back in April where I announced the characters, I likened Ruki to Ruri Hoshino. Looking back, I think she’s a lot closer to Akito Hayama from the first season. If you watch Kodocha, read the first season, or are currently reading Survivor Globie’s Anime Survivor 3, you know what he’s like. There are tons of similarities between the two- they’re both from Shinjuku, they both live in a one parent family (although Sana was the result of the teenage pregnancy, not Hayama), and they are both very quiet and have trouble expressing their feelings. Add to that the "lone wolf" thing, and it’s quite interesting. Fortunately though, Ruki has yet to steal a kiss on the top floor of those Hypnos towers… that’s still pure Hayama.

Finally, if you hadn’t noticed, for the last few episodes, I’ve always closed with a closing line used in previews for various animes. Ep 2 was Ranma, Ep 3 was Nadesico, 4 was Utena and 5 was Evangelion. Since I can’t remember any more, looks like that didn’t last long! Anyway, next time the cast of Battle Athletes helps out for a sports-related pair of challenges, a Q&A game really shakes things up, and Akane finally gets to hit somebody! But you’ll never guess who…