The Anime-zing Race

Episode Ten

Author’s Notes
Sorry about the hiatus, I needed a break from the action. I also needed to get a new stage of Level 1 up. People have been waiting far too long for that. There was also the deal with Anime Central in Chicago, which was a lot of fun. I’m sure whether to laugh or cry at the fact that there were more people dressed as Weda from Jungle wa Itsumo Hare Nochi Guu than as anything from Digimon (although there was a good Agunimon and Lobomon there). I ended up taking more pictures this year, although several were devoted to Chiyo’s father from Azumanga Daioh… which has now been licensed by ADV (as if they didn’t have enough of a death wish dubbing Excel Saga). Anyway, we now come to the final elimination. And since the last episode was a little short, this one goes a little over to make up for it.

Recap

Becky: (VO) Last time, on the Gun Smith Cats leg… of the Anime-zing Race.

(Various recap of highlights from Episode Nine, showing whatever is appropriate.)

Becky: (VO) Even late in the game, Takato & Henry proved they can work with teams like Syaoran & Meiling.

Takato: (VO) Sharing a room with the cousins was great. We haven’t been in as nice a place since Kyoto, and it was half the normal cost!

Becky: (VO) But Ash & Brock’s game of tagalong didn’t put them in the best of light.

Takato: (VO) They just followed us the whole way, and knowing their luck they’re going to sneak ahead of us in the end. It’s really aggravating.

Becky: (VO) And Yukino & Arima thought they had things in perspective.

Arima: (VO) I guess we were pretty focused. I feel like I’m more relaxed now than I was before, which is a great attitude when we’re this close to reaching the end.

Becky: (VO) But instead, the other three teams stepped up their effort, leaving the high-schoolers to arrive last.

(Rapid shots of the four teams in various positions along the ninth leg.)

Becky: (VO) But since it was a non-elimination leg, they’re allowed to keep fighting. Who will make the final three, and race all the way to the end? Find out tonight, on the Fushigi Yuugi hyphen Slayers leg of the Anime-zing Race!

**** THE ANIME-ZING RACE ****
11 TEAMS OF 2:
TAKUYA & ZOE (The Digi-Destined- Digimon) {ELIMINATED}
SAKURA & TOMOYO (The Best Friends- Cardcaptor Sakura) {ELIMINATED}
SPIKE & JET (The Bounty Hunters- Cowboy Bebop) {ELIMINATED}
ASH & BROCK (The Trainers- Pokémon)
AEKA & SASAMI (“Team Princess”- Tenchi Muyo) {ELIMINATED}
MISATO & RITSUKO (“The NERV Girls”- Evangelion) {ELIMINATED}
SYAORAN & MEILING (The Cousins- Cardcaptor Sakura)
TAKATO & HENRY (The Tamers- Digimon)
YUKINO & ARIMA (The Dating Couple- Kare Kano)
KIYONE & MIHOSHI (The Police Officers- Tenchi Muyo) {ELIMINATED}
GARY & SAMUEL (The Grandson/Grandfather- Pokémon) {ELIMINATED}

12 LEGS…
15 SERIES…
5 COUNTRIES, 2 PLANETS, 3 DIMENSIONS, AND A SPACE STATION…
**** THE ANIME-ZING RACE ****

Leg Ten

(Overhead shots of Chicago, narrowing in to Grant Park. Becky is standing in front of Buckingham Fountain.)

Becky: This is Grant Park, in Chicago, Illinois. Besides being a haven for big fountains and rallies for shady politicians, it’s also the ninth Pit Stop in the race.

(Shot of Syaoran & Meiling arriving.)

Becky: (VO) Four teams arrived here for a mandatory rest. When they leave here, they’ll have no clue where they’re off to next. They’ll need to get to the next yellow-and-red route marker by solving clues they’ll find in sealed envelopes.

(Becky is standing in the amphitheatre.)

Becky: This is the last leg to end with an elimination. The three teams that survive it will go on to finish the race.

(Shot of Yukino and Arima finishing.)

Becky: (VO) Yukino and Arima are the only team that has not used the Fast Forward. Will their last place finish in the previous leg prompt them to use it now? Or will they save it for the last possible moment?

(Shot of Takato and Henry arriving in first.)
Becky: (VO) Takato and Henry, who were the first to arrive at 8:18 p.m…

(They have a clue in hand twelve hours later.)

Becky: (VO) …will depart at 8:18 a.m.

(Henry opens the clue.)
[TAKATO & HENRY- Digimon Tamers- First to Depart]
Henry: Return to the airport and fly back to Tokyo. Once there, go to Japan’s national library.

(Henry reads the clue further.)

Henry: You have… 200 gold pieces for this leg of the race?

(Takato holds up a bag.)

Takato: I am not counting these.

(Shot of a plane taking off. Cue the transition to the new host- Yui Hongo.)
Yui: (VO) Teams must take a plane back to the homeland in Tokyo. Once they arrive, they’ll have cars awaiting them. They must take the cars to the national library.

(Rapid shots through the library and upstairs.)

Yui: (VO) Once there, they’ll have to find the marked “Employees Only” room on the second floor and find the route marker inside.

(Takato and Henry are walking through the park, using a map.)

Henry: (VO) We’ve been really confident the whole way through. And considering how hard this race has been, we’ve held up really well. But that doesn’t mean anything if we can’t get into the finals.

(Brock is sifting through the gold pieces as they leave the Pit Stop.)
[ASH & BROCK- Pokémon Trainers- 2^nd to Depart]
Ash: Now how are we supposed to spend gold at a library?

Brock: Don’t ask me.

Ash: I think we have just as much chance of getting into the finals as any other team. We’ve had more bumps along the way, but we’ve always gotten past them. Some could look at our previous legs and say we’re hanging by a thread. But perhaps we’re just unstoppable.

(Ash and Brock decide to run to the same station.)

Brock: If we can be on the same train as Takato & Henry, I’d feel a lot better!

Ash: Which stop was it?

Brock: Up here!

(Ash and Brock race to the station and go down. They buy tickets and head to the platform. Downstairs, Takato and Henry are waiting.)

Ash: Hey! Did you miss us?

(Takato and Henry are clearly unhappy.)

Henry: What? Do you need to follow us back too?

Ash: Wa?

(The train pulls in and the teams board, but the arguing still continues.)

Brock: What do you mean we’re following you?

Takato: Well, you followed us last time!

Henry: I don’t know how much other teams liked it but we don’t. We went through a lot of trouble to figure which stops to get off on. If you’re just going to follow us the whole way through, I don’t see how you deserve to be here.

Ash: Hey, we did just as much to get here as you did!

Takato: Oh, please, if we weren’t riding with you, you’d still be looking for the police station.

Brock: Look, we knew what we were doing. We’re always going in the same direction, so we’re always either following you or ahead of you.

Henry: You two? Ahead of us? I don’t remember that ever happening.

Brock: What about Paris?

Takato: Oh, that stunt you pulled on Mars? That wasn’t worth the risk just to finish second place.

Ash: Look, when we’re standing at the finish line on top watching you guys pull into second place, you’ll know just how good we are!

Takato: Yeah, right…

Henry: Just let it go, Takato… these two aren’t sorry about any of this.

(The teams sit down on opposite ends of the train.)

Henry: I shouldn’t have opened my mouth to begin with.

Takato: Why not?

Henry: Well, we shouldn’t be worried about those two. Once we get to Japan, we’ll lose them and they’ll be back in last where they belong. We can’t worry about stupid rivalries.

Takato: Besides, they’ve made enough enemies as it is!

(Henry laughs.)

Henry: Remind me to splash Ash with water next time we get into an argument.

(Ash and Brock sit on the other end.)

Brock: (VO) I’m used to a little hostility, but this is ridiculous. It seems like every team’s out to get us, and we don’t know why. What have we been doing wrong?

(Syaoran & Meiling depart, and they actually call for a taxi. They call one and get in.)
[SYAORAN & MEILING- Cousins- 3^rd to Depart]
(In the cab, they plan out even more.)

Syaoran: For now, I think we have to just keep going no matter what. We can’t really afford to rest any more.

Meiling: Not even with Yukino behind us?

Syaoran: They’re going to be out of the picture though.

Meiling: Why’s that?

Syaoran: You don’t think they’re going to go for the Fast Forward?

Meiling: Oh shoot… they still have that?

Syaoran: Yukino and Arima are not factors anymore. We don’t care that we’re ahead of them, because they’re using the Fast Forward. We have to be worried about Henry, Takato, and Brash. If they get to Tokyo ahead of us, all our hard work is going to amount to nothing.

(And the last team gets up and goes.)
[YUKINO & ARIMA- Dating Couple- Last to Depart]
Arima: Why don’t we stop at a hotel and reserve tickets before we get there?

Yukino: Yeah. We want to make sure we’re on…

(They reach a hotel and start making phone calls to various airlines. They secure tickets.)

Yukino: (VO) We’re pretty set on taking the Fast Forward when it comes up in this leg. We finished in last the last time, and don’t want to take any more chances. I had a hunch that the last leg was going to be non-elimination, but I never want to hear “last team to arrive” ever again.

(After Syaoran and Meiling hop on a train and depart, Yukino & Arima arrive at the station. They get their tickets but are forced to wait for a train.)

Arima: Nervous?

Yukino: I’m fine… what time’s the flight?

Arima: 2:00.

Yukino: Let’s see, it’s not even ten.

(Yukino relaxes on her bench Yukino-style, virtually melting into it.)

Yukino: I can smell the Pit Stop already.

Arima: You’re not getting ahead of yourself, aren’t you Yukino?

Yukino: I can hear it already- “Yukino and Arima- you’re team number one.”

Arima: We heard that a couple days ago in France.

Yukino: I know. Wasn’t it great? But I was so damn tired I couldn’t enjoy it.

Arima: You’d better get lots of rest then. You want to be in a good mood when we get there, right?

Yukino: (dreamy) “And for winning this tenth leg, you’ve both won a trip to Cancun sponsored by American Airlines that you can enjoy after the race…”

(Arima smiles and rubs the back of her head.)

Arima: I knew it wasn’t all about personal advancement- you want the fringe benefits too!

Yukino: Hell, ten million yen’s a nice little extra, don’t you think?

(The train arrives. They board.)

(Montage of shots as they head out of Chicago. The three trains are heading in the same direction, so it’s awfully boring. Finally, the first train nears the airport. Both Ash & Brock and Takato & Henry position themselves to be the first out the door. Ash smiles.)

Ash: What? Aren’t you afraid we’re going to follow you to the ticket counter?

Takato: Yeah, but we still need to get there.

Ash: Well, if you’re so intent thinking that we’ll follow you, maybe you should let us go first.

Takato: Okay, fine… just to see you get lost!

(Takato backs off a little bit. The second the doors open, Ash and Brock rush out the door. They clearly know where they’re going. Henry chases after them.)

Henry: (angry sarcasm) Smart move, Takato!

(Takato joins in. Ash and Brock beat them to the JAL counter and scores tickets first. Henry is quite peeved when they get to the counter. There’s still spots open, but Henry is still unhappy.)

Takato: Look, we got tickets fine.

Henry: It doesn’t matter. That’s exactly what I said about not letting rivalries get in the way. We have to try to beat three other teams, not make one team look bad.

(Syaoran and Meiling arrive next. They do the usual “running like hell” to the right counter. There’s some tension this time, as tickets are running low.)

Syaoran: Please. We’ll take anything. Separate seats if need be.

Meiling: Syaoran?

Syaoran: If we must, we must…

Clerk, Well, you’re in luck then… there’s three open spots left. You’ll have to sit separately, but you’re on.

(Both breathe a sigh of relief as their boarding passes are printed. They claim then.)

Meiling: I’ll miss you when we’re apart on the plane!

Syaoran: Don’t worry, we’ll just find somebody to switch with when the plane takes off.

(Meiling hugs Syaoran.)

Meiling: Good idea.

(Yukino and Arima arrive. They’re perfectly calm as they claim their reserved tickets.)
Yukino: It was a good thing we reserved those tickets, because there was only one available spot when we got to the airport.

(All four teams board the plane. Meiling is a little peeved that not only are all four teams on board, but she’s separated from Syaoran on the plane. They’re unable to negotiate a seat together during the flight.)
Arima: (VO) I suppose it wasn’t just a mental problem for the cousins to be sitting apart. They miss out on a lot. Not only with the chance to plan some strategies. But just having somebody to talk to, somebody to talk dirty about the other teams to… just someone to be with. I think them not sitting together really puts them at a disadvantage.

(A map shows the line going from Chicago to Tokyo, but if you needed a visual aid, get help. The plane lands back in Narita Airport, and although the teams are back home, they aren’t celebrating. All four rush through customs, and all the typical boring stops. Afterwards, Yukino and Arima look around for their car. The see a fleet of four white cars outside. They run up to the nearest one and open the door.)

Yukino: Arima, you drive and…

(They look forward. It’s Delia.)

Delia: I’ll drive, but I think you’ve got the wrong car.

Yukino: Crap!

(Yukino slams the door as Ash and Brock arrive. They see Delia and hop in.)

Ash: National library!

Delia: (cheery) And where would that be?

(Ash suddenly gets down off his high.)

Ash: Sorry… I’m still used to cabs.

(They pull out at about the same time Yukino and Arima do.)

(Yukino and Arima’s find their own vehicle.)

Yukino: You know where the library is?

Arima: My parents took me there… once… from Kawasaki.

Yukino: So you have no idea how to get there?

Arima: I know the general vicinity, but not the street.

Yukino: Well, let those two go ahead and just drive in the general direction while I figure this out.

Arima: Right. And it’s okay if they get there first because…

(Arima leads her on, and she joins in.)

Yukino / Arima: We’re going for the Fast Forward…

Yukino: I know.

(Takato & Henry and Syaoran & Meiling arrive at their cars. Syaoran & Meiling let Wei pull out.)

Syaoran: Just get out of the parking lot while we figure out where we’re going.

Wei: Yes, Master Syaoran.

(For awhile, it’s mostly the teams driving towards the library. Ash and Brock seem to be in a bit of a fix. Brock is fiddling with the map.)

Delia: I don’t see it anywhere.

Brock: Uh… okay…

Ash: You’re kidding me, right? Don’t tell me we’re lost.

Brock: Okay then. I’ll just be quiet and try to figure out where we are.

(Ash shakes his head.)

Ash: After all that talk about how we can’t find anything on our own, we pretty much prove it by getting lost on the way to the library. I just wanted to crawl into a hole somewhere, which probably wouldn’t be too far from where we ended up.

(Yukino and Arima cheer as they see the library in sight.)

Arima: Good work. Now we just have to find a place to park…

Yukino: Park it on the roof for all I care, we’re in a hurry!

(They finally find a place to park and run in.)

Arima: So where are we going?

Yukino: The… uh… it’s some room marked “employees only.” I’m assuming that there’s a route marker nearby!

(They run inside as Takato and Henry pull up in their vehicle. They park next to Yukino & Arima and rush out.)

Takato: Hey Henry, who’s is this?

Henry: I think I saw Yukino and Arima running in, so we’re not that far behind them.

(They run inside.)

(Syaoran & Meiling have the library in their sights.)

Meiling: There it is!

Syaoran: Wei, drop us off and find somewhere to park.

Wei: I’m afraid I can’t do that Master Syaoran. I can’t drive without you.

Syaoran: Right…

Meiling: Wei! Over there! I see the other cars!

(They pull in next to them and run out.)

Meiling: One… two… think we’re in third?

Syaoran: Can’t say. Maybe a team parked somewhere else.

(They rush inside.)

(Ash and Brock are still lost. Delia’s even a little worried, but drives on. Ash is almost distraught.)

Ash: You do realize that this is our worst nightmare, right?

Brock: Yeah… I know. Let’s just hope some of the other teams are doing even worse.

(They plod on.)

--

(Inside the library, Yukino & Arima and Takato & Henry are running at full speed until a librarian slows them down. They eventually walk quickly and frantically around the building, looking for the right door.)

Takato: Hey Henry? Maybe we should go upstairs.

Henry: Shh!

Takato: Sorry. I forgot. We’re in a library.

Henry: It’s not that, I just don’t want Yukino & Arima to hear. Come on.

(They make it up and finally find the room. There’s a route marker outside. Takato and Henry enter the room and find the clue box just outside.)
[TAKATO & HENRY- Currently in First Place]
Henry: Find the nearby book of the Four Gods Sky & Earth and use it to enter the world of Konan…

(Henry is becoming more confused as he reads it.)

Henry: Then visit the courtyard of the imperial palace in the capital city of Eiyou.

(Henry hands the card to a disbelieving Takato.)

Henry: Okay… open-minded.

(We go through dimensions to Eiyou, a city in ancient China. Rapid shots to the royal palace. Priestess, student, wrestling otaku and out-and-out glutton Miaka Yuuki takes charge.)
Miaka: (VO) Using a magical book, teams must enter the Universe of the Four Gods, a world based on ancient China. They will be in the land of Konan, and will have to find the imperial palace in the capital city of Eiyou.

(Takato and Henry head up to the book.)

Takato: Are you sure that’s what the clue says?

Henry: Yes. It says we should just have to open the book for it to work.

Takato: Well… here goes nothing…

(They open the book. Magically, they are both sucked in.)

(Finally, Ash and Brock arrive at the library.)

Brock: It’s about time.

Ash: Yeah, now let’s just figure out a way to catch up.

Brock: How many times has it been now? I lost count.

(They get out of the car.)

(Yukino and Arima find the room second. They duck inside and retrieve the clue.)
[YUKINO & ARIMA- Currently in 2^nd Place]

Arima: Use the book to enter the world of Konan…

Yukino: Uh huh… I’ve never seen a book do that.

Arima: Well, that’s what it says to do.

(They approach the book and get sucked in.)

(Almost immediately afterwards, Syaoran & Meiling run up there.)
[SYAORAN & MEILING- Currently in 3^rd Place]

Meiling: I saw them go up here!

Syaoran: There’s the marker.

(They get inside. Syaoran reads the clue quietly.)

Meiling: Well?

Syaoran: I guess we’re going back to China.

Meiling: What do you mean?

(Syaoran walks up to the book.)

Meiling: What is it?

(He takes her hand and places his on the book. They are drawn in.)

(Yukino and Arima are standing on a little bluff, overlooking the city of Eiyou. Both are too overwhelmed to speak. Until they see something off in the distance.)

Arima: Yukino? There’s Takato and Henry running into town. Should we head in?

Yukino: I… er… I guess so.

(They begin to walk towards the city.)

Arima: I have to admit that I was a little bewildered by it all. I mean, one minute we’re in a library, and the next we’re in ancient China? The whole idea of being surrounded by magical powers is new to us, and it’s pretty shocking to experience it firsthand.

Yukino: I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was just… unbelievable that a book could have the power to send us to a different world. Maybe that’s our weakness. I’ve been trying for so long to identify our biggest flaw, and the fact that we haven’t dealt with supernatural powers like the other teams have may be it.

(Takato and Henry enter the bustling marketplace. They have to avoid shady salesman, pickpockets, and general thugs on their way.)

Takato: Nice neighborhood.

Henry: Open-minded, open-minded, open-minded…

Takato: Konan Country was very… educational. It’s one thing to hear about a place in history books. It’s another thing entirely to actually be there. It’s interesting to see how one place that’s so completely different can still have a lot of the same things that we have to put up with back home. There’s annoying jerks no matter where you go.

(Syaoran and Meiling arrive and waste no time to dash into the city.)

Meiling: Yukino and Arima weren’t that far ahead of us!

Syaoran: If we hurry, we can sneak ahead.

(They continue running into the city, and dash past, over, and occasionally through people en route to the palace.)

Syaoran: Sometimes it doesn’t really pay to run to each route marker. But there are other times when it can really pay off. We were able to get ahead of Yukino & Arima just by moving a little faster. It catches them off guard and disrupts them mentally.

(Yukino and Arima are moving slowly through the city.)

Yukino: Okay… this is still a little strange to me.

Arima: We’ve been to stranger places.

Yukino: Yeah, but inside a book? Next thing you’ll tell me is that there’s a completely different world at the bottom of a well.

(Ash and Brock arrive at Konan country. Ash starts running in, but Brock walks.)

Brock: Hold on Ash, I’m tired enough as it is.

Ash: We need to get back ahead!

Brock: We’ll get ahead during a challenge or something. Running aimlessly into the city isn’t going to solve anything.

(Takato and Henry are naturally the first to arrive at the palace. They find a clue box in the courtyard and Henry opens it up.)

Henry: Road Block.

Takato: I guess they’re not done with little stuff that throws us off balance.

(Miaka is walking through the courtyard of the palace, dressed in traditional priestess robes.)
Miaka: A Road Block is a task that only one person may perform. In this Road Block, that person must…

Henry: (OS) Hey!

(Miaka looks over at Henry and Takato.)

Henry: Aren’t we supposed to pick who goes before we find out what the challenge is?

(Miaka stubbornly looks away.)

Miaka: Fine…

(Miaka taps her foot impatiently as they decide.)

Takato: I’ll do it.

Henry: Okay, we’re ready for you.

(Miaka smiles again and walks up to Takato, putting an arm around his shoulder.)

Miaka: In this Road Block, you have to journey through the busy Eiyou marketplace in search of the seven Suzaku seishi.

(Shot of a poorly marked course, leading through crowded streets. Every so often, they pass one of the seven seishi.)

Miaka: (VO) The course is labeled, but some of the markers are hard to spot and it’s quite possible to get lost in the crowd. When each seishi is found, they’ll hand over a special seal that attaches to a scroll each team gets. When all seven seals are in place, they must return to the palace to receive the next clue.

Takato: (VO) Great. So where are these scrolls?

(Back to Miaka and Takato. Miaka hands one over. It’s a fairly large scroll.)

Takato: Thanks. See ya!

(Miaka waves as Takato runs back into the marketplace. Miaka turns around as Henry pulls out a candy bar and begins to unwrap it. Miaka chews on Henry’s arm until he releases the bar. Miaka swallows the chocolate whole.)

Miaka: Thanks!

(Takato exits the palace. He begins to look around for a marker, but can’t find anything. He begins to look around, right past a thirteen-year-old boy standing directly under a marker. As Takato runs down an alley, Syaoran and Meiling run into the palace. Takato continues running down the alley, until he sees a marker. He follows it forward, and spots one directing him to the left. He finds his first seishi, the gentle giant Mitsukake. Mitsukake’s cat, Tama-chan, is on his shoulder.)

Takato: Are you who I’m looking for?

Mitsukake: Indeed. My name is Mitsukake.

(Mitsukake looks up at Tama-chan. The cat has the seal in its mouth and runs away.)

Takato: Hey!

Mitsukake: Better chase after it.

(Takato does so, chasing the cat through the streets.)

(Syaoran and Meiling arrive at the palace.)
[SYAORAN & MEILING- 2^nd at Road Block]
Meiling: Road Block. This person must be good in crowds.

Syaoran: We’re probably doing something in the marketplace. I’ll do it.

(Meiling opens the envelope.)

Meiling: Yep! Find the seishi.

(Syaoran reads the details as he runs off, grabbing a scroll from Miaka on the way.)

Meiling: Good luck Syaoran!

(Takato follows the cat down the alley. Tama jumps into the arms of a second seishi, Tasuki.)

Tasuki: What the hell?

Takato: Hey! Come back cat!

(Tasuki grabs the cat by the collar and hands him to Takato.)

Tasuki: You can have him.

(Takato takes the cat, and the seal, and sends Tama-chan on its way.)

Takato: Thanks. You wouldn’t happen to be another one of the seven I’m supposed to find.

Tasuki: I don’t know. I might be. Looking for Suzaku seishi for that stupid race thing?

Takato: Yep.

Tasuki: Gotcha.

(Tasuki whips out his metal fan. On it are four seals. Takato takes one, and pulls his hand away instantly.)

Takato: Ow!

Tasuki: Yeah, heh heh… I had a cheapskate grocer who needed a hotfoot. Forgot those were on my fan.

(Takato uses his sleeve to put the second seal on his scroll.)

(Syaoran immediately spots the first seishi, one that Takato missed.)

Syaoran: Are you?

Chiriko: Chiriko. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

(Chiriko is about to hand over his seal when he throws it in the air. Syaoran watches it land, then bends down to pick it up.)

Chiriko: Make sure to observe it.

(Syaoran does so. The mark on the seal seems to point out the correct direction. Syaoran picks up the seal.)

Syaoran: Thank you.

(He runs in that direction.)

(Yukino and Arima arrive.)

Arima: There’s the marker.

(They run up to it and fetch the box.)

Yukino: Any Fast Forward clue?

Arima: Nope. Just a Road Block. I can take it.

(Arima opens the clue.)

Arima: Take a scroll and find the seven seishi in the marketplace.

(Arima runs off.)

Yukino: Hurry up!

(Takato runs through the streets, dodging people left and right.)
Takato: (VO) I felt pretty good about the Road Block. I’m used to the atmosphere. It’s no different than making deliveries for the bakery back home.

(Takato finds a marker. But no seishi. All he sees is a straw hat under the marker. He looks around, before picking up the hat.)

Takato: Okay… where’s our guy?

Chichiri: I’m in here no da!!

(Chihiri, a kitsune-eyed monk, pops his head out of the hat. Takato drops it.)

Chichiri: Looking for this?

(Chichiri hands over his seal. Takato takes it.)

Takato: Um… thank you!

Chichiri: You’re welcome no da!

(Chichiri pops back into the hat. Takato quietly walks away.)

(Meanwhile, Arima has some trouble weaving through the crowds, but gets the second seal from Tama-chan. Arima smiles and pets the cat.)

Arima: Thank you.

Mitsukake: The cat seems to like attention more than I do.

(Syaoran is doing a great job weaving through the crowds as well. He is licking his fingers after his run-in with Tasuki.)

Syaoran: Damn was that hot…

(He reaches the next marker and finds the hat. He closes his eyes and senses Chichiri’s presence. He picks up the hat.)

Syaoran: You can come out now.

(Chichiri pops out with the seal.)

Chichiri: Okay! Have a seal!

(Syaoran takes it, drops the hat and runs off.)

Chichiri: (VO) Ow! Careful!

(Takato reaches the next one, Nuriko. Nuriko is, for all intents and purposes, a girl. Except that he’s actually a boy.)

Takato: Hey, you look like a senshi!

Nuriko: A senshi? You mean a seishi.

Takato: Uh…

(Takato checks the clue.)

Takato: Oh yeah. Sorry.

(Nuriko hands over the seal.)

Nuriko: It’s okay… I wish I was a senshi!

(Ash and Brock arrive at the palace.)
[ASH & BROCK- Last at Road Block]
Ash: Road Block. I’ll do it.

(Ash opens the envelope.)

Ash: Okay, I have to find the seven seishi in the marketplace.

Brock: Take your time Ash. Don’t get lost.

Brock: (VO) We knew we couldn’t afford to get lost again. There’s always an opportunity to catch up as long as we don’t screw up any more.

(Takato reaches the next one, Tamahome.)

Tamahome: So you guys are from Miaka’s world?

Takato: Yes we are and I’m really in a hurry.

Tamahome: Hm… what do you have?

(Takato hurriedly unzips his backpack and pulls out a map of Paris.)

Takato: It’s a map. This way you’ll always know where you’re going.

(Tamahome takes it.)

Tamahome: Sounds nice! Bet I can profit off this!

(He gives Takato the seal. As soon as Takato takes off, Syaoran arrives.)

Syaoran: The seal, please.

Tamahome: Now, the last guy gave me something for it. What do you have?

(After contemplating, Syaoran pays a few gold pieces.)

Syaoran: I won’t bother arguing. Happy?

Tamahome: Very!

(Tamahome hands the seal over.)

(Ash reaches Mitsukake, and his clearly intimidated by him.)

Ash: Um… you wouldn’t happen to have one of those seals, would you?

(Mitsukake nods.)

Mitsukake: Certainly.

(Mitsukake takes the seal from Tama-chan and hands it to Ash.)

Ash: Alright… I caught another one!

(Ash heads to the next one. Mitsukake raises an eyebrow)

Mitsukake: Caught?

(It takes awhile for Arima to figure out that he’s to get the straw hat under the marker. He looks around, lost. Chichiri pops up from behind.)

Chichiri: Hey, who’s hat is that?

(Arima turns around. Chichiri’s gone. Arima picks up the hat and Chichiri hands him the seal from inside.)

Chichiri: Took you long enough no da!

(Arima sweatdrops.)

(Takato and Syaoran are almost even as they follow the markers back into the palace. They are taken inside to greet the emperor Hotohori himself. Takato is still trying to stay ahead.)

Hotohori: Greetings.

Syaoran: May we have our seal?

Hotohori: Of course…

(His assistants give Takato and Syaoran seals.)

Takato: Anything else?

Hotohori: Yes. You should have the seven seals and may return to your partner.

(Syaoran nods and runs off. Takato, however, is confused. He only has six.)

Takato: Oh no… did I miss one?

(Takato walks out. He gets a good view of the city from above.)

Takato: I must have forgotten one. Damn…

(Takato walks back into the city.)

Takato: (muttering) Somebody kill me now…

--

(Syaoran runs back to the courtyard with the completed scroll. He presents it to Miaka. Miaka confirms it and gives him the clue. He joins Meiling, who hugs him.. Henry is baffled.)

Henry: How did he get ahead of Takato?

Meiling: All right Syaoran!

Syaoran: Let’s go over here…

(They move so they are out of earshot from Henry. Syaoran opens the clue.)

Syaoran: Find the shrine to Suzaku inside the palace to get instructions to go back to the real world.

(They run to the nearby shrine.)

(Miaka is standing in front of the shrine to Suzaku, the firebird god of the south.)
Miaka: In order to return home, each team must take their completed scrolls to this shrine to the god Suzaku. Suzaku rules Konan and when combined with the power of the seven seishi, has the ability to return each team home.

(Takato is looking around at the entrance. He sees Chiriko.)

Takato: Hey there. I’m trying to find these senshi, er… seishi. Do you know where…

Chiriko: I happen to be a seishi. My name’s Chiriko.

Takato: Oh, wow… I didn’t even see you standing there.

(Chiriko looks aside. His feelings seem to be hurt for a moment, but he turns back to Takato and smiles.)

Chiriko: That’s all right! Would you like your seal?

Takato: Please.

(Chiriko hands it over and Takato heads back into the palace.)

(Ash is at the hat. He clearly notices the hat under the marker. But instead of inspecting it further, he picks it up and starts shouting.)

Ash: Hey! Did somebody lose a hat?!

(Chichiri pops out of the hat.)

Chichiri: You found it! My hero no da!

(Ash drops it suddenly and jumps back.)

Chichiri: So would you like the seal or would you not like the seal?

Ash: Seal! Yes!

(Chichiri hands it over.)

Ash: Thanks!

(Ash runs off as Chichiri shakes his head.)

(Arima finishes up with Hotohori and runs back to the courtyard. He and Takato arrive at about the same time. Takato reaches Miaka first, gets his verified first, and gets the clue first. He takes it to Henry while Arima gets checked out.)

Takato: Sorry I’m late. I hit a snag.

Henry: Don’t worry about it. Where to next?

Takato: Uh… Suzaku shrine.

(Syaoran and Meiling reach the shrine. There is a large cauldron in front of a large Suzaku statue. There’s also a not-as-large clue box in front of the entrance. Meiling sees it.)

Meiling: Ah hah!

(She takes and opens the clue.)
[SYAORAN & MEILING- Currently in First Place]
Meiling: Here are the steps needed to get home… blah blah blah… once back in the library, make your way to the roof.

(Shot of a ritual being demonstrated by stagehands… or Hotohori’s flunkies.)
Miaka: (VO) In order to return to the real world, each team must complete a short ritual. They must hold hands and recite a chant expressing their desire to return. Then they must toss the scroll into the fire. When they do, the powers of Suzaku will return them to the real world, where they must head to the roof of the library to find the next route marker.

(Syaoran and Meiling do so.)

Meiling: This is stupid…

Syaoran: Don’t say it’s stupid. You’ll anger the god.

Meiling: Give me a break.

Syaoran: I don’t like taking chances.

(They take hands and both silently pray for a safe return. Syaoran flings the scroll into the cauldron. In a flash of fire, and probably the work of Taittsu-kun, the two are sent back to the room in the library. Meiling still has her eyes closed.)

Meiling: Are we there yet?

(Syaoran opens his eyes and smiles faintly.)

Syaoran: Yeah.

(Meiling opens her eyes.)

Meiling: Swell! Let’s go.

(Yukino and Arima are back in the courtyard reading the Fast Forward clue. Takato and Henry are already running off.)

Arima: To claim the Fast Forward, return to the real world by going to the Suzaku shrine and completing the following steps…

Yukino: You can read while we run!

(Yui stands in front of a large file cabinet in the library.)
Yui: To win the Fast Forward on this leg, a team must return to the real world using the same ritual. Back in the library, they must go downstairs to this file cabinet.

(Yui points to a drawer in the cabinet.)

Yui: Using a provided key, they must open this drawer and retrieve a roll of microfilm.

(Yui walks over to a microfilm viewer.)

Yui: They must find the first page on the film using this viewer and print out a copy. That page has the Fast Forward.

(Takato and Henry are ready to throw their scroll in. Takato points to the large Suzaku statue.)

Takato: Hey, Henry, isn’t that…

(Henry takes a good look and is suddenly nervous.)

Henry: Open-minded… open-minded…

(They complete their ritual and disappear as Yukino and Arima arrive. Both get there just in time to see the tamers vanish.)

Yukino / Arima: Whoa.

Yukino: I guess it’s our turn.

(They cautiously step up to the shrine and take hands.)

Arima: Ready?

Yukino: Yeah.

(Arima tosses the scroll in the fire. They vanish.)

(Brock, meanwhile, is taking the opportunity to hit up Miaka.)

Brock: So… a priestess huh? I can get into that.

(Miaka smirks.)

Miaka: Sorry! As a priestess I must remain a virgin!

Brock: That’s awful! Who made that rule?!

Miaka: That’s a good question…

(Miaka glances off to the side and makes a fist.)

Miaka: (sotto) Because I’d sure like to give her a piece of my mind.

(Ash returns with his completed scroll.)

Ash: Got it guys!

Brock: Good work!

(Ash gets the card from Miaka and opens it.)

Ash: Find the Suzaku shrine inside the palace…

(They run off.)

(Syaoran and Meiling find their way up to the roof of the library. All that’s up there is a route marker. Syaoran takes it.)

Syaoran: Have Xelloss transport you to the kingdom of Zefielia and visit the inn in the nearby town.

(Meiling looks over Syaoran’s shoulder and reads a side note.)

Meiling: P.S.- Watch your back around Xelloss.

(They both look around. There’s nothing on the roof.)

Syaoran: Um… where’s Xelloss?

(Xelloss pops in from out of nowhere, as he always does, and puts a hand on each of their shoulders from behind.)

Xelloss: I’m right here!

(Both are startled and jump back, taking martial arts stances. Meiling is the first to relax after seeing the priest, complete with staff.)

Meiling: Where the hell did you come from?

(Xelloss waves a finger at her and smiles.)

Xelloss: That… is a secret.

Syaoran: Are you going to take us to this Zefielia place?

Xelloss: You know, I’m in a good mood, so sure! I can get you to Zefielia.

Meiling: Good, because we’re in a…

(Xelloss turns to the camera.)

Xelloss: But first Zel has to explain what’s going on!

Syaoran: What?

(Zelgadis the bishounen chimera is standing outside the town in Zefielia.)
Zelgadis: The next destination for the teams is the kingdom of Zefielia, home of sorceress Lina Inverse. However, Zefielia lies in a different world, so teams have the misfortune of getting there with the help of the infamous ‘trickster priest’ Xelloss. If and when they reach Zefielia, teams need to find the inn in the center of the nearest town.

(Back on the roof, Meiling sweatdrops.)

Meiling: You *do* have the power to get us there… right?

Xelloss: Yes, and the only reason to not take you is when you question my power.

(Syaoran looks away.)

Syaoran: I’m confused.

Xelloss: Great!

(Xelloss grabs either of their shoulders and takes them to Zefielia. The world is more feudal in style. All three are in front of a stable of eight horses.)

Xelloss: Well, happy trails.

(The two run off.)

Meiling: Okay, Syaoran, we have to get to the inn in town.

(Xelloss fakes disappointment.)

Xelloss: Aw… you can’t even say thank you?

(He snaps and disappears again.)

Meiling: At this point, we just have to roll with whatever we get. If we’re being transported to different worlds through weird books, a Feng-huang shrine or weirdo priests… we have to grin and bear it.

(Ash and Brock arrive in the library. Both are somewhat shocked.)

Ash: Wow. I didn’t know Ho-oh could do that.

Brock: Come on. We can’t slow down for anything.

(Takato and Henry are the next ones at the roof.)
[TAKATO & HENRY- Currently in 2^nd Place]
Henry: Great, where the heck is this Xelloss character?

Takato: Hope he’s not busy with the other teams.

Henry: We only had the Li’s ahead of us.

(Xelloss pops in.)

Henry: Are you Xelloss?

Xelloss: It all depends on who’s asking.

Takato: We need to get to… uh… wherever it says on the card.

(Henry refers to the card.)

Henry: Zefielia.

Takato: Where the heck is that anyway?

(Xelloss again waggles his finger.)

Xelloss: It’s a secret… but I’ll take you there anyway.

Takato: Great! Let’s go!

(Takato and Henry walk up to Xelloss. Xelloss suddenly turns around.)

Xelloss: Right after this commercial break!!

(Takato and Henry face fault.)

--

(Downstairs, Yukino and Arima have retrieved their microfilm and are loading it into the viewer.)

Arima: (VO) We had no trouble with the microfilm. We’ve done enough term papers and research projects in school that using microfilm is second nature to us.

(Yukino sits down and starts winding through the film. She reaches the first page and zooms in.)

Yukino: Congratulations you have won the Fast Forward!

Arima: Print it out!

Yukino: Right.

(She does so. They get a copy and both read it.)

Arima: Congratulations, you have won the Fast Forward. Go directly to the Pit Stop- the royal castle in Saillune.

Yukino: Great! How the heck do we get there?

(For the answer, we turn to the daughter of the royal family, white mage, and all-around champion of justice Amelia. We also have shots heading up to the roof, and the stable of horses from before.)
Amelia: (VO) Having triumphed over evil, the fair Yukino and the brave Arima may skip all tasks and go directly to the Pit Stop- the royal castle in Saillune. To get there, they must go to the roof of the library and get to Zefielia with help from Xelloss. Then they must use two horses and a wagon to make the journey to Saillune, which could take as many as two days. They will be accompanied by one of the gallant Suzaku seishi to make sure they don’t fall prey to the evils lurking in the forest.

(Takato and Henry arrive in Zefielia by the stables. Xelloss disappears, leaving the Tamers on their own in the world.)

Henry: Thanks, I guess…

Takato: He’s gone. Never mind.

(They make their way to the center of town.)

(Meanwhile, Syaoran and Meiling are lost on the outskirts.)

Meiling: There aren’t any signs! How do we know what’s the center of town?

Syaoran: Just keep walking. We’ll find it eventually.

(Ash and Brock is running up to the roof when Yukino and Arima appear behind them and give chase.)

Ash: Waugh! Put on the gas Brock!

Brock: I see them Ash!

Yukino: Hey! Get back here!

(They chase each other through the library, dodging regular attendants on the way. Yukino picks up a glass of water a person at a table had set aside.)

Yukino: Take that!

Brock: Look out Ash!

(Ash manages to dodge away in time, shielding himself in front of Brock just in case.)

(The race continues, but Ash and Brock manage to stay in the lead to the roof. They reach the route marker. Brock grabs the clue and opens it moments before Yukino and Arima get to the roof. Brock scans the clue)

Brock: Xelloss? Where are you?

Yukino: Yeah!! We have a wagon to catch.

(Xelloss pops in.)

Xelloss: You know, patience is a virtue.

Yukino: Yeah, and so’s shutting up and doing your dimensional thing.

Ash: Yeah! We have to catch up to the other teams.

Xelloss: What? Surely you don’t think I didn’t haggle them as much I haggle you?

Yukino: I don’t care how much you haggled the others. We’re behind them!

Brock: What? Didn’t you get the Fast Forward?

Arima: Yes, but we’re still technically in last until we get to Zefielia and steal the lead.

Yukino: Which is why we want to make it fast.

Xelloss: Okay, I suppose…

(Xelloss snaps a finger. All four are in Zefielia.)

All: Thank you!

(Ash and Brock run off while Yukino and Arima head for the wagons.)

Xelloss: Now that’s more like it.

(Downtown, Takato spots a route marker.)
[TAKATO & HENRY- Currently in First Place]

Takato: Henry! Over there!

(They run over and get to the clue box outside the inn.)

Takato: Detour- Might or Magic.

(A blue hand opens a Detour envelope, revealing the clue.)
Zelgadis: (VO) A Detour is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons. In this Detour, teams need to decide between Might and Magic.

(Shot of blond musclehead Gourry Gabriev using his patented Sword of Light to slice through a few boulders.)

Zelgadis: (VO) In Might, teams need to find this outpost in the woods, where Gourry Gabriev will train them how to use the mighty Sword of Light. Each team member must use the sword to slice through a boulder. Teams have to walk out of town to this task, and Gourry’s not the greatest teacher, but the process is fairly mechanical.

(Meanwhile, on the roof of the inn, the mighty Lina Inverse is throwing out random spells without a care in the world, even when the occasional spell goes through a window or blows up a house.)

Zelgadis: (VO) In Magic, teams need to make the short climb up the stairs to meet the living legend Lina Inverse. Lina will demonstrate a magic spell called Flare Arrow. With the help of magic amplifiers, both team members must execute the Flare Arrow before Lina will hand over the clue.

(Takato is still trying to decide when Henry heads to the stairs.)

Takato: Henry, where are you going?

Henry: For Magic, we can stay right here. It may be harder, but we don’t have to go very far for it. Besides, it has to be do-able. Otherwise they wouldn’t make it a task.

Takato: But… I’ve never done magic before.

Henry: Well, you’ve never run through marketplaces looking for Suzaku seishi before either. C’mon.

(Takato follows.)

Henry: I wasn’t scared of the idea of using magic. We’re in a different world, and things work differently here. We just have to go with the flow, and if using magic is the flow, then that’s what we do.

(Arima are hooking up two horses to a wagon. Yukino walks up and spill out a ton of local food from her backpack into the wagon.)

Arima: Good work. I think we’re ready to go.

(Yukino pulls out the Fast Forward.)

Yukino: It says we’re supposed to be accompanied by a Suzaku seishi for protection.

Arima: I don’t see any…

(Out of nowhere, Xelloss and Tamahome pop in.)

Xelloss: You know, maybe I should start charging for this service.

Tamahome: What do you mean? It was a bumpy ride! In fact, I think you did that on purpose! If nothing else, I should be paid for suffering through that!

(A chibi-Xelloss and a chibi-Tamahome begin arguing, shoving hands in faces and such.)

Arima: Excuse me? Tamahome?

Yukino: (to Arima) Mind if I?

Arima: Go ahead.

(A giant Yukino head lashes out at the two, although Xelloss disappears immediately.)

Yukino: QUIT ARGUING AND GET ON THE WAGON ALREADY!!

(Tamahome coils back in fear and walks to the wagon.)

Tamahome: Yes ma’am.

(The three board. Arima grabs the reigns and starts out.)

(Syaoran and Meiling are still wandering when they see Ash and Brock head down a street.)

Meiling: There’s Brash!

Syaoran: Which way are they going?

(They follow. Ash and Brock make it directly to the route marker. Syaoran and Meiling are quick to follow.)

Ash: After years of entering town and immediately going to the nearest Pokémon center, we have a knack for finding specific landmarks in new towns.

(Ash reads over the Detour.)

Ash: I don’t know. I’ve never used magic before.

Brock: Neither have I. It’s probably safer to use the swords.

Ash: Right.

(They run out as Syaoran and Meiling walk in. Syaoran opens the envelope.)

Syaoran: Detour- Might or Magic… let’s do Magic.

(Syaoran reads it over and heads to the stairs.)

Meiling: Why, Syaoran?

Syaoran: Because I can already use magic. We have to use that to our advantage.

(Syaoran climbs the stairs as Meiling pouts.)

Meiling: But what about me?!! I can’t use magic!!

(Up on the roof, Takato and Henry are both wearing small blue pendants. They’re trying to use a spell, but neither are having any luck. A very bored Lina supervises.)

Lina: Hey, didn’t I tell you to relax? Why aren’t you relaxing?

(No response. Lina looks to the side.)

Lina: (sotto) How come Zel and Amelia get to host while I’m stuck up here babysitting these two? I should get to host. After all, I’m the star.

(Syaoran and Meiling reach the roof. Lina walks up to them.)

Lina: Okay, kids, the spell you’re using is called Flare Arrow. Just watch what I do and copy me exactly.

(Lina lazily holds out a finger.)

Lina: (unemotional) Flare Arrow.

(A few magic arrows shoot out of her finger and into the skies.)

Syaoran: All right.

(Lina holds out two blue pendants.)

Lina: There’s no way you can do that unless you have these pendants to amplify…

(Syaoran rears back and thrusts a finger.)

Syaoran: East winds that flow have you as their source, into my hands ignite all their force… FLARE ARROW!!!

(An equal number of arrows shoot through his fingers. Everybody, including Lina and Meiling are shocked.)

Lina: Uh… yeah… but can you cast Dragon Slave?

(Syaoran grabs a pendant and hands to Meiling.)

Syaoran: Your turn Mei.

(Yukino and Tamahome have settled in and are letting Arima handle most of the work.)

Yukino: So if these bandits dropped by, you’ll be able to take care of them?

Tamahome: Of course. I try to be modest but really… I kick ass.

Yukino: Great!

(They continue to talk, having a very pleasant conversation as Arima simply listens on and guides the horses along the path.)

(While Syaoran has cast his spell, neither of the other three are anywhere close. Meiling misses again.)

Syaoran: Come on, Mei, you can do this…

Meiling: No I can’t Syaoran! You know I can’t use magic. After I moved to Tomoeda, it was the only thing you ever said to me!

Syaoran: You can do it now! I have faith in you!

(Meanwhile, Takato and Henry aren’t having much better luck.)

Takato: This is hard…

Henry: Flare Arrow!

(Henry succeeds… in firing a round of dirt, which falls to the ground helplessly.)

Henry: Yeah, this is hard.

(Ash and Brock, meanwhile, have reached the woods. A few boulders are nearby. One of the boulders is Gourry.)

Gourry: Hey, did you have any trouble getting here?

Brock: Nope! Only got lost once!

Gourry: That’s really good. I got lost three times!

(Ash, like most of us, is probably disturbed by the fact that their voices sound exactly alike. So he reverts the subject on course before they can have a conversation.)

Ash: Can we do this?

Gourry: Right. To summon the Sword of Light, it’s really simple.

(Gourry unsheathes it, which glows a mighty blue.)

Gourry: Light come forth!!

(Gourry holds it out.)

Gourry: However, wielding it takes a lot of skill. Who wants to go first?

Brock: I’ll do it.

(Gourry re-sheathes the sword and hands the scabbard to Brock.)

(Meanwhile, Takato, Henry and Meiling are all struggling. Takato is starting to get angry.)

Takato: Flare Arrow! Flare Arrow! Flare Arrow!

(Nothing.)

Takato: Anything yet, Henry?

(Henry isn’t moving.)

Takato: Maybe we should do the other one.

(Henry opens his eyes.)

Henry: Flare Arrow!!

(Finally, he executes it properly, releasing a single arrow.)

Lina: It’s about time. With amplifiers like that an ox should be able to cast Flare Arrow.

Takato: Well, the ox is either lost, or he’s doing the other one.

(Meanwhile, Meiling is ready to give up.)

Meiling: It’s not fair. How come I don’t get to use magic?

(Syaoran takes her hands.)

Syaoran: You can. You just have to convince yourself that you can.

Meiling: But…

Syaoran: Mei, this is your chance. You’ve always wanted to do it and now you have the power to. And it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve heard you couldn’t do it, if you can do it now it’s all that I care about.

(Meiling takes a deep breath, then opens her eyes.)

Meiling: Okay… I can do it. I know I can do it…

(Syaoran steps back and lets her unwind. She rears back and thrusts forward.)

Meiling: Flare… ARROW!

(Three arrows fly from her fingers and shoots out into the sky. She looks at it.)

Meiling: I did it… I did it!!

(Syaoran runs up and hugs her. She responds by suffocating him.)

Meiling: I did it!! I used magic!

Syaoran: Good work Mei… can we celebrate after we get going??

(Meiling slowly releases.)

Meiling: Right… heh heh…

Lina: Not bad, I guess. Here.

(Lina hands Syaoran the card. He opens it as Meiling fiddles with her pendant.)

Syaoran: Take a horse and wagon to the next Pit Stop- the royal castle in Saillune.

Meiling: Can I please keep this?

(Lina snatches it back.)

Lina: No way! Do you know how much I can sell these for??

Syaoran: We need to get going. But really Mei, that was really good.

Meiling: It was nothing Syaoran!

Syaoran: What Meiling did in the Detour meant so much, to her and me. All her life, she was a little sad, almost envious, that she couldn’t use magic but I could. But she finally was able to do it here. I’m sure it’s something she’ll always remember and I don’t think I’ve ever been so proud of her.

(Not-so-rapid shots of a horse following a path.)
Amelia: Teams must take a horse and wagon and make a journey to the royal castle in Saillune, the Pit Stop for this leg of the race. They’ll be accompanied by a Suzaku seishi for protection, since evils are lurking on the roads. The last team to arrive will be eliminated.

(Shots of Ash and Brock attempting to wield the sword. Both have difficulties at first, but eventually, Brock is able to hold it up and effectively slice through a boulder. Ash also has trouble, but eventually gets it.)

Ash: All right!

Brock: Are we done now?

Gourry: Uh… let’s see… show them how to use sword, check. Make sure they don’t kill themselves with sword… check. Watch them make idiots of themselves trying to use sword… check. Wait for both of them to slice through boulder… check. Yeah, that’s everything. What now?

Ash: Uh… a card would be nice?

Gourry: I don’t think now’s a good time to play cards, aren’t you in a race?

Ash: I meant a clue!

Brock: Ash, maybe it’s not a good idea to get a clue from him.

Gourry: Oh… you mean one of these…

(Gourry hands Ash the envelope.)

Gourry: I forgot those were there!

(They read the instructions and head out.)

(Takato is finally able to do it after a good long hours of failure, most of which were cut in editing. Lina hands Henry the clue.)

Lina: Well, it’s about time.

Henry: No kidding… royal castle in Saillune… Takato! We have to go back to the stables we saw when Xelloss dropped us off.

Takato: Oh great, we don’t have to deal with him again, do we?

(Xelloss pops in behind them.)

Xelloss: Aw, I don’t talk about you behind your back, do I?

(Takato turns around, but he’s already gone.)

Henry: C’mon. Let’s get going.

(Syaoran and Meiling are on the road while their guard, Hotohori, sharpens his sword behind them.)

Meiling: I can’t believe it… I’ve never felt better!

(Syaoran smiles.)

Syaoran: Good. Are you tired?

Meiling: Nope!

Syaoran: That’s good too. You know, we’re already ahead of Takato and Henry, but if we’re not tired, we should rest as little as possible right now. With a trip like this, we could get so far ahead, they won’t be able to catch up to us next time.

Meiling: Great idea!

(Takato and Henry are both nervous as they try to control their horse. Takato slumps back.)

Takato: Great, I don’t see those two anywhere. I blew it.

Henry: Hey, we don’t know where Ash and Brock are. So we’re an hour behind Syaoran and Meiling? We’ll catch up next time.

Takato: If you say so…

(Tasuki pops in from behind.)

Tasuki: Hey, when the hell are we coming across the bad guys? I want to kick some ass!

(Rapid shots of the four teams on the road to Saillune. It’s getting dark and Arima notices.)

Yukino: Getting tired?

Arima: Not so much that. It’s just getting really hard to see.

Tamahome: This is when they’re likely to strike.

Yukino: Well, see how much farther you can go. When it’s pitch black you can’t see. And if anything attacks from now until then, Tama-chan will just have to take care of it.

(Arima grumbles a little.)

(It’s really dark now. Brock is at the reigns with Nuriko next to him. Brock is trying to prevent himself from glancing over and taking a look at him.)

Brock: (crying) I know you’re a guy but you’re so damn beautiful!!

Nuriko: You know, it’s getting dark.

Brock: Yeah. We won’t get very far during the night and we need to give the animals a break.

(Brock leans over and talks to the two horses and one ox.)

Brock: Ash, we’ll camp here tonight. I’ll boil some water for you.

(Night falls. Three of the four teams have settled down for the night, while three seishi keep a close eye on them. However, one of the teams is plodding along in the black of night.)

Meiling: Are you okay, Syaoran?

(Syaoran is walking ahead of the horses, with only two candles to light his way.)

Syaoran: Yeah. This is better than nothing.

Meiling: Tell me when you get tired.

Syaoran: All right.

(The sun rises. The next day, the journey must continue as every team gets up at dawn and gets moving again. A few hours later, at the gates of Saillune, one team arrives, although Meiling is extremely tired, and turns around. Both Hotohori and Syaoran are asleep.)

Meiling: Syaoran? Hey, Syaoran!

(Meiling keeps tapping him on the shoulder until he wakes up.)

Syaoran: Yeah?

Meiling: I think we’re here.

(He rubs his eyes and is greeted by the sights of a medieval city. They head straight for the castle. After an extended stair climb, both are exhausted but enthusiastic as they are greeted by the Amelia and her father, the crown prince Philoniel, or Phil for short.)

Phil: Welcome to Saillune, the white magic capital of the world!!

(Amelia poses.)

Amelia: Syaoran and Meiling, in the name of justice I declare you team number one!!

(Their faces light up. Syaoran is very pleased with it all, and doesn’t resist at all when Meiling wraps her arms around him.)

Meiling: We did it!

Syaoran: We did… it all worked great.

Meiling: Now we can get some rest and do it all again tomorrow!

Syaoran: Yep.

(Yukino and Arima are well rested when they pull into the village.)

Yukino: I just hope we’re still in first.

Arima: We should be. I don’t know how anybody could have traveled at night like that.

Yukino: I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out.

(They reach the castle and step on the mat.)

Amelia: Yukino? Arima? You’re team number two.

(Neither knows what to say. Arima nods slowly.)

Arima: I guess we’ll have to…

(Yukino grabs Amelia by the collar.)

Yukino: What do you mean we’re in second??

Amelia: You’re going to finish second and you’re going to like it! Justice has prevailed and there isn’t a thing you can do about it!

Yukino: Hey, I don’t know if you remembered, but we had the Fast Forward! If justice wants to prevail, we should be on top!

Amelia: Well, justice says that anyone who doesn’t deserve first place won’t get it! So there!

(Meanwhile, Ash is rubbing his throat.)

Brock: You look a little tired.

Ash: It’s not me… it’s my voice actress.

Brock: No excuses Ash. Did you see the way Eric handled that Detour? Total professional.

Ash: Too bad he couldn’t get us through it faster.

Brock: Getting lost on the way there wasn’t fun either.

(Takato and Henry are approaching town.)

Henry: Well, we’re here. It’s the moment of truth.

Takato: I’m really sorry. I feel like I screwed everything up.

Henry: Look, if we lose we lose. I guess we did all we could.

(Amelia and Phil wait for the third team to climb the stairs to the castle. It’s Takato and Henry. They walk to the Pit Stop.)

Takato: This is for all the marbles…

Amelia: Takato and Henry?

Henry: We’re listening…

Amelia: You’re team number three.

(Both relax. They’re very relieved to hear the news.)

Takato: All right! Best news I’ve heard in awhile.

(Takato hugs Amelia. She doesn’t like it, but sits through it anyway.)

(Ash and Brock make the final walk to the end. Both have no idea what to expect.)

Amelia: Ash and Brock?

Brock: Hold on…

(Brock hugs her passionately for good luck. This time, she forces herself out of it.)

Ash: For luck?

Brock: Uh… sure...

(She’s angry now, and points at them.)

Amelia: Ash and Brock, you are the final team to arrive. In the name of justice, I render you two foes eliminated!!

Ash: Well, you didn’t have to put it that way.

Brock: I take it a date’s out of the question.

(Ash shakes his head and smiles.)

Ash: (VO) Looks like our luck finally ran out. We had been walking the line for a while and just as we think we have things figured out, we just aren’t fast enough to keep going.

Brock: We made it farther than anybody, including ourselves, thought we could. There were times when I thought there was no way we could get by. But we did. Perhaps that’s why we were eliminated this time- I really figured we had a shot at beating somebody.

Ash: It was great. It was like another journey for us, and we did some pretty incredible things and met some incredible people.

Brock: Yep. There was Naru and the Hina girls, Misato, Kiyone and Mihoshi, Aeka, Excel, Ukyo, Shampoo, Weda… definitely Weda, that Russian girl…

Ash: Brock we get the idea…

Brock: …Minnie May, Becky, Miaka, and last, but certainly not least- Amelia.

Ash: Jeez… next time I do this with Misty.

(Miaka and Lina are both at the Pit Stop addressing the camera.)
Lina: Next time- it’s the grand finale of the Anime-zing Race, so you better not miss it!

(Shot of Syaoran and Meiling taking out Kuno on the Ranma leg.)
Miaka: (VO) Will Syaoran and Meiling use their boost of momentum be able to keep them in first place?

Henry: Syaoran and Meiling are easily the most resilient team here. They’ve hung through a lot of stuff, and they’re still surprising me.

Arima: The way they beat us today was a perfect example of how the Li’s can surprise us. They apparently surprise a lot of good teams. Look at Spike & Jet and Misato & Ritsuko. Two really strong teams that could have gone really far… until they came across Syaoran and Meiling.

(Shot of Yukino and Arima taking on Ichino in Zero-G lacrosse.)
Lina: (VO) Will Yukino and Arima shrug off this defeat and finish on top when it matters most?

Syaoran: Yukino and Arima are extremely gifted, both physically and mentally. It’s no surprise that they’ve gotten this far, and it’ll take everything we’ve got to beat them.

Takato: They’re older, stronger, smarter, and more aggressive. Yeah, they can get on my nerves sometimes, but you can’t question how tough Yukino and Arima are. Also, they’re playing for pride, which is a whole lot more dangerous than facing someone playing for money.

(Shot of Takato and Henry planning out the Fast Forward route in Antarctica.)
Miaka: (VO) Or will Takato and Henry be able to come from behind and take the gold?

Yukino: I’m really impressed with the way Takato and Henry work together. They have such a camaraderie and this knack for covering for each other’s flaws.

Meiling: Those guys are great. I like them a lot. The best part is that they use that niceness in order to do good. It’s a lot better than being sneaky. I think they can definitely win if they just do what they’ve always do. And if Syaoran and I can’t win, I hope they do.

(Back to Lina and Miaka in front of the castle.)
Lina: These three teams have been through twelve series, and now it’s up to three decidedly different animes to decide who wins.

Miaka: Next week they’ll go through Gatekeepers, Angelic Layer, and Serial Experiments Lain. And in the end, one will be on top!

Lina: So you’d better watch… or we’ll really cause some trouble.

End Episode Ten

Author’s Notes
As always, I restrict myself to how long an episode can be, which results in some pretty interesting editing. More than a page was cut out of this, which delved deeper into the issue with plane tickets (namely the other teams thinking Yukino & Arima wouldn’t get on the plane) and a bit involving currency exchange.

This one was loaded with voice actor references, since it’s a rare opportunity to see one voice actress handle four different characters. Not only does Veronica Taylor play mainstays Ash and Yukino, but she also does the voice of Delia Ketchum and everyone’s favorite “champion of justice” Amelia. This episode was particularly interesting, since all four characters interacted with the other three at some point. Other interesting notes are that Miaka has the same voice actress as Jeri, Zelgadis has the same actor as Frontier’s Koichi, and Brock and Gourry have the same actor (the Eric guy Brock was talking about). And yes, Misty’s voice actress does have a character that joins the party in the second season.

Since I’m such a big fan of the fan parody “This is Otakudom,” and it stars the Suzaku seishi, I had to make sure to include any appropriate interactions between the teams and the characters. This included Mitsukake and Ash (Mitsukake played the part of the group’s Pokémon fan), and Hotohori and Syaoran (Hotohori was the fanfic writer who, according to Nuriko, wrote a CCS lemon). The one I forgot was Miaka and Yukino, but like her character in TiO, Miaka missed Kare Kano. There was also another reference, as Takato asked for someone to kill him in front of the person who actually did in Grim Reality.

According to my sources, Feng-huang is the Chinese name for Suzaku and seems more fitting for Meiling to use that name.

Finally, since Flare Arrow is such a basic spell, the chant that goes with it. But I threw it in there because it sounded cool for Syaoran to say. On that note, the type of magic Flare Arrow belongs to would likely be similar to the CCS equivalent Syaoran uses, so it’s realistic for him to learn it quickly.

Since Lina and Miaka effectively covered the Next Episode Preview, I won’t bother repeating it. But Lina was serious about causing trouble… so you’d better tune in.