The Anime-zing Race 2

Episode Six

Authors Notes
Welcome back to The Anime-zing Race 2- the other bi-weekly summer reality series featuring an annoying host voiced by Luci Christian (although Ive also got an annoying contestant voiced by her- top that Chromus!). Despite my new job, Im going to try to stick to a bi-weekly schedule, and have picked up my pace to get as many episodes in before I actually start working in early August. The contest is still running, but if youre just hearing about it now, its too late to be eligible to win. Finally, the fifth season of the real series airs every Tuesday starting at 10 eastern on CBS, so be sure to check that out. Okay, youve waited long enough- here we go again!

Recap
Satoshi: (VO) Last time, on the Read or Die leg of the Anime-zing Race

(Shot of Noboyuki and Tenchi riding the paper airplane.)

Satoshi: (VO) A high-flying Detour sent teams soaring.

Noboyuki: (VO) Once I got past the fact that we were riding a paper airplane, it was just a big hoot. Made me feel like a kid again.

(Shot of everybody following Yukari and Minamo around in the airport.)

Satoshi: (VO) Teams stuck close to Yukari, Jessie, and Max, negating most of their language or navigational advantages.

Gourry: We tagged along with a couple other teams in New York. That was probably a good idea, but I dont think Lina counted on them hitting a few of her sore spots.

(Shot of Koichi and May hooking up on the ferry.)

Satoshi: (VO) While Koichi and May got even closer to each other, at the risk of alienating their teammates.

Koichi: (VO) I have a funny feeling he doesnt want May and I alone together. It doesnt matter to me. Being a member of the team is more important than being with May.

(Shot of Riley returning from the Road Block to an unhappy Yamaki.)

Satoshi: (VO) But while those two hooked up, Yamaki and Riley seemed heading in the other direction, as they became the fifth team to go down.

(Rapid shots of the seven remaining teams at various points in the race.)

Satoshi: (VO) With only seven teams left, whatll go down tonight on the Irresponsible Captain Tylor leg of the Anime-zing Race?

 

**** ANIME-ZING RACE ****
12 TEAMS OF 2:
TOUYA & YUKITO (Best Friends / Students- Cardcaptor Sakura)
KOJI & KOICHI (Twin Brothers- Digimon)
JESSIE & AYLA (Rivals- Battle Athletes)
MAY & MAX (Siblings- Pokmon)
SETA & KEITARO (Master & Apprentice- Love Hina) {ELIMINATED}
NABIKI & KASUMI (Sisters- Ranma ) {ELIMINATED}
LINA & GOURRY (Traveling Companions- Slayers)
YUKARI & MINAMO (Best Friends / Teachers- Azumanga Daioh)
NOBOYUKI & TENCHI (Father & Son- Tenchi Muyo)
MINATO & YUKINA (Sisters-In-Law- Nadesico) {ELIMINATED}
CHIHARU & YAMAZAKI (Classmates- Cardcaptor Sakura) {ELIMINATED}
YAMAKI & RILEY (Dating Co-Workers- Digimon) {ELIMINATED}

13 LEGS
15 SERIES
6 COUNTRIES, 6 DIMENSIONS, 3 PLANETS AND 2 SPACESHIPS
**** THE ANIME-ZING RACE ****

 

Leg Six

(Wide-shots of the LSO headquarters, and the massive library within.)
Satoshi: (VO) This is the headquarters for the Library Special Operations, an international taskforce on a mission to save the world from all literature-related crimes. This base in London is the fifth Pit Stop in the race.

(Shot of Jessie and Ayla checking in.)

Satoshi: (VO) Teams checked in for a mandatory rest period.

(Shot of Wendy spilling a cup of tea on Tenchis lap, and then proceeding to clean it up.)

Satoshi: (VO) This gives them a chance to eat

(Shot of Yukari sleeping on a pile of books.)

Satoshi: (VO) sleep

(Shot of May and Koichi walking through the library alone, holding hands.)

Satoshi: (VO) and mingle with the other teams.

(Satoshi stands in a cool research facility in the library. A conveyor belt behind him delivers him a clue envelope, which he takes and holds up.)

Satoshi: The seven teams have no idea where theyll be shipped off to next. Theyll have to figure out how to get to the next route marker using clues found in sealed envelopes.

(Shot of Koji and Max on the airplane, doing their best to ignore Koichi and May behind them.)

Satoshi: (VO) Can Koji and Max be able to work effectively with their siblings, now that Koichi and May have started a relationship?

(Shot of Touya and Yukito checking in. Touya is very relieved.)

Satoshi: (VO) And can Touya and Yukito get out of last place, especially after losing their alliance partners in the previous leg.

 

(Shot of Lina and Gourry checking in.)

Satoshi: (VO) Lina and Gourry, who were the first team to check in at 10:31 AM

(And now to the present, where Lina and Gourry are ready to leave.)

Satoshi: (VO) will be the first to leave at 10:31 PM.

(Lina rips open the clue.)
[LINA & GOURRY- Traveling Companions- 1st to Depart- 10:31 PM]
Lina: Find the marked research facility on this floor. Retrieve an Oni from somewhere on the shelves and teleport to the UPSF enlistment office in Tokyo.

 

(Rapid shots to an expansive LSO research room and a large line of bookshelves along one wall.)
Satoshi: (VO) Teams need to head to this research area and find one of the several oni hiding somewhere in the bookshelves. From there, theyll have to use it to go to the UPSF enlistment office in Tokyo.

(Shot of the outside of a small building, and the route marker outside. Zoom out. Its the distant future, with flying cars, spaceships launching nearby, and the like.)

Satoshi: (VO) What they dont know is that UPSF stands for United Planets Space Force, and the oni will take them to Tokyo in the year 6998. Oh yeah, theyre gonna get their SF on!

 

(Lina and Gourry walk down the hall, careful to make sure they are going in the right direction.)

Gourry: (VO) Were really happy about our finish, but we also know that we got really lucky. Its about time we had something go our way, but we cant count on it all the time.

(They reach the research room. Since it is late at night, only a couple researchers are in the room, none paying too much attention to Lina or Gourry. Lina, meanwhile, is staring at the large bookshelves.)

Lina: You mean we gotta search those shelves?!

Gourry: Its never easy, is it?

Lina: Here we go again

(Both slowly begin looking along the shelves, with Lina constantly swearing about it.)

 

(Yukari and Minamo read through the clue together.)
[YUKARI & MINAMO- Best Friends / Teachers- 2nd to Depart- 10:41 PM]
Yukari: Whats this UPSF place?

Minamo: Who knows? Look, we have to get going. Noboyuki and Tenchi were right behind us.

(They move out.)

Yukari: I was hoping wed stay in England a little longer so my English would pay off more. But we ended up leaving pretty quickly. Still, we went from last to second, so its good to know that it came in handy.

 

(Noboyuki counts the money, nods, and he and Tenchi take off.)
[NOBOYUKI & TENCHI- Father & Son- 3rd to Depart- 10:43 PM]
Tenchi: (VO) Im still not sure whats going to happen. Dad only seems to be making a half-hearted attempt at racing with any sense of class. But I realized during the Road Block that Im in a tough position. If Im not giving my all, were going to fall behind, which may mean playing dirtier in order to succeed.

 

(Ayla finishes reading the clue aloud as Jessie nods.)
[JESSIE & AYLA- Rivals- 4th to Depart- 10:46 PM]
Ayla: and teleport to the UPSF enlistment office in Tokyo.

Jessie: I think I saw where that is.

Ayla: The UPSF enlistment office in Tokyo?

Jessie: No, that research station. I dont even want to guess what the UPSF is.

(They continue on.)

Ayla: Obviously this race requires more than brute strength. The farther we go, the more weaknesses we are exposed to. We simply have to be aware of them and hope our competition doesnt exploit them. Noboyuki and Tenchi once tried to, but weve learned much since then.

 

(Lina and Gourry get their oni and rush out as Yukari & Minamo and Noboyuki & Tenchi keep hunting for more. Minamo and Tenchi are blindly throwing books back and forth. Noboyuki stands behind them, looking. Yukari leans in next to Tenchi.)

Yukari: You know they didnt say we couldnt share these things.

Tenchi: Excuse me, Im busy.

Yukari: We could work together. Whoever finds it first shares it with the other team?

Tenchi: I dont know if you want to work with us. We have a bad track record with alliances.

Noboyuki: Come on, Tenchi! Jessie and Ayla will be here any minute!

Yukari: Hey, dont sweat it! Remember, we backstabbed Its Tendo!

Tenchi: And thats supposed to convince me to work with you?

(Yukari starts to brush up against his arm.)

Yukari: Ever dating a teacher before?

(Tenchi backs away. Meanwhile, Jessie and Ayla have quietly run in. Noboyuki does his best to avoid them as they tackle the stacks immediately.)

Tenchi: (stern) Sorry, Yukari, Im not interested in you in that way

Yukari: (offended) Hey! I dont date kids! What kinda freak do you take me for?!

Tenchi: Then what were you saying before about dating teachers?

Yukari: Oh, I was saying I could hook you up with Nyamo-chan.

(Yukari turns to Minamo and smiles.)

Yukari: Hey, Nyamo, you date your students, right?

(Minamo looks really irritated, as if Yukari struck a nerve.)

Minamo: (subdued) Not recently

Jessie: Got it!

(Jessie pulls an oni from the shelves. She and Ayla take off. Now clear, Noboyuki runs up to Tenchi.)

Noboyuki: Whats taking so long?!

Tenchi: I cant concentrate with Yukari on my back!

Noboyuki: No problem then! Yukari!

Yukari: Yeah?

Noboyuki: Sure! Lets work together! If Tenchi doesnt want to date Nyamo, I will!

Yukari: Deal!

Minamo: Hey, dont I get any say in this?!

 

(The happy little couple and their brothers are running through the facility.)
[MAY & MAX- Siblings / KOJI & KOICHI- Twin Brothers- 5th to Depart- 10:50 PM]
May: Why are we running like lunatics again?

Koji: Team Bishounen is too close to us and were too close to Team Amazon.

Max: And if we have to get an oni to take us to a specific headquarters, there isnt any bunching up at airports or anything!

Max: Frankly, I dont care what May does with Koichi, as long as its on their own time. But I dont want to see their relationship screw things up in the race. Some really skilled teams have been eliminated already and the ones that are left are all really tough. So we cant afford to let anything throw us off track.

 

(Lina and Gourry arrive in the future. The future, Conan? Yes, the future. And both are immediately overwhelmed by everything. Its also morning.)

Lina: And I thought Kyoto was bad

(They see the route marker nearby and immediately fetch the clue.)

Lina: Make your way to the UPSF Headquarters downtown.

Gourry: How do you suppose we get there?

(Lina runs inside. Gourry follows. Lina walks up to an enlistment officer.)

Lina: Hey! How do we get to HQ?

Enlistment Officer: You go downtown, and turn left when you

Lina: No, no! I mean what kind of funky transportation you got here?

Enlistment Officer: Did you try a taxi?

Lina: Oh. A taxi. Good idea!

 

(Rapid shots of a taxi flying downtown and to the large building comprising the UPSF headquarters. Head of the UPSF Outer Fleet Forces, Admiral Mifune, directs.)
Mifune: Teams will be directed from the recruitment center to the UPSF Headquarters for some basic training. They will find their next mission at the route marker located inside HQ.

 

(Noboyuki marches forward with an oni. Yukari and Minamo follow him, with Tenchi lagging behind.)

Yukari: (excited) Witness the birth of the most powerful alliance to date- Team Backstab!

(Tenchi slaps his forehead.)

Tenchi: Do you really have to put it that way?

Yukari: Hey, given our records, would either of us take the chance of betraying yet another team?

Minamo: In other words, this alliance is a train wreck waiting to happen.

Noboyuki: Then all aboard for Tokyo!

 

(Touya and Yukito are set to go.)
[TOUYA & YUKITO- Best Friends / Students- Last to Depart- 10:53 PM]
Yukito: Teleport to the UPSF enlistment office in Tokyo.

Touya: Wonder what that is.

Yukito: At least we get to go back to Tokyo!

(Touya nods and they head out.)

Touya: This is the first time weve been behind, but we arent worried. Everybodys very close together right now, and Im sure Yuki and I will catch up soon enough.

 

(Jessie and Ayla arrive at the enlistment office. Ayla sees and grabs the clue. Jessie looks around, very interested.)
[JESSIE & AYLA- Currently in 2nd Place]
Ayla: Make your way to the UPSF Headquarters downtown.

Jessie: Wow This place grew up.

(They hail a cab fairly easily.)

Jessie: I knew wed be doing some time jumping, and I assumed that since Ayla and I are from what you would consider the future, wed have an advantage. I guess we still do. But this place is 2,000 years beyond even what were used to. I guess its not enough to lump every time period together and call it the future. Just because we have space travel doesnt make it the same.

 

(Koji is in his own corner of the giant shelf looking for an oni. His other three companions are together.)

Max: Lets see. Theres gotta be one in here somewhere.

May: Cant we just trash the place?

Koichi: I dont think the LSO would like that very much.

(Max pulls out one book, which immediately crumbles into dust. Max lets the dust fall to the floor.)

Max: Whoops.

Koichi: I think theyre starting to rethink the idea of letting us search this shelf.

May: Hey!

(May pulls out the oni, who squirms a little before submitting. Koichi pats her on the shoulder.)

Koichi: Way to go!

Max: Okay, lets move.

Koichi: Koji, we have it!

(Koji sees it and quietly hops off the shelf as they rush out. Koichi remains close to May the whole while.)

Koji: Of course it bothers me. I mean, I can tolerate having an alliance with May and Max. It gets a little annoying, but alliances are part of the game. But my brother having a fling while were supposed to be racing? I have a problem with that. I just hope he remembers who his partner is and why were doing this in the first place.

 

(Team Backstab, as Yukari puts it, runs out of the enlistment office. Noboyuki immediately begins to hail a cab. Minamo does as well.)
[NOBOYUKI & TENCHI / YUKARI & MINAMO- Currently Tied in 3rd Place]
Yukari: So do you follow us or do we follow you?

Tenchi: If were going to work together, we might as well try to share a cab.

Yukari: Yeah, I guess. We need to keep our eyes on each other since were both so deceitful.

Tenchi: (concerned) What exactly did you do to Nabiki and Kasumi anyway?

Yukari: They floated. We sunk.

Tenchi: Thats it? You went ahead because they took a different Detour?

Yukari: Were bastards arent we?

(Two cabs land and Yukari rushes to claim the one in front.)

Yukari: We get this one!

Noboyuki: But I called the first cab!

Minamo: It doesnt matter, we both know where were going. Noboyuki, you take the front cab. We need to get moving before the kids show up.

Yukari: Ooh trusting Noboyuki to get ahead. What a foul, clever gambit.

(Minamo shakes her head as she dumps her things in a cab.)

Minamo: (sarcastic) Yeah, yeah, Im an evil genius, lets go.

 

(Touya and Yukito dont take long at all to find their oni. They rush out quickly.)

Yukito: (VO) Being in last place at this point and time is only going to help us. Most of the other teams have had to fight for survival before, and it was our turn to know what it feels like. Weve been up in front for so long that we havent been going as fast as we should. That may be how we ended up back here!

 

(Lina and Gourry are fearing for their lives as the taxi flies into downtown Tokyo.)
[LINA & GOURRY- Currently in 1st Place]
Lina: Could you slow down please?!

Driver: You said you were in a race.

Lina: Yeah, and wed like to stay alive please.

Driver: Im not even speeding that much.

Lina: Whatever, this place scares me.

Lina: So now were in the future. Great. Just as I get used to the present too! This place looks pretty bizarre though, even compared to Kyoto. So hopefully everybody else is just as freaked out as we are. Of course, now we have to deal with the amazons, who apparently are used to this.

 

(Said amazons are used to this, and are enjoying the ride downtown at the same speed.)

Jessie: Come on, this guys not moving. Go over him! Below him!

Ayla: Just not through him though.

(The cab flies under and passes somebody, re-emerging in front.)

Ayla: That was good.

Jessie: Yeah. Very good. Keep it up.

 

(Koji and Max hold two cabs as Koichi and May run out of the enlistment office. They flash a thumbs up to their partners.)

May: We found it. Lets rock.

(They climb into separate cabs and speed away.)

May: If you ask me, Koichi and I doing a pretty good job doing our thing and doing this race thing. We know when were supposed to be racing and when we can have fun. Now that this alliance is really helping us get places, the last thing we want to do is screw it up.

 

(As a result of their cab moving faster, Jessie and Ayla are able to get ahead and reach the office first. Ayla handles the financing while Jessie gets the bags.)
[JESSIE & AYLA- Currently in 1st Place]
Jessie: You good?

Ayla: Yes.

(Ayla runs around the car. Jessie hands Ayla her bag and both rush into the headquarters. It takes them a little while for them to find it, but eventually spot the route marker. They both run at it and Jessie opens the envelope.)

Jessie: Detour- Tension or Pension.

 

(The decorated military man Lt. Commander Makoto Yamamoto proudly walks through the halls of the headquarters.)
Yamamoto: A Detour is a choice between two tasks. Each has its own pros and cons. In this Detour, each team will need to choose between Tension and Pension.

(Shot of a nameless recruit in a VR simulator for an interview, followed by shots of him in a centrifugal force machine and in a spacesuit walking in an anti-gravity chamber.)

Yamamoto: (VO) In Tension, teams will experience the rigorous training regimen our UPSF recruits go through. After a brief interview, teams will have to undergo a zero-gravity simulator, followed by a simulated spacewalk. The procedure is meant to simulate the rough conditions our soldiers experience, and will not be much easier on the teams.

(Rapid shots along various sidewalks and streets to a retirement home. Inside it is retired admiral Roberto Hanner.)

Yamamoto: (VO) In Pension, teams will have to deliver a pension check to the great Admiral Hanner, living out his final days in a retirement home. Teams will have to find his home on foot, relying on the address listed on the check. The task will take longer, and we all hope it wont be exciting. But teams wont have to deal with any lines, and the chance to meet such a noble leader is truly an honor.

 

(Back to Jessie and Ayla, who have no trouble making a decision.)

Jessie: Im up for some space training, how about you?

Ayla: Definitely. Its much faster.

(They follow the instructions on the clue and take a tag outside an interview room. From there, they are taken to two separate rooms. Ayla sits down in a large chair, surrounded by lots of wires and gadgetry. A headset descends and Ayla puts it on.)

Ayla: (VO) We had been through all the training before, so the Detour carried few surprises. Although the computer interviewing us here was much friendlier than the one back home. She was nice.

 

(Lina and Gourry reach the route marker at headquarters.)
[LINA & GOURRY- 2nd at Detour]
Lina: Tension or Pension eh, the Tension one seems like less work.

(They run up to the interview room and take a tag. Lina is much maligned when she sees the number 2 on it.)

Lina: Were second?! How did that happen?

Gourry: Maybe we didnt go fast enough in the taxi.

Lina: Damn! I told him we were in a race, didnt I?

(Gourry scratches his head.)

Gourry: Dont remember.

 

(In front of the HQ, Noboyuki rushes out of his cab immediately and goes for his bag. Tenchi gets out slower.)

Tenchi: (accusing) You werent planning on getting a head start on Yukari and Minamo, were you?

(Noboyuki puts his hands up.)

Noboyuki: (defensive) No, of course not!

(Its all moot, as Yukari and Minamo land right behind them. They get their bags quickly and both teams hustle inside. Yukari and Noboyuki take the clues.)
[NOBOYUKI & TENCHI / YUKARI & MINAMO- 3rd at Detour]
Yukari: Detour- Tension or Pension.

Noboyuki: Ooh. A space training sampler.

Tenchi: (confused) Youre supposed to get trained before going into space?

Minamo: Weve gotta do that one.

Noboyuki: Its right here, so yeah, were doing this one.

(They stick together as they hustle to the interview. They see Lina & Gourry waiting, as well as the line of tags on the wall.)

Minamo: Looks like we have to get in line for...

Yukari: Us first!!

(Yukari rushes ahead, before either Noboyuki or Tenchi can react. Yukari grabs the third tag and flashes it at Noboyuki and Tenchi, boastful.)

Yukari: Yeah! Were next! Tough luck, guys!

(Noboyukis mouth falls open in shock. Tenchi tilts his head, not completely in shock, but still a little bewildered. Minamo, still standing next to them, looks down and shakes her head.)

Noboyuki: (weak) Hey

(Yukari starts laughing. Noboyuki turns to Minamo.)

Noboyuki: (eager) Nyamo-chan??

Minamo: (dry) And after the successful time jump, the train coasts off the tracks and into the ravine, going up in flames in a spectacular wreck.

(Minamo shakes her head)

Minamo: Oh well

(She looks up and smiles at Yukari.)

Minamo: Way to go!

(Minamo pleasantly high-fives her partner as the Masaki men are left stunned.)

 

----

 

(Jessie and Ayla are strapped into individual chambers of the centrifugal force machine. The machine starts up and they spin around at an extremely high speed. However, both seem to handle it without problems. The machine stops. Jessie is let off first. She holds the side of her head for a brief moment and smiles at a technician.)

Jessie: Great. Whats next?

 

(Meanwhile, Koji, Koichi, May, and Max all arrive at the waiting area. Lina & Gourry are just being let in. Behind them, Yukari & Minamo and Noboyuki & Tenchi are still in line.)
[KOJI & KOICHI / MAY & MAX- 5th at Detour]
Max: This is going to take forever!

Koji: Its faster than the other one.

Koichi: And this way, we know where we are compared to the other teams.

Yukari: (snide) Yeah! Behind us!

(Koichi looks up at Yukari, a little irked.)

Max: But we dont know where this retirement home is. Maybe its really close by.

Koji: Dont chance it. Its not worth it.

Max: Why not? Weve got to wait for three teams to get done. At least this way, we can go now.

May: Thats not a bad idea, Koji.

Koji: If you want to go, fine, but were staying.

May: Well, in that case

Max: Lets go May. Hopefully well meet up with you guys later.

(May is a little hesitant, but quickly kisses Koichi on the cheek and runs off with Max. Koichi turns to Koji.)

Koichi: Are you sure its a good idea splitting up now?

Koji: If they want to do the other one, let them. I just think its smarter to stay here.

 

(Lina and Gourry are now in the centrifugal force machine. Lina is violently forced back, and not very happy about the whole thing. Still, she manages through it. Gourry, however, has found an alternate method of tolerating it- he falls asleep. As they finish, Lina is let out first. Shes a little dizzy, but manages to get to Gourrys chamber as its opened. As the technicians wonder how Gourry was able to sleep through that, Lina bashes him over the head.)

Lina: Wake up! We arent done yet!

Gourry: What are we doing, anyway?

 

(May and Max are now outside the headquarters, walking in a specific direction. May is looking at the address on the checks envelope. Max is looking through a map, nodding.)

Max: Okay, its about a kilometer away.

May: A kilometer? Thatll take forever!

Max: I dont think so. Lets assume that it takes each team ten minutes to get through everything. That means that Koji and Koichi are going to have to wait half an hour before theyll even start! If we go fast enough, well be there in fifteen minutes- tops.

May: I hope youre right about all this.

Max: Dont worry, May, I know what Im doing!

(They pick up the pace and start jogging.)

Max: Besides, I ate too much during the Pit Stop and I dont want to lose it in that centrifuge thing.

(Max consults the map once in awhile, but he seems to know where hes going.)

Max: (VO) The other thing that made me do the Pension one was that were smaller and probably more frail than the other teams. Ive seen what astronauts have to go through. I dont know what kind of condition wed be in after we got out.

 

(In a zero-gravity simulator, Jessie and Ayla are walking along the side of a simulated battleship. Jessie is having no problems doing necessary menial repairs on the ship. Ayla, however, is struggling to keep her position.)

Jessie: Ayla, what are you doing?

Ayla: Sorry. Ive never done this before.

Jessie: Its easy. Dont make any big movements. Just keep it light.

(Ayla swims back to the side of the ship, crashing into it. She recovers quickly and helps Jessie make repairs.)

Ayla: And be glad we arent in a vacuum.

(They finish without too much difficulty and are released. They get the next route marker.)

Jessie: Find the UPSF launching facility and board the Soyokaze battleship.

 

(Rapid shots to an elaborate dock-like launching facility and the Soyokaze in port. The ship is pretty run-down, small, and not overwhelmingly fantastic.)

Yamamoto: (VO) Teams must find the UPSF launching facility and wait for the battleship Soyokaze to begin boarding. At 1500 hours, the Soyokaze will launch into space. After the ship leaves the Earths atmosphere and the seat belt signs are turned off, teams will be granted access to the engine room, where theyll find the next route marker.

 

(Koji is getting a little impatient as Noboyuki and Tenchi are allowed into the interview room. He starts pacing around.)

Touya: Stop that.

Koji: Stop what?

Touya: Pacing around. Its making me nervous.

Yukito: Im sure we have nothing to worry about.

Touya: No, we have plenty to worry about. I just want you to stop pacing.

(Koji shakes his head and sits down by Koichi. After standing in place awkwardly, Touya starts pacing around.)

Touya: Look what you got me doing!

 

(Lina and Gourry are in the zero-gravity chamber. Needless to say, they have more trouble with it than the previous team. After spinning around for awhile, they complete their task and get the clue.)
[LINA & GOURRY- Traveling Companions- Currently in 2nd Place]
Gourry: Find the UPSF launching facility and board the Soyokaze battleship.

Lina: I heard battle in there. Cant be all bad.

 

(May and Max are still walking along, but Max stops and looks through a map.)

Max: Um lets see turn here.

May: Left or right?

(Max looks up and returns to the map.)

Max: Thats what Im trying to figure out.

May: Max, youre going to get us eliminated.

Max: No Im not! Well be fine as long as we dont get lost!

May: Isnt that what youre doing?!

Max: No. Im getting us found. If were here

May: So is it left or right?

Max: Maybe its up or down.

(Max flips the map upside-down as May sweatdrops.)

 

(Noboyuki and Tenchi are in the centrifugal force machine. Both of them handle it pretty well at first, but are both thrown for a loop when they get off.)

Tenchi: (woozy) Hey! You forgot to stop this thing!

Noboyuki: Aw, a couple more times wont hurt us. Whee!

Noboyuki: Yeah, that Detour was crazy. They threw us on that machine, and the second were done with it, they want us to go and simulate a spacewalk. While were dizzy and everything! It was a lot of fun.

 

(Yukari and Minamo are having far too much fun in the zero-gravity chamber, although Minamo is still doing the work. Yukaris just spinning around.)
[YUKARI & MINAMO- Best Friends / Teachers- Currently in 3rd Place]
Yukari: (mock singing) Raspberry heaven, Im coming back to you

Minamo: Could you give me a hand??

(Yukari starts shoving a hand in Minamos direction, intentionally propelling herself backwards.)

Yukari: (joking) Oh no! Every time I reach for you we get farther apart.

(Minamo finishes on her own.)

Minamo: Never mind. Were done.

(They land. The chamber opens.)

 

(May and Max finally see the retirement home in the distance. Its a tall, but aesthetically pleasing building.)

Max: Thats it!

May: Finally

(They start running faster. Max looks at the check.)

May: Any idea where he is?

Max: Yep. Top floor.

(May stops for a moment, but continues running before too long.)

May: Thank God for elevators.

 

(Touya and Yukito are taking their spin. Touya has little trouble dealing with it. Once it stops, Touya is helped out immediately, but Yukito has problems. Touya smiles as Yukito is helped out. Yukito looks nauseous.)

Touya: I guess it makes you a little dizzy. But its not too bad, right?

(Without warning, Yukito faints. Touya becomes immediately concerned.)

Touya: Yuki?

(Touya runs up to his partner and tries to wake him up.)

Touya: Yuki?!

(Yukito comes to, barely. He slowly puts a hand to his head.)

Yukito: Yeah a little dizzy

(He closes his eyes. Touya looks around as the technicians fetch medical help.)

Touya: The first half of that Detour was all just innocent fun, but when Yuki passed out, it really scared me. Yukis the strongest person I know, but his health isnt always the greatest. So I could only guess how severe this was. And thats hard to do, especially when were in this race. Yukis more important than this game, but he will not let me quit over something minor.

 

(May and Max have finally reached Admiral Hanners apartment. They enter, jovial.)

May / Max: (loud) Were here!!

(Hanner does not acknowledge them at first, but slowly rolls up to them in his mechanical wheelchair. May and Max silence themselves, both a little ashamed of their outburst.)

Max: Sorry. We have your check!

(Hanner stops in front of Max, who gently sets the check on his lap. Hanner smiles at both of them and nods. He rolls over to a table. May and Max follow. On the table is an assortment of Hanners awards and medals from his time in service, and May and Maxs clue.)

Max: Wow you earned all these?

(Hanner does not respond.)

May: Well, wed love to stay, but we have to get going. It was nice meeting you!

(May takes the clue, bows, and she and her brother run out. Outside, May opens the clue.)
[MAY & MAX- Siblings- Currently in 5th Place]
May: Find the UPSF launching facility and board the Soyokaze battleship.

Max: Well, that shouldnt be too hard. Ive practically memorized this map just to find this place.

May: (wistfully) Yeah

(They press the button for the elevator.)

Max: Hopefully we arent too far behind.

May: Even so you know what? Im glad we did this one.

Max: Me too, May.

(They step on.)

May: We were a little scared at first. I mean, going into this old mans home and all. But when you see how old the admiral looked, and how hes pretty much removed from society and all, its so easy to forget that he used to have a really important life. He did such incredible things, and to see where he is now its kinda sad in a way.

 

(At the launching facility, the less-than-mighty Soyokaze is docked, and technicians are doing a round of checks. There is a boarding ramp, but it is roped off as Jessie and Ayla arrive.)
[JESSIE & AYLA- Rivals- Currently in 1st Place]
Ayla: Is this the right ship?

Jessie: I hope not. Do you see a route marker?

Ayla: Nyet. Maybe we should look around.

Jessie: Yeah.

(The two begin wandering the area, looking for another ship.)

Jessie: (VO) Seriously, I wasnt impressed by that ship. It wasnt much bigger than the shuttle to University Satellite. Cmon, its 2,000 years in the future and this is supposed to be an amazing race- is this the best you can do??

 

(In a taxi, Koji and Koichi are trying to decipher a map. The taxi driver seems to know where hes going, but is pretty casual about letting his passengers know that.)
[KOJI & KOICHI- Twin Brothers- Currently in 6th Place]
Koichi: I cant find it anywhere.

Koji: Maybe its out of town. Its a launching facility, theres probably a lot of noise pollution.

Koichi: I just hope May and Max are doing all right.

Koji: Dont worry about them. Weve got our own problems to deal with.

 

(Touya is doing all the work in the final segment of the Detour, while Yukito floats around, clutching his head. Touya looks back frequently, and as a result, struggles to complete the task.)

Yukito: (weakly) Are you sure you dont need me to help?

Touya: No. Just take it easy. Its more important that you recover.

Yukito: Thanks, Touya.

(Touya finishes and they get the next clue. Yukito stands, but holds a hand to his head.)
[TOUYA & YUKITO- Best Friends / Students- Currently in Last Place]
Touya: Find the UPSF launching facility and board the Soyokaze battleship.

Yukito: Sounds like fun.

Touya: I dont know. Sounds like were going into space. Think you can handle that?

Yukito: Why wouldnt I be able to handle it?

Touya: You couldnt handle the simulator.

(Yukito smiles.)

Yukito: Its not like we have a choice. We have to keep going, no matter how poor I feel.

(Touya puts a hand on Yukitos shoulder.)

Touya: No we dont. Yuki, if youre really bad, you can tell me. We can stop here.

Yukito: Touya, dont say that. Im sure Ill feel better eventually. Now come on, were losing ground on the twins.

(They begin running to the exit. Halfway there, Yukito falls over. Touya catches him.)

 

----

 

(Lina and Gourry arrive at the Soyokaze. Jessie and Ayla are nowhere to be seen.)
[LINA & GOURRY- Traveling Companions- Currently in 2nd Place]
Lina: Nice wheels.

Gourry: Wheres Jessie and Ayla?

Lina: Maybe they snuck on board. Im sure they wont mind it if we got a bit of a jump

(Lina approaches the ramp and sneaks under the rope.)

Lina: See! No magic barrier or nothing!

Gourry: Are you sure this is a good idea?

Lina: Whos going to stop us?

Technician: (OS) Hey!

(A maintenance worker approaches and immediately goes after Lina.)

Technician: No boarding yet, maam. Youll have to wait until we finish our checks.

Lina: Well how long is that going to take?

Technician: Well begin boarding in two hours. We take off at 1500.

Lina: But all the other teams will catch up!

Technician: I think thats the idea, maam.

(Lina storms away angrily. Gourry follows.)

Lina: (ranting) Stupid techie. If I could use my powers, Id have a fireball with his name on it.

Gourry: Look on the bright side, Lina. We dont have to be back here for another two hours. Maybe we can check this place out.

Lina: Eh, weve got nothing else to do. Thats probably what the amazons are doing.

(Lina and Gourry head off to explore the year 6998.)

Gourry: (VO) It was kind of fun seeing the distant future away from the race. It was really interesting to see what technologys capable of. Its only a headache when you have to work with it.

 

(Yukari and Minamo reach the Soyokaze just as Jessie and Ayla return. Jessie and Ayla spot the teachers, and quickly stand in front of the roped-off ramp.)

Yukari: Sweet-looking ship, huh?

(Jessie shakes her head.)

Minamo: Whats going on?

Ayla: It doesnt take off for another three hours. Were stuck waiting to board.

Yukari: So everybody else will catch up?

Jessie: Yeah, probably.

Yukari: Well, then theres no sense hanging around here. Im off to see the world!

(Yukari begins to march away. Minamo grabs her by the collar.)

Minamo: Hold on. Dont you think we should get in line? Theres probably an advantage to being the first to board.

Jessie: God, I hope so.

Yukari: (pleading) But Nyamo-chan

Minamo: Sorry. Racing comes first, touring comes second.

Yukari: Ha! I have an idea!

(Yukari bows very humbly to Jessie.)

Yukari: (in English) Would you hold our place in the line please?

Jessie: (in Japanese) Hell no.

Minamo: What did you ask her?

(Yukari stubbornly plants herself next to Ayla.)

Yukari: Never mind.

 

(Next up, Noboyuki & Tenchi arrive. They see Jessie & Ayla and Yukari & Minamo in line as they approach.)

Noboyuki: Wow! Now thats a ship!

Tenchi: Looks like we have to wait in line to get on though.

Noboyuki: With Jessie and Ayla and Yukari and Nyamo

(Tenchi sweatdrops.)

Tenchi: This is going to be awkward.

(They very hesitantly approach, and quickly sit down behind Minamo without saying a word. In fact, nobody says a word for a long time. Yukari begins to doze off to sleep, and her head falls forward onto Aylas shoulder. Ayla looks at Jessie, who shrugs. Ayla turns suddenly, and Yukaris head falls forward onto the ground. She instantly wakes up and screams, startling Noboyuki)

Noboyuki: Jeez, give me a heart attack!

Jessie: Id love to; what should I do first?

(Noboyuki has no response to that, so he silently folds his arms. The silence resumes as Yukari again begins to drift off to sleep.)

Tenchi: The situation between us and Jessie & Ayla hasnt gotten much better. Thankfully, its just at the point where we dont talk to each other. It would really be bad if we ever got into an argument with those two.

 

(May and Max arrive and happily join the line.)

May: Hey everybody! How was the Detour?

Minamo: Not bad. The zero-g thing was actually kind of fun.

Tenchi: How was yours?

Max: It was a little weird actually. Hes this really decorated admiral, and all of his awards were out on display, but now hes just a helpless old man in an old folks home.

Noboyuki: Theres your lesson kids- respect your elders.

Max: Dont worry. I consider you and Yukari and Minamo very worthy competitors, in spite of your age.

Yukari / Minamo: (angry) WERE NOT THAT OLD!!

May: Hey wheres Koichi and Koji?

Tenchi: They were behind us, werent they?

May: Oh no- did they get lost? This place was kinda hard to find. I was worried about us falling behind, but I never considered the possibility that

Koichi: (OS) Hi May.

(Koji and Koichi have arrived. May immediately glomps Koichi.)

Koichi: Uh I missed you too.

Yukari: (peeved) Jeez shes half my age and she already gets more action than me.

Max: Actually, Yukari, shes not even half your

Yukari: Rrr!!!

 

(Later, Touya is helping Yukito walk to the line. May immediately stands up and approaches them.)

May: What happened?

Yukito: (weakly) A little rough on the spin-cycle. Ill be fine.

May: Are you sure? You dont look too good.

Touya: Thats what Ive been trying to tell him.

(They reach the line. Tenchi and Koichi have stood and are checking on Yukito.)

Tenchi: You might want to take it easy for a while.

Koichi: Well, we dont board for another hour, so you can lie down if you want.

(Touya helps Yukito unroll a sleeping bag from his pack and lets Yukito curl up inside it as they sit in line behind Koji and Koichi. May, Koichi, and Tenchi all actively help Touya make sure Yukito is comfortable.)

Koichi: (VO) Yukito looked really bad when he got to the launch site. I think we all agreed that he was too sick to be playing at that time. So a lot of us tried to help him as much as we could. The last thing we wanted was for him and Touya to have to drop out. Yukitos the friendliest competitor in the race, and we want him to stick around.

 

(No change at the line. Yukito has fallen asleep, with Touya watching over him. Noboyuki has stretched out as well, and is napping. Tenchi is reading a book. Jessie and Ayla are keeping busy by going through their bags and discarding old clue envelopes. The monster sibs are playing cards with a small pile of money in the center. They speak quietly so as not to disturb Yukito.)

Koji: Ill see your ten dollars and raise you five roshtal.

May: Forget it.

Max: Well, I dont think well be going back to El Hazard, so Ill call.

(Yukari and Minamo are looking around. Minamo is idly passing time. Yukari looks like shes ready to go crazy.)

Max: Two pair- aces and queens.

Koji: Three nines.

Max: Ooh. Youre good.

Yukari: (shouting) I cant take this anymore!

Minamo / May / Max / Koichi / Tenchi / Touya: Shh!

Yukari: What? Minamo, hold our place in line, Im going for a walk.

Minamo: But...

Tenchi: Look, were all here except Lina and Gourry. If one person on each team stays, I think the other can walk around if they want. Can we agree on that?

Max: That sounds fair. So May, should we...

(Max turns around. May and Koichi have already stood up and left. Yukari walks off with them. Koji shakes his head.)

Koji: You should have seen that coming.

 

(Yukari, May, and Koichi are looking around. May snaps pictures, remaining close to Koichi the whole time.)

Koichi: This was a great idea Yukari.

Yukari: Yeah, but I didnt volunteer to be your chaperone.

May: Whats the problem?

Koichi: I hope its not because of us. I mean, youre a high school teacher so Im sure you deal with this sort of thing.

May: Yeah, how many kids in your class are in relationships?

(Yukari stops and counts, after exhausting all ten fingers, she sets her hands down.)

Yukari: (unhappy) All but six.

May: Wow. So you have to put up with it a lot.

Yukari: Thanks for reminding me.

Koichi: And those are probably a little more serious. For us, Sasshi and Arumi decide when we break up.

Yukari: You two really want your fate in the hands of two redneck Osakans?

May: I think he meant that were done when we get eliminated.

Yukari: Oh. Id still watch out for those two. Somethings weird about that Arumi girl

May: Well, the important thing is to enjoy it now while we still can.

Koichi: Yep.

(They share a quick kiss. Yukari shakes her head and walks off.)

Yukari: Aw, forget it. You two should go get a room or something.

 

(Back at the line. Koji and Max are still playing cards, but are chatting very quietly.)

Max: It does bother me a little bit, but not too much. As long as it doesnt hurt us in the race. Heck, the more time she spends with Koichi, the less time she has to spend with me.

Koji: You dont like May?

Max: No no, weve been getting along really well. Weve gotten a lot farther than we thought we would. But well in case you hadnt noticed, shes a little clueless at times.

Koji: You mean theres times when shes not?

(Max chuckles a bit.)

Max: But the way I see it, the more downtime we spend together, the more likely we are to find something to fight about.

Koji: Dont you think thats a bit stupid? I mean, the whole point of all this is to spend time with your partner. Thats why Im here.

Max: Oh. So youre worried that hes bonding with May and not you.

Koji: I didnt say that.

Max: Yes you did, just now. You said

Lina: (OS) What the hell are you all doing?

(Lina and Gourry have arrived, and are a bit curious at the sight of the line.)

Touya: Shh...

Lina: Whats wrong with Baka-Yuki?

Tenchi: The Detour roughed him up a bit. Just get in line and leave him alone. We should be taking off soon.

Lina: Line? Well, we should be in front. We got here first.

(Lina approaches Jessie and Ayla, both of whom stand up and fold their arms.)

Jessie: Back of the line, midget.

(Having been struck in another one of her sore spots, she quickly becomes furious.)

Lina: Midget?! Gourry!

(Gourry steps in and stands up next to the two. Hes taller than them, but makes the mistake of staring into Aylas fierce eyes. She says nothing, instead pointing to the back of the line.)

Gourry: Yes maam.

(Gourry heads to the back, dragging Lina with him. They sit down behind Touya.)

Lina: Whats this line for anyway?

Max: We have no idea.

 

(There is finally some activity on the ship, as it begins firing a few thrusters. The entire field has returned and is in their respective place in line. They are quite anxious when an attractive young female commander, Kyung-Hwa Kim, approaches them.)

Kim: Hello, I am Commander Kim, Communications Officer aboard the Soyokaze. Were ready to begin boarding. Ill show you to the galley, where we will lead you to the engine room when it opens.

(Jessie & Ayla and the other teams follow Kim up the ramp to the Soyokaze, which continues to undergo more pre-launch preparations. Once they get on, Kim turns left towards the front of the ship. Jessie and Ayla follow her, but behind them, Yukari quickly ducks away. Minamo is confused, but follows.)

Minamo: Y Yukari?!

(As Minamo chases after Yukari, Noboyuki and Tenchi watch them leave.)

Tenchi: Where the heck are they going?

Noboyuki: Maybe they know something.

Tenchi: What?

Noboyuki: Cmon, they didnt say we had to stay in the cafeteria.

(Noboyuki and a reluctant Tenchi follow them.)

May: What the heck?

Max: Cmon May, theyre going to get lost. Lets just stick with Jessie and Ayla.

(Max and May follow Jessie and Ayla, as does Koichi. Koji takes a long look down the other hallway before following.)

Koji: Hold up

(Gourry looks both ways, totally lost.)

Gourry: Um is this another Detour?

Lina: Hold on

(Lina pulls out the clue envelope. Touya and Yukito wordlessly follow Koji.)

Lina: It just says go to the engine room when it opens. Maybe those teachers learned where it is. Cmon.

(Lina and Gourry hurry to follow Tenchi.)

 

(Up ahead, Yukari is finally explaining.)

Yukari: Theres no point in going to the cafeteria, when we can be the first ones in line at the engine room if we find it first.

Noboyuki: Woo hoo! Great plan Yukari!

Yukari: Hey! Didnt we shake you two off?

Tenchi: (dry) Were gluttons for punishment.

(Lina and Gourry arrive.)

Lina: So you know where the engine room is?

Yukari: Of course! According to all the movies Ive seen, its in the back of the ship!

(Minamo sweatdrops.)

Minamo: Nice to see youve done your research. Well, we might as well find a place to sit if were taking off soon.

(They look around. There isnt a seat in sight.)

Noboyuki: Uh oh.

 

(In the galley, theres plenty of seats. Jessie and Ayla are already in two, watching as only three teams enter.)

Jessie: Did we lose some baggage?

(Yukito stretches out on a row of seats. Touya sits nearby.)

Max: Some of the other teams went the other way. No idea why though. We cant do anything until we take off.

Koji: How do you know? Maybe they can find the

(The ship starts to rumble, silencing Koji. Kims voice is heard on the loudspeaker.)

Kim: (VO) Attention, we will be launching now. Hold onto something!

(Touya holds Yukito, to keep him steady.)

 

(In the back, the other three teams are sitting on the floor, which is vibrating madly. They have trouble staying upright. The ship begins lunging forward, gains momentum, arcs upwards, and blasts off to the stars.)

 

----

 

(The not-so-majestic Soyokaze leaves the Earths atmosphere.)
Yamamoto: (VO) All seven teams are aboard the black sheep of the UPSF, the Soyokaze.

(Shot of Jessie & Ayla, May & Max, Koji & Koichi, and Touya & Yukito sitting peacefully in the cafeteria.)

Yamamoto: (VO) When it arrives at its proper destination, the teams will be granted access to the engine room.

(Shot of Yukari & Minamo, Noboyuki & Tenchi, and Lina & Gourry in a heap in the middle of the hallway.)

Yamamoto: (VO) That is where they will find their next clue.

(Back to the four teams in the cafeteria. May has brought the ailing Yukito a cup of juice.)

May: Here.

Yukito: Thank you.

May: How do you feel?

(Yukito manages a faint smile.)

Yukito: Ive felt better.

May: Would it be a leap to say Touyas doing the Road Block?

Touya: What?

May: Well, Im assuming were having a Road Block while were on board.

Touya: Sorry I havent really thinking about the race.

Yukito: Touya, why dont we take the Fast Forward?

Touya: You sure?

Yukito: Yeah. Even if you do the Road Block, we dont want to get caught sprinting to the finish like last time.

(Yukito closes his eyes in a moment of pain. Touya nods.)

Touya: Good idea.

(Yukito struggles to stand, only doing so with Touya and Mays help. He slowly approaches Koji, Koichi, and Max, who are in the middle of a discussion.)

Max: Theyre just going to get lost Koji. They said theyd lead us to the engine room when its time.

Koji: They didnt say we had to let them lead us there. Maybe they found it themselves.

Yukito: Excuse me

(They look up at Yukito, who sits down and smiles weakly at Koji.)

Yukito: Touya and I are going to take the Fast Forward if its alright with everybody else.

(Koji sweatdrops.)

Koji: Uh go for it.

Koichi: You dont have to ask permission.

Max: Just hope the teachers didnt go for it.

Yukito: Thanks for the advice.

(Yukito stands and looks over to Jessie and Ayla.)

Yukito: Jessie? Ayla?

Jessie / Ayla: Just go.

Touya: Cmon Yuki.

(Touya gets Yukito to walk away. Touya opens the Fast Forward envelope.)

 

(In the middle of the filthy marines quarters, rigid military brat Lt. Cmdr. Yuriko Star tries not to step on anything disgusting.)
Yuriko: There is only one Fast Forward hidden on each leg of the race. The first team that finds it can skip all tasks and go directly to the Pit Stop. However, once a team uses the Fast Forward, that team can never use another one for the rest of the race, so they need to decide when it's most advantageous to go for it.

(She looks around.)

Yuriko: Thanks to the slob marines on-board the Soyokaze, their quarters have become quite the pigsty. In order to win the Fast Forward on this leg, a team will have to clean the area up to my satisfaction, which will require sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping.

 

(The three rogue teams have gotten up and are looking around for the engine room.)

Yukari: It has to be around here somewhere! That movie I saw had tons of cutaways to it!

Tenchi: Dad, why are we trusting our spot in the race to somebody using sci-fi movies as a guide?

Noboyuki: Because if it was a good sci-fi movie it would be based on real space cruisers!

Yukari: Actually it was a submarine movie.

(Massive face fault, except for Gourry.)

Gourry: Whats a submarine?

(After Minamo gets up, she knocks on a door.)

Minamo: Lets try something different.

(The infamously inebriated naval surgeon Dr. Kitaguchi answers, with a glass of his finest in one hand.)

Kitaguchi: Hello ladies. Anyone up for surgery? Free drinks involved!

Minamo: Maybe later. Wheres the engine room?

Kitaguchi: Down the hall... somewhere.

(Kitaguchi points down the hall.)

Kitaguchi: The door with the tacky yellow-and-red marker by it.

(They all run down. Kitaguchi shakes his head and takes a drink.)

Kitaguchi: Didnt even stay for a *hic* chat.

 

(Touya and Yukito find the marine quarters easily enough. They approach Yuriko.)
[FAST FORWARD- Clean Marine]
Touya: Yuki, just help out where you

(Touya looks around. The place is a ridiculous mess.)

Touya: can

(Yuriko hands Touya a broom and Yukito a dustpan.)

Yuriko: Welcome to hell, boys. Get cracking.

(They do, and they are surprisingly effective as well. Touya sweeps quickly while Yukito mans the dustpan.)

Yukito: (VO) All the dirt and the dust made me feel even worse, but I just did my best to ignore it. The Fast Forward was very difficult, but Touya and I both knew that we wouldnt be able to keep up with the others in our state.

 

(Kim arrives at the cafeteria. The three teams present immediately stand up.)

Kim: I take it youre ready to go. Well, the engine rooms open. Follow me!

(They do so, a little anxious to get there.)

Koichi: (VO) I think the fact that three other teams were unaccounted for made us really nervous heading to the engine room. Did they get ahead? Were they still lost? We had no clue.

 

(Nearing the engine room, the other three teams see the route marker and break into a sprint. Yukari and Minamo manage to remain ahead. Minamo wisely grabs a tag on a wall as Yukari grabs the clue.)

Yukari: Road Block.

(Gourry muscles Noboyuki aside, allowing Lina to grab the second tag.)

Noboyuki: Hey!

 

(In front of his Ranpu star fighter, ace pilot Kojiro Sakai details the Road Block.)
Kojiro: A Road Blocks a task that only one person can perform. As the main fighter pilot on this ship, I should help train anybody that wants to follow my vapor trail.

(Shot of Emi and Yumi, precocious twin girls in pilot gear.)

Kojiro: The bad news is that Emi and Yumi Hanner want to become pilots.

(Back to Kojiro, smiling.)

Kojiro: The good news is that the teams will help them instead of me.

(Shot of the Ranpu flying through some canyons on a small moon.)

Kojiro: (VO) In this Road Block, one person on each team will have to navigate and supervise either Emi or Yumi as she makes her way through a semi-perilous canyon course en route to a series of clue envelopes. One the fighter secures the envelope, he or she can guide the pilot-to-be back to the Soyokaze. Naturally, only two may go at a time.

 

(Minamo and Lina are the first volunteers for the job. They follow Kojiro into the docking bay and meet Emi and Yumi, who cheer happily. Yukari and Gourry follow.)

Emi / Yumi: (sickeningly cute) Hi!!

Lina: (disgusted) Oh dear God

(Kojiro hands Minamo and Lina basic instructions and maps.)

Kojiro: Okay, Minamos with Emi, Linas with Yumi. Head to your ships!

(Before either Minamo or Lina are ready, Emi and Yumi lead them to two identical fighter jets. The four pile into them and they take off as soon as Kojiro gets the clear. Inside one, Yumi looks back at Lina.)

Yumi: How am I doing?

Lina: How the hell should I know?

(More shots of Yumi slowly approaching the course.)

Lina: (VO) Before I really knew what was going on, Im thrown into this contraption with this clueless twerp that is looking for my expert supervision. Talk about the blind leading the blind.

 

(Remarkably, the marine quarters is almost spotless. Touya is flat-out exhausted, almost as much as Yukito. Yuriko checks for dust on a table.)

Yuriko: Not quite, but Ill go easy on you.

(Yuriko hands Yukito the Fast Forward. He smiles weakly and opens it.)

Yukito: Congratulations, you have found the Fast Forward. Report to the bridge immediately and check in at the Pit Stop. Are you coming Touya?

Touya: Yeah

(Both slog their way out.)

 

(Rapid shots through various hallways to the bridge- not quite as impressive as other ships, but still offering a breathtaking view of space.)
Arumi: (VO) Having won the Fast Forward, Touya and Yukito may go directly to the Pit Stop- the bridge of the Soyokaze.

 

(Kim leads the other teams to the engine room, where they all race to take a marker and a clue, almost trampling Noboyuki and Tenchi in the process.)

Noboyuki: Hey!

Tenchi: Watch it!

Ayla: Road Block. And its my turn.

(Jessie hands Ayla tag #4 and scoot out of the way as Max manages to claim #5, just ahead of Koji.)

May: Road Block. This person must be able to supervise real space cadets.

Max: Takes one to know one, May.

May: (annoyed) Just for that, youre doing it.

Koichi: Koji?

Koji: No problem.

 

(At the semi-cramped bridge, theres still plenty of space in back for the Pit Stop mat and the marker, with the screens green letters reading IRRESPONSIBLE CAPTAIN TYLOR and the white letters reading THE SOYOKAZE. Joining Arumi is Captain Justy Ueki Tylor himself, naturally wearing his over-sized coat over his uniform. Touya and Yukito slowly walk in and step on. Touya appears to have recovered. Yukito definitely hasnt.)

Tylor: Welcome aboard the Soyokaze, the pleasure cruise of the UPSF!

Arumi: Touya and Yukito, youre the first team to arrive.

(They are both too tired and too sick to celebrate. They simply nod, with Yukito adding a pleasant smile.)

 

(In the canyons, Lina is having a devil of a time trying to maintain her control of the situation, given that she is trying to boss around a frustrated Yumi, as well as read a map and the instructions.)

Yumi: (panicked) Im going to fly into a cliff!

Lina: Im about ready to let you! Now shut up and let me think!

(This basically goes on until Lisas voice is sore.)

 

(Fortunately, Minamo is having a much easier time with Emi. In fact, she already has reached the clue and is helping Emi secure it with a robotic arm.)

Minamo: Okay, forward a little more, careful, careful

(Emi successfully grabs it, with help from a magnet on the clue.)

Minamo: Good work Emi! Now lets head back.

Emi: Roger Miss Kurosawa!

Minamo: Im really glad I did this one instead of Yukari. Just being around kids Emis age gives us a leg up, but I think my teaching style would probably work over Yukaris in this situation.

 

(Noboyuki and Tenchi are now at the head of a line, with Jessie & Ayla, May & Max, and Koji & Koichi behind them. Noboyuki turns around for a split second. Jessie merely exhales and Noboyuki faces forward again, leaning in to Tenchi.)

Noboyuki: (whispering) Dont turn around.

Tenchi: (whispering) I already knew that.

 

(Emi guides the ship in and disembarks with Minamo. Minamo is very pleased with her work and gives her a few final remarks as Yukari retrieves the clue.)

Minamo: That was fantastic. I hope you do as well with the others.

Yukari: No she doesnt! Choke bad with Noboyuki!

Minamo: (irritated) Just read the clue.

Yukari: Report to the bridge and check in at the Pit Stop.

 

(After several near-misses, Lina is about ready to give up on Yumi.)

Yumi: Im trying! Youre not helping me much!

Lina: Look, this isnt really my area of expertise. I dont even know how the hell were supposed to get it attached.

Yumi: I think its a magnet.

Lina: And what kinda futuristic gizmo is that?

(With almost no help from Lina, Yumi secures the clue and flies back to base. On the way, they see Emi descending for the second run. Inside, Noboyuki is giving her some basic instructions.)

Noboyuki: Okay, Emi, just like you did with Minamo.

Emi: Actually, we take a different route than I took with Miss Kurosawa. What should I do?

Noboyuki: Uh let me get back to you on that.

 

(Meanwhile, Miss Kurosawa and her partner are on the bridge and on the mat.)

Arumi: Yukari and Minamo? You are team number two.

Yukari: Hey, alright! The high school teachers still rule!

Arumi: Of course, the high school students finished first.

Minamo: Dont ruin this for us.

 

(Back at base, Lina and Gourry have their route info and are taking off as Ayla hops into the fighter with Yumi. Yumi is seriously intimidated by Aylas dominating build.)

Yumi: Um okay lets see it was

Ayla: Calm down, take a deep breath, and focus.

Yumi: Okay

(Yumi does so, and takes off easily.)

Ayla: Good work. All I expect is to improve upon last time.

Yumi: (cheery) That shouldnt be a problem!

 

(Lina and Gourry are the next ones on the mat.)

Tylor: Welcome aboard the Soyokaze!

Arumi: Lina and Gourry, youre team number three.

Lina: (hoarse) Thanks.

Tylor: Something got you down?

Lina: Theres only one thing worse than constantly yelling at a twerp- constantly yelling at a twerp with the same voice actress.

Tylor: So quit yelling.

Arumi: Yeah, watch Justy here when Koichi checks in.

Tylor: If a stiff like Joker could do it, itll be simple for me!

 

(Yumi, meanwhile, is cruising thanks to Ayla, who is sitting back and casually giving precise orders.)

Ayla: Slow a little at the turn, but accelerate at the apex.

Yumi: I dont know what that means, but Ill just go faster when we hit the top!

(They continue to move along steadily.)

 

(Meanwhile, the two teams left waiting are starting to get worried.)

May: Uh I dont see anybody behind us.

Max: Well, maybe those teachers are completely lost.

Koji: And maybe were the last two teams.

Max: Aw, I dont want to have to race against you, Koji.

Koichi: Yeah, lets just stick together, okay? Maybe well get lucky.

(Koji looks at Koichi, a little unhappy.)

 

(Emi and Noboyuki land, and Tenchi runs after the clue immediately. He retrieves it as Noboyuki gets out of his safety gear.)

Tenchi: Report to the bridge and check in at the Pit Stop.

Noboyuki: Better hurry, I could see Ayla on our tail.

(They run off. Sure enough, Yumi and Ayla arrive right afterwards. Jessie gets the clue and helps Ayla get out of her equipment faster.)

Jessie: Cmon, we might be able to catch those two.

(They dash off even faster. Meanwhile, the other two teams are let in. Koji and Koichi see the twin pilots together and approaching the teams. Koji cant help but smile briefly, and eyes Koichi. Koichi picks up on that, and returns with a sly grin. Koji and Koichi both start laughing until May punches Koichi in the arm.)

May: I know what you two were thinking!!

(Max and Koji are prepped for launch. Max and Emi launch first, with Koji and Yumi forced to wait for the runway to clear. Once it does, they are shipped out. Koichi puts an arm around Mays shoulder as they watch them descend into the canyon.)

May: Im kinda worried.

Koichi: This is better than pretending to compete against each other. Whoever gets home first will just have to wait up. Weve jumped on simultaneously the last three times, and were doing it again, no matter what our position is.

 

(Speaking of that, Noboyuki picks up the pace, forcing Tenchi to do the same.)

Noboyuki: Hurry up Tench, I think theyre gaining on us!

Tenchi: I just hope were going the right way!

(Fortunately, they are, and they enter the bridge and jump on the glorious Pit Stop.)

Arumi: Noboyuki? Tenchi? You are team number four.

(Nobuyuki extends a high-five. Tenchi accepts it after brief hesitation.)

Noboyuki: Great, now lets get out of here. Ive seen enough of those two today.

(They leave just as Jessie and Ayla arrive on the mat.)

Arumi: Jessie and Ayla? Youre team number five.

(Jessie shakes her head, a little frustrated. Ayla just nods along.)

 

(Yumi is moving steadily down the course as Koji reads through some instructions.)

Yumi: How am I doing?

Koji: How do you think youre doing?

Yumi: Fine.

Koji: Fine, then.

(Koji goes back to reading.)

Koji: (VO) Honestly, I didnt completely trust Max when he said he didnt want to compete against me. But I did trust that nothing Max or I could do during the Road Block, short of forcing one of the twins to crash, would break up Koichi and May. We were jumping on that mat together no matter how we flew.

 

(Max takes it steadily as well, and is the first to finish. He thanks Emi and grabs the clue before May even arrives.)
[MAY & MAX- Siblings- Currently in 6th Place]
Max: Report to the bridge and check in at the Pit Stop.

(Max nods as May arrives.)

May: So how was it?

Max: Fun. I guess now we just have to wait for Koji.

(Koichi joins them as they wait for Koji to pull in. He does soon afterwards. Koichi pulls the clue off the robotic arm.)

Koichi: Thanks for waiting guys. Now lets go before we get really far behind!

(Koji nervously glances at May and Max before the four sprint down the halls.)

 

(As they near the bridge, Koji leads the way, with Koichi, May, and Max right behind him. They enter the bridge and see the Pit Stop mat. The four slow down and approach it. May is suddenly a little nervous, but is reassured by Koichi.)

May: Well here goes nothing.

Max: One two

(On two-and-a-half, Koji jumps on the mat, grabs Koichis arm, and drags him on as well.)

May: Hey! Koji!

Tylor: Um welcome aboard the Soyokaze!

Arumi: Koji and Koichi- youre team number six.

(Koji lets out an exasperated sigh, but none of the other three are very happy about the move.)

Koichi: What was that for? Koji?

(Koji silently walks away. Koichi considers following, but instead steps aside and lets a very somber Max and a very confused May onto the mat. May starts counting on her fingers.)

Arumi: May and Max?

May: Uh oh.

Arumi: Youre the last team to arrive.

Koichi: May, seriously, I dont know what Koji was doing, but

May: (downbeat) D dont worry about it. I mean, we cant be tied for the rest of the race, right?

(Koji continues to walk away, refusing to look back. Until)

Arumi: The good news is

(Koji freezes in his tracks, eyes wide open, absolutely stunned.)

Arumi: this is not an elimination leg.

(Incredibly relieved, May hugs Koichi, almost on the verge of tears.)

May: Oh wow, I was so scared there for a second. How about you Max?

Max: Eh, I figured something was up.

Tylor: Thats right, kid. Nobody gets eliminated on my ship!!

Arumi: Hes right. This is the first of three non-elimination legs, and you are both still very much in the race.

(Koichi and May high-five Tylor and happily exit the bridge. Both pass Koji, who is still trying to figure out what just happened. Max passes by, and stops next to Koji. They watch their siblings leave hand-in-hand. With a sly grin, Max looks up to Koji.)

Max: (smug) Good try.

End of Episode Six

Authors Notes
As I said last season, I really dont like non-elimination legs, particularly since they usually come across as filler episodes. I tried to work around that with plot developments that didnt revolve around who got eliminated. Yukitos illness and Kojis busted power play will have serious ramifications next leg.

Just about everybody should know this by now, but Yukari was singing the ending theme to Azumanga Daioh, which closes with scenes of her students flying through the air- the same six dateless wonders she was talking about later.

Even in its name, the Soyokaze is meant to be a ridiculously unimpressive battleship. Loosely translated, it means gentle breeze (it shares a name with the village in episode four of Digimon Frontier where Zoe finds her spirit). Not exactly awe-inspiring material.

Its up to you to decide whether or not the poker game had deliberate references to Leiji Matsumoto works.

Thanks to this episode, Crispin Freeman joins Tiffany Grant in being the only actors to provide the voice for Pit Stop representatives in consecutive episodes (Grant did it in Legs 8 and 9 of the first season). Ill be sure to congratulate them next time I see them (although despite my well-documented run-ins with Grant, Ive only met Freeman once). This episode also continued the bizarre tendency of this series to overwork the New York clique of voice actors (normally one of the least popular cities for voice actors). Lisa Ortiz worked overtime- although best known for Lina, she also does both Emi and Yumi. This is also the first time Rachel Lillis (voice of Misty and Jessie on Pokmon) has appeared- she voices Yuriko. Incidentally, Eric Stuart has gone on record in saying he tried to get a part on Captain Tylor, but wasnt selected for any, despite how great his Kojiro is on Pokmon.

Next Time on the Anime-zing Race:
* Will Kojis bold move alienate him with May & Max, or worse- Koichi?
* Yukitos illness continues to affect his and Touyas chances in the game.
* The space adventure continues, putting Lina & Gourry at a serious disadvantage.