Did everyone enjoy the trivia competition last episode? How did you fare on it? Did you know any of the answers? Would you like to see the full version just so you can test how you would score? This is a very special offer... if I get five people who would like to take the test, I will put one together for you. There may be a prize involved, but I’m not sure yet. But I’ll only do it if at least five people say yes. In Episode 9 today, the third prize challenge! Plus, Sasami and Chelsea are going on a private vacation! Why them? Will the rest of the girls survive with the top two cooks in the house gone for a few days? Read on and find out! Before we begin, one quick reminder... the voting polls are open until July 25th. If you have not placed a vote for which girl should win or you wish to change your vote, please list your choices either in your review or in your e-mail reply. Send any e-mails to jgg121@yahoo.com. If you need a quick refresher on the rules, read the special section at the end of this episode. Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this fanfic. * * * * * * * * * * Layla: (VO) Last time... Yolei: We’re going to the Digiworld! We’re going to the Digiworld! Layla: (VO) Doesn’t that just say it all? Yolei: (reading aloud) Physical challenge number 3 will require a trip to the Digital World. Use the D-3s to open a portal to it. Make sure not to lose your brains along the way, because you’ll need them for the challenge. Kari is the captain of the pink team and Yolei, that’s me, will be captain of the purple team. You have twenty minutes to select teams. Good luck and we’ll be waiting for you there. Layla: (VO) The trip leads to a reunion of sorts between the Digidestined and their Digimon... Biyomon: (jumping up into Sora’s outstretched arms) Sora! I missed you! Sora: (catching Biyomon and giving her a hug) I missed you too. Mimi: Palmon! Palmon: Mimi! Mimi grabs Palmon and the two of them begin to spin around and around and around. Kari: I haven’t seen you in awhile. How are you? Gatomon: I could use some catnip. Do you have any? Yolei and Hawkmon also share a hug as they meet. Yolei: Hawkmon! It’s feels like it’s been forever since when we were last together. Hawkmon: I know. You’ve been keeping out of trouble, right? Yolei: Oh, you know me. Layla: (VO) But then the girls turn their attention towards their latest physical challenge... Sakura: It’s either Duplica or Misty. I’m not sure. Yolei holds up ‘A,’ Sakura, Meilin, Madison, Chelsea, and Casey hold up ‘B,’ and Giselle and Mimi hold up ‘C.’ Gennai: The correct answer is A, Duplica. Mimi: This is so hard! Giselle: Shut up girl! I’m trying to concentrate! Layla: In the overall results, the final score was 126 to 123. Very close, but I am happy to report that the winners of this physical challenge are the pink team! Now Kari, Sasami, and the rest of the team are the ones who are happy. They go over to hug Sasami. Yolei goes over to her team and they too congratulate Kari and her team. Yolei: (CC) Hey, I have to be happy for my team. We only missed it by a few points. Points I probably could have picked up in the final round, but given the situation, I did the best I could. That’s all that matters. * * * * * * * * * * Sixteen young girls Four different anime shows Forty-two days living alone in a mansion One lucky soul walks away with up to one million dollars in cash (Begin theme song, showing each of the contestants, two at a time via split screen) Casey, getting on a bike for the first time, with Zachary helping Chelsea, smiling after beating Nikki and Rita at ‘Super Smash Brothers’ Duplica, telling Giselle about the water gun fight Giselle, talking to an out of breath Misty after she had completed the first prize challenge Jun, talking to her parents on the phone Kari, struggling to resolve the conflict between Misty and Sora Madison, giving Yolei the Digiworld costume she recreated Meilin, trying to scare Sakura just before they go for their final dive Mimi, whining that she didn’t get a chance to play the virtual laser tag game at the mall Misty, commenting to herself to make sure she doesn’t have any relatives in Hong Kong Nikki, telling about Madison’s knack for designing clothes for fun Rita, noting how easily she’s gotten alone with her roommate, Sasami Sakura, celebrating after winning the bicycle race prize challenge Sasami, complaining that she’s doing all of the work around the house Sora, comforting Misty after she got yelled at by Misty Yolei, happily hugging her Digimon, Hawkmon Some of these girls will form long lasting friendships Others will develop intense rivalries But only one will walk out with up to a million dollars in cash and prizes These girls are... roomies! (Four group shots, each featuring one of the anime shows being represented, flashes on the screen for about two seconds each) - Tenchi Muyo! - Sasami - Cardcaptors - Madison, Nikki, Sakura, Meilin, Chelsea, Rita - Pokémon: The Johto Journeys - Giselle, Duplica, Casey, Misty - Digimon - Sora, Jun, Mimi, Kari, Yolei (End theme song, with a picture of all sixteen contestants in front of the mansion) * * * * * * * * * * Roomies Story Written by Freedom Fighter * * * * * * * * * * Episode Nine - A Lesson in Cooking for Yourself Night Sixteen Sora is sitting on the edge of a nearby cliff, overlooking a magnificent waterfall. She glances over towards the sun, which is slowly setting over the horizon. Biyomon suddenly flies into the scene. She lands right next to Sora. Biyomon: Sora, what are you doing all the way out here? Everyone’s looking for you! Sora: I’m sorry. I just wanted to relax for a little bit. Biyomon: You mean you don’t get enough rest at the mansion? Sora: (sighs) It’s just hard to share a mansion with fifteen different people. Every one of us is different. Every one of us goes to bed at different times. Every one of us is used to living our own lives. But here, we all have to conform just to survive. Biyomon: What do you mean? I don’t understand. Sora: Every one in the house has some aspect of their personality that puts them at a disadvantage. Take Casey for example. She’s the innocent one. She’s probably never experienced something this big. She’s from a small town in the middle of nowhere. Biyomon: And what about you Sora? What’s your conflicting trait? Sora: (after a brief pause) Love. Biyomon: Love? I don’t get it. Sora: It just feels weird. My mom’s not here. Tai’s not here. Not even Matt is here. The three people I hold dear to my heart... are all somewhere else. Biyomon: But you’ve been apart before. How is this different? Sora: I’ve never been away this long! Biyomon: Don’t you communicate with them through e-mail? Sora: I’ve tried too, but they’re not responding. Maybe they’re so busy that they’ve forgotten about me. Biyomon: Nonsense! You’re an important part of their lives! They’d never do something like that! Sora: I don’t know. You know how Tai is especially. Mom’s always busy with the flower shop. And Matt’s got his band. Biyomon: So what’s stopping you? Sora: What if they don’t respond again? Mimi: (stepping out of a nearby brush) You never know unless you try. Sora: Mimi? Mimi: Sora, do you love them? Sora: Them? Mimi: I know you love your mother. You two settled things just before I left for America, remember? Sora: Yeah, I remember. Mimi: What about Tai? What about Matt? Heck, I don’t care which one of them you like! But even if you only consider one of them your boyfriend, there’s nothing wrong with making the other your best friend! Sora: I thought you were my best friend. Mimi: Well yeah, but you know we live so far apart. This is the first time we’ve seen each other since we freed the Digiworld a couple of months ago. Sora: Just what are you saying? Mimi: If you really love both Tai and Matt, you’ll tell them the truth. Sora: (slowly) Tell them the truth? Mimi: Yolei told me all about it. Everyone thought you and Tai were the perfect couple. Then everyone sees you snuggling up with Matt during the concert on Christmas Eve. Sora: So? Mimi: I know you love them as friends Sora. Or do you? Sora: Do I? Of course I do! Mimi: Then you should stop leading them on! Tell them who you really love! Sora: But... Mimi pulls Sora up. She takes Sora’s hands in hers and starts to stare deeply into her comrade’s eyes. Mimi: If we really are best friends... you’ll do the right thing. The next time you see either of them, you tell them the truth! Sora: (slowly) But Mimi... Mimi: (shaking Sora) No buts! I want you to promise me that you’ll do that! Sora: But... Mimi: Promise me! Biyomon: Sora, just promise her! Isn’t this what you want? You do want closure to this, right? Sora sighs and turns away, pulling her hands out of Mimi’s grasp. She then glances back at the waterfall. The trio stands there silently for several minutes. Finally, Sora breaks the silence. Sora: Okay Mimi. I promise. Mimi: I don’t believe you. I want you to turn around and say it like you mean it. Sora turns around. As she does, Mimi notices the quivering look in her eyes. She had a feeling that Sora was a little afraid of making a commitment. Sora: (on the verge of crying) I’m sorry Mimi. I can’t. (to Biyomon) It was nice to see you again, Biyomon. With that, Sora runs past Mimi and heads back towards the area where they had entered the Digiworld. Biyomon can only sadly look on as Sora disappears from sight. Mimi: Sora... Biyomon: I hope you didn’t upset her. Mimi: Upset her? I’m looking out for her best interests! Biyomon: Have you ever considered the fact that her best interests might be different than yours? Mimi: What does that have to do with it? Biyomon: I think you’re up to something. Mimi: Biyomon! Why would you, of all Digimon, accuse me of trying to play a trick on Sora? Biyomon: I think you may have an interest in either Tai or Matt. You want Sora to choose so you can think about flirting with the other one. Mimi: I’m not like that. I just really think Sora should resolve this problem of hers before she hurts both of their feelings. Biyomon: (beginning to fly off) Let’s just hope you’re not hurting hers in the process. Mimi: Biyomon, wait! It was too late. Biyomon was flying away to join the others, whom she had spotted waiting for her on the opposite side of the waterfall. Palmon was among them. She wasn’t sure what just transpired, but she waves Mimi a friendly goodbye before following Biyomon, Hawkmon, and Gatomon down their side of the cliff. Mimi silently waves back before running after Sora. But it wasn’t just her she was concerned about. She didn’t want to get left behind. There was no way she was going to spend a night alone in the Digiworld. * * * * * * * * * * Day Seventeen Meilin heads out to the mailbox. She pulls a piece of paper out of it. Looking at it strangely, she finally figures out what it is. She runs back into the house to tell everyone else the news. Meilin: (CC) It seems that we’re going to play some soccer for our next prize challenge. This is another chance for me to show Sakura who’s the best athlete here! Meilin reads the instructions on the paper aloud to the whole group, which is now gathered in the living room. Meilin: Today, you will be competing in your third prize challenge. For it, you’ll be split into four teams of four players each. You will be given the chance to choose your own teams. As for the challenge, you’ll be going to head to head in a mini soccer tournament. The team that wins the tournament will earn a chance to win this week’s prize... a Sony Playstation 2, worth $300. Head out to the back yard with your athletic gear on and be prepared to play! Misty: Are you afraid to sweat even a little bit? Giselle: Do you know what sweat does to a girl’s complexion? Mimi: That’s my line! Meilin: Why don’t you two just give it a rest? Fifteen minutes later, the entire group is gathered in the back yard. Miss McKenzie is waiting for them, with a soccer ball sitting right underneath her left foot. Layla: Today, we’re going to be playing a little bit of soccer. It’s a four team, single elimination tournament. Each game will be half an hour long. The team that scores the most goals wins. In case of a tie, we’ll go to a shootout. I’ll explain the rules of that should we get to one. As for teams, well, I decided to give you a break and allow you to choose your own teams. Is that okay? Sakura: (cheerfully) Of course it is, Miss McKenzie! Sasami: I’m ready! Let’s play! [Team Assignments: Team 1 - Giselle, Nikki, Yolei, Duplica Team 2 - Casey, Sakura, Sora, Kari Team 3 - Rita, Misty, Sasami, Chelsea Team 4 - Madison, Mimi, Jun, Meilin] Duplica: (CC) With Giselle on our team, how can we go wrong? Sora: (CC) This should be fun! Sasami: (CC) I’m ready and able! Madison: (CC) This ought to be interesting. [Game 1: Team 1 vs. Team 2] From the early get go, Team 2 takes control of the match. Sora’s experience as a soccer player is really paying off, as she and her team are getting downfield rather easily. Giselle tries to match Sora stride for stride, but even she is struggling to keep pace. Giselle: Give up the ball! Sora: And lose to the likes of you? Yeah right! Sora fakes left, then dribbles right, causing Giselle to trip over her own feet and fall to the ground. As Sora approaches the opposite goal, which is being defended by Duplica, she spots Sakura working her way past Yolei. Sora: Heads up! She kicks the ball towards Sakura, who sprints by Yolei. She decides to take a shot at the goal. She kicks the soccer ball as hard as she can. It is sent flying into the air. Duplica sees the ball careening to her right, so she leaps in that direction. Her hands make contact with the ball, causing it to bounce back out. Unfortunately for her, Sora was waiting for it. She kicks it to the opposite side before Duplica has a chance to change directions. It hits the inside of the goal post and goes into the net. Sakura: (running over to Sora) You did it! Sora: (pumping her fist in the air) Yes! Casey, at midfield, and Kari, who is defending their goal, are also celebrating. Dejected, Giselle gets up and dusts herself off. She then glares angrily at both Yolei and Duplica; neither of who were able to help defend. Nikki stands over by the sidelines, sadly sighing to herself. Meilin: (yelling from the sidelines) What’s the matter, Giselle? Can’t take the pressure? Just minutes later, Giselle single-handedly leads the charge towards the opposing team’s goal. With the rest of the team downfield, Kari is left alone to defend. Giving it all she can muster, Giselle kicks the ball right at the goal. Kari stands right in position and catches the ball easily. She then places it down before kicking it towards her teammates at the opposite end of the field. On the sidelines, Misty is commenting on the game thus far. Misty: Sora seems to be a natural. I know she’s played soccer before, but this is unreal! She’s running circles around the other team! As for Giselle... (smiles) at least she has that dream of hers to become a Pokémon master, ‘cause there’s no way she’ll become the world’s diva of soccer. Mimi: Isn’t that being a little too harsh? Misty: I’m just telling the truth. Mimi: Oh. Okay. As time begins to run down, the score is still one to zero. All of a sudden, Sakura gets the ball just ahead of Giselle. Sakura pulls away from her and makes her way towards Duplica. Duplica goes out to knock the ball away, but Sakura pops it up into the air. It goes over Duplica’s head. Sakura runs around her and gets into position. She heads the ball into the now undefended goal. She screams with delight as Sora and Casey join her. Giselle can only kick the dirt in dismay as Miss McKenzie blows the final whistle. She doesn’t even look at her teammates as she makes her way to the sideline. Misty is waiting for her there. Misty: What’s the world’s greatest Pokémon Tech student saying? She can’t play soccer? That can’t be true! Giselle: Don’t toy with me... Misty: You should be glad I’m saying it and not Meilin. Meilin: (jumping in) That’s right! Giselle: (pointing at Misty) Well, if you think you’re so good, I’d like to see you go out there and do better! Misty: (smirks) Don’t worry, because I will. Misty walks on to the field to join her team, who is already preparing for the match. [Game 2: Team 3 vs. Team 4] Mimi: (CC) I just hope that nobody kicks any soccer balls my way. The camera zooms out to show a shot of Mimi, standing right in front of the goal. Mimi: (yelling downfield) Whose idea was it to make me the goalie in the first place? Madison: (yelling back) Don’t worry about it! You’ll do fine! Meilin: (also yelling) Just leave everything to us! We’ll make sure nothing gets down to you. At the other end of the field... Rita: I promise not to let anything get by me! Misty: I know you won’t. Sasami: (giggles) Let’s go! I’m ready to score a goal! The game begins. After several minutes of bouncing the ball back and forth at midfield, Meilin and Jun break away with only Misty to chase after them. Rita awaits the approaching duo just in front of the goal line. Finally, Misty decides to go after Meilin. Meilin takes the opportunity to pass it to Jun, who immediately shoots for the goal. Rita dives to stop the ball, but she falls just short. The ball grazes her fingertips and goes right into the goal. Jun: Yes! Meilin: Nice shot Jun! Madison: (running up to the duo) That was so cool! Misty: Nice try, Rita. Rita: I can’t believe it slipped off my fingertips! Chelsea: It happens. We’ll get the goal back. A couple of minutes later, Meilin and Jun lead another charge downfield. This time, Rita’s ready for them. With Misty and Sasami with her to help, they easily quell the threat. Misty passes the ball back to Rita. Rita then promptly kicks the ball towards midfield, where Sasami and Madison are waiting for it. Madison: I’m going for it! Sasami: Not if I can get to it first! Sasami jumps up to head the ball, but she misses. The ball also flies by Madison, who was attempting to do the same thing. They then take off running towards the ball, which is now on rolling on the ground. Reaching it first, Sasami kicks the ball into the air. It heads downfield and lands right on Chelsea’s head, who was looking the other way and wasn’t expecting it. Chelsea twirls around in confusion before finally fainting on the ground. Miss McKenzie blows the whistle to temporarily halt the game. Everyone then runs over to check up on Chelsea. Sasami: (gasps) Chelsea! I’m so sorry! I really am! Madison: Chelsea! Are you okay? Layla: (urging them to move back) Give her some air. (to Chelsea) Chelsea, can you hear me? Chelsea: Ouch... Layla: I guess that’s a yes. Rita: There’s something funny about this. Madison: I agree. How come this looks so familiar? Nikki: It kind of reminds me how Sakura looks like when she forgets to catch her baton. Sakura: (sweatdrops) You don’t have to tell everyone that, you know. Meilin: It’s not like it’s a secret. Everybody knows that. Casey: Wouldn’t just playing a soccer video game be safer than this? Kari: Probably, but the fun we’re having today is worth that added element of danger. Chelsea finally comes back to her senses. She takes some time to catch her breath before giving everyone the okay. Misty: Are you sure? Sasami: That was a hard bonk on the head. Oh, and did I mention that I’m sorry about that? Rita: You’re going to be okay, right? Chelsea: I’m fine. Just a little dazed, that’s all. I’m ready to play again! Madison: I hope so. I only want to guard you if you’re going to give me everything you’ve got. Chelsea: Don’t worry. I will. The game resumes. Once again, the two teams are pretty much even. That is, until Sasami breaks through the defense and gets a clear shot at Mimi. Madison: Mimi! It’s coming your way! Mimi: Wait a minute! You mean now? I’m not ready yet! Sasami: (kicks the ball towards the goal) Here goes! Sasami lifts the ball into the air. It floats several feet into the air before it begins to fall. It comes down right in front of Mimi. She goes out to pick it up, but at the last moment Chelsea slides in and knocks the ball past her and into the goal. Mimi looks around in surprise as she sees Chelsea and Sasami hugging each other. Mimi: What just happened? And where did she come from? Madison: (walking over to Mimi) If you ask me, it looks like that bump on the head didn’t hinder Chelsea at all. With the score now tied at one apiece, both teams knew that the next goal could decide the game, especially with only a couple of minutes left. At the kickoff, Misty and her team start playing more aggressively. They go right after Meilin and Madison, stealing the ball from under their noses. Misty, Sasami, and Chelsea charge down the field. The quick change in momentum scares Mimi out of her wits, as she sees only Jun nearby to provide assistance. The trio makes their way past Jun without any trouble, as they set their sights on the goal. Misty goes to Mimi’s left, Sasami to her right, and Chelsea coming right up the center. Misty dribbles the ball to the far right before kicking it back towards Sasami. Meilin runs in, taking a place right between Mimi and Sasami. She attempts to head the ball away, but she hits it right to Sasami, who butts it past Mimi, whom was focused on Chelsea, who had been coming in fast. The result: another goal for Team 3, this one as time runs out. They win the game two to one. The whole team gives each other high fives while Meilin and her teammates can only walk off in disappointment. Jun: (CC) Mimi’s right. Whoever thought of making her the goalie was really out of their mind. Chelsea: (CC) I’m so glad that we won! That should be compensation for that bump on the head I have now. Layla: Okay, by process of elimination, the championship match will be between Team 2 and Team 3. Good luck to both teams. Remember that the winners will win a shot at that Sony Playstation 2. [Championship Game - Team 2 vs. Team 3] Both teams get off to a fast start, each earning several breakaways. But neither team can get close enough to get off a decent shot before the opposing team knocks the ball away. Misty and Sora seem to be the most competitive, as the duo continuously exchanges possession of the ball. At one point, Sora might have control of the ball. At the next, Misty could swipe it right from under her nose. And vice versa. Some of the other girls were quite surprised that they were both playing cleanly, despite their earlier altercations. Meanwhile, Sakura and Sasami were having a battle of their own. They were almost always around Misty and Sora. Whenever the ball would be kicked to them, they would fight for it as well. Sakura would usually win out because of her athletic ability, but occasionally Sasami would get it and break away. Casey and Chelsea seemed to be the most reluctant. Over the past few weeks, they had grown to be the best of roommates... something that none of the others had yet realized. That made it even more difficult for the two of them to be guarding each other. They each played their heart out, despite their lack of proficiency when it came to passing or shooting the ball. But they were having fun. That’s all that mattered to them. But the tempo changed dramatically with ten minutes left in the match. Sasami dribbles the ball past midfield, with Sakura in close pursuit. She spots Misty about fifteen yards from the goal, so she kicks it down to her. Sora catches wind of the plan as she makes her way to Misty. She doesn’t get there in time, though, as Misty watches the ball drop in front of her. Misty kicks the ball hard towards the goal. Kari tries to catch it with her hands, but it bounces out of them and into the goal. Misty celebrates by giving her nearest teammate a hug. That happens to be Sasami, who had passed the ball to her. Chelsea eventually joins the celebration as Sora, Kari, and Sakura look on. A few minutes later, the match comes to an end, with Misty getting credit for scoring the only goal of the game. The girls on the other two teams applaud Misty and her team, while Sora’s team exchanges handshakes with them. The most notable one is between Misty and Sora themselves. Sora: (smiles) Nice shot. Misty: (smiling back) Thanks. You played well. I couldn’t have asked for a better opponent. Sora: I agree. Congratulations! Misty: Thanks again. Miss McKenzie walks over to the winning team and shakes hands with each team member. Layla: Good job by everyone today! But special congratulations have to go to the team of Rita, Misty, Sasami, and Chelsea for winning the tournament. They’ll also be entered for a chance at that Sony Playstation 2. Congratulations to them once again. Applause can be heard from the other girls as the winning team continues their celebration. Sasami: (CC) I’m so happy that we won! We bonded as a team today. I felt that was exactly what we needed to win this tournament. Rita: (CC) It’s nice to win once in awhile. We had some great competition, but we pulled it out in the end. * * * * * * * * * * Day Eighteen Duplica is hanging out all by herself in the first floor recreation room. She is on the computer, surfing the Internet, when the doorbell rings all of a sudden. Duplica: (yelling) Could someone please get that? Duplica continued to look onto the screen. But the doorbell continued to ring. Finally, Duplica gets up out of her seat to go and answer it. Duplica: (grumbling) Why can’t anyone answer the door around here? She reaches the front door and opens it to find Miss McKenzie standing there. Duplica: Miss McKenzie! Layla: The one and only. Duplica: (bowing) I’m sorry about the delay. I have no idea where everybody is. Layla: That’s too bad. I really wanted to speak to Chelsea and Sasami. Duplica: What for? Layla: It’s just something I want to talk to them about. Could you get them please? Duplica: (putting on a fake smile) Okay. Duplica runs off. A few minutes later, the two girls in question arrive at the front door. Miss McKenzie begins talking to them, away from the cameras. Meanwhile, Duplica is back on the computer, still looking at the website. Just ten scant minutes later, Rita is talking with Sasami in their bedroom, who has begun packing some clothes into one of her suitcases. Rita: What? Sasami: Chelsea and I are going to be gone for a few days. Rita: Where are you going? Sasami: Don’t know. Miss McKenzie didn’t tell us exactly. Rita: How did you get chosen for this vacation anyway? How come I can’t go? Sasami: Well, don’t ask me. This is just as much of a surprise to me as it is to you. Likewise, a similar conversation is taking place in Casey and Chelsea’s bedroom. Casey: I’d like to go out and have some time away from the house for once! Chelsea: Sorry Casey, but it’s just Sasami and me. Miss McKenzie specifically said that no one else is allowed to come. Casey: That sucks! Come on! I’m small enough to sneak into your suitcase! I’ll do it too! Chelsea: Casey! Casey: What? I can! Really! Chelsea: That’s not the point! It’s just for us, okay? Casey: You mean you’re going to leave me all alone to sleep at night? Chelsea: You’re a big girl. You shouldn’t have to worry about stuff like that. Casey: (whines) But I do. Chelsea: You’ll be fine. Chelsea continues to pack her suitcase as Casey looks on. Soon enough, the news spreads throughout the house like wildfire. By the time Chelsea and Sasami are heading out the door, everyone else is waiting there for them. Duplica: So that’s what this is about? Sasami: Yep. Chelsea: Miss McKenzie said we’d be back by Saturday night. Take care until then! Mimi: Wait! Can I go? Sora: Mimi, they already said only the two of them can go. Mimi: But if they’re going to some tropical place to relax, then I want to go with them. Meilin: Stop it with the complaining already! We already know we can’t go, so why try to reason with them? Chelsea and Sasami, each carrying a suitcase, head out of the mansion. They see Miss McKenzie waiting right by a limousine in the driveway. After two men take their bags and throw them into the trunk, they usher the two girls into the limo. Miss McKenzie follows them in and orders the driver to drive to the airport. The other girls gasp in surprise. Giselle: I can’t believe this! Madison deserves a limo! I deserve a limo! But those two? How do they deserve one? Meilin: Calm down! I told you that it was no big deal. Mimi: I have to admit it, but I agree with Giselle. Sora: Mimi, not you too. Rita: (raising her hand) Excuse me, but can I bring up a more important point? Sakura: What’s that? Rita: Who here knows how to cook? Sakura, Sora, and Mimi all raise their hands hesitantly. Everyone then gasps in surprise at seeing Mimi’s hand raised. Mimi: What? Jun: Since when did you learn to cook? Mimi: Well, I’ve been taking home ec classes this year, so I learned a few things. Meilin: Why didn’t you tell us before? Mimi: Because the only things I can cook by myself are sponge cake, fried rice, and orange chicken. Giselle: (putting her hands on her hips) Isn’t that enough? Misty, Giselle, and Meilin all start pushing Mimi towards the front door. Mimi: Hey! Misty: It’s half past three already! Giselle: You’d better start cooking! Meilin: Or you’re going to be in big trouble! Misty, Giselle, and Meilin: (simultaneously) Get going! Mimi: Wait a minute! I’ve never cooked for so many people! Misty, Giselle, and Meilin: (simultaneously) It’s time you learned! As the trio drags Mimi into the mansion, Sakura and Kari are doing their best to stifle their own giggles. Sakura: (smiling) Poor Mimi. Kari: I wouldn’t want to be her right now. Nikki: (sighs) I guess we’ll all have to pick up the housework too. Yolei: That’s true! (beginning to cry) With them gone, we have to do all the cleaning! A few hours later, on board a private jet heading for an unknown destination... Chelsea: There’s something very fishy about this. Sasami: I know. Still, it’s nice to get away for once. Chelsea: Yeah. The two sit back and relax for a few seconds. Chelsea then once again breaks the silence. Chelsea: I wonder how everyone else is doing. Sasami: I’m sure they’re fine without us. Back at the mansion in Reedington... Mimi: (yelling from the kitchen) I’m done! Everyone is sitting at the dining room table as Mimi brings out a giant rice cooker. Mimi: I hope you guys enjoy this, because I ain’t cooking here again! Sora: I don’t see what you’re so upset about Mimi. It smells delicious. Misty: Don’t you get it? She’s trying to hide something! Mimi: (beginning to sweat) Like what? Casey: (smiling) I’m sure Mimi did a fine job. Kari: I agree. Let’s eat! As Mimi puts the rice cooker down on the table, the gang begins to dig in. She takes her seat and nervously watches as the others eat for several minutes. Rita is the first to notice her, so she speaks up. Rita: What’s wrong Mimi? Why aren’t you eating? Mimi: I just wanted to see what you guys thought of my cooking, that’s all. Giselle: (looking up from her plate) You want my honest opinion? Meilin: We all know you’re going to tell her you hate it. Where’s the honesty in that? Giselle: For your information, I was going to comment that this meal is scrumptious! Meilin: Oh. Sakura: Say, what do you think Meilin? You are from Hong Kong after all. Meilin: Well, to tell you the truth, I think the chicken is a little overdone and there’s a bit too much salt in the rice. Duplica: I was about to say the same thing! Mimi: So you guys don’t like it? Yolei: Oh, we like it. But what I think they’re trying to say is that it needs some work. Madison: Work nothing! I don’t taste anything wrong with it. Jun: (finishing her plate) Me neither. Can I have another helping? Mimi: (with a bright smile on her face) You bet! As Mimi began filling Jun’s plate again, the girls began to slip into their normal conversations. Even Mimi eventually got some food for herself as she joined in the festivities. For the moment, despite the absence of Sasami and Chelsea, everything in the house seemed quite calm. Day Nineteen Late the next morning, Meilin and Sakura are in the middle of cooking lunch. They seem to be arguing over what ingredients to put in. Meilin: I say it needs a little more oregano. Sakura: I say it needs some black pepper. Meilin: (sighs) We’ll never get this done in time for lunch. Sakura: (wiping the sweat off her forehead) You’re telling me. Meilin: If Li was here, he could cook up some Seafood Noodle Soup. Sakura: Well, he’s not Meilin, so help me cook this giant chicken! Two hours later, Misty, Yolei, and Mimi are now in the kitchen with the duo as they pull the chicken out of the oven. Sakura: (VO) I hope this came out right. Meilin: (VO) If it doesn’t come out right, I can just blame it all on Sakura. No problem. Sakura takes a knife and cuts a few strips of meat of off the chicken. All five of them each take a piece and put in their mouths. They chew the pieces in their mouths for a little bit before finally swallowing them. Mimi: No offense, but that tasted a bit off. Misty: You call this chicken? Yolei: I’d call it Canadian bacon, but that’s just me. Mimi: But you’ve never been to Canada. Yolei: I know. It sounds weird, but that’s what it tastes like to me. Meilin: It’s all Sakura’s fault! She’s the one who decided to add the pepper. Sakura: (sweatdrops) Give it a rest, Meilin. It’s not that bad. Misty: At least it’s edible. That’s what matters the most. Meilin: At least we won’t starve waiting for Sasami and Chelsea to come back. The girls all reach for another piece of chicken as they continue to discuss their cooking skills. Sakura: (CC) Honestly, Sasami probably would have done much better than this, but as long as everyone will eat it, it’s okay by me. End Episode Nine Layla: (VO) On the next episode, we reach the halfway point of our journey... Meilin: This is so cool! Chelsea: We’re back! Layla: (VO) Sasami and Chelsea return from their little vacation... Sasami: (CC) I’m so excited about the next challenge! Layla: (VO) As they lead the girls into a big cook off competition... Casey: Now that’s what I called a burnt piece of roast beef! Nikki: Is that what it’s supposed to look like? Layla: (VO) Which has a very eclectic group of judges... Sasami: You guys came just to watch me, didn’t you? Ryoko: Tenchi! Ayeka: Tenchi? Where? Jun: What are they doing here? Layla: (VO) Why, that’s our little secret... Sakura: A blind date? You’ve got to be kidding me! Layla: (VO) Thanks for letting it out Sakura... Mimi: It’s just like being back home... every single guy in the room wants to ask me out on a date. Layla: (VO) Get a whiff of the tenth episode, burnt food, blind dates, and more, next time... Copyright Date: 7/10/01 Voting Rules Reminders: 1. You can vote for up to four boys/girls at once. 2. You can vote more than once, but remember that only your most recent vote will count towards the final tally. 3. Please keep votes for each of the two editions separate from each other. 4. All votes must be received by July 25th, 2001. No late votes will be accepted!