After everything that's happened these past few weeks, I'm glad to present Episode 18 of Roomies, the boys' edition! Yes, you are reading that right. The guys, for once and probably the only time, go first this week! That's because the files for this week's girls' episode were on my computer. There is still some work to do to finish the girls’ installment, so I decided to do this edition first this week. A few reminders... The release date for "Roomies: The Reunion Special," is now scheduled for Sunday night, December 2nd, following the airing of the twentieth and final episodes of both editions. At this point, I'm 50-50 in terms of that being official and being able to get all of that done in time. Speaking of guesses... whom do you think won? Who do you think should win? The final tally will begin next episode, so don't miss a beat! As usual, reviews are always accepted! E-mail me or just leave one at Fanfiction.net! Oh, and yes, this is not a 100% faithful adaptation of the similarly named reality series "The Amazing Race," but I'm not exactly borrowing everything from it. Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or any reality show concepts used in the writing of this fanfic. * * * * * * * * * * Oak: (VO) On the last episode of Roomies... Tenchi: Professor Oak? Oak: (smiles) Sorry to disturb you this early, but I have a new challenge for you. TK: (yawns) What's going on? Tenchi: Professor Oak said that we have another physical challenge this morning. We're going to meet at seven thirty in the recreation room to view the tape. Oak: (VO) Yep, and this one's a dandy... They are about to view the tape which describes their next challenge. Oak: (as the tape starts) Ah! Good afternoon! You know, at the end of the week we will shrink the sixteen of you down to one single, solitary winner. I bet some of you are nervous about that, so to get your mind off of it, I have a challenge for you. Seeing as most of you are new to the Pokéworld, the next prize challenge has to deal with a race across it. Don't dare stop for too long... because the last one to arrive at a checkpoint will be eliminated from the challenge. We've got a cool prize, too, so let's see if you're ready for the Amazing Race! See ya! Li: It's nice to get a decent challenge for once. Oak: (VO) The boys have been spending the past two days racing across Kanto... Li and Tracey, riding their Rapidash, fly past the Route 2 marker so fast that they do not notice the flags at all. They ride on to Viridian City. Kanto Airlines Flight 59 takes off from VCI at 11:14 a.m., on route to Cerulean City. Tori: I think we got lucky that we obtained the last two tickets, making everyone else wait for the next flight. Tai: Yeah. We don't have to worry about them when we get in Cerulean. Oak: (VO) Unfortunately, two teams have already been cut... About an hour later, the van carrying Cody and Richie pulls in. As they make their way to the house, Professor Oak is waiting for them. They breathe heavily as they enter the circle. Finally, Matt and Joe arrive at the dojo. Unfortunately, they know what's about to happen, as Professor Oak awaits them in front of the circle. Oak: You two are the last to arrive. You have been eliminated from the game. The duo can only shake their heads and wonder what went wrong. Oak: (VO) But that's not all, folks... Alyssa: Hi! Oak: Now Alyssa, please tell these young men what their task is tonight. Alyssa: (after a brief pause) Find Cleffa. Ken: Cleffa? Izzy: What's a Cleffa? Oak: Cleffa is Alyssa's Clefairy doll. The challenge is to find it. All sixteen boys facefault to the ground. Oak: (VO) And a dumb challenge ends by someone finding the doll by dumb luck... All of a sudden, Davis stumbles upon a Clefairy doll. He's not sure what a Clefairy looks like, so he begins to toss it aside when Richie notices it in his hand. Richie: Davis! Don't throw that out! That's a Clefairy doll! Davis: It is? (sees that the Clefairy has a name tag) Hey! It has a name tag. Richie: (reads the name tag) My name is Cleffa. I belong to Alyssa Shiramiso. (looks up at Davis) I think we found it! Richie and Davis run out of the house and tell Tori and Brock the good news. They then pass it on to their teammates at home base. * * * * * * * * * * Tai: Sixteen young guys... Tori: From four different anime shows... Cody: Spend forty two days living alone in a mansion... Tracey: With one lucky soul walking away with up to one million dollars in cash. (Begin theme song) Gary: In this game, you've got to trust the right people... Tenchi: Choosing the wrong person could make the difference... Ken: You could lose out on that prize you wanted... Izzy: Or you could lose out on a hundred thousand dollars. (A picture of each of the contestants is shown, in alphabetical order, changing every second. In order, Ash, Brock, Cody, Davis, Gary, Izzy, Joe, Ken, Li, Matt, Richie, Tai, Tenchi, TK, Tori, and Tracey.) Li: Form your friendships wisely... Matt: Getting along is the big key... Brock: Do all of this, my friends... TK: And you could walk home as the big winner... (Show several shots from past episodes, featuring several of the guys achieving victory) Joe: Some of these guys will form long lasting friendships... Davis: Others will develop intense rivalries... Richie: But only one will walk out with up to a million dollars in cash and prizes. All 16 Guys: (together) We are... Roomies! (Four group shots, each featuring four of the girls, flashes on the screen for about two seconds each) - Group 1 - Li, Gary, Joe, and Izzy - Group 2 - Davis, TK, Matt, and Tai - Group 3 - Brock, Ash, Tenchi, and Richie - Group 4 - Cody, Ken, Tori, and Tracey (End theme song, with a picture of all sixteen contestants in front of the mansion) Ash: The boys' edition finals! * * * * * * * * * * Roomies Story Written by Freedom Fighter * * * * * * * * * * Episode Eighteen - The Amazing Race, Part 2 Night Thirty Seven Immediately after the challenge and dinner, most of the teams went to sleep, knowing that they would have to get up in the wee hours of the morning to continue the sixth and final prize challenge. They had no idea where they were going next, but they had to be prepared for anything. [Inset: Green - 12:25 a.m.] Tori and Tai grab their stuff, waving goodbye to Professor Oak and the others. As they leave, Tai reads the first clue under the bright lights of a nearby lamppost. Tai: (reading aloud) Make your way to the Goldenrod City Casino. Since you are underage, though, you will be denied entry. To get the clue, you must enlist the help of either the local Nurse Joy, the local Officer Jenny, or Whitney, the city's gym leader. Each one may or may not require you to perform a task before accepting to help you, so be prepared for anything! Oak: (VO) Goldenrod City is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, cities in the Pokémon World. It lies in the Johto region to the west and stands as the region's most populous city, at nearly three and a half million people. Originally, the quickest way there was by airplane, which took six hours. But now a newly built Magnet Train connects Goldenrod to Saffron in the Kanto region. A one-way trip on the train lasts just over an hour and a half. Tori and Tai make a run for the Magnet Train station to buy tickets for the next train to Goldenrod. [Inset: Black - 12:29 a.m.] As the green team makes their way to the station, Li and Tracey depart from the dojo. They also read the clue before taking off for the station. Once there, they see Tori and Tai at the ticket desk. [Inset: Green] Tai: Excuse me ma'am, but when's the next train to Goldenrod City? Teller: 3:15 a.m. Tori: So you're telling me the next train doesn't depart until 3:15? Teller: Yes. We only run one train on the circuit between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Tori: Rats... that means everyone will be on the train when it leaves. Not good. Tai: Speaking of not good... Li and Tracey just got here. As Tori goes about buying the tickets, Ash explains the situation to Li and Tracey. Tracey: 3:15? Are you serious? Li: That takes away any advantage we have over the other teams! Ash: I know, I know! After Tori completes the transaction, Tracey goes over to get tickets for Li and himself. [Inset: Blue - 12:57 a.m.] TK and Izzy leave the dojo. They read the clue before heading off to the train station. [Inset: White - 1:05 a.m.] Ash and Davis yawn as they walk out of the dojo. They stumble along after reading the clue as they make their way to the train station. [Inset: Brown - 1:41 a.m.] Ken rips open the envelope and reads the clue aloud to his partner, Tenchi. They then head off for the station. Arriving there, they see that Tori, Tai, Li, Tracey, TK, and Izzy are waiting patiently off to the side, either trying to catch a few extra minutes of sleep or planning ahead for when they arrive in Goldenrod. Tenchi goes off to buy the tickets and returns a few minutes later, informing his partner that the next train doesn't leave until 3:15. [Inset: White] Ash and Davis are walking around somewhere downtown, in the direction opposite of where the train station is. They obviously have no idea where to go. [Inset: Red - 2:53 a.m.] Gary and Brock take their time as they open the envelope and read the clue. They then head off for the station, not knowing that the next train leaves promptly at 3:15. [Inset: Green, Black, Blue, and Brown] At exactly three o'clock, the train pulls into the station. The four teams grab their bags and start boarding the train. Several minutes pass as they put their stuff into the overhead compartments and sit down, waiting to depart Saffron City. [Inset: White and Red] Ash, Davis, Gary, and Brock arrive at the station at the exact same time, about five minutes after three. They discover that there is a train waiting to depart in ten minutes... except that the company does not allow anyone to buy tickets for a train fifteen minutes prior to departure during the overnight hours. This, of course, angers them all. Ash: What do you mean we can't get on? It's sitting right there! Gary: Of all the nerve! Davis: We have to get on that train! We're in a race! Brock: Can't you do anything, mister? Teller: I'm sorry, but even if we're not filled to capacity, we don't allow tickets to be sold this close to departure during non-peak hours. Gary: When does the next train leave? Teller: At 6:45 a.m. But we're sold out of tickets for that train. Brock: What? Teller: It's the train we use for those who commute to Goldenrod for work! We rarely have any tickets available for that train! Ash: What's the next train after that? Teller: The next train is the 7:45 a.m., which is a bit lighter because it doesn't arrive in Goldenrod 'til after nine o'clock. Davis: I can't believe this! Brock: Is there any way we can get on the 6:45? Gary: We're in a race here, buddy! We'll take anything! Teller: If you want, I can put you on the waiting list. I'm not guaranteeing that any spots will free up, though. The foursome put their names on the list. They then take a seat in the waiting area and hope that four spots will free up for them. Ash: (CC) How could this have happened? Davis: (CC) What I want to know is how we got lost downtown? We should've gotten here in time to catch the train with the others. Gary: (CC) It's a conspiracy, I tell you! Brock: (CC) This had better work out, or it'll be down to us two to determine which team gets booted next. The train for Goldenrod City departs at exactly 3:15. While these four teams are on their way, the White and Red teams are stranded for at least a few more hours. Oak: (VO) As the four teams onboard the train to Goldenrod City take a well deserved, yet short snooze, the two remaining teams wait patiently, in hope that a few seats will open up on the next train. Brock, though, comes up with a brainstorm. Brock: Why don't we just fly to Goldenrod? If you think about it, if they have a plane leaving within the hour, we'll be there by about the time we get there by train. Gary: So why go? We'd be spending extra money. Plus, who knows if we can find a direct flight there. Ash: Isn't it worth a try? Gary: You can try it, if you want to waste some money. But I feel better staying with the sure thing... taking the train to Goldenrod. Oak: (VO) After debating their options, Brock decides to go ahead and call the airport to see if there are any flights. Airport Lady: (over the videophone) I'm sorry, the next flight to Goldenrod from here doesn't depart until 4:42 this afternoon. Brock: That's way too late! We'd be way behind by then! Aren’t there any connecting flights? Airport Lady: Do you want me to check? Brock: Of course I want you to check! Airport Lady: Don't have a cow! It's going to take a few minutes. Brock: Fine. We have a few hours anyway. After about twenty minutes, the airport lady finally returns with an answer. Airport Lady: Our rivals, Indigo Air, have a flight that departs at 4:02 a.m. It goes to Viridian City. You can transfer from there to a flight that goes to Goldenrod City. Brock: That's awesome! Can you get us tickets? Airport Lady: They still have some seats left, but since it's with a rival company, you'll have to come here and order the tickets yourself. Brock: Okay, thanks! Brock hangs up and runs over to the others to explain the situation. Brock: So, the plane leaves in about twenty minutes, give or take. Gary: That's not enough time to get the tickets and go through customs! You must be out of your mind! Brock: Well, we're not making any progress staying here! Davis: And what happens if we get there and find out that they're booked? And then come back here and discover that we're stuck here for even longer? Ash: Davis is right. If we leave, the teller might take our names off of the list. And then what? We'll be way behind! Brock: We're already going to be at least four hours back at the minimum when we get to Goldenrod. I say we have to take a chance! Gary: I don't think it's worth it. I'm not going. Ash: Me neither. Davis: I second that! Brock: You mean third. Davis: Oh, right. Did I say third? Brock: No, you said second... Oak: (VO) So, Brock's plans go awry. Meanwhile, the train pulls into the station at Goldenrod City just before 5 a.m. [Inset: Green, Black, Blue, and Brown - 4:38 a.m.] Once the four teams get off the train, they split up into two factions. Tori, Tai, Li, and Tracey, despite being unfamiliar with the city, run right out of the station, hoping to stay out front and search for their targets on their own. Meanwhile, Tenchi, Ken, TK, and Izzy decide to stick together and ask for directions at the ticket booth. Tenchi: (after speaking with the ticket lady) Thanks! He rejoins the others and explains their current dilemma. Tenchi: Okay, the Pokémon Center is the closest to here, about a quarter of a mile to the east. Unfortunately, they're closed for the night. So is the gym. According to the ticket lady, she said that Whitney keeps her home address private, so we don't have much luck finding her. Izzy: That means we're stuck having to find Officer Jenny. Tenchi: Correct. Ken: So, where's the station? Tenchi: Three and a half miles southwest of here, near the casino. TK: That's perfect! Why do we need her if we're heading by the casino? Izzy: Because we need them to get in, remember? TK: Oh yeah... I forgot. [Inset: Green] Tai and Tori are trying to locate the gym. Tai believes that his connection with Whitney gives them a distinct advantage over the other teams. Tai: Let's head for the gym. Whitney's sure to help us. Tori: Are you sure? She wouldn't be awake at this hour, you know. Tai: She'll open the door if she knows it's me. Tori: And why's that? Tai: (begins to panic) Um... because she will. Tori: We'll see. [Inset: Black] Tracey and Li are heading east, in search of the Pokémon Center. Tracey: If we can just find the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy will be glad to help us out! Li: At this time? I say our chances are much better of finding Officer Jenny on duty than Nurse Joy! Tracey: What do you know about chances? Li: I'm a Cardcaptor! I take chances everyday! The duo arrives at the Pokémon Center, only to discover that the lights are all turned off and the front door is locked. Tracey: Well, it looks like we blew this chance. Li: Never mind that. We need to try Officer Jenny or Whitney. Tracey: Jenny, being a police officer and all, might be our best bet. Especially if she's on patrol tonight. Li: Good idea. Let's find her. Do you know where the police station is? Tracey: Unfortunately, I've never been in Goldenrod before. I have no idea. [Inset: Blue and Brown] Tenchi, Ken, TK, and Izzy finally arrive at the police station. There, they find Officer Jenny at her desk, reading a beauty magazine. TK: (with a bit of hesitation in his voice) Um... Officer Jenny? Jenny: (looking up from her magazine) Yes? Tenchi: Great! We found her! Izzy: You see, we're trying to get into the Casino. Unfortunately, we're all underage, and... Jenny: (getting up) Say no more! She takes out two pamphlets from her desk drawer and hands one to each team. The pamphlet is colored in red, with the words 'Road Block' printed in big, bold letters on them. Oak: (VO) A roadblock is a task that the teams must complete before moving on. The teams must decide which member will do the challenge before opening the pamphlet and reading the instructions. TK: The introduction says that the person has to be willing to change their look. Without hesitation, Tenchi and Izzy decide to proceed with the challenge. They open the pamphlet and read the instructions inside. Ken: (aloud) For the person who is doing the challenge: you will be dressing up as the person you decided to go to (i.e. if you are at the Pokémon Center, you will be dressing up as Nurse Joy, etc.). Use the costume to gain access to the Casino. Look around the slot machines to find your next clue. TK: (aloud) For the person who is not: wait at your current location for your teammate to return. Tenchi and Izzy follow Officer Jenny to the back, where she shows them a set of female officer uniforms, complete with silk stockings. Tenchi: (a little surprised) What? Izzy: Don't you have any male uniforms? Jenny: Nope. Besides, you have to dress up as me. That's why you came here. Jenny hands Tenchi one of her own uniforms, since they are about the same size. She then manages to find the smallest size uniform for Izzy to wear. She points them to the bathroom, where they can get dressed. Moments later, Tenchi walks out wearing the blue female uniform. Jenny hands him a police cap, complete with a blue wig glued to the inside. As Tenchi puts it on, Jenny pulls out her apple red lipstick and starts applying it to his lips. Tenchi pulls back at first, but reluctantly gives up as Jenny does her job. For the finishing touch, Jenny hands him a pair of blue high heels. Tenchi: You mean I have to wear this too? Jenny: Yep. It's part of the outfit. And don't dare try to run to the Casino with them off! Tenchi slips on the high heels, only to find that they're a bit small. Jenny runs back to the storeroom and gets him a bigger pair. She returns just as Izzy emerges from the bathroom. Tenchi slips them on as Izzy laughs at his appearance. But his chuckles are short-lived, as Jenny begins giving him the same treatment. Tenchi walks up to the front of the room, where Ken and TK are gawking over his appearance. Ken: Wow! You look just like Officer Jenny! TK: I have to admit, you look good in that uniform! Tenchi: (gritting his teeth) You two are enjoying this, aren't you? Ken: (smiles) I'm lovin' every minute of it! Tenchi, as best as he can, runs out of the police station and starts heading for the Casino, tripping over himself a few times as he does. Finally, he arrives there. The guards bow as Tenchi passes by them and into the Casino. Tenchi: Wow. They were right. I could pass off for Officer Jenny! Tenchi begins searching the Casino for the next clue. Locating the slot machines, he goes from one to another, until he finally notices it on top of one of them. He gets up on a chair and reaches to grab the clue from it. After retrieving it, he opens the envelope up and reads the clue inside. Tenchi: (reading aloud) Go to the National Park, north of Route 35. Your only means of transportation up there are by bike. The shop is open from ten to seven. (looking up) Just great. We have to wait. As he heads out of the Casino, Izzy, who looks like a shorter Officer Jenny, enters. This makes the guards scratch their heads in confusion. Tenchi returns to the police station and informs Ken of their situation. After changing back into his regular clothes, Tenchi decides that they should head over to the shop to reserve their place. About ten minutes later, Izzy returns and tells TK the same thing before they head off in pursuit, after Izzy changes as well. [Inset: Green] Meanwhile, Tori and Tai have decided to camp out by the Pokémon gym, in order to wait for Whitney. [Inset: Black] Li and Tracey, on the other hand, are now running across the city to find the police station. * * * * * * * * * * Day Thirty Eight [Inset: Black] At just after six o'clock, Li and Tracey finally locate the police station. Officer Jenny hands them the 'Road Block' pamphlet. Tracey decides to undertake the task. Once Tracey is dressed, he comes out to show Li. Li responds by shaking his head in embarrassment as Tracey heads off to the Casino. Tracey goes to the Casino, finds the envelope and returns within half an hour. After Tracey gets changed back into his clothes, they head off for the bike shop. They arrive there at about a quarter to seven, only to find the blue and brown teams sitting outside. [Inset: White and Red] Oak: (VO) Back in Saffron City, the next train to Goldenrod City is pulling out. On board are the two remaining teams, who were lucky enough to get their seats after they had freed up. Brock: Our best bet is to work together once we get to Goldenrod. Ash: I agree! The only way we're going to catch up is if we team up! Gary and Davis nod in agreement. The train continues its trek to Goldenrod. The trip lasts a little over an hour and a half. At 8:19 a.m., the foursome makes their way off the train. Making their way to the station, they try to decide where to go. Gary: I say we go to the police station! Davis: I say we go to the Pokémon Center! Ash: I say we go to the gym! Brock: I say we go to all three! Gary, Davis, and Ash glance at Brock weirdly. Ash: Why would we want to go to all three? Brock: Maybe we should ask for directions. Gary: Gary Oak does not ask for directions! Davis: We don't need 'em anyway. I'm sure we can find these places easily. As they exit the station, the two teams stay together as they run through the city. [Inset: Green] At that exact moment, Tori and Tai are awaken by a red haired girl wearing a simple white blouse and matching shorts. Red Haired Girl: Excuse me, but may I ask what you two are doing out here? Tori: (yawns) We're waiting for Whitney, the gym leader to show up. Red Haired Girl: (brightens up) What a coincidence! I am Whitney! Tai: (waking up and stretching) Huh? What did she say, Tori? Whitney: (recognizing Tai) It's you. Tai Kamiya, right? Tai: (now wide awake) Yep. And you're Whitney. I'm so glad to meet you in person. Whitney: (winks at Tai) Likewise. Came for the ring already, I see. Tai: (scratches his head) Actually, not yet. We're just passing through. Whitney: (disappointed) That's too bad. Tori: (to Tai) What ring is she talking about? Tai: (quickly on the defensive) What ring? There's no ring. Tori: (to Whitney) What ring are you talking about? Whitney: I'm sorry, but that information's classified. Tori: And you know that it's morally incorrect to date someone who is several years younger than you are. Whitney: For your information, I am not dating him! Tori: Then what's with the ring? Tai: (sighs) I'll explain it to him, Whitney. In the meantime, we need the information pamphlets to continue our challenge. Whitney: (snapping back to her senses) Oh! I'll go get them. Whitney pulls out the key to the front door and unlocks it. She then walks in, closing the door behind her. [Inset: White and Red] Meanwhile, Brock, Gary, Ash, and Davis arrive at the Pokémon Center. It is already open. Nurse Joy is waiting for them at the front desk. Joy: Good morning! Brock: (running over and sandwiching her hands between his) Good morning, sunshine! Has anyone ever told you that your beauty is so radiant that you are mistaken for the sun? Joy: (confused) Excuse me? Ash: (pulling Brock away by the ear) I wish Misty were here to do this so I wouldn't feel so guilty all the time. Gary: (stepping up to the desk) We're here with Professor Oak. Davis: I believe you have a clue waiting for us. Joy smiles as she reaches into the desk and pulls out two 'Road Block' pamphlets and hands them to Gary and Davis. They each take them to their teammates. After a minute or so of debate, Brock and Ash decide to do it. Brock: (shouts happily) I'll do anything for Nurse Joy! Flash-forward to a few minutes later, as Brock comes out of the back, dressed as Nurse Joy, complete with the pink dress, white apron, nurse's cap with a red wig, and white shoes. If it weren't for his dark brown and partially hair-filled legs, he would pass of as an African descendant of the Nurse Joys. Ash comes out seconds later in a smaller uniform. He looks more the part though, other than the distinct height difference between him and the real Joy. Brock and Ash, in costume, rush out and attempt to locate the Casino. [Inset: Green] Outside the Pokémon gym, Tori and Tai finish their conversation. Tori: Okay, I promise not to tell anyone about this. Tai: (breathes a sigh of relief) Thanks. Tori: I have to admit though, it was stupid of you to decide to come here. Tai: (growls) Don't remind me. At that moment, Whitney comes out of the gym with the red 'Road Block' pamphlet in hand. She hands it to the duo. They open it instantly. Tai offers to do it, so that Tori will keep his secret. Whitney smiles evilly as she grabs Tai by the hand and tugs him inside the gym. Tori shrugs his shoulders and follows the duo in. A few minutes later, as Tori waits up front, Whitney returns. Tori: So, where's Tai? Whitney: (giggles) He's a little shy. (yells) Tai, come on! Tai: (from the back room) I'm not coming out. It's too embarrassing. Tori: (getting up) If you don't come out, I'll not only tell your secret, but I'll also give you a beating as well! Tai: (from the back room) No need for threats! Sheesh! Tai walks out, dressed exactly like Whitney. Tai seems to be in a bit of pain, but is otherwise fine. Tori smiles and laughs as he notices Tai's predicament. Tori: (sarcastically) You look so good! Tai: Very funny! (to Whitney) You don't have any shorts larger than this? Whitney: (shrugs her shoulders and smiles) What can I say? I have a small waist. Tai: I'll be lucky if these shorts don't split on the way to the Casino. Whitney: (suggestively) I thought you would adore the chance to wear a woman's clothes. Tai: (in a panic) I never said that! Whitney: You should consider yourself lucky. I don't wear high heels like Joy or Jenny, so at least walking should be easy for you. Tai: (whines) But your feet are smaller than mine! My toes are so far in that they're halfway under my feet! Whitney: (giving up) Okay, you can wear your own sneakers. But that's all you'll get. You have to wear everything else. Tai: (pointing to the red wig on top of his head, which isn't really fitting all that well because of his big hair) Even this? Whitney: You'll manage. Tori: Hurry up! We don't have much time. Tai: Okay! I'm going, I'm going! After switching into his own sneakers, Tai, dressed as Whitney, walks out of the gym, taking care not to rip any of Whitney's clothes. Whitney: I'll be amazed if he comes back with those clothes fully intact. Tori: You mean you're not worried if he rips them? Whitney: Nope. I can always get another one. (pulling our one of her credit cards) You wouldn't believe how much I get paid to be a gym leader! I earn in two weeks what a grade school teacher here earns in a semester! Tori: (sweatdrops) That's interesting to know... As the nine o'clock hour comes and goes, three teams are still attempting to get past the 'Road Block' task. On the other hand, the other three teams are waiting at the bicycle store to get bikes to ride up to the National Park. [Inset: White] Ash, dressed as Nurse Joy, enters the Casino. It only takes him a minute to find the clue. He runs out and heads back for the Pokémon Center. [Inset: Red] Meanwhile, Brock is wandering around downtown, having no luck finding the Casino. He has, though, gotten several people to laugh at him. Brock: (CC) This is the most embarrassing challenge yet! I can't believe I've been reduced to this: acting like the one thing I love. Women. Strangely, though, I'm enjoying this too. [Inset: Green] Tai sees a Nurse Joy run out of the Casino. He begins to wonder what a Nurse Joy would be doing there as he waddles uncomfortably to the entrance. After all, there were more important matters at hand. Besides, the shorts that he was wearing were cutting off his circulation. Tai: (CC) If I live through this, I'll remind myself to forget about that bonus I was gonna give Whitney. [Inset: White] Ash returns to the Pokémon Center just before nine thirty. Gary growls impatiently as Ash changes back into his regular clothes before running out, with Davis in tow. Once outside, he shares the clue with his teammate. Ash: (reading aloud) Go to the National Park, north of Route 35. Your only means of transportation up there are by bike. Davis: The bicycle shop doesn't open 'til ten! Ash: We can't wait that long! Davis: You never know... the teams that are ahead of us might be stranded there. [Inset: Blue, Brown, Black, and White] Sure enough, Ash and Davis find TK, Izzy, Tenchi, Ken, Li, and Tracey waiting outside. The eight of them exchange hellos before looking up at a nearby clock. It was nine forty one. As the minutes tick away, the two teams that are not there (Green and Red) continue their challenge. Tai is already on his way back to the gym, with the next clue in hand. That leaves only Brock to find the Casino. Little does he know is that he is only a block away from it. [Inset: Green] Tai arrives at the gym at exactly five minutes to ten. Whitney laughs hysterically as Tai makes his way to the back to change back into his own clothes. Coming out of the back room, he hands the clue to Tori, who opens and reads it. Tai: Whitney, do you know the fastest way to the bicycle shop? Whitney: (coming back to her senses) Of course! (points out the door) Go straight out. Make a left on the second street. Pass three alleys on the right before going down the fourth one on that side. Follow that alley around until you reach the first corner. Turn left and it's right there. Tai: Did you get all of that, Tori? Tori: Got it. Let's go. Tai: (waves goodbye) Thanks for the help, Whitney! Whitney: (waving back) You're welcome! Call me when you're ready to pick up the ring! As the duo disappears from sight, Whitney heads to the back and takes the clothes that Tai had been wearing. She quickly throws them in the garbage can, even though there are no visible rips or tears of any sort. Whitney: (to the camera) Like I said, I can easily buy a replacement. [Inset: Blue, Brown, Black, and White] At exactly ten o'clock, the owner of the bicycle shop arrives. He opens the door to the shop and closes it behind him, informing the teams to wait outside. He returns shortly thereafter, with a ring full of keys. He goes across the street and unlocks several bikes, one at a time. The teams, in order, grab a bike and start heading north, out of the city, and up Route 35. Tenchi and Ken leave first, followed closely by TK and Izzy, then Li and Tracey, and finally, Ash and Davis. [Inset: Green] Tori and Tai arrive about ten minutes later. The shopkeeper unlocks two more bikes from the rack. The two of them grab one each and head off after the other teams. [Inset: Red] At a quarter after ten, Brock finally returns to the Pokémon Center. Gary scowls at him for being late, but blows it off because they now have to play catch-up. They make their way to the bike shop. By ten thirty, they are on their bikes and off in pursuit of the other teams. Oak: (VO) What the teams don't know is that the bike ride to the National Park is several miles long. Seventeen miles long, to be exact. Tenchi and Ken do not seem to be struggling that much, but at times Tenchi has to slow down so that Ken can keep pace with him. TK and Izzy are visibly struggling. Neither of them were expecting this long of a ride at all. Li is having no problems at all whatsoever. His teammate, Tracey, though, continues to slow him down. Ash and Davis don't exactly have endurance either, but their perseverance seems to keep them going. Tori and Tai are making a little bit of ground on the slower teams, but not that much. Brock and Gary continue to bring up the rear, without any hope at this point in the stage to catch up with one of the teams. Oak: (VO) After several hours of biking along Route 35, the teams begin to arrive at the National Park. Inside the Route 35 entrance, the attendant goes about his normal business. A small steel toolbox sits on the desk. [Inset: Brown] Tenchi and Ken are the first to arrive. As soon as they enter the guardhouse, the attendant points to the toolbox. The duo goes over and opens it. They pull out the next clue pamphlet and open it up to read it. Ken: (reading aloud) Proceed to the next checkpoint... the Burned Tower in Ecruteak City. The last team to arrive there will be eliminated from the challenge. Tenchi: How do we get to Ecruteak City from here? Attendant: There's a small plane waiting at our mini-airport. It's right next to the Route 36 guardhouse. Ken: That means we have to go through the park! Attendant: (sticking his hand out) Exactly. Six bucks a person, please. After paying up, they head into the park and towards the other entrance, out by Route 36. It doesn't take them long to find the mini-airport. Once there, they talk to the available pilots. In just minutes, they're on their way to Ecruteak. Shortly after that, the other teams begin their arrival. The blue team (TK and Izzy) arrive next, with the black team (Li and Tracey) not too far behind. The white team (Ash and Davis) arrives about forty-five minutes later, with the green team (Tori and Tai) right behind them. The red team (Gary and Brock) bring up the rear, pretty far behind. In groups of four (except for the red team), they make their way to Ecruteak. The plane carrying Tenchi and Ken lands in Ecruteak. Once in the airport, they obtain directions to the Burned Tower. Using a taxi, they get there in five minutes. Hopping out of the taxi, they run over to the entrance of the Burned Tower, where a sage waits for them. [Inset: Brown - 3:52 p.m.] Sage: Welcome to Ecruteak City. You are team number one. Tenchi and Ken high-five each other before heading into the Burned Tower to check out what their accommodations look like. [Inset: Blue and Black] The two teams arrive in Ecruteak about an hour and forty minutes after the brown team did. They split up, looking for people along the way to guide them to the Burned Tower. [Inset: Black - 5:40 p.m.] Li and Tracey get directions before TK and Izzy do, allowing them to go to the Burned Tower ahead. Upon arrival there, the sage greets them. Sage: Welcome. You are team number two. Li: Well, despite how much you were out of shape, we made it here in second. Tracey: Cut me some slack, Li! You should be happy that we are in second! [Inset: Blue - 5:49 p.m.] TK and Izzy arrive shortly thereafter at the Burned Tower. Sage: You are team number three. Izzy: That's a relief. [Inset: Green and White] Back at the airport, Tori, Tai, Ash, and Davis arrive. They decide to stick together for the moment and ask for help. After a few minutes, they are directed to the Burned Tower. The green team gets into one taxi, with the white team following shortly after. [Inset: Green - 6:42 p.m.] The taxi carrying the green team pulls up to the front of the tower. The duo gets out and is greeted by the sage as the white team's taxi pulls in. Sage: Greetings! You are team number four! Tori and Tai just sigh in relief. [Inset: White - 6:43 p.m.] Sage: Welcome to Ecruteak! You are team number five! Davis: Well, we survived once again! Ash: You can say that again! Davis: Well, we survived once again! Ash: (sweatdrops) I didn't mean literally. [Inset: Red - 8:58 p.m.] Tired and defeated, Gary and Brock finally arrive at the Burned Tower, just minutes after arriving at the local airport. As they expected, Professor Oak is waiting for them. Oak: Gary. Brock. You two are the last ones to arrive. You have been eliminated from the challenge. Gary: I figured as much. Brock: So much for getting that last prize. The professor directs them to a waiting limousine, which will drive them back to the airport to catch a flight to the fourth and final checkpoint, which the remaining teams would be attempting to reach tomorrow. * * * * * * * * * * Night Thirty Eight The five remaining teams are resting before embarking on the final leg of their journey. As they do so, Tai, TK, and Izzy are entrenched in a planning session. Tai: So, we’ve got to find some way to get to the front of the pack. TK: But how? Izzy: Tracey and Li got here only a few minutes ahead of us, so we should focus our efforts on them. Tai: And Ash and Davis are only a minute behind Tori and I. TK: But there’s an hour difference between our two teams. Tai: That’s why you two have got to slow Tracey and Li down so that Tori and I can catch up. Izzy: Who knows how many people will be lucky enough to get to the end? Tai: We have to stop the other teams dead in their tracks. TK: It’s agreed, then. We’ll figure out a way to hold them up. With that, Tai leaves to discuss their plan with his teammate, Tori. Meanwhile, TK and Izzy have a little mini-conference of their own between themselves. Izzy: Let’s just dump Tai. There’s no way he’ll make up the time difference. TK: I agree. Although I feel ashamed to betray one of my own... Izzy: Hey! What happened to all of that rivalry spirit we had going between us? TK: That was between seasons, Izzy. If that were the case, we would be doing our best to screw each other up so that we wouldn’t win the challenge. Izzy: That’s true. So why don’t we do what we were expected to do? TK: Pardon? I didn’t quite catch that... Izzy: They told us to trip each other up so that we would lose the challenge. But they knew that because we were teammates that we wouldn’t sacrifice each other’s shot at a computer. TK: Especially given your love for computers! I get it! Izzy: So why don’t we throw the challenge? And help Tai and Tori out in the process! TK: (raising his left hand up and placing it against Izzy’s forehead) Are you sure you’re feeling alright, Izzy? This doesn’t sound anything like you. Izzy: (batting TK’s hand away) Of course! I’ve never felt better! TK: Uh huh... Izzy: We’d better get some sleep. We want to be well rested in the morning. The two head off to bed, anxious to see their plan in action the following morning. TK: (CC) All of this pressure must finally be getting to Izzy. He really wants this rivalry to end. Either that, or he’s just in a hurry to get back to the mansion to type on his own computer. Izzy: (CC) Neither of us is going to win the grand prize anyway. Besides, I already have a computer. What am I going to do with another? TK: (CC) I could swear Izzy was a lot more enthusiastic when this challenge began. [Inset: Brown - 3:52 a.m.] The sage hands Ken and Tenchi the first route marker for the last leg of the journey. Ken rips the envelope open and reads the contents aloud to his teammate. He also pulls out a picture of the Rainbow Wing, which is used to summon the legendary bird, Ho-oh. Ken: (reading aloud) Gain access to the Tin Tower. On the rooftop, one who possesses the Rainbow Wing seen in this picture can call forth the legendary bird, Ho-oh. Today, getting to the top means finding the next route marker. The Tin Tower is open Monday thru Saturday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tenchi: Looks like we’ve got some waiting to do. As the duo heads out of the Burned Tower, the camera focuses to a much taller building in the distance. It happens to be the Tin Tower itself, which is ten stories tall. Oak: (VO) This is the Tin Tower. Inside is a maze of twists, turns, crooked floorboards, and teleporters. Only accessing the correct combination of each will lead the teams to the rooftop and the next clue. But first, the gang has to find out how to get to the tower itself. Ken and Tenchi are looking around the deserted city, trying to find someone to ask directions to the Tin Tower. Tenchi: How are we supposed to find anybody out this early in the morning? Ken: Maybe if we find a Nurse Joy or an Officer Jenny... Tenchi: (sighs) We’d better start looking. After searching for quite awhile, they find locate the Pokémon Center. Luckily for them, this one is open. The duo run in and ask Nurse Joy for directions. Ken: We’re looking for the Tin Tower. Joy: (points behind her) Out by the pond, there is a small storage building... Shortly thereafter, the duo runs out towards the building in question. As they get closer to it, they can make out the outline of the Tin Tower in the distance, beyond the small forest. Ken and Tenchi knock on the front door. A guard answers it, peering through the sliding peephole in the top of the door. Guard: Who goes there? Tenchi: (flashing the envelope he had in his hands) We’re here with Professor Oak’s group. Guard: We don’t open until six. Ken: (beginning to plead) Can you please let us in the house, at least? We don’t want the other teams to know we’re here. Guard: (thinking for a second) Well, I guess it couldn’t hurt. The guard closes the peephole and unlocks the door. He then opens it and lets them in. Once inside, the duo discovers that the building is not a warehouse, but rather a guardhouse for the Tin Tower. A locked iron bar gate lies at the other end of the guardhouse. The guard takes a seat to a brown desk set up right next to the gate. He points them to the two chairs lying next to his desk. Ken and Tenchi shrug their shoulders and decide to take a seat. They wait patiently for the Tin Tower to open. [Inset: Black - 5:40 a.m.] Back at the Burned Tower, Tracey and Li get the envelope from the sage. They read it and head out. Tracey: The Tin Tower must be pretty tall if it attracts a rare Pokémon like Ho-oh! Li: Enough with the logic lesson! Do you know where the Tin Tower is located? Tracey: Not a clue. Li: Then we’d better find it and fast! Ken and Tenchi are probably already there, waiting for it to open. [Inset: Blue - 5:49 a.m.] TK and Izzy receive the envelope from the sage. They head out in search of the Tin Tower. [Inset: Brown] As the black and blue teams continue searching for the entrance to the Tin Tower, Ken and Tenchi stand at the gate as the guard gets up from his seat and prepares to open it. Before he does, though, he sticks out his hand. Tenchi: Huh? Ken: What? Guard: (coughs) Passage to the Tin Tower isn’t exactly free, you know. Ken grumbles as he hands the guard an unknown amount of money. The guard nods, unlocks the door, and opens it. The duo dashes pass the gate and into the underground passage that leads to the Tin Tower. In minutes, they emerge from the tunnel and into a small forest passage, which leads to where the tower itself stands. As they approach the tower, they spot a sign sticking out of the ground. They stop to read it. Ken and Tenchi: (reading aloud together) Warning! You may get lost in this tower! Do not enter without a guide or a map! The two head inside and spot a gentleman waiting at the stairway to the second floor. They approach him. Ken: Excuse me, but why are you blocking the way to the staircase? The gentleman smiles and hands Ken another envelope. Puzzled, he opens it and finds a ‘Road Block’ pamphlet inside. Ken: (sarcastically) That’s just great. (reads the instructions) Pick one who will fit through tight spaces. Tenchi: You’re smaller than I am, so you’d better go. Ken nods and opens the smaller envelope. He reads the instructions to himself before handing the envelope to his teammate. The gentleman steps out of the way as Ken runs up the stairs to the second floor, with a map in hand. Tenchi: (CC) It turns out that we’re given a partial map to the tower. The other half lies on the fifth floor, inside a giant Pokéball. It seems that there is only one correct way to the top, and we need a map to know how to reach it. [Inset: Black and Blue] Meanwhile, Tracey and Li are at the Pokémon Center, asking Joy for directions. As they come out, TK and Izzy approach them. After exchanging a few words, the two teams head off together for the secret guardhouse. [Inset: Brown] Back inside the Tin Tower, Ken is jumping amongst the crooked floorboards on the third floor. Ken: They really should fix this place up... All of a sudden, a Gastly comes out of nowhere and spooks the heck out of Ken. Ken: (yells and runs wildly towards the next staircase) Get me out of this tower! [Inset: Black and Blue] Down on the first floor, Tracey, Li, TK, and Izzy arrive. They spot a gentleman blocking the stairway, with Tenchi waiting off to the side. Both teams approach the gentleman and get the next clue. Li and TK quickly decide that they would search for the other half of the map. Li, with the athletic advantage, takes off and leaves TK in the dust, in hopes of losing him in the tower. [Inset: Green - 6:42 a.m.] Tori and Tai head out of the Burned Tower, in search of the Tin Tower. [Inset: White - 6:43 a.m.] Ash and Davis, the last team to leave the Burned Tower, follow the green team out immediately afterwards. Day Thirty Nine On the fifth floor, Ken locates the giant Pokéball next to the post holding up the tower. Moving through the floorboards, he finds his way back to the staircase and heads down. When he reaches the third floor, he sees both Li and TK scrambling to get to where he was. Ken decides to make a run for the staircase downstairs, as the other two head for the staircase to the fourth floor. Ken arrives two minutes later on the first floor. He grabs Tenchi and drags him back up the stairs. Tenchi: What was that all about? Ken: Didn’t you see? Li and TK are right behind us! Tenchi: You think I haven’t noticed? Tracey and Izzy were there with me! Ken: We’ve got to get to the top of the tower as fast as possible. But whatever you do, don’t let any of the other teams see our map! As the scramble through the Tin Tower continues, Ken and Tenchi make their way past the fifth floor and up to the sixth, as Li heads back down. They spot TK as he reaches the giant Pokéball at the center of the floor and open it to get the clue inside. Down on the first floor, Tracey and Izzy are plotting together. Izzy: So, if you help us, we promise that we’ll let you finish in front of us. Tracey: (shakes hands with Izzy) Deal! Izzy: (smiles) You won’t regret this. Tracey: (CC) The way things are, Izzy can’t be trusted right now. But what can we do? I don’t know how many teams will get a shot at that computer, so we’ll need all the help we can get. [Inset: Brown] At the top of the tower, Ken and Tenchi see the basket at the other end of the rooftop. They make their way over and pull an envelope out of the basket. Tenchi: (reading aloud) You must find Old Man Shuckle down by the beach. Break the rocks to find his secret hideout. There’s only one problem... there are two beaches like that. You must find out which one is the right one. Ken: How are we supposed to figure that out? Tenchi: You know, Nurse Joy’s already helped us out once. Why not give it another try? Ken: (shrugs his shoulders and smiles) Why not? The duo heads down the stairs, passing Tracey and Li on the sixth floor, TK and Izzy right behind them on the fifth floor, and Tai running up to get the second half of the map, goes by them on the second floor. Tori, on the first floor, watches as Tenchi and Ken run past and out of the tower. As they disappear, he pumps his fist in the air. Tori: (CC) We’re practically right behind them! We’re still in this! As Tenchi and Ken make their way to the Pokémon Center, Tracey and Li arrive at the top of the Tin Tower. They run over to the basket and pull an envelope from it. Seconds later, TK and Izzy appear from the entrance and do the same thing. The two teams then head back for the stairs together, as they examine the next clue. Tracey: This is amazing! We’re going hunting for Shuckle! Izzy: I’m curious. Just what is a Shuckle? Tracey: (smiles) You’ll see. Li: I’m sure we’ll be able to handle anything this Pokémon can dish out. Over at the Pokémon Center, Ash and Davis are on their way to the Tin Tower as Tenchi and Ken enter. After a minute, the duo comes out. They seem to be heading in the direction of the airport. [Inset: Brown] Tenchi and Ken arrive at Ecruteak Municipal Airport. They head for the nearest ticket booth as they discuss their plans. Tenchi: Okay, we need to get on a flight to Cianwood City. Ken: Really? I thought it was Olivine City. Tenchi: Well, Joy did say those were the two places where rocks of that type exist. Ken: But the other teams are right behind us! We have to figure out which one is the right one! Sure enough, the black and blue teams run into the airport just minutes later. After a bit of scrambling and an exchange of information between the three teams, they all decide to go to the same place. Li: Could Cianwood City be the finish line? Izzy: We have no choice. We have to pick one. TK: Izzy’s right. The plane to Cianwood departs in twenty-four minutes. But the plane to Olivine does not depart until nine fourteen. Tenchi: True. I doubt that they’d make it so that all the teams would have to practically race each other to the final checkpoint. Tracey: It’s agreed, then. We’re taking the next flight to Cianwood. So, the teams buy their tickets and head off to their plane. The question is… did they choose the right flight? [Inset: Brown, Black, and Blue] Cianwood Air Flight 24, non-stop from Ecruteak to Cianwood, departs at 7:39 a.m. [Inset: Green] Just minutes before the aforementioned flight took off, Tori and Tai arrive at the airport. They too are unsure of which flight to take. Tori: This can't be! How can we be so close, yet so far? Tai: Calm down. We’ll just wait ‘til the next flight to Cianwood. According to the ticket guy, it goes to Olivine, stops for an hour and fifteen minutes, and then goes to Cianwood. If we don’t find what we’re looking for in Olivine, we just get back on. Tori: But how much would that cost us? Tai: Hopefully not too much. I don’t know if we have enough to make both trips. [Inset: White] Just after eight in the morning, Ash and Davis walk into the airport, exhausted. To their relief, they spot Tori and Tai waving at them. Ash: Are you guys the only ones here? Tori: Yeah. I think the other teams took a flight to Cianwood. Davis: Why would they go there? The rocks we’re looking for are outside of Olivine. Tai: But those rocks also exist along the shores of Cianwood. Ash: So what should we do? Tori: Our plan is to catch the next flight to Olivine. It happens to be a flight that then flies to Cianwood after an hour and fifteen minute stop. Tai: So our only hope is that this Old Man Krabby lives near Olivine and not across the sea in Cianwood. If that ends up being true, we get back on the plane and fly there. Tori: Our problem is that we might not have enough money to get to Cianwood from Olivine if we end up wrong. Davis: I say we take our chances! Ash: Davis is right. We’re the teams in last place. We have to take a chance. Davis: We’ll either end up in first and second or fourth and fifth. Tai: You’re right! Life’s full of chances! What’s the fun in not taking one? Tori: I suppose. Our success in this challenge may ride on our decision, but hey, we’ll never know if we chicken out now. Ash: So it’s agreed. We’ll take the next flight to Olivine. [Inset: Green and White] Johto Jetliners Flight 3, from Ecruteak to Olivine, departs at 9:20 a.m. Oak: (VO) So, the two teams decide to try both options. The question is… which group made the right choice? And will the teams that are in the wrong city have enough money to make it to the correct one? The answer comes your way in our next episode! End Episode Eighteen Oak: (VO) Next episode, the final challenges are up for grabs! Jasmine: (petting an Ampharos) Don’t worry! Everything will be fine. Chuck: (breaking a rock in half with his bare hands) You’re looking for a Shuckle? Oak: (VO) Which group made the right decision? Li: We can’t just sit here and watch him break rocks all day! Ash: Are you sure we’re in the right place? Oak: (VO) Afterwards, it’s back to Pallet Town… for the final physical challenge! Ash: A simulated Pokémon battle? (jumps up in the air) Yeah! Matt: (sighs) Let’s just get this over with. Oak: (VO) And last, but not least… the moment of truth. Cody: (CC) We’ve worked six weeks to get up to this point. Oak: After tabulating the votes, the final four will be… Gary: (CC) You know that I’ve got to be one of the finalists. Davis: (CC) Kari will sure be proud of me when I win it all! Oak: (VO) Who’s going to make the all-important final cut? Don’t miss our next episode! Copyright Date: 11/25/01