“Roomies 2: Country Living” Fanfic Written by Freedom Fighter Are we all ready? This is the sixth episode, which means that we are just over a quarter of the way done already! Interesting, no? Before I begin though, a quick response to a question it seemed everyone left in their review last week. Why Téa rather than Mai? Well, when this was all planned out four months ago, I had no idea that Mai would've become one of Yugi's friends. And I'm well aware that Mai is a better Duel Monsters player than Téa is. But Téa does know the game, and that's good enough for her to be an assistant. Now, if I said Téa was the expert, then heads would've rolled. Couldn't let that happen, could we? Anyway, on with the show my friends! And sorry for the extended delay! Episode Rating: PG Disclaimer: Old host, new host, neither belongs to me, you see! The characters, whether competitors or cameos, also do not belong to me, for without them I would not be. ***** Tenchi: (VO) On the last episode of Roomies... Jessie: (knocking on the door) Are you two awake in there? Tenchi: (VO) Talk about a rude awakening... Joey: What's the big idea, Jess? You know I hurt my left arm yesterday! Duo: (to Jessie) We just snuggled last night, that's all. Tenchi: (VO) Luckily, Chi-Chi responds with glee to the news of Duo and Melfina together... Chi-Chi: (nods in agreement) I think it's great that you two are in love. Duo and Melfina: (together) You do? Chi-Chi: Yes. Duo: (stopping Chi-Chi) We understand. Tenchi: (VO) Meanwhile, Roger and Keitaro try to make things fall in their favor by making an alliance... Keitaro: Are you nuts? I'm not going to agree to that! Roger: And this from a guy who's already seen half of the females in the house practically naked on accident. Tenchi: (VO) With mixed results... Faye closes the door behind her, locking Roger outside in nothing but his black robe and underwear. Roger: Faye, open the door! It's freezing out here! Jessie: You bet! I'm in! Kiyone: Do what you wish. But it's not in my best interests to join an alliance. I hope you understand. Tenchi: (VO) Things are looking up, though, when the teams compete in their second roommate challenge... Faye: You mean people actually trade these stupid little cards? Tenchi: (VO) And play games with them, too... Jessie: Destroyer Golem, in attack mode! Yugi: And that takes your life points down to zero! Tenchi: (VO) One battle down, and we still have yet to see what Rika and Joe can do! Rika: I'll show how much of a 'little girl' I really am! And I never lose at a game of Digimon! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mimi: (VO) 12 anime characters, from different genres, places, and time periods, have been gathered to live together for 42 days in a mansion. But only one will win the grand prize... (Begin theme song, showing each of the contestants one at a time) - Bit, races on jetskis against fellow Zoid pilot Leena - Chi-Chi, preparing dinner for her two sons Gohan and Goten - Duo, piloting the Gundam Deathscythe into battle - Faye, dealing cards to Spike at a casino - Jeri, chasing Leomon all over Shinjuku park - Jessie, reciting the motto with James and Meowth - Joey, beating Mai for his first ever victory - Keitaro, making a sketch of a very sad Shinobu - Kiyone, shopping for groceries with her partner Mihoshi - Melfina, asking Gilliam some questions - Mondo, jumping into the chute leading to the hangar - Roger, getting a rude awakening from Dorothy (Show scenes of Melfina moving her things to a new room; Jessie talks to James and Meowth; Keitaro being chased around the mansion by someone; and Mondo looking out the window at the airport terminal) Mimi: (VO) Some of them will become the best of friends. Others will develop grudges against those they hate. But only one will walk out with a million dollars or more in cash and prizes. (The mansion appears in the foreground, with the Masaki shrine barely visible in the background.) Mimi: (VO) These men and women are... roomies! (End theme song, with a picture of all 12 contestants standing in front of the mansion.) ********** Roomies 2: Country Living Story Written by Freedom Fighter ********** Episode 6 - It's All in the Cards Day Eleven As Kenta was at the laptop preparing the virtual battlefield, Kazu was putting together the card packs that were going to be used for the match. Joey and Bit watched off to the side as Rika shouts at Kazu. Rika: What's the big idea, mentioning 'him?' Kazu: You're just jealous because you can't beat him. Rika: Remind me to challenge him when we get back home. Oh, and I'll get you and Kenta later for saying his name. Kazu: (smirks) You mean Ryo? Rika: (growls angrily) That name! Joey: You two almost done over there? We'd like to battle now. Bit: I bet she's scared of us. All this talk of hers is just to make us more nervous. Kazu finishes shuffling a Digimon card deck and hands it to Rika. Kazu: Here you go, (sarcastically) your highness. Rika takes the deck and heads over to the one side of the room, where she waits for Kenta to finish booting up the virtual field. Kazu, in the meantime, is at work constructing the deck that Bit and Joey will be using. *** In the waiting room, Duo and Melfina were discussing their strategy. Melfina was holding a scrap of paper in the palm of her left hand. The number '6' was plainly visible on it. Duo: You sure you'll remember all of the cards and what they do? We are going last, after all. Melfina: Don't worry, Duo. I'm an android. I've got great memory. I remember all of the cards as if they were all in front of us right now. Duo: So I'll play, while you'll tell me what cards to use. Right? Melfina: (happily) Right! Duo: Now, the only thing we have to worry about is how good our opponent is. *** Back in the battle room, Rika was standing behind one platform, while Joey and Bit shared the one at the other end. Kenta was typing away at a laptop, while Kazu served as referee for the match. Kenta: The battlefield is ready! Kazu: This battle will follow regular Digimon card game rules, with one exception! You are allowed to replace your Digimon with another rookie Digimon, regardless of what level it may be at. The first team to earn 500 points wins the match. Kenta: At this time, both sides should have a preshuffled deck of thirty unique cards. You may now draw your ten cards. Kazu: The challengers now have thirty minutes to try to beat the champion. Good luck! Kenta: (under his breath) You'll need it. On the virtual battlefield in the center of the room, two Digieggs appear in the center of the field. All of a sudden, the eggs begin to crack, as the two sides reveal their first Digimon. Bit: Go Crabmon! Rika: Demidevimon! The two Digimon pop out of their Digieggs. A green light appears above Crabmon, while a yellow light appears above Demidevimon. Joey: What's with the light show? Rika: They're the type signals. The color of the signal above your opponent's Pokémon tells you what move your Digimon can move. I thought you spent the past three hours practicing? Amateurs... Bit: Hey! We'll show you how good we are! (to Joey) What's next? Joey: Um... digivolution, I think. Bit: Then let's digivolve then! Joey: (looking at their hand) We don't have any champions for Crabmon to digivolve to. Rika: (smirks) That's too bad. Because I do. Rika turns over the card next to her rookie and places it on top of her Demidevimon card. Rika: Demidevimon digivolve to champion! Wizardmon! The Demidevimon on the battlefiled flashes a bright yellow before being replaced by Wizardmon, a champion Digimon. The light above it also changes, from yellow to green. Bit: No problem! We can't digivolve, but I'm sure a power option card will help us out. (to Joey) Right? Joey: (shakes his head in a panic) We don't have anything that could help here, either. Rika: Hey! Are you guys gonna stand there all day or are we gonna fight? Bit: (smiles) I'm sure we can still beat that champion. Let's attack! Rika: Figures. Only a rookie would make this big of a mistake. Bit: What the hell is she talking about? Joey: (sighs) She beats us, hands down. Bit: How can you give up so easily? Bit looks at the screen as it names the attack. He smiles, thinking he has the battle won. Bit: Crab Meat Bomber, with a power level of 250! Destroy that Wizardmon! Crabmon fires off his attack, but Wizardmon fires one off to. Wizardmon's overpowers Crabmon's, beating it. Joey: I told you. Bit: How can that be? Rika: Magical Game. It has a power level of 360. (smirks) I'm sure you can do better than that. On Joey and Bit's platform, their Crabmon card is moved from the Duel Zone to the Offline pile. (Joey/Bit 0, Rika 100) Joey: (as he refills his hand back up to ten) Don't worry. It's first to 500. We're not out of this yet. Rika: Is that all you little boys have? Nobody makes fun of the Digimon Queen and bests me in a battle! [Challenge Fast Forward] Bit puts Patamon on the battlefield. Rika decides to keep Wizardmon on. Patamon then digivolves to Centarumon. The two Digimon's subsequent attacks would've drawn even, but then Rika plays the Fly Away power option card. It increases her Digimon's power level by 20, allowing Wizardmon to delete Centarumon. (J/B 0, R 200) In the next duel, both Digimon are replaced. Joey plays Kunemon, while Rika plays Tentomon. Bit then has Kunemon digivolve to Musyamon. Despite how much the Digimon reminds Rika of the deva of the same name, she bears down and uses the color types to her advantage. Musyamon bears down to defend himself, but Tentomon destroys him with a simple Super Shocker. (J/B 0, R 400) Joey and Bit finally get on the board as they call forth a Elecmon to take on Rika's Tentomon. The two electric monsters battle. Because of the color types, though, Tentomon uses his non-electric move, the Talon Attack, and gets fried by Elecmon's Sparkling Thunder. (J/B 100, R 400) Things get even hairier in the next duel. Joey puts down Agumon's card, while Rika replaces Tentomon with Gotsumon. Both have their respective Digimon digivolve to champion; Agumon to Greymon and Gotsumon to Starmon. Starmon has a much more powerful attack, but Bit plays a Downgrade card, de-digivolving Starmon back to Gotsumon. Gotsumon's Rock Fist is still very strong, but with a D-power of 330, it falls just short Greymon's Great Horn Attack, with a 340 power level. (J/B 200, R 400) [End Challenge Fast Forward] Rika: I'll admit, you guys are better than I thought. Joey: This game isn't that tough! Bit: We're going to win this after all! Rika: (raises an eyebrow) Excuse me? You two have a long way to go. Joey: (to Bit) We'll show her! (to Rika) Behold! Mushroomon replaces Greymon online! Greymon disappears and Mushroomon appears in his place, with a yellow light above him. Rika: After all of this, that's all you have left? Rika picks a card from her deck and smiles as she looks at her opponent. Rika: (puts the card down) Tapirmon should be good enough to finish this. Tapirmon appears with a red light above him. As Mushroomon spots the new Digimon, it cowers down in defensive mode. Bit: It's crouching in defense? Joey: (pointing at the screen) Um... Mushroomon defends against red colored Digimon types. Bit: (slowly) And we don't have any power option cards to use, do we? Joey: Nope. Rika: And now, the final blow! Waking Dream! Tapirmon deletes Mushroomon, sending it offline and ending the match. (J/B 200, R 500 - Time: 11:43) *** The next pair to duel are Mondo and Jeri. They enter the dueling room with Richie and Jeanette in tow. Jeri: (spotting Rika) I knew it was going to be you all along! Rika: Not dueling me, I take it? Jeri: I'm trying to win a challenge for once. Mondo: And I'm going to help her! Joe: (standing up) I guess it's my turn to battle. Richie: I'll get the battlefield ready! Jeanette: And I'll get the cards. *** After preparations are complete, Joe gets a random deck of sixty cards. Jeri and Mondo get a random deck of their own, with the same number. They then go to their respective sides as a replica of the Pokémon Stadium battlefield appears in the middle of the room. Richie: Ready, Jeanette! Let's begin! Jeanette: This card game will be conducted under normal Pokémon League rules. The team that defeats three of their opponent's Pokémon first will be declared the victor. There is a thirty minute time limit. Richie: On each of your platforms are six numbered slots. Put the Pokémon you wish to start with in slot number 1. Any other Pokémon you currently have and want to put on the bench, put on the slots. You can have a maximum of five benched Pokémon at one time. Jeanette: What are we waiting for? Let the battle begin! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Jeri picks Staryu to be the active Pokémon, with Magmar and Gastly on the bench. Joe decides to start with Doduo, with Seel, Abra, and Lickitung all on the bench. Computer images of the two active Pokémon appear on the field. Jeri starts the game by drawing a card, then attaching a Water Energy card to Staryu. Jeri: Staryu, slap! Staryu jumps over and slaps Doduo across the face. Joe: (after drawing a card) Doduo, fury attack! Two virtual coins appear. On command, they begin to start spinning. Joe pushes a button on his platform twice. The coins come to a stop... one on the heads side, the other on the tails side. This results in an attack that takes away 10 HP. [Challenge Fast Forward] The attack continues on. Jeri orders Staryu to slap Doduo once again. Joe then replaces Doduo with Lickitung. Lickitung performs supersonic, in an attempt to confuse Staryu. Staryu shakes off the confusion and slaps Lickitung. Jeri on that same turn draws and uses the Energy Search to find a Lightning Energy card in her deck to put in her hand. Joe switches Pokémon again, this time going to Seel. The seal monster headbutts Staryu. Staryu and Seel exchange blows for a few turns as their trainers watch. Eventually, Staryu, already weakened by the first few battles, falls first. (Mondo/Jeri 0, Joe 1 [Seel 20]) Mondo takes over, picking Gastly to replace the fallen Staryu. With the help of a Psychic Energy card, Mondo orders Gastly to use Destiny Bond, which takes the opposing Pokémon with it if it is knocked out in the next round. Joe draws and uses a potion, then has Seel headbutt Gastly. It doesn't knock Gastly out. Mondo has Gastly retreat. Jeri steps in and uses Electabuzz, one she had drawn from the deck earlier. Applying the Lightning Energy card, she has Electabuzz uses thunder punch. Throw in the fact that it's an electric attack on a water Pokémon, and Seel is defeated. (M/J 1 [Electabuzz 60], J 1) Joe looks at one of his benched Pokémon and uses one that he drew during the course of the game... Brock's Onix. The Onix uses bind and not only hurts Electabuzz, but paralyzes him, rendering him useless for the next round. As Jeri's Electabuzz is unable to attack, Joe uses the Onix to bind once again. He also plays the Super Energy Removal card, eliminating the Lightning Energy card attached to Electabuzz. That keeps Electabuzz from being able to use any of his attacks until the card is replaced. Jeri stands there helplessly as Electabuzz is eventually squeezed unconscious by the bind Brock's Onix is applying. (M/J 1, J 2 [Brock's Onix 70]) Jeri takes the shock without incident, with some comforting help from Mondo. He then pulls Magmar from the bench and into battle. Without a Fire Energy card, though, he can't attack. So he plays a card that had been sitting in their hand since the game's start. The Gust of Wind card, which switches the opponent's current Pokémon with one on his bench, by choice of the card player. Mondo decides to pull out Joe's Doduo, weak from earlier. But without any attack energy, Mondo must now watch helplessly as Doduo's Fury Attack hits and misses his Magmar. After a few rounds, Mondo finally draws a Fire Energy card. He attaches it to Magmar and has his him use his smokescreen. It covers the field and defeats the very weak Doduo. (M/J 2 [Magmar 60], J 2) With the score even, the match becomes a game of cat and mouse. Joe recalls Brock's Onix onto the battlefield and starts binding away again. On the first try, he also paralyzes Magmar for a round. With defeat imminent, Mondo scores a lucky break when he draws a Persian from the deck. He had drawn a Meowth just two turns before that, so they stood a chance. Retreating Magmar, Mondo has Jeri call Meowth from the bench, then evolve the cat Pokémon to a Persian. Persian pounces on Brock's Onix, weakening the rock Pokémon's attack strength and causing damage at the same time. Brock's Onix binds back, applying double damage due to Persian's weakness to fighting moves. [End Challenge Fast Forward] We now resume the battle in progress, as Jeri and Mondo switch again after Jeri draws a Squirtle from the deck, which Mondo promptly uses with... Mondo: (puts a card down) I'm adding a water energy card to my Squirtle! Joe: A water Pokémon? Mondo: Squirtle, bubble attack! Squirtle's bubble does damage to Brock's Onix, plus paralyzes him. As Joe loses his turn that round, another stroke of luck comes Mondo and Jeri's way as they draw the Bill card, allowing them to draw two extra cards from their deck when played. Mondo does so, and comes out with an Ekans and the Sleep! card. Mondo tells Squirtle to retreat, pushing Jeri in his place as she plays Ekans. Ekans wraps around Brock's Onix and causes some damage. But Brock's Onix fights back by wrapping around Ekans. Jeri: Hang in there, Ekans! Joe: Brock's Onix has got to be stronger. I know it is! Unfortunately, time has run out for Joe, thanks to Persian's pounce attack from earlier. Onix's attacks are weakened, as Ekans makes Brock's Onix faint first. The match goes to Mondo and Jeri. (M/J 3 [Ekans 30], J 2 - Time: 20:52) Joe: Brock's Onix is stronger than Ekans. How did it go first? Mondo: What a lucky break! We won! Jeri: I know! I'm so happy! Mondo and Jeri share a celebratory hug... before pulling back. Jeri: We don't know if we came in first yet. Mondo: Yeah. Better hold off the celebration 'til later. With that, Jeanette leads Mondo and Jeri out of the room. Richie talks with Joe for a minute. Joe: What happened? Richie: True, Brock's Onix is stronger. But I guess you forgot that the pounce attack Persian gave it earlier cut its attack from 20 HP to 10 HP. That's why Ekans wrapped Onix out first, rather than the other way around. Joe: (sighs) I guess I'll do better next time. Richie: I hope this absorbs quickly, because I think the next pair also wants to duel you. Joe: (sarcastically) Great. *** As Jeanette brings back an excited Mondo and Jeri to the waiting room, she ushers Kiyone and Faye to follow her. The two women notice the kids' expressions as they depart. Faye: Looks like they won. (with a determined look on her face) If they can win, we can win. Kiyone: I'm sure we'll do fine. (a bit worried) I hope... *** Faye and Kiyone enter the dueling room with Jeanette, as Joe awaits them. Richie is already preparing the battlefield, so Jeanette goes to the table and distributes new random decks to both sides. The battle then begins, as the previous one did. For Kiyone and Faye, Diglett is their Active Pokémon, while Ponyta, Sabrina's Abra, and Slowpoke are on the bench. Cubone is on the field for Joe, with Growlithe, Charmander, and Victreebel aside. Faye: (drawing a card) Energy Removal. Doesn't look like it'll do much good right now. Kiyone: Especially since Diglett requires a Fighting Energy Card for his attack. Joe: It's my turn, then. Joe draws a card and then calls out his attack. Joe: Cubone, snivel! Cubone leans back in defense and charges up for some reason. But Faye ignores it and continues on. After drawing a card, she decides to switch out and give Kiyone a chance. Kiyone picks Ponyta to battle with. Kiyone: Ponyta! Smash Kick! Ponyta kicks Cubone right against the skull, but the attack does no damage at all. Joe: I learned that snivel prevents 20 HP of damage when the opponent attacks the Pokémon with it the following turn. Faye: He's just a kid! How can he know stuff like that? Kiyone: He is the expert, after all. Joe draws another card, then smiles at his good fortune. He puts a Gastly on his bench, then evolves it to a Haunter, much to the chagrin of Kiyone and Faye. He then pushes a button on his console to initiate a switch. Joe: I'll switch my Cubone out and make my Haunter my active Pokémon! Cubone disappears from the field and Haunter takes his place. Joe then ends his turn. Faye: This may a bit harder than I originally thought. Kiyone: You said it. [Challenge Fast Forward] The battle continues on. Kiyone has Ponyta smash kick Haunter... only the ghost Pokémon disappears! Haunter then reappears, and after applying a Psychic Energy Card, performs his nightmare attack. This puts Ponyta to sleep, as well as cause some damage. As Kiyone draws cards while waiting for Ponyta to awake from her slumber, Haunter continues to slowly pound away with several nightmare attacks. Kiyone gets a few cards, but no time to use them. Ponyta awakes just in time... for one last nightmare from Haunter. (Kiyone/Faye 0, Joe 1 [Haunter 50]) Faye is back on the platform, and she selects Slowpoke. Probably not the best decision, but she takes a step in the right direction when Slowpoke uses his afternoon nap so she can fish for a Psychic Energy card in her deck. Unfortunately, Slowpoke's in for an extended nap, as Haunter continues firing off nightmares, putting Slowpoke to sleep twice as fast due to his weakness to psychic attacks. Faye's Slowpoke gets a reprieve when she draws an Energy Removal card and uses it to take away Haunter's Psychic Energy Card. The lack of power keeps Haunter from attacking until another energy card is activated. As Faye waits for her Slowpoke to wake up and Joe waits to get another Psychic Energy Card, the two draw cards from their deck several turns in a row. Slowpoke finally awakes as Faye tells him to headbutt Haunter. This time, the ghost takes some damage. Joe spends another turn searching for the card he needs, so Slowpoke tries again... but this time Haunter disappears again. Finally, Joe puts an end to this boring battle by using one of the cards he had just drew from his deck. He uses the Warp Point card, which forces both sides to switch their active Pokémon for one on the bench. Joe chooses to switch from Haunter to Growlithe, while Kiyone puts in Tentacool as Slowpoke's substitute. Applying a Water Energy card they had, Tentacool fires some acid, doing double damage to Joe's Growlithe. Since Growlithe had twice as many HP as Tentacool does, he decides to keep him in. But after some back and forth battling, and a potion to keep Tentacool alive, Growlithe falls. (K/F 1 [Tentacool 10], J 1) Joe puts Voltorb in the game and with one attack, chips away the last of Tentacool's HP. (K/F 1, J 2 [Voltorb 40]) Faye takes over for her side and decides to use Sabrina's Abra. Applying a Psychic Energy Card, she has Sabrina's Abra use quick attack. Joe and Voltorb, caught off-guard, are dealt extra damage. Voltorb fights back with a tackle, but it's not enough. Sabrina's Abra quickly evens the score. (K/F 2 [Sabrina's Abra 40], J 2) [End Challenge Fast Forward] Once again, it's come down to the last Pokémon. Joe knew this, as he didn't want to lose again, especially this close. Faye seemed very confident, but Joe wasn't out of this by a long shot. He replaces the fallen Voltorb with Bulbasaur. Joe: (as he applies one Grass Energy card) I'm using Bulbasaur, but I need some time to get the Grass Energy I need. Faye: That's too bad. Sabrina's Abra will take down Bulbasaur before that happens. Kiyone: Don't push it, Faye. It's not over yet. Faye: Really? Abra, quick attack! Sabrina's Abra strikes quickly, but Joe catches it this time and has Bulbasaur absorb some of the blow. Joe then draws from his deck a second Grass Energy Card... what he needs to use Bulbasaur's attack. Joe: There we go! (applies the card, then shouts) Bulbasaur, leech seed! Bulbasaur sucks 20 HP from Sabrina's Abra, then adds half of it to his HP, increasing his slightly. Faye: That Pokémon can do that? Kiyone: I think so. Why? Faye: (groans) Why can't ours? Okay, no problem. Abra, quick attack! Sabrina's Abra strikes again, this time dealing a near fatal blow. Faye pumps her fist with excitement. Faye: One more hit like that and this thing's all over! Joe: (calmly) Bulbasaur, leech seed! Bulbasaur leech seeds Sabrina's Abra again, taking away 20 more HP... which was all it had left. The psychic Pokémon faints on the spot, to the surprise of Faye and Kiyone. Faye: What? Our Abra's out of hit points already? Joe: It only took two leech seeds to do it. Kiyone: We lost? Just like that. Faye: (groans) Just our luck. We were SO close! *** Faye and Kiyone exit the room, escorted by Jeanette and Richie. They're still in disbelief over what happened. Kiyone: (CC) Why couldn't we finish him off? It's like he had something for every situation! Faye: (CC) I knew that our luck would've run out somewhere, but why did it have to be when we were so close to victory? Kiyone: (CC) It's weird. I've done well in the challenges to this point in the game, but I guess there's got to be a setback once in awhile. Faye and I will be back on top next time. *** On to the next battle, which features Roger and Keitaro against Yugi. The battlefield is already set and the card decks have begin given out. We join the battle as it gets underway. Roger: We'll start by summoning the Feral Imp, in attack mode! Yugi: And I'll play the Swordstalker, also in attack mode. The Swordstalker easily destroys the Feral Imp, getting rid of 700 life points. (Roger/Keitaro 1300, Yugi 2000) Roger: Play that one! (points to a card) That one! Keitaro: Okay already! (puts the card down) Spike Seadra, in attack mode! Yugi: Good choice. But still not good enough. Swordstalker? Swordstalker defeats the Spike Seadra, as 400 more points go by the wayside. (R/K 900, Y 2000) Roger: We've got to do something! Keitaro: I'm trying! I'm trying! [Challenge Fast Forward] Keitaro plays the Man-Eater Bug, which automatically eliminates the Swordstalker. No damage is done, but Keitaro sets up for the next round by placing a card face down. Yugi places down a new card, activating this time the Beaver Warrior. It attacks the Man-Eater Bug, but it's stopped by the trap card Keitaro laid down last turn. It's the Waboku, which renders the enemy's attack useless for that turn. Roger draws a card from the deck and plays the Curse of Dragon, getting rid of the Beaver Warrior. (R/K 900, Y 1200) Yugi then summons Gaia the Fierce Knight. Say goodbye to the Curse of Dragon, to the chagrin of Roger and Keitaro. (R/K 600, Y 1200) Unfortunately, Yugi has forgotten that they still have the Man-Eater Bug, which destroys Gaia the Fierce Knight. Once again, no damage is done. [End Challenge Fast Forward] Yugi: I call forth the Celtic Guardian, in attack mode! Keitaro: Isn't that one of his stronger monsters? Roger: And all we have left is the Man-Eater Bug. A weakling. The Celtic Guardian attacks, easily eliminating the Man-Eater Bug. (R/K 0, Y 1200 - Time: 07:23) *** Roger and Keitaro exit the dueling room and see Duo, Melfina, Kazu, and Kenta waiting for them. Roger walks off towards the waiting room, as Kaiba and Téa come out and lead the way. Melfina, Kazu, and Kenta go in, leaving Keitaro and Duo some time outside to talk. Keitaro: You think it's that easy? Duo: Melfina seems so sure of it. She thinks we'll win. Keitaro: Good luck then. Maybe you'll have more luck than Roger and I did. Duo: I sure hope so, Keitaro. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The field is prepared one last time, as Kazu and Kenta go to work. Rika stands ready with her deck at one platform, while Duo and Melfina are with their own deck at the other. Rika seems confident that she'll win this one too... but Melfina's looking smug as well. Duo, on the other hand, is a bit nervous as he waits for the signal to begin the match. Kenta: Begin! After drawing cards, the two sides play their first Digimon. Rika puts down Otamamon, while Melfina plays Palmon. Duo: Melfina, are you sure? Melfina: (smiles at Duo) Trust me! Rika: Otamamon's in defense mode? (looks at her cards) No useful power option cards at all. (to Melfina) Looks like you won this one by default. Palmon uses Poison Ivy to delete the defending Otamamon. (Duo/Melfina 100, Rika 0) Rika: Don't be too happy. This battle's far from over. Duo: If Melfina can beat you in a duel, then I can! Rika replaces Otamamon with Candlemon. Duo decides to keep Palmon on and has her digivolve to Nanimon. Rika retaliates by having Candlemon digivolve to Apemon. Duo: I've got it! I think... let's see, Apemon's got a red light, so Nanimon should be able to use... Melfina: Defense. Duo: Yeah, that's right. (jumps in surprise) What? I want Nanimon to attack, not back off! Rika: (smirks) Apemon, use your Mega Bone Stick attack. Apemon gets rid of Nanimon. (D/M 100, R 100) Melfina: (trying to cheer Duo up) It's just one duel! We're still in this! Duo: (calming down) You're right. There's room for some error. Rika: (shouting at them) Not at this level of competition. You've either got it or you don't! [Challenge Fast Forward] Duo plays Gabumon to face off with Rika's Apemon. But when Duo has no cards to counteract when Rika puts down a Red Digivice to digivolve Apemon to his ultimate level, he finds himself in trouble. Apemon digivolves to Mammothmon and smashes Gabumon. (D/M 100, R 200) Duo doesn't want to give up trying to beat Rika, so Melfina offers him some help. Melfina: (smiles) Add that one, that one, and that one! Duo: Mel... are you sure? This Digimon? Without hesitation, Melfina pulls the card out and plays it. A Floramon appears, facing the humongous Mammothmon. Rika's surprised by this move, but even more so when Melfina tells Duo not to digivolve Floramon to champion. As Rika flashes a 'do I look that stupid?' look at them, Duo begins playing the two power option cards Melfina told him to. He plays Black Gears, adding 100 points to Floramon's attacks. Rika retaliates by playing the Green Offensive Force FX card, which changes her Mammothmon's color type from red to green, giving her the advantage again. But Duo then plays the Crest of Sincerity, which increases Floramon's power level by 50. Floramon, a rookie, uses Stamen Rope to overpower the ultimate's Freezing Breath. Mammothmon falls, to the surprise of everyone in the room... except for Melfina. (D/M 400, R 200) Rika fights back in the next two duels. A Gotsumon and a Metal Attack power option card later, the deficit was cut in half. (D/M 400, R 300) Melfina retakes control and plays Tentomon against Rika and her Gabumon. Gabumon's Blue Blaster overpowers Tentomon's Talon Attack, and the score is now dead even. (D/M 400, R 400) Patamon replaces Tentomon on the field. Duo is now a spectator as Melfina fights for victory against Rika, since she seems to know the game better than he does. Both females digivolve their monsters to the champion level; Patamon to Angemon and Tentomon to Garurumon. It looks like Rika has won, but Melfina plays the Crest of Courage to even both Digimon's D-Power levels. This duel ends in a draw. (D/M 400, R 400) [End Challenge Fast Forward] Keeping their champions on the field, Melfina and Rika try to take the battle one step further. Melfina: (puts a card down) The Red and Green Digivice! This allows Angemon to digivolve to ultimate! She then turns over the card next to the champion so that it is now face up. On the battlefield, Angemon is replaced by... Melfina: Skullmeramon! Duo: (yelps in surprise) You picked that scary thing? Rika: Scary or not, it won't stand a chance when Garurumon digivolves! Rika plays a card. As soon as she puts it down, Garurumon begins to digivolve to his ultimate. Rika: The Ultimate Digivolve card allows any Digimon to digivolve to the next level automatically, regardless of the requirements. So, I'm having Garurumon digivolve to Mammothmon. Duo: Isn't that the same card Melfina beat with a Floramon earlier? Rika: You won't beat it this time, even with a Digimon at the same level as him! Kazu and Kenta are talking to each other, somewhat worried about Rika as they look at a screen of their own and compare prospective attacks. Skullmeramon's Metal Fireball, at 480, is stronger than Mammothmon's Freezing Breath, which is at 400. At the same time, Melfina takes one card from her hand and then puts the rest in a single pile, face down in front of her. Melfina: I'll play the Yellow Offensive Force FX card now, which changes Skullmeramon's color type to yellow. Rika: (excitedly) I can't believe it! You could've ended the match right there, but now you've given me the win! (puts a card down) The Crest of Reliability increases my Mammothmon's strongest attack by 50. Mammothmon's strongest attack is his Tusk Crusher, which has a base level of 440. That crest just increased it to 490, just enough to beat your Skullmeramon. Kazu: (to Duo and Melfina) She's right, you two. You just gave her the victory. Duo starts to throw up his arms in frustration, but Melfina stops. To his surprise, she still has a smile on her face. Duo: Melfina, how can you be happy about losing? Melfina: But the match isn't over yet. Duo: You just put down all of your cards! You don't have any cards you can use! Melfina reaches towards her small pile and pulls the top card off. She then turns it face up and places it on the Power Port square. Mammothmon then begins to glow again. But this time, the light signifies de-digivolution, as Mammothmon returns to his champion form, Garurumon. Rika: What? Duo: What did you do, Mel? Melfina: Power Freeze. It... Rika: (slowly, in a trance like state) Automatically causes the opponent's Digimon to revert to his previous level if he had Digivolved during this duel. The attacks change as well... but with a champion against an ultimate, Skullmeramon now has a distinct advantage over Garurumon. Skullmeramon attacks with the Plane Chain, stopping Garurumon's Slamming Attack and deleting the Digimon. (D/M 500, R 400 - Time 17:11) Kenta: They actually did it? Kazu: No way! It's more like she did it all by herself! Duo: Mel! You're unbelievable! Melfina: (happily) I told you I knew that we were going to win! Rika: (somewhat in shock) You... you made me play that card to think that you had given me the match! But in reality, you were getting my hopes up to throw me off of my guard! Melfina: Not really, Rika. I would've played the Power Freeze card anyway, regardless of whether or not you played the Crest of Reliability. I had you trapped, no matter what you did. Kazu: (whispers to Kenta) Oh great... Rika's going to start yelling. She's such a poor loser. Kenta: (whispering back) Can you blame her? She just got beat by someone who had never played the game until today. Sure enough, Rika looked like she was going to explode. But instead of blowing up and showing her dismay, she surprisingly walks over to Melfina and flashes her a friendly smile. Rika: At least one-half of this pair has brains. Unlike two doodleheads I know... Kazu: Doodleheads? We taught them the game, Rika! They wouldn't have beaten you without our guidance. Kenta: Yeah! Rika: (rolls her eyes) Oh please. They may have learned the game from you two, but Melfina here learned to play it on her own. Melfina: Thank you, Rika. I guess it pays to be confident. Duo: (putting a hand on her shoulder) Yep. She wasn't scared at all! Rika: (smirks) Unlike you Duo, who was sweating bullets everytime you put a card down. Duo: (laughs nervously) At least I know now that I'm not destined to be a card player. *** All of the teams, assistants, and card duelers make their way back to the gym, where Tenchi is waiting for them. He's compiled the final results and is getting ready to announce them. Tenchi: Well, it's been a fun day for some and a frustrating one for others. But the challenge has come to an end. Here are the results. In sixth place, losing to Yugi and lasting only 7 minutes and 23 seconds, are Roger and Keitaro. Fifth went to Jessie and Chi-Chi, who also lost to Yugi, but managed to battle with him a bit longer, lasting 9 minutes and 17 seconds. Bit and Joey lost to Rika, but lasted 11 minutes and 43 seconds, good enough for fourth. Third place went to Kiyone and Faye, who lost to Joe while lasting 19 minutes and 32 seconds. Only Mondo and Jeri and Melfina and Duo were left, with both unsure of who had the faster match. The two teams waited for Tenchi to tell them who won. Tenchi: That means only two teams won their duels. Mondo and Jeri battled Joe, while Melfina and Duo battled Rika. The times were off by only a few minutes. But the winners, with a time of 17 minutes and 11 seconds, are Melfina and Duo! Duo jumps up and down in celebration and gives Melfina a greatful hug. Mondo and Jeri have smiles on their faces, glad to have finished second. Tenchi: Mondo and Jeri, by the way, lasted 20 minutes and 52 seconds. Tenchi and the nine cameos give the competitors a round of applause, as the contestants congratulate Duo and Melfina on their win. *** Night Eleven Jessie is in the study, reading a book that she had picked off of one of the bookshelves. In reality, she was just pretending to read, as she waited for someone to arrive. Jessie: It's time put part two of my plan into action! Faye should be more than happy to help me take care of Roger. With him and Chi-Chi out of the way, there will be no one left to stop me from winning! She lets a hearty laugh as she pulls the book down from her face. But as she turns towards the door to see if Faye had arrived yet, she sees Jeri standing there with a glass of water in her left hand and a small book in her right. Jessie quickly stops herself. Jeri: Oh, are you using the study? Sorry... I'll go find somewhere else to read. As Jeri departs to look for another quiet place, Jessie begins scowling. Jessie: (CC) The nerve of that girl! She must've heard the whole thing! Now I have to get rid of her too. Jessie stops thinking about what to do with Jeri when Faye enters the room, engaged in a mental rant of her own. And it looked like she was going to use Jessie to air out her problems. Faye: Can you believe he, of all people, asked me to help him? Jessie: Who? Roger? Faye: Of course him! He thinks that I can be swayed easily by money. Jessie: (raising an eyebrow) Aren't you? Faye: Well, yeah! Still, he's a total jerk! He's been hitting on me since day one, but he doesn't have a clue at all! Jessie: So that's why you want Roger out? Faye: That, and the fact that he doesn't need the money. But yes, that's the gist of it! Jessie: (shrugs her shoulders) Whatever works. I just think he's too strong in the challenges, so he'll be likely to rack up the most money. Faye: What about Chi-Chi? She's the most dangerous threat of all! And you told me earlier that you're trying to ally me with you and her! What's up with that? Jessie: It's just temporary! We just need her long enough to send Roger reeling. And then we'll focus on eliminating Chi-Chi. Faye: I'm impressed. You've really thought this out. Jessie: Of course! I want to win this as bad as you do! Faye: Okay then. I'm in. Jessie: Good. Here's what I'm thinking of doing... Jessie and Faye wave the cameraman away so that they can have the room to themselves. *** Day Twelve The following morning, it's business as usual. A few people are up and about while everyone else is still snoring away. All of a sudden, the doorbell rings. Duo runs up from the basement and answers the door. Tenchi is on the other side, with a giant manila envelope in hand. Duo: Tenchi? We don't have another challenge, do we? Tenchi: (offering Duo the envelope) Even better. Get the whole group together before you open it. Duo: (takes it) Thanks... I think. Tenchi: I'll see you later this afternoon. Duo: (beginning to close the door) Yeah... sure. *** After about ten minutes, everyone manages to drag themselves either from their beds or from their chores to join Duo in the living room as he opens the envelope. Kiyone: Tenchi said it wasn't a challenge? Duo: That's right. But he did say something about seeing us later today. Duo pulls out a smaller envelope, although this one is not rectangular. It is in the shape of a pentagon, with a red 'S' in the middle. Mondo: That looks familiar... Kiyone: You're right, Mondo. I've seen that symbol somewhere. Joey: Hold up... that looks like the emblem that Superman wears on the chest of his outfit! Faye: Superman? What kind of moron would name themselves Superman? Duo finds the envelope's flap and pulls out a small set of index cards, stapled together. Duo starts reading the words on each card, flipping it aside and going to the next one when necessary. Duo: Feeling insignificant? The person you least expect... to be the best... is the one that... always saves your behind. Things are not... always what they seem... especially in the storied hometown... of the world's greatest superhero. Keitaro: (gasps) We're going to Superman's hometown? No way! Mondo: Are you serious? Duo reaches back into the manila envelope and pulls out a cassette recorder that has a tape inside. Bit: I guess that tape has our instructions on it. Chi-Chi: Well, play it already! Keitaro reaches over excitedly and grabs the cassette recorder. He pushes play on it and then turns up the volume so that everyone can hear it. After a few seconds of silence, a song begins to play in the background. It happens to be the theme song to the "Smallville" TV series, Remy Zero's "Save Me." None of them, of course, are aware of this. Finally, the music quiets down just enough so that it can still be heard, as the charming voice of a young female fills the air. Host 2: (VO) Salutations everyone! Gee, it's been awhile since I've talked to anyone in Japan. But we'll talk more about me in a minute. I bet you're all anxious to hear this, so I'll just come out and say it. By dinner time in your time, you will be taking off from Osaka Kansai Airport. You will be flying several thousand miles away from home to the small, yet world renowned town of Smallville, Kansas, in the United States. Joey: (shouts) I knew it! Keitaro: We're going to get to meet the one and only Superman! Everyone else in the room tells them to quiet down, as the voice on the tape continues to speak... Host 2: (VO) Anyway, you'll be spending five days and five nights there. You'll get to learn more about the legend, earn a little pocket money for yourselves, and continue to compete in all of those challenges you've all grown accustomed to. What? You thought that this was going to be a work-free vacation? Mondo: Could've fooled me. Host 2: (VO) So, I bet you're wondering why you're hearing my sweet voice when it's been Tenchi who's been taking care of you guys for the past two weeks. Well, Tenchi can't make the trip because he has his own personal responsibilities. But since I already live in America anyway, I'll be glad to fly out to Smallville to fill in for him while you're here! Bit: Who is this girl? She babbles too much. Jeri: I'm not sure, but she sounds familiar to me. Host 2: (VO) And before anyone thinks that I'm useless, let me remind you that I was sitting in the very same position as you are right now about ten months ago. So I know enough about being a Roomie to help all of you out during your stay! You guys bring all of your belongings, and I'll see you there! The tape ends, as the twelve begin chattering amongst themselves. Kiyone: I've always wanted to go to Smallville! To meet a real superhero for once! Mondo: I agree! Superman has got to be the coolest hero of all time! Duo: Please tell me that you're going to explain who this guy is. Bit: Seriously. If he's that great of a guy, how come I haven't heard anything about him? Keitaro: We'll explain everything on the plane. Right now, we'd better start packing! Joey: We're finally getting away from the cold weather for a week! And being away from home means one thing... Duo, Bit, Joey, and Keitaro: (simultaneously shouting) Road trip! *** As those who do know about the famous Superman describe him to those who don't, everyone scrambles to get their belongings packed. Joey: (CC) This ought to be super, man! To think, a real life hero, in the flesh! I can't wait! Joey is in his room, packing his suitcase, when Bit runs into the room with a piece of paper in hand. Bit: I just got an e-mail from Tenchi. He says that we're only going to be allowed to bring a large backpack and a duffel bag with us. Everything that we take with us has to fit in those two things. Joey: Everyone? Bit: No, each person will get a backpack and a duffel bag. Tenchi will be hand delivering them in half an hour, but we'll only be allowed to bring whatever fits in those bags. Joey: Hey, no problem! (thinks out loud) I'm sure that'll be a problem for the girls, though. Bit: You know women. They always pack way too much stuff. *** Sure enough, Tenchi comes to the mansion with backpacks and duffel bags for all. For the next ninety minutes, the mansion is in a frenzy as they rush to get their stuff together. Melfina finishes earlier than everyone else, so she prepares a quick lunch that the group can eat on the road. Shortly after three o'clock, all of the bags have been packed into the two minivans. Six people each try to squeeze into the already fully vehicles. They managed to get through all of that with only minor trouble... namely, Keitaro acidentally brushing against someone and paying the price for doing so, as usual. The two vans make their way to the city of Osaka to catch their flight. Chi-Chi drives the gray minivan, with Jessie, Duo, Melfina, Bit, and Joey inside. In the red minivan, Roger is behind the wheel. Kiyone, Keitaro, Mondo, Jeri, and Faye share that van with him. Kiyone: (CC) Goodbye Okayama... Joey: (CC) And hello Smallville! The two vans continue down the highway and out of sight from the cameras and from the Masaki shrine. End Episode Six Tenchi: (VO) On the next episode of Roomies... The plane taxis down the runway and takes off, heading for its destination. Host 2: (VO) The cast gets to meet me! Beautiful little me! Jessie: So where's this girl that we're supposed to meet here? Bit: (snickers) Maybe he heard that Keitaro was coming. Keitaro: Hey! Host 2: (VO) Where was I again? Roger: (CC) The girl that's meeting us here is stranded and won't get here 'til morning. So what... we have to sleep here in the airport and wait for her? Mondo: For once it's snowing and I don't want it to! I want her to get here so we can get to Smallville! Tenchi: (VO) Luckily, you don't go without a backup plan. Joey: We're spending the night here while we wait for our hostess to get a flight here. We have to spend the night... in the so-called 'Tornado Capital of America.' Mondo: Thank God it's snowing for once! Tenchi: (VO) She does get there eventually... Host 2: (VO) Thank goodness... Bit: Who's the chick in the Final Fantasy outfit? Chi-Chi: You've been playing too many video games. Jeri: You're Mimi Tachikawa, the Digidestined of Sincerity! Mimi: (VO) Yeah! I'm glad somebody recognized me! What? We're out of time already? Roger: (spotting a decorated pine tree) Another cheap thrill, I see. Jessie: (tossing aside a haystack) Is this what we're doing all day? Melfina: (CC) Whomever's name is on the piece of paper I pull out, I have to share a room with her for the next three nights. Faye, in farm overalls, drags along until she falls face first into a puddle of mud. Tenchi: (VO) That's all next episode! Mimi: (VO) Hey, shoo! I'm running the show for the next few weeks! I'm the one that says 'That's all next...' Additional Author's Notes: In all of my days as a fanfiction writer, this has got to be the hardest chapter or episode I've ever written. Geese, all of the research that I had to do was killer, and it's not like it was all readily available. I'm just glad this monster episode is over, and I can move on to a few easier ones. Anyway, for the most part, the exact rules of the respective card games were followed. The lone exception was game length. Each game had a shortened length, to keep the games under the thirty minute time limit as much as possible. In the Yu-Gi-Oh game, both sides start with 6000 life points. But here, as it is in the anime series, the sides start with only 2000. In the Digimon game, the first to 1000 points win. Here, it was the first to reach 500. And in the Pokémon game, the winning side is the one that defeats six of his opponent's Pokémon first. In this convention, shortened to just three for victory. Oh, and I know the last third seems rushed and probably not my best work, but after spending two weeks plus agonizing over the first two-thirds, I hope you'll all forgive me. And welcome aboard Mimi Tachikawa of "Digimon," the residents' hostess in America! I'll explain more about why I picked her for the job in next week's episode. Next week, the residents fly to Smallville! They'll meet new host Mimi for the first time... hopefully, if the weather holds up. Plus yet another challenge... once again in agreement with the weather! Until Tuesday! Copyright Date: 6/11/02