"Roomies 2: Country Living" - written by Freedom Fighter Thanks to those of you who filled out the poll. It made me realize that there are a lot more people reading this fanfic than I thought originally. So unless someone didn't follow the rules and some people voted more than once, we've got at least 25 different people reading this. I guess I'm amazed by that number, but things are going to get a bit hairy. As this season's cast approaches the finale, we'll see how you guys react. Probably most surprising of all is the fact that I have received a total of 0 (zero) questions for the Reunion Special. Either all of you are still thinking... or you all skipped past the introduction AND my profile page last week. So I'll ask again... please send in questions for the Reunion Special! You can ask almost anything you want to any of the Roomies! I will try to get as many questions in as I can to the special, but once I start getting entries and putting together the special's outline, I can determine the exact number of questions that will get in. By the way, the deadline is now Thursday, October 3rd! If you did read the intro to last week's episode, you notice that the date has been moved up a few days. There's a reason for that... but I'm not going to tell you what it is for the time being. Onto Episode 14, featuring the fifth and final author cameo this season. One final note... because of the nature of this challenge, the teams will be shown out of chronological order. It'll all make sense when you get to it. Episode Rating: PG Disclaimer: None of the cast members belong to me. And there's nothing wrong with using them, so don't try to sue me! ====== Tenchi: (VO) On the last episode of Roomies... Melfina: Keitaro, are you sure this is the right way? Keitaro: Of course. Tenchi: (VO) They got pulled all over their place while handcuffed... Roger gives Faye the flashlight. She then starts pulling him in a different direction then they were originally going... off of the path. Bit: (angrily) You're not helping, Jeri! We're lucky we're still alive! Jeri: (picking herself up) I'm trying... Bit: Well, try harder! I want to win this challenge! Joey: Do you think we're safe? Ayeka: Hold it right there, Kiyone! I've caught you and your partner! Kiyone: I can't believe this! Tenchi: (VO) Then, they had to differentiate between some Gundam pilots... Duo: Number one, when did you meet Miss Sakhalin? # 1: We were both aboard a disabled Federation spaceship just outside of the Earth's atmosphere. Roger: Number one looked unsure of his answer to my question. I don't think it's him. Keitaro: And I've never heard of a guy becoming an ensign without military training. It can't be number three either. Tenchi: (VO) And then try to deduce which Pizza Cat cast member was which... Jessie: Are you some kind of freak Pokémon, number two? # 2: No! Of course not! Joey: I'm totally stumped! I don't know who to choose! Bit: There's no way to distinguish between them! Let's just split the vote. Tenchi: (VO) And last but not least, compete in a basketball tournament... Kiyone throws the ball in to Melfina. The two of them head down the court side-by-side, with Melfina dribbling the ball. As they split and Jeri comes up to guard her, Melfina passes it to Kiyone. Wide open just behind the three-point arc, she jumps up to take a shot. Keitaro leaps up and tries to block it. The ball bounces off of the backboard and is rebounded by Chi-Chi. Joey jumps back on defense, but Jessie trips him up. Duo: Hey! You can't do that! Kiyone: Tenchi, call a foul already! Tenchi: (VO) After all of those challenges, it's time to cool off... Jessie: (CC) I knew that I was going to win one of these games eventually! Joey: (CC) I'm all for Mondo winning, and maybe even Chi-Chi! But after what Jessie did today, I don't think she deserves a chance at that prize! Tenchi: (VO) Or maybe not. See what happens tonight on Roomies! = = = = = = = = = = Tenchi: (VO) For 42 days, 12 anime converge to live in a mansion somewhere in Japan... Mimi: (VO) But one of the 12 will leave with nearly a million dollars in cash... (Begin theme song, showing each of the contestants one at a time for two seconds each) - Melfina, guiding the Outlaw Star to the Galactic Leyline - Duo, setting up explosives in order to destroy a Gundam - Joey, standing aside as Yugi examines his card deck - Kiyone, working as a cashier at a fast food restaurant - Keitaro, watching Naru and Mutsumi splash each other in the sea - Mondo, asking Beginner to summon a monster for him and Rockna - Jeri, telling Takato how cute Guilmon is at their first meeting - Bit, examining the three Liger Zero armor packages - Roger, climbing down into an abandoned subway tunnel - Chi-Chi, cheering Goten on at the World Martial Arts Tournament - Jessie, reading through the Pokémon Fortune Tellers' guide book - Faye, noticing that Ed is still playing an online chess game (Show scenes of Chi-Chi in the process of cooking dinner; Roger standing outside in only his robe; Jeri delegating duties to her team; and Joey openly flirting with a girl) Mimi: (VO) Some of them will become friends... Tenchi: (VO) Others will develop grudges against those they hate... Mimi and Tenchi: (VO) But only one will walk away with up to a million dollars in cash and prizes. (End theme song, with a picture of all 12 contestants standing in front of the mansion.) = = = = = = = = = = Episode 14 - Unlock the Door to My Brain (09.17.02) Day Thirty-One A good number of people were sore after what had happened in the previous challenge. And a few of them were willing to voice their opinions once they got back to the mansion. Duo: Why are you blatantly ignoring the fact that she cheated? Mondo: It's not cheating, Duo! Besides, if Tenchi didn't see it, he didn't see it! Duo: You didn't see it either, you know. How do we know you three didn't plan that? Kiyone: Duo, I think you're being a little paranoid. Duo: Maybe, but it's like everyone saw Jessie trip Joey except for Tenchi! Kiyone: Tenchi's not perfect. None of us are. Besides, you really expected him to see everything on the court at any given time? Keitaro: But shouldn't he have made a call regardless of if he saw it or not? Kiyone: I think there should have been a call, but Tenchi didn't see it happen. Keitaro: Fouling people intentionally... why can't you arrest her? Kiyone: Because nothing she's done merits being arrested! Plus, it was hard to tell if she was just playing the game or if the trip was intentional. Duo: Joey nearly got hurt because of it! I say it was intentional! Chi-Chi walks in and sounds off her own opinion. Chi-Chi: Well, I'm the one who passed her the ball. And yes, Jessie can act like a bad guy as much as she wants. But I doubt that she fouled Joey just to get him out of the game. She was just trying to get open and she accidentally crossed in front of Joey. Kiyone: And you were behind her, because you just got the rebound. Duo: I guess we can cut Jessie some slack. But I bet she's been waiting for an opportunity like this all along. To bend the rules to get what she wants. Chi-Chi: At this point of the game, Jessie would have to do more than just bend the rules. She'd have to break them just to stand a chance of winning. Keitaro: Should we be worried? Kiyone: No. If she is going to try something sneaky and Tenchi catches it, she'll be evicted from the mansion. And even if she does pull it off, it's not any of us are going to let her waltz into the final. Chi-Chi, Duo, Keitaro, and Mondo agree wholeheartedly, nodding their heads. ====== Night Thirty-One That night, Jessie was walking downstairs into the basement. She heads into the recreation room, where Mondo and Jeri are watching TV and Joey is practicing on the pool table. Of course, Joey is the first to notice Jessie. Joey: What do you want? Jessie: What? I can't walk into a room without raising your suspicions? Joey: After what you did to me today? Jessie: It was an accident! Joey: An accident my foot! Jeri and Mondo walk over from their seats and join the conversation. Jeri: You really didn't mean to hurt Joey today, did you? Jessie: I'm doing what it takes to win! There's nothing wrong with that! Mondo: We all want to win, but not the way you're doing it. Jessie: Why are you angry? You were on my team! Mondo: Maybe so, but playing unfairly is wrong... no matter who's doing the unfair playing! Jessie: Like I said, I'm doing what it takes to win. And I'm sure you three are too. Which is why I want to talk to you. Joey: This isn't what I think it is, is it? Jessie: I want to form an alliance with all of you! Joey: Me and you? You're not even competing for a worthy cause! Jessie: Of course I am! Myself! Mondo: What incentive do we have to vote for you? Jessie: Because I won't vote for any of you if you don't do the same for me! Mondo: I'm sure we can get enough votes from the rest of the house. Joey: Yeah! One vote isn't going to matter. Jeri: (shyly) I'm not sure if I'll get enough votes. Mondo: Of course you will Jeri! Everybody likes you! Jeri: You do realize how many times I've cost others a challenge because of how much I lack in strength compared to them, right? Mondo: I promise that I'll vote for you! I'm behind you one-hundred percent! Joey: (to Jessie) See? Mondo and Jeri know each other well enough to trust that they'll vote for each other. The thing is, we don't trust you nearly enough to make the same decision. Jessie: Well, think of it this way! At least if you vote for me, you'll be taking a vote away from someone who you don't want to get into the final four. Jeri: Now that I think of it, there is at least one person I don't want to win. Mondo: Well, why don't you tell us? Jeri: Why should I? You'll try to convince me otherwise! Mondo: Why do I have the feeling that it's not Jessie? Jeri: (stepping up to Jessie) I don't think that there's anything wrong with keeping someone from winning. Jessie: Good girl! Besides, being in an alliance doesn't mean that we have to look out for each other in the challenges. There can still be friendly competition between us. Is there anything wrong with that? Jeri: With you, it's anything but friendly. But I'm willing to take that chance. Mondo: Jeri, what are you saying? Jessie: She's saying that she's in! And if you know what's good for you, you'll agree with her. Joey: You can pull the wool over her eyes, but your tricks won't work on me! Jessie: Fine. But you'll be sorry! Jessie then walks out and heads up the stairs. But as Jessie reaches the top and turns to go up to the second floor, she doesn't see Faye, who was hiding behind a nearby wall. She had heard the entire conversation. Faye: (CC) I wonder what Jessie is trying to accomplish? I don't see how forming an alliance is going to help her any. Mondo: (CC) After what Jessie did to her in Smallville, Jeri's willing to trust her? Why would Jeri do that? Joey: (CC) Maybe all of the pressure's gotten to Jeri... she seemed to be just as desperate as Jessie. ====== Day Thirty Two The following morning, the doorbell begins to ring. Kiyone walks out of her room, dressed in a lime green short sleeve shirt and a pair of form-fitting sweatpants, and heads for the door. Kiyone: (over the constant ringing) I'm coming! Kiyone opens the door. But once she sees who is standing on the other side, her mouth drops to the floor. Mihoshi: Kiyone! It's really you! Kiyone: M-M-M-Mihoshi? Mihoshi: When I heard you were here, I just had to come by! Mihoshi leans over and gives her partner a hug. Mihoshi: How come you never told me you were here? I thought you had left me! Kiyone: Perish the thought. Mihoshi lets go of Kiyone and walks past her, into the house. She was obviously too overjoyed about seeing Kiyone again that she hadn't heard her last sentence. ====== About half an hour later, Mihoshi and Kiyone are enjoying breakfast in the dining room. At the table with them are Roger, Duo, and Joey - the latter of whom had breakfast duty that morning. Mihoshi: Oh Kiyone, we'll have so much fun together today! We'll go out and shop like there's no tomorrow! And then we'll spend the day catching up on the past few weeks! Won't that be great? Kiyone: (sarcastically) Great. I'm so excited. Mihoshi: (giggling happily) I can't wait! As Mihoshi begins to think about the day ahead, Kiyone glances a pleading look at Roger and Duo. Kiyone: Somebody please shoot me! Roger: I'd do it... if we were allowed to. Duo: Relax, Kiyone! I'm sure if you been able to bear her as your partner for this long, spending today with her is child's play. Kiyone: Just spending five minutes with her can be disasterous! Joey: (off-screen) Maybe we should stick Jessie with her for one day and see how she feels about it! Joey then walks in, holding two heavy plates full of waffles... one with syrup on it, and the other without. And now in his mouth is another bottle full of syrup. Mihoshi: (getting up) Let me help you with that. Kiyone: Mihoshi, I wouldn't... Mihoshi starts to walk over to help Joey. But then she trips over her own two feet and falls right into Joey, causing him to lose his grip on the plates. The plates full of waffles go flying into the kitchen and onto the floor. Mihoshi lands on top of Joey... but they don't stay in that position for more than a second, as the bottle of syrup that Joey had been holding in his mouth was beginning to leak on his face. And he had just heated it in the microwave too. Joey: (pushing Mihoshi off of him) Aaahhhh! My face is burning! Joey runs into the kitchen and heads for the sink, which he turns on and then subsequently sticks his head under the spout to wash off the hot and sticky syrup from his face. Kiyone: (shaking her head) Can things get any worse? Duo: (sighs) There goes our breakfast. Roger: (getting up) Are you okay? Mihoshi is now sitting on the ground, rubbing her ankle. Mihoshi: Owie! Roger: You're not injured, are you? Mihoshi: I'm fine. I think. Roger helps Mihoshi off the ground as Kiyoone gets out of her seat and stomps angrily towards her partner. Kiyone: You've done it again, Mihoshi! Mihoshi: I'm sorry, Kiyone. I didn't mean to ruin breakfast for everyone. Duo: As much as I am hungry, I'm concerned about Joey. Kiyone: You'd better go check on him and apologize. Mihoshi: I will. Mihoshi walks into the kitchen and sees Joey only now lifting his head out from the sink. He reaches around for a paper towel, but since the mixture of syrup and water had partially gotten into his eyes, he was having a hard time locating one. So naturally, Mihoshi walks over to help. Mihoshi: I'm really sorry. I truly am! She finds a roll of paper towels and hands it to Joey. Mihoshi: Here. I think you need to dry some of the water off of your face. Joey: (with his face in a piece of towel) What are you crazy? I spent more than an hour making all of those waffles! Now I have to do it all over again! Mihoshi: (beginning to cry) I'm sorry, I really am. It's just... Joey manages to clear enough of the water and syrup out of his eyes to see Mihoshi's face. Noting that she's about to cry, he tries to stop her. Joey: Take it easy! Aren't you taking this a bit hard for something that was just an accident? Mihoshi: I really am sorry. I didn't mean to ruin breakfast at all, because it really smelled good and I was hoping to share some of it with Kiyone and... Kiyone walks in and decides to lead Mihoshi out of the kitchen. Kiyone: (to Joey) I'm sorry about what Mihoshi did. I'll make it up to you. (to Mihoshi) Come on, we'd better get you out of here before you get yourself into more trouble. Mihoshi: But what about breakfast? Kiyone: We'll eat out. Now, let's go! The two police officers head for the front door. Roger and Duo enter the kitchen to check on Joey. Duo: You okay, man? Joey: I didn't think that she'd be that clumsy. Roger: Just be lucky you got a chance to have her on top of you. Joey: (trying to hide a blush) Like I had time to savor the moment? If you remember, my face was being burned by a bottle of hot maple syrup! And now I have to cook breakfast all over again. Duo: (snickers) I'll help you out. I wouldn't want the rest of the house lynching you for not finishing breakfast on time. ====== A little later, Mihoshi and Kiyone were walking in the streets of downtown Okayama. They were doing some window shopping as they got over the initial shock of seeing each other again. Mihoshi: When I saw you in the forest a few days ago, you couldn't imagine how relieved I was. Here I was, thinking that headquarters had you reassigned somewhere without telling me. I thought I was stuck patrolling Earth forever. Kiyone: Mihoshi, I'd never do something like that. Mihoshi: Really? Kiyone: Of course. We're partners to the end, no matter what! Mihoshi: I knew you cared, Kiyone! Thank goodness! Mihoshi gave Kiyone another hug, this time rubbing her own face against her partner's. Kiyone: (CC) Did I just say what I think I just said? My life's been filled with nothing but misery since I became her partner, and here I am, telling her that we'll be partners to the end? Maybe this game is starting to get to me. The duo starts walking down the street. All of a sudden, Mihoshi spots a sign advertising a karaoke bar. Mihoshi: Kiyone, let's go sing a song or two! Kiyone: But we really don't have that much money to spend. Mihoshi: Please Kiyone? It'll be fun! Kiyone: No. Mihoshi: Pretty please with sugar on top? Kiyone: (angrily) For the last time, absolutely, positively not! ====== Night Thirty Two The doorbell at the mansion rings loudly. Roger answers it and finds Kiyone standing there, with her hair slightly out of shape. Roger: What happened to you? Kiyone: (holding her head) I've got to go sleep off this hangover... Kiyone walks past Roger and immediately heads for her room. Roger: Hey... where did Mihoshi go? Kiyone: (looking back at him) Back to Tenchi's house. But why should you care? Roger: Something tells me that you two went out drinking. Kiyone: I don't want to talk about it. With that, Kiyone closes the door to her room behind her. Roger: It's not like Kiyone to hide her feelings like that. Keitaro: (appearing in the hall) Mihoshi tends to do that to her. Roger: (raising an eyebrow) And you know this how? Keitaro: (walking up to Roger) She told me so herself. Whenever the two of them go out, Mihoshi drags her into a karaoke bar and they sing the night away, getting drunk along the way. Roger: But they left just before nine this morning! They've been gone all day! (looks at Keitaro suspiciously) And how did you get Kiyone to tell you all about her and Mihoshi? Keitaro: Like I said, she told me herself. Roger: You know, for someone who claims to be unlucky when it comes to love, you seem to be getting pretty friendly with Kiyone. Keitaro: Getting friendly with her? Roger: Yeah! The only way you'd know a lot about her is if you've spent a lot of time with her! Keitaro: The only reason we know a lot about each other is because we have a lot in common! We're not in love! Roger: That's obvious... she doesn't seem to even notice you exist. Keitaro: (as Roger starts to walk away) She does too! *************** Day Thirty Three Mondo enters the computer room on the first floor at around ten thirty the next morning and sees Jeri typing away at one of the computers. He pulls up a chair beside her to look on. Mondo: Whatcha up to, Jeri? Jeri: I'm replying to an e-mail that my friends sent me. Takato, Rika, and Henry are wondering how I'm doing in the competition. Mondo: (uncaring) Swell. Without warning, Mondo grabs Jeri by the arm and pulls her out of the room. Jeri: Mondo! Mondo: We need to talk. Jeri: Can't we talk while I'm typing? He pushes her into the confessional room next door, and shuts the door behind him. Jeri: (a little frightened) Mondo... is something wrong? Mondo: (in a serious tone) Sit down, Jeri. Jeri sits down in a chair, still unsure of what to make of Mondo's sudden change of behavior. Jeri: Mondo, I... Mondo: Why? Why are you doing it? Jeri: Doing what? Mondo: Forming an alliance with Jessie! She can't be trusted! Jeri: (breathing a sigh of relief) Is that what this is all about? Mondo: I'm serious, Jeri! Depending on her is not a wise decision! Jeri: It's better than anything anyone else has offered me! Mondo: The last time you and Jessie worked together, it changed your personality. While working with her, I didn't think you were the same person! Jeri: All I did is promise that I was going to vote for her and she would do likewise for me. It's not like it was then, okay? Mondo: No, it's not okay! I'm worried about you! Jeri: You're worried about me? Mondo: I don't want you to get hurt. It would hurt me so much if you end up being played for a fool. Jeri: Mondo, you're making a big fuss out of nothing! Sure, I don't trust her that much either, but I've got to find an extra supporter or two. Mondo: Do that Jeri, and she'll leave you hanging! She'll drag you down with her, like she did before! Jeri stands up and tries to go for the door. But Mondo grabs her arm again, intending to stop her. This time though, she wasn't going to have any of it. Jeri: (screaming at the top of her lungs) LEAVE ME ALONE! Mondo, scared out of his wits just by how loud Jeri had shouted at him, releases her and lets her walk out the door. But before she does, she turns to look at Mondo one more time. Jeri: If you know what's good for you Mondo, you'll let me do what I want to do! Stop protecting me like you're my older brother! I'm old enough to make my own decisions! Mondo: (extending an arm out) But Jeri... I didn't mean it that way. But Jeri doesn't hear a word, as she slams the door shut. As Jeri walks back into the computer room, Bit had been in the hallway, wondering what all of the fuss was about. Bit: (CC) I've never seen the two of them like that. I wonder what's up. ====== A few hours later, the group had gotten a notice that it was time for another challenge. Driving into downtown Okayama, they make their way to an old Japanese country house. Tenchi waits for them outside. Tenchi: Good afternoon! Everyone ready for a new challenge today? Joey: (enthusiastically) Bring it on, Tenchi! I'm ready for anything! Tenchi: Today, I've got another roommate challenge. One that will require you to do a lot of thinking. Faye: It's too bad that's something Joey can't do well. Joey: Hey! Tenchi: Anyway, today's challenge is called Find the Keys. In this house behind me lies a treasure chest which contains a statuette. To win the challenge, you must get the statuette and bring it back to me. Jessie: I bet there's a catch. Roger: Isn't there always? Tenchi: To be able to open the chest, you must unlock the four padlocks using four different keys. And to get those keys, you must solve four puzzles. And all in ten minutes or less. Joey: Ten minutes, huh? Just what kinda puzzles are we talking about? Tenchi: You'll find out what they are once you get inside. But just so you won't be left completely in the dark, you'll have two assistants for each puzzle to provide clues. But be warned... one will always tell the truth, while the other will tell nothing but lies. Joey: (groans) Not the whole Paradox Brothers thing again. Bit: Paradox Brothers? Joey: I'll tell ya later... if we get through this. Melfina: If only one of them tells the truth, how do we figure out which one it is? Tenchi: I can't tell you that. You have to figure it out yourself. Duo: It shouldn't be too hard. Tenchi: We'll see. But anyway, outside each of the puzzle rooms is an index card describing what you have to do solve that particular puzzle. It will also list a failure clause. If at any time something you do activates that clause, the challenge ends immediately for your team, no matter how much time you have left on the clock. Keitaro: So one strike and we're out? Tenchi: Pretty much. But if you're stuck on a puzzle, you're allowed to leave and try a different one, then come back if time permits. You may also attempt and complete the puzzles in any order you wish. And upon solving a puzzle, you will be given one of the keys needed to open the chest. Now that I've explained all of the rules, do you all understand? Bit: I think so. Let's just hope I don't forget anything. ====== [Roommate Challenge 5: Find the Keys] [Team Assignments: - Yellow: Joey and Bit - Green: Chi-Chi and Jessie - Red: Keitaro and Roger - Blue: Mondo and Duo - Pink: Kiyone and Faye - White: Melfina and Jeri] As the other teams stand off to the side, Joey and Bit are with Tenchi, who walk in the front door and close it behind them. They stand there in the lobby, ready to go. Tenchi: Okay Bit and Joey, by a random draw you guys will be the first team to attempt this challenge. Bit: We can beat this, no problem! Joey: I know we can do it if we work together! Tenchi: All five of the rooms are in this hallway. The room marked with the number five on it is the one with the chest in it. Although that door is unlocked, remember that the chest cannot be opened without all four of the keys. Got it? Joey: Yeah! Let's do this! Tenchi: (taking out a stopwatch) In that case, your ten minutes begin now... ====== [Yellow Team] Running down the hallway, Bit and Joey see the first two doors on either side of them. Bit: I'll look at the left, you look at the right! Joey nods and stops in front of door number two. Bit is standing in front of number one, to his left and across the hall from door two. Bit: (reading aloud) Five ropes, each of lengths ranging from 10' to 20', have been tied together. To solve the puzzle, the rope with a red background and green polkadots ribbon tied to it must be completely unknotted. You fail if you unknot one of the two ropes without a ribbon tied to one end. Joey: Mine says... (reading aloud) 24 picture cards are placed faced down on a table and unstacked. Every single card has its own match. Your job is to match three pairs. You fail if three pairs of cards do not match. Bit: Let's go for yours first. It might be easier. Joey opens the door and enters the room, with Bit behind him. Sitting down in chairs, on opposite sides of the table on which the cards are placed, are Master Rochi (Dragonball Z) and Butch (Team Rocket/Pokémon). Rochi: Welcome gentlemen! Are you ready to take a chance or two? Butch: Let's see how good your memories are! Joey: So, can we ask you guys for help? Butch: Not until you turn over a card, sucker! So play already! Rochi: Let's see if you guys have what it takes to win! Bit looks at the cards on the table. They are arranged in four rows of six. He turns over a card in the top row, second from the left. A picture of a rabbit is on it. Bit: A rabbit? Joey: So we have to find another rabbit among the other cards. Bit: We can only miss three times. (turning towards Rochi and Butch) Can you give us a clue? Rochi: Try number nine! I guarantee it! Butch: He's an old man that doesn't know anything! The rabbit is under number five! Rochi: I'm telling you, the rabbit's under number nine! Butch: And I say it's under number five! Bit: (holding his head) Shut up! I can't think straight! Joey: Wait a minute... which card is number five and which one is number nine? Bit: That's right! Which one is which? Butch: Like we're going to tell you that! Bit: So what now? Joey: We got to take a guess. A camera zooms in to the lower left corner of the card that is currently turned up. Tenchi: (VO) Bit and Joey have yet to notice that the number of the card is in the lower left corner. The card that they turned over is number two. If they knew that, they could figure out which are the two cards that Rochi and Butch are referring to. Bit just flips a card over... one in the second row from the bottom and third from the right. On it is a frog, with a small number '16' in the lower left corner. Rochi: Wrong! That's strike one! Rochi flips the two cards face down again. Bit: There's too many possibilities to figure out! Our three strikes will be up before we figure it out. Joey: It's not a problem! I'll just use the heart of the cards to figure out which ones match! Bit: That only works on the Duel Monsters game! These are cards with pictures of animals on it! It'll never work! Joey: You never know until you try! ====== [Pink Team] Tenchi: (VO) Skipping ahead, let's see how Kiyone and Faye began their leg... Tenchi has just sent the two women down the hall. They run past the first set of doors and pick one at random. It happens to be the second on the right, which is room number four. They read the introductory card on the door. Kiyone: (reading aloud) Inside lies a bomb with fifteen wires. Five of them need to be cut in the correct order to defuse the bomb. The failure clause takes effect when a wire is touched without being cut, or an incorrect wire is cut. Faye: I'm sure we can figure out which ones to cut. Let's go. Kiyone and Faye open the door. The bomb sits on a table, with the wires plainly visible. Standing to the left of it is Minnie-May Hopkins (Gunsmith Cats). To the right is Survivor Globie (author cameo #5). Minnie-May: Hi there! Ready to defuse this little beauty? Faye: (raising an eyebrow) Excuse me? Minnie-May: I set up the whole bomb myself! Faye: But you're just a kid! Minnie-May: I'm older than I look. Kiyone: We'd better get started. Do you have some wire cutters? Globie, wearing a Creative Nomad CD Player, hands Kiyone some wire cutters. Kiyone: Thanks. Now, let's see. The two of them begin to look the bomb over. ====== [Red Team] Keitaro and Roger begin the challenge by heading for the second door on the left (door number three). They read the card on it. Roger: (reading aloud) Inside lie four treasure chests. Inside one of them is the key you seek. But choose the one with a skull inside and the game is over. Keitaro: So it's a game of chance. Roger: This shouldn't take us long. Let's get it out of the way now. They enter and find the four treasure chests inside, one in each corner of the room. Standing at the center are Moochi (Monster Rancher) and Meowth (Team Rocket/Pokémon) Keitaro: So, which one should we try first? Moochi: May I make a suggestion, chi? Meowth: You think these two want to hear a walking marshmallow talk? Moochi: Stop being mean, you dishonest cat, chi! Roger: Hey! Can you guys stop arguing and tell us which one to pick? Meowth: I'll tell you! The one behind and to my left is the right one. Moochi: No, chi! It's the one behind and to my right! Meowth: You poor excuse for a cute monster from a video game! Stop lying! Moochi: At least I'm not a freak from a game where all the monsters can only say their own name! Meowth: How dare you call me a freak? Moochi: Moochi can call you whatever he wants! Roger: Why are we even listening to these two in the first place? Roger walks to the chest that is behind him and to his left... which is in front of Moochi and Meowth and to their right. He opens the chest and pulls out a key from it. Keitaro: Wha? You mean they were both lying? Roger: Obviously. Seems we can't trust anyone. Come on. The two of them exit the room, leaving Meowth and Moochi to figure out what they did wrong. ====== [?] Over in the first room, let's check in on another team. This is the room where the correct rope must be untied. This time, the guides are Lita (Sailor Moon) and Cassidy (Team Rocket/Pokémon). Lita: Take the one in the middle! Cassidy: The one farthest from the right! Suddenly, two figures pick the one in the middle and begin to undo the knots. After a few minutes, there's only a knot or two left, and it has become obvious what awaits them on the other end of the rope. Nothing. There was no ribbon tied to the piece of rope that had chosen. Cassidy: Ha! I told you I was right! Lita: I'm sorry guys. You chose incorrectly. The camera finally shows the faces of the two members. It happens to be the blue team: Mondo and Duo. [Blue Team Results: 0 of 4 keys, eliminated after 3 minutes, 28 seconds] Mondo and Duo shake their heads in disbelief as they exit the room and head back towards the lobby. *************** Mondo and Duo walk out to the other teams, who all wonder why they are out so soon. Melfina: What happened? Duo: We chose the wrong one. We're done. Mondo: And without a single key. I can't believe it! Duo: (CC) Ironic how the girl in the Team Rocket uniform told the truth. After all, I was thinking that she'd act like Jessie does. ====== [Green Team] Jessie and Chi-Chi walk into the house and at random pick door number three. Moochi and Meowth are waiting for them. Jessie: Meowth? Meowth: Jessie? Chi-Chi: You know each other? Jessie: Of course! We've got nothing to worry about... Meowth will help us out. Moochi: If you know Meowth, then you must not be good, chi! Jessie: (looking at Moochi) Who's this freak? Chi-Chi: Can we stay on task, Jessie? Ten minutes isn't a whole lot of time. Jessie: Fine. Chi-Chi: (looking at the chests) Which one should we choose? Meowth: The one in front of me and to the left! Moochi: The one behind me and to my right, chi! Jessie: It's so easy. Jessie walks over to the chest Meowth pointed out and opens it. Sure enough, the key is inside. Jessie: One down, three to go! Chi-Chi: I see you trust that cat alot. Jessie: Only when I need to. The two then exit the room and head off to solve another puzzle. ====== [White Team] Melfina and Jeri are officially the last team to enter the mansion. They go into the same room Duo and Mondo went into first, although they didn't know that. Lita and Cassidy are waiting for them. Melfina: So, which one do you want us to untie? Lita: Untie the one farthest to your left. Cassidy: Don't touch the second one from the right. That's one of the bad ropes. Jeri: Who can we trust Mel? I don't know if either of their clues help. Melfina: Well Jeri, when in doubt, do it yourself. Jeri: Do it yourself? Melfina: When you don't feel confident about what two other people are saying, then make your own decision. Jeri: But isn't that taking a big risk? Melfina grabs the second rope from the left and looks for the first knot to untie. Melfina: Not if you know what you're doing, Jeri. She proceeds to untie the ropes. Jeri reluctantly guides her along, not knowing what will happen. Lita and Cassidy look on from the sides. Soon, they come across a spot where four of the five ropes are tangled together tightly. Melfina: I've never seen a knot this hard to undo. Jeri: I'll try to help. The two work together to undo the humongous knot. It happens to be the last obstacle, as this has now identified the rope that they have. And it's the red ribbon with green polkadots on it. Lita: That's correct! Cassidy grumbles and hands them a key. Jeri is ecstatic, but Melfina is staying reserved for the moment. Melfina: We still have three to go. Let's not celebrate just yet. Jeri: You're right. I guess I got a little carried away. The two head out of the room, off to solve another puzzle. ====== [Challenge Fast Forward] [Yellow Team] - Surprisingly, Joey's 'heart of the cards' technique works to perfection, as he selects three pairs on the next three turns. They move on... [Green Team] - Chi-Chi and Jessie go across the hall to try and defuse the bomb. Unfortunately, they spend so much time thinking and trying to figure out Minnie-May and Globie's clues that they only manage to cut one wire before time runs out on them. [Green Team Results: 1 of 4 keys, last key obtained at 0 minutes, 51 seconds] [Red Team] - Keitaro and Roger head next to the card room. Using all five of their available turns, they manage to pair up only twice. [Red Team Results: 1 of 4 keys, last key obtained at 1 minute, 8 seconds] [Pink Team] - Kiyone and Faye struggle at first trying to defuse the bomb, but carefully listening to the clues and being careful at the same time, they somehow manage to defuse it with some time left on the clock. They head to another room to get another key... [White Team] - Going across the hall, Melfina and Jeri are forced to trust Rochi and Butch and figure out who's telling them the truth. Melfina pulls through again, somehow managing to figure out the truthtalker from the liar, and guiding Jeri to three straight matches. Only two to go... [Yellow Team] - Joey and Bit go to the room full of ropes, but thinking that it would take awhile, they immediately exit to pick a different puzzle... [Pink Team] - In the card room Kiyone and Faye. Luckily (or maybe unluckily), Rochi can't keep his eyes off of them. Taking advantage of him, Faye yells at Rochi, forcing him to reveal three easy pairs. Butch probably would have stopped Faye from rough-housing Rochi... if only Kiyone wasn't watching his every move with her unrelenting eye. [White Team] - Melfina and Jeri rush to get their third key in the treasure chest room, which takes them two tries. Trusting Meowth first, who led them to an empty but safe chest, and then asking Moochi for assistance, picking a different chest that had the key in it. [Pink Team] - Kiyone and Faye go to the rope untying room, where they go to work on getting one untied. They struggle through it though, and run out of time before they can finish. It was a waste of time anyway... the rope they chose had a green ribbon... not the correct one. [Pink Team Results: 2 of 4 keys, last key obtained at 8 minutes, 40 seconds] [End Challenge Fast Forward] ====== [Yellow Team] Joey and Bit head to the room with the bomb, thinking that it would only take a few minutes to defuse it. Globie hands them the wire cutters before the two boys ask for a clue to the first wire. Globie: (singing) It could help you if you're feeling blue, so c'mon c'mon do the locomotion with me. Minnie-May: Shouldn't it be just 'c'mon do the locomotion with me?' Globie: I know the song, Minnie-May. Bit: Okay, this guy's singing and I have no idea why. Joey: I think I get it. The clue is in the lyrics. And I remember hearing him say the word blue. So we've got to cut the blue wire. Bit: (looking at the wires) But there are two blue wires. Joey: There are? So how do we figure out which one to cut? Or do we cut both? Bit: I don't think we should cut both. We probably only need one. Joey: We shouldn't waste time. Just pick one! Minnie-May: Guys... you can't just pick one! This thing could go up right in your faces! Joey: The squirt's right! Minnie-May: I'm not a squirt! Bit: So what do we do now? Bit and Joey try to think. The lyrics continue to play through their head. Bit: Hold on. (looking at Minnie-May) There must have been a reason you corrected him. Joey: I think she said something about there being only one 'c'mon' instead of two, like the guy over there sang. Bit: The only problem is, we don't know the song and we don't know who's telling the truth. The two of them look at both Minnie-May and Globie, trying to see if they could determine by face expression which way to go. After a minute, Joey takes the wire cutters from Bit and approaches the bomb. Bit: Which one are you going to cut? Joey: Just watch! Joey reaches in and cuts the blue wire farthest to the left. He brings his hand back out... and nothing happens. Bit: You got one! Joey: Alright! Now we've got four to go! Bit: How did you know? Joey: Something about her smile reassured me that she was telling the truth. Bit: But what about knowing that the wire you cut was number one? Joey: Oh... I just guessed on that one. Bit, Minnie-May, and Globie fall to the ground. Minnie-May: I just said that you can't guess in this type of situation! Joey: Then you shouldn't have tried to hint at the correct answer then. Bit: Let's just keep going. ====== [White Team] With not much time left for them, Melfina and Jeri are now in the room with Minnie-May and Globie. They immediately go to work on defusing the bomb. Jeri: Be careful! If we can't figure it out, then we'll just stop. I think we've done better than most of the teams already. Melfina: Okay. But I'm sure we can do this. Globie: (singing) Oh but love grows where my rosemary goes, and nobody knows like me. Minnie-May: Give me two more, Globie! Melfina and Jeri blink their eyes, rather confused at what's happening. Melfina: These have got to be the strangest clues yet. Jeri: I guess we'll have to rely on you again. Melfina: But our chances aren't good if we pick at random. We only have a one-in-fifteen shot of the bomb not blowing up on us. Not exactly reassuring odds. Jeri: So, we just call it a day? Melfina: Not just yet. Melfina walks over to Globie. Melfina: Could you please sing that lyric of yours again? Globie: Sure. (singing) Oh but love grows where my rosemary goes, and nobody knows like me. Melfina begins to think, trying to pick something out of the lyric. Jeri just looks at her teammate, wondering what hearing the lyric will do for her. Melfina: I know which color wire to cut. Jeri: You do? Melfina: (nods) In the lyric, one of the words he said was rosemary. Rosemary is a green-colored herb. So, it's a green wire. Melfina takes the wire cutters and looks at the wire line-up. She sees the four green wires lying the farthest to the left of the console. Jeri: Four green wires? Melfina: Well, that gives us a one-in-four chance of being safe. It's still not safe enough to risk. Jeri: Well, is there anything else you can figure out from their clues? Melfina: (glancing at Minnie-May) You did ask him to give you two more, right? Minnie-May: That's right! Jeri: Two more? Two more what? Melfina: I don't know. This is the toughest puzzle yet. Jeri: Maybe we should quit while we're ahead. Not that I'm being negative or anything... Melfina: I guess you're right. No need in prolonging all of this tension. Melfina hands the wire cutters back to Globie. She and Jeri then walk out and head back to the main lobby. [White Team Results: 3 of 4 keys, last key obtained at 8 minutes, 11 seconds] ====== [Yellow Team] Minnie-May: I won't steer you wrong! Globie can be tricky though. Globie ignored Minnie-May's comment, continuing to listen to his CD player. Joey and Bit are now working on their third wire after having an easy time figuring out that the second wire to cut was the lone pink wire. Bit: He said rosemary in the lyric. Roses are red, so we should cut the red wire next. Joey: But I've heard of rosemary being an herb of some sort. But it's not red... it's green. Bit: (looking in) But we've got four green wires. Joey: Seeing as how we can't guess, (glares at Minnie-May) we have to figure out which one to cut. Bit: I think we still have about three minutes or so left. Joey: Minnie-May, what was the clue you gave us? Minnie-May: Well, I just told Globie to give me one. That's all. Bit: Give him one? One what? Joey: And how does this all tie into the bomb? Bit: Hold on... didn't Globie repeat the lyrics, singing them twice? Joey: Yeah, I think. So? Bit: Minnie-May said to give her one. Maybe she wanted to sing the lyric once herself. Joey: That would make three... it's third from the left! Bit: Why third from the left? Why not third from the right? Joey: (scratches his head) Because Minnie-May seems to be always telling the truth. And besides, she was standing to our left when we entered the room. Minnie-May: That's your reasoning? Something like that is going to get you killed! Joey: Really? (to Bit) Cut the third from the left, Bit. Bit shrugs his shoulders and takes a chance, reaching in and cutting the wire he is told to. Bit cuts the wire and once again there's no reaction. Joey: I told you! That's three of five! Bit lifts his arm to celebrate, but he swings his arm slightly. That results in his hand swinging towards the next green wire over, touching it. A small puff of black smoke comes out of the top of the bomb, as Bit jumps back in fear. [Yellow Team Results: 1 of 4 keys, last key obtained at 2 minutes, 33 seconds] Bit: The heck? Joey: What happened? Minnie-May: You set off the bomb! If it was real, we would've all been dead! Bit: But nothing happened when I cut the wire. Globie: You must have hit another wire when you tried to pull your arm out. Minnie-May: (nods) Touching a wire sets it off, remember? Joey: When did you tell us that? Minnie-May leads them to the door and points to the card on the side of the door in the hallway. Bit and Joey read it again. Bit and Joey: (reading aloud) The failure clause takes effect when a wire is touched without being cut, or an incorrect wire is cut. Minnie-May: Sorry guys, but it takes a lot more than dumb luck to defuse one of my specials! ====== Outside, Tenchi is gathered outside with the six teams. Tenchi: It's time to announce the results. But first of all, let me say that today's challenge was really tough and that no one managed to get through the whole thing. I guess ten minutes wasn't enough time. But you all did well considering the circumstances. The twelve all glance at each other, wondering who had the best performance. Tenchi: Finishing in sixth was the blue team, who failed to collect any keys. The next three teams each succeeded in obtaining one key each. So those places are determined by how fast they got that key. So in fifth is the yellow team. Fourth was red, followed by green in third. Now, the second team got two keys, while the winners got three of four. We're down to just the pink and white teams. Kiyone and Faye don't feel confident that they won, seeing Melfina and Jeri still standing with them. Tenchi: Second went to the pink team with two keys, which means that the white team wins, having collected three keys! Congratulations, Jeri and Melfina! Jeri is jumping for joy, and this time Melfina joins her in celebrating. As the two celebrate hand-in-hand, the others come over to congratulate them. Tenchi: Good work you two. You deserved to win today. And for each of you another $50,000 added to each of your pots. A critical addition as the days here in Okayama wind down. He then looks to everyone else and smiles happily. Tenchi: You can all head back to the mansion. I'll see you at the next challenge. The celebration continues for Jeri and Melfina as Tenchi walks off... End Episode Fourteen Mimi: (VO, singing) Guess who's back... Jessie: I choose you! Mimi: (VO, singing) Back again... Joey: Flaming Swordsman, in attack mode! Mimi: (VO, singing) Mimi's back... Jeri: (holding back tears) It's really him again. Mimi: (VO, singing) Back again... Mondo: Throw me a Monster Card! Mimi: (VO, singing) Guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back... Tenchi: (VO) Mimi! They get the idea already! Mimi: (VO) Sorry... Tenchi: (VO) Anyway, things will seem familiar next episode... Jessie: Just what inspires you anyway? Joey: Do you have to ask? My sister Serenity, of course! Mimi: (VO) As I return for a special monster-show inspired rumble... Kiyone: How are the monsters going to get here? Mimi: Allow me to introduce our troop of summoners! Mimi steps back as three young kids, two girls and a guy, appear behind her. Tenchi: (VO) But there are things we'd rather forget... Faye: You're lucky I don't drop kick your ass right now! Roger: (motioning to kick) Not if I kick yours first! Mimi: (VO, whining) Tenchi! Why do you leave me in these trouble spots? Tenchi: (VO) Hey, you're the one that wanted to visit the Okayama mansion... Bit: First one to recite a poem that she likes wins? Joey: You got it! And I warn you, I'm an expert poet! Mimi: (VO) Remind me NOT to come back at the end of the game, okay? Tenchi: (VO) Mimi visits from New York, on the next episode of Roomies! Faye: Are you listening to me? Mimi: (VO) Hey! That's my line! Additional Author's Notes: As you see once again, instead of pointing out anime references, which there were very few this episode, if any, we focus again on the challenge. The only real thing character-wise to talk about is Mihoshi. After the challenge in the last episode, she finds out where Kiyone is staying. Does that mean she could be dropping in for a few more visits? Not if Kiyone can help it, but we'll see. Now, for the challenge itself. I don't remember exactly why all of the characters were selected as they were. The three Team Rocket members, Cassidy and Butch (who wear black uniforms with a red 'R' on the chest instead of the white with red 'R' that's on James and Jessie's uniforms), and Meowth, Jessie and James's feline companion, were selected to create the whole balance of the 'one tells the truth, the other tells lies' idea. And as Joey mentioned, it follows the principle of the story that the Paradox Brothers fix in an episode of his series. Moochi was an easy pick as an opposite to Meowth, wanting two monsters... one purely good and purely bad... well, not purely exactly, but anyway... I think you get the idea. This isn't my view personally, but Roger demonstrated the view of 'why are we listening to these two anyway?' A little nod to those people who hate both Pokémon AND Monster Rancher. Oh, and God forbid if such a person does read this... because you're contradicting yourself by doing so. I could go and explain it more in detail, but I have to move on... Maybe I was desperate for a Sailor Moon and a Dragonball cameo. I don't remember the exact reasons for casting Lita and Master Rochi as cameos in this challenge. It might have been a spur of the moment thing, but seeing as how this event was planned out back in late February... there must have been some reason to include them. Too bad I can't remember. Minnie-May Hopkins was probably my most proud cameo in this episode, just because I am an avid Gunsmith Cats fan. It's also the first ever Japanese anime, manga, etc. that's aimed for older fans that I absolutely loved. Hot girls, fast cars, and blazing guns? Who could ask for more? Oh and yes, for those of you who don't know, Minnie-May is 18, but could easily pass off as an 11 or 12 year old because of her height. Don't even compare her to Mini-me, because the reasons for their height deficiencies differ greatly. I won't go into details about Minnie-May, but I will say she that she wanted to be sure that a man that she had a crush on would recognize her when they crossed paths again. Going any further would take this out of the rating range for this fanfic, so moving on again... Actually, scratch Minnie-May being my favorite. It might actually be Survivor Globie, author extraordinare, writer of the Anime Survivor series since the second edition, and one of my closest on-line friends. When Globie originally won a cameo when I was asking for them, the challenge I originally assigned him to couldn't be done by him because he was unavailable that week. That happened to be the snow-tubing challenge from Episode 4 (which if you remember, Ashura Hedgehog cameoed there). So the next choice was this challenge. But then came the Roomies 2/Anime Survivor 4 challenge which you all saw a few weeks ago. That particular challenge had only been created within the last month or two, while the taping and planning of Roomies 2 took place back from late January to early March. I know it's hard to remember it because Roomies is the only fic that follows real life... the whole thing is taped and planned out, then written and released several months later. It'll be a hard concept to keep in place for Roomies 3 in the coming months, but I'll try. Oops... did I accidentally drop the bag? Forget what I just said, okay? I'll leave with crediting the songs that Globie used that actually made the episode. Only two of the songs actually made the episode. Here are the titles and artists of those songs, in the order they appeared: - "Do the Locomotion" by Little Eva - "Love Grows Where My Rosemary Grows" by Edison Lighthouse They're obviously old songs. A number of you may have heard of the first one, but I doubt if anyone knows the second! We may be done with author cameos, but there are still eight anime characters yet to make their appearance! And there are only four episodes and four challenges left to go. If the preview hasn't clued you in as of yet... Mimi returns for a one-episode monster battle of epic proportions... and on a special day! Episode 15 comes your way Friday... yes, THIS FRIDAY! A special edition you can't afford to miss!