With the mole story dwindling down further and further, we are coming to the final 6, and the challenges get more and more intense as they begin to shorten the odds of who is the mole.

It seems however, that the clue from last episode had a dramatic impact on the votes, and how you voted. And once again…a new leader, yet again….

Are you starting to work it out…or am I confusing you more than ever. Let’s find out…

* * * *

(After the Boot Camp, everyone headed to the Ritz Calton Hotel for a deserved sleep. However, Ken’s elimination really had an affect…)

(At the hotel, where the 4 girls are sharing one room, and the 3 guys sharing another, the realities of the game are coming into play…)

Duplica: Just shows you anyone can go…

Yolei: I know…(lays down on a bad)…but it still sucks. At least Rika has still got Chiriko in the game…

Rika: Yolei…please…I feel bad enough as it is…

Akari: That’s right, please guys…we’re tired and grouchy, no more…

(A mutual agreement is made as the girls seems to quiet down. The guys are also sombre…)

Haley: …if it was my fault, I’m sorry.

Chiriko: You can’t blame yourself Haley, Ken simply did the worst, nothing more, nothing less.

Kensuke: In a positive way, you know that you’ve gone that step further and beat him. Now can you beat everyone else?

(Haley stands up to the window and to himself speaks…)

Haley: Yes…I think I can.

* * * *

(Yukino is outside the hotel, fresh as a daisy and back into her regular clothes…well, her ‘un-Yukino’ clothes anyway.)

Yukino: Well as can be folks, which is something that Ken Ichijoji wasn’t when he was left abandoned by his comrades and eliminated at Dismissal Hill. This brings us down to a lucky or not seven people. They’ve done well, they’ve past half-way, but can they go all the way? Only one person knows that they will…the mole.

Chiharu Mihara – Student/Cheerleader – Card Captor Sakura

Cody Hida – Digidestined of Knowledge and Reliability – Digimon 02

Giselle Dexter – Valedictorian – Pokémon

Haitani Masayuki – College Pervert – Love Hina

Ken Ichijoji – Digidestined of Kindness – Digimon 02

Naoko Yanagisawa – Student/Horror Otaku – Card Captor Sakura

Shampoo – Amazon – Ranma ½

Shirai Kimiaki – College Pervert – Love Hina

Touji Suzuhara – Bionic Man – Neon Genesis Evangelion

(The morning has gone without a hitch, and the 7 contestants from sharing rooms have made their beds and getting ready for a big breakfast prepared by the hotel staff. The remaining members of the team are now steadily getting closer as the numbers dwindling, but how much can they trust each other?)

Rika: …that should do it!

Haley: Thank you very much Miss Rika!

(Shot of Haley’s Nadesico uniform, where the Nergal symbol on his shoulder sleeve has now been patched up by Rika’s excellent seamstress skills.)

Yolei: (yawns) Morning…

Kensuke: Wake up sleepyhead, we had a couple hours extra sleep today…be thankful we weren’t back at that boot camp.

Yolei: I will…after I’ve woke up…*splash* (Yolei drenches in cold water where someone has tipped some over her head) Hey, what the…

Duplica: Aw…and I was thinking you’d change into a hippo!

Yolei: I think I can rearrange your face if it’s any consolation….

Duplica: Aw…where’s Ditto? I need a Rapidash right about now…(starts running)

Yolei: GET BACK HERE!

(Yolei chases after Duplica as Kensuke, Rika, Haley and Chiriko chuckle too, especially as outside…)

Yolei: You are so…

(Shot of Akari grabbing Duplica’s hand)

Akari: See ya!

(Zoom! The two girls are gone, leaving a fuming but slightly chuckling girl behind.)

(O.K, so things are harmony at the moment…but how long will it last?)

* * * *

(Shot of Yukino as the 7, now ready, dressed and smiling, as she’s ready for another trip.)

Yukino: Welcome one and all! You’ve got this far, so congratulations…but…are you, like me, able to push all the way to get to that final hurdle, the winner’s podium, the gold medal, the…

Kensuke: Yes, what you said…

Yukino: (mega-angry) YOU DARE INTERRUPT ME?

Kensuke: Eep!

Rika: I think he meant to say ‘No ma’am.’

Yukino: Well…I know he’d secretly want somebody like me to order him around, and as tempting as that sounds, I’ve got a job to do. So, without further ado, we are going into the ballroom of this hotel, where for once, we are not moving anywhere, all the challenges will be held in today’s resting grounds.

(Somewhere, Skuld is genki and living in a field of ice-cream for a day off…)

Yukino: Our first challenge is based on how good your music is. So without further ado, let’s go.

(The first challenge is to test the players ears…fortunately, the music on offer is slightly better than Usagi playing the violin…)

* * * *

Yukino: Welcome one and all to the ballroom, and in the middle is a giant piano, where our guests will be playing today.

(Four figures enter. One medium heighted blond bishounen. The second is a tall woman although it’s hard to tell at first glance. The third is a stunning woman with long black hair, similar to Rei Hino but in her 20s, and the final girl is the most adorable cutie-pie since Tomoyo Daidouji, with dark blueish black hair and a timid smile.)

Yukino: These four will be playing four pieces of their choosing. Two of them will be playing their own pieces, whilst the other two will be playing classical music from the ages. Your challenge, for £5,000, is to guess which is which. You will decide in a group, and you must get the two correct to win the challenge, otherwise you lose. Simple.

(The group nod.)

Yukino: First, nominate a team leader. His or her answer will be final, so what that person says will be your decision.

(After a quick discussion, Rika becomes team leader, for her own piano playing skills more than anything)

Yukino: Ah, Rika my dear. Well, I think let’s start shall we? Star number one…

(The first person to play is Quatre Raberba Winner, from Gundam Wing. He begins playing Nocturne…no, not Amiboshi’s theme song, rather the Chopin classical tune, no 9, no 2.)

(Shot of Quatre, a picture of serenity, as he begins to play. The people behind are just listening, as are our critics, trying to judge which songs are actually classical pieces…)

Chiriko: I might as well sit down…I won’t have an idea…

Yolei: Is anyone trained in European Classical music?

(Silence)

Yolei: Nuts…

(Quatre finishes, as Rika is deep in thought. Next comes the second guy…er, sorry, girl as Haruka Ten’oh from Sailor Moon takes the podium. She is also playing a classical piece…but it’s one to try and catch one of the team members off guard…)

Kensuke: Hey…I’ve heard this before…

(It is in fact, Canon by Pachebel, one of many classical pieces used in Kensuke’s show, Evangelion, however, will he see it that way?)

Duplica: You’ve heard it?

Kensuke: Yes…somewhere from the Evas I think…not sure if it one of Shinji’s cello pieces…

Haley: If you’ve heard it, it’s most likely to have been played before…

Yolei: Are you sure Kensuke?

Kensuke: I know I’ve heard it…but it could be one of Shinji’s compositions. I think Asuka and Rei played the violin as well…but I can’t be sure…

(Whilst they debate it, Haruka finishes, and the third enters. The grown up Rei is in fact Madoka Ayukawa, from Kimagure Orange Road, and her piece is a piece she composed herself for her boyfriend, called Kyosuke No.1. It is a strong uplifting melodic track. (Found on the 2nd KOR movie))

(This one however does sound strong enough to be classical and Akari, who is also not faring too well in this challenge, seems to let Yolei, Kensuke and Duplica argue through it, Haley trying to comprimise, Rika all the while quiet.)

Chiriko: I guess in this case, the past and the future are one and the same.

Akari: Quite so…

(Madoka finishes, she goes. The final piece is to be played by cute little Misao Amano, from Magical Project S (Pretty Sammy). She’s a shy girl, but is following her father’s profession as a pianist. The piece she is playing was in fact composed by her father, for his daughter Misao, called appropriately Misao.)

(This one is like a fairly fast rhythm, but it’s obvious that Kensuke and co think that almost anything just played on a piano could be classical. If they weren’t so deep in thought, they may have seen what Misao is doing…)

(After Misao finishes, they all get a round of applause from the troops. Yukino returns to the stage and addresses the mole gang.)

Yukino: Wasn’t that wonderful? I prefered Brahms…(evil Yukino)…although L’Arc are shining a bit now…(returns to normal), but enough of that. It’s decision time. You have 5 minutes to discuss together which 2 songs were not classical pieces. Your time starts now.

(Rika joins the huddle whilst Chiriko and Akari return, despite apparently being no help.)

Kensuke: I don’t think they would be advanced enough to get a tune from my show unless it was an actual classical piece. Besides, I don’t think Shinji can be that creative…

Duplica: That, and he plays a cello.

Kensuke: Hey, I thought the piano was technically a string instrument…(realises he’s getting off track)…oh never mind! The point is, I think that the second song is a classical piece, got it?

Yolei: Shall we trust your judgement?

Akari: I agree then.

Chiriko: I will as well…

Yolei: Rika?

(Rika gives one nod.)

Haley: I’m fine with that.

Duplica: I think that’s a given then.

Kensuke: Of course…(rubs head nervously)…I haven’t a clue about the second one.

(facefault)

Yolei: (sighs) O.K then…Rika, any thoughts?

(Rika is seen thinking…)

Rika: I’m not sure…

Duplica: Look guys, we need to go with one, so which one sounded the most classical.

Yolei: (thinks) The third one I think…

Duplica: Really…(thinks)…you do have a point, but so was the first…

Kensuke: …and the fourth…

Akari: Which means nothing!

(sighs)

Chiriko: Well…with my thoughts of music, it’s always the waves which lead to the right pieces to play. The harmonic waves of the wind…maybe you can direct yours…

(They all glare at the young bishy. He sweatdrops…)

Chiriko: N-never mind.

Yolei: Look…I think it’s the third one…it’s seemed like something only a professional would play, and that woman was the most professional of the four.

Kensuke: I guess…you do have a point.

Duplica: I’m still unsure…Yolei’s is right, that woman seemed the most professional and that did seem the hardest…but then again, number 2 was the easiest in my opinion…

Kensuke: And do you think a young girl can play a complicated classical composition?

Yolei: And what about a cute boy over there? Can he?

Haley: Guys…let’s not…

Yukino: TIMES UP!

Kensuke/Yolei/Duplica: D’OH!

Yukino: It’s decision time. Rika, as team leader, you have to choose which two pieces were the classical pieces, and which two were in fact, created.

(The group then realise that they never actually discussed the challenge itself, and realise they could have royalty screwed up…)

Yukino: Rika?

Rika: (calmly) Yes?

Yukino: Which two songs were the created pieces?

Rika: I felt that out of the 4, the one we all agreed that was a classical piece was number 2.

Yukino: (nods) And the other?

Rika: (thinks) I feel that the other classical piece…was number 1.

(The others are stunned. They seemed to agree that number 3 was the right one…yet Rika’s gone for 1.)

Yukino: And why?

Rika: I knew that the young girl’s song was a created piece…because I saw her singing along with the tune, which suggested it was not a classical piece…as they didn’t have words of course. As for the woman, her eyes screamed a passion in playing…meaning she obviously held a special place in her heart for her song…maybe based on a loved one?

Yukino: You saw this?

Rika: (nods) I’m a piano player as well…they aren’t the only ones who play to her heart’s emotions.

(The rest are stunned.)

Yukino: So 3 and 4 are the created pieces then? Can the two people who indeed played the created pieces come forward?

(The group are still surprised…but then shocked when indeed, Madoka and Misao come down, as Rika indeed, correctly got the answer right.)

CHALLENGE COMPLETED

Yukino: Congratulations, you win five thousand pounds. But that was the appetiser, soon…we shall have the main course. For now however, you can do what you want as we set up an evening for you that you won’t forget…

(The challenge over, success, but not without controversy)

* * * *

(Whatever happened is now gone away from their minds, as the girls and guys in the mid-afternoon begin to enjoy the fruits of their labour at the Ritz.)

(Or at least talk strategy…)

Yolei: As I said…it’s not your fault, it’s not his fault. Simply put, he screwed up with his questions, and he’s gone. We’re still here Haley.

Haley: I know…I just feel bad.

Yolei: I know…but still, we can do this.

(Yolei pats Haley on the shoulder, as Haley takes out a photograph. It’s one where him and Saburota are behind Ruri, who whilst as placid as ever, is waving a V-sign. He sighs…)

Haley: I miss them…more than I thought…

(Yolei turns and shakes her head)

Yolei: For most of us, the challenge is finding the mole. For the few, the challenge is homesickness.

(Yolei turns to leave)

Yolei: To the gods Haley, don’t lose your spirit.

(As Yolei leaves, we see a shot of Duplica and Akari comparing notes whilst enjoying a drink…no Kris, it’s not a shared one…^_^)

Duplica: What?! (fake shock) You don’t trust me?

Akari: Let me think…nope!

Duplica: Akari, you’re mean!

Akari: I guess I got that from you then didn’t I.

(Cue the eyelid/tongue thing as the two girls laugh. As they do, Rika and Chiriko join them, two sandwiches as Chiriko inspects it)

Chiriko: Are these things edible?

Rika: Yes…the flavours may be unusual, but you might like them. Just another part of this world you may find interesting…(quietly)…because…

Chiriko: Because?

Rika: …because…I don’t know how long we’re going to be together…

(Akari and Duplica stop their little laugh as they heard that. Chiriko simply smiles.)

Chiriko: I don’t mind…I’m going to treasure every moment here…as long as I’m here, and as long as you’re here…

Rika: Thank you. (opens sandwich) Now try it.

(Chiriko does the same and takes a bite. The feeling of salad in his mouth surprises him and he seems to choke…)

Rika: Aaarrggh…

Akari: Himlech time!

Duplica: Er…do you know how to do it?

Akari: (sweatdrops) No time for questions!

Chiriko: (coughs) No, it’s all right…just…a bit surprised by the taste…

(Rika slaps him on the back a couple of times as Chiriko slowly recovers. Akari sighs with relief)

Akari: Good job I didn’t do it…besides, those two fit each other well don’t you think?

Duplica: Yep…but why did you offer to do it when you couldn’t?

Akari: Well…I’ve seen Itchan do it…

Duplica: I don’t think a punch to the sonar plexus counts as a Himlech…or was it something else…like a…

Akari: Prepare to die Ditzy-chan!

(Akari demonstrates another technique she learned from Ichino…the ‘strangle them until they die…I mean sleep’ technique.)

Duplica: Un-cle! UNCLE!

(In the moon Kingdom, an elderly man sneezes before whacking someone on the head with a karate chop)

(However, there is one person not enjoying it as much…)

(Shot of Kensuke, drinking a cup of coffee…)

* * * *

(A bit later in the evening, the group have just finished dinner and are about to leave, but Yukino joins them to offer them a choice…)

Yukino: Greetings, and how are we today?

(Mostly affirmative as Yukino continues)

Yukino: O.K…in the ballroom, we have a nice set-up for the teams. However, we’ve only got 6 openings. We need one of you who wouldn’t really fancy learning how to dance.

Akari: Dance?!

(The team are unsure, especially Chiriko. However…)

Kensuke: I’ll do it.

Yukino: Kensuke? You don’t want to dance?

Kensuke: Nah…Shinji told me how painful it was the training he did with Asuka. I’ll pass.

Yukino: Heh…that could be appropriate, but if the 4 lovely young ladies and two refined gentlemen come down to the ballroom with me, whilst I’ll deal with Kensuke in a bit.

(The team leaves, waving Kensuke goodbye, but a few talk about his decision…)

Haley: I’m a bit surprised about that.

Akari: You don’t think…

Duplica: …if you were the thinking the words ‘free’ and ‘pass’ I was way ahead of you.

Yukino: Never mind that, welcome!

(The ballroom is now lit by beautiful chandelers, and Haruka, Madoka…and a third person is there…one familiar to Rika…)

Rika: M-Mitsuki-sensei?

(Indeed, the third woman of the three is Kaho Mitsuki, the female teacher of CCS who is also a powerful magic user in her own right.)

(Kaho smiles, and the girls all agree on something…)

Akari: She’s beautiful!

(O.K Akari, settle down…^_^…Yukino begins to introduce the challenge.)

Yukino: Settle down guys. We’ve got a challenge to do, and it’s worth 5 thousand pounds. Our three teachers here will all be teaching you a various dance. In the time you have, you must perform a dance to end of a song, played by Mr. Winner and then Miss Amano here to, so that our judges enjoy it and feel it is passable. It will literally be a thumbs up or thumbs down. 2 out of 3 will be enough for you guys to win. Of course…there is the matter of pairing you guys up…

All: Huh?

Yukino: Why, it’s going to be a pairs dance of course! So pick your partner…and quick. (smiles evilly)

(It’s no surprise that Rika quickly takes Chiriko’s hand, with Haley the only boy left, Yolei quickly glomps him and doesn’t let go…much to his embarrassment. Which leaves…)

Duplica: No…

Akari: …way!

Yukino: Hey, you two seem inseperable anyway…or is there something else we shouldn’t know?

Duplica/Akari: WE’RE NOT LIKE THAT!!!

Yukino: (chuckles) Anyway, I’ve got to get going. I’ll be back later to see you guys later. You’ve got a couple of hours…I’ll leave them in your capable hands girls. Make sure they don’t get up to no good…(points at Akari/Duplica)…especially those two!

(Yukino leaves…)

Akari: Geez…

(Haruka approaches them)

Haruka: I wouldn’t suspect anything. After all, I wouldn’t mind approaching you pig-tails…

(Akari looks up, blushes, before freaking slightly…of course, Haruka is a girl but…well, judge yourselves…)

* * * *

(But meanwhile, Yukino returns to Kensuke, with a proposition.)

Yukino: Kensuke…you took the easy way out, but you could be the smart man. It’s time for the moral dilemma also known as the free pass.

Kensuke: Fire away.

Yukino: Tomorrow night, you’ll be all invited to a party. At one point at the party, there will be a…disturbance.

Kensuke: Disturbance?

Yukino: Yes…the challenge is basically staying in one place. However, if you run away by it, you lose the money. Simple basically. However, you’ll only win the free pass if you make sure that at least one other person also vacates the room.

Kensuke: (sighs) I see.

Yukino: I won’t spoil the surprise, but trust me…be careful out there. I suggest you think about it.

(Kensuke is left alone, to contemplate the choice…)

Kensuke: I said I wanted to win…so…

* * * *

(Now to the dance challenge. Chiriko and Rika will be learning the waltz, Yolei and Haley will be doing the foxtrot, whilst Akari and Duplica get the tango. It’s going to be a tough learning curve.)

(First, let’s take a look at Rika and Chiriko. Kaho appropriately is the teacher towards her former student)

Kaho: Just take it easy Rika. The steps revolve around the partner as much as you. 3 steps at a time, sweep round the room like you are gliding…

(Rika smiles and takes Chiriko’s hands…who is incredibly shy all of a sudden…)

Kaho: And don’t worry young man, I’ll lead you through it.

Chiriko: R-right!

(Rika however, is quite talented, and Chiriko seems to fall for her charming stride, and seems much more comfortable than you’d expect from someone from Ancient China)

Kaho: See, you’re getting it…now 1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3.

(Chiriko is relaxed, and you can see the smiles on their faces, it’s very…cute. However, whilst they may be ready to melt into each others embrace, Yolei and Haley are not co-ordinating as well…)

Haruka: Are we ever going to get started?

(Haruka is the teacher for the foxtrot, but there a few problems. The first being Haley’s nervousness, especially after what happened with Ken, and also…)

Yolei: Argh!

(…they are clumsy as heck.)

Haruka: (sighs) It’s a ballroom dance guys, a ballroom dance. At least have some dignity.

Haley: Sorry!

(Haruka decides to take the initiative and takes Haley’s hands. Haruka’s style of dancing seems to inject into Haley, and a la Usagi, seems to dance perfectly.)

Haruka: You see…slow, calm…4 second time, then quick. Slow, quick, quick, slow.

Haley: Wow…

Yolei: Hey, you hogged the time! My turn!

(As sweatdrops are plenty, Madoka is tango dancing with Akari and Duplica. However, the embarrassment is a bit more obvious…the two girls are embarrassed dancing with each other.)

Madoka: Don’t worry, I’m going to go flamenco on you, just a calm yet quick ballroom tango.

Akari: That’s not the problem! (looks at Duplica who’s blushing…) We’re girls!

Madoka: Haruka is a girl…she’s danced with females. I’m a girl, I’ve dance with Hikaru-chan and Akane-chan, there’s nothing wrong with it. Now…

(Madoka grabs the Cosmo Beauty’s hand, and drags Duplica to her. She forces the two to join.)

Madoka: Now…speed is the essence. Quick base movements are what is required for the tango. Now let’s prepare…

(Madoka leads by example, as the two girls are still pretty tense. However, slowly, they begin to get their systems worked out. Duplica at one point asks Akari if she should dress like a boy to make it easier. Akari shakes her head and Madoka sighs with relief.)

(Haruka finishes showing Yolei how to foxtrot, and she and Haley link up. The two are now moving a lot better together, and Haley seems to have lost his nervousness. Haruka is a miracle worker.)

(As for Kaho, she hasn’t had much to do because Rika and Chiriko seem to gel so well, that Chiriko’s non existant dancing knowledge has been cast aside by Rika’s fine lead.)

(However, will it be good enough?)

* * * *

(A couple of hours later, it’s time that their training was put to the test.)

(Yukino and Kensuke now join them in the ballroom as this challenge is about to come into fruition.)

(At the piano, Quatre waits whilst Misao sits by patiently with a shy smile. Kensuke tries not to stare at Madoka for too long before the challenge begins.)

Yukino: Well everyone, guys and girls, you had the opportunity to learn a form of dance today worthy enough of your teachers. Now, will it work?

(Yukino nods towards Quatre who starts to play some music.)

Yukino: The first couple up I believe will be Rika Sasaki and Ou Doukon, and they will be performing a classical waltz. So…

(Rika and Chiriko bow and head to the dance floor. To be worthy of the judges, the key factors are staying on their feet of course, but also to keep with the beat, (3 beats to a bar) and keep to the step taken (revolving round the room in a gliding motion)

(Rika and Chiriko take each others hands, and head to the centre. Rika is taking the lead, as Chiriko simply tries to follow Rika’s steps. However, Rika is a natural, and Chiriko seems to melt right into Rika’s dancing.)

Yukino: Wow…beautiful…

(Chiriko seems wrapped up in the moment, he nearly falls into Rika at one point, but the girl takes one strong step back and Chiriko recovers quickly enough. As the dance ends, there is applause from everyone around.)

Yukino: I don’t know how the judges found that, but I thought that was excellent. They will reveal their decision after the others have entered, so well done.

(Rika and Chiriko are still on the dance floor, staring at each other.)

Yukino: Er…guys?

(Fortunately, Rika manages to escape before Yukino gets angry, which also breaks Chiriko out of his trance.)

Yukino: ‘Bout time. Next one up, is Yolei Inuoe and Haley Mabiki with their version of a foxtrot.

(Yolei and Haley now have to perform a foxtrot. The key things they have to keep in mind is to keep with the beat of 4 in a bar, and combine slow with quick steps. Haruka is a good teacher…is she a miracle worker?)

(It seems…at least at first…she is. Yolei and Haley work well together and take gentle steps. (Probably Yolei’s dream of dancing with a cute boy after all…) However, it doesn’t end all smelling of roses.)

(At various points, Haley (who is taking the lead) seems to go too fast for Yolei to follow through. Yolei is trying hard, but Haley’s mistakes force her to try and make up. Near the end, however, the two get their act together and manage to regain the pace they got at the beginning…but was it enough?)

Yukino: Very well done guys…and as long as you don’t do the googly eyes thing, we should be O.K…

Yolei: Awwwww….

(As Haley murmurs something about not wanting Ken to hate him any more, Akari and Duplica now take the stage. The dance is tango. For the Cosmo Beauty and the aspiring actress…it’s definitely a new challenge.)

Yukino: Misao, you ready?

(Misao now on the piano, nods, and begins playing. The two girls have to remember to keep within the beat (2 beats to a bar), and keep fast movements to the rhythmic style.)

(Akari’s legendary klutziness comes into play early on as she trips early. However, she quickly regains and the two girls get surprisingly into the song with quick movements. For Akari, it’s basically an ice skating session whilst for Duplica, it’s either stunt or kata practice.)

(It’s slightly different though as it’s obviously that both girls are struggling to keep with each others pace, Akari seemingly going faster than Duplica. However, in the end, it seems O.K…but do the judges agree?)

Yukino: Well done ladies…and I thought you were going to suck…guess that shut me up…or did it?

Akari: Hey!

Yukino: (smiles) It’s now time for the judges decision. All three will vote with either a thumbs up or a thumbs down. The majority wins each vote. First of all, Rika and Chiriko were performing the waltz. Kaho, what was your decision?

Kaho: Well, I was teaching them and they seemed to work so well together that it wouldn’t have mattered what dance I taught them, they would have geled. Slight mistake at one time by the young man, but it wasn’t too noticable. Strong lead, good following and kept within the beat.

(Kaho flashes a thumbs up sign.)

Yukino: One in favour. Next is Haruka.

Haruka: I too, noticed how peaceful and gentle they looked and how well they worked together. That is the sign of a successful pairing. That’s all it needed.

(Haruka gives them the second thumbs up.)

Yukino: Yosha! That means no matter what Madoka gave them, the result is the same, but Madoka?

Madoka: Well, all I need to say was that it was near flawless. Brilliant for beginners.

(Thumbs up as Rika and Chiriko at least got the judges approval.)

Yukino: One up, two down. Next is the foxtrotting team of Haley and Yolei. Haruka, you first.

Haruka: I was disappointed with the way they played especially as I was the one that taught them, but they seemed to get round to focusing in the end. It was like watching them fight through to get to the last level. On that basis, plus they worked well enough…

(Haruka gives them the thumbs up.)

Yukino: If one more thumbs up happens, the challenge is won. Madoka?

Madoka: Sadly…I have to disagree. There were plenty of mistakes in that, plus both seemed to miss out on the beat more often that I expected. I have no choice…

(Madoka gives them the first thumbs down of the night)

Yukino: And there went the shut-out. But if Kaho gives them the thumbs-up, it’s still a victory! Miss Mitsuki?

Kaho: Unfortunately I’ll have to agree with Madoka. The disappointment was really in early mistakes and not keeping in sync with the partner, a major key to dancing which was shown in the first couple more than in this one. So…

(Kaho gives it the thumbs down. Haley and Yolei are quite disappointed.)

Yukino: So it goes down to our girl-girl combo. Madoka, you were training them, you go first, thoughts?

Madoka: I enjoyed this dance, they certainly had more enthusiasm than I expected they would. Yes, they made a few minor mistakes, but nothing damaging to the beat which really made the dance any less enjoyable. So…

(Madoka gives Akari and Duplica the thumbs up…)

Yukino: Kaho, give us your verdict. If it’s up, they win.

Kaho: Again, this was a nice dance to watch, but watching carefully, you could see how difficult it was for them, which shown in their few, but noticable mistakes. This is tough but…

(Kaho gives them the thumbs down. It comes down to the last vote…)

Yukino: And so, Haruka-san, it’s down to you. Verdict please.

Haruka: I agree with Kaho. Definitely a few mistakes which could have ruined the dance if it wasn’t for their working together. At times, I felt the girls didn’t sync with each other. On other times however it was excellent. In the end…

(Haruka pauses…and gives them the thumbs…up!)

Haruka: …it was just good enough for me to pass them.

(The team rejoices as Akari and Duplica hug…and then break apart ASAP.)

CHALLENGE COMPLETED

Yukino: Wow, you guys are on a roll here, Two challenges down, two completed. Maybe not with flying colours but as long as you get there, it doesn’t matter. Well done to our teachers and thank you to our lovely and not so lovely couples…and you now have permission to rest.

Yolei: That’s something I desperately wanted to hear…now where are the ice buckets?

Haley: Yolei! You were the one stepping on my feet!

Yolei: Yes…but you are not supposed to complain about it…

Haley: Oy vey…

Yolei: THAT’S MY LINE!

(As Haley seems to have quickly taken Ken’s spot in more ways than one, the others simply sweatdrop.)

Duplica: And they say there is more sanity in this game than Survivor…

Akari: At least it’s better than being attacked by Kris…

Rika: (smiles) As long as we’re getting along.

Chiriko: Define those words and I might agree with you.

Kensuke: (thinking) Yes…

(The night begins drawing to a close, so the guys and girls go to their rooms…for a bit of a chat…)

* * * *

(And the girls are talking about one pretty intimate subject…Chiriko.)

Yolei: (teasing) Come on Rika, it was so cute!

Akari: Shall we rip off the Slayers gag again?

Duplica: Nah…and Xelloss said he’d sue for gimmick infringement if we said anything secretive.

(Meanwhile, Rika is simply trying to deny, and failing in a big hurry…)

Rika: But…

Yolei: Oh come on, he was caught up in the dance like flies to a web.

Duplica: He did seem a bit dumbstruck by your charm Rika-chan…

Rika: (blushing in the dark) Oh guys…

Akari: Come on guys, let’s settle down…we still have to tease Chiriko tomorrow!

Duplica/Yolei: Right!

(Rika shakes her head but her giggles are clearly heard)

(Meanwhile, at the mens side, the conversation is all business…mostly.)

Kensuke: …if you think one of the girls is the mole, who and why?

Haley: I’m not sure really.

Kensuke: But if you had to risk your life on it?

Haley: I’d say…(pauses)…Rika.

Chiriko: Huh?

Haley: (sighs) I knew you’d react like that.

Chiriko: You think Rika could be the mole?

Haley: It’s a possibility. Chiriko, you are smart, but have you ever considered she could be?

(Chiriko turns…)

Chiriko: Yes.

Haley/Kensuke: Huh?

Chiriko: Yes…I’ve considered her as the mole…but…I…I just can’t believe it.

Kensuke: Poor guy.

Haley: Well…you have survived this long…

Chiriko: I guess…I’ve always had a few suspects, my main ones are Akari and Duplica at the moment.

Kensuke: Really? I’ve thought Duplica for a while as well…

* * * *

(The next day)

Yukino (VO): It’s a slow day, and their third challenge isn’t happening until the evening. So for now, they simply do what they want…

(Shot of the 7 outside in the swimming pool area. In the pool are Akari, Duplica and Haley, whilst enjoying a bit of sun are Rika, Yolei and Kensuke. Chiriko, getting some drinks, is probably being as casual as he ever could…I guess the Bermuda shorts help a bit…)

Yolei: And here comes GTC, Great Tutor Chiriko!

Chiriko: Hai!

(Chiriko hands everyone the drinks…Kensuke is trying hard to avoid his gaze to Akari in her swimsuit...fortunately the notes he’s reading are blocking anyone’s seeing if he has a nosebleed…)

Haley: I think we’re a little outclassed…

Duplica: And she says swimming is not her strongest event…

Yolei: Maybe cause she has more resistance than a few of her comprades…

Akari: NOT FUNNY!

(The team laugh as Akari emerges from the pool drying off. Rika is reading a book titled ‘Northern Lights’ as Chiriko peers next to her.)

Chiriko: Is that a text book?

Rika: (chuckles) No silly. It’s a book simply for reading and enjoying. It’s been translated into English…I’m seeing how far I can get through it.

(Chiriko, who can read English, steps behind her and kneels down translating.)

(Yolei looks on with puppy eyes…)

Yolei: So cute…

Kensuke: Geez…you’d think I’d have a nice time by the pool, but…I guess I’m more focused on the game than I thought…

Haley: Then what’s that red stuff on your textbook?

Kensuke: (sweatdrops) Er, nothing…

Duplica: Akari, over here!

(Akari joins the ditto girl as Duplica hands her a sundae. The two return to others, as Chiriko continues to get absorbed…)

Chiriko: I guess I never considered reading could be fun…I’ve always used it for work…

Rika: There is a lot in the future you can discover Chi-chan. I hope you will sooner than later.

(Chiriko seems nervous as his face is inches from Rika’s. It seems everlasting…and Yolei can’t stand it.)

Yolei: Geez!

(Yolei pushes Chiriko on the back, and by accident/coincidence, HE KISSES RIKA ON THE CHEEK!)

Chiriko: AHHHH! I’M SORRY! I’M SORRY!

Yolei: Ah, don’t be…

(Shot of Rika who is blushing, and has touched her hand to her cheek. Chiriko is about to run off but Rika stops him…)

Chiriko: Rika, please…I’m…

Rika: (smiling) It’s O.K. It’s fine…really…

(Rika pats the space, as Chiriko is obviously nervous, Yolei giggling with glee, and over by the other side…)

Akari/Duplica: BEAUTIFUL!!!

(Now Chiriko and Rika have matching red faces…)

* * * *

(It seems by the time the evening comes, Rika and Chiriko do still seem nervous around each other, but that will have to wait as the night’s challenge is about to begin…and don’t forget, Kensuke has a possible free pass awaiting for him.)

Yukino: Well, I hoped you enjoyed today, because tonight it’s back to business. I have a challenge for you…and it’s worth £10,000. Tonight, you get to enjoy your dancing skills and have fun with…some guests shall we say…

Haley: Guests?

Yukino: You’ll learn soon enough. The challenge is simple. Do not, under any circumstances, leave the room. 2 hours will go by, so if you need the toilet or anything, go now.

Akari: (confused) That’s it?

Yukino: Oh come on, you think it’s going to be that easy…oh don’t worry. It won’t be.

Chiriko: I really don’t like the way she said that….

Yukino: But first…

(Next scene is the guys and girls getting seperated…)

Yukino: GET CHANGED!

* * * *

(The girls and guys are now out, all with dinner party clothes. The guys are wearing tuxedos, although Chiriko seems a little uncomfortable. Of course…when the girls come by…)

Kensuke: Holy…

Haley: (blushing) Wow…

(Chiriko is speechless…)

(Akari is wearing a red dress which fits her figure well. She also has long velvet gloves on a pearl necklace, and whilst not used to it, seems to be enjoying it as she even has a fan for the occasion…)

(Duplica is wearing a violet strapless dress, which seems a bit big for her. It covers her body unlike Akari’s, fully, but the coup de grace is her hair is to it’s natural, long state.)

(Rika is wearing a dress similar to what she wears in the second movie recital. Yellow/gold, shoulder length, with an amber skirt reaching her ankles.)

(Yolei is wearing a lavender/blue dress and obviously has enjoyed making herself up with perfume and make-up. She’s also wearing special content lenses, and she is in fact quite pretty.)

(The guys are a bit dumbstruck. Kensuke feels the blood rushing to his nose, whilst Haley may need to borrow Akari’s fan. Chiriko simply stares at Rika, and immediately turns, too embarrassed after the earlier incident…)

Yukino: Score one for the girls! All right…you have 2 hours…but you’re not alone. Have fun kids!

(They enter the double doors of the ballroom…and are very pleasantly surprised.)

Kensuke: Shinji? You’re here!

(Yep, it’s time for the old ‘reunite with old friends’ challenge. First off Kensuke, as the anti-hero of Evangelion Shinji Ikari has a small smile on his face for his otaku chum...NOTE: More based on the manga Shinji, as he has at least more of a sense of humour and a bit more backbone than the anime version…)

Shinji: You’re still here Kensuke? Touji is wondering if there was any consiparacy against him…

Kensuke: …that, and Hikari’s giving him a few beatings.

Shinji: (blushing) That…sounded wrong.

(Meanwhile, Rika gets a big hug from a familiar face…Sakura Kinomoto!)

Rika: Sakura-chan!

Sakura: Konnichiwa, Rika-chan! Everyone is amazed how well you’re doing…

Rika: Have…Naoko-chan and Chiharu-chan…

Sakura: Hmmm! They’re back…but they both think you can win! We can talk about it as much as you want!

Rika: (nods) Hai!

(Akari’s face however tells the story…)

Akari: M-m-mother?

(Indeed, it’s Akari’s mother, Tomoe Midoh. However…there is a surprise for people not familiar with the story…)

Kensuke: SHE’S YOUR MOM?!

(Tomoe is in fact…the same age as Akari! I don’t want to spoil much of the BA saga, but let’s just say in the final 4 episodes…there are a few complications…especially as Tomoe was in fact dead….I won’t say any more.)

Tomoe: (hyper, ditzy voice…think Yurika on helium) Hello there, it’s great to be here with my lovely cute daughter Akari, and all her little friends here!

Duplica: You have to explain this to us later Akari…

Akari: Trust me…it’ll take longer than 2 hours…

(For Duplica, she smiles and gets a hug from her Poke-vivor crime partner/boyfriend, Richie Williams. For those who didn’t read it, Duplica and Richie got together and the survivors and this are in the same canon…)

Duplica: Miss me?

Richie: It’s been a bit hectic preparing for the Johto League, but I think I’m ready. But I had to see you…going to go farther than final 4?

Duplica: (smile) Maybe…

(Chiriko on the other hand, gets a hug from the person you’d least expect…Tasuki! NOTE: After…let’s say something happens to Chiriko…it becomes obvious that Tasuki cared a fair bit for the youngster, proved in the last two episodes as well, so it might not be as surprising as it appears…)

Tasuki: Chiriko…I can’t believe you’re still here, but man, this new world thing really gets to you. How the heck have you survived here?

Chiriko: Oh, it’s hasn’t been too difficult Tasuki-san. But I thought you were on the moon…

Tasuki: Hmm…come to think about it…

(We ignore the whole ‘dimensional universe plot-hole’ for the time being as we see Yolei gets a big hug however from her ‘sister’ Mimi Tachikawa.)

Mimi: Wow, I’d like never think you’d have done this well Yolei!

Yolei: You expected anything less? I strive to be the best! Perfecto!

(Of course, Mimi is getting a bit of attention from Kensuke…and to a lesser extent, Shinji. Which leaves…)

Haley: K-K-Kanjou?

(In my contract, it states that ‘In every Chromus fic, there must be either a) an Ukyo Kuonji, b) an Ichino Yanagida or c) a Ruri Hoshino present in at least one chapter.’ (It also goes on to say about subsititutes, how many times the author can be killed, and that there can only be 5 jokes at Serena’s expense per fic.) As the first two are still on the Moon (and ruining a challenge for me next chapter, THANK YOU VERY MUCH DRAGON! (Just kidding), it leaves…)

Ruri: Hello there Haley-kun.

(A 16 year old Ruri Hoshino is also there…and if Kensuke was infatuated before…)

Kensuke: (whispering) God, she’s gorgeous…she’s a bit like Rei but…

Shinji: You’ve got no chance…

Kensuke: Wait, is this the girl Haley was on about with Ken…(sigh) I guess I must run away…

(Haley is near tears, but Ruri puts a hand on his shoulder and gives him a small, yet tender smile.)

Ruri: I’ve missed you.

Haley: (crying) I-I’ve missed you too captain…

(Haley obviously wants to hug her…and again…)

Yolei: Not another one…

(Yolei AND Mimi push Haley into Ruri. He doesn’t kiss her, rather falls into her arms in a hug. Ruri doesn’t retaliate, but doesn’t reject either. She simply sighs.)

Ruri: And I was hoping not to call anyone an idiot. Oh well…

* * * *

(The night is under way, and still nothing suspicious to the challenge. The music is being played as Quatre (on piano) and Madoka (on voice) work the rhythms. Duplica and Richie were the first to the dance floor, whilst now Tasuki’s teasing of him and Rika now lead to Chiriko nervously asking to apologise to Rika…)

Rika: (smiles) Now what apology would that be?

Sakura: Hoe? Whose this Rika-chan?

Rika: Sakura-chan, met Chi-chan, also known as Chiriko.

Sakura: CHI-CHAN?

Chiriko: (blushes) Ummm…that’s Rika-san’s name for me. My real name is Ou Doukon, but everyone calls me by my celestial name Chiriko.

Sakura: Celestial?

Chiriko: It’s a long story. (realising he has to do something) Oh, um…Rika-san…

Rika: Hmmm?

Chiriko: (nervous) Can…I…can…I…

Rika: (nods) Of course.

Chiriko: You knew…

(Rika just smiles and takes Chiriko’s hand. Sakura waves them on, asking about if she can have a dance after. Chiriko is trying to apologise…)

Chiriko: …Yolei just pushed me, it wasn’t my fault, I didn’t mean to…I’m so sor…

(Rika leans over and gives Chiriko a peck on the cheek. Chiriko is stunned…)

Rika: (smiles) We’re even. Next time…ask. Ne?

(Chiriko does the same as Rika, blushing and putting his hand to his cheek. He smiles shyly, ignoring Tasuki’s hooting…(and subsequent mallet smash from Duplica), and they continue dancing.)

(Akari, Tomoe and Kensuke have gone for a dance, mainly because of pleading from Kensuke. Meanwhile, Yolei and Mimi have also gone up for a high-tempo dance, as Haley needs to see if he can attempt the impossible…)

Haley: Um…kanjou?

Ruri: Yes?

Haley: Um…would it…um…would it be O.K if we…erm…

(Haley goes all shy)

Ruri: Do you want to dance Haley-kun?

Haley: EEEPPP! (recovers slightly) No…I mean no it’s O.K kanjou, I’m sorry I brought it up…I…

Ruri: I will. Everyone else seems to be doing so, I will as well.

(Ruri takes Haley’s hand, much to the boy’s embarrassment. The two head out. Whilst neither are dancers, it’s just simple walking to the music, which is still enough for Haley to be in the clouds.)

Shinji: I guess Kensuke met some nice people then…

(Suddenly, Yolei and Mimi return, and begin playing tug of war with Shinji…)

Yolei: Come on, you can’t just sit here, you’re dancing!

Mimi: Not if I beat you to it!

(Shinji is a bit stunned…)

Shinji: (to himself) I musn’t run away, I musn’t run away…

(Eventually, Yolei wins, whilst Mimi asks/flirts with Tasuki. Of course, Tasuki being Tasuki (i.e. ‘he doesn’t like girls.’ Yeah right…you obviously haven’t seen what happens in the first OVA…) is rejecting, but relents, just wandering what this ‘dancing’ is about. If Chiriko can do it…)

Mimi: You’re the worst dance partner I know!

(Tasuki gets up after about the 10th time tripping up. O.K, if Chiriko can do it…Tasuki can mess it up.)

* * * *

(An hour gone, and people are still wondering the points to the challenge. Kensuke in particular…)

Duplica: Is it just me or is the challenge just seeming pointless?

Akari: I’d agree with you there…

Yolei: There has to be something to cause us to do so…

Chiriko: I’d guess it would be a bit later…

(With the music gone, they are simply now resting and talking. Anime soda makes some of them a bit more hyper than normal…)

Kensuke: Shinji, as long as Asuka hasn’t killed you, you’re life can be fine. I mean, you’re an Eva pilot for Christ sake!

Shinji: I know…but I never asked to be a pilot.

Kensuke: Then can I take your place? I already begged that Quatre guy and Haley about being part of their robots, but it didn’t work.

Shinji: (sigh) That’s the…what 715th time?

Kensuke: Hang on a sec….(check a diary). ‘Today, Shinji rejected by the 982nd time.’ A bit off…

Shinji: (sweatdrops) Oh boy…

(Meanwhile…)

Tomoe: …so basically, that’s what happened with the Nerimians, and now I’m here, alive and well!

Akari: If only you’d get back to being your original age!

Tomoe: Oh…but I’m SOOOOOO much cuter at this age! I like it much better!

Akari: You may like it, but I don’t!

Tomoe: Oh Akari-dear, when did you become such a moaner? A Cosmo Beauty shouldn’t behave like this…and I want you to call me mom!

Akari: Mother….you are being way too unreasonable.

Tomoe: Reason this! (eyelid/tongue)

(As mother and daughter try to kill each other, Rika and Chiriko seem much more comfortable now. Shot of the two holding hands much to Sakura’s cute eyes, and Tasuki’s chuckling.)

Sakura: Wow Rika-chan, I never expected you to be with such a cute boy…I mean, I th…(covers mouth)

(Fortunately, Chiriko was talking with Tasuki so didn’t hear that…)

Sakura: Gomen!

Rika: (smiles) It’s O.K Sakura-chan. I’ve been trying to work out my feelings on everything…(sighs)…I’ll guess I’ll know after it’s all over.

Tasuki: Wow Chiriko, never expected you to be like this…

Chiriko: I don’t think I did either…it was just…something…

Tasuki: Geez…13 and you sound more grown up than me…

(Finally…)

Ruri: So, everyone is here from different times and places. Not via boson jump then like Tenkawa-san did?

Haley: No…I was transported here by a girl…Skuld I believe…

Ruri: There are still many things even I don’t understand.

Duplica: Ah. So this is the famous Ruri then?

(Shot of Duplica and Richie joining them.)

Haley: Er…yes?

Ruri: You’ve been…talking about me?

Richie: I’m dreading to think what Ditzy here has been telling you about m…(whack)…ow!

Duplica: Ixnay on the Ditz-ay!

Haley: Sorry kanjou…nothing bad, you know me…I would never do that!

(Haley seems quiet…until Ruri smiles slightly.)

Ruri: Thank you.

* * * *

(After another round of dancing and enjoying themselves, there are still wondering about the challenge…and then…)

Tomoe: And so I said…

(KA-BOOM!)

????: Get back here!

????-????: Oh, you know I love playing with you!

????: I’M TRYING TO KILL YOU!

????-????: I know, but it’s fun!

????: Damn you, you android-cat girl!

(Insert the prob. Two hyper androids who only seem to know how to blast things into smithereens. There are Eimi and Nuku-Nuku, the two android females from the anime All Purpose Cultural Cat-Girl Nuku-Nuku. As the title suggests, Nuku is an android with a cat’s brain in it, (plus she’s pretty drop dead gorgeous) whilst Eimi, the smaller android, seems to have only one purpose, to destroy Nuku. Of course, Nuku being the cat-brain, thinks it’s fun playing cat and mouse.)

(And now, their super capabilites are going to cause Chromus to get his wallet out….unknown to the guests, the ‘weapons’ used are non-violent to humans, and are specifically only to use against each other. (Just as cat-nip bombs and heater rays) However, will the guests panic and flood the door?)

(The first missile from Eimi, which Nuku jumps, floors the arena with smoke. However, it’s freaked a few people out…)

Tomoe: ALL HANDS ON DECK, WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST!

(Fortunately, it’s just the contestants rather than the guests which have to escape as Tomoe’s run outside takes approximately 1.7 seconds.)

Chiriko: This is modern technology?

Tasuki: We have to survive this?

(Tasuki gets out his fan …)

Tasuki: REKKA SHINEN!

(His flame attack heads towards Nuku…who shrugs it off…)

Nuku: Hey, I don’t like my circuits being overheated…(glares at him)

Tasuki: Help?

(One kick and he’s blasting off again…taking the initiative, the other guests (including Quatre and Madoka) head out of dodge, Sakura was tempted to use a Clow Card, but with Rika there, cannot. The others now have to stay for 15 minutes in this…)

Eimi: I’LL GET YOU CAT GIRL!

Nuku: Come and get me!

(Kensuke has no time to be distracted by Nuku as he has to somehow convince one of them to get out of there…)

Yolei: How the heck…

(A cat nip bomb explodes near her…which makes Nuku go all drowzy…)

Eimi: *evil laugh* Ha ha! Now I’ve found your weakness cat-girl, I can destroy you…if only my weapons didn’t suck…damn casting job!

(Duplica jumps on the state, nearly trips on her dress, as Akari joins her, looking ahead…)

Duplica: What’s the safest place?

Akari: Up?

(They look up to the ballroom height. A chandelier has been broken in the onslaught…but above there are platforms and a boarding walk where they can stand.)

Akari: Get them here!

Duplica: (sweatdrops) Oh sure…no problem…

(Haley, Chiriko and Rika are busy trying to hide in a corner, not a smart move as they are trapped…Yolei is busy coughing badly from the smoke/cat nip bomb…and it isn’t helped when Nuku glomps her under the influence of cat-nip…)

Nuku: Miaow! (licks her on the cheek)

Yolei: GROSS!

(Eimi turns their attention to them to blast them…)

Yolei: NOOOO!!!!

(Yolei slips free fortunately just before Eimi can annihilate them. Now Nuku has jumped on Eimi and rolling. Kensuke hiding under some chairs…)

Kensuke: Damn…why can’t that be me? Oh wait…they’re trying to kill each other…

Duplica: Everyone!

(Haley is the first to react, and rushes over. Akari puts her hands in a springboard position and Haley is nervous…)

Akari: Just grab the platform when I throw you up. If you fall, we’ll catch you…

Haley: God save my broken body…

(Haley gets a boost from Akari as Haley clings on. He manages to climb onto the platform as Duplica calls over Rika and Chiriko…)

(…which brings all three into the line of fire of Eimi.)

Duplica: Crap.

(Eimi fires…just as Yolei and Duplica knock Rika and Chiriko out of the way respectively.)

Yolei: Owww…you guys all right?

Rika: I think so…(slightly twiches)…

Chiriko: Rika?!

Rika: I think a piece of debris caught me on the leg…

Duplica: Come on, let get you here…hey, wait, where’s Kensuke?

Kensuke: Here…get up there!

(Kensuke emerges as he joins them.)

Kensuke: Duplica, get them up Akari. I’ll help with Rika…

Chiriko: No! I’ll stay with her!

Kensuke: Chiriko…please…

Rika: I’ll be fine Chi-chan, don’t worry…

Chiriko: (nervous) ‘Kay.

(Duplica herds Haley, Yolei and a reluctant Chiriko to where Akari is, leaving Kensuke and Rika alone to face the music…)

Kensuke: Can you stand?

Rika: Just…but I can’t move my leg up a bit…

(Shot of Rika leg, which is bleeding. Kensuke sighs.)

Kensuke: Let’s…

Rika: Huh?

Kensuke: Let’s get you out of here.

(Kensuke…picks up Rika, who doesn’t complain. And going round the side of the feuding androids...he exits through the main door. Rika not once asks him to turn back.)

(And the others are stunned…)

Akari: What the…

Duplica: No, he’s ruined it!

CHALLENGE FAILED

(As the challenged ends, Akiko Natsume quickly enters and puts a magnet based ‘ward’ on Eimi, stopping her controls…although not her mouth…)

Eimi: (being dragged away) This isn’t over yet cat-girl!

Nuku: (smiling) I know…until next time!

(For this challenge, there isn’t a next time for the team…)

* * * *

Yukino: Well…left, and what a mess. Not just for the author and the hotel, but for you guys…you lost the challenge when Kensuke helped Rika outside the main door after she was hurt.

(Shot of Rika with a bandage around the cut she received. However, the others are very disappointed…)

Yukino: However…Kensuke does receive something. You see…when he excused himself out of the dance challenge, he was offered a free pass…IF he could get at least one other person out of the room within the 2 hours. Now, whilst it was unfortunate that Rika got hurt and that was the reason, it’s still a challenge, so Kensuke…you get a ticket to the final 6.

(Kensuke bows his head, the others are not happy…)

Yukino: And straight after this, there is a quiz tonight, and we’ll be leaving the Hotel as soon as it’s done. You’re guests will be with you as well to witness your humiliation…I mean your victories…and another one will go. Of course, we know Kensuke won't be the one. So…I leave you with the scripts, your dignity, and whatever you are about to say.

(Yukino leaves, as Kensuke is ready for anything…)

Kensuke: If you’re going to say anything, just say it…

Yolei: Not really…just surprised. That’s one way to win an easy free pass…

Akari: Just…why?

Kensuke: (sighs) I’m alone now. You guys are much closer than I am…which means that the only way for me to get noticed is to win this thing. And I intend to. If I get another chance, I’ll take it. I’m determined, I don’t care what hell I have to go through.

(Kensuke leaves, exempt as the others sigh…)

Rika: I’m sorry…I should have stopped him.

Chiriko: It’s O.K…you were hurt, he just took advantage of that fact.

Duplica: Come on guys…let’s get it over with…

Haley: Yeah…

(The other six however have the quiz to deal with…)

* * * *

* * * *

(At the lobby of the Ritz, Yukino brings in 6 people with their belongings. One of them will be going tonight. Waiting with them are their guests)

Yukino: Right…well with the Ritz on our heads for destruction of property, we’d better get this over as quickly as possible. I type, it green, you stay, it red, you go. Right?

(Yukino gets ready)

Yukino: Kensuke is immune and cannot go tonight. So we’ll start with…Yolei.

(Yolei nods. ‘YOLEI’.)

(Flashes green. Yolei sighs, as Haley and her high five. Yolei and Mimi hug as Yukino smiles.)

Yukino: Haley.

(The Nadesico rep is nervous. Ruri is stone-faced, but touches his hand which he barely notices. ‘HALEY.’)

(Flashes green. He’s safe as Ruri smile slightly and grips his hand. Haley has a beaming smile.)

Yukino: Rika.

(Sakura clutches Rika’s hand as Rika hopes that 3 CCS casualties are not on the cards…’RIKA’)

(They aren’t. Flashes green. Sakura and Rika hug.)

Yukino: 3 down, 3 to go. Next…Chiriko.

(Chiriko is nervous now as Rika now holds his hand. ‘CHIRIKO.’)

(Flashes green. Chiriko is safe, Rika smiles, all is happy…which means…)

Yukino: I guess it’s one of you two, breaking up the friendship.

(Shot of Akari and Duplica, who are now scared. They clutch each others hand.)

Yukino: Akari.

(Akari can’t bare to see, especially with her mother around. Duplica holds Richie’s hand as the verdict awaits. ‘AKARI’.)

(Flashes….red.)

(Akari looks ready to cry, but doesn’t.)

Yukino: Miss Kanzaki, we have to go…

Akari: I knew my luck with tests wouldn’t last forever…

(Kensuke is solemn with Shinji as Akari gets her stuff. She hugs Yolei, as Yolei is crying as well. She then hugs Haley, Chiriko, Rika and then a big one for Duplica, as the ditto girl is crying as well. When she gets to Kensuke, she hesitates…but finally hugs him. Kensuke is feeling pretty low now…)

Akari: (wiping tears) Bye everyone…

(Even Tomoe isn’t her usual self, finally realising a bit of seriousness. Of course, as they leave, it doesn’t last long…)

Tomoe: HOW COULD YOU LOSE, YOU’RE A COSMO BEAUTY?

Akari: WELL MOTHER, I NEVER SAID I WAS THE SMARTEST!

Tomoe: YOU’RE FATHER SAID YOU WAS A GENIUS!

Akari: NOT LIKE THAT!

(And the 6 remaining have to laugh…Yukino smiles and shakes her head and follows them out.)

(Shot of Yukino, Akari and Tomoe exiting. There is however someone other than Skuld waiting them…but for now…)

Yukino: You upset?

Akari: A little…but I won’t cry about it. I did as well as I could, and the mole got the better than me. (smiles) The mole beat a Cosmo Beauty…that’s something to be proud of.

Yukino: What will you miss?

Akari: I’ll just miss everyone here, they are a great bunch of people, and it seemed more of a normal life than I expected. I enjoyed many of the challenges…but warn me next time you bring my cast for one of the challenges!

Yukino: (chuckles) Will do!

* * * *

(As Akari and the others head out…)

???????: Aw nuts…I didn’t want to believe it as well…

(Shot of the author, Chromus, heading towards them…)

Yukino: Hey, what you doing here?

Chromus: All the results from the exam get posted into my computer via satellite connection on the moon. When I learned Akari got the lowest, I had to come here.

Akari: How come?

Chromus: Akari…a friend of yours is now competiting on the Moon Kingdom…but she has no support. (smiles) Wanna cheer Itchan?

Akari: Itchan? At the moon? (excited) Sure! How come she’s there…

Chromus: Long story…I’ll tell you about it on the way…

(As Akari and Chris leave…)

Tomoe: WHAT ABOUT ME?!

* * * *

And thus ends a long…and rather upsetting chapter for me because of Akari’s elimination.

I think I set out to do what I hoped when the polls came in, that was introduce Akari to the masses. Her popularity in the polls (along with Chiriko) showed that it seemed to have worked, but sadly, she’s gone.

Akari was also a constant name in the ‘Who is the mole’ question so that may leave a few of you needing to change your picks…gomen nasai!

So 6 left. So who is going to win it? I don’t mind hearing your opinions on who will win…and even who you think is the mole and your reasons why, so R & R please!

Until next week!