"Mystery Solvers" - written by Freedom Fighter Last time... Ten detectives arrived in the town of Gullible Gulch, Arizona. And right off the bat, the older kids began to take charge. In some cases, that was a good thing. In others, not so good. But all of them were instantly able to gauge who would be capable of doing what. Too bad the suspects didn't all line up like ducks so that they could be picked out. Barely half of the suspects have crossed paths with the detectives in just two days, leaving little evidence as to who the thief is. Going on tons of early speculation, the detectives put what they knew to the test. And Bobby Hill proved he had yet to get up to speed on the case, because he was the first detective to be sent home. 9 detectives and 20 suspects remain. Tonight, another detective goes home. ====== Mystery Solvers Fanfic Reality Series written by Freedom Fighter Hosted by Christian Tangera 'Remaining' Detective Line-up: - Chang Wufei, Gundam Wing - Eliza Thornberry, The Wild Thornberrys - Gary Oak, Pokémon: Master Quest - Kim Possible, Kim Possible - Mokuba Kaiba, Yu-Gi-Oh! - Penny Proud, The Proud Family - Raye Hino, Sailor Moon - Terry McGinnis, Batman Beyond - Zoe Orimoto, Digimon Frontier Fanfic Rating: Will be PG throughout most of the duration, but there may be a PG-13 element added later on. Disclaimer: The animated characters that are participating in this fanfic are assigned specific roles that may portray them differently than what you're used to seeing from them. All events are carefully staged and planned out. No one was seriously hurt during the production of this fanfic. Any similarities between real people, places, and things are totally coincidental. The show's host was created by the author himself and may not be used by anyone else without permission from me. None of the characters belong to me; they belong to their respective production companies and shows. ====== Episode Two - What's Up with the Women? (12.03.02) Mokuba: (CC) When Chris said that Bobby was going home, I wasn't surprised. Obviously, solving this mystery takes a whole lot more thinking than I'm used to doing. Penny: (CC) I'm thinking that I would have done better if I would have followed the notes I shared with Kim. That coulda been me walking out! Kim: (CC) I feel confident about this already. But I'd better check out all of the angles before committing to who my lead suspect will be. Terry: (CC) I may have to step things up if I'm to stay in the game. I have a feeling everyone's going to be more protective of what info they give out. ====== [Location: Gullible Gulch - Outside of Team Headquarters Date: Friday, October 25th, 2002 (Day 3) Time: 10:00 a.m. PT] Mokuba and Eliza were sitting outside, discussing their strategy for the day. Mokuba: We have to make sure that what happened to Bobby doesn't happen to us. Eliza: Yeah. Besides, I'm not ready to go home yet. I'm having a great time and making new friends. Mokuba: This is just a game, Eliza. Everyone's trying to survive. A simple friendship won't save you if you do bad on the quizzes. Eliza: I'm sure I'll be able to handle it. Besides, I feel good about today. I feel like everything's going to go our way. Mokuba: You're going to share everything you find out, right? Eliza: As long as you share what you have, that's fine. Mokuba and Eliza shook hands before heading back inside. ====== Inside the lobby, off in a corner of the room, Raye had her notebook open as she leafed through what she had in it so far. And she didn't seemed to be too pleased. Raye: My hunches must've been way off. How did I come so close to getting kicked off? As Raye made some changes, she noticed that Wufei had appeared behind her and was looking over her shoulder. Raye: (leaning over to hide the book) Hey! What's the big idea? Can't you ask for help instead of trying to peek at people's notes? Raye closed the book and stomped off, heading to her room on the second floor. Wufei's face grew serious as he turned and walked away. ====== [Time: 10:30 a.m.] Up by the stage, a TV and VCR were set up for yet another video. Next to the A/V cart was a portable bulletin board, which had stapled to it pictures of the twenty suspects. The nine remaining detectives took their seats as Chris entered, prepared to give them their briefing for the day. Chris: Good morning, detectives. Ready to tackle the case today? Zoe: This isn't going to require us running around town again, is it? Chris: What else did you expect, Miss Orimoto? Now then, it seems that the thief is onto us. Kim: Already? We're not even remotely closely to pinning the guy yet! Gary: This better not be some kind of joke. Chris: No joke, I assure you. About half an hour ago, Sheriff Lightyear walked into his office and found this mysteriously sitting on his desk. He showed them a black videotape with no label. Chris: After screening it, Buzz decided to give it to me so that you could also see it. It seems that the thief is sending us a message of some sort. Chris slipped the tape into the VCR and turned on the TV. The tape began to play automatically. At first, it looks like as if the tape itself is also blank. But then a streak of light appears. A streak of green light. Several green-colored glow sticks are placed a few feet from the camera. The sticks illuminated the room just enough so that one of the walls and part of the floor became visible. And then a strange figure, covered all over so that no one could tell if it was male or female, appeared and sat down in front of the camera. Mystery Figure: (friendly-like) Hello there, detectives! I'm the mastermind you're seeking. Wouldn't you like to know who I am? The figure chuckled heartily. Mystery Figure: If you haven't figured it out yet, then you shouldn't be here! You city slickers don't know what you're getting yourself into. The kid who left yesterday was probably the smartest one of the bunch! He knew better than to stay here and try to catch me! He/she then produced a photo of Bobby Hill, the detective sent home last night, and promptly tore it in two. Mystery Figure: King of the Hill, huh? He's just the penniless pauper of the desert now! As the thief chuckled again, it was obvious by now that most of the detectives weren't pleased at all with his/her taunting. Mystery Figure: He's just lucky he won't end up like her. (holds up a picture of Sally) Cute little thing, isn't she? She won't be if you kids don't skip town now! You're putting her life in danger, as well as your own! The thief threw the picture aside and readjusted the camera so that it was closer to his/her face. Mystery Figure: What's wrong? Stubborn enough to stick around? Fine. I'd better at least help you out, because there's no way you're going to figure out my identity with your puny human intellects. He/she pushed the camera back to show that he/she had a stack of photos on a nearby table. Picking the stack up, the mysterious figure leafed through them before taking hold of a photo and holding it picture-side towards him/her up to the camera. Mystery Figure: I can't stick to walls or swing around town. And I don't need to wear tights to mask myself when I want to save people. Though it's obvious I'm not trying to save anyone. (turns the picture over) Peter Parker... he's not me! But I could be one of nineteen other suspects! Am I male? Am I female? Am I short? Am I tall? By the time you find out, it'll be too late! Ha ha ha ha ha! The figure laughed out loud for about fifteen seconds straight before the tape finally ended. The detectives muttered amongst themselves as Chris stopped the tape and then went over to the suspect board. He pulled out a red marker and put a giant red 'X' over Peter's photo. Penny: That creep isn't sick and twisted enough to actually kill somebody, is he? Chris: (shrugs his shoulders) Who knows? And who's to say he's a he? What if she's a she? And to him or her, maybe it's not sick and twisted. Penny: Alright already, I get the idea! Raye: We need to catch this thief before something bad happens! Wufei: (with his arms crossed over his chest) If something bad hasn't happened already. Chris: If something bad did happen, we'd know it about it. Anyway, I think it's time we get serious. Mokuba: I thought we were serious about this whole thing! Chris: Well, we need to get more serious. I need to put someone in charge. Someone who knows what he or she is doing. Chris reached into his pocket and pulled out a small trench coat pin. Chris: On the morning after a quiz, I will assign someone to be team leader. The team leader has two responsibilities, which I'll go over throughout the course of the next few days. The person who has the best cumulative score on the quizzes becomes the team leader. You can be team leader more than once, but never in consecutive phases. He took a step towards the group as he looked everyone else. Chris: Usually, I'll just walk right up to the person who deserves the honor of being team leader. But on the first quiz, we had a tie for the highest scorer. In case of any ties, the team leader is the one who has the fastest time average. And today, the winner of that tie is... Chris walked over and stopped right in front... Chris: Miss Possible. Kim: (surprised, jumps out of her seat) Wha? Me? Chris: (handing her the pin) Kim, you have the honor of being the game's first team leader. Congratulations. Kim: (taking the pin) Thanks, Chris. The rest of the detectives, except for Gary and Wufei, applauded as she put the pin on her right shoulder strap. Kim: (turning to face the others) Gee... I just hope I don't steer all you guys down the wrong path. Terry: (smiles) You'd never do something like that anyway. Kim: Oh, yeah! Of course. As Kim sat back down, she spotted out of the corner of her eye a very unhappy Wufei, who seemed to be glaring a hole through her. Kim: (to herself) I wonder what's his ish? Chris: Kim's going to get to put her leadership abilities to the test right away, as today we have three new sites for you guys to check out. As well as three possible suspects to question. Chris pulled the suspect board closer so that everyone could see it. He then pointed to the picture of Bubbles Utonium. Chris: Thanks to Terry and Raye, we found out yesterday that Bubbles is being held for beating up one of the potential suspects. Today, three of you will go to the sheriff's office. Sheriff Lightyear is giving you the opportunity to question her. Find out what she knows, if she has any motives, and if she's the thief, as per usual. He then pointed to the picture of Sakura Kinomoto. Chris: This is the girl Bubbles beat up. Junior cheerleader Sakura Kinomoto. When Bubbles found her, Sakura was holding a very large wad of money. Miss Kinomoto was locked up because she was thought to be the main suspect in the thief. Now, the sheriff isn't so sure. Today, he let her go. Two of you will head to Sakura's house and question her there. Finally, Chris directed the group's attention to the photo of Botan. Chris: Botan is the camerawoman for the film 'The Princess and the Pirate,' which is being taped on the north end of town. She is the one that found the sack full of the stolen items in a cave south of town. Three of you will need to go down there to check the cave out themselves. Chris then walked back over to Kim and motioned for her to stand up. Which she did rather quickly. Chris: Kim, this is where you come in. Your main role as team leader is to delegate which of your fellow detectives handle which task. Pick wisely, because for this entire phase of the investigation, you will not be allowed to leave the inn. Kim: What? You mean I can't help? Chris: (shook his head) Nope. You just have to hope that some of your fellow detectives are willing to share information with you. So, I hope you've made a lot of friends these first two days, because now you'll have to put your trust in them. Kim scratched her head as she tried to decide who to send where. Chris: Now Kim, which three detectives do you want to send to the sheriff's office? Kim: (after thinking for a second) Let's have Gary, Mokuba, and Wufei do that one. The three guys looked at each other oddly. Chris: Okay. So which two will you send to Sakura's house? Kim: That one's easy. Raye and Terry should go. After all, you two worked so well together yesterday. Terry: Thanks... I think. Raye: That's fine by me. Chris: That just leaves the cave south of town. By default, you'll be sending Eliza, Penny, and Zoe. Kim: Okay, that sounds right. You girls okay with that? Zoe: (smiles) A-ok! Chris: Any changes you want to make before you send them out? Kim thought for a minute before shaking her head. Kim: No. We'll leave them like this for today. Chris: Good. (to the others) You can get your notebooks and head off whenever you guys are ready. The detectives prepared for their daily excursion. Kim: (CC) I don't know if I approve of this whole 'sit back and relax' thing. That's not what leaders do. I'd rather be out there, not spending the day here. It's so dullsville. Gary: (CC) I didn't buy the whole surprised act at all. The only time I'm going to accept a look of surprise on her face is the day she gets sent home! ====== [Location: Sheriff's Office Time: 10:42 a.m.] Gary, Mokuba, and Wufei glanced into the sheriff's office, but to their surprise, no one seemed to be there. Mokuba: (shouting) Hello! Anybody here? Wufei: This is inexcusable. An officer of the law shouldn't leave the place wide open like this! Gary: We'd better be careful. It may be a trap. The trio tiptoed in, none of them bothering to close the door behind them. Gary and Mokuba searched around the sheriff's desk while Wufei snuck over towards the hallway leading back to the jail cells. And wouldn't you know it... the silence is broken by the wind slamming the front door shut. Mokuba: (loudly) Aaaaaahhhh... Gary: (quickly covering Mokuba's mouth) Shush! Voice: (coming from the back) Who's there? Gary pushed Mokuba under the sheriff's desk. He then stood by it so that no one could see Mokuba hiding. Wufei: (yelling) Come out where we can see you! Voice: (yelling back) How do I know you won't shoot me? Wufei: (yelling) I'm not afraid of you! Put your weapon down on the ground and come out here with your hands up! Wufei and the others waited for a minute. Nothing happened. Until the man waiting for them jumped out and pulled a gun out, instantly opening fire on Wufei. Well, he would have opened fire had the gun actually had any bullets in it. Wufei: Wait a minute... you're the deputy! Spike: (shaking the gun) I thought these things were supposed to have bullets in them. (looks at Wufei) Yes, I'm Deputy Spike Spiegel. Wufei: (angrily) How come you didn't answer us when we asked if anyone was here? Spike: (scratches his head) I guess I didn't hear you. What do you want? Gary and Mokuba appeared right next to Wufei, surprising Spike a little bit. Spike: Just how many of you are here? Mokuba: Just us three, sir. We're here to question a girl named Bubbles. Spike: It takes three people to question one little girl? Wufei: I'm only here 'cause I was told to do so! I wouldn't be here if it weren't for that woman. Spike: Girl troubles, huh? Gary: Look, are you gonna let us talk to this girl or not? Spike: Straight to the point, I see. Fine then. He waved for them to come towards him. The trio did as they were told. When they reached Spike's side, they peered around the corner and saw a row of jail cells, three in all. And in the middle one was a blonde haired little girl with a blue dress on, sitting on the lone bench in the cell. Wufei: (raising an eyebrow) This is a joke, right? Mokuba: I'm taller than she is! You mean she's the one that beat up that other girl? Gary: It doesn't make any sense. Spike: It makes perfect sense. She's stronger than she looks. Don't underestimate her. Gary approached the cell carefully, getting more nervous by the second as he saw that Bubbles was following his movement across the room. Gary: Bubbles, right? Bubbles: (lowering her head) Yes, that's me. And I did a bad thing. Gary: We're here to figure out if there's any truth to that. Bubbles: (cheering up) Really? You mean you're going to get me out of here? Bubbles sprinted over to the jail bars and started happily jumping up and down. Bubbles: (getting faster with each word) Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! Gary: Settle down! Gee, you're too hyper for your own good. Bubbles: (stops jumping and speaks normally again) So, when do I get out? Mokuba: (off-screen) When we figure out who robbed the bank and stole all of that stuff, we'll ask the sheriff to let you go. Mokuba walked up next to Gary just as Bubbles' face grew serious. Bubbles: It's all her fault! Mokuba: What? Bubbles: Sakura's fault! She's got to be the thief! And the sheriff let her go two hours ago! How could he do it? Gary: Sakura? Kinomoto, right? Bubbles: (nodding) She thinks being a cheerleader means she can get away with anything! She doesn't know how wrong she is! Mokuba: What makes you say that? Bubbles: I caught her red-handed counting the stolen bank money! Mokuba: Where? Bubbles: (pointing to the cell window) At the watering hole, east of town. Wufei: (stepping in) Tell us exactly what happened. Bubbles: (smiles) Sure. ****** [Location: Team Headquarters - First Floor Lobby] Kim, Eliza, Penny, and Zoe were discussing things as the latter three were waiting for Botan to arrive. She was going to lead them to the cave where she found the sack a few days ago. Kim: Make sure you don't leave out a single detail! Penny: We know, Kim! You've told us like ten times already! Zoe: Between the three of us, we shouldn't miss a beat! Eliza: Nothing will get past us, Kim. We promise. Kim: Good. I'm relying on you three to tell me what you find. Zoe: But Kim, aren't you worried about the boys? Kim: (sarcastically) Yeah, right. Zoe: What if they don't share everything with us? Penny: They wouldn't do that. Eliza: I agree. Zoe: But didn't you see the look on Wufei's face this morning? Kim: (breathes a sigh of relief) I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw that. I thought I was losing it already. Zoe: He obviously doesn't agree with you being leader. Kim: I don't make the rules here! He's just going to have to deal with it. Eliza: I don't think he likes you, period. Kim: I wonder why. I mean, there's nothing unlikable about me. Well... my arch enemies and Bonnie would think otherwise... Eliza: Bonnie? Kim: She's one of those 'all that' types. Penny: (rolls her eyes) I know the feeling of having a friend like that. Kim: Anyway, he must have a bad impression of me, because otherwise he wouldn't have glared a hole through me this morning. Zoe: He's out to get you, I bet! Kim: Puh-lease, Zoe. Wufei is NOT out to get me. I'll just talk to him later and clear things up. I've got to find out what's bothering him. ====== [Location: Sheriff's Office] Wufei stood right by the cell as Bubbles told him and the others what happened the day she was arrested. Bubbles: I remember it as though it were yesterday. It feels like it, too... ====== [Location: (Heading to the) Watering Hole Date: Monday, October 21st, 2002 Time: 9:48 a.m.] (Note: This flashback is brought to you in Bubbles' crayon-o-rama vision.) Bubbles: It was a bright and sunny morning, and I was on the way out of my house. I had been drawing a picture of the sun, who was really happy to see me draw him so brightly. I was thinking of coloring him in yellow, but then I spotted my orange crayon and noted that the sun was rather orange. So I started drawing with the orange crayon, but noticed that the sun was starting to turn yellow. So I switched colors, only now one part of the sun was orange and the other part was yellow. I decided to combine colors and finish filling in the sun with a mixture of yellow and orange! It made it seem so warm and bright... Mokuba: (VO) Um... what does that have to do with what happened? Bubbles: Well, he said to tell him everything that happened. Wufei: (VO) I meant at the watering hole, not while you were still at home! Bubbles: Oh. Gary: (VO) Can you please get on with it? Bubbles: Okay. Anyway, the professor told me to get some water from the watering hole, so I took the bucket out with me. But I had to put down my picture first, 'cause if I carried it with the bucket, it would get ruined and... Gary: (VO) Bubbles! Bubbles: Oh, right. Okay, I remember leaving the house and heading to the watering hole. I flew there, speedying by goofy Mr. Ed and what was left at the bank... ====== Mokuba: (interrupting) Wait... you can fly? Bubbles: (nodding happily) Uh huh. Watch! Bubbles slowly levitated upward until she was a few inches off of the ground. Mokuba watched in amazement as Bubbles flew several circles around the cell in just seconds. Mokuba: (as Bubbles lands) Wow! Amazing! Wufei: It's too bad it has NOTHING to do with the story! Get back to it already! ====== Bubbles: So, there I was, flying with the bucket in hand, over to the watering hole. And then I flew into Ryoko, who I think works down at the movie set. Amazingly, she can fly too! Mokuba: (VO) Really? Wufei: (VO) Mokuba! Bubbles: Sorry. Gary: (VO) What are you saying sorry for? Bubbles: Huh? Oh, I thought he said Bubbles. Wufei: (VO) Bubbles! Bubbles: Sorry again. Gary: (VO, sighs) Just continue with the story. Bubbles: Ryoko and I chatted for a second and then we then split off again. I saw the watering hole just ahead of me. That's when I noticed that Sakura was there. She was dressed in her cheerleading uniform. It was so cute. Mokuba: (VO) That's when you caught her with the stolen bank money? Bubbles: How did you know that? Gary: (VO) Because you said earlier that she had the money! Bubbles: I did? Oh, I guess I did. Wufei: (VO) You just said that two minutes ago! How could you forget that? Bubbles: I couldn't forget that. That's a four letter word. Gary: (VO) Will you just tell us what exactly happened? Bubbles: Sure. It was a bright and sunny morning, and I was on the way out of my house... Wufei: (VO) You told us that already! Gary: (VO) Start from where you saw Sakura with the money! Bubbles: Right. So, there Sakura was, standing by the watering hole. And she had a small stack of money in her hand. And she was counting it all! I immediately thought it was the stolen money, so I swooped down and tackled her. Mokuba: (VO) Tackled her? Bubbles: Uh huh. I said, 'What are you doing with all that money?' And she said, 'This is my money! It's from the bank!' Then I said, 'So, you're the bank robber, huh?' And she says, 'No, it's not me!' Then I go, 'Liar!' Then I started to beat her up. ====== Mokuba: You beat her up? Gary: How bad? Bubbles: I gave her a black eye! She could've been hurt much worse! But I didn't really want to hurt her. I just wanted her to admit that she was the bank robber. But she wouldn't... Mokuba: So, then what happened? Bubbles: Well, Buzz found us fighting and broke us up. He had her arrested for being the suspected robber, but then he took me in as well, saying that my attack on her was unnecessary. (sniffles) I was just trying to help. Gary: And you've been sitting in here since? Bubbles: Yes. The professor and my sisters can't get me out because the sheriff still suspects me of being the thief. So, I've been here since Monday, with no one to talk to except for Mr. Spike over there. Until you guys came and you told me tell you what happened that day. So I said, 'It was a bright and sunny morning, and I was on the way out of my house...' Wufei: You're telling the whole story over again! Bubbles: I am? Oops... sorry 'bout that. Mokuba: We'll figure a way to get you out of here, Bubbles! Bubbles: Thank you very much... um... Mokuba, right? Mokuba: Yeah, Mokuba. Bubbles: Thank you very much, Mokuba! Gary: We'd better get back to headquarters and see how everyone else made out. Mokuba waved goodbye to Bubbles as he, Gary, and Wufei left, leaving Spike alone to guard her again. ====== [Location: Sakura's house Time: 10:55 a.m.] Raye and Terry were standing in front of the house where Sakura lived. Terry had just rang the doorbell, and they were waiting for someone to answer it. And answer someone did, as Toya, Sakura's older brother, opened the door. Toya: Yes? Raye: (sighing heavily) He's such a hottie! Terry: We're here to talk to Sakura Kinomoto. Toya: I'm sorry, but you can't just waltz in and talk to my sister. Raye: (snaps out of her daydream) Wha... she's your sister? Toya: (points to himself) Yep. Terry: We're detectives that were hired by Mayor Dinkley to find out who's responsible for the bank robbery and the thefts from earlier this week. Toya: Hmmm... I guess I can let you in, if you want to look around. But you can't talk to Sakura. She's sleeping in her room right now. Raye leant over and rubbed her head against Toya's right shoulder. Raye: Are you sure? We'd really, really like to talk with Sakura. If that's okay with you. Raye batted her eyes at Toya, but he didn't seem to be interested in her advances at all. He turned to walk inside, making Raye have to catch herself to keep from falling to the ground. Toya: Follow me. Toya walked into the house, leaving a stunned Raye and a smirking Terry outside. Raye: He wasn't even the least bit interested in me! Terry: Not all guys fall for the 'cute girl needs help' routine, Raye. Terry and Raye then went in, pondering what to ask Sakura's brother. ====== [Location: Team Headquarters - First Floor Lobby] Gary, Mokuba, and Wufei arrived back at headquarters just in time to see Eliza, Penny, and Zoe walk away with Botan, on their way to the cave south of town. They walked inside and found Kim sitting on the stage. She looked at the board with all of the suspects' pictures on it as she made notes in her journal, which was sitting on her lap. Mokuba ran over to greet her while Gary and Wufei stopped, taking some time to have a small mini-conference. Wufei: We aren't telling that girl a thing at all. Gary: You're THAT worried about Kim? Wufei: Hey, you don't like her either. Gary: Yeah. But I think we have to tell her something. After all, she's completely clueless about what happened with Bubbles. Wufei: But I'm not even sure about her. That girl kept looping that story of hers. She might have made something up. Gary: So? We make something up to tell Kim. At least she gets something. And if she gets a low score, she'll try to blame it on us. We'll say Bubbles wasn't exactly crystal clear with her story. Besides, everyone will see how tempermental she is, and then they won't help her anymore. Wufei: Isn't that a bit dishonest? Gary: It's part of the game, man! You've got to play it to win it! Besides, why would you care about what happens to her if you want her gone so much? The two glance over at Mokuba, who seems to be telling Kim everything. Wufei: What about the kid? Gary: (shrugs his shoulders) We're older than him. Kim's more likely to believe something from us than Mokuba. Wufei: This better work, 'cause she's coming over here right now! Sure enough, Kim and Mokuba were strutting over to Gary and Wufei. Kim: (with a smile on her face) Mokuba told me you guys learned a lot from Bubbles. Is there anything else either of you would like to add? Gary: (smiling back) Did Mokuba tell you about what she found at the watering hole? ====== [Location: Sakura's house - Dining Room] Raye and Terry were sitting at the dining room table as they watched Toya pour them cups of hot tea. After doing so, he put them on a tray which had three slices of whipped cream covered cheesecake in little plates. He then brought the tray over and placed it on the table. Toya: Tea and cake? Raye: Certainly! Raye reached over and grabbed a cup of tea and one of the plates of cake. Terry and Toya did likewise. Raye picked up a plastic fork from the tray and began to dig into her slice of cake. Toya: You can ask me anything you were going to ask Sakura. I'll tell you what I know of the incident. Terry: You mean when her pom poms were stolen? Raye: Oh. (gulps down a bite) Didn't the sheriff show us that file? Toya: Someone got in and stole them last Sunday. I almost got the guy too. Terry: You did? Raye: How is that possible? ====== [Date: Sunday, October 20th, 2002] Toya: I think it was just before eight that morning. I was down in the cellar, trying to find a book on Ancient Mesopotamia. It was for my World History report which I had planned to work on that night. Toya was indeed searching the cellar, which actually resembled more of a mini-library, when he stopped in his tracks. Toya: It was then that I started hearing footsteps upstairs. At first, I thought it was Sakura. You see, she makes a lot of noise whenever she moves around. But then, I remembered that she was still in the shower. In fact, I could hear the water from it running. So that meant that someone else was in the house. Toya quickly ran out of the cellar. And since the entrance into it was in the back of the house, he had to run to the front to check things out. Toya: As I arrived at the front of the house, I saw some shadowy figure running away from the scene. But the person was already too far away for me to catch. It was then that I hear Sakura screaming out her window that her pom poms were gone. ====== [Date: Friday, October 25th, 2002] Back in present time... Raye: So it happened just like that. Toya: (taking a sip from his cup) Yep. Terry: How come your parents aren't around? Toya: Our father works at the University of Arizona as an archaeology professor. He's only here during weekends when he's not too busy, and during holiday breaks. He couldn't come back this past weekend with the lockdown at all. He wanted to come back after I told him Sakura was in the town jail. Raye: And your mother? Toya bowed his head slowly. Raye: (feeling down) I'm sorry... I didn't know. Toya: Don't worry. I expected that kind of reaction anyway. Terry: Speaking of jail, what exactly happened between Sakura and Bubbles? Toya: (looks back up) I only know as much as everyone else in town does on that... ====== [Location: Watering Hole Date: Monday, October 21st, 2002 Time: 9:45 a.m.] Sakura was standing by the watering hole, kneeling down to get a drink of water. Toya: She was there to get a drink of water when she spotted something strange beneath a nearby rock. She reached down to see what it was. It ended up being a stack of bills. Terry: (VO) How much was there? Toya: I'm not sure. Sakura said she was in the process of counting it when Bubbles attacked her. I still can't believe she did that, though. Raye: (VO) Maybe Bubbles thought Sakura was the thief. Toya: That's just it. Sakura's not the thief. The squirt isn't like that. Terry: (VO) How do you know she's not the thief? Toya: I just know, okay? I'm her older brother. I'd be able to figure out it already if she was the robber. Terry: (VO) Anything else? Toya: All I know is that the sheriff and the deputy then appeared and placed them under arrest. Sakura was released this morning into my custody. ====== [Date: Friday, October 25th, 2002] Raye: Hold on... I remember Sheriff Lightyear saying that they were holding her until a trial... Terry: ...that was to be held tomorrow. Raye: (angrily) Hey! Terry: Sorry. I'm just not used to working with someone. Toya: I asked the sheriff about that too. He just said that he and the mayor decided that there wasn't enough evidence to pursue the case. So he let me pick her up and bring her home. Terry: But wouldn't the cash Sakura found be enough? Toya: (shrugs) I guess not. Suddenly, the trio heard someone yawning in the hall. Sakura walked into the dining room, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands. Sakura: (groggily) What's with all the talking? Raye: We're here investigating all of the thefts that took place earlier this week. Terry: Would you mind answering some questions... (looks at Toya) that is, if you don't mind. Sakura turned towards her brother, flashing an endearing look of sorts to him. Toya sighed before standing up and heading back into the kitchen. Toya: Whatever the squirt wants to talk about is fine by me. Terry: (to Sakura) So, do you mind? Sakura: (putting on her best smile) Not at all. I'll do my best. ====== [Location: Team Headquarters - First Floor Lobby] Gary: And that's exactly what Bubbles told us... Mokuba: That's not how I... Kim: (interrupting) Is it really? Gary: Yeah. The whole thing. Kim: (looking at Wufei) And what do you have to say, Wufei? Or are you going to give me the cold shoulder? Or better yet... what about that whole 'staring right through me' act you pulled this morning? Wufei: (crosses his arms over his chest and leans his back against the wall) I have no idea what you're talking about. Kim: You have something against me being team leader, don't you? Wufei: What if I do? It's none of your darn business! Kim: It is my business to know! I have to know when my team members disapprove of something I do. That's part of the job! So work with me! Wufei: You may be team leader, but remember I have a right to decide whether or not to share information with you. Kim: That may be so, but... Wufei: (approaching Kim) But nothing! It is totally my choice! I don't have to answer to you if I feel you are inadequate! Kim: I'm inadequate? Me? Wufei: Women are always inadequate. As Wufei walked past Kim, she put her hands on her hips and shot back a quick retort. Kim: So, it's come down to the whole male-female ish, has it? Wufei: Call it what you want. But as long as you're calling the shots, I'm not listening to a word you say. Kim: What? My expertise isn't good enough for you? Is that it? Wufei ignored Kim as he climbed the stairs to the second floor and went into his room, closing the door behind him. Kim: (throws her hands up in frustration) I don't believe this! I haven't even been team leader an hour and Wufei's already against me! Gary: It's because you think you know it all. Kim: (turning towards Gary) Oh, so you think I'm inadequate too, right? Gary: No. I just think you're such a loser for taking this whole thing so seriously. Kim: I'm taking it so seriously because I want to catch the bad guy! Gary: So do I. But I'm not going around, spouting that 'I know this and that already and I'm helping you just so I'll have some competition.' Kim: I may already know more than most of the gang here, but I am most certainly NOT using that to show off! Gary: Even I know that you're supposed to keep everything as secretive as possible. The fewer people that know about one specific clue, the better. Kim: Oh, so you're saying everyone should work on their own and try to solve the case by themselves. It doesn't work that way, Gary. This game is too big for one person alone. Gary: (smirks) At least you're beginning to get it. Kim: What's that supposed to mean, wiseguy? Gary: (laughs as he walks towards the stairs) You'll catch on. Either that, or be the next loser shipped out! Ha! Kim: If that's a challenge, then I accept! We'll see who's the better detective! Kim turned and marched out towards the front door while Gary went up to his room. Mokuba just stood there dumbfounded, wondering what had just transpired. Mokuba: (CC) I thought we were supposed to be a team! Kim: (CC) If Gary and Wufei want to do it that way, then fine. It's no big. Gary: (CC) Kim's such a loser! To think she can get riled up that easily... I'll have her unraveled and out of here in no time. Kim: (CC) I don't care if they decide not to give me information anymore. I should probably still help them out by telling them what I know, and then leave it up to them to decide if they want to accept it or not. Gary: (CC) Kim may be first on the charts, but I'll prove that she's dead last when it comes to being under pressure! ****** [Location: A small cave south of the town Time: 11:12 a.m.] Botan, Eliza, Penny, and Zoe were now standing in front of the cave entrance. Botan: (pointing into the cave) I saw the sack lying next to the entrance, placed against the wall there. Zoe: You just found it here? Botan: Yes. Monday morning, while I was on my morning jog. Penny: The robber sure didn't do a good job of hiding the stash. Eliza: I'll say. To leave it so accessible like that... it's weird. The three young detectives walked into the cave as they placed their hands against the walls and started to search for clues. Eliza: Search carefully! We're bound to find something. Zoe and Penny looked at each other confused, then at Eliza, and then back at each other. Zoe: Find something like what? Penny: Yeah. I don't see how feeling the walls is gonna do us any good. Eliza: (glancing at them) There might be a switch hidden in the walls that might open a secret passage. Penny: Okay girl, now you're trippin'. Zoe: We can clearly see the back of the cave from here, Eliza. We would already have noticed a switch if there was one around. Penny and Zoe walked out while Eliza continued her search alone. Penny: What does she think she's gonna find in there? Zoe: She's probably spent too much time out in the safari with her parents. The sun's fried her brain, I bet. Botan: (watching them approach) Leaving your friend behind? Zoe: There's nothing in that cave. But Eliza wants to look for a secret switch. Penny: She thinks there's a secret passage hidden in that cave. Botan: (laughs) Imagine that. Penny: Yeah. It does sound pretty silly. Zoe: (grabbing Penny by the shoulder) Penny, I see something! Penny: (turning around) What, in the cave? Zoe: (shaking her head) No, outside of it. Just to the left of the entrance. She pointed to the area in question. Penny followed Zoe's gaze and saw what Zoe had found. Penny: Could it be? Zoe: (running towards them) It's gotta be. Come on! Penny and Zoe ran over to the rock formation built next to the cave's entrance. Upon closer inspection, they were both sure of what they had found in the sand beneath their feet. Zoe: Someone definitely dragged that sack either to or from this cave. Penny: But which one? How do we know? Botan: (walking up to them) I think Deputy Spiegel had to pull the sack back to town. He wasn't strong enough to lift it up on his shoulder. Penny: I guess. Zoe: But if that's the case, the tracks should be heading in the direction of Gullible Gulch. Penny: (pointing the track out) But the tracks are coming from the left... towards the cave! Zoe: So the thief did drag the bag here. Penny followed the tracks to its end... about a hundred feet away. Penny: Well, he or she sure didn't drag it for long. Zoe: How can the tracks suddenly be gone like that? Botan: It has been several days since I found the sack. It would only take a gust of wind or two to erase any tracks that may have been imprinted in the sand. Penny: So that means this lead is absolutely worthless! Zoe: Maybe not, Penny. Because the tracks were erased, we don't know how long the sack was dragged. Eliza: (off-screen) But we do know that it was dragged at some point. Penny, Zoe, and Botan turned around to see Eliza standing behind them. Botan: Find anything in the cave? Eliza: No luck at all. But I see you guys might have been more luckier. Penny: If you're saying it was dragged, then we basically can eliminate any suspect who we think might not be strong enough to carry the sack on their shoulders. Eliza: That won't work. Someone capable of carrying could have the option of pushing the sack across the sand. Unlikely, but still a possibility. Penny: So I was right! This lead is worthless! Zoe: It's a start. If only we'd come out here sooner. Botan: I have to head back to the set before they all think I've gone missing too. You three can search around as long as you'd like! Eliza: Thanks for guiding us here, Botan! Zoe: (waving goodbye) Arrivederci! Penny: Arrive-whatsit? Zoe: Arrivederci, Penny. It's Italian for goodbye. Eliza: One of us will be saying goodbye after the next quiz if we don't find something worth reporting! The three girls started to search around the cave entrance in detail, trying to find anything else that might help them. ====== [Location: Team Headquarters - First Floor Lobby Time: 1:40 p.m.] After searching for nearly two hours, Eliza, Penny, and Zoe arrived back at headquarters. They had sand in their shoes and hair. They were taking care of the sand in their shoes as Kim approached them. Kim: Any luck? Zoe: Not much. We found a set of tracks near the cave entrance, but that's it. Eliza: Someone might have dragged the bag to the cave, but we don't know who or for how long. The sand's buried most of the tracks. Penny: This is not cool. I've got sand all in my hair! Kim: (grabbing Penny's hand) A simple rinse in water will get it out. Here, I'll show you. As Kim led Penny off, Eliza and Zoe joined the rest of the group to share information with them. They were all spread around the room, but one person noticably absent was Wufei. Wufei, in fact, was in his room, filling out some blanks in his notes. Wufei: (CC) I've got to start finding people to ally with. The information I've gotten alone isn't enough to keep me in this game. ====== [Time: 2:53 p.m.] Having shared information all around, the group decided to take a voluntary break, since they had nothing to do at the moment. Raye and Terry seemed to be having quite the conversation, as the group can hear them giggling constantly. Raye: And then in P.E., she just stood there while the ball beaned her in the face! Can you believe it? Terry: (snickers) You're serious? How dumb can she be? Raye: Oh, she's probably the dumbest dumb blonde you'll ever meet. Not too graceful, either. You should've seen her the first time she tried to ice skate! Terry: What happened there? Raye: She didn't even have one foot on the ice when she leaned backwards and fell, landing on her butt! Terry: That must have hurt. Raye: Yeah, but we were all laughing our heads off at that one! As Raye continued to regal Terry with stories of her life with her friends, Zoe found herself being courted by Gary for strategic reasons. Zoe: What? You want me to help you? Gary: Think about it. We're practically the loners here! Eliza and Mokuba are a pair, Terry and Raye work well together, and Penny and, bleh, Kim, are acting like sisters! That just leaves us! Zoe: And Wufei. There's no way I'm working with him. Gary: I'm not asking you to work with him. I just asking you to work with me. Zoe: Oh. And what's in it for me, pray tell? Gary: If I win, I split the prize money with you 50-50. Zoe: (gasping in surprise) 50-50?! What?! Gary: Don't tell me that's not enough! Because of it isn't, the deal's off! Zoe: Oh my God! Half of fifty million yen? I could buy everything I ever wanted with that much money! Gary: So, it's a deal then? Zoe: You got it! Pinky swear on it! Without hesitation, Gary and Zoe sealed the deal with a pinky swear. Gary: I promise to share all of my notes with you. Zoe: And the same goes for me. We'll stick together to the end! ====== [Time: 7:15 p.m.] Everyone seemed to be settling in for the night, not having seen hide or hair of Chris since morning. Speak of the devil... here he comes now. Chris: We've got one more person to interview tonight, guys! The whole group gathered around Chris, who immediately turned his attention to Kim. Chris: Kim, you'll be sending two people out tonight to handle this interview. Kim: Which suspect are we talking to this time? Chris: Mayor Dinkley. Gary: The mayor? Terry: She's going to talk with us? Chris: Just two of you, that's all. And Kim decides who those two will be. Kim, this is a very important decision. Whomever you send out tonight will not participate in tomorrow's investigation runs. Which means you'll be spending the whole day with them. So I'd pick wisely out of you. Kim glanced at her fellow detectives and tried to pick out who she wanted. Wufei, of course, quickly stepped aside, not wanting to spend the whole day tomorrow with her. Kim: Mokuba and Zoe, you two go. Almost everyone, including the two detectives themselves, were surprised by her quick decision. Mokuba: You want me to go? Zoe: And me too? Kim: (nods) I'm sure you two will do well. Chris: I'll give you guys fifteen minutes to help them decide what they should ask the mayor and then we'll leave. ====== The debate raged on for the entire fifteen-minute period before Chris stepped in and told Mokuba and Zoe that it was time to go. The two detectives departed, leaving the rest of the group to relax for the remainder of the evening. Raye: (CC) I just hope those two get to ask everything on the list. ====== [Location: Gullible Gulch City Hall -- Mayor's Office Time: 7:39 p.m.] Nine minutes later, Mokuba and Zoe were sitting in front of Mayor Dinkley. Velma didn't seem the least bit nervous at all about the interrogation. Velma: I'm glad you guys are covering all of the bases. For all you know, I could be the robber myself and you wouldn't even know it. Zoe: So you ARE the robber! Velma: Don't be silly. I can't be the robber. Mokuba: Why not? Zoe: Yeah! Uh... why not? Velma: Some of those thefts were impossible for someone like me to pull off. I'm not that athletic. I've got brains, not brawn. Zoe: So what? It could have been easy for you to hire someone else to do your dirty work. Velma: Good theory... but you don't have any proof. Zoe: We'll get the proof, don't you worry! I think we've heard enough! Let's go, Mokuba. Mokuba: (as Zoe gets up) But Zoe, the others gave us a list of questions that we're supposed to ask! Zoe: But there's like twenty to thirty questions on there! Velma: I'll stay here as long as you need me to. Mokuba: See? Let's see what we can find out! Zoe: (sighs in defeat) Fine. Zoe sat back down as Mokuba picked a question from the list. Mokuba: What was your initial reaction after hearing about the bank robbery and all the thefts? Velma: I was shocked, naturally. I couldn't believe that so many crimes could be committed in such a short period of time. It just baffles me. Zoe: (reading another question) What did you decide to do when you couldn't find the thief? Velma: I issued a town lockdown. No one was allowed to enter or leave Gullible Gulch without me or the sheriff knowing about it. Mokuba: How long did the lockdown last? Velma: From 9 a.m. on Sunday 'til 10:15 the following morning, when Sakura Kinomoto was put in the town jail. We thought she was thief when she was found with a stack of cash. Zoe: So, the lockdown got lifted? Velma: Yes. Until Botan found the sack of missing items, that is. When that happened, I had to reinstate the lockdown because the thief was still loose. And that girl... Sally Acorn... she was still missing. ====== About twenty minutes later... Mokuba: So, who do you think the robber really is? Velma: Jinkies! I'm not really that sure. But I'm leaning towards those guys over on the movie set. That girl Kizuna would sure be happy to see Sally gone. Zoe: Because she's only the stunt double, right? Velma: Precisely! Mokuba: (looking over the list) I think that's all of the questions. Velma: I'm impressed with you guys! I didn't think you'd be all that thorough. Zoe: I guess we should thank the others for generating the list for us. Mokuba: (nods) It really helped out. Zoe: I can't wait to get back and tell them everything! Velma: I hope you guys catch this master thief soon. Before something else happens. Zoe: You can count on us, mayor! Mokuba: We won't let the town down! ====== [Location: Team Headquarters Time: 8:10 p.m.] Penny was waiting outside headquarters when Zoe and Mokuba got back, even though it was hard to see her since street lamps were far and few between in Gullible Gulch. Penny: So, any luck? Zoe smiled before giving Penny a thumbs up. Zoe: We scored big time! Mokuba: The mayor answered all of our questions. Penny: Every single one of them? Zoe: Yep. She really wants us to solve this case. Mokuba: You won't believe who she thinks the mystery thief is. Penny: (curiously) Who? Mokuba: Kizuna! Penny: Kizuna? No way! She can't be the thief. Mokuba: I don't think so either. But the mayor thinks she's it. Penny: She's too dang obvious! Everyone's immediately pointing the finger at her and yet no one has any proof to back it up! Zoe: Chill out, Penny. Penny: Not when the mayor's got you thinking Kizuna's the culprit! Mokuba: She said that's who she THINKS is the thief. It doesn't mean she actually knows that Kizuna is the one. Zoe: It's not like Mokuba or I have committed to catching Kizuna. We're just trying to gather all the facts. Penny: (calming down) I guess you're right. I just hope Kizuna's not the thief, 'cause she seems so innocent. Mokuba: I hope so too, Penny. Hearing Mokuba's reassurance was enough to bring a smile to Penny's face. Mokuba: So, what do you say we go in and tell everyone else what we found, and then we can kick back for the rest of the night. Zoe: Now that's something we can all agree to. Penny: Amen to that, sister! Zoe: Sister? But Penny, I'm not... Penny: Chill... by sister, I meant friend. After all, we are friends now. Right? Zoe: Oh. Of course! The trio walked inside. ====== [Date: Saturday, October 26th, 2002 Time: 9:15 a.m.] With Chris nowhere in sight that morning, most of the detectives decided to spend it sleeping in. Of course, Gary, Kim, and Wufei were the exceptions. And neither of the guys was willing to talk to Kim, and vice versa. Wufei was practicing his martial arts techniques, Gary was leafing through his notebook, and Kim was reading the morning paper. Suddenly, the motley crew became four when Raye emerged from her bedroom fully dressed. She walked downstairs and joined Kim by the bar, noting the serious looks on both Gary and Wufei's faces as she passed them. Raye: I should've expected as much, huh? Kim: They claimed me of taking this whole thing way too seriously. Can you believe it? Raye: I understand why Wufei isn't talking to you... Kim: What's there to understand? He doesn't like women, period. He disapproves of me being leader, he's not willing to accept help from me. I even invited him to join me for breakfast at the restaurant across the street, but he stubbornly refused! Raye: That guy really needs to learn some manners. It's not like you're asking him out on a date or anything. Kim: (in shock) What? Why would I ask him out? Raye: I didn't really mean it! I'm just saying that maybe he's the type of guy who thinks women use their looks to get what they want. Kim: I don't do anything like that! Well, maybe with my parents, but that's totally different! Raye: Good luck making him believe that. Kim: (huffs) Like Gary's any better. He thinks I'm some know-it-all who likes to show off. Raye: I don't think you've shown off at all. At least not yet. Kim: (looking at Raye strangely) And your point is? Raye: Kim, you can't let guys control your life like this! Kim: Trust me Raye, I'm in complete control of my life. No matter what those two have to say about it. Raye: Then act like it! When I'm a Sailor Scout, I never let things like that bother me at all. Kim: (raising an eyebrow with intrigue) A Sailor Scout? Raye: (slaps herself on the forehead) Ack, I did it again! Kim: Just how many secrets do you have that I or everyone else here should know about? Raye: (laughs nervously) Trust me, there aren't that many more. Thank goodness. Kim: Oh, you can tell me. I won't tell anyone else, I promise! Raye: I guess... ====== [Time: 11:00 a.m.] By this time, everyone was up and about, but there was still no sign of Chris. Most of the group was content to relax and forget about the case for the time being, but Wufei was thinking otherwise. And he was letting Gary know how he felt. Wufei: This is stupid! We should be out there finding clues. Not running around like children on vacation! Gary: I'm as anxious to solve this mystery as you are, but remember that this is just a game. We're not expected to be out there 24-7, interviewing people left and right. Wufei: But that's were supposed to be doing. Gary: Man, you're as uptight about this as Kim is. Wufei: (angrily) Don't ever compare me to her! Gary: Gee, what's your deal? Wufei: I won't rest until the enemy has been defeated! Gary: By enemy, you mean the thief or Kim? Wufei: My enemy is anyone that stands in my way! Including you. Gary: (stepping back) Wha? Wufei: Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go for a walk. As Wufei walked out, Zoe appeared next to Gary. Zoe: Is something wrong with 'Koji' over there? Gary: You mean Wufei, the loner? (shrugs his shoulders) I don't know. That guy's got a screw or two loose if you ask me. Zoe: I'm still not sure if we should be a team with him anymore. Gary: Me neither. I'm not risking my hide if Wufei's gonna be scornful at everyone else. We're better off working without him. Zoe: Good! Then I've got a great idea for what to do for the next quiz! Zoe dragged Gary off to a secret location to share her plan with him. ====== [Time: 12:30 p.m.] Another hour and a half later, the nine detectives, even Wufei, who had returned from his walk, continued to wait. But there was still no sign of Chris anywhere. Penny: If I knew we were still going to be here now, I would've slept an extra hour or two! Mokuba: Me too. (yawns) I'm so tired. Terry: This bites. Anyone up for going to lunch? Gary: I guess. Raye: Me too. Zoe: Me three! Terry: (to Kim) You don't mind, do you? Kim: Go ahead. It's not like we're doing anything. And I'll send someone to get you if Chris drops by. (to Mokuba and Eliza) You guys can go too, if you want. Mokuba: But we want to stay here and wait! Eliza: Yeah! We can't wait for another opportunity to go out and find more clues. Kim: (to Penny) Penny? Penny: I think I'm going to get that extra hour of sleep after all. I'll eat later. Kim: (looking at Wufei) What about you? Wufei: (without looking back) I'll eat when I feel like it. Kim: (rolling her eyes) Whatever, as long as you're happy. Terry: We'll see you guys in a little bit then. As Terry, Gary, Raye, and Zoe head for the door, Spike suddenly appears there, huffing and puffing, out of breath. Terry: Deputy Spiegel... what's wrong? Spike: (between breaths) Big clue... found by... movie set. Wufei: I'll take care of it. Before anyone could object, Wufei ran out the door and towards the movie set. Kim ran out the door after him, yelling for him to stop. Kim: Wufei, hold on a minute! But Wufei wasn't hearing anything Kim said as he disappeared off into the distanced. Kim growled angrily as the others gathered around her. Spike: (regaining his composure slowly) I'll take a couple of your team members there, if you want. Kim quickly turned around and pointed out Eliza and Penny. Kim: You two go with the deputy over to the movie site. Mokuba: What about me? Penny: My beauty sleep... Kim: You talked with the mayor last night, Mokuba. If this is part of the game, then like Chris said, you're ineligible to do anything today. Penny, go with Eliza. Besides, you know that place as well as I do. Eliza: (grabbing Penny by the arm) Come on, Penny! We've got clues to find! Penny: Okay, I'm going! As long as I get to make up my sleep later. The two girls ran off after Wufei, leaving the others coughing in the dust. Terry: At least we know why Chris isn't here. He's probably down there too. Kim: Well, I don't have to wait for him anymore, so I think I'll join you guys for lunch. Mokuba: I might as well too. The six detectives walked across the street to the eating establishment there. ====== [Location: The movie set for 'The Princess and the Pirate' Time: 12:47 p.m.] Spike, Eliza, and Penny arrived on the movie set. There, they saw Buzz, Wufei, and the entire movie cast, minus Sally of course, standing by one of the trailers. Penny: What's going on... eek! Penny eeked because of what she saw on the ground next to the trailer. It was a dark blue vest... that was covered in blood. ****** Upon seeing the blood-stained vest, Eliza almost freaked out as well. But she managed to keep her composure, even though she was now shaking nervously. Penny: You mean someone actually axed her? Dang, that's harsh! Eliza: Suddenly, this doesn't feel much like a game anymore. Buzz: Relax girls, it's not what it seems. Wufei: I concur. Buzz lowered a finger into the pool of blood... which made everyone quake with fear... and made Penny freak out even more. Penny: You're actually touching someone's blood! Eeewww! But then Buzz surprised them even more by sticking the blood-covered finger into his mouth. Penny: Okay, are you some kind of vampire or somethin', cause no one in their right mind would suck a finger with blood on it. Eliza: You'd be surprised how many humans do that with animal blood. Penny: (covering her ears) I'm not hearing it, Eliza! Wufei: Stop being such a baby! It's not even real blood! Penny lowered her arms as she and Eliza looked on confused. Buzz: It's actually some type of Tabasco sauce. (licking his tastebuds) But not quite as spicy as it usually is. Ryoko: Does this guy think he can scare us off with hot sauce? This robber is so lame! I would've already skipped town and spent all the money already! But this fool's just playing games with us! Judy: (Shakespearean-like) Oh alas, poor Sally. I knew thee well. Ryoko: (snapping her fingers) Hello! The princess isn't dead yet! Buzz: We don't know that yet. This may just be a case of foreshadowing. Warning us that the princess will be dead if we don't catch him soon. Spike: If she's not dead already. Penny and Eliza shook like scaredy cats, both glancing around them to make sure no one was sneaking up on them. Botan: (sighs) I hope honest to God that Sally's alright. Kizuna: I never wanted her to go this way. Now I wish I hadn't said all those evil things about her behind her back. Ken: I'm sure she's fine. We've just got to find her. Wufei: When did you find the vest here? Ryoko: I found it about 20 minutes ago, just lying there. I don't know who put there. Buzz: The thief would probably have needed a minute or so to apply the hot sauce, since it's still fresh. (to the movie cast) No one saw anything suspicious? All of the cast members shook their heads. Wufei: (shouting) One of you has to go be lying! Someone had to have seen something! Out with it! The shouting had done nothing more than scare Penny and Eliza even more. But it failed to faze any of the movie crew at all. Buzz: This gentleman is right. Withholding possible evidence voluntarily is an arrestable offense! Spike: Buzz is right. If you've got anything to say, say it now. The whole area became dead silent. That is, until Ryoko decided to speak up. Ryoko: If you chickens aren't gonna say anything, then I'll say it. She pulled out a bottle of Tabasco sauce out of nowhere and tossed it to Buzz. The bottle was three-quarters empty. Buzz: The bottle used? Ryoko: That's the one. We were all on lunch break when it happened, and you see, I like Tabasco sauce on my boar meat sandwiches! Eliza: (surprised and shocked) What? That's inhumane! Ryoko: What do you want from me? I just eat boar meat. I don't kill the boar itself. Eliza: But still... Buzz: (stopping Eliza) Please continue, Ryoko. Ryoko: Right. Anyway, I was trying to find the bottle after I had put my sandwich together. The bottle was almost full when I saw it last. By the time I found the nearly emptly bottle, I was practically on the other side of this trailer. I smelled something, so I came over to this side... Spike: And that's when you found the vest lying there, in a pool of hot sauce. Ryoko: (puts her hands on her hips) Yeah. You don't believe me, copper? Buzz: It's believable enough. No need for you to comment, Spike. Spike: But... Buzz: No need to comment. Spike huffed angrily, but he made sure that Buzz didn't see him do it. But the detectives saw him, though. Speaking of the detectives, they weren't going to get in any questions of their own because the sound of two horses galloping onto the scene could be heard. And mounted on the horses were Lois Lane and Peter Parker, who worked for the local newspaper. Lois: (hopping off) Sheriff Lightyear, what's going on? Buzz: This is a crime scene, Miss Lane. No reporters until I can complete my investigation. Lois: But sheriff... Buzz: Spike, escort Miss Lane off. Spike: (saluting) Yes, Sheriff Lightyear. (mumbling under his breath) Why can't you do it yourself? Lois: (as Spike pushed her away) Hey! As a newspaper reporter, I have rights! Spike: Save it for the editorial column. Meanwhile, Peter had managed to sneak around to the other side of the trailer. But Buzz hadn't forgotten about him as he comes around and ushers him out. Buzz: No photographs either, Mister Parker. Peter: But sheriff... Buzz: Unless you want me to take that camera of yours from you, you'll get off of my crime scene! Understand? Peter: (nods) Yes, sheriff. Peter ran off and joined Lois by their horses. Penny and Eliza followed him there, drawing an odd look from the reporter. Lois: Why are you kids here? Penny: We're here as part of the team of detectives assigned to crack this case. Eliza: Would you mind answering a few questions from us? Lois: (smiles) Sure, why not. Penny and Eliza smiled. Peter: But Lois... Lois: I'll answer your questions if you'll tell me what's going on here. Penny and Eliza looked at each other for a second, as if they were trying to decide what to do. Seeing that the girls were indecisive, Lois mounted her horse and turned to head back into town. Penny: Hold on! We'll tell you! Eliza: We just wanted to make sure we were doing the right thing. Lois: (getting off of her horse) Peter, get me a shot of these two girls with the trailers in the background. I wanna make sure they look good for my front page story. Penny: (squealing happily) Front page? THE front page? Lois: Is there any other? Eliza: I'm hooked! Let's get this over with! ====== [Location: Tumbleweed Terrace] Chris walked into the restaurant and found the rest of the detective team waiting for their lunch to be cooked. Raye: (waving at him) Mr. Tangera, over here! Chris: Hello there. I'm not bothering you guys at a bad time, am I? Terry: I guess not. What's up? Kim: Yeah. We thought you were down at the movie set. Chris: I was, but then I realized that there was something else I need you guys to check out. Zoe: And that is... Chris: The watering hole. I think that it needs to be combed for clues. Who among you here hasn't been out on a clue hunt since yesterday afternoon? Gary, Raye, and Terry raised their hands. Chris: Good. Could you three check it out after lunch? Raye: Sure thing, Mr. Tangera. Gary: We'd be more than happy to. Chris: (turns to leave, then stops) Oh, and you guys are going to have a quiz tonight. Zoe: Again? Chris: That's the nature of the game. See you guys tonight. The group shot odd glances at each other as Chris left. ====== [Location: Watering Hole Time: approximately 2:00 p.m.] After lunch, Gary, Raye, and Terry headed out to the watering hole. There, they hoped to find any clues that might help them solve the mystery. Terry: (lifting up a rock) There might be some more of that stolen bank money hidden here somewhere. Raye: Wait... I think I found something! Gary: (looking at Raye) Where? The two guys ran over to Raye's side. She had grasped between her left ring and middle fingers a strand of black hair. Gary: (eyeing Raye suspiciously) Are you sure that's not a strand of your hair, Raye? Raye: (yelling at him) I'm not that dense, okay? It's a darker shade of black than mine. Gary looked at the strand in Raye's hand, then at her hair, and then back at her hand. Gary: They look like the same shade to me. Raye: They're not the same shade, okay? Terry: (taking the strand from Raye) It's too short. Unless Raye's got a pair of scissors under that skirt of hers... Raye: I wouldn't do something like that, okay? Stop making stuff up! Terry: (defending himself) I'm not making stuff up! I'm trying to make light of the situation here! Strained Voice: (in the background) Somebody stop that jawbreaker! Gary: What in the... The three detectives turned around just in time to see a large jawbreaker rolling on the main street and past the alleyway leading towards the watering hole. Not far behind the jawbreaker were three teens. They happened to be Ed, Edd, and Eddy, all trying to catch their delicious snack before someone got a hand on it. Eddy: (in a panic as he runs by) Is anybody listening? Stop that jawbreaker! Ed: (skipping happily) Jawbreaker, Eddy! Edd: (barely keeping pace) Pant, pant... for the love of humanity, stop that thing! The three detectives ran back to the main street just in time to see the trio of Eds finally catch up to their beloved jawbreaker. Raye: I guess that's one tumbleweed someone actually wanted! Get it? The jawbreaker... a tumbleweed... you know, 'cause it was tumbling down the street. Terry and Gary roll their eyes as they walked back towards the watering hole. Raye: (stomping after them) Hey! Don't you know a good joke when you hear one? ====== [Location: Team Headquarters - First Floor Lobby Time: 2:35 p.m.] Upon the return of Gary, Raye, and Terry, the group switched mentally into quiz mode. Everyone once again scrambled to share notes on all of the investigations, since the last hours had been too hectic for anyone to gather themself with. Eliza and Mokuba were definitely frantic, as once again they felt out of the loop and the most likely ones to go. Eliza: So, let me get this straight... Bubbles thinks Sakura is the thief because she found her with the money? Mokuba: That's right. She was definitely clear about that. Eliza: If Sakura is the thief, then she would have had to drag that bag on the sand. She's way too small to carry that on her shoulders. Meanwhile, Kim and Penny were discussing what they were going to do as well. Penny: Everything seems to be pointing towards her so far. Kim: I'm not totally convinced yet, but I guess there's no one else we can safely go after. Penny: But you're on the right track. I mean... we're on the right track. Kim: Right. We have to be. Especially if we're going to save Sally. Penny: Definitely. I'm not droppin' the ball this time. And last but not least, we check in on Gary and Zoe. Gary: So, we've narrowed it down to four choices? Zoe: Yep. I really think it's gotta be one of these four. Gary: I'll answer those referring to one person, and you answer the others to one of the others, okay? Zoe: Okay. Either one of us will be right, or we'll both be far off. Gary: And then one of us will be heading home. You willing to risk that? Zoe: Of course! I feel confident in our choices! Gary: Okay then. Isn't it weird how they're all girls though? Zoe: Maybe Wufei was right about all of the women here being screwy. Gary: I'm glad that came out of your mouth and not mine. Zoe: I wouldn't have it any other way. ====== [Location: Gullible Gulch City Hall - Lobby Time: 7:00 p.m.] That evening, the nine detectives arrive in the lobby with their bags in hand. Chris is waiting for them there, but he doesn't direct them to the computer terminals. Chris: Before we begin, I need our team leader to come up here with me. Kim walked up to Chris, tugging her bag along with her. Chris: Remember yesterday that a team leader has two responibilities? Kim: Yes. So? Chris: Well so far, you've only fufilled one. And that was to assign which detectives would go to which investigation sites. Kim: (trying to draw it out) And the other is? Chris: To relax. Kim: Pardon? Chris: Your second responsibility as team leader is to relax. Because as team leader... you are exempt from tonight's quiz. Kim: Exempt? You serious? Wufei: What? I object to that! Chris: Every team leader gets to sit quiz night out. They don't have to take the quiz for that particular leg of the investigation. Which means... that there's no way that Miss Possible here will be going home tonight. Kim, you are safe tonight. Kim: Gee, just like that? Well, okay. If that's how the game works. Gary: You're getting off easy. That won't happen again. Kim: Oh sure Gary, laugh while you can. I'll be glad to see you walk out that door tonight. Gary: That's not going to happen! Not tonight! Chris: Gee, we've got a bit of fire between you two. We'd better get this show moving. Kim, you may go to the meeting hall. The rest of you, it's off to take the quiz. And remember, the person who scores the lowest will be the second detective sent home. (puts on a fake smile) Good luck! ====== [Location: Gullible Gulch City Hall - Assorted Offices on 1st & 2nd Floors] Chris: (VO) It's been another two hard days of work for these detectives. But the time has come once again for the quiz. Ten questions that will test their knowledge about the case and their fellow detectives. Two days ago, Bobby Hill was let go. Who will be exiled from Gullible Gulch tonight? (Author's Note: Another reminder that answers will be allowed through e-mail only. Don't forget that, Fantasy League players!) A shot of Kim sitting alone in the meeting hall with all of the bags was shown on the screen. Chris: (VO) Team leader Kim Possible is the only one safe tonight. For everyone else, it's anybody's guess as to who will be going home. Eliza: (CC) We'll make it up to Bobby. Mokuba and I will survive again tonight. Penny: (CC, takes a deep breath) Concentrate, girl. Sally's life could depend on this. As well as Kizuna's career. Chris: (VO) Question One: Which group was sent to interview the thief on Day 3? (Choices: 1 - Gary, Mokuba, and Wufei 2 - Raye and Terry 3 - Eliza, Penny, and Zoe 4 - Mokuba and Zoe 5 - No one interviewed the thief that day) Zoe: (CC) I doubt Velma's the thief, but I think she just answered her questions way too easily. Chris: (VO) Question Two: After the bank was robbed, when did the thief return to the scene of the crime? (Choices: 1 - Day of the robbery, before the sheriff and his deputy arrived 2 - Day of the robbery, when the sheriff and his deputy arrived 3 - Day of the robbery, after the sheriff and his deputy arrived 4 - One, two, or three days after the robbery 5 - The thief has not as of yet returned to the bank) Gary: (CC) Bubbles stuttered continuously while describing what happened. She might have gotten some facts mixed up in the process. Terry: (CC) It would be perfect for the robber to put the cash near the watering hole, change out of his or her disguise, and get back to the bank before Buzz or Spike got there. Chris: (VO) Question Three: Among those at the movie set, who does the mayor accuse of being the robber? (Choices: 1 - The actress playing the villain 2 - The star actress 3 - The special effects technician 4 - The movie director 5 - The star actress's stand-in 6 - The camerawoman) Raye didn't waste any time in answering that question. Chris: (VO) Question Four: How old is the thief? (Choices: 1 - Preteen or younger (under 13 years old) 2 - Teenager (13-20 years old) 3 - Adult (20 years old or older)) Eliza: (CC) She's gotta be a teenager, I think. Penny: (CC) I wonder how old Ryoko is anyway? Hmmm... Chris: (VO) Question Five: Out of the interviewees on Day 3, who actually has a direct relationship, either familial, romantic, or professional, with the thief? (Choices: 1 - Bubbles 2 - Sakura 3 - Botan 4 - Velma 5 - One of them is the thief 6 - None of them have a relationship with the thief) Wufei remained quiet as he submitted his answer quickly. Mokuba: (CC) I actually think one of them is the thief. I just hope Eliza and I are right about that. Chris: (VO) Question Six: Who does Peter, the newspaper photographer, think the thief is? (Choices: 1 - Spike 2 - Bubbles 3 - Ken 4 - Kizuna 5 - Sally) Penny: (CC) Duh! I was the one who asked him! Wufei: (CC) There's something fishy about that group of females on the movie set. I'm sure of it. Chris: (VO) Question Seven: Where was the thief when the first town lockdown was lifted by the mayor? (Choices: 1 - At home 2 - Outside of town 3 - Mayor's office 4 - Police station 5 - On the movie set) Terry: (CC) She could have been anywhere. She obviously wasn't arrested, so either she was in town or found a way to be out of town without being noticed. Raye: (CC) Does the movie set count as being outside of town? It is, well, outside of town. Chris: (VO) Question Eight: How many letters are in the first name of the thief? (Choices: 1 - 2 2 - 3 3 - 4 4 - 5 5 - 6 6 - 7) Zoe: (CC) You know, you look pretty guilty if you're caught red-handed with the stolen bank money. Mokuba: (CC) I'm just guessing here, since the three people I'm thinking of don't have the same number of letters in their names. Gary: (CC) She may be cute, but she's more than capable of pulling of that bank robbery. Although I'm not sure... Chris: (VO) Question Nine: On Day 4, what does Judy find that makes her worry even more about Sally's safety? (Choices: 1 - Sally's favorite vest 2 - A ransom letter written by Sally 3 - A tombstone with Sally's name on it 4 - Sally's right boot) Eliza: (CC) I know it was just hot sauce, but it still makes me worry. I hope Sally's okay. Chris: (VO) Question Ten: Who is the thief? (Choices: 1 - Bart 2 - Botan 3 - Bubbles 4 - Buzz 5 - Ed 6 - Hercule 7 - Jack 8 - Judy 9 - Ken 10 - Kizuna 11 - Kou 12 - Lois 13 - Mario 14 - Naru 15 - Ryoko 16 - Sakura 17 - Sally 18 - Spike 19 - Velma) ====== [Location: Gullible Gulch City Hall -- Meeting Hall Time: 7:40 p.m.] The eight quizzed detectives are now gathered in the meeting hall with Kim as Chris enters with another large manila envelope. Chris: The routine's the same as before. I'll call up the three lowest scorers, give them a minute to speak their peace, and then I'll announce who is going home. That person is to pick up their bags and immediately leave with me. Chris then smiled, then looked at the back of his envelope. Chris: I'll do it in alphabetical order tonight. Will Gary, Penny, and Zoe please come up to the stage? All three of them were completed startled over hearing their names. Especially Penny, who was going up for the second straight time. Chris: (shook his head) Looks like we've got a familiar face up here... Penny: (in a panic) What did I do wrong this time? Kim and I were following the exact same strategy! Chris: (glancing at Kim) And if Kim had to take the quiz, she'd probably be up here with you right now, facing elimination Miss Proud. Anyway, do any of you three have something to say? Penny: Okay, last time was a fluke, but something's gotta be wrong if I'm up here again! Kim, either you're gave me bogus information, or our hunch is totally wrong! I sure hope it's the latter, girl. Kim motioned to speak on her behalf, but Chris shook his head. Chris: Sorry Kim. I know you've got something on your mind, but this is their time. (looking back at the trio) Gary, Zoe? Any thoughts? Gary: (shaking his fist) If I survive tonight, you'll be up here next time, Kim! Chris: Gee, Kim's makin' a lot of enemies tonight. I guess that's the downside of being a team leader. Zoe, any hate for Kim too? Zoe: Actually, no. I'm just hoping that I'm given a second chance to correct my mistakes. I'm not ready to go home just yet. Chris: And with that, I now will open the envelope. Chris opened the envelope as everyone waited for him to announce the name on the card. Chris: (thinking out loud) Good, we don't have a tie tonight. (to the group) You three have been great detectives these past four days, but tonight, one of you won't be bothering Miss Possible... or the rest of us, for that matter, anymore. The second detective to leave the game of "Mystery Solvers" is... Chris turned the index card around for the whole group to see. Chris: Zoe Orimoto. Zoe looked saddened as Penny ran over and gave her a hug. She also got one from Gary, who seemed to mouth a 'Sorry' to her. She then stepped off the stage and grabbed her bag. She gave hugs to the other girls and shook hands with all of the other guys... except for Wufei... before heading out with Chris. Gary: I hope Zoe doesn't take it too hard. Our plan didn't work, and so now I have to go and backtrack. It's too bad I'll have to do it alone. Penny: Zoe and I were really starting to bond. It's hard to see her leave this soon. She was becoming one of my closest friends here. It's like she's one of my girls. Raye: I know Zoe and I didn't get off on the right foot, but we were able to laugh about it and move on. I hope she can move on from this, because she was really trying her best to do her job. ====== Outside of City Hall, a cab was waiting for Zoe. She threw her bag into the trunk, which Chris opened for her. Chris: (closing the trunk) What did you think of the game? Zoe: I just wish that we really had second chances. It's too bad we don't, because I had a feeling that I would do much better if I had one. Chris: Do you think Gary pulled the whole Pokémon-Digimon rivalry into the whole deal, ensuring your exit? Zoe: No way. If he wasn't up there with me, then I would say yes. But we were both up there and we both could've paid for our mistakes. By draw of the luck, it happened to be me who was fitting the bill. Chris: What about Kim? Good team leader, or a bad one? Zoe: I guess it depends on who you ask. Me, I thought she was good. I don't think some of them in there would agree with me though. Chris opened the back door of the cab before ending up on the receiving end of a hug from Zoe. Zoe: Tell everyone that I wished them good luck. Chris: Sure thing, Zoe. Zoe: (waving goodbye as she stepped inside) Arrivederci! Chris: Arrivederci. Good luck, Zoe. Chris closed the door and watched as the taxi pulled away, out of the town of Gullible Gulch and to who knows where. ****** 8 detectives and 19 suspects remain... Second episode done and done, folks! Don't forget to review! Zoe Orimoto usually feels left out because she grew up in Italy, but she made enough friends here to last four days. But the game doesn't care where you grew up... it only cares when it sends you packing. ****** On the next episode of "Mystery Solvers": - A fateful encounter puts one detective's athletic skills to the test. - The last group of suspects is finally interviewed, but how can you interview someone who doesn't seem to have a brain? - And one pair of strategists splits when they differ on main suspects. Episode 3 will be posted on Tuesday, December 17th! See ya then!