"Roomies 3: Digital Frontier," written by Freedom Fighter Disclaimer: I do not own any of the anime series, characters, or locations represented in this fanfic. I also do not own any of the reality show elements presented as well. = = = = = = = = = = Tenchi: (VO) 16 contestants from 12 anime shows. 42 days living by themselves in the wild Digital World. But only one will walk away with a grand prize of one million dollars. (Begin theme song, showing each of the contestants one at a time for 1.5 seconds each) - Amy M., the brainy Sailor Mercury - Amy R., Sonic's admirer from the planet Mobius - Haruka, tea house owner - James, member of Team Rocket - Jet, bounty hunter from the future - Keith, Duel Monsters American champion - Nabiki, money-grubbing middle sister - Rally, gunsmith and bounty hunter - Rini, the princess of Crystal Tokyo - Takuya, leader of the Frontier Digidestined - Tally, government employee - Trowa, pilot of the Gundam Heavyarms - Trunks, young Super Saiyan - Whitney, Goldenrod City gym leader - Yugi, duelist and holder of the Millennium Puzzle - Yusuke, spirit detective (Show scenes of James trying to catch a wild Digimon, Rini putting on a baseball helmet, Yusuke getting pelted by a paintball, and Rally pointing straight at a flag.) Tenchi: (VO) Some of them will become the best of friends. Others will develop grudges against those they hate. But only one will walk away with up to a million dollars or more in cash and prizes. (A log cabin appears in the background.) Tenchi: (VO) These men and women are... Roomies! (End theme song, with a picture of all 16 contestants standing with Flame Terminal behind them in the background.) = = = = = = = = = = Episode 5 - A Cleansing Can Do You Good (03.04.03) Day Seven Returning to the campsite after the end of the last challenge, James seems to be the most ecstatic of them all as he immediately heads to his tent to pack his belongings. James: (sing-song) I'm going back to the cabin, I'm going back to the cabin! Not too far behind him, Whitney and Haruka were walking side by side. And Whitney was visibly trying to keep from yelling at James. Whitney: (muttering to herself) Don't get mad, don't get mad, don't get mad. Behind them was Takuya, who was hopping along with a spring in his step. Takuya: Finally! I get to spend a night here in a nice, cozy bed! Jet followed next, being rather subdued although he too was heading back to the cabin. Bringing up the rear were Rally, Amy R., and Trowa... none of them really happy at all. Rally: (CC) How did I not see this coming? Between Whitney, who couldn't find her way out of a paper bag, and Amy Rose and Trowa, who aren't from this world, I ended picking the worst people possible for my team! Trowa: (CC) Things aren't going my way, and it's not to my liking. Just because Duo won last season, I have no intention of finishing dead last. Amy R.: (CC) Why can't we have any challenges around here that are any fun? ====== Over at the cabin, that group of eight were just returning as well. There, Trunks, Rini, and Yugi were the unlucky ones to have to go to the campsite. Trunks: I don't want to go back there. It's too barren and there's not enough food to go around. Rini: Me neither. It's always miserable there. Amy M.: I'm sure things are most hospitable there now. It's been a week. Maybe conditions over at camp are much better than when we first got here. Trunks: I doubt it. Keith watches from afar as Yugi packs his stuff. Keith: Hey Yugi... do me a favor and say hello to all the losers down there for me! Yugi: I wouldn't be so smug if I were you, Bandit Keith. Keith: Is that a threat? Yugi: No... a warning! I may not be here the next few days, but I still plan to keep an eye on you! Yusuke: (walking up to the duo) Yak yak yak, that's all you two do! Who cares about your stinkin' rivalry anyway? Keith: I wouldn't talk like that if I were you. People who get in my way tend to get shoved back out of it. Yusuke: Hmph. I wouldn't want to waste my energy on you anyway. Yusuke walks off, as he admires Nabiki from afar. She was now in the kitchen, preparing to cook lunch for the entire group. Yusuke: (CC) You know, I've been thinking about the whole alliance deal. I already have one with Trunks, but there has to be more than two of us in it. I've been eyeing Nabiki for the past day or so, and she seems to be in the same boat when it comes to our intentions for getting to the finals. Nabiki knew that Yusuke was looking at her, even though she didn't have to glance over her shoulder to see that. Nabiki: (CC) Why's Yusuke so intent on watching me? Maybe he's planning to make some sort of deal with me. Hmmm... I wouldn't mind, as long as it involves money! ====== The six Roomies who are switching places begin their treks to the campsite/ cabin. Everyone else waits patiently for the new arrivals. At the campsite, the arrival of Trunks, Rini, and Yugi was pretty uneventful. But at the cabin, things were quite different. Tally: Welcome to civilization! Tally greeted her fellow Digimon partner, Takuya, even though they were from different seasons, as he got his first peek at the inside of the cabin. James and Jet, having been here before, just shrug it off and try to pick up where they were when they were last here. James: (running for the couch) Hey! Put on that 'Gundam Wing' DVD! Keith: No way! I'm watching 'Gunsmith Cats!' As the two fought over what to watch, Jet decided to stake his claim to the corner of the cabin he had before. He then noticed Nabiki at work in the kitchen. Jet: What's for lunch? Nabiki: (without turning around) Okonomiyaki... if I can get it right. Tally: (yelling from the front door) Why didn't you say so, Nabiki? I know a few things about fixing okonomiyaki. Tally headed to the kitchen to help Nabiki fix lunch, while Takuya put his stuff down on the floor and glanced around the cabin for the first time. Takuya: Say... this place is kinda small. And where are the beds? Yusuke: Beds? You're joking, right? Takuya: (chuckling nervously) You mean... Tally: (from the kitchen) There's no beds, Takuya. Takuya: Then where are supposed to sleep? Jet: On the floor, in our sleeping bags. What did you think? Takuya: I thought we're supposed to be living in the lap of luxury here! Jet: We're in the middle of a world only you know about, and you're expecting a giant mansion filled with everything? Takuya: (sighs) So much for getting a good night's sleep or two. ====== Amy Rose and Rini seem to be making the best of things, as they enjoy running around the campsite. Amy R.: (tapping Rini on the shoulder) Tag! You're it! Rini: (giggling) Come back here! Amy R.: Catch me if you can! Trowa was by the campfire, preparing the water that he would cook lunch in. He wasn't paying much attention to the two girls running around... until one of them grabbed his pant leg. Trowa: (looking down at Amy R.) Hey! Amy R.: (putting a finger up to her mouth) Shhhhh! Rini: Amy, where'd you go? Rini walked up to where Trowa was standing, but became very suspicious when Trowa started sliding around the pot. Rini: Stop moving! Trowa: I'm not moving! Rini ran to Trowa's backside, but Amy saw her coming. She took off, running the other way. Pretty soon, Trowa was left helpless as the two girls ran around him and the pot. Trowa: Hey... don't you know it's dangerous to run around the campfire? (waving them off) Get outta here! The two girls giggled as they ran away from Trowa and headed off to the outskirts of the campsite. ====== A little later in the day, we see Yusuke and Nabiki outside the cabin, all alone and away from prying eyes... except for the cameraman's, of course. Nabiki: So, you have an alliance with Trunks? Yusuke: Pretty much. And I want you to join us. Nabiki: I should've figured as much... the way you've been eyeing me all day. Yusuke: I was trying to see if you were the right woman for the job. Nabiki: You mean the right woman for you, don't you? Yusuke: Give me a break! I didn't come here to flirt with girls! I came here to win a million dollars! Nabiki: Okay, okay! Hmmm... I should've figured you two were together after that day I caught the two of you fighting each other. Yusuke: And you're the only one besides us who knows about that session! And frankly, I'd like to keep it that way. Nabiki: Whatever you say. Besides, seeing as how strong you two are, it would be in my best interests to not get on your bad side. Yusuke: (smiles) That's a good girl. Now, this is what I want you to do. Yusuke leans over to whisper something into Nabiki's ear. She nods, agreeing, at least for the moment, with everything in his plan. ====== Night Seven A rumble of thunder fills the air shortly after nightfall. The residents at the campsite are in a bit of frenzy as they try to finish their early dinner before the rains came. Rini: (shaking in fear, with her bowl of soup in hand) I'm scared! Amy R.: (almost a mirror image of Rini) Me too! Trunks: (looking at them) Stop being such babies! It's just thunder! Whitney: It's natural to be scared of thunder and lightning at their age. Everyone's frightened of something when they're kids. I used to be afraid of growing up... but look at me now! A flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder later... Amy R./Rini: Aaaaaaahhhhh! Whitney: Eeeekkk! Whitney, scared out of her wits, instinctively grabs the person next to her. And that happened to be Trowa, who didn't seem shocked at all. Rally, sitting on the other side of him, had a different reaction. Rally: Looks like you still haven't grown up to me. Whitney: (letting go of Trowa) What? That one was almost deafening! Rally: For a gym leader, your emotions are sort of off the scale, don't you think? Whitney: Off the scale? Haruka, sitting on the other side of Whitney, decided to clarify. Haruka: When you objected being disqualified from that figurine challenge, you seemed to be very serious and determined. Now, you're acting so childish, as if you're still trying to find your feelings. Whitney: There isn't anything wrong with that, is there? Rally: Not really. It just makes it hard for the rest of us to figure out when you're playing the game and when you're being... well, you. Whitney: I see. Never thought of being identified as the 'mysterious one.' Haruka: Actually, there may be something wrong. Whitney: Huh? Haruka: It's true that having such broad emotions can make people question which side of you they're talking to. But that doesn't help when it comes to trust. Whitney: So what you're saying is that because of my emotions, no one can really understand me, and thus, they don't know if they can trust me or not? Haruka: Yes. That's it exactly. Whitney: (somewhat amazed) Wow. I'd better get control of myself, then. (smiles) I've never been analyzed like this before. It's weird, yet satisfying. Haruka: (glancing at Trowa) It might help if we get a male's perspective. Trowa? Haruka, Rally, and Whitney all looked at the Gundam pilot. Trowa had noticed this, and he didn't seem to be too pleased about it. Whitney: (looking at him with a smiling face) Go ahead... you won't hurt my feelings. Say whatever you want to say about me. Trowa finished the last of his soup and then placed his bowl down by his feet. He then got up and turned to head to his tent. Another flash of lightning illuminated the air. Trowa: You'd better hurry... the rain is coming. Trowa walked away, leaving the three women a bit stunned. Rally: You really think he's... Whitney: Could he be... Rally and Whitney glanced back at Trowa's backside as he bent over to lift the flap to his tent. They then smiled and shook their heads. Rally/Whitney: Naaaaaa. The rest of the group resumed eating, but the short slurping session was ended early as the raindrops started to fall, accompanied by a third rumble of thunder. Haruka: I think it's time we all took shelter. Yugi: I agree. Let's get out of the rain. The seven of them ran to their respective tents, most of them still holding their bowls of soup, hoping to finish them in the comfort of their tents. ****** Day Eight Although the thunder and lightning had long ceased, the rain continued to fall, keeping the sun away on this dreary morning. Gatomon and Guilmon were content with staring out the window. The same couldn't be said for some of the housemates. Yusuke: (parading around) Man! This is so damn boring! James: (still lying in his sleeping bag) Go bore yourself somewhere else. Yusuke: This isn't funny! I've got nothing to do on a rainy day! Only two other people were up. Jet, who was fixing breakfast for the group, and Takuya, who was taking a shower. Actually, make it three, as Amy Mizuno rises from her slumber. Yusuke: (running over to Amy) Amy... please tell me there's something to do around here! Amy M.: (rubbing her eyes) Well... you could always read one of my novels. Yusuke: Forget that! Amy M.: They're very interesting. Yusuke: (crossing his arms over his chest) Unless they involve fighting, I'm not interested. Besides, you probably have all-girly romance stuff anyway. Amy M.: (looking through her bag for a fresh change of clothes) Well, you could always help Jet fix breakfast. Yusuke: (as Amy walks past him) Yeah, right. As Amy approaches the bathroom, Takuya emerges from it. Amy M.: (smiling) Looks like I'm right on time. Takuya: (cradling his dirty clothes under his armpits) Amy, where's the laundry room? Amy M.: (stops for a second) Hmmm... to my knowledge, we don't have a laundry room. Takuya: (a little worried now) Don't tell me we're short of a washer and dryer too! Amy decided not to respond to that, basically confirming Takuya's fears. Takuya: You mean you guys are all wearing day-old clothes? Amy M.: Some of us might be. I know I'm not. Takuya: (as Amy walks past him) What am I supposed to do with these? Takuya held up his dirty clothes, which Amy wisely decided not to look in the direction of. Amy M.: See if there's a plastic bag in the kitchen. Maybe I can figure a way out to wash everyone's clothes later. Takuya: (shrugs his shoulders) Okay. Takuya walks off as Amy closes the door to the bathroom. Yusuke: (grumbling) I thought things around here would be more interesting! ====== Although things at the cabin were slow, it was quite the opposite over at the campsite. Trowa and Rally are pulling a large, folded tarp out of one of the crates. Along with Whitney and Haruka, the four of them were trying to devise a way to cover the area over the pot. Rally: (CC) We got up this morning and it was still raining. To make matters worse, none of us were thinking last night and now all of our firewood is completely soaked! Haruka: (pointing to a grove of nearby trees) We'll have to put it up over there. Whitney: But what about our giant pot and our campfire? Rally: We'll have to move it over there as well. It's the only way this tarp's going to work. Trowa: I think we need to set up the tarp first. Trowa searched through the crates for some rope while Rally carried the tarp over to the designated area. Haruka had already gone over there, plotting the best configuration to keep water from piling onto the tarp from above. Whitney, on the other hand, suddenly became more concerned about how wet her clothes were getting. Whitney: (starting to panic) Guys... I think I'm going to go put a jacket on. Rally hands the tarp to Haruka, then glances back at Whitney. Rally: We don't have time for that! We have to get this tarp up... even if it means getting a cold. Whitney: I'm more worried about something else, Rally. Whitney was actually worried about the fact that the rain was quickly making her outfit very easy to see through. Trowa, luckily, wasn't looking her way to see this. Rally: What's the big worry? You were going to show yourself off eventually, right? Whitney: (blushing red) As a gym leader, I have to uphold decency at all times! Rally: (rolls her eyes) Whatever. I don't care about people looking through my clothes, as long as they don't get any ideas. Whitney: (turning towards her tent) Well, I do! Without another word, Whitney ran back to her tent. Rally: (yelling after her) At least make yourself useful and get Trunks and Yugi to help carry the pot and some of the firewood here on your way back! Once Whitney had disappeared into her tent, Rally turned to Haruka and sighed. Haruka: You'd really allow guys to see through your clothes? Rally: Of course not! Haruka: Then why? Rally: It's to teach her a lesson. If she's a gym leader, wouldn't she at least have the DECENCY to put on something that's not white before going out in the middle of a rainstorm? Haruka: Would it be something you'd worry about before stepping out the door? Rally: Of course! I wouldn't want random guys eyeballing me all day! Haruka: There are ways to keep them away. Trowa: (arriving with rope in hand) Since I'm not even supposed to be hearing this conversation, let's just get to the task at hand and forget about it. Rally and Haruka decide to follow Trowa's advice and get to work on positioning the tarp. ====== It didn't take long for everything to fall into the place. The tarp was now comfortably tied in place, with four trees acting as posts. Thanks to Trunks and Yugi, the firewood and the cooking pot were now settled under the tarp. Whitney, now wearing a yellow windbreaker (with a Plain Badge patch sown right above her left breast) and a pair of yellow sweatpants, had brought over a gallon jug of water to use for cooking. Yugi: (happily) Wow, Whitney! You look great! Whitney: (twirling around to show off) You really like it? It's a standard spring-weather outfit for Pokémon League gym leaders. Yugi: Neat! Haruka: (huddling over a pile of wood) Does anyone know where the matches are? Rally: (walking over from the campsite) Here you go. Rally hands a box of matches to Haruka, who attempts to get a fire going to cook which would now be an early lunch, as it was nearing eleven thirty in the morning. Trunks: (holding his stomach as it grumbles) When are we going to eat? Yugi: We have to get the fire started first. Trunks: (sighs, then heads back to main camp) I'm going to go see what the girls are doing. As Trunks walks off, Rally huddles over the campfire with Haruka to help her with the fire. Meanwhile, Yugi and Whitney begin a friendly conversation as Trowa returns with a tin of rice and some partially thawed sausage patties. Trowa: This is all we have left. Rally: That's all? You sure? Trowa: (nods) I checked the boxes several times. This is it. Whitney: (joining the conversation) Oh no... that's not good, is it? Yugi: When are we going to get more food? Haruka: (looking up at the fire and back towards camp) Why don't you ask him? The foursome glances over to the main camp, where Tenchi is standing there with an umbrella over his head. He seems to be talking to Trunks, who points the host towards the group under the tarp. Tenchi: (waving at them) Hello! Yugi: Good morning, Tenchi! Whitney: You're not here to inform us of a challenge, are you? Tenchi: (smiles, then looks up at the sky) Not with this rain. I'm actually here to replenish your food supply. Rally: (happily) Really? What do you have? Tenchi: Well, it's not on me. We're transporting it here as we speak, but the weather needs to clear up before we can get up here. Yugi: How long will that take? Tenchi: Pretty soon. It's not raining down in the village anymore, so it should be stopping any minute now. Yugi: That's good to know. ====== Soon afterwards, the rain does stop. Haruka and Rally have finally managed to get the fire ready, and the smell of the sausage patties starts to filter all over camp... including to the tents where Amy R., Rini, and Trunks were hiding out. Tenchi was now standing in the middle of base camp. Whitney, Yugi, and Trowa were with him as the young Masaki pulled out a small cube from his pants pocket. He then proceeded to flick it onto the ground. Upon contact, the cube grew into a Japanese sliding door. Whitney/Yugi: (in shock) Amazing! Trowa: How did you do that? Tenchi: Actually, this isn't my work. This is Washu's. Tenchi slid the door open, revealing a lavendar-ish portal. Things turned even more strange when Washu came out of it. Yugi: What is that thing? Washu: It's not a thing, dearie. It's my transdimensional portal! Don't you just love it? By the way, the name's Little Washu! Trowa: You mean you can transport things from one place to another? Washu: That's what it's used for! Now, I believe I have something you need. Tenchi: You do have all the supplies, right Washu? Washu: (smiles) Of course! Two small miniature Washus pop up on either shoulder, surprising (or startling) the three Roomies. Mini-Washu A: Washu never fails! Mini-Washu B: She always comes through! Trowa, Whitney, and Yugi sweatdrop. Washu: Alright, a week's worth of supplies, coming up! Suddenly, four crates are brought out of the portal, one at a time. They are put down besides the empty ones sitting on the site. Under each of the crates about thirty or forty mini-robots each, all with the power to carry hundreds of times their own weight. Whitney: Whoa! Talk about futuristic! Yugi: I've never seen anything like this! The mini-robots then proceeded to take the empty crates into the portal. Washu: I'm dropping by the cabin too, right? Tenchi: Yeah. I'll be there in a few minutes. Washu disappeared into the portal, which closed behind her. Tenchi: Anyway, I don't have much time. Each of the crates has something different. In addition to another week's supply of food and water, there's also some laundry materials so that you can all wash your clothes. Whitney: Amazing! You actually knew what we needed! Tenchi: (scratching his head sheepishly) That's why we have cameramen, Whitney. Tenchi then waved goodbye as he left to surprise the cabinmates with a similar package... ====== Which they took in stride... Tally: We can finally wash our clothes! Takuya: Clean underwear at last! James: (crying tears of joy) I've never been this happy in my entire life! Jet shook his head in dismay as he watched his fellow cabinmates rejoice. Jet: You're all nuts! ****** As the group at the campsite enjoyed lunch, Haruka decided to eat light and to instead spend her time inspecting the crate containing the laundry materials. Inside, she found a small cube similar to the one Tenchi had that created the dimensional portal. Throwing it onto the ground, it materialized into a small washer and dryer set. On top of it were instructions to run the machines. Haruka: (examining them) Hmmm... solar powered? Now I see why Tenchi was waiting for the rain to go away. As Haruka continued to go through the crate, everyone else was imagining the opportunity to wear clean clothes. Most of them, for the first time in days. Amy R.: I'm glad we can finally wash! I only have three sets of clothes, you know! Trunks: (holding his nose) No wonder you stink. Haruka: (shouting at the group) Okay, who needs laundry done? In an instant, all seven of her fellow campers race back to their tents, gather up all their dirty clothes, and throwing them all in a pile at Haruka's feet. Obviously, they didn't care that the clothes on the bottom would be worse off because the grass was still wet. Nor did some of them care about Haruka, as a few bunches of clothes got thrown onto her. After the rush of dirty and smelly clothes had ceased, everybody ran back over to the fire to finish their lunches. As for Haruka, who was now digging herself out of the pile... Haruka: (sarcastically) Glad to see someone cares. ====== At the cabin, that group had already thrown all of their dirty clothes into the crate that had housed the laundry materials. Which was okay, since they had all already been removed. Amy M. had decided to do laundry detail, which she didn't mind at all. Jet: (peeking out the front door) Are you sure you're okay with this? Amy M.: (smiling) Of course. Besides, now that the sun's out, I can spend the rest of the day outside! Jet: (going back inside) Suit yourself! As Amy began the first load, she sat down in one of the chairs she had brought out from the cabin and resumed reading one of her novels. ====== With the sun out, everyone was free to resume their everyday activities. If that wasn't enough, the fact that there was no challenge scheduled for today gave everyone an opportunity to relax and have some fun. It was an opportunity that Nabiki was going to use to its fullest. Nabiki: Who wants to go out exploring? Guilmon: (jumping up and down) Ooh, ooh! I want to go! Nabiki: (patting Guilmon's nose) Okay! (to the others) Anyone else? Everyone in the cabin was pretty much ignoring her; their minds too focused on the TV. Today, they were watching 'Cowboy Bebop,' Jet's show. Nabiki: Are you all deaf or do you all just ignore me to annoy me? Yusuke: (walking up to Nabiki) If you don't feel that safe walking alone in the forest, I'll go with you. Nabiki: You? Yusuke: I need to get out of here anyway. It's so boring! Yusuke then got serious, as if he were about to give Nabiki a demand. Yusuke: But this better not be some nature communal! Nabiki: Nonsense! (cheerfully) Would a face this cute lie to you? Nabiki happily pointed to her bright smile. Yusuke: (shrugs his shoulders) Whatever. Let's just go. The trio of Nabiki, Yusuke, and Guilmon headed out, waving goodbye to Amy as they left. Nabiki: We'll be back in a little while, Amy! Amy M.: (waving back) Okay then! ====== Drifting away from 'civilization,' the mismatched trio made their way to the edge of a cliff, overlooking a valley of clouds below. Yusuke: So, what are we doing here? Nabiki: I don't know about you, but I'm going to help Guilmon with his agility. Yusuke: Agility? You mean you're going to actually train him? I thought we came out here to relax! Nabiki: It won't be too long. Besides, it's giving us an opportunity to talk. Yusuke: Talk? Nabiki: (nods) Yes. (to Guilmon) Guilmon, could you please stand on one foot? Guilmon: (blinks) Which one? Nabiki: Whichever one you prefer. Yusuke: (walking up to Nabiki) Talk about Guilmon? Nabiki: About us. I want to discuss the terms of our alliance. (to Guilmon) Try to keep balanced. Guilmon is thrashing here and there, desperately attempting to keep from falling. Yusuke: (laughing hysterically) What is this? You teaching him to be a circus animal? Nabiki: Have some faith in me! I'm taking this whole 'Digimon training' challenge seriously! Yusuke: But we don't even know when this challenge will be. Nabiki: (to Guilmon) Steady... put all your weight on your planted foot. (to Yusuke) That's why we have to constantly train. (to Guilmon) Extend your arms out, as if you had wings. Nabiki demonstrated by extending her arms out all the way. Guilmon tried his best to follow by example, but it was too much for him as he fell over backwards. Yusuke: (laughing hysterically again) Ha! Did you see the way he fell? Nabiki: (going over to Guilmon's side) Guilmon, are you okay? Guilmon: (slowly getting up) I'm fine. I'm just not used to standing on one foot. Can't I just stand on both? Nabiki: I'm trying to make you more agile. That'll make it easier to move and avoid attacks. Yusuke: (still laughing but gathering himself) Avoid attacks? We want to beat Gatomon, not avoid her all day! Nabiki: Fighting is not all offense, Yusuke. I thought someone who throws punches and kicks as much as you do would know that. Yusuke: Since when did YOU know so much about fighting? Nabiki: Let's just say it has something to do with the company I keep. Yusuke scratched his head, wondering what Nabiki meant by that statement. ====== A few hours later, Whitney decided to take a walk of her own. A very short one, though, as the campsite is still in sight behind her as she pulls out her Pokéball from her windbreaker pocket. Whitney: (throwing the Pokéball to the ground) Pokéball, go! Upon contact with the ground, the Pokéball opened up. Out of it came Milty, Whitney's own personal Miltank, which had been brought here a few days ago. Milty: (happily) Mil mil! Whitney: Sorry I haven't seen you except for when I had to feed you. "You feel like getting in some rollout training today? Milty: Mil! Whitney: Okay. I just need to do something first, okay? Whitney had with her one of her uncle's milk extracting devices, which she attached to Milty's udders. She then connected the device's other end to an open, empty gallon-sized water bottle. Whitney: (reassuring Milty) This'll only take a few minutes. As Milty relaxed and let the machine do its work, Yugi decided to come over and check things out. Yugi: I've never seen a cow milked in person. In fact, I've never seen it done this way! Whitney: My uncle Milton runs a Miltank farm just outside of Goldenrod. This device allows the Miltank to be milked without feeling a thing! Yugi: Sounds easy! Whitney: Yep! And as he always says, 'No mess, no fuss!' Seconds later, the machine stopped running, as Whitney saw that the jug was nearly full. Yugi: How come you only thought of this now? Whitney: Well, Milty doesn't like being milked often. Plus, there wasn't a reason to milk her. Yugi: Until now? Whitney: (nods) Remember that tin of cookies Rini got when we filled out our 'Wish List?' Yugi: Yeah, I remember. Whitney: (winks) Well, you can't have cookies without milk, can you? After testing the milk to make sure it was okay to drink (which indeed it was), Whitney and Yugi went back to camp to share it with the others. ====== Night Eight That evening, Trowa wanted to pull one of his fellow campers aside and talk to him/her. They are currently out of sight and sound from the others, and we cannot see who Trowa is talking to as of yet. Trowa: It's in our best interests that we work together. ??????: I don't know. I'm not ready to go so far as to ally with anybody yet. Trowa: It's only a thought. I won't force you to join me if you don't wish to. ??????: This is a very hard decision for me. Trowa: Take your time. I want you to decide what's best for you. Trowa's partner is revealed to be Haruka, who nods. Haruka: You understand my position, right? Trowa: Of course. You don't entirely trust me, so you're not willing to put your trust in me yet. Haruka: That's the gist of it. Trowa: Okay. The two then proceeded to walk back to camp, where dinner was almost ready. ====== Unfortunately, dinner would be delayed at the cabin, thanks to somebody's mistake. Yusuke: (holding up one of his shirts) Who put a hole in one of my shirts? Nabiki: (trying to calm Yusuke down) You just got back from a day out, and here you are causing trouble again! Yusuke: My shirt got ripped? Who did it? Amy M.: How can it be ripped? I folded that shirt myself. Yusuke: (looking angrily at Amy) It was you! You did it, didn't you? Amy M.: I'm a kind person, honest! I would never do a thing like that! Yusuke: You expect me to believe that? Jet: Now, hold your horses! Yusuke: Hold my horses? There wasn't a rip in this shirt before, and now there is. And the only person who took care of the laundry today was Amy! Amy M.: But I swear that there wasn't a hole in it when I folded it! Yusuke: (yelling) That was my favorite shirt! How could you rip it? Jet: (putting his hand on Yusuke's shoulder) There's no need for yelling! We won't get anywhere that way! Keith: (snickers) I've never seen someone so uptight about his clothes! Yusuke stomps out of the cabin, clutching the shirt with the hole in it in his left hand. He doesn't even look at Amy or anyone else as she leaves. Amy M.: The hole wasn't there, I swear! Tally: (comforting Amy) There there... we know it wasn't you. Jet: It had to be someone. Look, I'm going to go chase him down before he does something he'll regret. In the meantime, somebody better claim responsibility for this. Jet leaves to chase down Yusuke. Amy tries to hold herself together as Tally runs her left hand along her back. James, Nabiki, and Takuya seemed stunned, while Keith seems to be smiling happily for some odd reason. ========================= End Episode Five ========================= Tenchi: (VO) On the next episode of Roomies... Kirby: (waving hello) Hiiiiiiiii! Jet: What the... Tenchi: (VO) We find out if Washu's devices are malfunctioning... Trunks: Looks like someone's down to two outfits. Haruka is examining the remains of one of Amy Rose's green skirts. Tenchi: (VO) Or if someone's just playing a dirty rotten trick... Keith: (looking innocent) It wasn't me! Kirby: (sleeping soundly) Zzzzzzzz... Amy R.: That's something you don't see everyday. Tenchi: (VO) Also, what happens when you don't train your Digimon right? Takuya: What do we do now? Amy M.: We've got no choice. The two watch helplessly as Gatomon is getting beat up by some Pagumon. Gatomon: Help me! Kirby appears again, sucking a flame monster into his mouth and absorbing its powers to become... Fire Kirby! Nabiki: What creature is that? Tenchi: (VO) Finally, the next challenge brings back another video game hit back to life... Yugi: One tick to the right, normal shot, and 80 percent power. Tally: Make this putt and we've got the lead! The 'Hole in One' sign flashes on screen as two teammates celebrate. Whitney: Too much, too much! One Kirby multiplies into three. The three then dance around, doing cartwheels and the like, all while staying in sync with each other. Trunks: This has got to be the lamest thing ever. Tally: (with her face in the camera) One reason why I rarely drink. Tenchi: (VO) We have fun with pink on the next episode of Roomies! Kirby rolls off the screen and out of bounds, ending the game. Yusuke: (shaking his fist) I'm gonna kick your... ==================== Additional Author's Notes ==================== Wow... here's a first! Nothing to really talk about! Everything should be crystal clear or already be explained. So there's no author's notes! But from last episode... the answers to #9 and #10: 9: In what African country does the Blue Nile River originate from? Sudan, Ethiopia, or Uganda? [Answer: Ethiopia] 10: What is the largest city in Japan closest to my home in the Okayama prefecture? Tokyo, Osaka, or Sapparo? [Answer: Osaka] ========================= For the Fans ========================= Voting for the Final 4 resumes this week. Regardless of if you have or have not submitted one entry yet, everyone is eligible this week to submit a new Top 4 list. You'll be able to submit one this week, and one next week, since both will have two episodes released. The once per two episode rule will take effect again after that. For those of you who were on the Roomies mailing list last season, you remember that I occassionally sent you 'Extras.' These extras, if I recall, were extended versions of several challenges. This season, I've decided to do a full all-access version. In writing episodes, I sometimes have to cut out scenes to make the correct episode length. But this year, you'll now get a chance to see a lot more of what was missed. And it's more than just having the challenges being extended (but not fully played out, mind you... that takes way too much room and is too monotonous). Scenes of all sorts are put back in... from bonding scenes to goofing off ones. Deep in thought sections and probably a few things that normally wouldn't make the cut. The first Uncut Session, which features never-before seen material from the first five episodes of this season, including the one you just finished reading, will be up on Friday. Some material will be rated PG-13, so be aware. Also, please note that if you wish, you may skip over that and... Go straight to Episode 6, which will also be posted on Friday! 'Til then!