"Roomies 3: Digital Frontier," written by Freedom Fighter Well, continuing on with the next episode of the season. Enjoy! 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., Sailor Moon - Amy R., Sonic the Hedgehog - Haruka, Love Hina - James, Pokémon: Master Quest - Jet, Cowboy Bebop - Keith, Yu-Gi-Oh! - Nabiki, Ranma 1/2 - Rally, Gunsmith Cats - Rini, Sailor Moon Super S - Takuya, Digimon Frontier - Tally, Digimon Tamers - Trowa, Gundam Wing - Trunks, Dragonball Z - Whitney, Pokémon: Master Quest - Yugi, Yu-Gi-Oh! - Yusuke, Yu-Yu Hakusho (Show scenes of Tally being stretched, Jet riding a roller coaster, Nabiki playing a card game, and Trowa giving Gatomon an order.) 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 8 - Hanging Out at the Hotel (04.01.03) Day Thirteen With the Great Trailmon Race now complete, the crowd starts to thin out as the Digimon begin to head off. Among them are sixteen Roomies, all making their way to the nearby Trailmon station to head back to their hotel. Amy Rose was not in a hurry to leave, though. In fact, she was busy admiring a few baby and in-training level Digimon that had been brought to the race by their babysitters, two Elecmon. Amy R.: They're so cute! (to the Elecmon) You must be happy to have so many children... even though they all look so different. Elecmon A: They're not our children. We're just their caretakers. Elecmon B: Speaking of children... aren't you rather large for a rookie-level Digimon? Amy R.: (laughs) I'm not a Digimon. I'm a hedgehog! Elecmon A: A head hog? Elecmon B: (looking at his partner) Weird name for a Digimon species. Before Amy could explain that she was not a Digimon, she was tugged away by Tally. Tally: You have to be careful, Amy. What if those Digimon are dangerous, like the ones back at the campsite? Amy R.: They're just babies, Tally! They wouldn't harm a flea! Tally: We don't know that for sure. Tally and Amy catch up to the rear of the group, which includes Nabiki, Whitney, and Rally. At the head of the group were James, Trowa, and Yusuke. Yusuke: I don't understand how girls can just yakkity-yak so much. James: I've never understood them. They have to talk about every little thing. Trowa: Women do it to get their thoughts off their chests. Unlike us men, women aren't able to keep their emotions bottled up for a long period of time. Yusuke: Ol' Haruka must be the exception. I rarely see her with the others. Trowa: It's because she's older than they are. She doesn't exactly fit in with the types of conversations that the girls like Nabiki and Amy are used to. Yusuke: You sure seem to know a lot about women. James: Yeah... especially for someone who hangs around guys a lot. Trowa: It helps you have that special someone in your life to enlighten you. The group finally boarded their Trailmon, Angler, and headed back to Hamburger Village. ====== Night Thirteen After the ride back, most of the Roomies either went straight to dinner at a local burger establishment or returned to their room. Those that went directly to their rooms were satisfied with ordering room service. Eventually, all of the Roomies did return to their rooms to retire for the night. And not a moment too soon for Trunks, for as soon as he got into his room, he plopped down on his bed and fell soundly asleep. That didn't leave many options for James, who just decided to lay down and turn in early as well. ====== Day Fourteen Haruka and Tally were in the middle of eating breakfast in the hotel's own restaurant. The two roommates, at least for their stay in Hamburger Village, had grown quite attached to each other. Tally: Don't you hate that we're considered the old ladies of the group? Haruka: We are the oldest. Tally: Yeah, but I'm only 23. You're 29. In my eyes, we're both still very, very young! Haruka: Funny... I really don't feel all that young. Tally: Work with me here, Haruka. Haven't you ever watched these reality shows before? Haruka: Not really. Don't have much time to watch TV, between running the Hinata Tea House and doing my grad student research. Tally: The point is that the oldest people never, and I mean never, do well. The only way we're going to get a shot at the money is to work together. Haruka: You're suggesting an alliance? Tally: Yes... between the four adults in the group. You, me, Jet, and Keith. Haruka: I don't think having Keith in our group is a good decision. Why not one of the other girls, like Rally or Whitney? They're at least 20, right? Tally: I think so. But I only want the four oldest players in the alliance. With us working together, we can sweep the Final Four and give each of us a realistic shot of winning the whole thing! Haruka: And what if any of us is already in an alliance? Tally: I'll tell you the truth... I'm not in one. I've been hanging out with Jet the past few days, but he told me honestly he's not in one. I would suppose Keith would force someone to ally with him, but I don't think he's tried yet. Haruka: I bet he's still sizing up his potential candidates. Tally: Are you in an alliance? Haruka: No. But I'd be willing to be part of this one... as long as you think having Keith in it isn't a mistake. Tally: It's not. Besides, we're eventually going to have to stab each other in the back, right? It's going to be every man or woman for themselves in the end, so if we can manage to work together until then, we'll be fine. Haruka: Alright then... I guess I'm stuck talking to Keith. Tally: Why? Haruka: You already have a good base with Jet. You can convince him easily. Keith's going to take some doing. Tally: Let me talk to Keith. It's my plan. Besides, if we both go around looking for them, the others will get suspicious. At least if I do it myself, I'll draw all the attention and not you. Haruka: Sounds good to me. ====== A few hours later, Keith and Yusuke are seen walking down the hall, wearing only boxers. They have towels hanging over their shoulders... so it's obvious that we know where they are heading. Yusuke: This is great! A swim is just what we need to relax! Keith: And wait 'til we get there! Babes in bikins... what could be better? Yusuke: I'm there! I don't care who it is... if it's wearing a bikini, I'm all over it! Yusuke and Keith finally arrive at the entrance to the hotel's indoor pool. Opening the door, they expected to see some of the girls swimming or running around in scantily clad swimsuits. Instead, all they saw were 25-30 Digimon swimming or running around. Keith: There's nobody here! No Nabiki, no Amy... Yusuke: And Rally's not here either. Heck, I wouldn't even mind seeing Whitney in a bathing suit. But there's nobody here! Keith: So much for having some fun. Yusuke: Screw this. I'm going back to my room. Keith: (stopping Yusuke) Hold on there, bucko. Yusuke: What? Keith: You've got to learn to be opportunistic. Keith pointed down the length of the pool to a Lillymon that was lying face down in a lawn chair. She was sunbathing indoors, thanks to the sunroof that was directly above the pool. Yusuke: Isn't that a Digimon? Keith: A babe of a Digimon at that! Yusuke: Hello! (knocks on Keith's head a few times) Is your brain still in there or do you need me to jab it back into place? Keith: What are you jabbering about? We came here to see chicks and we've got one ripe for the picking! Yusuke: She's a Digimon! Or have you forgotten about the Digimon that attacked us already? Keith: If the same type of Digimon were here, they would've already try to get us by now. Will you just relax and go with the flow? Yusuke: So what? I'm still not going over there. Keith: Your loss... that means I get her all to myself! Keith walked over towards Lillymon. Once he got there, he decided the best way to get her attention was to block the sunlight from reaching her. Sure enough, that got an instant reaction from the ultimate-level Digimon. Lillymon: Hey you jerk! You're in my sun! Keith: You know, too much sunlight can be bad for you. Why don't you come with me and we'll find a nice, dark place to get to know each other better? Lillymon: No thanks. Besides, wouldn't you prefer to get wet instead? Keith: Wet? (smiles) As long as you're coming in with me. Lillymon: Sorry darling... I don't flirt with freaks. The plant Digimon then flips herself over to reveal her front side. But before Keith had time to admire her, Lillymon began to charge her cannon arm. Lillymon: Flower Cannon! The attack wasn't strong enough to injure Keith, but it was strong enough to push the dueling trainer into the deep end of the pool. When Keith managed to resurface, he saw Yusuke standing at the edge of the pool, laughing his ass off. Yusuke: (sarcastically) Great going, Romeo! You really impressed her! Keith was about to shoot back a retort, but when he saw someone coming up behind Yusuke, he resorted to a simple smile. Yusuke: What are you so happy about? Keith: (pointing behind Yusuke) That! Yusuke turned around just in time to see Whitney push him into the pool. He got back to the surface to see both Keith and Whitney doing the laughing now. Whitney: Did you see the look on your face when I pushed you in? Yusuke: Well, I didn't find that very funny! Keith: You're alright, Whitney. Couldn't have done it better myself. Whitney: Who says girls don't have fun? Keith: (smiling) Speaking of which, why don't you come in and join us? Yusuke: Yeah... the water's fine! Yusuke splashed some of the pool water back at Whitney, who manages to avoid it. Whitney: Sorry guys! As much as I'd love to give into your masculine pleasure trip, I'd have to decline. Yusuke: What's the matter? (smirks) Can't swim? Whitney: Actually, I'm going shopping with Nabiki and Rally. But since you two are here... Whitney whistled back towards the pool's entrance. Seconds later, Yusuke and Keith are greeted by Rini, Amy Rose, and Trunks, all dressed in their swimsuits and protective floation gear. Whitney: You two wouldn't mind watching the tots while we're out, do you? Yusuke: What do we look like? Babysitters? Whitney: You are now! (to the 'kids') Don't give them too much trouble, okay? Trunks: Don't worry about us! We'll be fine! Rini/Amy R.: Yeah! Whitney: (waving goodbye to the group) See ya later! As soon as Whitney left, Trunks immediately began to make things unbearable for Yusuke and Keith. Trunks: (jumping into the water) Cannonball! The cannonball was enough to get anyone within three feet of Trunks's entrance point was splashed heavily with water. That included Yusuke and Keith. Yusuke: (seething mad) Whitney is so going to pay for this! Keith: (taking off his shades) So much for a romantic getaway. ====== Night Fourteen Although Yusuke and Keith failed to 'score' with Whitney during the day, it seemed that a certain guy and girl were having a fun time hanging out with each other in the pool that very evening. Meanwhile, Nabiki and Whitney were coming back from dinner, thinking of relaxing after a full day of shopping. But on their way to the elevator, they saw Rini sneaking around the entrance to the swimming pool. Nabiki: Rini! What's going on? Rini: (putting a finger to her mouth) Shhhh! I'm spying on someone! Whitney: Really? Who? Rini: Come see for yourself! Nabiki, Rini, and Whitney look around the corner to peer into the indoor pool room and gasp in disbelief. ****** In the pool, the male seemed to be satisfied with lying down on a chair while he watched his female companion make laps in the pool. They were unaware that they had three eavesdroppers watching them from just outside. Whitney: No way! Nabiki: Oh, that is so not right! Rini: What does Amy see in him anyway? Sure enough, the female in the pool was Amy Mizuno. It had to be, with the fast pace she was keeping up. Nabiki: Isn't she, like, a few years older than he is? Whitney: We shouldn't blow this out of proportion. Maybe it's just puppy love. You know, an infatuation. They're into each other, but not really 'in.' Rini: Okay, you lost me. Nabiki: Me too. Whitney: Maybe they've formed a good partnership. Or maybe an alliance. Or maybe they just enjoy each other's company. I doubt that they're in love. Rini: You could be right. I haven't seen them do anything but talk so far. Whitney: How long have they been in there? Rini: Ten minutes, I think. Nabiki: A lot can happen in ten minutes. Whitney: Let's see what they're up to. The three young women listen in, as the glass door leading into the pool room was thin enough to hear a conversation at a normal speaking level. It was then that we see that the guy with Amy was Takuya. Both, naturally, are in their swimming suits. Takuya: (lying back on his chair) Ah... this is the life! (to Amy) How you holding up, Amy? Amy swam to Takuya's end of the pool, the shallow end, and stopped. Amy M.: (not tired at all) I'm still in shape, despite not having gone swimming in almost two weeks. Takuya: I've never seen anyone swim that fast. Amy M.: (blushing) I'm not that good. Takuya: Really! If there was a swimming challenge in this game, I'd bet you'd beat everyone! Including all the guys! How did you get so good? Amy made her way out of the pool. Dripping wet, she walked over to Takuya, who handed her a towel to wipe herself down with. Amy M.: Lots of practice. I swim in my spare time, whenever I'm not studying. Takuya: I'm surprised you actually have time to swim. Between your studying and saving the world. Nabiki: (to Rini) Saving the world? Whitney: (also to Rini) What does she mean by that? Rini: It's nothing, really! It's just that she aspires to saving the world. She is studying to be a doctor. Whitney: I guess that would make sense. Rini: (CC) Amy has to be more careful. Everyone already knows Takuya's secret, and I don't want the same to happen to Amy. Imagine how much attention everyone would be giving her. The three girls looked on for a few minutes longer. Eventually they gave up, seeing that Amy and Takuya were doing nothing more than casually talking. They all went back to their rooms. Amy and Takuya, unaware of Rini and the others, then left the pool. ====== Day Fifteen Having gotten Jet and Haruka to join her, Tally now embarks on the nearly impossible task of convincing Keith to become part of the 'old folks' alliance. Surprisingly, it wasn't as impossible as she thought. Keith: (standing outside his room) Okay, I'm in. Tally: Really? Just like that? Keith: As long as I get into the finals, it's fine by me! Tally: Great! Jet and Haruka will be so glad to find out you've agreed to join us! Tally then ran off, unaware of the sly smile on Keith's face. Keith: (CC) I didn't see that coming, but at least now I've got my ticket in. Now all I have to do is figure out how to use the alliance to tip the scales in my favor. ====== Meanwhile, Whitney is heading out of her room to do some sightseeing. But as she opens her door into the hall, she is unaware that Yugi was about to knock on it. As a result, she bumps right into him and sends him to the floor. Whitney: (bowing over and over) I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Yugi: (getting up) That's alright. I know you didn't mean it. Nabiki: (from inside the room) What's going on, Whit? Whitney: I accidentally bumped into Yugi. Nabiki came to the door just as Whitney was making sure Yugi wasn't hurt. Nabiki: Did you need something, Yugi? Yugi: I just came to talk to Whitney, that's all. Nabiki: (smiling slyly) Oh... I see. Whitney: It's not what you think, Nabiki! Nabiki: After seeing Amy and Takuya last night, seeing you two together isn't so weird. Yugi: Those two were together? Whitney: Stop making such nonsense! Amy and Takuya are just good friends, and the same goes for me and Yugi. (to Yugi) I'm going sightseeing. Wanna come? Yugi: Sure, I guess. I've got nothing else to do anyway. Nabiki: A day out alone? Isn't that romantic? Whitney: We're not a couple! Nabiki: (thinks aloud) Hmmmm... I seem to remember a certain incident a year and a half ago where you helped a Digidestined... Whitney: I was helping him hook up with his girlfriend, not with me! And if you're so worried about Yugi and me hooking up, then why don't you come with us? Nabiki: Okay, fine. At least I get to keep my eye on you... and further my own gains at the same time! ====== Meanwhile, Amy Rose was having fun interacting with the town's Digimon again, despite the warnings that the others had given her. This time around, she was talking with a mother Burgermon and her three kids. Amy R.: I just love your little Digimon! They're so cute! Ma Burgermon: We're Burgermon, and we're the main inhabitants of this town. The three smaller Burgermon were hopping around Amy, giving her the once over. Burgermon 1: Are you a Digimon? Amy R.: Nope. I'm a hedgehog. I'm from another planet far, far away! Burgermon 2: What are those things on your back, and can you take them off? Amy R.: Those are my quills! I can't take them off! I was born with them! Burgermon 3: You sure have a funny face! Amy R.: You should talk, being just a bouncing head and all. Amy continued to talk with the Burgermon for a little longer before leaving them. ====== Night Fifteen That night, Trowa took the elevator to the lobby to request for something at the front desk. Coming out of the lift car, he saw Yugi among those waiting to get in. Yugi: Hey Trowa, what's up? Trowa: Just getting an extra towel, that's all. You just coming back from sightseeing? Yugi: Yep. Trowa left Yugi to join the group in the elevator car, which was heading up. He made his way over to the front desk, but before he could get there, he saw Whitney sitting on a nearby bench, slightly unhappy. Trowa: Anything wrong, Whitney? Whitney: (sighs, then points out the front door) Nabiki got into a little bit of trouble. Trowa: What? What kind of trouble? ====== Indeed, Nabiki was outside the hotel talking to Tenchi. Also with them was a Leomon, who served as the law enforcement for the village. Leomon: You need to be more careful. Who knows what those coyote Digimon would have done to you had you have been alone? Nabiki: I'm sorry. Tenchi: I'm surprised that after everything that's happened that you'd try something like this. I don't want you trying to swindle anyone else again. Otherwise, we may have to consider sending you back home. Nabiki: Please don't do that! My sisters would be devastated if I came home early! Tenchi: Then you know what to do. Now, I suggest you head back to your room and turn in early. Nabiki apologized once more to Leomon, then headed in via the sliding doors. Trowa, having already heard the whole story from Whitney, was waiting for her. Trowa: I'm surprised and shocked. Well, that's what everyone else would say if they were in my position. Nabiki: Trowa... how did you... Trowa: Whitney told me everything. You need to be more careful. Nabiki: I know I was foolish... but I can't help it! That's my nature. Whitney: (coming up to the duo) You'll need to control it, or you'll be destined to not get anywhere in this game. Trowa: (putting a hand on Nabiki's shoulder) You should go and rest up. You need to be focused in order to do well in the next challenge. Trowa then went to the front desk to get his extra towel. Whitney and Nabiki waited for him, then headed for the elevator to go up to their rooms. ****** Day Sixteen The Roomies rose bright and early the following morning. Rini, upon rising from bed, noticed a piece of paper had been slid under her room's door. She picked it up from the ground and read it. Rini: How good can you wheel and deal? It's time to find out in today's roommate challenge. Please be at the Trailmon station at ten o'clock. Rini looked at the digital clock on the nightstand in her room. It read 8:30. Rini: Amy... you'd better wake up or we'll miss the train! She went over to wake up Amy Rose from her slumber. Immediately, the young hedgehog plucked herself out of bed. ====== All fully dressed and ready to go, the sixteen Roomies boarded Kettle the Trailmon this time around as they rode off to their destination... the Autumn Leaf Fair. [Team Assignments: Red - James and Jet Blue - Nabiki and Whitney Yellow - Takuya and Trowa Green - Haruka and Yusuke Orange - Amy M. and Rally Violet - Trunks and Yugi Black - Keith and Rini White - Amy R. and Tally] ====== A two-hour ride that included an on-board free lunch later, Kettle pulls into the station that lied just outside the Autumn Leaf Fair village. Tenchi was already there, waiting for them. Behind him was one cardboard box and eight wagons, filled with an assortment of stuff. Tenchi: Welcome everyone to your third roommate challenge of the game. Takuya: The Autumn Leaf Fair? What are we doing here? Tenchi: Today, Takuya, you all will be running through the grounds of the fair. Each of you will bring along with you one of these wagons. All of the wagons have the same items in it. The items are: a jar with a spider in it, a potted plant, a stuffed teddy bear, a 12 pound bowling ball, a photo of the main cast of 'Digimon Tamers,' a replica of their D-Arc, and a magical hat. Tenchi then produces a rolled up scroll. Tenchi: Each of you will also get a scroll. The object of the game is to trade away all of the items in your wagon for those on the list that's here on this scroll. He hands the scrolls to each of the eight pairs. Inside each of the scrolls, as they discover upon unrolling them, is 200 digidollars, the unit of money for the Digiworld. Nabiki: You mean you're giving us money? Tenchi: The money, Nabiki, is used as a last resort. If you are trying to get an item, but don't have the right item to trade for it, then you can use your money to try to buy it. Be forewarned that the vendors, who are all Digimon by the way, have the right to charge whatever price they wish. The teams began to study their lists, which are also all the same. The teams must get: a box camera, an electric guitar, two unhatched Digi-eggs, a chef's hat, and a Gatomon plushie. Tenchi: Another option to use if you don't have the right item to trade for is to trade through a different vendor. If the vendor you're at tells you an object that he wants that you don't have, you can go to a different vendor to trade for the needed item. Amy M.: So a multi-vendor trade, so to speak. Tenchi: Yes. Anyway, you will be given 90 minutes to get rid of the items in your wagon and return with the items on your list. The teams that do not finish the challenge will be placed depending on what is in your wagon when time expires. Remember, you are all competing to add up to $50,000 to your personal pots. As the group applauded that fact, Tenchi then opened up the cardboard box. Inside were sixteen wristbands, which he handed to each of the Roomies. Tenchi: These are virtual tethers. I need one member of each pair to attach it to their left wrist, and the other member to attach it to their right wrist. To keep you guys from running around the place separately, we are using these to limit your distance. Normally, the wristbands will glow green. If the two teammates get more than 20 meters apart, the band will glow yellow. If that happens, you must get back within range of your partner within 15 seconds. If not, your band will turn red. It will also turn red if the teammates are more than 40 meters apart at any time. Rally: I'm afraid to ask, but... what happens if the wristbands are red? Tenchi: If the wristbands are red, they will begin to beep. During this time, the vendors have been instructed to refuse service until your bands stop beeping. The only way to do this and change your band's color back to green is to have the two wrists of the teammates touch, like so. Tenchi provided an example by bringing Takuya's right wrist and Trowa's left wrist together. Tenchi: One more thing, guys. Some of the items on the list are harder to obtain than others, so keep that in mind while planning your strategy. ====== [Roommate Challenge 3: Trading at the Autumn Leaf Fair] The eight teams were lined up, with their wagons behind them. Tenchi: Remember, you only have 90 minutes! And... begin! The teams run towards the main road leading into the town. Trunks and Yugi are easily the first team to enter, followed closely by James and Jet, Haruka and Yusuke, Takuya and Trowa, Amy M. and Rally, Nabiki and Whitney, Keith and Rini, and Amy R. and Tally. All of the teams immediately branch off to different vendors on that main street, trying to figure out how to get rid of their items. Yugi: Do you have a box camera? Piximon: Sorry kid... no dice! Tally: (putting the magical hat on the counter) Can we trade this for a Digi-egg? Bakemon: Nope! Takuya: (holding up a jar with a live spider in it) Can I trade for it with this? Otamamon: I don't need a jar with a spider. After a few minutes, someone succeeds in getting one of the five items. James: Yeah! We've got ourselves some Digi-eggs! Jet: (giving up the D-Arc to a Starmon) One down, four to go! Starmon: Come back again, cowboy! ====== [Challenge Fast Forward] Let's go team by team and see how they are faring in the first 45 minutes... After James and Jet traded their D-Arc for two Digi-eggs, their good luck continued as they got rid of the teddy bear, the Tamers picture, and the magical hat and obtained the electric guitar and the chef's hat. [Red: 3] Nabiki put her wheeling-and-dealing skills to the test, as Whitney was content with sitting back and pulling the wagon along. But after the first 45 minutes, they had gotten rid of all but the potted plant and had obtained only one of the required items, the box camera. They also had a magical staff and a miniature radio, but neither were on the required list. [Blue: 1] Takuya's knowledge of the fairgrounds did little to help him and Trowa since they had trouble trading away for the right items. Only the spider in the jar and the the picture of the Tamers trio were still in their wagon from the beginning. But they had six other non-required items, including a feathered wing and a replica of the D-Tector. [Yellow: 0] Haruka and Yusuke had trouble at first, but things started to click after two direct scores in a row. They traded the D-Arc for a box camera and the potted plant for a chef's hat, using a Doggymon plushie as a go-between item. But they still had the Tamers' picture and the magical hat in their wagon. [Green: 2] Amy M. and Rally had the bad luck of the draw as they seemed to be picking the wrong vendors. They had gotten rid of all of the items in their wagon, but they now had five other items in their wagon. Included among them are a banjo and a straw hat. [Orange: 0] Trunks and Yugi are moving slower than most teams, doing anything possible to get the best deal at several of the vendors. It pays off initially, as they get the box camera and the electric guitar. It's not until right at the 45-minute mark that they trade away the last of their original items, the stuffed teddy bear, for the chef's hat. [Violet: 3] Keith and Rini found themselves struggling to work together again, but things finally turned their way when they obtained the electric guitar. Soon after they got the two Digi-eggs. With the spider in a jar, the potted plant, and the 12 pound bowling ball still in their wagon, they move on after not having the right item to get the box camera. [Black: 2] Finally, we check in on Amy R. and Tally. They are the only team thus far to use their money as a bargaining chip. After getting rid of all but the D-Arc and the bowling ball and paying up 125 digidollars, they got their hands on three items: the box camera, the electric guitar, and the two Digi-eggs. [White: 3] [End Challenge Fast Forward] ====== Resuming the challenge in real time, Haruka and Yusuke are standing in front of a Gallantmon's stand. They can easily see that he has loads of Digi-eggs on the shelves behind him. Yusuke: We want two of your Digi-eggs, buddy! What do you want for them? Gallantmon: What have you got to trade? Haruka: (holding up their two items) A magic hat and a picture. Gallantmon: Let me see that picture. Haruka hands the picture to Gallantmon. The picture, of course, is of Takato, Henry, and Rika of 'Digimon Tamers.' And we all know that Gallantmon is formed by the biomerge digivolution of Takato and his Digimon, Guilmon. Gallantmon: You've got a deal! Yusuke: (celebrating) Woo-hoo! We've got three! Gallantmon hands a Digi-egg to each of them. Haruka and Yusuke then put it in their wagon and move on. ====== Since we last checked in on Takuya and Trowa, they had managed to obtain a chef's hat, one of the items on their list. Little did they know that they were approaching the only stand that had the Gatomon plushie. The stand belonging to Fetch and Littlekitty, this episode's cameos. Takuya: (pointing towards the stand) A Gatomon plushie! We need that! Trowa: What do you Digimon want for it? Fetch, a yellow labrador morph, and Littlekitty, a white cat morph with red-brown hair, were happy to provide them with information. Fetch: Do you have a feathered wing? Littlekitty: We need a feathered wing! Trowa: I think I saw one in our wagon. Takuya: (pulling it out) Found it! Takuya hands the feathered wing to Fetch while Littlekitty hands Trowa the Gatomon plushie. As they waved goodbye, they saw James and Jet heading their way. Trowa: (to Takuya) Don't say anything. The two teams went by each other without saying a word. Unfortunately for the yellow team, Jet caught the Gatomon plushie out of the corner of his eye. Jet: There! I think that's a Gatomon plushie! James ran over to the stand, with Jet right behind him. But upon seeing James, Littlekitty suddenly erupted into a mad frenzy. Littlekitty: I hate you! James: (jumping back) Eeeeeeeeee! Jet: What's going on here? Fetch: (holding Littlekitty back) She's not a Team Rocket fan. Anyway, do you have a feathered wing? Jet: No. Is that what you want for the Gatomon plushie? (Fetch nods) How about trading for something else? Fetch: The feathered wing only. Nothing else. Jet: (sighs) Guess we'll have to find someone else that has it. James: As long as we don't have to come back here! Littlekitty hissed at James, scaring the Rocket enough that he ran away without the wagon. James: Get me out of here! Jet: Come back here! We have to stay close together! As Jet pulled the wagon with him, his wristband changed from green to yellow. ====== [Time elapsed: 64 minutes, 20 seconds...] With less than half an hour left, the first team finally returned to the starting line, where Tenchi awaits them. It happens to be James and Jet, back after successfully getting all of their items... even the Gatomon plushie. James: Just who do you pick for these shows? That cat almost ripped me to shreds? Jet: That's what you get for being part of an evil organization. Tenchi: Well, you have all five required items and all of the original items are gone. You guys are the first team done. James: You mean we won? James began to celebrate by screaming giddly with glee. Jet: (shakes his head) That's gotta be the weirdest victory scream I've ever heard. ====== [Time elapsed: 70 minutes...] Digitamamon: You break it, you buy it! Trunks: Come on... I didn't mean it! Yugi: (pulling out the money from his pocket) How much? Digitamamon reached over the counter and took all of the money in Yugi's hand. Digitamamon: 200 Digidollars... should be enough. Trunks: That's not fair! We don't have any money left! Digitamamon: Then you shouldn't have broke it! The egg-type Digimon hands Trunks the damaged item... a salt shaker. ====== [Time elapsed: 87 minutes, 30 seconds...] Two and a half minutes to go. Loud beeping fills the air as Nabiki runs through the streets in a hurry. Not too far away, Nabiki's teammate, Whitney, is waiting in front of Fetch and Littlekitty's stand. Whitney: (pleading with Littlekitty) Please! I'm running out of time here! Littlekitty: Sorry Whitney. Fetch: Yeah. Until your partner gets here, you can't trade. Those are the rules. Whitney had the feathered wing, the required item to get the Gatomon plushie from the two furries, but no partner. Her wristband was glowing red and beeping loudly. Finally, Nabiki came into view from a few stands away. Whitney: (waving her hands up and down) Nabiki, over here! I'm over here! The Gatomon plushie is here! Nabiki ran over as fast as she could, as she finally arrives at the stand a minute later. Nabiki: Why did you wander off like that? Whitney: I got a hot tip from a Starmon who knew exactly where to get the Gatomon plushie. After tapping their wristbands together, they stopped beeping and changed back to their original green color. Whitney: Now... can we get the plush doll? The cameos handed over the Gatomon plushie in exchange for the feathered wing. And just in time too, for as the two women left the stand, their bands turned to the black... indicating that time had run out. ====== Once all the teams had been gathered back at the starting line, Tenchi began to figure out where everyone placed. Only one team other than the Red Team (James and Jet) had finished within the time limit, and that was the Violet Team (Trunks and Yugi). Tenchi: Okay, I do have the final results. In fifth place, to add $10,000, is the White team, for having four of the five items and all but one of the originals out of their wagon. Amy Rose and Tally seem to be somewhat satisfied. Tenchi: Coming in fourth for $20,000, with four of the five items and all of the original items gone, is the Blue team. Nabiki is disappointed, but Whitney is rather happy after their narrow escape. Tenchi: For third place $30,000, having collected all five of the needed items but not finishing in time, is the Yellow team. Takuya and Trowa enjoy a modest celebration. Tenchi: The top two we know, because they were the only teams to finish the game in time. Second place, for $40,000, went to the Violet team. Trunks and Yugi share a well-deserved high-five. Tenchi: And the winners of the challenge are the Red team of James and Jet, who completed the challenge in an hour and four minutes. Congratulations! As James and Jet surprisingly get loads of congratulatory remarks from their fellow teammates. This was despite the fact that some of the players that didn't place weren't happy with their result. ========================= End Episode Eight ========================= Tenchi: (VO) On the next episode of Roomies... Tally: You mean we're going back? Tenchi: (VO) You heard right! The Roomies head back to the original camp... Rally: (holding up her 'toy' gun) I dare just one Digimon to attack us! Amy R.: Are you nuts? Tally: It's quiet... too quiet. Tenchi: (VO) Of course, the quiet doesn't last for long... Yugi: (activating his Millennium Puzzle) Yu-Gi-Oh! Yusuke: The evil spirit... it's here! Whitney: We have no choice! We have to make this our business! Evil Spirit: You will never stand a chance against a power this strong! Tenchi: (VO) Will the evil menace be defeated at long last? Keith: No... you'll never do that to me again! Amy R.: This is unlike anything I've ever imagined! Tenchi: (VO) Oh... and for those of you concerned just about the game... Rini: Aren't I a bit small for this ride? Tenchi: (VO) Check out the dizzying heights in our next challenge... Whitney: You mean we have to ride... that? Jet: How about first explaining what that is supposed to be? Tenchi: (VO) Don't miss the double-length midway episode of Roomies! Keith: It'll be worth the admission. ==================== Additional Author's Notes ==================== The Autumn Leaf Fair appears in Episode 17 of 'Digimon Frontier,' though in that episode the 'Digidestined' do not trade for a whole bunch of items. They are only searching for their D-Tectors, which were taken by some Toucanmon. Thanks to Fetch and Littlekitty for cameoing this episode, and for being patient through the delayed weeks that it took to finish this. Hopefully you're happy with your scenes. If not, there are a few extra scenes reserved for the next Uncut Session! ========================= Next Episode ========================= Episode 9, which will be double-length, will be posted as soon as I can get around to it. Hopefully that will be within the next week. Until then...