"Roomies 3: Digital Frontier," written by Freedom Fighter We're now three-fourths of the way home folks. In the game, they're only two-thirds, but in terms of episodes, it's three-fourths. Enjoy Episode 13! 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) - Tally, working with partner Riley as they boot up the Juggernaut program - Takuya, diving out of the way of a truck that spins to avoid hitting him - James, being swindled by the Magikarp seller - Amy M., studying for high school entrance exams with her friends - Rally, driving her Shelby GT down the highway at more than 120 mph - Jet, piloting the Bebop as Spike looks on from the side - Keith, observing a duel between Yugi and Kaiba atop Pegasus's castle - Rini, chatting with her own Moon kingdom kitty, Diana - Amy R., freeing her idol Sonic from a cage upon the Death Egg - Trunks, practicing how to fuse with Goten - Yugi, putting together the Millennium Puzzle - Yusuke, facing off against the three-eyed demon Hiei - Whitney, ordering Milty to roll down and back up a hill - Haruka, showing the dilapidated Hinata Summer House to the Hina crew - Nabiki, standing in front of the Anything-Goes Martial Arts dojo - Trowa, slipping on his circus costume (Show scenes of Keith walking to Salt Lake City, Haruka in a giant Bowser suit, Takuya sitting in a square, and Amy M. carrying a tent building kit.) 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 13 - Here's a Little Pick-Me-Up (05.27.03) Day Twenty-Seven When we last left the gang of Roomies, they were in the middle of the fourth prize challenge. We were gazing in on the men, as they were about to reveal their hands in Round Five. Trowa and Yusuke have both bet six chips, while Yugi played it safe and betted only two. Faye: Okay gentlemen... reveal! The hands are revealed: Trowa has a 4, a 5, and a Q (19 total), Yusuke has a 3 and two 9's (21 total), and Yugi has a 9 and a J (19 total). Faye: Yusuke wins the hand! Yusuke: You made a mistake doubling the bet, Trowa! Trowa: Maybe so, but the game is far from over. [Chips: Yusuke 16, Trowa 6, Yugi 5, Keith/James/Jet/Takuya/Trunks 0] Faye collects the cards as Yusuke gathers up the chips he won with this hand, which has given him the lead once again. ====== While the five remaining players (three male, two female) prepare for Hand Six, there seems to be some talking between two of the already eliminated players. Jet: Tally, you were supposed to throw the challenge so that we could all be together at the campsite tonight! Tally: Well, I wanted to have that home theater system so much! Jet: That's not the way we planned it! Tally: Well, I can't help the way the game played out! Besides, what about Haruka? I thought you said you talked to her! Jet: I didn't get a chance to! Tally: (throws up her hands in frustration) That's just great... our whole plan's gone right down the tube! Jet: No it hasn't! We'll just try again at the next challenge. Tally: But what if the next challenge is a physical challenge? We might not all end up on the same team! Jet: Will you quit your worrying? We'll find a way to get together. We have to. The longer we stay apart, the more time we're giving Keith to get some of the others to turn against us! Tally: Why don't we use Nabiki like you've been suggesting the whole time? Jet: I guess we don't have a choice. I'll talk to her later. Tally and Jet both look around to make sure no one is watching them. They then begin to try and plan out how to use Nabiki to help them. ====== [Hand Six] Let's stay with the men to start off this hand, as Trowa, Yusuke, and Yugi continue to battle for the home theater system. Yusuke decides to stick with his hand and puts forth half of his chips, eight total. That ends up making Trowa and Yugi very nervous as they examine their hands. Currently, the face up cards are an Ace (Yusuke), a 9 (Trowa), and a 3 (Yugi). Trowa: I'll hold and bet four chips. As Trowa pushed his bet forward, Yugi drew one card from the deck. He reaches to pull a second, but then stops midway. Yugi: (CC) I was sitting there and thinking... do I really want to risk it? It would be nice to have that home theater system... but do I want to take a chance at automatically losing two of my five remaining chips? Yusuke: Hello? Are you going to draw or what? Yugi: I've gotta trust in the heart of the cards! I'll draw! Off to the side, Keith is trying to hold his laughter in as he points out Yugi to James. Keith: I can't believe he still believes in that whole 'heart of the cards' crap! Yugi draws from the deck and pulls a 9. It's enough to put him over 21, as he tosses his cards aside and gives up two of his chips. Keith, meanwhile, is in stitches. Keith: Ha! I knew that it would fail him one of these days! Keith continues to laugh uncontrollably... which is thankfully stopped by Rally elbowing him upside the head. Rally: Keep it down, will ya? Some of us are trying to watch! With Yugi out, Yusuke and Trowa reveals their cards. Yusuke has an Ace and a 10 (21 total), while Trowa has a 9 and an Ace (20 total). Faye: Yusuke wins again! Yusuke: Ha! No one can beat me when it comes to gambling! [Chips: Yusuke 20, Yugi 3, Trowa 2, Keith/James/Jet/Takuya/Trunks 0] Meanwhile, over at the women's table, Tenchi deals hands to Amy M. and Whitney. Whitney: You surprise me, Amy. I never thought of you as the gambling type. Amy M.: I've never really gambled in my life. It's just that this game involves so much strategy... something I'm really good at. Both of them look at their cards, and then at the undrawn deck in front of Tenchi. Amy's face up card is a 3, while Whitney's is a 4. Amy M.: I'll take one card, Tenchi. Tenchi hands her a card and waits to see if she'll draw any more. After some though, Amy shakes her head and holds, betting two chips on the outcome. Whitney: Let's see... I think I'll take a card too. She gets one from Tenchi and examines her hand. Satisfied with what she's got, she puts forth all three of her chips. Amy M.: I hope you're not thinking about giving up. Whitney: Not on your life, Amy! I've got the cards to beat your hand! Tenchi: Well, let's find out... reveal! Amy presents a 3, a 6, and a 9 (18 total), while Whitney shows off an Ace, a 4, and a 5 (20 total). Whitney wins this hand and gets one of Amy's chips. [Chips: Amy M. 17, Whitney 4, Haruka/Tally/Amy R./Rally/Rini/Nabiki 0] ====== [Challenge Fast Forward] [Hand Seven] On this hand, Yugi and Trowa both play it safe while Yusuke puts a few chips on the line. Yusuke bets three chips and has two K's in hand (20 total). Yugi bet only one and had three 2's and two 7's (20 total). Trowa wins the hand, though, betting only one chip and winning with a 2, a 9, and a 10 (21 total). Meanwhile, Amy bets two chips on her 4, 7, and 9 (20 total), which is enough to beat Whitney's equal bet of two with an 8 and a J (19 total). [Chips: Yusuke 17, Trowa 6, Yugi 2, Keith/James/Jet/Takuya/Trunks 0] [Chips: Amy M. 19, Whitney 2, Haruka/Tally/Amy R./Rally/Rini/Nabiki 0] [Hand Eight] Yusuke gets careless this time as he accidentally draws enough cards to put him over 21. That leaves this hand to Trowa and Yugi. Trowa bets two chips while Yugi puts in only one. Yugi ends up winning with two 6's and a 7 (19 total) compared to Trowa's 3, 4, and two 5's (17 total). Whitney wins her hand easily when Amy's attempts to get into the magic range of 17-21 while having middle-of- the-road cards bites back by giving her a high 10. [Chips: Yusuke 15, Trowa/Yugi 4, Keith/James/Jet/Takuya/Trunks 0] [Chips: Amy M. 17, Whitney 2, Haruka/Tally/Amy R./Rally/Rini/Nabiki 0] [End Challenge Fast Forward] ====== [Hand Nine] The cards have been drawn at both tables already. The women's table is pretty much a forgone conclusion when Whitney goes to draw a card from the deck... Whitney: (gasps) Oh, of all the luck! Amy M.: What's wrong? Whitney reveals her hand... the face up 6, the face down 8, and the card she just drew, a 9... giving her 23 and eliminating her from the game. Whitney hands over her last two chips, then shakes hands with Amy, who has won on the women's side. Whitney: Good going, Amy. Amy M.: Thanks... you played great too! The rest of the girls come over to congratulate Amy on winning, but it's short-lived for the time being... the men are still locked in battle. Yusuke: Since the girls are done, who's up for a winner-take-all? Yugi: Are you serious? Trowa: You're that confident? Yusuke: Not really... I just wanna get out of here, that's all. Faye: With your lead, you're willing to risk it all? Yusuke: Yeah! So? Faye: (under her breath) Idiot. Yusuke pushes all of his chips in, as we see that he has three cards. Trowa and Yugi debate before they do the same, the latter rather reluctantly. Yugi: (CC) I can't believe I bet everything on that one hand! I'd better be right... or I'll lose it all! Trowa: Time to see who the winner is. Yusuke: It'll be me... just watch! Trowa and Yugi both have four cards in hand, but both feel they have the hand to win. But so does Yusuke, as Faye tells them to reveal their hands. Yusuke: A 2 and two 9's make 20. Beat that! Trowa: I've got a 3, a 5, a 6, and a 7. That makes 21. Yusuke: No way! You beat me? Yugi: Let's see... an Ace, a 2, and two 8's. That only makes 19 for me. Faye: I guess that makes Trowa the winner here at the men's table! Yusuke: (smirking) You lucky devil. Trowa: You brought it upon yourself, you know. Yusuke: Yeah, I know. (pats Trowa on the shoulder) Good work. Yugi also shakes hands with the winner, as does the rest of the group. ====== Once the tables had been cleaned up, Faye bid farewell to the group to head back to the future. But she had a few last words for her fellow bounty hunter, Jet. Faye: For your sake Jet, I hope you win the money. We're out of food on the ship. Jet: (unhappily) We're what? Before Jet could get Faye to explain, she hopped into the teleporter and was sent back to the future. With Faye gone, Tenchi could now congratulate the winners of the challenge. Tenchi: Great going by all of you, but there can only be two winners. Trowa and Amy, will you please step forward? To the applause of the others, the two of them stepped forward. Tenchi: Amy and Trowa, you two are winners of a Bose Home Theater System! Congratulations to both of you and a job well done! Tenchi hands each of them a claim ticket to save for the end of the game. Tenchi: Now, we have to figure out who's going to the cabin. For the men, it'll be Trowa, Yusuke, Yugi, and Keith. On the women's side, we know Amy Mizuno, Whitney, and Haruka are going. Unfortunately, Tally, Rally, Rini, and Amy Rose all went out at the same time. The fourth spot in the cabin will go to the person who didn't go over 21 in that game... and that was Rally. Rally celebrates a little, happy to get to be able to stay in the cabin for another day or two. Tally is also happy, but for a different reason. Tenchi: That only leaves us with one thing, and that's the cards that were sent to you earlier today. Amy R.: Yeah... what are they for and why were their names of our friends and family on them? Tenchi: You'll find out tomorrow, Amy... but I need those filled-out cards from you all now. Once you hand me your card, you can head back. The group hands over their cards one a time before slowly trotting back to either the camp or the cabin. ****** Upon returning to the cabin, Amy Rose, Rini, Takuya, and Tally begin to pack their belongings. Amy R.: (sighs) Back to the camp. Rini: I know. How come we're always the ones stuck there? Takuya: You think I like being out there? Meanwhile, Amy M. and Trowa look as if they're going to start preparing lunch, but Rally stops them. Rally: Wait a minute, you two! Trowa: What's wrong? Rally: You guys won that challenge today! You shouldn't have to work! Amy M.: Winning a challenge doesn't excuse us from work, Rally. Rally: It does in my book, Amy! Let me and Keith handle the cooking. Keith: (lying on the couch) If you think you're getting me off this couch... Rally: Hey! You either come over here when I tell you to, or you wait for Haruka to get here and have her yell at you! Upon hearing that, Keith hops out of the couch and makes his way over to the kitchen. Amy R. can't help but giggle as she sees Keith obeying Rally like a slave. Rally: I'm glad you've come to your senses. Keith: Not really. I just know that I wouldn't want Haruka hitting me. She's like an ox. You on the other hand... you're just a timid little pussycat. Rally: (eyebrow twitching) Timid... pussycat? Rally wraps her arm around Keith's head and tries to squeeze it between her arm and her armpit. Rally: You really wanna see timid? Keith: Hey! You... ack... know you can get kicked off for... ack... this! Rally: I'm sure Tenchi will let this one slide. Trowa: (as he and Amy M. sweatdrop) Um... no comment. ====== Haruka, Whitney, Yugi, and Yusuke, all over at the campsite, are all already packed and ready to leave James, Jet, Nabiki, and Trunks behind. Whitney: (waving goodbye) See you all in a few days! Yusuke: See ya! Wouldn't wanna be ya! Yugi: You guys take care now, okay? Haruka: (pushing all three of them along) Come on... we've got work to do once we get to the cabin. Whitney/Yugi/Yusuke: (simultaneously) What? Again? ====== Soon after the switch was made, the groups began settling in for lunch and a little bit of midday fun. At the campsite, the fun consisted of a game of freeze tag between Amy R., Rini, Takuya, James, and Nabiki. Trunks watched and play game official as the fivesome chased each other around the camp. Rini: (tagging Takuya) Gotcha! Takuya: Hey! Rini: (putting a finger up to her mouth) Shhhh! You're not supposed to talk when you're frozen! Nabiki runs past the duo, unfreezing Takuya in the process. Takuya runs off before Rini can tag him again. Rini: No fair! Rini goes chasing after Takuya at first, but then she switches directions and goes after Nabiki. Meanwhile, James is actually cheating for once... By secretly taking shelter in the branches of a nearby tree. James: (grinning) She'll never find me up here! Amy R.: Hey! You're cheating! James looks down and sees Amy Rose glancing up towards him. Amy R.: It's against the rules to be off the ground! James: I'm a member of Team Rocket! I make my own rules! Amy R.: Trunks... James is cheating! In a burst of speed, Trunks flies just above the tree, going fast enough to generate a wind large enough to shake the tree and make James fall to the ground. Amy steps back and out of harm's way as James lands head first in front of her. Amy R.: That's what you get for cheating! James: (rubbing his head) Do you know how much that hurt? Rini: (looking in their direction) I see you! James and Amy immediately run off in opposite directions, trying to avoid being frozen by Rini. ====== In all the fun, the group hasn't noticed that the two responsible adults of the group have gone off on their own. If you haven't figured it out yet, those two are Jet and Tally. Tally: I told you everything would work out! Jet: Not exactly... Haruka's at the cabin and you're now here. Tally: Doesn't matter. Now, what's this about you guys forming an alliance with Nabiki that you've failed to explain to me in full? Jet: A few days ago, she was parading around, refusing to let anyone sleep. Haruka and I decided to shut her up by making her part of the alliance. Tally: Are you sure that was a good move? What if she backstabs us? Jet: She won't. She trusts us to get her to the end. We're basically her only hope. Tally: Okay then... how do we go about telling Nabiki our plan to get rid of Keith? Jet: We can take our time on that... Keith is over at the cabin. Tally: We can't do that! You said so yourself! The sooner we cut all ties with Keith completely and safely, the better! Jet: Alright, I'll talk to her tonight. Tally: Maybe I should. Jet: She doesn't know that you're the other member of the alliance. I don't want her knowing about you before I know for sure that we can trust her. Tally: Okay... but as soon as that happens, she should know about me. Got it? Jet: Loud and clear, Tally. Go ahead back to camp... I'll go look for some of those meat apples to fix for dinner. The two split up, with Tally heading to camp and Jet further into the woods. ====== Night Twenty-Seven That evening at the cabin, the fun's all over and the game's back on, as made obvious by one of the more hush-hush alliances. And just to play around with you, we'll still keep the members of this one a secret... although we do know that one of them is male and the other is female... ?????: (male voice) So, is everything working out? ??????: (female voice) So far, so good. They don't suspect a thing. ?????: Are you sure? I'm okay with dropping this alliance if you're that loyal to them. ??????: Don't worry about it. I'm with them out of convenience. I'm with you because I want a shot at winning. ?????: And you don't think they're giving you that shot? ??????: I don't want to tell them... but I think their plan is flawed. ?????: Do you mind if I tell my other alliance partner that you're with us now? ??????: Are you sure that's wise? ?????: She'll understand. Either that, or she'll just drop out and go it on alone. ??????: You don't care what she thinks? ?????: She's a nice woman and all, but I doubt her words hold much weight these days. Either way, she's pretty much deadweight. ??????: I wouldn't say that to her, you know. ?????: Don't worry... I won't. ??????: So... when should we meet again? ?????: Once I talk to her, I'll decide on a specific date and time. ??????: Okay... just make sure you're not making a mistake that'll cost all three of us the game. ?????: I'm aware of that... and I won't make that mistake. ====== Day Twenty-Eight The sun rises in the Digital World as our favorite Trailmon, Worm, pulls into Flame Terminal. We see sixteen different pairs of feet, of all shapes and sizes, step off and then divided into two groups. A seventeenth pair, this one belonging to Tenchi, as we see when the camera zooms up to his face, leads the entire group towards the Challenge Field. ====== An hour or so later, sixteen slightly groggy Roomies, dressed in their day clothes but not fully awake yet, make their way to the Challenge Field, unaware of what awaits them. Tenchi greets them cheerfully, as always. Tenchi: Good morning, everyone! Ready for your next challenge? Keith: Do you know what time it is, man? Whitney: Yeah! I need my beauty sleep, you know! Trunks: What kind of challenge could need us this early in the morning? Tenchi: (smiles) I hate to say this guys... but I lied to you. You're not here for a challenge. Yusuke: (angrily) What? You dragged us all up here for nothing? Haruka: (rolling up her sleeves) Seems like someone needs to be taught a lesson. Tenchi: Wait, wait... there's a good explanation for all of this! Trowa: You'd better explain fast... some of us don't have much patience. Tenchi, after looking over the entire Roomies, picks out Yusuke and Haruka to go first. First for what... well, they're about to find out. Yusuke: (crossing his arms over his chest) This better be good. Haruka: Likewise. Tenchi: Trust me, it is. (looks back) Keiko? Keitaro? Could you please come out? Yusuke and Haruka, as well as everyone else, gasps in shock as Keiko, Yusuke's girlfriend, and Keitaro, Haruka's nephew, come out from behind some trees. Yusuke: Keiko? Haruka: Keitaro? ****** Keiko and Keitaro come running towards their respective acquaintances, but things take a turn for the worst when Keitaro trips over his own feet and falls forward, knocking over Keiko in the process. Everyone gasps as Keitaro's face has landed right in Keiko's skirt. Keiko: Get off, you creep! Keiko slaps Keitaro several times, with the last one hard enough to make his head spin... if it could. Yusuke: How dare you touch Keiko like that! I oughta... Keitaro: I didn't mean to! Really! Yusuke kicks into the next zip code... if the Digital World had zip codes. Haruka: (sweatdrops) I guess I have to go get my nephew now, don't I? Yusuke: Sorry about that, Haruka... but he deserved it. Keiko gets up and wraps her arms around Yusuke, crying into his shirt. Keiko: Oh Yusuke... I missed you so much! Yusuke: Come on, Keiko! I've only been gone four weeks! Keiko: (growing serious) Speaking of being gone... you forgot my birthday! Yusuke: What? Your birthday? Keiko: Two days ago! And you forgot to send me a present! Yusuke: Keiko, I swear... if I could've bought you something, I would have! But as you can see, there's not a gift shop around here for miles! As Yusuke tries to forgive Keiko for forgetting about her birthday and Haruka goes off to find her nephew Keitaro, Tenchi resumes bringing out other friends and family members. Tenchi: (points at Amy M. and Amy R.) Let's go with the two Amys next. Amy M., we have brought your good friend Mina. Amy R., we've got one of your friends, Tails. Mina: (coming out) Hi girl! How are things? Amy M.: (running over) Mina! I'm glad to see someone I know... other than Rini, of course. Amy R.: Tails? But I wanted Sonic! Tails: Sonic was a little preoccupied... so he sent me in his place. Amy R.: I'm still glad that you came. (hugs Tails) I've been so lonely! Tenchi: (points at Yugi and Keith) Yugi, you chose Joey to drop by, so we've got him for you. Keith, we brought back one of your old friends, Bones. Joey: Hey buddy! Long time no see! Yugi: It's nice to see you again too, Joey! Joey: Thanks for the card too... I can't believe you remembered! Yugi: I'm glad you liked the card I sent you. So, how have things been? Keith: (patting Bones on the back) What's up, Bones? Doin' okay? Bones: I guess. I'm sorry about what happened at... Keith: Duelist Kingdom? Forget about it... I've moved on to bigger fish! Bones: (happily) Does that mean we can work together again? Keith: Not on your life! Tenchi: (looking at James and Whitney) We'll go with the Pokémon trainers next. James, we've got your partner Jessie. Whitney, we've got Bridget, one of your assistants. James: Jessie! Jessie: It's about time I got to see you! Are you showing these guys whose boss? James: (lying) Yes, of course! I'm the top dog around here! Jessie: (growling) You'd better be sure of that! I want to see that money when you get back! Whitney: (hugging Bridget) Bridget, it's been so long! Bridget: Whitney, you look like a mess! Whitney: I haven't had time to get freshened up... so, how are things at the gym? Bridget: Business is booming as always! Tenchi: Let's see... (turns to Takuya and Tally) Takuya, we've got your mother, Yuriko, and Tally, we've got your working partner, Riley. Takuya runs over into his mother's arms, enjoying the warmth of being with her. Yuriko: Takuya... Takuya: I've missed you so much, mom! More than you'll ever know! Tally: Riley! Riley: How have you been doing? You're looking really well! Tally: Thanks! You too, girl! How are things between you and Yamaki? Riley: Swell. Very swell. Tenchi: Six to go... (glances at Nabiki and Trunks) Let's go with you two next. Nabiki, you selected to see your younger sister Akane, and Trunks, we brought your mother Bulma here. Nabiki: Hey little sis! How's it been? Akane: Why'd you have to pull me away? I was practicing my martial arts so that I can end up as good as Ranma! Nabiki: Still trying, I see. Face it, sis... it's not happening! Akane: Speaking of things not happening, is it the same with you and your chances of winning? Nabiki: Ack! Who told you that? Bulma: (running her hands through Trunks's hair) How have you been, Trunks? My little baby's playing with the big boys now! Trunks: Mom, don't embarrass me! Especially not in front of the tough guys! Tenchi: (to Jet and Rally) Let's get the bounty hunters satisfied... Jet, we've got Spike here for you, and Rally, your little firecracker of a teammate, Minnie-May! Jet: Finally! Someone sane drops by! Spike: Boy, am I glad to be here with you. I swear... Faye's struting around like she owns the ship. Jet: I see the Bebop's gone to pieces without me. Maybe I should go back... Spike: And miss a chance at getting some money on something that doesn't include going after a bounty? No way! Minnie-May: Hiya, Rally! How are things? Rally: Just tell me you haven't ruined things at the gun shop. Minnie-May: Don't worry... I'm doing just fine! And Ken drops by to help on occassion too. Rally: For more than just to work, I bet. Tenchi: Okay, last, but certainly not least, Rini, we've got your dad Darien, and Trowa, here's your girlfriend Catherine. Rini: (running over) Daddy! Darien: How's my little angel? Are you surviving well out here? Rini: Of course! I've got Amy here to help me... nothing goes wrong with her with me! Trowa: Catherine... Catherine: Trowa... The two say no more, as they share a hug and a kiss after being apart for so long. Tenchi: Well, I see everyone's happy to see a familiar face. You can head back to the cabin or the campsite, depending on where you're currently residing, and you can spend the day catching up. The group breaks up to head their separate ways. ====== Let's tag along with the group at the campsite first, as the eight Roomies there give their friends and family a tour of the area. Bulma: You're living out here, in the middle of nowhere? What a dump! Trunks: Mom... it's not really that bad! Darien: I wouldn't exactly call this place comfortable. I thought you're supposed to be living in a mansion. Rini: Sorry dad... it didn't work out that way. I was surprised too. Jessie: (sighs) It's just like how we live... only with a whole lot less food. James: That's what I love about this place! I get all the food I can eat! Yuriko: I can't believe they'd be so inclined to let children live out here. Especially you, Takuya, with the way you cause trouble and all... Takuya: Mom! I don't cause trouble! I never have! As the group gets used to the area, Tally and Riley head off to explore away from camp, in order to show off the more beautiful side of the Digital World. Riley: Wow... I never imagined the Digital World to be like this! Tally: You really didn't? Riley: Well, I expected it to be beautiful. Just not this perfectly beautiful. Tally: It's a spectacle, isn't it? Yamaki would have a field day if he got a chance to come here. Riley: I bet! I can just imagine it! Tally: This is the best thing that's happened to me here! Having you here is the best! Riley: Speaking of which, why did you pick me and not him? Tally: Well, when we got those index cards telling us to pick one person, I wanted to pick somebody whom I'm comfortable around all the time. Riley: You're not comfortable around Yamaki? Tally: It's only because he's the boss. You know... you don't want to have to see him all the time. Riley: Hey! I see him all the time! Tally: That's because you're different! For me, I can't stay around him 24-7! He's nice and a good guy, but you get sick of someone when you're around a person for too long, you know what I mean? Riley: Really? I bet you'll be explaining that to him. Tally: Why's that? Riley points to the cameraman who's filming them. Tally curses under her breath. Tally: (to the cameraman) How long have you been here? Riley: Since we left camp, Tally. Tally: And you didn't tell me earlier? Riley: What do you expect? It's a reality show! Now... how about we talk more about why you're sick of being around Yamaki? Tally: (walking away from the camera) I don't want to talk about it! Riley: (going after her) Come on, Tally! I'm just joking! Tally! ====== Back at camp, Jessie is talking strategy with James as she tries to help him win the game. Jessie: You've got to turn them against each other! Make them hate each other! When all's said and done, you'll be the only one left standing! James: Are you sure, Jessie? That didn't work when you tried it. Jessie: That's because all of the people from my season were complete morons! You've got a much better chance to pull it off here! James: (looking down at the ground) Ooh... a bottle cap! Jessie: (angry) Hey! Are you even listening to me? James: Just a sec, Jess... James heads over to his bag to find his bottle cap collection album and add the new cap to his collection. There's only one problem... James: Hey! Who took my bottle cap collection? Takuya: What are you talking about? James: You know what I'm talking about, you twerp! Somebody stole my bottle cap collection! Amy R.: But who would do that? Jessie: Will you stop worrying about that stupid collection? James: It's my collection and I'm going to worry as much as I like until I get it back! Now, who took it? James looks around at all the possible perpetrators. Nobody seems wanting to fess up to the crime, and that's making James angry. James: If I find out who stole my bottle cap collection, they'll have Team Rocket to deal with for sure! The group stood their quietly, as no one knew who took it. Or maybe someone who does isn't saying a thing... ========================= End Episode Thirteen ========================= Tenchi: (VO) On the next episode of Roomies... James: (looking under the crates) Here, bottle cap, bottle cap, bottle cap! Spike: Is this guy a nutcase or what? Jet: You tell me... I haven't been able to figure that out in four weeks. Tenchi: (VO) James is missing his collection, and he wants to know who swiped it... James: (pointing at Tally) Did you steal it? Tally: Why would I want your worthless bottle caps? Nabiki: Worthless? Hardly... if he has enough of them they could be worth... oh my God, why didn't I think about stealing them? Tenchi: (VO) Meanwhile, reunions over at the cabin are a whole lot more peaceful... Joey: You got something to say? Say it to my face! Keith: Gladly, dweeb! Tenchi: (VO) Or, maybe not... Keiko: I can't believe you're looking at other women! Yusuke: A guy's gotta keep his options open, you know. Tenchi: (VO) But when the family and friends are gone, a bit of suggestion leads two to come together... Keith: She's got the hots for you. I can tell. Yugi: You've got to be kidding! Haruka: Just follow your heart. You'll know if it's right. Tenchi: (VO) Of course, we shouldn't forget a challenge that sure to shake some nerves. Rini: (CC) I can't do this! I just can't! Not after everything that's happened! James: (holding up a Kiwimon) I caught myself a Natu! James is then subsequently run over by ten Natu... er, Kiwimon. Jet: May I remind you that the definition of a cowboy in the future is different from what it is now? Tenchi: (VO) A lot to squeeze in next episode... and it's a regular-length one at that. Better hope nothing gets bumped out... Nabiki: (CC) It's either this... or kiss my chances of winning goodbye! ==================== Additional Author's Notes ==================== Three-fourths of the way through in terms of episodes and two-thirds in game time. Time flies, doesn't it? And it'll definitely fly faster in the next two weeks, but more on that in a second... Hmmmm... confused about the alliances? There seem to be so, so many. And believe it or not, there are a few more to come. These things have got to start coming together or falling apart. The question is, which alliances will survive to the Final Four. Who is in one? Who isn't? All of that will be answered soon. The decision to let each Roomie get a visit from one of their friends or family was made at the last minute. Originally, this was supposed to be a complete filler episode... one of two scheduled this season (the other was back on Episode 5). By filler, we mean no challenges whatsoever. That changed when the last challenge ran over. It's okay though. The biggest problem was that some people gave me trouble. We don't know of any true family or friends that Keith has, except for Bones and the other two guys he worked with at Duelist Kingdom, so I was pretty much stuck there. I could've picked anyone for Nabiki, but since I don't know much about 'Ranma 1/2,' I stuck with one of the few characters I did know about, so I picked her younger sister Akane. And then there was Takuya... I had thoughts of putting in Zoe, but I instead decided to have his mother come. If anyone can help in giving me her first name... I thought I saw it online somewhere, but now I can't seem to find it. Oh, and last but not least, there was Whitney. Bridget is actually the second-in-command of the Goldenrod gym, as seen in the Pokémon Gold/Silver games. There... I think I covered all the odd ones. On one last note, this is your final chance to vote for who makes the Final Four! The deadline is this Friday when the next episode is posted! Remember, through e-mail only, and you have to rank your picks from one to four! In addition... this final voting session, all votes are worth double. But remember, you can still vote only once in these final few days! There are a bunch of Roomies sitting around the cut-off line... your vote could push them in or out! ========================= Next Episode ========================= The third Uncut Session, covering Episodes 10-13, gets a special premiere this Thursday! Planned scenes include... the debate of whether or not to stay after the Marik incident, another practice match between Guilmon and Gatomon, how Rally really got Yusuke and Whitney to stop bickering... and a whole lot more! Then check out Episode 14 this Friday and see who's setting themselves up for the final... and who's taking themselves out of it!