Episode 1: Part 2

<Fran & Balthier: Sky Pirates, Currently in 1st Place>
     Fran and Balthier ran inside the Home Spaceport and took only a split second to admire the scenery. It was a large room made mostly of marble tiles and steel. It gave off a warm and cozy feeling if you admired it. Clean marble floors, large digital flight record monitors, and finely crafted ticket counters manned by strange Al Bhed people with a swarm of technologically advanced computers. But in looking up there was a sudden fear for one's life at the steel beams holding bright unidirectional lights, ventilation ducts, and a slew of thousands of unbound wires swinging forty feet above the people below.
     "Well then, what airline?" Balthier asked Fran.
     "There are three flights available to us," Fran said. She read through the clue. "The first on the list to depart is Rusa Flights. I suggest we start there."
     "Sounds like a solid plan," Balthier said. He started to jog into the open room while zigzagging through the crowded spaceport when he took a quick look back behind Fran. "Looks like we've got company."
     "I would not think those two to give us a large advantage," Fran said.
     "Not just two," Balthier trailed off.

<Zone & Watts: Resistance Fighters, Currently in 2nd Place>
<Cecil & Rosa: Married, Currently in 3rd Place>
<Ma & Zell: Mother/Son, Currently in 4th Place>
     The six people entered the spaceport in a large cluster. Zone and Watts were in front. Behind them were Zell and Cecil, who were in each others' faces, and Rosa and Ma, who followed their respective teammate quietly. Both Ma and Rosa tried to tug their partners back from the other.
     "You could've killed us you crazy jerk!" Zell yelled at Cecil.
     "It's a race and you were in my way!" Cecil yelled back.
     "I wasn't in your way, I beat you to that parking spot. It's different!"
     Ma successfully pulled Zell back a few feet from Cecil. Zell calmed down a bit as Ma relaxed her grip on his wrist. "Cool the testosterone jets," Ma said to Zell.
     "You should know better than to be in my way," Cecil yelled. He started to pursue Zell again, when Rosa pulled his arm and opened her makeup compact. She faced the mirror at Cecil's face.
     "Come on, Ceese," Rosa said softly. "Just remember. Remember how you're never driving another thing in this race. Road rage apparently brings out the worst in you."
     Cecil stared at the mirror. "Hate... Other racer... Love... Wife..." He looked up at Rosa. "Sorry, dear. I'll try to be more careful about instigating conflict." Cecil walked to Zell and extended his hand for a handshake. "My apologies."
     "No problem," Zell said, quickly accepting the handshake. "I know some people that would do what you did and not apologize."
     Ma looked to Rosa and saw a quick opportunity for female bonding and gossip. "Sorry about my Zelly," Ma said to Rosa.
     "Not as sorry as I am about my Cecil," Rosa replied.
     "Boys will be boys," Ma said. She motioned to Zell. "This is Zell, and I'm his mother. Everybody just calls me 'Ma'."
     "Rosa," Rosa said, shaking Ma's hand. "And Cecil, like I said all of like, five seconds ago."
     "What do you say we team up?" Ma asked Rosa and Cecil. "Just in this spaceport here. We could certainly use an extra pair of eyes and-" Ma looked back at Zell, then moved close to Rosa's ear. "I'm not sure our men will help much in here. We girls need to plan these flights or we'll end up running to new galaxies."
     Rosa nodded. The two women grabbed their respective male partner and the four headed to find a ticket counter.

<Reno & Rude: Partners, Currently in 5th Place>
     Reno and Rude strolled casually into the spaceport and began to look for a ticket counter. 
     "This place is nice," Reno mentioned.
     Rude grunted in agreement.
     "So the clue says we have three flights available: Rusa Flights, leaving at 10:00am, Spira Space, leaving also at 10:00am, and another Spira Space leaving at 11:00am. I'm guessing that last one's the pits."
     Rude nodded. "Let's try Spira Space anyway."
     Rude straightened his coat and Reno ran his hand through his hair, then the two walked to the counter with 'Spira Space' engraved in large letters. The line was short and within seconds, the two were called to an available assistant.
     "Hey," Reno said to the Al Bhed woman behind the counter. He leaned in closer to the woman. His elbow supported his weight against the counter. "We need two of the best tickets available to Midgar, y'know."
     "Okay, we'll put you two on this flight then," the woman said.
     "Is it a good flight?" Reno asked.
     "Oh the best!" she said enthusiastically.
     "Then book us, baby."
     "You got it!"
<Reno & Rude: 1st on Spira Space #1>

<Freya & Fratley: Reunited Lovers, Currently in 6th Place>
     Freya and Fratley jogged side-by-side into the spaceport and quickly ran for the Rusa Flights counter. They got into line directly behind Fran and Balthier, who were next in line.
     "Is this the best flight?" Freya asked Fran and Balthier.
     "It's the first flight we're checking," Balthier said to her. "I'm afraid that's all the information I will give you about the race though. Sorry."
     "I can honor that," Freya said. She and Fratley waited patiently as Fran and Balthier approached the counter.
     Balthier stepped aside and allowed Fran to pass, then followed her to the available ticket lady.
     "We need to get to Midgar," Fran said. "Is this flight better than the two Spira Space flights?"
     "I like to think so," the lady responded.
     "I believe we have a language barrier between us," Balthier said. He approached the counter and stood to the left of Fran. "Does your 10:00am flight arrive before the Spira Space flights at 10:00am and 11:00am?"
     "Oh, let me check," she said. She began typing quickly and cross-referencing the three flights. 

     Meanwhile, Freya and Fratley were called to the next available ticket man. Freya and Fratley approached the counter hand-in-hand.
     "Good morning," Freya said to the man.
     "Yes, good morning," Fratley said. "We need two tickets to Midgar if you please. Are these tickets good?"
     "Better than the other two flights to Midgar?" Freya added.
     "Let me check," the man said. He began typing, then looked down at the result. "Rusa Flights arrives 11:30am, Spira Space arrives 12:00pm, and the Spira Space leaving an hour after arrives 12:30pm."
     "Perfect," Freya said. "We would like two tickets on your flight then."
     "Good job, m'lady," Fratley said.
     "Thank you," Freya said. She leaned close to Fratley. "You know, you used to give me a kiss on the cheek in moments like these."
     "Oh, of course," Fratley said. He kissed Freya's cheek. "Good?"
     "Wonderful."

     Fran and Balthier each took a ticket from the lady and thanked her. They walked away from the ticket counter with their tickets on Rusa Flights.
<Fran & Balthier: 1st on Rusa Flights>
<Freya & Fratley: 2nd on Rusa Flights>
     "Fran?" Balthier asked. "Do you feel like getting a little dirty for this leg of the race?"
     "I have no qualms about it," Fran responded. "What did you have in mind?"
     "I've observed that there are several teams that would make poor competition for us. If they were in this first flight with us, we would have a better chance at a first place victory here."
     "I know just the pair to put on our flight," Fran said.
     "You get the boys, I'll look for more to put on our flight."

     Zone and Watts stood in the long line for Spira Space and looked at the entrance, where three more teams entered the spaceport. They looked to each other for a plan, but both were coming up blank.
     "Maybe if we get them all in line behind us," Watts suggested. 
     "Well by using this spaceline, we have a two-thirds chance that they will have the best flights," Zone said. "They have two of the three flights available to us, so it's the best odds."
     "Get out of line," Fran said to Zone and Watts. 
     "Pardon?" Watts asked.
     "Oh god," Zone said, crouching to his stomach-ache position. "It's you."
     "Rusa has the best flights by a half-hour," Fran informed them.
     "I think she's telling the truth," Watts said. "Let's hurry before those other teams see us."
     "But, I- I can't run," Zone said. "My umm, condition."
     Watts sighed. He looked at Fran. "Bunny-lady? Would you mind leaving us alone to run to Rusa? My friend is- Well I'd rather not say."
     "Sure," Fran said. She trotted away to find Balthier.
     "Come on," Watts said to Zone.
     "Give me another minute," Zone said.
     "We don't have another minute," Watts said. "Just... Just follow close behind me and people won't notice. J-Just not too close."
     "Okay," Zone said. He got to his feet and stuck close to Watts.

<Celes & Cid: Subject/Researcher, Currently in 7th Place>
<Dona & Barthello: Summoner/Guardian, Currently in 8th Place>
<Brahne & Garnet: Mother/Daughter, Currently in 9th Place>
     Celes and Cid ran into the spaceport. Celes ran flawlessly, while Cid ran a bit hunched over and breathing heavily.
     "We only ran maybe fifty meters," Celes said to Cid. 
     "And I'm only fifty years older than you," Cid said. "I've done my fair share of fifty meter dashes in my days, but now I barely move fifty centimeters for the remote control."
     "If you're the brains, and I'm the brawn-" 
     "And sex appeal," Cid added.
     "And sex appeal, then why aren't you already looking for flights, granddad?" Celes asked.
     "Because I've already found you a flight," Balthier said. He approached the three teams that had walked in. Fran followed closely behind him.
     "And we should trust you why?" Dona asked.
     "Trust who you will, but I happen to already have tickets and there is another team that I'd much rather not be on my flight in the lead. You six, however, would make wonderful company."
     "He's lying," Dona said. "I know that Barthello and I would make horrible company. Do what you will, but we're searching on our own. Come, Barthello."
     "Yes ma'am," Barthello said. He followed Dona as the two headed for Spira Space.
     "What about you four?" Balthier asked.
     "Do we trust him?" Celes asked Cid.
     "You make the call," Cid responded. "I trust him, but I tend to trust the wrong people."
     "Okay, what flight?" Celes asked Balthier.
     "Rusa Flights," he said. He turned his attention to Garnet and Brahne, specifically to Garnet. "Please tell me you'll be joining me as well."
     "What do you think, mother?" Garnet asked Brahne.
     "I don't trust him," Brahne said. "I never trust anybody as scrawny as him."
     "You're just waiting for those two big guys."
     "They're certainly more dreamy than he is," Brahne responded. "But you're a scrawny girl, so if you want to go on his plane, then your dear mother will just suffer and pine for the loves of her life that couldn't be with her on the lonely flight."
     "Sorry, mother," Garnet said, "but I really do believe him. Let's hurry to Rusa Flights."
     "Good to hear it," Balthier said. 

<Barret & Dyne: Fathers, Currently in 10th Place>
     Barret and Dyne walked in only moments after the group had left the entryway. They looked around the spaceport and finally found the line to Spira Space.
     "Looks like a lot've other teams is here," Barret said.
     "Let's get in line here then," Dyne said. "Even if the other one is fastest, it's probably full. Let's just ensure that we get on the middle flight."
     "Good idea," Barret said. "Fo' a crazy ass, you got some brains, Dyne."
     "I'm not crazy," Dyne said. "But thank you."

<Biran & Yenke: Comrades, Currently in 11th Place>
     "Biran crappy driver," Yenke said as he followed Biran into the spaceport.
     "I like to see Yenke do better," Biran said. "I seen Yenke walk. Yenke not even good at that."
     "Yenke is tired of Biran. Yenke will get spaceplane and not talk to Biran until landing."
     "Biran is tired of Yenke. Biran will get spaceplane and not talk to Yenke until landing!"
     The two Ronso stormed off to find a flight. Unfortunately, they both happened across the same flight, Spira Space, and waited side-by-side in the long line.

<Reina & Faris: Sisters, Currently in Last Place>
     Reina and Faris entered the spaceport and quickly jogged to the Spira Space line that was toward the front.
     "Sorry for getting us lost," Reina said.
     "Arr, it's okay," Faris said.
     "You think we'll lose because of it?"
     "Ne'er think of th' failure," Faris said. "Just think of the victory, and if things be looking grim, then think of the backstabbing that we must attempt fer our benefit."
     "I'm going to hope it doesn't come to that," Reina said.

     Zone and Watts, Cecil and Rosa, Ma and Zell, Celes and Cid, and Garnet and Brahne waited in line at Rusa Flights in that order. Zone and Watts approached the counter and received their tickets.
<Zone & Watts: 3rd on Rusa Flights>

     Cecil and Rosa were next to the counter. They spoke to the lady and received their tickets.
<Cecil & Rosa: 4th on Rusa Flights>

     Ma and Zell and Celes and Cid approached two different ticket people, with Ma and Zell reaching their person slightly faster.
     "We'd like two tickets please," Ma said to the man behind the counter.

     "Excuse me," Celes said. "Which flight is faster? This or Spira Space? To Midgar."
     The man typed into his computer, then looked up at Celes. "We are."
     "So they weren't lying," Celes said. "We'd like two tickets please."
     "Just a moment," the man said.

     "Thank you," Ma said to the man as she took the tickets for Zell and herself.
<Ma & Zell: 5th on Rusa Flights>

     "I'm sorry," the man said to Celes. "We're out of seats."
     "What!?" Celes responded. She looked to Cid behind her. "We've gotta get to the other line. Fast."
     Cid and Celes walked casually away from the counter, but when Garnet and Brahne noticed they did not have tickets, they started to stir in the line.
     "Hurry!" Celes said to Cid. The two ran to the Spira Space line, quickly followed by Garnet and Brahne.
     "I told you we couldn't trust them!" Brahne screamed as she pushed through the line. Garnet ducked under the belts that outlined the line to the counter and ran to Spira Space. Brahne attempted to duck under it, but fell well short of going under it and instead went directly through it. The posts holding the belts began to slide and soon they lifted off the ground as they flailed behind the quick-moving Brahne. The people in the line yelled in protest as the posts nearly hit them.

     "Thanks," Dona said as she took the tickets.
<Dona & Barthello: 2nd on Spira Space #1>

     Barret took the tickets, when suddenly Dyne tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to Celes, Cid, Garnet, and Brahne with a slew of line poles following behind her. Dyne held his hand behind his back with his palm up. Barret low-fived him.
<Barret & Dyne: 3rd on Spira Space #1>

     "Biran bad, horrible driver," Yenke said as he took his tickets. "Make Yenke on last flight."
     "Biran sorry," Biran said. "Biran not know how to drive Al Bhed machina machine."
     "It not Biran's fault," Yenke said. "Yenke would do poorly too. Yenke sorry for getting angry with Biran. We Ronso. We stick together. We not let hornless space travel come between us."
<Biran & Yenke: 1st on Spira Space #2>

     The remaining three teams all took their tickets on Spira Space #2 and headed to the boarding area for the spaceplanes.

<Announcer Gippal>
     "All teams are now making their way to Midgar on one of three flights. The first flight, arriving thirty minutes before the second, carries Fran and Balthier, Freya and Fratley, Zone and Watts, Cecil and Rosa, and Ma and Zell. On the second flight, arriving thirty minutes before the last, are: Reno and Rude, Dona and Barthello, and Barret and Dyne. On the last flight are Biran and Yenke, Reina and Faris, Cid and Celes, and Garnet and Brahne."

<Rusa Flights Landing: 11:30am>

     The five teams on Rusa Flights quickly disembarked and waited for their luggage to be dropped into baggage claim. The first team to receive their backpacks was Freya and Fratley, who quickly ran outside the new Midgar spaceport and coughed.
     Outside the spaceport it was very dark for 11:30 in the morning. Pollution rose out of giant reactors and blackened the sky. The spaceport was in good condition, but the rest of the area was not. There were some cars driving on the roads, but most people walked, and of those people, maybe one of them showered that day.
     The clue box across the street by a building stood out like a sore thumb. The dull grays and blacks gave a bland backdrop to the bright red and yellow and green of the clue box. 
     Freya and Fratley ran across the street and opened the clue box. Freya pulled out the clue and read it aloud.
     "Take the train to Shin-Ra Headquarters," she read.

<Announcer Gippal>
     "Teams must now make their way by train to the center of Midgar: Shin-Ra Inc. Headquarters. The trains are sleazy and teams will have to watch their wallets while riding. Once at the entrance to Shin-Ra Headquarters, they will find their next clue."

     "Let's go," Freya said.
     "Where?" Fratley asked. "We don't know where we are."
     "Then let's use our talents to figure it out," Freya said. She crouched down and prepared to jump up the side of the tall building beside them, but stopped and looked at Fratley. "You'd let me, the woman do the hard work?"
     "Should I?" Fratley asked.
     "Well, you never used to," Freya said. She crouched down again, when Fratley broke her concentration.
     "Okay okay okay," Fratley said. He quickly bent down, then sprung up into the air. He only went about fifteen feet up and grabbed a window sill. He put his foot in the window and began to scan the city. He finally saw a train station in the distance. He pointed toward it. "That way!"
     "Wonderful," Freya said happily.
     Fratley hopped down and joined Freya and running toward the station.

     "There we are," Balthier said. He pointed at the clue box across the street. He and Fran ran for the box and read through the clue.
     "Where's the train?" Fran asked.
     "I suppose we'll have to ask one of these locals," Balthier said. Suddenly a loud noise sounded in the distance: a train's horn.
     "Never mind then," Balthier said. He and Fran started running in the direction of the train's horn.

     Ma and Zell and Zone and Watts all exited the spaceport at the same time. Zone spotted the clue box and pointed to it.
     "Thanks for the tip," Zell said to Zone as all four people ran to the box.
     "Just pay us back sometime, okay?" Zone said to Zell.
     "We'll see. I already helped you with all that business back on our world," Zell teased.
     Zone grinned and followed his partner to the clue box. Watts and Ma grabbed their clues.
     "To Shin-Ra Headquarters by train," Ma said. 
     "Sweet, trains!" Zone said. 
     "Crap, trains," Zell said.

     Cecil and Rosa made their way to the clue box just as soon as the other four had left. Rosa pulled the clue out and quickly led Cecil to the train station by following the other two teams.

     "Fifty gil," the ticket taker at the train station said to Freya and Fratley.
     "How much did we get for this leg?" Freya asked Fratley.
     "Plenty," he responded. "It looks like about six hundred gil."
     Fratley handed freya fifty gil to pay the ticket man and headed to the edge of the platform. The station was old, though it looked like it had received some recent modifications. The ticket booth was fairly shiny and had a virtually undamaged "Sector 7 Station" sign above it. The train station also had some shiny new graffiti all over, including the floors and train tracks themselves.
     Fratley looked into the sky at the Shin-Ra Headquarters building. Freya joined him in sitting on the edge of the train station platform. The station seemed to have a lack of security and safety procedures, such as not approaching the platform until the train had arrived. Some kids played on the tracks themselves, then scattered when they heard the train's horn blaring.
     "Too bad we had to wait for this," Fratley said. "I'm sure we could've climbed to the top faster than it would take this train to get us there."
     "It's okay," Freya said. She rose to her feet as Fratley did the same. "I'd rather do this race without exploiting our extra abilities too much anyway."
     "It's your nobility that always attracted me to you, right?" Fratley asked.
     "Among other things," she teased back.
     The train pulled into the station and the two rats walked onto the second car.

     "Just in time," Balthier said. He handed fifty gil to the ticket taker, who promptly gave him the two tickets in return.
     "I guess so," the ticket man responded. "Trains come and go all the time. Miss this and you'd only be missing out on maybe five or ten minutes."
     "Those are minutes we do not have," Balthier said. He waved to the ticket man. "Thanks for your help," he said as he turned to Fran and walked with her to the train. They boarded the second train and found Freya and Fratley sitting on one side of a four person table on the side. The train itself was very rundown and the passengers all looked shady, though there were not many passengers on this particular train.
     "Mind if we join you?" Balthier asked Freya and Fratley.
     "Not at all," Freya said with a gesture to the seats across from them. 
     Balthier and Fran slid into the seats and put their backpacks between themselves and the wall, mimicking what Freya and Fratley had done with theirs.
     "Good to meet our competition face-to-face," Fratley said.
     "I was thinking the same," Balthier responded. "You can call me Balthier, and this lovely bunny is Fran."
     "Pleasure," Fran said, extending her hand to shake Freya's hand, then Fratley's.
     "I am Sir Fratley, and this is Lady Freya," Fratley said. 
     "It'll be a pleasure racing with you," Freya added. 
     "Have we any competition to this Shin-Ra place?" Balthier asked. "Did other teams get onboard prior to ourselves?"
     "I believe that's them," Fratley said. He pointed out the window at the three teams at the ticket window. Zone and Watts were talking to the ticket man. Just then, the train doors closed and the train disembarked the station. The six people remaining on the platform all watched as the train slipped away.
     "So then, what type of refreshments does this train serve?" Balthier asked sarcastically.

<Spira Space #1 Landing: 12:00pm>

     Reno and Rude, Dona and Barthello, and Barret and Dyne ran through the spaceport and all quickly found their baggage. All three teams raced outside and ran to the clue box in a dead heat. Upon reaching the box, the six people all began to push and shove to be the first to grab their clue, which resulted in several clues falling onto the ground. 
     Barthello and Rude began picking up the unused clues and putting them in the box as their teammates ripped open their clues.
     "Does anybody know their way around here?" Dona asked. "I have no idea how to find a train station in such a wasteland."
     "I know where it is," Barret said. "Don' suppose you gonna help us out if we help you out."
     "We don't need help, y'know," Reno said. "Been here many times before. Rude, let's go."
     Rude nodded and ran with Reno. Dona and Barthello quickly picked up their backpacks and followed the two men in suits. Reno and Rude rounded a corner and went down a narrow alley between two tall, vacant buildings.
     Dona and Barthello rounded the corner, only to be faced with a Turks disappearing act. They stared at the puddles of an empty alleyway.
     "Barthello! Where are they?" Dona asked; her tone sharp and demanding.
     "I did not see," Barthello groaned. He looked at the two buildings on either side of him. Both had doors with no locks. In fact, they had holes where the doorknobs should be. Barthello opened up the left door, only to see darkness inside and possibly a rat in the corner. He closed the door and checked the right building's door. Again, only darkness and two rats.
     "I guess we'll follow those giants," Dona said, referring to Barret and Dyne, who had the same approximate stature as Barthello.
     Dona and Barthello ran back to the clue box, only to find that Barret and Dyne had left.
     "Drat," Dona mumbled. "This is not good."

<Barret & Dyne: Fathers, Currently in 6th Place>
     Barret and Dyne ran through a giant open area with some children's playground equipment.
     "Yo Dyne," Barret said between breaths. "You have any idea where those Turks was goin'?"
     "The wrong way I'm assuming," Dyne said. "You sure this is the right way?"
     "Don' question my directions! I know this is right."
     "Well then those Turks were going the right way apparently," Dyne said.
     Barret stopped running and turned to Dyne. "Whatchu say!?" he said angrily.
     Dyne pointed into the sky behind them at some tall buildings, where Reno and Rude leapt from one window across to another building's window, one floor lower. They disappeared inside the new building, then came out on the side closer to Barret and Dyne and repeated their one floor down window leaping until they finally ran out of the last building's back door.
     "Hurry yo ass up, Dyne!" Barret said as he resumed his run for the train station, now closely followed by Reno and Rude.

     Ma, Zell, Zone, Watts, Cecil, and Rosa all boarded the train bound for Shin-Ra Headquarters. They found a small car with only one other person in it. That person was bound and gagged and naked, lying on the floor. None of the six seemed to care too much.

<Reno & Rude: Partners, Currently in 7th Place>
     Reno and Rude jogged a few steps out of the last building, then slowed to a stop and hunched over to catch their breath. 
     "Why did we do that?" Rude asked.
     "It lead a team in the wrong direction," Reno said. "And even though it might've cost us one position... It was pretty fun."
     "Yeah," Rude responded as he stood tall again. "We should catch up now."
     "Aww, never taking any breaks, are you?" 
     Reno and Rude began chasing after Barret and Dyne in search of the Sector 7 train station.

     Balthier and Fratley stood behind the unopened train doors while Fran and Freya stood behind them. The train eased to a stop and opened the doors, releasing the tigers that were the racers. They all four left civility at the door and pushed and shoved to get out, with Fran and her long legs miraculously being the first off the train. Balthier followed with Freya and Fratley at his heels. They reached the clue box and Fran grabbed the first clue, with Fratley's hand diving in only two seconds later.
     "Choose a vehicle, then drive yourselves to the chocobo farms," Fran read.

<Announcer Gippal>
     "Teams must now choose a vehicle and drive to the chocobo farms. Inside Shin-Ra Headquarters are three vehicles: a truck, a car, and a motorcycle. The vehicles all have the same approximate top speed and acceleration, so their choice is solely based on personal preference. After choosing their vehicle, teams must get to the freeway by driving up a flight of stairs to the second floor, then drive through an broken pane of glass. The freeway is a story below, so teams must conquer their fears and jam on the accelerator to proceed with the race."

     "Wait, a drop?" Fratley asked. 
     "I know," Freya said. "I'm not afraid of heights in the slightest, but from what I read about motor vehicles, that cannot be healthy for them."
     "Let's pick whichever vehicle has wings, eh?" Balthier said sarcastically to Fran. The pair again raced off a split second before Freya and Fratley. Fran and Balthier ran inside the large glass doors that made the Shin-Ra Headquarters entrance and directly in front of them was a selection of vehicles. Without giving it a second thought, they ran straight for the motorcycle with the sidecar. Balthier began eyeing up the motorcycle, when suddenly Fran threw her leg over the motorcycle and sat in the driver's seat.
     "Now wait just a minute," Balthier started.
     "The leading man always needs to be chauffeured," Fran teased. She carefully put her helmet on.
     "I knew you'd find a way to turn my title into a burden," Balthier said. He put on his helmet and sat in the sidecar. "Ready when you are."
     "I was born ready," she said. She fired up the motorcycle and followed a series of arrows that pointed them up a thick, circular staircase on the right side of the building.
     On the circular staircase on the left side of the building, Freya and Fratley drove a hot red convertible up the stairs, edging slightly ahead of Fran and Balthier. Freya drove the convertible and revved the engine upon reaching the top. She sped down a hallway and read sign after sign that read "Good luck" "Don't slow down" and "Happy landings". After the final sign there was a large red and yellow border around a hole where a large pane of glass should have been. Freya and Fratley suddenly gained a fear of heights as their car shot out the hole and flew to the freeway below. The car landed with little impact damage and shot down the highway. Seconds later, Fran and Balthier's motorcycle flew out of the same hole and also landed safely.
     "Maybe this race won't be as boring as I thought," Balthier said.

     Despite all the running through playgrounds and hopping through buildings to get away from each other, Barret, Dyne, Reno, and Rude all soon found themselves sitting at the train station together. Reno and Rude sat on a bench. Barret and Dyne sat on a bench directly across from Reno and Rude. They four sat without saying anything. Finally Reno broke the silence.
     "Hey," Reno said to Barret. "Long time no see."
     "Shu'up," Barret said. "I don' got nothin' to say to a Shin-Ra freak like you two. Yous jus' lettin' 'em destroy the planet 'n-"
     "Hey," Reno said to Dyne. "Who're you?"
     "Barret's planet-loving friend," Dyne said. "I was into the saving the planet thing long before Barret was."
     "No you wasn't," Barret said to Dyne. "Yous jus' scared we was all gonna lose our jobs. Thas the only reason you didn' want the Corel reactor."
     "I cared about things!" Dyne argued. "I didn't want the reactor because I didn't want Marlene to grow a hand out of her forehead or something."
     "Marlene ain't the planet!"
     "She was my planet!"
     "Well she's mine now!" Barret yelled.

     As Barret and Dyne argued, Reno and Rude took the opportunity to leave the benches and make their way to the approaching train. The train slid to a halt and the doors slid open. Reno and Rude entered and simply leaned against the wall near the door. Barret and Dyne quickly grabbed their things and got onto the train. They sat on a bench on one side of the train.
     "Heh. Marlene sure would look funny with a hand on her forehead," Barret said.
     "She'd make a great shortstop," Dyne commented back.
     "Aww," Reno commented from the opposite wall. "Look at them all getting along now. Makes you feel all warm and cozy, don't it?"

<Ma & Zell: Mother/Son, Currently in 3rd Place>
     Ma and Zell were the first off the train. They grabbed their clue and ran inside Shin-Ra Headquarters with the other three teams on their heels. They hopped onto a motorcycle with Zell driving and Ma riding in the sidecar and took off up the stairs. They drove down the hallway and shot out of the building and onto the road. Ma finally opened her eyes when Zell was on the road.
     "This isn't new for you?" Ma asked her son.
     "Yes and no," he responded. "I mean, I've never done that, but things like it."

<Cecil & Rosa: Married, Currently in 4th Place>
     "Hit it, honey," Cecil said. "A bit faster or we'll never make it."
     "There's a chance of not making it!?" Rosa screamed. She pushed the pedal to the floor of their hot white convertible and they shot out the side of the building and landed on the freeway. She sighed.
     "You know, honey," she began. "There's a chance you'll never drive again. This is fun."
     Cecil smiled and slumped down in his seat to enjoy the ride.

<Zone & Watts: Resistance Fighters, Currently in 5th Place>
     Zone and Watts drove a large brown truck up the stairs and headed for the large hole in the window. Watts sat behind the steering wheel while Zone sat in the passenger seat- hunching over as best as he could with his seatbelt on. The truck shot out the window and landed safely below.

<Spira Space #2 Landing: 12:30pm>

     Biran and Yenke were the first out of the airport and quickly found the clue box.
     "Tr- umm," Yenke started to read. Biran looked over his shoulder.
     "Train station," Biran finished. "Biran and Yenke going to train station."
     "Biran have all brains," Yenke said. "Yenke jealous."
     "Biran jealous of Yenke. Biran jealous of Yenke big horn. So tall horn."
     "But Biran have bigger horn," Yenke said.
     "Biran want two horn, and Biran would be happy to have Yenke horn too."

     Celes shrugged and snuck past Biran and Yenke during their strange Ronso bonding event to grab the clue. She and Cid started running in the direction of the train noises. Biran and Yenke finally did the same after a bit more horn talk.
     Garnet and Brahne took their clue and also ran with the group. Reina and Faris exited the airport in last, but quickly grabbed their clue and were able to sprint ahead of Brahne and Cid. The end result of all the chaos was all four last place teams arriving at the train station and getting their tickets for a train that had yet to depart. The entire group sat together and waited for the train.
     "Hi, I'm Reina," Reina announced to the group, which had been silent until then. "My sister is Faris. She's a pirate."
     "A pirate?" Celes asked. "That's interesting. You don't call yourself something other than pirate, do you? Like, treasure hunter or anything?"
     "Aye, pirate suits me well," Faris said. "Though booty scavenger also seems very fitting."
     "Nobody's called me that since..." Celes trailed off.
     "People still call me that," Cid said jokingly.
     "Oh please, Granddad. Don't joke about that."
     "Oh I wouldn't mind if you said a few more words about it," Brahne chimed in. She winked at Cid.
     "Your taste in men is strange," Garnet said.
     "Well I know a certain daughter of mine who likes a man with a tail."
     "I keep telling you, it's not an evolutionary mistake!"
     "I'm still not sure about that," Brahne added. She glanced at the two Ronso. "Ooh, hello different species."
     "Oh gag," Garnet said.
     Celes put her hand on Garnet's knee. "I feel your pain."
     The train finally arrived and the four bottom teams boarded it.

<Barret & Dyne: Fathers, Currently in 6th Place>
     Barret drove himself and Dyne in their chosen blue truck. They went up the staircase opposite Reno and Rude, who were in a black convertible.
     "Sure is nice to see dis from the driver's seat dis time," Barret said. "Las' time I was in da trunk."
     "Must've been a hell of a bumpy ride," Dyne said.
     "Still will be. Hol' on."
     Barret and Dyne shot out the former window, quickly followed by the black convertible.

<Reno & Rude: Partners, Currently in 7th Place>
     "Would've been more fun from a few more floors up," Reno said.
     "Or if it had a loop," Rude added.
     "For sure. Some upside-down action would've been cool too."

<Dona & Barthello: Summoner/Guardian, Currently in 8th Place>
     Dona and Barthello ran inside Shin-Ra Headquarters and chose a purple convertible. Dona drove them up the stairs and out onto the road. Barthello relaxed in the passenger's seat with his arm sprawled out across the tops of the seats and his feet up on the dash.
     "Lazy," Dona muttered to herself. "You should be driving me, you know."
     Barthello snapped up to a normal sitting position. "Sorry, Dona. Would you like to pull over and-"
     "Just be quiet, Barthello. And stop enjoying the ride so much."
     "Yes, ma'am."

     The four teams bringing up the rear exited the train and grabbed their clues, then entered the Shin-Ra building. Celes and Cid found a large yellow truck, Biran and Yenke took a blue motorcycle, Garnet and Brahne took a large orange truck, and Reina and Faris took a pink convertible. The first up the stairs was the convertible.

<Reina & Faris: Sisters, Currently in 9th Place>
     "These cars are nice," Reina said from the passenger's seat. "Much smoother and more comfortable than a chocobo."
     "Aye, and the wind in me hair reminds me of the seas," Faris said. "Though the smell is not of the oceans. Smells more like death and poverty."
     "Aye," Reina responded.

<Brahne & Garnet: Mother/Daughter, Currently in 10th Place>
     Garnet drove the orange truck up the stairs and down the hallway. It was a lot more difficult for her than other teams because along with the task at hand, she had to put up with a screaming and flailing Brahne.
     "Oh my goodness we're going to diiiiiiiiie!" she screamed. "Stop stop stop! Turn around! Let's go home! I already have millions of dollars let's quit now oh my goooooooodness!"
     Garnet continued on, despite her mother's screaming. Their truck zipped through the opening just as the pink convertible had only moments before.

<Celes & Cid: Subject/Researcher, Currently in 11th Place>
     "Celes, I hardly get to see you anymore," Cid said, completely oblivious to the death-defying leap onto the freeway their truck had just made.
     "That's part of why I asked you to come with me on this race," Celes responded. She was barely concentrated on the road, though as the driver she still was sure to drive safely. "Considering you're my granddad of sorts, I don't know you too well beyond all the weird tests and experiments. Even those I don't know incredibly well."
     "But with Locke or Terra or really any of your former teammates, you have a better chance of winning."
     "True, but I think we can still do it. So tell me something. Something about you. What are you experimenting with these days?"
     "I'm not really at liberty to say," Cid responded. "Let's simplify and say it involves microwaves and human body parts- err, actually, let's just say it's tests on people."
     "Hey, I think those Ronso guys just past us!" Celes shouted on top of Cid's words. "I'm sorry, what was that?" she asked Cid.
     "Tests on people," he responded. "That's all I said. Tests on people."
     "Oh. Interesting I guess."

<Biran & Yenke: Comrades, Currently in 11th Place>
     Biran drove the blue motorcycle while Yenke stuck out of the sidecar like a Muppet in a trashcan.
     "This scary compared to Ronso normal lives," Yenke said. "Ronso need more motor-wheel devices."
     "Biran agree," Biran agreed. "Biran want one just like this. Only yellow. Yellow better color than blue."