Episode 1: Part 3

     All twelve teams drove in the direction of the chocobo farm. Fran and Balthier led the pack, though Freya and Fratley's red convertible was close behind.

     "Can we pass them?" Fratley asked Freya. Their car snuck up on Fran and Balthier's motorcycle.
     "I don't think it would help," Freya said. She pointed into the distance. "That looks like a pasture of chocobos, so I'd assume it is the chocobo farms."
     "Oh those are chocobos," he responded. "I was thinking chocobos were the small furry things with pom-poms on their heads. What are those again?"
     "Moogles," Freya said. "You know, I'm glad that you do not remember everything. I was starting to think I was the only thing you'd forgotten."
     "Of course not," Fratley said. "I also forgot math entirely."
     "Tragic."

     Fran drove her motorcycle to the chocobo farms and slid to a stop near a large fenced area containing four yellow chocobos. Behind the chocobo corral was a large red barn with two wide doors in the front standing open. To the left of the corral was a standard small house, which was only really important because of the red and yellow clue box standing on the porch. She and Balthier hopped out and quickly ran for the clue box. 
     Freya's red car pulled up beside the motorcycle and parked. Freya and Fratley struggled with their seatbelts, then finally got out and ran after Fran and Balthier.
     Fran reached the clue box first. She grabbed her clue and read it aloud. "Make your way to Junon via chocobo."

<Announcer Gippal>
     "Teams must now travel to the city of Junon using one of the green chocobos in the stables. These green chocobos are capable of climbing mountains, which teams will lead over a mountain range to the west. Once they reach Junon, they will receive their next clue."

     "Let's hurry," Fran said. She and Balthier jogged to the stables with Freya and Fratley on their heels. 
     Inside the stables were several green chocobos in individual pens. A small boy stood in front watching the teams. On each of the chocobo pens was a label with a team name.
     "Here," Freya said. She pointed to the first pen on the left, which was labeled 'Freya/Fratley'. She and Fratley opened the gate and let their green chocobos out. They hopped on and rode off for the mountain range.
     Fran and Balthier soon found their chocobos in a pen in the back. They released their chocobos and pursued Freya and Fratley.

     "This is exciting," Ma said to Zell. Their motorcycle rode right beside Cecil and Rosa's convertible. Zone and Watts were not far behind.
     "I just hope we can keep a good lead," Zell said. 
     "We have a full half hour on the second set of teams. We should be fine. At least we shouldn't worry. It's just these three teams here, and if we just keep our own pace and don't try to knock them down, we should keep a pace that will keep us ahead of other teams."
     "Well then what about those two cars behind our pack?" Zell asked.
     Ma looked back and saw a dark convertible and a blue truck gaining on their small pack of three. "Oh my. Zell, hit it! Don't let them pass us!"

<Reno & Rude: Partners, Currently in 7th Place>
     Reno inched his black car forward and continued to attempt to pass Barret and Dyne's truck, but Barret always gunned it so that he had to jump back behind them.
     "Ksh, I swear that's not legal," Reno said. "Hey Rude. Know what I hate?"
     "Women's basketball," Rude answered.
     "I mean in regards to the race." Reno sighed. "I hate following all these rules y'know. What I wouldn't give to just bump a couple teams off. Some slashed tires here, some explosives there. I think it would make better TV too."
     "Yeah." Rude was silent for a short while, then finally he broke the silence with two words. "Pass them."
     "That's what I'm sayin'," Reno replied. He again attempted to pass Barret and Dyne.

<Barret & Dyne: Fathers, Currently in 6th Place>
     "Damn nosy Turks," Barret cursed at the car attempting to pass them and punched the accelerator. Once again, the Turks were forced to let down and slide back behind the truck. 
     "Is it bad if they pass us?" Dyne asked. "The farms aren't far. We would get there only second apart anyway."
     "It's da principle," Barret said. He slammed his fist on the dashboard. "We's gonna beat them to the farms, then we's gonna beat them to the Pit Stop."
     "I completely agree. Screw them."

     The block of five teams reached the chocobo farms: Ma and Zell, Cecil and Rosa, and Zone and Watts were first to the box, but Barret and Dyne, and Reno and Rude quickly caught up and read their clues at the same time.
     "Make your way to Junon via chocobo," Rosa read.
     "Damn," Barret said. "I hate ridin' chocobos. They're too damn small and bony."
     The teams quickly raced to the stables and grabbed their chocobos. Zone and Watts were the first out, followed by a messy flock of green erupting from the stables.

<Brahne & Garnet: Mother/Daughter, Currently in 9th Place>
     Garnet drove the orange truck past a small town. A sign nearby marked that as the town of Kalm.
     "Should we stop and ask for directions?" Garnet asked her mother.
     Brahne was silent. She was eagerly watching the rearview mirror where a yellow truck began to gain on them and soon began to pass on the left. Brahne rolled down her window and shook her fist at Cid and Celes as they drove by. "Crazy driver! It's so unsafe to pass people! You should be kicked out of this race for recklessness!" She turned her attention to Garnet. "Garnet, sweetheart. Be a dear and pass them."
     "Okay." Garnet hit the gas and pulled to the left and snuck by Cid and Celes, thus regaining their position.

<Celes & Cid: Subject/Researcher, Currently in 10th Place>
     "You're right, Granddad," Celes said to Cid as she watched Garnet and Brahne pass them back. "This is legal then?"
     "I believe so," Cid said. "I'm not a very frequent driver, but I believe that speed limits are in place for safety, but when passing a person in a legal passing zone, you can go as fast as you need to to get in front of the car ahead and out of oncoming traffic's way."
     "So we just keep at maximum speed and leapfrog at faster speeds the whole way then. Good thing Brahne is too headstrong. She'll order Garnet to pass us every time."
     "I hope so. Now Celes, pass them again."
     "Can do," Celes said. She threw on her left blinker and began to pass the orange truck once again.

<Freya & Fratley: Reunited Lovers, Currently in 1st Place>
     Freya and Fratley rode their chocobos to a large town built into the side of a large, tall cliffside. They dismounted and jogged to a clue box in front of a small house on the outskirts of the town. Freya snatched the clue from the box and read it.
     "Participate in a parade and synchronized gun twirling competition for special guests to obtain your next clue," she read.

<Announcer Gippal>
     "Teams must now travel through the large city of Junon to a celebration they have once a year. First, teams must join an already started parade at a marked location by simply hopping into line and mimicking the motions of the other soldiers. At a certain point, there will be a camera crew watching their actions. If they do not blend into the parade enough, they will be escorted back to the beginning and asked to try again. At the end of the parade route, teams will break away from the parade and join with two other soldiers in a synchronization gun twirling competition where they must memorize specific commands and perform them as a sergeant calls the orders out. Should their performance be decent enough, they will receive their next clue from two special guests, which teams may recognize as Rufus and Shinra: The Amazing Final Fantasy Race's season one winners. If their performance is not up to par, they must wait for five minutes before trying again."

     "I think we stand out just looks-wise," Fratley said. "This may be tough."
     "I may have the same problem," Fran said. She and Balthier read through their own clue after having snuck up on the two rats.
     "Shall we?" Balthier said. The three others nodded and the four racers headed to a nearby elevator that was marked by a red and yellow flag.
     Upon entering the elevator, the four were met by a soldier with a stack of standard military clothes and lightweight model rifles. 
     "Attention!" he shouted. Freya and Fratley stood tall and stiff, while Balthier and Fran slouched and waited to hear what the officer had to say. "Each of you degenerates put on these outfits while we head to the main floor. It'll be a while. I'll also be showing you the standard moves you'll need to know for the parade and the competition. Pay attention because you only get this lecture once. And put on your damn clothes! Take off your old clothes and put them into this bag in the corner. The bag will be transported to the end so you can get your precious clothes back. Are you nancies ready!?"
     "Strip here?" Freya asked.
     "Problem?" Balthier asked. His pants were already around his ankles and his shirts was halfway unbuttoned.
     "If you'd prefer to wait, we'll be sure to acknowledge you when we take our rightful leading position," Fran teased.
     "Strip, Fratley," Freya ordered.
     "I'm already done, m'lady," Fratley said wearing the soldier outfit. "I'm actually halfway to undressing you as well."
     "Oh. I'll take over from here. Thank you, Sir Fratley."

<Dona & Barthello: Summoner/Guardian, Currently in 8th Place>
     Dona and Barthello exited their car and ran to the clue box at the chocobo farms. "To Junon by chocobos," Barthello read.
     Dona began to stroll to the stables when she saw two brightly colored trucks approaching quickly. "Hurry, Barthello!"
     "I am," Barthello said. He bent down and lifted Dona off the ground and cradled her in his arms, then ran for the stables. 
     "My hero," Dona said dryly. "You know the stables are all of thirty feet away."
     "I- I just want to save us all the time I can," Barthello informed her.

     Cid and Celes jumped out of their truck and ran for the clue box. Garnet and a screaming Brahne followed closely.
     "That really saved us some time," Garnet said to Celes. "Did you plan that or-"
     "You're welcome," Cid said, looking over the clue.
     "We could have died!" Brahne said loudly. 
     "There was little to no oncoming traffic," Celes informed her. "But that's not important right now. We need chocobos."
     "May God have mercy on certain chocobos," Cid said. He patted Brahne on the back. "Good luck, madam."
     "Thank you, kind sir!" Brahne said happily. She leaned in to Garnet. "I like him."
     "I'm sure," Garnet said.
     The four found their chocobos and raced off after Dona and Barthello in search of Junon.

<Reina & Faris: Sisters, Currently in 11th Place>
     Reina and Faris hopped out of their car and Faris ran for the clue box. Reina stopped to talk to a nearby chocobo.
     "You're so cute!" Reina said to it. "What's your name? Merton? That's a kind of pretty name. I'm Reina."
     "Excuse us, Merton," Faris said to the chocobo. "The race beckons us." She pulled her sister away from the chocobo and led her to the clue box.
     "Oh good!" Reina said as she read their clue. "I get my own chocobo to ride!"
     Reina and Faris hopped on their chocobos and rode off, just before Biran and Yenke reached the chocobo farms.

<Biran & Yenke: Comrades, Currently in Last Place>
     Biran and Yenke ran quickly to the clue box and read their clue.
     "Ronso bad with directions," Yenke said.
     "No, Yenke bad with directions," Biran said. "Biran told you it was this way."
     The two Ronso ran into the stables and claimed the last pair of green chocobos.

     Freya, Fratley, Fran, and Balthier all waited in an alleyway between two large gray buildings. Out into the street was a loud parade of soldiers marching in front of the cliffside wall of storefronts and low quality apartments. The opposite side of the street was not buildings, but instead a railing with a wonderful view of the ocean. 
     "I suppose we just jump in when we see an opening," Balthier observed. "Shall we?"
     The soldiers marched in large blocks that were five soldiers wide and five soldiers long. Occasionally, the blocks were missing the two soldiers in the back, where the racers were presumably supposed to squeeze in. One such gap appeared in a nearing set.
     "Okay, Fran," Balthier said. "Let's-"
     "Wait for the next one," Fran finished. She pointed to Freya and Fratley, who had quickly jumped ahead of them and darted into the opening. They raised their guns on cue with the rest of the soldiers and began their march.
     "That was so something I'd have done," Balthier said. "Shame really."
     "There's another gap," Fran said.
     "Let's take it before another team sneaks in."
     Balthier and Fran ran to the block of soldiers and snuck in the back. Balthier fit right in, but Fran fumbled slightly with her gun.

     The pack of five teams continued to stay together over the mountains and soon reached the clue box in Junon. Cecil and Rosa were technically in the lead with Reno and Rude poised to pass them, but with the clue box in sight, none of the teams seemed to care about their exact position.
     Zone was the first to the clue box and instead of causing a horrible mess of the clues, took five out and handed them to Reno, Rosa, Ma, and Dyne. He kept the last for himself and ripped it open.
     "This sounds.... complicated," Zell said. 
     "Time's a wasting," Reno said with a glance at his watch. He and Rude started running for the elevator, then Reno stopped and looked over his shoulder. "It's this way. You might want to hurry before we lock you out."
     The four other teams began running over toward the elevator. Rude peered over his sunglasses at Reno. "Helping?"
     "Helping doesn't hurt us right now," Reno said. "Build up confidence for now, then drop it off slowly, y'know?"
     "Hope it doesn't backfire."
     "Yeah, me too," Reno scratched his head. "Well, let's go."
     The five teams packed tightly into the elevator and began their assent. 
     "Okay, maggots! Strip down to your skivvies and put your new clothes on!" the sergeant yelled. 
     Most of the eyes in the elevator shot over to Rosa, except for Ma and Rosa, who both eyed up Cecil.
     "I don't think I can do it," Ma said to Zell. "I might have to wait."
     "But Ma!" Zell started. He calmed down and thought for a moment. "At least slide your pants on under your skirt and apron. I guess we'll find a bathroom before waiting to the march thing."
     "Parade," Watts said.
     "Right." Zell looked down at Zone, who was in his usual position on the ground.
     "Oh great," Watts said, following Zell's gaze. He bent down to Zone. "I told you to just look at the ceiling and think of kittens."
     "I tried," Zone said. "B- But she's not wearing a umm, you know. Braaaa."
     "Cecil, honey?" Rosa said calmly as she put the soldier top on. "Now just keep concentrating on the task at hand, okay? Don't worry that a bunch of guys are drooling over me right now."
     "I don't mind," Cecil muttered through clenched teeth. 
     "Well at least know that Zell and his mom didn't look. Zell was too busy covering himself and his mom was watching you."
     "Eww," Cecil said. He was suddenly hit from behind by a shoe-swinging Ma, who bashed him over the head. "Oh, I'm sorry. I just meant that- I'm just sorry."
     "Ma, please," Zell said. "We might get eliminated if you attack other teams."
     "It's okay," Cecil said. "I deserved it."
     "See there?" Ma said. "I'll be nicer though."

     Freya and Fratley continued to march, executing the movement fluidly. Finally they broke off from the parade route and found a person standing by an archway. He had a red and yellow flag hanging above him. He wore normal clothes aside from a headset that was linked to the video crew they could not see.
     "Freya and Fratley," the man said. "Your scores qualified you. Move on to part two."
     "Thank you," they both said as they ran down the street to the second part of their task.

     Fran and Balthier marched fairly decently. Balthier handled his gun perfectly, though he did not keep pace as well as Fran, who had problems with some of the random gun movements. The two finished and reached the man in the headset.
     "Balthier and Fran, " he said. "Your scores qualified you. Move on to part two."
     "Perfect," Balthier said. "Ladies first." He motioned for Fran to go ahead of him, then the two ran after Freya and Fratley.

     Reno and Rude were the first of the bunch to jump into the march. Rude made it flawlessly, while Reno tripped on his untied shoelace and stumbled into line. After the slip up, the two both seemed fairly confident in marching for the camera. Reno was very proficient at the gun maneuvers, while Rude was proficient all around and occasionally had to nudge Reno to make him march faster. 

     Cecil and Rosa jumped into line. Neither seemed to know how a gun worked, but they marched relatively well.

     Barret and Dyne followed them. Both were larger than the ordinary soldier and nearly 50% wider than the average soldier, so the two person gap seemed a bit troublesome since Dyne stuck out and destroyed the invisible box surrounding their section. They each had some difficulties as well since both had guns grafted to an arm, so holding a gun correctly became a difficult task.

     With Rosa well gone, Zone finally rose to his feet and hopped into the next set with Watts. Both walked more slouched than the other soldiers, but their gun handling was fairly decent.

     "Hurry, Ma!" Zell yelled into a woman's restroom every time the door swung open. 
     Finally Ma came out in the soldier's uniform. Without another word, the two hopped into a group and began their march.

     Dona, Barthello, Celes, Cid, Garnet, and Brahne rode into Junon. Brahne's chocobo died.
     "Dearie me," Brahne said, looking over her dead chocobo. "Is it okay?"
     "It'll be fine," Garnet said. "I heard somebody saying they had a gysahl green/phoenix down mixture that should get it back. They'll tend to the poor guy."
     The three groups grabbed their clues and headed for the elevator. The doors opened and the group entered to get their lecture.
     "Barthello, face the wall," Dona ordered as everybody began changing into their outfits.
     "You too, Granddad," Celes said to Cid.
     "Never any fun for an old man," Cid said. 

     Freya, Fratley, Fran, and Balthier all reached the synchronized gun twirling competition zone at the same time. It was an open area beside a large ramp into the cargo of a large ship. In the middle of the arena were four soldiers, a commanding soldier blowing a whistle and shouting commands, and the two Shinras. President Shinra wore his standard red suit and Rufus wore his normal white trench coat. 
     "You can do better," Rufus said to the soldiers at attention. "I think my grandma could do better. Fix it and come back when I can tolerate it."
     "Yes, sir," the soldiers said sadly as they walked away from the area.
     "First two racers, come on in!" President Shinra said. "I think the rats were first."
     Freya and Fratley moved forward into the line with the two actual soldiers on each side.
     "Okay, if you get confused, watch the guys on the outside," the commanding soldier told Freya and Fratley. "They're pros. They only mess up umm, not often. So ready? Cross!" 
     Freya and Fratley both watched out of the corner of their eyes at the soldiers on the sides and tried to mimic the posture as they thrust their guns forward, then across to the left shoulder, forward again, then across to the right shoulder. Both Freya and Fratley did it well enough, but were a lot slower than the soldiers.

     Reina and Faris reached Junon with the Ronso only seconds behind them. They dismounted their chocobos and quickly grabbed the clue. They gave it a quick read though and ran to the elevator doors.
     "All here!" Reina said to the soldier inside. "Close the doors please?"

     Biran and Yenke grabbed their clue and headed for the closing elevator doors. 
     "Wait for Biran!" Biran shouted.
     "Also Yenke!" Yenke added.
     The Ronso ran as quickly as they could and barely got their hands in the doors. They elevator opened for the Ronso and the four rode to the top.

     "Left face!" the commander shouted.
     Freya and Fratley turned to face Shinra and Rufus once again after several turns pointed them away. 
     "Finish strong!"
     Freya and Fratley took their guns and spun them over their heads, then held them against their backs.
     Rufus approached them with a cold glare in his eyes. "Very good. You shame my soldiers." He handed the two a clue as well as a gold ticket.
     Freya and Fratley left the competition area for Fran and Balthier to take their turn, then ripped open their clue.
     "Make your way to the airport and claim a departure time for the departing airship to the Gold Saucer."

<Announcer Gippal>
     "Teams must travel a short distance to the airship pad in Junon. Scattered around the pad are several clues taped to the ground with departure times, all leaving tomorrow morning at 10:00am, 10:20am, and 10:40am. There are a limited number of each flight, so teams must go quickly to grab the earliest flight. Then, in the morning, the teams will travel by airship directly to the world's largest theme park: The Gold Saucer. They will use the gold ticket given to them by Rufus Shinra. If they lose it, they will not be allowed into the park."

<Freya & Fratley: Reunited Lovers, Currently in 1st Place>
     "Hurry," Freya said to Fratley. The pair raced off with a quick glance back at Balthier and Fran as they perfectly executed the triangle maneuver. "They'll be on us in no time."
     Freya and Fratley ran to the airport and saw a huge open area with a large target-like pattern on the ground for airships to land. Scattered around, nearly impossible to see, were twelve yellow clues stuck to the ground.
     "I found a 10:20," Fratley shouted as Freya searched for more. "Is that the earliest?"
     "No, I found a 10:00," Freya said. "I'll stay by this, you search for anything faster."
     A short search continued, but Fratley finally stopped checking. "Okay, take it," he said. "It's the earliest one."

     "Reno and Rude," the man with the headset said. "Your work was satisfactory. Move on to the next task."
     "You got it," Reno said. He and Rude ran to the next area.

     "Cecil and Rosa. Your work was apparently enjoyable. The boys upstairs sent a flower for you. Continue to the next task." The man handed Rosa a flower just before the pair ran off.
     "You're okay with that, right?" Rosa asked Cecil.
     "Fine," Cecil said. 
     "Good."

     "Finish strong!" the commander shouted. 
     Balthier and Fran tossed their guns high into the air, then turned away from each other and fell into each other; their backs supported the other as each of them caught the other's gun.
     "You planned that," Rufus said.
     "We had some time while watching those other two," Balthier said.
     "It was good," he handed them the clue and gold ticket.
     "Thank you," Fran said. 

     "Barret and Dyne," the headset man said. "Your work was very bad. Try again."
     "What!?" Barret shouted. "You try doin' this with a friggin' gun stuck to your friggin' arm!"
     "Come on, we're wasting time," Dyne whined. He pulled Barret away and the two ran quickly back to the starting area.

     Dona and Barthello looked out into the marching soldiers and finally found their opening. They ran forward and joined a line with Dona on the outside. Barthello pulled her in slightly and adjusted her gun for her, then began marching himself.

     Celes and Cid jumped into the next batch of soldiers. Cid was wheezing slightly, but he kept up well with the marching soldiers.

     "It's my lucky day!" Brahne shouted as she watched Barret and Dyne running towards them.
     "Mother, please," Garnet said. "Watch the soldiers for an opening."
     "Sorry, sweetie, it's just that-"
     The doors to the elevator opened and Reina and Faris and Biran and Yenke stepped out.
     "Ooh my!" Brahne shouted. "I know it's my lucky day now! The big boys, the hairy boys, and that long haired boy!"
     Garnet glanced back briefly, then looked forward at the soldiers again. "That's a girl, Mother."
     Brahne looked back and studied Faris, then with a disgusted look on her face, looked back to the soldiers. "There's an opening, honey. Sneak in there."
     Garnet and Brahne jumped into a group of soldiers. Garnet fit nicely and Brahne still hung slightly over the edge, but she did all the gun maneuvers very well, with a slight problem of over-exaggerating the motions.
     Barret and Dyne jumped in after them, then Reina and Faris and finally Biran and Yenke.

     "Finish strong!" the commander shouted.
     Reno and Rude spun the guns over their heads, then in front of them, then stuffed them behind their backs where Rufus was unable to see them any longer.
     "That looked like the finishing move they used several years ago," Rufus said.
     "It was, sir," Rude said.
     "When we trained as regular soldiers, y'know," Reno added.
     "I figured." Rufus handed them their clue and ticket.

     "10:00 looks best," Balthier said. "Pull it, Franny."
     "Don't call me Franny, Ffamran," Fran said. She pulled the sticker off of the clue, thus claiming a spot on the 10:00 trip.

     "Zone and Watts," the headset man said. "You were good enough. Move on."
     "Cool," Zone said.
     "Thanks," Watts added.

     "Zell and Ma. You were very good. They sent a box of chocolates for you. You may move on."
     "I love chocolate!" Ma said, grabbing the box from his hands.
     "I love winning!" Zell said. "Thanks, sir."

     Reno and Rude moved in quickly and after a quick search, found the 10:00 to be the first flight. The two ripped off their sticker and joined the 10:00am group.
     "From now on, we remember to make sure things are really the best choice," Reno said. "That flight was crap. I hate that."
     Rude nodded.

     Cecil and Rosa twirled their guns as the man had shown them in the elevator, despite the confined space. They rested the guns on their shoulders and waited for Rufus.
     "Good enough," Rufus said. "What do you think?" Rufus asked over his shoulder to President Shinra.
     "Whatever," Shinra said.
     "Exactly. Here you go." Rufus gave them their clue and ticket.

     Zone and Watts jumped in between the two soldiers and readied their guns.
     "Cross!" the commander shouted. The two did fairly sloppy, but efficient crosses. "Left face!"
     Watts spun to his left and saw Zone in front of him looking directly at him.
     "Somehow I'm thinking we already lost," Zone said.
     "I agree," Watts said. He looked at Rufus. "I think we'll just take our penalty now and get it over with."
     "Probably a good move," Rufus said. "Okay, five minutes starting now."

     "Dona and Barthello," the headset man said. "Good job. Move on."
     Dona and Barthello quickly ran off. Celes and Cid ran to the headset man only seconds after Dona and Barthello had left the area.
     "Celes and Cid," he said. "Congrats. You're through."

     Ma and Zell twirled their guns and awaited Rufus's inspection.
     "Not bad, especially from you," Rufus pointed at Ma. He looked to Zell. "You need to work on your gun control."
     "I'll do that," Zell said.
     "No, you won't. But here's your clue anyway." Rufus handed him the clue and ticket.

     "So here's where we started," Rosa said. "Oh sheesh. There it is." She pointed to the airport, then looked over to Rufus, who had just handed Zell and Ma a clue.
     "We need to hurry," Cecil said.
     "Yes." 
     Rosa and Cecil dashed off to the airport while Ma and Zell gave chase. All four raced into the airport and began frantically looking for the best time.
     "10:20!" Cecil shouted to Rosa.
     "10:40!" Rosa replied as she found her own clue.
     "Anything?" Ma asked Zell.
     "Just a bunch of 10:40s," Zell responded.
     "Is that the last 10:20 he's got?" Ma yelled.
     "Should I just take it?" Cecil asked Rosa.
     "You decide!" she responded.
     Rosa began searching with Ma and Zell for a better time, when finally Cecil pulled up the time. "Okay, I'm taking it."
     "Wait!"
     "Don't say 'wait', I already pulled it!" Cecil yelled back.
     "Oh great, and I just found a 10:00." Rosa sighed, then looked up at Ma and Zell who stared at her like a couple of vultures. "Do well with it, guys."
     "Thank you so much," Ma said. "I'm so sorry for you."

     The remaining teams finished their tasks with little difficulty. Zone and Watts returned from their penalty and performed well. Then one by one the teams cleared the tasks and pulled up their times. Biran and Yenke were the last to reach Rufus.

     "Finish strong!" the commander yelled.
     Biran and Yenke tossed down their guns and violently pushed the other soldiers to the floor.
     Rufus and Shinra both laughed and applauded the two Ronso.
     "Best finish yet," Rufus said. He handed the pair their clue and ticket.
     Biran and Yenke ran to the airport and grabbed the remaining timeslot: 10:40am. They joined the others in a giant circle of sleeping bags, mini-tents, and blankets.
     "Hornless humans cannot tolerate the cold like Ronso," Biran said.
     "Ronso strong," Yenke said. "Ronso stay up all night in cold weather and howl until sun comes back up."
     "Tell me they're not serious," Dona muttered.
     "Tell me they're not sexy as heck," Brahne commented loudly. "Such big-"
     "Horns?" Yenke asked.
     "Gigantic horns! So strong and powerful, yet beautiful."
     "Maybe I should spare us all and eliminate us myself," Garnet said.
     Celes put her hand on Garnet's. "I would understand if you did. In fact, I think you should."
     "Zone?" Watts said, looking to his sleeping bagged friend. "You need to stop watching those girls. You're pitching a tent in your sleeping bag, and that's just completely... wrong."
     "Sorry," Zone said. He turned to his side and fell asleep.

<Announcer Gippal>
     "All twelve teams have checked in and will depart to The Gold Saucer in three shifts. Leaving at 10:00am are: Freya and Fratley, Fran and Balthier, Reno and Rude, and Zell and Ma. Leaving at 10:20am are: Cecil and Rosa, Zone and Watts, Dona and Barthello, and Celes and Cid. Leaving last at 10:40am are: Brahne and Garnet, Barret and Dyne, Reina and Faris, and Biran and Yenke."

<10:00am Airship Departing>
     The four 10:00am teams boarded their airship, which was a large black ship guided by large jets and floating using a large red balloon. The ship floated away from the other teams, which all waited eagerly for their own ships to arrive.
     The airship landed in a large open area by The Gold Saucer entrance. There was a large archway that said "Welcome" and a woman standing by a model of a fat chocobo.
     "Ticket, please," she said to each team, the first of which was Ma and Zell.
     Zell handed her the ticket and he and Ma entered. The room was a large circle with several holes in the walls with labels above them. In the center of the room was a clue box. 
     Ma grabbed their clue and read it. "Detour: Game or Fame."

<Announcer Gippal>
     "A detour is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons. In Game, teams must travel to the Wonder Square: an area known for having several arcade-like games. Teams must play and win four of the games to the degree of difficulty listed on cards beside the machines. The games only have to be beaten once, so each team member will only need to play two games, but the teammate not playing cannot play while his or her teammate is busy. The tasks are relatively simple, but playing four games could take a long time. In Fame, teams must go to the Speed Square where they will ride on a roller coaster and be equipped with laser guns. Team will ride the coaster and attempt to shoot at various objects on the course worth a certain amount of points. If they obtain a legendary score of over 5,000 points, they will receive their next clue. The task is short, but it will require fast reflexes and a sharp eye to shoot enough things to get the necessary points."

<Ma & Zell: Mother/Son, Currently in 1st Place>
     "I'm not a very gun-liking woman," Ma said. "Can we do the Games, Zell?"
     "Of course, Ma," Zell said. "Let's get to the Wonder Square."

     "Let's get this over quickly then," Balthier said. "Shall we go Fame?"
     "Of course we shall," Fran said.

     "I love that roller coaster," Reno said. "Let's do it."
     "I hate that roller coaster," Rude said. "Whatever."

     "Freya, you may decide," Fratley said. "I'm still unsure of my own abilities."
     "I think we have decent accuracy," Freya said. "Let's attempt the Fame."

     Ma and Zell jumped into the hole to the Wonder Square, while Balthier, Fran, Reno, Rude, Freya, and Fratley all ran to the Speed Square hole.

<10:20am Airship Departing>
     The four 10:20am teams boarded their airship, which was the same large black ship but with a large blue balloon. Cecil, Rosa, Zone, Watts, Dona, Barthello, Celes, and Cid all waved to the remaining four teams as their ship took off.

     Zell and Ma popped out through a hole in the floor and entered a room with a staircase leading up to a glass hallway. They followed the hallway to a room filled with bright lights and several non-standard arcade games. Attached to select machines was a red and yellow tag with writing on the back.
     "What should we try first?" Ma asked.
     Zell looked around and saw a snowboarding machine in the back, which he was instantly drawn to. He looked at the challenge tag on it. "Complete the Crazy Course," he read. He cracked his knuckles. "No problem."
     "Exactly," Ma said. She hopped onto the snowboard and pushed the 'on' button.
     "Ma, what're you doing? I'm a master of boards. You don't know-"
     "Don't know what?" Ma asked. "From what I hear, your T-Board was confiscated, leaving you with no time to practice. Meanwhile, your dear old ma has had full access to the one in your room. Just watch."
     "Sure, Ma," Zell said. He sat behind the machine and watched his Ma slide right into the first corner.
     "Don't mind that, Zelly. Just getting my sea-legs back."
     "Hope so."

     Reno and Rude were the first to run out of the doorway from the main room. They raced up a flight of stairs and down a hallway into a line queue for a roller coaster. Upon reaching the front, they hopped into the first and second seats in the coaster as a ride operator put the bar down on their laps and released the coaster.
     "Left or right?" Reno asked Rude, who sat behind him.
     "Right," Rude responded.
     "Got it. And if there's anything directly in front of us, I'll take it."
     Reno looked over his shoulder at the line queue, which had Fran and Balthier in front to go next and Freya and Fratley prepared to go after that.
     The coaster went up a long chained hill, then finally peaked at the top and sped downward. A ghost appeared to the left, then immediately disappeared when Reno blasted it with his laser. A second appeared to the right and disappeared equally fast as the first one.

<Ma & Zell: One game completed>
     "Wow, Ma," Zell said. He watched his mother step off the snowboard machine after taking the time to put her initials into the high score. "I guess I'll take next on this motorcycle game. It looks fun."
     "Good luck, Zelly!"

     A second train pulled up before the first had returned. Fran and Balthier boarded the roller coaster and prepared their lasers while the safety bar was lowered. They started up the tall hill and soon were looking down on the entire theme park. Bright lights reflected off of the gold surfaces.
     "Only observe the sights briefly," Balthier said. "We have a job to do."
     Fran blasted an approaching ghost. "I noticed."

     Reno and Rude's train pulled into the station. The two put their lasers in the coaster holsters and stepped out to wait for their score to appear on the screen. It finally lit up: "Reno & Rude: 5,711 points."
     "Perfect," Reno said. "Where's our clue?" A man came out of the booth and handed them their clue. Reno quickly ripped it open and read it. "Make your way to the Round Square and locate the Pit Stop for this leg of the race."

<Announcer Gippal>
     "Teams must now travel to a section of the Gold Saucer used for viewing the glorious theme park. From high in the sky they must locate the yellow and red flags attached to the haunted hotel in the Ghost Square. They must then travel to the Pit Stop and check in. The last team to check in, may be eliminated."

<Reno & Rude: Partners, Currently in 1st Place>
     "We could be first, y'know," Reno said to Rude.
     "Let's go then," Rude said.
     The two Turks quickly raced off to the hallway to find the doorway to the Round Square.

<Ma & Zell: Three games completed>
     "You can do it, Zelly!" Ma cheered on.
     Zell's elbow was against a table and his arm battled furiously against a holographic wrestler. Zell's arm was starting to fall backwards. Zell struggled and finally gave it his all. The wrestler's arm inched backwards and finally tapped the table.
     A man emerged from the corner of the room and handed them a clue.
     "Thank you," Ma said as she ripped at the clue. "Make your way to the Round Square- Ooh! Locate the Pit Stop for this leg of the race!"
     "Hurry," Zell said. He tugged his mom's arm and ran for the tubes. "I saw a Round Square tube earlier. Let's hurry. We don't want to be eliminated!"

     The 10:20am flight landed at the Gold Saucer. Cecil, Rosa, Zone, Watts, Dona, Barthello, Celes, and Cid all raced for the entrance. Each team showed their ticket to the woman outside and raced inside to the clue box.

     "Game or Fame," Watts read.
     "I can't take fame," Zone said. "Let's Game." 

     "Barthello, can you shoot?" Dona asked.
     "I'm afraid I cannot," Barthello said. "But I could try if you'd-"
     "No, I can't either. Let's Game."

     "Fame all the way," Celes said. "You're good with machines and guns and stuff, right?"
     "Definitely," Cid responded.

     "None of these look very appealing," Rosa said. "What do you think, Ceese?"
     "I guess Fame," Cecil said. "It seems faster, so it's the logical choice."

     Reno and Rude walked out of the door connecting the Speed Square to the Round Square. They approached the Round Square operator, when suddenly Ma and Zell ran through and hopped in front of them. 
     "Two please!" Ma shouted to the operator.
     "Wh- Hey!" Reno yelled. 
     "Go ahead," the operator said.
     Zell and Ma entered the large wooden shack that was attached to a large metal track above it. The track circled the entire Gold Saucer and the attachment to the shack had a pair of wheels to guide it along the course.
     "There's plenty of room," the operator said. He motioned for the two Turks to board the same shack as Zell and Ma.
     Reno and Rude walked in calmly and sat on a bench across from where Zell and Ma sat.
     "Sorry," Zell said.
     "It's fine," Reno said. "Nice to see our opponents true colors now as opposed to later, y'know."
     "I wouldn't call them our true colors. Just... Some colors. We're like rainbows."
     The shack began to sway as it was lifted away from the station and onto its track. The four inhabitants watched eagerly out the windows.

     Balthier and Fran watched their scores as Freya and Fratley rode out on their own coaster. Celes and Cid entered the ride's queue with Cecil and Rosa not far behind. "Fran & Balthier: 5,003 points."
     "Cutting it close, I'd say," Balthier commented.
     Fran took their clue and pointed them in the direction of the Round Square.

<Zone & Watts: Two games completed>
     "My two are done," Watts said as he stepped away from the motorcycle game. "You can do the 3D Battler, the Submarine, Moghouse, or one of those hard games in the other room. Don't arm wrestle. Don't shoot 10 baskets. You'll never complete them."
     "I'll do the Submarine," Zone said. "Look around for another easy one after that. Something... technical."
     "I'll keep an eye out."

<Dona & Barthello: Two games completed>
     Barthello slammed the wrestler's hand down, finally completing their third task.
     "Good, Barthello," Dona said. "I need another game. What seems suitable for me besides the 3D Battler I already completed?"
     "Well there is umm," Barthello paused to think. "I guess... Moghouse?"
     "So pathetic," Dona said. "Fine, I'll play that dumb game and get this over with."

     "There, there!" Ma whispered to Zell. She pointed at a flag attached to the ghost hotel.
     "Saw it, did you?" Reno said. 
     Ma looked at the two Turks, who were already sitting down and resting.
     "You can't just follow us," Zell said. "We'll outrun you and then you'll be completely lost and-"
     "I'm pretty sure it's called the Ghost Square," Reno said. "We'll find it no problem."
     "Ma, you can outrun them, right?" Zell asked.
     "I hope so," she responded. The Turks chuckled.

<10:40am Flight Landing at the Gold Saucer>
     The final airship with the green balloon released the remaining teams. They all ran past the entrance lady and showed their tickets before snatching their clues and huddling around to decide who did what.

     "I love those shooting games!" Brahne shouted. "Death and destruction and-"
     "Okay, we'll do Fame," Garnet said.

     "Biran not have time for games," Biran said. "Biran should be famous."
     "Yenke will also be famous," Yenke said.
     "We'll see."

     Faris looked at Reina. "This be yer big decision. We must play to our strengths. What be our strengths?"
     Reina thought hard, then read through the clue again. "Let me think."

     "Dyne, whatchu think?" Barret asked.
     "I have pretty good aim, so Fame seems like a good idea."
     "I's thinkin' the same thing. Let's go."

     The three teams all headed for the Speed Square while Faris and Reina stood alone by the clue box.
     "We'd have to wait for Fame," Reina said. "I think Game is best."
     "That's usin' yer head," Faris said.
     The two sisters ran to the Wonder Square and hopped in.

     Freya and Fratley watched their scores appear on the board. "Freya and Fratley: 5,102 points."
     "Wonderful shooting," Freya said to Fratley. "You always did have a wonderful eye for precision."
     Freya received their clue and the pair rushed off to the Round Square as more teams neared the queue for the roller coaster.

     "May the best team win," Zell said to the Turks as their shack approached the station. He wiped his hand on his shorts and extended it for a handshake.
     "We will," Reno said. "Thanks."
     "Good luck," Rude said. He patted Zell on the back.
     The shack stopped and all four racers immediately jumped out and ran to the door leading to the Ghost Square. They all tried to squeeze through at once and each team shoved their way though.

     Gippal stood at the mat beside a muscular man wearing a black speedo.
     "Really? You don't wear more than that, Dio?" Gippal asked.
     "Not in public," Dio said.
     "I see." Gippal looked up and pointed to the tube from the Round Square where the first team emerged. Then immediately after, the second team emerged as all four racers ran for the mat.
     "Zell," Gippal said. "I'm sorry to tell you, but you have to be a full team to check in."
     Zell stood on the mat with both Turks over each shoulder sharing the mat with him. He saw his mom only a few steps behind, so he just smiled and stepped off the mat to join his mother.
     "Welcome to the Gold Saucer," Dio said.
     "Reno and Rude," Gippal said. "You're team number one!"
     Reno socked Rude in the arm. "Victory number one."
     "As the winners of this leg of the race, you've both won lifetime passes to the Gold Saucer as well as 5,000 gil a piece, which you can enjoy after the race."
     "Five thousand is good," Reno said. "But I already own passes."
     "So do I," Rude said. 
     The Turks stepped off the mat and let Zell and Ma through.
     "Ma and Zell," Gippal said. "You're team number two!"
     "And the proud owners of lifetime passes to the Gold Saucer," Reno said, leaning between Zell and Ma with his arm around each of them. "It's for giving us a good sprint to the end. A bonus for second place."
     "Thanks, guys," Zell said.
     "Oh, come on now!" Reno said. He pushed off of Zell and Ma and took a couple steps back. "No getting mushy on us. Don't think that much of it. This place doesn't even allow drinking."
     Ma smiled. "Thank you, boys."
     "You're welcome," Rude said. 

     "There we are," Balthier said. He pointed to the ghost hotel from above the Gold Saucer in their lone shack. "Don't suppose we could end this early, could we?"
     "I think not," Fran responded.

     "I see it," Freya said from their own shack in the sky. "Some scary looking hotel."
     "Good eye," Fratley said. "Would it be unfair to leap back down to beat the other team?"
     "I think we would be penalized," Freya said. "Let's just wait until it is in the station."
     "Do I always do as you say?"
     "Yes."
     "Then we'll wait," Fratley responded.

     Cecil and Rosa stood and waited for their scores. "Cecil & Rosa: 3,901 points."
     "Not good," Cecil said. 
     "Not at all," Rosa said. "Let's line back up."
     Cecil and Rosa jumped back into line behind Biran and Yenke.

<Zone & Watts: Three games completed>
     Zone jumped back from the 3D Battler and cheered as the tall hologram with the afro fell to his knees. A man approached him and handed him their next clue.
     "We need to find the Pit Stop, man," Zone said. "By the way, nice call on the 3D Battle."
     "Seemed easy," Watts said.

<Dona & Barthello: Three games completed>
     "This moogle is so annoying," Dona said. "Does this game even end?"
     "I do not know," Barthello said. Finally the moogle waved at the screen and the words "The End" appeared on the screen. "Oh. I think it just ended."
     "Thank you, Barthello," Dona said sarcastically. She took the clue from the man and read it. "Hurry up. We need to find the Pit Stop."
     "Yes, ma'am."

     Celes and Cid waited for their scores to come on screen. They noticed Cecil and Rosa at the end of the line and grew slightly worried. "Celes & Cid: 4,720 points."
     "Not good," Cid said.
     "Let's line back up, Granddad," Celes said.

     Fran and Balthier popped out of the Round Square tube in the Ghost Square and ran to the mat.
     "Fran and Balthier," Gippal said. "You're team number three!"
     "Lost a bit of wind at the end," Balthier said. "Won't happen again, I assure you."

     "Freya and Fratley," Gippal said. The pair landed on the mat and Fratley held Freya closely. "You're team number four!"
     "See? Jumping would not have helped," Fratley said.
     "That's good," Freya said. 

     Barret and Dyne jumped off the roller coaster and waited for those scores.
     "I don't think I did so well," Dyne said. "I had to hold the gun with my non-gun hand, which is hard for aiming."
     "Yeah, same 'ere," Barret said. "But jus' shu'up. Wait for da scores."
     The score appeared on the screen. "Barret & Dyne: 4,310 points."
     Barret stayed quiet for a moment. "Whatchu think? Swap detours? Line's too long."
     "I think we should."
     Barret nodded and the pair ran for the tube connecting them to the Wonder Square.

     "Zone and Watts," Gippal said. "You're team number five!"
     "We did it?" Zone asked.
     "You did it," Gippal responded.
     "Oh. Nice."

     "Get it get it get it!" Brahne shouted as she fired at the large UFO. The stream on her laser lessened.
     "Fire in bursts," Garnet recommended. "I think it does more damage."
     "You do it your way, I'll do mine!"
     The UFO exploded and the roller coaster continued on it's path. Garnet and Brahne shot at the remaining obstacles and finally pulled into the station. They hopped out and looked at their score appear. "Brahne & Garnet: 5,200 points."
     "Yes!" Brahne cheered. "We did it."
     Garnet obtained the clue and the two headed for the Round Square.

     "Dona and Barthello," Gippal said. "You're team number six!"
     "At least it's over," Dona said.
     "It was a fun race, too," Barthello said.
     "Whatever, Barthello. I need a backrub."
     "Yes, ma'am."

<Faris & Reina: Three tasks completed>
     "I wish this was more like a chocobo," Reina said as she rode the motorcycle. She smashed into one final racer and gained the necessary amount of points.
     "Me lucky day," Faris said. "Good job, sis."
     Reina took their clue and the two raced for the Round Square.

     Biran and Yenke returned to the station and stepped off the roller coaster. They stood aside and watched their score appear on the screen. "Biran & Yenke:  1,200 points."
     "Does Biran want to do other game?" Yenke asked.
     "No. Biran want to finish this one. Do it right," Biran said.

     "I don't see it!" Brahne shouted. She and Garnet circled the Gold Saucer in the shack in the sky. Both looked out of different windows.
     "I don't either, Mother," Garnet said. 
     The shack came to a halt and the operator motioned for them to exit. "Have a good ride?" she asked.
     "No, we need to go again," Garnet explained.
     "Oh. Go right ahead," she responded.

     "Thar it is," Faris said. She pointed into the distance at the ghost house.
     The two sisters got off the shack and went through the tubes to the Ghost Square and ran to the mat.
     "Faris and Reina," Gippal said. "You're team number seven!"

     Cecil and Rosa got off the coaster and looked up to the score board for a second time. "Cecil & Rosa: 4,444 points."
     "Switch detours?" Cecil asked.
     "No, I think I know what we're doing wrong. One more try, I know we can do it."

<Barret & Dyne: Two games completed>
     "What arm they need?" Barret asked as he looked at the wrestling machine.
     "Right arm," Dyne said. "I suppose this is mine then?" 
     "Guess so," Barret said. "Give it hell."
     Dyne turned on the wrestling machine and the powerful wrestler appeared. Dyne grabbed his arm and a light indicated for him to start pushing. Dyne gritted his teeth and slammed the wrestler's hand down in exactly one second.
     "One lef'," Barret said. "An' I gotta do it. What should I do?"

     Celes and Cid jumped off the coaster and waited for their scores to appear. "Celes & Cid: 5,520 points."
     "Yes!" Celes shouted. She took their next clue and started off for the Round Square, when she looked back at Cid, who gave her an odd look. "What?"
     "I'm wondering if I've ever seen you that excited," Cid said.
     "Wonder later, let's go."
     The two raced off to find their next destination.

     "Brahne and Garnet," Gippal said. The two girls huffed and wheezed, though most of that was Brahne. "You're team number eight!"
     "We made it?" Garnet asked.
     "You made it," Gippal confirmed.
     "Oh thank goodness. I thought our not seeing the flag the first time would set us back too far."

     Celes and Cid popped through the tunnel from the Round Square to the Ghost Square and ran to the mat.
     "Celes and Cid," Gippal said. "You're team number nine!"
     "Tomorrow we'll be number one," Celes said.
     "I sure hope so," Cid said. "Then I'll get a longer rest break at the Pit Stop."

     "Ready?" Rosa said as she strapped herself into the roller coaster.
     "I hope whatever you have planned works," Cecil said.
     "It will. I hope it will anyway. I just want to prove that attendant wrong. After getting off the ride last time, he said what a nancy he thought you were."
     "Pardon?" Cecil asked.
     "You know. Like a sissy. A wuss. Anyway, I just want to prove him wrong. He was all like 'I know if I had a hot piece of ass like that chick he's with, I wouldn't be such a pansy in front of her' and then he looked down my top and high-fived the guy next to him."
     "Pardon?" Cecil asked.
     "Nothing," Rosa said. "Good luck, honey."
     Cecil clenched his laser tightly. "He'll regret those words."

     Biran and Yenke waited in line alone as the second train pulled up on the tracks.
     "Better hurry," the attendant said. "At this rate, by laws of time and space, I think you need to go really fast to beat those guys that just left."
     "It is okay," Biran said. "Ronso learn quickly. Biran already figured out how to use hornless laser."
     "Hornless! Ho-" Yenke chimed in until he was interrupted.
     "Yenke! Yenke not know how to use hornless laser yet. Yenke not allowed to tease hornless humans about their hornless games."
     Their train shot out of the station and proceeded up the tall hill. Biran quickly shot the first ghost with a fair amount of accuracy.

<Barret & Dyne: Three games completed>
     "One more," Dyne urged Barret.
     "I know dat, I can count!" Barret said. He lined up the basketball with the hoop and threw the ball. It bounced off the backboard slightly above the red box and bounced too far away to get in the hoop.
     "Dammit!" Barret shouted. He slammed his fist down. 
     "You had nine in a row too," Dyne said. He looked at the anger in Barret's eyes and decided it best to not speak of it anymore. "Going to try again? Or want to do a different game?"
     "Dis is about all I can do," Barret said. "I can't snowboard. I hate that damned submarine. You did the two easy ones all ready. It's between this and that stupid moogle game."
     "You can get ten baskets in a row," Dyne said. 
     "Yeah, jus' shu'up."

     Cecil and Rosa again got off the coaster and waited for their scores. "Cecil & Rosa: 5,910 points."
     "HA! Who's the bitch now!?" Cecil yelled at the nearby attendant.
     "Umm, congratulations, sir," the attendant said.
     Rosa accepted their clue and stuffed a mirror in front of Cecil's face while she read it. "Round Square."
     "Okay, let's go," Cecil said calmly.
     The two quickly got to the Round Square and searched for the Pit Stop, which they found quickly. They ran to the Ghost Square and ran to Gippal.
     "Cecil and Rosa," Gippal said. "You're team number ten!"
     "Thank goodness," Rosa said. She thought for a moment. "I guess thank badness a bit too."

     A basketball fell through a hoop and small red and orange lights lit up the small basketball game. Barret nodded and turned to an attendant to get his clue.
     "We gotta search for the damn Pit Stop now," Barret said. "We better hurry."

     Biran and Yenke got off the train and looked at their scores. "Biran & Yenke: 5,350 points."
     Biran took the clue and read through it. "Biran and Yenke must hurry," Biran said.
     The two Ronso quickly ran to the Round Square where they got on a shack to survey the Gold Saucer area.
     "There! Yenke sees it!" Yenke shouted. He pointed out the window to a flag at the ghost hotel.

     "There!" Dyne pointed happily out the window of his shack. 
     "This damn thing needs to let us down," Barret said. He started shaking the shack impatiently.

     The first shack parked back at the beginning and the two contestants ran out of the shack and into the tube leading to the Ghost Square. Gippal smiled as the first team emerged and ran to the mat.
     Biran and Yenke stepped forward onto the mat and waited for Gippal.
     "Biran and Yenke," Gippal said. He hesitated briefly, but was interrupted by Barret and Dyne, who popped out of the tube seconds later. "You're obviously not the last team to arrive. You're team number eleven!"
     "Biran is happy," Biran said. "Ronso can be proud of Biran and Yenke still. At least for one more week."
     The Ronso stepped off the mat as Barret and Dyne stepped up.
     "Welcome to the Gold Saucer," Dio said.
     "Barret and Dyne," Gippal said. "You're the last team to arrive. I'm sorry to tell you you've both been eliminated from the race."
     "I knew we shoulda stuck with the damn coaster," Barret said.
     "We would've had it if the race accommodated the handicapped a bit better," Dyne added.
     "Shu'up, Dyne," Barret said. "It ain't the Amazin' Everybody's Equal Race."
     "How was it racing with your old friend?" Gippal asked.
     "He's dumb," Barret said. "We shoulda been in it longer. But I dunno. I never cared much 'bout the money anyway. I'm just disappointed cuz I was gonna get that money for Marlene's schoolin', and cuz I wanted to race longer with this dumb bastard. Nice havin' your old friend around when he ain't friggin' crazy."
     "Yeah, it was fun," Dyne added. "It would've been nice to see more of new worlds as opposed to losing in our own, but it was good to race with my old buddy. Barret and I haven't been able to have fun since we started fighting about the stupid reactors about four years ago. I think now I might just have to take him out for some basketball, cuz this dumbass can't make a basket. Easy win."
     "Hey! I usually play by makin' lay-ups!"
     "Girls make lay-ups. Real men can shoot free throws," Dyne teased.
     "Know what I'm gonna do, Dyne? I'm gonna go out and buy a fatass skirt so when I school you at some hoops you'll have something to wear when you's off cryin'."
     "You buy that skirt. Just make sure it fits you before you get to the courts."
     "Ye- Wh- Jus' shu'up, Dyne!" Barret yelled. He and Dyne walked off the mat and headed into the ghost hotel. Barret leaned his arm on Dyne's shoulder and Dyne patted Barret on the back as the doors of the hotel closed behind them.