A Girl of the Future Page 16

  "And the winner is… Number 5!" Lahla exclaimed.

  "Yes!" Alex said. He whispered to Aubrey. "Watch the Koopas." The two watched as the Koopas shifted lanes, the Koopa from lane 5 moving to lane 2. "That Koopa has been

  the winner every time."

  "Next bets please!"

  "25 on number 2." Alex said confidently.

  "20 on number 4." Athena said.

  "15 on number 4."

  Fox & Krystal: Married

  Team Star Fox walked into a small shop in Rogueport center. Fox handed a Mushroom to the green-capped Toad shopkeeper, who took a bite of it.

  "There's no difference… How are they selling it so much cheaper?" The Toad wondered. "Well, thanks for trying." He handed Fox some coins.

  Alex & Aubrey / Athena & Janey / DK & Diddy

  "And the winner is number 4!"

  "Well… there goes that theory." Alex said.

  "I noticed that the Koopas were switching lanes after every race, and there was one Koopa that had won every race up to that point." Alex said (After-Leg). "So I figured

  there was a trick to it and that Koopa always won."

  "Awesome! We have 100 tokens!" Janey said. She handed the tokens to Lahla, who handed her a bag of coins and a clue envelope. Athena took the clue and ripped it open.

  Athena & Janey: Engaged – Currently in 1st

  "Make your way into Rogueport Sewers and search for your next clue." Athena read.

  "Teams must now use the Warp Pipe in East Rogueport and make their way into the Rogueport Sewers, the rumored ruins of a 1000-year-old city. Once there, they will find

  their clue near the Warp Pipe they use to enter the sewers."

  "Let's go, Athena!" Janey said.

  "Place your bets, everyone!" Lahla said.

  "15 on number… 6." DK said.

  "20 on number 1." Alex said.

  Yoshi & Yoshi Jr: Father/Son (Trouble Center)

  The Yoshis ran into the Trouble Center and dropped a few bags of coins on the counter.

  "Thank you…" A mysterious voice said from behind the counter, shielded from view by metal bars and an unusual darkness. The coins vanished and were quickly replaced by a

  clue envelope.

  "Make your way into Rogueport Sewers and search for your next clue." Yoshi read.

  Alex & Aubrey / DK & Diddy

  "And the winner is Number 6!"

  "Oh come on!" Alex exclaimed.

  "Next bets, please." Lahla said.

  "25 on 5." DK said.

  "15 on 5." Alex said. "We either both win or we both lose."

  Kirby & MetaKnight: Friends/Star Warriors

  The Star Warriors ran into the Trouble Center, plopping down a bunch of coins. Half the coins were scooped up and quickly replaced by a clue envelope.

  "(Make your way into Rogueport Sewers and search for your next clue.)" Kirby read.

  CJ & Shaylene: Dating

  As the Star Warriors rushed out of the Trouble Center, the dating Sages ran in. CJ dropped half of their earnings on the counter. They were quickly grabbed and a clue

  appeared in their place.

  "Okay, we're off to the sewers." CJ said.

  "Why do they call it Rogueport Sewers?" Shaylene asked. "It's more like an underground city. With some pipes and water and stuff."

  "I dunno." CJ said.

  Alex & Aubrey / DK & Diddy

  "And the winner is number 5!"

  "Phew." Alex sighed. "I'm assuming we would've had to buy more tokens if we ran out."

  "We still might." Aubrey said.

  "25 on…. 3." DK said.

  "25 on 3 as well." Alex said.

  "I started betting on the same plane as DK and Diddy because I figured we'd either both win or both lose." Alex said.

  Fox & Krystal: Married

  "Thank you for the coins…" The mysterious voice of the Trouble Center said. "Here is your clue."

  "Make your way into Rogueport Sewers and search for your next clue." Fox read.

  "Let's go!" Krystal said.

  Athena & Janey: Engaged (Rogueport Sewers)

  The Pandorans emerged from the warp pipe and Janey quickly noticed the clue box. She rushed over and grabbed the clue.

  "Roadblock… Who's got the Magical Map?" Janey read.

  "A Roadblock is a task that only one team member may perform. In this Roadblock, that person must do something directly related to Mario's adventures around Rogueport…

  Search for the legendary Crystal Stars. Scattered around the ancient city beneath Rogueport are 8 replica Crystal Stars. Once a team member finds the Crystal Star, they must return to their teammate and then together they must search for the Pit Stop… The Thousand Year Door." Toadsworth narrated. "Due to a last-minute change, the

  last two teams to arrive at the Pit Stop will be eliminated."

  "I'll do it." Janey said. She opened the clue. "No coins, No Star, No Check In."

  Stacey & Tiny Tina: Friends

  The girls rushed into the Trouble Center, dropping all of their coins on the counter.

  "The people of Rogueport thank you…" The mysterious voice said, replacing half the coins with a clue envelope.

  "Ew, we're going into the sewers." Stacey said.

  "Neato." Tina said.

  Alex & Aubrey / DK & Diddy

  "And the winner is… number 6!" Lahla said.

  "Darn." DK said.

  "Of course…" Alex said.

  "Next bets, please." Lahla said.

  "25 on 2." DK said.

  "5 on 2." Alex said.

  Yoshi & Yoshi Jr: Father/Son

  The Yoshis emerged from the warp pipe and noticed the clue almost instantly.

  "Roadblock… Who's Got the Magical Map?" Yoshi read.

  "I'll do it, Dad." Jr said. "It sounds like it's Crystal Star related."

  CJ & Shaylene: Dating

  "Roadblock… Who's Got the Magical Map?" CJ read.

  "I'll do it." Shaylene said.

  "Go for it, kiddo." CJ said.

  Alex & Aubrey / DK & Diddy

  "And the winner is number 2!"

  "Phew." Alex sighed.

  "We're cutting it too close." Aubrey said.

  "Awesome. Back up." DK said. "Now… let's do 20 on… 4."

  "10 on number 4." Aubrey said.

  Kirby & MetaKnight: Friends/Star Warriors

  "Roadblock… Who's Got the Magical Map?" MetaKnight read.

  "(I'll do it.)" Kirby said.

  Kirby / Janey / Yoshi Jr / Shaylene

  "(Now… where to start looking?)" Kirby wondered.

  "Check everywhere, Shay!" CJ said. "Leave no stone unturned!"

  "I know!" Shaylene said.

  "Come on, Janey! Let's hold our lead! I know you can do it!" Athena said.

  "You've got this, son!" Yoshi said.

  Alex & Aubrey / DK & Diddy

  "The winner is number 4!"

  "Banana slamma!" DK shouted.

  "We're on a roll!" Alex said.

  "10 on 6." Diddy said.

  "20 on 6." Aubrey said. "We've got to catch up."

  Stacey & Tiny Tina / Fox & Krystal

  "Roadblock… Who's Got the Magical Map?"

  "Ooh, I bet we're looking for Crystal Stars!" Stacey said. "I'll do it!"

  "I'll do this one, Fox." Krystal said.

  Krystal / Stacey / Kirby / Janey / Yoshi Jr / Shaylene

  "I don't even know where to begin looking…" Krystal said.

  "This might be too obvious, but…" Stacey ran over to a small treasure chest sitting in a nearby pool of water and popped it open. Inside it was empty. "Of course."

  "(Found it!)" Kirby said, picking up a blue star.

  "Aw man… I wanted to find the blue one…" Stacey whined.

  "Let's go Kirby! To the Pit Stop!" MetaKnight said.

  Alex & Aubrey / DK & Diddy

  "And the winner… Number 5!"

  "Aw man…" DK said.

  "Crap… We're out of tokens." Alex sa
id.

  "Should a team run out of Pianta Tokens, they will be given a 45-minute penalty which they must wait out before receiving their clue."

  "Of course." Aubrey said.

  Alex & Aubrey: Friends – Penalty Time Remaining = 0:45

  "We'll bet 20 on 4." DK said.

  Krystal / Stacey / Janey / Yoshi Jr / Shaylene

  "Yes! Found one!" Yoshi Jr exclaimed, holding up a sparkling rainbow star.

  "Let's go, son!" Yoshi said.

  "Of course…" Stacey said.

  DK & Diddy: Best Friends (Pianta Parlor)

  Alex & Aubrey: Friends / Penalty Time Remaining - 0:35

  "And the winner is… number 1!"

  "Dangit!" DK said. "Ok… Let's do… 25 on number 4."

  ? (Thousand-Year Door)

  Toadsworth stood on a round platform in front of a large, multi-story tall crimson door, accented with gold patterns and seven star markings. Standing with him was a strange

  green humanoid creature with a head shaped like a bean. He wore a green vest, white shirt and pants, had a grey mustache, glasses and three strands of hair atop his head.

  The first team rushed up to the platform and jumped on the mat.

  "Welcome to Rogueport." Greeted the bean man, Podley.

  "Good to be here."

  Toadsworth smiled a little. "You two are on quite a roll, aren't you? Yoshi and Yoshi Jr… You… Are team number one."

  Yoshi & Yoshi Jr: Father/Son – 1st Place / 8:25 PM

  "Yes!" Yoshi Jr exclaimed. "Even a flight delay can't hold us back!"

  "I have more good news." Toadsworth said. "As winners of this leg of the race, you've won a 5-day, 4-night trip to Poshley Heights. You'll stay in the Poshley Inn, get a tour of

  Poshley Sanctum, and take a ride on the Excess Express, participating in the Excess Express Mystery Train Ride."

  "Awesome!" Yoshi said.

  Krystal / Stacey / Janey / Shaylene (Rogueport Sewers)

  "Woot! I found the Garnet Star!" Shaylene exclaimed. CJ chuckled.

  "What a coincidence." CJ said. "My birthstone. Let's go. We might still be able to grab first."

  DK & Diddy: Best Friends (Pianta Parlor)

  Alex & Aubrey: Friends / Penalty Time Remaining – 0:07

  "And the winner is number 4!"

  "Nice!" DK said. "15 on 6."

  "So close…" Alex said. "Just a few more minutes…"

  ? (Thousand-Year Door)

  A second team approached the Pit Stop triumphantly jumping onto the mat, confident in their placement.

  "Welcome to Rogueport." Podley said.

  "(Top three?)"

  Toadsworth chuckled. "Kirby and MetaKnight… You are team number two." He said.

  Kirby & MetaKnight: Friends/Star Warriors – 2nd Place / 8:43 PM

  "(Boo yah! We did good!)" Kirby said.

  Krystal / Stacey / Janey (Rogueport Sewers)

  "Why are we having so much trouble when they seemed to breeze through it?" Krystal asked.

  "No clue." Janey said.

  DK & Diddy: Best Friends (Pianta Parlor)

  Alex & Aubrey: Friends / Penalty Time Expired

  "And the winner is number 6!" Lahla said. DK quickly handed over the 100 Pianta Tokens. Lahla then handed a clue and a bag of coins to each team. DK grabbed both, while

  Alex only grabbed the clue.

  "Make your way to Rogueport Sewers and search for your next clue." Alex read.

  "Let's roll." DK said.

  CJ & Shaylene: Dating (Thousand-Year Door)

  The dating Sages sprinted to the Pit Stop.

  "What… place… are we?" CJ asked in between breaths, slouched over, his hands rest on his knees.

  "CJ and Shaylene… You're team number three." Toadsworth said.

  CJ & Shaylene: Dating – 3rd Place / 8:51 PM

  "Damn. All… that running for… nothing." CJ said, his breathing becoming a bit more normal.

  "Do you need a water?" Toadsworth asked.

  "No. I'm fine." CJ said.

  Alex & Aubrey / DK & Diddy / Krystal / Stacey / Janey (Rogueport Sewers)

  The nature Sages and the Kongs reached the clue box and grabbed their clue.

  "Roadblock… Who's got the Magical Map?"

  "I'll do it." DK said.

  "I think I'm up." Alex said. The two opened the rest of the clue. "Crap…"

  "What?" Aubrey asked.

  "Once you've found the Crystal Star, make your way to the Pit Stop… The Thousand-Year Door. No Star, No Coins, No Check-In. Warning: The last team to check in may be

  eliminated." Alex said.

  "What does it mean 'No Coins'?" Aubrey asked.

  Alex thought for a moment. "Crap! The casino! She was holding a bag of coins! DK took one but I didn't."

  "We've already opened the Roadblock clue." Aubrey said. "What do we do?"

  "I guess do the Roadblock, then run back for the coins." Alex said.

  "Okay. Good luck." Aubrey said.

  "Athena, I found it!" Janey said, holding up a diamond-like star.

  "Awesome, let's go!" Athena said.

  Alex / Krystal / Stacey / DK

  "Alex, you gotta power through this so we can get back to the casino!" Aubrey said.

  "I know!" Alex said.

  Krystal opened a small cardboard box next to a building, finding only a red mushroom.

  "Darn." Krystal said.

  "Found one!" DK said, holding up a green star.

  "Already? Come on!" Alex said.

  "Let's go, little buddy!" DK said.

  ? (Thousand-Year Door)

  Another team rushed to the Pit Stop, leaping onto the map with a mix of confidence and fear.

  "Welcome to Rogueport." Podley said.

  "You guys can smile." Toadsworth said. "DK and Diddy, you're team number four."

  DK & Diddy: Best Friends – 4th Place / 9:16 PM

  "At least we're consistent." DK said with a nervous chuckle.

  Alex / Krystal / Stacey (Rogueport Sewers)

  "Ha! Found one!" Alex said, finding a gold star.

  "You have got to be kidding me!" Stacey said.

  "Back to the casino." Aubrey said.

  "Let's move!"

  ? (Thousand-Year Door)

  "What place are we? Tell me we're not last." A racer said, reaching the Pit Stop.

  "Welcome to Rogueport." Podley said.

  "Athena and Janey. You're team number five." Toadsworth said.

  Athena & Janey: Engaged – 5th Place / 9:26 PM

  "I told you not to worry." Athena said.

  Krystal / Stacey (Rogueport Sewers)

  "This is ridiculous." Stacey said. "I can't believe that slut found one before I did."

  "This is a lot harder than I thought it would be." Krystal said.

  "Don't give up, Krystal! You can do it!" Fox cheered.

  "Come on, girl! You got this!" Tina said. "Kick this challenge in the butt butt!"

  Alex & Aubrey: Friends (Pianta Parlor)

  The nature Sages rushed into the parlor, where Lahla greeted them.

  "Hello." She said.

  "Did we forget our coins?" Alex asked. Lahla held out the bag of coins. "Awesome. Thanks."

  "To the Pit Stop!" Aubrey said.

  Krystal / Stacey (Rogueport Sewers)

  "Finally! Ugh that took too long!" Stacey said, picking up a dark red star.

  "Fox! I found it!" Krystal said, picking up a bright red star.

  "Let's go, girl!" Tina said.

  "Come on, Krystal! We've got to hurry! We're the last two! We need to beat them!" Fox said.

  ? (Thousand-Year Door)

  "Here comes another team." Toadsworth said, as a team rushed through a nearby door and sprinted to the Pit Stop.

  "Did we… make it? Please tell me… we made it."

  "Welcome to Rogueport." Podley said.

  "Stacey and Tina… You are team number…" Toadsworth paused, making the girls nervous.

  "Please just tell us." St
acey said.

  "Six! And you are still in The Amazing Race." Toadsworth said.

  Stacey & Tiny Tina: Friends – 6th Place / 9:54 PM

  "Oh thank God…" Stacey said, dropping down and sitting on the ground.

  "Do you need water?" Toadsworth asked.

  "Please." Stacey said, still noticeably out of breath.

  "Can we get some water?!" Toadsworth called out, as several crew members ran over with fans and a bottled water. Stacey grabbed the water and took a big gulp. Tina and

  one the crew members helped her move to a nearby chair that someone had brought over.

  "Thanks." Stacey said, sitting in the chair.

  "You okay?" Toadsworth asked.

  "Yeah." Stacey said, breathing more normally. "I'm fine."

  ? (Thousand-Year Door)

  Another team rushed to the Pit Stop, stepping onto the mat with a look of nervousness.

  "Welcome to Rogueport." Podley said.

  "I hope you've got good news for us."

  "Alex and Aubrey…" Toadsworth said. "You missed the coins at the Detour. What happened?"

  "I don't know. I guess I just wasn't paying enough attention." Alex said. "I was too frustrated from running out of coins and having to wait the 45 minutes."

  "Well, you did go back and get them, so you won't be penalized. And… You guys are team number seven."

  Alex & Aubrey: Friends – 7th Place / 10:08 PM

  "Phew…" Alex said. "Just made it."

  "However…"

  "Uh oh…" Aubrey said.

  "Due to a last-minute change, this is a double elimination leg." Toadsworth said. "I'm sorry to tell you that you have been eliminated from the race."

  "This sucks." Alex said. "If I hadn't missed the coins at the Detour, we might still be in it. I did pretty good at the Roadblock."

  "It's not your fault, dude." Aubrey said. The Sages walked away from the mat, and within a short amount of time, Team Star Fox came running in.

  "Welcome to Rogueport." Podley said.

  "Thank you." Krystal said.

  "Fox and Krystal…" Toadsworth said. "You're the last team to arrive."

  Fox & Krystal: Married – Last Place / 10:15 PM

  "We had a feeling." Fox said.

  "I'm sorry to tell you that you have been eliminated from the race." Toadsworth said.

  "The Roadblock got us." Krystal said. "I had the hardest time finding the replica star."

  "But it was fun." Fox said. "Short as it was."

  Leg 5 Trivia:

  - This wasn't originally planned to be a double elimination leg. However, after the last minute chop of a leg planned in Keelhaul Key, I opted to make this a double elim.

  - Since there are only 7 Crystal Stars, and there were eight teams, I opted to put in two Garnet stars. Mostly because Garnet is my birthstone, so I'm biased toward that star.