Rated TV-14 (DLSV)

Alvin: Hey, everyone! It's almost showtime! Just be sure that when you're watching, you turn on some lights in the room, and don't sit too close to the monitor.



Narrator: In New York City's fight against crime, the dedicated detectives who pursue the most vicious criminals are members of an elite unit known as ACME Crime Net.

[Before the episode can begin, a behind-the-scenes segment is shown, starring Amber Lee Connors, in a recording studio]

Amber: Hi, I'm Amber Lee Connors, one of the voice directors for ACME Crime Net. Before we get to our main feature, I wanna give you a behind-the-scenes look at how the show is done. Now, of course, much of the show is set in New York City, where most of the live-action cast does their work. Some at Kaufman Astoria Studios, some on location. I'm currently at a recording studio in Addison, Texas, where much of the voiceover work is done, after the live-action scenes are shot. It's called Sound Cadence Studios, founded by yours truly. Often, Crunchyroll and Funimation license dubbing work out to my studio. And I'm thinking about opening a studio in Los Angeles to put more voice actors into the job. True, WGBH and WQED also license out dub work to Bang Zoom once in a while, but there are times when recording from home is necessary. That's the case with the Bagdasarian family when they provide voiceovers for the Chipmunks and the Chipettes. Being mostly based in New York at this time, Pokémon voice actors have no trouble with their work whatsoever. When it comes to voicing the Pokémon, however, except for Pikachu, many of the voiceovers are recycled from episodes of the actual series to save time and money. Now, I know what you're thinking. What about the animation?

[Footage of animation studios are shown]

Amber: Well, for anime characters, the animation is done in Japan. Once in a while, they animate the backgrounds to closely match that of New York. When it comes to mecha scenes, they have to rely on CGI, because aside from the Power Rangers special, the company couldn't afford actual suits or models for the mecha. Plus, mecha suits can get heavy for even stuntmen. Hey, we try our best to keep the show going without risking bankruptcy. As for the Chipmunks' animation, it's done by Bagdasarian Productions. It's animated in 2D, to match the anime.

[Cut to an editing studio]

Amber: Once the voiceover and animation work is finished, it's time to pull 'em all together in an editing studio. Even some live-action footage is manipulated to make it seem like they're set outside of New York. It helps to save the production thousands for other projects.

[Cut back to the recording studio]

Amber: Now, I know this isn't the whole story, but as the series continues, we'll continue to provide you with more behind-the-scenes looks at our episodes. Oh, and here's a special announcement. Starting with this episode, for most shows, we'll be following in the shoes of Sesame Street and throwing in segments in-between scenes of the actual episode, so as to fill in the gap of this hour-long series. Among these segments, we have musical numbers, dance numbers, a mix of the two, scenes with characters not in the main feature, stories, and even gravures involving our animated female characters. You'll find out what those are soon enough. All that and much more. But keep in mind, unlike the game show, even with the Chipmunks and the Chipettes, this show is not made for children. It's for older fans of the characters, and for adults. With that out of the way, enjoy the show. [winks]

[Segment 1: Main act A:]

[132 Madison Street, Wednesday, December 4th, 10:44am]

[Inside, Jeanette is polishing the Deep Red pendant as Moroha and Maya discuss their plans to see the fundraising dinner show]

Moroha: You're gonna do great as the magician's assistant Friday night.

Maya: Thanks. But you'll be backstage for support, right?

Moroha: You betcha.

[Jeanette hears the doorbell]

Jeanette: Hello. Who could that be?

[She walks up to the door and looks through the keyhole]

Jeanette: Who is it?

[Riff and Raw are outside]

Riff: Hey, kid. Nice pendant you got there.

Jeanette: Uh, thanks. Anyway, please state your business.

Riff: You see, kid, we're detectives. P.I.'s.

Raw: We're on the trail of some hot rocks.

Jeanette: What hot rocks?

Riff: Stolen jewelry, ancient artifacts, the works. We're hunting for a Japanese man of around 19, 20-ish. That pendant might be one of his stolen goods.

Jeanette: Sorry, but I don't know any Japanese perps. Please leave.

Raw: Stubborn kid. Crowbars.

[He and Riff grab their crowbars and pry the door open]

Jeanette: Now, listen, guys, I can't allow you in here without an invitation or a permit!

Riff: We're detectives. We don't need it.

Raw: Just hand over the pendant so we can take it down to the lab.

Jeanette: Never! Guys! Illegal entry!

Moroha: Hey, fellas, leave the kid alone!

Maya: And go home! You don't belong here.

[Alvin enters with a baseball bat; Bambi follows]

Alvin: Jeanette, are you all right? What's going on?

Bambi: [notices the two men] Oh, can I help you two gentlemen?

Riff: Oh. Morning, ma'am. Uh, my partner and I-- We're private eyes.

Raw: You see, your friend here has something that belongs to us, and we'd like it back.

Jeanette: [whispers in Bambi's ear] I think they're trying to steal the Deep Red. Why else would they break in?

[Bambi nods, then turns to the two men]

Bambi: Sirs, have you any proof that you're legit detectives? Badges, IDs?

Riff: Oh, that. Well, you see, we don't have to do that. We're undercover detectives.

[Shizuno approaches]

Shizuno: What's all the fuss about?

Alvin: These guys here claim to be detectives and that the pendant Jeanette is holding is theirs.

Shizuno: What's with the crowbars, gentlemen?

Riff: Oh, these? [chuckles nervously] Oh, we were in the middle of repair work just outside when we saw the kid here with the pendant.

Raw: Yeah, it's no big deal.

Shizuno: Hmm... Anyone else smell something?

Raw: What? I don't smell anything.

Riff: Neither do I.

Shizuno: It's the smell of truancy.

Bambi: Aside from that, this is my warehouse. And unless you two can prove that you're actual detectives,...

Raw: No, no, no, no, no, no, miss. Like my partner said, we're undercover. No need.

[Shizuno shakes her head]

Bambi: Sorry, men, but I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.

[Riff and Raw laugh]

Raw: We're just doin' our job here.

Riff: You guys actually gonna make us leave?

Alvin: [holds up his bat] That's right!

Riff: Whoa. Chill, kid. We're just...

Bambi: I happen to be the landlord and manager here. And I'm not gonna ask you two one more time,... to leave this warehouse!

Alvin: [inches toward the two men] And if you don't, I'll have to use force!

Riff: You ought not mess with us, kid!

Raw: We got crowbars, and we're not afraid to use 'em!

Shizuno: [whips out her tag and imbues it with prana] Nargravitz!

[Her tag takes the form of her Dragon Cane Nargravitz]

Shizuno: That pendant you're after is the property of my husband!

[She whacks Riff and Raw with her cane, knocking the crowbars off their hands]

Shizuno: [unleashes a freezing spell on the crowbars] Sorry, boys, but your break-in days are over.

[She smashes the frozen crowbars to pieces; Riff and Raw get back on their feet, but Alvin slowly inches toward them with his bat; the two back into the side doorway]

Riff: Don't think this is over just 'cause you destroyed our crowbars!

Raw: We'll be back!

Jeanette: [pushes a button] Sure, you will.

[The infrared laser beam (set up two years ago) activates; Alvin backs the two towards the beam until Riff steps through it, causing the alarm to go off; Alvin quickly opens the side door, then rushes back to the others]

Alvin: So long, boys!

[The sound-sensitive toy car on the table pushes the heavy cement block tied to a rope off the table, which hoists up the hanging crate two feet higher; by the block's weight, the rope snaps, releasing the crate; the crate lands on the plank of a teeter totter, which flings a large, flat metal substance on which the two men are standing; Riff and Raw scream as they get flung out of the warehouse; the metal substance completely blocks the door entrance (with the inscription: SORPRESA!!); inside, Alvin pushes play on the boom box, which plays a recording from two years prior with Stars and Stripes Forever playing in the background]

Alvin: [in recording] Ladies and gentlemen! Please direct your attention to the thief or thieves attempting illegal entry here at 132 Madison Street! Summon the proper authorities immediately!

[Outside, Riff and Raw run off]

Riff: GO! GO! GO!

[Back inside, the gang laughs; Alvin turns off the alarm and the boom box]

Alvin: I always knew this security system would still work.

[He brings down the metal substance and locks the side door]

Shizuno: How'd you come up with such an elaborate booby trap?

Jeanette: Two years ago, when we first moved into this warehouse, a couple of thieves tried to steal a rare gem by tunneling from where the lab is now to the bank at Liberty Street.

Alvin: They kept breaking in to try and scare us out, so we set up this security system to make sure they wouldn't get in. Those thieves ended up killing each other after we defeated them, and the gem was destroyed. [sighs] But I never thought we'd get the chance to use this thing again.

[Moroha and Maya come out of the orbital elevator with the other Chipmunks and Chipettes]

Brittany: We heard the alarm. Is everything all right?

Jeanette: We're fine, Brittany.

Moroha: [notices the Deep Red is intact] And thank God the Deep Red wasn't stolen.

Bambi: Jeanette never let it go.

Jeanette: [hands Moroha the pendant] But it looks as though a couple of thieves are after it.

[Moroha stares at the pendant with a concerned look]

[Segment 2: Song A]

[At the apartment of Arachna royalty, Prince Lumen and Lady Noia Lya steam Lumen's white tuxedo and Noia's wedding gown respectively]

Lumen: Only 10 days left, Noia.

Noia: Can you imagine how long it took to get everything done right on this dress?

Lumen: I'd say the same thing about my tux. I had a hard time picking out the right one. I may be a prince, but I'm trying to live like an ordinary being.

[Princess Sparkle enters]

Sparkle: How are they coming along?

Lumen: All well, Sparkle. Gotta keep 'em wrinkle-free before the 14th of December.

Sparkle: You know, thanks to all that steam, your tuxedo and Noia's dress almost look like when you picked them up.

Noia: Yeah, I'll never forget that day.

[In a flashback from months ago, Lumen and Noia look around the city individually while singing a Sesame Street song]

Noia: The dress. The dress.
It's time to make the dress.
It's gotta be the best.
Forget about the rest.
I'm getting married,
and today, it's all about the dress.

Lumen: The tux. The tux.
I gotta rent the tux.
Beginning my new life.
Adventure with a wife.
I'm getting married,
and today, it's all about the tux.

[Noia enters a design shop and speaks to a designer about a wedding gown]

Noia: It's gotta be perfect in so many ways
to start me off right on the rest of my day.
With buttons and bows and things that are bright,
and lacy white clouds all silky and white.
It's gotta fit right, the dress that I'm buying.
It can't be too tight, 'cause I'm gonna be flying.

[Lumen enters a tuxedo rental shop and tries on tuxedos; one is not big enough]

Lumen: This is too small, and it feels much too tight.
This doesn't look great. This just isn't right.

[Back at the design shop, the designer sets to work on the gown]

Noia: Measuring, cutting and tacking it down,
putting together my beautiful gown.
Stitching it up on a sewing machine,
the very best dress that you've ever seen.
It's gotta fit right, the dress that I'm buying.
It can't be too tight, 'cause I'm gonna be flying.

[Back at the tuxedo rental shop, Lumen tries on a tux that is too big for him]

Lumen: This is too big, and it feels much too loose.
I wanna look sharp. This might fit a moose.

[Back at the design shop, Noia's gown is ready]

Noia: The dress. The dress.
It's time to try the dress.

[Back at the tux shop, Lumen tries on a bright blue tux]

Lumen: This is too loud, and it looks kinda flashy.
I gotta look good. I wanna be classy.

[Back at the design shop, Noia tries on the gown]

Noia: The dress. The dress.
I think this is the dress.
This dress that I have bought
looks better than I thought.
I'm getting married.
Married.

[Back at the tux shop, Lumen tries on a fitting white tux]

Lumen: I'll be! This is it!
I've found the perfect fit.
Just see the crease so straight.
No groom has looked so great.
I'm getting married.
Noia: Married.
Lumen: Married.

[Split-screen to both areas]

Noia: The dress. The dress.
I know this is the dress
to start a whole new life.
Adventure as a wife.

Lumen: The tux. The tux.
I know this is the tux
to start a whole new life
with Noia as my wife.

Lumen and Noia: This tux/dress is perfect
in every way...
for my wedding day!

Lumen: The tux!
Noia: The dress!

[Back to the present]

Lumen: I wish you'd have been there, Sparkle.

[Sparkle giggles]

[Segment 3: Yuya's apartment]

[Yuya enters with his red tuxedo]

Yoko: Took you long enough, Yuya.

Yuya: Sorry, Mom. I spent a lot on my wedding gift to Lumen and Noia. I couldn't afford a Lyft or a cab. I had to walk all the way from the cleaners.

Yoko: Anyway, how's the tux looking?

Yuya: Awesome in every way. By the way, I heard Hunter's brother's comin' to town next week for the wedding, and for the holidays.

Yoko: Really? I’ve never seen him before.

Yuya: Neither have I, but Hunter tells me he's a really cool guy.

[Zuzu comes out of her room wearing a new dress complete with a corsage]

Zuzu: Hey, Yoko, how's this? [notices Yuya] Oh, hey, Yuya. Didn't hear you come home.

[Yuya blushes at the sight of her in her dress]

Yuya: Zuzu, that dress!

Zuzu: I ordered it from Bloomingdale's. Came in just this morning. So I thought I'd try it on. It fits perfectly. Your mom even got me this corsage. What do you think?

Yuya: It's beautiful! I've never seen you in something this fancy before.

Zuzu: Thanks. It's too bad Gong won't be at the wedding, though. He's got business to deal with back at his dad's dojo.

Yuya: That reminds me, Mom, Hunter's brother-- He runs a dojo, too. Though, his is a martial arts dojo.

Yoko: I'd sure like to meet him.

Zuzu: Yeah, so would I. Anyway, who's taking part in the wedding party?

Yuya: Lumen chose Hunter as his best man, with Alvin and Simon as some of his groomsmen, and Theodore as the ring bearer. Noia made Sparkle her maid of honor, with Corona, Aqune, Brittany and Jeanette as some of the bridesmaids. Eleanor is the flower girl. Hunter also asked Tor and Shido to be ushers. It's gonna take place on the warehouse roof, and the reception-- Inside the warehouse.

Zuzu: Couldn't get a hall like for Hunter's wedding?

Yuya: Actually, Lumen suggested it. Plus, I forgot to mention that Lumen gave Eris the job of head waitress at the reception.

Yoko: Eris? Oh, that's right. The cat woman.

Zuzu: The one with the big bosom.

Yuya: Aw, come on, Zuzu. She may be the leader of the Cosmo Cats, and she may be a very kind babe, but she already has a husband.

Zuzu: I know that, but she can't help but smother you with affection.

Yuya: That's one reason why I like her a lot. But like a big sister, not a girlfriend. Furthermore, Grace and Gloria are cute, and Aura is sweet, but they just don't have a heart as big and strong as yours, Zuzu.

Zuzu: [blushes] Yuya... [turns around] Anyway, I gotta change out of this and find a dress for the rehearsal dinner next Friday. Excuse me.

[She heads back into the room]

Yoko: Guess Skip was right to let his daughter move in here with us.

[Yuya shrugs, unable to argue]

[Segment 4: Main Act B]

[Neo-DEM HQ, 11:33am]

[Westcott stands before his army of Demonoids and Wizards]

Westcott: Demonoids, I stand before you with an announcement. Tonight, come midnight, we raid Ratatoskr headquarters and grab whatever secrets we can find. Since my original death three years ago, they have relocated.

[A map is shown on the monitor, with a red indicator pointing out the location of Ratatoskr's HQ]

Westcott: But Argon's heart has located it, somewhere in Niagara Falls. The building will be empty by that time. But whatever you do, do not trip the alarms. They have cracked down real hard since we formed. Once you have acquired the data we need, bring it back here so we can analyze it. But be warned, failure to return with the data will result in termination. Remember that. Now, take your time to plan your attack.

Army: Hail Isaac Westcott, master of the Demonoids!

Westcott: Harry, Noah Higgenbottom, report!

[The monitor opens a channel to Harry and Noah's hideout]

Noah: Yes, Mr. Westcott.

Westcott: My army is planning a raid on Ratatoskr at midnight. I need at least one of your strongest robots to keep the Spirit Soldiers occupied in the minutes before the raid. One strong enough to require the Fraxinus’ assistance.

Harry: A strong robot comes at a hefty price tag, sir. $20,000.

Westcott: I'll wire you the money immediately. And since my entire army is needed for the raid, you'll have to send the robot by remote.

Noah: Absolutely, sir. Come on, Uncle Harry! Let's get cranking.

[The transmission ends]

[Cut back to Amber Lee Connors]

Amber: Now before we get to the next segment, I'd like to remind you that viewer discretion is advised. The content shown in the gravure segments includes animated girls clad in as little as their swimsuits. Also remember, these segments were shot either on the holodeck of the Cosmo MagnaShip, or in the model's own home. Few of them were even shot on location during the spring and summer. Enjoy.

[Segment 5: Gravure A]

[On a beach (holodeck), Layla Hamilton walks by wearing a red two-piece bikini; she stares at the sun and the sea]

[Layla lies down on a towel on the sand and makes numerous eye-catching poses]

[After several minutes of posing, she walks up to the sea and soaks her feet; she blows a kiss to the camera]

[Layla sits back down on the towel and stares at the sunlight, then fades away]

[Segment 6: Behind the scenes]

Whitney: Hi. I'm Whitney Rodgers. Now, several of you have written to the show lately either by mail or through social media about how that fire scene in one of our earlier episodes was pulled off. Well, in Commitment With Catastrophe, it's like this.

[Behind-the-scenes footage of side-fic 362 is shown]

Whitney: The cafe in the episode wasn't real. Instead, the special-effects department built a quarter-scale model that almost looked legit. The interior was built on set, from the tables to the little girls’ room. For the fire in the interior, the team used a combination of flame bars and smoke machines to create the illusion of an actual fire. Don't worry. None of the live actors were harmed. Remember, these people are trained professionals. Oh, and what about the shots of the front of the cafe when everyone is evacuating? That was green-screened. A close-up shot of the model composited with footage of the evacuation. As for the model, in a safe controlled location, the experts burned the model down and made it collapse. Once it was filmed, the shot was composited with on-location footage of when the fire department arrived. And yes, those were real fire engines. You can thank the FDNY for that.

[Back to the recording studio]

Whitney: It would've been a total waste to build a whole cafe building in the city just to burn it down. But boy, was it an exciting set. Well, back to voiceover work. Just remember, I'm the voice of Tomoe. See ya!

[Segment 7: Magic With ACME]

Tomoe: Tomoe here. And I'm with a very special guest.

Mac: Howdy! I'm Mac King. I'm here to teach Tomoe a little trick that she and you can learn at home. It's an easy one, but who knows? Maybe it'll lead to a successful career. All righty, Tomoe. [holds up a deck of cards] Here's a deck of cards. [spreads the cards] Pick one. Don't show it to me, though.

[Tomoe takes one card; Mac moves the other cards out of the view and turns around]

Mac: Show it to the camera.

[Tomoe shows her card: Ace of Hearts]

Mac: [turns back around] Put the card back into the deck, please.

[Tomoe puts the card back into the deck; Mac moves the deck behind his back]

Mac: Now, I'm gonna try and find your card behind my back. No peeking, young lady.

Tomoe: I wouldn't dare, Mac.

Mac: Oh! Found it! [holds out the spread out cards face-up (except for one)] And here they are. Now, while the deck was behind my back, I managed to flip one card back. [holds up said card facing him] What was your card?

Tomoe: Ace of Hearts.

Mac: [flips the card] That's the one.

Tomoe: Mac, that was incredible. You know, I've seen a friend of mine do this at a Thanksgiving feast, but she never showed me how to do it. You think you could?

Mac: I sure will, right after the next segment.

[Segment 8: Gravure B]

[In a secluded training room (holodeck), Sora Naegino fades in wearing a white leotard; the camera pans on her body from head to toe; Sora sits on a mat and stretches (her arms and legs, then arching her back); after two minutes of stretching, she sits on the mat and poses for two more minutes]

[She then picks up a small red ball and performs rhythmic gymnastics with it, then does the same with a ribbon, then with a hula hoop]

[After three minutes of rhythmic gymnastics, she sets the hoop on the floor and steps into its center, then fades away]

[Segment 9: Magic With ACME Act B]

Mac: Howdy!

Tomoe: Welcome back. We hope you enjoyed that beautiful pictorial. Now for what you've been waiting for. The secret to Mac King’s card trick.

Mac: That's right. [places a card upside-down on the bottom of the deck] Before you start the trick, you flip the bottom card of the deck upside down. [spreads the cards face-down] And now you're ready to show everyone the trick. Pick a card.

Tomoe: [takes a card and shows it to the camera] Simple as that. 7 of Diamonds.

Mac: [turns around] And while they're doing that, Tomoe, you turn your back and turn the whole deck upside-down. [turns back around] And when you turn back around, it's as if the deck wasn't turned around. [takes the card and slips it back into the deck] Put their card somewhere near the center of the deck. Then hide them behind your back. [flips the top card upside-down] While you're doing that, you flip the top card over. [spreads the cards out again] Then you turn back around and spread the cards out. All the cards are facing the same way, except for one in the center of the deck. [reveals the 7 of Diamonds] That's their card: The 7 of Diamonds.

Tomoe: Beautiful. Thanks a lot, Mac. I gotta try that on Tor and the other girls. See, we're having a fundraising dinner show Friday night, with a big magic show in the second half.

Mac: Wow. I wish I could be there, but I'm afraid I have other gigs to deal with elsewhere.

Tomoe: Oh, that's a shame.

Mac: But don't worry. I'll send a donation to CASA.

Tomoe: Oh, thanks, Mac.

[She kisses Mac on the cheek]

Mac: [chuckles] Anytime. [to the camera] Must be a better magician than I thought.

[Segment 10: Main Act C]

[Back at the warehouse, Jeanette places the pendant around Moroha’s neck underneath his shirt]

Jeanette: For now, until we know those thieves will never come back, it’s safer if you hold onto it.

Moroha: Thanks, Jeanette, but I’m not sure if this is a good idea.

Jeanette: As long as it’s in the hands of someone worthy, the thieves can’t touch it.

Maya: Besides, you never know what power the Deep Red may have.

Shizuno: You know, it’s quite funny. Those two men looked very familiar.

[She has a flashback at Pittsburgh Amtrak Station when she noticed Riff and Raw purchasing their tickets and Riff whispering to Raw]

[Back to the present]

Shizuno: I think I saw men like them at the train station before we got on the train to Penn Station last week. One of them whispered into the other’s ear. Sounded suspicious. I could barely hear, but it sounded like something along the lines of “uncouple”.

Moroha: Uncouple? Wait, could they actually be the guys that uncoupled the car from the back of our train?

Shizuno: It’s possible they may be the culprits, but we don’t have enough evidence.

Alvin: So an APB is out of the question. We'd have to get them to confess somehow.

Eleanor: What if they come back?

Shizuno: They know we're guarding it, and we have a foolproof security system. They're probably never coming back to this warehouse.

Moroha: Even so, it's best to keep the pendant under my clothes until the thieves are dealt with. Even if they don't come back here, I've no doubt we haven't seen the last of them.

[Gateway National Recreation Area, Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY, 8:57pm]

[Riff and Raw sit by a campfire roasting hot dogs and marshmallows]

Raw: So what now, Riff? I mean, about the purpl-haired guy?

Riff: Pipe down, man. I'm thinking. [sighs] We can't go back to that warehouse. Or should I say "whorehouse"? I refuse to mess with that chipmunk with the baseball bat and that ice babe that destroyed our crowbars, or get caught in that booby trap again.

Raw: Then that blows the fundraiser.

Riff: What fundraiser?

Raw: There was a big poster on the warehouse’s front door for it. It's a dinner show. Music, dancing, magic. I love that stuff. I also overheard the purple-haired guy saying he'll be watching the show.

Riff: A fundraising dinner show, eh? Where?

Raw: The Marriott Marquis. 6:00 Friday night.

Riff: Raw, my main man, you are, without a doubt, the best buddy a treasure hunter could ask for.

Raw: Uh, thanks, I guess.

Riff: Now, here's our plan.

[Meanwhile, at Noah and Harry's hideout, Noah and Harry pace back and forth]

Harry: I give them the address to the warehouse, and instead of getting the Deep Red, Riff and Raw get booted out with no way of getting back in safely.

Noah: Those fools at ACME can't keep it locked up forever. I had been hunting for that pendant for years. It cost my uncle his business.

[He has flashbacks from years ago]

Noah: [narrates] Long ago, my father's brother: Roland Higgenbottom, had inherited my grandfather's automobile dealership, even though my father, being the eldest, got everything else. Uncle Roland didn't care about Grandfather's other businesses, however, as selling cars was his forte. But overtime, he found that sports cars would net heftier price tags. So 20 years ago, he purchased a great deal of sports cars. You see, a day prior, he'd heard the tales of the Deep Red and was determined to find it and sell it for a high price tag to go toward the bill for the new cars, as he knew the lesser cars he was already selling wouldn't give him enough. The next day was his day off, and he boarded his yacht and began his journey. But when he arrived, he saw another archaeologist swimming to the surface with the pendant around his neck. Uncle Roland ordered his bodyguards to bring the man over, but the man was picked up by a chopper and flew out of sight. The next day, the first shipment of the cars he bought had arrived, but when it came time to pay the bill, Uncle Roland didn't have the money to pay even the minimum. As a result, the couriers took the cars back and cancelled the order, but still billed him for the shipping and cancellation fees. And it wasn't cheap. So the auto dealership and all the remaining unsold cars had to be sold off entirely to another owner, for barely enough to cover the fees. Out of money and out of business, Roland was disowned by most of my family. He had developed an extreme disdain for archeology, and he was determined to find that same archaeologist who took the Deep Red from him for years, as he had ruined his plans to expand upon his business.

[Back to the present]

Noah: He never did, though. Years went by, until Roland suffered a massive heart attack and died, having never recovered from the disaster that put him out of business. On his deathbed, he told me the story of what had happened all those years ago. Ever since that day, I vowed to find the Deep Red and avenge my uncle by using its powers to bring down that archaeologist who bankrupt him! Then I'll destroy the damn pendant to erase all remaining traces.

Harry: But what about our deal with Riff and Raw?

Noah: I have no intention of paying them. After all, they were after the Deep Red for themselves, weren't they? But we mustn't let them find out, or they'll back out on the deal before we do. Now, let's get back to work.

[The duo does so]

[Segment 11: Story Time]

Mari: Hi. Mari here. It's time for a story. The story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, a fable by Aesop, told as never before. Starring Theodore Seville as the shepherd, Ash Ketchum as the wolf, Antonia Morfenoss as one of the sheep, and Tor Kokonoe as the mayor. Let's begin, shall we?

[She opens the book; the scene cuts to a small town where a shepherd (Theodore) is herding sheep]

Mari: Once upon a time, there was a young shepherd who loved his herd of sheep a great deal. But there was one flaw with the shepherd. He often had a tendency to overreact.

[Theodore feels and hears something vibrate nearby]

Theodore: Whoa! What was that?!

Antonia: The way I felt it, it could be…

Theodore: An earthquake! Excuse me, guys!

[He runs into town to warn the townspeople]

Theodore: Earthquake! I felt an earthquake! Somebody do something!

[The townspeople come out of their homes and clamor]

Townsperson A: I think we should contact the mayor!

[The mayor (Tor) enters]

Tor: What's all the hubbub about?

Townsperson B: Your Honor, what are you gonna do about this earthquake?

Townsperson C: You oughta do something, sir. We pay our taxes!

Theodore and all townspeople: Yeah!

Tor: Earthquake? I didn't feel such a thing. Did any of you?

[The townspeople shake their heads no]

Tor: No? Then where did this start?

[The townspeople stare at Theodore]

Tor: [sighs] Should've known. Shepherd, this overreacting has to stop. If it doesn't, who's gonna believe you if something wrong would really happen?

Theodore: I'm terribly sorry, Mayor. I'll try to stop it.

[The next day, the shepherd washes his shirts and hangs it out to dry]

Mari: But the next day, when doing his laundry,...

Theodore: On to the next load.

[He approaches his washbucket and proceeds to wash his socks, when suddenly, the head sheep trips while carrying an ice bucket, causing the ice cubes to fall on Theodore]

Theodore: [notices the ice] Ice?

Antonia: Sorry, I must've…

Theodore: It must be an avalanche! [rushes into town] Help! Help! Avalanche!

[Antonia shrugs; in town, Theodore warns the townspeople]

Townsperson D: Calm down, kiddo! We'll get this sorted out at once.

Townsperson E: Mayor!

Tor: [very close by] I'm right here! What's the matter?

Townsperson B: Mr. Mayor, what are you gonna do about this avalanche? Huh?

Tor: Avalanche?! We don't get any avalanches in this town! There's no snow today, and even if there is, the nearest mountain is thousands of miles away!

[He and the townspeople stare at Theodore]

Tor: Good grief. Another false alarm. Let's go home, everyone.

[He and the townspeople leave]

[Back at the shepherd’s home, Theodore speaks severely to his sheep]

Theodore: Ice Bucket Challenge?! What were you thinking?!

Antonia: Hey, it was for a good cause!

Theodore: Anyway, you shouldn't carry that much ice all at once. That's why you tripped and your ice fell all over me.

[A wolf (Ash) enters]

Ash: Oh, quit your arguing!

Theodore: Sorry. It's just that– [turns around and notices] Hey, wait a minute. You're a wolf. What are you doing here?

Antonia: Uh-oh. I don't like where this is going.

Ash: Your lead sheep's right, shepherd. I'm here to take your sheep in for lunch!

Theodore: That's not gonna happen. I'm gonna tell the mayor about you and have you arrested!

Ash: Oh, what's the point? I've had my eye on you. Cry wolf all you want. You're miles from where anyone can believe you after all those false alarms.

Theodore: [holds up his crook] Just try me!

Ash: I'll give you half an hour to get help. I'm gonna head back home and pick up my supplies.

Theodore: Oh, well, thank you very much.

[The wolf leaves; Theodore runs back into town]

Theodore: Guys! Wolf! Wolf! Wolf! Listen, this time, it's real! You gotta believe me!

[None of the townspeople show up, except for the mayor]

Theodore: Oh, Mayor, thank goodness. I need your help. I saw a real-life wolf preparing to eat my sheep if I don't get help in half an hour. This is not a false alarm.

Tor: I'm sorry, shepherd, but after weeks of repeated false alarms, I find your claim hard to believe.

Theodore: But, sir, I can prove it this time!

[Tor just walks off]

Theodore: Mayor? Anyone?

[He drops his crook]

Mari: With his credibility reduced to practically nothing, it felt like the shepherd was ready to give up.

[Later, Theodore turns to his sheep]

Theodore: I'm sorry, girls. I tried to protect you, but I'm a terrible shepherd. Why even carry a crook?

Antonia: Hey, don't beat yourself up over it. At least you know never to overreact again.

Theodore: Yeah, but I wish I'd learned that sooner. Now I'll never see you again once the wolf comes.

Antonia: Oh, really? We'll see about that. [notices the wolf coming] Shh! Here he comes.

Ash: [approaches Theodore] Well, shepherd, it's a shame nobody believed your cries for help.

Theodore: It's true, Wolf. I'm no longer a credible witness.

Ash: Guess it's time for me to wolf down some lunch!

[A rim shot is heard in the background]

Theodore: You're not very good with puns, are you?

Ash: Stow it! It's lunch time!

Antonia: Now!

[A massive sheep dive-bombs on Ash, tackling him to the ground]

Ash: Ow!

Theodore: Whoa! Where did that sheep come from?!

Antonia: That would be my cousin. Nice work, Norman!

Norman: Ah, don't mention it.

[Tor and the townspeople arrive]

Tor: I heard a loud thump. What happened here?

Theodore: [points at the wolf underneath Norman] There's our wolf, Mayor. This big sheep Norman tackled him.

Ash: He's got the strength of a sumo wrestler. Oh, my aching back!

[Norman gets off of him]

Tor: Officers, take that wolf away!

[Cops arrive and arrest the wolf; later, in full view of the townspeople and sheep, the mayor gives Theodore a medal]

Mari: And so, thanks to the sheep’s big cousin Norman, the shepherd saved the day, and the wolf was locked away for good. And as such, the mayor awarded the shepherd a medal.

Tor: I apologize for not believing you about the wolf, shepherd.

Theodore: And I'm sorry for all that overreacting. From here on out, I'll check for proof if I think something is wrong instead of crying wolf.

[He and Tor shake hands; everyone cheers]

Mari: The townspeople and sheep rejoiced, and everyone lived happily ever after.

[Back to Mari]

Mari: [closes the book] The end. Now, the actual story doesn't really end like that, but I prefer a time-honored story with a happy ending. At any rate, seeing as this is one of Aesop’s fables, just remember not to cry for help unless absolutely necessary.

[Ash enters the warehouse, rubbing his back; his Pikachu rubs it]

Ash: Hey, Mari.

Mari: Oh, hi, Ash. What happened to you?

Ash: I pulled my back out while training.

Pikachu: [nods] Pika-Pika.

[The rest of Ash’s group enters; Ash lies down on a couch]

Kiawe: [approaches the kitchen] I’ll go get an ice pack.

Mallow: Nice book, Mari.

Lana: [takes a look at the last page] Hmm. This isn’t how the story ends.

Mari: Actually, I wrote that one.

Lillie: [skims through the pages] Very well-written. Maybe you should be an author.

Mari: Aw, go on, Lillie.

[Segment 12: Dance]

[On stage, Satsuki and Sophie (the latter wearing a sombrero) perform the Mexican Hat Dance to the tune Jarabe Tapatio for two and a half minutes; afterwards, the crowd applauds; the two girls bow]

Satsuki: Next time, I'm wearing the sombrero.

Sophie: Not that you did any badly without it.

[Segment 13: Main Act D]

[Ratatoskr HQ, Niagara Falls, NY, 11:55pm]

[Neo-DEM Wizards, dressed in black suits, hide outside the rear entrance]

[At Neo-DEM HQ, Westcott has seen all]

Westcott: This is it. Noah, Harry, begin the assault.

Noah: Right, sir.

[Back at Manhattan, a giant enemy robot emerges from the ground and begins its assault on the city]

[On board the Fraxinus, the crew is asleep until the alarm blares]

Karen: Five minutes to midnight? What's going on?

[The crew opens a channel on the monitor to the robot attack]

Kannazuki: [enters] And just when I was having such a lovely dream. [gasps] An enemy robot?!

MARIA: I'll contact the Spirit Soldiers immediately.

[Back at the warehouse, Shido's group is sound asleep; Kotori's Spirit Brace beeps; Kotori wakes up and answers the call]

Kotori: I read you.

MARIA: There's another giant robot attacking the city.

Kotori: I'll alert the others. [taps Shido on the shoulder] Bro, wake up.

[Shido wakes up]

Shido: What's the matter, Kotori? Nightmare?

Kotori: No. Giant robot. We gotta go.

Shido: At this time of night? Jeez. Everybody up! We have an emergency!

[The other girls wake up]

Tohka: Damn that Westcott.

Miku: He has no reverence for beauty sleep.

Shido: Never mind that. Let's summon our mecha and get this over with.

All girls: Right!

[Outside, the Sephira Voyagers and Sephira Racer (in car mode) make their way to the scene of the attack; all units fire upon the enemy robot, hitting it]

[Split-screen to the cockpits with the suited-up Spirit Soldiers]

Kotori: Run a scan on that robot so we can ID its pilot.

Nia: Copy that.

[She runs a scan on the enemy robot, only to find its controls are moving on their own]

Nia: It's empty! No pilot! It's gotta be remote-controlled.

Kotori: Then it must be a trap.

Tohka: But what would Westcott want this late at night?

Shido: Whatever it is, we gotta get this robot dismantled quickly, then report back to Fraxinus.

Mana: Roger that, Big Brother! Let's bring them all together!

[Outside, all mecha combine to form the Sephira Max Robo]

Spirit Soldiers: Sephira Max Robo, ready!

[The enemy robot fires missiles at the Sephira Max Robo, hitting it, but very little damage is done]

Natsumi: Engines, online!

[The Sephira Max Robo's engines roar as it races toward the enemy robot in hyperspeed]

Kurumi: Sephira Max Tornado Strike!

[The Sephira Max Robo spins around and strikes the robot with its weapons, electrifying it; the enemy robot unleashes a massive energy projectile upon the Sephira Max Robo]

Origami: Time for a new move. Sephira Max Cannons!

All 13 Spirit Soldiers: FIRE!!

[The Sephira Max Robo fires massive blasts from its cannons at the enemy robot's projectile, vaporizing it; the blast then strikes the robot hard, causing its arms to fall off]

Mukuro: Never thought we'd get the chance to use the cannons.

Kaguya and Yuzuru: Now let's finish it off!

Shido: Sephira Max Lance, Lance, full power!

[The Sephira Max Robo attaches both weapons to each others' bases; the lance glows brightly as it powers up to maximum levels; the Sephira Max Robo raises it to the sky]

Shido: Maximum Double Slash!

All 13 Spirit Soldiers: FINAL ATTACK!!

[The Sephira Max Robo bisects the enemy robot with the sword end of its lance, then does the same with the spear end; the enemy robot engulfs in a massive explosion]

[Cut back to the cockpit]

Shido: Termination complete. Let's get back to the ship, ladies.

[Suddenly, the alarm blares]

Kotori: Fraxinus, report!

Karen: [through the intercom] Commander, Ratatoskr HQ is under attack! Wizards and Demonoids are attacking and taking whatever they can find!

Kotori: We're on our way!

[Outside, the Sephira Max Robo transports out]

[Back at Ratatoskr HQ, Wizards and Bandersnatch attack offices and quarters everywhere, stealing and/or destroying anything they can find; ZIEG notices a storage room with a biological hazard sign on the door; he kicks the door down and enters; he finds a large case with a biological hazard sign; snickering smugly, he grabs it and transports out with it; the army is preparing to leave, until the Spirit Soldiers appear, pointing their Spirit Pistols at the bad guys]

Shido: FREEZE!!

[The bad guys stop and raise their hands]

Kotori: Move out!

[The Spirit Soldiers spread out and fight the enemies over the next few minutes with their weapons; afterwards, every Bandersnatch has been destroyed; one of the Wizards retreats in secret]

Shido: Take 'em away!

[Later, the remaining Wizards are carted out of HQ in shackles and taken into custody; some stolen goods are recovered; some of the Spirit Soldiers inspect the damages inside the building; the others (Gold, Violet, White, Red, Gray, Green and Black) remain outside]

Tohka: First the attempted raid on the warehouse by a pair of common thieves, and now this?

Shido: What would Westcott have to gain from this raid?

Origami: Knowing him, probably our secrets.

Kotori: Now that he knows where our HQ is located, we'll have to relocate all over again. Amping up security won't do any good.

Nia: Chances are, he must be running out of ideas.

Natsumi: Could be. He's already lost his secretary and four generals.

[The other Spirit Soldiers come out of the building]

Kurumi: Any luck?

Mana: We ran through each room with a fine-tooth comb. All sensitive information is secured.

Mukuro: But when we looked through Mr. Woodman's office, we saw that his desk was empty, from top to bottom.

[Karen brings Elliot out of the building in his wheelchair]

Elliot: I took a close look. The old dog tag I used to become a Wizard had been destroyed, and my safe had been blown up.

Kurumi: Why would Westcott want to rob your safe? He still has a lot of money left from before his death.

Elliot: Why on Earth would I keep my money in a safe with no interest? It's all in banks and other investments, where they belong until it's needed. But I did keep a few other valuables in that safe. An old drawing of what my village used to look like before it was burned down, a locket my father left for me, and a few other trinkets that came to me from a distant planet. But I never anticipated the need for such tools, so I kept them in the safe, just in case.

Karen: But they say that one man's trash is another man's treasure.

[Ellen comes out with a note]

Ellen: Guys, I found this note left in Elliot's office.

[She hands Shido the note]

Shido: "Ellen Mira Mathers, there is a price to be paid for betraying us. Unless you surrender yourself to me by December 9th, I will be forced to behead your uncle. I have no more use for him. Consider this raid your warning. But also consider the extra time your last chance to relish in your freedom. - Isaac Westcott."

Karen: Sister, I can't and won't let you do that. I almost lost you once. I won't let it happen again.

Ellen: But what of Uncle Owen? If we do nothing, we may never see him again. And what would Ewan say? He'd never forgive us if we let his father die.

Shido: We'll have to talk to him during visiting hours in the morning.

[The others nod]

[Segment 14: Gravure C]

[In a sauna (holodeck), Lilith Bristol appears, apparently wearing only a towel; she looks around, then slowly removes her towel, revealing she is wearing a teal green tube top bikini underneath; she drops the towel]

[The camera shoots close-ups of her body parts (with the name of the body part illuminated over it):
Her feet*
Her knees
Her thighs*
Her hips (two shots, left and right)
Her belly
Her breasts*
Her hands
Her behind*
Her back*
Her shoulders (two shots, left and right)
Her neck
Her lips
Her eyes*
*in these close-ups, her body slowly rotates clockwise/counter-clockwise]

Lilith: [narrates throughout the close-ups] The female body is a natural commodity. It's beautiful to gaze upon. The surfaces, the shapes, the curves-- So much to admire. We all have our own preferences. You viewers can look on all you want, but I've already devoted my body and soul to Tor.

[After the close-ups, Lilith makes various provocative poses in the sauna over the next few minutes]

[After the poses, a brief recap of the body part close-ups is shown]

[Lilith makes one final pose with her right hand on her right thigh; the camera slowly zooms out until it gets a full-body shot; Lilith fades away]

[Segment 15: Song B]

[The Chipmunks perform a slow song]

Alvin: There once was a swagman camped in a billabong
under the shade of a coolibah tree.
And he sang as he looked at his old Billy boilin',...
"Who'll come a-waltzin' Matilda with me?"

Simon: Down came a jumbuck to drink at the waterhole.
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee.
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag,...
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me."

Alvin: Who'll come a-waltzin' Matilda, my darling?
Simon: Who'll come a-waltzin' Matilda with me?
Alvin and Simon: Waltzin' Matilda and leadin' a water bag.
Who'll come a-waltzin' Matilda with me?

Theodore: Down came the squatter ridin' his thoroughbred.
Down came the troopers one, two, three.
Whose is the jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.

All three: But the swagman, he got up and jumped into the waterhole,
drowning himself by the coolibah tree.
And his ghost may be heard as he sings in the billabong:
Ghost: "Who'll come a-waltzin' Matilda with me?" [vanishes]

[The Chipmunks give each other confused looks, then shrug]

Alvin: Who'll come a-waltzin' Matilda, my darling?
Simon: Who'll come a-waltzin' Matilda with me?
Theodore: Waltzin' Matilda and leadin' a water bag.
All three: Who'll come a-waltzin' Matilda with me?

[They bow]

[Segment 16: Eris at the bakery]

[At a Mexican bakery, Eris and Kio, with their baby daughter Miyu on a stroller, enter; they meet up with one of the bakers]

Eris: [narrates] Earlier today, I dropped by a Mexican bakery. Antonia has a friend here who would teach me how to make conchas. That's a Mexican sweet bread. I'm just a nut for trying new things to make and eat. That's Saul, the guy Antonia told me about.

Saul: Welcome, Eris. This your husband and daughter?

Eris: Mm-hmm. Kio, Miyu, this is Saul.

Kio: Pleasure meeting you, Saul.

Saul: Likewise. So, Eris, you ready?

Eris: You bet!

Saul: C'mon, amigo.

[He and Eris enter the kitchen while Kio and Miyu browse; in the kitchen, Eris and Saul wash their hands, put on latex gloves, then start the process of making conchas]

Eris: [narrates] First step: Crack plenty of eggs into a pitcher. Second: Add evaporated milk. Third: Pour them into a giant mixer. Fourth: Add two scoops of flour to the mix. Fifth: Add yeast for the dough to rise. Sixth: Butter, sugar, oil, cinnamon, and vanilla extract for added sweetness. Mix it all up. Saul let me do the honors.

[After the ingredients are poured into the mixer, Eris starts the machine, causing it to mix everything together]

Saul: Muy bien, Eris. Just a few more minutes, and the dough is ready for tomorrow. But it's a good thing I've got dough from yesterday in the fridge ready for today.

[Once the mixing process is complete, Saul weighs the dough, then refrigerates it; later, Saul rolls an already-prepared batch of dough into small balls on multiple trays and flattens them for Eris to stamp them to add a seashell-like pattern]

Eris: [narrates] Once the dough was ready and weighed, Saul refrigerated it so it would be easier to finish the next day. But Saul knew I'd wanna do the next part sooner, so he had a second batch of dough all ready for me to help out with. He did the job of rolling and flattening them. He let me do the fun part: Stamping the dough to make patterns similar to seashells. I gotta teach this to Miyu.

[Later, once the dough has risen, Eris and Saul place the trays into the oven]

Eris: [narrates] Once the dough rose, it was time to bake the conchas.

Saul: You ever get something like this back in Okinawa, Eris?

Eris: Oh, yes. It's called melonpan. Its texture almost feels like a cantaloupe.

Saul: Ah.

[Later, as they wait for the conchas to bake, Eris and Saul prepare other sorts of Mexican bread]

Eris: [narrates] We killed some time prepping other kinds of Mexican bread. The holiday season is here, and bread like this may be needed for Christmas parties.

[Later, the conchas are ready; Eris and Saul remove them from the oven]

Eris: Once the conchas were done baking, we removed them from the oven to cool for a few minutes.

[After the cooling process is finished, they add sugar to the top]

Eris: Last but not least, top 'em with sugar.

Saul: Awesome. You're really gettin' the hang of this.

[Eris smiles]

[Later, Eris and Saul take trays of the completed conchas to the shelves by the window; Kio and Miyu return]

Eris: Hey, Kio. Hi, Miyu.

Kio: These the conchas you made this morning?

Eris: Uh-huh.

Kio: Looks yummy.

Saul: [hands one to Kio] Here. Have a free sample.

Kio: Thanks.

[He takes a bite]

Kio: Delicious! I'll buy two boxes! [hands the rest to Miyu] Here, sweetie. You can have the rest.

[Miyu snacks on the concha and smiles; Eris giggles; Saul packs two boxes full of the newly-baked conchas]

Saul: Happy holidays, mi amigos.

[Segment 17: Behind the scenes]

[Cut to the recording studio with voice actor Ricco Fajardo]

Ricco: Hey, guys. Ricco Fajardo here at Sound Cadence Studios. Now, I know what you're thinking. One of last week's episodes: Too Hot to Handle-- Was it really shot in Coney Island? Well, yes. It did. Everything was real.

[Behind the scenes footage of the episode are shown]

Ricco: The beach, the amusement park, Nathan's, everything. The live actors were on the set at the beach and on the boardwalk. Don't worry. The actors were given plenty of electrolytes. You see, the live-action footage was shot during the scorching hot summer. Thankfully, it only took a few days to get the job done. All the while, the animation was being prepped in Japan, and us voice actors handled the work of providing the voices. And like Amber said earlier today, everything was melded together in the editing studio. Trust me, all that work is tough, but way easier than how things went down on the set of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? back in the 80s. Things were more complex back then.

[Back to the studio]

Ricco: Now, it's been a long while since the main story of an episode actually took place outside of Greater New York. And I wasn't part of the show back then. But if that ever happens, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look on how it's done sooner or later. Well, back to voiceover work. Remember, I voice the leader of the Crystal Exceeds. Later!

[Segment 18: Song]

[132 Madison Street, Thursday, December 5th, 8:44am]

[On the roof of the warehouse, Shizuno, Satsuki, Momochi, Tokiko, Sophie, and Elena finish their morning training while Maya watches; Mari approaches them]

Mari: Well done, ladies. You're getting better every day.

Sophie: At this rate, if we ever run into those thieves again, we'll be ready for 'em.

Tokiko: They won't know what hit 'em.

Shizuno: But remember, girls, there's also the Demonoids and Captain Omen to deal with. As long as we stay in top form, they'll never beat us.

[As they continue talking, Maya twiddles her thumbs and sighs]

Maya: Gee. Shizuno's really good at ice magic, Tokiko at black magic, Satsuki's the best swordswoman, Momo's so fast, Sophie's so strong, and so's Lesya. And Mari's a good mentor. But what about me?

[The older girls look on at her]

Elena: What's with long face, Maya? You look like someone just ate your last blintz.

Maya: It's worse than that.

Momochi: How worse?

Maya: Over the past four years, I've seen you all specialize in different techniques. But what about me? I'm a nobody.

Mari: A nobody? Maya, what happened to the wise little sister I brought up? You know you have special qualities like the rest of us do.

Maya: How do I contribute to the team when all I do is cast spells? There's nothing special about me.

Satsuki: That's not true, Maya. There's always something special about every living being in every universe.

Shizuno: How can you even think you're not special, when in reality, you're the Little Witch of Dreams?

Momochi: Not to mention, your transportal ability has gotten better over the years.

Sophie: And you can actually perform a special Dark Art and temporarily copy one of our abilities.

Tokiko: They're right, kiddo. Plus, you're good at dancing, singing, and Moroha has taught you well in martial arts.

Elena: Besides that, I know naught of any person in this group who doesn't like you. You're easy to get along with. You're peacemaker.

Maya: Wow. I guess you're right. I really am a special person.

Sophie: [pats Maya on the head] That's right. Everyone is.

[The older girls break into song (one from a series written by Joy Berry)]

Mari, Shizuno, Satsuki, Sophie, Tokiko, Elena and Momochi: You are very special,
and you are one of a kind.
You are very special,
and you are one of a kind.

Mari: If you feel you have no value,
that you have no place,...
Shizuno: If you feel like you're a stranger
to the human race,...
Satsuki: If you feel like you are never noticed,
never missed,...
Momochi: It may help to stop and think
and try to remember this.

Mari, Shizuno, Satsuki, Sophie, Tokiko, Elena and Momochi: You are very special,
and you are one of a kind.
Search the whole world over,
and you're never gonna find...

Mari: A person with your special face,...
Shizuno: ...that looks the same as you.
Mari: A person with your special traits,...
Satsuki: ...that thinks the way you do.

Mari, Shizuno, Satsuki, Sophie, Tokiko, Elena and Momochi: You are very special,
and you are one of a kind.
You are very special,
and you are one of a kind.

Elena: If you feel like you've been made
from an ordinary mold,...
Sophie: Or when they gave out special treats,
you were left out in the cold,...
Tokiko: If you feel like just another number
on a list,...
All seven girls: It may help to stop and think
and try to remember this.

You are very special,
and you are one of a kind.
Search the whole world over,
and you're never gonna find...

Maya: A person with my special face,...
Shizuno: ...that looks the same as you.
Maya: A person with my special traits,...
Satsuki: ...that thinks the way you do.

All eight girls: You are very special,
and you are one of a kind.
You are very special,
and you are one of a kind.
You are very special,
and you are one of a kind.
You are very special,
and you are one of a kind.
You are very special,
and you are one of a kind.
You are very special,
and you are one of a kind.
You are very special,
and you are one of a kind.
You are very special,
and you are one of a kind...

[Fade to black]

[Segment 19: Main Act E]

[Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward, Thursday, December 5th, 8:53am]

[In the visitation room, Shido, Karen and Ellen wait, until Ewan Mathers enters and takes his seat]

Ewan: Oh, it's you three. Didn't expect to see you this morning. The leader of the Spirit Soldiers, and my cousins. What brings you here?

Ellen: Ewan, Ratatoskr was raided last night. The Demonoids did it.

Ewan: What? That's horrible.

Karen: Lots of Elliot's valuables have been stolen. Photos of our old home, artifacts from another planet, and his father's locket.

Shido: But there's more. [hands Ewan the note] Westcott left this note.

[Ewan takes a look at the note, reads it, and is shocked]

Ewan: If Ellen refuses to surrender, Westcott will kill my father? This is blackmail!

Shido: I know my enemy, Ewan. He shows no mercy to anyone, not even his own minions, even those he brainwashed. He almost did the same to Mana in his previous life. And God knows what he'd have done to Ellen back then, as well.

Ewan: Damn that coward. All this just to get revenge on Ellen.

Ellen: We have only three days to make our decision. And we need your advice.

Ewan: My advice is to stay out of it. I'll surrender myself. My father, my responsibility.

Ellen: No, Ewan. I know your father as much as you do. He wouldn't let you give up like that. Besides, you have a lot to atone for.

Ewan: I'd never forgive myself if I left Dad to die.

Karen: Ellen and I wouldn't forgive ourselves if we let you give yourself up to Westcott.

Shido: And what if he ends up killing both of you?

Ewan: I'll take my chances with him.

Ellen: I won't let you. The decision is up to me. And I won't let my only cousin put his life on the line.

Ewan: Ellen, you mustn't.

Ellen: Even if I do, I'll get rescued again. Shido saved my life before Mana even became a Spirit Soldier. I have faith.

Shido: I won't let either of you carry that burden. Besides, while we consider our choice, we're gonna take the time to formulate a contingency plan.

Ewan: Whatever it is, please, let Ellen come out of it alive and well.

[Ellen has a worried look on her face; Shido gently pats her on the left shoulder; Karen pats Ellen on the the right shoulder]

[NOTE:
Ratatoskr's decision will be finalized in one of next week's shows.]


[Final segment: Preview of tomorrow's episode]

Narrator: Next time on ACME Crime Net, final preparations for the fundraiser are underway, with the help of an old friend. But little do they know, Riff and Raw have preparations of their own. They plan to obtain the Deep Red for their own personal gain. Can anyone at ACME Crime Net stop them? Find out on tomorrow's episode: The Fundraiser. Vigilance, dedication, courage!

Last edited by TVLubber (4/03/2026 3:45 pm)