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Previously on the Amazing Race, our teams took a little trip up north to the cold, deserted Yukon. The fish was pretty tasty (and fake) and some of teams got to wind down... almost. One team managed to find another U-Turn ticket. Zack started to stand up for himself to his partner. The officers and Josee had a little trouble with the task, which resulted in a few arguments. Hilarious, and noteworthy arguments. In the end, the YouTubers snatched up first place. In another foot race/photo finish, the haters fell into last place. Lucky for them, it wasn't an elimination round, so no one had to go.

Eight teams are left in our continental race to the million. Which one will be dropped this week? It's time to found out. This is... the Amazing Race.

***

"Welcome back to yesterday's checkpoint: the Yukon," Toner introduces, wearing a heavy coat and holding a steaming coffee mug. "Thank goodness we're leaving. I have no idea how much longer I can stand the cold air. Today's first goers are yesterday's winners: the YouTubers."

They step up to the clue box and Majira reads the tip. "We're heading for the town of Regina... Where is that?"

Regina is the provincial capital of Saskatchewan, a region covered by grasslands and the Canadian Shield plateau. The city itself is home to many art galleries but also kicks back a little with its few concert halls. Teams must take helicopters to Fairbanks, Alaska and take a direct flight for the city. Once they land, they'll find their next tip.

The cab drivers collect their tip as the first copter prepares to take off. "No more underestimating the competition." Donna nods towards Echo & Majira. "The officers and friends with benefits are already hard enough to manage. I think a little nudge into last place will do those guys some good, don't you think?"

"Ooooh, I love when you talk evil," Vito confesses. "But, what exactly can we do to knock them down? They haven't really expressed any weaknesses, have they?"

The vixen groans as he's right. "I'll think of something, ok?"

Ren & Cal join them on the first copter. The marines, strippers, and friends with benefits take the second one; leaving the last one for the officers and haters. "We may have gotten the slip yesterday, but today, you two better watch your backs." Josee gives the two smaller players an intimidating glare.

But Nick doesn't back down, much to the dismay of Judy. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but how many times have you and Ryan come in last? This is your second time? We've never came in last once. In fact, we've taken first a couple times. You two don't stand a chance."

The bunny pulls them aside, even though there's no place to talk in private. "Slick, I know that you don't like when people try to attack you like that, but take it easy a little bit. Stand down and show them that you're the bigger person here."

Over in the second copter, the strippers take a quick nap, facing back to back against each other. Felix rests his head on Toby's lap as the tiger strokes his fur gently. Zack just looks out the side, admiring the mountains as they pass. Chris can't help but feel bad for the little fox. What he would give to start yesterday over and not yell at the little pup.

But he can't help it. No matter what happens, he can't stop himself from yelling at Zack. It makes his chest ache a little. What hurt even more was that the vulpine started yelling back. "Why can't I just tell him the truth?" the hybrid unknowingly says outloud.

"Tell who the truth?" Toby asks.

Chris covers his muzzle when he realizes he just blurt it out. Think fast, he says to himself. I can't have them knowing how I think about Zack, he'll believe I'm a maniac and will want to be even further away from me. "Oh, I uhhh... my roommate. I... borrowed an undershirt from my roommate before I left and I didn't tell him." The tiger looks at him like he's crazy and goes back to petting Felix.

So sadly, Chris spent the next hour or so in silence with three others who possible hate him. Luckily he was able to spend the flight fast asleep while the other seven teams stayed awake for some reason. All the teams land in Saskatchewan nine hours (and ten minutes; slight delay) later. Once the doors are open, everyone races out to the clue box waiting for them.

"It's a One-Way," Ren reads. "'Roulette Runaway'?"

When people hear the word Vegas they think of casinos or gambling. That's no different in this town. For this challenge, teams must make their way to Casino Regina. After every team arrives, they must take a bet in the game of Roulette. In the real version of the game, players may choose to place bets on either a single number or a range of numbers, the colors red or black, or whether the number is odd or even.

In the Amazing Race, however, teams must think fast and bet on one number for the whole game. Whether the ball lands on one of the numbers or not doesn't matter. Because whoever's bet is closest to that number gets to move on (with a one-minute delay between spins). After seven spins of the Roulette Wheel, all eight teams should be finished. After they're done, teams must make their way to Brandt Centre to find their next tip.

Nick whistles. "Taxi!" Soon, all eight teams are heading out. It takes a while to regroup at Casino Regina, but it happens about fifteen minutes later. Eight white boards await for them to place their bets. The croupier (brown coyote with blue streaks running down the sides of his body; the name tag reads Dale) perks up once people start arriving.

Most people try to go for middle numbers, while others try high or low ones. All Donna can think is what number will knock the YouTubers into last place. When Zack tries to write a number down, Chris growls at him. Judy lets Nick do most of the thinking since he knows more about this sort of thing than she does. Cinnamon & Pepper somehow stay calm for this. Josee & Ryan argue a little over the number.

Ren & Cal, though, decide to stay in the middle, so they write down number 18. After a few minutes of discussion, everyone has their bets:

YouTubers: 33

Drivers: 5

Marines: 14

Strippers: 33

Friends with benefits: 4

Officers: 6

Haters: 29

Dale starts spinning the wheel and everyone is on the edge of their seat as the white ball starts tumbling around it. As it slows to a stop, the number shows 27. "Nice job, haters," Dale says. "You're in first." He takes their white board back while Josee & Ryan run out, shouting for joy that they've come in first.

"See? What did I tell you?" Ryan asks. "I told you that putting a high number down works." Josee rolls her eyes, although she does admit that the way her partner thinks is pretty good. Though she can't think about their relationship, must focus on the game.

A minute later, another spin of the wheel sends another team out the casino and towards the hockey rink. This time, the number 12 appears. Meaning, the marines are now in second place. "Yes!" Chris shouts. For a second, Zack appears happy too and it warms the hybrid on the inside. On the outside, though, he's pulling his partner towards the exit to maintain their lead.

"Awww, come on, I can't even be excited for a second?" Zack asks. His partner doesn't answer. Before they head out, the fox gives a good luck wave to his allies, who are still trying to keep up with them.

The next spin of the wheel reveals the number 27 again. This time, it's closer to the YouTubers and strippers. Since no one wants to break a tie, they both leave at the same time, much to the dismay of Donna. How are they still winning?! she screams in her mind. Spin number four sends Ren & Cal out next followed by the officers, drivers, and Felix & Toby, who are now standing in last place.

"Right now we're in sixth place, but I'm not worried." Nick turns around to see the drivers behind them. It kind of feels like deja vu. "As long as those two are behind us, it's a good day for me."

"I know that you're having fun with bumping the drivers down, but I think we need to worry about sending ourselves up," Judy says. "Yesterday, we almost came in last. There are only eight teams left which means that this race is going to go faster than before. I need to know that you're focused on getting us in first 100%."

"I am focused, Carrots, I'm just saying that Donna needs to go soon or this race will be a complete nightmare from here on out."

Ren stares out the window as he normally does as the city goes by, thinking about the game and how they have barely managed to stay with their allies the whole time. "You think that they're still loyal to us?" he asks. "Zack, I mean." Because there's no way that Chris still cares about them in the least.

"I think so," Cal says. "You say the way Zack was dragged out, he doesn't like his partner. He prefers spending time with us. It sad, honestly, to see someone being treated like that. What did he ever do to Chris to make him that upset?"

Ren shakes his head. "I don't know. Whatever it is, we need to find out why and end it soon enough." Growing up, Ren had to deal with a few people who were obsessed with being in control. To see someone else in the game have to deal with the same thing makes him cringe a little on the inside. He's already thinking about ways to word this to Chris, but most of them involves profanity.

The haters arrive at Brandt Centre first. Both of them quickly rush out for the clue box that sits outside. "This one's a Roadblock," Ryan reads. "'What the puck'?"

For this Roadblock, whoever didn't go fishing in the Yukon must strap on hockey gear and try to whack one puck into the goal net. Here's the thing, they have to get past a very tough goalie in order to do that. If he knocks the puck into the other net, they have to go to the back of the line to try again. Get past him and it's a short walk to the other side of the ice rink to the carpet, which serves at the checkpoint. Last team to step on could be sent home.

The strippers arrive next, followed by the marines and YouTubers. "Whose turn is it, again?" Pepper asks. Cinnamon points a thumb at himself. "Oh, right. Good luck, man." He pats him on the back to show support.

Zack joins Ryan and Cinnamon in changing into helmets, neck guard, shoulder pads, gloves, and shin guards. He better not blow this one, Chris thinks to himself. Then he looks at Zack's tail, which is slightly swaying a little. I wish he was like that all the time.

The drivers then slip in, unnoticed. As Vito changes, another team sneaks up behind Chris where the fox taps him on the shoulder, startling him. "What in the world is wrong with you guys?" the hybrid snaps. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack or something?"

"Sorry," Ren quickly apologizes. "But I wanted to ask you about your partner." The black fox nods towards the orange one waiting in line. "I've noticed how you were to him in the Yukon; and most of the race for that matter. And you're not going anywhere until you start talking about why you're being such a jerk to him." He crosses his arms, standing his ground.

Chris balls up his fists. "I'm a 'jerk' because he's so irritating, the way he's goofy and not focusing on the race at all." His tail gives an angry lash.

"He's trying to have some fun with you. He told me himself that the only reason he was here on the show was to try and make nice with you since you were always being mean to him. But now he's upset because hashing out at him for absolutely no good reason other than the fact that you're uptight and can't loosen up now and then."

The hybrid's breathing has increased, his blood flowing and is really close to slapping this fox when he barks, "You want to know the reason I bully him?!" Ren cups his ears forward. Chris looks behind him, to make sure Zack isn't hearing, and drops his voice to a whisper. "I'm in fucking love with him."

The black fox gasps and slaps Chris across the face. "Are you kidding me?! Why haven't you told him yet?! Get your ass over there and spill the beans!" He turns him around and gives him a give shove towards his partner. It takes a second for him to calm back down but then he refocuses his full attention to the race. Turning to Cal, he asks, "Whose turn is it out of the two of us?"

"You," the bear replies. The fox's heart drops as he realizes he just wastes time arguing with Chris. By now, the officers and Felix & Toby have arrived with Nick and Toby changing already.

"Oh, crud. We're in last place." Ren runs over to the others changing, trying to catch up.

Meanwhile, Ryan is the first one out onto the ice. The wolf sees the goalie (a seven foot tall, muscular husky with blue fur; named Brian) and immediately thinks to himself, there's no way I can do this. But he maintains focus. He hurls enough strength into sliding the puck to the other side, but Brian knocks it back, faster than the wolf can imagine, straight into the other net.

Josee facepalms.

Cinnamon takes a try next, keeping his calm. This time, the puck goes back and forth twice before Cinnamon slips and falls to the ground, limbs splayed out, and the puck knocks into the other net. "You did great, bro. You'll get it next time." Pepper's speech doesn't really help but it's nice to know he's there.

After that, it's Zack's turn. He turns to see Chris giving him a neutral look turning into one of anger. It sparks another fire within the fox, one that cannot be tamed. He growls slightly and turns back to Brian. The fox hits the puck as far as he can, but the husky knocks it back. For a minute, the fox uses most of his adrenaline into keeping it away from his net, until his head gets a little dizzy and he falls to the ground. His turn's over.

Echo slides out next. Once she gets an eyeful of that husky, she readjusts her helmet and puts her game face on. "Bring it on, blue boy, let's see what you've got!" Brian growls at the hearing of trash talk. They dish it out in a back-and-forth brawl for each other's nets until Echo grips her hockey stick lower and hurls enough force to slide the puck between Brian's legs, into the net before he even knows what's happening.

The husky just stares at her wide-eyed and says, "Damn!" (His voice is super deep, even deeper than Ren's.)

The fennec rushes to change as Vito then takes his turn. This will be easy, he thinks. I've been taking skating lessons since I was 20. He's not even intimidated when he sees Brian's height. Vito starts the task, almost making it into the net on his first try, but Brian snaps back into the game and hits the puck back.

"You better get this, Vito! Or we'll be in last!" Donna's rant from the sidelines doesn't help.

Vito rolls his eyes. He slides the puck back with as much strength as he can muster. Brian nearly catches it, but he slips and falls, allowing the fox to complete the Roadblock.

When it comes time for Toby's turn, the tiger slips out onto the ice. He's never been skating before (at least, skating on a frozen ground; he has rollerskated in his life), but never like this. Before he can do anything, Brian knocks the puck past him and into the net. "What? Come on, I didn't get a chance to try," Toby complains. "I call for a do-over."

Brian nods with an evil grin and kicks a second puck out. This one flies through the air and it knocks into the tiger's stomach, sending him to the ground. "Never mind," Toby squeaks. Felix comes out onto the rink and slowly drags him away.

As Nick takes his turn, the YouTubers and drivers are in a fast race to get out of their gear and run to the other side of the rink. Toner stands at the carpet, watching the other teams fail on the ice rink. Nick slips down and has to go to the back of the line. An empty popcorn bag sits on one of the seats. The dog got some realizing he was going to be here for a while.

He looks up at the camera and says, "It's funny how the teams that think they're safe end up coming in last and going home." One teams manages to get to the carpet. "By that, I mean, congratulations, the YouTubers once again come in first."

The drivers run up behind Echo & Majira. "What?!" Donna growls. "Second place again?! You're fixing this race, dog!" She growls and turns the other way. Those camera-loving freaks better enjoy first while they have it, she thinks, because one way or another, I'm going to send them home!

Over at the other side, Ryan takes another turn while Ren goes over to Zack. "Are you feeling ok, bud?" he asks. He wraps an arm around him and takes a seat.

The fox nods. "I'm ok," he says. "I just wish Chris wasn't so hostile towards me. I don't even know what I'm doing. All I'm doing is trying to have a little fun with him. But, it's clear that he doesn't like me in any way. After the race is over, I'm thinking about just changing rooms in the barracks to be further away from him."

Ren widens his eyes at this then turns to give a discreet nod to Cal, who's standing next to Chris, watching the others trying to do the task. "Hey, we really need to talk," the bear says.

"Save it," the wolf/husky says. "If it's about Zack, I don't want to hear it. Besides, even if I told him, he would want nothing to do with me. He's going to leave me behind if I ever tell him."

"But if you don't, he's going to run further than you expect." Chris just looks ahead, trying to ignore the tubby ursine next to him. Ok, I've tried to be nice, the bear thinks. Now it's time to do things a different way. "You have to tell him before the finale, or Ren and I will tell him ourselves. Either way, he's going to find out that you like him."

Chris looks over at him. "Are you blackmailing me?"

"I'm telling you what's going to happen if you don't do it yourself. And I'm not joking." Cal leaves it at that, going back over to where his partner and Zack sit.

Josee & Ryan- 3rd place

Chris & Zack- 4th place

Felix & Toby- 5th place

This leaves Cinnamon, Nick, and Ren to try to catch up. The sly fox takes another turn. Though he's half the height as Brian, he's not going to let that scare him. "Come on! You don't scare me! Let's dance!" Judy can't look. It's a canine showdown that no one wants to see; all we're missing is the cowboy eerie sound even though they're not in the west.

Brian huffs a huge breath out his nose and power slides the puck straight at him. Nick glides out of the way, but angles the hockey stick just right to slingshot it back to the husky. Or should we say PAST the husky. Before Brian even knew it, Nick's off the hook and he's out of the rink to change out of his gear.

Cinnamon goes out there next with his mad face on. "You've got this!" Pepper shouts. The brown fox on the ice skates forward as he sees Brian serve the puck his way. The puck comes straight onto the end of the stick, but Cinnamon quickly spins around, boomeranging it back to the other end. Brian tries to stop it, but accidentally slips onto the ground. Next thing you know, it's in the net.

Cinnamon quickly gets out of the rink as Ren goes to take his turn. Pepper helps him out of the gear. Judy assists Nick with the same thing. The sly fox gets out first and they dash for the carpet. Pepper gets both shin guards off Cinnamon, leaving him in his original clothes and they sprint to catch up to them.

"Hurry up, Ren!" Cal shouts, even though he knows it's too late.

Toner stands at attention when he sees two more teams running through the bleachers to try to get to him before the other. Judy & Nick outrun the strippers though. "Sixth place," the hosts declares. "Seventh for the strippers."

Ren slips and falls again. Seeing as how there's no more use, he goes to to the edge of the ice takes the blades off his feet. Him and Cal notice Toner approaching and they hold paws as they hear the bad news. "Sorry boys, but you failed to reach the carpet in time," the red dog says. "Because of this... you're out."

They both sigh and walk out of the stadium together. Once last look behind him and Ren gives Chris the "I'm watching you" gesture. Hopefully, he'll keep his side of the deal and tell Zack about his feelings.

***

"As for a shows go, this was pretty awesome," Cal says. "I had a lot of fun in Vancouver and Portland. We should definitely go back to Arizona sometime because they make great pizza."

Ren laughs. "Well, I'm glad you had fun, hun. I enjoyed going to Florida. Plus we can always head back to Canada sometime if we ever want to earn a little extra money." The fox leans his head on the bear's shoulder. "I really hope the marines settle their issues before something bad happens."

"I know. Now let's go home. Besides, you promised me to make some more of the red velvet cake."

"Oh, right."