A/N: If a characters name appears in bold, it means that it's their confessional (You'll understand when you get to it).
Episode 1:
Welcome to the Island
The great expanse of South Ocean stretched for miles, nothing but an open plane of cerulean. Uninterrupted from one horizon to the other, the only break in the rolling white-capped waves and crystal water was a small landmass known simply as the Treacherous Isle.
It was a picturesque island ripped straight from the cover of a postcard. The sky and the water seemed to fuse into one blue palette in the day and magnificent salmon streaked across the sky at sunset. The tropical paradise held trees that bore luscious fruits, from the pinkest guavas to the rich yellow bananas. A virescent forest covered most of the island. Hundreds of trees with thick verdant canopies that expanded from one beach to the other. The golden sand that laced the perimeter of the island was the epitome of the island's beauty.
The weather was always hot; the atmosphere damp and heavy, but the salty wind swept across the sea and cooled the seaside areas. Hundreds of animals called the island home, from large predators to loud humming insects and chirping songbirds that flew overhead.
The one blemish on the low-lying isle was the large, active volcano that rose like a pillar out of the emerald leaves holding the heavens aloft. This island would be called paradise by most tourists, but for the next month it would become the host of the newest reality television show, and hell to the new inhabitants.
A lone, wooden dock stretched out from the beach. A sole creature was standing on it, eyes trained out to the beautiful, calm ocean that surrounded him and the island.
"Hello," the shark turned and addressed the camera. "I'm coming at you live from the Treacherous Isle, located somewhere in the middle of South Ocean. I'm your host, Razor the Shark," Razor smiled a toothy grin, the sun gleaming off his sharp, pointed teeth.
"Here's the deal," Razor continued as he walked across the stretching dock. "Sixteen strangers are going to arrive by boat any minute now and will stay in our worn-out old cabins for the next month, where they will compete in a series of challenges against each other for the chance to win fifty thousand dollars!"
"Each night, the losing team will converge in Judgement Bay where they will each vote one of their fellow team members off the island. If an islander doesn't receive a Strawberry of Safety, they will have to board the Submarine of Shame and leave the isle, never to return. Meaning, do not pass go, do not collect fifty thousand dollars! In the end, only one will be left standing with all the fame and fortune they could ask for which, let's face it, won't last long."
"Who will be voted out first? What relationships will grow and crumble? Who will be left standing with all the moolah? Find out right here on Outlast: Insanity Island!"
…
"Alright, it's time to meet our first islander," Razor began, looking at a growing speck on the horizon. Sonic stood on the rotting planks of the old, dingy boat holding tight onto the railings with white knuckles, afraid of falling into the unrelenting watery depths of the ocean. Through squinting eyes he drank in the sight of the magnificent island before him as he hopped off the boat, thankful to be on solid ground again.
"Sonic, my man, welcome to the island," Razor announced joyfully, high-fiving the oncoming teenager.
"Hey, Razor, sick place you've got here," Sonic marvelled with delight. "Are the cabins as awesome as the island?"
"Not so much."
"Oh well," Sonic shrugged. "I'm just stoked to be here."
"Great," Razor rolled his eyes unenthusiastically as he pushed Sonic down the dock. "Wait over there." Razor turned to the camera. "I love the ones with spirit. It's so much more fun to break them. Speaking of breaking… Shade, so nice to see you."
"I don't do hugs," Shade informed in a stern, disciplined tone.
"Wasn't going to hug you anyway, now move over there." Before Razor could say anymore, a younger bee rushed off his boat and collided into Razor, wrapping him in a friendly hug.
"Oh my God, Razor, it's so amazing to meet you," Charmy Bee exclaimed with glee. "I can't believe this is where we are staying."
"Believe it," Razor wriggled free of the bee's surprisingly firm grip and ushered him over to the others standing at the other end of the dock. Razor turned, tilting his head in confusion when the next boat arrived and left, dropping off suitcases but no passenger. Razor stepped closer to approach the belongings when a scream echoed through the air and a badger swung from a vine, hollering as she flipped through the air and landed on the dock.
"Sticks… interesting entrance," Razor commented.
"You can't trust those boat drivers. They've always got an agenda, travelling on the ocean. They're up to no good, I can smell it," she raved, her eyes darting from side to side as she sniffed the air.
"Aaaaaaaalright then… Anyway, welcome to our next islander, Miles Prower!"
"It's just Tails, thanks," Tails replied with a nervous grin, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's, um, cool to be here. Thanks for choosing me to be a part of this-"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever, move along," Razor interrupted him. The next two boats arrived, dropping off two more contestants.
"Espio and Knuckles, great having you two!" Razor greeted them.
"Awesome to be here," Knuckles nodded.
"My boat ride was nice, and this island looks stunning. It will be a great place to live for the next month," Espio said in a low, monotone voice.
"Woah, dude, lighten up a bit," Knuckles commented.
"I was paying him a compliment. That seems quite light to me."
"Enough, over to the others!" Razor ordered. "Next up, Rouge the Bat!" Rouge stepped off her boat as it docked, removing her sunglasses. She was stunning, and all the boys' eyes were trained on her.
"Hello boys," she winked, swishing her hips as she waltzed down the dock.
"Who is she?" Knuckles drooled.
"Keep it in your pants, Red," Rouge giggled.
"The name's Sonic, nice to meet you," Sonic smiled.
"Enough pleasantries, the next islander is arriving," Razor shouted.
"He's going to be this annoying the whole time, isn't he?" Shade rolled her eyes.
"Unfortunately," Tails sighed. Loud music was blaring from the next boat as it arrived, and a large green crocodile leapt off it, rushing up to Razor and bumping Razor's fist with his own.
"Razor, it's awesome to meet you, bro," Vector called loudly.
"You too, bro!"
"Is this the island we're staying at, bro? It's awesome."
"It certainly is, bro."
"I swear if one of them says bro one more time…" Rouge muttered under her breath.
"Hello," the next islander treaded off her boat, smiling timidly. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"The pleasure is all mine, Blaze," Razor grinned. As he watched her join the others, the dock they were all standing on shook violently as a loud thud hammered the wooden planks.
"What is that?" Knuckles asked.
"Big, welcome dude," Razor greeted as a large, purple cat stomped down the dock. He held a large amount of food cradled between his arms while a small frog was perched on his shoulder.
"Hey Razor, I'm Big," Big smiled.
"You certainly are," Shade commented offhandedly.
"This is my pet, Froggy."
"I don't really care, now go join the others," Razor gestured.
"Oh my God, Razor the Shark, it's so amazing to meet you, I've seen all your shows," a pink hedgehog squealed with delight like a school girl and rushed over to give Razor a tight hug.
"Nice to meet you, Amy," Razor choked.
"It's been a dream of mine to be on television. I can just imagine myself meeting the boy of my dreams. He'd hold my hand and we'd kiss under the sunset while-"
"Enough daydreaming," Razor interjected, snapping her out of her daze. "Let's be realistic, this isn't the place for romance. Now, move along."
"Everywhere is a place for romance," Amy cooed as she joined the other contestants.
"Only four more contestants left to meet. Ah, here's another now," Razor smiled as a rust-furred fox tiptoed off her boat. She was dressed in a flowing, baby-blue dress that mirrored her wide eyes.
"Wow, is this the island?" Fiona exclaimed in wonder. "It's amazing. I feel so humbled to be here."
"Fiona? Fiona Fox? This is not who I thought you were. You're nothing like you were on the audition tape. I've never been so disappointed in my life," Razor grumbled.
"I-is there a problem with me?" Fiona asked shyly.
"What?" Razor asked aloud, pressing his finger on a small communicator lodged in his ear. "We can't replace any campers? Okay, well in that case," Razor shoved Fiona away to join the others.
"Don't worry about him. I think you're fine just the way you are," Blaze smiled.
"Th-thanks," Fiona mumbled, her eyes shooting daggers at Razor while his back was turned.
"Silver, nice of you to join us."
"Sorry I'm late. My driver didn't know where he was going," Silver shrugged.
"That's strange… I plugged the directions in his GPS," Razor speculated aloud.
"They were wrong. It said it was taking me to Treacherous Isle, but this placed looked anything but treacherous so I deleted the directions," Silver explained.
"That's the name of the island, not a description… you know what, never mind, just join the others," Razor sighed.
"H-hey, am I in the r-right place?" a shy rabbit murmured as she was pushed onto the dock and fell to her knees. Charmy gasped when he saw the way the younger girl was treated and rushed over to help her up.
"Are you okay?" Charmy asked as he reached down to help her up.
"Y-Yeah, thanks," Cream smiled, looking up as the sun danced off Charmy's grinning face. He hauled her to her feet.
"Can we move it along? You're blocking our final contestant," Razor grumbled, pushing both younger teenagers aside.
"I-Is he always this r-rude?" Cream asked.
"From what I've seen, yes," Charmy nodded.
"Hey, it's okay, I can wait until she gets a proper introduction first," Mighty said.
"No, Mighty, she messed it up when Charmy interrupted my line," Razor glared at the bee. "Besides, I'm sick of introducing people. Less time focused on me, Razor Shark," he grinned.
"But I never even got an introduct-"
"And that's everybody," Razor interjected, addressing the rest of the campers. "Alright, you sixteen are our contestants. You will all spend the next month on this island where-"
"Yeah, yeah, vote people off and win fifty thousand dollars," Rouge gave Razor a taste of his own medicine, rolling her hand to urge him along. "We've all read the rules, can we get on with it?"
"Rude, but yes, yes we can. Follow me!" The sixteen contestants followed Razor as he explained to them in more detail how the game would work. As he led them around the island, he walked through a snaking path through woodlands and descended some rickety looking steps down a sand dune which were actually just loose logs. Finally, he stopped at a small bay, facing the sunset where a large bonfire pit was made out of a circle of rocks. Sixteen wooden stumps were placed into the sand facing the fire and in front of it, just to the side, was a small lectern like contraption.
"This is the bonfire of Judgement Bay. The loosing team will be sent here to vote off one member of their team. They will conceal their votes in the lifeguard shack over there, which doubles as a confessional. Islanders can come here during the day to let out their deepest confessions to all the fans watching at home with no fear of being heard by anybody. As they say, confession is good for the soul," Razor laughed.
Shade: I am getting really sick of Razor's ego.
Vector: Razor is a riot! I love that little shark, har, har!
Amy: It's nice that he's showing the bonfire to the other contestants because I know my team and I will never end up here. Not if me and my three-step plan have anything to say about it!
Espio: Hmmm, this doesn't seem very secretive. Oh well, I guess if Razor says so it must be true. He wouldn't lie.
"Next up is the cafeteria," Razor threw his hands skywards as the islanders all stood around two long, rectangular tables in the middle of an old, dilapidated building. Two double doors served as the main entrance to the building while a large, glassless window was carved into the wall on the opposite side. Beside the window was a sliding door that led into the kitchen.
A blue hedgehog dressed in what appeared to be metallic pants and a visor over his head stepped out, an angered but stern scowl on his face.
"And this is Chef Zonic. He'll oversee cooking all our meals and also will help me out on the challenges," Razor explained.
"Nice to meet you," Blaze extended her hand in greeting. Zonic just looked at it, then flicked his gaze to her before turning around and walking back to the kitchen.
"I don't get paid to make friends. Just to cook," Zonic called as he slid the door shut.
"He's quite the charmer," Silver mentioned.
"Maybe he's already been taken over by the brain slugs," Sticks gasped in paranoia.
"Brain slugs?" Mighty asked.
"I think it's best not to entertain her crazy notions," Tails said. Razor then lead them to two large, decrepit, cockroach infested cabins, one green and one yellow. They were spaced about twenty meters apart, completely identical and each one had a balcony with a wall that ran straight through the middle that cut the cabin into two symmetrical sides. In each side were four bunk beds, a couple closets and two bedside tables.
"And these," Razor gestured, "are your sleeping quarters. One cabin for each team and each cabin is split into a boy's side and a girl's side."
"But we haven't been put into teams yet," Sonic pointed out.
"Yeah, how do I know where to go?" Mighty added
"That's exactly what I was about to do if you'd just let me do my job," Razor stared at Mighty with a disapproving scowl.
"Alright, sorry," Mighty surrendered. "The floor is yours."
"Perfect. Now, you will be split into two teams. The first team will consist of Big, Shade, Sonic, Cream, Espio, Charmy, Mighty and Knuckles. You will officially be known as the Chaos Emeralds!"
"Awesome," Knuckles and Sonic shared a fist bump.
"Looks like you and I are gonna be on the same team," Charmy smiled to Cream, who giggled in reply.
"That means that the rest of you, Amy, Tails, Sticks, Vector, Fiona, Blaze, Silver and Rouge, you will known as the Golden Rings!"
"I like the sound of that name," Rouge smirked.
"Better known for something of beauty than something of chaos," Tails stated.
"Chaos Emeralds are known for their sheer power, just like my team," Shade shouted.
"Your team?" Espio raised a sceptical eyebrow.
"Well I am our strongest member."
"Enough!" Razor bellowed. "Put your stuff in your cabins and meet me down at the bonfire to learn about your first challenge." The campers grumbled as they hoisted their bags onto their backs and walked to their appropriate cabins.
Rouge: I can't believe I'm being forced to stay in such disgusting accommodation. There are literally spiders everywhere.
Cream: The cabins are a little bit scary, and I have to share with the only other girl on my team. Shade. N-not that I don't like her, it's just that she's just a bit… full on. Oh gosh, I hope she doesn't see this.
Shade: Great, I have to share with little miss scared-of-everything. Oh well, I guess I only have to share with one girl, unlike the rest of them over in the yellow-belly cabin.
Razor hummed a tune to himself as he leant against the lectern, waiting for the islanders to finish setting up and make their way over to the pristine bay. He glanced at his wristwatch, shaking his head in disappointment.
"Maybe you should have expressed how much time matters when they are staring in a T.V show," the woman beside him said.
"As always, you are absolutely right," Razor smiled as he snaked a hand around Abyss, the feminie squid and Razor's bride-to-be.
"Am I interrupting something?" a dark voice asked from behind the duo. Razor recoiled his hand and spun around, his shocked eyes falling on the body of the dark hedgehog standing before him with menacing, red and yellow eyes.
"Ah, Mephiles, what are you doing here?" Razor asked.
"You invited me to come compete in your reality show, don't you remember, cousin?" Mephiles, Razor's younger cousin, asked.
"Oh, yes, quite right," Razor stalled. He shot a glance towards Abyss, hoping that she'd step in and help but she remained quiet.
"You didn't forget, did you?"
"No, of course not… it's just that…" Razor trailed off, trying to find a solution.
"You better not have."
"Well, Mephiles, we are already full with contestants."
"What?" Mephiles clenched his fists.
"But, you can still be on the show. I need you to help me out with this first challenge. If you do a good job, then I'll let you replace whichever sucker these islanders vote off first. Deal?"
"Fine."
"Now, quickly, get out of here before they see you," Razor hurried him away as the first of the contestants sprinted into view.
"Alright, I'm ready for our first challenge," Sonic grinned as he slumped down on one of the logs. "Hey, who's the girl?"
"All will be explained once everybody else gets here."
Sonic: I guess I should slow down a bit. Meh, I'm used to waiting for others to catch up. It gives me time to work on catching some extra Z's.
Sonic was snoring loudly by the time Fiona, the final contestant, made her way down the sandy path and took a seat at one of the logs dumped unceremoniously onto the sand surrounding the fire and Razor's lectern.
"Welcome, everybody, to Treacherous Isle. I have one more person I'd like to introduce you all to. My wonderful Fiancé, Abyss," Razor announced.
"Wow, congratulations on getting engaged," Amy cheered.
"How much did he pay you to marry him?" Knuckles asked.
"Yeah, it couldn't have been cheap," Silver added with a chuckle.
"He pays me fifty dollars a week to stay with him," Abyss joined in the joke.
"Enough!" Razor silenced them. "Anyway, it's time for our first challenge."
"And what is this challenge?" Rouge asked sarcastically.
"I was getting to that," Razor whined. "I was originally going to make you all hike up the volcano and collect something for me, but since it's already late and Abyss convinced me into letting you ease into this game, I've decided to postpone the first challenge until tomorrow morning, so you can all get a good night sleep and get to know each other a little better."
"Yes, that's awesome, bro," Vector cheered.
"In that case, I'm going to go get my beauty sleep for tomorrow," Rouge decided, standing up to stretch her aching limbs.
"Razor, Froggy and I want to know when we get food," Big asked.
"Of course. Zonic has prepared dinner for tonight so you can all go indulge yourself. He cooked steaks tonight!"
"I love a good steak," Vector cheered.
"I also enjoy pampering myself with the seared rump of a cow every now and then," Espio nodded with folded arms.
"You're the real life of the party, aren't you Espio," Mighty chuckled.
"C'mon, last one to the cafeteria is a rotten egg," Sonic taunted as he jumped up and hastened away.
Amy: That blue hedgehog never slows down. I have to say, he's pretty attractive, though.
Mighty: I don't know about my team. We have the youngest two members, plus Big who seems to only be concerned with food. Espio's pretty weird too, and Shade seems so bossy already. I guess I'll just have to make friends with Sonic and Knuckles.
Silver: I think I'm going to like Abyss. She makes Razor almost tolerable. Almost.
The sun sank low in the salmon sky, giving way to night and the encroaching shadows that ebbed their way across the island, casting the plants and sandy beaches into darkness. The crescent moon draped the ground in an eerie glow as all the sixteen islanders gorged on the wonderful food and finally retreated to their cabins where they tried to get some sleep for the big challenge the following day.
"Hey guys, I'm gonna go hit the showers," Sonic addressed his cabin. "Anybody wanna come join me?"
"No thanks. I'm stuffed. Couldn't move if I wanted to," Knuckles sighed contently as he lay on top of his blankets, his head resting on his arm that draped behind him.
"No thanks, I'm kinda s-scared of the dark," Charmy admitted.
"I'm more of morning shower person," Espio said.
"Froggy is already asleep. I can't just leave him," Big added.
"I'll come," Mighty shrugged. "Less of a line at night than there will be in the morning."
"Awesome, then let's go," Sonic threw open the door, grabbing his towel and toiletries. "I hear the toilet block is just down this path."
"Hey, no sprinting, you know I can't keep up," Mighty called.
"Oh, right," Sonic laughed as he stopped and waited for Mighty to catch up. The two walked down the twisting path towards the toilet block, exchanging small talk as they got to know each other a little better.
"So, what do you think of our team?" Mighty asked when they were far enough away that they didn't have to be scared of being overheard.
"I think I'd rather be on the other team to be honest."
"Tell me about it. Not to be mean, but I don't think Charmy and Cream will be the greatest help in challenges."
"And Shade seems like a massive tool," Sonic added.
"And can you believe Espio?"
"Seared rump of a cow," Sonic mocked his tone as the laughed together.
"And Big is… well…"
"Big," Sonic chuckled.
"I'm glad I've at least found somebody that thinks the same way as me," Mighty smiled. "It makes having to stay in a cabin and humiliate myself on live television bearable."
"Just remember why we're here."
"The fifty thousand dollars," both Sonic and Mighty sighed contently in unison.
"It sucks that you've been getting the short end of the stick," Sonic mentioned as they arrived at the toilet block.
"What do you mean?"
"Like, Razor seems to pick on you more than anybody else at the moment."
"Meh, it's alright, I'm used to it," Mighty shrugged. "It's not like it's going to affect me in challenges."
"I guess. Mind if I take the first shower? I'll be fast."
"I don't doubt it," Mighty chuckled. "Sure, go for it." Sonic stepped into the small shack that acted as a toilet block. On one side it had a small bathroom with a shower and three cubicles in it with an identical area for females around the other side. Mighty leant back against the egg-shell white wood, resting his boot up against the wall when he heard a twig snap in the distance. He squinted out into the darkness, but couldn't see anything.
Suddenly, as fast as lightning, a shadowy figure shot out of the bushes and attacked him. All Mighty could do was let out a scream before a damp rag was shoved into his face and he felt his sense leave him.
"Mighty, you alright?" Sonic asked as he poked his head out of the door, concerned. All he saw was the figure of something carrying Mighty's unconscious body into the forest. Sonic shouted, but the figure disappeared before he could do anything. Adrenaline rushed through his veins as he wrapped his towel tightly around him and sprinted off back to his cabin to warn the others.
Sonic barely noticed his towel slip from his waist as he sprinted down the winding path. He burst open the door frantically calling for his teammates.
"Woah, dude, gross, put some pants on," Knuckles covered his eyes as Sonic babbled, completely naked.
"What? Oh, crud," Sonic grabbed a pillow off the bed and covered his privates.
"Seriously," Espio sighed. "That was my pillow."
"None of that matters right now. There's a killer on the island!"
"What happened, bro?" Vector asked.
"Mighty and I were having a shower and-"
"You two were having a shower together, eh?" Knuckles winked with a snide grin.
"Shut up, you idiot," Sonic raised the pillow to toss at him but remembered his situation and brought it back to cover himself. He quickly rummaged around his drawers and threw on some pants.
"Guys, seriously, let him talk. If there is a killer I wanna know about it," Charmy piped up worriedly.
"I was taking a shower and Mighty was waiting outside when suddenly I heard him scream. I peeked out to look and I saw a shadowy figure, that definitely wasn't Razor, dragging his unconscious body into the forest."
"But that would mean…" Espio trailed off as fear crept into the hearts of all the boys and their faces drained of colour.
"We need to warn the others!" Knuckles urged as they all jumped up, still in pyjamas and boxers. Knuckles banged on the girls' dorm while Sonic and Espio raced over to the Golden Ring cabin to warn them. One by one, all fifteen islanders were alert and awake and raced down to the bonfire where Razor awaited them, almost expectantly.
"Razor?" Blaze asked incredulously.
"How did you know we'd come to the bonfire?" Tails probed.
"Somebody's been kidnapped, haven't they?" Razor asked.
"How did you…"
"Who was it?"
"They got Mighty," Sonic sighed.
"Great, Mephiles made a good first choice," Razor laughed.
"What is going on. Tell me right now, you interrupted my beauty sleep for this," Rouge threatened.
"Islanders, welcome to your very first challenge. Surviving the serial killer! Last camper to survive the entire night without being captured and tortured will win!" Razor announced loudly.
"He's joking about the t-torture part, right?" Cream asked nervously.
"The hunt is on!"
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter of my newest story! This was more of an introduction than anything else and so no islander was eliminated today, but next chapter the first elimination will occur so be patient. If you enjoyed, please leave a review and tell me what you thought. I'll try to upload as frequently as possible but I can't promise anything. Thanks for reading!