Summary: An alternate universe where Ezekiel is slightly more observant, Chris is still an ass, secrets are revealed, and Courtney finally gets a break! ...or not. A Total Drama rewrite.
Rating: T
Author's Notes: First chapter takes place right after both lunch and the challenge, just in case anyone wanted some clarifications. First story for this fandom, hope you guys like it! I really hope I got the characterization down though...
"Hey Zeke."
Lazily waving over to his toque-wearing teammate, Harold let out a grunt as he took a seat next to the homeschooler. The other boy barely spared the red-head a glance, his gaze fixed on the female weight-lifter working out in front of him.
"It's Ezekiel." He corrected simply.
Harold shrugged, turning to observe Eva lift up weights that would easily break both his arms. He was originally practicing his martial arts skills in the woods for tomorrow's next challenge (especially considering the fact that his team failed today's challenge), but after DJ ran past him screeching out 'bear', the nerd didn't think twice before running back to camp with his black belt between his legs.
Several seconds of silence passed between the pair before Ezekiel finally spoke up.
"Eva's really strong, isn't she?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, she's pretty ripped. It wouldn't surprise me if she could snap people like Duncan or DJ like twigs." He shuddered. "You don't have a crush on her, do you?"
The prairie boy raised an eyebrow, confused. "Uh… I think she would crush me first, eh."
"No, I mean – just never mind."
Ezekiel shrugged, frowning. "It's just…" he seemed to struggle for the right words before continuing. "I never knew girls could be strong."
Harold blinked. "…What?"
"Girls are weaker than guys." He repeated, sounding as if that was an actual fact. "My dad always told me that."
The red-head stared at his teammate with an incredulous look. The homeschooler began to grow uncomfortable under the nerd's gaze, awkwardly scratching his chin. "…Am I wrong?"
"Dude…" Harold groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose in disbelief. "Please tell me you didn't say anything like that out loud."
"No…?"
"Good." The red-head let out a sigh. "Gosh, I don't even wanna imagine what would happen to you if Eva, or any of the girls heard you say that." He turned to the other boy with a serious look on his face. "Look man, forget everything your dad said. The world's changed a lot since his time. Girls can be just as strong as guys, if not stronger."
The nerd threw a wary glance at Eva. "She's living proof of that. Got it dude? I don't wanna see you get voted off early just because of a simple mistake."
"Oh." The brunette stared down. "Thank you."
"Don't sweat it man." Harold chuckled proudly, throwing an arm around the other boy's shoulders. "Stick with me, and we'll be headed to the winner's circle in no time. Just call me, sensei."
Ezekiel simply raised an amused eyebrow as Harold continued on, bragging about his so-called 'skills' with an arm still slung around the homeschooler.
"This is unbelievable! I can't be the first to go! I'm a CIT, for crying out loud!"
Whimpering to herself as she paced through the forest, Courtney bit down on her fist as she thought back to today's unfortunate events.
Not only was she one of the few who refused to jump the cliff and ended up with a stupid chicken hat; thanks to that delinquent's comments at lunch, the brunette just knew the odds fell even further from her favor.
She let out a defeated groan as she collapsed against the back wall of the guys' cabin, burying her face in her palms in utter embarrassment. If she came back as the first one voted off the show, she would be a complete laughingstock back at her school!
Any chance at her becoming the school president would be shot to hell, all the d-bags at Yearbook Committee would make it a point to put 'Reality TV'S Biggest Loser', and her parents…
Courtney shook her head, lightly slapping her cheeks. 'No time for whining. I have to win this. I'm not going down without a fight!'
Holding her head high, she turned to walk back into camp when a familiar voice spoke up, freezing her in place.
"So who are you voting off tonight?" The voice she recognized as Harold questioned. "I'm going for Courtney. No offense to her but gosh, I agree with Duncan on this one. She didn't jump for us, and DJ has more to offer."
The CIT's heart sank, her fingers gripping her side in disappointment.
Another voice answered, a thick Canadian accent Courtney recognized as Ezekiel's sounding indifferent. "I'm voting for Duncan, eh."
She blinked in shock.
"Duncan? Why him?"
"He just rubs me the wrong way. I mean, one of the first things he did when he came here was threaten that Noah guy. Not only that, he honestly doesn't have much to give to our team. We already have Eva, Tyler, DJ, and Geoff for strength. I don't know about that Bridgette girl, but Courtney says she's a uh, Z-I-T and she seems pretty smart."
The CIT frowned at the mistake, but let out a quiet hum of agreement.
"That's true… It would be bad to have a team of mostly muscle. We don't know if all the challenges are going to be physical."
Courtney heard a thoughtful noise from the red-head. "I'm changing my vote. I'm going with you, Zeke."
"It's Ezekiel, eh."
The brunette heard a soft shuffle of feet, followed by footsteps and quiet conversation she didn't quite register slowly fading away as the pair walked away from the wood cabin.
Courtney stood on the grassy dirt for several seconds before finally moving, an idea to win back the favor of her fellow teammates firmly planting itself in the CIT's head.
'Okay, I already know two people aren't voting for me,' she thought to herself, approaching a chatting Eva and Bridgette. 'I doubt I can convince the guys, so I'll try the next best thing. We gals have to stick together after all… hopefully.'
"Hey girls!" the brunette greeted, flashing a fake smile at the pair. "Is it okay if I talk to you two for a quick second?"
Eva raised an eyebrow and shared a look with an unsure Bridgette. "Look Miss 'CIT', we know that you're going to try and convince us not to vote for you, but what Piercings said back at lunch was right."
Bridgette looked apologetic. "I'm sorry Courtney."
"N-No wait, just hear me out!" The brunette quickly stepped in front of the girls, forcing back a nervous stutter as she continued. "Look, I know I messed up on today's challenge, but I will help you guys in later challenges, I swear! I have more to offer than Duncan, at least!"
The weight-lifter seemed impressed by the bravery in her statement, but remained unconvinced. "You saying we vote him off rather than you? If I remember correctly," she jabbed an accusing finger at the chicken hat still sitting on the other girl's head. "he's not the one wearing a chicken hat."
"W-Well," she swallowed. "I have knowledge that someone like him could never have! I'm-"
"A CIT, yadda yadda yadda, we've heard all this before."
Courtney mentally swore. Her defense was falling apart, and her teammates were beginning to look bored and just about ready to leave.
No. The brunette closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had no other choice, and she was desperate not to be the first voted off.
"Well, what about the fact that he's a threat to our safety?" The CIT turned to the uncomfortable blonde standing beside Eva. "Remember when Noah first came here, and the first thing Duncan did to the poor guy was threaten to stab his face with a knife? Who's to say he won't snap and try to hurt any one of us? Hasn't he even been in and out of juvie? I'm pretty sure Chris can confirm that."
Eva's eyes widened as she turned to Bridgette for confirmation. The surfer looked uncomfortable at being put on the spot, but nodded slowly. "Actually… I do remember Duncan pointing something sharp at Noah. I… I wasn't paying that much attention, but now that you mention it…"
"And Chris let someone like that on the show?" Courtney shook her head, observing Eva's nervous behavior and Bridgette's growing fear. "Not only that, even if he wasn't dangerous, we don't need him anyway. The only thing he can likely contribute to the Killer Bass is strength, and you Eva, practically carry our entire team in that category. Hell, I'm even going to come out and say you're the strongest person in this entire camp!"
Eva snorted in agreement, the brunette smiling back as she stroked the weight-lifter's ego. She turned to Bridgette, who seemed more fearful of Courtney's image of Duncan over anything else.
"So what do you say? Vote for Duncan instead of me?"
Eva looked thoughtful and shrugged. "I'll think about it. I will say though that you make a good point."
Bridgette didn't say anything, opting to stare awkwardly at the ground. "Maybe…"
Courtney gave the pair a shaky smile as she watched the two girls walk off, Bridgette running into both Sadie and Katie before seeming to strike a conversation with the gal pals. The CIT hoped the blonde would mention their talk, but she knew the chances were slim.
This wasn't exactly the answer she wanted, but she knew that the tiny seed of doubt she had planted in their minds was quickly growing into a tree of distrust.
Hopefully, that tree wouldn't die before the bonfire ceremony.
"Welcome campers, to the very first bonfire ceremony!"
Chris grinned as he walked up to the downtrodden Killer Bass, a plate with exactly ten marshmallows on hand. Several of the losing group's members glared daggers at their excited host, while others seemed indifferent to the man.
He chuckled at their reactions before picking up one of the ten marshmallows, holding it up for the entire group to see. "This right here is a marshmallow. In camp, it is a tasty treat that is eaten around the campfire."
He raised an eyebrow. "Here, it symbolizes survival. The right to stay in the game. When I call your name, come up and receive a marshmallow. When you receive one, you are safe. The person that does not receive a marshmallow must immediately walk the dock of shame, board the boat of losers, and leave. And they can never come back."
His eyes narrowed at the nervous teens. "Ever."
The group glanced at each other, faces with varying expressions of concern and hope scattered amongst the losers, the mood in the ceremony solemn.
Their host simply grinned. "The first person safe is…. Geoff."
"Alright!" The party animal cheered, standing up to receive his marshmallow before retreating back to his seat.
"Tyler."
The athlete pumped his fist into the air and received his own treat.
"Katie, Sadie."
The pair giggled to each other happily as they ran up to retrieve their marshmallows.
"Bridgette."
The surfer girl nodded and walked over to get her own marshmallow of safety. Courtney eyed her suspiciously as the blonde walked back to her own seat, Bridgette seeming to avoid her gaze before smiling at a waving Geoff.
"Harold."
Ezekiel gave the nerd a congratulatory thumbs-up as the red-head stood up to receive his treat. Harold smiled at the sentiment.
"Ezekiel."
The brunette nodded, walking up to receive his marshmallow. He inspected the squishy treat with a discerning eye before throwing it in his mouth with a shrug. His newfound friend let a hand rest on the prairie boy's shoulder.
"Eva."
The weight lifter let out a grunt as she walked up to Chris, snatching up the sticky treat before walking back to her seat. Duncan eyed her suspiciously as he glanced around, looking confused at why his name had yet to be called.
"And DJ," He handed a marshmallow to the relieved nature-lover. "You are all safe."
Realization seemed to hit the punk like a pair of bricks as he glared darkly at his teammates, muttering out several swears that were sure to be censored once this episode aired on TV. Courtney swallowed, her palms covered in cold sweat as she breathed.
"Campers, this is the final marshmallow of the evening. The contestant who does not receive a marshmallow will be eliminated, never allowed to return to the island again."
The CIT shot a dark glare at the male teen, who in turn raised a finger that once again, would be censored. The brunette rolled her eyes in distaste while their host raised an amused eyebrow.
"The final marshmallow,"
Courtney began to bite her nails, her fingers trembling in fear.
"Of the night goes to…"
Duncan swallowed thickly, his gaze fixed on the final sweet treat.
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"Courtney!"
The brunette felt her legs nearly give out from relief as she took a shaky breath and walked up, a tired smile on her lips as she gratefully ate the last marshmallow.
Duncan's jaw dropped as he let out several colorful swears and shot up, shooting daggers at all his other teammates as he pointed an aggravating finger at the CIT. "YOU CHOSE THIS [BLEEP] [BLEEP] OVER ME?! SERIOUSLY, WHAT THE [BLEEP] IS WRONG WITH YOU [BLEEP]!"
Bridgette's eyes widened, a terrified look on her face as she shrunk back in fear. Eva on the other hand, took a fighting stance, more than ready to knock Duncan's block off if he tried anything.
Courtney smiled victoriously, turning to the two girls with an 'I-told-you-so' expression.
Harold glanced down at Ezekiel, who looked back at him with an indifferent shrug.
"Cool it hotshot," Chris commented, watching with an entertained expression as Chef grabbed the punk and began dragging him to the dock of shame. Duncan let out a barrage of swears as Chris leaned in to talk to him. "Look on the bright side, it's just like juvie! It's where all the losers are."
The host laughed as Duncan struggled against the much stronger Chef, enjoying the scene thoroughly as the burly man tightly tied the punk tightly to the boat before sending it off with a grin as its captive screamed in anger and frustration.
Courtney grinned victoriously as she ran onto the dock, waving mockingly at the departing boat. "Bye bye, tough guy!"
"SCREW YOU!"
Chris laughed as Courtney walked back to the bonfire, grinning as he turned to the remaining Killer Bass members. "And with that campers, the rest of you are safe. You can head on back to your cabins."
The group nodded, each looking worn out by today's events as they all walked back to their living quarters.
Courtney smiled knowingly as she passed by both Bridgette and Eva. The two girls nodded back to her.
"Gosh, I'm glad I voted for Duncan," Harold commented, walking alongside Ezekiel. "When he started yelling at us, I thought he would bring out some kind of hidden knife and start stabbing us or something. Like in those slasher flicks. Usually not in the good ones though. I like it better if they foreshadow stuff like that, it makes it seem less like an asspull."
The prairie boy raised a confused eyebrow but neglected to comment, yawning as the pair walked into their cabin.
Their gleeful host watched them from the bonfire, turning to the camera with a charismatic smile.
"And there you have it! The very first elimination of the season. Who will be the next to walk the dock of shame? Tune in next time to find out, right here on Total! Drama! Island!"
Voting Confessionals
Geoff
Geoff shrugs, not looking quite that apologetic. "Sorry dudette, but Duncan's right. You should've jumped. It wasn't that bad."
Tyler
Tyler shrugs. "Sorry Courtney. Gotta vote someone off. Nothing personal."
Katie & Sadie
Katie and Sadie holds each other with fearful expressions on their faces. "We were supposed to vote for Courtney, but then Bridgette told us about Duncan and how scary he is!"
Sadie shakes her head. "Poor Noah!"
"Oh my gosh, I was just thinking the same thing!"
"Oh my gosh, me too!"
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-"
Bridgette
Bridgette looks down with an unsure expression on her face. When she finally looks at the camera, she sighs in defeat.
"I hope I made the right choice… I'm sorry Duncan…"
Harold
Harold shrugs. "Sorry man, but Zeke made a good point."
Ezekiel
Ezekiel frowns thoughtfully at the camera. "There's something about Duncan that just doesn't feel right…"
Eva
Eva snorts, crossing her arms. "No way in hell am I letting some maniac run loose in the island. And besides, even if all the crap Courtney said about Duncan wasn't true,"
She smiles confidently, flexing both her arms. "She is right about us not needing another tough guy to bring us down. I'm all this team needs."
DJ
DJ awkwardly scratches the back of his head. "Sorry Courtney."
Courtney
Courtney looks up with a pleading and desperate look on her face. "Please, oh please don't let me be the first one voted off! I'm begging whatever power out there to take Duncan, not me!"
Duncan
Duncan grins confidently at the camera. "Sorry princess, but it looks like you and your CIT butt will be headed on back home."
Ending Notes: I kicked off Duncan instead of either DJ or Courtney... Anyone surprised? Mildly annoyed? Confused? Tell me in the reviews! All constructive criticism is welcome!
It's rather long for a beginning, but ah well.