"So that's why you're on my ship?" asked the Captain as everyone was huddling for warmth in the bathrobes they had been given in place of there wet clothes.
The Captain was every inch the typical clean cut head of a ship. Neatly pressed suit, hat firmly on head and possessing the type of middle aged male good looks that Chris could only hope of achieving.
"Pretty much," said Chris as he took a sip of his hot latte which he demanded he receive before even thinking about explaining their whole situation.
"Well I must say we're used to celebrities on The Princess Explorer but never any from reality TV," chuckled the Captain. His ship ran regular High Class tours and was one of the most luxurious on the seas.
"Yeah, anyways is there any chance you could drop us off at the nearest place with an airport and we'll just be on our way," said Chris taking another sip.
"I'm afraid Hawaii was our last stop before directly heading to Los Angeles, we don't make port for another 3 weeks," explained the Captain.
"That's okay," said Heather smiling while she was ogling one of the cute male medics. "I've always wanted to go on a nice Hawaiian cruise," she added while stretching out to get comfortable.
"I'm afraid there's no such thing as a free lunch Miss," said the Captain removing his hat. "You see we're perfectly willing to help unfortunate souls who we find shipwrecked or lost at sea but we do ask in return that they help around on the ship with daily tasks, just to maintain there keep if you will," he added rubbing the back of his head apologetically.
"You want us to work?" exclaimed Chris with a growing sense of dread. "Doing what?" he enquired urgently.
"Just simple tasks like washing plates, cleaning public areas and so forth," explained the Captain. "I know it seems unreasonable and I hate asking but I can't let our budget take a hit, no matter how small it may be," he said putting his hat back on.
"What if we refuse?" asked Duncan who was still shaking. "I don't know about the rest of you but I don't like the thought of scrubbing toilets for 3 weeks, especially when there's thousands of passengers aboard," he said before coughing.
"If anything I think you'll be spending the most of that time here if that cough is any indication," said the Doctor putting on her stethoscope and examining Duncan's breathing. She was quite a petite woman with short mousy brown hair and black thick framed glasses very similar to Harold's.
"Suit's me sweetheart," Duncan flirted before another wracking cough silenced him.
"I hope you don't refuse," responded the Captain now that Duncan had quieted down. I'd have to confine you our brig with no access to facilities. If you at least worked I could let you all have access to a pool for a short period at off peak times."
"What about your flow rider?" asked Bridgette while cuddling close to a sniffling Geoff.
"I'm afraid that's quite a popular feature of our ship, you wouldn't have access to that," answered the Captain.
"I mean could I work at the flow rider showing people how to surf?" explained Bridgette.
"Possibly, if our current instructor needs some assistance and he feels you have enough experience to aide him then I don't see a problem with that proposal," the Captain replied.
"You mean we can do other things besides cleaning the toilets?" asked Gwen who was also coughing quite badly.
"I'm a reasonable man," said the Captain. "If any of you can think of qualifications you possess that could be applied to any of our facilities then I'd be willing to let you work there," he said smiling as the problems seemed to be smoothing out.
"So I could whip some maggots into sha…I mean be a gym instructor?" asked Eva with a rare smile.
"Could I play music for the other passengers?" asked Trent.
"I could cook for you," Chef offered.
"NO!" screamed the entire cast and Chris in unison while looking at Chef with wide eyes.
"It was just a suggestion," he said dejectedly.
"What about doin what ya do best," said a voice from the doorway.
"What do you mean young sir?" asked the Captain as everyone turned to see the teen boy that had thrown them the life preserver.
"Well these lot are reality TV stars; they've been in 3 seasons of a popular show, why not let em do a 4th season on the ship?" suggested Ozzy.
"Are you mad? There are no television cameras on board this ship and even if there were, what would the other passengers think?" asked the Captain.
"They'd probably be made up and think it a memorable experience. They paid for a relaxin break on the ocean waves and end up bein the audience for Total Drama Cruise," said Ozzy.
"Total Drama Cruise?" came multiple confused whispers.
"Well that's only a suggestion for the show's name," said Ozzy slightly embarrassed by the silly title. In truth he'd literally made it up on the spur of the moment.
"It's a novel idea I'll admit young sir but I don't think the Cruise Line owners will agree to such a suggestion," said the Captain smiling half-heartedly.
"Is there anyway you could contact them?" asked Chris. "If it means milking, I mean getting attention on the ship and us another series I'm pretty sure everyone would be up for it, right guys?" he enquired while looking to get the groups consent.
"Already!" exclaimed Heather. "I just won the last series an hour ago and you want us to jump straight in to another one."
"You're right Heather, you can be a wuss and clean toilets; I on the other hand look forward to finally qualifying for another series and proving how great a competitor I really am," said Eva with a wicked grin. She was finally looking at her second chance to prove herself and wasn't going to let it slip by.
"Now, now, I didn't say I wouldn't, just that it seems a bit soon," Heather quickly responded while holding her hands up defensively.
"So is everyone up for Total Drama Rescue?" asked Chris causing everyone to look at him. "So titled because the ship rescued us," he monotoned to explain his choice of name.
Everyone murmured their realisation of understanding before all voicing their consent.
"You're forgetting that the owners haven't agreed to any of this," said the Captain looking around at the teens.
"Plus even if they do agree, I have some objections," interrupted the petite doctor. "You and you," she said pointing to Duncan and Gwen, "are showing strong signs of hypothermia and I'm also worried you may be getting pneumonia. I want to keep you both here for observation so no Total Drama anything until I clear you."
"You can't do that!" they both yelled before their coughing silenced them.
The doctor just gave a perplexed 'I told you so' glance to them both.
"Aw tough luck," said Heather smugly. With 2 less competitors she stood a better chance of winning.
"Well that makes it easier," said Chris. "Now there'll be exactly 20 competitors; four teams of 5 for the first challenge which…" he started.
"So we're up to 4 teams now?" interrupted Leshawna raising an eyebrow.
"Just for the first challenge, I have a really cool idea; see it'll be…" Chris began again.
"There's only 19 of em mate," said Ozzy as he finished doing a quick count.
"Huh?" Chris said turning to the teen at the door.
"I only count 19, someone's missin," he said trying to figure out who had disappeared since he last saw them.
"Where's Izzy?" Owen asked causing Chris, Chef and the other competitors to go rigid.
A scream could be heard from someplace near.
"You had to ask," said Duncan huddling up.
"Don't run," said Izzy as multiple passengers were fleeing on deck in the opposite direction. "Bathrobicus is a friendly deity; she wishes to bless you all," she added while holding her arms out in a welcoming manner.
"Izzy what in the world are you doing?" asked Courtney as she, Chris, Chef, the Captain and all the other teens bar Duncan, Gwen and Sierra arrived. Izzy was currently wearing her bathrobe like a toga and had a stolen stethoscope backwards on her head so it looked like a wreath.
"I Bathrobicus, the Romanian goddess of the sea, am looking for subjects to bless," Izzy said while gesturing to the ocean.
"Bathrobicus?" asked the Captain, incredibly confused.
"Romanian?" asked Eva.
"Yeah Romanian, check out my cool Romanian crown," said Izzy pointing to the stethoscope on her head.
"I think she means Roman," said Cody as he was gasping for air. He had done far too much physical activity today.
"Did you know laurel wreaths were awarded to athletic victors in Greek times and to conquering generals in Roman times?" asked Harold.
"So not the time Harold," said Chris with a sideways glance.
"Hey Izzy, guess what?" said Owen excitedly while hopping from foot to foot.
"I'm Bathrobicus!" stated Izzy while standing firm and proud, mimicking a scene she had seen in a movie.
"Well Iz…er Bathrobicus, we're doing another season right here on this ship," Owen gushed.
"What is it with you people?" asked the Captain incredulously. "I haven't even asked the owners any of this yet."
"Well why not ask Zeke, with his wicked mop combat skills he looks like he could own everything on board," said Izzy pointing to a balcony just above and behind her.
Following the direction of her finger they all noticed Ezekiel crouching on the edge of the balcony. He was currently growling at them and brandishing his mop in one hand like he was poised to strike.
"Zeke!" shouted everyone in perfect unison while staring in disbelief.
"That no good slimy worm," glowered Heather. "He cost me my million dollars. When I get a hold of him I'm gonna wring his scrawny neck and then throw him overboard to drown."
"Bathrobicus doesn't think so. Zekey boy has been scaring off her subjects with his growling, and the mop attacks and his smell like 5 day unwashed Owen," smirked Izzy while holding her hands behind her back and rocking from side to side.
"Son, get down from there at once before you hurt yourself or someone else," said the Captain in a firm voice while taking a step forward.
"Oh isn't he so dreamy?" asked Sadie turning to her BFFFL Katie.
"I know; such presence, such compassion, and such nice tight…" Katie trailed off dreamily before she and Sadie stated squealing in delight.
Zeke covered his ears and winced in pain at the noise before growling. He grabbed his mop in both hands and jumped off the balcony towards Katie and Sadie.
"Look out!" yelled the Captain as he dove towards the two girls and pushed them out of the way of Zeke's swing causing the mop handle to smash as it solidly hit the deck.
"You saved our lives," said Katie in impressed disbelief.
"You're our hero," said Sadie smiling wide and clapping in joy.
"Not now girls," said the Captain standing up and glaring at Zeke. "Son what is wrong with you?" he roared.
Zeke looked at his broken mop with sorrow.
"Best guess; I'd say everything," said Noah slowly backing away as Zeke held the now pointy mop handle in his hand while slowly advancing at the Captain.
"He's gone crazy…er," screamed Cody.
"Oh no my Cody's in trouble," cried Sierra in the infirmary. She had wanted to go with Cody and the others but her legs, while getting some sensation back in them, weren't fully healed yet.
"How can ya tell love?" asked Ozzy who had stayed in the infirmary. He had never seen so many people exit a room as fast as the Captain and the teens had just moments before.
"I just know in my heart of hearts," she said clutching her necklace close to her chest.
"He your bloke then?" Ozzy asked with a sly grin.
"Huh?" Sierra said confused by his words.
"Forgive me British; is he your boyfriend?" he translated.
"It's complicated," she said with a slight disappointed frown.
"Well if ya want I'll go check on him; I've said me piece and I'm going back to me room now anyways," said Ozzy backing away towards the door.
"Oh thank you ever so much kind sir," Sierra squealed.
"No worries love," said Ozzy backing out the door. "…and call me Oz…" he added before going silent. He had turned and was stunned to silence by what he saw.
"Somebody save the brave Captain," cried Katie and Sadie as they hugged each other for comfort.
The Captain was currently lying prone on the deck with a raging Zeke sitting on top of him. They were both struggling to get the makeshift mop handle stake.
"Somebody do something," said Chris hiding behind Chef.
"Like what? That psycho'll stab anybody who goes near," complained Chef who didn't appreciate being used as a shield.
"Leshawna, do you still have my num-yo's?" asked Harold as he turned to the large girl.
"Baby what you talking bout?" she asked quite surprised by his question.
"Well do you?" he asked urgently.
"Course I do," said Leshawna taking the num-yo's out of her back pocket.
"Thanks," said Harold abruptly before grabbing them from her. "Time to unleash my mad skills," he said before twirling the num-yo's around his head to gather momentum.
Zeke seemed to spot something straight ahead of him as he suddenly stopped struggling.
"Booyah!" yelled Harold as he expertly wrapped one end of his num-yo's around the broken mop and yanked, pulling the pointy wood away from Zeke's relaxed grasp.
"That's my guy playin the hero right there," said Leshawna affectionately as she grabbed Harold in a hug.
Zeke snarled something unintelligible before jumping off of the Captain and running straight towards the other end of the deck's walkway.
"Where's he going now?" asked Chris finally leaving his hiding place.
"Zekey said 'Gimme' and is now on the hunt," said Izzy as she readjusted her bathrobe back into its normal way of fitting.
"The hunt for what?" asked Leshawna finally letting go of Harold.
"For him," said Izzy nodding in the direction Zeke was running.
Ozzy was frozen to the spot with fear as the feral Zeke bore down on him.
"Oh soddin hell," he said as his arms fell to his sides.