The sun began to rise over the horizon as light winds rustled across the untamed lands. Chris McClean stood atop a wooden watchtower, gleefully glancing down at the spanning terrain of rock.
"Ah, welcome back to Total Drama Exploration!" the host greeted, looking up but keeping his trademark grin. "As if we left off, we've got three teams exploring the ravages of this wild island. Last time, Team Gaea seemed to have a strong lead, but with a contraption thanks to Devlin, some magic from Gelatia, and Mandy pulling out some sneaky tricks, the team ended up losing out on immunity and having to vote one of their own. It seemed like a clear case of sending out Pepper who was doing everything possible to annoy her way out of the game, but Kane's prank on Diego led to him having a brush with death. In the end though, the vote was 3-2-1 and Pepper was sent on her way. Up next, the teams will race through the dark caves, what horrors await them? Let's find out together on Total...Drama...Exploration!"
Theme Song Plays
(Team Glamtastic)
"Wake up RIGHT NOW!" Andre barked at his team, as he was already dismantling the small tent with the rest of his team in side. "Let's go already, you lazy pigs have slept enough!"
The boy began to kick at the inhabitants who were gradually awoken by the disturbance.
"I'm up, I'm up, Boss!" Ricky exclaimed, scurrying out of the collapsing tent. "It only took one kick, ehehe, I'm ready to go! Not like the rest of these...uh...these lazy pigs!"
"I already said that!" Andre snapped at Ricky, grabbing him by the collar. "Get new material or don't speak at all!"
Andre tossed the boy to the ground.
"Got it, Boss, new material, I can do that!" Ricky exclaimed.
"Alright already!" Paige exclaimed, pulling herself out of the collapsed tarp. "Where's the fire?"
"There's no fire, you brain dead bimbo, but you might want to get a move on before we fall behind on another challenge!" Andre ordered.
"Sheesh, it's called a joke," Paige said rolling her eyes.
"Oh so you're not even taking this seriously?" Andre scoffed. "Maybe if you played other sports than extreme shopping you'd have a little sense for getting a move on."
"I'll have you know," Paige began.
"I could not give less of a crap about your shopping horror stories, just shut up and stop wasting time!" Andre said, shoving Paige aside. "What's the hold up!?"
The rest of the team gradually emerged. As Mandy stepped into the daylight though, she realized her hair had gotten frizzy overnight. She let out a shriek and dashed back under the tarp.
"This is a disaster, we can't go anywhere yet!" she cried. "I cannot risk any cute boys seeing me like this!"
"Uh, little late for that though, we've all seen you," Ricky remarked. "It's no big deal-"
"Oh no no, I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression," Mandy exclaimed. "I did say 'cute' boys though, and thankfully no one here fits that description."
"Let's all remember that our true beauty comes from our differences," Lucas added.
"Hm...well you can spread misinformation if you want, but I prefer to stick with the truth," Mandy said. "Like, otherwise you just make it harder for teachers to properly teach people, and like they already have the hardest job in the world."
"I'm not sure that's true," Paige remarked.
"Really? Well they have to learn...every single thing, which takes like...three whole years at college or something crazy like that. Waaaaay too much stress if you ask me, I could never do it, I can risk the wrinkles that comes with all that reading," Mandy shuddered.
"Hm, I agree misinformation is serious business, and if I were with my Junior Voyagers of Truth journalist integrity group, I would be taking this chance to encourage the abolishment of lying," Lotte stated. "Sadly that would conflict with the prime directive of the Hall Monitors and Beyond which is to promote peace and well being in all public areas, and we all know if everyone were as brutally honest as Mandy, the streets would be anything but peaceful. So I guess we might as well all keep lying, whether it be to ourselves or to each other."
"Why are you all filling the air with pointless stupid BABBLE when we could be winning this race right now?" Andre shouted, his face turning red.
"Okay, where exactly are we supposed to be headin', might I ask?" Paige pointed out.
"Hey! Shut up you you...you stupid woman, ehehe, don't you know that your ideas are bad cause you're dumb and uh...sexism!" Ricky exclaimed.
"Well I didn't suggest an idea, I was askin' a question, one that's kinda worth answerin'," Paige continued.
"Well uh...we're going to the uh...where we going again, Boss?" Ricky asked.
Andre just smacked Ricky in the ribcage at the question.
"WHAT!? I'm already hauling ass as the only one with any muscle on this team, and you expect me to pick up your slack too!?" Andre snapped. "What's the point of having that scrawny body if you don't have a brain to go with it!? Isn't that why we're even keeping you around!"
"We're worth more than the sum of our parts, all of us are here to support one another," Lucas said.
"Mhm, wrong," Lotte replied.
"Er, right, right," Ricky said frantically, glancing around. "I guess we're going...uh….well uh...I don't really see anything?"
"Oh good, cause I'm going to need another 20 minutes to brush out this disaster," Mandy said, still underneath the fallen tent.
Confessional:
Andre-Last round, we got a slow start and could have gone to vote because of it, so duh this time I made sure we all got up early. And all these other morons just sat around sucking their thumbs like a bunch of helpless babies, god, they're so pathetic!
Paige-(shaking head) I don't even know why I bother to butt heads with Andre. He's clearly got his head stuck up...heck if I know, but he ain't comin' down any time soon, so maybe I ought to just laugh and count the days till I can kick his butt outta my sight!
Mandy-Like I think it's great that ugly people have managed to invent so many lies they can all collectively believe. Cause like if you're ugly and then also depressed, you're just making me feel bad, but unfortunately I cannot take part since like I was taught that lying is wrong, and I'm a good person.
(Team Gaea)
The team with no tent had gathered together under a small natural alcove. The commotion from Team Glamtastic was enough to break their light rest, though.
"Can you guys keep it down?" Byron called. "Some of us are trying to make the most of whatever precious sleep we can get."
"Forget it, man," Kane sighed as he stretched out, causing several pebbles to tumble out of his shirt. "I'm not getting any sleep like this, just bruises and stiff muscles."
"You could say that again," Siobhan remarked, playing her handheld game while lying on her back. "I'd rather sleep on the cheapest mattress you can get for your Sims than spend another night like that."
"Wait...wouldn't any mattress be better than that?" Diego said in confusion.
"Trust me, it's hilarious if you know what i'm talking about," Siobhan assured.
The group gradually emerged from their cluster and stepped out into the open again. Colette was the last to emerge. She slowed down, staring at the group before her with piqued interest.
"Hm...yes….yes...oh yes!" she said with enthusiasm. "Perfect, marvelous, beautiful, I must capture this moment. The despair in your eyes, the ragged look in the hair, the dirt, it all tells a story that words could never convey."
Colette pulled out her sketchbook and circled around the group, examining them with intense focus. Diego glanced at her, but she clutched his face and turned it back to the way it was facing before.
"Please do not move, I cannot risk this snapshot being distorted, stay perfectly still, do not even breathe," Colette ordered. "The slightest change could send ripples through this natural image, warp everything beyond recognition, and then it will be gone, gone, gone forever. Hm, I don't know how I feel about the backdrop though, no, no, it loses the impact, I'm thinking a deep wide ocean would look better. Yes, yes, expansive depths of dark hopelessness!"
"Can I move yet? I have a really bad itch," Diego said.
"Absolutely not," Colette ordered.
Confessional:
Diego-So uh er...last round I was told I was screwed and I tried to pull in the votes to maybe tie the vote...and then I wasn't even in the bottom two? What in the world!? I'm still sorta reeling from all that, but definitely thrilled to still be here. Let's just uh...not do that again any time soon.
Kane-Last round did prove one thing, Diego will be very easy to make dance, and there's quite a bit of fun I can have with him. But next time, I better make sure he realizes there will be consequences for trying to put me in harm's way!
Colette-I believe I shall call my next masterpiece...The Ravages of Luxury! It represents the pain of the human heart when experience change, and the reality of death. Truly a stunning thought.
(Team Drama)
Team Drama were able to enjoy the comfort of the luxury tent. Most of the team remained in restful slumber on the mattresses provided. Casper however had once again risen early and left the group. The others slowly awoke and began to stretch out.
"Well that was certainly an improvement from our first night," Margot noted. "I don't know how I can ever go back after seeing what the winner life is like."
"You can say that again!" Devlin exclaimed, leaping off the mattress and punching the air energetically. "I feel rested and pumped, ready for anything! I say bring it on, do your worst, world! I feel like I could take on a raging bear!"
"Very well, we'll see about that," Gelatia remarked as she raised her wand. "Abra-Ka-Ursa!"
A cloud of stormy teal smoke began to form in the center of the tent, taking the shape of a snarling bear. The smoke animal lunged straight for Devlin who let out a high pitched shriek and dashed behind the mattress. In another puff, the cloud dissipated and soon it was as if it had never appeared. Other than Devlin now shaking with terror, crouched on the ground.
"Ah, seems like if that had been a real bear, you'd be torn to shreds by now. Charming," Gelatia remarked with a cruel smirk. "Perhaps think twice before making boasts you couldn't possibly upkeep. Some of us have real skills worth noting."
"This is all very nice, but overall moot," Margot stated. "A bear wouldn't just attack us for no reason. They actually prefer to avoid conflict unless provoked."
"Well, what if it was a bear who didn't want to conform to your notions of bear society?" Stephanie asked. "A rebel bear, if you will, a trendsetter who wanted to go against how he was told to act and fight back on clueless humans who thought they had the world at their fingertips!"
"Um...I don't know what your source is on all this, but bears don't think like that," Margot pointed out. "They don't care about what people think, they just...follow their natural instincts."
"Wrong, wrong, wrong," Stephanie exclaimed, dramatically throwing her head back, and pretending it didn't hurt when she bumped it against Gelatia's shoulder. "Truly tragic to have someone so trapped in the way things are 'supposed to be,' that they can't appreciate the freaks of nature."
Not being fully satisfied with the silent reaction, Stephanie continued to flail her body across the room dramatically, placing her hand over Devlin's face.
"Can you believe this? Sad, don't think think?" she said, dragging her fingers down the boy's face.
Devlin grabbed her wrist and cautiously moved her hand away from his face,
"You see, bears are misunderstood creatures," Stephanie announced, trying to put her other hand on Devlin's shoulder. "Though the world may think of them as harmless, friendly animals-"
"That's not actually the common conception," Margot pointed out. "A lot of people-"
"But in reality they are just as capable of seeking bloodshed," Stephanie continued. "They are not above making themselves known, in making their own path...which is why they are my favorite animal. I relate on a deep spiritual level that I suppose you just don't understand."
"I'd like some sources on this," Margot said skeptically. "It feels like you're just making this up as you go along."
Stephanie tried to throw her head back again, though she experienced a pain in her neck with a crack sound.
"Ooh, I can't do that again," she groaned. "But you see, unlike you, I don't rely on the information provided to me, I seek out the information that rings true to my heart. I suppose I'm just bizarre like that."
"If you're so bizarre, why aren't you the one out wandering the wild alone like Casper right now?" Gelatia asked.
"GRUHG, I was...that's just...well I was going to do that, obviously!" Stephanie exclaimed. "Yes, yes, of course, I am a wanderer deep in my soul. I've often found myself stepping out onto the empty streets early in the morning, for no other reason than to see where fate leads me."
"Next time, try it in rush hour," Gelatia remarked.
At that moment, Casper stepped into the tent wordlessly.
"Ah, good morning," Margot greeted with a nod.
"Hm, a naive claim," Casper said. "The morning young, and there is plenty of evil afoot."
"Is it bears!?" Devlin exclaimed in terror.
"The tendrils of the dark gods reach out in hidden ways that may not always be evident to the human eye," Casper stated.
"Oh phew, so it's not bears then?" Devlin exclaimed, standing up with a grin.
"Hold onto that hope while you can," Casper said solemnly.
Confessional:
Stephanie-I certainly hope I've done enough this morning to leave my impact. With so many unique people, it takes quite a bit of effort to stand out (tries to throw back her head, but remembers the pain) Being a freak is a taxing life, but i wouldn't have it any other way.
Margot-I don't enjoy correcting people who are wrong-okay that's not true, I do get some pleasure out of it, sue me! But the point is, if you go around just spewing out whatever the heck you like, well, I'm going to have to call it out. I have too much love and respect for all the research done to provide us with the facts.
Devlin-Okay, so wrestling bears is out, I'd like to keep my skin attached to my body, thanks. But I gotta find some way to show this team how awesome I am! Last round was great, my trolley saved the day, but I can't let them think that was a one time fluke.
(Team Glamtastic)
The team was currently spread out in the nearby area, in the search of any clues to their next step. Lucas lifted up rocks, checking underneath to see if anything was hidden.
"Wait, wait," Mandy said, approaching him from behind, "let me get this straight…"
"Yes?" Lucas replied.
"Okay...what are we doing, just start from the beginning," Mandy asked.
"We're trying to find a sign that'll lead us to our next challenge," Lucas answered.
"Ooh…" Mandy exclaimed. "Well...is that it?"
"No, that's a rock," Lucas answered.
"But what if it's like...metaphorically a sign?" Mandy asked. "Don't worry, I had a really cute English tutor, and like he took all my tests for me if i pretended to be his girlfriend, and I was all like who even needs to pretend when you're hot? And then it turned out he was gay, which was kind of tragic, I'm not sure where I was going with this, but it seemed relevant to like metaphors and all that, so like...yeah?"
"Well, it's still just a rock," Lucas replied.
Paige, meanwhile, noticed that several of the stones seemed to be painted gold. She let her eyes follow the trail of stones to see that they seemed to be leading through a path.
"Hey y'all!" Paige called. "I think-"
"We don't need an update on what meaningless thoughts have blown through your empty skull!" Andre snapped. "Nobody cares if you broke a nail or saw some sickingly cute animal, so stop distracting the people who can actually get the damn job done! Ricky, tell her what you've found!"
"I've uh...well, there's some...uuuh.." Ricky stammered.
"You'd better have found something, or else you're more useless than a girl!" Andre growled. "And you're nowhere near pretty enough to pull that off!"
Paige tried to use her eyes to direct Ricky towards the trail of gold stones. Seeing he was failing at picking up her hint, she began tilting her head more noticeably.
"Oh….oh...oh ho...oh," Ricky said, picking up on her cue but not spotting the intended target. "Ehehe, of course, it's so obvious, that the clue we've been looking for all along, was right in front of us...all along...it was so obvious...that we all missed it, because...all along it was….heeeey! Look! Someone painted these rocks!"
"Finally," Paige breathed in relief.
"And that's why you never put a woman in charge of directions!" Andre stated. "If we left it up to you and your 'intuition' we'd be here all day."
"As a member of the Youth Travel Program...I have no stance on the matter, since our budget has been repeatedly slashed to the point where our greatest voyage was to the parking lot," Lotte stated.
"Okay? What exactly is your point?" Ricky asked.
"There is no point, which you'll find is a common theme," Lotte said. "We'll probably just get lost again anyways. Might as well get it over with."
The group gathered up together and followed the stones. They found that it led to a gaping opening in the rock surface.
"Looks like we gotta dive deep into the dark," Paige exclaimed.
"What!? No way!" Mandy exclaimed. "It's dark and scary in there and if I die, I won't be able to check my reflection and make sure I leave a beautiful corpse for the rescue crew to find!"
"I wouldn't worry about it," Lotte said. "I highly doubt Chris will spend any expense on a rescue crew."
Confessional:
Lucas-Our team may be a little rough around the edges, but that's how you know it's working. We'll all just have to learn to accept one another...eventually. We'll get there I'm sure!
Mandy-Um hello, I'm on TV, I didn't come here so that I can have my face blurred by poor lighting. This entire challenge is like so unfair against me, what were you thinking!?
(Team Gaea)
The team of five didn't take long to spot the trail of colored stones and arrived at the same opening, just minutes after Team Glamtastic.
"Well this is just crude," Siobhan noted. "Where's the bright green tunnel!? That's the only way to get underground in style."
"Sadly, I think we'll need to be a bit more hands on out here," Byron remarked.
"Hey, I'm just saying, for as backwards as the Mushroom Kingdom may seem, there's a lot we could learn from them too," Siobhan stated. "Tunnel travel is the way of the future!"
"That sounds uh...exciting!" Diego tried to contribute.
The group gradually squeezed through the opening and soon found themselves submerged in darkness. To their relief though, the cavern opened up and proved to be quite spacious, so that they could stand up straight inside.
"Ooh, we're going full UnderTale here," Siobhan noted, her game illuminating her face in the shadows. "Well no matter what kind of killer critters are waiting for us, just remember that they've all gotta have some sort of weakness."
"I don't think we'll need to worry about fighting anything," Byron said. "Let's just follow standard survival procedure and we should be able to stay out of danger."
"Aaah, more of a pacifist run type of guy, are you?" Siobhan said with a nod. "Never could pull that off, to be honest. It's one thing keeping motherly goat ladies alive, but those other punks want to mess with me? Yeah I'm not gonna take that!"
"Uh...is that good?" Byron asked.
"That's the question we have to ask ourselves, isn't it?" Siobhan sighed.
As Diego scrambled to keep up, he started to lose sight of his companions. Suddenly he felt something clutch his face from the darkness. He tried to cry out but his mouth was covered. With a brusk jolt, the boy was pulled through the shadows roughly until he was pinned up against the side of the rock interior. The boy squirmed in panic while keeping his eyes squeezed shut.
"Surprise," he heard a voice said.
He cautiously opened his eyes to make out Kane's leering face. Diego tried to say something, but his mouth was still clamped shut.
"Feeling scared?" Kane teased. "Maybe I ought to just leave you here, all alone in the dark...would you like that?"
Diego frantically shook his head.
"I dunno, I'm feeling pretty hurt," Kane said. "I took the chance to warn you last round, and you repay me with a vote. That breaks my heart, you know."
Once again, Diego tried to speak, but couldn't make out anything but a blurred murmur.
"Maybe you'll make some new friends though," Kane continued. "I'm sure there's all sorts of snakes and spiders that would love their new neighbor."
"I can confirm that I have not seen a single spider in the area," Colette suddenly interjected from the darkness behind Kane. "Which is quite disappointing, I was hoping to have one crawl over my arm for aesthetic purposes."
"Do you mind?" Kane said sharply.
"Sorry, didn't mean to kill your aura of terror," Colette stated. "Carry on."
"Ugh forget it, the vibe's already gone," Kane sighed, releasing Diego. "But, you better not try to mess with me again. You'll find I won't be quite so forgiving."
Confessional:
Kane-(cackles) I think he gets the point.
Siobhan-Ah yes the cave maze, a classic location no matter what sort of game you want to go for. Typically they have a bit better lighting than this though, if you were playing a game that was just pitch blackness...well that would probably be interesting for about five minutes, and then I'd get bored and never play it again. Oh who am I kidding, I'd stare at the screen for hours hoping to uncover the secrets! But, a less dedicated gamer would definitely just give up and leave it to collect dust.
(Team Drama)
The team had also entered the cave, though unlike Team Gaea, had managed to stick together so far as they struggled to find their way through the darkness.
"Well this is a mess," Margot sighed as the team continued to bump into each other.
"And a mess is just the way I like it," Stephanie stated. "So chaotic, so beautiful."
"It's not beautiful, it's annoying," Margot grunted as she nearly tripped over Stephanie's dress.
"Hmph, what's annoying to you is life to me," Stephanie said. "This place actually reminds me of home. Of course I always keep the drapes shut and lights off, seeing as it's only in perfect darkness that we may truly be ourselves."
"Whoa," Devlin gasped. "How do you get around then? I can't even get to the bathroom at night without tripping over something."
"It's quite simple, years in the darkness has allowed me to develop a precise sense of echolocation," Stephanie answered.
"Mhmm," Margot remarked skeptically. "Then why aren't you using that right now to get us through this place?"
"Well, it doesn't work on command," Stephanie replied, taken aback. "Now that you're all staring at me, oh no, no, it simply doesn't work that way, I'm afraid."
"Of course not," Margot said dryly.
"Hm, these walls are marked with deep ancient scars," Casper said as he ran his hands over the sides of the cave. "I can feel a looming hunger for blood."
"Yes, that must be it," Stephanie exclaimed. "My echolocation skills are being skewed by all this evil energy."
"No, you're still a phony," Casper stated.
"The nerve!" Stephanie sneered.
"Hey hey guys, hold up, I think I might have just the thing for this," Devlin exclaimed as he reached into his backpack. "Uuh...just a sec...it's in here somewhere. Pretty ironic, huh, if I had what I was looking for, I could light up this place and find it easier...but I don't have it."
"I don't think that's how irony works," Margot pointed out.
"Got it!" Devlin exclaimed, lighting up a tiny tube shaped flashlight.
The device barely reached far enough to illuminate Devlin's hands, and even then flickered weakly.
"We've saved," Stephanie stated sarcastically.
"Oh, allow me," Gelatia huffed. "Alza-ka-lumios!"
Suddenly a burst of light filled the caves, lighting up the space for the team to view each other with ease.
"Why didn't you just do that from the start?" Margot asked.
"Well I'm a magician, not a genie," Gelatia scoffed, placing her hand to her heart. "Sometimes I'd just appreciate a please and thank you."
"...Thank you," Margo stated.
"It's too late for that now, the damage is done," Gelatia stated. "Let's just go."
"Well...you know...once your eyes adjusted...mine would have worked too," Devlin stated meekly as the group moved on.
"Hey, I appreciate you trying," Margot said, reaching for the small flashlight but allowing her hand to brush against Devlin's lightly.
The boy smiled at her.
"Really?" Devlin asked.
"Well...the flashlight itself was useless," Margot stated. "But you tried to help out instead of just complain, which is more than a lot of the others can say."
"Hell yeah!" Devlin cheered, putting his arms in the arm.
"Now come on, macho man, before we get left behind!" Margot pointed ahead to the group rounding a corner.
Confessional:
Casper-In the language of the ancient, Stephanie would be described as… 'extra.' If she truly could hear the hungry call of the void, she would not seek the shadows so freely.
Margot-I'm just trying to reinforce productive behavior here. Not every idea is going to work out, but we're better off if we're focusing on helping the team instead of pumping up our own egos. Devlin is...well his heart is in the right place, and he seems sweet...but I mean, in a group sense. Like not saying that I'm sweet on him, but just if i had to pick someone out of this team...you know what, I'm just gonna stop there.
(Team Glamtastic)
As the group made their way through the cave, Mandy clung to Lucas's back desperately.
"Ew, ew, eeeew," she squealed with every step she took. "Keep me safe, pleeeease. I just know there's all sorts of disgusting things waiting to crawl all over me."
"I'm sure they just want to be your friends!" Lucas assured.
"Well I don't want gross friends!" Mandy cried. "I'd rather they be my enemy and just get far far away! Though I suppose I can't blame them, I'm just that irresistible, even the disgusting blind mole creatures want to be close."
"There's nothing out there, Mandy," Paige assured. "And if there was, I'd give'em one good reason to leave you alone!"
Paige pounded her fists together enthusiastically.
"Hurry the hell up!" Andre barked from deeper in the cave. "I could be done by now if i wasn't constantly waiting on you deadweights!"
"Yeah!" Ricky exclaimed coming up from behind, clearly out of breath. "You better...stop wasting time...or else...you'll regret it."
The boy leaned against the rock wall.
"You sure 'bout that?" Paige asked. "Looks like you're the one who needs a break."
"No! I'm just...bringing up the rear to make sure no one falls behind," Ricky pouted. "Now keep moving on the boss is going to lose it."
"Pretty sure it's a little late for that," Paige said with a light laugh.
The girl hopped ahead though to try to catch up with Andre. The boy was stomping through the cave at a fast pace. However, he neared dangerously close to an edge before a deep drop.
"Hey, hey, watch out!" Paige called out as she dashed ahead to grab the boy by the arm before he lost his footing.
"Get off me!" Andre snapped. "I don't need your help!"
Andre tugged to break free, but just ended up pulling Paige with him as both tumbled down the steep slope and deeper into the pit.
"Oh no!" Lucas exclaimed.
"What!? What's wrong!?" Mandy gasped.
"Didn't you see? Andre and Paige just fell off that ledge," Lucas pointed out.
"Oh, no I saw that. But I don't really understand how that affects me," Mandy said in confusion. "It can't be that bad then."
"Well still, we gotta help them!" Lucas said.
"Technically, we don't have to do anything," Lotte stated. "That's the gift of free will."
"What club did you get that from?" Ricky asked.
"Philosophy Jam," Lotte answered. "Or at least part of it. There was a pretty heft debate on the topic, so much that we got kicked out of the cafe and asked to never return. It was the 33rd most disappointing club cancellation I've been a part of."
"Wow, you keep track of all that?" Ricky asked.
"Sure," Lotte said with a shrug. "It gives me something to do on the days where Piano Club gets cancelled. Which by the way, is every week. Technically not a cancellation, but finding a piano has proven to be an obstacle that we won't be getting past anytime soon."
Meanwhile, Paige and Andre had tumbled into a muddy patch at the base of the slope. Andre shook himself off and angrily clutched Paige by the wrist.
"See what you've done!?" Andre yelled in her face. "This is what happens when you try to 'help' when you don't have a freaking clue what you're even doing! I told you, just stay out of my way, but you couldn't even do that, huh!?"
"You know what...no!" Paige exclaimed sternly as she pulled her arm free. "I thought I could just let it be, but no, no, nope, no sir, no siree!"
Paige wagged her finger in Andre's face, much to his frustration.
"I am not putting up with this," Paige stated. "It ain't right! So until you're ready to treat me with some respect, you can just forget about winning the challenge."
"...Did you hit yourself on the head?" Andre scoffed. "Stop talking like a maniac, and let's go already!"
"Nuh-uh!" Paige protested pulling away. "If you think I'm so worthless, you might as well just try to vote me out tonight. See how that works for ya, eh!?"
"You sound so stupid right now, you better knock it off right now-" Andre growled.
"Or what!?" Paige taunted. "Do your worst! Just try to catch me!"
"You really are a braindead brat," Andre scoffed. "When the rest of the team hears about how you sabotaged us, you're DONE!"
Confessional:
Paige-It's time to take a stand. I tried to save Andre, and he just made things worse, and tried to blame me? Nuh-uh, no way am I gonna take much more of this. I'd rather just end this right here and if it's the end of me, so be it!
Andre-God, I knew this airhead was useless, but I didn't know she'd be so dumb enough to sign her own death sentence. How does someone like that even function? Well you know what, NO! No woman is going to determine whether I can or can't win this challenge, so if i have to break her to get what I want, so be it! (shaking with fury)
(Team Gaea)
Siobhan and Byron journeyed the caves side by side, Siobhan focused on her game while Byron kept vigilant observation on the dark surroundings.
"So you don't suppose we'll find any bridges over rushing rivers?" Siobhan asked. "Or some death traps requiring a well timed series of steps?"
"I wouldn't count on it," Byron said. "If this island has truly been uninhabited we shouldn't expect anything man-made to turn up."
"Lame," Siobhan sighed.
"Don't tell me you want to risk loose bridges and dodging falling boulders?" Byron said with a brief laugh.
"What can I say? It'd add a little spice of excitement," Siobhan shrugged.
"There's plenty of excitement here," Byron said. "Just think, we're traveling through never before explored domains. We may be the first set of human eyes to see what these caves have to hide."
"Rocks and uh...more rocks," Siobhan remarked. "Yep seen it. I'm just saying, this place could benefit from some living skeletons."
"Like I said, we're not going to find anyone waiting for us down here," Byron said. "We're trail blazers."
"Oh yeah...then how do you explain...this!?" Siobhan exclaimed, suddenly grabbing a hand reaching out from behind her.
She twirled around to come face to face with Kane.
"Wow...quick reflexes," Kane said with a smirk.
"You're sneaky, sneaky, I will give you that," Siobhan praised. "But I've got some experience knowing when to expect stealth attacks. Zombies, aliens, creepers, you gotta be ready to act if you want to survive!"
"Ah, so there's not much that scares you, then?" Kane asked pointing to Siobhan.
"Keep trying, kiddo," Siobhan remarked, "The jump scare technique? Yeah sorry it's been done to death."
"Guess I'll need to expand my borders," Kane laughed.
"I say go for it," Siobhan said. "Can't wait to see what you have in store."
Diego and Colette shuffled from behind to keep up with the rest of the group.
"That guy...is really freaky," Diego whispered to Colette, still quaking in fear from his encounter with Kane.
"Some people are attracted to ruthless cruelty, you know?" Colette remarked offhand as she inspected a rock in her hands.
"Oh uh...well that's...strange," Diego replied. "Are you saying that uh...you've got a crush on Kane?"
"Don't be so basic, darling, of course not, I find the entire bad boy routine quite uninspiring personally," Colette scoffed.
"I just wish I knew how to get him to leave me alone," Diego said. "I don't uh...exactly have a lot of experience dealing with people at all. Isn't there some way we can just work out our differences in a civil manner?"
"Perhaps you could start by not being such a victim," Colette stated.
"Oh...okay uh...how do I do that?" Diego asked.
"Don't look at me, love, I've never had that problem," Colette said. "Have you seen this rock?"
Colette held out the stone for Diego to inspect up close.
"It's uh...very nice," Diego stated.
"'Very nice,' ugh kill yourself," Colette sighed. "It is perfection and if you cannot appreciate that then clearly there's no help for you."
"Hey guys!" Byron called from ahead. "I think we've found something!"
Light was beginning to trickle into the tunnels. Following the source, the group came to a wooden platform looking out over a vast open passage. Wind whipped along the faces of the onlooking group.
"This must lead us outside!" Byron exclaimed.
"That's right!" Chris's voice suddenly bellowed through the area.
Everyone glanced up to see the host sitting in a seat held up by a series of ropes connected to the stone.
"When you just push that button ahead of you," Chris directed, "you'll be taken for a ride. For your challenge, you just wanna make sure your trip is successful and you make it to the other side intact. Do that and you can win immunity along with the luxury tent. I don't think I need to tell you what lies in store if another team pulls ahead though."
"Alright, now we're talking!" Siobhan exclaimed as she eagerly slammed down on the red button.
The group heard a sudden rumbling before a white sail emerged and the wooden platform detached from its placement. With a jolt, they were swept up in the breeze, soaring through the tunnel.
"Woohoo!" Siobhan cheered.
"Yay...so uh...who knows how to pilot this thing?" Diego asked.
Confessional:
Siobhan-Kane is such a funny guy. I'm sure he'd prefer to be spooky, but I do just have to laugh at his attempts to get a rise out of everyone. Someone's gotta keep us on our feet, right?
Colette-(holding stone) This rock...is going to be a masterpiece. Remember this moment, for it is when something so simple truly became...art (clutches heart).
(Team Drama)
Devlin and Margot walked side by side, bringing up the rear of their group as they climbed through the twists of the cave.
"So uh…" Devlin said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Yes?" Margot inquired.
"Uh well...actually I got nothing," Devlin admitted. "You've just been awfully quiet."
"Ah," Margot replied awkwardly. "Well, there hasn't been much need to talk. Is something on your mind?"
"Not really," Devlin said. "But you know uh...what sort of...stuff, are you into?"
"I'm not quite certain how to respond to that void of a question," Margot sighed. "It opens limitless possibilities, with no focus."
"Oh uh...sorry bout that," Devlin said, rubbing his head again.
"Don't be sorry," Margot sighed. "I just...am not good at casual conversation. If you want me to explain algebra, the structure of an atom, the thematic message of To Kill a Mockingbird, I'd have no problem preparing a well structured presentation. But all this here and there chitchat? I have not a clue what to say."
"Hey, it's alright," Devlin assured. "It may be shocking to know, but there's a few things I'm not too great at either."
"Is that so?" Margot replied with a dry laugh. "I hadn't noticed."
"Hey, hey, watch the sarcasm, I said a few things, key word, few," Devlin retorted. "I'm still the biggest badass this island has to offer!"
"The title is all yours," Margot said.
"Look, I'll prove it right now," Devlin exclaimed. "See that boulder? I bet I can lift it over my head."
"There's really no need to prove anything," Margot said. "Especially not when we're on a deadline."
Devlin was already rushing towards the rock in his sight though. He flexed his muscles before gripping it from either end and straining.
"You know, there's no shame in admitting you can't do it," Margot called. "I'd really rather not see you hurt yourself."
"Are you kidding? There's nothing but shame in accepting defeat!" Devlin exclaimed.
The boy shut his eyes and continued to strain with all his might.
"Oh...wow, you did it, that's incredible!" Margot lied. "It's up off the ground, you really are the strongest out here!"
"Hell yeah I am!" Devlin exclaimed, opening his eyes and releasing the rock.
As the two fell behind the rest of the group, Gelatia glanced back at them and frowned with disapproval.
"Grr…" she growled as she glared, watching the two try to catch back up. "Abra-ka-turnakos!"
Several rocks changed formation, redirecting the two down a different path. Gelatia smirked evilly to herself, before returning to Stephanie and Casper.
"Well? Did you see what the hold up was?" Stephanie asked.
"Oh I most certainly did," Gelatia replied. "It would seem as though Devlin and Margot are much more interested in making lovey eyes at each other, they went in the complete wrong direction. I tried calling after them, but they were too focused on their little fraternization to even notice."
"Hm, a fleeting flame," Casper sighed, "which made lead them astray, down a route of hazards and weakness. Giving away one's heart should not be done lightly."
"Yes...love is….what you said," Stephanie quickly tried to add. "It is...complex, like...an illusion that functions like a drug...so strange, like a worm eating away at your insides, it-"
"Yeah okay why don't you just stop talking, please," Gelatia groaned. "We'll just have to hope those two catch up, there's no more time to waste!"
Confessional:
Devlin-Hey, I don't need anyone's approval, I know I'm the best...but uh, it's certainly nice. Margot is an odd girl, but I like her! She tells it as it is, so that means if she likes me then she's probably being genuine! No guessing games or any of that crazy stuff.
Gelatia-This whole idea of young love is such a joke really, an insult to my soul. The notion that there's someone special just waiting for you to find you? HA! Please! How pathetic can you get! I'm someone special, I worked to make myself into a phenomenal human being! Anyone would be blessed to have me grace them with even a glance. But there are those who don't want to work, they just want to believe that they're perfect for someone the way they are, so they delude themselves into some fairytale notion of lies and impossible standards and broken promises! If we lived in a perfect world, I would walk right up to that budding couple and strangle one of them on the spot so that they could see just how 'breakable' their fantasy really is!
(Team Glamtastic)
Lucas, Lotte, and Ricky all slid down to join Andre and Paige in the pit of mud. They found the two glaring at each other from opposite sides. Mandy came stumbling down after the group, though upon reaching the ground she immediately pounced like a cat and stood on Lucas's shoulders to avoid the dirt.
"Alright now, what's going on, guys?" Lucas asked.
"I will tell you exactly what's going on!" Andre shouted in Lucas's face. "This traitorous banshee has declared that she'd rather throw the challenge so we can all vote her out than do any work! Can you even believe the level of selfish entitlement that is!?"
"I deal with selfish entitlement every time I try to collect charity for Save the Homeless," Lotte stated. "People are always like 'I already donated' and 'weren't you just here yesterday.' Really lowers your faith in humanity. At least it would, if I had any left."
"Okay, okay, it seems like we're having some difficulties, and that's completely understandable," Lucas said as he got between Paige and Andre. "Not everyone can work together seamlessly. But when you start letting that affect others on your team, and their chances at the win, it's not really fair."
"True, but life hardly is fair," Lotte stated. "It's often the innocents who pay the price, as I've come to find in my Youth Against Wars campaign."
"Oh my gosh, that is like so sad," Mandy gasped. "Did you see innocents being killed in uh...you know...one of those war countries?"
"Oh no, nothing like that," Lotte said. "I was referring to the innocents in the mall that we subjected to a three hour documentary on Canadian Warfare. I'm not quite sure what the intended outcome was, but we locked the doors and hacked a projector. Any attempt to escape was futile."
"Back to the task at hand though…" Lucas said. "Paige, Andre, you don't have to like each other, but what if we were to start with a respectful handshake."
"Impossible, because I have zero respect for someone so worthless!" Andre exclaimed.
"And I don't respect someone who's so rude to me," Paige huffed.
"Maybe we can reach a compromise then," Lucas suggested.
"Okay, here's my offer, she shuts her mouth, falls in line, and prays that we win this challenge or else she's out of here!" Andre stated.
"You're ridiculous, but y'all know what, since it ain't fair to the rest of our team, I'll be willin' to let it go...if I can get an apology!" Paige said.
"See?" Lucas said with a smile. "That wasn't so-"
"Not a chance in hell!" Andre shouted at Paige. "You wanna stay down here and ROT!? Be my guest!"
"Yeah, you're gonna rot, ehehe!" Ricky added. "Like...tainted meat!"
"Everyone else who actually wants to take this game seriously, you're with me!" Andre said. "Let's move out!"
Andre started to climb up the slope. Ricky quickly followed after him.
"Go ahead!" Paige called. "But us women are not going to take being treated like animals anymore. We will-"
"Paige, I totally support feminism and like woman suffering or whatever it was that Rosa Tubman supported when she was president, but like I really cannot spend any longer so close to all this filth," Mandy said, guiding Lucas to climb back up the wall and carry her. "I'm like allergic, sorry, it's really serious. Well at least I think so. I've never spent more than 20 minutes around large sources of mud, and I've never gotten hives, so like that's what we call a correlation and I'm not about to risk it now."
"Lotte?" Paige asked to the last remaining teammate.
"Well, I suppose I am technically on the Feminist Committee," Lotte stated, "though then again, all those same girls are on the Single And Loving It Club too. Don't let the name fool you, it's something of a misnomer. They most certainly are not loving it, it's rare we get through a session without tears."
Confessional:
Paige-Well...that's kind of a bummer. I guess I can't blame my team for wanting to keep up our winning streak, but I was hoping after how horrible Andre has been to everyone people would take the chance to finally stand up to him.
Lotte-Taking a stand is nice and all, but all you're really doing is voicing your opinion. Lots of people do that anyways, lots of people like to keep their opinions the same. It's just easier for them, and we as a species tend towards the path of least resistance. It's just how it is.
(Team Gaea)
The craft carrying the team soared along the breeze, being whipped from side to side with little control. The team soon realized that their passage was far from a direct path, and involved many turns and jagged sides.
"Okay, okay, we're going to need to figure out...how to control this thing, if we don't want to crash," Diego said nervously.
"Not a problem!" Siobhan exclaimed. "No matter what sort of crazy ship you're in, the controls almost always follow the same program. Boost, brake, direction. Simple stuff!"
"Well...we've got a stick," Diego said, pointing to a single stick protruding from the base of the ship.
Colette had taken to sitting along the edge, sketching in her sheets of paper. However, the wind soon tore the sheets out of her grip, scattering them into the air and far out of her reach.
"Eugh," Colette sighed.
"Guys, I don't mean to freak anyone out-well actually that's kinda my thing-but if we don't course correct soon I think we're headed for a collision," Kane said as they approached a rock obstruction at an alarming rate.
"Here goes nothing!" Byron exclaimed as he gripped the wooden shaft and pulled to the side.
The ship swerved...too far, and ended up crashing into the other side. The sail got snagged on the jagged edges, while the platform flipped over. The group of five had to cling where they could, to the platform, the rock spires, or each other.
"Well...this is terrible," Kane remarked.
"We can fix this," Byron assured.
"I admire the optimism but uh...how?" Kane asked.
"I'm...working on that," Byron said.
Confessional:
Siobhan-Yeah, I'd like to change my stance. Definitely would not recommend this ride!
Byron-This is a setback, but we have to remember that the other teams will have the exact same struggles. Right now we have a lead, and I'd like to keep it that way.
(Devlin and Margot)
The duo clambered over increasingly staggered rock formations.
"Where is the rest of our team?" Margot sighed. "They can't be that far ahead."
"They must really want to win!" Devlin exclaimed. "Come on, we gotta catch up! They're counting on us!"
"If they really wanted us, would it have killed them to wait for us to catch up?" Margot said.
"Nah, let them chart out the land, we'll be there to bring some brain and brawns two pronged attack," Devlin exclaimed while punching the air.
"I wonder how that would hold up against Gelatia's magic one pronged attack," Margot remarked.
"Heh, oh yeah, that was so awesome!" Devlin exclaimed.
"I'm still trying to wrap my head around how she's doing all those tricks," Margot said.
"Well it's magic...you're not supposed to think about it," Devlin replied.
"I disagree," Margot stated. "Anything that can't be explained is just a question waiting for a sharp mind to solve."
"Wait...so you want to solve every single mystery out there?" Devlin gasped. "What about crop circles? Or Stonehenge? Or socks that go missing in the dryer?"
"Everything has a logical explanation," Margot assured. "Some just take a little longer to figure out. But passing it off without question isn't the way we make any progress."
Before Devlin could respond, something pounced on him, pulling him into the dark.
"Aaah, it's the mole people!" Devlin cried as he struggled in the dark. "I'm warning you, mole person, I can pack a mean punch."
Margot winced as she heard the sound of a collision.
"Hey. hey, cut it out...what are you.." Devlin continued to stammer.
Margot very cautiously step towards the sounds of the scuffle. As she got close enough, she saw a muddy Paige pinning Devlin down to the ground.
"Oh...howdy, folks!" Paige exclaimed, suddenly bouncing back up. "Sorry 'bout all that, thought you might be a couple of scoundrels looking for trouble."
"Well...we'll consider it a draw," Devlin said as he pulled himself up.
"So what brings you to my neck of the...cave?" Paige asked. "Ain't you got a team?"
"We should," Margot sighed. "I think we've gotten a little lost though."
"What about you? Where's your team?" Devlin asked.
"Aw, I'm makin' a protest on account of bein' stuck with that good for nothin' thumb in the mud, Andre," Paige recounted. "I mean, you folks have seen'em, count your blessin's you ain't on his team!"
"That definitely sounds like a nightmare," Margot said. "Of course, Team Drama is-"
"The best team ever!" Devlin exclaimed with both his hands in the air. "Seriously, so awesome!"
"I envy you then," Paige remarked.
"You know, it might not be my place," Margot said. "But if your protest costs you the win, aren't you worried that could be the end of you?"
"I s'pose that's the risk," Paige sighed. "Was kinda hopin' that those guys had enough from Andre, but now I ain't even too sure."
"Well...maybe we could all team up then!" Devlin said. "You know, show both our teams that we're here to stay!"
"You know, that's the best idea I've heard all day!" Paige exclaimed.
Confessional:
Margot-Strategically speaking, it doesn't exactly do us a lot of good to help out Paige. But I suppose I just empathize with her position. If her team is run by a tyrant, then I'd rather see her win out personally.
Paige-See now why couldn't I have been on a team with a couple of sweethearts like that?
(Team Drama)
Casper, Stephanie, and Gelatia made it to the platform facing the windy tunnel.
"Welcome...part of Team Drama!" Chris greeted. "Your ride awaits, just press that button and race to the exit."
"Oh look, it would seem as though the other team has run into some trouble," Gelatia noted as she looked out to the distance to see the crashed Team Gaea. "How delightful for us."
"Then let's take to the skies!" Stephanie exclaimed as she pressed the button and the sail emerged.
"Hm...defying gravity itself," Casper noted. "No man was meant to challenge their limits like this...we ought to be wary of impending retribution."
"Oh please, defying the limits is what I do for a living," Gelatia scoffed.
"Oh yes...defying the limits is also what I do for a living," Stephanie added.
"Really? Is that so? You consider putting on ridiculous outfits and flinging yourself about like a mad woman as defying your limits?" Gelatia asked.
"...Yes," Stephanie huffed in retort. "I'm sorry it's too complex for you to fully grasp."
The team soared through the tunnel at high speed. Casper clutched the shaft and managed to direct the ship with some manner of smooth movement. As the team neared Team Gaea, they could see Kane and Byron trying to climb up and free their sail.
"I think that team will be in for a little bit of hazard," Gelatia cackled. "Alla-Ka-Tastrophe!"
With a wave of her wand, the rocks above Team Gaea started to shake loose.
"Look out!" Diego called out.
Kane and Byron had to press themselves up against the stone surface to avoid being crashed in the ensuing rockslide.
"That seemed quite evil and unnecessary," Casper noted to Gelatia.
"And that's what makes it so enjoyable," the magician replied with a smirk.
After making several more bends, the trio could see the opening. Blue sky and green forest appeared through a wide crevice.
"We're going to make it!" Stephanie cheered.
With a final surge, the team pushed through and their craft gracefully reached the ground.
"Congratulations!" Chris exclaimed.
"What the? How did he get here so fast?" Stephanie asked.
The group looked up to see Chris's suspended seat being pulled along a railing at a fast pace.
"Team Drama, you've made it to the end...but with two members short," Chris exclaimed. "Did I forget to mention that you need your full team present to consider this a win? Whoops!"
"What!?" Gelatia snapped. "Blatant riggage!"
Confessional:
Casper-Hm, there are many greater powers that cannot be grasped, but a simple truth I have come to find: Yout put evil out into the world and it will come back to you. If losing immunity is the cost of Gelatia's cruelty, then I will embrace it, thankful to know my life is safe...for today.
Gelatia-I'm sorry, but what...WHAT!? Does this make sense to anyone else? Surely not, surely you all saw that I deserved to win. I completed the task, I did every single thing I was supposed to! And now...ha….ha NOW I have to hear that because my chance I got stuck with a team that couldn't keep up, I need to pay the price!? Well if we lose, those pesky lovebirds will feel the full force of my wrath. How DARE they!
(Team Glamtastic)
The group of four reached the final platform.
"We're in last place!" Andre spat. "I knew this would happen!"
"Oh well we tried," Lotte stated. "Not really, but I suppose something resembling an attempt was made."
"Let's not count ourselves out yet," Lucas said. "A comeback victory is no strange thing."
"Welcome Team Glamtastic!" Chris said, trying to rush back in time.
"Yeah yeah, let's just go!" Andre exclaimed, slamming down on the bottom.
"Oh no, OH NO!" Mandy sobbed.
"What is it now?" Ricky asked. "We're flying away from the dirt remember."
"Yes but...this wind is going to ruin my hair," Mandy cried. "Protect me!"
Mandy cowered behind Lucas desperately.
"Oh wow, it looks like that other team is in some serious trouble," Lucas noted as they passed Team Gaea.
"HA! Don't tell me, you guys let the panda drive?" Andre laughed, "Must not have taken long for him to find a way to crash."
"Get bent!" Byron shouted back.
"We'll have this thing up and running again in no time!" Siobhan exclaimed. "You'll see!"
"Eh, we really won't," Kane sighed.
"On the plus side, hanging from this view has given me a wonderful new perspective to work with," Colette said, while dangling upside down. "Disaster...hanging in the balance...which way is up, when death surrounds you?"
"Somehow, I feel that doesn't quite qualify as 'good news,'" Kane said.
Team Glamtastic eventually reached the exit along with Team Drama.
"Team Glamtastic!" Chris said, once again changing direction. "Come on can't this thing go any faster...you guys have escaped the cave...but I see you're also missing someone. The challenge isn't over till you're all here."
"DAMN IT!" Andre screamed, tossing his hat on the ground.
Confessional:
Lucas-(sighs) This is why you gotta put your difference aside. Working against your own team just makes everyone else suffer (shakes head.)
Mandy-So like I wasn't really paying attention, but from the way people look, I think we didn't win yet? But none of them are going to vote for me, so it's whatever.
(Devlin, Paige, and Margot)
The group of three came up to the windy passage but found no ships left for them.
"Aw shoot!" Paige exclaimed while kicking the ground. "We're too late! Now we're stranded!"
"Wait, wait, I think I might have something that can help." Devlin exclaimed, while rummaging through his backpack.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Margot asked.
"No, but sometimes a good idea is just a bad idea that uh...actually works!" Devlin exclaimed.
"That's not-" Margot tried to say.
"You said it, partner!" Paige exclaimed. "Let's do this!"
"Okay okay...hold this please," Devlin said as he handed Paige a fan. "And you hold this please."
The boy pulled out a hose which he handed to Margot.
"I'm still not sure about this," Margot said nervously.
"A little of this...tie this up here...one of these over here," Devlin murmured as he worked.
After some quick work, the boy had put together a very loose contraption, like a pole with wings and a fan attached to the back.
"Hold on tight!" Devlin exclaimed.
Paige gripped the side of shaky contraption. Margot clung to Devlin's body. The boy couldn't resist smiling at the sudden close contact.
"Ready...lift-off!" he exclaimed, plugging in a hose.
The fan managed to pick up on the wind, which in turn powered the device to take to the sky.
"Yeehaw!" Paige cheered. "This is wild!"
Margot just had her eyes shut and was murmuring incoherently to herself.
"See? I told you it was worth a shot!" Devlin exclaimed.}
"We still need to survive to the other side," Margot said shakily. "I'm praying to every deity I can think of."
"I thought you didn't believe in all that?" Devlin remarked.
"RIght now, I will take a miracle, no questions asked," Margot replied.
Confessional:
Devlin-Honestly...I kinda thought that might fail spectacularly, but I'm not gonna let them know that!
Margot-Don't tell me you know danger until you're dangling over a chasm with only a bunch of scraps loosely attached together holding up above the plummet.
(Exit)
"And here comes someone else…" Chris announced. "Who could it be…"
"Yeeeeehaw!" Paige exclaimed, tossing herself from Devlin's makeshit flyer and rolling to the ground. "Hiya, guys, miss me!?"
"Kind of, but like in a distant cousin sort of way where like you're happy to know they're still alive, but you probably wouldn't have them on your Christmas shopping list," Mandy said.
"Well, well looks like Team Glamtastic is here in full, which means you'll be immune and sleeping in the Luxury Tent this round," Chris announced.
"We did it!" Lucas exclaimed. "See guys? When we work together-"
"SHUT IT!" Andre barked. "I kept this team on track while the rest of you were making damn mess of things. That was embarrassing! None of you should consider this a victory after that pathetic display! This is MY win and no one else's!"
"Kay then," Lotte remarked.
Devlin and Margot arrived on the ground next.
"You absolute morons!" Gelatia exclaimed as she towered over the two. "I mean...well done, I suppose second place is...acceptable."
"Team Drama, you guys will get a regular tent and not have to vote anyone off tonight," Chris said, "which means...Team Gaea, one of you will be going home!"
"You suck, McClean!" Kane called from the distance.
Confessional:
Diego-Oh noooo! Not again, oh no, it's all over for me, I'm screwed, so much for this trip!
Byron-Well this is disappointing (sighs) We had such a strong lead too, I guess it just goes to show that all it takes is one little mistake to topple everything.
Colette-Hm, a defeat, but perhaps it will draw out some more inspiration. After all, art stems from pain.
(Team Gaea)
"Well gentlemen," Siobhan exclaimed as she threw her arms over Byron and Kane. "That was certainly not the result we were hoping for, but we're going to have to make another tough call and move on stronger for it. Trust me, once you've died in the same spot for the 147th time in Dark Souls, you'll come to realize that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Though I suppose technically that would kill you, are video game characters like immortal gods who reincarnate every time they die, or is it like a Groundhog's Day situation where you just keep repeating the same day till you get it right?"
The group had left behind the rocky caves and were pacing between scattered trees as their surroundings turned greener.
"I'm sorry, guys," Byron sighed. "I can't help feel like I let the team down. We had such a strong lead, and if we'd just been a little more careful-"
"Hey, hey, as much as it pains me, this isn't a video game and there are no do-overs," Siobhan said. "There's no use holding onto the past, just figuring out our next step."
"Well, obviously we're not voting out each other," Kane said. "That leaves Colette or Diego."
"That seems like the logical way to go," Byron said. "We need to keep this team strong, and while those two may be trying...they clearly have trouble keeping up."
"Honestly, I've got a bit of a soft spot for Diego," Siobhan says. "He seems like a sweet kind of guy. Like a Pichu! He may be light and fluffy right now, but if given the proper chance to evolve he could be….light and fluffy but also powerful!"
"I too find him a bit...amusing," Kane remarked.
"So then Colette goes?" Byron said. "Works for me."
Confessional:
Byron-I don't have any personal problems with either Colette or Diego, but our top priority needs to be keeping up strength on our team. Colette doesn't really seem too focused on the game, and Diego...just seems a little too over his head and out of his element.
Siobhan-Okay, having to sacrifice two party members in the first three rounds is cutting it a little close for my taste. We're really going to have to pick up the slack after this, since we can't keep this up!
Diego cautiously approached Colette who was sitting on a tree stump, focused on her art.
"Uh….hi," Diego greeted.
"Mm, I have no time for the petty chatter," Colette dismissed with a wave of her hand. "I must harness the inspiration while it lasts. This stone...in this forest...in this exact moment...so much inspiration condensed in such a precious space. Yes, yes, I must set it free."
"Okay okay I'll be quick," Diego stammered. "Could I just ask, you know maybe, for you to not vote for me?"
"You can ask many things, but will it change the fates?" Colette lamented. "If only it were that simple."
"So uh...I'm not quite what that answer is," Diego said.
"Run along, silly boy," Colette said, whipping Diego's face with a paintbrush. "I have art to create and your chitter chatter isn't helping."
"Sorry, sorry…" Diego said as he backed up.
As the boy left Colette behind, he heard the sound of something following his footsteps. He stopped and the sound stopped. He glanced back, but didn't see Colette following after him. He started to walk again and heard the echoing footsteps continue. A low haunting hum started to tickle his ears as well. The boy started to quiver. He glanced back again. Saw nothing. When he faced forward again though, Kane was directly before him with a menacing grin.
"Well hi there," Kane exclaimed, moving in uncomfortably close to Diego, causing him to back up.
Kane continued to herd Diego backwards until he was up against a tree.
"You sure are making yourself hard to find, you're not trying to get into any trouble are you?" Kane said, placing his arms on either end of the quivering boy.
"N-No, I was just uh...you know…" Diego stammered.
"It seems like what you weren't doing was finding me as soon as we got out," Kane said threateningly moving his hands onto Diego's shoulders. "Didn't we talk about this? Don't you want to be my friend? You're not doing a very good job of convincing me you want us to be friends. It would be a shame if I couldn't trust you."
Kane moved his hands up to be placed around Diego's neck. He left his grip loose, Diego could feel his fingertips brushing against his skin, knowing if he twitched he could be put in a firm choke.
"No...no it's not like that at all," Diego worked out. "You can trust me! We're the best of friends...heh...heh...yep."
Kane's grin widened to an eerie length.
"Good, good," he said. "So, best friend, if you promise to be good, you just might survive again. But I need you to do something for me. You need to vote your little artist friend."
Kane released Diego's neck and moved his hand down his ribs instead.
"The human heart is so fragile," Kane said, stopping his palm against Diego's rapidly beating heart. "I don't want to have to compete with anyone for your loyalty."
"Y-you...you got it," Diego whimpered.
"Heya guys!" Siobhan called as she approached the two.
Kane suddenly twirled around and put his arm around Diego in a friendly matter.
"Whatcha up to!?" Siobhan asked.
"Oh just letting my good friend know about the plan," Kane said, while giving Diego a threatening clench of his shoulder.
"Uh yep, what a great guy he is!" Diego exclaimed. "I'm all caught up on the plan, so no need to worry!"
"Aw, you two being such great friends now is so sweet," Siobhan exclaimed. "I guess if anything good comes from tonight, it's that it will bring us all closer together!"
Confessional:
Colette-I do not have time to worry about this silly little strategy. Not when there is so much art just waiting for my brush to uncover!
Diego-Eek...okay okay (sweating and shaking) I'm not sure where Kane falls on the spectrum between creepy stalker and serial killer who harvests organs...but I'm not exactly feeling safe when any result.
(Monument of Shame)
The group of five arrived beneath the statue of Chris, in a clearing among the woods.
"Welcome, welcome, Team Gaea!" Chris greeted. "It feels like it was just yesterday when you were here last. Oh wait...it was!"
"Hilarious," Kane remarked dryly.
"So you guys voted out Pepper, and still lost?" Chris said. "What's the takeaway there?"
"I don't think any of us regret voting out Pepper," Byron said.
"Some people might regret not voting for her," Kane said, shooting a leering glance at Diego. "I can't imagine it feels very good to be in the minority on the first vote."
"But it also can't feel great to be the last to receive a marshmallow either," Chris pointed out.
Kane shrugged, "They couldn't get me out last time, if anyone were foolish enough to try that again, they'd also be met with failure."
"You sound confident," Chris said.
"There's not exactly a whole lot of space to hide on a team of this size," Siobhan threw in. "And trust me, I know a thing or two about hiding, I've spent entire days just hiding from snipers! But I think the plan is pretty clear."
"Except for anyone not included in the plan?" Chris pointed out.
The group all glanced around at each other.
"Well someone's been left out," Chris said. "So why not find out who that is right now!? It won't be…
…
…
…
…
…
"Byron!"
Byron caught the first marshmallow tossed out.
"Also safe...Siobhan!" Chris announced, tossing a marshmallow to the girl.
…
…
…
…
"Kane!"
This left Colette and Diego. The boy was shaking uncontrollably, though he tried to hold himself together. Colette seemed unfazed.
"The final marshmallow goes to…"
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
"Diego!"
"Phew," Diego sighed in relief, wiping his brow.
"Colette...you have been voted off," Chris stated,
"How pathetic," Colette remarked as she stood up.
The girl walked up to towards the statue as the helicopter arrived to take her away.
"At least I'll get a great view on the way up," Colette remarked.
"Team Gaea, you're down to four already," Chris stated. "You better hope that you made the right choice, or I'll be seeing you again real soon!"
(Later, Team Drama)
The team of five was trying to find a way for them to all fit in the small tent they were given.
"This is even worse than nothing," Devlin remarked. "At least then we weren't fighting for space."
"Do you mind?" Stephanie grunted as she pushed Devlin over. "I prefer to have a three foot radius of space when I sleep in case my dreams become vivid and seep out into reality."
"I will find somewhere else to rest," Casper offered. "The shelter is meaningless anyways, it won't keep us safe from the true dangers."
As the group continued to arrange sleeping space, Gelatia grabbed Margot and pulled her aside, out of earshot.
"Margot, my dear sweet little dove, I feel as though it is my duty to warn you," Gelatia began.
"Warn me?" Margot said nervously, adjusting her glasses. "That doesn't sound good."
"Yes, yes, I know, why do I offer a hand when I could just as easily let you spiral away and be none the worse off for it?" Gelatia remarked. "I suppose, I just find a certain form of...sympathy in my heart. You, so helpless, so blind to the thin ice you walk."
"Okay, you're worrying me here," Margot said. "What's going on?"
"Well, I just thought that you ought to know about some of the things being said," Gelatia revealed. "While you and that adorable little ogre were off doing Lord knows what, Stephanie and Casper certainly had some...less than kind things to say. All about how you were wasting time with petty romance, and how you couldn't care less about the team's fate so long as you got to snag a man. I tried to speak on your behalf, but what could I say when when could have lost while you were getting frisky in the dark?"
"What!? What...no, no, no that's not...that's not what happened at all," Margot said through an awkward half laugh half gasp.
"I know, I know, when the lovebug bites there's no escape," Gelatia said melodramatically. "You don't need to explain it to me, but just be careful about those two."
"Wow...well, that's certainly disappointing to hear," Margot sighed. "But thanks for the heads up."
"Of course, dear," Gelatia said with a sweet smile.
Confessional:
Margot-People actually think that I would abandon the team...to give in to hormones!? I cannot believe it! I guess I'll just need to work harder to show how serious I am about seeing this team succeed!
Gelatia-Aaaah, so Margot thinks she's so smart, nothing gets past her? Well we'll just see about that! Ooooh I am going to relish in spinning her around in meager little circles until she's so wrapped up in my web she can hardly BREATHE! AHA HA HA HA! And then I'll crush her to dust like the insignificant little speck she is!
(Team Glamtastic)
Paige hopped on one of the luxury mattresses eagerly.
"We did it, guys!" she cheered. "We're finally living large!"
"Wrong!" Andre barked. "There is absolutely no WE! And there's definitely no you!"
"Yack, yack, yack, give it a rest," Paige retorted.
"After that pathetic little temper tantrum almost cost us this, you have some nerve even showing your face here!" Andre spat.
"Alright, alright, well now that the challenge is behind us, this might be the perfect time to resolve your differences," Lucas said. "Andre, Paige, I want you to take a deep breath in, and then let out all your pent up anger with an exhale."
"Shut it, hippie!" Andre scoffed. "There's nothing to resolve. We've got a loon on our team who basically tried to throw the challenge. It's a good thing she decided to come crawling back, but that does not make it better!"
"Well we're all here on this team for another day," Lucas said. "So you might as well find a way to tolerate each other."
"Like you might as well get it over with," Mandy said. "Everyone knows that the way it goes is first you hate each other, and then you realize you secretly like each other, and next think you know you're locking lips."
"Is that how most of your relationships have worked?" Ricky asked.
"Ew of course not, how could anyone hate someone as adorably sweet as me?" Mandy exclaimed, batting her eyelashes. "Other than jealous ugly girls, but like I'm not going to be making out with any jealous ugly girls. Sorry Lotte, if you were hoping for that."
"I'd be lying if I said it hadn't crossed my mind," Lotte remarked.
"Maybe let's just...all take some rest and we can work through this more in the morning," Lucas sighed.
Votes:
Kane-Sorry, Colette, you're just not all that fun.
Byron-Colette, you seem like a great artist, but not a great teammate.
Siobhan-See ya, Colette! It's a shame we'll never get to see your full potential, but maybe I'll see your name in a museum one of these days!
Colette-I will be voting for Diego, nothing personal, but it's quite clear to be between the two of us.
Diego-Well uh, I don't have a lot of options here, so I'm afraid I'm going to have to vote Colette. So sorry.
(Conclusion)
"Three down, many more to go!" Chris exclaimed at the foot of the Monument of Shame. "Which of our explorers will feel the burn next as they travel deeper into the mysterious unknown reaches of this island? Will Paige and Andre butting heads finally cause their team to vote? What is the next step in Gelatia's plan to destroy Margot? And can Team Gaea recover from back to back losses? We've got answers coming up on the next episode of...Total..Drama...Exploration!"