Author's Notes: So, dear readers, we finally make it to the first, and only, Aftermath chapter of the story where we get to hear all the other contestants' opinions about this whole wonderfully crazy dilemma. I, for one, am happy to bring back the Killer Bass trio of Geoff, DJ, and Duncan. I miss season one and its wonderful friendships so very much. Just a warning to all my readers, even though this chapter is based off the Hawaiian Aftermath episode besides the fact that it takes place in Hawaii, this version of the Aftermath will have absolutely nothing in common with the episode. Nothing at all.
Now I know a lot of you were expecting this chapter to be based off the Easter Island episode. Well, I'm sorry to say that I won't be doing the Easter Island episode or the Drumheller episode. As I said, this chapter is the Aftermath episode, the next one if the Final, and then the last one shall be the Epilogue. I'm sorry if this is disappointing for some readers, but I never had anything planned for those two episodes. Why? Because the main characters of this story are Cody, Courtney, and Duncan and only Cody is left for those two locations. The African chapter focused on Cody and Duncan resolving their issues between each other and now this chapter will focus on Duncan and Courtney. Tis only fair that Cody be absent since Courtney was absent in the other one, hehe.
Before beginning this chapter, I would, like I have so many times before, thank all the readers of this story, especially those kind enough to write one of the many lovely reviews received. This story is coming close to passing up "The Princess and the Spider" as my most popular story. We're so close to being 200 reviews with such a short amount of chapters. It's wonderful to see people being so open-minded about reading a story that focuses on such an odd pairing such as Cody and Courtney. Of course, by this time I'm hoping more readers are more drawn in by the story itself than the actual shipping in. Shipping is fun and all, but it's a good plot and development of each individual character that truly makes a story enjoyable to read.
About the song of this chapter…call it a tribute the all the fanon and canon ships of the Total Drama franchise and the shippers that fight so hard for them. Inspiration for the song? Mainly all the Weird Al Polka songs, the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic songs sang by Pinkie Pie (love that show to pieces), and the songs from the newest Winnie the Pooh movie. Go see that movie. It's such a refreshing delight and you'll be smiling the entire time.
So, fellow readers, let the Aftermath begin!
Not one of the eliminated contestants had expected Hawaii to be the chosen location for the final Aftermath of the season as well as where the last challenge would take place. Many thought that Chris chose someplace slightly more dangerous and life-threatening, most of his taste. No one was complaining.
The crew and former contestants of Total Drama had arrived on the island a week before to set up for the Aftermath- not on the big island itself, but on Kauai. It was smaller than the island of Hawaii, and, according to the helpful natives, much older, but no less beautiful.
With the spring sun shining down, the flora of Kauai was in full bloom, fully showing off the reason that it was nicknamed the Garden Isle. The air was warm and tasted of flowers, fruit, and saltwater. Palm trees were swayed by cool, soft breezes and colorful birds sang sweetly among the flowering hibiscuses. Even the contestants had adopted the relaxed atmosphere the paradise-like island graciously offered.
While seated in the wooden benches, wait for the Aftermath show to start, most of the teens were lounging around lazily, talking and sipping tangy fruit drink, looking as content as bumblebees.
However, as always, there were some who found peace of mind a tough luxury to obtain.
Surprisingly, Geoff was one of those unfortunate few. The golden-haired teen stood on the edge of the makeshift Aftermath stage, fiddling nervously with hem of his cowboy hat. He was supposed be looking over the schedule for today's Aftermath show with Bridgette, but he had been much too anxious to pay much mind to the lines or listening to Bridgette speak.
Geoff sighed wearily. The cheerful, bright-spirited boy was unused to feeling so downcast. Especially when in a place that was perfect for a good party. Geoff hoped that after today everything would go back to normal. He could be his own happy, carefree self again and his friends….
At the thought of his closest friends, Geoff scratched the blonde hair beneath his hat and gazed out into the lush, jungle-like terrain surrounding the set. His mind wandered back to the day before...
Previous Day...
Only a couple minute walk from the five-star resort that the Total Drama former contestants were staying in, there was a small docking area. Usually, the only boat docked there was Chris's private yacht, but every today a new boat was coming. Four days before, the boat had come and brought in Courtney. Today it would be Duncan.
The rickety dock, normally empty, was creaking dangerously with the weight of almost every former contestant that was gathered on it. They were all in their swimming suits, jostling each other, standing on their tip toes, and whispering in excited undertones to one another all while gazing eagerly across the ocean to see the boat arrive.
Granted, almost none of them were that excited to have Duncan come back. Even after his sudden turn-around in Africa, Duncan was not the most popular person at the moment. He was almost as unpopular as Gwen was. The actions of the two were as unforgiveable as Heather's in season one in many a person's opinion.
However, despite Gwen not being popular, Gwen was the sole reason that most of the teens were gathered at the docks. Everyone just wanted to have a front row seat to witness Gwen bring the smack-down on poor Duncan the moment he stepped on the dry land.
There was no better entertainment than to watch an estranged couple feud. Indeed, many like Tyler who had been particularly upset by cheating couple, was pumped up to see the vicious arguments unfold. Others like Noah merely wished that Courtney was at the dock to participate- three-way battles were bloodier. However, the fond memory of Courtney pushing Gwen into the ocean when she first arrived days ago, was enough to perk up the mood of the said watchers.
"Like, there it is!" called out Katie, pointing towards a small speck in the distance. It quickly grew larger and larger, taking the shape of an oncoming boat.
The restless shuffling intensified at the sight. In front of the crowd, standing a good couple of feet from the rest was Gwen. The Goth girl glared hatefully at her fellow teens- at the moment she disliked them as much as they disliked her.
"Tens buck says that she goes for the eyes first." Tyler betted with Noah.
"Fat chance. She'll obviously go for the groin." Noah stated in haughty tones.
"I'm standing right here, you know!" Gwen snapped crossly.
Noah glanced at the Goth with bored, half-lidded eyes. "Good, then win me ten bucks and get a good kick at Duncan's kiwis."
Gwen's blue lips curled into a snarl; she lifted a fist as if to strike at Noah, but LeShawna quickly interfered.
"Whoa, calm yourself down sugar." LeShawna placed a hand on Gwen's shoulder to sooth her friend. Out of all the contestants, only LeShawna offered Gwen much support since her return. As LeShawna had told Gwen, "I know how it feels to be the most hated person of the season." The black girl had not been the most popular contestant among her peers during season two.
Gwen was grateful to LeShawna's steady support, but even so she wished that more contestants would give her a thoughtful word instead of shooting her accusing looks and whispering hateful things behind her back.
Gwen muttered up the courage to take a peek over at Trent. Besides LeShawna, it was Trent's friendship that Gwen craved most of all.
Trent met Gwen's hopeful gaze. Gwen offered a small smile, hoping to receive one in return. Trent's handsome face remained emotionless. With his mouth set in a frown and forest-green eyes downcast, Trent wordlessly turned away from the Goth to talk quietly with his fellow bandmates Harold and Justin.
Gwen had to fight down a sob of despair. Blinking back tears, Gwen turned to watch the large, white yacht pull up to the dock. She set her expression into an angry scowl- at least now she could take her anger out on the bastard that started this entire mess.
The teens waited with held breathes as the boat anchored and grew still. Seconds passed and slowly turned into minutes, and there was no sign of Duncan emerging from the boat. Restlessness and agitation grew among the mob.
"Dude, what's taking him so long?" Tyler yelled, loudly voicing the question pounding everyone's minds.
"I bet the coward's hiding!" Eva snarled, pounding a fist into the palm of her hand.
"Well…I kinda don't blame him." DJ said in a timid voice. He stood besides Geoff and, unlike many, had not come to harass Duncan, but to merely greet his old-time friend.
LeShawna, probably one of the most sensible heads in the group, calmly walked down the length of the dock and came to a stop at the every edge. She leaned over a slammed a powerful fist three times on the metal side of the boat. The sound echoed loudly.
A long moment passed. Then one of the windows of the boat opened and the face of a man poked out. Lono was a few years older than the teens and one of Chris' newest interns; he was responsible for driving the boat. The man was obviously a native of the island due to his tan skin and dark hair. Though tattooed and well-muscled, the Lono's face radiated cheerful friendlessness as he addressed LeShawna and the teens.
"Aloha kakahiaka! Good Morning!" Lono greeted the teens with a bright smile and breezy salute. The contestants were used to Lono slipping to his native tongue.
"Hehe, aloha Lono!" Katie and Sadie hung close to each other, giggling and blushing in the midst of the handsome intern.
."What brings you kamali'i down to the docks?" Lono asked. "Hoping to catch a dip? Haha, do not worry! Chris did not put the sharks in the water just yet!"
LeShawna smiled politely and waved a hand to Lono. "Not quite ready to get wet just yet, Lono. We're all just wondering if our friend is with you. Tough-looking guy with a green mohawk- seen him around?"
Lono nodded. "Yes, the haole Duncan… Ka mehameha. He added in a strangely solemn undertone. None of the contestants were familiar with the new word. "Your hoapili…er…friend asked to be dropped a few shores back." The tan intern pointed in the direction. "Said he had something important to take care of."
"And you let him go?" Gwen snapped, temper flaring.
Lono's cheerful smile faltered slightly at the accusing tone the Goth girl used. He shrugged his tattooed shoulders and spread his arms out helplessly.
"Whoa there, chill kaikuahine! It was an innocent request. The guy looked like he needed some alone time. I dropped him and his doggy at one of the beaches further north." Lono looked from face to face. He mistook their sour expressions as gestures of concern for Duncan and said with a reassuring smile, "Don't not worry, kamali'i! Ka mehameha…Duncan…will probably show up later. A nai'a...er…dolphin always returns to its pod you know. A hui hou kakou!"
With a wave goodbye, Lono drove the boat off, leaving the teens. As soon as the boat was out of sight, Tyler spoke.
"DARN IT!" The jock stomped a foot on the dock and pouted. "I thought there was going to be a fight!"
Eva crossed her arms and glared. "What a waste of time."
The crowd of teens murmured and grumbled angrily among themselves, feeling duly cheated out of a morning's entertainment. However, as it was clear that Duncan would not reveal himself anytime soon, the mob slowly began to disperse. They went off in pairs or groups of three, heading back towards the resort.
DJ and Geoff were the last ones to leave. Both of them looked deeply troubled though Geoff tried his hardest not to show it.
"How long do you think Duncan will be gone?" DJ asked his close friend.
Geoff shrugged. "Dunno. But he can't hide forever."
"I don't intend to."
Both boys let out gasps of surprise and fear when two strong hands grabbed them by backs of their shirts and pulled them through a cluster of thick bushes. They found themselves facing their friend Duncan.
DJ looked instantly relieved. "Duncan! Good to see you man!" The large black teen smiled when he caught sight of the orange dog standing besides the crouched teen. "Aww, and Mohawk! Aren't you a sweet pup?"
Mohawk gave a whine of pleasure and wagged its tail, leaning closer to allow DJ to enthusiastically pet its head.
Duncan felt a rush of joy to see that at least one of his friends was happy to see him. He turned to Geoff with a hopeful smile.
Geoff didn't return it. His usually cheerful face was strangely rigid and his eyes glared at Duncan coldly.
"What are you doing here?" Geoff asked, his voice lacking of his usual warmth and friendliness.
Duncan was shocked; this hadn't been the reaction had been expecting from his best friend. Sure, Duncan did wrong, but Geoff was one of his closest friends. Surely he had seen in the last episode that Duncan had suffered enough from his mistakes?
"I need you two's help." Duncan said quietly. "I have to find a way to talk with Courtney…alone."
Geoff crossed his arms over his chest and glared. "And why should we help you, bra…or should I even call you that?"
"Because you two are my friends, you idiot, that's why!" Duncan snapped, agitation rising in his voice. "Dude, what's you're problem?"
DJ had finally begun to notice the enmity going on between his two friends. He stopped petting Mohawk and looked nervously from Geoff to Duncan.
"Er….guys...maybe we should sit back and…"
"What if Court doesn't want to talk with you, huh? I know I wouldn't!"
"Geoff, that's not fair. Duncan doesn't know…"
"You got something to say, party boy? Then say it! If not, then stick your stupid cowboy hat out of me and Courtney's business before I do it for ya!"
"Duncan…please…something happened…"
"BRO DON'T DISS THE COWBOY HAT!"
"Shhh! Guys calm down…"
"IF Y OU DON'T TELL ME WHAT'S YOUR DEAL THEN THAT STUPID HAT IS GOING TO HAVE A GOOD OL' TIME GETTING REACQUAINTED WITH MY KNIFE!"
"QUIET!"
DJ's loud, firm voice fell upon the two feuding boys like a hammer, instantly silencing them. Duncan and Geoff were almost nose to nose, facing each other with glaring blue eyes and teeth bared in snarls. Seeing DJ's sharp gaze on them, the two instantly scooted away from each other, jerking their faces away with a scowl.
"He started it…" Geoff mumbled immaturely.
"Me? You're the one that's acting like an ass!" Duncan spat, any goodwill he felt towards Geoff instantly vanishing.
"I'm acting like an ass?" Though Geoff's voice was lower than before, the fury in it intensified. "Dude! I'm the not the one that cheated on my girlfriend and treated her like a piece of crap all season! Mocha didn't deserve that- no one does!" Geoff's voice shook with emotion. "I should know!"
"What are you talking about? You've never been…" Duncan trailed off. Shock lit up his teal eyes at the realization of what Geoff was implying.
"Wait, Geoff…did Bridgette…did Bridgette cheat on you?"
No one answered. DJ pointedly stared off to one side. The angry expression fell from Geoff's face and his entire body seemed to sag with weight. The desolate look in Geoff's eyes was enough of an answer.
Duncan flopped dully on his rump to the ground, staring between his two best friends in disbelief. The thought of Bridgette cheating on Geoff was an unbelievable one. Duncan couldn't think of a couple more in love with each other than those two.
"With who?" Duncan finally asked after a long pause.
"Alejandro." Geoff answered in dull tones.
Duncan's mind wheeled with shock at the news. When the hell did all of this happened?
As if reading his mind, DJ spoke. "It was during one of the first challenges of the season. It was in Siberia. Bridgette and Ale kissed and then Ale tricked Bridgette into losing the challenge for her…well…our team." DJ had been on Team Victory with Bridgette. "We voted her off that day, but none of knew that Alejandro was the cause of it."
There was a faint hint of uncharacteristic bitterness in DJ's voice. Duncan was faintly curious to know if the snake-hearted teen had done something to ruffle up DJ as well. What all had happened during Duncan's long absence in the season?
Anger swelled up inside Duncan at the thought of Alejandro doing anything to hurt his two closest friends. Sympathy was thick in Duncan's voice as he turned to speak with to Geoff.
"Geoff, I'm sorry about you and Bridgette." Duncan murmured. Bridgette wasn't Duncan's favorite person- the two never did see eye to eye- but he was well aware of Geoff's complete devotion to her. The delinquent could understand why Geoff was so angry at him.
"We're still together." Geoff sharply said, much to Duncan's surprise. "Unlike you, Bridge actually felt bad after cheating on me."
"You think I don't!" Duncan snapped full of frustration. Hadn't Geoff watched the last episode? The guilt and pain from hurting Courtney was tearing Duncan apart. Even after making amends with Cody, Duncan was in constant worry that no matter what he did Courtney would never forgive him. His sleep was still plagued by worrisome nightmares.
Geoff opened his mouth to send a retort Duncan's way, but was cut off by DJ.
"Enough man." DJ held up a hand for Geoff to be quiet. The normally quiet and good-natured boy was now towering over his two friends, glaring down at Geoff and Duncan as if they were young children. His voice held a stern, parental tone to it as he spoke.
"What's the matter with you two? You guys are best friends! You shouldn't be fighting! The three of us are like brothers and my momma always said that brothers should never resort to fighting and bickering like children!" He shook an angry finger at them, "Shame on you!"
It was so ridiculous to see DJ- such an intimidating-looking, but timid boy- scold and lecture Geoff and Duncan like a clucking mother hen. DJ did such a good job with the role that both Duncan and Geoff, to their own abashment, found themselves hanging their heads in shame. DJ was as bad as any mother.
"Look, everyone one of us has made mistakes in this show." DJ said, looking from Geoff to Duncan. His reproachful gaze rested on Duncan. "Some worse than others."
Duncan kept his gaze fixed on the ground, too embarrassed to look DJ in the eye. He knew that his mistake was probably the worst that any contestant had ever made.
"But that doesn't mean we should turn our backs on our friends…especially when they need it the most." DJ said in a softer tone.
Duncan raised his face to meet DJ's kind gaze. The delinquent could hardly dare to believe what he was hearing.
"Buddy, I'm made my share of mistakes on the show too." DJ kindly told his mohawked friend. "Remember in season two when I made a secret alliance with Chef? Momma was so mad at me for that!"
"Yeah, well…you still weren't a jerk to everyone." Duncan admitted. "Plus you cooked for us. Most us of in season two were most upset that you left Chef to cook for us rather the fact that you partnered up with him." He added with a hint of humor.
"Not to mention the Egyptian curse I got." DJ stated miserably.
Duncan blinked in confusion. "…Egyptian curse?"
DJ began to sniffle pathetically. "Yep, the one that caused me to hurt all those poor animals this season! The panda! The baby seal! All those sweet little monkeys!"
Duncan scoffed at DJ's words. Many a strange thing had happened this season, but he refused to believe that curses were one of them. "Dude, stop crying, there's no such thing as curses."
DJ wiped his nose and eyes and shot Duncan a grateful smile. "Thanks man." Feeling better, DJ reached down to pet Mohawk again.
"Don't touch my dog!" Duncan quickly snapped. Real or not, the delinquent still wasn't taking any chances.
"Well, I haven't made any mistakes." Geoff said with arms crossed.
DJ and Duncan shared a skeptical look. DJ raised a brow, asking, "Oh really?"
"Yes. Really." Geoff smugly confirmed.
Duncan narrowed his eyes at this blonde friend. "Not even when you made a complete ass of yourself being a host during Total Drama Action?"
"Not to mention," DJ said in slightly teasing tones, "All those times you made Bridgette angry by stealing glances at other girls. Remember any of that, hmmm?"
Geoff gave an irritable snort and turned away from the two, still not entirely convinced in Duncan's change of heart.
"Geoff, Duncan got played by Alejandro just as much you and I were…if not worse. Duncan may have made the mistake, but that guy was the one that sent it spinning out of control." DJ stared steadily at Geoff and spoke softly. "You forgave Bridgette and have been as happy as ever. Don't you want to give Courtney that chance too?"
Geoff unleashed a defeated sigh. "Alright, alight, I gotcha." He turned to gaze at Duncan with apologetic eyes. "I'm sorry, bra. I shouldn't have been so brutal to ya. Are we cool?"
Duncan had half a mind to ignore Geoff's apology, but seeing the puppy-like look on Geoff's face, Duncan's anger instantly cooled. There was no point in driving away one of the few people on his side. The delinquent bumped fist with his best friend, saying, "Yeah, we're cool."
"So do you have a plan?" DJ asked, sitting down Indian-style between Duncan and Geoff. Mohawk left Duncan's side and settled down in the large, black teen's lap, resting its snout on DJ's knee.
"Kinda…I guess." Duncan answered more than a little uncertainly. The truth was that he hardly had much of a plan in mind. All he knew was that he had to talk with Courtney alone without the other contestants intervening especially Gwen. He would talk with her later, but at the moment Courtney was his top priority.
"I need to talk with Courtney." He stated more confidently. "Alone. Can you guys make it work?"
To Duncan's disappointment, DJ and Geoff glanced at each other uneasily.
"That might be kind of hard at the moment." DJ replied in wary tones.
Duncan felt his spine prickle with unease. "Why? Is something wrong with Courtney?" There was a slight hint of panic in his voice. Had she been hurt during the Drop of Shame?
"She's hardly left her room since coming back. She keeps the door locked and doesn't let anyone in. Only Bridgette's been allowed in." Geoff gazed sadly at Duncan and said in somber tones, "Bro, from what Bridgette's told me, she's hurting…she's hurting really bad."
The news only made Duncan more desperate for him to have a word with her. "Is there any way you two can sneak me in?" He asked pleadingly.
"You might have a better chance tomorrow." DJ said.
Geoff blinked up at DJ in surprise. "But, dude…the aftermath's tomorrow."
"Exactly." DJ said with a nod of his head. "Everyone will be in one area so it'll make it easier to get Courtney away so that you and her can talk in peace."
"But how can we get her alone with me?" Duncan asked, not yet buying the idea. He would have preferred to talk with Courtney tonight. Speaking to her during the Aftermath just seemed a bit too risky. There was a greater chance of contestants seeing him.
Geoff pounded a hand on Duncan's back. "Don't worry bro! I'm the host of the show. I'll find a way to distract everyone."
DJ stood by Duncan's other side, smiling reassuringly at his friend. "And I'll be there to help him. Trust us man, we'll get you alone with Court."
Duncan looked between his Geoff and DJ with wide, teal eyes. Even after all the horrible mistakes he had made this season, both his best friends were still loyally standing by him. They were staring at him with earnest expressions, ready to do whatever it takes to help him do what needed to be done. Despite the upcoming challenge ahead, Duncan's heart felt much lighter.
"Thanks guys," Duncan told them, his voice brimming with gratitude. "You two don't know how much this means to me."
Geoff's blue eyes shone with excitement. "Just tell us what needs to be done, bra."
What did need to be done? Duncan wondered to himself. Of course, the three of them had to come up with a plan detailing how they were going to get Courtney alone during the show. But Duncan also needed to think of what to say to Court the moment they were alone. What could he possibly say to her to make up for all that had happened this season?
Then Duncan realized that he didn't know half that stuff that had happened. He had been gone the first half the season! Geoff and DJ had told him about their own bad experiences, but were there more events that Duncan wasn't aware of? What other misfortunates had this horrible season offered during Duncan's absence? Had any of them affected Courtney?
"Okay," Duncan addressed his friends, "I know what we have to do next."
The next course of action was as clear as a bell.
"I need to watch the episodes of Total Drama World Tour….all of them."
Of course, Geoff and DJ had both offered up quiet, but earnest objections to Duncan's request. Neither of them seemed to believe that allowing Duncan to watch the episodes was too good of an idea. Though happy for their concern, their reluctance was wearing on Duncan's nerves.
"I have to watch see the episodes." Duncan said. He tried to keep the frustration out of his voice. "How else am I supposed to know what I'm going against? No more guesses and false-rumors! I need the whole truth."
No matter how horrible it is. Duncan thought with a painful grimace. He had to see how badly he messed up.
So, with great reluctance, DJ and Geoff led Duncan towards the resort. It was a slightly difficult to get their delinquent buddy into Geoff's room, but after an hour and a half of careful sneaking (and wheeling in a trashcan that had Duncan hidden inside it) they managed to make it in unseen. The trio gathered around the television; DJ was standing to one side, shuffling his feet and taking nervous glances Duncan's way while Geoff stood next to the television, a DVD in hand, and Duncan sat on the edge of the bed, staring intensely at the television screen.
The former contestants were always the first ones to see any new episode of show before it was aired live a couple of days later. Geoff, who had not participated in World Tour, had been taping every episode from the beginning. At the moment, he was heavily regretting the decision.
"Now are you positive you want to watch them?" Geoff asked with a hint of desperation. "How about instead we think of some stuff you can do to win Courtney back?" His expression brightened. "Oh! How about you sing her a pretty song?"
Duncan punched Geoff in the shoulder for even suggesting it.
Geoff rubbed his aching arm and mumbled, "Well, Bridgette did it for me…"
"They're not pretty man." DJ warned. Both he and Geoff were well familiar with how angry Duncan could get. They were worried about the consequences of showing Duncan the full magnitude of his mistakes.
Duncan's glare silenced his friends. "Put it in." The cold tone in Duncan's voice left no room for argument.
With a regretful sigh, Geoff slid in the DVD into the player. Both he and DJ shuffled away to the back of the room as the first episode began to air.
Hours ticked by as episode after episode aired. Throughout each episode, Geoff and DJ would fearfully steal glances over at Duncan, searching his face for reactions. For the most part, Duncan was emotionless. He remained silent throughout the entire viewing, his teal gaze never leaving the screen. Every once in a while, mostly during the scenes with Alejandro, Duncan's eyes would narrow and his hand would slowly curl into a fist, but Duncan never made any more movement than that.
The Hawaiian sun was beginning to dip down behind the ocean when the African episode- the last episode so far- ended. After the credits came to an end, the room went silent. DJ and Geoff dared not be the first to speak in case it triggered a dangerous reaction from Duncan.
"So that's it?" Duncan sounded strangely calm as he spoke. It was quite unnerving.
"That's all, bro." Geoff answered, nodding his head.
A pregnant pause followed in which Duncan didn't speak, but continued sitting on the edge of the bed, silent and staring unmoving at the television screen. A dangerous tension choked the air in the room. To a fidgeting Geoff and DJ, it was like standing in the room with a resting lion, ready to strike at any moment.
"Do you two mind leaving alone for a moment?" Duncan's voice was low, barely above a whisper, but it was more chilling than any growl.
Duncan's two friends quickly left the room.
Standing outside the door, Geoff and DJ conversed with each other in low voices.
"Well, I think that went better than expected." Geoff said, trying to make light of the situation. "Duncan didn't yell at us, or try to break anything. I think our buddy is handling it pretty well."
A split second after the words left Geoff's mouth, a thunderous roar- a horrible sound filled with all the rage in the world- came from inside the room. A glass-shattering crash immediately followed. There was silence, then the sound of heavy footsteps coming closer. A moment later, Duncan swung the door opened and stomped out in a heavy huff.
"Going to sleep outside." Duncan growled as he passed his friends.
Geoff and DJ watched him go, both shaking slightly, before slowly re-entering the room. They stared wide-eyed at the destruction left by their upset friend. The large, flat-screen television provided by the resort had been torn from the wall (no small feat considering its weight and size) and, in a fit of uncontrollable rage, thrown clean through the unopened window.
"HEY! WHY IS THERE A TV IN THE POOL?" Someone- namely LeShawna- shouted from the ground below the window.
DJ turned to Geoff.
"You were saying?" he dryly asked.
Present….
Despite what had happened in the hotel room, Geoff and DJ had still managed to seek out Duncan and come up with a decent plan for getting him and Courtney allowed some time during the Aftermath show. Unlike previous Aftermath shows, the one today wasn't taking place in a studio. Instead, to incorporate the Hawaii theme, the interns and crew had built a stage, commentator benches, and benches for the audience all outside.
Geoff stood alone on the stage, watching his friends start to take their places in the commentator area. Duncan was still hiding in the jungle, though Geoff knew that he'd be close by. His delinquent friend was probably watching from a cluster of nearby bushes. Geoff couldn't help but feel a tad bit nervous about how well the plan would go. As he looked in the commentator area, he noticed that Courtney still wasn't there.
"Geoff?"
Geoff jumped as a female voice said his name. He turned around to see his girlfriend Bridgette staring at him with concerned green eyes.
"Is everything alright?" Bridgette asked, sounding worried. "You've been awfully jumpy all morning."
"No worries babe!" Geoff stated in his usual carefree manner. "Just totally excited about the show! It's going to be awesome!" In a hesitant voice, he asked, "Uhh…hey, is Courtney showing up?"
"No, she doesn't want to and I didn't want to make her." Bridgette said her voice full of sympathy. "I wouldn't want to have to deal with Blaineley or Gwen at the moment."
"Gwen?" Geoff was surprised. Bridgette and Gwen usually got along fine.
"She's impossible to deal with!" Bridgette said with hint of anger in her voice. "She wouldn't even consider apologizing to Courtney! She hurt Courtney just as much as Duncan did. They were becoming such good friends…." Bridgette trailed off, shaking her head. "I don't know what her problem is now. At least Duncan isn't here. Courtney shouldn't have to deal with him at the moment. Geoff, are you okay? You look sort of queasy."
Geoff coughed, turning sideways so that Bridgette couldn't see the look of panic on his face. "Oh, I'm fine…hehe…umm…er…isn't the show about to start?"
"Yes it is!" a cool, feminine voice answered.
The blonde-haired couple whirled around and, at the same time, grimaced. It was Blaineley.
The scarlet-dressed, blonde-dyed woman clapped her hands together. "Places everyone! The show is about to start!"
"Excuse me, but me and Geoff are the ones in charge." Bridgette told Blaineley, eyes narrowing spitefully at the older woman. "It's not your job to direct everyone."
Blaineley smirked and mockingly pinched Bridgette's cheek. "Well, if someone did a better job of it, I wouldn't have to take over." With that, Blaineley walked over to the center of the stage. If looks could kill, Blaineley would be reduced to ashes by the burning glare Bridgette show at Blaineley's backside.
Geoff placed a calming hand on his girlfriend's shoulder. If his girlfriend had the ability to hate anyone in the world, he knew that unfortunate person would be Blaineley.
"Aw, don't worry Bridge, everyone knows who the better hostess is!" he said with a smile.
Bridgette returned smile and hugged her boyfriend. "Aww, thanks Geoffy."
As he hugged Bridgette in return, Geoff looked over Bridgette's head and spied DJ waving over at him frantically from the commentator's benches. The black boy mouthed some words to him.
"Courtney's not here!"
Geoff mouthed a reply.
"Plan's still on. I'll think of something!"
From the safety of a cluster of thick bushes lined along the audience benches, Duncan watched the setup proceedings. From this position, he could see Geoff talking with Bridgette and watch over all the former contestants. Duncan swept his teal gaze along each familiar face. There were Owen and Tyler, his two old teammates from this season- Owen was talking animatedly with a scowling Noah and Tyler was seating besides Lindsay.
Duncan turned from them and stared at other faces in the crowd. DJ was sitting on one of the bench edges, fidgeting and gazing around nervously. Gwen sat on the seat beneath DJ's, looking glum and angry at the world.
Duncan felt a flood of guilt. The delinquent knew that he was to blame for Gwen's downhearted mood. She knew from the episodes that he still loved Courtney.
Duncan cared for Gwen deeply, but only as a friend. He had really thought the two of them could work out as a couple- he and Gwen were alike in so many ways after all. However, some similarities only go skin-deep. Where it truly mattered, Duncan knew that he and Gwen were after two completely different things. Duncan could never offer what Gwen truly wanted from him.
"I'm sorry it could never work out." He whispered sadly. Duncan would talk with Gwen and pray she understand. But not before he spoke with Courtney first.
Maybe after all this, Duncan thought hopefully, the two could become friends again. It was a farfetched idea, he knew, but Duncan hoped it was slightly possible. Guilt gnawed his inners as he thought about all the episodes he had watched the previous night. So many events had been screwed up because of his mistakes…well…him and Alejandro.
Alejandro!
The very name made Duncan's eyes darken with rage. That snake-hearted bastard was to blame for so much! Harold, Bridgette, LeShawna, DJ, Gwen…so many victims that had fallen for Alejandro's lies. The monster took good people in their lowest moments and strung them along like puppets in the direction of their own downfall.
Just like he did for me, Duncan bitterly thought. Rage scorched through Duncan at the thought of dark-hearted villain. His hands tightened into clenched fists. Somebody had to make Alejandro pay for all he did this season.
Just wait. Duncan thought with a growl rumbling deep within his throat. When you get here, I'll be waiting for you, Ale.
Duncan was brought out of his revenge-filled thoughts by Geoff's greeting to the audience. The show was beginning. With a jolt of excitement, Duncan hungrily scanned the contestant benches, searching for one face he longed to see more than any.
Duncan's stomach dropped and nervousness gripped his inners. A person was missing.
"Where are you, Princess?" Duncan asked.
"Hello and welcome to the Total Drama Aftermath! HAWAIIAN STYLE!" Geoff shouted the greeting into the camera as the audience clapped and roared their approval. Almost everyone was clan in their beach and summer attire, enjoying the sunshine that Hawaii so generously offered.
"Today on the Aftermath, we'll get to see never-before-seen footage of the show as well as see which contestant the fans will be rooting for during the last challenge!" Bridgette told the audience with smile. She was suddenly pushed aside by Blaineley.
"And we'll get to interview some of the former contestants to see their intake on the juicy love triangle that we've all been dying to hear about!" Blaineley announced.
The audience roared at the announcement, clapping with much excitement.
Blaineley stood on the stage, basking in the attention and smirking smugly. However, she was pushed back into her seat by Geoff who hastily announced, "But first! Some outtakes!"
"What outtakes?" Blaineley snapped angrily at her co-host.
"Never before seen outtakes all the way from Camp Wawanakwa!" Geoff cheerfully announced.
Bridgette looked confused. "Geoff, none of the challenges have taken place at Camp Wawanakwa this season." She reasonably pointed out.
Geoff chuckled and shot both puzzled women an evil smirk. "Whoever said these outtakes were about the contestants?"
With that said, Geoff got a remote and pointed it at the large television screen above the stage. The tv flickered on and revealed the old outhouse confessional from season one, standing alone in the middle of the forest. Static appeared and then the screen reveals Alien Cody sitting within the confessional.
Outtake 1
"OH JUST WAIT UNTIL I GET MY HANDS ON THAT PATHETIC WEAKLING AND TEMPTRESS! THOSE TWO WILL RUE THE DAY THEY EVER CROSSED MY PATH!" The alien Cody-look-a-like hollered and screamed, shaking the dingy outhouse. "MAKE NO MISTAKE! ONCE I GET OUT OF THIS SMELLY IMPRISONMENT, I SHALL MURDER EVERY HUMAN IN MY PATH…AND STEAL THE BRAS AND PANTIES OF EVERY FEMALE I SEE! WHERE THE 'BLEEP'ARE ALL THESE THOUGHTS COMING FROM GOD DAMNIT!"
Outtake 2 (Week later)
Alien Cody was leaning against the toilet seat, muttering darkly to himself. "First, I'm going to kill the purple headed one…blast her to bits quickly before she can start yammering again. Then the mohawk one goes...I'm sure his head will make a decorative trophy next to the pretty tan one's pelt. The temptress I shall keep alive as my pet…like a hamster running in a ball….a hamster that wears a bikini. The rest can be vessels for alien offspring. But not the fat one…that fat one dies last….a slow…burning…painful death…."
Suddenly, Alien Cody covered his noise and screeched out loud.
"GOD DAMNIT! THIS PLACE STINKS! I CAN'T EVEN CONCENTRATE ON MY PLANS FOR REVENGE WITH THIS UNHOLY STINK! EEW! IT SMELLS LIKE THE FAT ONE!"
Outtake 3 (Two weeks later)
Alien Cody's chestnut hair was ruffled and his clothes were starting to become worn and tattered. A growl came from his stomach.
"Curse this body…and it's weakling need to nutrition…" Alien Cody moaned. "Been…forced…to drink….toilet water…."
A cockroach scuttled by. A second later, Alien Cody's hand shot out and snatched it up. He held the struggling inside tightly in his fist, bringing it close to his gaunt face.
"How has it come to this?" he asked himself, green eyes narrowed. "How has it come that a great warriors such as I am now reduced to quenching my thirst through latrine bowls? To catching lower life forms to sustain myself from hunger? Is this any way the future ruler of this pathetic planet to behave?" Alien Cody paused as if mulling it over.
"Aw, screw it. I'll pretend it's the fat one."
Alien Cody jammed the unfortunate cockroach into his mouth.
"Wow, that alien really doesn't like you, Owen." Tyler pointed out.
"I don't know why!" Owen complained. "All I did was ask him a simple question! I was curious! Is that so wrong?" No one bothered to answer him.
"Geoff, I think these clips are starting to make some of the audience sick." Bridgette observed.
Geoff looked as if he was having the time of his life. At Bridgette's words, he looked up with the expression of a little boy having his toy taken way. "But Bridge, we haven't got to the best part!"
Blaineley raised a skeptical brow. "Best part?"
Geoff clicked a button on the tv remote and happily announced. "The camera inside the confessional is a two-way camera! We can talk with him from here! Isn't it great?"
The tv screen showed what was happening at the confessional currently. It was not a pretty sight. Alien Cody was sprawled on the toilet seat, looking half-dead. His clothes were stained and torn and his brown hair a tangled mess. His green eyes were glazed over. A couple of flies buzzed around the fallen alien.
"Is…is he dead?" Bridgette asked, looking worried.
A fly landed on one of Alien Cody's open eyes.
Geoff airily waved off her concern. "Pffft! I'm sure he's fine." He looked back up at the screen and pointed. "See! Look! He's moving!"
Alien Cody moaned and his body gave a spasm-like twitch.
"Must…destroy…human…race…..all…must…die…ughhh…especially…fat one…ugghh…find….temptress's….bra….." The alien gurgled and white foam started to drip out the corner of his mouth. It was highly disturbing.
Geoff got out a microphone and winked over at Bridgette. "Watch this!" The cowboy hat-wearing teen brought the microphone close and raised a palm to cover it. His voice produced a deep breathing, rasping sound as he spoke.
"Alien…Cody…I…am…your….father…!" Geoff hissed in a wheezing voice.
Both female co-hosts slapped a palm to their foreheads at the immaturity of it all.
Alien Cody immediately jolted back up, green eyes wide and pupils darting back and forth wildly. "Father, is that you! IMPOSSIBLE!"
"Nothing's…impossible…!" wheezed Geoff. It looked like he was trying to hold back giggles.
"Have you come to haunt me father?" Alien Cody yelled out. "But I've done all you told of me! You told me to always follow my heart and I, as your obedient prince son, listened to your advice…" said the Cody-look-alike alien, his evil voice full of sincerity. Then he added in much more sadistic tones,
"…Which is why I did what my heart told me to do and I blew your head off to be king of the planet. HOW'S THAT FOR TAKING YOUR ADVICE FATHER?"
Geoff was momentarily speechless. "….dude, you're a dick." He finally said, not even bothering to disguise his voice.
"Give me that!" Bridgette ordered, snatching the microphone away from her boyfriend. Covering the top of it with her hand so not to be heard by the alien, Bridgette growled at Geoff.
"Geoff, stop teasing the alien!" Bridgette scolded sternly.
"Bridge, he tried to kill our friends!" Geoff whined. "Besides, it's really fun! You wanna try?"
Bridgette looked hesitant. "Isn't teasing aliens illegal in the Unites States?" She knew that Canada's neighbor country had a very strange obsession with UFOs and aliens.
"Only in New Mexico!" Noah shouted. "Pfft…those Roswell freaks…."
Geoff dangled the microphone temptingly close to Bridgette's face. "You know you want to." He teased, raising his eyebrows up and down.
Bridgette stared ponderingly at the microphone, biting her pink lips in hesitation. Her resistance did not last more than a few moments. With a great smile on her face, Bridgette snatched the microphone and took part in teasing the nasty, ill-tempered alien.
"Ooohooohhhhhh! Alien Codddyyyyy," Bridgette cooed seductively, raising her voice to sound similar to her friend Courtney, "I am the Temptress! Come and get my braaaaaaa!"
"WHY AM I HEARING THESE VOICES IN MY HEAD?" Alien Cody screeched, throwing his head back to scream to the heavens. The evil alien grew more agitated and pissed off when a outhouse rattle with what seemed like a thousand voices of mocking laughter. "SHUT UP! I WILL NOT BE MOCKED! SILENCE PERSISTANT DEMONS OF MY INSANITY! SILENCE!"
Of course, Alien Cody's agitated yells only made the audience members laugh harder. Bridgette covered up the microphone as her own giggles bubbled forth. Only one face was not amused by poking fun at the evil alien ruler.
"Could we move on?" Blaineley complained in her scathing voice. "This is only a thirty minute show and there is a lot of drama to be stirred up! Let's do some interviews! Where's Duncan at?"
Geoff fidgeted in his seat. "Not here."
"But we like have his dog!" Katie piped up. She and Sadie pulled up Mohawk in between them. The ginger mutt looked quite discontent between the two girls, especially with a large, red ribbon tied around his neck.
"Isn't he sooooooo cute?" cooed Sadie as she and her best friend hugged the dog tightly.
An "awwing" coo erupted from the audience and every female former contestant. Even Eva was giving the adorable puppy a fawning look.
Mohawk whined and tried to tug the red ribbon off.
Blaineley's expression brightened at the sight of the dog. In an instant, the glamorous hostess was out of her seat and kneeling in front of the dog.
"Move aside!" She rudely ordered to Katie and Sadie. Turning to Mohawk, Blaineley pasted a large, fake smile on her face as she cooed sweetly, "Heya boy! Aren't you a big furry sweetheart? My, my, a scruffy thing like you must put Pomeranians to shame, huh?"
Blaineley flinched back in disgust when Mohawk happily gave her a sloppy lick on the face. He snapped his jaws together innocently.
Blaineley glared at the smiling dog and wiped away drool from her face, muttering, "You're lucky PETA watches every episode of this show." Placing back the cheerful expression, Blaineley leaned close to the dog and cooed in a honey-like tone.
"Do you miss your master, cutey?" Blaineley fawned over Mohawk. "Do you miss your Dunky-poo?" Blaineley then shot up and pointed in a random direction, shouting, "Well, then go find him! Go find him for us!"
Mohawk just sat on his haunches, staring up at up Blaineley, panting and wagging his fluffy tail.
Blaineley continued to jerk her finger in the same direction. "Come on boy! Fetch Duncan! Go on and sniff out some drama!"
The dog still didn't move.
Blaineley scowled down at the dog. "How does the phrase 'Time to get fixed!' sound to you, mutt?"
Mohawk let out a yelp and went running off. Blaineley watched the dog disappear and gave a chuckle. Tossing her long, blonde hair back, she made a snide remark to Geoff and Bridgette.
"See children? That's how you get some action going on! Just wait and see- ACK!"
Blaineley shrieked in surprise as something large pounced upon her and sent her falling face-first to the ground. Blaineley slide her blue eyes open just in time to see an object drop down in front of her- it was Duncan's flip knife.
"…I hate animals." Blaineley wheezed, rolling her eyes upward to glare spitefully at the dog standing on her back.
A happy bark was Mohawk's only reply.
Bridgette smirked at her fellow co-hostess as Geoff chuckled beside her. "Yeah, that's a lot of action going on, Blaineley. Maybe next you could ask Mohawk to fetch back a piece of beef jerky that Duncan's chewed on."
Owen's head jerked up in full attention. "Jerky? Did someone say something about beef jerky? That's my favorite kind of jerky!" Owen prattled on excitedly. "Well, besides deer, turkey, pork, elk, moose, and tuna. Chef gave me some emu jerky in Australia, but I'm not quite sure where he got it…"
"GET OFF ME!" Blaineley's scream of outrage cut Owen off. Mohawk whimpered and scampered back into the waiting arms of Katie and Sadie, allowing the ill-tempered hostess to stand back off.
Blaineley dusted off her red dress and spat out dirt from her mouth. "Okay," she hacked, "Change of plans! You!" She pointed at Beth. "Go get Courtney to come out here!"
Beth blinked in surprise. "Me?" she gasped in horror. "But Courtney hates me! She'll kill me if I try to bring her out here!"
Blaineley thrust her glaring face close to Beth's, teeth clenched and bared. "And I have the ability to spread the foulest rumors about you into the media and make you wish that Courtney had killed you! So pick your poison, honey!"
The timid girl let out a squeak of fright and ran off towards the resort as fast as her short legs could carry her.
Bridgette shouted after Beth with a look of panic on her pretty face. "No, Beth! Come back! Leave Courtney alone!" She turned to shoot Blaineley a sharp glare. "Can't you leave people to their own privacy?"
"Privacy doesn't get ratings sweetheart!" Blaineley growled, fixing Bridgette with a glare of her own.
"Maybe Courtney should come out."
Both Blaineley and Bridgette whipped their heads towards Geoff.
"WHAT?" both females shrieked in unison. Bridgette was shocked that Geoff was siding with Blaineley and Blaineley was flabbergasted for the same reason.
In the bushes, Duncan craned his neck out, watching the show more keenly. His blue eyes flashed with excitement.
Geoff shared a secret glance with DJ other by the benches and then spoke to his fellow co-hosts. He fidgeted in his seat under Bridgette's burning stare.
"Well, you know…it might be good for her…" he mumbled half-heartedly, trying to appease with Bridgette. "Get it all out in the open, you know. I mean…it worked for you, Bridge."
"That's different!" Bridgette snapped. "I wasn't the victim. Besides, Duncan isn't even here to confront with Courtney." She gestured towards Blaineley. "All we have is this nosy, gossiping bimbo!"
"Hey! This nosy, gossiping bimbo's the only thing keeping this show running!" Blaineley huffed moodily, arms crossed over her chest. The co-host eyed several of the benched contestants, her hawk-like gaze finally following on one in particular. A sly smirk stretched out upon her ruby-red lips.
"Then again," Blaineley said in velvety-smooth tones, standing up and gliding over to the contestant benches. "Who needs Duncan? There are soooo many other issues that need to be confronted and be brought into the light…the spotlight, I mean." She corrected herself with a titter. Blaineley looped an arm around Gwen's neck. "For instance, how about we see if Mrs. CIT would like to have a nice chat with her former friend, the one that betrayed her and brutally stabbed her as well as Cody in the back? Oh, I'm sure we'd all love to hear what you have to say, Gwennie!"
"Get off me!" Gwen threw herself away from Blaineley's grasp. "I don't have anything to say! I don't have to justify myself to anyone like you!"
"Temper, temper." Blaineley chided. "If not to me, then what about to your friends?" She gestured towards the Geoff, Bridgette, and the rest of the contestants. "Don't they deserve to hear why you did what you did?"
Gwen's gaze searched the stage and fell on where the Drama Brother band was set up to provide music. Her eyes spotted Trent who was watching the entire scene with a morbid curiosity just like everyone else. Gwen turned away and glared down at the ground.
"There's nothing to say." Gwen growled. "I wasn't at fault! Courtney got what she had coming for a long, long time! I have nothing to say to her or anyone else on this stupid show!"
"I bet your buddy LeShawna doesn't agree though." Blaineley revealed with great relish. "She's been paying visits to poor Courtney with Bridgette. Perhaps," the co-host said with a dramatic flair of one depressed, "trying to stitch up the wounds you left behind?"
Gwen waited, with a smirk, for LeShawna to jump in and defend her. The Goth girl knew that her best friend would ultimately stand by her side and no one else's! After all, LeShawna was no friend of Courtney's anymore than she was.
But LeShawna- the sassy girl that always voiced out her opinions on any matter- remained silent.
The smirk vanished from Gwen's face. LeShawna was not denying anything that Blaineley was saying. Even in silence a horrible truth was made clear to Gwen.
Gwen whirled around and stared at her best friend, wide eyes reflecting the betrayal she was feeling. "You too, LeShawna?"
LeShawna gazed at Gwen sadly, but did not falter under her best friend's scathing expression. "I was only trying to convince Courtney to talk with you."
"I don't want to talk with her!" Gwen spat, black eyes blazing. The Goth felt betrayed by the only one she could call friend. "I thought we were friends, LeShawna! But now you're taking her side?"
"This isn't about taking sides, girl." LeShawna reasoned persistently. "This is about doing what's right."
Instead of being calmed, Gwen's pale face twisted with fury at LeShawna's words. "Right? RIGHT? How is any of this right! I've been treated like crap by everyone here when I got hurt this season just as much as anyone else!"
Owen shifted uncomfortably in his bench. "Um…no offense Gwen, but you kinda had it coming."
Katie and Sadie bobbed their heads in agreement. "Like totally!" Katie said, "You like went behind Courtney's back!"
"Oh, and she like totally tried to trick poor Cody!" Sadie added, nodded her head in sympathy at the poor techno-geek.
"Yep, karma's a bitch, ain't it Gwen?" Noah droned in his usual sarcastic manner. He eyed the Goth girl with a raised eyebrow. "You'd think, you being a big believer in that junk, that you would have seen all this coming."
"Suck it, Noah!" Gwen snarled. She glared at the contestants, dark eyes burning with hatred at each and every one of them. How dare any of them judge her! How could any of them ever understand what she had gone through? She whirled around and spat venomously at Bridgette.
"How about her?" She asked everyone, gesturing at Bridgette. Her dark eyes flashed with undying fury. "If anyone's the real cheater on the show it's Bridgette! Why don't you all turn your backs on her?"
Bridgette stood up from her seat and everyone fell silent. Even Geoff, who had been rising to defend Bridgette, quickly sat back down. Bridgette's soft green eyes were hard as they glared at Gwen.
"Because," Bridgette answered strongly, "unlike you, I had to courage to admit that what I did was wrong."
With that, the blonde host sat back down. After a shocked pause, the audience, plus many of the former contestants went into a wild applause at her answer. Gwen looked from contestant to contestant, seeing no friendly face among them. Unable to bear it any longer, Gwen squeezed her eyes shut and, with a growl, pushed her away from the other contestants.
"Gwen, wait!" LeShawna called out towards her best friend, her face stricken as she watched Gwen hurry away into the Hawaiian flora.
Blaineley watched the entire scene with a deadpan expression. "I would have a preferred a catfight." She then shrugged. "Oh well, drama's drama I guess." She turned to smirk evilly at Bridgette. "How about we check up and see how Beth is doing Courtney, hmm?"
Before Bridgette could make a sharp retort, Geoff butt in and said, with a nervous grin, "Or, or we could see how the other World Tour contestants are doing! Owen, Noah how about to tell the entire audience how you two managed to survive a fifty thousand foot Drop of Shame with no parachute?"
"Two words." Noah deadpanned. He pointed a thumb at Owen.
"Blubber padding."
Gwen hurried away as fast as she could from the stage, the cameras, the audiences, and all her former friends. She pushed through branches, bushes, and vines until she reached an area in the jungle covered up entirely by shadows from the leafy foliage growing above her head. It was a dark, lonesome place which fit Gwen nicely.
The Goth girl sniffled and wiped away moisture from her eyes. Her dark eyes slid open at the sound of twigs snapping behind her. A scowl formed on Gwen's face and, not even bothering to turn around, she snapped angrily.
"Go away, LeShawna! I don't want to talk with you!"
"Then talk with me." replied a clearly male voice.
Gwen's eyes grew wide with shock. She whirled around and saw Trent standing a few feet in front of her.
For a few seconds, Gwen opened and closed mouth several times, wanting to speak but unable to find the right words to say. Finally she gave up and turned away.
"What do you want?" Gwen asked in bitter tones. "Shouldn't you be back buddying up your band?"
Trent looked unfazed by Gwen's harsh tones. His face remained impassive and though he spoke in a civil tone, there was no warmth in it. "Why did you run away?"
Gwen rolled her eyes and spitefully replied. "Are you both blind and deaf? Nobody wants me there! They all hate me!"
Something changed in Trent's expression. "Nobody hates you." He said in a soft voice. "They're just disappointed."
"Disappointed?" Gwen spun around and faced Trent with onyx eyes burning with fury. Her voice was growing into a high pitch, sounding completely hysterical. "DISAPPOINTED? Those guys-" Gwen jabbed her arm in the direction of the stage. "- don't know the meaning of disappointment! I've lost everything! My friends, my dignity, not to mention any chance I had at winning the game- I've gave up everything for someone I really liked just so that he could toss me away like a misplaced sock!"
"I wish I knew how that feels." For the first time, there was a hint of bitterness in Trent's voice.
A tense, pregnant pause followed Trent's statement. An unspoken conversation buzzed in the air between the two teens; memories of their awful breakup in season two flowed like rushing rapids through both their minds. The memories were not pretty.
Gwen's eyes narrowed. "This isn't the same." The Goth girl's voice was as sharp as thorns. "I know you're upset that I got with Duncan, but I can't help that I like him! At least he was still a friend to me after all the drama of season two!"
Trent's green eyes widened a fraction. "What are you talking about?" He sounded genuinely puzzled.
"You ignored me for months!" Gwen snapped. "I thought we could still be friends, after our breakup but instead you break everything off with me!"
"Because I'm still getting over you." Trent answered in exasperated tones. "I was out making new friends, creating a band, playing music, doing stuff that I loved. I was giving you the space that I thought you wanted."
Gwen gave a snort and jerked her head away. "Whatever. Why are we even talking about this? This isn't about you and me."
"You're right." Trent narrowed his green eyes. "This is about you…and Courtney."
"Duncan had had enough of her! He told me!" Gwen argued, willing to hold on to any scrap of dignity she had left. "They were breaking up soon anyway so what does it matter that he got with me a little earlier?"
"Because you hurt a friend to do so?" came Trent's cold reply.
Gwen sniffed and glared at the ground. "Courtney's isn't my friend. She did everything she could to get me voted off. She stole both Cody and Duncan away from me!" She let out a shuddering breath. "If she had been a true friend, then she would have allowed me a chance to be happy again!"
"Is happiness with a cheater truly worth the pain of betraying a good friend?" The distance in Trent's voice melted away and his voice shook with emotion. "Gwen, I know you. Stop denying that you don't feel guilty. You just desperate to convince yourself that all the mistakes you made will somehow be worth the pain you caused to the people you care about. Even if deep inside you know it wasn't."
Despite the warm Hawaiian sun shining down, Gwen felt cold. The Goth continued to glare defiantly into Trent's face.
"What does it matter? Even if I admit what I did was wrong, what will it change?" she hissed. Everyone will still hate me just as much they do now!" Her throat tightened painfully and she fought back tears. "I don't understand! Everyone else has made mistakes! Harold! LeShawna! Bridgette! But everyone still loves them! Why do they hate me?"
Trent's forest-green eyes stared solemnly into Gwen's tear-filled ones.
"Because," Trent said, "it doesn't matter to people how far you fall. The only thing that matters is how willing you are to climb back up."
A silence fell over the shady glade with never Gwen or Trent willing to break. At last, Gwen was unable to bear looking Trent any longer. Her face was flushed and hot with shame at Trent's words. The last thing Gwen wanted was for Trent to be bear witness to her tears. Why was he here? After all the pain she had caused him and others, why did he even bother speaking with her?
"Why do you even care?" She asked in a hoarse whisper, face still turned away from Trent.
The pale girl was shocked by the amount of tenderness in Trent's voice as he answered softly.
"I'm sure that Courtney will be the first to tell you that, no matter how much they hurt you, it's impossible to forget the ones you love."
With nothing left to be said, Trent turned away and left. Gwen stood alone, still and silent. Even though the patch of isolated jungle was covered in shadow, for the first time in a long while, Gwen felt a patch of sunlight warm her bit by bit.
"…And after that, we managed to drag ourselves out a giant tub of green jello and then the Total Drama producers found us and brought us here. And that's what happened to me and my buddy Noah after our Drop of Shame." Owen finished with a big grin plastered on his face.
Every ex-contestant and audience member was staring at Owen with wide eyes and weirded-out expression upon their faces. A cricket chirped somewhere.
"My thoughts exactly." Noah droned, looking quite uninterested. The bookworm sometimes wondered why in the world he hung out with Owen in the first place. Every day was just some random, painful accident waiting to happen.
Geoff was the first to shake himself out of his freaked out stupor. He hastily addressed the audience.
"Uh..okay, bros and dudettes, I think it's about time for vide…" Geoff was cut off by Blaineley, who slapped a hand over his mouth.
"Time for interviews with the former contestants!" Blaineley said, causing the audience to erupt in applaud. Winking at the cheering crowd, the stunning hostess continued, "It's about time we find out what some of Courtney's and Cody's buddies think about all the love drama going on!"
Bridgette rolled her eyes in annoyance but could do nothing with the crowd so excited. Despite her better wishes, Bridgette knew that that whole issue between Courtney, Cody, and Duncan was the extreme highlight of the season. The audience wanted as much drama between those three as possible.
Blaineley strolled towards the contestant benches, eyeing each one to see who would provide the best answers. At last, she thrust her microphone towards Lindsay.
"So tell us, Lindsay, you were on the show for a…er…fair amount of time, tell us, are you on Team CoCo or Team Duncney?" Blaineley asked.
The bubbly blonde giggled. "Well, Team Coco, of course! I love CoCo! Especially when it's filled with marshmallows and whipped cream!" Lindsay blinked in a puzzled manner. "I'm not really sure what kind of food Duncney is? Is it a French beef?"
"Uh…sure." Blaineley said, not wanting to bother trying to educate the air-headed blonde. She turned to smirk at DJ. "How about you big boy? What are your thoughts?"
DJ folded his arms over his chest. "Cody's a nice guy, but I gotta side with my buddy, Duncan." Seeing the shocked faces and hearing the gasps from his fellow contestants, DJ continued, "The guy made a mistake, but Duncan has a good heart. If given the chance, I'm positive he'll make up for his mistake."
DJ glanced over the heads of the audience and spied Duncan peeking out from his hiding place in the bushes. The delinquent was grinning and his teal eyes shone with gratitude at DJ's words. The large black boy shot his friend a large smile in return.
"Well, isn't that sweet...and completely vomit inducing." Blaineley mumbled with an eye roll. Heartwarming friendship moment weren't her thing.
Harold waved both his arms around wildly, trying his best to get Blaineley's attention. "Oh, oh, oh! Interview me next!"
Blaineley let out a long, exasperated groan and pinched the bridge of her nose. The red-haired nerd wasn't her favorite contestant to listen to. "Fine!" Blaineley lamely held the microphone out towards Harold. She mumbled in annoyed tones, "What do you have to say?"
Harold smiled bright and puffed out his chest in self-importance. "Well, I'm glad you asked, m'lady!" He snatched away the microphone from a surprised Blaineley's hand and spoke into it.
"First off, allow me to say that I'm am hundred and ten percent behind Team Coco all the way…or Team Courdy, or, if one wants to go for the more creative approach, Team CottonCandy!" Harold droned on in a proud voice. "I always knew that my friend Cody would get together with Courtney, right from the very beginning!"
"Uh, honey, no you didn't." LeShawna said.
"Of course I did." Harold argued.
"Dude, you purposely got Courtney kicked off because you knew she and Duncan liked each other." Geoff pointed out.
"…That's completely irrelevant to the discussion." Harold sniffed. His girlfriend LeShawna rolled her eyes in exasperation as Harold continued, "As I was saying, my buddy Cody and Miss. Courtney are perfect for on another. Their love is practically written in the stars! He's an Aries and she's a Leo! They're compatible!"
"That's sweet, Harold, but Cody and Courtney aren't technically together at the moment." Bridgette said.
Harold's grin grew wider. "Not yet! But I have formulated the perfect plan to help Cody win back the girl of his dreams! All my friend needs to do to woo the heart of his sweetheart is go serenade a beautiful song to her."
Bridgette shoot him a deadpan look. "This song wouldn't happen to be a rap written by you, would it?" she asked in a mumble.
"Yes!" Harold said with excitement in his voice. "Wanna hear it?"
"Does the audience have the opinion to cut off their ears first?" Blaineley darkly muttered.
Geoff did his best to ease the negativity of his two female co-hosts. "Now, now give the bro a chance." Turning to Harold, the party dude grinned kindly. "Let it rip, dude!"
"WHOO!" Harold jumped out of his seat and rushed into the middle of the stage with the microphone in hand. "Can I get a beat?"
In the intern's corner, Lono took out a pair of sticks and began to happily beat down on the wall, creating a nice, catchy beat.
"Oh huh, huh, huh, huh," Harold was bobbing his head with the beat, getting into full gangsta mode. "Check out this new beat!"
Instantly rapster music started playing from out of nowhere and Harold started rapping, dancing wildly in place as he sang.
"Oh C and D to double C, need a piece of that CIT! Things will get down and nice when candy sweet meets hot as spice!"
To the surprise of many contestants, they found the rap oddly catchy and enjoyable. Bridgette and Geoff were bobbing their heads to the beats of the rap.
LeShawna was shouting down at her dancing boyfriend. "Work it sugar! Show these guys how to really move that white booty!" Suddenly the jubilant expression on the black girl's face fell and was replaced by a look of pure horror.
Within seconds, the rest of the contestants' expression started to match LeShawna's. They were all looked on past Harold with eyes wide and full of fear. Some like Geoff and DJ started to cough to get Harold's attention.
Harold obliviously danced on, eyes closed and having the time of his life. There was nothing he enjoyed more than being the center of attention and showing off his awesome rapster skills.
"Oh yeah, jump the plane and make you mine," He rapped, popping and locking as well as a variety of other rather vulgar dance moves. "Those tan brunettes are sexy fine! Yeow! GET FUNKY NOW!" Harold shook his small butt back and forth, waving his stringy arms around. "Do the plane dive-i-i-i-i! Do the plane dive-i-i-i! CRASH IT DOWN!" Harold glanced up and shouted happily at his friends.
"Come on guys! Join in! It's a musical season remember?" he called, still dancing and grinning like an idiot.
Every face that stared at him was filled with fear. Every contestant slowly shook their heads at their nerdy friend. Noah and Owen silently pointed at something behind Harold.
"What are you all staring at?" Harold asked in cheerful tones. He spun around, cutting a rather fine dance move, and opened his eyes, grinning…
…and found himself face to face with Courtney.
The smile fell and Harold instantly gained the look of someone coming face to face with a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
"H-H-H-Hey, C-C-Courtney!" Harold stammered nervously, visibly shaking. His green eyes were bulging and his face had paled in fear. "N-N-Nice to s-s-see y-you up and a-a-about!"
Courtney narrowed her dark eyes like a hawk about to disembowel a lizard. She leaned close to the trembling boy, her expression murderous.
"Need a piece of a that CIT?" she snarled, outrage evident in her voice.
Harold opened his mouth and raised a finger as if about to say something that would save his skin. A couple seconds past with Harold frozen in the same position.
Nothing at all came to his mind.
Harold's green pupils shifted left to right and then back at Courtney's face. He unleashed a nervous giggle. Then he ran off screaming.
Courtney shot after him, shaking her fist. "GET BACK HERE YOU PERVERTED NERD!"
"AAAAGGHHHHHHH!" The poor nerd scampered off as fast his stringy legs could carry him, shrieking like a little girl away from Courtney's wrath.
Bridgette, Geoff, Blaineley, and the rest of the contestants watched the chase in mild amusement. Only Bridgette and LeShawna looked truly concerned.
"Um…maybe we should go to a commercial?" Bridgette suggested, her eyes following the process of Courtney and Harold, who were both basically around the stage in circles with Courtney growling and aiming powerful kicks to Harold's behind every time she got close.
"Good idea, Bridge!" Geoff said, turning to grin into the camera. "Stay tune Total Drama fans for more totally awesome excitement here on…" Geoff was cut off by Harold throwing himself in front of the film camera.
"HELP ME!" Harold screamed, his entire, panic-filled face covering the screen of the camera. Someone- most likely Courtney- pulled him away and the screen shifted to ominous, crackling static.
Geoff took the commercial break as good opportunity to speak with Duncan. Using the excuse of needing to go use the restroom, Geoff slipped away, leaving Bridgette to try and stop Courtney from beating up on Harold.
"Psssstt! Duncan!" Geoff hissed, shuffling his way through the leafy foliage. The cowboy-hat wearing teen jumped when a voice answered.
"Geoff!" Duncan poked his head out from a bush.
"Shh!" Geoff hushed, glancing around nervously. "Keep it down. Blaineley might be nosing around."
"Does anyone suspect anything?" Duncan asked lowering his voice. The last person he wanted to discover him was Blaineley.
"I think Bridgette's starting to get suspicious." Geoff admitted. "She told me earlier that she doesn't think it's a good idea for you to talk with Courtney."
"I have to!" Duncan argued with a growl tinged in his voice.
"I know, I know!" Geoff fretted, not wanting to start an argument that might draw in unwanted attention. "But are you positive? I mean, Court's not really in the bad mood right now."
"WHERE DID YOU GET A LAMP POST?" Harold's terrified wail could be heard even from the hidden area. A painful-sounding whacking noise immediately followed.
Both boys winced at the sound, but Duncan was still persistent. "I still need to do it." he stated in a firm tones.
"Well, at least we have Courtney here." Geoff said, sounding relieved. That was one less thing to worry about though now it was coming to tough part of the plan. "Now, all we have to do is to sneak Courtney away as soon as everyone is distracted!"
"And how exactly are you going to distract them?" Duncan asked.
Geoff shot his best friend a roguish wink. "Oh don't worry! I have the perfect way to distract them!"
Duncan looked less than assured.
"AND WELCOME BACK!" yelled Bridgette, smiling cheerfully at the audience and the new camera set up.
Beside the camera breaking, the little fiasco between Courtney and Harold hadn't caused too much damage to the stage, Right now, both Harold and Courtney were seated in the contestant benches; Courtney was fuming in her seat and Harold was trying to sit comfortably despite the blue bruises and the large lamppost twisted around his lanky body- curtsey of Courtney.
"Before the commercials we listened to a killer rap from Harold, and Courtney arrived as our own special guest of the show!" Geoff said gesturing towards Courtney and giving the girl a warm smile.
Courtney didn't return it. "I'm not staying." She stated, glaring and crossing her arms defiantly. "I only came down because somebody snuck into my room and stole my PDA!"
Blaineley blinked innocently and droned, "Oh dear, I wonder who on earth could have done that?"
A far distance from where the Aftermath was being filmed, a short, plump girl was hiding underneath an overturned, wooden fishing boat in the middle of the beach.
From the shadows of the boat, two beady eyes darted back and forth in a panicked manner.
"I hope this is far away enough for Courtney to be looking." Beth whispered fearfully to herself.
A seagull landed on top of the overturned boat and started to peck at it.
Beth instantly shrieked loudly in fear and started to shake the boat in panic.
"ACK! SHE'S FOUND ME! HELP! HELP! HELP!"
"Well, if you stay for the show, I'll personally help you look for it afterwards!" Geoff hastily said with a smile a bit too large to be natural stretched upon his face.
Both Bridgette and Courtney looked at Geoff with narrowed eyes and suspicious expressions on their faces.
Finally, Courtney shook her head, dismissing Geoff's odd behavior. "Whatever, I'll stay."
Geoff unleashed a large, inhaled breath that he had been holding, looking greatly relieved. This did not go unnoticed by Bridgette.
"Geoff…" Bridgette slowly asked, leaning closer and eyeing him warily, "…is everything alright?"
Geoff started to look flustered. "Er…no! I mean yes! Everything is awesome! Especially now that it's time to answer questions from the viewers!" Before Bridgette or Blaineley could make any objections, Geoff got the tv remote and put the first viewer on the screen.
"Our first viewer is Philips Princeton calling from Merciville, Oklahoma!" Geoff announced.
A teenage boy around fourteen years of age appeared on screen. He had shaggy black hair and was scowling into the screen.
"This show is totally scripted." Philips promptly stated.
A shocked silence followed Philip's rather blunt statement.
Bridgette was first to recover from her surprise. "What do you mean scripted, Philips?"
"What I mean is that this show is as fake as Jersey Shores! All this ridiculious stuff has to be scripted! There is no freaking way that any of this is reality television! You guys are fakes!" ranted the viewer.
"Dude, none of this is scripted! All of this is 100% reality!" Geoff argued, glaring up at the screen.
Philips scoffed mockingly. "Oh pleez! If this is reality television then where the hell does the music from each episode come from? And how is it possible that you guys can sing the exact same song, at the exact same time, in perfect unison without any kind of rehearsal or script involved…and WHEN YOU ARE IN DIFFERENT PLACES AS WELL? IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"
Once again, a long silence followed, though it wasn't because of shock but rather because nobody at all knew how to provide a reasonable explanation to Philip's keen observations.
"….Cause the music's from the heart, bro…it's from the heart." Geoff said with passion, thumping a fist over his heart.
"What the hell kind of answer is that? This show is so fu..."
"NEXT CALLER!" Bridgette shouted, pressing a button on the remote to switch to the next caller. She looked down at the location and her eyebrows rose with surprise. "Hmm, got some international callers this time! Up next are the Paeth sisters from Wolfsburg, Germany!"
On the screen appeared three, blonde-headed and blue eyed sisters around the age of eighteen or nineteen. They were obviously triplets.
"Hallo! I am Anja!" Greeted the first sister, her accent very heavy.
"I am Franzi!" greeted the middle sister.
"And I am Gretel!" piped up the last sister.
"Guten morgen Insgesamt Theater crew!" The German sisters cheerfully shouted in their native tongue.
Geoff leaned over and whispered to Bridgette. "What did they say?"
"I believe it was a greeting." Bridgette whispered back.
"Oh," Geoff smiled up and waved at the girls, shouting cheerfully, "Same to you!"
The sister looked at each other and erupted into giggles, shooting Geoff teasing glances.
"So what do you have to say to the Total Drama crew?" Bridgette asked, smiling kindly at the sisters.
The German women stopped giggling and Franzi stepped up to be the one to speak.
"We would like to say a word for Courtney. She our favorit, ja" Franzi said in a thick accent. Her two sisters nodded in agreement.
Courtney raised her head up to the screen, looking interested for the first time. "Really?" she asked, blinking in surprise. It was rare to hear that she was a viewer's favorite contestant.
Anja stepped to stand besides her sister Franzi and spoke in broken English. "Ja, Ja! You zäh…tough! We like that! Whole Team Amazon tough! Sie koste es was es wolle!"
Gretel stepped up and growled, "You should not have been voted off! Ale-vand-o and Heather should not win! Nein! Nein! Nein!"
"We shall be jubel…I mean…cheering for your lieber freund Cody to win." Franzi told to Courtney.
Courtney actually smiled for the first time since being voted off and nodded her head at the German sisters. "Thank you. I'm sure Cody will appreciate all the support."
The warm, beautiful moment was ruined when Blaineley stood up and loudly proclaimed, "Speaking of support, I'm sure that Cody will appreciate to see just how many people support the idea of Cody being Courtney's freund aka boyfriend!"
Up on the screen, Gretel interrupted the co-host. "Freund just means friend! To say boyfriend you need…"
Ticked off at being interrupted, Blaineley cut the German girl off by changing the channel. Now the giant television screen showed a big, colorful pie graph.
Courtney glared up at it as if it were a nasty bug. "And what is that?" She asked through dark, narrowed eyes.
"It's an online poll." Blaineley explained with blue eyes gleaming. "To see what couple the fans want to see happen."
"And the choices?" Courtney asked with a barely disguised growl.
Blaineley smirked. "Duncney, CoCo, and DunGwen."
"…I hate you. I hate you so very much."
"So does half the world, sweetheart." Replied Blaineley airily, still smirking. "Anywhoo, let's see the results shall we?"
Without any further ado, Blaineley got the remote and pressed a small button. On the giant screen, a picture of Courtney and a picture of Duncan appeared side by side with the giant words "DUNCNEY" appearing right above them. Between the two pictures a number percentage popped up.
"10.3 percent voted for Duncney! Ha!" Geoff crowed jubilantly.
"That's not really a lot Geoff." Bridgette pointed out.
Geoff frowned in disappointment. "Oh…guess I'm not good at math."
"Jeez, where'd you get that idea?" Blaineley sarcastically said. "Too bad for the Duncney shippers!"
In the bushes, Duncan let out an angry, offended snort and glared.
"Let's check how CoCo is faring in the world of the fans." Blaineley said pressing the 'forward' button on the remote.
The scene shifted so that the screen showed a picture of Courtney and Cody with the words "COCO" above them.
"11.6 percent?" Bridgette's voice sounded skeptical. That wasn't very much. "Does that mean everyone else voted for DunGwen?"
Geoff stole the remote from Blaineley and made the screen shift to the DunGwen results. The percentage was only 3.4 percent.
"Where's the other 74.4 percent?" Blaineley yelled, throwing her arms up.
Geoff continued pressing the forward button. To his, and everyone else's, surprise there was several different couple choices that popped up on screen. Bridgette read them off as well as their percentages of voters.
"Uhh…4.8 percent voted for Tylindsay...Tyler/Lindsay I believe."
"Yaayyy!" Lindsay clapped her hands while Tyler stood up and let out a victorious yell.
"6.4 percent voted for…er….wow…DJwen? Dj and Gwen?"
Noah chuckled and nudged a blushing DJ. "Jeez, what did you two do in the dressing room in Paris?"
"15.1 percent vote for AleDuncan…Alejandro and Duncan? Where the hell did THAT come from?"
Both Geoff and DJ could have sworn that they heard Duncan violently throwing up in the bushes.
"Do I have to read more?" Bridgette asked, looking a tad green after seeing how many people voted for Alejandro and Duncan to be together.
"None of these couples were even opinions in the poll!" Blaineley snapped.
Suddenly a familiar, insane voice called out. "Every couple is an opinion when shippers are involved!"
From the treetops, Izzy dropped down on stage, standing straight up and grinning madly at the audience and contestants.
Owen stared at his ex-girlfriend and scratched his head in a puzzled manner. "Shippers? What are shippers?"
Izzy chuckled. "Why people that support ships of course!"
Blank faces stared at her. Then Tyler spoke, "How can you support a boat?"
The wild redhead girl frowned and glanced around at all the confused faces, looking appalled. "Wait, none of you know what shippers or ships are?" she asked in disbelief.
Geoff took a sly glance towards Duncan's hiding spot and smirked. Perhaps now was a good time for a giant diversion. He looked back at Izzy and, trying to sound as innocent as possible, called out, "How about you tell us about them?"
Both Blaineley and Bridgette shoot Geoff flabbergasted looks, but Izzy let loose a smile that could rival that of any Cheshire cat.
"I'd love to!" Izzy proclaimed, taking the center stage. She called out to the Drama Brothers. "Music if you please!"
Justin, Harold, and Trent glanced at each other and reluctantly began to pick up their instruments. However, as soon as they touched their usual instruments, Izzy barked, "No! No! No! Use these!"
The three Drama Brothers let out gasp of shock as Izzy threw a giant tuba at them. It landed straight on top of Trent, crushing the poor musician. Justin chuckled at his friend's misfortune, but his laughter died short when Izzy threw an accordion that hit him straight on the side of the head. Justin fell to the ground, completely knocked out. Only Harold remained standing and conscious out of his three band mates.
Izzy stared at the knocked out band members and just shrugged her shoulders. "Aw, well. I'll just use Chris's reserved orchestra." The crazy girl snapped her fingers and music started to play, apparently coming from some secret, unseen orchestra.
Noah glanced around glaring. "How the hell does Chris manage to hide an entire live orchestra?"
Izzy ignored Noah's question. The green-clad girl marched up and down the stage like a teacher lecturing students. She held an inquiring finger up in the air as she briskly sang.
"Why the long faces that look so confused? The answer is simple, I swear it's true! All these ships you see- crazed or sane- are just the result of the shipper's game!"
The faces of contestant and audience member alike all stared at her blankly.
"Shipper?" Tyler questioned.
"Ship?" piped up Lindsay.
"Like the ones in space?" asked Katie.
"Or the ones with sails?" asked Sadie.
"Does it look like anyone gives a flip?" growled Eva.
Izzy rapidly shook her head. "No, no, no, you are all wrong! Clean your ears and listen good to what I have to tell to you! Shippers are guysand gals who are big fans of gals and guys or gals and girls or guys and men!"
"May someone please explain that again?" asked Noah.
"Easy peasy!" chirped Izzy, grinning and bobbing her head as she sang, "When one and one made an awesome two, shippers know just what do! They pair them up and make ship!"
"I'm guessing that's the gist of it?" Bridgette guessed.
"NOT QUITE YET!" Izzy shouted, causing Geoff and Bridgette to jump in surprise. "A ship is born and hip-hip hooray!"
Izzy started sneak across the stage like a spy going through enemy fields, leaping, crawling and rolling around in a stealthy manner. She jumped behind the couch that Bridgette and Geoff were sitting on and peeked her head out from behind it. Her green eyes darted sneakily from Bridgette to Geoff as she sang.
" A shipper must defend it now- be it straight or gay- from others who will flame and fight to show that their favorite ship is right!"
Izzy jumped up, stood on top of the couch, and raised a mighty fist in air, singing proudly, "So, we soldiers now, it's time to speak! Tell us what ships you seek?"
"HarShawna is a personally fave." Harold proudly sang from his seat.
"Glad you think so. Mine's the same." giggled LeShawna, affectionately pinching the cheeks of her boyfriend.
"Justie is an awesome ship!" chirped Katie, gazing lovingly over at Justin.
"Jusdie's better!" cut in Sadie, gazing at Justin with an equal amount of affection.
Katie glared at her friend. "No it isn't!"
"Yes it is!" Sadie snapped.
"You know Noierra's kinda cute." Courtney sang, with a sly smirk towards Noah.
Noah glared at his best friend's crush. "You would think so, wouldn't you?"
"Geofette is the best!" Geoff sang, grinning at Bridgette. His girlfriend giggled, blushing pink, and playfully nudged him with her elbow.
"Knew you'd say that. Who'd have guessed?" Bridgette sang.
"Come on guys! Let's hear the rest!" shouted Izzy, standing in the middle of the stage, pointing at the audience.
Every audience member, as well as many interns, swayed their bodies back and forth, singing cheerfully to the upbeat tune.
"Yaoi, yurei, heteo, slash! Shippers know where Cupid's arrow's at! Canon, fanon, crack!"
While the audience was singing, Geoff took this opportunity to wave a hand to get DJ's attention. Once DJ was looking Geoff's way, Geoff pointed a finger towards where Courtney was sitting at and mouthed a silent order, "Get her!"
DJ brought his index finger and thumb together in an 'OK' gesture and nodded at his best friend.
"Love has no boundaries and neither do we! It's time for war so choose your team!"
DJ silent nudged his way through the other contestants, trying his hardest not to draw too much attention to him. Once he was right behind Courtney, he tapped her on the shoulders and whispered, "Psst! Hey Courtney!"
Courtney looked over her shoulder and blinked in surprise a DJ.
"Pair to two up and get to shipping!" finished the audience and interns.
"So now the ships are anchored and a crew is made!" sang Izzy, throwing green army helmets to all the confused contestants as well as slingshots. "The shipper wars are on the fray! Gather your arms and fuel the flames, it's time to win the shipper game!"
"How do we win?" asked Harold, his army helmet sliding over his face.
"What do we do?" asked Justin
"It's simple really so I'll tell you." replied Izzy, smiling and marching up and down the stage like a briefing general. "All you need to do is gather clues to show that your ship is true!"
"Like a kiss?" cooed Katie.
"Or a short sweet hug?" sighed Sadie.
"Maybe a passing glance?" Tyler said.
"What if couple only argues and fight?" growls Eva.
"Then obviously they like each other just tiny bit." chirped Lindsay.
Bridgette frowned. "That doesn't make sense."
Izzy swung in on a vine, cackling and shrieking excitedly. "Now you're getting the hang of it!"
At this, the audience began singing again, but this time, the television screen lit up to show three separated boxes; the first one had Philips Princeton, the second one had the Praeth sisters, and the third one held Alien Cody. Only the Praeth sisters were singing along with audience.
"Yaoi, yurei, heteo, slash! Shippers know where Cupid's arrow's at! Canon, fanon, crack!"
"HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?" shouted Philips, looking glancing around in confusion. "This is crazy! How does everyone know all the lyrics and when to sing them?"
"Love has no boundaries and neither do we! It's time for war so choose your team!"
"WHERE IS THE MUSIC COMING FROM?" shrieked Alien Cody, curled up in a fetal position and holding his head, looking as if he was having a mental breakdown. "I'm hearing hundreds of voices in my head!"
"Pair to two up and get to shipping!"
"But Izzy, what's the greatest ship of them all?" asked LeShawna.
Izzy gave an owlish blink, surprised by the question. "What's the greatest ship of them all?"
"The greatest ship of them?" repeated the rest of the contestants.
"The one that's survived through thick and thin?" asked Owen.
"All three seasons!"
"Cancellation!
"Intimidation!
"Discrimination!"
"Rival ships celebrating!"
Izzy struck a thoughtful pose, tapping a finger to her chin as she pondered. "Good question, but how to answer it? There must be a way…" the red-headed girl brightened up. "Oh, let's see what the polls have to say!"
Bridgette and Geoff leaned forward on the computer screen, scanning through all the percentages in the poll, looking for the one with highest number of votes. Suddenly their eyes grew bright.
"WE FOUND THE MOST POPULAR SHIP!" the couple shouted.
"HOO-RAY!" shouted the audience, interns, and most of the contestants.
"Let's hear it!" Blaineley shouted.
"Do we really want to know?" Noah grumbled. The sarcastic boy scowled when everyone else answered by launching back into the song.
""Yaoi, yurei, heteo, slash! Shippers know where Cupid's arrow's at! Canon, fanon, crack! Love has no boundaries and neither do we! It's time for war so choose your team! We found our pair that's won at shipping!"
"All's fair in war and love!" Bridgette sweetly sang.
"So the winner of this shipper war takes it all!" Eva growled, punching the air.
"Let us see who's made there to the top!" sang every audience member, intern, contestant, and fan.
"Where no other ship has ever gone!" Izzy sang to the heavens.
"The greatest ship any fan has ever knoooooooownnnn!"
Every face turned upwards toward the giant television screen. For moment it was blank besides three small boxes on the side that held images of Alien Cody, Philips, and the German sisters. Then the number 39.5 percent popped up along with two pictures- one of Noah and one of Cody with the words that read: NoCo.
Noah looked utterly appalled.
The entire area erupted in happy jubilation.
"NOCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"You have got to be kidding me!" Noah cried, staring up at the screen in horror.
"NOCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"It was an accidental kiss! On the ear! What's with you sick people?"
"NOCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"AWW, SCREW IT! I hate you people and this entire fandom!"
"NOCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
As the last note rang loud and clear, fireworks (courtesy of Izzy) erupted in the air above the stage, unleashing heart shaped lights in the air for all to see.
At the sound of loud booms and explosions, Courtney came to a halt from following DJ, and turned around to see pink heart-shaped fireworks light up the sky.
"Wow, wonder what's going on back there?" Courtney wondered out loud. Something big must have happened back at the stage, though the tan brunette wasn't really that interested in heading back. The last thing she was wanted at the moment was to be bombarded with embarrassing questions by that bitch-of-a-host Blaineley.
The CIT turned back around, saying, "So DJ, where are we goin…" Courtney stopped her sentence short and glanced around.
DJ was nowhere to be seen.
"Okay, very funny." Courtney said in light tones, trying to keep the agitation out of it. She walked onwards through the jungle, glancing around this way and that, searching for her friend. "You can come out now anytime, DJ!" Her tone grew annoyed.
"Seriously, if I find out that you dragged me all the way out here just because you hurt another tiny animal and you want me to try CPR on it, it isn't going to happen!" Courtney rolled her dark eyes, calling, "Like I told you before- just because CITs know CPR does not mean in any way that we're qualified to do it on animals!" She paused and mumbled in an undertone, "Well we could, though none of us actually want to, I mean…."
Courtney's voice trailed off as she drew back a screen of hanging ivy vines and found herself staring into something breathtaking.
Before Courtney was a small glade, open and free from the dense jungle. It was sheltered by a towering cliff which held a lovely waterfall that rain down into a stream. Staring with jaw dropped, Courtney slowly walked into the peaceful-looking place.
Hibiscus flowers bloomed in bushes surrounding the glade, gleaming like red and yellow stars against the greenery. Vines hung down from the overhanging branches, covered with pretty, delicate yellow flowers. The scent of blossoms hung heavy in the air and a bird chirped a tune from somewhere in the forest. Courtney couldn't recall ever seeing a more beautiful spot in all her life.
Courtney closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She wanted take everything in and never forget it.
"This must be what heaven looks like." Courtney murmured. Suddenly she heard a rustling noise coming from behind her. The tan girl whirled around and stared hard into the bushes behind her. Her eyes narrowed curiously. There seemed to be a shadow-like shape peering at her from behind the bushes.
Courtney peered closer, eyebrows furrowed and freckled nose scrunched up with deep concentration. The dark shape looked so familiar.
Then it hit her. "Cody?"
Yes, it looked just like him! Even though all she could see was a dark silhouette, Courtney could recognize Cody's lean shape, his round head, and his cute, hanging bangs anywhere.
"Cody!" Courtney repeated her eyes wide and lit up with happiness. A joyful laugh escaped her as she bounded over to where Cody was. Her heart felt as if it would burst with joy.
"I can't believe you're here!" She laughed, drawing to a halt in front of the bushes. "Is the next challenge taking place here? Is-"
Suddenly, the dark silhouette of Cody dissolved and two parrots flew off the branch that they had been on, passing over Courtney with loud squawks. The brunette girl stood still in shock. The Cody she had thought she had seen had been nothing more than two parrots sitting close together on a branch. Two green feathers slowly floated down on top of her.
Disappointment flooded through Courtney, but also confusion as well. Courtney had been so sure that she had seen Cody standing there.
"I don't understand…" Courtney muttered to herself. "I saw him there…I really did…"
Courtney remembered when a similar accident had happened back in Newfoundland, when both she and Gwen had sworn that they had seen Duncan when in reality Duncan had been nothing more than an oddly-shaped boulder.
The words of wisdom that Sierra has spoken to her and Gwen floated back to Courtney.
"When you miss someone you really care about, then you can start seeing him everywhere."
Courtney blinked thoughtfully as her heart pounded and her mind whirled in an ocean of confusion.
Then a familiar voice called to her.
"Um…hey Courtney…"
Courtney whirled around and found herself face to face with Duncan. The mohawked boy stared at Courtney and offered a small half-smile.
The expression on Courtney's face was murderous.
Duncan gulped as Courtney took an aggressive couple of steps towards him and hastily raised his hands up in defense.
"Whoa, whoa, hold up! Just give me a minute to explain myself!" he cried.
Courtney stopped in front of him and crossed her arms, glaring at her ex.
"You have until I loose my temper." She snarled, eyes flashing with hostility.
Not long then, Duncan thought. He took a deep breath and began, "Princess, I…"
Duncan got no further. Courtney had punched him in the face.
"I lost my temper."
Back on stage, Blaineley had noticed that something was amiss.
"WHERE THE HELL IS COURTNEY?" the co-host screeched, glaring around at everyone within her sight range.
Geoff rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Er…maybe she went to the bathroom?" He suggested, hoping that would appease Blaineley into letting the subject drop for now.
"Or maybe she went back into her room?" Owen suggested. Geoff wanted to strangle the big guy.
"Oh no!" Blaineley snarled, "That little hussy won't back out of an interview from me that easily!" She snatched the tv remote from Geoff and started to press several buttons. The television screen flipped through different locations on the island. "I'll search through every security camera set up on this area until I find where that stuck-up brat is so that I can interview her!"
"NO!" To everyone's surprise, Geoff lunged forwards and trying to snatch the remote from Blaineley's hands.
Blaineley held it out of Geoff's reach, snarling. "Hands off!" Her devious blue eyes lit up like the Fourth of July when the television screen showed a new location.
"Oh my," she practically purred. "What do we have here?"
Footage of Duncan and Courtney arguing in the middle of an empty glade filled the screen.
"Come on, Courtney, I'm trying to apologize here!"
"Well I don't want to hear anything from you, you stupid ogre!"
"I think we've just killed two birds with one stone." Blaineley said with a smug smirk stretched upon her face.
"Not if I can help it!" Geoff stole the remote from Blaineley and switched the channel. There was no way he was having this bitch ruin his best friend's changes at getting back with Courtney.
Blaineley hissed like an angry cat and lunged at Geoff, grabbing the remote. The two started to have a massive tug-o-war with the remote while everyone else watched with round, shocked eyes.
The channel flipped between Duncan and Courtney and other channels such as the channels with Alien Cody, Philip, and the triplets.
"I'm sorry for everything that's happened, Princess!"
"Don't call me that!"
(Static)
"Must…find a way…to escape…this prison…full of shi-"
(Static)
"Cody's forgiven me! Why can't you?"
"Well, that's easy enough for him! He didn't have to date you for a year!"
(Static)
"This show has to be fixed in some way! I'll find out! Mark my word!"
(Static)
"Court, Alejandro and Heather tricked me into voting you off! I wasn't going to do it, honest I wasn't!"
"Oh well, that just makes me feel sooooo much better that you believe those two traitors over me!"
(Static)
"Was ist? Sind Courtney und Duncan kämpft?"
"Wird sie ihm verzeihen?"
"Dies ist sehr verwirrend!"
(Static)
"Do I have the pull a Bridgette on you and sing? Cause I'll do it- I'll hate very second of it- but I'll do it!"
"I'd rather cut my own ears off and eat them!"
At last, Blaineley got the upper hand. She gave Geoff a swift kick with her high-heeled shoes and took full control of the remote. With a maniac-like sneer, Blaineley threw the remote down on the ground and stomped on it, crushing it.
"There!" She sneered, eyes gleaming with wicked delight. "Now we all get to watch the drama unfold!"
"Geoff!" Bridgette was staring at her boyfriend with green eyes wide and confused. There was a hint of accusation in her voice as she cried, "What's going on? Why is Courtney with Duncan? Did you have something to do with this?"
Geoff could not find his voice to answer. Feeling sick at heart, all Geoff was able to do was stare up at the screen, his face stricken with horror as he, as well as everyone else, was forced the outcome of this forbidden meeting- no matter how terrible it would turn out.
"Aw, come on!" Duncan whined, throwing up his hands in frustration. "You said so yourself that I have nice voice!"
"It doesn't matter!" Courtney spat angrily at him. Her dark eyes flashed with resentment and fury as she glared at him. "I don't want a song! I don't want any of your pathetic apologies! All I want is to know why! Why did you cheat on me? Why did you go behind my back? Why were you so ready to think the worst of me?"
"Courtney, you weren't actually the easiest girlfriend for me to have." Duncan said, trying to keep the anger out of his voice. It still seeped through, coming out as a growl. "You weren't the model girlfriend in season two! You were a jealous psychopath who kept trying to change me!"
Courtney's eyes blazed like black fire. "Easy? For you? Did you think being in a relationship with someone like you was easy for me either? You're a criminal! No girl wants to see her boyfriend being put into jail in the future, Duncan. Of course, I tried to change you! But I only did that because I didn't want to lose you, you stupid idiot!"
Duncan opened his mouth to speak, but the dangerous look on Courtney's face silenced him. She wore a savage expression, filled with a twisted mixture of rage and grief. Her eyes burned wildly into Duncan's face.
"I admit that I went overboard during season two." Courtney snarled, "I was angry, jealous, and a bitch! But I was also honest and completely loyal to you! I never lied about what I thought about you, and when you did something to piss me off, I damn well let you know it! And I never...ever…dared to vote for you to lose. Not even when you did the same for me."
Courtney stared at Duncan with large eyes welling up with unshed tears. Her voice trembled with emotion as she continued.
"I never went behind your back, Duncan. Before you cheated on me, I never considered any other boy besides you…which is more than I can say for some other girls on the show. I never went behind your back…not once." Courtney took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to choke down a sob and steady herself. "So tell me, Duncan, tell me because I'm dying to know, tell me what horrible, what terrible, despicable crime have I done to make you feel that I deserve to have you go behind mine?"
Silence filled the beautiful glade. Even the birds had gone quiet. The entire world had come to a halt to hear the answer Duncan offered.
Duncan stood silent as if carved by stone, staring helplessly into Courtney's tear-filled eyes. They were dark pools of misery, reflecting pain and heartbreak at their surface. What words could he possibly say to heal the devastating wound he had caused?
"Court…I…I…don't know." He looked down, trying to speak despite the sharp lump growing in his throat. Hot, burning shame coursed through Duncan as the words left his mouth. "I don't know why I decided to cheat on you. I loved you, honestly I did." He turned away, screwing his eyes shut. "But all the arguments and fighting…being with Gwen just seems so much easier."
Duncan looked back at Courtney, teal eyes swimming with regret and anguish. "You wanted to change me so much that I just couldn't tell whether you loved me for me or…or for the person you wanted me to be. And…" He sighed deeply and hung his head, too ashamed to look up at Courtney.
"I guess I wanted to break your heart before you had the chance to break mine." Duncan quietly admitted. His chest tightened painfully.
Courtney stared at him with slim shoulders slumped and eyes glistening with grief.
"Well…I guess it worked." She dully replied. Courtney turned her back to Duncan, arms tightly crossed over her chest and shoulders shaking violently.
Duncan knew that she was crying and did not want him to see her tears. Pain pierced his heart. This was all his fault- him and his stupid rash decisions. If he had spoken with Courtney...or at least thought things through instead of listening to the lies of a snake-hearted traitor all of the pain and suffering could have been avoided. All Duncan wanted to gather Courtney in his arms and wash all the memories of this season away for good. Duncan wanted everything to go back to normal. He'd trade away everything- his money, his dignity, his life- for Courtney to accept him again.
Duncan hesitantly crept towards Courtney. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Courtney…Princess…you and I have gone through horrible stuff before- arguments, the show, jealousy, the show, fighting, the show- but we've always…always…managed to stay together no matter what." When Courtney's shoulders grew still, Duncan's voice rose with hope. "I know that what's happened is bad, but couldn't we…couldn't we just forget it ever happened and start from where we left off? Everything could go back to normal. It'll be just us and we can be happy again."
Courtney turned around and stared at him. Duncan offered her a small smile, his expression hopeful.
"What do you say?"
Courtney continued staring at Duncan with dark eyes wide with disbelief. She could hardly believe what Duncan was suggesting. Did he really believe that the two of them could forget everything that had happened these last couple weeks? Could it really be that simple?
Could it? Courtney secretly wondered. The thought was tempting. Everything had been so much easier before the entire mess happened. But would simply forgetting everything and pairing up Duncan solve anything at all?
No, Courtney grimly realized, it would not. Forgetting would never heal the damage done. The ache in her heart would still be there and their relationship would be nothing more than an ugly lie.
"Forget everything?" she asked in a voice soft and scathing. "You want me to forget everything that's happened? How dare you suggest that? This doesn't just affect us Duncan! I wasn't the only one hurt by this! Can Gwen forget it? Can Sierra? Can Trent? Can Cody?"
At the thought of Cody, an agonizing sense of longing blossomed in Courtney's heart. She missed Cody- his humor, his compassion, and his honesty. Courtney remembered Sierra's words from so long ago and, looking at Duncan, she realized the truth of them. Courtney's heart no longer belonged with Duncan.
Courtney narrowed her dark eyes at Duncan. They were as cold as death.
"I will never forget."
Courtney turned her back to her former lover, eyes dry of tears, and, without another word, walked away. She disappeared through the flowering bushes, never looking back once.
Duncan stood alone in the glade, staring after her like with teal eyes brimming with shock and disappointment. He wanted to run after her…beg her to reconsider…force her to see that how much he was breaking inside. How could she not see the unbearable pain piecing his heart like thorns? Duncan found that he was too numb to move.
That's it…Duncan realized with a jolt of agony, she's gone. I've lost her for good.
The terrible realization drained Duncan of any fight left in him. Eyes dull with rejection and green mohawk drooping, Duncan walked stiffly away from the glade, opposite from where Courtney had left. He moved slowly with his head lowered feeling as if his heart was weighted down by all that he had lost.
Back on the Aftermath stage, a heavy silence filled the atmosphere. Every horrified eye was transfixed to giant screen, watching Duncan leave the lovely clearing. Even though those who felt not liking towards Duncan or Courtney were horrified by what they had witness. No one could think of a single word to say after everything they had seen and heard. Geoff looked stricken at having to witness his best friend's heartbreak. Bridgette's face was tilted upward with green eyes wide and moist.
Only one face was jubilant.
Blaineley stared up at the screen, her model face lit up with wicked glee. "Now that's the drama I've been looking for!" she crowed, voice oozing with satisfaction. "That'll be the couple fight of the year! The entertainment channels would be replaying it for weeks…months even!"
Bridgette snapped her head away from the screen and snarled angrily, "Shut up! Just shut up!" Everyone was deeply surprised by the ferocity of the gentle girl's tone. Bridgette spun around and snapped at a group of interns. "Find an extra remote! I want this channel changed right now!"
Blaineley shouted out to halt the jittery interns. "NO! We can't change it! Courtney and Duncan might come back on for round two!"
"Then they'll do it in the privacy they deserve!" Bridgette's light green eyes were livid with anger. "Have you no decency?"
"Bridge…" Geoff began, looking very startled. It was a rare sight to see his girlfriend this angry.
Blaineley looked bored and unconcerned. The fashionable hostess looked over her painted nails as she prissily replied, "Honey, decency is nothing but deadweight in my line of work. It's quite easy to understand- Drama equals higher ratings…higher ratings equal money." Blaineley's blue eyes gleamed wildly. "So to get lots of money, I need lots of drama!"
Bridgette stood up. "It doesn't matter! Geoff and I are the real host and hostess of the Aftermath! We make the decisions not you!"
Geoff was attempting to pull his cowboy hat over his head. Catfights were awesome, but he didn't want to be pulled into one.
Blaineley's lips curled into a mocking sneer. "Plea-se! If you two had your way, we'd still be singing, making fun of aliens, and having contestants talking about their feelings! Goody-goods like you make me sick!"
The audience and cast members were slowly getting over their shock of witnessing Duncan and Courtney's argument and were refocusing their attention on the drama going on right in front of their noises. Angry mumbling rippled through the crowds and many an outraged eye glared in Blaineley's direction. Bridgette was very popular among her peers.
"Well, you know what I'm sick of?" Bridgette asked fists on her hips. "I'm sick of you trying to take over the Aftermath show and trying to turn everyone against each other just to create more drama! You're just as bad as Chris!"
"Scaringly so actually." Noah commented.
"Oooh, it's like they're soul mates!" Katie squealed.
Sadie clapped her hand gleefully. "They should totally hook up!"
Beth sighed dreamily. "So romantic!"
"Damn shippers." Eva muttered darkly, crossing her arms and slouching in her seat.
The two blonde women ignored the commentators. Both were now standing up and glaring hatefully at the other.
"I'm making this show a hit!" Blaineley spat. "If you hate the fabulous direction I'm pulling the show into, then what you are going to do about it? Sing another song? Hmm?" she taunted.
Bridgette narrowed her eyes and said nothing.
"How about a Total Drama Smackdown?" Geoff cheerfully suggested.
Both blonde-headed women whipped their heads to stare at him.
"What?"
Immediately, the song, "Are You Ready for This" started blaring on the speakers. Spotlights swung colorful beams of light across the stage. Lono the intern threw two pairs of boxing gloves at Bridgette and Blaineley.
Blaineley threw the gloves down. "I'm not doing this! This kind of activity is childish and immature!"
"But you made up the segment yourself." Harold pointed out.
Blaineley scowled and folded her arms over her chest. "I'm still not going to degrade myself by going through with this!" she huffed.
"I will!"
Blaineley let out a shriek when Bridgette, clad in boxing gloves, lunged at her co-host. The two women fell to the ground, tussling, spitting, and scratching each other in a full-fledged catfight.
The rest of the teenagers could only stare in astonishment, not really sure what they should be doing. While some of the girls looked concerned, almost all the guys looked quite content to just sit back and watch.
"Get off me you stupid, brat!"
"Not until you quit making a complete mess of things, you skimpy scarlet woman!"
"Make a mess of things? Hah! Like you and your idiot of a boyfriend don't already have that covered! If you two were complete control, then we'd still be tricking that stupid alien with the two way camera!"
"WHAT?"
The two feuding girls froze in mid-tussle; Bridgette had a fistful of Blaineley's dirty-blonde hair and was yanking it while Blaineley had her fingers tightening around Bridgette's thin neck. Slowly, every eye found its way up to the giant television screen.
Alien Cody's angry face was glaring back at them.
In the commentator's benches, Owen glanced around nervously, holding a remote control.
"Uhh…I found the spare remote?"
The Cody-look-alike had heard the entire thing. The alien's body, as well as his voice, shook with unfathomable rage as he slowly spoke.
"You mean….this entire time…I've been ridiculed…and tricked…and mocked...by the teenagers of a stupid reality show….ON LIVE TELEVISION?"
"….To be fair, every single one of us have been ridiculed on this show at least once." Owen said. "Sooooo, this kinda makes you an honorable Total Drama member!"
"….Ki…Ki…." The alien looked too angry to even speak. A blood vessel popped in one of his eye, changing it from neon green to red.
At last, the alien exploded…..
…or rather, the entire outhouse confessional burst apart in an infernal of deadly green plasma beams as Alien Cody hollered out vulgar death threats to the listening teenagers.
"I'M GOING TO /BLEEPING/ AND TEAR EVERY /BLEEPING/ HEAD OFF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU AND /BLEEPING/ RIP YOUR THROATS OUT WITH MY OWN TEETH! WHEN I FIND YOU HUMAN WHELPS, I'M GOING TO-"
The rest was just static as the camera was apparently destroyed in Alien Cody's enraged rampage.
An awkward silence fell over the Total Drama Aftermath crew, which was only broken by Noah, who spoke with his usual sarcastic attitude.
"Well, congratulations everyone! We just managed to piss off invading aliens that want to kill off the human race. Am I the only one that feels so American that it hurts?"
Geoff, Bridgette, and Blaineley all glanced at each and, for once, had identical expressions on their face. It was time for the show to end.
"Well…" Geoff tried to make his voice sound light despite the misery he was feeling. "I guess that concludes our totally aweso…er…..um…totally….well, it concludes the Aftermath."
Both Bridgette and Blaineley were attempting to look good on the camera despite their smudged makeup and beat-up appearance from the earlier catfight.
"Stay tuned for the next couple episodes of Total Drama World Tour to see which two contestants will have the honor of competing here in Hawaii for the title of winner!" Bridgette said.
"Keep an eye out for more drama and excitement…and possibly aliens," Blaineley added in an undertone. "Here on…"
The three hosts yelled out a farewell.
"TOTAL…DRAMA…AFTERMATH!"
Jeez, these chapters just keep getting longer and longer. I had wanted the Aftermath to be shorter than the other chapters but, as usual, nothing ever works out the way I plan it too. I will admit that this chapter was not my favorite. Surprisingly, my favorite parts to do were the confrontation scenes between Gwen and Trent and Duncan and Courtney. Maybe I'm just too pumped up about finally being able to work on the last two chapters to really feel excited about this chapter.
Well, the end is almost near. The next chapter reveals the final challenge. Like in the real show, it will take place in Hawaii and Alejandro, Heather, and Cody are the final three. Many events will happen- relationships will be cemented, love will blossom, vengeance will be served, and the true winner will rise above all. There will be an epilogue chapter to wrap everything all up. I would like to thank everyone for sticking to this humble story as far as you have.
I know a lot of you may be a little surprised that I had NoCo (Noah/Cody) be the ship that shined at the end of the shipping song. Even though I don't really support NoCo, I still have to give ship major props for sticking around as long as it has. Really, the NoCo ship has been around since episode two of the series and, in all honestly, was the first couple to have a canon shipper moment. So I tip my hats to you, honorable NoCo shippers- your crazy, yaoi-obsessive-ness has helped mold the Total Drama fandom to what it is today. May Noah and Cody's accidental ear kiss forever be a shining moment in Total Drama history.
Now it's always been my opinion that since Total Drama World Tour challenge took place international, that each challenge should offer something to learn about a location's culture so I've tried to do that in all my chapters. This chapter is no different. I had good fun time looking up traditional Hawaiian words as well as German phrases for the triplet sisters from Germany. Here's a helpful glossary to help you readers out.
Aloha kakahiaka: Good morning!
kamali'i: children
haole: white or foreigner.
Ka mehameha: The lonesome one
Hoapili: friend
Kaikuahine: sister
nai'a: dolphin
A hui hou kakou: Until we meet again.
Guten morgen Insgesamt Theater crew: Good morning Total Drama crew!
Favorit: favorite
Ja: Yes
Zäh: Tough
Sie koste es was es wolle: Do whatever it cost.
Nein: No!
Jubel: cheering
lieber freund: dear friend
"Was ist? Sind Courtney und Duncan kämpft?": What? Courtney and Duncan are fighting?
"Wird sie ihm verzeihen?": Will she forgive him?
"Dies ist sehr verwirrend!": This is very confusing!
