Previously on, Survivor,

With Kruz having the idol, both Michael and Farmer were concerned about letting him get away with it.

At Scratch, the tribe was somewhat divided. With Andrew, Heath, and Arlando on one side, and Peter, Mark, and Natalie on another. Because of the division, many thought there'd be a tie, due to the two original Grounder members not sticking together.

The Grounders made a comeback at the reward challenge. But then faltered in the immunity challenge, and with Scratch sending Ryan to Exile Island, the former Grounders had to vote one of their own.

Because of Kruz's idol, and Michael and Farmer's tight alliance, the obvious target would have to be Scott. However Kruz did not know whether or not to play the idol, as it might be a trap to let him play it early.

But at tribal, Kruz dodged a bullet, and he along with Michael and Farmer voted Scott out of the game. 10 are left, who'll be voted out tonight?

Grounder: Kruz, Matt 'Farmer', Michael, and Ryan

Scratch: Andrew, Arlando, Heath, Mark, Natalie, and Peter

– – – – –

Grounder Day 19

Ryan saw the 3 remaining tribe members of Grounder return to camp. Ryan was the only one who appeared cheerful.

"Hey guys!" chirped Ryan, "How did the vote go?"

Kruz nodded, "It went fine, I was paranoid, but whatever."

"I felt a little nervous not playing the idol, as it could've been a trap. But they kept their word, and Scott is out. But once we merge, there's no way in hell I'm staying with Mike and Farmer. No way. Once I'm back with Heath, we're jumping ship." - Kruz

"Scott's gone, and that might've sent the scene for the merger, perhaps. Grounder vs Scratch. Hopefully Andrew and Arlando still have loyalty to me. If they don't, oh well." - Ryan

Matt sighed before talking to Michael, "I just pray that Peter will still vote with us. Otherwise, we should of jumped at that opportunity to blindside Kruz and not Scott."

Michael nodded, "Or we could just find out who's on the edge of that tribe."

Matt nodded.

– – – – –

Scratch Day 19

Arlando was taking a nap in the shelter.

"I definitely tied the game up at 5-5 by sending Ryan to Exile. That's my game plan, to make sure it's all Scratch at the end. Heath is the way to go right now. He said he'll jump ship. I hope he does." - Arlando

Andrew came over to him, "Almost merge time. Day 19."

Arlando smiled and did an arm pump, "Sweet! Dude, I'm ready to go!"

"Myself, Arlando, and Ryan will be the Final 3. Then, once we're there, it's going to be a battle for who wins final immunity." - Andrew

Meanwhile Natalie smirked to herself.

"The pieces are coming together," she said to Mark, "Arlando will be no more after we merge, and get all the Grounders with us."

Mark rolled his eyes, "Yes, but will they trust us?"

Heath was watching them from afar.

"I'm starting to dislike Mark and Natalie. Both of them. Sorry, but, all they do is sleep and then they go hang out on this boulder found near the waterfall, all day long." - Heath

– – – – –

Grounder Day 20

"Any crates yet?" called Kruz to Ryan.

Ryan came back from inspecting tree mail, "Not one. Are we even merging yet?"

Kruz shrugged.

"I've been wanting to merge since Day 7. But usually on Survivor, the tribes merge on Day 20, at some point. We haven't even gotten a crate saying "Wait for Scratch to come over with a key."" - Kruz

"Maybe we'll never merge," suggested Matt, "and we'll end up like the Ulong tribe in Palau."

Ryan shook his head, "Let's hope not."

"We're as small as any tribe in the three seasons this show has been through. 4 people. Hell, the Ravu tribe never got this small. I want to merge, so we don't get any smaller." - Ryan

(he's talking about Green Hill, SEGA All Stars, and Emerald Hill survivors, not the actual real seasons)

Michael sighed, "Let's just wait guys, until tree mail does arrive."

– – – – –

Scratch Day 20

Peter entered camp, holding a note.

"Guys, we've got some tree mail!"

"'Bout %$%#ing time, too!" muttered Arlando to no one in particular.

"But it's weird. It sounds like an immunity challenge."

Silence...

"%$#%." - Heath

Andrew spoke up, "Well guys, might as well deal with it, I mean we're still a team, right?"

"Yeah your right." sighed Mark.

– – – – –

"Come on in Scratch!"

The tribe arrived at the challenge area.

"Let's bring in the Grounder tribe. Scott voted out last tribal council."

Heath was a bit surprised, but shook it off.

"Guys ready for today's immunity challenge?"

Everyone nodded.

"I'll take back immunity from Scratch, real quick."

Natalie returned it to him.

"Alright, before we begin. Do me a favor, and drop your buffs."

Everyone cheered in excitement, as Jeff started handing out brown buffs.

"Scratch is no more, Grounder is no more. You are now one tribe."

After everyone had gotten a new brown buff, Jeff asked them a question.

"Which beach, are you guys gonna live on?"

After some thinking...

"Grounder's, for the water hole under the shelter, and the shelter itself."

"Okay, so after this challenge, you guys are heading over to Grounder's camp. Now for the challenge, 5 at a time, you will square off racing from a platform in the water to shore, back and forth retrieving flags. First 2 to finish move on to the final round. First one to finish there, wins immunity."

Jeff reveals the necklace, which is a basic necklace with a Master Emerald icon at the bottom.

"Let's get started."

Round 1: Michael, Ryan, Heath, Kruz, Arlando

Round 2: Natalie, Andrew, Peter, Mark, Matt

"Round 1 begins now! Survivors ready? GO!"

Arlando didn't try very hard, as he didn't want to be seen as a threat, while both Kruz and Heath dominated. Michael gave up when he saw that Heath and Kruz were doing better than him. Ryan didn't give up until...

"Kruz and Heath clock in both at first. Kruz and Heath moving onto the final round."

"Round 2 begins now! Survivors ready? GO!"

Peter scampered through the water like a water-bug. Andrew was amazed at Peter's determination. Matt, Natalie, and Mark were not even trying.

"Peter and Andrew clock in! Andrew and Peter moving onto the final round."

"Final Round begins now! Survivors ready? GO!"

Kruz was determined to beat Peter and prove he was a competitor. However Peter moved way too fast for Kruz, and left him in the dust. Andrew and Heath basically gave up.

"PETER WINS THE FIRST IMMUNITY CHALLENGE!"

Everyone cheered for Peter.

"Peter is safe tonight. No one is going to Exile Island tonight, but one of the 9 of one is going home and the game will be over completely. See you tomorrow night."

– – – – –

Merged Tribe Day 21

Andrew was amazed at Peter's effort.

"Peter proved himself to be a threat that we need to deal with. Maybe not now, but later." - Andrew

The group of Arlando, Andrew, Ryan, and Heath stood together.

"I think the best bet for now," stated Andrew, "Is for Kruz to go."

Heath looked up, "Why? He's not that big a threat."

Arlando nodded, "But he almost beat Peter. If he won, then Peter would be going home."

Heath snorted, "You guys are making a mistake by voting Kruz out tonight."

"Heath got a bit annoyed that we said Kruz has to go. I understand why, because Kruz doe have the idol. But it's a risk we're willing to take. I hope Heath keeps his fat-ass mouth shut." - Arlando

But he didn't. Heath went straight to Kruz.

"They're voting you out tonight." said Heath to Kruz.

"#%#$. Well, I knew it was coming." muttered Kruz.

"If they want me to go, then we're getting one of them out." - Kruz

"Play the idol tonight, and vote for whoever." ordered Heath.

Kruz nodded and left.

Ryan, Andrew, and Arlando were still talking.

"I still want Heath with us though." said Andrew.

Ryan thought for a minute, "I think I have an idea. Arlando, go tell Heath we changed our minds, and that we're voting for Natalie."

Arlando nodded and left.

Andrew got up, "I'm off to tell Mark and Natalie the plan, Ryan, you tell Matt and Michael."

Ryan nodded and left, "Alright."

Arlando grabbed Heath aside.

"Listen," he said, "I told Ryan and Andrew that Kruz has the idol, and we need to switch our votes."

Heath felt better, "Who we voting then?"

"Natalie."

"I'm glad Arlando told those two idiots that Kruz has the idol and he could very well play it. Looks like Natalie is gone tonight. I'm gonna tell Kruz that." - Heath

– – – – –

The merged tribe entered tribal council.

"Welcome to a big vote for tonight. Whoever goes home doesn't get to be on the jury. So, Mark, it's been a while for you. How are you voting tonight." asked Jeff.

"I'm out to eliminate the biggest threat. They'll be trouble later on." replied Mark.

"Natalie, feeling concerned tonight?" asked Jeff.

"Not at all, unless something happens tonight, then I cannot worry." replied Natalie.

Heath rolled his eyes.

"Arlando, you seem a bit too happy tonight. Why?" asked Jeff.

"I'm ready for the Scratches to eat up the Grounders, but tonight it might have to go differently." replied Arlando.

Mark raised an eyebrow.

"Farmer, you feeling worried?" asked Jeff.

"A tad." replied Matt.

"Ryan, do you have an idea on who has the hidden immunity idol?" asked Jeff.

Ryan thought for a minute. Heath looked at him.

"Not an effing clue." replied Ryan.

Heath shook his head.

"It's time to vote, Michael, your up."

– – –

Andrew's Vote: Sorry, but you are the bigger threat of the Grounders. (Kruz)

Heath's Vote: You need to learn how to be a bigger liar. (Natalie)

Kruz's Vote: No comment. (Natalie)

Ryan's Vote: We tricked Heath, and hopefully you do not play the idol. (Kruz)

– – –

"If somebody has the hidden immunity idol and you would like to play it, now's the time to do so."

No one did anything. Kruz thought about it, but he let it slide by. Ryan smirked.

"Ok, Once the votes are read, the decision is final. Person voted out must leave the tribal council area immediately. I'll read the votes."

First vote, Natalie.

Natalie. Two votes Natalie.

Kruz. One vote Kruz.

Kruz. Tied two votes Kruz, two votes Natalie.

Kruz. Three votes Kruz. (Heath was angered now.)

Kruz. Four votes Kruz, two votes Natalie.

Kruz. Five votes Kruz. (Kruz rolled his eyes. He then quietly smuggled his idol into Heath's pocket.)

Ninth person voted out of Survivor Emerald Hill, Kruz. 6 votes are enough, you need to hand me your torch.

Heath was simmering mad. Kruz hugged Heath, saying quietly, "Use it well." Heath nodded.

"Kruz, the tribe has spoken."

He snuffed out the flame.

"Time for you to go."

Kruz held out his hand in the 'Y' shape and then left.

"Interesting turn of events there. I guess the minority has been decided. Grounders are now fully goners. We'll see if that'll be true. Grab your torches and head on back. Good night."

– – – – –

Kruz – Natalie, Mark, Michael, Ryan, Arlando, Peter, Matt, and Andrew.

Natalie – Heath and Kruz