Hey everyone, it's ultimateTORINOR, here to say that I am back! Vacation was very nice and relaxing. Just the way they are supposed to be. Now, onto business. I got a few reviews and PMs saying that I had made some characters more focused upon than others. Please note I tried my best to make them as equal as possible during this chapter. I know it's not perfect but I tried, and I hope you recognize the effort. Anyway, I'm pretty tired at the moment. I got back home late yesterday night, and I've spent every moment I've been awake today typing up the chapter for you guys to enjoy. So that's something. Anyway, onto stuff about this chapter. This chapter features the elimination of one of the campers. Sadly, one of them is going home. I hope you all enjoy enough to review, and I don't own Total Drama Island.
The afternoon sun lightly glinted off the water, and each wave heading towards the shore seemed to sparkle with its own unique light. It was at this time that Wawanakwa Island was most beautiful, as the exotic and deadly creatures that had infested the waters earlier were nowhere to be seen.
Everything was calm.
However, in the mess hall, the 24 campers saw none of the beauty that lasted for approximately 17 minutes every day. They were currently divided, sitting at their times assigned table.
The Ligers table was in a much more relaxed state than their opposing table.
The Griphons stared at one another, as if sizing each other up, to see which one of them was the weakest. A few members of the losing team opened their mouths to speak, but were interrupted as Chef Hatchet poked his head out from the kitchen.
"Dinner's ready, maggots! Eat up!"
Every camper looked very afraid at this statement. No one approached the counter. They didn't even want to look at the food that seemed to be slightly pulsating.
Confessions
Addy: As soon as I saw the food for the first time, I realized that all the rumors were true. This might be one challenge that I want to avoid. (She grimaces)
Ethan: Did I think I'd be able to stomach the food? Sure, no sweat. To me, food is just a means to an end. It gives you energy to compete at your highest level of potential.
Mina: I was practicing a death scene, for when I had to eat a bite of that horrid food! You have no idea!
Charlie: When I looked at the food, my face got a little more deadpan. (She stares at the camera a few seconds before it turns to static)
End
Slowly, Ethan got up from the Ligers table, and headed towards the counter. Getting a helping of everything, he sat down to eat.
Very reassured by his display of bravery, the rest of the Ligers got up and went to get food as well.
The Griphons, particularly Logan, looked less sure. As if he was watching them on a secret camera, Chris Maclean's voice came over the speakers placed inside the mess hall.
"Griphons, I forgot to mention one thing about your contracts. We…changed them slightly."
Logan said bitterly, "Changed them how?"
Chris laughed shortly, and continued. "We added a sentence in the fine print that says you have to eat the camp food or else you'll be eliminated from the competition."
Logan gaped for a moment, and then snarled, "I'd rather die than eat his food!"
Chris, in a tone that suggested he enjoyed watching them all suffer, said "True, but would you say good bye to $1,000,000?"
Logan sat back, looking defeated for the first time. The Griphons all got up and received their food, fervently hoping that they would survive the encounter.
As they sat back down, all 24 campers tried different methods of distracting themselves from the indomitable task at hand.
This was not particularly difficult at the Griphons table, as there was still the pressing issue of who was going to be eliminated.
Alison took charge. "Look," she stated, "everybody knows that this is a difficult decision. But it's a choice that we have to make. For the god of the team."
Ripley looked at the future lawyer, in the middle of painting yet another layer of pink on her nails. "So who would you want to see go home tonight."
Alison steeled herself, and pointed at Logan. The bad boy was not amused.
"Is there a reason I should go home? I don't think so!"
Confessions
Alison: Why do I want Logan to leave? His temper on the beach was totally unacceptable! I hate losing too, but I don't have a hissy fit if we do!
Logan: So, the 'Courtney' this season thinks she can get me off the island? When someone pushes me, I'll push right back!
Zak: Watching those two made me realize something, mates. If you keep your head down, and just do as you're told, you'll be fine. It's very early in the game to pick sides. Or to go all-in. This game is definitely risky.
End
While the debate swiftly heated up at the Griphons table, the Ligers were trying their best to eat their plate of food in front of them. Donnie, with one headphone in his ear, took a mouthful, chewed hurriedly, and swallowed painfully. Kenny, sitting across from him, looked at him.
"Is it really that bad?"
Donnie forced a grin at him. "Relax, it's not like eating death itself."
Kenny, reassured, tentatively took a bite. Looking horrified and spitting it out, he glared for a second at Donnie, who was laughing.
The metal head told the extreme fighter, "It's much, much worse."
Ethan, who sat next to Kenny, tried to help him. "It's the only way to keep our strength up. You don't want to burn out in the middle of a challenge. Trust me on this one."
Kenny nodded slowly, and choked down another bite.
Farther down the table, Rodrek had the unfortunate task of sitting next to Tyson. The delinquent looked slightly livelier than he was on the beach.
"Hey, Two-Face, what's up with that mask?"
Rodrek shrugged, and hesitatingly took a small bite.
Tyson glared at him, and lightly punched him on the shoulder. "Hey, man, I'm talking to you. Where did you get that mask?"
Rodrek didn't do anything for a moment, on the account he looked sicker and sicker by the second. Suddenly the masked teen couldn't hold it down any longer and threw up.
Somehow, he seemed to aim right at Tyson.
Shaking furiously, the delinquent stormed out of the mess hall, but not before shoving Rodrek hard, almost knocking him off his feet.
Confessions
Tyson: That's what I get for asking a simple question? That dude is sick! I'll get him back for that… (He punches the wall)
Rodrek: Food does not usually agree with me. I could've told Tyson that…but why bother? (Shrugs)
Charlie: I almost cracked a smile on that one.
End
Rodrek touched his mask, and was pleasantly surprised to feel that it was spotless. Charlie sitting next to him, said, "Pretty good, Two-Face."
Rodrek nodded. "I thought you'd like that."
Charlie looked at him. "Still won't earn you a smile."
Rodrek looked back at her. "Shame."
Zane, sitting opposite them, shook his head slightly as he turned a page in his book.
At the opposite end of their table, Addy, Carsen, and Lily were eating together, with very limited success.
However, Addy was having a slight competition with Alister at the opposite table: who could throw a chunk of food the highest and still manage to catch it in their mouths. Throwing their food at the same time, the two daredevils tired their best to catch it.
Addy watched carefully as her target came hurtling towards her. Catching it swiftly, she swallowed it without a seconds thought. She then glanced over at her opponent, just in time to see him lunge for it and miss. His food splattered on the ground, and Alister looked over at Addy. She did a little victory dance, as Alister grinned and bowed his head in mock defeat.
Confessions
Addy: It feels so good that Alister and I connect so much. It's just a shame that we're on different teams.
Alister: Addy, you have won this round, but I will win the war. (Grins)
Lily: The competition between Addy and Alister is the cutest thing ever! (Beams at the camera)
End
Carsen fidgeted in her seat, and her disgust was evident. Her dark brown eyes surveyed the crowd for something interesting, and her eye caught the carnage that was the other table.
She remarked to her teammates around her, "Now that's a war zone!"
Lily looked behind her. "Why can't they just talk about it peacefully?" the sweet girl asked innocently.
Carsen looked at her. "Because when people with strong personalities clash…"
Addy sat down next to the two teen girls. "…Neither of them will back down."
Carsen watched the shouting for a while, and then turned her attention back to an immediate danger: the food in front of her.
"How can they expect us to finish a plate of this stuff?"
Lily agreed with this statement, poked the food cautiously, and added, "Can anyone actually eat this?"
Addy motioned towards the other table. "That guy with the staff seems to be enjoying his fill."
The other two girls looked at their opposition's table, where Jason, at the end of it, was shoveling down Chef's food at an alarming rate.
It probably didn't help that Gracie was egging him on, yelling, "Chug!" every few seconds.
Lily smiled at the sight. "That's so sweet, in a slightly disgusting kind of way."
Zarya, who had been sitting next to them in silence, suddenly got fired up. The loner glared viciously at the sweet girl. "That's just one more advantage that they have that we don't? Do you want us to lose?"
The Russian stormed out of mess hall in a violent huff.
Inola looked at Zarya's now vacant seat. "Touchy," the rebel added. She got up and left the mess hall as well, but not before brushing Lily's hand comfortingly with her own. Lily fought to control her shock, and Carsen and Addy managed to calm her down.
Confessions
Lily: I don't want us to lose, and I don't know why Zarya just snapped at me. Maybe she's just having a rough day…
Addy: Zarya completely overreacted there. If I knew where she goes off to be alone, I'd give her a piece of my mind!
Carsen: Looks like we have our own little war zone on our hands.
Zarya: Maybe…I overreacted…slightly.
End
Zane had stopped reading for a moment to see the violent outburst. Eyes flashing a furious red, he muttered, "That idiot…"
Rodrek overheard the reader's words, and said to him, "She has quite the temper, my friend. Be careful while playing with fire, as you could get burned."
Zane looked at the masked teen, and his eyes did not lose their anger. "This particular fire won't burn me. I'll be lucky to not die when I'm thrown off a cliff. I am not interested."
Rodrek chuckled, and the reader continued his tirade. "She can fight her own battles."
With those words, Zane snapped his book shut and marched off, exiting the mess hall.
Rodrek only laughed.
Shortly after this, the rest of the Griphons left, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire at the other battle.
Logan glared at Alison, and she glared right back. They had both reached the point where they had run out of words to throw at each other.
Takbir, touching his Mohawk cautiously, asked, "Guys, can we just chill? We've had a really, really, rough day."
Lyn agreed. "This little feud is getting us nowhere."
Logan sighed, and leaned back dangerously far in his chair. "Fine."
Alison merely nodded, and Caleb, who was sitting next to her, spoke up.
"We've been going at this all wrong. Besides going on and on about who has a temper," the stratigizer said with a glance at every member of his team, "We should be focused on who is going to be the biggest liability."
Alister looked quizzically at Caleb. "A liability? Who could be a possible weakness? We've known each other for a few hours, at most."
Caleb looked around again, his brown eyes surveying every detail about his teammates. " I'm talking about someone our team would benefit from if they were gone."
He nodded towards the hyperactive dancer. "I'm talking about Gracie."
Gracie was speechless, for once, although Jason looked very surprised and glared at Caleb.
"How is she a liability?" he asked.
Caleb smiled a small smile. "She's obviously, no offense to her, of course, not the most…stable person here. She could potentially ruin challenges, or even worse."
Mina perked up. "Worse than losing challenges? She could kill us? Oh, the horror!"
Caleb nodded enthusiastically.
Confessions
Caleb: I was thinking more injuring us, but Mina…she twisted the knife, so to speak.
End
Samantha suddenly stood up, with a conviction her team hadn't noticed before. "Gracie isn't a liability. She helped me jump off the cliff the cliff when I was scared."
The shy bookworm suddenly remembered something. "She even helped you jump off the cliff! If anyone is one, you're the liability!"
Straightening her glasses, Samantha suddenly realized she was close to shouting, and got very red in the face and sat down. Ripley, waving her hands around to dry the new coat of nail polish, encouraged Samantha's effort.
"She's right, and she brought up a good point," she said, glaring at Caleb, "Why should we keep you and not her?"
Caleb became slightly flustered, but realized he had passed the point of no return. "Well, at least I didn't dive into the water in order to save a stick."
Jason stood up angrily. "Arbok is not a stick. He is a TALKING STAFF!"
With those furious words, he thundered out, followed by a silent and uncharacteristically gloomy Gracie.
Samantha silently followed them, trying desperately to sink back into the background again.
There was a tense silence for a few moments, and then the team went their separate ways, all of them thinking about the difficult vote ahead.
Confessions
Caleb: Do I think I laid it on a little strong? Possibly, but strategy allows for such risks. All I know is that I am in a better position than Gracie is. (Smirks slightly) I can't lose.
Takbir: This is one of those times where I wish I could think of a good joke to lighten the mood. I don't think anyone will be laughing tonight…
Logan: I like dragon boy's thinking. I'm off the chopping block tonight. (Winks) Things are looking up for Logan!
Mina: The drama is picking up, and it's coming down to the wire for one unfortunate soul. I'm so excited!
Ripley: I'm so proud of Samantha! She stood up for her friend on national television! You go, girl!
Zak: Caleb is playing a very dangerous game. He's one move from being checkmated. Praying that the opponent doesn't see the right move, he's waiting for his own winning move. Usually, that doesn't go the way you want it to.
Gracie: (deadpan) Am I…a liability?
End
While most of her team checked out the team's new hot tub, Inola walked through the forest, savoring every scent and feel. She eventually sat up against a tree, and sighed contentedly and spoke. "As long as I can get a few moments a day here, I can take whatever this show throws at me."
The rebel then sat, and watched the sunlight drift through the trees. It was a rare moment of peace in her life, and she tried to hold onto it for as long as she could.
Zane, like his teammate, was dodging the party as well, but for completely different reasons. The reader was sitting where he could easily see the campfire. Words spoken earlier today would not leave his racing brain, and they were very distracting words. His eyes flashing an uncomfortable burnt color, Zane continued his endless vigil. But what he failed to notice was that he wasn't entirely alone.
The rest of the Killer Ligers were currently hanging around their hard won hot tub.
Or, more specifically, they were having an awesome hot tub party next to their hard won cabin. The one thing Chris had neglected to tell the winning team was that the cabins were exactly alike in every way.
Although some members were mildly disgruntled by this fact, they wouldn't let that stop them from having a good time today.
The hot tub they had been given could hold twelve people comfortably.
Tyson, wearing black swim trunks, was sitting in the corner. The expression on his face made it clear to anyone looking at him that he wanted to forget that this day ever happened. Lily, wearing a blue and pink striped bikini, approached him. Tyson glanced away from her, partly to block the indecent thought racing through his brain.
She sat next to him, an expression of genuine concern on her face. "What's wrong, Tyson?"
The delinquent looked back at her, his mind under control, and he had a vulnerable air about him, very unlike those she had seen previously.
"You don't really want to hear about my troubles, do you?"
She nodded gently, and so he sighed and continued. "I know…that I'm not the nicest person around. I know that I messed up. I probably deserved to be attacked by the sharks today. I probably deserve to not be forgiven. All I know is that I want to apologize, but I just can't do it."
Lily looked at him in a whole new light. She whispered, "I'll tell them for you. I can tell you want to change. I'll try to get everyone to see the new you."
After squeezing his hand, she waded away to join the others.
Tyson, after making sure she didn't notice him, allowed himself a quiet laugh. Kenny noticed this, and glared at him.
Confessions
Tyson: That was almost too easy. Just get the girl who everybody likes to vouch for you, and you can do whatever you want. I'm golden; no one can touch me. (Laughs wickedly)
Kenny: Tyson…what are you planning?
End
Also in the hot tub, Donnie was Carsen.
"You seem like the cheerleader type," he stated bluntly.
She raised an eyebrow and smiled. "That's because I am one."
Donnie nodded and smiled as well. "You know, I'd think our team would appreciate it if you came up with a cheer."
Carsen thought for a moment, apparently thinking hard.
Her eyes brightened. "I've got the perfect one. It's pretty basic, but bear with me."
The team waited, and she suddenly shouted, "Go Ligers! Go Ligers! It's your birthday! It's your birthday!"
Some of the more enthusiastic members of the team joined in with the enthusiastic cheer.
Rodrek sat in the other corner, watching Charlie's face closely. Suddenly, he drew himself up triumphantly. "I saw that! You smiled."
While Charlie shook her head, a mask again, Ethan agreed with Rodrek. The teen was still wearing his two necklaces.
"Sorry, Charlie. I'm on Rodrek's side with this one."
Charlie shook her head slightly. "It was all that team spirit. How can someone not smile?"
The two agreed with her, and the party raged in. The winning team only had one thought: to continue their winning streak.
The Griphons, however, were in a different predicament, and its' members found their own refuges to try and determine who they were going to vote for.
Alister was sitting on top of the cliff they had jumped off earlier that day. The daredevil was watching the sun sink lower and lower in the sky. Takbir approached, breathing heavily, and plopped down next to him.
The comedian said, "It's almost time, then?"
Alister looked at him. "We have about an hour, and then it's decision time."
Takbir sensed his feelings and smiled easily. "You just got to remember; it's just a game. I don't think anything big will come out of it. My motto is: stay relaxed. Get a few laughs in, as well, and you can't do better than that."
Alister twirled a singapore cane absentmindedly. He grinned at the comedian. "Wow, that's pretty deep."
Takbir looked at the sun, which was barely above the horizon. "That's how I go through life, anyway."
Takbir slowly stood up. Alister took one last look at the setting sun, and got up as well. He told his teammate, "I've been here long enough. I've made my decision, for better or for worse."
Takbir laughed. "That's the spirit, man."
The two walked back down the path towards camp, Takbir meticulously checking to see if his Mohawk was still perfect, and Alister checking to see if his canes were strapped in properly.
Either way, they both had smiles on their faces.
Confessions
Alister: Takbir's a good guy. He can make probably just about everyone forget his or her troubles and laugh with him. (He laughs, as if to prove his point)
Takbir: Making people relax and laugh are my special talents. (He grins, and gives a thumbs up)
Caleb approached Alison discreetly, trying not to draw any attention to their meeting. When he was close enough, he inquired, "How many votes do we have against Gracie?"
Alison calculated mentally. "You and me, and Logan are the 'for sure' votes on our side. Mina went a little overboard, and I think Gracie slightly scares her."
Caleb looked worried for a moment. "But that's only four votes."
Alison glared at her alliance partner for a moment. "Let me finish, Caleb. I've got a feeling that Lyn will vote with Logan, so we've got five votes."
Caleb's face flooded in anger, but his eyes looked only frightened.
"Only five. I put all my cards on the table, did everything I could to convince them, and I still have less than a majority."
Alison told him condescendingly, "You've made mistakes, Caleb. You've made enemies. Gracie and Jason are definitely on your enemies list. Samantha and Ripley don't seem to hold you in high regard. Takbir and Alister haven't joined a side, and I don't think they will. That leaves Zak, and who knows what that one's thinking."
Caleb's eyes gleamed in anticipation, with a hint of foreboding. "Five votes to four? There's a chance."
The two alliance partners continued to talk about strategies to use for the later stages of the competition. They were trying to distract themselves from the impending elimination, and from how close it was looking to be.
Confessions
Alison: Caleb gets a little passionate about his strategies. Maybe this time he miscalculated, and bit off more than he could chew.
Caleb: Whatever people think, I do this for the good of the team. I must not hesitate.
End
Jason tried to walk around camp to get his mind off things, but his mind kept going back to how unfair the situation was. After Arbok told him for the thousandth time not to worry about it, the explorer sighed, and walked over to the general area of the campfire.
Meanwhile, Gracie sat in a tree, many, many feet off the ground, and was conversing with Pickle fiercely. Gracie stopped arguing to the air and listened closely for a few minutes, apparently to silent counsel. Suddenly, a dazzling smile lit up her face, and immediately jumped from the tree. Somehow landing unharmed, the dancer raced over to the campfire under the darkening sky.
The sun finally completed its long and arduous journey across the sky, and darkness reigned across Canada. There was a light coming from Wawanakwa Island, and it was projected from a lone campfire on the beach next to the Dock of Shame. While the winning team continued to relax and enjoy their first victory, the losing team met each other by the beacon of light and took their seats around the flames. Some members, like Caleb and Mina, shivered in anticipation. Others seemed outwardly calm, Lyn and Zak in particular.
Chris Maclean, after a welcome long absence, walked slowly over to the Griphons and the warmth of the fire. The host carried a plate of marshmallows in his newly manicured hands. When he got next to the blazing campfire, the television host stopped. Smiling his dazzling and too-white smile, he announced, "Screaming Griphons, you are here because you lost the first challenge. Because of that, you also didn't get an awesome hot tub to party in."
The host smirked as he said those words, but it faltered slightly as he saw the looks of very intense dislike directed at him, and so the host decided to get straight to business.
"Campers," the host said with yet another grin, "I have 11 marshmallows on this plate. There are twelve of you sitting here tonight. If you don't get a marshmallow filled with 'sticky goodness', you must immediately walk the Dock of Shame, board the Boat of Losers, and go wherever it takes you."
The host paused dramatically. "And you can never come back...ever."
Some looked skeptical at these words, so Chris added, "And we actually mean it this time. We don't have the budget for the extra episodes."
The host smiled broadly at the campers, brandished his plate of marshmallows, and announced, "When I call your name, please come up and grab a marshmallow."
The campers braced themselves for the inevitable.
"The first marshmallow of Total Drama the New Challenge goes to…Alister!"
Alister grinned widely, and did a back flip to claim his prize.
Chris looked at the plate again, and announced, "Marshmallows also go to Lyn, Samantha, and Ripley!"
The three female campers got up and grabbed their marshmallows together, and then stood off to the side with Alister, who gave them the thumbs up. They all wore smiles on their faces, and Lyn aimed a smirk at Logan, and held up her marshmallow tauntingly.
Confessions
Lyn: I couldn't resist.
End
Chris kept rolling off names. "Takbir, Alison, and Jason, you have all earned marshmallows tonight!"
Takbir got his prize and immediately started toasting it on the fire.
Alison ate her marshmallow immediately, but glanced slightly worriedly at Caleb.
Jason, with Arbok in hand, took his marshmallow from the plate in silence, although he did glance fearfully at Gracie, who only waved back cheerfully at him, taking the explorer slight aback.
Chris announced, "Zak and Mina!"
The dramatic and the strategist walked over to claim their marshmallows, and joined the growing throng by the fire.
There was a faint shout from somewhere in camp. "You've got to be kidding me!"
Some of the people by the campers tried to pick out the voice, but Zak glared out into the darkness.
Confessions
Zak: You think I wouldn't notice your voice, Zane? Nice try, but my team wants me around.
End
Caleb, Gracie, and Logan glanced at each other, being the last people on the time without a marshmallow.
Chris gestured towards his nearly empty plate and said, "I have only two marshmallows left n this plate. Two of you will continue to fight for $1,000,000, and the last will leave this island forever."
Logan shifted in his seat. "Hand me my marshmallow already, Chris!" he barked.
Chris reluctantly threw him the second to last marshmallow.
Logan stood up and caught it neatly, and walked over to Lyn.
"Admit it," he said, "You were worried."
She raised an eyebrow. "Worried? I only hoped that you'd be the one gone today."
He smirked at her. "Yeah, right."
They, along with the rest of the team, turned their attention back to the other two campers: Gracie and Caleb.
Chris Maclean looked at the last marshmallow, and the looked at the last two Griphons. Gracie looked amazingly back to her normal self, while worry was slowly filling up Caleb's face.
The television host enjoyed this moment out of his day the most; he held someone's dreams in his hands, and he was getting paid to make sure they never happened. The host smiled inwardly. The votes had been very close.
"Caleb, Gracie, I have only one marshmallow remaining. The name I don't call will be forever eliminated from Total Drama the New Challenge, and take Ezekiel's spot on the food chain: dead last."
The other Griphons looked at the unfortunate final two, and waited.
In the dead silence of the night, where dramatic background music would surely be added in, Chris raised his free hand in the air, and began to point dramatically at the last two Griphons.
Confessions
Jason: Caleb has to go. He just has to.
Lyn: Caleb's got a point. I prefer stable people to those who are potentially insane. I'm voting Gracie.
Logan: Whatever keeps me out of the hot seat. Gracie.
Ripley: Caleb is seriously picking on Gracie. Not cool at all.
Samantha: Caleb… is a hypocrite.
Mina: I can't die now! I'm young! I'm beautiful! I'm the star of the show! (She pretends to faint, and falls to the floor) Gracie.
Alison: Gracie, I'm sorry. I'm just thinking about our best interests.
Caleb: All strategies have different outcomes. In this, I can only see two; it's either her or me. To increase the odds of it going my way, I'm voting off Gracie.
Gracie: (Beaming) Does anyone else like it when your ears pop because of high altitude? (She pauses as if waiting for an answer) Oh sorry. Pickle said I should vote off Caleb, and I trust his judgment 100 percent!
Zak: Caleb, mate, I'm sorry. But this is your last move.
Takbir: Well, I decided to go with the old fashioned way. (Holds up a coin) I'm going to choose heads for Caleb, and tails for Gracie. (Flips coin, and he then looks at result) Sorry.
Alister: I'm just going to play the random vote. I'll vote for the first person that pops into my head. (Thinks for a moment) Can I actually do that?
End
Chris, all the while continuing to point between the two of them, said, "We had to throw out a vote, as someone voted for a member on the opposite team, but in the end, the person staying is…"
The host continued to point, but his hand slowed until it finally rested on one camper in particular.
"…Gracie"
Gracie immediately shot up and danced wildly in true Gracie fashion. Jason looked very relieved.
The rest simply looked at Caleb, who was having a very hard time masking his disappointment.
Chris stepped in. "Caleb, time to go!"
Caleb didn't answer the host, and instead walked onto the dock. Halfway to the Boat of Losers, he stopped and addressed his teammates.
"I…seem to have miscalculated…but for all my attempts and plans…last place is not something I expected."
His voice hollow, the eliminated Caleb continued, as a lone tear raced down his cheek. "But…can anyone truly plan for failure? I think not…"
With those haunting words, he boarded the Boat of Losers, leaving only a single teardrop on the dock.
Chris turned to the remaining Griphons. "You all are safe…for tonight."
The Griphons left their host standing by the flames and walked slowly up to their cabin, and tried to put the day's events behind them. Jason approached Gracie near the back of the crowd.
"Gracie, are you all right?" the explorer asked, concerned.
Gracie looked back at him and smiled. "It's sweet of you to ask, but I'm fine. I had a long talk with Pickle, and he convinced me that I'm not a liability."
She laughed and skipped beside him. "I was so happy!"
Jason smiled at her.
Together, the team walked into their cabin, one member short.
However, they were determined to put the loss behind them and win the next challenge.
Still watching the campfire, Zane was silent. Suddenly, he stood up.
He laughed for a moment and said to the air, "Very lucky guess, Rodrek. I'm impressed."
The reader's voice hardened and his eyes turned a blazing orange color. "But remember, no matter what cheap tricks you have up your sleeve, I will reign in the end."
A short laugh that sounded strangely Russian barked at this statement, and Zane whirled around to find nothing.
Slowly, he walked back to his own cabin.
Rodrek watched the reader enter the cabin. He was alone for the moment, and would go to bed soon.
He suddenly said quietly, "The door has opened, and more will pass through soon."
The masked teen followed his teammates' lead and entered the cabin as well.
The wind howled, and the trees shivered under its might. Unrest ruled around the cabin area, while Chris Maclean slept like a baby. Darkness spread across the island, as the moon was covered in a permanent cover of clouds.
Wawanakwa Island had claimed its first victim.
The competition had officially begun.
I'd first like to say sorry to pokemaster99 for eliminating Caleb. Thanks for being a good sport about it. Anyway, I'd just like to say that I spent a lot of time planning this chapter on my vacation. So, I'd appreciate it if you could review and maybe...I don't know...compliment it? That would be really nice, as I'm still tired and only have a few more precious days until school starts on Monday.
And if you're wondering, the last part of Zane's line was said by the Emperor in Dissidia: Final Fantasy. He's probably like the third(?) most evil guy in the game. So yeah. Please remember to review, and I have absolutely no idea when chapter 10 will be out.
Remember, you guys are awesome! Please tell me if I did an all right job on balancing the characters out.
I watched the TDA special. I think we're in for a very different season. Not bad, just very different.
I'm very glad that Noah (my favorite) and Ezekiel (my second favorite) are competing. That's a big plus.
Also, new poll. It's basically identical to an earlier poll, just want to see if your opinions have shifted in any way. And you get to vote for your top five favorites this time around!
