AN: This chapter took WAAAAY too long to get out! I changed the challenge about six times: a grave robbing challenge, then to a murder mystery (I said 'screw it' because it felt too much like Danganronpa or something), back to the grave robbing challenge, back to the murder mystery, then a repeat of 'The Big Sleep', and finally to what you see now. This isn't my favorite episode, but I do have something good planned for the next one!

ShadowJcreed: And by the end of this episode, there will be unlucky number 13!

ThorBringsTheThunder: Thank you, I tried...I think. Chloe and Timothy may be official, but they still have a rocky road ahead of them. Hunter has become a fun character to write for that exact reason. And here you go, the next chapter!

AZW330: I actually like the long reviews because they go more into depth about what you guys like about the story and stuff. Originally, Timothy and Chloe weren't gonna get together until much later, but I decided 'naw, I don't like that', and so you have this. There are actually a lot of really interesting conspiracy theorists, thing is that they have just become a stereotype for stupidity, same with people with Southern accents, y'know? And who knows, maybe they will make a pact, maybe they won't...? The old Hunter is gone, welcome this new Hunter. And thank you for the kind words! 2 more down, 14 to go. Also, making Clifford's childhood story up was semi-difficult only because I wanted it to be so sadistic for him, I was thinking about Silva's entrance in the James Bond movie 'Skyfall', actually. Oh! By the way, I have all the challenges except two, both of those are the last couple episodes. And thank you again!

Gucci Mane LaFlare: RIP to both of them. And who knows, maybe she will, maybe she won't...?


What I Deserve

If this were any other day, the lives of these contestants would wake to the horizon shining over the hills, and shine on the faces of all original twenty-four contestants.

However, that isn't so much the case it is anymore, now, it was the sound of rain colliding with the windows that woke them up. Usually, the rain did sound peaceful, but now, it was just a sound of malice.

On the dock of Paspinêw Island, Clifford Lane held his umbrella above his head, letting the droplets of rain slide down, and splash into the water below.

"Previously on Total Drama Zenith, two pathetic souls were taken into what I like to call a 'Kill Chamber'. A new love was started between star-crossed lovers, and a possible alliance between Erica and Jade.

"And yet another between Emily and Eduardo, and one doomed to fail. And I think it would be clear it is all pure hatred.

"People die every day, and yet all of these teens don't seem to realize that. And some don't seem to understand life is just a gift, one of those being Kevin.

"However, it was Daisy who found two of the possible victims, and let Marisa's life drain away. Another worthless life, forgotten in a world of difference.

"Now, only fourteen of these minors remain, but soon, those numbers will dwindle down to unlucky number thirteen. Who will be the next odd one out? Find out on an all brand new episode of Total Drama Zenith."


The word 'gloom' was rarely ever used in present day. It was a word used for only darkness, a good definition for this island.

This game that they were playing, or whatever it was, it's become survival of the fittest.

It was almost cold-blooded to any one of the contestants to hear the sound of helicopter rotors whirring as it sat itself down in the same place Dylan and the others had tried escaping.

Not only was it malicious, it was ironic as well. It was a AgustaWestland AW109, a search and rescue helicopter. Though it would never be remembered as either of those things.

On the self-made landing pad, Clifford took one, two, three steps back, and ignoring the gust of water flying into his face.

The wheels touched down against one of the only concrete structures on the island, and it was only then that gravity seemed to have caught up with it.

It seemed to have shook slightly upon touching the ground, but it was something that would always be done. It is, after all, the law of gravity.

Like most helicopters, the door was solid metal. Nothing would budge it, and nothing probably ever will. The rain seemed to have reflected a light of a stainless steel, almost as if that of a silver refrigerator.

Whoever was inside was going to have to wait. The pilot seemed to have found the handle on the pilot door, and pushed himself through into the horrendous weather that the residents had gotten used to.

"We have a bit of a problem, sir." The man claimed in a heavy American accent.

It was something that forced Clifford to raise an eyebrow. Swinging his eyes to the portal in the center of the helicopter.

The sadist instantly knew who the man was who slid the device open. He was an observer, a mercenary. But he certainly didn't look the part, and it was for that reason that Clifford chose him.

He was wearing a long tan overcoat with a gray suit, and black tie. His shoes didn't seem to go well with the dirt, but what did he care? They were just clothes he was going to wash off again and again.

He was pale, and he only looked even more so from this...place he was standing.

For a mercenary he was quite thin, and his black hair drooping only slightly over his left eye. But even still, it was only his bangs.

His name is Aleksandr Grinik. He isn't Russian. In fact, he would probably kill you with a quick neck snap if you called him 'soviet prick'.

Actually, he was born in Slovenia to a Ukrainian father, and a Romanian mother.

"Aleks!" Clifford exclaimed, rotating his umbrella in his hand, it was a sign that meant either one of two things. He was annoyed, or thrilled. Grinik determined that it was the latter.

"We had a minor setback in L.A., Mr. Lane." Grinik spoke, as if his voice were a knife cutting through sliced butter.

"And what is it that this is about?" Clifford asked, lowering his free hand into his coat pocket. His fingers tapped against the umbrella, as if daringly.

"Your associate, Mallory Graves, he was killed by the detective."

Clifford raised an eyebrow. "He's dead? Well, that's a shame."

"You aren't mad?" Grinik noticed Clifford's hand leave his coat pocket.

"No, why would I be? He's done his part as best he could!" Lane exclaimed, spinning his umbrella in his hand.

Grinik shoved his hands into his own pockets. "And what is it I should do?"

"The same thing you've been doing: keep your eye on our little friend."

The observer paused for a moment. He didn't understand his employer. He understood all of the ones he had had before, but Clifford? No, there is something different about him. Now, he doesn't approve what Clifford is doing, but it isn't his place either.

It doesn't seem Clifford really cares at all about death. As if it's just an element of life to him. Either way, he is sadistic, intelligent, and a psychopath, three traits that never go well together.

Grinik entered the helicopter, and slid the door back into place. Within moments, the AW109 was back in the air, and started off through the storm.

Clifford folded his free hand behind his back as he watched the helicopter disappear. Even as he did, he felt the presence of Harvey behind him and waited for him to speak.

"Was it really necessary to kill Marisa like that? I would hardly call that fair."

"Why do you say that?" Clifford asked, turning on his heel to look Harvey in the eye, "Or were you hoping to finger the bitch?"

The sadist seemed to glide past the contemplator, and leaving the intern to glare at the man he couldn't touch.

He'd seen enough of what Clifford was putting these minors through. He had to find Dandy, he was the one figuring out where this island was.

He felt his hand dip into his pocket, and his fingers wrap around what he claimed was his wallet. Lifting it to his eyes, he flipped open to look at his Interpol badge, letting his hand glaze over the metal piece.

He couldn't be caught. He didn't know where Dandy was, but if he got cold feet and escaped himself, then he would have to finish his job. It was rather insulting, actually. The only people on this island that knew where they were is Clifford and St. Clarence. So with Graves gone, that does make this so much more difficult.

"Come on, Harvey, don't give up on this mission."

He forced the badge back down into his pocket, and continued on with whatever it was this next horrific challenge was going to be.


It really is always interesting to watch the sun rise above the horizon. At least, a good portion of the time.

For these people on this island, all it meant was another innocent life was going to fade from existence.

And for those sadists, it meant that it was another thrill ride of 'fun'.

For the past hour or so, it was Eduardo that had been up in his room, writing in a notebook to give to Emily. Manipulation has become something that was rather hard to come by, Eduardo was smart enough to know that.

But in order to manipulate her, he would have to make it seem as genuine as possible.

Fake blackmail, sprung into his mind, problem is that it does have to look real. With that done, he would have immunity, and everyone's attention would be focused on Emily, yet only if he played his cards right.

His thoughts remained in other places as a series of door openings could be heard, and footsteps walking down the hallway.

Daisy felt guilty for what she had done. She killed Marisa. It was her fault that she was dead. None of these people deserved to die, and Marisa was only one of them.

Her interest seemed to pique when she caught Chloe step through the door from her room.

Seeing her caused a flood of grief hit her even harder. It felt gut-wrenching, and it made her heart pump, thrusting her legs forward until her feet seemed to slip from beneath her, and only became satisfied when they saw that she had her hand grip around Chloe's throat, and slammed her into the door.

"You sold us out, didn't you?!" Daisy asked, getting straight to the point, and pressing the shorter girl further against the door.

"Sold you out? I didn't!" Chloe shouted, grabbing at Daisy's wrist as she began to feel herself drift away into unconsciousness.

"Don't lie to me! I know you did something, a deal with Clifford, perhaps?"

She couldn't even respond. She attempted to answer, but only to choke out a gasp of air.

It was only then that Daisy's senses seem to catch up with her, and she released Chloe, letting her fall to the ground, as she felt herself teeter away, her knees suddenly feeling like jelly, and fell to the ground, leaning on the wall opposite of the conspiracy theorist.

Chloe sucked in a deep breath of air, wrapping her arms around herself defensively. "Maybe this is what I deserve." She muttered, pressing her head against her door.

Daisy made no effort to comfort or ask the girl what she meant. She wasn't sure what to do.

Chloe steadily lifted herself to her feet, keeping her back pressed against the door as she did. "Yeah, this is what I deserve."

"Deserve what?" Daisy finally heard herself ask. It was something she wanted to pull back into silence, but she couldn't. But it was already too late for that.

"I deserve to die." Chloe choked, rubbing her eye with her sleeve.

"Please, no one here deserves to die." Daisy couldn't help but scoff.

Chloe let herself slide back down the door, laying herself back across from Daisy.

"Daisy, I swear, I didn't tell Clifford anything." She felt herself stumble on her words, remembering what Clifford had asked her to do.

He wanted her to kill Timothy then, but was his thirst for blood filled when Kevin killed himself?

"Then why didn't you come with us?" Daisy challenged, crossing her arms, and narrowing her eyes into a glare. "You or Timothy?"

"It was just a feeling I had." Chloe felt herself being backed into a corner, hugging her legs to her chest.

"Then why didn't you tell the rest of us?"

It came as a question she wasn't expecting. Her relationship with Timothy, yes. But not that.

"I don't know." She answered honestly, sniffing slightly.

"Bullshit. You knew something, just what is it?" Daisy tilted her head, examining the conspiracy theorist closer.

She didn't know how to respond. And rather then doing so, she felt herself stand back up against her door, her back scraping against the wood.

Once she was back at her normal height, she felt her hand reach around to the back of the door, and opened it.

So before Daisy knew it, Chloe had disappeared back into her room.

Then seconds passed, and Daisy found herself walking back downstairs.

Soon, those seconds turned into minutes. And those minutes turned into what felt like hours.

But the only person that found it unusual that her door was still closed as he walked by was Timothy.

Like it was with Chloe a few nights ago, he had a gut feeling telling him to check on her.

And he was very right to do so.

Because when he creaked the door open, he saw Chloe sitting at her window, her legs dangling freely below. Her hands were settled on the side of the ledge.

The distance between her window and the ground was about ten feet. The average distance to break her spine, and yet the same distance that would've killed Kevin, had he jumped out.

"Chloe?" She heard a voice asked. She forced herself to suck in a breath as she heard her door click shut behind her. "What're you doing?"

"Please, Timothy," the theorist grumbled, tilting her head to look only slightly back at her boyfriend, "I need to do this."

"What? No!" Timothy took a step closer to the girl, who, in return, slid herself inches off the ledge.

"Please stop!" He begged, holding his hands in front of him.

"This is what I deserve. I shouldn't deserve to live. You deserve better."

"Chloe, no, this isn't you." He begged even further, feeling his knees wobble underneath him, causing him to collapse to the carpeted floor.

"Then I don't know who I am anymore." She bent her legs, placing her feet on the cabin wall, forcing herself inches further out the window.

"I know who you are." Timothy attempted to reassure, he didn't know what to do. "Chloe, you are an amazing girl. Please don't leave me."

Chloe heaved in another breath. He couldn't see her face in all of this, but that seemed to be for the best. They doubted that either of them would be able to look at each other.

"This is what I deserve." She repeated, looking at the ground below that she felt would be appealing, should she force herself out of the window.

Timothy forced himself to sit straight up on his knees. "I love you, more than it is possible to put into words. Please think about this!"

She paused. She really seemed to think about what she was doing.

Timothy's heart pounded in both fear and hope. He couldn't do anything then try talking his girlfriend down and out if it.

And his heart seemed to return to its usual optimism when Chloe swung her legs back around the window, twisting her body so that she was facing Timothy. Her eyes were stained red from the tears she had shed following her confrontation with Daisy.

The theorist jumped off the window ledge and into Timothy's open arms, feeling herself as she began to sob into his shoulder.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry!" She sobbed, clutching Timothy tightly. All she wanted was forgiveness. She felt his hand softly stroking through her hair.

"It's okay. It's okay." It was all he said, and softly, yet with a shade of hope shining in his eyes. "I don't think I could bear to lose you."

Chloe forced herself off of Timothy, looking into his eyes, sniffing and wiping her sleeve on her eyes.

"Daisy thinks I sold the group out to Clifford." She admitted to him.

"Don't think about that now. All that matters is that you're okay." He replied, bringing his hands to her cheeks and cupping her face.

"I love you." They said in unison. With that said, it was Chloe that swung her arms around his neck and forced her lips to his in a hard kiss, and yet forcing both of them to the floor.


Chloe and Timothy sat themselves down at their table, both of them earning curious looks from the rest of their team.

"Glad you could finally join us." Clifford picked at his nails, only looking up when the couple entering the room. He himself stood at the center of each table.

To avoid the look that they were in a relationship, they both avoided eye contact with each other, both settling themselves down at their table. None of them seemed to notice Chloe discreetly smoothing out her hoodie and jeans.

Behind Clifford was the board, the pictures of dead contestants that Brendan put up…or maybe it was Harvey?

In order from the start to end, it was Krystal's electric chair death. Travis's crushed skull. Jerome sticking out of a wood chipper. Ted with a hook in his mouth. Jack with his head missing. Jewel with a group of insects in her internal network.

Now, there were four new photos.

It felt so long ago Elsie was killed by the snake. You'd think it would've been a venomous bite, but no. It was a slow, and long strangulation.

The poor girl's life seemed to have drained away. Her face was pale, and her eyes frozen, with her hands gripped around the snake, unable to pry it off.

The next one over was one everyone wasn't used to yet. Dylan was lying in a pool of his own blood, his eyes still open with a look of shock he had just been able to register.

It was a good shot, one would have to admit. It was a bullet to the head, right between his eyes. At least it was a quick and painless death, one he hadn't felt.

Then there was Kevin, lying nude in a bathtub overflowing with red water, stained with the crimson color from his wounds.

One of his arms had hung over the tub, his eyes closed in an almost peaceful manner. It didn't take much a genius to notice the knife on the ground next to him. He must've dropped it after his life ended.

The final and most recent picture was that of Marisa, in a closed off room with her head lying against the ground. Blood on the glass she slammed her hand against. Some of that blood remained on her hand.

She was lying sprawled out on the floor. If her hair we're blood, one could believe she cracked her head on the stone floor. Of course, everyone already knows the truth.

In her eyes was that of hopelessness and fear. And yet acceptance. She wanted to survive, but she accepted that she had no way of surviving, at least in her final moments.

"How do you get more and more fucked up every time we see you?" Lizzy asked, almost seeming used to the corpses on the board.

"Is that your opinion?" Clifford asked, his smile never fading.

"No, it's a fact."

Clifford cocked his head to the side, bouncing on his toes slightly. "Let me ask all of you a question. Do you control your opinions?"

"Obviously." Emily scoffed.

"But you don't. You're always being told what you should think. By the media. By your friends. By the ones you love. Isn't it all just another level of manipulation?"

"Now you sound like Chloe." Lizzy jabbed her thumb in the said girl's direction, who shrunk into her hoodie.

Lane shrugged. "But you can't deny it isn't true."

There was a series of small looks and glances around each table. They couldn't deny that Clifford did have a point.

"Why are you telling us this?" It was Roxie who asked, extending her hands against the table.

"Because it is my opinion that what I am doing to all of you isn't what you think of as 'terrible', I think of it as 'fun'!"

Lizzy growled at the sadist. "Before you put us through another of your sick game, can we get something to eat?"

"No. I'd think you would prefer not to.." Was the answer, barely looking at the girl. "Now, I would like to even all of these teams out, so, two of you, please join the Vipers' table."

The Phoenixes exchanged glances. Which one of themselves were they going to lose?

"And, those people are Emily, and Daisy."

It came as a shock for everyone. All eyes seemed to be on either the loner, or the girl scout. And it was both of those girls that slowly stood up from the table they were at, and forced themselves to sit down with their new team.

"Now that we're all situated," Clifford began, beginning to lean on his umbrella, "how about we start your next challenge?"


Even as the group walked, none of them could help but feel the presence of malevolence stalking them at every turn.

No matter where they would go, someone would be watching them. At any part of the day, you could die. Either it be by the wrath of your mind, or the mutilation of your body.

You'd think that they would get a break, but you'd be wrong. You would always be wrong. Because by the end of the day, Death is always hungry for another victim.

But who was it going to be this time?

They didn't know where Clifford was taking them, nor did they really care. Everywhere on this island was the same.

Thing is, there are only some places no one ever wanted to see. And maybe that was why they were going to the execution cabin?

No, wait, that's wrong.

They were going someplace else. The same place where Jewel was killed!

Christ, isn't this only getting better and better?

"W-where're we going?" Mickey shyly, and quietly asked, almost just above the sound of a whisper.

It was a question directed to Clifford, who stood mere feet away from the teenage child, bringing his hand to his ear, as if telling him to speak up.

There was silence, rather than Mickey's words. Only the sound of rain splattering against both the dirt and gravel, simulating a similar sound to one another.

The teen took a step closer to Clifford and rose his voice only slightly. "Um, I was just wondering what we were doing here?" He repeated in a slightly different questioning format.

"I'm glad you asked, Mickey." Clifford smirked, although no one was able to see it. But it was almost like they could hear it.

But there really wasn't an answer. Instead, Clifford remained silent afterwards, and continued to lead the two teams on to the next challenge.

Fate.

Fate is what brought all of them together for this damn show. Not luck, but fate.

Maybe it was their destiny to die here?

No, no it isn't. All that is is the hopelessness talking. It isn't their destiny to die here. Destiny isn't real. It isn't such a thing called 'destiny'. All it is is an idea. A philosophy.

His umbrella was wide open, forcing the drops to glide off into the soil below. His feet seemed to lock down, and it was only then that they realized that this was where the next challenge was.

The contestants walked past Clifford and they started to see a place they haven't completely comprehended in the past.

They were wrong in thinking that this was just the same area Jewel was killed. No, that wasn't right.

Instead, they were forced to look over the ledge of a cliff. It looked to be the same cliff the first challenge had been located.

They had to admit it, however, it wasn't a very large cliff. From one side of the ledge, the water would be deep. But then then, it was only a quick swim back to shore.

Clifford must've had a staircase built in since the first challenge because the cliff side looked to be carved specifically to seem that way, allowing anyone a quick walk up or down.

"I want all of you to return here in thirty minutes. That means you all have thirty minutes to dress into a swimsuit. No questions, please."

As he spoke, his smile never faded as he stared down into the water.

They had to take notice, though. And when it was raining, it didn't really ever seem to have any effect on the ocean around the island. All the rain seemed to do was implement fear and terror into the teens' minds.

All of the contestants seemed to look on with worry at Clifford, all of them beginning to step away and make their return back to the cabin.

However, one of those people wasn't Hunter. He seemed lost and looked on with guilt. If there was anyone who wanted to kill Clifford, it would be Hunter to take the cake.

Because what he did the other night wasn't something that could ever fade.


Flashback to Twisted Chain

Kevin shuddered as be heard footsteps approaching his room. Clifford must've seen him grab the knife.

Slowly, he rose the knife above his head with shaky hands. The moment Clifford entered this room, that knife was going into his chest.

Or, that was what he wanted, at least. Kevin wasn't skilled, or had the ability to take someone's life. Injure, maybe. But not kill.

And he was wrong at thinking it was Clifford. The steps walked right past his room, and he heard them fade slowly.

He lowered the knife once reality seemed to catch up with him, and he steadily opened the door.

Quickly, the boy peeked around the corner just in time to see Hunter enter Marisa's room.

He waited for what felt like hours for the kleptomaniac to leave the room. And when he did, Marisa was folded over his shoulder.

Something seemed to have built up in him, and he softly pressed himself against the wall. Of course, the one factor Kevin had completely forgotten about was the most important.

His own open door.

Because when he heard Hunter step just by the door, Kevin charged from around the corner and showed a threat to stab him.

Of course, it failed horribly.

Kevin wasn't at all trained in hand-to-hand combat, and he didn't know what he was supposed to do with a knife when he wanted to hurt someone.

So all he did was swing it uselessly in front of him in the hope the blade would catch Hunter.

So when Hunter grabbed him by the wrist and spun him around, holding his neck with his forearm, he was taken by pure surprise.

Kevin had grown to like Marisa. Not to the point where he would sacrifice himself for her, but to the point where she was close enough as a friend.

But all of Kevin's thoughts vanished when Hunter twisted his arms, and snapping Kevin's neck. He died instantly.

The boy's brain had begun to shut down, and his grip on the knife began to loosen.

Within moments, the knife was on its way to the ground, and it ended with a loud clattering sound.

Minutes had seemed to have passed, but those minutes had been productive.

Hunter dragged Kevin's body back into his room, slipping the knife into his back pocket should he find a reason to use it.

The kleptomaniac then dragged Marisa's body into the room, and shut the door behind them.

There seemed to be a reason for everything, and the reason for him bringing in Marisa was only so she didn't wake up out of his view, or someone waking up and walking into the hallway.

Be that as it is, Hunter still had to think quick to cover up the murder. And he settled on something after a minute of thought.

Quickly, he had undressed the boy and started his bathtub.

Once it had been filled to a portion, he lowered Kevin's body inside, and used the knife to slice his wrists.

All he needed was for it to look like a suicide. And it did.

He placed the knife on the tiled floor, and left the bathroom, shutting the door behind him, and continued on his way for Clifford's challenge.


"You seem happy." Alexei had noticed, stepping out of his room and crossing his arms in the hope of heating himself up.

Lizzy looked back over her shoulder, feeling the edge of her lips tug upwards into a smile. "What can I say? If I die, I think I'd prefer it to be after swimming."

She allowed him to join her, walking next to her as they went to the same location. He felt that it was hard to believe that a girl like Lizzy could still be nice underneath all of what she's shown herself to be.

"So you like swimming?" Alexei asked at an awkward attempt to make conversation.

"If that wasn't obvious." Lizzy answered, circling around the stair railing, Alexei trailing just behind her.

"Sorry." He apologized, and it seemed that it had made Lizzy turn around to face him in return.

"Alexei, stop. Talking. To. Me. I don't care about you, so stop trying to be my friend. Are we clear?"

The hiker seemed confused, and only being forced to stare at the back of Lizzy's head as she sauntered off.


"What'd you want?" Emily impatiently tapped her foot in the center of the hallway, taking in the seen of Eduardo attempting to lock pick Dylan's room.

"Señorita, I believe our Dylan friend was the leader of the little alliance."

"The ones that tried to escape?"

"What others?" Eduardo asked, feeling the door click open. "And the door has been opened." He attempted a smile that looked awfully fake. Of course, Emily didn't pay attention to him, pushing past him and into the room, with Eduardo close behind.

The duo scanned over the room once the door had been shut. They took in all of the building designs Dylan had drawn. For a teen, they had to admit that he was a damn good architect.

But it wasn't the pictures that drew Emily's attention. Rather, it was his desk. And she found herself slowly approaching it until finally, her arm gripped around the drawer handle, and pulled it open.

More blueprints.

They seemed to be so delicate and precise. As if the smallest of movements could destroy all of the work Dylan had been attempting.

Of course, none of this work of his mattered anymore.

The loner couldn't help but get a better look at the blueprints, picking them up and holding them to her eye and looking at them, trying to make out whatever it was Dylan was drawing.

"Dylan had more than one plan." She concluded, turning away from the piece of paper, and to look at Eduardo.

The wannabe charmer himself was looking at a photo of Dylan wand what seemed to be his father. Someone that he recognized.

"Does he look familiar to you?" He asked, pointing at the photo.

Emily was much better at names then the average person. The person in the photo seemed to come up in a database full of names within her head. But then, only one name identified the man.

"That's Jason Forrest." Emily replied, looking back down at the blueprints to continue reading them over as best she could. "Seventh richest person in the world. Has his own supercomputer. And an all around douchebag."

"Oh, do tell how you know so much about him." Eduardo placed the photo back where it was, looking to Emily.

"Because he was all over the news a few months back. Called a kid kid with Asperger's a 'retard'." Emily muttered in annoyance, not looking up at Eduardo once during the conversation.

"Okay. So, why do you think Dylan had a picture with him?" Eduardo asked, turning away from the photo and back to Emily.

"Maybe because he's his dad?" Emily suggested, holding up the blueprints. In the corner of the page, Eduardo was able to make out Dylan's signature.

'Dylan Forrest.'


Irina walked back down to where the challenge was to take place, holding her head in pain. It was a migraine, or something.

She felt that she would collapse at any second. That was until she saw Nebiros leaning on a tree, staring at her with what seemed like empty eyes.

"Why don't you take a break, Irina? Haven't you been through enough?"

"It isn't my choice, Nebiros." Irina felt herself respond, running a hand through her hair as she stood up straight, continuing along the path.

"But what if it was?" His voice echoed in her ear. Just a moment ago, he was leaning on a tree, and the next, he was right at her side.

Irina stopped herself, looking Nebiros in the eye. "Then I would be grateful."

Nebiros groaned. "You don't understand! Haven't you suffered enough?"

The puppeteer finally stopped and dropped to her knees. She felt her hands rise to her head and holding it desperately. "I don't know anymore."

"Irina!" His voice echoed in her ear once more. "Me, or you." He said without explanation. He felt himself twist within her head, his form beginning to fade and reappear in different areas of her vision.

"I don't understand-"

"Me or you!" He pressured further, dropping to his own knees in front of Irina.

"Nebiros, what do you mean-"

"Me or you!" His hands gripped the sides of her head, forcing her to look into his eyes once more. His stare seemed menacing to anyone. Even Irina.

"You!" Irina cried at last, and when she did, she felt her neck twitch to the side, her eyes staring straight at the sky as something new entered her body.

Irina and Nebiros were one.


Mickey, Erica, and Daisy were on their way to the challenge location. And trailing behind them was Timothy and Chloe, the latter attempting to warm herself from the cold weather.

"You okay?" He asked with concern, looking down at the shorter girl. He wanted to forget what happened earlier that morning, but he still couldn't let it go.

"I'm fine." She murmured, looking straight ahead of them. "I still can't believe the mistake I almost made."

"Chloe, it's in the past. It doesn't matter." He assured.

"I'd hardly call twenty minutes ago 'in the past'." Chloe couldn't help but chuckle, a smile growing back onto her face. A smile that triggered Timothy's own signature grin.

"You're such a jerk." Timothy joked, beaming at the shorter girl.

Chloe forced herself to stop smiling. Of course, it didn't exactly work out like she wanted. Raising her fist, she softly punched Timothy's shoulder.

Ahead of them, the duo wasn't aware that Daisy, Erica, and Mickey were having a conversation of their own.

"Another rebellion?" Erica whispered, repeating what Daisy had just told her. "You do remember how well that went for us last time, don't you?"

"I'm not ready to give up." Daisy scowled, shooting a sideways glance at Mickey, who had remained silent during this entire conversation.

"What about you?" Daisy asked, directing her question past Erica. "What do you think?"

"I don't know." Mickey whispered quietly. He had been forced to watch Dylan get his brains blown out, there was a good chance Mickey wasn't going to take the chance.

Before Daisy could say another word, Erica whirled around in front of her, gripping her by her shoulders. "You need to calm down. The stress of this game is getting to you, and so is Dylan. You need to forget about what happened then, and move forward."

"How can I forget any of this, Erica? Dylan was helping us. And now he's dead."

"Forget about it, Daisy. There's only so much we can do. If it's closure you're looking for, look to the person who killed him."

With that said, Erica and Mickey were in their way. As they walked, Daisy took a deep breath, calming herself.

What was she doing? This isn't her at all!

Erica is right, isn't it obvious?

But there is a question she does want answered: why did Hunter shoot Dylan?


"Well, it is about time." Clifford smirked, his hands folded neatly behind his back. In front of him on the side of the cliff was all of the fourteen remaining cast members.

Oh, how satisfying it would be to see someone lunge at Clifford and shove him off this cliff. Of course, that wouldn't ever happen. Not with these many armed people around.

In the water, about thirty feet from the shore was a wooden platform that had been set up, and then fourteen steel grates, seven for each team member.

It looked like a good foot above the water, enough, and plenty room for anyone to breathe.

"You're challenge involves all of you trying not to drown. Because every thirty minutes," he pointed to the grates, "three inches will be no more. The tide rises, and all you have to do is not drown, so...the team that still has someone on the grate wins, and the others gets to execute someone. Sound like fun?"


All it took was just a few minutes each of the fourteen remaining contestants to jump into the water, and swing their arms in a way that brought them closer to the grates.

Already on the platform, Brendan held a loose grate, pulling his head straight up to look at the sky, and brought his mouth between the grate. He was showing what these contestants were supposed to do.

As much as none of them wanted to do this, it isn't like they had much of a choice. One by one, and without complaint, they found themselves underneath the grates, holding their head to the edge of the grate.

"This isn't a challenge, this is a nuisance." Lizzy complained, looping her arms around the bars.

Jace scoffed. "This is easy!"

Of course it would seem easy at first. But will always change. Change every ten minutes when the tide rose an inch, destroying their ability to breathe.

"When Clifford said to get our bathing suits, this isn't what I had in mind." Jade found herself speaking through irritation.

From the coast, Clifford kept binoculars to his eyes, allowing himself to watch everything that this challenge held for them. And though he had to admit it was a slow challenge, he had to admit that it would be thrilling to see these people try not to drown once the tide did come in.

No words were spoken since the start. Everyone was focused. They were not going to lose this challenge.

Of course, all things are forced to change, however.

All it took was time.

And within thirty minutes, three inches of the foot decreased, leaving only nine inches remaining between the fresh air, and the water.

"This has got to be the single most boring thing I have ever done." Emily grumbled, forcing her hands through the bars to help keep herself up.

From the coast, Clifford himself seemed to be bored with how this challenge was going. Wouldn't it have been so much more fun to tie them to the grates when they were already underwater? Perhaps sometime in the future.

Soon an hour had passed, leaving breathe space three inches between the water and grate. What Jace thought was easy so long ago was very clearly wrong because he found himself raising his mouth to take in as much air as he could. His jaw fitting just slightly between the bars of the grate.

It was this challenge that found Hunter repeatedly telling himself to remain calm. But even as he did, he wasn't going to be the first one to give up on this challenge.

As it turns out, that person was Mickey. The teenage child had to force himself away from the grate, coughing and spluttering out water that he accidentally swallowed in.

"Looks like Mickey's given up already." Clifford muttered from the coast, not looking away from his favorite part of this entire challenge.

Mickey crawled up onto the platform beside Brendan, who hadn't paid attention to him once he had crawled on.

It was six to seven. But everyone knows that score will be changing sooner rather than later.

The water continued to rise, and a wave of what seemed like panic hit a certain contestant, pushing herself away from her grate and whipping her hair back and out of her face.

Although Lizzy wasn't able to see much more of Clifford's figure from where she was floating at, she couldn't help but stick her middle-finger high in the air so Clifford could see.

Six to six.

Eduardo found himself cupping his hands around his mouth to force out water, and force air in. A trick he had noticed Alexei, Timothy, Chloe, and Daisy doing.

This wasn't the worst challenge they had faced, but they had to admit that it was getting close to it. It was so simple, and yet so brutal.

It almost seemed like a game of ping-pong at seeing the score drop, and then the other team drop. All it did was make them even again. So when Jade had to drop out, heaving in a deep breath as she pushed away from the grate, it seemed like this was exactly the case.

The savant found herself joining Lizzy and Mickey, right on time to hear Lizzy ask her a question.

"Waves suck, don't they?"

Jade paused for a moment, thinking back to her brief time in the water before she nodded in agreement.

Five to six.

Despite that the Phoenixes looked to be losing this challenge, they had to remind themselves that they still had Erica on their team, probably the most useful asset in the team.

But they couldn't say the same for Roxie, coughing out water as she pushed herself away from the spot she forced herself underneath.

No words were spoken between anyone and Roxie as she crawled up onto the platform. She almost looked defeated as she pushed water away from her eyes.

Four to six.

The water was rising. Lizzy found herself impressed that Eduardo had managed to keep himself in this game for as long as he has been.

There was no more use for the cups around their mouths. Almost all of the members of the Vipers had to take a breath of air before plugging their noses with their fingers. It was probably the best chance they did have.

But Emily didn't seem to get the memo, spitting out a small stream of water upon going up for what felt like actual air.

Four to five.

Clifford continued to watch with intrigue. He had his own ideas on who the next to go was.

The last three inches had been decreased to zero by the flow of the tide. The water of the ocean going above the grate. People will be dropping out like flies now.

Chloe was the next one to go. She almost drowned once, she decided that going through it again wouldn't be so appealing.

As the theorist pulled herself onto the platform, she realized it was only then that teams were tied.

Four to four.

No, four to three.

Eduardo had finally given up on the challenge. He reached passed the expectations of others, and if his team lost again, then he would be safe from excelling.

Irina was the next one to push away. Or maybe it was Nebiros?

Whoever it was didn't matter to them, to them, all that mattered was that the teams were once again tied.

Three to three.

Those numbers was about to change drastically.

The tide kept pushing the water further and further up. It was only so much harder to breathe. In just a few minutes, their entire head would be forced underwater, and the only way out would be to give up.

Four people gave up at once. Jace and Hunter shot up, the former of them coughing from the amount of water he had to take in.

And then Timothy and Daisy followed. Both the Phoenixes and Vipers looked to be on the edge of their seats between the two remaining contestants left.

None of them wanted to go back to execute someone. But the way this game was forcing them to be, one of them would have to lose.

It was one to one.

Erica didn't seem to have moved since the challenge began. Alexei, on the other hand, had, yet only slightly, panicked once. When the water was too much, flowing in over the grates.

Neither of them could breathe at this point. All they could do was hold their breath for as long as possible.

What was actually minutes turned into what felt like hours. The normally calm girl that was Erica felt herself start to panic for the first time in a very, very long time.

It took everyone by surprise when it was Erica who came up for air instead of Alexei. But only moments later he was forced to come up, but by the time he did, he was crowned as the winner of this challenge.

"Nicely done." Erica complimented, wiping her hair out of her eyes.

"Looks like they have a winner." Clifford smirked, lowering the binoculars from his eyes, running his thumb over the handle of his umbrella.

Tonight's execution was going to be fun!


In about an hour, all of the contestants had redressed themselves, and some had taken a shower. They still had a long time until the execution.

The challenge they had been forced into doing was brutal. But some of them had to think, Clifford lost the perfect opportunity to kill one of them. Why didn't he let them die there?

The Phoenixes were the ones to find out the answer to that question. Later tonight, that was.

Emily wasn't done with Eduardo yet. She made that clear after the challenge. She was looking for something else, and that something wasn't in Dylan's room. Rather, it was in Roxie's.

They waited until she stepped into the shower before Eduardo attempted to open the door.

What they saw was the exact thing they thought they would find. Portraits of nature, animals, and world peace stole up most of the walls.

Emily didn't care about any of that. Instead, it was a notebook lying on her desk. She flipped it open with ease, and grabbed at the corner of one page she selected at random. In seconds, the piece of paper was no longer in the book, and rather, it was in Emily's hand.

The sound of water hitting the floor of the bathtub stopped, and it became very clear to both the Intruders that Roxie was done with her shower.

Paying no attention to the bathroom, Emily flipped the notebook closed and spun around, grabbing Eduardo and forcing both of them out of the room just as Roxie opened the door to the bathroom.


Dinner came rather quickly, actually. The two teams ate at their own tables. And for one of the fourteen contestants, this dinner will be their last.

As Roxie walked past Jace, setting her tray of food down on the table, the shadow couldn't help but notice a sliver of paper fall out of her back pocket.

Before the pharmacist could notice it was missing, Jace promptly bent down to pick it up, opening the paper and reading it quietly to himself.

It only took a moment, but his eyes widened, and he shifted himself to look at the girl sitting next to him.

'Log #10

I am becoming more and more thrilled with this plan. Jack taught me how to notice the subtle movements, and now I believe I really am controlling this game. My team, however, has still been a nuisance to my planning, and I believe my only hope in everything going well is with Erica's execution.'

That was all that could be read from the note. There was a long tear along the bottom, and it looks as if Roxie tore it in half and had gotten ready to throw it out.

"What's this?" Jace asked, holding the note up. Roxie rose an eyebrow, but rather then giving it to her, he handed it for Jade to read, allowing her to read it aloud to the table.

"I didn't write that!" Roxie exclaimed once Jade came to the end of the note.

"Then why was it in your pocket?" Jace snapped, staring at the girl in disbelief.

"My pocket?" Roxie repeated, turning to look over her neck and at her back pockets. After seeing nothing was there anymore, she looked desperately back at the rest of her team. All of which have at least seen the note. "I was framed!"

"Looks an awful lot like your handwriting." Hunter recalled. He remembered, back on the plane when they first took off, Roxie was writing in a notebook. He recognized her handwriting from looking over her shoulder during a long portion of the flight.

"That's...I didn't write it!" She was at a loss for words. She had no idea what to say anymore.

"You can tell yourself that for as long as you want, it doesn't make it any less true." Jade glared.

"Phoenixes, report to the execution cabin at once. Thank you." Clifford's voice echoed throughout the island.

There was a moment where everyone was still at that table, and then, within the next, all but one were gone to make a vote.

The Vipers could only watch during all of this. When Roxie finally started off after her team, slouching her shoulders forward, the only person to continue to watch her was Emily, a book open in front of her.


Each of the seven contestants sat themselves down on the couch. And once all of them were in, Brendan locked the door.

Behind Clifford was what looked like a coffin of sorts. Made of metal, inside it was what looked like hundred of spikes protruding from all sides. The head that had been carved into the top of the device had a chain strapped to a small loop, and again on its back, at the bottom of the device.

Clifford held a platter with six marshmallows, rotating it only slightly in his hand.

"Ah, isn't it great to be back into the flow of things?" The sadist asked, almost spinning the platter on his fingers.

"Well, you all know the drill. The person to not receive a marshmallow is to be executed."

He held the platter down at his chest, letting his fingers take the first marshmallow. "Jade." He spoke, flinging the marshmallow to the savant.

"Erica."

The freerunner caught her marshmallow, and forced herself to not glare at Roxie for what the note said about her.

"Mickey and Hunter."

Mickey happily caught his marshmallow, while Hunter made no effort to catch his, allowing it to bounce harmlessly off his chest.

"Irina."

Said puppeteer tilted her head, allowing the marshmallow to sail past her.

The final two people left were Jace and Roxie. Jace looked calm and collected, tapping his foot against the ground as Roxie seemed to be on the verge of tears.

"Unsurprisingly, Jace."

"Thought so." The shadow spoke, catching his marshmallow, and turning a brief look to Roxie as she stood up.

"Please, just make it quick." It was all she wanted as she placed her hands on her eyes, the sounds of sobs escaping her lips.

Harvey forced the iron maiden open with a key, showing the giant spikes that seemed hungry for the blood of anyone.

Brendan spun Roxie around to face her team, softly moving her hands from her face.

"You'd like it to be quick. Actually, I have better plans." Clifford smirked, nodding to Brendan.

Nodding back at him, the introvert forced Roxie into the iron maiden with as much force he could. It proved effective when the spikes sank through Roxie's body, one emerging from her throat.

The Phoenixes couldn't look anymore. They heard as Brendan shut the doors, allowing the spikes to impale Roxie once more.

She screamed in pain, only slightly muffled by the sound of iron box.

Brendan locked the two doors shut with the key, forcing Roxie to remain inside.

Brendan and Harvey then stepped to one side and out of the way from the maiden. On the wall was a panel, allowing the chains to hold the iron maiden.

Without hesitation, Brendan slammed his hand against the button, resulting in the chains beginning to pull upwards.

Pulling the iron maiden's incredible weight, the chains forced the box sideways, and on the inside, Roxie found herself sliding off the spikes, and into the ones lodged onto the door.

Within just a few seconds, the girl inside was finally dead.

Blood leaked through the maiden, dripping onto the floor.

Clifford smirked at the sight of the iron maiden hanging sideways from the roof. Finally, he turned away, and opened the front door of the cabin.

"And thus, another episode of Total Drama Zenith comes to a satisfying conclusion. Thirteen people remain, yet that number will only keep dwindling until one survivor remains. Who will it be? We'll find out together, but for now, stay tuned for another episode of Total Drama Zenith."