It was close to midnight when Duncan began to stir. He wasn't quite sure why he felt the urge to get up at this particular moment…he just did. He gingerly lowered himself from the top bunk and planted his bare feet lightly on the cabin floor so as not to wake up Cobalt. He didn't need to bother since Cobalt was not even in the lower bunk. A quick glance around the cabin showed no sign of him. He pulled on his shorts and walked out of the cabin to try and locate Cobalt. He didn't have far to look as Cobalt was that the dock's edge looking out over the massive lake, he too in nothing but his shorts, enjoying the mild Canadian summer night air. Duncan went over to sit with his new friend and fellow competitor, wanting to make sure things was all ok with him. He had a pretty good idea about why Cobalt was out here already but he wanted to see just how right he was.
Duncan: Dude…you really should be getting some rest for tomorrow's final challenge. You may need all the strength you can muster if you hope to take me down.
Cobalt: I don't see you in your bed asleep either. Besides I have a bad feeling we're gonna end up just pleading to our cases to the masses and leaving it up to them as to who the winner will be.
Duncan: Why would you think that Chris would give up the chance of some brutal torture for just a fan vote?
Cobalt: Because as much as Chris would love to have us brutalize ourselves physically on live TV, he has to go with what the head producers tell him and the in-thing now are shows like American Idol (shutters) that have their fans text there votes. Don't think for one minute that they won't try that in Canada as well…especially with such a popular show as this.
Duncan: Hmm…good point. Makes me cringe though when I think of what might happen if Chris becomes the head producer.
Cobalt: I'll put it like this…if and when that happens and for some strange reason I sign up for that season, then have me committed to the nearest loony bin immediately because I will have obviously lost my mind. That's way too much power for such a sadistic individual as Chris.
Duncan: Still…could be worse. They could give the head producer spot to Chef.
Cobalt: (chuckling) Oh man…let's not even travel down that road of what-if.
Duncan: So…why are you out here man. Couldn't sleep?
Cobalt: Yeah…just couldn't help thinking…
Duncan: About Lily?
Cobalt: Yeah…but more so about Heather. That sounds pretty bad I know but…there is so many good things about Heather when you get to know her. She just refuses to show it…refuses to let anyone in. In a way, she's a lot like Gwen in that respect…a lot…like me.
Duncan: You…like Heather! Nothing else could be farther from the truth.
Cobalt: It's not that farfetched when you know a little more about my past. See before my time here and…before Lily…I pretty much had no friends. Oh sure I was the popular athlete that folks liked to hang out with but I never really got close to anyone…even on my football team. Oh sure my teammates would have done anything for me but that's just the way it is when you're part of a team. None of em was really folks I felt comfortable going to when I was going through tough times. Perhaps I was wrong to think they wouldn't be there for me it's just…well…I got the feeling they were only close because of my athletic ability. Take all that away and…would it be the same? Maybe I'm holding too cynical a view…I hate to seem so much like Noah but…I truly felt that way until…Lily came into my life and she made known to me in every little way possible that my status didn't matter to her. She loved me no matter what and now…she's gone. The only one I ever felt comfortable opening up to save for my folks of course. Even though my family, friends, and church helped me get over her death, I just never could truly let anyone in once again…just as before her…
Duncan: Till now that is right?
Cobalt: Yup…I have to thank you man. You've been a great help to me through this whole ordeal here. You're a really nice guy when you wanna be.
Duncan: Yeah…well…don't spread it around too much. I would like to retain at least some of my bad boy image. I've actually considered dropping the whole bad boy routine. It's just not as much fun since I can't use it to get a rise out of Courtney anymore. I still miss her so much.
Cobalt: As you should. Still I wouldn't go as far as changing your entire identity. I mean…you're the criminal with the tough shell that shields a sweet, gooey center. Folks love that about ya. It's what makes you such a hit to most fans of the show. It's what…Courtney loved about you most of all. Hang onto it man…for her…for me…but mostly…for yourself.
Duncan: No need to worry. I couldn't imagine myself without this green mohawk.
Cobalt: Neither could I. You with shaggy, black hair…you'd be an aqua-eyed Trent. That would not be good considering the fact you're musically challenged.
Both laughed long and hard after that comment and they then proceeded to the cabin for much needed sleep. Much needed sleep was something that was hard to come by for Noah. I mean…how well would you sleep if you were locked in a cell in a dank cave of a basement? He was just about to drift when he was unceremoniously grabbed from the cell by a masked man. Courtney tried to grab Noah and the man before they left the cell but she wasn't quick enough. All she could do was shout demands at the assailant. He was dragged into another room in the basement and forced into a chair on one side of a long table there. The assailant then took the seat on the other side and removed his mask, revealing his identity to the shocked teenager.
Noah: You…it was you behind all…
Vince: Shut up kid and listen. What I'm about to tell you is of the utmost importance. It could very well keep you and all your friends here alive.
Noah: What is going on exactly? Why are Courtney and her parents here? Why were they set up the way they were? Who…
Vince: The 'Who' is what this is all about young Noah. You see I'm a special investigator for the RCMP (show his badge and ID to Noah). I've been assigned to investigate Jack Diamond. He's suspected of trafficking heroin for one Manuel Ortega. As for why Courtney and her parents are mixed up in all this…I can't be absolutely sure of. It may have just been an excuse for him to go after Duncan.
Noah: Why would he go after Duncan?
Vince: It's hard to say. Maybe he and Courtney know something that makes them a liability. All we know is that his planning something major. Until I find out the exact nature of this threat. I'm gonna need your help.
Noah: How…can I help?
Vince: I'm going to give you a PDA that you can use to communicate with me. I'll be taking you to the resort's infirmary to rest throughout the rest of the night. In the morning, your friends will come to see you. The story behind your disappearance was that you contracted malaria and you were quarantined down here. They will all be going to Wawanakwa later in the day for the final episode. You will be staying here under the guise of still being too weak to travel. As far as Jack knows, you'll be in the infirmary but I'll be sneaking you into the auditorium.
Noah: What will I do in there?
Vince: There's a secret panel somewhere in there that leads back down here. You must locate it and commit its location to memory. Once that is done, you will return to the infirmary and await the arrival back of your friends.
Noah: Locate some secret door…that's it?! What's so important about that?
Vince: It's a possibility that you may need it as an escaped route. I have a feeling Jack will make his move while you all are gathered in there. Don't worry…I will alert you via the PDA I gave you.
Noah: But what if…you can't warn me quick enough for everyone to get out?
Vince: That shouldn't be a problem. If he's gonna blow the entire resort sky high like I assume he will, he'll want to be well clear of the place. He's already secured a helicopter transport for tomorrow around 4 p.m. That's must likely when you should be ready to move everyone out.
Noah: Whoa…whoa…whoa…why not just go on and arrest him and spare us all this unnecessary drama of having to escape a potential time bomb.
Vince: Believe me, I'd prefer that. But no action can be taken until he puts the plan into action. You'll just have to trust me. I need you to trust me. Do this for yourself, for your friends, for Katie. Don't think I don't know about you two. I am paid to be observant in my line of work.
Noah: Well…I'm far from comfortable with all this but…ok. If it'll help stop this mad man and put him away for good then…sure. I've handled plenty of virtual adventures throughout most of my life. Just might be time to take on a real one of this caliber.
Vince: Only thing is that you don't get a do-over if things go south. So be careful.
Noah just smirked at that and then managed to finally shake the hand of the man who kept him in a cell for over a week and then laid this dangerous assignment on him. Vince then cautiously led him to the infirmary so he could try and get some sleep. Of course, with all that was on Noah's mind at the moment, sleep was sure not to come easy. The soft bed of the infirmary as compared to the hard floor of the cell helped Noah to fall asleep unbelievably quick.
Later the next morning, all past contestants of TDI, except Noah and Courtney, arrive back at Wawanakwa to cheer for either Duncan or Cobalt. All sat together, not separated into groups based on preferred winner. Truthfully, they had a hard time deciding who was more deserving to win. Most were glad that they didn't have to be part of the decision. They all cheered when the two finalists came before them. Duncan and Cobalt waved to the crowd of past competitors. They were glad to see the new friendships that had been forged. A few included Tyler and Ezekiel as well as Cody and DJ. Cody and DJ no doubt bonded well since they both had girlfriends they were away from and so found comfort in talking to each other. They also noticed that Katie looked sad; a fact that was confirmed by the fact Sadie was currently consoling her bff.
Katie: Oh Sadie…I wish Noah was here. I see all these couples enjoying each others' company and… (sobs)
Sadie: It's ok Katie. Look on the bright side. He survived the malaria. He's through the worst of it and he'll be fine. He's just a little weak. He had to stay back or risk getting another illness due to his compromised immune system.
Katie: Oh…you're right as always. It's selfish of me to mope over Noah not being here by my side while the two finalists here have lost their girls and well never get them back. At least I'll see Noah again shortly. I hope being cooped up in that infirmary isn't making him too bored.
Sadie: I wouldn't worry about that. He's probably just lying back and reading one of his books.
Back at Playa de Losers, Noah was frantically searching for the secret panel that Vince assured him would be here. He was reaching his limit when he finally came across it just to the edge of the stage.
Noah: Humph…should've known it would be around the stage. Why didn't you check here first genius? (sighs angrily at himself) Well no matter…I found it. Now I just need to get back to the infirmary and let Vince know I'm back in there so he can reactivate the cameras. I just hope my lengthy search didn't lead to suspicions on Jack's part.
So he went back to the infirmary and sent off a text to Vince who replied a little later that all was going as planned. He breathed a sigh of relief and lay back in the bed and started back reading. This is how his friend's would find him when they got back…just like nothing else had happened.
Back at Wawanakwa, both Duncan and Cobalt finished their pleas to the viewing public as to who should get the grand prize. Loud applauses rang from the bleachers as they finished. Of course Chris couldn't leave it at just that. He had to throw in footage of Duncan and Cobalt's best and worst moments that occurred this season. He also had to throw one final challenge their way. They randomly selected a former contestant to choose the challenge. It turned out to be Harold and he had come up with a break dancing contest. Being TDI, it wasn't gonna be as simple as that though. The twist was that they had to do it on a bed of hot coals barefooted. This was to insure that they didn't just spend the whole time shuffling their feet. They would pretty much have to rapidly change from one part of their body to another or be in a world of hurt. Both gave a particularly nasty glare at Chris then at Harold, who just grinned sheepishly and shrugged his shoulders. As expected the contest wasn't a pretty site and after about ten minutes both were through…and being treated for minor burns to their elbows, knees, hands, and feet. It was kinda hard to declare a winner.
Chris: Wow! That was brutal Harold my man. To bad they didn't much possess your break dancing skills. A valiant effort though by our finalists and our fans can be judge of who had the better style when they vote for the winner. We'll be setting up our leader board shortly. It will track in real time the internet and cell phone votes. The voting will begin at noon and close in three hours. This is it…who is more deserving of the 5 million dollars. Is it everyone's favorite bad boy with the heart of gold Duncan…or is it surprising newcomer from the states Cobalt. Be sure to tune in next time when the votes are revealed, the winner announced and all gather back at the Playa de Losers for the big post production party that you the viewers will get to tag along for. Get the latest news from the contestants past and present from their own mouths. You didn't want to miss a minute of the final episode of Total Drama III: Return to Wawanakwa.
Now it was all down to this. Soon the votes would flow in and decide who would win. In the meantime both Duncan and Cobalt were glad that at this time they could relax and chat with the others. At 3:30 p.m. the votes would be made known to them. Then at sunset, the final campfire ceremony would be held to make it official. They would then return to Playa de Losers for the post production party. In the meantime, Jack was making his own preparations for the party. He was already relishing the opportunity to watch this resort along with all traces of TDI, burn to the ground.
Author's note: I wasn't originally planning to stop here but when I got to this point I thought now this would be a great place to pause. Besides I'm still awaiting more votes for my poll I created on my profile page before proceeding with the exciting conclusion. I really want fellow TDI fan writers to have a say in this. This has been an exciting little story I've embarked on. Don't think I originally intended to have all this suspense but it just…happened. I know that may take away from the TDI concept for some folks but I can't help it. I'm more of an action-adventure writer. Blame my obsession with 24. I'm counting down to this coming Sunday night BTW. At any rate, enjoy this latest installment and voice your opinions. Input is always appreciated. Later y'all.