(AN: I got nothing about the team transfer. So, no transfer will happen this chapter. Oh well! I've got plans for a contestant to come back. But, I'll still give you guys the option. It'll be at the end of this chapter.)
Chris: Last time on Total Drama Island, the two teams had an all out epic paintball showdown! Owen and Izzy were the sole Gopher shooters, but after Owen went down, Izzy, as Escope, kicked some serious butt! On the Bass side, Eva let Duncan take the fall, leading to his successful boot! Will Eva finally act like a leader, or will she manipulate others into being her pawns? Will Trent assert leadership on his team? Find out the answers, right now, on Total...Drama...Island!
*cue the theme song*
Episode 10: If You Can't Take the Heat...
As the 6 Bass headed up for the cabins post-elimination, Ben was looking rather flushed. Bridgette's actions at the campfire had shaken him up, something which the surfer girl was noticing.
"Hey, um, you alright? I...hehe, sorry...about...what I did back there..."
"No, no, don't be," Ben replied, "I'm just wondering why you did that. You...surprised me."
Bridgette giggled and blushed. "Well, Ben, you're really adorable. You've got this naiveté about you that's just...endearing? Yeah, endearing. I know we don't have that much in common, but I want to try and change that. You're just an all-around great guy."
Ben blinked, smiled, and took Bridgette's hand. Bridgette fidgeted, his hand was warm and inviting.
Meanwhile, Eva held Katie and Sadie back.
"Right, you two. I need a word. Our team's hitting rock bottom and in order to survive, strength in numbers is what's required. I've seen you two do some pretty sneaky things...although I'm still wondering who voted for Tyler.
"So, order of business, form an alliance with me. I'll do my best to keep the two of you afloat. How about this for persuasion's sake: Join me, and I'll convince DJ to vote Ben out next elimination. You'll see."
Katie and Sadie grinned and clapped at this. Eva smiled. These two are such idiots.
Katie and Sadie: Sadie: Ohmygosh! Ben's going to go!
Katie: Ooh, I know! EEEEEE!
Sadie: Aw, but then it'll be 5 vs. 10!
Katie: I know, Chris really should bring some other people to our team! We suck!
Sadie: Who would you want here, BFFFL?
Katie: I want Trent!
Sadie: I want Justin!
Both: They're so hot!
Meanwhile, at the Gopher's cabin, Noah was fiddling with Trent's bracelet.
"Alright, Trent, made the final modifications to this baby here," he smiled. "No nine/six nonsense anymore, I think you've gone past that. Instead, your state of mind depends on how this thing works."
Trent smiled, he knew that he wouldn't use it recklessly again.
Meanwhile, Cody was talking to an upside-down Izzy. The crazy girl was bent over backwards, looking at him from her bunk.
"So, Cody," she asked, "what'd you wish to inquire?"
Cody gave a nervous chuckle and tugged on his shirt collar. "Well, um, it's about Explosivo. A-a-and, um, Escope."
Izzy's eyes widened and her irises flared. "Oh, Ezplosivo loves muy caliente chicas. Hey, it's in the blood! Boom boom!"
Cody sighed, he wasn't getting anywhere here. "Look, Izzy, Escope, whatever, I'm just wondering: Do you like me?"
Izzy grinned. "Of course I like you! Who wouldn't?"
"Yeah, um, I don't think you're getting what I'm saying, um, I mean...romantic feelings...heh...hehe...yeaaah."
He was greeted by two arms grasping his torso and throwing him up onto Izzy's bunk.
"Okay, geek boy, who told you? Who told you that I'm crushing on you? Who?"
Cody facepalmed.
Izzy flushed bright red.
"Oops!"
Izzy: So, yeah, I've been crushing on Cody for...a little bit. Hehe, yeah, what? Come at me, boys! What, did you think I'd go with Owen? Come on, no one likes him! Well, save Noah. Here, Noah, here boy!
Noah was finishing up Trent's modifications when he was pounced on by a rather feisty Izzy.
"Noah, I need a word!"
Noah groaned; any word with Izzy wasn't the best word.
"Make it quick, Brazil Nut, because I'm quite busy here."
Izzy grinned. "Say, how about...you, me, Owen, and Trent here form an alliance?"
Noah blinked, an alliance?
"Okay, I think you're up to something not good here, Izzy. Owen's a sure sign that everyone should stay away from us."
Izzy pinched Noah's cheeks. "Yeah! That's just it! You guys will be next to go! I'm sure of it! Leshawna's got her sights set on you, Noah! Think about it!"
Noah blinked, Leshawna did seem to be acting more hostile than usual lately.
"Alright, crazy girl, I'm in. So, it'll be the four of us?"
"No, no, no! Five of us, Cody's sure to be a cinch to get in!"
Owen had heard this entire conversation, and chimed in.
"Wait, Izzy, people think I'm weak? Aww, that's nuts! I know I'm not the most...popular guy around, but I've done my best to help them all out!"
Izzy glared. "Yeah, like deserting our team to go after one target, being one of the first to fall asleep, and let's not forget your overall...weight problem."
Owen frowned and inspected his belly. He did notice that he was a rather...large target.
Trent put an arm on Izzy's shoulder. "Well, I, for one, am happy with this turn of events. I can assert my leadership this way."
"However," Noah added, "There is one...certain contestant that I'd like to see go ASAP."
Trent cocked his head, Izzy narrowed her eyes, and Owen shrugged.
"Who?" they all asked.
Noah squirmed a little. "Okay, it's Justin."
Izzy gasped. "You mean that hot man-meat that was my ex?"
Noah gave her a look. "Yes. Him. I think he had good reason for siccing that bear on Cody the other day."
Trent's eyes widened, could Justin really be the culprit? he thought.
"So...wait. You're saying Justin's the reason I have this gash in my chest right now?"
Noah curtly nodded.
Trent: Oh man, Justin. If you really did do this, you're toast. I...I dunno what to say though, he seemed like such a nice guy, willing to help the ladies out. *sigh* But backstabbing is backstabbing. I'll make sure the team knows of your treachery!
With one last clank, Noah looked up.
"Well, Trent, your final touches are done! Now you need to say a certain passcode to use these bad boys. Also gave you another one for your left wrist!"
Trent looked, indeed Noah was right.
Noah slipped Trent a slip of paper and a key. "Well, Trent, you should have an idea of what these entail. Paper's for the code itself, memorize it, while the keys are for your inevitable taking them off."
Trent blinked. "Taking these off? Noah, I'd never!"
Noah sighed. "Trent, these were used to get your head into the game better, alright? Now that you've grown more capable, I think you'll be finding yourself using these less and less, as opposed to using your wits.
"But hey, look on the bright side, you haven't shivered or winced at the sound or thought of nine since!"
Trent smiled, Noah was absolutely right.
Justin: *He's holding his sheet again. Looking at Noah, Cody, Trent, and Izzy's names, he taps his pencil amongst them. He circles all 4 and writes "TARGETS" next to them. He then looks at Gwen and Ezekiel's names and shrugs*
The next day was uneventful, save for Ben and Bridgette animatedly chatting by the dockside all day. Eva, Katie, and Sadie were nowhere to be seen, only appearing at meals. None of them said a word about their activities.
As night fell, Ezekiel and Gwen retired to the cabins early. They needed to discuss strategy and the like.
"So, um, Gwen, what do we do, eh?" the prairie boy asked. "We've got a huge lead, lots of strong contestants, who do yo'ou want to see go if we lo'ose?"
Gwen puzzled over this. "Well, Zeke, I really think it should be either Owen or Lindsay. They...haven't contributed much to the team."
"What about Leshawna? She's meaner than a rattlesnake, eh."
Gwen sighed. "Look, Leshawna's...okay. I want to become friends with her. She might be loud, boorish, and brash, but beneath all that is someone who wants friends just as much as I do. I appreciate that."
Ezekiel had trouble stifling his laughter, Leshawna has a soft side?
Gwen sighed. "Look, Zeke, how about this? Whenever the next challenge comes around, I'll put all of us into one group, so that we can work together. Gives us all a chance to bond, right?"
Ezekiel smiled and nodded. Then, his gray eyes flashed quickly.
"Oh, Gwen? Who's the guy yo'ou've got feelings for, eh?"
Gwen chuckled. "Patience, Zeke, all will be revealed in due time..."
The next morning, an air horn awoke the contestants early. Chris marshalled the 16 contestants to the mess hall.
"Good early morning, campers! Today, your challenge involves the sacred art of cooking! You guys will be cooking a 3-course meal, consisting of an appetizer, entree, and most importantly, dessert!
So, as a result, you guys can talk amongst yourselves and get yourselves into equal groups. Get to it!"
Almost immediately, Katie and Sadie squealed next to each other, while Bridgette clutched Ben.
"Well, DJ, guess that leaves the two of us," Eva smiled, best she could. "How good a cook are you?"
DJ grinned maliciously. "Oh, Eva, you haven't seen anything yet!"
DJ: My secret to a good meal? Mama's spice. *he pulls a container from his pocket* Never know when it'll come in handy. Just sprinkle a bit on, and boom! 5-star culinary delights in seconds.
On the Bass side, Eva quickly asked the team members what they wanted to do. Bridgette and Ben were going to make a soufflé, Katie and Sadie an antipasto dish, while DJ and Eva were going to make a Southern-inspired spare ribs.
"I'll take care of the mac 'n cheese!" DJ said in delight as Eva prepped the ribs in some smoked BBQ sauce. Eva nodded in assent.
Meanwhile, on the Gopher's side, Gwen was quickly taking charge of the situation.
"Okay, Zeke, you, me, Justin, and Leshawna, we can work on the main course: spareribs!"
The other 3 contestants gathered alongside her.
"Noah, Owen, Trent, you guys seem to get along fine, you're in charge of apps."
Owen gulped, he had no idea how to cook.
"So that leaves Cody, Izzy, and Lindsay, you're on dessert."
Cody high-fived Izzy, while Lindsay just scratched her head.
"Um...what was the challenge again?"
Trent: Okay...Lindsay's dumber than a sack of bricks, but she at least has something to bring to the table...right? Right? Okay...hopefully Izzy can keep her in line.
As the competitors got underway with their cooking, Chris came up to the groups and started tasting the meals.
"DJ, Eva, these ribs are going to be nice!" he grinned. "That mac 'n cheese, more please!"
The two high-fived, while DJ hid his secret ingredient.
I don't know if using outside ingredients is illegal, he thought, but we're going to win whatever it takes!
Meanwhile, Ben and Bridgette were having a slight meltdown at the soufflé.
"Ben, watch it carefully!" Bridgette cried out. "If it deflates, we're done in!"
Ben turned on the oven light, sat down, and watched the soufflé baking.
Bridgette groaned at this. "You know, you could actually do something, here! I made the batter and put it in! Help clean up this mess."
Ben sighed and reluctantly got to work.
Ben: You see, work and I have never really...mixed. Yeah, I'm immensely lazy, deal with it. *he falls asleep at the confessional*
During the clean-up process, Ben excused himself to go to the restroom. Bridgette sighed angrily and checked the oven again.
"He should be back any minute now..."
Meanwhile, Izzy and Cody were focusing on making their dessert: a flambé. They made sure that Lindsay was well away from any cooking-related items.
"So, um, Izzy, hehe, did you hear about..." Cody started to say, but his words faded. Stupid, she knows about the bear!
"Izzy, um, yeah, um, did you hear about..." but he was interrupted.
Lindsay ran around screaming, the smell of hairspray around her. A small amount got close to a spark, and it had caught fire.
"Ooh, ooh, ouch, ouch ouch! Guuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuys! My hair's on fire!" she cried out, whacking at it with her freshly applied nail polish, setting that ablaze.
"Owen, get the hose" Noah said, barely looking up from his risotto-in-progress.
Owen obliged, and, when handed a fire extinguisher by Justin, let loose on Lindsay.
A loud HONK came from the extinguisher, closely followed by streamers and confetti. Lindsay cried out in pain as Owen scrambled for something cool.
A splash of water stopped Lindsay's blaze as Justin stepped from the kitchen sink. Beaming radiantly, he placed the bucket atop his head, the remnants of the water sizzling from his face.
"Ooh, mama, fireman Justin saves the day!" Leshawna swooned. "As for you, Owen, you've got some 'splainin' to do."
Owen opened his mouth, stammered a "sorry", and got back to work. Meanwhile, Noah was giving Justin a strange look...
Noah: Justin, you're definitely up to something. But what...
"Campers, you have 15 minutes to go! Start getting the last ingredients ready!"
At these words, Katie and Sadie scrambled to finish up their antipasto. Meanwhile, Eva and DJ had just taken the ribs out of the oven. DJ sprinkled a little bit of his spice on top, then cut a bit off the end to check its temperature.
"Mmm-mm!" he smiled. "This tastes just like home. Eva, don't touch a thing."
Eva high-fived DJ, then looked around at the other two groups. "DJ, It's been 20 minutes. Where's Ben?"
"Ooh, we'll get him!" Katie and Sadie squealed, "our antipasto's done!"
Bridgette gasped as the oven dinged. "Oh, crap, gotta take that out, now!"
She gritted her teeth as she opened the door. Someone's going to pay for this.
As the Gophers finished their meals, Cody checked the remaining time.
"Oh, man, we finished early! I suggest we store the food so that it's still fresh for Chris."
At these words, Owen jumped up.
"Ooh, ooh, ooh! I'll do it, I'll do it!"
Leshawna sighed angrily. "Look, Owen, you nearly set Lindsay ablaze. How do you even think we'll trust you to-"
She was interrupted by a hand on her shoulder. Looking up and seeing a calm, smiling Justin, her tone changed.
"On second thought, Owen should guard our food. It's only right. He'll do anything to protect what he likes."
Leshawna: Ooh, that Justin! He's such a good sport about everything, trying to help teammates in need, makin' sure we're all working as a cohesive unit...he's just...perfection!
Justin: *He has his sheet out. Smiling maliciously, he crosses out Owen's name again. Tapping Noah's name, he writes below his "THREAT" note, "Next victim".*
Owen took the ribs, risotto, and what looked like a burnt flambé out back to the storing table.
He sniffed the air; everything seemed so good!
Meanwhile, Katie and Sadie dragged a rather cross Ben back to the kitchen.
"Oh, come on, guys! I was just needing a break!" he grumbled.
He was greeted by a rather rough throttle on the neck by Eva.
"You're finished on Wawanakwa. You're lazy, and we don't condone laziness on this team, got it? Be damn lucky Bridgette was able to finish without you."
Bridgette slapped Ben in the cheek. "You know, I'm with her."
DJ "humph"ed past him, towards the dining area. "As an aspiring chef, Ben, I'm extremely disappointed."
Katie and Sadie: *They open the confessional door and see Ben snoring away*
Katie: Okay, let's get him out!
*they proceed to do so and get in*
Katie: Okay, BFFFL, I think that lazy display should be enough to get Ben booted off, right?
Sadie: Oh, I knoooow!
Katie: Hee hee hee! He's so busted!
Chris was sitting in the dining hall, napkin around his neck, utensils and plate in front of him.
"Gophers, Bass, time is up! Come get your appetizer dishes, guys, let's taste these bad boys."
Noah walked back to the storage room, where he was given his risotto by Owen. Katie and Sadie were up front with theirs already.
"Okay, so, like, Chris, this is our famous smoked salmon antipasto!" Katie started.
"Yeah, it's got mozzarella, provolone, and just the slightest hint of garlic!" Sadie finished.
Chris smiled, it smelled delicious. Sticking his fork in, he tried each sample of the antipasto.
"Well, girls, looks like you've passed the test! 7 out of 10 points!" he proudly declared.
Noah came up alongside. "In retort to that...stunning dish, we've got a wild mushroom risotto with some minced garlic and a small butter demi-glace."
Chris blinked. "Okay, Noah, in layman's terms, you just served me a wild mushroom risotto...without the mushrooms. Where are they?"
Noah's eyes widened, he had never noticed.
"Um...well...OWEN!"
Leshawna balled her fists.
"Okay, some white boy's gonna have hell to pay," she steamed, storming to the back of the kitchen.
"OWEN! WHO SAID YOU COULD EAT ANY OF THOSE RIBS?!"
Ben laughed heartily at this.
"Oh, man, these guys are screwed!"
Owen: Okay, um...I can explain! The food was so good!
Leshawna came back, dragging Owen by the ear.
"Ow, ow, ow! C'mon, Leshawna, let me explaaain!" he wailed feebly as she slammed him in front of Chris.
Chris smiled as he tried the risotto. "Okay, without the mushrooms, this is still pretty nice. But, if it were with the mushrooms, I would've given it 9 points, easy. Now, I can only give it 8."
The Gophers cheered, all save Owen, who groaned.
"Next, entrees! Let's see them, guys!"
Leshawna threw the ribs onto the table.
"Look, Chris, these were supposed to be some slow-cooked spareribs, but someone ate them!"
Owen burped. "Mmm, meaty-tasting."
Chris sighed. "Well, I'll taste this one small chunk here." He did so.
"Eh. It's okay. 3 points!"
The Gophers groaned.
"So much for our lead, huh, Owen?" Leshawna snapped to the camper.
"Well, hey, least he tried to help Lindsay out, right?" Trent shot back.
Leshawna turned quickly around, her eyes flaring in anger.
"You. Take. That. Back."
Trent blinked in confusion, what was she on about?
"Oh, you take back what you said about Justin! He actually did save Lindsay's butt, he's strong, courteous, kind..."
"Oh, not to mention he handed Owen the rigged fire extinguisher!" Noah called out.
"OKAY! Shush! The Bass just won 10 points for their DELIGHTFUL spareribs. Lovin' the zesty topping there, bro!" Chris said, shooting a thumbs-up to DJ and Eva. "Dessert time!"
Bridgette elbowed Ben as she brought the soufflé up to Chris.
"Well, Chris, no thanks to this lazy load here, I've made a delectable chocolate soufflé..."
At those words, with a POOF, the soufflé sank, badly.
"Heh, guess you should've watched it instead, eh, Bridgette?" Ben smirked. "There goes our win."
Bridgette shot a cruel glare, her eyes blazing red-hot.
"You. And. I. Are. Going. To. Have. A. Word." she snapped at him.
"Soufflé's not bad, but since it's deflated, I'll have to deduct some points. 5 points for the Bass! You guys sit at a cozy 22 out of 30 points! Gophers, you need...11 points! Tell you what, this last dish you guys serve, if it's better than Ben and Bridgette's, you guys win."
Izzy threw the flambé in front of him.
"CHRIS, THIS IS..."
The flambé burst into flames and disintegrated, leaving behind one charred remain.
Chris sighed.
"Bass, you win the challenge, Gophers, see you tomorrow night for elimination. Cheeeef, I need some dinner!"
Everyone grumbled back to their cabins. Tomorrow was going to be a tumultuous day.
Bridgette: Ben, I'm giving you another chance. But, mark my words here, you're on very thin ice. It's you or the competition, if you're not going to be committed to both, sorry, but I'm done.
The next day loomed with an air of tension. The Bass were grumbling all around Ben as he ate his lunch.
"You're damn lucky we won that challenge," Eva snapped, "or else you would've gone."
"Easily," Katie and Sadie added.
Bridgette motioned to Ben outside the mess hall, and he quickly scurried over.
"Ben, why'd you desert me like that? You didn't want to work, you didn't want to clean, what's wrong with you?"
Ben chuckled at misinterpreting Bridgette's wording. "Heheheh, dessert."
"This isn't funny! Explain yourself!"
Ben sighed. "Okay, Bridgette, I'm more comfortable cooking meat. I don't really like cooking desserts or baking, I'm awful at it. Add a soufflé in, and...well, that."
Bridgette growled. "Then why didn't you speak up when you had the chance to? I would've loved to cook meat! Well, at least, not eat it, but...never mind!"
Ben shrugged. "I dunno. Just never came to me."
Bridgette facepalmed, hard. "UGH! Hopefully, next time, we can patch things up. Okay? You're forgiven...for now."
As Bridgette walked away, Ben stood there in a daze.
Ben: Okay, well, maybe not doing work would be detrimental to the team...heh. Heheh. Oh, who am I kidding? I feel bad now.
As the sun set, Cody heard a knocking on the window. Peering out, he was able to see Justin shifting his eyes. Running outside, he saw Justin holding two sheets of ripped paper.
"Justin...what do you want?"
The heartthrob shifted eyes again, took out a picture of Owen from his pocket, ripped it in half, and let it drop. He then showed the two ripped pictures: one of Cody, and one of Gwen.
"You mean...?"
Justin nodded.
Cody: So...Justin wants me to vote out Owen? I dunno, I mean, getting with Gwen would be nice, but...there's Izzy liking me, and...well...I gotta stay loyal to my alliance! What do I do?
Night had fallen. The 10 Gophers were sitting in front of the campfire. Chris was there, holding a plate of marshmallows.
"Good evening, campers, it's been quiiite a while since you've been here, huh? So, let me recap. I only have 9 marshmallows on this plate. If I call your name, you'll receive a marshmallow. Those who don't get one, will go on the Boat of Losers! Savvy?"
The Gophers nodded in assent. Justin nudged Cody.
Cody, looking at Gwen, gulped.
"Okay...these marshmallows go to...
...Gwen...
...Cody...
...aaand...Trent!"
The three campers caught their treats, but only Gwen seemed content.
"Next three are...Ezekiel...Izzy...aaaand...Noah!"
Noah sighed in relief. Hopefully no one would be booted from his alliance.
"Okay, only three left here. Lindsay!"
Lindsay's marshmallow bonked against her forehead and fell into her charred lap.
"Justin!"
The hunk grinned as he caught his marshmallow stealthily.
"Campers, this is the final marshmallow of the evening. Owen, Leshawna, you made some big targets on your back this challenge, but for very different reasons. The final marshmallow goes...toooooo...
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...Leshawna!"
The ghetto queen gasped as the marshmallow flew into her hands.
"Oh, YEAH! Take that, Owen! Fat white boy's outta here!"
She was greeted by some rather strange stares, followed by some chuckling.
"Oh, man, Gwen! You were wrong, eh? Leshawna has no soft side!"
With that, Ezekiel went up to the cabins, chuckling all the way.
Owen groaned sadly.
"Bu-bu-but, I liked my time here!"
Noah, Trent, and Cody, in a sign of friendship and camaraderie, escorted Owen to the Boat of Losers.
"Well, Chubby Buddy, can't say I didn't appreciate your enthusiasm," Noah said, shaking Owen's hand solemnly.
"Yeah, you, Noah, Cody, and I, we really made a firm friendship. Especially Noah," Trent added.
"Question is...who voted for you?"
Cody gulped nervously and quickly shook Owen's hand.
"Heh. Heheheh. Bye Owen! See ya!" he squeaked.
Owen sighed sadly as he walked onto the boat. With a sputter and a roar, the shabby old boat slowly moved out onto the horizon, Owen sadly waving...
As the remaining Gophers trudged up to the cabins, Noah noticed the ripped paper.
"Someone wanted you out, Chubby Buddy," he mused. "They really did...but who?"
(AN: Was this any good? I've noticed readership's fallen by the wayside. Oh well, I'm still doing this because I really like doing it. Thanks for sticking by my side all this time, I really appreciate it.)
Screaming Gophers: Cody, Ezekiel, Gwen, Izzy, Justin, Leshawna, Lindsay, Noah, Trent
Killer Bass: Ben, Bridgette, DJ, Eva, Katie, Sadie
22nd: Courtney
21st: Harold
20th: Heather
19th: Tyler
18th: Geoff
17th: Duncan
16th: Owen
Next up: Who Can You Trust?