I like bending fanon around the canon parts of the episode. It's a bit like filling in puzzle pieces. Fun! :D

Well, the Olympics are over. I thought we would be in Greece by this point, but life happens I guess. Hopefully, we'll get to those chapters by the time the 2020 Olympics roll around (which, incidentally, will take place in Tokyo). We must remain optimistic!

I'm never rhyming again, now browse chapter ten:

- Chapter x -

Destination 2 (Part Three) – Japanimè

Current Venue: Human Pinball set

Geographical Location: Tokyo, Tokyo Prefecture [Japan]

Tokyo is the heart and soul of Japan. It was rich in culture, had a good standard of living, the inhabitants were friendly people, and it also had neat futuristic gizmos including the Shinkansen Bullet Train, which was one of the fastest trains in the world.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to experience much of this amazing bliss as we were too busy slaving away doing whatever the hell Chris had ordered us to. Right now, Chris had ordered us to sit our butts down and wait for him to get back.

Bridgette was trying to calm down DJ, who was pacing back and forth, fretting over how he was hurting animals left and right. Tyler was trying to make small talk with Lindsay, who was still clueless about who the jock was. Trent was discussing with Alejandro about something, probably related to what the next challenge would be. Sierra was assaulting people left and right with questions about the show so she could put up the answers on her blog.

Our host, being paranoid about spoilers, had cordoned off the area to prevent any diehard fans from sneaking a peek at the challenges we were competing in.

"That was awesome!" Izzy said, referring to the Pinball challenge. "Can we do it again?"

"Wow. I can't believe Izzy actually enjoyed being a human pinball." I said to Leshawna.

"Yeah, but she's crazy so she get's a Psycho-Pass." The girl said.

Team Amazon had got only 75,000 points, coming up dead last.

"Hurk." Cody was bent over, puking yellowish green vomit onto the floor.

I'm not sure if he lost his lunch due to repeatedly rolling around in a dizzying ball and being knocked against the hard walls and bumpers for a long time, or because of Sierra.

Yeah, it was probably the latter.

"You losers cost us the game!" Heather shrieked at her team as Chef called some interns over to clean up the vomit.

"Forget this. I don't need to hear your whining. If anyone needs me, I'll be busy writing Chris's Death Note." Gwen said, heading off to a corner with her diary.

I took out my book and read as well. What was taking Chris so long?

"Owen?"

"Yes?"

"Stop reading over my shoulder."

"Okay."

I noticed Izzy sitting quietly with her head down, and went over to talk to her.

"Izzy, what's wrong?" I asked the redhead.

"Well… I couldn't earn you guys the advantage. Riding the pinball was cool and all, but I wanted to come in first and win."

I didn't wanting this to become The Melancholy Of Izzy Rostenkowski. I put my hand on her shoulder.

"That's okay." I said, trying to console her. "Besides, it's not about winning, it's about fun!"

"Really!?"

"No. It is really all about winning. Don't worry about it, though. It's probably a dumb advantage anyway. The challenge isn't over yet, though. Let's try to win in the second part, okay?"

"Hm… alright." She said, nodding.

At that point, Chris returned from whatever the heck he was doing.

"I know you guys are happy to see me!" He said cheerfully to all of us.

"Where were you?" Gwen asked him.

"Uh… I had some urgent business to tend to. I totally wasn't jacking off or anything, I swear!"

"..."

At least Chris was still his same creepy self as usual.

"Alright, let's get a move on, shall we?" The host said, breaking the awkward silence. "Thankfully, the producers of Human Pinball were happy to oblige when we asked them if we could use their set for the day. Follow me!"

Chris walked up the steps to the second floor of the building.

Owen stared up the long passage. "Aha, we meet again! If it isn't my old enemy… stairs!"

After much huffing and puffing, the big guy made it along with the rest of us to the top of the staircase. Chris was standing in front of a projector, with Chef nearby.

"Please, take a seat." The host said.

I was seated next to Izzy as Chris played the video. It was a trailer for Total Drama Action, and it was awkward, to say the least.

I only had two words in response. "Um… what?"

"That piece of cinematic gold is the Japanese promo for season two! Total Drama is huge here! It's huge almost everywhere, actually, and it's all thanks to me."

"Wow. Egotistical much?" I asked.

"Shut up, nerd! What do you guys know about good shows? You're all a bunch of losers who spend all day watching dumb cartoons like Naruto."

"You are right with regards to Naruto, but not all animè is stupid! Some shows can be quite sophisticated. Gosh!" Harold said.

"Uhuh yeah, sure." Chris said dismissively. "Poppycock."

Was Chris calling us immature? That's rich!

"Wait. That promo was in English, so why are they dubbing our voices?" Courtney asked.

"Turns out the locals just don't like the sounds of y'all. Sorry."

"No, you're not." Courtney said.

"True…." The host said remorselessly. "Ready for the next challenge? I hope you paid attention because you'll be writing, directing and producing your very own Japanese commercial!"

Oh, joy!

"Oh man!" Gwen moaned. "It's Total Drama Action all over again!"

"There's a brand new candy hitting the Japanese market. It's Chef's 'Total Drama Yum Yum Happy Go Time Candy Fish Tails'!" Chris said. "I call this The Total Drama Yum Yum Happy Go Time Candy Fish Tails Challenge… of Celebration Fun!"

Wow, Chris. Real original.

"Fish tails!?" DJ and Bridgette both shrieked.

"Relax. They're candied fish."

"Ew. That makes me sick to my stomach." Courtney said.

"What? You've never eaten Pepperidge Farm's Goldfish Crackers before? With many exciting flavors, including Cheddar Made with Whole Grain and Pretzel, you can feel good about eating your favorite snacks." He said, holding flashing a toothy grin at the camera.

*Cough* Product placement. *Cough*

"You said we were gonna pay a real Tokyo ad firm!" Chef said, displeased.

"Oops. I did, didn't I?" The host asked, shrugging.

"As props, you'll be allowed to use anything you can find in the Storage Area." Chris said. "Since Team Epic won the first challenge, they get to choose their props first."

The members of Team Epic high-fived each other. Tyler tried to join in but ended up face-planting into the ground. Only Tyler…

"With Team Chris choosing second, and Team Amazon stuck with... whatever dregs are left." Chris finished.

The latter looked dejected, while we were pleased.

I look at the DVDs, then back to Chris, now back at the DVDs, and back to Chris. Sadly, I didn't know the stuff that went down in season two, but if I did, I'm sure I could progress far into this competition. I looked down, then back up at the TV. Where am I? I just had a vision of the man that I could be like, one with knowledge of the past, present, and future. I looked at my hands, back at Chris. I got it! Those tapes had everything that I was looking for. I looked at them again, the tapes were now glittering diamonds. Anything would be possible once I find out what happened during Total Drama Action.

I followed the rest to the Storage Room. I just needed to wait for the opportune moment.

"Remember, using the Total Drama Yum Yum Happy Go Time Candy Fish Tails, (or 'T-D-Y-Y-H-G-T-C-F-T' for short), as your product, you all have to make advertisements!" Chris announced.

"Yuck! More like 'Crap-vertisements'!" I said.

Team Epic got first dibs on whatever they wanted.

"You guys each get ten minutes to grab whatever you want." Chris said. "Team Epic, go on in!"

"Sayonara, suckers!" Trent said as he and his team entered the Prop Room.

He had changed. Like really changed. Had he really threatened me back in the Pinball challenge? What happened to Gwent in this universe? I needed answers.

We stood patiently for a while. Sierra broke the silence, taking some time to interview us as we waited for the first team to come out.

"So, what do you guys think is the best gift for a girl?" She asked.

"Chocolates." Cody said, not missing a beat.

"Flowers." Said Owen.

"No way. What they like the most are weapons!" Izzy exclaimed.

"Actually, I don't think that would be a very good gift." I remarked. "If she doesn't like it, then you've just armed a very disappointed woman."

Team Epic came out with their props. I swear I saw Trent flip me off.

Harold was now dressed in samurai armor, complete with helmet, shoulder pads, and a very realistic looking scabbard complete with a sword inside.

"Samurais? Can you say 'lame'?" Heather taunted.

"The word 'samurai' is both singular and plural. There is no such word as 'samurais'. You are such a baka. Gosh!" Harold retorted.

Thanks to my unhealthy over-obsession with animè, I knew that Harold had only called Heather an idiot. The raven-hair didn't, however, and assumed much worse. Therefore, she kept her mouth shut.

"We intend to ride on The Bebop in First Class to our next location!" Harold said. His team went to the back and waited.

"Team Chris is Really Really Really Really Hot,you are free to enter!" The host said.

It was now our turn. The Storage Room was dark, damp, and dusty. It was just like that creepy basement at my grandpa's. The only thing missing was a menacing furnace.

Izzy practically dove into the pile of props, re-emerging with funny-looking things that were in her hands, in her mouth, tangled in her hair, and sticking out of her clothes.

We looked in and around the crates in the room for anything that we could use as props for our ad. One particular item caught Leshawna's eye.

"Oh, look, a giant spider costume! We could do a 'Monster Mash'-style ad or something!" Leshawna said.

"That's gold, Leshawna. Gold!" Bridgette said.

"Big O can be the monster! Huh? Big O, please!" Izzy said.

She was nuzzling up to Owen and making me really uncomfortable. The big guy purred in delight.

"Owen, you can be our Lucky Star." Leshawna said.

"Leshawna, you're a genius!" Owen said.

"I know sugar. Besides, you are the only one who's big enough for that suit." Leshawna said.

Bridgette then held up some plastic houses. "These toy buildings could be used to make a city!"

"Um… a giant radioactive monster stomping around all over Tokyo? Where have I seen that before? Oh, I know... that's just like Godzilla!" I objected.

"So?" Leshawna asked.

"It's not really original enough, now, is it?" I asked.

Seriously. Gojira movies have been around way too long. There was even a 'Bambi meets Godzilla' video!

"Exactly. It's a proven recipe for success!" Leshawna said.

"Wait. I thought you were terrified of spiders back on The Island." I told her. They had been her biggest fear.

"Yeah, but this is a costume of a spider. Big difference." She said.

"Aw come on, Noah. It'll be awesome!" Owen said.

"Yeah. We'll totally kick butt!" Izzy said.

All four of my team members grinned at me, attempting to coax me. I couldn't do much other than accept. Besides, I had more important matters to attend to.

"...Meh, I guess. Be careful with that suit, though." I said. "We needed to have that costume in One Piece."

"No problem." Izzy said before immediately yanking the costume out of Leshawna's hands.

We grabbed some helmets, toy buildings, and some more miscellaneous items. Then we exited the room. Team Amazon was waiting for their turn.

"Ew. That looks so hideous I think I need bleach for my eyes!" Courtney said.

"That's not what Spider-Man looks like, Owen." Cody joked.

Why was the guy still jovial around everyone else? The only one he was ignoring was me, but why? What did I do to him that was so bad? What sin? So many questions were going through my head right now.

Next, it was Team Amazon's turn to go in. After a while, all three teams were ready to go and Chris gave us each a camcorder.

He told us the final pieces of information. "Now, there are three workrooms nearby numbered 'one', 'two', and 'three'. Epic goes in 'one', Chris in 'two', and Amazon in 'three'. You'll have five hours to finish your commercial. Any questions?"

A flurry of hands went up.

"Can I have some of those sweets?" asked Owen.

"Is this a real challenge, or a prize filler?" asked Courtney.

"Are there cameras in the filming studios?" asked Harold.

"No questions? Very good! You may all begin!" Chris said.

I don't know why he bothered asking if he wasn't going to answer them.

"Your time starts… now!"

It was time to get filming. Our team went into our designated room. The workspace was actually pretty spacious.

Bridgette and I were busy with set construction. We had to patiently stack the buildings up, sometimes one on top of the other to add more realism. It was difficult at first, but we soon got the hang of it. Doing a group project reminded me of my School Days

Both of us were so focused on our work that we didn't even talk to each other. I was in the zone.

...Kind of.

Izzy and Leshawna had managed to get Owen in his suit and the big guy was anxious to get started with the advertisement.

"Owen stomp! Owen stomp good!" The big guy thundered up and down, making the buildings shake.

"Hold on there, chubby-buddy. Let us finish the tiny city first." I told him.

He took a bite of the Candy Fish Tails, then immediately spit it out. I knew then and there that if Owen's stomach couldn't handle these things, then no one's could.

I heard a shouting match going on in the other room between Gwen, Courtney, and Heather. In fact, I think you'd have to be deaf to not hear it.

"Wow. Heather has such a foul mouth." Owen muttered.

"Damn, Gwen, girl." Leshawna said, upset. "Now I really wish you were on my team, those two are really making you mad, huh?"

This is what happens when you put too many alpha-females on the same team. It was just utterly depressing in its entirety. I heard Cody and Sierra try to calm them down but to no avail.

"You should go help your girl, Noah." Izzy said.

But you're my girl- oh wait.

"Gwen? I think she can handle herself." I said.

The argument got even louder.

"Okay. I think I better go take a look. It's okay with you guys, right?" I asked Bridgette and Leshawna.

"Oh no problem, honey. I think Heather needs a good slap or two." Leshawna said.

Awkward foreshadowing is awkward.

The yelling continued. This could get ugly very soon.

"Yeah. I'm gonna go." I said.

I left the room to see Gwen hunched over, and went over to her.

"Hey."

"Ugh. I just can't help it. I try so hard not to get involved, but they always drag me into their stupid bullcrap!" She said.

"It's okay. It's okay." I said, patting her back. Wow. Was today 'Comfort-a-girl Day' or something?

The Goth got up and hugged me. Oddly enough, we had only kissed up till now, never hugged, so it felt unusual.

"Ever since this show started, all we've done is fight 24x7." Gwen said. "We can't agree on anything! I just feel like socking them both, you know? I'm sick of all this drama!"

"Me too, but don't blame them. They're both products of Chris and his shenanigans. Direct your anger towards him." I said.

She sighed. "At least I have you."

"... Yeah."

She let go. I knew Gwen's capacity. She could've easily kicked those girls' asses, but what good would that do?

"Well… thanks for comforting me I guess." She said.

"Hey. That's what boyfriends do." I said. This wasn't teenage 'me' talking, no. This was

This wasn't teenage 'me' talking. No.

This was adult me. The one who had been battered and bruised and knew the horrors that would come.

"Well, I better go. Got a challenge to do."

"Gwen, take it easy out there." I said.

"Hm. I'll try." She went back into her room and closed the door.

I was about to do the same, but then I saw that the projector had been left unattended. That's when a lightbulb went off in my head.

Steal those tapes, Noah.

My chance had come! I knew that what my brain was telling me was illegal, but this could be my only chance to find out about season two without blatantly asking and raising any suspicions.

I looked around. Left, then right, then left again. No one was watching. We could still do the challenge. Five hours was plenty of time.

As for the tapes, this was it. It was now or never.

Screw it. I'm going in.

Being careful not to get detected by the cameras, I slowly made my way over to the big screen. In one swipe, I grabbed the case and made my way down the stairs. I would totally be screwed if someone had seen me. I had to sneak over to the plane somehow.

My heart was pounding as I ran as fast as I could and went out of the building. Thankfully, the crowd had dispersed. The plane was waiting right there! I made my way to the vehicle. I was as good as dead if anyone spotted me here.

"Hold it right there!" I heard someone say.

Oh fish! I froze in my tracks. Damn! I was screwed now.

"Just where do you think you're going?" The person asked me.

I felt like there was a large figure looming over me. I turned around to see my addresser.

...

It was Alejandro. Phew. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Um… I left some stuff back on the plane." I lied.

"What are those in your hands, then?" He asked, pointing to the DVDs.

Holy crap! Now was too late to hide them.

Thank goodness it wasn't Chris, or I would have been in real trouble for stealing corporate property.

"Uh…" Crud. What do I say? What do I say!?

"Whatever, look, the reason why I called you is- "

"Wait. Why are you here, then? Sneaking around, hmm?" I asked him.

"My team decided we could use a break." He said.

"Oh."

"Let's talk business. I'm thinking of forming an alliance. Some people have already agreed to join me. You seemed like a useful addition and I want you to be a part of our Clannad too."

"You mean 'clan'."? I asked him.

"Yes, precisely. You want in?"

"...Why, though? How come? I mean, I'm not even on your team."

"Ah, but your intelligence could prove useful to us, Noah. You're the smartest person in this competition."

"You got that right."

"Teams are irrelevant, friend. With my charm and your brains, we could go all the way to the top. In fact, the combined forces of both of our teams could unite to take down those pesky Amazons. Join me, and together we shall rule this contest!" He said.

I considered it for a bit. "You make an attractive offer, señor. However, I'm sorry. I can't accept it. Though I despise Heather, and to a lesser extent, Courtney, Team Amazon also consists of Gwen and Cody as well, and I don't want either of them bowing out. Those two are my friends." I mean sure, Cody hated my guts for some reason, but I still considered him my friend.

"I see. This is why it's better to not make any friends on this show." The boy said coldly. "One cannot be betrayed when one has no people."

"Well, I rather like having friends on this show. Helps to keep me from going insane." I shot back.

"Hm, perhaps. I'll take my services elsewhere, then. With regards to the alliance, I expect you'll reconsider."

"Excuse me?"

"I don't ask for favors, amigo. I express my expectations. So, let me say it again. I expect you'll reconsider."

"Right… and I expect you to leave me alone so I can do the challenge."

"Very well. Have it your way, Noah. Just remember that if you are not with us then by definition you are against us."

"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." I deadpanned.

An alliance? Over my dead body! There was zero chance in hell I was teaming up with him. I know all the things he did the first time. A guy like that just couldn't be trusted. He could double-cross me at any moment, not to mention he was the main villain back in the original version of TDWT.

Something was odd, though. Come to think of it, I don't remember getting an alliance offer from Alejandro the first time around. Bizarre.

I went into the plane. Making sure I wasn't being followed, I opened my duffel bag and put the DVD in it. Safe and sound. This would surely come in handy later.

Something still felt... off, though. I scanned the plane, making out a dark silhouette of a toque-wearing prairie boy.

Ezekiel? No. That was impossible! He got kicked off back in Egypt. I saw it with my very own eyes. He wasn't still here, was he? Not again!

I rubbed my eyes, and the image was gone. I was panicking and my eyes were playing tricks on me. That would explain it.

I went back to the workroom hurriedly, hoping no one else would notice my absence.

On the way, I took a peek at what Team Epic was doing. Harold was playing around with his toy sword.

"Hiya!" He swung it around, accidentally hitting himself in the privates. "Ow! My Dragon Balls!" He shrieked, doubling over and clenching his nutsack.

Nearby was Chris.

"My tapes have been stolen? What the fudgebiscuit!?" He said alarmedly.

Uh oh. Oh no. The host went and told Chef something.

Chef then turned on his walkie-talkie and spoke with somebody. "Yeah, we've got a Code Geass over here. That's a Code G, over."

Crap! Not good! I whistled nonchalantly and hightailed it out of there ASAP.

I was a criminal on the run. I guess this is what Duncan feels like all the time.

I quickly entered my room hoping to avoid confrontation.

"Noah! Where the hell have you been!?" Leshawna asked.

"We can't start filming without you!" Bridgette said.

Unfortunately, all I got was one more helping of said confrontation.

Whoa. How long had I been away?

"Uh… bathroom break?" I said.

"Chris said we all have to be in the video or it gets disqualified." Bridgette said.

We all got down to business, trying to arrange the buildings and scenery in the proper manner. It was tedious work. I wiped the sweat from my brow.

"Um, guys." Owen said.

"What!?"

"I have to pee."

Not good. This meant getting Owen out of the costume and then getting him back in again.

We had no choice in the matter, though. Izzy wanted to help the big guy, so the three of us set up the background and rehearsed our lines.

At last, Owen and his redhead girlfriend came back. I think they got a little busy along the way because there was no way in hell it would take them this long. We all tried desperately to put Owen back in his suit.

"You have five minutes left to film your ad!" Chris announced from outside. "Then, it's Happy Fish Yum- what- whatever. We'll be watching them in five minutes!"

Okay, seriously, how long had I been away?

Worst possible timing ever! Damn. Time had gone by fast. We scrambled to finish our advertisement before the deadline.

"Time's up!" Chris said. "Let's see em."

The time limit had expired. Honestly, think our ad came out pretty well, considering the circumstances.

All we had left to do now was wait and watch.

Well, that was fun to write. I hope I'm not diverting from Kanon- err, canon too much.

We've got one more chapter left before we're through with Japan. That's too bad. I was digging writing this more than the Egyptian chapters.

So… were you able to spot all the references, huh? Were you? Were you? :P

SEAT SHEET

Team Epic – Harold, Alejandro, Lindsay, Trent, DJ, Tyler

Team C.R.R.R.R.H. – Bridgette, Noah, Izzy, Leshawna, Owen

Team Amazon – Gwen, Cody, Heather, Courtney, Sierra

Eliminated – Duncan, Ezekiel