Chapter 10:
Diverge in the Merge

The sun speckled through the cloudy sky, it's golden rays bathing the earth below in brilliant patches. Fiona breathed in the salty sea air as she leant against a tall tree on the riparian vegetation just off the sand. She didn't have to participate in the challenge yesterday and she didn't have to do anything extraneous. She felt the fight for the morning shower wasn't worth it and she'd rather go hungry than have to deal with another one of Zonic's meals.

"I told you she'd be here," a confident, cocky voice shrieked through the serenity and roused Fiona. She grumbled silently to herself as she tore her gaze off the spilling waves to see two contestants stomping over to her.

"Alright, whatever, you win," Knuckles replied exasperatedly. Shade gave him a satisfied grunt before she turned her attention to Fiona.

"Hey Fiona, how's it going?"

"H-Hey Shade. What are you doing here?" Fiona asked timidly with inflexion on her letters. Her shyness and vulnerability made Shade smile.

"I just wanted to come and say hi. We've been on different teams and we've had different goals, but I want to make a point to come talk to everybody left in the competition," Shade said.

"Yeah, that's believable. Urf!" Knuckles challenged before he earnt a swift elbow deep into his gut. "Sorry, I'll be quiet.

"Well that's awful nice of you, Shade."

"Thank you, I thought it was too," she flicked her gaze to Knuckles still clutching her stomach. "Anyway, I was just thinking, y'know, since Blaze and Amy ditched you maybe you'd be looking for some other people to work with."

"They ditched me? How?" Fiona continued to act oblivious.

"Well rumour has it that they created a small alliance with Silver and Sonic. And since they are close with Rouge too it only makes sense that they'd kick you to the curb," Shade said matter-of-factly.

"That's not very nice to say."

"The truth often isn't, but that's why I'm here," Shade jumped to the point of her pitch. "I've seen you in challenges. You might not be the bravest, but you're smart, precise and strong and I appreciate those characteristics in competitors."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I want you to join Knuckles and me and together we can make it all the way to the final three together."

"How do I know you won't just ditch me like the others?"

"You don't."

"Shade!" Knuckles chastised.

"W-Well I appreciate the honesty. Alright, sure, let's do it," Fiona smiled as she gingerly held out her hand. Shade took it and shook it.

"Perfect."

Shade: Sucker!

Fiona: Sucker!

"Thanks for helping me move my stuff," Silver thanked Blaze as she carried some of his bags over to the old Chaos Emerald cabin that had now just become the boys cabin. Shade had thrown quite a fuss that she had to move to the other cabin but since she was the only girl on her team and the Rings had five Razor decided that the Golden Rings cabin would house all the girls and the Chaos Emerald cabin would house all the boys.

"No problem. I'm just glad I don't have to get uprooted mid-season," Blaze laughed. She huffed as she dumped one of Silver's bags loudly on the mouldy, wooden floorboards and stretched out her back. She walked outside and leant contentedly on the barrister on the cabin's veranda.

"What's the contemplative look for?" Silver asked as he came to join her.

"Oh, just happy, I guess. For the first time in this competition I feel… good. Like, finally I'm glad I put my life on hold to come and be here," Blaze smiled.

"You weren't happy before?" Blaze shook her head. "How come you applied to be a contestant then?"

"Think about it, Silver. All of us had lives before this and we have to sacrifice over a month, severing contact with friends and family. I only accepted this because I was fired from my job and my best friend thought this could be a way to get some cash. It's not like I'm in desperate need for the money but if I get eliminated I don't know how I'll support myself," Blaze admitted vulnerably.

"Won't your family be there for you until you get back on your feet?"

"They will, but we're not exactly rich. My adopted sister Marine hurt her spine in a gymnastics accident and they physio-therapy has been quite costly."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Silver frowned.

"Oh, no, don't worry about me. It's fine. We'll be back on our feet, I'm sure. It's just, the fifty thousand will be helpful," Blaze chuckled lightly.

"Well, you know I'll be here to help you every step of the way and if I don't win I hope you do."

"See, that's why I'm finally happy now."

"Hmm?"

"I'm happy I met you. Amy and Sonic are great and all but you're something else, Silver," Blaze said slowly, turning to gaze into his amber eyes.

"Something… else?" Silver swallowed nervously.

"Yeah. I'm so glad I was put on your team. Your funny, sweet, smart, cute and I love spending time with you. I didn't want to admit it back then but every time we were down in a challenge I wasn't scared about possibly losing, but I was scared that it would mean you'd be eliminated," Blaze admitted.

"You're giving me too much credit, Blaze," Silver dodged her compliments. "I'm nothing compared to you."

"Don't say that."

"It's true. At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot I wanna say that I've been infatuated with you ever since I first laid eyes on you. You were so nice and genuine and when we had our first win celebration around the fire that first night and I got to properly know you I realised the truth."

"The truth?"

"That I had fallen for you the second I met you," Silver acknowledged.

"S-Silver…" Blaze breathed heartily. "I can't say that I liked you like that straight away."

"I didn't expect you to," Silver tried to hide the dejected tone from his voice as he lowered his head to stare embarrassingly at his feet.

"But," Blaze continued, placing her thumb under his chin and lifting his head to meet her eyes again. "I can't say that I don't feel something now. Over these past two weeks I think I might have begun to fall for you to. Basically, what I'm saying is…" Blaze trailed off. She couldn't express how she felt in words and, instead, she leant in, tilted her head and closed her eyes. Silver mirrored her actions and his supple lips met her is a soft touch. He could taste her peach Chapstick as he pressed harder into her. She opened her mouth and traced her tongue along his lips and flicked his teeth until he opened wider and granted her entrance, meeting her tongue with his own.

Finally, after what felt like eternity, Blaze pulled apart and panted with a flushed, full face.

"So…" Silver breathed heavily.

"So…" Blaze repeated.

Blaze: I can't believe that just happened…

Silver: Yes, yes, yes!

Fiona: They really should have chosen a slightly more private place to suck face. But this does give me an interesting proposition for the future.

Sticks was the last one to join the contestants outside the cafeteria. She raced out of the forest from the complete opposite direction to the toilet block, beach or cabins. She slipped into place between Vector and Rouge and waited for Razor to begin speaking.

"Psst, broette," Vector whispered. "Where did you come from?"

"What do you mean? I came out of the forest, silly," Sticks replied absentmindedly.

"No, I mean, where in the forest? There's nothing out that way."

"Some questions don't require answers," Sticks replied cryptically, flicking her gaze left and right. "And right now, that one doesn't."

"Whatever," Vector shrugged.

"Enough whispering!" Razor chastised. "This isn't about you, this is about me announcing the challenge so shut it!"

"Sorry bro!"

"That's okay, bro," Razor replied.

"Hey, why are you so nice to him?" Rouge complained.

"I said shut it!" Razor shouted, much to Rouge's annoyance. "Anyway, time to announce the challenge. But first…" Razor's voice was drowned out by the deafening sound of winds whipping around wildly above him. The trees swayed violently, and the contestant's clothes stuck to their skin. The islanders blocked their faces as a helicopter landed in the clearing in front of them.

"You have a helicopter?" Sonic yelled over the noise.

"No, it's a helicopter," Razor shrieked. "And you need to get on it now. Go, go, go!" The ten remaining contestants all filed carefully onto the chopper and, once they were all seated, Razor jumped on and Zonic piloted it into the air. It soared over the dense, unexplored forests of Treacherous Isle and over to the far side of the island that none of them had explored yet. The part with the gigantic, towering volcano.

"Hey, what's that?" Amy asked as she noticed a small island a few kilometres off the main island's north coast.

"Don't worry about that. Just focus on today's destination. The dormant crater!" There was a chorus of grumbles but Zonic ignored them as he continued to fly them towards the volcano. However, when he drifted over the top the ground proved too unstable to land.

"You gotta jump," Zonic instructed.

"What? Are you kidding me?" Rouge complained.

"If you don't jump, you don't get to participate which means no immunity for you," Razor said.

"I'm not scared of a little jump," Shade decided. Zonic took the helicopter as low as he could and stopped. They hovered less than two meters above the hot rock. Shade was the first to jump, landing gracefully on the ground. Sticks was next, rolling along the rocks. Vector, Fiona, Sonic, Knuckles and Amy were next to jump.

"I don't know about this," Blaze bit her bottom lip.

"We can do it together," Silver smiled, holding her hand. She could feel his racing pulse and could see through his façade. He was even more nervous than she was. She gave him a warm smile and it gave both of them the energy to jump. Rouge noted it and knew she couldn't be left behind. Not at such a crucial stage in the game. She, too, jumped.

"Good," Razor announced as the helicopter perfectly lands in the crater and Razor steps off. As soon as the propeller blades stopped whirling and the gusts subsided the campers instantly felt an overwhelming heat wave engulf them and they began sweating profusely.

"What? I thought you said it couldn't land!" Knuckles growled angrily.

"Did I? I don't remember saying that. Zonic, did I say that?"

"I didn't hear it," Zonic shook his head with a great smile. "I just saw all the contestants jump for no reason." Knuckles snarled but said nothing more.

"Anyway. It's time to start today's challenge. It's quite a simple one. We start in the crater and the first one to get back and grab the immunity flag that I've stuck in the sand beside the bonfire wins the challenge."

"But the top part of this volcano is a sheer vertical drop," Amy pointed out.

"Exactly."

"I forgot how much I missed this," Vector chortled happily.

"Once you descend to the ground you must run back through the forest. Head directly south and you'll emerge beside the toilet blocks. Just follow the path from there and you all know the way to the bay. I'll see the first one there to give you your immunity," Razor smiled. "And a super special reward for first place." That got Fiona's attention.

"I really hate you sometimes," Amy huffed as she crossed her arms.

"Oh, and before I forget. I instructed Abyss to hide an immunity idol somewhere in the forest. It'll be located somewhere between the toilet block and the forest's edge beside the clearing at the base of the volcano. If you find it, you get to keep it and use in whenever you want."

"What does it look like?" Vector asked.

"A small wooden statue of me," Razor posed.

"Is that all, bro?"

"Yep, that's everything."

"So, can I go?"

"Yes."

"See ya!" Vector called as he turned and began to scale up the lip of the crater without a care in the world.

"Knuckles come on we can't let him take the lead. Let's go," Shade shouted as she hastened after him.

"Coming!"

Amy: This competition is going to be the death of me.

Knuckles: That woman is going to be the death of me.

Vector: I forgot how much I missed this. Woo!

Vector was the first one to scale the lip of the volcano. He inched across the small ledge at the top before he found his footing on the sharp rocks and began his descent down the other side. Sticks wasn't far behind him, finding the climb no trouble at all. Surprisingly, Fiona was in third place making quick work of the climb like she'd done it a thousand times before.

Amy and Sonic continued the small climb to the lip of the crater when Amy stepped on a loose rock and it gave way underneath her weight and trickled down into the crater. Amy cried out in shock as she lost her grip and began plummeting towards the hot ground.

"Gotcha," Sonic said as he snatched her wrist as she fell past him and staggered but held his grip on both her and the rock.

"Wow, thanks Sonic," Amy smiled as she managed to find a foot hold again. "I really owe you one."

"This is crazy! C'mon, let's scale back down. Surely Razor wouldn't let us do this unless he had something to help save our lives. The last thing he'd want is a lawsuit, I'm sure." Meanwhile, as Sonic and Amy climbed back down into the sweltering crater, Knuckles and Shade continued to power towards the lip when Knuckles found himself at a loss. A small rock crumbled and his hand fell loose. His feet swung off the wall and he precariously held himself with one hand.

"Shade, help!" Knuckles called. Shade stopped momentarily to look down. Her head whipped between the top of the volcano and Knuckles hanging on.

"Sorry, Vector, Sticks and Fiona are too far ahead. I need that immunity. You understand," Shade said as she began climbing up. Knuckles called out for help again as he lost his grasp and fell a few meters to the hard rock floor and bruised his tailbone.

"Knux, you alright?" Sonic asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just – arg," Knuckles cursed as he tried to stand up but a sharp pain shot through him.

"Zonic, quick, get the stretcher. We'll take him back down to Abyss to have a look at him," Razor decided. "Sorry Knuckles, looks like you're out of the challenge."

"Surely you don't expect us to climb without any safety equipment," Amy complained. "Did you see what just happened to him. What if that happens on the other side and we fall a hundred meters instead of five? It would lead to our deaths."

"I guess you have a point. I didn't really think about that," Razor admitted.

"You didn't?" Blaze, Silver, Amy and Sonic all gasped unbelievably.

"I just thought scaling a volcano would be cool. We've got some ropes and rock climbing equipment in a crate in the back of the chopper. I remember Abyss saying something about making sure I handed it out before the campers set off to do the challenges for safety reasons or something," Razor scratched his head.

"Are you kidding me!?" Amy shrieked. "Give them to us."

"Fine, whatever. Sheesh, you don't have to yell." As Zonic tended to Knuckles' injuries, Razor unloaded the crate and opened it with a crowbar to reveal ropes, clips, carabiners and harnesses.

"Why didn't you give us these earlier? God," Amy couldn't believe the recklessness Razor displayed.

"Well, you know what, I don't need to sit here and be yelled at. C'mon Zonic, lets get out of here," he huffed like a toddler.

"Should we tell them about the easy, gentle path down the back of the volcano that they can use to get down?" Zonic asked.

"Not after they yelled at me," Razor giggled childishly. Zonic joined in as they loaded Knuckles on the helicopter and took off into the air.

Amy: I really can't believe him sometimes.

Knuckles: This sucks! Shade owes me an explanation if she wants this alliance to continue!

It took the four of them ten minutes of struggling but after a few arguments and discussions about the best course of action to scale the volcano with their new tools Sonic, Amy, Blaze and Silver were still at a complete loss.

"Hey, do you guys need some help?" Rouge offered.

"Rouge? Sorry, I didn't even realise you were still here," Silver said.

"I guess we were too engrossed in trying to figure out how to not die," Sonic laughed.

"Here," she took the rope and some of the metal stakes and begun expertly tying complicated knots around them. Once completed the stuck easily scaled up the lip of the rock and stuck the pole deep into the top. She then abseiled down quickly and landed with both feet back on the ground. Rouge then gave the rope a mighty tug with all her might but the pole didn't budge.

"There, perfect," Rouge admired her handywork. "Just strap yourselves in, tie up and this should save you if you fall. That way it should be a breeze getting to the top."

"Wow…"

"How did you do that?" Sonic asked.

"Remember in the ropstacle course challenge when I won it for my team? I told you about my hikes with my father. We did so much rock climbing and abseiling that I got pretty good at making my own belays."

"Well, we really owe you one," Silver admitted.

"Hey… I know I don't speak for all of us but, would you like to join our alliance?" Blaze offered.

"Hey, yeah! With the five of us we can control every elimination and make sure we make it to the final five," Amy cheered.

"Me? Really? I don't want to step on your toes or anything."

"Seriously, join with us. It'll be good for all of us," Sonic said.

"Well, alright. I'll join."

"Awesome! Now come on. We have a volcano to climb!"

Rouge: Now you might be thinking Rouge, if you're so good at rock climbing why didn't you just leave them and win the challenge easily? Simple. Immunity today gives me safety into the final nine but no further. If I join up with them then I have a guaranteed place in the final five. I can start thinking about what to do once I'm there but for now, one in five are much better odds than one in nine. I came here to get far and win, not to come ninth!

Meanwhile, as Rouge, Amy, Blaze, Silver and Sonic began making preparations to climb safely down the volcano, the race for first place was just heating up. Thanks to his head start, Vector lead the climb down the volcano for most of the way but at the last twenty meters of the descent Sticks flew past him. It was like she had little regard for her own safety.

Sticks landed on the ground first and sped off into the forest. Vector jumped onto the soft blades of grass second and broke off into a sprint behind him. Shade wasn't much farther behind them.

"Oh no you don't," she growled with determination as she hastened after them. With her speed, she knew she'd be able to beat them across the clearing and into the forest first but she needed to deal with Sticks. The forest was that freaks' habitat and Shade thought she had to stop Sticks if she wanted to secure the immunity she so desperately craved.

As the three of them sprinted through the clearing, the gap ever closing, Fiona made it to the ground. She wiped the sweat off her brow and gazed above her at the towering volcano. She still couldn't believe she'd scaled it. The idea seemed so stupid, but she wasn't about to give up immunity. She narrowed her focus and set out to try to catch up to the competition.

Sticks was the first to hit the tree line, but Shade was hot on her heels, barely a meter behind as they dodged and ducked through the dense shrubbery and thick coniferous trees. Vector had been overtaken by some margin and Fiona trailed even further behind.

Shade tried to overtake Sticks but the badger was too wily. She flipped over bushes, dashed from tree to tree and barrelled through undergrowth like it was nothing. Shade knew she couldn't win in a fair race. When she found herself in a more spacious area she bent over and picked up a rock she'd found on the ground.

"Sorry about this, but that immunity is mine!" Shade yelled as she reeled her arm back and hurled the rock as hard as she could, her eyes fixated on the back of Sticks' head. Surprisingly, without breaking stride, Sticks turned on a dime and caught the rock inches before it smashed her in the nose. Shade's jaw dropped.

"You shouldn't have done that," Sticks warned, her voice dropping a few octaves.

"Sticks, how did you…" Shade trailed off in sheer shock.

"You can't be prepared for the apocalypse unless you hone your reflexes. When the aliens invade, or the zombies take over I won't let one get me by sneaking up behind me. You should have been sneakier if you wanted to stop me that way." As Sticks spoke Vector and Fiona rushed past them.

"Sticks, c'mon, truce. The others are getting ahead," Shade said almost nervously.

"You tried to knock me out to win, I feel like it's only fair I do the same thing."

"What the hell is wrong with you? You know what… let's do this. I can take you," Shade rolled up her sleeves. Bring it!" In a flash, Sticks broke out into a sprint and was upon Shade in a second.

Shade: I didn't even see her coming. I thought I could take her…

Sticks: I might have lost my cool there for a second, ha, ha! I just don't like cheaters. I think she might be a government spy. After her attempt I needed to make sure my backup plan was safe. Just in case.

Vector hated to admit it, but Fiona was really pushing his limits. She was faster than she appeared. He was sprinting as fast as he could, but exhaustion was slowly consuming him. However, every time he looked behind him the resolute fox seemed closer than she had before. Vector was just about to give up hope when he pushed through the tree line and emerged beside the oft-visited toilet block.

"Almost there," Vector said with relief. "Immunity is as good as mine."

"Not so fast!" Fiona huffed as she burst out of the forest. She could hardly control her breathing, but the determination shone brightly in her eyes. "I can't let you get that immunity."

"You'll have to beat me there, broette," Vector challenged in a cocky tone.

"Fine," Fiona snarled as she dove on him. Vector stumbled backwards, lost his footing and fell to the ground, dragging Fiona on top of him. She thrashed around in his firm grasp before she managed to scratch his arm.

"Ouch," Vector hissed in pain as he released her and she bounced off of him. "What the hell is your deal? I thought you were this shy, timid girl."

"I want that special reward," Fiona called behind her as she sprinted down the trail.

"So do I," Vector rolled over and bounded back up onto his feet. Fiona was ahead but he reached into the reserves of his energy tanks and found some dormant speed. Fiona raced past the cafeteria, the cabins and shuffled down the sandy path to Judgement Bay when suddenly Vector, at the last second, blew past her and dove onto the golden sand.

"That's one way to make it to the beach first," Razor smiled as he leant against the empty bonfire pit.

"I did it!" Vector cheered as he threw his hands skywards and danced around the beach. "Take that, Fio…na," Vector lowered his arms when he saw Fiona smirking beside Razor clutching a flag between her fingers.

"You shouldn't have celebrated too soon," Fiona mocked. "The challenge was to get the flag, not be the first to get to the beach."

"But… but I…"

"And with that, Fiona wins the first immunity challenge and earns herself a spot in the final nine!" Razor announced enthusiastically.

"But… but…"

"Oh, fooey," Sticks moaned as she arrived shortly after. "I guess third place isn't that bad."

Fiona: Yes! My first real win! Only nine more wins before I take the prize money. Everybody else better watch their backs.

Vector: What happened to that girl? She was like a completely different person in that challenge than she appears.

The hazy blackness slowly lifted, and the verdant canopy filled her vision as Shade opened her eyes. She was staring up at the trees above her as she lay on her back. Shade rubbed her head as she sat up and tried to remember what happened. The memories flooded back into her. She remembered Sticks run at her, dodge her punch and hit a pressure point on her neck. Then blackness.

"What did that badger do to me?" Shade cursed aloud. "And how long have I been out?" As Shade struggled to her feet she heard the drone of helicopter blades above her and looked up to see Razor stick his head out of the chopper with a megaphone in his hand.

"Shade, the challenge is over. Head back to the cafeteria!" Shade cursed again. She hated losing. She stomped over to a tree and kicked it in frustration. The sheer force of her mighty kick vibrated up the trees trunk and disturbed a precarious bird's nest nestled in the wiry branches above. The small nest of twigs and leaves dislodged and plummeted to the ground, exploding in a puff of sticks.

"Hmm? What's this?" Shade wondered aloud as she noticed something clunky hidden in the destroyed nest. It was a small wooden figure of Razor!

Shade: Well, well, well. What did I find? Oh, just the immunity idol. I'll make sure to put that to good use further down the track.

"Finally," Sonic cried out impatiently as he cut himself loose and tumbled to the ground beneath the foot of the volcano. "That was way too slow!"

"Hey, at least we made it to the ground in one piece," Amy offered helpfully.

"Yeah, you're welcome," Rouge chimed in.

"Quick, let's catch up to the others and…" Sonic trailed off as he saw a spot on the horizon grow steadily bigger until he could make out the outline of the same helicopter that dropped them off.

"Contestants!" Razor shouted through his megaphone. "The challenge is over."

"What?" Sonic complained.

"Who won?" Blaze asked.

"Fiona narrowly defeated Vector and stole immunity so she's safe."

"Awesome. I'm glad it was her," Blaze said genuinely happy for her shy friend. "And since Vector didn't win that's all the better."

"So, could you land so we can get a lift back to the cabins? I'm starving," Silver asked.

"Sorry, I can't hear you," Razor bellowed through the megaphone. "Quick, Zonic, get us out of here," he whispered before shouting back at the campers, "Make sure you're back before sundown or you're eliminated! See ya!"

"I really hate that guy sometimes," Rouge rolled her eyes as the wind subsided and the five of them were left alone in the clearing beside the volcano.

"Well, since Vector didn't get immunity can we vote him off? He's so annoying I can't stand him," Amy suggested.

"And he's got this vendetta against us. I'd feel a lot safer if we gave him the boot," Blaze added.

"Guys, guys, you've gotta think about this strategically," Sonic said.

"Since when have you ever been strategic?" Rouge asked.

"Point taken. Either way, I think it's obvious that we need to eliminate Shade."

"Why Shade?"

"Well, like Vector has for you, Shade has a vendetta against me but, furthermore, it just makes the most sense. Think about it, she's stronger and faster than Vector is and as much as I hate to admit it, she's smarter too. She's going to be the toughest competitor to beat and we might not get this opportunity to vote her off again."

"Sonic makes a good point," Silver said.

"Also, with her gone Knuckles won't be her mindless slave again and we might be able to use him to vote off the others and then we are guaranteed the final five."

"I didn't know you could be so conniving, blue," Rouge said. "You know what, I agree, let's give Shade the boot."

"Three against two, it's settled then," Sonic said with finality.

"But…"

"Fair's fair, Amy," Blaze shrugged. "But then we get to vote out Vector next challenge?"

"Agreed." With new found vigour the contestants travelled back through the clearing and into the forest when Silver swallowed his nerves and tapped Blaze on the shoulder.

"Hey, Blaze, could you h-hang back a second?"

"Yeah, sure. We'll catch you guys later," Blaze called out.

"Don't be too long and risk that elimination," Amy replied before her, Sonic and Rouge disappeared through the foliage in front of him.

"So, Silver, what did you want to talk about?" Blaze battered her eyelashes as she shot him her perfect smile. Silver's stomach did a flip and he could feel butterflies flying around inside of him. He was so anxious.

"Can we talk about what happened this morning?"

"You mean our kiss?" Blaze asked bluntly.

"Y-Yeah."

"Why do you want to talk about it? Didn't you like it?" Blaze asked.

"No. I mean, no to your question, I mean no I didn't not like it. I did like it. I like you," Silver stumbled over his words. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "What I'm trying to say, Blaze, is that I really like you and I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me?"

"A date? On the island?"

"Yeah. Like, as girlfriend and boyfriend."

"What are we, like in sixth grade?" Blaze giggled but stopped when she saw the embarrassment creep onto Silver's face. "Sorry, it was just a weird way to ask. Yes, Silver, I'd like that," Blaze smiled as she crashed her lips against his, instigating their second kiss.

Silver: Yeeeeeeeeeesssss!

Blaze: Finally! I didn't want him to see how nervous I was. I think I played it off pretty well. I really, really like Silver. I'm so glad I auditioned to be on this show!

Silver: Oh no… that whole awkward mess was televised. Crap. Hey mum… hey dad…

Sonic: We totally hid behind the bushes and heard everything. Thata man Silver! Get the girl!

Rouge: That was hard to watch.

Knuckles hobbled down the sandy logs on his crutches. His injuries weren't severe but Abyss had noticed some slight damage in his left leg from the fall and decided it would be best if he kept himself off his leg for as long as he could.

"There you are. It's about time," Shade snarled as he limped over to take a seat painfully on the log beside her.

"You could seem a little bit happier to see me," Knuckles grumbled.

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing. Just the fact that you were the one who didn't help me and gave me these injuries!" Knuckles accused.

"You can't blame me because you couldn't climb. I wasn't going to stop and help you when I knew you'd just slow me down."

"It's not like you won the challenge anyway. The least you could do is apologize."

"I'm sorry you couldn't climb."

"Are you kidding me? If you don't start treating me with respect then I'm so done with this alliance," Knuckles gave her an ultimatum.

"Alright, you're right. Look, I'm really sorry. I promise I'll stop next time," Shade leant over, grabbed his face and crashed her lips against his. Knuckles melted into his kiss, shifting his pelvis closer to her in small, short thrusts. "Better?"

"Better," Knuckles replied dumbly.

Shade: Sometimes it's too easy. He's lucky his so hot, though, or his dumb brain wouldn't be worth the trouble to keep around.

Knuckles: She's so fine, heh, heh.

"Well, if you too are finished," Razor began in annoyance. "It's time to get down to the elimination."

"Yes, let's. I'm looking forward to voting out Shade," Sonic smiled as he shot a glare at his former team mate. Shade felt some nerves as she noticed Silver, Blaze, Amy and Rouge all sharing Sonic's grin.

"Not so fast, Sonic. Since we just merged I wanted to make the first elimination a little bit different. Add some spice to the show. Ratings say that viewers love unpredictability," Razor said.

"What do you mean, bro?" Vector asked.

"It's simple. For the first challenge the winner, instead of simply getting immunity I said before that the winner would get a special reward."

"Oh yeah, what do I get?" Fiona asked. She'd completely forgotten about the reward in the thick of the race against Vector, Sticks and Shade.

"You get to choose who the bottom two contestants will be. Then, the remaining seven islanders will decide which one gets to go home!" A chorus of gasps filled the air.

"W-Wow, that's too much pressure," Fiona feigned sincerity.

"Yes, this is perfect," Amy cheered. "Put Shade in the bottom two and we can all get rid of her."

"Hey!" Shade shouted.

"No, put Amy, Rouge or Blaze in the bottom two, broette," Vector coerced.

"Guys, c'mon, let's just let Fiona put who she wants to. Don't pressure her so much," Blaze smiled warmly at the fox who she'd developed a close friendship with over the past weeks.

"Thanks Blaze," Fiona smiled. "I'm glad you said so. It makes this decision so much easier," Fiona's voice slowly grew darker and more sinister as she spoke.

"Fiona… are you feeling alright?" Blaze asked.

"I'm feeling perfect. Razor, I've decided. I want the bottom two to be Blaze and Silver!" Another chorus of horrified, or in Shade's case, happy, gasps filled the air around the roaring, crackling bonfire.

"What?" Silver gasped.

"Why?" Blaze asked.

"Finally, a fun contestant. Very well, Fiona, Silver and Blaze will be our bottom two. That means Shade, Sticks, Knuckles, Rouge, Amy, Sonic and Vector will have to vote between the two to see which one will go home!" Razor announced with glee in his voice.

"Fiona, how could you?"

"Because I saw you two making out this morning and I noticed that you joined Sonic and Amy. I can't allow a relationship in this game, let alone two of them working together. You're just too dangerous and I need to curb the damage," Fiona said.

"Why? I thought we were friends."

"I know. And it was so painful having to pretend to like you. In fact, it was so painful having to smile around all of you losers," Fiona tossed her hair back and stuck up her nose at the competition.

"You… you were just pretending the whole time?" Blaze asked.

"I knew it! Government spy. I said it from day one," Sticks chimed in unhelpfully.

"You're despicable," Silver snarled.

"Welcome to the top of our enemy list," Amy decided.

"Honestly better than pretending to be the shy little nice girl. It was tearing me apart."

"Wait…" Rouge piped up. "Does that mean that Tails was telling the truth? The whole time…" Fiona nodded. "Now I feel so bad for voting him out."

"Too bad so sad," Fiona chortled.

"Enough talk. It's time to vote!"

"This is ridiculous," Silver complained.

"I can't believe this."

"No. Guys, please, vote me out. Blaze deserves to be here more than me. Let her stay another day," Silver pleaded.

"Silver…"

"No, Blaze, I want you to stay."

"Are you sure?" Sonic asked.

"Certain." Blaze watched on with twinkling eyes as Silver sacrificed himself for her. She couldn't believe how much she truly cared about her that he was willing to give up his chance at fifty-thousand dollars just for her. It moved her.

"No talk. More voting!" Razor hurried them along. "Shade, you're first. Go to the lifeguard tower and vote."

Shade: What a twist. I'm just glad I'm safe. And, hey, if the guy wants to get voted out who am I to say no?

Knuckles: It beats me why he's sacrificing his place for some girl he just met but it takes guts. I respect that. Sorry Silver, hope it's worth it.

Sticks: That spy!

Sonic: If that's what you want, brother. I'm sorry it had to come to this. And to think, we were growing so close. I'll get Fiona out for you!

Amy: Now that's just cruel.

Rouge: I hate to admit it but… well played Fiona, well played.

Fiona: I told myself I didn't want it to come to this. I said, Fiona, I didn't want it to come to this. Who am I kidding, of course I did. Bye, bye Silver. Nice knowing you. Oh, wait, no it wasn't!

"Alright, for the first time this season all the votes were unanimous," Razor announced as he collected the votes and held up a single, succulent strawberry. "Tonight, only one strawberry will be given out and that person will be–"

"Wait!" Blaze stood up.

"Blaze, what are you doing?" Silver asked.

"I quit."

"What?" Everybody gasped again for the third time.

"Blaze, you can't!"

"I said I quit. Silver, I can't let you get yourself voted out for me."

"But Blaze, I did it for you. You can't quit. I quit!"

"Silver, don't. She played us, and she won. But rules are rules," Blaze sighed. "Hearing you tell the others to vote you out inspired me. You're kind, smart, funny. You're honestly everything I've been looking for and I can't believe it took me so long to figure it out. I can't let you sacrifice your place for me."

"But I just got you. I don't want to lose you so soon," Silver sniffed.

"I know it sucks, but you deserve to be here more than me. Stay in the game and win, for me."

"Blaze…" Blaze said nothing more as she leant in and gently placed her lips against Silver's. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, holding on for life.

"Well, if we're done," Razor cleared his throat. "Blaze, if you're sure then you'll be eliminated."

"I'm sure."

"Then please take the walk of losers and go board the submarine of shame. You've taken tenth place," Razor said with surprising solemn. Blaze rose without a word, shot a quick glance at her friends and made the walk down to where Blade waited in the little yellow dingy. Just before she stepped on it she turned and locked eyes with Silver, his eyes rimmed with sadness.

"Silver."

"Yeah Blaze?"

"Beat Fiona." With that, Blaze boarded the boat and sailed off into the place where all eliminated contestants go.

"Yawn," Fiona faked a yawn. "Can we go to bed now?"

"You… you… you…" Silver's whole body shook with anger.

"Yes, me."

"Mark my words, Fiona, you're going down."

"Bring it," Fiona smiled as she waltzed off.

A/N: And with that, Blaze takes 10th place. Looks like we have our first real rivalry of the game. Fiona's façade has been shredded and the cast know her true nature. Can Silver take her down or will she be laughing all the way to the finals? Will Shade's immunity idol come into play? Will Vector get the revenge he's been seeking on his remaining targets Rouge and Amy? So many questions but answers will come soon. Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!

16th: Big the Cat
15th: Cream the Rabbit
14th: Miles 'Tails' Prower
13th: Espio the Chameleon
12th: Mighty the Armadillo
11th: Charmy Bee
10th: Blaze the Cat

Final 9: Sonic, Shade, Knuckles, Amy, Rouge, Fiona, Sticks, Vector and Silver.