Crazy note, right?
If you haven't read it but simply skipped over it, READ THE NOTE. It contains EXTREMLY IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
By the way, Bowser Jr. scored the highest on my poll with 19% of your votes. The runner-ups were Waluigi and Yoshi, both with 14%. Just something to keep in mind as we move forward.
Previously on Royal Survivor...
Daisy pushes everyone to wit's end.
Waluigi: Daisy is insane. We know this. She knows it. So, the question is, why isn't she gone yet?
"We can take care of ourselves, thank you very much!" Daisy growled.
Yoshi froze in his tracks. He laughed a bit, out of shock. "Oh, you did not just play that card."
Toadette: The only reason I'm not voting for her is because she takes the focus off me. I mean, I think I've proved so far that I'm not a very likable person, and I think BJ and Waluigi have an alliance.
Wario turns traitor on the Hero tribe...
"Fine, then," Wario said. "Call me a traitor, but… Hero is planning to launch a raid on you. Tonight."
Yoshi looked at Ed, who looked back. "Outcast is known for its hospitality," Yoshi said. "Come and sit down. I want all the details."
DK: Wario flat-out screwed us over. He didn't even think it was a big deal, either.
...and his tribemates pay dearly for underestimating him.
Ben inspected the jar to make sure there were four votes. Satisfied, he said, "Now, before I tally the votes, would anyone like to play a Hidden Immunity Idol?"
Wario raised his hand. In it was a coveted Idol. "I believe I have one handy."
"So the person voted off of Survivor and the first member of our jury is… Bowser," Ben finished. "Your tribe has spoken."
Bowser: I'm disappointed in myself for not seeing Wario's trickery sooner. I'm also disappointed in myself for not making it farther in the game.
In one of the biggest upsets of the game, Outcast is split up...
Yoshi: We've basically been coasting until this point. It will take a lot more work now to get by. I'll be expecting my very first tribal soon.
Funky: Losing sucks. What sucks even more is the fact that it all fell within the rules of the curse. We tied for second, then we came in second and lost. That's what really ticks me off.
Bowser Jr: Outcast finally gets payback for destroying the Fire tribe early in the game. From now on, Hero will be our only worry.
...and strategies form instantaneously.
Toadette: Making alliances with the right people is essential at this point. I need to get the former Outcasts on my side if I want to turn the tide against the others.
Birdo: If I can't prove myself the very first week, I'll be voted off as dead weight. But I've never approved of alliances. What do I do?
Wario: There goes my plan to hitch a ride with the Outcasts. I know Peach and DK have it out for me, so I'll have to make an alliance the first chance I get.
With so much going on before and after the merge, there is much to think about. Will Wario survive? Will Yoshi and Ed's alliance hold? Will alliances form as each and every player wants it?
And then there is the most important question of all...
Who will be the next Royal Survivor?
Champion, Wednesday
The new tribe of Wario, DK, Peach, Bro Mamma, Funky, and Birdo made its way back to the camp. It was a nervous air, as the tribe had been composed of two sides of the equation up until this point. Now they were one tribe. But that didn't necessarily mean they one people.
Peach: People I can't trust: Wario, because he's a traitor, and Birdo, Bro Mamma, and possibly Funky, because at one point they were all under Rosalina's iron fist. Even DK might be a little on the dangerous side, because he has close ties to Funky, who I don't entirely trust.
Wario: Let's see here... Peach and DK have it out for me for obvious reasons, and Funky will probably side with DK. Bro Mamma and Birdo are wild cards, but I doubt they would side with me because of my previous actions. But I'll play it by ear. There's a lot of time before the next elimination.
DK: I think Peach is drifting farther and farther away from the alliance ever since Bowser left. Funky, I know will take my side, but I dunno about Birdo and Bro Mamma. We just need to get Wario out as soon as possible, or he'll pick us off one by one, no questions asked.
They made it into the former Outcast's camp. The cauldron hung outside, next to the wooden table and cookware. The clay shelter was steadfast. Several fires burned set distances from each other. An unfinished monument of Rosalina was dissolving in a synthetic acid.
Overall, from the former Heroes' perspective, it was heaven.
Peach inhaled the smell of civilization. It had never smelled so good.
DK went over to the shelter and looked inside. He gaped.
Wario went over to the clay pits and inhaled. He grinned. "Gray gold," he muttered.
The former Outcasts watched them nervously. Birdo winced as DK scooped some rice out of the pot and added it to a bowl, because it was only half cooked.
Birdo: ...Having the Heroes look at and touch our stuff made me feel a little proud, a little nervous, and a little... awkward.
After the former Heroes settled, the tribe had a meeting to set up camp rules.
"All I know is that this place was well run," Birdo said. "There was a schedule to define every moment of every day. That's why this place looks so good."
"We also had a tribe leader," Bro Mamma said. "For a while, it was Rosalina. Then Yoshi."
"Well, we know how the Rosalina thing went," Peach rolled her eyes. "And I'm not too sure about Yoshi's... sanity."
The former Outcasts looked at Peach strangely.
Peach: Okay, yeah, my comment was a little off base. But c'mon. The guy is a hyperactive dino who was born with shoes and a saddle on. If that guy wasn't born to drive people nuts, then no one is.
"...Anyway," DK continued, "I think that the new Champion tribe should stick to Outcast rules for the time being, with a Hero as leader. But we'll play it by ear."
"So who should be leader?" Bro Mamma asked. "Peach or DK?"
Wario snorted, but said nothing.
Wario: I understand why you don't want me to be leader, but you don't have to be a about it.
Peach and DK held a short conference. Then Peach said, "We'll co-lead. DK will be in charge of the hunting party, and I'll be in charge of running the camp."
The Outcasts nodded. They agreed that this seemed fair.
"So what was the schedule before?" Peach asked.
The Outcasts looked at each other.
"Umm..." Birdo began, "We might be able to piece it together, but you'll have to fill in what we don't remember."
DK nodded. "So... what would you guys be doing right now?"
"I think this was the time when we did repairs or building projects," Funky said. "The shelter is never really finished, y'know?"
"...Then get to work! Uh, I guess..." Peach mumbled.
The Champion tribe got to work. But they had a variety of jobs. Some were repairing the shelter's slightly unstable roof, some were gathering ingredients for a stew, some were tending to the fire pit, and one was trying to revise his schedule.
That one man was Wario.
Wario: As ironic as it is, I think I'm the outcast in this game. The loner. The traitor. Heh-heh. Peach and DK are in for more trouble then they'd ever believe. All courtesy of yours truly.
Wario tapped on Birdo's shoulder. He whispered in her ear, "Meet me at the clay pits in five minutes." He did the same to Funky.
Bro Mamma was a bit harder to convince.
"Get lost," Bro Mamma said upon encountering Wario. She was on top of the shelter, also, making the convincing less secretive.
"Whether you listen or not, I'd think that staying informed is better than joining the Jury," Wario said.
"Beat it," Bro Mamma said, not even looking up.
Wario exhaled and tapped his foot impatiently as he tried to think of something. "I own a horse."
Bro Mamma stopped and looked at Wario warily. "Huh?"
"I own a horse," Wario said.
Bro Mamma hopped off of the shelter. "What do you mean?"
"I own a horse," Wario repeated. "Now follow me if you don't want to meet her."
Bro Mamma cautiously followed Wario to the clay pits. Birdo and Funky were already there.
"Since we're all here," Wario began, "Let's get down to business. My alliance needs a few more members to pick off the Heroes. You're the people I need."
Bro Mamma turned to leave, but Wario grabbed her shoulder and said for the fourth time, "I own a horse."
Bro Mamma slowly turned around. "Someday, I will find out what that means, and then there will be unpleasant consequences."
Wario rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. So, what do you think about being in an alliance?"
"I think I'd rather not," Bro Mamma said.
Wario held up his hands. "Just hear me out. Alliances are power. All you have to do is vote smart, and we'll make it to the Merge."
"And then?" Birdo asked.
"Well... we'll play it by ear," Wario finished.
"And why should we even trust you after what we've heard? Y'know, the Hero turned traitor?" Funky asked.
If we all make it to the finals," Wario began, "Who are they going to vote for, me, or you? You, of course. I'll be happy as long as I just get to the finals at all. And nobody likes me anyway, so what have you go to lose?"
Birdo, Bro Mamma, and Funky nodded. This seemed plausible.
"I guess I'll give this alliance a chance," Bro Mamma said. "I like your thinking, Wario."
Bro Mamma: I'd be an idiot to trust Wario. But, like I said, I'll give it a chance.
Birdo nodded and walked off with Bro Mamma. Funky stayed behind.
"Listen, I want to talk to you," Funky said to Wario.
"What of?" Wario chuckled.
"You know just as well as I do that you didn't mean everything back there," Funky said.
Wario gaped in fake shock. "What? My sir, I'm offended!"
"Cut the crap," Funky said. "And you know I'm an Outcast. Rosalina may have been our ring leader, but I can be just as devious if not more than her."
"Your point?" Wario demanded.
Funky laughed. "My point? My point is to watch your back, Wario. You're not the only one who'll do whatever it takes to make it to the finale."
Funky ran off, but Wario stood there, pondering what Funky had said.
Wario: As if I had any intention of bringing them to the finale under my watchful eye. I'll murder them. I can make it look like an accident. Not really, but you know what I mean. But what Funky said put me on edge. I was watching my back, but there are wolves on all sides now.
Funky: I... don't really have a plan as of now. But I will. Watch out, Wario. Because this is when the real game begins.
Inferno, Wednesday
The new Inferno tribe of Waluigi, Bowser Jr, Daisy, Toadette, Yoshi, and Ed made its way back to the former Fire camp, current Inferno camp. They were about as divided as the Champion tribe.
Waluigi: It's me and Bowser Jr. versus the girls. Yoshi and Ed would make a good tiebreaker, if the girls don't get to them first. But I'm not worried. They haven't seemed to do anything about our alliance so far, and we still have an Idol.
Daisy: I'm happy that I made it this far in the game, but I'm more scared than ever. Waluigi and Bowser Jr. have a power alliance and I don't have any friends. So I need to get Yoshi and Ed on my side fast.
Yoshi: The Fire tribe members aren't exactly a happy family, so they'll all be coming to me and Ed hoping to catch the swing vote. It's great for us, because it puts the power in our hands.
Ed: If Yoshi and I can take advantage of us being in the alliance cross-hairs, we can smash the Inferno tribe to bits. But that's a pretty big if, so we'll have to watch our step. Royal Survivor isn't a forgiving game.
They all made it back to camp, and diverged into their own groups.
"Y'know what I find amusing?" Ed asked Yoshi. "The only inhabited structures on this island were built by the Outcasts."
Yoshi laughed. "You're right! We're like the tribe contractors!"
Waluigi pulled Bowser Jr. aside. "Listen, kid. We need the Outcasts, like it or not. They're the winning votes."
"So we go and recruit?" Bowser Jr. asked.
"I have a better idea. We watch the girls. They're bound to make a move for the others sooner or later. We'll listen to their offer, and we'll try to make a better one," Waluigi said.
"What if they don't make an offer?" Bowser Jr. asked.
"Then we nab them at the eleventh hour. Maybe after the Present Challenge on Thursday," Waluigi explained. "I doubt the girls'll be that stupid, though."
Bowser Jr. nodded. "I'll try not to give them the slip."
Waluigi and Bowser Jr. went off to do jobs around the camp.
Daisy and Toadette warily approached each other.
"Listen," Toadette began, "I know we haven't been best buds in the past. But we're falling behind in this game. It's too risky not to be in an alliance now."
"I agree. You and I have to stick together," Daisy said. "If we don't, the guys will take the upper hand. They probably have the Outcasts already. We need to get a few Idols and show them that we are formidable too!"
Toadette nodded. "So what's our game plan?"
"We wait until the guys make a move on the Outcasts. They might show how many Idols they have, or better, where they hide them," Daisy said. "We'll make a better offer or steal the Idols right out from under their noses."
Toadette nodded, and the two separated.
Toadette: Daisy is smarter than she looks, but that isn't saying much. I think that we both might be sent home at Tribal, but I'll do whatever it takes to prevent that from happening.
Yoshi and Ed sized up their competition.
Ed: Royal Survivor is a weird game. On one hand, you're working with your team to win challenges, and, y'know, survive. On the other, you're working individually inside your team to prevent yourself from getting eliminated. It's tricky.
"I bet that Waluigi and Bowser Jr. have a much better idea of what's going on than the girls," Yoshi said. "Waluigi is a businessman, so he probably keeps up with what's going on."
"Yeah, but I dunno about Daisy. She's hard to read. I'm still not entirely convinced that Daisy kicked you out of the Fire camp because she didn't like our handiwork or that the Fire tribe wasn't dependent on our help," Ed argued. "I wouldn't underestimate her. Not for a second."
Yoshi acknowledged this and thought for a moment. "How about this: We wait for them to come to us. Then we have the bargaining power. But I'd be careful about Waluigi. He's a spin doctor. Don't let him fool you."
Ed nodded, and the two separated.
Inferno, Thursday
"Hey guys!" Daisy shouted from the Tree Mail tree. "Guess what?"
The Inferno tribemates walked over.
"It's that time of week again," Ed muttered.
Ed: It hit me when Daisy called for Tree Mail: We were still cursed. No first place for us. That means we were dead if the others found out.
Yoshi: I knew we had to compete in as few challenges as possible. The Present Challenges lent for a bit of leeway, but I wouldn't count on it.
"So here goes," Daisy began. "The time has come/to change the game. The choice is heavy/try to stay sane."
"Pretty much lost my sanity earlier this week," Ed muttered. "So who's going?"
"Hmm..." Waluigi said. "Who hasn't gone yet?"
"We've all been in a few challenges," Toadette said. "By now, at least."
"Then who goes?" Bowser Jr. asked. "It can't be me, because I went last time."
"How about one of the Outcasts?" Daisy suggested.
Yoshi suddenly felt all the pressure on him. "Um... how much do you trust us to actually help your tribe?"
"Good point," Waluigi mumbled. "I think though, truthfully, it's Toadette's turn."
"What? Mine?" Toadette squealed.
"Yes, yours," Waluigi finished. "You haven't been in a challenge in a great while. Your last challenge was probably when Rosalina was still around."
"Ugh," Toadette muttered.
Toadette: Sue me for not liking challenges very much. I just don't have that good a record. And I just won't work well under the pressure of having a 'game-changing decision.'
Champion, Thursday
"Who did the last challenge...?" Peach asked after Funky read the Tree Mail.
"Hmm..." DK pondered. "Me, I think."
"So we'll rule out DK," Peach said. "That leaves the me and the Outcasts."
Wario rolled his eyes but said nothing.
Wario: They've really been giving me the cold shoulder lately, and I'll admit it's bugging me a little. But here's a flaw in that plan: If they rule me out for everything, I can prank them as they flounder to find a way to accuse me without accusing me. So I'll get them back within the week.
Peach: I can tell Wario's pissed about us pretending not to notice him, but I'm on edge about what he'll do about it. DK and I want to keep this up as long as we can, but there's a lot that can go wrong with this ploy to ignore Wario.
"I went in the first half of that challenge, so it has to be an Outcast," Peach said.
Funky: 'It has to be an Outcast' means uh-oh for us. We're still cursed. They just can't find out about it.
"I might as well go," Birdo said in defeat, knowing there was no way out.
"It's decided then," Peach concluded. "Good luck, Birdo."
Birdo: I hate challenges. Really, I do. But it might not be as surprising if I lose as opposed to Bro Mamma or Funky.
Bro Mamma: Birdo bought us some time, and for that I'm grateful. But borrowed time doesn't last forever.
Present Challenge
The Challenge grounds were a bit different. As in, dark. Dark, and a little spooky. It wasn't the kind of dark when you can still see most of your surroundings, but it wasn't pitch-black. It wasn't bad dark, but it wasn't a good dark either. It was an... ominous dark. It needs no more explanation.
Toadette and Birdo were standing at the center of this massive darkness. Surrounded on all sides. The air gave away that they were still in the jungle, but it seemed like an unnatural nighttime.
"Welcome, contestants. One from Inferno and one from Champion in the first challenge since the Merge," a voice, presumably Jeff's, said from nearby. "This is an interesting challenge. The first one you'll have that's in three parts.
"The first part is based on trust," Jeff said. "Six people have left this game since it has begun, all for different reasons."
A stone bust of Toad was lit up by a spotlight to the right of the players.
"Toad," Jeff began, "was voted out of the Hero tribe simply because he was weak. Here are what some of the others thought of him. These voices you might recognize."
"Sorry, buddy, but you utterly sucked in the Advantage Challenge. You're of no use to us." Wario.
"I love you, but you can't do the work like everyone else can." Peach.
A plastic bust of Luigi was lit up to the right of the Toad statue. It was still facing the contestants, though.
"Luigi was voted off at the second tribal council for his overconfidence, or so the great majority of the Fire tribe said," Jeff continued. "Listen to these quotes."
"What really bugs me about Luigi is that he's so overconfident and self-absorbed, and won't listen to anyone who tells him he's not capable of pulling anything off." Bowser Jr's voice rang loud and clear.
"Well, you could safely say your little expedition was a complete failure!" Waluigi was yelling. "Not only is our Tribal Torch gone, all of our Ancient Coins are, too!"
"If he hadn't been so rash, maybe he would have made it this far into the game. But he was, so he isn't," Jeff said.
A bronze bust of Diddy Kong was lit up to the right of Luigi, facing the center, toward the contestants.
"Diddy Kong had a lack of awareness of his dwindling importance. Nobody thought much of him, so there aren't any quotes to speak of that have a significant input," Jeff said.
A silver bust of Mario was lit up to the right of Diddy, facing the contestants like the others.
"Mario was the victim of an injury, though whose fault it was remains debatable," Jeff said. "Nevertheless, he stayed true to his alliance as the tide turned against him. Listen to these quotes."
"I regret to tell you, Peach, that Mario must go." Bowser.
"Though I'm pretty sure my alliance turned against me, I'm staying true to it anyway. I hope they feel guilty." Mario himself, just before he was eliminated.
An obsidian bust of Rosalina lit up next to Mario's.
"Rosalina has quite a history," Jeff chuckled. "Many people had mixed feelings for her throughout the game. She was incredible as a player and adored as a leader, but in the end, it was her reckless assumption that everyone would obey her that was her downfall. Listen to these quotes. It seems as though everyone had a opinion of her," Jeff added.
"I learned humility due to Rosalina. Thanks for that. I also hope you'll be brutally crushed next week! " Mario, after he was voted out.
"JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE THE MOST POWERFUL PERSON HERE DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN ORDER US AROUND! " Daisy was screeching.
"YOU'RE SUCH A SADISTIC _! " Funky was yelling at Rosalina.
"You will be condemned to be second-best. " Birdo shuddered at Rosalina's death sentence.
Finally, a marble bust of Bowser was lit up to complete the circle, facing inward.
"Bowser was brilliant, but he was felled by Wario's trickery. His trust in his plans and lack of caution on the home front was what became his downfall," Jeff said. "Listen to these quotes."
"Y'see, nobody thinks I'm a criminal mastermind. But I am. So they had to pay the price. " Wario.
"If Wario can outwit my dad, either my dad isn't as smart as he looks, or Wario is tons smarter than he looks. " Bowser Jr.
" All of these contestants had one thing in common: The want to win," Jeff said. "But you don't know why. Why would anyone want to come out here to play for one million coins? It's insanity, that's what it is. You should ask yourselves why you want to win Royal Survivor. If you find that reason, people will probably respect you more. You have both been given an insight into this game. Don't waste it.
"Now, onto the actual challenge," Jeff said. He stepped into the light holding two baseball bats. "Inside each of these busts is a gift that the actual person would give to you. Its effectiveness sometimes depends on the recipient. But there is a trade-off. You will be given an advantage or a disadvantage in the next phase of the challenge depending on how well that person did in the game overall.
"Choose wisely," Jeff finished, giving both Birdo and Toadette a bat.
Each contestant thought for a minute.
Birdo: My choice was simple. Rosalina played the game. Since she would probably know the Outcast tribe had disintegrated, she would put something in the box that would only apply to said Outcasts.
Birdo gripped the bat and stood a few feet away from the Rosalina bust. "I've always wanted to do this..." she muttered. "Die!" she yelled as she ran up and smashed the Rosalina glass bust to smithereens.
Toadette cringed as fragments of Rosalina flew everywhere.
Toadette: I doubt I could be that vicious to Rosalina even if I tried. That was a little weird, coming from a middle-aged mother.
"For future reference," Jeff said while brushing small fragments of obsidian off of his arm, "the head of each of the busts comes off. You don't need to shatter them."
"Then why did we get bats?" Toadette asked.
"To test your problem-solving skills. Ironic, isn't it?" Jeff asked.
Birdo collected herself and rummaged through the glass to try and find the prize. It was a little box, covered in indecipherable runes.
"Wonder what this is," Birdo muttered as she popped the top off of the box.
Suddenly, the room was enveloped in a warm light. When it cleared, everything was the same.
"What was that?" Toadette asked Jeff. He shrugged.
Birdo shook her head. There was nothing left inside the box.
Birdo: That light show was no accident. I don't know if Rosalina remotely tricked me or not, but there definitely was no physical gift inside that box.
Toadette took her time, examining each bust closely.
Toadette: Here's the way I see it: Mario would probably have the best gift, but he didn't make it as far into the game as Bowser did. But I really needed that advantage that came with doing well in the game, so I chose Bowser.
Toadette gently popped the top off of the Bowser bust. Inside was a clue. Toadette read it silently, then ripped the paper up into pieces.
Toadette: It was a game-changing piece of info. Three Idols are currently in play. It was just like Bowser to give us a little snippet of insight into what's really going on.
Birdo: Whatever Toadette saw, she seemed pretty happy about it. That makes me worried. But oh well, there's nothing to do about it now.
"Onto part Two of the challenge," Jeff said.
The rest of the arena was lit up. Legions of presents were lit up in the arena. Hundreds and hundreds of 3"x3" boxes standing on stools four feet off the ground. Toadette and Birdo looked around.
"What you see before you are little boxes of Ancient Coins. Some of them have more than others," Jeff began. "You will be able to pick five to open, with one more for every challenge that the person who you picked won.
"Thus, Birdo, since you picked Rosalina, you can have five extra presents. Toadette, this might be a bitter blow, but Bowser rarely participated in challenges and never won once. So you will have no advantage," Jeff concluded. "Now, pick your presents. The only rule is, you touch it, you take it."
Toadette: Well, duh. Rosalina was obviously the best choice. But my suspicion for what might be in Rosalina's bust outweighed my desire to win.
Birdo: Rosalina has done it again. It's fantastic.
" Ready... set... Choose!" Jeff yelled.
Toadette and Birdo spread out among the presents. They were all identical. How were they supposed to make a decision?
Birdo: This challenge was beyond insane. I felt like I was cross-eyed throughout the whole thing.
Toadette: It was surreal. Being surrounded by those tiny boxes made me feel a mix between dizzy and claustrophobic.
Birdo got fed up. She picked ten random boxes up from their stands. Some of them were remarkably heavy.
"Urk," Birdo mumbled as she tried to find the right way to carry all of those boxes.
Birdo: Don't laugh at me! Some of those boxes weighed five pounds or more! Ancient coins are pretty heavy.
Toadette picked five relatively light boxes.
Toadette: My boxes didn't really have any bulk to them. Which could be a bad thing.
The contestants went back to the center of the ring. They put their presents on tables laid out for them. They were the standard yellow for Hero and orange for Fire, but they had a greenish tint; the addition of Outcasts to the team. The table Birdo put her presents on was a mixture of both green and yellow, about half and half. Toadette's Inferno table had more orange than green, but the green was still visible.
"Time to open your presents," Jeff said. "Some of them will have things inside them other than Ancient Coins. Just a warning. Now, Birdo, you first."
Birdo had arranged her presents heaviest to lightest. She opened the heaviest one first. Inside were a countless amount of Ancient Coins.
"You have just earned twenty-five Ancient Coins," Jeff said.
Birdo squealed and opened her second-heaviest gift. Inside was a rock.
"You have just earned a rock," Jeff said, chuckling.
Birdo laughed and rolled her eyes. She opened another present. Inside was about ten Ancient Coins. In her next was the same thing, ten Ancient Coins. As with her next present. And the one after that.
"You have opened six gifts for a total of sixty-five Ancient Coins," Jeff said. "Now, open the rest."
Birdo opened her seventh gift. Inside was a chocolate bar.
"Ugh," Birdo laughed as she opened the bar. "My sweet tooth seems to follow me wherever I go!"
The next two gifts had five Ancient Coins in them each. The final gift had a small washcloth in it.
"Birdo has opened all of her gifts for the grand total of seventy-five Ancient Coins, a chocolate bar, a washcloth, and a rock," Jeff said. "Toadette, it's your turn."
Toadette opened her first present. Inside was fifteen Ancient Coins. So was the next one. Her third present held two V.I.P. passes to the Delfino Spa.
"Yess," Toadette said when she saw the tickets.
"There's more," Jeff said. "These tickets can work into the game. You can become absent for one day. It can be any day where there isn't a Tribal Council. But to leave, you must also bring a friend."
"Easy enough," Toadette laughed.
Toadette: Luck had my side today. But it didn't end there.
In her fourth present, Toadette had ten Ancient Coins. In her fifth and final, though, Toadette found a fine ruby pendant attached to a silver chain. The ruby wasn't big, only a half-inch in diameter, but it was awesome from Toadette's standpoint. She jumped up and down, cherishing her luck.
Birdo: I admit, I was a bit jealous of Toadette's good fortune. But oh well. I still had the advantage Ancient Coin wise.
"Birdo has the most Ancient Coins with seventy-five in her stock. Toadette has forty. On to part three of the challenge," Jeff said. "This is an information-based challenge. There are two things you can do: You can either ask me questions about the game and its status, or save your Ancient Coins for later in the game. The price of the answer depends on the question, and it can range from ten to fifty Ancient Coins.
"Also, I cannot answer questions about Hidden Immunity Idols or questions about your own tribes. You can ask me questions about the other tribe, the weather conditions, how to build a strong shelter, or what the coming challenges are like. Keep in mind, though, that the other person will hear the answers just like you do. Furthermore, you will not be able to write my answers down, and I will not repeat myself. Birdo, you are first. Take as long as you like to think of a question," Jeff finished.
Birdo thought long and hard.
Birdo: Knowledge is power. I want to ask questions that Toadette probably already knows, but I don't. And I guess I can save my leftover coins for another challenge.
"When's the next storm coming?" Birdo asked.
"That will be ten Ancient Coins subtracted from your total," Jeff said. "Do you accept?"
"Yes," Birdo said.
"Birdo now has sixty-five coins. The next storm will hit tomorrow. It will only hit the Inferno tribe, though. It is a tropical storm, but nowhere near a hurricane," Jeff said.
Birdo: My question only ended up helping Toadette. Sigh.
Toadette: Better end this quick so that I can get home and warn the others.
"Who is the strongest person in the Champion tribe?" Toadette asked.
"In what way?" Jeff asked.
"Challenge-wise," Toadette clarified.
"That question will be thirty Ancient Coins," Jeff said. "Do you accept?"
"Wow," Toadette whistled. "Might as well," Toadette sighed.
"Funky Kong has won the more individual challenges than the other Champion members in his career in the game so far," Jeff said. "Whether you decide that's luck or skill is up to you."
Toadette and Birdo pondered this information.
Birdo: I've lived with Funky Kong for twenty-some days, and I never would've thought that he had won the most challenges.
Toadette: That was game-changing information for me, at least.
"I'll save the rest of my coins for later in the game," Toadette said.
"Toadette has officially frozen her Ancient Coin total at ten until the next challenge," Jeff said. "Birdo, do you have any other questions?"
"In fact, I do," Birdo said. "What are the alliances going on in the Fire tribe as of now?"
"That question is worth forty Ancient Coins," Jeff said. "Do you accept?"
"Yes, I do," Birdo said.
"Bowser Jr. and Waluigi have a firm alliance and a game plan for recruiting the alliance of Yoshi and Ed into their comfort. However, Daisy and Toadette have an extremely similar game plan for doing the exact same thing, recruiting Yoshi and Ed. Meanwhile, Yoshi and Ed are waiting for the other alliances to come to them," Jeff said.
"Geez," Birdo said.
Birdo: I never would've thought the Inferno tribe would be so divided like that. Strategy like that could very well destroy the tribe.
Toadette: This info will certainly change my game plan. Thanks again, Birdo.
"I'll save the rest of my coins for the next challenge," Birdo said.
"Birdo has frozen her coin total at twenty-five. This challenge is officially over," Jeff said. "Oh, and one more thing. Remember on the Tree Mail it said it was time to change the game? The Advantage Challenge will be tomorrow, so that those of you who are forming alliances will have to work quicker and stealthier. You know who you are."
Toadette: Oh, crap. And the other tribe members will find out about the schedule change sooner or later, so... I'm screwed.
Birdo: I'll have to reexamine every aspect of this challenge twice. It would help me turn the odds in my favor.
Inferno, Thursday
Back in time at the Inferno tribe, it is still daylight.
"Man, what's taking her so long?" Bowser Jr. asked Waluigi.
"Long challenge," Waluigi assumed.
Everything around the campgrounds was done. Thus, the tribemates were relaxing. Daisy and Yoshi were talking about what they would do if they could leave the game for a day. Ed and Waluigi were playing checkers with a grid drawn in the dirt and stones and leaves for pieces. Bowser Jr. was trying to nap inside the shelter.
Bowser Jr: It hasn't been this quiet in this camp since Rosalina aimed her destructo-beam at the place. It's nice.
Daisy: Finally, it's boring again. Peaceful and boring. I've been waiting a long time for a break.
Ed: I've seen how turbulent life can be around here, but pretty much every since Yoshi and I arrived, things have been quiet. Nothing to worry about, I guess.
Waluigi: I suppose every low is followed by a high.
Yoshi: It's a lot simpler to take care of the Fire camp. So we have a lot more free time.
Champion, Thursday
"I wonder where she could be," Peach asked to no one in particular.
"Probably a long challenge," DK said to Peach, in particular.
Things weren't bustling around the Champion camp, but they weren't quiet, either.
Wario: Every day we have to moisten the clay pits, test the shelter, fix the roof, disarm the security system, prepare breakfast, weed the courtyard, do an inventory check, cook lunch, throw away bad food, check for bugs in the shelter, check for bugs outside the shelter, check for birds in the roof, do a perimeter patrol, cook dinner, and try not to die. Once a week we have to do laundry, hunt, and add another layer of brick to the shelter. It's busywork, I tell you.
Peach: Nothing's ever done in this camp. I guess I'll have to live with it, though, because our shelter looks so good and it's so fortified.
Bro Mamma: It's easy work, but... there's so much of it!
Funky: Luckily, the Heroes believed that my designated job was to entertain the others with my guitar. I was worried that they'd think I was joking.
Inferno, Thursday
It was nighttime when Toadette returned. Some of her tribemates were asleep, but once everyone was awake, Toadette told her tale.
"So I came in second to Birdo coin-wise," Toadette said, "But I got this cool ruby necklace. So I'm happy."
"What did you find out?" Waluigi asked.
"There's a tropical storm hitting us tomorrow," Toadette said. "Like, major. So we need to get fortified, and fast."
"Do you know when tomorrow?" Bowser Jr. asked.
"No," Toadette said. "But there's more: I found out Funky has won the most challenges in the Champion tribe. And the schedule change: The Advantage Challenge is tomorrow."
The tribemates pondered this info.
Yoshi: Funky has won the most challenges. I guess that makes sense, in a way. Rosalina has dominated the whole game, and the only other people that have won any challenges, including myself, are in the Inferno tribe.
Waluigi: Since the Advantage challenge is tomorrow, we need to step up our game. It's night now, so I'll snatch up Yoshi at the break of dawn.
Daisy: This game wants me gone. I mean, the Advantage Challenge is tomorrow? Come on. No way, José. Not possible. This game has officially ed me over.
Ed: Daisy and Waluigi both seemed to panic a little at the mention of the Advantage Challenge tomorrow, which is good for Yoshi and I, because then they'll be begging for our help. I feel the power! Heh-heh.
Toadette: I wanted to stay and savor the look on Waluigi's face, but I needed to tell the rest to Daisy.
Toadette pulled Daisy aside.
"Don't tell me there's more," Daisy groaned.
"Ssh! Not so loud!" Toadette looked around. "Phew. You really think I would tell those bozos everything? Please."
Daisy sighed. "What is it, sister?"
"There are three alliances, ours and BJ and Waluigi's we know about. But Yoshi and Ed have probably had an alliance from even when they were in the Outcast tribe," Toadette said.
"But why?" Daisy thought. "They wouldn't need an alliance. They never went to Tribal."
"That's what I thought," Toadette said. "But here's the thing: If Yoshi and Ed have an alliance, then whatever we tell one of them we automatically tell both. They're a package, so we can't just get one or the other."
"This applies to us how?" Daisy asked.
"Just food for thought," Toadette admitted. "But I'm positive this info'll help us later. Anyway, there's another thing. You and I got free passes to the Delfino Spa."
Daisy squealed, but quieted down when she saw Toadette's look. "Sorry," Daisy said.
"There's more. We can leave any day we want to, except for day where there's an elimination. Spa for a day. It's awesome," Toadette said, "but I think we could use it a different way. Don't take this the wrong way, but we might be able to bribe the boys onto our side if I take one of them to the spa."
Daisy sighed. "I guess you're right. It'll give us an edge, at least."
Toadette nodded. "Sorry, but this will probably help us survive, at least."
"Let's call it a night," Daisy said.
Daisy: Of course I was disappointed. Delfino spa is five-star. But if I win the million coins, then I can go there as often as I like.
Toadette: Honestly, I expected Daisy to scream at me and make a whole big mess out of it. But at least she's smart enough to know what this could get us. I didn't tell her I knew how many Idols were in play. I had to give myself an edge, y'know? That info'll help me later.
Yoshi went to Ed before they turned in.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Yoshi asked Ed.
"Probably," Ed said. "Birdo, a registered Outcast, has won a challenge, hands-down. Something is terribly wrong."
Champion, Thursday
Birdo came back late at night and went inside the shelter. A dying fire crackled. She shook each of her sleeping tribemates to wake them up, then added more wood to the fire. She told them the story of the challenge.
"So Funky is apparently has won more challenges than any of us," Birdo said, "The Inferno tribe is a chaotic mess of alliances, and they're going to get hit with a heavy storm tomorrow. The Advantage is tomorrow, so we better get ready."
The tribemates nodded. Funky smiled.
Funky: It's cool to know that I've won the most challenges out of all of my tribemates. Make me feel unstoppable, y'know?
Bro Mamma and Funky took Birdo outside.
"You realize that you won a challenge," Funky said. "That's supposed to be impossible."
"What?" Birdo asked.
"Remember the curse?" Bro Mamma said. "What happened during the first and second parts of the challenge?"
Birdo told them about the Rosalina bust and the strange light.
"Maybe she remotely removed the curse," Funky said. "But does it apply to all of us?"
"I'm not sure," Bro Mamma said.
"Let's think about it tomorrow, alright?" Birdo suggested.
The registered Outcasts turned in.
Bro Mamma: If Birdo really is the only Outcast who can win a challenge, then she could be invaluable. If the curse has lifted for all of us, then halleluiah. But there's really only one way to find out.
Inferno, Friday
Waluigi woke up early and found Yoshi, who is always an early riser.
"You're up early," Waluigi told Yoshi.
"I'm an early riser," Yoshi said. "What's up?"
"I need to bring you in on our alliance," Waluigi said. "You, me, the kid, and Ed over there. With the four of us, we'll whittle down the competition until the merge."
Yoshi thought about this. "I'll keep you in mind."
"I'll give you until after breakfast to answer," Waluigi said. "You'd better not leave me hanging."
"Count on it," Yoshi said.
When the others woke up, Toadette took Ed aside.
"We need you and Yoshi in Daisy and I's alliance," Toadette said.
"Give me a reason to join you," Ed challenged.
Toadette showed him her Delfino tickets. "You vote with us at Tribal Council, then I'll take you to the spa, no strings attached."
"So if I vote with you, and do exactly as you tell me, then you'll take me to the spa?" Ed said. "Sounds like a win-win deal."
"I'll stay true to my word, or you can side with the guys and vote both of us out as soon as you like," Toadette pledged.
Ed nodded. "I'll get back to you after breakfast."
Ed and Yoshi met and talked strategy.
"Here's our choices," Yoshi said. "We can side with the smart guys and, for sure, make it to the merge. Or we can side with the predictable girls, and if we make it to the merge, we'll, for sure, make it all the way to the final five or six."
Ed thought about this. "I really want to go on that spa trip, but I think the girls aren't smart enough to play this game well, and I don't want them to control the alliance. We have the power to survive, we still have our secret weapons, and a lot can change from here to the Merge."
Yoshi: Should I tell Waluigi about my two Idols? He probably has a few already. I guess I'll play it by ear, but I have to squeeze the info out of him A.S.A.P.
"I guess we should try to find out if Waluigi has any Idols of his own," Yoshi said.
Ed jumped. "Wait! If Waluigi and Bowser Jr. have an Idol, then we could do exactly as the girls say, get the spa trip, and still side with the guys, technically. We just need to find out who the girls are voting for and relay that to Waluigi, and take it from there."
Yoshi laughed. "How devious of you, my friend! Let's do it."
Ed: We are Outcasts. We are devious little demons who raise Hell for the other contestants. The funny thing is, they're coming to us like they can't get enough of it. If I were them, I would've removed us from the picture as soon as we went to tribal. We may be able to save our Idols even after the Merge.
Yoshi went to Waluigi and pulled him aside. "Listen. The girls came to us and offered us a spa pass if we voted their way. If you have an Idol, we could learn who they're voting for and give you the info. Then we vote the same way, it doesn't count, and one of the girls gets kicked out of the contest. What say you?"
Waluigi laughed. "I couldn't have said it better myself. I in fact do have an Idol waiting and ready. After you take the spa trip, we don't really need one anymore. I guess your plan implies that Daisy has to go first. I'll make sure it happens."
Yoshi: I was surprised that Waluigi told me he had an Idol ready to use so quickly. I guess he was so ecstatic about the plan that he didn't think about what would happen after both girls were gone. He didn't even ask me if Ed and I had any Idols. For a smart guy, that was pretty stupid.
Ed went to Toadette and said, "We're in. Who're we voting for?"
Toadette jumped up and down in excitement. "We're voting off Waluigi first. He knows too much."
Ed nodded. "Pleasure doing business with you."
Ed: Being an Outcast is awesome. You always have all the power.
Advantage Challenge
The two tribes met at the beach. Over the water were two long ropes attached to two metal girders. Pressure pads were connected to the ropes. Jeff stood on the beach. The wind was picking up, and rain was beginning to fall.
"Hello, contestants," Jeff half-yelled over the wind. "Here's how today's challenge works.
"One of your own will be attached to a harness out on the water. They will be treading water. The harness is attached to a long rope, which is attached to a pressure pad. You must pick up items from around the island to put on the pressure pad. Keep in mind that the pressure pad will sink under the water, and the current is strong today. IF the person treading water falls under from exhaustion, not from current or waves, their team loses.
"You are not allowed to take items from the other team's pressure pad, and you are not allowed to leave the beach, but you may travel the circumference of the island if necessary. To win the challenge, you must rise the person in the water completely out of it. Also, the other team will choose which player is in the harness. You can do so now," Jeff finished.
The Champion tribe formed a huddle.
"None of the Inferno members are really that heavy, so we have to choose between low stamina and low strength," Bro Mamma said.
"Yoshi is pretty much the strongest person on the Inferno tribe, but he could tread water forever," DK said.
"Toadette wouldn't help them much when it comes to getting stuff to put on the pressure pad and she has low stamina, but she's light," Funky said.
"Not many good choices," Peach muttered. "Yoshi is probably the best choice, because he's the strongest and he's pretty heavy."
The Champions nodded.
Over at the Inferno huddle, they were stuck between Funky and Birdo.
"DK is the bulkiest person on their team. It would take them a long time to raise him up," Daisy argued.
"True, but Birdo is only a little less heavy, and she has bad stamina," Waluigi said.
"Well, if DK was out and about, he could probably find a huge boulder to swim out to sea," Yoshi said. "I think Daisy's choice makes sense."
Waluigi nodded. "I guess so."
"Champions, what is you choice?" Jeff asked.
"We choose Yoshi to be in the harness," Bro Mamma said.
"And Inferno?" Jeff asked.
"We choose DK," Daisy said.
"DK and Yoshi, get into your respective harnesses," Jeff commanded.
They did. DK's harness, rope, and pressure pad was yellow-green, while Yoshi's was orange with a little green mixed in.
"The first Advantage Challenge with the Champion tribe of Bro Mamma, Funky, Birdo, Peach, Wario, and DK against the Inferno tribe of Daisy, Waluigi, Toadette, Bowser Jr, Yoshi, and Ed. You're playing for immunity and a prize which I will not yet tell you," Jeff said. "Ready... set... GO!"
The tribe members scattered in different directions.
Yoshi shivered in the water.
Yoshi: I'm not waterproof. It was cold to just sit out there. That, and the rain was picking up.
DK stayed calm and watched the contestants. Daisy was the first out to the pressure pad with a large rock, maybe about twenty pounds. She placed it on Yoshi's pressure pad, and it pressed down a bit. Because it was right on the water, liquid seeped onto the pad, but the rock stayed firm due to its flat bottom. Yoshi's rope raised about an inch, but two feet of slack was still in the water.
Daisy: It's harder than it looks, putting things on that pad. It was about twenty feet from the shore, and the water was about seven feet deep. We had to carry whatever we had to put on the pad, then swim with it, then put it on the pad. The wind was howling and the rain was torrential. Not a good day for a challenge.
The contestants slowly gathered up odds and ends from the beach and steadily put them on the pressure pads. Yoshi's slack was nearly gone, and Funky's rope only had a few inches of slack left.
Funky was scouring the beach for a suitable load.
Funky Kong: My strategy was simple: Find a big rock, and roll it toward the ocean.
Funky finally found a big enough rock and started rolling it toward the ocean. Once he was at the edge, he yelled, "Hey, Champions, a little help?"
Peach, Bro Mamma, and Wario dropped what they were doing and went to help DK They slowly walked the stone out to the water while the Inferno tribe watched helplessly.
Bowser Jr: That was really, really... I can't even put it into words. It crushed our team, for sure.
Yoshi: There is a common strategy among primates: Find big rock, crush competition. It works a lot of the time.
With most of the Champions' effort, the rock was placed on the pad. DK almost shot out of the water, with only his ankles still in the water.
"There's still a chance!" Daisy yelled.
Ed: I wanted to believe there was still a chance, but no one could find something like that again.
The Champion tribe easily finished the challenge. They patted each other on the back, and muttered, "Good job."
"Champions have won the challenge!" Jeff yelled over the wind. "You will not go to Tribal tonight. You have won a set of iron spears, six, to be exact. Good night, and good luck!"
The Champions hurried out of the torrent.
"Inferno tribe, I'll see you at tribal," Jeff yelled. "Good luck."
Waluigi asked Yoshi who the girls were voting for after they had left.
"You, actually," Yoshi chuckled.
Waluigi nodded. "Good job. See you at Tribal."
Inferno, Tribal Council
There was an air of anxiety as the calm after the storm settled in. Daisy and Toadette were less than relaxed, but Yoshi was near paranoia, as usual.
Yoshi: Being at the center of the whole alliance thing isn't good for my nerves. If things don't quiet down soon, I'll have cardiac arrest before this thing is over.
Daisy and Toadette quietly whispered to each other.
Toadette: I'm not an idiot. Whether the Outcasts are traitors or not, I have a secret weapon in case this goes the wrong way.
Waluigi, on the other hand, was perfectly calm.
Waluigi: However this goes, I'll be here until at least the next Tribal, at least.
Bowser Jr. wasn't anxious, but he wasn't completely calm, either.
Bowser Jr: There's a lot that can go wrong with this strategy. The Outcasts aren't really known for their trustfulness, or known very much at all, for that matter. I guess I'll just have to wait and watch.
Jeff met the contestants at the usual Tribal location, atop a hill, the only place in the immediate area that wasn't sludge because of the rain. Bowser was sitting on a bamboo throne next to the voting desks. He watched carefully.
"'Evening, contestants," Jeff said. "I hope you are ready. I can tell just from your faces that this will be one of the most important eliminations, next to Bowser being voted off. Waluigi, there has been quite a lot of drama lately, what do you think about it?"
Waluigi leaned back. "Well, this is an important part of the game. Alliances are beginning to become more necessary, and there are still a few Idols left to play."
"Bowser you know the importance of an Idol in regular gameplay," Jeff said, "Do you think any will be played tonight?"
Bowser look a long look at each of the contestants' faces. "I won't say anything because it might influence the vote. But like you said, Jeff, this is an important Tribal. It will probably decide the path of the entire game, and who will be at the Merge."
Jeff nodded. "Wisdom from the master. Bowser Jr, everyone knows you are an excellent strategist. What do you think of this Tribal, and of what it entails for you?"
"Thanks," Bowser Jr. said. "I take after my dad. There's a lot that could go wrong for all of us. The Outcasts are the key to the whole thing. I just hope I'll be here at the end of the week."
Jeff nodded. "Time to vote."
The contestants voted.
Yoshi voted for Waluigi.
Yoshi: Stayin' true to the plan.
Waluigi voted for Daisy.
Waluigi: Not much to say. This isn't a particularly emotional decision.
Bowser Jr. voted for Daisy.
Bowser Jr: I've wanted to write that name for so long!
Jeff opened the jar, looked inside, and said, "Now, if anyone would like to play a Hidden Immunity Idol, now would be the time."
Waluigi took his out of his back pocket and waved it in the air. "Me, for me."
Waluigi gave the Idol to Jeff. Jeff examined it. "This is, in fact, a Hidden Immunity Idol. Any votes against Waluigi will not count."
Jeff read the first vote. "Bowser Jr."
Waluigi laughed. Bowser Jr. looked around, shocked.
"Second vote: Daisy. Third vote: Daisy."
Daisy threw her hands up. "Of course, you'd choose me. Am I really that annoying?"
"Fourth vote: Waluigi. Does not count. Fifth vote: Waluigi. Does not count. The person leaving Royal Survivor and the second member of our jury is... either Bowser Jr. or Daisy," Jeff finished. "According to Royal Survivor law, in the case of a tie, the two who have tied must duel. Since this is also a game of survival, Daisy, since you have had more votes cast against you in past Tribals than Bowser Jr, you may choose the method of the duel. It must be a physical duel in some way, though."
"W-Wait a second, here!" Bowser Jr. exclaimed. "What just happened?"
"You, my friend, have been played," Toadette said. "I'm not an idiot. Since I had the Outcasts voting for Waluigi already, we might as well have voted for you, BJ."
Waluigi laughed. "An easy manipulation. I saw it coming, but there was really no way to eliminate it and make everyone happy."
Daisy thought about the situation.
Daisy: Bowser Jr. could best me in anything physical, so I knew I was screwed. I couldn't really think of anything at which I might be better than him.
Bowser Jr. fumed over his situation.
Bowser Jr: I'm mad. Waluigi didn't tell me everything he knew. He didn't even warn me of the possibility. I can't get back at him just yet, so in the meantime, I'll use Daisy as a punching bag.
Daisy snapped her fingers. "Got it. A digging contest. Whoever can dig the deepest hole in fifteen minutes wins."
Jeff nodded. "This duel falls within the guidelines. It will be Daisy versus Bowser Jr, a digging contest to determine who stays and who goes."
Bowser Jr. and Daisy readied their shovels and picked a spot to dig. Their tribemates, Bowser, and Jeff, watched from the sidelines.
Bowser Jr: I picked a spot with a little bit of moisture. Enough that it was stable and wouldn't cave in, but not so much that it was mud.
Daisy: I picked a sandy spot, because it didn't have as much water and would be easier to lift. It would get wetter as I dug deeper, anyway.
" Survivors, ready... GO!" Jeff yelled.
Daisy pulled into an early lead. She shoveled the sand and dug a quick hole. Bowser Jr. had a bit more trouble, but his hole looked sound.
After five minutes, Daisy's hole was about three feet deep. Bowser Jr's was about two feet deep.
However, a little after the halfway mark, half of Daisy's hole caved in. She was delayed a few minutes by that. Bowser Jr. hit a tree root, but he easily cut through it and continued on.
After ten minutes, Daisy's hole was about four and a half feet deep, and Bowser Jr's was about four feet deep. They were both now working from inside the pit.
Daisy was tiring out. Her hole caved in a little again, and she worked for a minute or two making up for that. Bowser Jr. was a machine, his digging seeming to speed up, or at least stay constant.
"This challenge is over!" Jeff yelled. "Let's measure your efforts."
After fifteen minutes, Daisy's pit was 6.4 deep, taller than her. However, Bowser Jr's hole was 6.9 feet deep, beating Daisy's hole by half a foot.
Daisy pounded on the ground when she found out she had lost, but Bowser Jr. just glared at Waluigi.
Bowser Jr: I was given a second chance today. I'll have to be more wary of not just what I know, but what I don't, too. But this time I won't let my Idols back anyone but me.
"Daisy, you have lost the duel. You are the second member of our jury," Jeff said. "I'm sorry, but it's time for you to go."
Daisy sighed. "It's been a wonder."
Daisy: I'd like to say that my time here has been the greatest moments of my life. But it wasn't. Royal Survivor is Hell on earth. I'll remember it for the rest of my life.
Next on Royal Survivor...
The Survivors tell their stories.
"Jeff told me that we have to learn why our tribemates are here," Birdo said.
"I just think it's a good idea," Toadette said. "Like a bonding exercise."
Yoshi and Ed continue to be the center of attention.
Yoshi: It's like being the most popular guy in high school. Everybody wants something of you.
Ed: I'm not sure we can keep these Idols hidden for much longer.
And a shocking conclusion to a new type of challenge leaves everyone's head spinning...
"This is called a Redemption challenge," Jeff said. "We will have, three, total."
Bowser Jr: You're voted off of this game for a reason. Normally you stay off, too!
Funky: Zombie Survivors. Just what we needed.
Bro Mamma: Y'know, sometimes I wish this was just plain old Survivor.
...and Royal Survivor once again becomes Hell on Earth.
Toadette: What did I ever do to deserve this?
Birdo: That was a bitter blow... I'm just glad we're not on the receiving end.
Waluigi: This game has just gone from bad to catastrophic.
"I'm back! Hee hee! Did you miss me?"
Who will be the next Royal Survivor?