Chapter 22
Gwen walked back onto the plane to see how Dawn was doing but stopped when she heard an argument.
"There's no way you could've taken a dive for me there, I wanna know why!" Heather confronted Alejandro.
"And I think you might have had too many slaps to the head." Alejandro smiled.
Heather laughed sarcastically. "I know you're up to something!"
"Do you know how great you look after a few slaps to the face? It really brings out the anger in your eyes."
Heather growled and stomped out, passing Owen and Noah with the former eating a sausage. Gwen recoiled in disgust when she saw it was the same sausage Owen threw up.
She headed for the First Class thinking Dawn was there but stopped when she saw Bridgette coming out of the confessional. "Bridgette!"
The surfer stopped when she saw Gwen walk up to her. "Gwen, how'd things go?"
"We won again, yippy for us. How's Dawn?" Gwen got straight to the point.
"She's okay, DJ got her an ice pack from a cooler up in the First Class." Bridgette replied. "Gwen...how what happened with LeShawna..."
"I don't want to talk about it." Gwen shook her head and headed for the First Class.
"Gwen, wait, I know you're mad but LeShawna was tricked like I was by Alejandro." Bridgette caught up with her to try and explain.
"That's not an excuse." Gwen turned to Bridgette. "One slap and she goes mad and hits Dawn who tries to break up the fight."
"She was just mad at Heather." Bridgette tried to explain.
"Everybody's mad at Heather, Bridge, she does that to anyone she meets." Gwen exclaimed. "And before you ask why the reason why Dawn would try to break up a fight like that is because she's one of the nicest people I have ever met, even as nice as you and DJ. She'd never raise her hand to hit somebody nor would she stand by and let someone else get hurt, unfortunately that also includes Heather."
Before Bridgette could say anything else Gwen opened the door to First Class and closed it. Gwen hoped Bridgette wouldn't be upset with her but she needed to see how Dawn was doing. She saw Dawn sitting at one of the window seats with an ice pack on her cheek with Elliot sitting next to her. As she walked in she saw Heather at the bar looking at her and gestured her to come over. She scowled and walked over as she had a something she wanted to talk about with Heather.
Heather got up and they walked over. "We have a problem and it's..."
"What the hell was that out there?!" Gwen cut her off. "One second you're whispering to LeShawna and then a second later Dawn's cradling a swelling cheek after trying to pull LeShawna off you!"
"I was trying to warn her about Alejandro and she didn't believe me!" Heather defended.
"And then you slap her after Alejandro cheers for her." Gwen pointed out. "Then Dawn gets hurt trying to break up the fight."
"I didn't ask her to help!"
"You didn't have to because as much as I hate to say Dawn is probably the nicest person in the entire show and would never try and hurt somebody, even you." Gwen glared. "I don't know just exactly what is going on with you and Alejandro..."
"Nothing is going on!" Heather whispered furiously.
"Doesn't matter, I don't want her or Elliot getting in the cross fire of your little war again or you'll be the next one who leaves." Gwen replied.
"I thought we made a deal." Heather glared.
"We did, doesn't mean I trust you."
"It's all right, Gwen." Both girls turned and saw Dawn standing behind them.
Her cheek was red but the ice pack helped with the swelling.
"Heather was genuinely concerned when she came and checked on me." Dawn smiled. "Even if she was denying it."
Gwen sighed, wondering why Dawn was always the peacekeeper. "How are you holding up?"
"It's not so bad; it'll be gone in a day or two." Dawn replied. "When I saw Heather's aura confirm that she was trying to warn LeShawna I intervened because she was not trying to manipulate LeShawna."
"See?" Heather asked. "That proves I'm not trying to have her or Elliot do my bidding."
"Not that she could." Elliot jumped in. "I know better than to talk to people who trick others."
"Fine." Gwen sighed. "I'll drop it but I stand by what I said."
"Very well." Dawn knew that was as far Gwen would budge.
Xxx
The plane took off and the elimination ceremony was done. LeShawna was the one to be voted off for losing the challenge and because she had hurt Dawn even if it wasn't intentional. Gwen snuck into the hall and watched as LeShawna picked up a parachute.
As she took the jump she turned back to her team. "Could you tell Gwen and Dawn that I'm really sorry and that I wish I could do anything to make up for it?"
The Star Necklace flashed for an instant but luckily Gwen covered it just in case there was a camera watching.
'Why now?' Gwen mentally sighed.
'A wish is a wish; do you want to give her a chance?' Andromeda asked.
Gwen sighed as Team Victory nodded to LeShawna's request. Gwen closed her eyes and a white and silver mist resembling Andromeda's specter form came out and moved so fast that no watching eyes or cameras could see and flew into LeShawna, absorbing itself through her skin and entering her body. Gwen snuck out as LeShawna took the jump but before she did she noticed someone spying on her.
'You!' LeShawna glared murderously at Alejandro as he waved good bye.
As Team Victory went back to the cafe Gwen was already waiting for them with some food along with Dawn and Elliot.
"Hey guys!" Elliot waved them over. "How was the elimination?"
"Fine, LeShawna asked us to tell you she was sorry." DJ sat down along with the rest of Team Victory.
"It's all right." Dawn nodded, not wanting to carry a grudge.
"Speak for yourself." Elliot scowled as she picked up a soda can.
"She didn't mean to, Elliot, she just got carried away." Bridgette sighed.
"Why'd you try and stop her from beating up Heather, eh?" Ezekiel asked. "Don't you know that Heather's like super mean?"
"Drop it, Ezekiel." Gwen wasn't in the mood as she opened a bag of chips. "Dawn just happens to be among the nicest people on this plane and everyone's going a little crazy. I probably am already crazy because I'm pissed at my best friend for beating up another friend while trying to beat up Heather. It's just a big mess that I'd rather not talk about."
"Hey guys." Cody walked in and sat down. "Can I hang out with you guys? Duncan and Courtney are fighting in the First Class again."
"Sure, why not?" Gwen shrugged.
Everyone agreed and went on to talk about other things, like the interested in the environment shared by Dawn, Gwen, Bridgette, and DJ while Ezekiel was explaining to Elliot about how to use a bow and arrow.
Xxx
Gwen was sitting on top of a rocky cliff with the Dimension Seal Method freezing everything in time allowing her along with Dawn and Elliot to train. Gwen was once again training to control Andromeda's powers by attempting to master Andromeda's personal Method, Galaxy Storm. She imagined more than one star floating around her as Andromeda released her power through the Star Necklace in the form of a silver aura. Around her meditating form small stars appeared and floated harmlessly.
"Don't use them to attack, just focus on maintaining them for as long as possible." Andromeda whispered. "Picture a night sky with stars shining in the background like what you looked up to see as a little girl."
Gwen did as she was told, imagining a night sky with stars, knowing that this would keep her relaxed and make it easier concentrate on mastering the Method. Small bright objects formed around Gwen that resembled stars and the silver aura flared. Elliot and Dawn watched Gwen's hair started to change, gaining silver tips as the edge of her hair and become slightly longer, reaching down to the back of her neck.
"Her hair." Elliot whispered.
"I know it's a sign that she's adapting to more of Andromeda's power." Dawn replied just as quietly.
For the last couple of weeks the three Avatars have trained themselves as long as they could to better master their powers in the possible inevitable confrontation with Nebula and the Red Marauder. Dawn had studied on the various Methods in the book Jimmy gave Gwen while Elliot focused on the special powers of Lancelot. Dawn had come across something interesting and she was planning to test it when she explained it to the others.
"Negative Spirit Energy?" Gwen asked. "What exactly does that mean?"
"Well, it's basically the negative aspect of Spirit Energy that allows a spirit or avatar to use darkness based attacks or ice powers." Dawn explained. "Positive Spirit energy powers light based attacks such as lightning, fire, or energy attacks like Galaxy Storm. It's been theorized that spirits like the Marauder and Nebula use Negative Spirit Energy to avoid detection because we are more accustomed to using and sensing Positive Spirit Energy."
"That sounds reasonable, Dawn. Only a handful of spirits use this kind of power, one of them being Jack Frost who could conjure a blizzard instantly with his powers because of his mastery over ice. Aside from him only a few spirits other than demons can master this ability to control the negative polarity and even rarer for someone to master both kinds." Andromeda replied.
"I myself am only a master Positive Spirit Energy because of my nature but it is possible to learn how to counter this kind of power." Luna said thoughtfully.
"With me its Positive and Neutral Spirit Energy." Lancelot replied.
"Neutral?" Elliot asked.
"Positive and Negative Spirit Energy are like light and dark but Neutral Spirit Energy concentrates on the manipulating the elements of the mortal world. One example is the Mouth of the Towering Mountain; his powers control the Earth itself to create almost anything that is indestructible with his power." Andromeda explained. "His power over the Earth was so great that he's only ever had one Avatar."
"And here I thought I was special with the spirit who's only had an Avatar three times before me." Gwen commented.
"Well he's tough like the earth and patient and he is a pacifist somewhat like me but he's not afraid to defend himself." Luna replied.
"I heard that he chose his Avatar by listening through the Earth itself until he found the one who was a perfect match." Lancelot offered.
"It does sound like him." Andromeda agreed. "And if his Avatar has returned it'll be impossible to tell who it is."
"It's best if you don't try to find him and concentrate on ways to locate Nebula before something happens." Lancelot said.
"Got it!" Elliot grinned and nodded.
"I can study up on Negative Spirit Energy and see if there's any way to sense if it is being used by Nebula." Dawn said.
"And hopefully we'll find Nebula before something terrible happens." Gwen grinned. "I'm getting a little tired of him hiding and sending his goons after us."
"Whoo-hoo! We're going after the bad guy!" Elliot laughed and spun around before she stopped because she was getting dizzy.
"We better hurry back." Dawn looked up. "The Dimension Seal's time limit expires in ten minutes."
"I got our ride!" Elliot grinned and summoned Strider.
"Here we go again." Gwen smirked.
"She never has enough of that." Dawn sighed.
Xxx
The Total Drama Jumbo Jet had been left frozen in time while the Spirit Avatars were training until they returned and dispelled the Dimension Seal. As the cast enjoyed themselves for next couple of days a plot was being hatched. Even though the cast was unaware of it their next destination was the Amazon Forest in Peru and someone else other than the producers knew that. Blood stained the ground, forming a seal and a person wearing a mask touched it.
The seal glowed and a blue fire came out of the center, exploding but none of the nearby trees were burned by the blast. The blue flames faded and a solid figure stood in the center of the seal. Its body glowed pale green in the dark forest, showing that it was not a human being but a Spirit that had been summoned.
"Who summons me?!" The person shouted his voice was deep and terrifying and like a rabid animal.
He resembled a tall humanoid resembling a tribal warrior, wearing nothing but a cloth to hide his modesty, tattoos covering most of his body, and a scary mask resembling a demon with yellow eyes covering his face.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Masked Jungle Hunter, Corin." The mysterious person said. "I am need of your help."
"I am not a petty hireling." The Masked Warrior held out his hand and in a flash of light a large spear materialized. "I am a hunter and you better explain why you have summoned me before I skin and add your skull to my collection."
"Coming here are three Spirit Avatars, one of them is the successor of an adversary you faced centuries ago in Europe." The person replied.
"I have faced many Avatars, be more specific." Corin pointed the spear at the person's face.
"Andromeda."
Corin lowered his spear when he heard that name. He remembered battling a woman with long silver hair, sapphire eyes, and wore a necklace with a star around her neck.
"She defeated you, forcing you to run and damaged your pride as a hunter. It took you years to recover before you could fight again and by that time her Avatar had already died, robbing you the chance to challenge her again." The masked person said. "But Andromeda has returned with a new Avatar whose skill and potential puts her on par with her predecessor. She's faced down many strong spirits and come out alive becoming stronger. Maybe even a challenge for you."
Corin growled softly as he remembered how Andromeda's Avatar defeated him in battle and forced him to flee. He had spent years hiding in the Spirit Realm recovering from the fight, gathering Spirit Energy to heal himself. When he was fully recovered he returned, ready to fight the one who bested him but to his anger she had already died and he would never have the chance to defeat her.
"Even if it's not the same one there's still Andromeda who gave her power to that Avatar who defeated you and now her new Avatar is coming here. It's the perfect chance for revenge on Andromeda, defeating her Avatar in the fight you want." The masked person said, seeing the masked spirit considering it.
"...Very well, Andromeda's Avatar will not leave this forest." Corin growled.
Xxx
Cody watched as Gwen talked with Dawn and Elliot in their seats unable to hear a word they were saying. He wanted to go over and talk to them but for some reason he was nervous. Maybe it was because Gwen had been angry about Dawn getting hurt, or it was because Dawn might read his mind or his aura and tell everyone how Cody imagined Gwen in that maid costume, or because Elliot might tell Gwen about the maid costume.
"Listen, Duncan, maybe it wasn't nice of Chris to put in that costume but if you hadn't gone and wasted the meat we would have won!" Courtney's voice made Cody turn to another pair of seats where Duncan and Courtney were fighting again.
Duncan had been moody ever since he was forced to wear the hosen on live TV and felt humiliated so much he never said more than a word to anyone for the last few days, even Courtney. Gwen offered a few words but Duncan simply ignored her except a few simple words.
"If you could just work with me to help us keep on track we could..." Courtney continued.
"If you could just work with me to help us keep on." Duncan said, mimicking Courtney's voice. "You're not the one who had to wear that stupid thing plus I don't know if you've noticed but I think just about everyone has agreed you're not the leader!"
"If you'd help me..."
"Don't blame me for that! It's not my fault no one likes listening to you." Duncan cut her off.
Courtney gasped but a look of anger appeared on her face a second later. "How can you say that to me?! I'm your girlfriend!"
"Oh, so it's okay for you to whack me anytime but it's crazy for me to say how crappy a leader you are? Here's an idea, how about you vote me off next time we lose? I should have quit in Egypt and let someone else deal with you!" Duncan got up and stomped away.
"Fine!" Courtney shouted.
She crossed her arms and looked out the window with a scowl. Cody sighed, he felt lonely since everyone seemed to be ignoring him even though he hung out most of his team along with Team Victory during the last couple of nights. He liked DJ as much as nearly everyone else and was sad that he was moving back to Jamaica.
"Hello, good friend." Cody looked up as Heather sat down next to him. "You feeling down?"
"Uh...kind of." Cody replied awkwardly.
Xxx
Confessional: Heather
"With Sierra gone I need someone else on my side because Gwen has no reason to keep her end of the deal. Luckily I still got Cody on my side while Courtney's alienating herself as leader."
Xxx
"Attention all! We are now on our way for landing at our next destination known as the Amazon. But of course the runaway is a little short so my suggestion is you better buckle yourselves up!"
'No way. Team Amazon in the Amazon forest? Can that be a sign?' Gwen thought.
'Be careful not to jinx your team.' Andromeda commented.
'Do you believe in that stuff?'
'You can never be too careful.' Andromeda replied.
Chris was not lying as the plane had trouble landing, but that was because of Chef deciding to mess with everyone again. It crashed and while most of the contestants were unharmed some of them were rubbing their heads as they stepped out of the plane.
Xxx
The landing had not gone unnoticed as Corin watched the Jumbo Jet land from the branch of a very big tree.
"She's here." He whispered.
He could sense the energy signatures of three Spirit Avatars in that plane and he could recognize the energy signature of one of them.
"Andromeda." He whispered.
He jumped off the tree and landed on the ground perfectly on his feet. He slammed his spear into the ground and began chanting. Around him appeared what looked like a dark cloud but if anyone was listening they would have heard a buzzing sound. Moths, dozens of them were buzzing around Corin as he picked his spear and pointed forward.
"Go."
Xxx
"Welcome to Lima Peru, the birthplace of the mighty Amazon River! This challenge is called the Am-AH-zon Race. Teams must hike along an ancient Inca trail through the Peruvian jungle all the way to Machu Picchu. Hidden somewhere amongst the ruins of Machu Picchu a golden treasure awaits discovery. Find the gold then your team wins first class seats to our next destination. Last team who makes it will be sending someone out the door of the plane. Oh and be careful, this jungle contains many vicious bugs out here." Chris snickered. "Bloodsuckers, stingers, and yes poisonous ones."
Cody raised his hand but Chris waved him off. "Yes, Cody, the legal department made me aware of your deadly allergies and we supplied you with an epipen, just in case the bugs are attracted to you as fanzilla was."
Chris held it out and Cody tried to grab but Chris stopped him. "Whoa, man, it wouldn't be safe if you have the epipen and be the one with the allergies at the same time. How can you inject yourself when you're not conscious?"
"Uh..." Cody looked over to Gwen.
Gwen herself did not like the idea but sighed when Cody was giving her the puppy dog look. "Fine, I'll take it." She then whispered. "Damn look."
'For someone who dresses like a goth you sure like cute little things.' Andromeda commented.
'Please don't put the words 'Cody' and 'cute' in the same sentence.' Gwen replied as Chris tossed it to her and she easily caught it.
"And one more thing, you should also be on the lookout for the Zings-Zings, a native tribe who have never encountered modern man and they are not about to. If you spot a Zing-Zing, do NOT make contact." Chris finished.
'He's lying, there is no tribe with that name and there hasn't been a tribe like what he describes in this place for a long time.' Andromeda commented.
'Yeah, it'd be more believable if he took us to Africa.' Gwen replied.
"Some nerve, saying that a dangerous tribe would lurk in a sanctuary like this." Dawn grumbled.
"How are far is it to mucky pitchy?" Owen asked.
"Machu Picchu you mean? It's a hop, skip, and a jump from here along with an eighteen hour journey that is very dangerous , making things interesting. Since we are legally obligated to save your lives if you're in danger we have a walkie-talkie for each team that can only be used in emergencies." Chris looked over at Izzy and Elliot. "Emergencies only, got that Izzy and Elly?"
Izzy and Elliot groaned at the same time.
"Don't say I didn't warn you but the jungle's dangerous at night so teams will have to break at dusk and camp until sunrise if you don't want to get eaten." Chris continued.
"And I assume there are no tents right?" Alejandro asked.
"You got it, I wish you all good luck or at the very least you avoid dying and getting me sued." Chris finished.
With that said the challenge started but the teams first had to decide which path they were going to take.
"Okay...Eenie, meenie, miney left?" Lindsay pointed to the left path.
Ezekiel, DJ, and Bridgette had no objections and followed her down the left path.
"So, you guys think left? Yeah, left! Left is a good idea!" Tyler said, trying to not show he just wanted to follow Lindsay.
Team C didn't really care as they followed Tyler into the woods leaving Team Amazon alone.
"Maybe we should go right?" Gwen asked. "No guarantee that the same path they are taking is right."
"But even if it's wrong at least everyone will be wrong instead of just one team." Elliot pointed out.
"I can always ask one animal for the way to Machu Picchu." Dawn replied.
"We don't need some animal 'telling' us the way." Courtney said, not at all having faith in Dawn's abilities. "We climb a tree and see where we need to go."
"By the time we do that the other teams will have beaten us there!" Heather retorted. "Just pick a path!"
Xxx
Confessional: Heather
"The one good thing here is that if we lose they'll vote off the person who leads because that person will have lost the challenge for everyone."
Xxx
Eventually someone had enough and started down the right path.
"Duncan, where are you going? We haven't decided yet!" Courtney called out but Duncan didn't stop or even turn around.
"Can't hear you!" Duncan lazily put a finger in his ear, pretending to clear it out.
Courtney growled, annoyed that Duncan was just ignoring her advice again. "Come on, we stick together."
No one had any objections and followed Courtney as she went after her rebellious boyfriend. The path they went down was invested with insects that Elliot had to bat away more than once. Dawn seemed completely immune as the insects avoided her while Courtney walked next to Duncan to make it seem she was leading them. Gwen and Cody were at the very back of the team and Cody decided to strike a conversation with her.
"Hey, thanks for holding my epipen." Cody started.
"No problem." Gwen nonchalantly replied.
"You know how to use it, right?"
"Not a clue."
"If I get bit," Cody whispered into her ear. "You jam the needle into my butt."
Gwen recoiled in disgust and handed it back to Cody. "You're on your own."
Cody sighed, putting the epipen into his pocket. Bugs started flying around him and he waved his hands around to make them go away. "Hey, bug off!" A giant mosquito flew in and picked him up. "Help! Help!"
Elliot picked up a rock and threw it, hitting the mosquito in the head, releasing Cody who fell onto the ground.
"You just have everything attracted to you except Gwen huh?" Elliot commented as she walked past Cody. "Come on or you might get picked up another."
After escaping the insects the team came upon a campfire with two natives sitting there.
"Zings-Zings!" Cody whispered. "We can't make contact. Stay still and..."
But it was too late as the team had walked into a trap, surrounded on all sides with spears pointed at their faces.
Gwen pulled out the walkie-talkie. "Chris we need help! Chris!" When there was no answer Gwen opened the battery compartment. "No batteries? Chris sent us out here with no batteries?!"
"That cheap son of a..." Elliot stopped as Dawn covered her mouth.
"No swearing please!" Dawn whispered.
The Zing-Zing tied them to a tree before sitting in front of the fire again. From the far right of the tree to the other end started with Dawn, Heather, Duncan, Gwen, Cody, Elliot and Courtney at the very end.
"I have a flash light in my pocket. The batteries should fit the walkie talkie." Cody whispered.
"Gwen, you're the closest." Heather said.
Gwen sighed and turned to Cody. "You are not allowed to enjoy this."
Cody enjoyed it anyway as Gwen reached into Cody's pockets and started trying find the flashlight.
"Casanova Kissing mints, Hair Gel, Body Spray, X-Ray Glasses?" She picked up the glasses and back up at Cody. "Are you serious?"
'He could have been using these to stare at me!' She thought with a freaked out look.
"What color are his undies?" Heather chuckled.
"You want to find out, you look." Gwen had no time and she didn't want to use the glasses just to look at Cody's underwear.
Cody had a disappointed look on his face while Elliot laughed. Gwen passed them to Heather and took the chance to look at Cody and saw...
"AH!" Heather threw the glasses off her face.
"What is it?" Gwen asked, wincing from her screaming.
"He...he...no..." Heather stuttered.
"Who wears underwear in the Amazon?" Cody asked meekly, answering Gwen's question.
"Oh!" Elliot laughed. "Good thing you gave them to her, Gwen or you'd be the one screaming!"
"Can I borrow those?" Duncan asked with an innocent look on his face.
"Don't you dare even think about it." Courtney growled.
"Elliot, check his other pockets." Dawn spoke up.
"Why?" Elliot asked.
"Cody's aura says that he knows that the flash light is in the left pocket but he's enjoying Gwen's hand in his pants." Dawn replied.
"Really?" Gwen threw a glare which made Cody chuckle nervously and curse Dawn for her mind reading abilities.
"You little perv!" Elliot commented and reached into Cody's pocket. "If my dad finds out about this you might want to run all the way to Antarctica."
She pulled out a flash light and removed the batteries before she put them in Cody's hand so he could pass them to Gwen. The blue streaked Avatar took them from Cody and put them into the walkie-talkie.
"Yes!" Gwen grinned when it started walking. "Chris? Chris! We need help now! We got caught by Zings-Zings and we are trapped!"
"Wow, you guys sound like you're in trouble." Chris commented, not sounding like he's about to rescue them.
"Chris, don't screw with me, we're trapped by natives, I had to fish through Cody's pockets to find batteries for this and Heather got a frontline view of what he looks like through X-Ray Glasses," Gwen started.
"Way to go Cody!" Tyler's voice said through the walkie talkie.
"Thank you!" Cody replied.
"So send help here right now!" Gwen finished.
"Or I'll find you and wring your neck!" Heather spoke up.
"Wow, it sure sucks to be you guys. Tell you what if you can't find a way out by tomorrow morning I'll send someone to save you if you're still alive. If you break free be sure to call me so I don't send any unlucky interns to their deaths, good luck!"
"Chris don't..." Gwen didn't bother because Chris turned off his walkie talkie. "He turned it off. That freaking bastard just left us here to die!"
Two natives walked over and saw Gwen holding the walkie talkie. One grabbed it out of her hand and smashed it to pieces.
"So, what now?" Elliot asked.
"We wait for them to fall asleep and I'll cut the ropes." Duncan whispered, holding out a pocket knife. "Just have to wait until the sun goes down."
Dawn looked up and saw moths flying around the tree but what caught her attention was that they were...
"Glowing moths?" Dawn whispered.
'Those are not ordinary moths; it's an Unauthorized Method at work!' Luna replied telepathically.
'Not now!' Dawn panicked.
The moths flew down from the top of the tree and flew straight into the Zings-Zings, vanishing into their bodies. Little did the group know a camera crew was watching this and the moths instantly flew at them, merging with their bodies like the Zings-Zings. The natives fell over and Duncan took that as the sign that they were knocked out. He cut through the ropes, freeing Team Amazon.
"Let's hurry!" Heather shouted. "Back the way we came!"
However just as they started to run the Zings-Zings stood back up, glowing pale green and moved so fast that they blocked the Amazons from escaping. Three jumped so high into the air it was like they had rocket boots and landed in front Heather as she tried to lead them out.
"They're glowing." Gwen whispered.
'That color, I know this Method.' Andromeda realized when she saw the moths were glowing pale green. 'Gwen, cast the Dimension Seal now!'
"Split up!" Heather shouted.
She along with Courtney and Duncan took in different directions while Cody stayed with Gwen.
"Come on, Gwen!" Cody tugged Gwen's arm.
Gwen sighed and ran with Cody while Dawn and Elliot ran in the opposite direction.
'Andromeda, what is going on?' Gwen asked, looking down at her necklace.
'This Method is the work of Corin, the Masked Jungle Hunter, an adversary that Sarah fought and defeated.' Andromeda replied. 'He lost the battle but fled before Sarah could finish him off. I know it's him because it matches the color of his spiritual aura. He swore revenge on Sarah for damaging his pride as a hunter but never got the chance.'
'I guess he decided I would do.' Gwen looked around as she ran. 'What do I need to know?'
'Corin's form is a masked warrior not unlike those natives back there but he is more terrifying, his main weapon is a spear that allows complete control of the forest he is in meaning he can control the trees and the wild life. That's what his Method is focused on but he can control anyone his Method touches, that's what those moths did to those natives.' Andromeda explained. 'He's known for luring his victims into forests and jungles so he can hunt them for as long as they amuse him and they were usually found impaled to a tree when he killed them, that was what caught mine and Sarah's attention. Gwen, as long as you are in the forest you are at a disadvantage as Corin's powers will allow him to control and manipulate the forest to his advantage.'
Gwen stopped when she saw Cody stop running but was on the lookout for anymore Zings-Zings.
'How did you and Sarah defeat him the first time?' Gwen mentally asked.
'There was a special plant that Corin planted in the forests he liked to hunt in that instantly grew and its spread until it merged with the entire forest. Anything it touches was instantly under his control, trees, animals, and even humans. It even siphons Life Energy when Corin would need a boost in power, that's what alerted Sarah to the possibility that he had planted something that was used to power his personal Method.' Andromeda explained. 'When Sarah destroyed the plant Corin lost the advantage and was overpowered by Sarah's best Methods that were ten times deadlier with my powers. He just barely escaped when she tried to finish him off by using possessed animals to distract her.'
"Hey Gwen?"
'And now he's here.' Gwen shook her head and turned back to Cody. "What?"
"We should find a place to hide and rest for the night." Cody said, looking for a hiding spot. "Those guys might spend the night looking for us."
Gwen nodded but she was really planning to slip away when he wasn't looking. Unfortunately it seemed she wouldn't be able to keep the cast out of the fight when a vine came out and grabbed Cody by the legs.
"Whoa!" Cody shouted as he fell over and screamed as he was pulled into the bushes. "GWEN HELP!"
"Cody!" Gwen ran after him but he vanished into the forest. "CODY!"
There was no answer, just silence as the sun went down.
"Damn it!" Gwen slammed her fist into a tree. "What's going to happen to him?"
'I don't know Corin never used tactics like this before.' Andromeda replied. 'I thought he'd come after you when he figured out who my Avatar was but he seems to be concentrating on the entire cast.'
'Great, I need to find the rest of my team and the others before they get killed.' Gwen gritted her teeth. 'Dawn and Elliot were separated from the others they have no idea and if we're caught on camera we're screwed. Why doesn't Corin come out and fight me?'
'It's possible he doesn't know that you are my Avatar he's using his Method to find you.' Andromeda replied. 'But that doesn't answer why he's here now.'
'Nebula.' Gwen scowled. 'Okay, if Corin wants a fight he's got it.'
She grasped her Star Necklace and Andromeda released her power, engulfing Gwen in a white and silver aura.
Xxx
Deep in the forest of the Amazon was a huge tree that glowed pale green and Corin himself sat on one of the giant tree branches. He was meditating when something caused his yellow eyes to open and flare.
"This power...I can feel the power of Heaven's Star herself." Corin stood up. "Excellent, she's announcing her location but I dare not face her in open combat like before until I have set up the bait."
Xxx
'Okay, time to test all that practicing.' Gwen took a deep breath and closed her eyes. 'Okay, channel the Spirit Energy to my feet; plan the landings before each jump, keeping a long distance between each landing.'
Gwen bent her knees and looked to where she was going to land as she channeled some of Andromeda's power to her feet and leaped into the air. She soared above the forest so high and so fast she almost lost her concentration but she took a deep breath as she feel back to the ground.
'Okay, now focus Spirit Energy to make my body lighter while increasing the strength of my feet so I'll land without any injury.' Gwen pointed her feet down like she was kicking and landed on the ground without getting hurt.
'Excellent, you'll need all the speed you can get when you find Corin.' Andromeda said.
'Too bad I can't fly yet. Dawn was able to hover in the Yukon when we drove off those Ice Spirits yet so far me and Elliot have not done that. Well, Elliot's got her spirit horse.' Gwen jumped two more times before landed in front of a river. 'I didn't see any big trees, at least not one that was bigger than any of the other trees. You said that the plant would grow faster and look as big as a mountain. So it's either not that big yet or...'
'A Method that may be hiding it.' Andromeda finished. 'If Corin's presence here is indeed the work of Nebula...'
"We need to find Dawn and hope she's found a way to detect Negative Spirit Energy." Gwen finished.
She knelt down and placed her Omni-Glove wearing hand on the ground.
"Show me the Path." She whispered and closed her eyes, imagining the rest of the cast in the forest.
The glove flashed and the Tracking Method Gwen activated started tracking the other humans in the forest. A white light traveled through the ground forming a line that split up in several directions.
'Hopefully this'll find the others before something else does.' Gwen thought.
Xxx
Heather gasped for breath when she stopped running, positive that she had lost the Zings-Zings.
"Great, now I just have to beat the other teams to Machu Picchu and I can still win this." Heather leaned against a tree. "This is a big mess and worse with that Mexican playboy already ahead of me and my stupid team is lost out there. Maybe if I win and make it back Chris will just leave them all behind."
A vine quietly wrapped itself around her leg as she caught her breath and stood up straight.
"I can't waste the night sleeping; the other teams are pro-AHH!" The vine pulled her foot out from under her, tripping her. "What the fu..."
The vine pulled her towards the bushes and she quickly dug her nails into the ground. She looked around for anything to help her break free but the vine pulled her too fast leaving her nothing to do but scream as she vanished into the woods.
Xxx
"Okay, I think we lost them." Courtney panted as she and Duncan stopped in the middle of the forest.
"Great, now we need to find the others." Duncan put his knife away.
"No we should go on ahead and beat the others." Courtney stood up straight.
"Oh yeah, because every other time we passed with someone on our team missing we won." Duncan sarcastically said.
"We wouldn't be in this mess if we had followed the other teams rather than following you." Courtney retorted, turning to face Duncan.
"Excuse me for not wanting to stand and wait for you all to make up your mind." Duncan scoffed. "Like we would have done any better."
"Excuse me but I would have had us at the finish line by now!" Courtney exclaimed.
"Yeah right, like you led us to victory last time." Duncan shook his head and started walking. "Forget it; it's no use arguing with you."
"Oh no, we are talking now!" Courtney stopped him. "You have been doing nothing but argue with me ever since Egypt! I'm your girlfriend, Duncan; you're supposed to support me!"
"Well you know what? That thing on the bus was a stupid fling!" Duncan spun and shouted. "Could you tell me why would I want to get back together with you at all?! You haven't changed a bit! You nag me, you emasculate me, you expect me to support you in any decision but you never support any choice I make!"
Courtney gasped in shock.
"And you know what else? Gwen and her friend Elliot were right, you are not my boss, you are not this team's leader, and you can go find someone to support your stupid ideas! I'm through!" Duncan spun and walked away.
Courtney stood still in shock and didn't notice a vine sneak up behind her. Duncan was expecting her to shout at him but when it was quiet he turned around saw Courtney was gone.
"Oh great, and now she's run off." Duncan sighed. "Don't have time for your tears, Princess."
There was no answer from her, only the sound of something moving in the bushes.
"Okay, I am not in the mood for this," Duncan pushed away the big leaves. "So let's go and-AAH!"
Xxx
Unlike Team Amazon the member of Team C had stayed together and for the most part safe as they set up camp for the night. They had huddled around a fire to keep them warm while they tried to sleep. Or at least tried when a loud growling noise woke Owen who jumped up. "Is that coming from the fire?"
"Fires rarely growl." Noah sarcastically said as he lifted his head up.
"Al built it, maybe Spanish fires growl." Owen replied, making Noah shake his head.
The growls became louder, awaking the entire team.
"What is that?" Alejandro asked.
Owen blew on the fire to raise the flames which showed...giant caterpillars glowing pale green surrounding them. One spat on the fire, putting it out as the others moved towards the terrified team who screamed.
Xxx
Team Victory had been unable to get any sleep, too scared of whatever was lucking in the bushes around them. Bridgette was especially terrified because it felt like that Fear challenge in Season 1 when she had to walk into the woods alone.
"Let's just quietly go." Bridgette whispered.
The rest of the team nodded in agreement and tried to sneak away in a single file. All seemed fine until DJ stepped on a stick and snapped it. They froze as something moved in the bushes. After a moment passed Ezekiel sighed. "That was close, eh-AAAHH!"
A large family of monkeys leaped out of the bushes and attacked Team Victory who screamed.
Xxx
Cody groaned as he opened his eyes and found him...
Wrapped in a cocoon and hanging from the branch of a giant tree! The tree itself was bigger than any tree that Cody had seen in his life. It easily towered over the forest like a mountain and its branches stretched so far that the Total Drama Jump Jet itself could land and sit on the bigger branches.
"Aw..." Cody turned his head as best as he could when he heard a groaning sound.
"Guys?"
Almost the entire Total Drama cast were with him, wrapping in cocoons that covered everything except their heads and hung from the giant branch along with him.
"Whe-where am I?" Heather looked around. "What is this?!"
"We're trapped in some kind of cocoon!" Cody explained.
Owen screamed when he looked down saw how high the tree branch reached up into.
"How did we get here?!" Bridgette cried. "All I remember is being attacked by monkeys!"
"We got attacked by giant caterpillars!" Tyler replied.
"Oh, Tyler I am so scared!" Lindsay cried. "Somebody, anybody please get us down!"
"Wait, we're missing some people eh!" Ezekiel turned his head back and forth.
"He's right; I don't see Gwen, Dawn or Elliot here!" Alejandro realized. "Why aren't they here?"
"We got separated from them while running from the Zings-Zings." Courtney looked down and gulped. "All I remember is something grabbing me and then I'm right here!"
"Yeah, it's almost as freaky as that mansion..." Cody trailed off.
When he mentioned the mansion almost everyone except Alejandro stopped and looked like they were starting to remember something.
A dark mansion...
Ghosts inside chasing them...
Gwen capturing the ghosts while holding a sword...
An elderly ghost talking to them...
"We spirits have existed as long as the living has existed; some of us are like what many humans have assumed in their many theories but at the same time much different. To find a way to fight them good spirits often decide to form a contract with humans, granting the humans their powers, making them the spirit's avatar in this world. This girl took a contract with a spirit which allowed her access to that spirit's power through an object acting as that spirit's connection to its avatar."
Gwen's Star Necklace flashing with a bright light.
"Andromeda, almost a queen among spirits, very old and very powerful."
"Unlock the gate that binds the power of my companion and ally, let her walk among mortals with me as her vessel," Gwen whispered. "Let her bring her power against my enemies and bring them down. If my body shall burn in the light of her power, let it be so. If I am to perish in my contribution to her endless journey, let it be so. Release Andromeda, the Star of Heaven, let it be so!"
A white and silver aura surrounding Gwen as her hair becomes longer and reaches down to her waist, its color becoming silver that glowed slightly. Her eyes now sapphire blue with her pupils becoming white and seemingly shining like a star.
"Sorry guys."
"What-?"
Gwen drew a symbol in front of her with her Omni-Glove. "Seal of the Void!"