Series Finale: Part I

"Last time on Total Drama World Tour: It was down to the final five, and they were dropped in one of the creepiest locations on earth: The abandoned next-door neighbor of Chernobyl, Pripyat, Russia. Their task was to find a mini-nuclear reactor located somewhere within the city and shut it down. However, supposedly only four of the five reactors were fake, and would instead emit a terrible knockout gas when the lever was pulled. However…tee-hee…ALL of 'em were fake! The main goal was to be the last one standing in the challenge, and to not be knocked out by gas!

"That achievement went to Louis, who managed to outsmart Ethan due to being able to read Russian, finding out on his own that it was fake, and allowed Ethan to pull the lever and be knocked out. But not before Ethan gave it one final devious push with a nasty trick to take out his biggest threat: Eryn. By giving her a very poignant dose of karma, he knocked her out from behind right before the musical number coincidentally started, thus eliminating her from the game.

"However, when he and his right-hand woman Jessica seemed ready to split the vote between the remaining two and secure two of the final three spots, Jessica stood up with her own devious plan in rebellion to Ethan. She then revealed his entire scheme from start to finish, from every elimination he caused, to his manipulation of others, all in full view of the remaining contestants. This sealed his fate, and, ironically, her own as well. Though he was voted out fair and square, he gave one last stand and, with his deception, managed to trick her into a dangerously close position…right in front of the door leading out of the elimination area. Let's just say that they got to share a parachute that night.

"And just like that, we are down to our final two in our final season: Louis – the drama king who on many occasions brought his team to victory while quickly making a lot of friends, and even a girlfriend – vs. Rachael, the kind girl who has competed in all three seasons, and although she's always been on the more successful team, she herself has always fallen under the radar at best. Both have outlasted the rest. Both swore to their respective lovers that they'd win the season. Both will be put through one of the toughest challenges of their lives. But only one will win the season and the grand prize of TWO million dollars.

"Louis or Rachael? You decide! Today, right here, and right now, on the series finale of…Total…Drama…World Tour!"

…

Louis slowly opened his eyes and looked around. The brilliant, yellowish luxury of first-class surrounded him. From the chairs before him, to the couch and lamps on the opposite side of the cabin, to the bar with its glasses lined up neatly, to the rows of seats before the massive theater screen, it was all so magnificent. And so well-earned.

And it was his last time staying here.

He realized that it was the day of the final challenge.

With one more great stretch and long yawn, he slowly sat up and pulled the chair back into its upright position. He stood up and did a calm 360 around the entire cabin. He smiled wryly in reflection: He thought, as he looked around the cabin, that he could actually see everybody else. All the members of the consistently-victorious Team Victory, to his fellow males in the Scotland challenge, to himself and Nicole, to Eryn…the ghosts of the past seemed to reconvene in this lavish setting one final time. Their various conversations, jokes, laughs, and discussions all melded together in a blur of noise and faint images as all those moments culminated in this one final moment, with him standing in the middle of the room, all alone, on the final day.

He closed his eyes again, and sighed softly.

Cockpit Confessional

Louis – So, here it is. I'm in the final two, on the final day, about to go into the final challenge, of the final season. It's definitely a bittersweet feeling. I mean, don't get me wrong, there's a lot I'm not going to miss.

Chef – Like WHAT?!

Louis – Well, you, of course.

Chef – You're not even gonna miss me?!

Louis – Of course not. Now hush. (Turns back to the camera). Now I'm definitely going to miss the experience; the thrill of traveling all around the world, seeing new places, experiencing many wonderful things…and of course I'll miss the friends I've made. From my teammates, to my opponents…and of course, I met the love of my life. That's the one reason I can't wait to leave: I'll get to see her again. Ah, yes. This is an experience I'll never forget, but will be glad to depart from. At this point, I don't even care if I win or not; just the thrill of it all is more than enough for me.

End

Rachael slowly sat up, straightening out her back from yet another long, cold, wet, hard, and uncomfortable night in economy-class. She groaned as she swiveled her legs off the bench and sat up, glancing around at the small, dank, depressing, and disgusting cabin. Several drops of water leaked from the ceiling. Drafts of wind blew through holes in the wall. A rat scurried across the floor. Bugs scattered along the walls and ceiling. The torn, dirty, pink curtain leading to the lavatory blew slightly in the wind.

And yet, despite its crude nature…there was something about it that made her realize how much she was going to miss the show.

In her own way.

Lavatory Confessional

Rachael – So, this is my only time ever being in economy-class completely alone, so I guess I might as well just sum up all my thoughts now. It's my final run in my final season. I've finally made it to the final two. I've been hiding under Mark's shadow for too long: Now it's my turn to be a fan favorite and win this thing. I know Louis's a really good guy, he's a great team player, a rising star in individual challenges, and overall a very strong competitor. It won't be easy…but it's my time to shine. So Louis…bring it on.

End

Both contestants watched from their respective cabins as the Jet circled over a large city below them, with one very familiar tower rising above all other buildings in the skyline.

It was Toronto, Ontario.

The Jet slowly came in for a smooth landing on the runway of the City Centre Airport on the Toronto Islands, the water glistening around them on all sides. Once it came to a stop, the door in the elimination area opened, and the two contestants left their respective cabins for the final time as per the usual routine.

However, stepping out onto the runway in the sunlight and cool breeze resulted in a rather unexpected and pleasant surprise: All 23 past contestants standing on the runway before them in a massive group.

"Whoa!" Both exclaimed simultaneously at the sight.

Almost instantly, the entire group moved in on them with cheers and laughs, surrounding them both in a series of hugs, handshakes, pats on the back, congratulations, and encouraging words.

After almost a minute of a sudden, loud, and happy reunion, Chef stepped out from the Jet and smiled at the scene before pulling out the red megaphone.

"Alright, sissies! Enough lovey-dovey reunion! Those of you who are not competing, get back into your group!"

With a few lingering handshakes and embraces, the 23 teens who were no longer in the competition stepped back onto the runway, giving the finalists their space.

"Alright! So first off, a well-deserved congratulations to our final two: Louis and Rachael!"

Another round of applause, cheers, and whistles followed from the group.

"One of you has been here since the very beginning, toughing it out for three seasons and getting the boot two times. The other joined us in this season, and has been a rather impressive success the entire time. You both fought hard, and you both are ready to fight harder than ever one more time in the final showdown of...sadly…our series finale."

A brief moment of silence hung very heavily over the cast as the last two words sank in.

"But that's why it's gonna be the best showdown of all time! Now first things first, we must establish who's who out of the lose-er, peanut gallery for the finale. All who support Rachael, come stand on the left. Those who support Louis, stand on the right."

The group split up as Chef directed. When it was all said and done, the result was as follows:

Rachael's group, the clearly larger group, consisted of, noticeably, all who did not compete in the season (with the exception of Jennifer): Jeremy, Josh, Ruth, Tim, Luke, and Daniel. It also consisted of every other member of Team Victory II: Matthew, Violet, James, Eryn, and Mark. Rounding out her supporters were all the female members of Team Madison: Madison, Suzie, Lauren, Samantha, and Jessica, bringing it to a grand total of 16.

Louis's group consisted of the remaining 7, including all of Team Sahara: John, Isaiah, Anna, Mary, and Nicole. The sole dissenting member of Team Madison, Ethan, was also surprisingly on his side. Lastly was Jennifer, the only person who did not compete in the season who wasn't supporting Rachael.

"Alright! Let's get a little taste of the general consensus now before we begin." Chef declared. "Obviously, Rachael is going into this with the larger support group. Let's find out why. Several are obvious, such as her boyfriend Mark and best friend Violet, but let's take a look at some of the others. Jeremy, Josh, and the rest of ya'll who weren't in this season: Why Rachael?"

Jeremy stepped forward to give the opinion with a shrug. "What can I say? I, of course, was in a strong alliance with her. Besides that, I guess, it's the fact that most of us simply don't know the other guy. I'm sure he's an alright person, but we know Rachael already as a kind, loving, friendly girl who deserves this win. So I guess 'originals' gotta stick together."

"Very well. It goes without saying why everyone else on Team Victory II supports her. Team Madison lackeys! What about you?"

"What can I say?" Madison returned. "Girl power."

A series of glares in her direction before Chef continued by clearing his throat.

"Very well. Louis, newcomer! Sadly to say, you're in the minority here. Only 7 people support you. It's quite obvious that everyone else on your team should support you, but let's take a look at the other two. Ethan! You two were bitter rivals towards the end there. And now you're supporting him?"

Ethan grinned at Louis. "Well, Chef. For all that we did in fighting for numerous wins…for all the blows that were exchanged, all the insults we threw back and forth…I have to give him credit as a strong competitor. And, of course, he beat me in three challenges, two of them due to his own cleverness. I must give credit where credit is due to the man who took me down more than once."

He then gave a firm nod to Louis, who returned it after a pause of uncertainty.

"And Jennifer? Though I think we…hee-hee…already know the reason."

"Of course. I don't know this guy very well, but you know how wonderfully of a note Rachael and I left off on in the last season. Like I'll ever support her for anything ever again."

She then sneered at Rachael, who turned away sharply.

"Ah. So one person supports him despite their bitter rivalry…and the other supports him because of another bitter rivalry. Sweet, sweet irony!"

He then turned back to the final two.

"Very well! We have our teams, and we have our final two! It's now time to introduce you to your final task today! As you may have noticed, it's taking place in none other than the birthplace of our show: Toronto, Ontario! Located in the greatest country on earth, Canada!"

"BOOOOOOO-YEAAAAAAAH!" Ethan cheered from behind.

"It is here where the concept began all those years ago…and it's here where the show will end. But your task is not an easy one. You will both start with a simple footrace from the beginning of the central runway of this airport, all the way down to the waterfront. There you will find two inflatable rafts that must be blown up manually…after you'll both be gasping for breath from the marathon! HAHA!"

Both contestants grumbled at this prospect.

"Anyway. You two will inflate the rafts, then use a single wooden oar to paddle to the shore. Each oar has a piece of paper taped to it, which you are not to read until you are finished inflating your rafts. Once you do, you will read the papers which contain clues to the next location you must go to, located somewhere in this great big city.

"Once you reach said location, you should find another clue which will direct you to your final destination, also somewhere here in this city. Unlike the first clue, the second clue will direct you both to the same location…provided you both can figure it out. From that second location, you will have one final, very dangerous task to pull off, culminating in a very brief and very intense race once more to the finish line…which is, shall we say…never in one place, hee-hee!

"I'm sure you both have a lot of questions, since I wasn't very specific. But that was the point! You will both have to figure out a lot of the challenge as you go, but all will be definitely answered with each location you reach.

"So, with no questions, you two can take up your positions at the beginning of the runway, down that way!"

He pointed down the massive, light-gray runway that stretched across the entire island it was situated on.

"And we'll begin the challenge in five minutes!"

Author's Note: Short chapter? Absolutely. But it serves its purpose: It reintroduces all of the past contestants (whom we may see more from in the next few chapters) and sets up this monumental final task.

And, in case any of you were wondering: These first few parts are not, in any way, shape, or form whatsoever, affected by the outcome of the vote. This is all as it was meant to be regardless of who will win. The changes as a result of the vote will only be obvious at the very end of the final chapter.

Tune in for Part II, coming soon!