Author's Note~
FINAL THREE TIME, MOTHER-
Delta: CENSORSHIP! I mean...Mothership is what he was going to say...Hehe...
...Sure...Let's go with that.
Delta: After this episode our final three will go down to the final two...Who will win and who will you all root for? Find out...This episode.
...Wooo...
Gareth opened his eyes, blinking when he was suddenly inside of a room with various posters and toys scattered around, before he sat up, looking around in confusion, "Hey...This is my room...What am I doing here? I should be inside of the cabin..."
He shrugged, getting out of the bed and walking around the room, observing the area, before turning the television on, "Well...I'm sure this is all just a bad dream...Yeah, no way I can be home instead of competing for money."
The Luxio's eyes widened when he heard screaming, before he quickly rushed to the door, only to stop upon hearing noises on the other side. He pressed his ear to the door, listening in on an old woman's voice, "Ray, I think our son is amazing now."
The lion blinked at the voice, before smiling widely, "Momma!"
His ears twitched slightly when he heard another voice, "No, he's acting like a fool."
Gareth shivered slightly at the voice, "A-And dad?"
The mother's voice growled, "What are you talking about? Gareth is acting so sweet and innocent, and he's actually trying to make friends now-"
"He's stupid! He's a joke and he's ruining our good image! You were even telling me how he almost drank a bottle of soap!"
The Luxio flinched at the words, as the mother stuttered, "S-So he's a little slow now, he's just recovering from the accident-"
"It's been four months...That's enough time to recover. Let's face it, he's not the same boy we once had...He's a stranger."
The mother growled, "So he's acting differently...I still see no issue. He's changed in a positive way, and regardless of how he acts he's still our son!"
Gareth blinked at the silence, gulping slightly as he moved his paw to open the door, stopping when he heard the other voice say, "He's your problem now. I'm done with both of you."
His eyes widened at the words, flinching slightly when he heard a loud smash along with his mother's cries. He sat in front of the door in shock, before he stared down at the floor, "...I...I'm the reason why dad never came back? I'm the reason why mom is so sad now...I-It's my fault…"
"So now you can finally see the despair you've caused?"
The Luxio slowly turned around, letting out a shaky sigh when he noticed the familiar Luxray, "I...I didn't mean to...H-Honest, I just...I was just being normal! I didn't know I did this…"
He growled, "That doesn't matter, Gareth, because that doesn't change the fact that had you just let me live my life, I would have-"
Gareth gritted his teeth, "You would have what? You would have stayed inside your room, alone and miserable while I would stay stuck in that void of darkness! Nothing would have changed except for the fact both of us would be miserable! You don't scare me anymore...I'm not going back, because I'm going to stay and live my life the way I want to!"
Gein flinched at this, before growling, "...This is my life...And I will take it back!"
The Luxio frowned at his words, before narrowing his eyes, "Well I'm not going to lose it...Not when I have so much to look forward to now!"
Inside of the mess hall, Zetsu was staring down at his cup of coffee, before taking a sip of it, "I can do this...I made it this far, and if I can survive this, then I can survive the next one...Then I can win, then I can live comfortably with Tempest...Well, as comfortably as possible…"
He placed the cup down, looking up slightly, "I still can't believe that this is almost over...I can't believe that a simple prank from my coworkers actually turned out to be the best thing that could have ever happened to me...Huh...It's funny how the universe works."
The Larvesta stared down at his cup, before letting out a deep breath, "I made it this far, so I'm going to work hard to win and make Tempest proud! I will prove to everyone out there who ever doubted me or called me weak, that I am just as strong by myself as I am with my friends! And when I win, then I will just prove that I'm not the same guy you can just step on!"
He began to smile brightly as he stood up straighter, "I'm going to actually have a happier life now, and nothing is going to take that away from me!"
The bug blinked when he heard the chef yell, "Hey! Stop talking to yourself and finish up! I would like some alone time!"
Zetsu's eyes widened, before he quickly ran out of the mess hall, "S-Sorry!"
Nazira was currently floating inside of her trailer, reading one of the many books that had come with the reward, before breathing in, and placing it down, as she began to stare at the wall for a moment, "...Okay...Only three of us left...Almost hard 'ta believe I've gotten 'dis far…"
She continued to stare at the wall for a moment, before narrowing her eyes, "...I need 'ta win 'dis...I have 'ta many people 'dat I need to pay back for my mistakes...A lot of people are gonna be relyin' on 'dis money when 'da game is over, and in 'da end, it'll be one me if I'm unable 'ta save 'dem…"
The Mismagius growled to herself for a moment, before stating, "And if 'dose two are gonna get in my way of makin' 'dings right again...Well, 'den 'dey have anotha' 'ding comin' 'deir way instead of a cold hundred thousand. I ain' gonna be lettin' my guard down from now on, so if 'dey wanna ruin 'dis for me, 'den 'dey sure as hell ain' gonna be doin' 'dat without gettin' some scars in 'da process."
She began to float out of the trailer, a look of hollow determination on her face, "...I promised myself in 'da past 'dat I'd neva' resort 'ta 'dat eva' 'gain...But I might jus' have 'ta break some codes of mine if it means 'dat it'll fix all 'dis crap 'dat's goin' on...Look out 'ya two, cause Nazira ain' losin', and no opinions, feelins', or anythin' will stop me from doing what I have 'ta…"
The contestants were called out to the flagpole as they stood in silence, awaiting the hosts to arrive. After a few minutes, Amber walked towards them, "Good morning final three, I do hope you aren't too nervous for what you're about to go through, because after today one of you will leave and then we'll have our final two."
Nazira rolled her eyes, "We're already aware…'Doe I gotta admit," she glanced at Zetsu, "'Ya look oddly calm for a guy who's girlfriend left a few days ago. I'd have 'dought 'dat 'ya would be freakin' out over bein' in 'da final few playa's."
Zetsu shrugged with a smile, "I can't freak out right now...I have to focus on winning for my girl...Then I can freak out when I'm done."
She smirked, "Huh, guess I can respect 'dat on some level, even 'doe 'ya ain' gonna win."
He gave her a look, "We'll see, because when I'm done winning I'll come back to you and tell you how wrong you...Okay, I'm terrible at trash talk."
Gareth glanced over at them with an uninterested expression, "Hey, can you two just stop...I'd like to listen to what the challenge is and just do it."
The Larvesta blinked, "...Um...Okay, but I'm surprised you're not grinning with glee right now, Gareth."
The Luxio flinched, before sighing, "There's nothing to be grinning about right now...I just want the day to end."
Nazira gave him a look, "Um...Okay 'den."
Amber rose a brow, before shrugging, "Anyways, return your attention back to me, because Logan and I made some special arrangements for you three before we begin your challenge."
Gareth lifted his head up slightly, "S-Special arrange-"
The Glaceon cut him off with a glare, "Yes, special arrangements. We talked to some people who are rooting for you, and we got them on video, and because we're nice...We're going to show you those videos." She clapped her hands, watching as Tyson pulled out a small television.
Zetsu's eyes widened, "W-Wait...We're really going to see the people who're rooting for us?"
The hostess deadpanned, "Obviously." She patted the television, before glancing over at the three, "So...Who wants to watch first?"
All three of them were silent for a moment, before Gareth sighed, "I...I guess I'll go."
It was silent for a moment, before Amber glanced at the other two, "...Anybody but him?" She sighed when they said nothing, before nodding, "Okay, looks like we'll be starting with Gareth."
Chef Tyson nodded, powering on the television, before pounding on it to stop the static, smirking when a screen pops up. Soon after, Juvia's face popped up on the screen, a smile on it, as she said in the video, "Hello Gareth!"
Gareth's eyes widened as a small smile came to his face, "J-Juvia!"
The video began to continue, with the Shuppet saying, "I'm so happy that you've been able to make it so far on your own! You've really proven to everyone you didn't just make it here on luck...Well in my eyes at least," she let out a quick giggle, before continuing, "Just know that me and the friends you made on the island are rooting for you!" She moved the camera slightly, showing Isabel and Kanaya cuddling on the couch, before they began to wave at the camera.
The Luxio gasped, "I-Isabel and Kanaya too! T-They're really...They're rooting for me…"
The Shuppet moved the camera back into place, before she continued, "We're wishing you the best Gareth, and we can't wait to see you again. You've been an amazing person towards all of us, showing kindness to us without question, and now it's time for us to give you some back. From your pudding pal to you, good luck Gar!" She continued to smile, before the screen went back to static.
Gareth sniffled softly, before wiping a stray tear from his eyes, "T-That really helped me out...T-Thank you so much, Juvia...I'll make you all proud! I promise!" He suddenly frowned, "If only Violet was in there…"
As he finished saying this, a second video began to play, showing Violet staring at the camera with her usual uncaring look...Before a soft smile began to form on her face, "Hey Gareth."
The lion blushed slightly, "V-Violet…"
The Meowstic let out a sigh, before saying, "Look, we both know I'm not really the best when it comes down to expressing my feelings. Never has been a strong suit of mine. I wanted to just be in the first video with everyone else, but the others talked me into giving you a separate video, so…" She began to blush slightly.
His eyes widened slightly, "Oh my god...S-She's...She's acting so cute..."
The cat glanced away from the camera for a moment, before slowly saying, "I'm...I'm rooting for you I guess, and…" She facepalmed, "God, I'm making a fool of myself again thanks to this show...Joy. But really Gareth...I've missed you for a long time, and...I can't wait to see you again after you've won...And please be safe while on the show, I don't want to see anything happen to you…"
Gareth smiled softly at the screen, before letting out a soft sigh, "...I'll win this for you, Violet...I promise when we see each other again, I'll be able to give you the biggest of thanks."
The third and last video suddenly came on, as an unfamiliar Luxray gave the camera a half-hearted wave, "Hey Gareth."
The Luxio's eyes widened in surprise as he whispered, "M-Momma…"
The woman in the video let out a sigh, "When you told me you signed up for this 'super amazing show', I thought you were just joking around, and if you weren't I didn't think you of all people would have been chosen to go, but looks like I was wrong. I also didn't think you'd last a full day, but I was wrong once again...You have a habit of proving me wrong."
He blinked, before looking down, "...M-Mom…"
The Luxray glanced off to the side, "Regardless...I'm hoping you win, Gareth. I want you to win, because even though we seemed to have drifted apart over the past few years...We are still family, and I do hope you can move out and spread your wings instead of depending on me. Good luck, son." After that, the screen went back to static.
The group stared at the screen, as Gareth was silent for a moment, before a small smile appeared on his face, "...Thank you mom...Thank you everyone...This...This really helped me realize just why I'm needed here..."
Amber nodded at him, before glancing over to the other two, "Any volunteers?"
Zetsu backed away, "Ladies first…"
Nazira deadpanned, "Wow, what a gentleman," rolling her eyes, she shrugged as she approached the TV, "Sure, whateva', all go I guess."
The television screen suddenly came on with a familiar Ninetales staring at it, before she gave it a smile, "Hello Nazira, it's no surprise you're still there, and it's good to talk to you again...Even if it's just through this video message, and I can't physically see...Anyways."
The Mismagius' eyes widened slightly upon seeing the fox, but began to slowly smile, "Huh...Nice 'ta see 'ya too, Cyn."
Cynthia let out a small sigh, before speaking, "I can't wait to see you win this, because I have no doubt you will, and when you do win, then that means you can treat everyone to some pizza, and maybe we can get them to make a pumpkin pizza...That doesn't sound good...I'm acting so awkward right now, I'm sorry."
The ghost let out a chuckle, "Honestly by 'dis point I've gotten used 'ta it on some level."
The fox bit her lip, before staring at the screen, "Good luck though, Nazira...I know you don't need it, but I'm just going to say this again...I'm rooting for you, as well as the others, and um…" She blushed slightly, before glancing away, "...I-It's nothing, just...Be strong out there, and I'll see you again soon!"
She rose a brow at the ending slightly, before shrugging, "Eh, maybe she's unda' stress or somethin'."
As she said this, the second video quickly started up, showing a certain Ninjask, who began to wave happily at the camera, "Hey everyone, long time no see! Also, um...Sorry Zetsu, they'd only let me send a video to one person and the others already called you anyways, so...No hard feelings!"
The Larvesta blinked, before shrugging, "Eh...I understand completely."
Nedrick chuckled nervously to himself, before saying, "Anyways, back to the topic...Hey Nazira, good to see that you're still in the game," he smirked, "Even if I probably would have beaten you had I not been mauled." He chuckled, "No but seriously, it's amazing to know that you've done so well in this game! I've been watching you from this place, and I can see how hard you're trying." He suddenly blushed, "N-Not that I've been watching the game just for you, I just mean that...Um...You know you've just done so well and you always so strong during the challenge-" He blushed even harder, "I mean that...You know what, forget it, I'm just digging a deeper hole."
Nazira couldn't stop herself from allowing a soft look to form, as the TV continued, "So yeah...Good luck Nazira. You deserve the money, and if you lose, at least it'll be a learning experience...N-Not that I think you're gonna lose-"
The screen went to static, as Chef Tyson deadpanned, "Jeez, why are we using this piece of junk when you bought brand new flat screens last week?"
Amber waved him off, "Oh, we sold those after that challenge...I bought some brand new scarves." She blinked at his look, "...What? I need to prepare for autumn."
The Tyranitar rolled his eyes, before shaking the small screen once more, grumbling to himself, "Yeah, yeah...Whatever."
The third video began to play for a moment, showing a Dewott staring at the screen. He said nothing, but was oddly smirking, before giving the camera a peace sign. Almost instantly afterwards, the screen went to static. Both Gareth and Zetsu gave the screen a confused look, but Nazira...Her face was one of incomparable shock, as she floated backwards for a moment, "No way...He's…"
Amber rose a brow, "Are you okay?"
She blinked, before sighing, "'Yah...Jus' fine...Now I know somethin' isn' 'ta late…"
The hostess stared at her, before shrugging as she looked over at Zetsu, "Well, you're next for your videos."
The firebug nodded, "O-Okay...I'm...I'm ready."
The first video quickly started up soon after, revealing an Araquanid, who smiled as he waved at the camera, "Hey Zetsu, how's it going dude?"
Zetsu smiled at the familiar face, "Alfred!"
Alfred continued, "For me, things have been pretty okay. Admittedly haven't really been doing much over here, and sadly haven't really been as lucky as you or Ned in the love department, but hey, I've been managing. Not gonna lie, kinda bet some money that you'd win, so...Yeah…"
The bug's eyes widened, "W-Wait...Why would you do that?!"
The spider chuckled, "It wasn't a lot though, so...Anyways, I'm rooting for you dude, and after the game, make sure to send me a message sometime so we can grab something to eat or...I don't know. I'm not really used to having friends. Either way, best of luck dude." The screen went to static.
He stared at the screen, before smiling softly, "Don't worry dude...We'll stay in touch…Thanks for rooting for me."
As he said this, the second video began revealing a confused spider, "How does this device work? Tempest see blinking red light, but see nothing else of how this possibly record message for grand fire knight."
Zetsu smiled brightly, "T-Tempest! Oh my god, she actually sent me a video without destroying the camera!" The rest of the people around him began to give him a look, before he deadpanned, "...What?"
Tempest turned back towards the camera with a confident look, "Anyways, from this location Tempest is not fully aware of due to its size, Tempest is wishing Zetsu the most luck possible for his victory! Tempest has help to train you whole game, so you are very strong in many a way by this point! You shall destroy your competition and reap the endless rewards given to you afterwards!"
The Larvesta nodded at her words with his own look of confidence, "Y-Yeah! I'll do all that and more, Tempest! I'm going to win and show just how strong I really am!"
Soon after, the Joltik smiled, "Anyways Zetsu, Tempest most go destroy the neighboring population of plankton, so she must bid you the fairest of fair-wells for now! Tempest will see you again upon your amazing victory! Love you!"
The second video went to static, as Zetsu blushed brightly, "W-Wait...L-Love? She said she loves me! She actually said it!"
Nazira gave him a look, "Well, 'ya are datin', so-"
The bug let out a happy sigh, "Y-Yeah but...Coming from her it's...Magical."
As he said this, a third video came on, and to the Larvesta's surprise...It was his office. The only difference was that all of his coworkers were now inside of it holding drinks and cheering upon the camera starting up, with all of them screaming at once, "Zetsu!"
Zetsu's eyes widened, "W-Wait...That's my job...Those are my coworkers...My boss is there...They're cheering for me?!"
At the front of the group, a Mightyena deadpanned, "Not gonna lie, when we first sent you on the show, we all made bets about how long you'd last. The highest one was a week, tops."
Nearby, a Nidoking chuckled, "But look at us idiots now! You've somehow made it all the way to the final three, and from what we've seen, you might have actually grown some balls as well!"
A large section of the workers vocally laughed at this, before a Beedrill smirked, "And along with that, you actually got a girlfriend, you sly dog! We literally never thought you had it in 'ya!"
Nearby, a Beheeyem gave him a look, "That's not the proper use of the word, 'literally'. Nobody uses that word correctly."
The Larvesta stared at the screen, a small smile on his face as he let out a chuckle, "Those guys never change...But wow...It feels like it's been forever since I seen them…"
As he said this, a Zangoose approached the front of the group, sipping a glass of wine with a smirk, before clearing his voice, "I must say Zetsu, you have surprised us all. If you have done anything besides somehow survive that show, it has been earning our respects. And for now, we all shall be rooting for you. Good luck old chap."
In the back, a Luvdisc screamed, "Cheers for Zetsu, mates!" Upon saying this, a loud sound of applause and screaming broke out, with the entire office with the exception of the Zangoose beginning to chant the Larvesta's name, before the screen went to black.
Zetsu smiled at the screen, before nodding, "Wow...I'm...I'm going to win it...I know it...Thank you guys…"
Amber let out a slow whistle, "Wow...You three must have a boost in confidence now after seeing all those videos. And with that, I say it's about time to discuss the next challenge." She turned and walked away from them with a small smile, "Just follow me to the stage, then all will be explained."
Gareth stared at the camera, before smiling softly, "You know...I was really doubting myself after everything I saw and what Gein said, but after hearing from Juvia, Violet, and even mom...I know that I deserve a place in this world. I know that after this show I'll have a life…"
He gave the camera a determined expression, "And I'm not going to let Gein take it from me."
Nazira breathed in for a moment, before giving the camera a confident smirk, "...I know now 'dat I can still make 'dings right with 'da person I hurt 'da most, so from this point forward, ain' nothin' standin' in my way of winnin' 'dat hundred thousand!"
Zetsu let out a happy sigh, "Wow...I wasn't expecting all those nice words...It was great hearing from my old coworkers, Alfred, and especially Tempest...Knowing that they're rooting for me, I just know that I can't lose. I'm going to win this thing!"
The players sat in front of the stage, staring at the hostess as she walked next to something that was hidden under a white sheet, "Hello final three, and welcome to your next challenge...A challenge that will involve a treasure hunt!"
Gareth gasped, "T-Treasure! We're going to look for actual treasure?!"
Amber deadpanned, "No. This challenge actually has a little twist, because in this treasure hunt you aren't looking for treasure...And what you're looking for isn't hidden at all."
Zetsu rose a brow, "If we aren't looking for treasure, then why are you calling it a treasure hunt?"
The Glaceon smiled, "Because you'll be searching for keys to unlock," she grabbed the sheet, pulling it off to reveal multiple chests, "These treasure chests! Some contain goodies, others contain nothing, and two contain your invincibility and ticket into the finale."
Nazira rose a brow, "So wait, we're jus' gonna be runnin' 'round like a bunch of morons on some wild goose chase jus' so we can find some keys?"
The hostess hummed, "As amusing as that would be...You will all be given clues to the whereabouts to the keys." She gestured to a bucket with various wooden slabs inside, "That bucket will contain various clues on where to find various keys."
The players glanced at the bucket, before Zetsu looked up, "...So can we just get them now?"
She rolled her eyes, "Yeah, go crazy and pick out your first clues."
The three quickly went over to the bucket, with Gareth quickly taking out his first clue, only for a look of confusion to come onto his face from a picture of a Skuntank, "Uh...My key is with a...Skunk?"
Amber deadpanned, "No...It's on a bird." She facepalmed at his look, "...Skunk hole Gareth...It's in one of the many skunk holes here."
He blinked, before smiling, "Cool!"
"No, not cool! Not cool at all! We have to get our key from inside the home of a wild Pokemon that might-"
The Luxio grumbled to himself, "Stop talking. I can handle this."
Nazira gave the lion a look, before grabbing her own clue with her ghostly energy, only to deadpan, "...A stick...My clue is with a stick of all 'dings."
Amber gave her a look, "Excuse you, but that is a tree branch. That key is hidden among of the many tree branches here on the island...Good luck."
She growled, before groaning, "'Dis challenge is so dumb."
The ghost began to float away, while Zetsu picked up his clue, blinking, "A circle with...Some stuff on it?"
The Glaceon groaned, "That's supposed to be a fire hoop. You have to go through our dangerous hoop of flames to retrieve your key."
He smirked, "That's it? I can actually handle that! Now...Where is it?"
Amber shrugged, "Anyways, you are each allowed only one clue at a time. Once you have opened a chest that did not have the invincibility, then you can help yourself to the next clue. Any questions?" None of the three said a thing, as the hostess smiled, "Alright, then get to work and good luck!"
Gareth was looking around the forest for any signs of a skunk hole, before peering down under a rock with a small hum, placing the rock back down as he looked around the area, "No holes filled with skunks yet…"
"That's not how a skunk hole works-"
The lion growled, "Shut up, Gein! I need to focus on the challenge on my own, because so many people are counting on me to win...I have to do this!"
"And you're gonna do this without knowing what the hell you're even looking for?"
He blinked, before shrugging weakly, "W-Well...It's a hole...With a skunk...Right?"
"...Okay, look, we are screwed if you do not let me-"
The Luxio shook his head, "No, no, no! I got this far without you, so I can get further without you too! Just go away, Gein!"
"That isn't happening any time soon Gareth. I want to win this just as much as you."
Gareth growled, "Why? So you can be rich after you try to take over, or-"
"So I can get the two of us separated you dolt, so I'd never have to deal with your insufferable personality ever again!"
He blinked in confusion, before sitting down, "Wait...Separated...You can do that?"
"I don't know. I'm smarter than you, but considering how little I've seen of the outside world due to having to rely on you for sight, I'm not entirely sure. All I know is that if we win this, I can have this body back, you can get...Whatever the hell kind of body you're into, I can go back to my family, and you can go off with those pathetic morons you call friends."
The Luxio blinked, before his eyes widened, "H-Hey! Don't you dare call my friends pathetic or morons! They are the smartest people ever!"
"...Not much competition compared to who you've met."
Gareth gritted his teeth, "Well when we win this, I'll look for the answers on how to separate us. With Violet and Juvia's help, I'm sure we can find something...Because I don't trust you."
"Don't care, now just let me help us-"
The lion stood up, walking ahead with a growl, "Nein! I can handle this on my own, so just...Stay quiet!"
"Not happening."
Nazira was currently floating out in the woods, notably closing in on some of the larger branches in the area whenever she saw them in the hope that she'd be able to find one sturdy enough to support a key. However, to her frustration and annoyance, she hadn't been able to find a thing so far, with none of the branches she had inspected allowing any kind of easy way of supporting anything of any weight.
As she floated around, she groaned, "God, why 'da hell would she make 'dese freakin' hints so easy to mess up exactly? Seriously, 'dere are hundreds of trees out here, and I'm jus' expected 'ta find 'da single one 'dat would jus' so happen 'ta have 'da-"
Her eyes widened upon noticing her key, currently hung around the highest branch of a notably decayed tree. She stared at it for a moment, before smirking to herself, "Huh...Spoke 'ta soon I guess. 'Dis ended up bein' a lot easier 'den I thought it'd be."
Chuckling to herself, she began to float up towards the top of the rotten tree, progressively getting closer and closer as she smiled to herself, "'Dat's it, jus' a little mor-"
She stopped herself from continuing however, as she noticed an Emolga now having landed on the branch, as she mumbled, "...Oh crap."
The Emolga began to sniff at the key, before a look of confusion began to form on it's face. As it did this, the Mismagius nervously chuckled, "Hey 'dere little guy, don' touch 'dat 'ding now...I sorta need it, and-" The flying squirrel picked up the key, causing the ghost's eyes to widen, "...Don'...'Ya...'Dere-"
The squirrel dropped the key, causing the ghost to quickly speed after the key, not wanting it out of her sight in case it somehow managed to land somewhere hard, as she screamed, "I'm gonna get 'ya for 'dat, squirrely!"
Zetsu was staring at the large hoop in front of him, staring at the large flames surrounding it as a small golden key dangled in the middle. He let out a small breath, before smiling, "Okay, I can do this...It's fire, it's basically like...Like home."
He let out another breath, before running up towards the hoop, letting out a battle cry of sorts, before tripping over a rock, "...Darn it…"
The Larvesta sat up, before blinking, "Oh wait...I can just climb up there." He walked towards the hoop, jumping up on it, before keeping himself steady, looking up at the dangling key as he reached his arm up, flinching when he couldn't reach it, "...Of course I can't reach…"
He continued to try and reach up for it, groaning slightly as he leaned against the flames. He stared up at the key, before shooting a string shot up at it, groaning when it catches on fire, "...That plan failed."
Zetsu stared up at the key, glaring at it slightly, before he let out another groan, slamming his head against the flaming hoop as he muttered, "...I thought this would be easy!"
Poking his head out from a bush, a certain Luxio stared at a small hole on the side of a boulder, before whispering to himself, "This is the seventh hole I've seen...This has to be where the skunk sleeps."
"Maybe this time you should actually check to see if anything is living inside-"
The lion growled lowly, before walking towards the hole, "I said stop talking to me-" He stopped himself, flinching at a sudden smell within the area, before quickly walking back to the bush, "...Found it."
"Okay, good, now all you have to do is-"
He suddenly held his breath, before charging himself towards the hole, "Charge!" He suddenly slammed his head against the side of the boulder, before sliding down with a grown, "Ahh...That didn't work too well."
"How about you actually listen to me? I have a plan!"
Gareth sat up, rubbing his head with a flinch as he grumbled, "Fine...What's this plan of yours?"
"Collect some water into a concentrated amount and drown the thing out of the cave. Afterwards, just grab it. If the thing tried to retaliate, electrocute it while it's still drenched."
He blinked, before tapping his chin, "Huh...That might work...Okay! I'll do it!"
Nazira was now floating back to camp, an annoyed look on her face, before noticing a large number of chests in front of the campfire pit. Raising a brow, she approached them with her key, before deadpanning, "I'm gonna have 'ta check every single one of 'dese until I eventually unlock one, huh?"
After receiving no answer, she groaned, "Yep…'Dought so."
Zetsu was shaking the hoop with a growl, "Come down here you stupid key!" He groaned, placing his head against it once more, before sighing, "...Don't panic...I got this...I got this!"
He suddenly stood up straighter, before letting out a battle cry, allowing multiple flames to spout from his horns, narrowing his eyes at the key with determination. After a few seconds, he fired multiple blasts of fire at the key, before smiling as it falls down in front of him, as he cheered, "I did it!"
The bug picked up the key with a smile, before hopping off the hoop, whistling to himself as he headed back to the campfire pit, "Now to just open up a chest with this key, hope that I somehow get the invincibility right away, and forget about how much of an idiot I am for not thinking of blasting the thing down earlier…"
Gareth was bringing over a bucket of water, before glancing down at the hole. He lifted up the bucket, before pouring it down the hole, taking a step back once a large Skuntank emerged. He flinched at the larger Pokemon, before quickly releasing a large amount of electricity at the skunk, watching as it let out a scream, before running off. His eyes widened as he watched it run away, before smiling to himself, "Wow...It worked!"
"No duh it worked, I'm the one who actually came up with the idea."
He huffed, before moving an arm down the hole, pulling up a small golden key, "W-Well...I actually had to deal with it, so...Yeah!" He grinned as he held up the key, "Now we- I have the key!"
"You know, if we actually worked together, we might just finish this before the other two."
The Luxio's eyes widened, "R-Really...We'd be in the final two...We could win the show! Violet, mom, and Juvia will be so proud of me!"
"Well, mother will be proud of me. I am her real kid after all."
The lion blinked, before looking down, "...Oh yeah...W-Well, I'll still have Violet and Juvia!"
"Just start making your way back to camp already."
Back at the campfire pit, Nazira and Zetsu were still trying to get their chests open, but were having some difficulties to say the least. They had both already checked a handful of chests, but seemed to be getting the worst luck in terms of actually unlocking a chest.
Zetsu poked his key at one of the chests, before deadpanning, "...Nothing. Oh great, this is going to take forever!"
Nazira growled, "Hey, I've had 'ta deal with 'dis for longa', so don' 'ya dare complai-" As she said this, a click sound could be heard, causing her to blink, before looking down at the chest. She smirked, "Freakin' finally."
She opened the chest...Only for her smirk to quickly turn into a frown, as she looked down at what looked like a t-shirt, which had a black color with red text reading 'I Survived Total Drama Island'. She blinked, before growling, "Lousy waste of time!"
The Larvesta chuckled as he continued to try and open the chests around him, "Hey, at least you got one open, so you can go to the next one."
She rolled her eyes as she floated towards the bucket, plucking out a wooden slab, that had a picture of an Arbok on it, "...Great, I gotta deal with a snake...Wonderful." She began to float off without a second thought.
Zetsu was about to respond, only to stop when he heard a click as he grinned, "Let's see the invinc-" He deadpanned as he held up bag of chips and a chocolate bar, "...Junk food...Exactly what I wanted." He dropped the snacks off to the side, before walking over to the bucket, "Well, time to get a new one."
As he said this, a certain Luxio ran towards the chests, key in his mouth as he stopped in front of the first one he saw, "Hey, I got my key!"
The Larvesta was digging around the clue bucket, before chuckling, "Yeah, it'll take you awhile to-"
A click was heard as Gareth gasped, before pulling out a silver toaster, "A toaster! Oh man, I've been wanting one of these ever since the last one exploded!"
Zetsu's eye twitched slightly, grumbling to himself, "Abnormal luck…" He pulled out a clue, glancing down at it, before groaning, "...Why is there a picture of two Feraligatr?"
"Ha, that poor fool got stuck with the gator pond. That fool is basically screwed."
Gareth made a face as he walked towards the bucket, watching as the larva walked away, "You shouldn't talk like that...He's a nice guy, even if he's targeted me, called me dumb, tricked me into eating gum and bugs...Where was I going with this?"
"You were talking about how awful of a person the bug is."
He blinked while moving a hand in the bucket, "I think he's a nice guy, even if he's targe-" He stopped himself, before pulling out a clue that had a picture of a toilet, "...What's this?"
"...That's the septic tank...For the washrooms…"
The Luxio whistled, "Whoa...I feel bad for Zetsu, we're getting easy ones! This one is just inside the washroom?"
"No, you don't get it...It's basically inside the pipes of the washrooms...Where all of the…"
Gareth looked confused, before shrugging as he trotted towards his destination, "Stop worrying, Gein! We got this, as long as we use the power of friendship! Oh wait...We aren't friends...Well, we can still do this!"
Nazira was now floating into the clearing, where she soon found a large Arbok, which was completely wrapped around a key, which hung around the snake's neck as if it were some kind of special necklace. She breathed in a moment, before letting out a groan, "Well…'Dis ain' gonna be any fun at all."
She began to growl as she approached the snake, which on instinct quickly coiled up into a defensive position, hissing at her. The ghost stared at it for a moment, before giving it a glare, "Oh please, 'dat don' scare me at all 'ya big boneless freak of a beast!"
The Arbok flinched at this, as it rose a brow, before the Mismagius continued, "Seriously, I've dealt with baby bears 'dat are scarier 'den 'ya, and along with 'dat, no reasonably dangerous creature would actually take care of 'deir scales like 'ya. Seriously, 'ya look like some preppy mamma's boy who ain' ever seen a bath in his life, but tries 'ta compensate by rubbin' all kinds of nasty stuff on 'yaself jus' 'ta make 'ya seem presentable."
The snake began to slowly slither away, before it was suddenly pushed down to the ground and then dragged back by ghostly energy, being forced in front of the ghost, as she growled, "Okay, hold up, did I say 'ya could jus' walk away, or were 'ya 'bout 'ta be a rude little sissy jus' tryin' 'ta run away from the big bad ghostie?"
It began to quickly shake it's head, before she scoffed, "'Dis is so typical of 'ya kind of 'dings, no discipline at all!" Her eyes began to glow, before she began to slam the beast into the ground over and over again, each time with her saying, "Now look at 'dat, 'ya jus' gonna let me do 'dat 'ta 'ya with no fight at all? I would have 'dought somethin' as big as 'ya would actually try 'ta put up a fight, but here 'ya are jus' lettin' me push 'ya 'round like 'da big baby 'ya really are unda' all 'dose scales!"
The Arbok began to whimper slightly, as Nazira rolled her eyes, floated over and tore the key off the snake's neck, "'Yah, tip for next time, why don' 'ya actually try usin' 'dose big teeth of 'ya's 'ta actually attack me."
She began to float away, before the snake growled, pushing itself off the ground and launching at the ghost...Only to be held in place a moment, as the ghost deadpanned, "Did I say 'dat 'ya could use it on me, 'doe?"
Zetsu walked in front of a large pond, gulping slightly at the sight of two large Feraligatrs wrestling with each other, before he let out a sigh, "N-No need to panic...I can do this...S-So what if those things are bigger than me, stronger than me, and have the ability to blast me away with water...Nothing to panic over."
His eyes widened when he noticed one of them had the key dangling around its neck, before he paled, "...Oh god...This may actually be my biggest challenge yet."
The firebug shook his head, "No! I can't think like that, I need to figure out a way to get that key without resorting to violence, but...The question is how…"
He pondered to himself, before his eyes suddenly widened, "I got it!" He quickly ran off back to camp.
Gareth was standing inside the washrooms, looking around the mess, before tilting his head, "...I don't see the key anywhere...Is this the only washroom here?"
"You moron, I already told you. It isn't above, it's below, it the pipes!"
He blinked, before humming, "But...I can't fit in the pipes...And I'm not good with tools...I think. I mean, I somehow used them to make a bike."
"Actually, I made that."
The lion's eyes widened, "W-Wait...You made the bike? But...How?"
"Occasionally I'm able to get just far enough into your head to take control of my body temporarily. Usually I end up getting knocked right back out and having to make my way up again, but I've been able to help you decent amount in this game without you even knowing."
Gareth stood in shock, before whispering, "S-So this entire time...I haven't been doing anything by myself...I'm still relying on someone to help...And oh god, did you actually steal Violet's head?!"
"...What, no, that actually was you...Yeah..."
He blinked, "...Really? I don't remember doing that...Amber told me no, so I didn't-"
"It was you and you can't prove it wasn't! What use could I possibly have for such a useless object?"
The Luxio growled, "Hey! Violet's beautiful head is not useless! It was a wooden head of hers, but still, don't ever say anything about her with the word 'useless'!"
"Whatever, let's actually get this challenge done."
Gareth pouted, before staring down at the toilet, "Um...How exactly do I get the key from down there though?"
"How about you go outside, use those paws of yours, and try to actually dig a hole."
He looked skeptical, before shrugging as he trotted outside, "Okay!"
Nazira had already arrived back at camp, where she quickly floated over to the chests and began to unlock them. The first two were unfortunately unable to open, as she growled, "Stupid keys keep on givin' me nothin' of use...'Dat snake couldn' even give me a good one."
As she grumbled, she eventually heard a clicking sound, opening up the chest to find a small package of ink pens. Blinking, she groaned, "Great, if I actually drew 'dings at all, maybe 'dose would actually be of some kinda use 'ta me. But for now...God 'dat's useless."
She floated over to the bucket, pulling out a wooden slab, to find...A picture of a chef's hat, causing her eyes to widen, "...Oh crap."
Amber was sipping her drink nearby, where she chuckled, "By the way, for legal reasons and Tyson threatening to sue, you can't hurt him, so...Good luck!"
Logan smiled, "But hey, if it makes 'ya feel any better, you can take however much food as you want from inside the kitchen...Though good luck with Tyson. He can get pretty ancy on Tuesdays for some reason. Never really know why."
The Mismagius groaned, "...I hate 'dis stupid show."
Zetsu was walking back to the pond, dragging a bag with him as he shuddered at the smell, "Oh god...I hope this actually works."
As he walked over to the pond, he let the bag go, before dumping out the large amounts of rotten and moldy food from inside, letting out a small gag, he swallowed it back, before calling out, "H-Hey! You ugly lizards! You got something that I want!"
The two Feraligatrs stopped wrestling, before turning to glare at the small bug as he whimpered, "O-Oh dear…"
Both water types quickly rushed towards him at a fast speed. As this happened, the Larvesta yelped, before shooting out a String Shot at a nearby tree, holding the other end of it as he stepped back, holding it tightly against him. He flinched when the two Feraligatrs tripped over the sticky string, falling into the pile of rotten food as they both cringed and screamed.
While they were flailing around, Zetsu quickly fired another String Shot at the key around one of the gators necks, before tugging it into his grasps, as he quickly dashed away from them, breathing heavily as he held it up with a victorious smile, "I did it! That plan actually worked! I didn't even get a single scratch on me!"
He let out a loud laugh as he continued to run, holding up the key with a large grin, "Thank you Bari for leaving that stash of food under your bed! Though on a similar level...Ew."
Gareth was digging from outside the washrooms, before climbing back up for air, letting out a small cough as his entire body was covered in mud, "This isn't working! Can't we just make the toilet explode and hope the key pops out?"
"That isn't how it'd work. It'd just cover the stall in...Ugh."
The Luxio frowned, "I don't know what to do...And I still don't know why you're so disgusted by this. I mean, it's just water."
"...Gareth...It's a toilet that a lot of horrible things from our body goes into. I refuse to dignify that question with an actual response when it's this disgustingly obvious why I'd hate to be inside a toilet."
He shuddered slightly, before cringing himself, "...Um...O-Okay...I guess I'll keep digging then."
"...Hey Gareth..."
The lion was moving his paws back down, before blinking, "Hello?"
"...What was school like?"
Gareth was silent for a moment, before smiling, "Oh, well...When I went there it was fun! The teacher let us read books, I got to make friends, and even have free food!" He suddenly frowned, "But after middle school...Mom didn't want me to go anymore, so she let me stay home and play video games..."
"...Oh...Sounds nice..."
The lion continued to dig as he rose a brow, "Why are you asking? Would you like to go to school?"
"...I...I always just wondered what it was like is all...By the time I had finally began to see how my life was running without me, it was already done with...Sometimes I just sorta wonder what my experience would have been is all..."
He frowned to himself, before glancing down, "...Gein...I'm sor-" He stopped himself upon hitting something hard, before pushing the dirt back to notice a rusty pipe, "...Is this the thing holding the key?"
"Oh my god, you actually found it!"
Gareth grinned, "Woohoo! The power of teamwork...What do I do now?"
"...Not gonna lie, didn't think that through. I guess just...Punch it."
The Luxio stared down at the pipe, before shrugging, slamming his fist over it, creating a large dent in it, before he did it again, causing it to snap in half...Causing the cat's screams to begin echoing across the forest.
Nazira was floating inside the mess hall, having just wandered into the main eating area. Glancing around and seeing nothing, she began to float inside the kitchen, where yet again, she saw nothing. Blinking, she smirked, "Huh...Looks like nobody's home."
She floated inside, as she said, "Now, 'dat's a good 'ding if 'da key is jus' inside 'dis room...But it's also a pretty terrible 'ding if it's on 'da dude himself…" She shrugged, "Eh, either way I'm findin' somethin'."
The ghost began to float around the room, before noticing the fridge was slightly cracked open. Blinking, she smiled, "Eh, wouldn' be 'dat bad 'ta see if 'da old chef made some pumpkin muffins before leavin'."
Quickly opening the fridge...She was now face to face with Chef Tyson, who was crammed inside of it and peering down at the ghost with a glare that could kill an army if it really wanted. He held a large cleaver in his hand, which he slowly raise to his face, before proceeding to lick it.
The Mismagius' pupils were shrunk, before she muttered, "...I'll jus'...Come back lata'."
She slammed the door and booked it out of the room, not even hearing the chef say one last thing, "...Oh crap, I think I cut my tongue!"
Zetsu panted a little after reaching the campfire, looking over the various chests, before groaning, "...Not this again…"
He walked over to a chest, attempting to place his key in it, before facepalming when it doesn't fit, "Yep...This is happening again...Great!"
The larva continued to look around the various chests, checking each one with no luck, before making his way to another one, placing the key inside, and smiling once he heard a click, "Yes! Please be invincib-" He stopped himself, before picking up a large replicated leg of a Lopunny, "...What the hell is this?"
Gareth poked his head up from behind him, before pointing at it, "It looks like a leg lamp."
He flinched, jumping up slightly, before staring at him, "Gareth! When did you get here?! And what is that awful smell?!"
"He should be thankful it's just the smell. I have never been more thankful that there was a lake nearby."
The Luxio gave the bug a weak smile, "W-Well...Things got a little messy with searching for my key...A-Anyways, that's a nice lamp you got there, so congrats!"
Zetsu deadpanned, "This thing is tacky, but whatever...Knowing you and your luck, you'll probably find the invincibility in your next chest...I hope not for my sake, but eh…"
He blinked, before humming as he stared at his key, "Oh yeah...I should probably use this on the chests now."
"Choose the one closest to you. Our key is shaped to fit it."
The lion looked confused, before staring over at the closest chest, placing his key inside the hole, smiling at the small click, "Oh look, it works!"
The Larvesta near him deadpanned, "Yep...Totally didn't see that coming," he shook his head, walking over to the bucket and reaching inside, before pulling out the next clue, his face paling at the picture of three sharks, "...Are you kidding me…"
As the bug was grumbling to himself, Gareth pulled out a small clear bottle, blinking as he looked it over, "...What's this? Cleaver? Is that a drink? Can I drink this?"
"...Those sick freaks made us go toilet diving for cologne."
The Luxio rose a brow, "Cologne? What's that? Is it that stuff that smells good on Amber?"
"Well, it's basically a male version of that."
He grinned, "Oh sweet! I can wear this and smell good, just like Amber!" He opened the cap, before dumping it all over his head, grinning, "Yep! It smells good!"
"...That's...Whatever, just grab the next clue."
The lion trotted over to the bucket, picking up a wooden clue, before his eyes suddenly shrunk at the picture of a large bear, "...Um…How well do you think we can fight a bear?"
"...I'm sorry, what?!"
Nazira was now on the roof of the mess hall, occasionally phasing her head through the bottom of the ceiling, glancing around the large room around her, before noticing Chef Tyson was now asleep, his key laying next to him. She smirked to herself, as she slowly began to float down to grab the key, only to be greeted with a gruff sound, causing her to flinch slightly.
Upon the Tyranitar not reacting with anymore sounds, she began to approach the key again. Once she was just close enough, she began to pick up the key with her ghostly energy, smiling to herself, as she whispered, "'Dat's right baby...Ova' here 'ta momma."
The key began to float towards the Mismagius...Before it was suddenly slammed hard onto the table, causing the ghost to flinch. She glanced up, realizing Chef Tyson was glaring at her, "...Really…" The ghost groaned vocally as she quickly phased through the wall and back outside.
Zetsu was now standing at the dock, watching as multiple Sharpedos were circling around a flattened rock, on the rock was a small golden key that glistened in the sunlight. He stared at it, before rubbing his head with a sigh, "...Okay...I need to think of something that won't get me killed…"
He suddenly jumped back when one of the Sharpedos jumps up to his face, snarling at him before landing back into the water, as the larva paled, "...Any plan that won't get me killed...Okay...L-Let's see…"
The Larvesta sat there in thought, before letting out a deep breath, "Hmm...I guess I can try distracting them, but with wha-" He stopped himself upon smelling something in the air. He slowly followed the smell into the forest, before coming across a tent, a small barbeque pit was outside with meat cooking, an intern flipping what looked to be chicken as Amber stood off to the side taking pictures of herself. He blinked, before smirking to himself, "...Perfect."
Amber hummed as she stared at the various pictures she has taken, before glancing back with a smile, "How is the chicken coo-" She blinked when she noticed a few pieces of meat were missing, as she rose her brow, "Didn't we have more on the grill?"
The intern quickly shook her head, as the hostess hummed, "...Huh...Okay, carry on." She smiled as she continued to scan through her pictures.
Gareth was slowly walking through the forest, a scared expression on his face as he whispered, "O-Okay...Um...Not sure how I can fight a bear, but...I-I'll do it! F-For the honor of my friends!"
"We're gonna die."
The lion whimpered as he stared down at the ground, "I-I can't die...There's so much I need to do still!"
"Really?! You're the one saying that to the guy has done basically nothing?!"
He flinched at his words, before suddenly stopping as he let out a sigh, "Gein...I really am sorry for what I've done...I know it's horrible, and I know how lonely that place is, but...I just had to get out…"
"...Gareth, I already know that well enough. Within only a week of being here I learned how horrible and downright traumatic this place is...But I still lost my chance to live out my own existence...Do you know what I would do if I could have my innocent childhood days back? Or be able to experience my school years? Make friends? Live...Just live..."
The Luxio frowned, before looking down, "...I'm sorry...I know I'm a horrible person for taking everything away from you…"
"...Eh, you aren't a horrible person, even if I wish I could say you are. To be honest...You're a good kid, but one whose goals simply didn't line up with mine, and I lost...Simple as that...Funny how it actually took having a conversation with you for once to make me realize that you aren't as horrid as I wish you could be..."
Gareth's eyes widened, "W-Wait...T-Then you don't hate me anymore?"
"Gareth, I've never hated you. Even when I was trapped inside my mind, trying my hardest to just unleash every spec of despair onto my feelings just so one day I could take back my body...I never felt any sort of hatred."
The lion's eyes suddenly began to water, sniffling softly as he whispered, "A-And yet I treated you so horribly...I called you a monster, a psycho...And yet you never hated me…"
"...Gareth, now is no time to be hung up on emotions...We have to go get that key."
He wiped his tears away, before nodding as he slowly started walking, "...O-Okay…"
Nazira was now floating back and forth in front of the cabins, growling to herself as she began to mumble, "Of course of all 'da people 'ta get 'da hardest challenge 'ta not hurt someone in, 'dey jus' had 'ta give it 'ta me of all people."
Groaning, she muttered, "Okay...So can' hurt 'da guy or else I'll be disqualified, which is basically instant game ova' for me. Considerin' jus' 'bout all my moves are based around offense ova' anythin' else, so I ain't really in a position 'ta jus' plow through with defensive moves and hope 'ta god 'dat I get lucky."
The Mismagius glanced around, "I clearly can' get 'ta close either in a one on one scenario eitha', since 'da fool would jus' grab 'da key and make sure I can' grab it myself."
She glared at the ground, "What 'da hell can I even do…"
Suddenly, an eye popped into her head, "...Oh...Well 'dat's obvious in advance."
Zetsu was currently tying a piece of meat to a string, before tying the string to a stray stick, he held up the stick, letting out a small breath as he dragged the makeshift fishing pole with him onto the dock. He placed the meat into the water, letting out a nervous whistle, "Come here big sharks...Come to the juicy meat…"
As if on cue, the three sharks swam towards the meat, as Zetsu quickly moved it towards the other side, before throwing it into the water, flinching as the three sharks dove down, attacking each other for the food. As they were distracted, he quickly fired a String Shot at the key, before pulling it over to him with a smile, "Wooh, I did it again after tricking these stupid-" he stopped himself upon hearing a large amount of growling behind him.
Within seconds, the Larvesta quickly ran back to the campfire, screaming as he held the key up, ignoring the growls and snarls coming from the Sharpedos back at the dock, as he laughed, "The rush! It's amazing! Oh god I'm actually doing good!"
Gareth stopped in front of a large cave, gulping as he heard the loud snores coming from inside, as he held his breath with a determined expression, "...I'm gonna do it, Gein...I'm going to fight that thing and get our key."
"Gareth, it's suicide to fight that thing one on one! We need a-"
He gritted his teeth, "No! I'm tired of running from strong opponents, Gein! I'm...I'm always running from difficult challenges, and I always run away when others need me most...I need to do this."
"Gareth, this is not the time to be having a sentimental moment, this is life or death!"
The Luxio narrowed his eyes, "Well...If I die, then that's fine...I lived enough in this life to know great things...Wish me luck, Gein."
"Wait, but you forget that I'm in here too, I don't wanna die-"
He smiled weakly as he walked closer to the cave, "Maybe we'll both return in a different life...As different people, and we can live our own lives without worrying...Why am I talking as if I'm going to lose?"
"Because if you fight that Ursaring, you're scre- ...Wait, I just remembered, we have electric attacks."
Gareth nodded as he stared at the sleeping bear, "Yeah...I mean, I was just going to paralyze it, then grab the key…"
"Is...Is that strategy coming from yo-"
The Luxio stuck his tongue out, before shooting a small wave of electricity at the Ursaring, flinching when it opens its eyes. The bear stood up, letting out a loud roar, before falling to its knees, shaking as the electricity flows from within its body. Gareth took a small step back, before charging at the bear, tackling it down, before ripping the key off from around its neck, and jumping off of it as it struggled to move.
Gareth stared down at the key, before walking out with a wide smile, "Wow, that actually worked!"
Chef Tyson was currently laying about in his kitchen, leaning against his fridge with a satisfied look on his face. He chuckled to himself as he began to fiddle with his nearby cleaver, whistling as he began to sharpen the end of it slightly.
He smirked, "Looks like that ghost has failed at getting past me. Too bad, kinda liked her, but eh, what're you gonna do. Not like the unappreciative girl ever ate the food I cooked anyways-"
The Tyranitar's eyes widened, before he began to sniff the air, "...N-No way...I-I thought they took my supply away!"
He suddenly got to his feet and ran out the kitchen door and out onto the front of the mess hall...Where his eyes began to water at the sight in front of him. His eyes sparkled slightly as the tears ran down his face, and his lips began to quiver, "...Y-You...I-I thought they would never…"
In front of the chef, stood possibly the largest stack of waffle boxes and mixes he had ever seen in his life. Box stacked upon box in the neatest fashion possible, with all the mixes carefully arranged depending on flavoring. It was all there. The plain, the blueberry, the chocolate, the cinnamon...It was all there. The mountain of potentially to-be made waffles laid in front of him. The Tyranitar blinked, before the largest grin began to form on his face, "My...My love! You have returned to me!"
He began to laugh cheerily as he ran right into the huge mountain of boxes, jumping into the middle of it, as he began to hold them all close to his heart, his eyes still watering, "T-This is the happiest day...O-Of my life!" He began to laugh once more as he fell right back into the mountain.
Nearby, Nazira laid with the storage room keys floating to her left, and her actual chest key floating to her right, as she smirked, "Who says I ain' eva' did nothin' nice for nobody?"
Zetsu made his way to the chests, placing his key in one of the chests, before groaning, "Darn it! Why doesn't this thing ever work for me?!"
Gareth ran in soon after, rushing towards a random chest, before placing his key in the chest, grinning as it clicked open, before opening it, blinking softly, "...Nothing."
"...We nearly got mauled for an empty chest?! What kind of sadistic freak runs this show?!"
As the Luxio stared down at the empty chest in disbelief, Zetsu finally got his chest opened, opening it, before pulling out two sodas, "...I'm strangely not mad at this."
Soon after, Nazira came floating over to the chests, giving the other two a smile, "Hey guys, get immunity yet?"
The Larvesta shook his head, holding up his soda, "Nope, I got a bunch of snacks and a tacky lamp."
The lion smiled softly, "I got cologne, a toaster, and...Nothing."
Nazira blinked, "...Man, sucks 'ta be 'ya guys." She stared at the chest, before she breathed in, "Afta' all 'da hell I jus' went through, do not screw me-" Clicking was heard, as she opened the chest...As her eyes widened, "...Oh my god, yes!"
The Mismagius quickly pulled out a gift basket full of many different things, but the most important of all...The immunity pass. Nazira had just made it into the final two! The ghost's eyes began to water some kind of plasma, as she choked out, "...'Dank you…'Dank you so much…I can still make 'dings right..."
As she did this, Gareth and Zetsu glanced at each other, before staring down at the bucket that held only two clues. After a few seconds, the Larvesta picked one of them up, glancing down at it, "...A bunny?" He shrugged, before walking towards the forest with a determined expression.
Gareth stared down at the last remaining clue, holding in his breath, before picking it up, his eyes shrinking at the sight of a beehive, whispering to himself, "...No...Oh no…"
"Gareth...Do not freak-"
His eyes suddenly watered, before letting out a scream, "Bees!"
Zetsu walked through the forest, looking around for any sign of a bunny, before letting out a sigh, "Okay...A bunny...It can't be too bad...Bunnies are nice, friendly, fluffy, and adorable...I just need to find it, approach it, and take the key. Simple as that."
He suddenly stopped, noticing a single key was laying on the ground a few feet away from him. The bug stared at the golden key for a moment, before smiling, "Well...Looks like my luck is actually turning around…"
The Larvesta whistled as he walked towards the key, about to grab it, but instantly stopped when a Bunnelby poked its head up from the ground, its little nose twitching softly as it looked up at the larva with wide eyes, "Bun?"
He blinked, before smiling, "Aww...What a cute little thing...Hey little guy, I'm just here to take this little key, so if you'll just excuse me-"
As he was about to reach for the key, the bunny suddenly growled at him, its eyes flashing a deep red color as it snarled, flashing two sharpened fang like buck teeth, causing the firebug to let out a small scream, taking several steps back as the Bunnelby grabbed onto the key protectively, continuing to snarl at him.
Zetsu's eye twitched as he muttered, "...Oh great."
Gareth was walking towards the forest, glancing up at the trees, before letting out a small sigh, "...Hey...Gein."
"What do you need, Gareth?"
He frowned softly, "...If...If you had control...What would you do?"
"...Why do you ask?"
The lion shrugged, "...Just curious is all…"
"...Well, to be honest...I'd probably try and find out where father is now. I know why he left, but...I still would want to find him and just...See him again. Possibly try to catch up and repair things."
He nodded slowly, "R-Right...And maybe you can visit mom too, and try to get into those big fancy schools for smart people…"
"I'm going to assume you mean college?"
The lion bit his lip, "...Yeah...That."
"Eh, it's a nice thought I guess."
Gareth smiled weakly, "W-Well...Who says it has to be a thought?"
"...Gareth...We're almost at one of the beehives near camp. Keep up your guard."
He flinched, before looking down, "...R-Right…"
Zetsu was having a stare down with the bunny, narrowing his eyes as he pointed at it, "That key is mine."
The Bunnelby growled deeply, holding the key close to its body, baring its fangs, "Bunnelby!"
The Larvesta's eye twitched slightly, before quickly shooting out a String Shot at him, wrapping the bunny up tightly, before grinning, "Ha! Now that's how you trap a-" He stopped himself upon noticing the bunny instantly tearing the string apart, "...Or not."
The bunny let out a demonic shriek, before lunging towards the larva, his fangs and claws out for show, as Zetsu quickly engulfed himself in flames, charging himself at the bunny and surprisingly knocking it back, burning it in the process as it began to shriek in pain. As it screamed out in pain and agony, the firebug jumped on it, snatching away the key, before glaring it down, "I told you...This key belongs to me!"
The Bunnelby growled at him, before closing its eyes, fainting as Zetsu jumped off of it, twirling around the key with a grin, "Nothing is going to stand in my way of winning. Not even a demonic bunny!"
Gareth walked up to a large tree, staring up at it in fear as multiple Combee roamed around it protectively. His eyes twitched slightly, before he whispered, "Hey...Gein...What should we do?"
"Well, we'll need some kind of distraction. Sort of like a-"
He shook his head, "I-I'm sorry, I meant...What should you do...I think you should do this challenge...And the next...And win."
"...Gareth...You're implying what I think you are, aren't you?"
The Luxio's eyes started to water, before he slowly nodded, "...Please take good care of Violet for me...And be a great friend to Juvia...Those two are my world...That's all I ask."
"...Gareth, I can't do either of those things."
His eyes widened, "B-But...You have to-"
"Because I'm not taking my body back."
Gareth blinked, before whispering, "W-What...You have to! This body belongs to you! You deserve to enjoy some part of life...You deserve to live, and make friends, and see your family!"
"And equally, you deserve to finally start enjoying your own."
His eyes widened once more, "...Y-You know?"
"Gareth, we live in the same body. I am constantly near your brain, and seeing exactly what you've seen. Usually I just ignore the thing, but while you were looking for the hive, I gave it a look...I know about all of it, Gareth."
The lion blinked, before letting out a small laugh, "...I'm pathetic...I really am, and I don't deserve this body…"
"...Over the past few hours of us simply doing what we somehow were never bright enough to try; just talking...I've learned a lot more about you then I probably would have liked to. I've learned the struggles you endured in education, how little mother seems to care for us now since father left, your constant attempts at trying to seem happy when all you feel is misery...I've seen all of it Gareth."
Gareth whimpered slightly, "...Gein…"
"...And now, you expect me to take away my- ...Your life, just as if is beginning to go your way for once."
He growled lowly, "I took away yours, Gein! You deserve it more than me!"
"...Gareth, all I would have amounted to, was a sad, lonely man lost in his own isolated world, one where creativity dies, and my dreams are drained. Every waking moment would be agony in a time of unquenchable knowledge...I'd be a broken man, exactly what I am now. The only difference is that I wouldn't have grown the empathy required to live life in the process."
The Luxio frowned, "B-But that can change now! You're smart, you can make more friends! You can be happy!"
"I won't even attempt to deny any of those things Gareth...But in the end, I've also looked through some of your memories from this show."
Gareth flinched at his words, before scratching his head, "...You...You did? A-All of them?"
"All of them...I saw you laughing genuinely for the first time in your life...I saw the friendship you formed with Juvia unravel and form into something I'd never be able to replicate in writing...I saw you fall for the girl whose decided to give you a chance where I never would have gotten one...You've used my body, and actually made something of my life."
He bit his lip, before glancing down, "...But I'm not smart like you...I'm not strong like you...I...I don't deserve those happy things in my life."
"...In the end, I've made up my decision Gareth...By this point, most of the Combee have left to gather materials. You should probably win the challenge now."
The cat slowly shook his head, "...No...I can't."
Gareth wiped away a stray tear, before letting out a sigh, looking down at the ground, "...I don't deserve to win."
Zetsu walked back to the campfire, whistling as he looked between both chests, "Okay...This determines everything...Please...Please be the one…"
Nazira deadpanned, "Couldn' 'ya jus' try both chests regardless? Gareth ain' even here."
He pushed his key inside, his eye instantly twitching when it doesn't get in, before grumbling, "Oh please, the little guy probably already grabbed it," he pulled the key back, before instantly placing it inside the other chest, hearing the clicking noise as he opened it, "Knowing my luck, I'm going to get another stupi- Oh my god!"
The firebug held up the gift basket, his eyes wide in surprise as he whispered, "I did it...I'm in...I won! I actually won on my own!"
Logan couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief at this, as Amber smiled, "And it looks like our final two will be Nazira and Zetsu. Congratulations to both of you."
Nazira blinked, before sighing, "'Dank whoeva' 'da hell is listenin' for 'dis…"
Zetsu let out a happy sigh, "I'm so thankful...This was all based on luck between me and the luckiest guy on the island...Oh…"
Amber nodded, "Gareth is automatically eliminated...Wait...Where is he?"
"Here I am…"
The group turned to see a familiar Luxio who had a crestfallen look on his face, no key in his possession, as Zetsu flinched, "Ooh...So you couldn't do the last challenge?"
He shook his head, "...I didn't want to."
Nazira rose a brow, "...What-"
Gareth gave them a watery smile, "...I'm an awful person who doesn't deserve to win...I'm glad I get to go…"
Not another word was said in that moment, as silence gradually settled over the cast.
Gareth was now resting on the dock, waiting for the 'Boat of Losers' to arrive and pick him up. He stared down at the bag he brought with him, before pushing it into the water with a frown, "...I'm sorry Gein...I know you wanted to win, and I know my friends were counting on me to win, but...I couldn't."
"Any reason why you're treating it like I'm already dead?"
He blinked at his words, before shaking his head, "S-Sorry...I just...I don't know...I'm going through a lot of emotions right now." He closed his eyes again, only to slowly open them, revealing himself to be back inside the void he had been so used to from his previous visits, noticing a certain Luxray standing off to the side, seemingly looking through what could only be described as some sort of window, "...G-Gein?"
The larger lion glanced at Gareth for a moment, before saying, "Hello Gareth...Guess is the end, huh? End of the show...No hundred grand...Kinda disappointing, but eh, not like I would have gotten anything out of it."
The cat stared up at him, before glancing off to the side, "...Yeah, I...I wouldn't have done anything with it either...I really don't deserve to win though…"
He turned to the Luxio, before stating, "That's a matter of opinion I guess, so sadly, no use arguing with you there."
Gareth looked back to him, before giving him a small smile, "Well...Since it's the end of the show and we'll be going home...I think this is a good time for you to take control….I'm not going to stop you."
The Luxray gave him a look, "...That's not gonna happen Gareth."
He gave him a confused look, "But...Why not? You deserve it…"
The lion let out a sigh, "...In the end Gareth, it doesn't matter who deserves what. In my eyes, the only way this little mind game will end is when one of us takes control, and I have no plans of being the sole commander of this brain anymore. I'd simply be too lost to possibly do so."
The Luxio's eyes widened, "...B-But...Wait...What...What if it wasn't just you?"
The Luxray rose a brow, before scoffing, "Oh please don't go telling me that would ever work out."
Gareth gave him a weak smile, "But what if it will work out?"
He gave him a look, "...Gareth, we're on completely different wavelengths. We're different people, with different feelings, personalities, strengths, weaknesses...Who knows what kind of mess that could make."
The cat smiled brightly, "But...It might work. We won't know unless we try, and it's a risk worth taking...Right?"
Gein stared at him a moment, before sighing, "...Honestly, this can go one of two ways. Either when we try this one of us will be knocked back into the void, or this will actually work...Are you honestly willing to take that risk?"
Gareth was silent for a moment, before nodding, "If it means both of us can have a shot at living...Then yeah, it really is."
The Luxray was silent for a moment, before chuckling, "Well...Here goes nothing I guess-" He was cut off by the Luxio oddly latching onto one of his legs in some kind of hug, "...Any reason you're doing that?"
The smaller lion looked up at him with a small grin, "I always give my friends hugs, and...I want us to be friends...Forever."
He stared down at Gareth for a moment, before allowing a small smile to form, "...Yeah...Honestly almost sounds nice…" The Luxray closed his eyes for a moment...Only to reopen them soon after, staring out at what looked like some kind of ocean.
The lion blinked his eyes, before glancing down at himself, whispering, "...Did it work?"
"What do you think, genius?"
He was silent for a moment, before suddenly wrapping himself in a hug, "We did it, Gein!"
"Yes, it's oddly nicer inside your head now...Now stop hugging yourself, you look insane."
Gareth let out a chuckle, "I've been talking to myself for weeks! I'm already insane!"
"...Honestly, fair point I guess...This'll be quite the experience for both of us."
The Luxray smiled as he looked back at the ocean, noticing a familiar boat come by as he whispered, "Yeah, but we'll get through it...Together."
Contestants-Nazira vs Zetsu
And with that...We have reached our final two contestants...We've come a long way in under two months.
Delta: ...I already cried twice during this episode...I don't need to cry again knowing the end is near.
You're right, we'll save that moment for next time.
Delta: Yeah, for now I guess we'll talk about our luck kitten leaving.
Gareth...Is an interesting character. Coming into the series, Gareth was actually a replacement for the than added Monsoon. However, due to difficulties writing him, we knew he needed to be replaced, and in the end, we decided we'd try giving writing Gareth another try, and I think I speak for both me and Delta here when I say...That was EASILY the best decision we made during this entire series. Gareth has gone from easily one of the most hated, if not the most hated character of the Xtreme series, to a fan favorite of this one. And honestly, that's down to one simple fact; he was not only likable this time around, he was outright interesting. Gareth went through a major character arc throughout the entire show revolving around the entire effect of loss on a person and their psyche, with Gareth gradually losing more of his closest companions with mistake after mistake affecting his game, but in the end, Gareth finally gained something in his new-lifelong companion, Gein, the one initially viewed as the "Anti-Gareth", who ultimately has now become possibly the person who understands him the best, simply because the two...Just ended up talking. And in my eyes, that's a nice way to send off this character. Gareth is flawed, that is undeniable, but in my eyes, he's probably the most improved character of this season, and has slowly become a character I've come to care about on a personal level.
Delta: So today we say goodbye to Gareth Gein, and we say hello to our final two…
Nazira, the girl fighting to make up for her sins of the past, and Zetsu, a guy fighting for a better life for both himself and Tempest...Who will win it all? Well...FIND OUT NEXT TIME, ON THE DRAMATIC CONCLUSION OF FUZZY MEMORIES: TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND!
Elimination Table
Kaden Pastel, the Haughty Tail Chaser - (24th Place)
Ace Kauffman, the Failed Strategist - (23rd Place)
Freya Lynn, the Boring Novelist - (22nd Place)
Sage Casentini, the Defacto Tyrant - (21st Place)
Alfred Hill, the Accidentally Charming Geek - (20th Place)
Benson Isotope, the Rude Professional - (19th Place)
Alluselia Gates, the Teenage Phase - (18th Place)
Brick Dragmire, the Competitive Jerk - (17th Place)
Nedrick Kite, the Unlucky Ninja - (16th Place)
Brooke Lazuli, the Awkward Sarcasm Spasm - (15th Place)
Quincy Ross, the Friend to All Those Around Him - (14th Place)
Violet Caputo, the Deadpan Pessimist - (13th Place)
Chad Bridgewood, the Lovable Jock - (12th Place)
Nanami Juvia, the Ditzy Friend - (11th Place)
Mimi Sandhu, the Isolated Cutie - (10th Place)
Isabel Flame, the Spoiled Sweet Leader - (9th Place)
Bari Adams, the Happy Trash Mutt - (8th Place)
Kanaya Wells, the Insecure Shipper - (7th Place)
Cynthia De Lucca, the Tragic Anti-Heroine - (6th Place)
"Doc", the Anarchistic Controversy - (5th Place)
Tempest Joust, the Great and Powerful - (4th Place)
Gareth Gein, the Formerly Split Personality - (3rd Place)