Author's Note: Hey guys. This one took forever to write, sorry, I've been super busy this week, and this chapter just didn't lend itself as easily as others did. For those reasons it's a little shorter, but hey the last longer was super long, so it balances out, right?
"Welcome to Uber Drama Island!" the four veterans exclaimed together.
"And it's a very special episode this time," DJ said, "because we're down to our final 3. This will be our very last elimination before the finale."
"Last time we were at four," Trent said, "and the campers had to recall facts about their 20 fallen opponents. All while working their way through an obstacle field. No one could claim the lead for long, but it came down between Roquette and Nile."
"Yeah," Courtney continued, "it was a last second finish, but Nile won immunity. This meant that it would have to be a tie vote between Linda and Roquette."
"Both girls got really aggressive when it came down to it," Lindsay said. "But at the end, it was Rocket who won the challenge, and Minda who had to go home."
"This left us with three," Trent said, "each from different teams, each with their own playing styles, but all three of them want to win first place more than anything."
"More than ever before, they're going to be fighting hard to win this challenge," DJ said.
"Because one of them will be going home in third place today," Courtney said. "And the other two will face off in the final showdown."
"So keep watching," Lindsay exclaimed, "…"
"Uber Drama Island!" they finished together.
(Theme Song Plays…)
(Main Camp)
Nile walked slowly by himself around the camp. He kept his head down and sighed to himself in deep thought. He leaned against a tree and held his head in his hands.
Confessional:
Nile-I've never once felt so low as I do right now in this game. Linda was always there for me, even when I didn't always realize it. Now she's gone, she's gone and I'm all alone out here. It's really hard, I feel so empty. Even if it's only a few days more, they're not going to be easy. But I promised Linda I would win this for her, and now more than ever I need to make that happen.
Roquette sat down on a rock next to Johnny.
"Well, we did it," Roquette said. "We broke up the couple and we've taken the majority."
"That we did," Johnny agreed.
"We have one obstacle in our way, just one more and then we've got it," Roquette said. "We just need to make sure that Nile doesn't win immunity again. If we do that, then we'll be the final 2."
"I'm going to do the best I can," Johnny promised, "I really think I can pull it off this time."
"Same," Roquette said. "I've won once before, I think I could pull it off again."
"This is the most important challenge yet," Johnny said. "Winning is the only option here."
"Precisely," Roquette agreed.
Confessional:
Roquette-So my plan didn't go down perfectly, but I'm not gonna complain, I still feel like I can do this. This is just one more victory that I need, and after that I'm just going up against Johnny, and he's a pushover.
Johnny-Roquette needs to win immunity…me, I'm not so sure if it's critical. Ever since the merge hit, I haven't received a vote once, while Roquette and Nile have constantly been targets. I think no matter who wins, one of them will be going home today. That's not to say I'm not gonna try my best though, I really would like to win at least once out here.
(Later)
The final three walked up to a flag where Chris was waiting.
"Ready?" Nile asked the duo.
"I'm always ready," Roquette replied confidently.
"Uh, yeah…what she said," Johnny said, "Well…maybe not always, but uh…"
"Well, you two are going to need to bring everything you've got," Nile said. "Because I am not holding back anything this time. I've got a renewed drive to win and you are going to see that today."
"Do your worst," Roquette challenged. "Give me what you've got."
"Uh, we don't want to encourage him," Johnny pointed out.
"Campers, welcome!" Chris exclaimed as he walked up to the three. "This is your next challenge. We're keeping things simple today. It's a race, a race around the island. Our friendly veterans are all set up around the island. They'll give you instructions and directions, until you reach the finish line."
Everyone nodded.
"Oh, and one more thing," Chris said, "You really want to win this challenge, because it's not like the others…"
Everyone looked nervously.
"There will be no vote tonight," Chris declared. "Instead whoever finishes last in the race will be instantly eliminated from the game. No vote, no Dock of Shame, no marshmallows, just leave. The other two will be our final 2."
Everyone's jaws had dropped in shock at this new revelation.
Confessional:
Roquette-Great, you just couldn't resist screwing me over one more time, could you, McClean? Originally the plan was just 'Make sure Nile doesn't win,' but now I actually need to make sure that I stay ahead in this race, because if I fall behind then it's curtains for me.
Johnny-Okay, forget what I said before…I NEED to win this. My challenge luck hasn't been substantial, but now I really need to just pull through and make sure I can still make it into the finale.
Nile-Ha, this is good news for me. I just need to make sure I finish second at the lowest, and considering who I'm up against, I don't think that'll be a problem.
The final three all stood ready at the starting flag.
"For your first directions," Chris said, "you will run along the grass and into the forest. You will keep going straight until you meet the first veteran. Ready….get set…go!"
The final three all took off along the field. Nile ran fiercely and pulled ahead to the lead. Roquette followed right behind him though, never letting him get too far ahead of her. Johnny was clearly giving it his all, but was falling behind to the rear. Nile glanced to his side to see Roquette running with determination right on his tail.
"You're not getting past me," he said.
He then gave another burst of speed and pull ahead of her.
"We'll see about that!" Roquette shouted as she chased after him.
The ground beneath them got softer as they entered a muddy patch. Nile kept his lead, Roquette kept her eyes on him and tried to speed up. However, she slipped into the mud and splattered face first into the ground.
"Aha, here's my chance to get ahead!" Johnny exclaimed as he came up behind her.
"I don't think so," Roquette retorted as she grabbed his ankle and tripped him as well.
"Ow…uncalled for," Johnny grumbled.
"Totally called for," Roquette replied. "It's a free for all now, and I need to make sure that I'm not last."
With that Roquette got back up and sprinted after Nile. Johnny just moaned to himself as he got up and shook off the mud.
Confessional:
Roquette-Johnny's been good for getting me this far, but as far as I'm concerned our alliance is finished. This is the final fight, and I've got to be looking out for myself.
Johnny-Ugh, this is not a good start. I really just need one break of good luck right now. Just something to put me one step ahead of the others.
Nile-So far so good, I just need to keep this going and I'll be set for the finale.
Nile had taken a strong lead by now. He saw that he was approaching the forest. He took a quick glance back and saw that no one was close. He then took a few seconds to catch his breath as he leaned against a tree. He then spotted DJ waiting for him a little further along the course.
"Welcome to the next part of the race," DJ said. "You'll be going through the woods until you reach the mountain."
"Sounds good," Nile said as he prepared to take off.
"Whoa, not so fast," DJ said while holding him back. "There's a little twist to it…you'll be travelling by treetop. For this part of the race, your feet cannot touch the ground, only the branches of the trees. If you fall, then you'll have to climb back up."
"So much for keeping it simple," Nile remarked.
Nile walked up to one of the trees and pulled himself up. Using the branches, he scaled to the upper branches. From there he stretched out his foot to the next nearest tree. Meanwhile, Roquette and Johnny were running along the field. Roquette was pulling ahead, but Johnny wasn't giving up and was staying steadily behind her. They eventually reached the forest where DJ explained the new directions.
"What?! Chris never mentioned anything like this," Roquette grumbled.
Despite her annoyance, she quickly grabbed the closest tree and began to climb up it. Johnny had also managed to catch up and was climbing a different tree. Roquette could see that he was gaining on her and tried to increase her speed. However, she stepped on a weak branch and caused it to snap under her weight. This meant that she had to struggle, dangling in midair, as she regained her balance. Johnny took this time to pull ahead.
"No!" Roquette snapped as she finally got her foot back in position.
Johnny was already leaping ahead to the next nearest tree, though.
"Grrr," Roquette grumbled as she frantically tried to catch up.
Confessional:
Nile-This part of the challenge is actually a lot scarier. If you fall, then it could be critical to putting you behind in the race. Also, you could get hurt…I guess that's also important.
Johnny-I just need a miniscule lead, that's all I ask. If you can win second by a hair, I'll still be safe to make the finale.
Roquette-Ugh, now is not the time for my luck to fail me! I cannot lose now after all I've gone through!
Nile had grabbed a vine by now and was using it to swing between large gaps of space.
"I've done this before," he remarked. "I know what I'm doing."
He seemed more concerned with reassuring himself than narrating his actions. Once he had landed on another branch, he glanced back. He realized that Johnny was actually starting to gain on him.
"Whoa, I need to pick it up," Nile exclaimed.
He quickly tried to keep moving, but his feet slipped on the bark. He stumbled, but slapped his hands against the tree to prevent himself from falling. Johnny meanwhile had picked up a vine of his own.
"If he can do it, how hard can it be?" he said to himself.
He closed his eyes and leapt forward with his hands clamped on the vine. However, due to this, he didn't realize when he had swung past the branch he was aiming for.
"Oh…oops," he said before swaying backwards.
He ended up slamming right into Nile.
"Hey, watch it!" Nile exclaimed as he grabbed onto Johnny.
"Uh, sorry," Johnny replied. "Hey um…how much weight do you think this vine can—"
Suddenly the vine snapped.
"Eep," Johnny exclaimed.
The two boys plummeted downward. Johnny's jacket was snagged by a twig, while Nile was able to grab onto a branch before hitting the ground.
"Hey boys," Roquette said as she approached from up top. "Having fun yet?"
Johnny struggled to get himself free to no avail. Nile, however, had recovered and was trying to pull himself back up. Roquette was starting to pull ahead by now. She wasn't risking swinging on a vine, but was just making leaps between the closest branches she could find. Nile scaled up the tree and came behind her. Johnny had finally managed to break free…by snapping the twig.
"Drag," he remarked before slamming down into the ground.
He got up, dusted himself off, and started to climb again. Nile was starting to gain on Roquette by now. She nervously glanced at him before trying to speed up. She found herself running out of branches to reach.
"Ugh, why isn't this forest better designed!?" she groaned.
"See you at the finish," Nile remarked as he took a different route and swung himself along a pine tree.
"Grr," Roquette growled. "Get back here!"
She charged after him, only to have the branch she was standing on snap.
"No!" she cried as she scrambled to hold on.
"Heh, tough break," Nile remarked.
However, just as he spoke, he tripped on a knot and lost his balance.
"Whoa!" he exclaimed as he tumbled over the side.
He was able to grab onto the branch just in time before falling back down to the ground.
"Great, now Johnny's gonna catch up," Roquette groaned.
"I wouldn't be too sure of that," Nile remarked as he nodded back in the direction they come.
Johnny was still struggling make his way up the branches.
"Well, I'm still not letting him get the chance," Roquette said as she pulled herself up again.
Confessional:
Johnny-Come on, Johnny, this is it. If there's one moment when you need to go the whole nine yards, this is it.
Nile-I think Johnny is really trying his best and this could help him out…but right now, I just don't think his best is enough.
Roquette-Ideally, I'd like to make Final 2 with Johnny, but right now I'll take what I can get. If I have to get there with Nile, that's still better than not getting there at all.
Roquette and Nile were both going neck and neck by now. Roquette found herself pulling ahead.
"Aha, first! I'm in the lead!" she exclaimed. "I'm actually doing this!"
Suddenly, Nile swung by on a vine.
"Hate to burst your bubble," he exclaimed as he pulled ahead.
"Jerk," Roquette grumbled.
The two had gotten up to the mountain by now. Nile spotted Courtney waiting for them at the ground. He dropped down from the tree and landed in front of her.
"Welcome to the next part of the race," Courtney said. "For this part you'll need to—"
"Outta the way!" Roquette exclaimed as she swung in on a vine and knocked Nile aside. "Do continue."
"As I was saying," Courtney said. "You'll have to travel through the tunnels. It's a maze in the caves, so if you hit a dead end, you'll have to backtrack until you find yourself at the other end."
"Got it," Roquette said, only to see that Nile was already making a run for the mountain. "Ah!"
She quickly sped after him. Nile had soon reached the entrance to the caverns. It was a hole in the side of the mountain.
"Well, that's going to be a tight fit," he remarked.
Carefully, Nile squeezed himself through the gap. Luckily for him, the cavern opened up a bit once he was inside. It was incredibly dark though. While the tunnels had been lined with lanterns, they gave off barely any light. Nile squinted and carefully started to move through the tunnel.
"Coming through!" Roquette exclaimed as she inched through the gap. "Outta my way."
She walked with a quicker pace and this meant that she stumbled right over Nile.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Nile groaned as she walked over him.
"I said 'move!'" Roquette snapped as she struggled to get past him.
Meanwhile, Johnny had finally arrived at the ground. Courtney explained to him the next step.
"Oh boy," Johnny sighed as he ran towards the gap in the stone.
Inside the tunnels, Roquette had finally gotten past Nile and taken the lead.
"Sorry, loser, looks like I'm taking first place now," Roquette chuckled.
"We'll just see about that," Nile said as he followed on her heels.
The two eventually came to a split in the tunnels. Roquette continued to scurry along down the right.
"Hm, well, if she's going that way, might as well see where this one takes me," Nile said as he headed down the left.
As Roquette continued to crawl through the jagged tunnel she felt several bits of rock drop down on her.
"Great, I feel so safe in here," she grumbled to herself.
Nile meanwhile had come to an upward climb. The cavern opened up a bit, but he was surrounded by rock. The only way for him to go was to climb up.
"Well, let's see where this takes me," he said. "I just hope I'm going the right way."
He grabbed onto a jagged rock and pulled himself up. He clung to the wall. He then reached up again and continued to bring himself up. Part of the rock he was standing on started to crumble. He pulled himself up quicker and found a new hold before he could fall.
Confessional:
Roquette-I'm not the kind to get claustrophobic, but when you feel like the cave you're in could collapse at any second, well, I think the fear is warranted.
Nile-This part of the race is really just a big gamble. If I take a wrong turn, and Roquette takes the right one, I could end up out of the running. All I can do is hope.
Johnny-Man, I sure hope this part of the race is my strong suit. I can't afford to keep trailing.
Johnny had squeezed himself into the cave and was starting to inch his way through the rough tunnel.
"Come on, Johnny, gotta make up time," he told himself. Eventually he was able to make it to the fork in the paths.
"Uh-oh," he remarked. "Left or right…which do I pick? Well…right is right, right?...Unless it's not…I mean…that left one does look a little more welcoming…but it could be a trick…oh boy, this is doozy."
Meanwhile, Nile was continuing to struggle his way up the rocky wall. He found a ledge and leaned against it to catch his breath. However, only a few second of resting, he heard it start to break loose. He quickly grabbed onto another hold and pulled himself off just in time for the ledge to crumble and roll down to the bottom.
"Ouch," he remarked. "That's quite the drop from up here."
He turned back to the wall and continued to climb. He was clearly getting tired, but he kept on using all his strength. Several more times he felt rocks slip out of his grip, but he never fell off the wall. Eventually he managed to pull himself up to the top. He took a few minutes to regain his breath before looking around. He saw another tunnel.
"Well, might as well keep on following this path," he said to himself.
While he was following this new path, Roquette was continuing to work her way through the tight tunnels. She had to squeeze her body through several tights gaps. She could felt the sharp edges of the tunnels poking against both sides of her.
"This…had better…be worth it," she grunted.
After crawling for some time along the jagged, dirty ground, she paused to just heave in exhaustion. She looked up again and tried to get a hold on surroundings. However, she realized that the tunnel had ended.
"Wait, what?" she exclaimed.
She felt around the area, trying to find a new passage.
"No!" she pouted as she punched the wall. "No, no, no! You have got to be kidding me!"
She held her head and groaned, before turning around and making her way back the way she had come.
Confessional:
Nile-Well, this is hard work…but I think I've managed to keep the lead, so I just gotta keep it up.
Roquette-Uuuggh, all that and I'm ready back in last place. I hate this thing! I just hope the others are also getting lost.
Johnny-Aw man, I really thought I had improved at this decision making thing…but this is such a big decision, how do I choose?
Nile was working his way along another tunnel. Just like the last one, he had little room and had to squirm through the crevices.
"I sure hope this is the right way," he remarked. "I'd hate to have to come back through here."
He came to another split in the tunnels.
"Uh…let's see here," he mused to himself. "Well, here goes nothing."
He took a few steps towards the right when something the ground beneath him started to crumble.
"Uh-oh," he exclaimed.
He tried to back up, but it was too late. Suddenly he was sliding down a slope with rolling rocks. He clenched his teeth as he tried to slow himself down. However, it wasn't working. This slope had clearly already been formed and he had just opened it up. He soon stopped trying to slow himself down, and instead used his arms to shield himself. He saw himself coming up to a gap. He could see light pouring in. He braced himself for a crash. He shot out the hole…and landed in sand.
"Huh," he exclaimed as he looked up.
He found himself on a beach, on the other side of the mountain. He spotted Trent waiting by the water.
"I made it!" he exclaimed.
Confessional:
Nile-This is perfect, I think I've got a really strong lead now. Just one more leg, and I'll be set for the final 2!
"Okay, okay," Johnny said to himself, still facing the two tunnels. "I've made a decision….Left!...No, right!...Yes, right."
He started to crawl towards the path on the right.
"Move it!" Roquette snapped as she shoved him aside.
"Oh…I take it that was a dead end?" he said.
"No, I'm just crawling back and wasting time because I didn't like the view," Roquette snorted. "Now move it."
Roquette started to scurry long the left tunnel and Johnny followed behind her. Soon the duo came to the upwards climb.
"Ugh, why do you have to put us through this?" Roquette groaned.
She grabbed on and started to climb. Johnny followed right behind her. This meant, however, that whenever Roquette loosened any free rocks, they would roll into Johnny's face.
"Um…do you mind being a little more careful?" Johnny asked.
"Yes," Roquette replied.
"Okay, sorry," Johnny said.
Roquette was clearly struggling though. Several times she had to pause and catch her breath.
"Whoa!" she exclaimed as the rock she was hanging onto popped right out of place.
She swayed backwards, risking falling over the edge. However, she grabbed onto another hold and brought herself back in. Johnny was having nearly as much trouble as her, always one step behind. After they eventually reached the top, Roquette immediately leaned against the side of the cavern and breathed heavily.
"This day…has been far too much…already," she groaned.
Johnny was in slightly better shape and was already starting to explore the next tunnel.
"Oh sure, just leave me behind," Roquette remarked.
Johnny took the lead, but both of them were too out of breath to actually attempt to race. Roquette just passively followed behind him. Eventually they came to the split of tunnels.
"Hm," Johnny remarked, "it looks like there's a hole in the ground. Better be careful about that."
"Oops," Roquette remarked as she shoved Johnny from behind and into the hole. "Have fun."
She then turned to the left and continued to crawl through the cavern.
Confessional:
Roquette-I don't know where that hole leads, but it's sure to keep Johnny busy for now. And I need any lead I can get.
Johnny-(sighs) I really should have seen that coming.
Nile had walked up to Trent who was standing next to the lake.
"Welcome to the final leg of the race," Trent said. "For this part, you'll grab a canoe and row out to those floating platforms. From there, you'll need to jump between them until you reach Lindsay at the other end. If you fall into the water, though, you'll need to start right back at the start."
"Got it," Nile said as he headed towards the boats floating in the water.
He hopped into a canoe and started to row furiously. The water wasn't easy to cut through, and the current rocked him from side to side, but he continued to stroke and made steady progress. He kept his eyes fixed on the floating platforms and continued in a straight direction towards them. Once he was more than halfway towards his goal, Johnny rolled out of the tunnel and landed in the sand.
"Huh…wha?" Johnny moaned as he rolled through the sand.
He looked up at his surroundings.
"Oh…I'm out," he noted. "How nice."
He sprinted over to where Trent was waiting.
"Good job, you're almost at the end," Trent said.
He then explained to him how the next part of the race would work. Johnny nodded and hopped into a boat. He grabbed a paddle and began to row frantically.
"Come on, come on, you can do it," he told himself. "Just a little farther, just a little farther."
Although, his attempts at paddling weren't getting him far. He was making slow progress, with the current knocking him back, every time he seemed to be moving forward.
"Ugh, this could take a while," he remarked.
Confessional:
Nile-I am completely exhausted by now, I really feel like collapsing. But I've got to use what little strength I have left to just finish. I'm almost there.
Johnny-Well, I've made it to second place. Now I just need to maintain that until I reach the end. I think it's doable.
Roquette had hit an upwards incline. The tunnel started to slope upwards at an angle. She had to start holding onto pointed rocks to keep herself from sliding back down.
"Just a…little…further," she wheezed as she continued to pull herself up. "It can't be…that much…more."
Roquette seemed ready to collapse at any second, as she forced herself upwards. Eventually she spotted some light poking through.
"Aha!" she exclaimed. "Success!"
With renewed energy, she made her way to the source. She found a gap leading outwards.
"Ha ha ha, I've got it!" she exclaimed.
She exited the cavern and found herself at a ledge near the top of the mountain.
"Okay, now where do I go from here?" she asked herself.
However, she soon spotted a sign with a picture of Chris grinning evilly and the words 'Sorry, dead end,' written beneath it.
"God! Damn!" Roquette shouted as she kicked the sign over in frustration. "Die, McClean!"
Groaning to herself and tugging at her hair, she quickly worked her way back down the way she had come.
Confessional:
Roquette-Seriously!? Twice now!? It's hard enough for me to keep the lead as it is, I really do not need this!
In the lake, Nile continued to row with as much determination as he could. He was clearly running out of strength, but he kept on moving towards his goal. Johnny trailed behind him. The smaller boy splashed up water with each stroke and clumsily rocked himself forward. Nile already had a strong lead and Johnny wasn't doing much to catch up. Finally Nile reached the platforms. They were a series of giant buoys floating in the water. The row of them let back to another part of the island where Lindsay was waiting with a flag.
"Okay, let's do this," Nile said.
He hopped out of his boat, and attempted to climb the nearest buoy. The first thing he noticed was how unstable it was. As soon he grabbed on it rocked to the side in the water. The surprise was enough to cause him to slip off and slide in the water. He grabbed his canoe and pulled himself out. After shaking out his hair, he grabbed on again and tried again, this time more prepared for the unstableness.
Back at the beach, Roquette had finally arrived in the sand. However, she didn't get up right away.
"Uhhh," she moaned. "Just let me lie here and…sleep…"
However, she quickly snapped back up.
"Right, million dollars," she told herself. "Sleep later."
She got up and ran towards Trent.
"Welcome to the final leg," Trent said, "Um…are you alright?"
"Just…give me a…few…seconds," Roquette said with her hands on her knees and breathing heavily.
While Roquette was breathing, Trent explained to her how the final leg would work.
"Okay…got it," she sighed. "Just need to finish this, then I can go into a coma for the rest of the day."
She leapt into a canoe and started to row. She narrowed her eyes at Johnny who was still struggling. With her last remaining fierceness she started to row. Her progress was steady, but she was moving forward.
Meanwhile, Nile was making his way along the buoys. He had reached the top of the first one and was shakily trying to maintain his balance. Once he had some sort of grasp, he leapt for the next one. He slammed into it and grabbed on. It rocked from side to side, but he managed to pull himself up.
Johnny was starting to slowly close in on the buoys by now. Nile spotted him and continued to move. He moved faster not that he had gotten the hang of the balance. He leapt to the third buoy, and landed. Johnny had reached the first buoy by now. He grabbed on and slipped off.
"Whoa…" he exclaimed as he splashed through the water. "This won't be easy."
Roquette was still coming up from behind. She had a lot of distance to make up, but she wasn't slowing down.
Nile's balance had suddenly given way. He had attempted to land on another buoy, but it wobbled unsteadily under his weight. He swung from side to side and waved his arms desperately trying to avoid falling into the water. He caught himself and regained his balance before sighing in relief.
Johnny was still struggling with the first buoy. He wobbled from side to side before splashing into the water.
"Here we go again," he sighed as he pulled himself up.
Roquette was closing in, with just as much determination in her eyes. Nile was getting closer to the finish line, he just had a few more buoys to reach.
"Oh, this is going to be a close finish," Chris said waiting at the beach next to Lindsay. "Remember, last one to finish will not make it to the final 2."
"We. Know!" Roquette shouted. "What do you think we've been thinking about all this time!?"
Johnny had finally managed to get his balance on the first buoy was tentatively preparing to jump to the next one.
"Here goes nothing," he said before leaping to the second buoy.
He landed, but nearly tumbled backwards. However, he managed to pull himself back at the last second.
"No time for mistakes now," he told himself.
Nile was nearing the end, Johnny was making his way along the middle, and Roquette had finally reached the first buoy.
"Things look close," Chris said. "But one slip up, and the entire order could be upset."
Nile was on the last buoy now. He rocked from side to side uneasily.
"Come on…don't fail me now," he said to himself between clenched teeth.
He took a final leap and landed on the beach.
"Congratulations!" Lindsay exclaimed.
"Nile, you have guaranteed yourself a spot in the final 2," Chris said. "Now it just comes down between Johnny and Roquette."
Johnny held the lead currently, but Roquette was not slowing down. She had climbed up onto the first buoy and was wasting no time jumping to the next one. Johnny looked behind him and saw her coming.
"Oh dear," he said before trying to speed up.
He leapt forward again, but was forced to stop when he stumbled and wobbled while landing. Roquette wasn't having a smooth run though. She had paused to stop several times and risked tumbling into the water. Both of them made a steady progress towards the end. Roquette had less difficulty, but Johnny already had a lead and wasn't giving it up.
"It all comes down to this," Chris said.
Johnny neared the end, but by now Roquette was nearly behind him. He looked towards the last couple buoys and charged forward.
"It's going to be a very tense finish," Chris continued to announce eagerly.
Splash! Suddenly…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Johnny fell into the water. He struggled to stay afloat and get himself back up. Roquette took the chance to move forward. She hopped across the last couple buoys and made it to the beach.
"Roquette!" Chris exclaimed. "Congratulations, you will be joining Nile in the final 2!"
"I'm…thrilled…" Roquette moaned. "Believe me…just let me…"
With that she collapsed in the sand.
"Uh, is that normal?" Lindsay asked.
"She'll be fine," Chris assured offhandedly. "But this means that it's the end of the road for Johnny."
"I guess it was too much to expect that I could make it to the end," Johnny sighed as he pulled himself out of the water, dripping wet.
"Johnny, it's been a long journey for you, but it's come to an end for you, just short of making it to the finish," Chris said. "You have been eliminated in third place."
"Understood," Johnny sighed.
Confessional:
Johnny-I guess I can't really say I'm bitter. I didn't know what to expect from this experience and I certainly didn't expect to get all the way to third. And I did what I could to make an impact out here, it may not be noticeable, but I feel like I have grown myself.
Nile-Final 2! Ha, I made it. I faced a lot of obstacles getting here, but it's all paid off. I am one final challenge away from winning this whole thing!
Roquette-That's right, the girl who's been a target ever since day one outlasted every single one of you. I have one challenge left, and then, guess who's a millionaire?
(Main Camp)
"Nile, Roquette," Chris said as the day came to close, "you two have gotten farther than anyone else in this game, and have earned the chance to battle for the grand prize of one million dollars. You've both proven that you want to win, and soon one of you will be crowned the ultimate champion of Uber…Drama…Island!"
"Bring it on," Nile to Roquette with a grin.
"Oh it is on," Roquette retorted. "I have been bringing it right since the start, and you are going to see what that means."
"Sounds fun," Nile replied. "Try not to lose too badly."
"You're so funny," Roquette replied dryly.
"I can tell that this will be an epic battle already," Chris said eagerly.
Confessional:
Nile-Roquette doesn't scare me. Sure, she's manipulative and devious, but that can only get you so far. When it comes to challenges, physical strength is where it's at, and I've got her beat in that department.
Roquette-I am not going down without a fight. And I think I've proven that I still have fight in me. The fact is, I got myself here, and I'm going to get myself to number one.
(Conclusion)
"And there we have it," Chris said, "our final two. One of them will be crowned the final winner, and one will leave with the shame of second place. Which one will it be? Nile, the teen superstar who was brought down to the real world and learned that not everything is served on a silver platter? Or Roquette, the girl who came in hiding her bitchy attitude, but learned to play the strategic game and saved herself night after night from elimination? Find out in the grand finale of Uber…Drama…Island!"
Author's Note: And then there were two. Johnny was a character who I knew would be tricky, to say the least. With him, I wanted more of a gradual shift, rather than a deep development. I wanted him to maintain his gimmick of being indecisive, but still go beyond that, show a little depth, grow a little, while remaining for the most part a secondary character. I realized that this meant that I would have to stretch out his story a little to make it work, which meant that it could come off like he had outstayed his welcome. And maybe he did, it's really up to your reception, but I liked what I got out of him, so it's all good to me.
MEGA IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
Okay people, here we are the final 2. And now it's time to announce something very important...ready for this...the winner of this season...
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Will be decided by YOU, the readers. This is an idea that I've had since way back in Stranded, I wanted to stick to the TD tradition of having alternate winners and let the fandom decide who they'd rather see win. However, I've never had a season where I felt like all finalists would accomplish what I was looking for in a winner. For this season, I soon realized that both Nile and Roquette could make for strong winner stories, and this would be the perfect opportunity to try something like this.
Nile had an evolution from above it all, to finding love and getting more in touch with reality. He grew to be more emotional and play not just for himself but for others. Once the merge hit, he had a rocky ride and was the one who was doing most of the fighting to keep him and his alliance safe.
Roquette had an evolution from being carelessly malicious, to actually understanding the importance of strategy and playing the game. She was always a target, but managed to avoid elimination several times.
To vote I will be putting up a poll on my main page. I'd rather if you voted there and not mention who you voted for in review, just to keep the suspense alive.
I will be posting one more chapter in between (Playa Des Losers), so you'll have some time to vote. But I'd like to get it done soon, so the sooner the better is what I have to say.
Thanks everyone ^_^