After the long and overdramatic Gilded Luma Theme finished playing, Luma walked up to the podium yet again, holding two Gilded Luma Awards, one in each hand. He placed them on the podium, then rubbed a large, unsightly bruise on his right arm, which he had bumped when he fell off the platform earlier that day, courtesy of Pauline.
"Ow…Anyway, so castmates, here we are, at what will probably be the final Gilded Luma Award Ceremony of the season. There are three of you sitting before me. Within the next five minutes, there will be only two. Who will survive? Who will have seen their last day on the Film Lot? We know that Pauline hasn't…fortunately for you."
He rubbed the bruise again.
"So just take your statuette."
He threw one of the small Awards to Pauline, who caught it triumphantly.
"Even though I think you don't deserve it, after what you pulled."
Pauline shrugged and grinned sheepishly.
"Fine. Whatever." Luma shook his head. He then looked at the remaining two castmates: Tanooki and Wendy.
"Wendy…and Tanooki. One of you has just received the honor of advancing to the final two, while the other has been given the royal boot.
"Tanooki. You have had your little 'handicap'," Luma put air quotes over the word "handicap," "for quite some time now. It held you back in the first challenge, and nearly got you killed in the second challenge. And yet, surprisingly, you were able to use it to kick some serious butt in the final challenge. Where did it all go wrong?"
The optimist shrugged, once again with his good shoulder. "What can I say, Luma? Pauline took me by surprise. She beat me fair and square."
"How will you feel if it is you sitting in the Limo of Losers tonight?"
"I have no regrets. I played the game well, I persevered through it all, and I made it to the final three. Just goes to show how far a good attitude can get you."
"I hear that. Now there's Wendy." Luma turned to Wendy. "You somehow managed to overcome your worst fear and pass the second challenge. And yet, despite the advantage you were given, you didn't win the challenge."
"That's not my fault!" She retorted. "I don't know what happened; they exploded on me!"
"Sure, sure. Whatever."
Luma then quickly turned to the side to stifle a laugh.
"Uh, anyway. And then, you were the first eliminated in the final task. Any comment?"
"Like you said to Tanooki, that handicap could really pack a punch. And trust me, when that thing is around your neck, you don't want to resist it."
"Wendy, this is your second time in a row making it to the final three. Do you think that there is a slight chance that you will be eliminated at this point again?"
"I'm keeping my fingers crossed."
"Alright then. The viewers have cast in their votes and made their decision." Luma held up the remaining Award high above his head. "Tonight, the final Gilded Luma, and one last shot at the million dollars, goes to…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…Wendy!"
And with that, Luma threw the final Award to its recipient. Still shocked at the news, Wendy caught it.
"I made it? I MADE IT! YES!" She jumped up and held her Gilded Luma up triumphantly. However, the celebration quickly died down when she looked to her right and noticed the slight look of sadness on her defeated friend's face.
"Oh…um, sorry, Tanooki."
"Ah, it's alright." He then stood up. "It's been an awesome experience, aside from a few speed bumps." He looked down at his shoulder. "And like I said, I have no regrets. See you guys at the finale."
He turned and started to walk towards the Red Carpet of Shame. On the way, he gave both Wendy and Pauline a hi-five with his good hand as he passed by them before making his way to the Limo.
Meanwhile, Luma wasn't so happy.
"Aw, come ON! Where's the sadness, people? The whole point of the Walk of Shame is to be ashamed! This is ridiculous!"
"Sorry, Luma." Tanooki said, grinning as he stepped into the Limo of Losers. It then sped off into the night.
"One of these days…" Luma shook his head. "Anyway, there you have it, viewers! We are down to our final two contestants: Wendy and Pauline. Only one of them will be left standing by the end of next week's challenge, and will win one million dollars! So tune in next time for the awesome conclusion of Total…Drama Mario…Action!"
