Chapter 35
Gwen woke up to the same crappy room Kurt had rented for her at the bar. She slowly rolled off the bed and walked to the bathroom to get herself ready for the day. She brushed her hair and applied her usual make up to her face and when she was done she got dressed so she could walk downstairs and get some breakfast. When she made it to the bottom of the stairs she could smell the sweet scent of eggs and bacon through her nostrils and her stomach let out a growl.
"Okay, okay, I'm going." Gwen muttered.
"Oh? Lookie who's up!"
Gwen groaned as she saw Kurt come out of the kitchen but stopped when she saw the extra plate of bacon, toast, and eggs held out to her. "For me?"
"Who else?" Kurt asked with his signature grin.
"...It doesn't have anything weird like a new experimental form of eggs or ghost bacon?" Gwen slowly took the plate.
"Of course not! I learned my lesson after what happened last time." Kurt shook his head as they sat down at the table.
"So what's the plan for today? You said I need to meet up with Dawn and Elliot somehow but they're probably on the other side of the planet. I can't portal over there and act like nothing weird happened." Gwen asked as she chewed on a piece of bacon.
"Already had that covered. There's someone waiting for you at a book store just down the street." Kurt pointed outside. "He'll know what to do."
"Kurt, who have you asked to pick me up?" Gwen sighed as she finished her breakfast.
"No one. I just kept tabs on people looking for you." Kurt grinned. "Your disappearance caused heads to roll on Total Drama."
Gwen sighed. "I just hope my mother doesn't get too worried."
"Don't worry. It'll be made clear when you see him." Kurt assured her.
Gwen honestly didn't know what to expect this time but she just sighed and left her plate on the counter for the bartender to take and walked out the door.
"...I wonder if she'll come back and try to blast me with another Spectral Volt when she finds out how she's getting back." Kurt snickered.
'You really are a bastard sometimes, Kurt.' Merlin commented.
"I know."
Xxx
'Why do I get the feeling I should have blasted Kurt with another Spectral Volt when I had the chance?' Gwen thought as she walked down the street.
'Probably because you know him.' Andromeda asked wryly.
Gwen shook her head and decided just to enjoy the warm sunny weather that made her smile. At least it did until she was in front of a clothing store and a familiar song reached her ears.
'Oh no.' Gwen grimaced.
The Total Drama theme song I Wanna Be Famous rang out from inside the store and when she looked inside she gaped at what she saw.
'Are those...' Gwen trailed off.
'Apparently.' Andromeda stifled a giggle.
Lining the shelves were miniature figures of the Total Drama contestants with even Chris and Chef toys lined up with them.
'An entire army of miniature toy figures of us?!' Gwen's eyes went wide as dinner plates. 'I can barely stand just oneHeather, Courtney, Alejandro, and Chris when I'm on the show!'
Gwen turned away and ran off to desperately find the stupid book store Kurt told her to find. She eventually found a book store and it was open so she ran inside and let out a big sigh.
"Okay, just find the guy whose supposed to get me back on that stupid show and maybe find a book that will calm my nerves." Gwen looked around and spotted a lone male sitting at a table with a book covering his face. "Excuse me?"
"Busy." The guy said rudely.
"Well I need help." Gwen insisted.
"Go ask the librarian." The guy gestured to the desk where the librarian sat.
"Look I need help regarding a show called Total Drama." Gwen pressed on.
"Why would I..." The stranger lowered the book and when they looked into each other's eyes they could tell their hearts almost stopped.
"No way." The guy said.
"...Noah?" Gwen luckily fell onto a chair behind her. "You?"
"Gwen?" Noah dropped his book. "You're okay?"
"...Why wouldn't I be okay?" Gwen asked.
"Because some creep dressed like Duncan kidnapped you on live TV!" Noah whispered and leaned forward. "Where've you been? It's been nearly three weeks!"
"I...I got dragged to a party where everyone was dressing up like us and they thought it was funny to have the real Gwen there." Gwen hastily explained.
"...Seriously?" Noah raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. I was freaked out too." Gwen nodded. "Why are you here?"
"Looking for you." Noah replied making Gwen raise an eyebrow. "After you disappeared Chris ended up with a lot of people upset with him, producers and your family. No one was eliminated after the challenge here, Lindsay was kicked off after we visited Greece, Tyler was next but he had to be sent home because he was injured and I was voted off in Australia which was about three days ago. But with the threat of a lawsuit hanging over his head Chris didn't send me or Lindsay home but wanted us to stay here and help interns find you. Lindsay was sent back because the state of France told Chris that Lindsay was only released from jail on the condition she never comes back to France, ever."
"They still sore about the Mona Lisa?" Gwen despite her situation chuckled.
"Yep, so they left me and some interns to find you. So where was this big party you got dragged to?" Noah directed the subject back at her.
"Another sleazy theater that I snuck out of an hour later but the plane already took off and I was left here. I rented a room at this pub just down the street and I've been staying there." Gwen answered. "I then heard some guys were here asking about me and they told me that one of them was here."
Good thing Andromeda had schooled Gwen in the art of making up cover stories quickly when she was on the job.
"Well, you're lucky then." Noah sighed. "So can you keep hiding out for a while?"
Gwen looked confused. "Huh?"
"If I tell the interns where you are they'll take us back home and put us on that stupid Aftermath show. You want to be stuck on that stage again?"
Gwen shuddered as she remembered the last time she had been on that show. "Hell no."
"So we simply hide out for a while and wait...until the season ends." Noah explained.
"So I take it you don't know what's been happening on the show lately." Gwen surmised.
"Don't know, don't care. If you're worried about you two friends they're okay...for the most part." Noah picked up his book.
"Most part?" Gwen asked.
"Elliot's been moody, snapping at anyone who bothers her and Dawn has been...quiet. Heather's been trying to keep them in her little alliance and even though they haven't told her to go to Hell Elliot sometimes looks like it. And Heather's...she's been trying act...nice with them." Noah said as if it was hard to pronounce the words correctly.
"Oh dear." Gwen sighed. "Elliot may just hurt someone soon if they keep pushing. She's not very patient in areas like this."
"Yeah well...you can go ahead and watch the next episode that's coming on at ten."
"Ten thirty." Gwen corrected. "And I'm not interested."
"Neither am I. I'm good right here." Noah looked back at his book.
...
...
...
A fly flew between the two teens that made things feel even more awkward.
"Want to go back to the room I'm renting and watch it?" Gwen asked out of the blue.
"I got nothing better to do." Noah dropped the book and followed Gwen out of the store.
As Noah followed her back into the bar Gwen spotted Kurt at his table waving at her with his annoying grin. She glared at him and mouthed 'you are so dead' as she walked past him and went up the stairs.
"Instead of a Spectral Volt I think she might go for the sword this time." Kurt chuckled.
Xxx
"Of course. Not only do we see the next episode but all the reruns." Noah groaned as he sat on the only wooden chair Gwen had in the room she was renting while Gwen turned on the television. "I so want to see all those times I'd rather forget about all over again."
"Is there a day when you're not sarcastic?" Gwen dryly asked.
"Mother's Day."
Gwen raised an eyebrow.
"What? She makes really nice cookies when we give her gifts." Noah shrugged.
Gwen rolled her eyes as the Total Drama Theme song started after Chris gave a brief preview on what happened during the last episode, including the fact that Ezekiel was now part of Team Chris because with Lindsay gone Ezekiel quickly joined up with Team C when Alejandro asked. Heather had not been too happy about that and things were worse when Courtney agreed to an alliance with Alejandro as well. When the theme song ended it showed the inside of the plane with Courtney and Alejandro in the Economy Cabin...
"Are they flirting?" Gwen asked.
"Oh yeah, Courtney and Alejandro made an alliance to make Duncan and Heather jealous so..." Noah trailed off.
"You've got to be kidding me." Gwen shook her head. "And Duncan?"
"Wait for it."
Heather was sitting on the bench not too far away with her arms crossed and an angry scowl on her face. The rest of Team Amazon sat next to her with Dawn meditating while Elliot was trying to nap and Cody just looked miserable.
"What's with Cody?" Gwen asked.
"Poor guy hasn't been himself since you disappeared." Noah explained.
"Oh." Gwen said, looking slightly remorseful.
Alejandro excused himself to get some cookies for Courtney and then the scene switched to Heather in the confessional.
"I can't believe the nerve of him, breaking up my team like this! That's it! Courtney has got to go!"
The scene then shifted to Duncan and Owen hanging out in the cafeteria and Alejandro stole a few cookies from them.
"Is it weird for you that Al is flirting with Courtney?" Owen asked.
"Whatever." Duncan shrugged.
"It's weird because Noah used to say Al was into Heather big time." Owen continued.
"What else did Noah say?" Duncan sounded interested now.
"That Al was a slippery eel." Noah scowled. "I shouldn't have opened my big mouth because Al was listening through Chris's cameras during the Jack the Ripper challenge."
"Wow. Sounds like you got to stay on longer because of me." Gwen commented.
"Yeah, only for Tyler and Owen to not believe me, Tyler to get injured by aliens in Area 51, and I lost a fight with a sheep in Australia." When Gwen looked confused Noah just shrugged. "Don't ask."
The plane finally landed at its next destination by spinning out of control on ice and crashing into an iceberg.
"Welcome to Sweden!" Chris announced in a bad accent.
"Where are those jackets you ordered for us from the Yukon?" Heather along with everyone else were shivering and their teeth were chattering.
"Oh come on! I spent all day working on my accent and nobody compliments on how authentic it sounds?" Chris complained.
"You're joking right? It sounded like a raccoon caught in the plane's engine!" Elliot shouted.
Chris grumbled and went to see Chef about the jackets.
Gwen was not surprised to see he had no jackets for them to wear. "Yukon all over again."
Gwen and Noah watched as Courtney 'cuddled' with Alejandro which made Heather angry and latch onto Duncan who actually accepted her plan and played along.
"No way." Gwen commented.
"Way." Noah replied.
Chris came back. "The jackets are here..."
All of the contestants cheered happily.
"In six weeks!"
"Saw that coming." Both Gwen and Noah said exactly at the same time.
The challenge was to build something out of wood but Chris didn't tell them what.
"How did you guys win with a team like that?" Noah asked as Courtney and Heather started fighting.
"I have no idea." Gwen sighed.
Dawn and Elliot were simply watching the fight while Cody was rummaging through the wood, suddenly getting an idea. Courtney tried to stop him but luckily Heather stopped her and allowed Cody to finish building...
"You have got to be kidding me." Gwen gaped.
Everyone gaped along with Gwen as Cody finished building a large wooden version of Gwen's face. Meanwhile Team Chris had started working on a boat which they agreed to keep secret until the bell rang and it was time to sing.
Heather: They're way ahead, so we've got to go!
Courtney: We've got to build something to sail, something we can row-ow!
Dawn: It doesn't have to be a boat!
Heather and Courtney: As long as it stays afloat!
Heather, Courtney, Dawn, and Elliot: Oh, why did we build Gwen's face?!
Alejandro and Duncan: It's almost ready, to set sail!
Duncan: Just hammering in the final nail!
Heather, Courtney, Dawn, and Elliot: Ohh, ohh, ohh!
Owen: We really did this fast!
Alejandro and Duncan: Soon we'll be back in first class!
Alejandro, Duncan, and Owen: Because they built Gwen's face!
Heather, Courtney, Dawn, and Elliot: We built Gwen's face!
Alejandro, Duncan, and Owen: We're gonna take first place!
Heather, Courtney, Dawn, and Elliot: Because we built Gwen's face!
Courtney: Aaaa-eee-yeah-eee-yeah!
Heather and Courtney: We built Gwen's face!
Elliot: Eee-yeah-eee-yeah-eee-yeah-eee-yeah!
When the song ended Gwen was rendered speechless by the song while Noah looked over at her. "You okay?"
"...I thought those toys of us were bad but I think that song's just going to give me a whole new world of nightmares." Gwen replied after a moment of silence.
The challenge ended when Owen won the flag for his team meaning that Team Amazon would be eliminating someone tonight. Heather confronted Alejandro and demanded to know why he was picking off her teammates while he was ignoring her. Alejandro explained he was trying to get rid of Duncan and Courtney and in order for his plan to work he had to make Courtney think that he likes her. Alejandro then commented that maybe she could try with Duncan since he didn't fight her when she latched onto him earlier.
Heather waved it off but then looked unsure and asked if that was all he was doing.
"She's really into him." Gwen commented.
"I know." Noah shrugged. "Who else would an eel fall for if not another eel?"
The camera now showed Owen with Duncan and Ezekiel talking about whether or not they should trust Alejandro and Duncan simply said. "Do what Noah would do."
"That's the smartest thing he's ever said." Noah pointed out.
Gwen snorted but didn't say anything.
The camera then switched the elimination ceremony where Team Amazon voted for Courtney but to their disappointment Chris made it a reward ceremony instead.
"What a schmuck." Noah muttered.
"Amen." Gwen agreed as she turned the TV off. "Nice to see Dawn and Elliot handling themselves without me."
Noah was about to comment when his cell phone rang. "Great." Gwen watched as he pulled it out and answered. "Yeah?"
Gwen couldn't hear the speaker on the other end but judging by the look on Noah's face he was not happy to be talking to them.
"No, haven't found anything yet. Might have to stay a couple more days before we find her...Yeah I'm looking. Seriously I am looking!" Noah glanced at Gwen who smirked in amusement. "No I'm not hiding out at the library. I'm being entirely truthful..."
Gwen heard him mutter 'this time' under his breath.
"Yeah...Yeah...Okay." Noah hung up and put his phone away. "They want me back at the inn I'm staying at so we can go over how we're looking for you...again."
Gwen smirked as Noah stood up. "You can tell there will be some pretty serious strategizing going on when you get there."
"Plus the two minute argument on whether or not beer should be allowed with a contestant staying with them." Noah walked over to the door. "Keep out of sight and we'll stay here until the stupid show is over."
"Good luck." Gwen waved at him as he opened the door and walked out.
"Yeah, have fun being free." Noah replied with a small smirk as he closed the door.
When the door closed Gwen frowned as she stood up and walked to her door, opening it and walking downstairs when she was sure Noah was gone. She spotted Kurt at his table and walked over as he lowered the can of Coke he was drinking.
"Hey there. How was the show?" Kurt asked.
"Noah? Seriously? Noah and some interns are my tickets on how to get back on the show?" Gwen asked as she sat down. "He doesn't want me to be found."
"Really? I had no idea." Gwen could tell Kurt was feigning ignorance.
"Come on, Kurt, you know I don't like it when you decide to be all mysterious instead of just giving me the answer." Gwen sighed.
"Now where's the fun in that?" Kurt grinned but turned serious. "Noah's little attempt to hide you won't work for very long."
"And then they'll drag me back to the Aftermath. Perfect." Gwen stood up. "I just hope Dawn and Elliot will be okay without me. I'm going for a walk."
"See ya later, Gwen." Kurt waved goodbye as Gwen walked out of the bar.
Xxx
'Okay, what is he up to this time?' Gwen thought as she stepped out of the bar.
Before she could think further or hear Andromeda's thoughts on the matter she sensed something fly through the air hit her in the neck.
"Wha?!" Gwen spun around, ready to take out her sword.
'Gwen wait! It's not a spirit weapon!' Andromeda called out.
'Then what was i...' Gwen started to feel sleepy all of a sudden. 'Some kind of tranquilizer?! Who would...Andromeda why aren't you helping me repel it?!'
'Sorry Gwen but I can't interfere in human affairs.' Andromeda said, sounding sincere in her apology.
'Human...affairs...' That was Gwen could think of before she fell down and blacked out.
Xxx
'Gwen. Gwen, can you hear me?'
Gwen groaned and felt a throbbing pain in her neck which she reached to instinctively rub with her right hand. It didn't help she had a migraine but as she returned to the conscious world she felt the presence of Andromeda already working to heal those minor aches.
'Andromeda? What happened?' Gwen groaned.
'You blacked out from a dart with a tranquilizer.' Andromeda replied.
Gwen felt vibrations on the cold metal floor she was on meaning she was inside some kind of vehicle that was moving. She sat up, regretting it a second later because she was hit by a sudden wave of dizziness that almost made her fall over.
'The floor is metal but it looks like some kind of storage compartment. If I was in a car I'd hear the wheels and it'd feel bumpy. If it were boat it'd be rocking back and forth so we have to be on...' Gwen stood up. 'A plane!'
Looking around Gwen saw the room she was in looked like the cargo hold of the Total Drama Jumbo Jet but much smaller.
"Oh boy." Gwen sighed. "This is what Kurt was talking about."
A groan made Gwen turn around to see someone else in the room with her. "Noah?"
Noah was sprawled across the floor not too far from her and he was already waking up. "Ow...What's going on?"
"You okay?" Gwen knelt down next to him.
"Gwen?" Noah sat up. "Why do I feel like got run over by a tank?"
"Looks like you were knocked out like I was." Gwen surmised.
"Oh great. So where are we?" Noah looked around.
"Looks like a plane." Gwen answered. "No windows for us to see where we're going and I don't see a clock."
"Hang on." Noah reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. "...Says here it's 1:00 AM. We've been knocked out for a whole day and we're waking up in the middle of the night!"
"Why do I get the feeling it was those interns you were working with?" Gwen stood up and stretched her legs.
"Definitely them. They had a few...special items with them for tracking and capturing runaways." Noah stood up and stretched his limbs.
"Like tranquilizer darts?"
"Yeah. Those." Noah sighed. "Looks like we're on for the Aftermath show."
"Yep." Gwen shook her head and sat down against the wall with Noah sitting beside her. "Want to think of a speech for when we get on stage?"
"Oh, a speech. I've got a lot of things I would to say about this stupid show." Noah said with a small grin. "You'd be surprised by the things you can think of saying on Live TV even with kids watching. You just need to make sure it doesn't sound like swearing and the adults don't understand."
"You weren't hugged a lot as a child were you?" Gwen raised an eyebrow.
"More than you think but my sisters got the most." Noah shrugged.
The door opened up and a man wearing a white muscle short and cargo pants stepped in. He had short brown hair and normal skin while his eyes were dark green.
"Oh good. You guys are awake." The man smiled. "I'm Ted, the lead intern here."
"And probably the one who knocked us out." Gwen finished with a scowl.
"Sorry, but we had to do everything legal and non-harmful to bring you back. You made a big spectacle getting kidnapped Gwen but luckily we had someone on the inside." Ted replied. "A nice guy with red hair and sunglasses explained everything to us and told us where to find you."
'Kurt. I should have known.' Gwen thought. 'Sly bastard set me up the second I found Noah.'
"So are we going to the Aftermath?" Noah asked.
"You are but Gwen is going to see Chris." Ted replied.
"Say what?" Gwen asked, looking straight at Ted. "Why?"
"Well for one you were not technically eliminated and you didn't quit or make a run for it so technically you're still a contestant." Ted explained with a look of pity. "Chris wants you back as soon as possible before your family decides to launch a lawsuit against him."
'So he just wants me back on the show so the entire world can see that I'm safe and sound. At least my mother won't go on a rampage. On the other hand she'll hug me so hard my ribs will break.' Gwen sighed.
"So Gwen goes back on the show and I go to the Aftermath...Good luck Gwen." Noah patted Gwen on the shoulder. "I don't envy your bad fortune."
"Gee thanks." Gwen sarcastically said with a smirk. "Good luck with the Aftermath, Noah."
"You two done yet?" Ted asked. "Because you're free to leave this room."
Gwen and Noah glanced at each other before standing up and following Ted out of the cargo hold. They could tell that the plane they were on was smaller than the Jumbo Jet but it also had a really nice first Gwen looked out of the window she saw that it was night and she could tell they were still over the ocean.
"So where are we going?" Gwen asked as she sat on a very nice and comfy chair.
"Next challenge." Ted said as he sat at the front of the cabin.
"And where is that?" Gwen pressed.
"You'll see." Ted smirked at her. "Can't give everything away or I'd get in trouble."
Gwen sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "At least you're not acting like an ass, unlike a certain mop head."
"Thank you, you have no idea how much that means to me." Ted chuckled. "There's food and drinks in the fridge and cupboards." He gestured to the mini-bar. "And nice pillow for you to sleep on when you're tired. Enjoy yourselves."
He stood and walked to the door leading to cockpit, leaving the two teens alone.
"Well, I guess we just enjoy the ride." Gwen relaxed in her chair and looked out the window. "Before I go back to Hell."
"Yep. Nice while it lasted." Noah sat on the chair next to her.
Xxx
'...Gwen...Gwen...Hello? Gwenny!'
Gwen opened her eyes to see Ted standing in front of her with a tray of food. "...What?"
"We're arrived at our destination." Ted pointed at the window.
Gwen rubbed her left eye as she looked out the window...
'Is that...' Gwen's eyes widened. "Niagara Falls?"
"You recognize this place?" Ted as he set the tray of food, consisting of fruit, toast, and a glass of milk down in front of her.
"I came here all the time as a kid. This is where the next challenge is being held?" Gwen asked as she looked at everything she could see through the window.
"Yep." Ted said. "The plane should be arriving...now."
Gwen looked up and saw the Total Drama Jumbo Jet flying over the river and the cargo hold opened, apparently dropping the contestants into the water.
"They weren't asleep when that happened, right?" Gwen asked.
"Who knows?" Ted shrugged. "We're landing now too."
The jet landed behind a tall building and when it came to a complete stop there was a beeping sound as the doors opened up.
"All right, Gwen. Time to go back to the world of Total Drama. Good luck, you'll need it." Noah added with a smile.
"Yeah, I really will." Gwen said as she walked out of the plane and followed Ted into the building. "What is this place?"
"A local casino that Chris rented out for the show." Ted answered. "You'll be on in a few minutes."
"What do you mean by that?" Gwen asked as they stood behind a pair of large curtains.
From the looks of it Gwen guessed they were on a stage in some kind of concert hall.
"You'll see."
That was all Ted said before he turned and walked away, leaving Gwen to feel slightly nervous.
'What have I stepped into?'
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M NOT IN THE SHOW?!" A loud female voice shouted and echoed throughout the casino.
'That was loud.' Gwen rubbed her ears. 'Even louder than Heather was when she got her hair shaved.'
"Well, if not for one minor technicality we would have let you on but since you're not an actual member we decided to replace you with a last minute audition." Chris's voice replied. "And now, returning from London safe and sound. Here's GWEN!"
The curtains opened up, revealing Gwen standing in the middle of the stage looking in shock as she saw the empty hall with the contestants staring at her in complete shock. She could see that among the remaining contestants were Ezekiel, Alejandro, Cody, Duncan, Owen, Heather, Courtney, Dawn, and Elliot.
"GWEN!" Owen, Elliot, and Cody shouted happily.
"Hi-WHOA!" Gwen's breath was knocked out of her as Owen ran onto the stage and swept her up into a huge hug.
"Wow, Gwen! I'm so happy to see you!" Owen gasped with happiness.
"I would...too...if I could...breath!" Gwen choked out.
"Oops! Sorry." Owen quickly released Gwen and set her back down on the ground. "I'm just so glad you're all right! Everyone was worried about you!"
Before Gwen could reply to that she was interrupted again.
"GWEN!"
This time it was Cody who ran onto the stage and latched onto her waist in an awkward side hug. Gwen looked down at Cody who gave her a big happy smile.
"Ah...hi, Cody." Gwen hesitantly patted Cody on the head.
"Gwen..." Cody sighed happily.
'Oh boy. Now this is just a little creepy.' Gwen thought as she tried to push Cody off her. "Uh...Cody, could you let go now?"
"Please! Just a little longer!" Cody begged with puppy eyes.
'Not that look again.' Gwen closed her eyes. 'Please...'
"Okay, you've had your turn! It's mine now!"
This time Elliot ran onto the stage and grabbed Cody's leg and tried to pull him away.
"Gwen!" Cody yelled as he was pulled away.
"Okay than-WAIT! DON'T..."Gwen didn't have the chance to finish as Elliot jumped on her and knocked her down.
"I am so happy you're okay!" Elliot hugged Gwen tightly. "I was worried you were taken by some thug! You weren't were you? Did they do anything bad?! Did you kick them in the nuts and escape? Did you..."
Gwen put her hand on Elliot's mouth. "I'm okay but can I get up before my ribs break?"
"Oh, okay." Elliot blushed slightly as she helped Gwen stand back up.
"That's right, folks! Total Drama Contestant Gwen who was thought to have been kidnapped in London has returned safe and sound so one has to sue me or the show for coming to her rescue!" Chris announced as he walked onto the stage. "
"Schmuck." Gwen whispered.
"Our hardworking interns found her in London and brought her back here to continue competing." Chris continued.
"WHAT?! She hasn't been on the show for several episodes now!"
Gwen looked at the source of the voice and was surprised to see it was the blond woman in the red dress from Celebrity Manhunt.
'What was her name again?' Gwen thought.
'I was paying much attention either.' Andromeda admitted.
"Why does she take my place?" The woman continued.
"Simply, Blaineley," Chris grinned. "...Since she was never eliminated Gwen was never out of the contest!"
Everyone's eyes widened at what he had just said.
"Since no one voted for her in her absence Gwen is still part of Total Drama World Tour and can return." Chris chuckled at the look on Blaineley's face. "And since you're not an official contestant Gwen will be taking your place."
"Why you..." Blaineley lunged at Chris but Chef caught and dragged her off stage and out of the room."I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS, CHRIS! YOU HEAR ME?! I'LL GET YOU!"
"What was that about?" Gwen asked when the room was silent again.
"Oh, huh, there was a game on the Aftermath where one of the losers could come back but Blaineley came back instead of the others." Owen quickly explained.
"How did a host from Celebrity Manhunt get a chance to compete on this show?" Gwen raised an eyebrow.
"Don't know." Owen shrugged.
"All right, getting back on track everyone. We have a challenge here and they expect us to be done before sun down." Chris called out. "First off, there are no teams from this point on."
Duncan, Alejandro and Owen exchanged high fives.
"Well, gentlemen it's been an honour to make it this far with you. I trust we continue this brotherhood in some manner." Alejandro said as he shook hands with Duncan and Owen.
"Of course." Duncan nodded.
"Absolutely." Owen happily nodded.
As they walked away from each other Duncan and Alejandro crossed their fingers behind their backs. A sudden noise caught everyone's attention as two interns brought out a giant slot machine.
"Are we playing a gambling game?" Gwen asked.
"I can't gamble on live TV! My dad will be so mad!" Elliot protested.
"Since we're in the honeymoon capital of the world, we have decided to have arranged marriages as part of the challenge." Chris spoke up.
"Oh no! That's worse! If I get married on live TV my Dad will get a shotgun and shoot whoever I marry!" Elliot said with her hands on her cheeks as she adopted a horrified look on her face.
"Elly, the marriages are fake." Dawn pointed out.
"Oh...So my dad will just get a restraining order against the guy." Elliot sighed in relief.
"Each girl will pull a lever to win a husband who she will team up for today's challenge." Chris continued as he pulled the lever.
All three slots landed on a picture of Cody.
Xxx
Confessional: Cody
"Good thing Sierra's not here or she might have stopped at nothing to pick me. Plus if I am really lucky then Gwen will end up with me." Cody sighed dreamily. "Gwen."
End Confessional
Xxx
Chef stood on the slot machine, shoving the males through a hatch by jumping and stomping on them which resulted in cries of pain and protests from them. That wasn't the end as a moment later a cage carrying a bear was lowered down from the ceiling.
"Um, what's the bear for?" Heather nervously asked.
"Just making things more exciting." Chris snickered.
The bear was dropped inside and the girls could hear the guys screaming.
"You really don't want to land on him." Chris laughed.
'No, really? You think?' Gwen thought.
"Let the games begin!" Chris laughed. "Dawn, you are up first!"
"Okay...It's just a fake marriage." Dawn sighed as she stepped up and pulled the lever.
A second later Alejandro's face came up earning a gasp from Elliot, Heather and Courtney but for different reasons.
"No, no, no! Anyone but him!" Elliot ran up and slammed the door on Alejandro's arm as he came down. "I hate him! Let Dawn pick again!"
"Sorry, you win him you got him!" Chris laughed.
"It's all right, Elliot." Dawn put her hand on Elliot's shoulder to calm her down.
Elliot groaned as she stepped back and allowed Alejandro to fall out onto the ground with a groan.
"Fine, but if he says or does anything I don't like I call the right to kick him in the special spot!" Elliot growled.
"I can live with that." Chris shrugged. "Gwen, you're up!"
Gwen sighed as she stepped up and pulled the lever. A second later Owen's picture came up.
"Well, it could be worse." Gwen sighed as Owen fell out. "At least I got a good guy."
"Oh cool!" Owen chuckled nervously.
Xxx
Confessional: Owen
"I hope Izzy doesn't take this the wrong way and all but it's not so bad with a hot girl like Gwen as a wife." Owen chuckled nervously again. "She's...not going to find out I said that, right?"
End Confessional
Xxx
Elliot was next and when she pulled the lever Ezekiel's face came up. "Okay, that'll work."
Ezekiel fell out of the machine and looked up to see Elliot. "Whoa..."
Xxx
Confessional: Ezekiel
"Don't get me wrong, eh. I think Elliot's nice and all but she can be a little...scary."
End Confessional
Xxx
Courtney was next. "Not Duncan. Not Duncan. Not Duncan."
"I see they haven't patched things up yet." Gwen commented.
"Oh yeah. They haven't spoken since London and Courtney's been a little...friendly with Al." Owen said. "She and Heather were even gushing over him in Sweden."
'Don't remind me.' Gwen thought.
When Courtney pulled the lever she crossed her fingers and luckily Duncan's face didn't come up. Instead it was the bear that came out and started chasing her.
'Glad that wasn't me or Dawn or Elliot.' Gwen thought as she sighed in relief.
Five minutes later Courtney was back on the stage with scratches on her skin and clothes while her hair was messed up.
"Well, Courtney, looks like you're on the rebound already. Time for husband number two!" Chris chuckled.
Courtney grumbled as she pulled the lever and this time it landed on...
"Aw come on!" Courtney shouted as Duncan fell out.
The instant he saw Courtney Duncan tried to crawl back into the machine.
"Maybe I should stick with the bear." Courtney glanced back at the bear who now had a collar around its neck.
The bear seemed to understand her and let out a growl.
"And that leaves Heather and Cody!" Chris finished as Cody fell out.
"Great." Heather groaned. "Well, at least it's not home school."
Xxx
Five minutes later they were in another large room with the males on white pedestals while the 'wives' stood in front the pedestals their 'husbands' were on. The females were blindfolded while the males had megaphones in their hands.
"Because every good marriage is based on trust...and the ability to argue louder than your spouse. Each groom will use a megaphone to guide his blindfolded bride safely to her gown." Chris gestured to the wedding gown on the other side of the room. "Only couples with a dress can continue. Now GO!"
"Duncan we are on the same team, remember?" Courtney asked carefully as she lifted her blindfold to look up at him. "No funny business."
"Trust me there will be nothing funny about this." Duncan shrugged.
Courtney put the blindfold and walked down the path.
"Walk three paces ahead and turn left." Duncan instructed with his megaphone.
Courtney didn't realize she walked towards a pool with muddy water until she tripped and fell in. "Oh! Ew!"
Xxx
Confessional: Duncan
"I need immunity, especially around Alejandro but sticking it to Courtney just feels so right and that can't be wrong." Duncan smiled.
Xxx
Confessional: Gwen
"I see things haven't changed a lot since I was gone."
End Confessional
Xxx
"Dawn, go a little to the right...Right!" Alejandro called out.
"Please calm down. I am going right."Elliot called back, annoyed by Alejandro's constant instructions.
"Too far! Turn left! Left!"
Dawn bumped into a wedding gown.
"Yes chica! We won!" Alejandro smiled.
"Thank you for the instructions." Dawn pulled off the blindfold. "But please make up your mind before you shout."
"Could you speak up?! I can't hear a word!" Heather shouted as she blindly glanced back at Cody.
"Uh, right?" Cody guessed.
Heather turned right...and fell off the stage, yelping as she hit the ground.
"Now right!" Duncan shouted to Courtney.
However Courtney turned and walked left instead.
"Hey! I said right!"
"As if I believe anything your lying lips say." Courtney retorted.
However she once again fell into another muddy pool.
"Hmm...Puddy." Owen closed his eyes in content.
"Uh...Owen, help!" Gwen called out to him.
"Oh, sorry Gwen! Go that way!" Owen replied.
"This way?" Gwen asked, walking towards a giant cake.
"Uh no! The other way!"
It was too late as Gwen walked face first into the cake.
"Sorry!" Owen hastily said, fearful that Gwen would be angry.
'You know I love the big lug and all but this marriage might not work out.' Gwen thought as she pulled herself out of the cake.
She pulled some of the cake out of her hair and tasted it. "Hmm...vanilla with a hint of lemon."
"It looks so good on you!" Owen called out.
Gwen's smile dropped as she shook her head. "Just keep telling me where to go."
Xxx
Confessional: Gwen
"That was a little disturbing. He's nice and all but the if he likes a girl covered in food than I hope Izzy or whoever goes out with him will stay home...or in the woods."
Xxx
BANG!
Duncan laughed as Courtney walked face first into a bell and let out a booming sound that rang through her ears.
"Courtney, it's me Alejandro. I cannot watch this train wreck for one minute longer. Simply walk two paces to the left and walk five paces forward." Alejandro called out.
"Aw! Come on dude!" Duncan groaned.
"We must remember strategy above feelings. I need you still in the game." Alejandro reasoned as Courtney followed his instructions and came up to a wedding gown.
"Got it! Thank goodness there's at least one gentleman here!" Courtney pulled off her blindfold to throw a dirty look at Duncan.
Xxx
Confessional: Heather
"I don't know what kind of weddings Alejandro's been to but each groom gets one wedding bride. One!"
Xxx
"Got it!" Elliot said as she grabbed a gown. "Thanks Zeke!"
"No problem, eh!" Ezekiel called back.
"Time to move onto the next challenge. Too bad Cody and Heather will not be joining us." Chris said.
Heather growled as she pulled off her blindfold and threw it on the ground. "Fine! Never liked weddings anyways!"
'Cody doesn't seem all that sad.' Gwen remarked with a small grin.
"Brides, you have ten minutes to change into those wedding gowns for the next challenge." Chris said as he walked out of the room. "And hurry! We're only booked for ten more minutes!"
Xxx
'You have got be kidding me. This is new, even for Chris.'
Gwen and the girls were now wearing the wedding gowns they had found and were standing with the others on a edge overlooking Niagara Falls itself. There was a narrow path consisting of a singular rope leading to the other side where Chef was waiting.
"This is what I like to call...till Death Do You Part." Chris announced.
"We just escaped falling over Niagara Falls just so you could have us walk over it on a tight rope?" Ezekiel asked with a gulp. "Maybe I should have stayed home."
"Aw, relax, Zekey!" Elliot put a hand on Zeke's shoulder. "We'll be fine, plus the dress you found for me ain't half bad!"
She smiled as she looked down at the white dress and put a hand on the tiara resting in her hair.
"Even better! Each groom has to carry his bride across the gorge and then you've got to successfully clear customs!" Chris gestured to Chef who waved at them. "First pair to do so wins invincibility and a pimped out wedding reception in First Class. Dawn and Alejandro won the first challenge so I am giving them a head start."
Alejandro smiled as he turned to Dawn who simply looked calmly back at him. "Ready Mrs. Alejandro?"
"Only if you please do not call me that." Dawn politely said.
"I almost forgot. Because the falls weren't quite unpleasant enough we stocked them with hungry, hungry sharks!" Chris continued.
Everyone gasped in horror as they looked down to see sharks circling down below.
"Sharks!" Courtney cried.
"Oh no! I'm like a buffet to them!" Owen cried.
"I know you have a fondness for that...rotund individual." Alejandro whispered to Duncan. "But such popularity makes him a threat."
"Yeah, and?" Duncan asked.
"Join me in voting him off and you can choose who leaves next. If it's Courtney, so be it." Alejandro reasoned.
"...Deal." Duncan smirked.
Xxx
Confessional: Duncan
"So I let him think I was going along with it, big deal. Nobody tells me what to do."
Xxx
"Come along my better half. Let us take advantage of our head start." Alejandro said as he gracefully picked up Dawn and began walking down the rope.
For her part, Dawn simply closed her eyes and smiled as she listened to the sounds of the waterfall. However that brought on death glares from Heather and Courtney.
Xxx
Confessional: Heather
"Getting all of the other girls on your side, Alejandro? We'll see how that works out!"
Xxx
Confessional: Courtney
"Okay so, eliminating Dawn is now number one, two, three, and five of my top five goals. Ripping out Duncan's eyebrow ring is number four."
End Confessional
Xxx
'What are you up to, Dawn?' Gwen thought.
"And remember, violence is never the answer...except on this show." Chris said, chuckling to himself.
Owen and Gwen were next since they were going in the order of who won the first challenge. Owen was carefully sliding his feet down the rope since he had to be extra careful while carrying Gwen.
"Just take deep breaths Owen and look at either the other end or at me." Gwen said calmly. "Don't think of anything else."
Telling him not to look down would be bad as saying it might make Owen unconsciously look down and fall off the rope.
"Okay..." Owen nodded. "You know, it's really nice to have you back, Gwen."
"Really?" Gwen asked.
"Oh yeah. Everyone was so worried about you...Even Heather looked a little worried. We were all thinking something bad happened to you." Owen said with a small smile. "But you're back and everyone's almost happy!"
"That's...very sweet." Gwen gave him a small smile. "Sorry I worried you all."
"Aww, it's okay!" Owen beamed. "So what have you been doing?"
"Oh, just hanging out in the city of London after I got away from that crazy party. Taking in the sites and all." Gwen shrugged.
"Cool."
Xxx
"So, Miss Dawn." Alejandro started. "I must say I almost mesmerized by the sheer ethereal beauty you possess. Just how can one girl be so lucky?"
"All children of Mother Earth are lucky, Mr. Alejandro." Dawn didn't open her eyes as she replied, trying to listen to the waterfall. "They are all born beautiful in their own unique way. You just have to look at them to see."
"A good point and exceptionally wise. Would it be too much to ask for this wisdom in helping me survive a little longer in this game? I am sure I can help you reach the top finals." Alejandro gave her his best charming grin.
"Perhaps..." Dawn's bracelet flashed a bit but anyone who was watching would luckily believe that was sunlight. "But about we first concentrate on winning the challenge."
"Of course." Alejandro nodded.
However Dawn had already cast her Method and whispered. "Five degrees left."
Alejandro's left foot turned to the very edge of the rope. "Now then-WHA!?"
He let out a scream as he and Dawn fell off the rope.
Xxx
Confessional: Alejandro
"Of course I fell on purpose! I am a gifted balancer but it would be unwise to appear too strong for now and with the teams just dissolved. I don't require immunity, not with my alliances with Heather, Courtney, Owen, and Duncan. So I lay in wait like a crocodillo, a devilishly handsome crocodillo."
Xxx
Confessional: Dawn
"Despite his boasts a gifted balancer is one who achieves balance physically and spiritually." Dawn sat cross legged on the toilet with a mischievous grin. "His spiritual aura leans on the side of the corrupt with his red and black aura; therefore he is no match for me."
End Confessional
Xxx
"Business or pleasure?" Chef asked as Owen and Gwen approached him.
"Is that a trick question?" Owen asked.
"Strictly business." Gwen answered.
"Okay then. A few questions first. What is Canada's capital?" Chef read the card.
"Ottawa." Gwen answered.
"Correct. What leaf is on Canada's flag?" Chef read the next question.
"The maple." Owen answered. "I remember because during breakfast the word maple comes before syrup."
"What is the name of Canada's famous fishing and racing scooner?"
"Scooner Bluenose."
The thing about Spirit Avatar training is the long hours of study that are sometimes even more boring than school lectures. However Kurt was someone who made sure Gwen had a good head on her shoulders and made her smart enough that she probably could have skipped several classes if she wanted to.
"What is Canada's national dessert?"
"Oh I know! I know! Butter Tarts!" Owen said, licking his lips at the thought of Butter Tarts.
"And finally what is the national animal of Canada?" Chef read the last question.
"Beavers." Both said at the same time.
Even Owen knew the answer to that question.
"Correct. Anything to declare?" Chef asked.
"Only that I hope that this challenge is finally over." Gwen said as Owen walked past Chef and put her down.
"Congratulations! You'll be travelling together in First Class and you both have won Invincibility." Chris called as he walked up to them.
"Whoo-Hoo! Awesome!" Owen let out a cheer.
"Help me!"
They all looked down to see Alejandro swimming for his life while sharks chased after him.
"Where's Dawn?" Gwen asked, looking concerned.
"There she is!" Owen pointed at a rock.
They looked to see Dawn meditating on the rock, not minding that she was soaked to the bone in a wedding dress or that Alejandro was being chased by sharks.
Xxx
Confessional: Gwen
"I don't know why I bother to worry. Dawn is just able to appear and disappear anytime she wants and she knows how to somehow land on the right spot without being hurt! I wonder if she can teach me that."
End Confessional
Xxx
Duncan and Courtney were next, followed by Elliot and Ezekiel, who was blushing up a storm from carrying Elliot. Eventually Alejandro was rescued from the sharks and soon enough everyone was back on the plane. At the end of the day they were all back on the plane and in the Elimination Hall for another ceremony.
"Owen and Gwen have immunity so everyone else is fair game. So who's it going to be?" Chris asked as he looked at the stamped passports. "Interesting. Really? Who'd have thought? Wow."
"Read them already!" Heather shouted.
"Okay, okay. Hold onto your halter top." Chris replied. "Two votes for Heather."
"What?!" Heather exclaimed. "Did Gwen and Courtney vote for me?"
Alejandro looked away.
"Two votes for Dawn." Chris continued.
"Hmm?" Dawn raised one eyebrow.
Courtney and Heather whistled innocently.
"Three votes for Alejandro."
"Huh?" Alejandro looked shocked.
"And four votes for...Courtney."
"WHAT?!" Courtney stood up and shouted. "Who did that?!"
"Sorry, can't tell you."
Xxx
Confessional: Ezekiel
"I wasn't planning too but Alejandro offered me to part of an alliance...AN ALLIANCE, eh! I've never been in an alliance before!"
End Confessional
Xxx
"Time to go, Courtney." Chris held up a parachute for her.
"I know you had something to do with this, Duncan!" Courtney pointed at the punk
"Bye bye." Duncan waved at her with a smile.
"When I get a hold of my lawyers I'll be suing for defamation of character!"Courtney was about to shout more but Chris had enough and pushed her out of the plane.
'She was trying to trick me...I almost fell for that.' Gwen thought and sighed. 'Great, I thought I was getting in her good books. She doesn't take rejection well at all.'
Xxx
Owen was chewing away at the cake already but he was nice enough to offer Gwen a piece which accepted with a smile.
'As much as I hate this show it's nice to be back.' Gwen relaxed in a chair next to the window. 'Now maybe we can get back to finding Nebula. Doesn't look like he had a chance to do anything here.'
'Most likely because he was counting on Jack the Ripper to succeed.' Andromeda surmised.
A familiar feeling made itself known and Gwen opened her eyes as to see the Dimension Seal being cast.
"Gwenny!"
"Ell-WHOA!"
Gwen was cut off as Elliot hugged her as she tried to stand up and they both fell onto the chair.
"I missed you so much!" Elliot smiled as she hugged Gwen tightly.
"I get the idea." Gwen sighed.
"Sorry, Gwen. She's just too happy." Dawn said as she walked in and sat next to them.
"It's okay; it's not as tight as Cody or Owen's hugs." Gwen said as Elliot finally let go. "Well this is a surprise. When Carlos used that Shadow Duplicate Method to kidnap me I was sure I wasn't coming back. Did you guys do anything to Chris to make him let me back?"
"Nope. That was all Chris." Elliot shook her head. "But everyone was worried about you. We saw the Aftermath and everyone, the cast, the audience, and even the producers were worried. Well, the aura around the producers was half motivated by fear of you being while the other half was fear of being sued."
"Really?" Gwen asked, surprised that so many people would actually be worried for her.
"Yeah. I can almost literally feel how happy and relieved everyone will be as they all find out your safe." Dawn nodded with a smile.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Gwen smiled back. "Now that I'm back we better hurry up and finish this."
"Whoo-Hoo!" Elliot gabbed both of them in a tight hug. "We're going to the top and taking down Nebula!"
All Gwen and Dawn could do was gasp for air but they managed to smile.