AN: So, this is it. As Nightmare at Pahkitew Island continued I still grew dissatisfied with the way it was going. It just… didn't feel right. Part of it I can attribute to getting burned out on having a cast made purely of OCs. I couldn't just add the original cast to the story and while I considered doing a new original cast fic it didn't feel right to just throw all my OCs away either. Thus, I was led to the conclusion that keeping them but shuffling into Total Drama and beginning on the original TDI. I think this is something that I might come to truly love.
The lake was quiet and placid as the shot showed the end of a pier with hills and forests going off into the distance. It was evident that it was either very old or abandoned, as several planks from the dock were missing.
Chris McLean, the host of the show getting ready to premier popped onto the shot from underneath and started speaking. "Yo," he greeted. "We're coming at you live from Camp Wawanakwa, somewhere in Muskoka Ontario. I'm your host, Chris McLean! Dropping season one of the hottest reality show on television, right now!"
A musical score turned on in the background and gave the footage an ominous tone. "Here's the deal, twenty-two campers have signed up to spend eight weeks right here at this crummy old summer camp. They'll compete in challenges against each other, then have to face the judgment of their fellow campers."
The score grew into a slightly lighter tone. Every three days, one team will either win a reward or watch one of their team members walk down the Dock of Shame," he said, pointing out the name of the very dock he was on. "Take a ride on the loser boat, and leave Total Drama Island for good."
The camera cut to a campside area with several stumps placed in front of a campfire made of an old tire rim and an oil drum made to look like a podium. "Their fates will be decided here, at the dramatic campfire ceremony, where each week all but on camper will receive a marshmallow," he continued. He pulled out a stick with a marshmallow at the end and ate it.
"In the end, only one will be left standing and will be rewarded with cheesy tabloid fame and a small fortune, which, let's face it, they'll probably blow in a week."
"To survive, they'll have to face black flies," he said as a swarm of flies appeared on screen. "Grizzly bears," he said as the camera panned down and revealed a bear swatting at the swarm. "Disgusting camp food." The shot showed a giant insect larvae infesting a bowl of food. "And each other."
"Every moment will be caught on one of the hundreds of cameras situated all over the camp!" Cameras were shown in various positions on the island in areas that would disturb the wildlife.
"Who will crumble under the pressure? Find out here on Total! Drama! Island!"
(Opening Theme)
"Welcome back to Total Drama Island," the host reintroduced as the show returned from its opening theme. "It's time to meet our campers! We told them we'd be staying at this five star resort, so if they seem a little TO'd, that's probably why."
As if on cue, a boat arrived and quickly sped off, leaving behind a girl with hair that was bright red, likely dyed that way with two pigtails, revealing clothing, and a flower adorned on her head. "Zoey, the Indie Chick!" Chris announced.
"Hey, Chris," the girl greeted. "It looks like I'm the first one here, huh? Well, I hope everyone here is nice," she said with a faint smile.
"Trust me, they're not," Chris refuted. "This is one brutal gang."
"Oh," she said as she moved to the end of the dock, dropping her bags down on a spot near the edge and beginning the pile.
Another boat sped of, this time delivering a black teenager in a green shirt carrying two bags along with him. "Yo, DJ!" Chris greeted as the boy approached the end of the dock.
"Yo, Chris McLean! How's it going?" the boy responded with a high-five. "Hey, you sure we got the right place here? Where's the hot tub at?"
"Yo dog, this is it! Camp Wawanakwa!" Chris said with enthusiasm.
DJ picked his bags up and started walking towards the end again with an annoyed expression, taking a glance around his new surroundings. "Hm… looked a lot different on the application form," he said to himself.
The next to arrive was a black girl with bushy hair contained by a grey baseball cap. She wore large darkened sunglasses that partially obscured her eyes and a baggy denim jacket over a white top. She wore a stern expression as she approached the host, though his smile remained unphased. "Sophie, our Gamer Girl is here!"
Sophie simply pursed her lips. "Am I supposed to believe this resembles a five-star resort in any way?"
"Not anymore," Chris said lightly.
The girl's expression softened into a slight smirk. "Well, it doesn't matter anyway. Be it resort or summer camp, I've never lost a game and I don't intend to, either."
"You can't, like, never lose, right?" Zoey asked.
Sophie pushed her glasses closer to her face. "Never."
"Chris McLean!" a voice called out from off screen as a boat sped by. He was wearing a pink unbuttoned jacket a cowboy hat that concealed blond hair. "I'm pumped, man! It's an honor to be here, man!"
"The Geoffster!" the host said with matching enthusiasm. "Welcome to the island, man!"
"Thanks, man!" Geoff responded with a smile.
Sophie tangled her fingers behind her back. "Do you know game theory?" she asked with a grin.
"Game what? Dunno what you're talking about, man," Geoff said obliviously.
"Never mind. I didn't think so, anyway." Sophie turned to address the host. "I don't think this is the show I thought it was. I was expecting exciting cutthroat political action' not 'teen drama romance simulator'. I didn't sign up to spend my summer break back in high school. I get enough of that at home."
"Isn't that what high school is?" Zoey asked. "The politics part anyway…"
Chris gave a light laugh. "I think we've got a good mix of both here!" Another boat sped by, this time delivering a tall, dark, and handsome Hispanic man passed by wearing a confident smile. "Meet Alejandro, our resident charming gentleman!"
Sophie and Zoey were already swooning.
"Thank you for the perfect introduction, Chris. Hola, amigos. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintances. I hope we can all have a good, fun, and fair game, si?"
Sophie shook her head as if getting herself out of a trance. "R-Right. Yes. Fair. Games are never any fun when a cheater is involved. Right Zoey?"
Zoey didn't respond.
"Zoey?" Sophie repeated. She nudged her on the arm.
She blinked and suddenly became aware again. "Oh, sorry. I was just… staring… at you," she said quietly.
"Right," Alejandro dismissed.
Suddenly, they were all interrupted by an ear-piercing scream. "OH MY GOSH!" a girl screamed. "IT'S THE CHRIS MCLEAN!"
"Right, it's my personal obsessive stalk… I mean, blogger, Sierra!" Chris said.
Sierra was a tanned girl with a long, braided style of hair that was dyed purple. "Chris! I can't believe I'm actually here! I signed up just to meet you, you know?!" She paused to take a breath. "Gee, you're a lot shorter in real life. Of course, I already knew they make him look taller in all the photoshoots!
She suddenly pulled a camera out of her pocket and snapped a picture of the host. "Okay, that is so going on my blog!"
"Just… go stand with the others before I regret my decision to bring you here," Chris commanded.
She grabbed the host and pulled him into a bone-crushing hug."Okay Chris, byeeee! Have fun!" she shouted as she finally let go.
"Too late." he deadpanned.
The next contestant had a violent sneer as he threw his luggage onto the dock from a boat and then jumped down in one quick motion. He was covered in piercing and had a green Mohawk on his head. "Duncan, dude!"
He took one cursory glance at the camp, then said, "I don't like surprises."
"Yeah, you're parole officer warmed me about me that! He also told me to give him a holler any time and have you returned to juvie," Chris said without flinching.
Duncan walked to the end of the dock with the others carrying his luggage. "Wow, you went to juvie?!" Zoey said in surprise as he approached.
"Yup."
"Like, what did you do? I mean, if you don't mind me asking that is. Wait, was it something bad?"
"It was just some harmless graffiti," Duncan replied.
"Oh. Cool… I guess? Sorry, am I being too annoying?" Zoey questioned.
Duncan just rolled his eyes.
The next arrival was the oddest dressed of them all. She was wearing a homemade spacesuit out of tinfoil and a fishbowl turned upside down covering her head with a hole on top so she could get air. She wore what was clearly just an alien mask on her face and behind her head, bright orange hair could be seen.
Chris let out a long, drawn out sigh. "For our next camper meet… ugh… MoonMoon, the space alien!"
"Greeting earthlings, you have been graced by the presence off MoonMoon from planet Plutosumeria! MoonMoon has come to observe your species in ideal conditions in this 'game' of life and death! Prove thineselves worthy or you shall face extermination, worms!"
"Seriously?" Sophie said in exasperation.
"Come on guys," Zoey said lightly. "She's probably not serious, she just wants to make an entrance, right?"
"You can't be real." Duncan groaned. "Listen, dork, this ain't ComicCon. Take off the goofy costume."
"MoonMoon knows not of this word 'dork' you humans use, but MoonMoon can smell your xenophobia from here. You are disrespecting MoonMoon and you are disrespecting her culture, human scum! For that, you must be shown punishment for your sins!" The alien girl pulled out a shoddily made space gun and pointed it at Duncan. "MOONMOON! BRAAP BRAAAP!"
"Ow! What the –," Duncan said. He pulled a dark out of his arm, which had a large needle sticking out the front. "Are those real darts?"
"You are lucky MoonMoon's phaser was merely set to 'pain'. MoonMoon was aiming to have you vaporized!"
"Listen, I'm usually against hurting girls, but if you shoot me with that again, you will be sorry," he threatened.
"I do not speak ape," the alien said casually.
"Hey, is she even allowed to have that?" DJ interjected on the chaos. "It has to count as a weapon, right?"
"Sorry, no can do! Can't take away anything that would make the show less fun, could I? Fun for me at least, not so much for you. Besides, she's not the only one who requested to bring weapons."
"Wait, so she's not the only one?" Sophie complained. "I take it back, this island isn't high school, it's a frickin' circus."
"Tread lightly, human."
"Ignoring that fiasco, our next contestant is another huge fan of yours truly," Chris said pridefully. "Everyone, give a big hand for Topher."
Topher was almost Chris's spitting image. His hair was as neat as the host and the clothes he wore were clearly meant to mimic his own. "Chris! Dude! It's so nice to finally meet you in person. I saw you on that figure skating show. You know, with your hosting skills and my good looks, I'm sure we're gonna blow this show's rating up!"
"GOOD LOOKS!?" MoonMoon sneered. "You human's unfortunate appearance is an insult to the very concept of evolution!"
"Um, Chris? Are you sure you picked the right people for the show? I'm not sure this band of misfits really qualifies for the cutthroat drama the audience is looking for, know what I mean?"
"I've got plenty of that too, but comic relief is pretty important," Chris said. "I think I know what I'm doing."
"I really don't think so. See, what I would've done is put in a very powerful villain that the audience can root against. Wouldn't that be exciting?" Topher offered.
"I don't think we have anyone like that here," Alejandro said calmly.
"Hmm, well. If you need any hosting advice, Chris, you know where to call!" Topher said as he headed down the dock.
"I don't think I will," Chriss said snidely. "Now introducing a proud member of MENSA, Scarlett!" A girl walked onto the dock in apparel that made her fit more as a school teacher than a camper – she had red hair that was tied into a bun and large, round glasses.
She walked lightly across the dock eyeing the other campers.
Duncan scoffed. "Where do you think you are? This ain't the spelling bee, hun."
Scarlett shot a light glare toward Chris. "I was under the impression that this would a contest of intellectual capability located at a clean resort. Obviously, the brochure was misleading."
Zoey scratched the back of her head. "I thought this was a talent contest?"
"We'll get to that," Chris said. "If you're still here by then."
Scarlett adjusted her glasses. "I suppose the location is inconsequential anyway. Will there at least be private quarters? I would prefer to sleep… by myself," she stated, taking a glance at the girl with the alien mask.
"This is the full camp experience – you'll be getting quite a bit of personal time to get to know each other. I hope you like bunk beds!"
Scarlett's eye twitched slightly.
The next camper arrived with a loud thud as he moved onto the dock. He moved in a stiff, formal way and was wearing full military fatigues. He had short blonde hair that was buzz cut and shoes that seemed to fit feet twice as big as normal. "Weak," he sneered as he arrived.
"A yes, son of a famous general, Jaden Horn has arrived. "This will be -"
"You… and you." He pointed toward DJ and Alejandro. "Those two will be on my team. The others will not."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold it," Chris said. "That is not for you to decide. And how did you know we were splitting into teams anyway? I certainly didn't mention that detail."
He sniffed. "Simple. My dad is famous. He pulled strings."
"Hey Chris," Sophie shouted. "This dude is, like, cheating already! Can't he be disqualified for that?"
"He can," Chris said lightly. Jaden shot him a glare. "But I don't really care to enforce it. Right now. I'll make sure stuff like that doesn't get to egregious."
"You should," a voice said from behind. "An unfair game could be cause for loss of viewer retention that contestants that feel cheated would be less inclined to participate in any all-star casts, yes?" This girl was smaller than the rest – she had on a purple sweater and skirt and had brown hair that was cut into a bob. But was most striking were her glossy eyes, which seemed to look straight forward at nobody in particular.
"That's right!" Topher said.
Chris sighed. "This here… is Vi."
"Pleasure," she nodded. "However, I cannot help but observe that the filming location is not what I would describe as a five-star-resort. Although I do not have particular knowledge in the field, I believe this is what could be called a 'summer camp'."
"Pretty much," Chris groaned.
"Dude, I have no idea what she just said," Geoff said.
A boat arrived at the dock. "Our next contestant… is Antony!"
Antony jumped from the boat onto the dock below. He had dark brown windswept hair and a brown long coat that seemed to sweep in the wind. "Hell yeah! Look at these little people, I'm gonna dominate this game for sure! The only one winning this thing will be mee-eee! Helllll yeah!"
"MoonMoon thinks weapons will beat out dumb muscle any day!" the alien girl shouted.
"Haha, I'm not afraid of a little girl in a clown mask!" Antony chuckled.
"BRAAP BRAAP!" She shot the man with her dart gun. Antony flinched as hit struck his arm then quickly pulled it out. "Eat dirt, human scum!"
"Are you really sure about this cast, Chris?" Topher said uncertainly.
"Ugh, he already told you it was to bring in ratings," Sierra butted in. "I happen to think it's perfect! This will easily be, like, one of the top reality shows of all time! Right, Chris?"
"Absolutely," he nodded. "Next up on our list is Scott!" A red-headed boy stepped out of his boat and gave the cast a cursory glance. He was wearing a white sleeveless t-shirt and had on a pair of baggy pants.
He gave a light chuckle as he arrived. "Man, this is too easy. What a bunch of weaklings."
Vi tilted her head to the left. "It could be a man's greatest folly to underestimate his peers. Disaster strikes from who we least suspect – this is a philosophy that is most prevalent in the books that which I read."
"Whatever." He walked to the end of the dock with the others. As he passed, Sophie pinched to the bridge of her nose.
"Aw, man. You reek."
Scott snorted. "Come on, don't be a baby. This ain't even the worst I ever stank."
"If that is bothering you, you wouldn't last a week in my world," Jaden added. "I have smelled far worse than you can ever imagine."
Duncan crossed his arms. "I really don't think how bad your nose is will have any impact on the game."
"Oh?" Jaden gave Duncan a once-over. "You look like a delinquent. How many times have you been to juvie? Ten? Twelve? I really don't think your opinion matters to anyone."
"Oh, you really wanna go there?" Duncan boasted. "I could beat you up, military or not."
Zoey stepped between the two. "Come on guys, we can get along here."
Duncan scoffed. "Sure."
Sophie exhaled lightly. "Right. I give the island ten minutes before it explodes from the sheer big-headedness on it. This is… ridiculous."
"Settle down for now, kiddos… next up is Kim."
The next contestant looked very prim, wearing a yellow dress with a floral print arranged around it and had her blonde hair neatly tied into a bun. She tilted her head toward the dock. "Ew. I think I see the bug…" She looked around to observe her surroundings. "Uh, what is this place? This doesn't look like any five star resort I've ever seen. Actually… is this just a summer camp?"
"That it is!" Chris replied jovially.
The girl's demeanor quickly changed. "Awww… nooo. This is a health and safety nightmare! Imagine the mosquitoes! The unfiltered air! Grime all around! You can't make me stay here!"
"I think your ride just left," Chris said as the thumbed toward the leaving boat. "So unless you want to swim in the lake, which I assure you is not clean at all, then I'd say you're stuck here."
The girl huffed.
Zoey stepped aside and offered her hand to greet her.
She just raised her nose in the air. "Hmph. I don't even want to talk to anyone right now."
The next boat dropped off a boy wearing entirely pink robes and a beret holding a golden scepter. Chris gave him a smirk. "Our 'royal' contestant, Patrick is here!"
Sophie sighed. "So what inevitably unbearable personality trait will you end up having?"
The boy started walking across the dock, using his scepter for leverage though he clearly didn't need to. "I do not answer to… peasants." He shuddered to himself. "How much money do you have? Less than a billion, I presume? Figures…"
Duncan snorted. "What's with the kooky getup?"
"I am Patrick Von Robst, last lord of the noble country of Speckledunmire. You would do best to earn my respect, lest you face the wrath of an entire micro-nation's worth of military… peasant."
Scarlett interjected. "I have heard of no such country."
"It is a location only the elite know of. Clearly, you are not affluent enough to know of it therefore you are not worth my time."
Scarlett blinked.
"Hey, dude," Geoff started. "Is that thing made of real gold?"
"Of course it is," Patrick stated as if it were obvious. "I would not debase my royal scepter with such low value commonalities." He said with a roll on the 'r'. "Please, do not ask such ridiculous questions."
"MoonMoon believes that this would be a great opportunity to study human royalty," the alien girl shouted. "What's your pain tolerance? When we inevitably invade Earth, people in positions of power will be the first to die so I kinda need to know."
"Chriiiis!" Kim shouted with a stomp of her foot. "What are the rules of this place? I need at least thirty minutes of complete silence per day and I don't trust some of these people to respect my boundaries. Where's the supervision?"
"You are all sixteen," the host said. "As old as a counselor in training. I don't see any reason why any of you should be unsupervised, so apart from me and our co-host you'll all be left to watch over yourselves."
"Cool," Duncan said.
"Cohost?" DJ noticed.
"All in due time," Chris finished. "Until then, our next contestant is Ezekiel"
The boat dropped off a small-ish boy in a toque who had just a little bit of stubble. "What's up," Chris introduced as he moved past.
The boy looked up. "Uh, I think I see a bird?"
Jaden frowned. "Zero out of ten, not enough social awareness. Not enough muscle either. Will not be on my team, understood?"
Chris gave a light chuckle. "Normally I'd give you a little speech about keeping your head down and not being voted off too early, but..." Chris said eyeing MoonMoon and Patrick. "I think you might be safe for a while."
"Okay, sir!" Ezekiel said with a weak salute.
The next person who was dropped off was a girl of middle eastern descent with a sort of dirt brown hair and gray track pants with an aloof expression. So far, she was the tallest of the girls and had the most muscle mass. "Ah, Samiya. Pleased you could join us," the host greeted.
Samiya didn't say anything as the lugged her bags past the host and took a small not near anyone else at the end of the dock.
"Ah, the strong, silent type," Topher said. "I like this one, Chris."
"Wow, you're really tall, Samiya," Zoey beamed.
"Just call me Sam," she said gruffly.
"R-Right," Zoey said awkwardly.
The next boat arrived, but didn't drop anyone off at the dock. Chris gave the cast a confused look before a cry of help came from within. A girl came out covered in blood and let out a strained cough. "Th-There's a madman on the loose! I've been stabbed! Murdered! Tell my dad… I wish it was him instead..."
"Oh my God!" Kim screeched.
The cast suddenly started going wide-eyed and back away from the boat.
Chris scratched his chin. "Must've been Zephyr… hmm, didn't really strike me as the kind of guy who'd..."
"Ahahah!" The girl suddenly burst out. "I'm just kidding, it's just ketchup, lol. Oh, how I wish it was real though! How funny would it have been to be the first out because I was killed! Too bad the show would be canceled and my murder not broadcast around the world."
"Renee," Chris said, slightly annoyed. "Nice of you to finally… arrived."
"Eh, hello!" the girl said. She was wearing black stockings and a white skirt covered in what was now revealed to be ketchup. She had black hair that was fairly wavy. "I like murder, serial killers, and all things related to death. Awesome, right?"
"She's totally gonna kill me in my sleep," Kim suspected.
"I'm really not though. Unless you want to be killed in your sleep. Then I guess I'm fine with it," Renee said.
"Who got killed in their sleep?" a girl said from behind Chris sounding a little bit too pleased.
The host jumped a little. "Wait, where did you come from?"
"… the boat? Unless… I-I'm sorry, was that a trick question?" she said nervously. "Was I not supposed to answer that? Wait… why is that girl covered in blood? N-Not that I'm interested in blood or anything, I'm just curious."
"Oh, I got stabbed in the chest," Renee said. "… I'm a fast healer though."
"Contestant number twenty is Sybil," Chris said. The way this girl was dressed was unusual. She had on a black long-sleeved shirt with a pink skull marked on it and her raven black hair was combed in such a way that it blocked her left eye.
"H-Hey," she forced out.
"This is so stupid," Sophie complained. "I was expecting worthy competition. Not… whatever this is."
"Overconfidence has been the downfall of many," Vi mused.
"Next up we have, Zephyr. Welcome to camp."
The next boy stood tall and had a longsword strapped to his back. He was blonde and his windswept hair seemed to blow in the wind and he stood at the end of the dock. "Pleasure to meet you, Chris. In the flesh. I am here to ensure this game is clean… and fair. You have no need to fear me as a competitor – I have no desire to win myself. My only goal is to see someone worthy win."
"What's with the giant sword, dude? This ain't the medieval fair."
"This is for self-defense," Zephyr answered. "I can assure you that it will only be used as a force of good, not evil. It is my job to look after those who do not have a voice, after all."
"That's very noble of you," Zoey beamed.
"Indeed," the swordsman said.
"What, you're just gonna throw away at a chance at a hundred grand just like that?" Sophie snapped her fingers for emphasis.
Zephyr chuckled. "Just like that."
As Zephyr joined the others, the final boat arrived carrying a skinny blonde girl dressed in a pink outfit. "Last but not least, Dakota!" Chris said.
"Um, like so, where are we?" she said unsteadily.
"Somewhere in Muskoka," he answered. "Figure out the rest yourself?"
"… And where would I put that on a map?" Dakota said. She pulled out a pink cellphone and started typing something in, but the host quickly snatched it away. "Hey, no fair! I'm trying to get the paparazzi!"
"Confiscaters keepers!" the host chuckled. "I'm not having any outside interference. None. Nada."
Dakota grumbled something under her breath as she moved towards the rest of the contestants.
"First thing's first, we need a group photo for the promos!" the host announced. "Everyone to the end of the dock!" Chris jumped onto the boat that was left from Dakota's departure and pulled out a small camera. "Okay… one… two… three."
The camera clicked. "Oops! Forgot the lens cap!"
Chris pulled off the cap and returned to trying to take the picture. "Oh, hold on… card's full." He started working on replacing the card.
Alejandro's eye twitched. "I can only stand like this for so long."
"Got it! Everyone say, Wawanakwa!"
"Wawana-!" The dock collapsed underneath everyone, dropping them into the water.
Chris stood above the ruins of the dock. "Okay, everyone meet by the campfire pit in ten!"
At the campfire area there was an assortment of eleven log stumps with the cast sitting and standing around the general. The host was standing behind an oil drum in center view of the shot ready to address the contestants.
"This… is Camp Wawanakwa. Everyone around you will be your cabin mates," Chris said. "Your competition," he said as the camera zoomed in on Alejandro. "Or maybe even your friends." Sophie rolled her eyes. "Ya dig?"
"The camper who manages to stay on Total Drama Island the longest, without getting voted off, will win one! hundred! Thousand! Dollars!"
Alejandro raised an eyebrow. "How are the cabins arranged?"
"Ew," Kim cringed. "They're not… like, co-ed are they?"
"No," the host answered. "Girls get one side of each cabin and dudes get the other," he said slowly.
Sierra raised her hand.
"No need to be polite," Chris said. "We're not the authority here, you'll be policing yourselves."
"Okay, can I share a cabin with you!" she grinned.
"Uh," the host gave an exaggerated pause. "No."
"Ahem," Patrick announced for attention. "I require a private quarters fit only for a lord of my stature. Do so… or you shall be drawn and quartered. See to it that it is done immediately"
"Also no," he said completely unaffected. "Here's the deal, we're gonna split you guys into two teams. If I call your name, go stand over there," he said and pointed to the side with his thumb. "Jaden, Samiya, Antony, Sybil -"
Jaden interrupted. "No."
"Excuse me?" Chris paused.
"I will take Alejandro… and DJ."
"No, you won't," the host said with a frown. "As I was saying, Renee, Zephyr, Duncan..."
"I don't like Duncan," Jaden continued.
"… DJ, Geoff, Sierra, and Scarlett," Chris ground out. "From this moment on, you are officially known as the 'Killer Bass'!"
"Um, no bass I've ever heard of has ever been classified as 'killer'," Scarlett pointed out.
"The rest of you, over here," Chris said directing the remaining eleven contestants to the opposite side of the Bass. "MoonMoon, Ezekiel, Alejandro, Zoey, Patrick, Dakota, Vi, Scott, Kim, Topher, and Sophie! You guys are here on out 'The Screaming Gophers'!"
"Cool," Scott said.
"Alright, campers," Chris said, bringing the attention back to himself. "You and your team will be on camera in all public areas during this competition. You will also be able to share your innermost thoughts on tape with video diaries." He winked toward the camera. "Let the audience know what you're really thinking. Or… just get something off your chest."
Confessional:
Kim: She looks around the confessional and cringes to herself. "Why is the confessional booth… in the outhouse?! This is unfathomably unsanitary!"
Alejandro: "I took one look at the competition and I realized… there's nothing that they bring to the table that I cannot match tenfold. Winning this will be simplicity at its finest.
?: A loon appears on camera inexplicably putting on lipstick. It notices the camera looking at it then the footage cuts out.
Topher: "I'm really looking forward to host next season. Producers, I hope you're watching! I'm just swimming with ideas!"
"Here are the cabins," the host stated as the footage returned to the cast at large. "Gopher's, you get the east cabin and Bass, you get the west."
Inside the cabin, the campers found their sleeping quarters, however worn down they were. The curtains themselves were practically non-existent having been eaten by moths over time. The actual beds were bunk beds – enough to fit six people per room.
"Um, I really need a better room than this," Dakota said as she took the room in. "This is totally unfair."
Sophie pushed past almost knocking Dakota to the ground. "Get over it. Did you come to win or not," she said sourly.
"Um, no?" Dakota said. "Ugh, I don't need the money. I just want the exposure! If I get popular enough, I might even get a movie deal."
Sophie raised an eyebrow. "Is anyone in this godforsaken place trying to win."
Kim walked into the room and noticed its state. Her face when agape then she shrieked and turned back out the door.
Sophie sighed. "I'll take that as a no."
XXX
The cameras moved on to the guys' side of the Bass cabin where Geoff and DJ we're the first to arrive. "Hey man," Geoff greeted. "You seem cool, bro! How's it going?"
"Good, bro," DJ said and extended his hand. The two guys fist bumped. "Man, I'm nervous. Everyone here seems a little… intense, dontcha think?"
"I think they're alright, G. Just need a little time to get used to 'em is all."
Jaden stormed into the room clutching his bag in his hand. "There will be no 'fist bumping' or any such nonsense on my team. I have elected myself team leader, and as such you will obey every order I give without question. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action and eventually elimination."
Duncan snorted from the doorway. "Who died and made you king?"
Jaden sniffed from his position. "My father is a great general and as such I've been taught valuable leadership skills from him. It's only obvious that I should be leader."
"Sure, dude," Duncan said sarcastically.
DJ and Geoff gave each other a worried look.
"Ahem." Vi cleared her throat outside. "Are there any outlets on the island, by any chance? I was under the assumption that there would be some outlets for personal use, yes?"
"There are some in the communal bathroom, just across the way," Chris answered. The footage showed a small bathroom building.
"MoonMoon needs a private bathroom The activities a Venusian needs to get ready would surely scar any human for life," she asserted.
Zoey looked skeptical. "I thought you said you were from Plutosumeria?"
"Truly the memories of humans are fleeting!" MoonMoon laughed. "Woe it must be to have the brainpower of goldfish! Martian goldfish, at that!"
"Wait, wait," Topher said, peeking his head out from one of the cabins. "Did I hear you say the bathrooms are communal? That can't be right because you wouldn't make us use communal bathrooms… would you?"
"You gotta get that authentic camp atmosphere!" Chris grinned. Topher groaned in response.
All the girls except Samiya were in their side of the Killer Bass cabin. "Isn't this great, guys?" Sierra started as she broke the silence. "It's very cozy, right? Chris has the best ideas."
"Yeah," Renee grinned. "It's very slasher film."
Zephyr entered the room and leaned against the wall. "You girls need anything? I've been trying to go around and make myself useful," he said. "Everyone's getting along in here, right?"
"I-I'm fine," Sybil said lightly.
"What about you, Scar?" Zephyr said pointedly.
"I don't require anything, no," she replied. "And… I would rather not be called by any nicknames, thank you."
A cockroach scuttled across the floor toward Sybil. She pulled her feet onto the bunkbed and stood up. Zephyr grabbed his sword and swung at the little bug, slicing it cleanly in half. "Good… it's dead," Sybil said.
"Shame it had to die though," Sierra said mournfully.
Scarlett adjusted her glasses. "It's just a bug – they're not sentient, after all."
"Still..." Sierra said.
The scene moved over to the camp mess hall where the entire cast had gathered for their first meal and were waiting in line. A large black man dressed in chef's clothed staffed the line and held a hatchet. "Listen up! I serve it three times a day and you will eat it three times a day. So grab a tray, get your food, and sit your butts down NOW!"
"Um, is this healthy to eat?" Dakota asked uncertainly. She grabbed a fork and stabbed the food, turned it upside-down and looked shocked when it didn't fall. "Because it doesn't look right..."
"Oh, you'll be getting a load of SHUT THE HECK UP!"
Sybil giggled out the outburst. "Hey," Dakota whined. "Don't laugh at me."
"S-Sorry," she squeaked.
"Can you say anger issues, eh?" Ezekiel joked nudging Sierra in the shoulder. She laughed under her breath.
"WHAT WAS THAT, HOMESCHOOL?" Chef snapped. He called him forward with finger. "Come closer, I didn't hear you."
"N-Nothing, sir!" Ezekiel said.
"I'm sure you didn't," Chef quipped. "You!" he shouted, turning his attention to the next in line. "Weird king kid, gimme your plate!" He dumped a scoopful of gross slop onto the plate but after it dumped onto it, it mysteriously climbed back onto the spoon.
"This is so not fit for a king," he said.
Alejandro sat his tray down and took a seat across from Zoey. "I couldn't help but notice you were eating alone," he said followed by a mild chuckle. "A beautiful señora should never have to eat alone."
"Oh, that's alright," she dismissed. "I'm really used to it.
"If it's friends you need, I'm sure I could help you there," he offered. "I'm sure it'd be quite easy to make them if you had someone like me to introduce them. It is very easy if you try."
"I couldn't have someone waste their time helping me," Zoey said. "Besides, I think I'll be just fine on my own. Some people here seem really nice, I think."
"Like me?" Alejandro questioned.
"Yeah..." Zoey sighed.
Chris walked through the doors of the cafeteria. "This is the main lodge – you'll be eating here every day where our kind co-host Chef Hatchet will prepare you every meal you need to survive… whether you like it or not."
"Yo, my man," Geoff said with a raised hand. "Can we order pizza?" Chef threw a cleaver that nearly hit Geoff but embedded itself in the wall behind him instead. "Whoa! It's cool, G! Brown slop is cool! Right, everyone?"
This was followed by the nods of all the other campers.
"Your first challenge begins in one hour," he said, emphasizing with a single raised finger.
"I hope it's something extreme," Renee said with a wide grin.
"Surely not that bad," DJ said. "It's our first challenge, how hard can it be?"
The footage cut to the cliffside, which was more than impressive given the area. It towered over the lake and was prominently the tallest point on the island. "Oh, shit," DJ said from the peak.
Screaming Gophers:
Patrick: The Fake Royal
Vi: The Stoic Bookworm
Dakota: The Fame-Monger
Zoey: The Outcast
MoonMoon: The Space Alien
Alejandro: The Arch-Villain
Sophie: The Strategic Gamer
Kim: The Prim Germaphobe
Scott: The Dirt Farmer
Ezekiel: The Home-Schooled Kid
Topher: The Junior Chris
Killer Bass:
Jaden: The Team Dictator
Samiya: The Silent Strongwoman
Duncan: The Delinquent
Antony: The Self-Obsessed Action Guy
Sybil: The Shy Sadist
Scarlett: The Quiet Brainiac
Geoff: The Funnest Guy Around
DJ: The Brickhouse with Heart
Sierra: The Obsessive Uber-Fan
Zephyr: The Honorable Swordsman
Renee: The Horror Fan
Eliminated: None
AN: This is certainly an odd cast. Sophie, MoonMoon, Kim, Samiya, Zephyr, Jaden, Sybil, Renee, and Patrick all would eventually have been the cast for my second fic, Nightmare at the Film Lot. For those of you who read it, you might recognize Vi and Antony. I'll disclose what position they were supposed to come in and their role in the original when it comes to it, for now I guess enjoy them while they last. Another thing is that Sybil first appeared in Total Drama Submerged by Tempokeep and Jaden appeared in Total Drama: Last Chance SYOC by HashtagJustMonika. Hopefully I can portray them as good as the people I sent them to.
Anyway, I think it's an interesting enough cast. A lot of quirks but also a lot of villainy. It's certainly going to be a wild ride. Perfectly balanced between my OCs and the actual Total Drama cast, at least for this first season.