Total Drama Party with the Stars

by Asujoll

After a few years of hiatus, the Total Drama party is back! Chris, Topher, Lindsay, and Chef are back to oversee twenty contestants from previous Total Drama Party seasons, back for their greatest second chance at glory in the illustrious Drama City! It's a battle of challenges, blindsides, and twists, where only one of them can come out on top. Who will be the Star of the Party?

9. Ep 08: Pinpointing

Chris, Topher, and Lindsay stood at the city limits of Drama City.

"Last time, on Total Drama Party with the Stars!" the three began in unison.

"It was a constant battle on all fronts to ensure a majority, but who's winning, and who's fighting in vain?" Chris chuckled.

"Joseph's unexpected loss sent waves throughout the Fighting Wyverns, and folks like Cyan, Jean-Marie, and Kiki all scrambled to make sure they were in the majority," Topher recapped. "Bailey's hesitance to take any particular side made it all a bit tougher for them."

"Sometimes being in no alliance can work, too," Lindsay offered. "It got Scott pretty far."

"...Right," Chris reacted. "On the Grand Gryphons, the alliance of Brittany, Hugh, and Irving struggled to settle on a target, while Vladimir tried to infiltrate their ranks."

"He claims he doesn't intend to actually side with them, but with Vladimir, who knows for sure?" Topher questioned.

"The challenge was a bank heist: the Grand Gryphons had twenty minutes to steal a case of money from the Fighting Wyverns," Chris recapped. "With Shadya's leadership, they were able to work together in about as coherent of a way as they could have, but, even with Kiki and Kun arguing over in the control room with all the traps, they were just barely unable to get the case out of the building in time thanks to Jean-Marie's and Louise's interception."

"Topher and I got to make dinner with Bailey, Frita, and Nolan!" Lindsay added. "It was fun!"

"You didn't even do that much cooking," Topher complained.

"But it was a sweet bonding moment for us all," Lindsay smiled.

"Well, all the sweet bonding our contestants are doing may be for naught," Chris grinned. "Because tonight, someone else is going home! The stakes are getting higher, folks, and you don't want to miss it! It's all happening right now, on Total!" he began.

"Drama!" Topher and Lindsay continued.

"Party with the Stars!" the three concluded in unison.

---

Vladimir found Steve Jenkins posing by the Chris-shaped fountain at McLean Park.

"Hey there. Working out poses for when they make a fountain in your image?" Vladimir guessed.

"Finally, someone understands," Steve Jenkins mentioned. "I've gotten so many weird looks and a few chuckles. Like, I'm Steve Jenkins, what do you think I'm doing here?"

"Some people just don't want to understand others because they're scared of the notion that they're not perfectly right all the time," Vladimir bemoaned.

"Yeah, I don't get other people sometimes," Steve Jenkins agreed.

"Well, hey, I just wanted to touch base with you as far as a potential vote goes," Vladimir segued. "I know Ernie and Shadya are pushing for Irving, but Irving's group are pushing for Ernie and Shadya. I don't think they ever actually settled on who."

"I'd rather vote Shady, personally," Steve Jenkins said. "I'm starting to get the feeling she doesn't think very highly of me. Like, what gives?!"

"Ah, you know how she is. She likes to make herself out to be the best, even if it means she won't acknowledge other people's good points," Vladimir reasoned. "Personally, I'm kind of worried about Irving, though. He's a pretty manipulative threat, the kind of person who will put you into a false sense of security before stabbing you in the back. Remember how he casually got Isidora eliminated, just on a whim?"

"Aw, that's right, he did do that!" Steve Jenkins realized. "That was my ally, damn it!"

"And I bet he's willing to do the same to you," Vladimir told him. "Brittany might, too. You were gunning for her pretty hard early on. I doubt she's forgotten that. She probably wants you gone, too."

"Man, these jealous lamers, trying to screw me over!" Steve Jenkins ranted. "Thanks for the info, Baz. You could have just saved my game!"

"I've got your back," Vladimir smiled. "I'd hate for those guys to throw you under the bus."

"You're a real one," Steve Jenkins complimented as he offered a fist bump. Vladimir reciprocated.

---

Confessional:

Vladimir: I think, when it comes to convincing Steve Jenkins to work with you, it pays to prey on his sense of self-worth. Make him feel like others are out to get him or leading him into danger, and he'll move far away from them. Anger is the fastest cure for uncertainty, after all. He did say something about feeling like Shadya doesn't respect him, which does worry me. I'll have to do something about that.

Steve Jenkins: Man, those other guys are totally stringing me along! I can't believe I never realized that before. But then, it's not like Ernie or Shadya can look past their own egos and see me for the valuable human being I truly am. So I don't really like them, either. Man, this whole team sucks. Kiki should have stolen me onto her team, maybe they'd actually have some respect for me!

---

Cyan met up with Jean-Marie and Kun in the penthouse.

"Bonjour, you two," Jean-Marie smiled. "Cyan, to what do I owe the pleasure? Would either of you care for a snack or beverage, by the way?"

"I'll be, um, fine," Kun declined. "But yes, Cyan, um, I imagine this has to be serious, for you to arrange a meeting with us."

"It's kind of serious, but not... super serious?" Cyan worked out awkwardly. "Anyway, it's something I should be transparent about because you guys deserve to know. I voted for Joseph the other night."

"Oh, well, um, I... I guess it's nice to know for sure," Kun stammered. "Can I ask why?"

"Well, I felt like that's the direction the votes were going anyway, and I didn't want to be part of the minority," Cyan explained. "People will target people who don't vote with them because those people look less trustworthy to them."

"A smart move," Jean-Marie nodded. "Joseph would have gone home regardless of if you'd voted for him or not if memory serves."

"I'm glad you were honest with us about this," Kun told Cyan. "I was worried about the numbers."

"Yeah, and that's my bad for not telling you sooner," Cyan apologized. "I want you two to know that I do still want to work with you."

"But you worry about how the dynamics may play out with Joseph gone and Bailey here," Jean-Marie figured out.

"Er... Well..." Cyan rubbed the back of her neck.

"Bailey and Quentin, I believe, are the two we need to try and talk into joining us," Jean-Marie mentioned. "I plan on talking to Quentin about it soon."

"Well hey, what a coincidence, so am I," Cyan giggled.

"I'm, um, still not entirely sure where Bailey's head is, but I think she's willing to work with us," Kun mentioned. "The bottom line is, um, we can definitely work with what we have."

"As good leaders do," Jean-Marie smiled.

---

Confessional:

Cyan: I meant what I said when I told them I want to keep working with them, but I also meant it when I've said in here before that I'm willing to explore other options if I have to. I guess it all depends on where Bailey and Quentin are at.

Jean-Marie: I don't know if I trust Cyan entirely, but it would probably be best to give her the benefit of the doubt, at least for now. I don't want another Brittany situation to occur, so what I should do is talk to those I'm not already working with and make them want to work with me. That way, even if Cyan does turn on Kun's alliance, I'll still have options.

Kun: There's, um, a lot of uncertainty going around my head right now. A little less now that Cyan admitted she voted for Joseph, because, um, if she didn't trust us and didn't want to keep working with us, then, um, she wouldn't have told us, I think. Unless that's what she wants us to think! No, I can't get paranoid. A leader must stay, um, grounded, and focused on his goals. (He clears his throat.)

---

Ernie had just left his motel room and came across Brittany about to enter hers.

"Oh, hey, uh..." Ernie yawned. "Brittany. I think we should talk."

"Huh? What's up?" Brittany asked.

"I just want to see where your head was at as far as, ya know, an Irving vote," Ernie said. "I know you've been, like, working with him, but I really think it'd benefit you more to drop him."

"How do you figure?" Brittany hummed.

"Look, say what you will about me and Shadya and Steve Jenkins, but we're not the type to stab our allies in the back," Ernie claimed. "Hugh and Irving, like, demonstrably are. I don't understand how or why you trust those two over us, who also wanted to work with you. I genuinely don't."

"I just do," Brittany told him. "And for the record, Steve Jenkins isn't as trustworthy as you might think."

"Come on, Brittany. Even he knows better than to side with an obviously strong alliance and be at the bottom of the totem pole than to dismantle it," Ernie leered.

"So, when are we going to get to the part where you explain to me that working with you over people I trust is going to benefit me?" Brittany snarked.

"You have no reason to trust them!" Ernie reiterated.

"They've given me no reason not to," Brittany insisted. "It wouldn't help them to turn on me, or each other, or whoever. We're all trying to stay in the game."

"Do you really not see the benefit in one of them throwing the other under the bus, and you by extension, to eliminate the stigma of having the alliance in the first place?" Ernie doubted.

"Not if it'll mean they side with an obviously strong alliance and be at the bottom of the totem pole rather than dismantling it," Brittany countered. "Just because people have played dirty in the past doesn't mean they always will..."

"Well, don't say I didn't, like, warn you," Ernie sighed. "I did want to work with you, ya know. You always seemed cool."

"Sorry I don't live up to your expectations," Brittany remarked.

Brittany entered her motel room. Ernie shook his head and took his own exit.

---

Confessional:

Ernie: This is so unnecessarily frustrating. It should not be so difficult to convince someone smart like Brittany that, like, Hugh and Irving can and have stabbed allies in the back as soon as it benefits them. In case she hasn't noticed, like, she's in the minority with those two. It would benefit them to backstab her, no matter what she seems to think.

Brittany: I don't know if Ernie just doesn't know that Steve Jenkins and Vladimir have talked about turning on him, or if he just doesn't believe they will, or what, but I'm confident that my allies and I are not in nearly as bad of a position as he seems to think we're in. Maybe I have too much faith, but I think that's better than having too little faith.

---

Frita and Quentin entered their garage hangout to see Louise already on the PlayStation.

"Oh, hey guys!" Louise greeted. "I can get off in a second. I just need to finish this game."

"Don't feel like you have to go out of your way for our sake," Quentin offered.

"No, it's fine. I was about done playing anyway," Louise assured them. "I just needed to get some practice in so I can smoke Nolan next time he's available."

"What if he's been practicing, too?" Frita asked.

"Then I accept the challenge!" Louise beamed.

"How can you stay so optimistic when the odds are against you?" Frita asked.

"Frita, come on," Quentin admonished.

"It's a genuine question," Frita insisted.

"It's fine," Louise smiled. "I just appreciate any chance I can get to better myself. Losing is just a chance to learn from your mistakes, right?"

"That's not necessarily true..." Frita sighed.

"You've been getting better at these games the more you play. Aren't you learning every time you play, win or lose?" Quentin told her.

"I don't know..." Frita sighed.

"Anyway, Louise, I'm glad we caught you. I feel like we haven't hung out enough," Quentin told her.

"It can be tough with paranoid people on our team assuming that we're trying to make deals or something," Louise agreed. "But yeah, I'm good to just hang out if you guys are."

"Nice!" Quentin approved as he hopped onto the couch. "So anyway, what's your favorite bird?"

"What?" Louise asked, mildly surprised.

"He likes birds," Frita explained.

"I can't say I've put too much thought into what my favorite bird is," Louise admitted. "What's yours, Frita?"

"The cassowary will attack and even kill anyone or anything who stands between it and its food," Frita grinned. "Last year, a cassowary tore the elderly man who raised it to shreds after he fell to the ground. They're basically modern-day dinosaurs."

"That's, uh... That's neat," Louise mustered.

"It's often called the most violent bird," Quentin came in. "I'm a fan of cardinals, myself. They're so beautiful and majestic."

"Oh, penguins! Penguins are birds!" Louise remembered. "I like those!"

"Also beautiful and majestic," Quentin approved.

Frita sighed and left the garage.

"I hope she doesn't feel like we were making her feel excluded," Louise worried.

"It's possible. I'll give her some space for now," Quentin figured. "I don't want her to feel like I'm patronizing her."

"You guys are close, huh?" Louise teased.

"N-Not that close," Quentin blushed.

"Mhm," Louise doubted smugly.

---

Confessional:

Quentin: I mean, yeah, Frita and I are cool, but I just don't like her in that way, you know? I really hope people aren't under the impression that we are more than friends. I don't know if I can deal with that kind of pressure right now. I especially don't want to hurt her. She's... kind of sensitive as-is.

Louise: You guys know how much I support friends taking their relationship even deeper! I won't try to pressure those two into anything, but come on. They're almost always with each other, they seem to understand each other pretty well, they have that opposites-attract kind of thing... I'm just saying!

Frita: We were going to talk game with Louise because Nolan had me realize last night that I don't really talk to people. Now I remember why. I can't relate to anyone. (She sighs.) ...How come I can't have a beautiful and majestic mind, too?

---

The marquee outside Hatchet's Diner read "Who the hell used all the paprika?!" Within the diner, Hugh and Irving ate breakfast together.

"Ugh, after last night's dinner, having Chef back in the kitchen is such a noticeable downgrade," Hugh grumbled

"Aye, but when ye be a pirate, ye have to accustom yourself to eating what ye have," Irving said.

"Well, I'm not a pirate! Get Nolan back in the kitchen!" Hugh insisted.

"I think everyone be a pirate at least a little bit, deep down," Irving claimed. "Except this one guy I know who staunchly refuses to download anything, even if he's already bought it! How dare he not support me efforts!"

"You have my thoughts and prayers," Hugh remarked.

"I appreciate it," Irving played along. "What about ye? Are ye living the life ye always wanted to?"

"Well, I still live with my folks, as much as I wish I didn't," Hugh bemoaned. "Kaylin and I do want to get a place together, but understandably, she wants to graduate high school first."

"Didn't realize she was still in high school, ye dog," Irving teased.

"I'm twenty, it's not weird!" Hugh insisted defensively. "She'll be a senior this year. If anything, it'll give me time to figure out a job situation."

"No plans on getting a degree?" Irving asked.

"Why bother? It's a huge waste of time and money," Hugh figured. "I'm trying to become independent as soon as possible."

"Does it count as independence if she be there with ye?" Irving chuckled.

"You know what I mean, artard," Hugh leered.

"How's the food?" Shadya asked the two, having just arrived at the diner.

"Don't get your hopes up," Hugh told her.

"I inspire too much hope in myself and others to expect hope to come from anyone else," Shadya stated.

"Why Shadya! I never knew ye felt so strongly about me!" Irving gushed. "I, I don't know what to say, I-"

"Grow up," Shadya scolded.

"If growing up means ye lose your sense of humor, then no, I don't think I will," Irving sneered.

"Just make sure you focus when it's time for the challenge. It's probably for Invincibility today, given the pattern," Shadya reminded him.

"Scared the vote won't go your way?" Hugh snickered.

"For what it be worth, methinks Bailey has the worst W/L ratio out of any of us," Irving added unhelpfully.

"I don't think I could care less," Shadya claimed.

Hugh and Irving shared a doubtful look.

---

Confessional:

Hugh: Of course, if I win this game, that'll make things a hell of a lot easier for me and Kaylin. That's why I'm dedicated to making sure everything goes right in this game. We deserve a good start to life, damn it!

Irving: Everybody has their own reasons to be back in this game. Frankly, I don't think anyone inherently deserves to win more than anyone else. May the best player win, I say! Especially if that player be me! I can think of less likely candidates, that be for damn sure! Gyarharhar!

Shadya: It's times like this where I miss having people like Ginger and Rhiannon around. Sure, they were competent, but they also knew that they were not above me in any capacity. They were good friends. Uh, insofar as they supported me in my endeavors to win. (She clears her throat.)

---

Bailey, Dalit, Nolan, and Jayne all played a board game in the tabletop section of the barcade.

"This game is confusing," Dalit frowned.

"The object of the game is to gather the four relics of the island before the island is flooded," Jayne recited. "In order to do this-"

"I know what to do, but why does there have to be cards and different powers for each player? Why can't I just go to part of the island and take the thing?" Dalit asked.

"Because then it'd be much too easy," Nolan claimed.

"What's wrong with easy?" Dalit huffed.

"If a game is too easy, then there's no point in playing it," Nolan posited. "Victories you don't have to work for aren't victories, they're handouts. Why do you think I've been playing Total Drama with a handicap?"

"To make yourself feel more important than you really are?" Dalit snipped.

"Hey, let's not escalate this," Bailey suggested.

"Why do organic people feel the need to make themselves important?" Jayne asked.

"Do you not feel the desire to justify your own existence?" Nolan asked. "To prove that you're not a waste of food and oxygen?"

"I don't eat food or breathe oxygen," Jayne pointed out.

"Fair enough," Nolan chuckled. "As for me, well, I'm just proud of the idea I had to play this way. Nobody else has played like I have before or since. Why not make the most of it?"

"Well, I'm glad you've lived a life where you enjoy when things are hard!" Dalit accused. "But the rest of us could make use of winning money. Why should you play in a way like you don't care when it matters to the rest of us?"

"Believe me, I could use the money, too," Nolan told her.

"This is a tough game, I think we all know that for a fact," Bailey interjected.

"Why can't I have anything be easy for me?!" Dalit cried. "Am I not allowed to want something be easy?!"

"Dalit, I'm sure he wasn't trying to imply anything," Bailey attempted.

"Have fun making things hard for yourself!" Dalit condemned.

She stood up and left the room.

"This will make it noticeably harder to obtain all four relics before the island floods," Jayne noted. "If I understand correctly, this will make the game more fun for Nolan."

"You know what, Dalit leaving does make things more fun for me," Nolan tsked.

---

Confessional:

Dalit: (She is visibly upset.) What's so wrong with enjoying an easy game?! Why do I have to be wrong because I like relaxing games where you don't have to work hard and can just have fun? Life is hard enough as it is! Unless you're Nolan, I guess. (She sniffles.) I hope he gets a hangnail!

Nolan: Dalit's had it out for me since we went to elimination, if not earlier. I was hoping to be able to reconcile something with her over a nice game, but I guess even that's too much to ask from her. The more time I spend with her, the more I understand why she was voted out first last time she played. She's just not easy to get along with.

Bailey: Nolan is someone I think I want to stick around on this team. It's because of him that we were able to name a target that wasn't me and get rid of that target. Granted, he could always randomly pick me as the target, but the odds aren't high. In light of all of this, I wonder if I should give back and do him a favor. He clearly has some kind of influence, and that shouldn't be ignored.

---

Hugh and Steve Jenkins met up at their team's garage hangout.

"Alright, man, I'm going to need your help with something," Hugh began.

"I don't know. The almighty wisdom of Steve Jenkins doesn't come cheap," Steve Jenkins claimed. "What's in it for me?"

"Uh, being in the majority?" Hugh scoffed. "We've talked about this like infinity times already."

"When as many people are vying for someone's attention as they are for mine, it can be easy to lose track," Steve Jenkins shrugged.

"Ugh, just pick a target: Ernie or Shadya?" Hugh prompted. "Irving and I have been arguing about this for a while, and Brittany and Vladimir are no help."

"Both of them kind of piss me off. Right now I'm madder at Shady," Steve Jenkins answered. "Are you completely sure you've got Vladimir on your side?"

"You can't be completely sure of anything with Vladimir, but I know Bailey was making deals with him before she changed teams, so it'd make sense for him to stick with her allies if he doesn't want to piss her off," Hugh reasoned.

"Because he was talking mad shit about Irving and how we should get him out," Steve Jenkins continued. "This was a one-on-one convo, too. Nobody else was there."

"Fuuuuuuuhuhuhuuuuck," Hugh groaned. "That son of a bitch. How does this benefit him?!"

"I don't know. Lots of people do dumb things for seemingly no reason," Steve Jenkins said. "For example: Irving threw Isidora under the bus out of nowhere."

"Don't tell me you're actually thinking about voting him out!" Hugh panicked.

"Look man, I don't like Ernie or Shadya any more than you do, but I don't know if I can trust Irving, or Brittany for that matter," Steve Jenkins told him. "Ernie and Shadya need my vote, and they know it."

"But do you trust Brittany and Irving less than Vladimir?" Hugh doubted.

"No cap? Yes, I trust them less than Vladimir," Steve Jenkins answered. "Listen, I'm only telling you all this because you're cool and I want to keep working together. Getting the Steve Jenkins seal of approval isn't so easy, you know! You should be honored."

"Ugh, I just..." Hugh trailed off.

"We can run both sides of this team, man!" Steve Jenkins encouraged. "Just as it always should have been."

"I'll think about it," Hugh told him. "This is a sudden idea, and I'm going to need to figure out if this is the best possible move before I make it."

"Of course it's the best possible move. Steve Jenkins came up with it," Steve Jenkins grumbled.

---

Confessional:

Steve Jenkins: Vladimir and Hugh are the second- and third-coolest people on this team. If the three of us work together, then the others will have no choice but to bow before our amazing awesomeness!

Hugh: Shit... I mean, I'm supposed to be the villain of this season! I've backstabbed allies tons of times! But only because I didn't trust them in the first place, and I actually trust Brittany and Irving. Damn it, am I going soft? I can't be going soft! Ugh, is this really the best move for my game?

---

Jean-Marie and Quentin played their usual favorite game in the barcade, and Jean-Marie had just won.

"Aww. I think I'm getting used to the one on the PlayStation. It works differently," Quentin excused.

"And yet you still wish to play this one with me, knowing I prefer it," Jean-Marie smirked. "Ever the gentleman."

"W-Well, I mean, yeah, no reason not to be nice," Quentin laughed awkwardly. "Why do you prefer this one, anyway?"

"Frankly, I just prefer the atmosphere here to the atmosphere of our garage," Jean-Marie explained. "It's simply a nicer location."

"I guess I can't really argue with that," Quentin smiled.

"Quentin, may I ask you something, si'l vous plait?" Jean-Marie requested.

"Huh? Uh, yeah, of course," Quentin agreed.

"You've been working with Kiki, oui?" Jean-Marie questioned.

"Oh. I mean... kind of, yeah," Quentin admitted.

"May I ask why?" Jean-Marie inquired.

"Because..." Quentin had to pause and think for a bit. "Because I was already good with Frita, and Kiki wanted Frita in her alliance."

"I suppose that makes sense," Jean-Marie nodded. "From my point of view, it wouldn't make much sense to work with allies who don't seem to respect you, like Dalit and Kiki."

"Kiki respects me enough," Quentin told him. "Dalit... Dalit means well. She's trying to help Frita come out of her shell."

"Est-ce une tactique que je devrais suivre?" Jean-Marie thought aloud. "Mm, sorry. What I wish to offer is an alliance of three: the two of us, and Frita. I think it would do us well to have each other's backs, especially with the shifting dynamics of this team."

"I'd love to!" Quentin accepted. "Uh, I guess we'd have to ask Frita if she's up for it, but you two are probably my best friends in this game anyway. So this definitely works out for me."

"Wonderful," Jean-Marie smiled. "If we can keep the target off of the three of us, then things should work out well for us in the future."

"Yeah, I guess that is what alliances are for, huh?" Quentin joked.

"Truly a novel concept, non?" Jean-Marie laughed. He returned his attention to the arcade game. "Anyway, shall we continue playing?"

"Oh, yeah, sure, let's do it!" Quentin agreed.

---

Confessional:

Quentin: I don't think I could have asked for a better alliance myself! Actually, I wonder how close Frita and Jean-Marie are. I know they were in the same season, but they started on different teams. Then again, they both also got voted out kind of early, so maybe they hung out then? I shouldn't look a gift ostrich in the mouth. Pet ostriches being given as gifts are a thing, you know.

Jean-Marie: Quentin and Frita aren't really strangers, necessarily, but it's important that I stay in their good graces. I'd rather see the likes of Dalit and Kiki go home before either of them, anyway, so I can make good on my promise to keep them safe if they'll keep me safe. Je ne joue pas à un sale jeu. I promise.

---

Vladimir gathered Ernie and Shadya in his motel room.

"You can tell it's important because he's letting us into the inner sanctum," Ernie droned.

"It is important," Vladimir told the two. "Steve Jenkins is the swing vote to dismantling the opposing alliance."

"Yes, he's an insecure moron who will flock to the most recent person to compliment him. What's your point?" Shadya asked impatiently.

"My point is that you guys aren't making him feel secure in working with us," Vladimir said point-blank.

"I'm not going to pay lip service to some entitled child who acts like the world owes him adoration without any effort put in on his part," Shadya made clear.

"Yeah, like, believe me, I've tried being patient with him, but he does not make it easy," Ernie added.

"I understand that. Believe me, I do," Vladimir told them. "But there is a very possible chance that Steve Jenkins flips to join the other alliance and votes one of you two out. He mentioned feeling particularly burned by you recently, Shadya."

"I have not done anything wrong," Shadya claimed.

"I'm not saying you did," Vladimir told her. "Think of it this way: all you have to do is convince Steve Jenkins to vote for Irving. Use your understanding of psychology to your advantage. All you need to do is make him feel like voting out Irving is a better idea than voting you out. Truly convince him."

"What do you think we've, ya know, been doing?" Ernie scoffed. "Dude's dense and irrational. Brittany's not interested, either, I, like, checked."

"Well, we're going to need something," Shadya decided. "And there's one person nobody's mentioned trying to talk into it."

"Irving?" Ernie asked.

"Besides Irving, smart-ass," Shadya groaned.

"If we tried Brittany, then there's no reason not talk to Hugh," Vladimir figured.

"Yeah, but can we trust Hugh to, like, go with anything anybody says?" Ernie asked. "Dude likes to be in control of his own game."

"It's like Vladimir said: psych him into thinking that Irving is the better vote," Shadya claimed. "He's not so irrational that he won't listen to people. Just make it sound like a suggestion rather than a demand. Make him feel like it's his idea to turn on his allies."

"I'll, like, leave that to you guys," Ernie yawned. "I'm no good at reverse psychology. I'm straightforward to a fault if anything."

"It's no more painful than trying to work with Steve Jenkins," Vladimir reasoned. "I think we can make this work."

"We will make this work," Shadya declared.

---

Confessional:

Vladimir: What's most important here is making sure that that tight alliance doesn't stay intact. Even if the rest of the team outnumbers them four-to-three, that doesn't matter if they can get even one person to flip. (He chuckles.) Of course, if we can get even one of them to flip, then that doesn't matter, now does it?

Ernie: I mean, I chose not to work with Hugh on purpose, but beggars really can't be choosers at this point. The merge can't come soon enough. I can't say I'm, ya know, a huge fan of having to suck up to some of the more annoying people to ever play this game.

Shadya: You cannot convince anyone to do anything until you truly understand what that person needs to be convinced of. What Hugh needs to be convinced of is that turning on his alliance will benefit him more than staying with them. I just need to figure out how to help him reach that conclusion. Hugh's mind can be hard to comprehend, but I've never been one to back down from something just because it's hard.

---

Nolan had met up with Louise in their team's garage hangout to play video games. He looked to be having some trouble, while she looked to be incredibly proud of how she was doing.

"Have you been practicing?" Nolan commented.

"Me? No, I'm just good at games," Louise said coyly.

"I see," Nolan remarked. "Speaking of being good at games, how are you feeling about your position on the team?"

"That's kind of a strange question," Louise commented.

"It's important to know every factor that's going on in a game if you want to win it," Nolan told her. "Cyan told me she wanted to improve her position. I imagine you're doing the same."

"Well, Frita and Quentin approached me to hang out earlier, so I think they see me as a valuable teammate," Louise mentioned.

"Do you see them as valuable teammates?" Nolan asked.

"I mean... not really? Is that mean to say?" Louise responded.

"And that's where you're wrong," Nolan claimed with a glint in his eye.

"Oh? Do tell," Louise said flatly.

She scored another goal in the hockey game the two had been playing.

"Every player in the game has at least some inherent value," Nolan continued. "Because everyone has a vote."

"Says the guy whose vote nobody can rely on," Louise brought up. "What are you saying? I should try working with Frita and Quentin?"

"It couldn't hurt to expand your influence," Nolan told her. "The more people there are who don't want to vote you out, the harder it'll be to get voted out."

"Yeah, but I'm not sure if I can rely on those two," Louise admitted. "I don't want to put my game in the hands of people I don't really trust. Not again."

"Hey guys," Kun greeted the two as he entered the garage. "Have either of you seen, um, Bailey? I wish to speak with her."

"Not since earlier this morning," Nolan answered. "Why? Do you need her for something?"

"Oh, um, well, nothing in particular," Kun gulped. "I just, um, as team leader, I was hoping to pick her brain a little. Maybe, um, see if she has any information on the other team we could use."

"That could be helpful," Nolan nodded.

"I'll, um, keep looking," Kun told the two before taking his leave.

"Do you think Bailey will tell him anything?" Louise asked Nolan.

"About the Gryphons? Absolutely not," Nolan chuckled. "In fact, if you ask me, I think it's more likely that he's vying to work her over into voting with him."

"If that was the case, he'd just tell me. We're allies, he trusts me," Louise claimed.

"Maybe he doesn't trust me," Nolan said. "Smart. He probably shouldn't."

---

Confessional:

Louise: Even as a superfan who's already played this game, I still feel like a lot of things are going over my head. I mean, I've always dedicated myself to focus more on the social game than anything, because that's what I know I'm good at. Eh, I shouldn't dwell on it. Still, I wonder why Nolan thinks I should work with Frita and Quentin. They're with Kiki, and I don't really want to work with Kiki.

Nolan: (He is idly moving a coin between his fingers.) I don't know if Cyan intended for Louise to be a part of her expanding her reach on the team, but for my game, it would be best if my allies continue working together. Frita and Quentin aren't technically my allies, but I think they'd still keep me safe. Just because I can't promise my vote to anyone doesn't mean I can't still work the game in my favor.

Kun: It can be, um, very difficult to find the people you need in a city as big as this. Which, actually, isn't as big as the word "city" would imply, but even so, um, I wish there was some sort of pager system you could use to summon people with whom you wish to speak. I fear I may tire myself before the challenge even starts.

---

Bailey, in fact, was on the opposite end of the city at Hatchet's Diner, eating lunch with Cyan and Frita.

"Frita, you're friends with Dalit, right?" Bailey asked. "Have you spoken to her recently?"

"No," Frita sighed. "What did I do to upset her this time?"

"Nothing to my knowledge. She just seemed to be upset and I wondered if you were able to help console her," Bailey said.

"Do you usually upset her?" Cyan asked.

"Probably more often than she lets on," Frita sighed.

"Do you... enjoy working with her?" Cyan asked.

"It's something," Frita figured.

"Well, I'm actually glad I caught you two because I think we can do something awesome," Cyan beamed. "It'll be the Mediterranean Breeze of ideas!"

"...The what?" Frita asked.

"It's the color my room is painted this year. Trust me, it's amazing," Cyan explained. "Anyway! So far this team's mostly been Kiki's alliance versus Kun's alliance, right?"

"That's the impression that I've gotten," Bailey confirmed.

"I want to shake things up, and I want you two to shake things up with me," Cyan offered.

"Like an alliance?" Bailey asked.

"Here's what I'm thinking," Cyan began. "The three of us, Louise, Quentin, and Nolan. Frita, I know you trust Quentin, and Louise is someone I trust. Nolan has been good about giving me information and advice, so even if we can't rely on his vote, I think it'd be good to include him, too."

"Nolan and I are on good terms. I can work with him," Bailey mentioned. "Even without his vote, we should be able to maintain a majority."

"Same, I think," Frita echoed. "And I know Quentin and Louise get along..."

"Oh, perfect!" Cyan clapped her hands excitedly. "I know it's kind of a tall order to drop an alliance of six on you guys right out of the blue, but I think this is a group that can really make things work."

"Do you have a target in mind?" Bailey asked. "If we're voting for one of the other four, that leaves Kiki, Kun, Dalit, and Jean-Marie as options."

"I'd like to have an open discussion about that with the six," Cyan said. "I want all voices to be heard at once, to avoid miscommunication, and to give everyone the opportunity to weigh in."

"It sounds like you've been thinking hard about this," Bailey commented.

"So are you guys in?" Cyan asked.

"You can count me in," Bailey smiled.

"I guess...?" Frita mumbled.

"Oh, this is exciting!" Cyan grinned.

---

Confessional:

Cyan: It's time I really put the game into my own hands, the way I want to! I know I'm throwing Kun and JM under the bus, here, but I don't want people to think I'm playing Kun's game anymore. I am Cyan, and I am playing Cyan's game! Don't anybody forget it! (She winks.)

Bailey: Well, it seems that the trend of people wanting the new and easy-to-sway vote on their side continues. I actually think this alliance suits me quite well, for the time being. How long it will suit me is to be determined, but, as long as I'm on the Fighting Wyverns, I will do what will benefit me on the Fighting Wyverns.

Frita: I really don't want to have to deal with Kiki and Dalit being mad at me if I go to another alliance. I already hate myself today, I don't need to make it any worse.

---

Brittany found Irving lying on a bench at McLean Park.

"Comfy?" Brittany asked.

"Not at all!" Irving laughed. He sat up. "How be ye, Mister Brittany?"

"...Irving, do you ever feel like you can never live up to the expectations of others?" Brittany asked.

"Of course not. I be the Dread Pirate Irving, I've earned me reputation!" Irving boasted.

"Okay, cool," Brittany responded, upset.

"Naw, don't be like that. If ye wish to talk, yer Captain's got nothing better to do than listen," Irving told her.

"You're so thoughtful," Brittany quipped. "I don't know, I just feel like I have a lot riding on the fact that I've already won this game. Like I need to justify myself to everyone else here who's probably playing better than I ever have and didn't win."

"What's wrong with how ye've been playing?" Irving asked.

"See, I don't think there's anything wrong, at least not this season, but I worry that I'm still the messy player I was all those years ago and just don't realize it," Brittany admitted.

"Ah, ye be a smart lass, Mister Brittany," Irving dismissed. "If ye were doing anything wrong, methinks ye'd already know. Ye've been saying that ye be going out of yer way to play better than last time, and it's done ye this good so far."

"How good?" Brittany asked, mustering a small smile.

"I can guarantee ye that ye won't be the third person voted out!" Irving laughed. "Congrats, Mister Brittany, ye did it!"

"It was through hard work and powerful gameplay that I was able to make it this far." Brittany couldn't hold back a laugh of her own. "Maybe I am overthinking it. Thanks for listening."

"Listening be number eighty-four on me long list of talents," Irving claimed.

"What's number one? Humility?" Brittany joshed.

"Drinking McDonald's Sprite without tearing up," Irving snickered.

"Now that, I don't buy for a second," Brittany bantered.

---

Confessional:

Brittany: I probably shouldn't really put any stock in what Ernie tells me in the first place. Okay, maybe I shouldn't go that far. People have the point of view they have for a reason, and it doesn't do you any good to count any point of view out. That doesn't mean I should necessarily care if he wants to try and guilt me into working with him.

Irving: Alright, I've got a confession to make... There be no list! I just made that up! How can I possibly live with meself, knowing I told a lie?! How can anybody ever trust me ever again?! I- I- (He bursts into laughter.) I can't keep that up.

---

Dalit headed back to her room at Blaising Tower.

"That spa pass was good. Just what I needed," Dalit told herself. "It's nice to take it easy, no matter what anyone says. Heh, maybe Nolan will give me his pass if he doesn't want it."

Dalit rounded a corner and accidentally bumped into someone. Upon regaining her composure, she realized it was Greg.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" Dalit scolded.

"I was," Greg said emotionlessly.

"What, so you're saying it's all my fault?!" Dalit snapped.

"All I said was that I was watching where I was going," Greg said. "Followed by an explanation that this was all I was doing in response to your query. Followed by-"

"Stop!" Dalit interrupted.

Greg stopped.

"Why can't I be right ever?!" Dalit shouted.

"It seems improbable to claim that you are never correct," Greg said.

"See, even then, you have to tell me I'm wrong!" Dalit cried.

"It is my duty to make sure the contestants are living comfortably," Greg said. "I am comforting you by claiming that your negative self-assessment is misinformed. This should result in you feeling better about yourself."

"It's not!" Dalit shouted.

"My apologies," Greg frowned. "Is there anything I can do to remedy this?"

Dalit thought about it. "What's something you don't know anything about?"

"If those things exist, then I wouldn't know what they are, because I don't know anything about them," Greg stated.

Dalit thought some more. "Do you know anything about color theory?"

"I'm afraid not," Greg admitted.

"So I could tell you all about what colors you're supposed to wear together, about contrast and all of the other things, and you couldn't correct me on a small detail I was wrong," Dalit surmised.

"Without information on the subject that you do not have, it would be impossible to do so," Greg confirmed.

"Excellent!" Dalit beamed. "Let's begin! It's important to imagine the color wheel if you want to know what color scheme your outfit will have."

"What is the color wheel?" Greg asked.

Dalit grinned excitedly. "I will teach you a lot!"

---

Confessional:

Dalit: It seems like the world is out to put me down, but now I have someone with who I can always be right about something with! It's so exciting to finally be on top for once! For once in my life! (She beams.)

---

Kiki wandered through Isolation Park with slow steps and noticeable bags under her eyes.

"I've got to find... another statue..." Kiki told herself. "My game could depend on it."

She sat down on a tree stump.

"I let myself in here for a reason, and damn if I'm not going to fulfill that reason," Kiki stated.

She winced as her stomach grumbled loudly.

"Maybe I'll find an apple or something first," Kiki decided. "I'll still need energy for the challenge, unless they plan on sitting me out. At this rate, I'd be willing to put my health above my pride. Maybe."

She took a deep breath and forced herself to stand up. She hobbled towards an apple tree visible from where she stood.

---

Confessional:

Kiki: It's easy to underestimate how taxing Isolation Park can be when you aren't there. When I am there, I'm kicking my past self for basically volunteering to go. But when it was time to vote, it made all the sense in the world. I just need to do what I can to win, at this point. I didn't come back after six years to accept anything but absolute victory.

---

The sixteen unexiled contestants met up at McLean Park with Chris, Topher, and Lindsay.

"We now welcome Kiki back from Isolation Park," Chris mentioned, cueing the hipster to join the group.

The others took notice of Kiki's sluggish movement.

"Are you alright?" Bailey asked, concerned.

"I'll be fine," Kiki maintained.

"Cool. You'll need to be fine for today's challenge!" Topher laughed. "But don't take my word for it."

"I rarely do," Ernie remarked.

"Hey guys!" greeted a jolly young man as he revealed himself from behind the Chris fountain.

"Take it from my good buddy Joel," Topher said.

"Oh yeah no this challenge is going to take a hundred and ten percent which I know isn't technically possible but man this is Total Drama so ANYTHING is possible!" Joel claimed.

Lindsay looked to be having trouble following what Joel was saying.

"What could possibly be so challenging?" Shadya doubted.

"Drum roll please!" Joel requested.

Nobody complied.

"Alright fine be boring see if I care," Joel huffed. "Anyway today's challenge is going to be a scavenger hunt that will take you all across Drama City looking for the things you need to look for so I hope you guys like looking for needles in haystacks baby!"

"How much do you want to bet that's actually going to be part of the challenge?" Nolan snickered.

"Well there's only one way to find out and that's to play in this challenge!" Joel encouraged. "Which reminds me you will for sure be playing Nolan and so will Bailey and Frita because you guys sat out last time but the Fighting Wyverns are going to have to pick three people to sit out that aren't you three."

"Does everyone understand the challenge?" Chris asked.

"It's a scavenger hunt, right?" Cyan made sure.

"What will we be looking for?" Brittany requested.

"You'll get your list of things to look for once the challenge has begun," Topher informed the contestants. "Are there any other questions?"

"So, it's the first team to bring the items back here who wins, or the first team who just finds all the items?" Kiki asked.

"The first team to bring all the items here will win!" Chris clarified. "So try not to get lost. Hehaha."

"It's easier than you'd think!" Lindsay added.

Silence.

"Alright! Fighting Wyverns, pick your three who will be sitting out, and we can get this started!" Chris instructed.

---

Confessional:

Frita: I haven't spoken to Joel in years. We spoke a little bit after Explore Party ended, and then a little bit more after the season aired, but he was pretty busy with his other friends. I don't want to talk to him and make things any more awkward than they need to be.

Ernie: (He cracks his neck.) I really need to start getting in the headspace for more, like, active challenges. The fact that the other team needs to sit out three people at this point is not acceptable, even if two of those are only because Bailey swapped teams.

---

"Alright, um, is there anyone who wishes to sit out?" Kun asked.

Nobody spoke up.

"I appreciate the, um, enthusiasm," Kun smiled. "It will have to be someone, though."

"At the risk of sounding patronizing, Kiki, you seem to be out of it having spent the night at Isolation Park," Jean-Marie mentioned. "Nobody would think less of you if you wanted to take the opportunity to rest."

"I'd think less of me," Kiki said.

"Who, of the seven of us who are eligible to sit out, is eager to play in this challenge?" Kun asked.

Cyan, Dalit, Kiki, Louise, and Quentin all raised their hands.

"Jean-Marie, in light of you and I not raising our hands, shall we sit out of this one?" Kun asked.

"I would be alright with it," Jean-Marie agreed.

"We'll need one more," Kiki noted.

"I'll do it if no one else wants to," Quentin volunteered.

"Aren't you a birdwatcher?" Dalit pointed out. "You should be good at a scavenger hunt."

"If no one else wishes to sit out, then it's his prerogative to do so," Kun said.

After a brief pause, Kiki raised her hand.

"I'd hate for a skilled member of our team to sit out, and I probably could afford to take a rest," Kiki decided. "Not because I'm weak, but because I need to conserve energy for our next challenge."

"That's the spirit!" Quentin smiled.

"Any further input?" Kun asked his teammates.

Silence.

"Alright. Hosts, we'll be sitting out, um, Jean-Marie, Kiki, and myself," Kun declared.

"Great. With that out of the way, let's get this challenge underway!" Chris proclaimed.

---

Confessional:

Irving: Harhar! What better way for a pirate to flex his muscles than a treasure hunt? Granted, I can't say I've ever sailed the real seas, but I've been geocaching enough to know what I be doing. What sort of pirate would I be without that kind of skill at least?

Kiki: I do feel a little better sitting out knowing that Kun and Jean-Marie are both also sitting out. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night because I pushed myself to the limit looking for statues. I feel like I should be able to contribute to the team in spite of that, but a city-wide scavenger hunt might not be realistic for me. I'll make up for it next time.

---

Topher and Lindsay handed one sheet of paper each to Louise and Vladimir.

"What are we looking for?" Hugh asked.

"A purpose in life, lifelong happiness, the cultivation of talent, forty-two..." Irving listed.

"True, but for the sake of the challenge, we'll need to find an iron, a bronze medal, a silver spoon, and a gold ingot," Vladimir read.

"An iron? Like for your clothes, or, like, for golf?" Steve Jenkins asked.

"I'm willing to bet it's the kind for your clothes," Brittany reasoned. "Where would we find golf clubs?"

"Well, where would we find a clothes iron?" Ernie asked.

"Probably at the place where we picked out clothes for Greg," Hugh guessed.

"That's likely the case," Shadya agreed. "As for the others, I'd guess the gymnasium for the bronze medal, Chef's kitchen for the silver spoon, and the bank for the gold ingot."

"Aw, way to steal a pirate's thunder," Irving grumbled.

"Wouldn't be the first time, won't be the last," Shadya claimed.

"When was the first time?!" Irving asked in disbelief.

"My life is very public. It's not my fault if you don't know," Shadya said.

"Regardless, it sounds like we should have an easy time finding these things," Vladimir figured. "Who's going to look for what?"

"'Tis a pirate's duty to get the gold!" Irving declared.

"It's my duty, too," Shadya leered.

"You can both go for it. With seven of us and four items to get, we'll need a few groups to go together," Brittany deduced.

"Fine, you guys can get the gold if it means that much to you. It's fine, it's whatever," Steve Jenkins tsked. "I'll get the silver spoon."

"I remember where we picked out the clothes. I'm good with getting the iron," Hugh said.

"I'll go get the silver spoon, too," Ernie decided.

"I'm interested in finding the iron as well," Vladimir offered.

"And that leaves me with the bronze medal. That works," Brittany nodded.

"Alright, let's head out!" Hugh decided.

The team split up to begin searching.

---

Confessional:

Hugh: I don't know why Vladimir is so interested in finding the iron, but I don't trust that guy for a second. I'm going to have to keep an eye on him just to make sure he doesn't do anything weird.

---

"Okay, so we have four items to find, and seven of us playing," Bailey surmised. "This doesn't sound too difficult."

"Where on earth are we going to find those things, though?" Frita asked.

"Well, think about where you would usually find an iron or a spoon, et cetera," Nolan offered.

"...Where do you usually find an iron?" Frita inquired.

"In the laundry room, of course!" Dalit figured out.

"Either there, or in the room where we did the Beauty challenge for the robots," Cyan hypothesized.

"We can check both areas," Nolan compromised. "As Bailey said, there are more of us playing than there are items to find. That means we can split up and cover more ground."

"The gold ingot's pretty obvious. We found a bunch of those at the bank," Louise brought up.

"Were those real?" Quentin wondered.

"Does it matter?" Frita asked.

"It might. Make sure you can find one that's real gold," Cyan suggested.

"If we send two or three of us to the bank, that'll cut our search time significantly," Nolan thought aloud. "Assuming it's even at the bank in the first place."

"It's the safest place to look," Bailey figured. "Now, the silver spoon and the bronze medal..."

"The medal's got to be at the gymnasium. I'm sure I saw one when I was last there," Louise claimed.

"Has anyone seen a silver spoon around?" Quentin asked.

"There might be one in Chef's kitchen... assuming he'd let anyone in there," Frita suggested. "Nevermind, it's a stupid idea."

"No, it's definitely worth checking," Cyan encouraged.

"Alright, so if I'm reading the room correctly..." Louise began. "I'll head to the gym, Frita will head to the diner, Cyan to the clothes warehouse, Dalit to the motel laundry room, and Bailey, Nolan, and Quentin to the bank?"

"It's a strong start if nothing else," Bailey said. "If we don't find all four items right away, then anyone who did find their item can go help look for the others."

"Don't forget what it is we'll be looking for," Louise reminded everyone. "Eyes on the prize!"

They noticed the Grand Gryphons breaking up their team to go find the items.

"Alright, everyone, break!" Louise ordered before running off towards the direction of the gymnasium.

The others all ran in their specified directions as well.

---

Confessional:

Dalit: You need to be fast and smart on this one! People will underestimate me a lot, but I know I'm as fast and smart as anyone, so I will win this challenge for our team!

---

Ernie and Steve Jenkins ran for Hatchet's Diner.

"I could have done this alone, you know," Steve Jenkins pointed out.

"I mean, technically anyone could have done any of these alone, but we have more than four of us, so, like, it pays to group up if only to make sure the other team doesn't get it," Ernie explained.

"The other team doesn't have Steve Jenkins, so we'd be fine anyway," Steve Jenkins frowned.

Ernie sighed. "Look, I'm sorry if I act like I don't value you. That's not true."

"You've sure got a weird way of showing it," Steve Jenkins accused.

"I've got, like, a weird way of showing a lot of things," Ernie said. "But... I do want to work with you in this game."

"So does everyone. You're not special," Steve Jenkins handwaved.

A lightbulb went off over Ernie's head. "No, but you are, and I'm willing to, like, do what it takes to help you go far."

"Is that so?" Steve Jenkins smirked.

"Yeah, and Irving and Brittany are, ya know, trying to get you eliminated," Ernie claimed. "Which is why we've been pushing so hard to get rid of Irving."

"No time to pay attention to whatever it is you just said! We're here!" Steve Jenkins called out as the two neared the diner.

Steve Jenkins threw open the doors and sauntered in while Ernie followed behind.

"What the hell?! Ain't you kids supposed to be doin' a challenge or some?" Chef snapped. "Dinner ain't for a few more hours!"

"We just need, like a silver spoon, and we'll be out of your hair," Ernie told him.

"Hair?! Oh, I really didn't miss you, punk," Chef seethed as the sweat on his bald head shimmered intensely.

"A man's hair is important, dude. Why'd you have to make fun of him like that?" Steve Jenkins tutted.

"That wasn't intentional!" Ernie insisted.

His eyes widened and he ducked as a large fork sailed over his head and stuck itself into the wall behind him. He retreated to a nearby booth, with Steve Jenkins following close behind.

"Well, great, now how are we going to get the silver spoon?" Steve Jenkins asked.

"I distract him and you sneak in and grab it?" Ernie suggested half-heartedly.

"You know what, that just might work," Steve Jenkins grinned. "I'd actually thought of it before you said anything, but I figured I'd let you take the credit for this one. It's important to stay humble."

"I'll say," Ernie responded. He sighed. "Well, like, here I go."

The second Ernie stepped out of the booth, he had been splattered in the face by an unidentifiable brown goo. Steve Jenkins crawled out on his elbows and knees so Chef couldn't see him.

"Eugh, what is this, meat?" Ernie groaned. "I really hate that I have to, ya know, ask."

He ducked as a plate soared over his head.

Steve Jenkins made it to the kitchen, where Frita was already looking through the drawers.

"When did you get here?" Steve Jenkins stage-whispered.

"Only a minute or so ago," Frita answered. "I was right behind you two the entire time, I guess you never noticed..."

"Yeah, guess not," Steve Jenkins shrugged. "Anyway, did you find anything?"

"What do you think?" Frita winced.

"I think about whether it would be a good thing if more girls dyed their hair unnatural colors," Steve Jenkins answered. "On one hand, I'm totally into that, but on the other hand, if they all did that, I feel like it wouldn't be novel anymore. I'd just get numb to it, to the point where it's not cool anymore."

He looked at Frita to realize that she had not been paying attention to anything he'd just said.

---

Confessional:

Steve Jenkins: Heh, Gretchen really did awaken something in me. Too bad things never got any farther with us, but she's got her own hero's journey to go on. Shine on, you crazy diamond.

---

Louise arrived at the gymnasium readily.

"Alright, bronze medal," Louise prepped herself. "The only time I'll be holding bronze in this game." She punched into the palm of her hand. "Now, where was it again?"

As Louise began her search, Brittany had arrived at the gymnasium, panting.

"He-Hey, Louise!" Brittany called for attention.

"Hey, Brittany!" Louise greeted back.

"We should look together," Brittany suggested. "Make things easier for both of us."

"Sorry, Brittany. Nothing personal, but I'm trying to win," Louise dismissed. "Besides, a win's no good if you aren't competing with someone else for it! Better catch up!"

Louise ran down the halls of the gymnasium.

"Well, it was worth a try," Brittany sighed. "There has to be a trophy case around here somewhere. Where else would a bronze medal be? Unless that's what they want us to think. Just focus, Brittany. Overthinking things will be the death of you."

Brittany speed-walked through the hall, looking around for the medal.

Louise, meanwhile, had just completed a lap around the halls of the building and turned to the doors to the gym room itself.

"Guess it was in here," Louise figured.

She entered the big gymnasium proper and made a line for the bleachers, allowing for a higher vantage point.

"Come on, bronze medal. Where are you?" Louise asked.

---

Confessional:

Louise: Just me and Brittany over here, huh? I guess this one did seem kind of straightforward, and yet, here we are, unable to find the thing even though it's not that big a building. Maybe we're on the wrong track. That'd be embarrassing.

---

Irving and Shadya typed the password into the password-protected door that led to the control room in the bank.

"Can't believe they didn't even change the password!" Irving laughed. "I wonder if Chef would make nachos if we asked."

"I doubt it," Shadya denied as the two entered a short hallway.

"But he might," Irving smiled.

"If you want to ask him and risk losing an eye, be my guest," Shadya snorted.

"Losing an eye?! Do ye understand what that means?!" Irving gasped. "I'd have an excuse to wear an eyepatch! It'd be time to fully encapsulate the pirate look!"

"I can break your leg off if you want to go whole hog with it," Shadya remarked.

She opened the door at the end of the hallway, granting access to the control room. Sure enough, several gold ingots were still piled.

"Lesser men would kill each other on the spot upon seeing such riches," Irving chuckled.

"These obviously aren't real. If they were, they wouldn't have put them out here for everyone to see," Shadya reasoned.

"Exactly. The fact that we could figure that much out be what makes us better than lesser men," Irving grinned.

"So you'd kill people if you thought they were real?" Shadya asked.

"Fortunately, we never have to find out," Irving snickered darkly.

"Let's just take one and go," Shadya decided.

She took a gold ingot and the two ran out of the room, just as Bailey, Nolan, and Quentin made it in front of the door.

"Eek!" Bailey jumped.

"Looks like they just took one and left," Nolan noted. "That might bite them in the butt."

"You really think they have real gold hidden in there?" Quentin asked as the three entered the hallway.

"It's what I would do if I was running this challenge," Nolan figured. "Here, how about we have one of us take any old ingot back to Chris and the others, and the other two can look for a real gold one just in case?"

"Quentin's the most athletic of the three of us, yes?" Bailey asked.

"Yeah, I can do it," Quentin agreed. "Just leave it to me!"

The three arrived in the control room, and Quentin took the first ingot he saw.

"If it's wrong, I'll be back. If not, I'll see you guys later!" Quentin called as he ran off.

"Has Cyan spoken with you about her plan?" Bailey asked Nolan.

"I spoke to Louise, who said something about Cyan expanding her influence," Nolan answered as the two began inspecting the remaining ingots.

"Cyan wants a big alliance," Bailey explained. "Her, us, Louise, Frita, and Quentin."

"Louise said she wasn't sure how much she trusted Frita and Quentin. How sure are you that you can trust them?" Nolan asked.

"I don't think they're anyone's first choice in ally, but I think they're more likely to go with it than the others are," Bailey said.

"They trust me, so if I'm in, they very well could be, too," Nolan acknowledged.

"Are you in?" Bailey asked.

"I think this arrangement suits me," Nolan smirked.

"I see us working well together," Bailey said. "And by 'us', I'm referring to you and me."

Nolan rolled his die. "I see us working well together, too,"

Bailey looked at him skeptically but did not press him.

---

Confessional:

Nolan: And sure enough, the exact alliance I wanted is falling right into my lap. It feels good to have the people on this team doing what helps me out. Maybe the dice aren't as big of a detriment as I'd thought. Let's see where this goes.

---

Cyan, Hugh, and Vladimir all arrived at the clothes warehouse at the same time.

"No time to lose!" Cyan declared before running off.

"Alright, uh... 'Barry'," Hugh side-eyed Cyan, who had already begun looking through bins. "I'll take the back, you take the front."

"Just what are you intending to do?!" Vladimir asked.

"Search the warehouse, what the hell did you think I meant?!" Hugh panicked.

"Well, the way you worded that as you looked at Cyan..." Vladimir trailed off.

"That was to see if she was in earshot or not before I called you 'Vladimir' on accident," Hugh growled. "What the hell do you think of me?"

"I apologize. Anyway, before we split off, I feel there's something we should discuss," Vladimir said.

"Screw that! We have a challenge to win!" Hugh reacted. "Worry about it after we win."

Hugh ran to the back of the warehouse.

"So that is Vladimir. Thought so," Cyan muttered to herself. "The fact that I wasn't sure is impressive, though."

"Thanks," Vladimir smirked wryly.

"Oh!" Cyan gasped as she realized Vladimir was right behind her. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me."

"I should hope so. The spread of information can be very damaging to how people perceive someone in the game," Vladimir smiled.

Cyan gave Vladimir a look. "Why are you always hiding who you really are, anyway?"

"Well, I'm hiding that, too," Vladimir told her. "It'd be best if you didn't try to pursue that any further."

"Okay then," Cyan accepted skeptically.

---

Meanwhile, Dalit made it to the laundry room at the motel.

"Alright! Time to find an iron!" Dalit decided.

She opened the washing machine first and looked inside. There was nothing to see.

"...I don't know why I would think it was there," Dalit conceded.

---

Confessional:

Cyan: I don't know what Vladimir's deal is. He's probably just making himself out to be a riddle and secretly wants someone to solve him. I'm not really interested, anyway, but there's no need to be so passive-aggressive! Honestly, so orange.

---

Frita and Steve Jenkins continued to look through the drawers in Chef's kitchen, while the large man kept throwing whatever he could grab at Ernie.

"How many drawers does one kitchen need?" Steve Jenkins griped. "How many of these does he even use?"

"You don't cook often, do you?" Frita surmised.

"I don't really need to. Every day, I have at least ten girls who have made lunch for me out of sheer admiration. You know, because I'm Steve Jenkins," Steve Jenkins claimed. "Those usually get me by."

"What are you, still in high school?" Frita asked.

"No, I'm just that famous and adored," Steve Jenkins boasted. "Shout out to my followers on YouTube. This challenge win is for you guys!"

"Neither of us have found the silver spoon," Frita pointed out.

She looked down to the drawer she had just opened, which only contained two shiny, fancy-looking spoons. She took them both and hid them in her sweater sleeve before closing it.

"Hey, don't think I didn't catch that!" Steve Jenkins accused.

"I'm sorry! I wasn't trying to deceive you!" Frita cried.

"Your silence betrays you. You were thinking long and hard about how you can find my vlog on YouTube," Steve Jenkins deduced. "Well, that's easy. I'm the one and only Steve Jenkins. That's all you need to search for. Why make branding any more difficult than it has to be when people already know who I am?"

"Uh, yeah, thanks for the tip..." Frita trailed off. She ran out of the kitchen.

Ernie took notice of Frita's exeunt before dodging a raw steak.

"Hey! Steve Jenkins! Frita already found the spoon!" Ernie called out, annoyed. "Hurry up!"

"Wait a minute!" Chef turned around and glared at Steve Jenkins. "When the hell did you get in my kitchen?!"

"Well, you see, Steve Jenkins is everywhere, because he is always with you," Steve Jenkins claimed. "In your heart, of course. There's only one of me, so I can't literally be everywhere at once, but- ACK!"

Steve Jenkins was cut off when he was hit in the face by a ball of dough.

"Good grief," Ernie sighed. He made his way to the kitchen.

---

Confessional:

Ernie: It's like dealing with the idiocy of David and the self-absorption of Tucker all at once. I think it's safe to say I was one of the smarter people in House Party, and, like, I wasn't sure that would be the case here in All-Stars, but maybe it still is.

---

Louise stepped down from the bleachers to look at the wall behind the bleachers. Among a few banners and flags, she was able to see a couple of gold, silver, and bronze medals hung high enough to where it was impossible to reach them.

"Bingo," Louise grinned. "Now, how do I get it off the wall?"

"Shouldn't be too hard," Brittany smiled as she entered the room with a long, thin pole with a small hook at the end.

"What the heck is that?!" Louise asked.

"I don't know. Probably what they used to get those medals all the way up there," Brittany figured.

She hooked one of the bronze medals off of the nail holding it up and let it slide down the pole. Brittany tossed the pole across the room and ran.

"Hey! That's bad sportsmanship!" Louise accused.

"I thought a win you didn't have to compete for was no good!" Brittany called back.

"Damn," Louise conceded. "Maybe I did have that coming."

Louise ran for the pole to retrieve her own bronze medal.

---

Confessional:

Brittany: Yeah, that was kind of a rude move, but this is a game, and my team could really use a win over here. It sounds like Bailey's in a good enough position on the Wyverns to where I'm not particularly worried about her going home if they lose.

---

Irving and Shadya returned to McLean Park with the gold ingot in hand.

"First back. To nobody's surprise," Shadya nodded.

"Yer gold, Chris," Irving offered.

"You don't have to give it to me, but I appreciate the enthusiasm," Chris chuckled.

"That's one point for the Grand Gryphons," Topher nodded as he made a check on a notepad he'd been holding.

"Good job, guys!" Lindsay encouraged.

"I always do a good job," Shadya brushed off.

"Hence our game-long winning streak so far!" Irving guffawed.

"It's not my fault the rest of the team refuses to try and match up to me," Shadya glared.

Quentin arrived at the scene next with his own gold ingot.

"Does this count?" Quentin asked hopefully.

"Sure does! Point for the Fighting Wyverns!" Topher confirmed as he checked something off his notepad.

"Well, I told Bailey and Nolan I wouldn't go back if that one counted," Quentin figured as he stretched his arms. He took notice of a bird on a tree. "Ooh, a golden-crowned sparrow!"

Brittany and Louise arrived at the park at roughly the same time.

"Bronze medal!" Louise called as she held her medal up high.

"Me too!" Brittany announced as she showcased her own medal.

"And that's those for both teams," Topher nodded as he checked them off on his notepad.

"It's neck and neck!" Lindsay announced.

"What are we still missing?" Brittany asked Irving and Shadya.

"The silver spoon and the iron," Shadya answered. "So it's up to Hugh, Vladimir, Ernie, and Steve Jenkins."

"I see," Brittany nodded.

"Is there a rule saying that we can't go help the others?" Shadya asked Chris.

"He never said there was," Lindsay offered before Chris could answer.

Chris sighed. "Thank you, Lindsay. No, I didn't say that was a rule."

Shadya turned to Brittany and Irving. "I'll head to the diner. You guys head to the clothes warehouse. Brittany, you remember where it is, right?"

"More or less," Brittany confirmed.

"One of us should stay here to hold on to the gold and bronze until someone else gets here," Irving mentioned. "And what better person to hoard our treasure than-"

"Alright, yes, you're a pirate, we get it, you can stay here," Shadya said with a roll of her eyes.

---

Confessional:

Shadya: My team should not be so complacent just because I'm on it and can carry the team. The Best Team understood this, and that was also a team full of big egos. If this team is going to be useless to me, then I guess I'll have to step up even more than usual if we're going to win challenges.

---

Off in another part of McLean Park, Jean-Marie had approached Joel.

"Bonjour, Joel," Jean-Marie greeted.

"Oh hey Jean-Marie how's it going it's been a while five years was it I lost count," Joel responded.

"I feel I must apologize to you for the rude things I'd said toward and about you back in Explore Party," Jean-Marie said.

"Oh that stuff that's all water under the bridge I mean I've definitely heard meaner from people who just spoke in English and knew I could understand them," Joel mentioned. "So hey how are Frita and Brittany doing I haven't gotten to talk to them a whole lot since I last saw them especially Frita."

"Regrettably, I have also been unable to speak with Brittany, on account of us being on different teams," Jean-Marie lamented. "Frita... It's hard to say since I didn't speak with her much back then, but I think she's at least opening up more than she may have previously."

"That's good I always felt kind of bad for her being so down on herself because she's a cool artist and stuff but I also get that the stuff she's into isn't really easy for others to understand so she just kind of isolates herself to keep from getting hurt," Joel acknowledged. "It happens."

"Alas, how the beauty of variety may damn us," Jean-Marie waxed.

"I guess haha," Joel laughed, not really understanding what Jean-Marie said.

---

Meanwhile, Kun had sat at the same small table as Kiki.

"What do you want?" Kiki asked.

"To stop constantly, um, fighting with you and targeting each other," Kun answered.

"That's going to be difficult when you constantly disregard and dismiss anything I have to say," Kiki frowned.

"I know, and I don't want to keep doing that," Kun said. "One important part of being a leader that I've, um, forgotten is that it's important to always listen to and understand others. And I feel as though I've failed to understand why we keep fighting."

"I've been very straightforward with you. You're just scared of acknowledging your own shortcomings," Kiki told him.

Kun couldn't close his mouth.

"...Maybe," Kun sighed. "I shouldn't be having shortcomings, though. I'm... I'm a failure."

"Everyone has shortcomings. It's how you work around them that makes you a failure or not," Kiki reasoned. "What are you planning on doing to work around your shortcomings?"

"Well, the first step is to, um, acknowledge them, right?" Kun figured. "I'm not listening enough to others."

"And why is that?" Kiki asked.

"Because you're a woman?" Kun guessed, not really sold on his own answer.

"That's part of it to some extent, but that's not what I was looking for," Kiki told him. "It's because your expectations for yourself are too high. Or perhaps your parents' expectations of you that you're letting get to you."

"Well, I mean, the family company is, um, pretty big," Kun mentioned. "I'll have pretty big shoes to fill."

"But you don't need to be ready for that today," Kiki said. "You're trying too hard to be something you don't need to be, and it's making you lose sight of what you want. Assuming that taking over your family's company is what you really, truly want."

Kun looked to be pondering Kiki's words.

"I'll let you mull it over," Kiki told him. "I'm going to that bench over there to nap. Isolation Park kind of wrecked me."

Kiki stood up and left.

---

Confessional:

Kun: Well, Kiki's, um, definitely not one to mince words. I guess you need to be ready to be honest with people if you're going to be a therapist. Still, she may be, um, right. I'm losing sight of what's important, and that's something I hope to rectify in the near future. I can't be a good leader if I don't know where I'm leading people to.

---

Brittany arrived at the clothes warehouse. Cyan, Hugh, and Vladimir continued looking through the bins, closets, etc.

"Hey, guys. Need any help?" Brittany offered.

"Three sets of eyes are better than two," Vladimir accepted.

"Did you already get your thing?" Hugh asked.

"Yeah. Last I checked, the teams are tied," Brittany relayed. She glanced at Cyan. "Is Cyan the only Wyvern here?"

"Yeah. Why do you ask?" Vladimir wondered.

"Louise was the only person they sent to get the bronze medal," Brittany explained. "How in the world are they splitting their team to where only one person is at a location?"

"They're probably just trying to spread out. I don't know," Hugh figured.

"But where else would the iron be?" Brittany asked.

"Where else...?" Vladimir echoed. He smacked his forehead. "Hugh, follow me."

"Huh? Why?" Hugh scoffed.

"Just do it," Vladimir instructed as he ran out.

Hugh looked to Brittany, confused.

"I'm sure you two plus Cyan have searched here thoroughly enough. I'll keep looking here for now, just in case," Brittany offered.

"If you say so," Hugh decided as he ran after Vladimir.

"I wonder if Vladimir's on any kind of right track," Cyan giggled.

"Do you think he could be?" Brittany asked.

"I don't know. He was pretty vague," Cyan said cheekily.

"I see," Brittany tsked.

---

Confessional:

Hugh: Look, yeah, it's obvious Vladimir wants to work me over to his side, but what he fails to realize is that making me run across the entire damn city for no reason is going to do no kinds of good making me want to listen to him. Artard.

---

Dalit opened a small door to find two clothes irons within among the detergents and other cleaning supplies.

"Aha!" Dalit grinned.

She took one of the irons and shut the door. She ran out of the motel laundry room.

"Alright... which way was the park again?" Dalit asked herself. "Oh! I almost forgot! There's a map in each room!"

Dalit approached her designated motel room and scanned her key card. The light on the card reader turned red.

"What?! This is my room! Why can't it let me in?!" Dalit objected. "Is it because I'm staying at Blaising Tower right now? That's not fair! I need the map!"

Dalit punched her door, which only resulted in her hurting her own fist. She yelped in pain and shook her hand out.

"Well, fine! I'll just find my way back on my own," Dalit grunted.

---

Confessional:

Dalit: I will not lose because they didn't tell me I couldn't go to my motel room if I won a challenge! I just won't let that happen!

---

Back at McLean Park, Frita had just arrived.

"Hey, Frita!" Quentin acknowledged jovially.

"I took both spoons," Frita mentioned as she revealed both of them from her sleeve. "That should make things a lot harder for the other team."

"Haha. Nice!" Louise encouraged.

"Uh, that's not how that works, brah," Chris informed her.

"Huh?" Frita asked.

"If you bring one back with you, that just counts as the one for your team, but if both items are over here, that means that both teams' items have made it, regardless of how they got here," Chris clarified.

"...Oh," Frita said dejectedly, dropping both spoons.

"Come on, how does that make sense?" Quentin pressed. "The Gryphons had nothing to do with the other spoon getting here."

Irving walked up to one of the silver spoons and picked it up. "Behold! Me silver treasure, on behalf of the Gryphons!"

"It would have been easy to just take both of them before someone from the other team is even aware of where the item is," Chris rationalized. "The challenge wouldn't get anywhere if we didn't count that."

"So if she'd dropped the other spoon in the middle of nowhere, it'd be fine?" Louise asked skeptically.

Frita walked away from the scene, hiding her face with her hands.

"That's not what I said, Louise," Chris said firmly. "The ruling is the ruling."

"We agreed on it before all this, I promise," Lindsay added.

"You probably should have made it clear before the game started," Louise scolded.

"I asked if there were any further questions, and nobody said anything," Chris claimed.

"I'm going to go see if she wants to talk," Quentin offered.

"At any rate, the close race continues!" Topher announced, having checked both teams' progress on his notepad. "Both teams just need to bring back the iron! Who will get here first?"

---

Confessional:

Quentin: I get where Chris and the other hosts are coming from, and I get where Frita's coming from, too. It's just a big unfortunate mess where things weren't as clear as everyone thought they were. I just hope this doesn't discourage Frita further from trying new things.

---

"Why, is that somebody I see running towards us in the distance?" Topher asked exaggeratedly.

"It looks like it, yeah," Lindsay informed him.

"And could they be holding the iron they need to bring their team victory?" Topher continued his act.

"Maybe," Lindsay offered.

...

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...

...

"Finally I found my way here!" Dalit expressed. "How come we don't get in to our motels when we're staying at the tower that day? I needed a map!"

Topher took notice of the iron Dalit was holding.

"And that's that!" Topher announced as he checked that off of his list dramatically.

"Alrighty." Chris took a small device from his pocket and began speaking into it. "Attention, contestants!" his voice rang out across various parts of the city. "One team has returned with all four items! Head on back to McLean Park asap!"

"Wait, we won?!" Dalit gasped. "Yes! I won the challenge for us! Me!"

---

Confessional:

Jean-Marie: It was a close call, especially with both spoons Frita brought back counting for both teams, but it's fortunate to keep our winning streak alive. Having to vote someone out tonight would be... messy, to say the least.

Ernie: (He is covered in bruises and food residue) This challenge fucking sucked.

---

Eventually, everyone made it back to McLean Park.

"Congratulations to the Fighting Wyverns for another well-earned win," Chris grinned. "You guys have Invincibility for tonight."

The Fighting Wyverns clapped and cheered at their victory.

"You guys stick around for the Best/Worst Vote," Topher instructed them.

"The Grand Gryphons, on the other hand... Ouch. Hehaha," Chris laughed. "If you guys will follow me, it's time to head back to Elimination Station."

Bailey gave a bit of a wave to her former teammates as they made their way away.

"Alright, you guys know the drill by now," Topher told the Fighting Wyverns as he and Lindsay handed out pencils and papers to everyone who participated in the challenge. "Who did the best and the worst in the challenge today? Your votes will determine who stays in the penthouse, and who stays in Isolation Park."

---

Confessional:

Cyan: This vote might have been tougher if it didn't take everyone a while to get back to the park. We actually had more time to discuss things than the hosts probably would have liked.

---

The votes had been cast and turned in to Lindsay and Topher.

"Alright, this was... a weird one," Topher admitted. "But clear majorities have voted. The winner of the Best vote, with penthouse privileges until the end of the next challenge, is..."

...

...

...

...

...

"Quentin!" Topher announced.

"Oh, wow, really?" Quentin asked, taken aback. "Thanks, guys!"

"You were the first person back, right? It made sense," Cyan said.

"But, the person who took the Worst vote..." Lindsay brought up.

...

...

...

...

...

"Frita, sorry," Lindsay apologized.

"I asked for this. I deserve it," Frita sighed.

"The rule wasn't clear. It's not your fault," Louise told her.

"It's whatever," Frita dismissed.

"I'll take Frita to Isolation Park," Lindsay offered.

"Everyone else, you're dismissed!" Topher told the rest of the Fighting Wyverns.

---

Confessional:

Kiki: Sitting out of this one was probably the right call in light of me being overall exhausted. I'm glad I actually got to have an actual talk with Kun where he listens to me, too. I'll take this night off to rest up so I can deliver double tomorrow!

Louise: I'm glad we won, even despite the rules mix-up. Losing a challenge and potentially being voted out because of a technicality would have sucked for anyone. Games are no fun if something comes out of nowhere that there's nothing you can do about. That's why I never play Mario Party with Elmer or his friends.

---

Votes:

Best:

Quentin - Bailey, Cyan, Frita

Frita - Louise, Quentin

Dalit - Dalit

Louise - Nolan

Worst:

Frita - Bailey, Cyan, Dalit, Frita

Quentin - Louise, Quentin

Bailey - Nolan

---

The Grand Gryphons had arrived at Elimination Station and had taken their spots at their respective lecterns.

"Welcome back to elimination, Grand Gryphons!" Chris proclaimed. "In case you've forgotten, you guys will have thirty minutes, or until everyone casts their votes, to deliberate amongst yourselves and decide who you guys will be booting off of your team and out of the game."

"Rad. Neato. Keen, even," Hugh remarked.

"Isn't it exciting? Hehaha," Chris chuckled.

"Every day has the opportunity to be exciting if ye let it be!" Irving declared.

"Yeah, which is why that podium over there is empty," Steve Jenkins accused as he pointed to the lectern where Isidora used to stand.

"Exactly! Glad ye understand," Irving laughed.

"And that's why you'll be going home tonight, Irving," Shadya said.

"Whaaaaaat?!" Irving roared overdramatically. "How could ye do this to me?!"

"It's heart-rending for us all, believe you me," Ernie droned.

"Well, not much that can be done about that," Irving shrugged. "'Twas nice knowing ye all!"

"Are we actually going to discuss anything, or have we already decided on everything by now?" Brittany asked.

"Didn't ye hear? I be going home," Irving sneered.

Shadya cast her vote. "I'm glad you've come to terms with it."

"All joking aside, I can't imagine you aren't comfortable with your position right now, Irving," Vladimir pointed out. "Believe me, I can tell if someone is playing it cool in the face of nervousness. You aren't nervous."

"Of course not! I be the Dread Pirate Irving! I've fought krakens, ye know!" Irving declared.

"Why, I wonder, is Irving feeling secure that he has a majority?" Vladimir mentioned. "Brittany and Hugh are givens, but who else could potentially be on Irving's side?"

"You hear that, Brittany? We are just extensions of Irving after all," Hugh remarked.

"Finally my life goal is complete," Brittany quipped.

"Who be a part of me loyal crew be for me to know and for ye to find out," Irving claimed.

"Don't pretend like your alliance hasn't been insultingly transparent," Shadya chastised. "Don't pretend like the lines haven't been very clearly drawn already."

"Shadya, if that were the case, then Irving would be a lot more nervous than he is right now," Vladimir stated.

"You sure you aren't just, like, overthinking it?" Ernie asked. "I'm not going to put too much stock into how Irving reacts to things. Being blasé is, like, this thing."

"Unless that's what ye want us to think," Irving snickered.

"What does that even mean?" Ernie asked.

"Exactly!" Irving accused.

...

"Well, I, for one, see no value in keeping around someone who's so aggressively impossible to work with, ya know?" Ernie mentioned.

He cast his vote.

Hugh glanced at Steve Jenkins. Steve Jenkins raised his eyebrows.

"Well, if we're going to be transparent, then fine," Hugh began. "Ernie, you've made no attempt to make me feel like I can trust you. And I'm not the only one who thinks so."

"Why the hell should I trust you: known backstabber?" Ernie scoffed.

"Everyone on this team is a backstabber. Don't act like your hands are clean," Brittany accused.

"I don't need to backstab people. Leave me out of your desperate attempts at gameplay," Shadya claimed.

"I have never stabbed a back in my life," Steve Jenkins said. "I'm Steve Jenkins, beloved by all. Such dirty gameplay is beneath me."

Brittany cast her vote. "Ernie actually did attempt to convince me that I could trust him, and he couldn't even pull that off."

"Look, if you want to, like, stay on a sinking ship of an alliance that will throw you to the wolves the instant it benefits them, be my guest," Ernie scoffed.

"And if you want to keep completely ignoring social game and keep acting like you're better than everyone else, be my guest," Brittany shot back.

"Yeah, leave that to the professionals," Steve Jenkins added.

"You're supposed to be on my side!" Ernie reacted.

Irving cast his vote. "Me crew always be open to accepting new members. Keep that in mind, won't ye, before ye cast your vote."

"Joining your crew won't matter if it means you're on the bottom," Shadya claimed. "Even if you do vote Ernie out, all you're doing is putting yourself on the bottom of a pre-existing alliance instead of sticking to the one you're already a part of."

Vladimir knocked twice on his lectern before casting his vote. "I've already made my intentions clear."

Hugh and Steve Jenkins shared a look. Steve Jenkins cast his vote, and then Hugh cast his.

"Alright, the votes are in!" Chris announced. He pulled his phone out of his pocket. "I'll read the votes off one by one. The person with the most votes against them will ride the Shackle of Shame out of here and leave the game for good! Hehaha."

The Grand Gryphons looked at each other tensely.

"First vote... Ernie!" Chris read.

Ernie yawned.

"Second vote... Irving!" Chris continued.

Irving tried to force himself to yawn, but nothing came out.

"Third vote... Ernie!"

Ernie cracked his neck.

"Fourth vote... Irving!"

Irving mustered a yawn. "Haha! Got it!"

"Fifth vote... and the sixth and seventh..." Chris trailed off.

Ernie and Irving both looked concerned at this notion.

...

...

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...

"Ernie!" Chris announced.

"Oh my gooooooooood!" Ernie groaned. "You guys are literally just letting Irving run this game!"

"Steve Jenkins works in mysterious ways," Steve Jenkins claimed. "No hard feelings."

"You don't get to just claim that there's no hard feelings," Ernie scowled. "This was a colossally stupid move, just like voting out Isidora before me."

"Hey, I had nothing to do with that!" Steve Jenkins insisted. "You're the one who split your vote by voting for... who was it again? Oh yeah, me!"

"You voted for Brittany. Don't fucking at me," Ernie shot back.

"I don't want to hear any excuses from anyone about finding better options to work with, here," Shadya growled. "That is simply not possible."

"Any more final words to Ernie before he gets yanked on out of here?" Chris asked.

Vladimir cleared his throat. "A fool finds no pleasure in understanding others, but rather delights in airing his own opinions. Proverbs 18:2."

"I know you did not just condescendingly quote the damn Bible at me," Ernie glowered.

"I did a lot of research. I was waiting for a chance to break that one out," Vladimir claimed.

"Well, understand that I'm pissed off at you in particular. I thought we were good," Ernie scoffed.

"I'll explain everything later. Hopefully much, much later," Vladimir told him.

The ceiling opened up, and the Shackle of Shame descended and grabbed Ernie around the waist. The law student gasped in initial surprise before being lifted off his feet and back above ground. Once Ernie was gone, the ceiling shut once again.

"Games like this were hailed as social experiments in the past. I wonder when exactly it was that people forgot about that," Chris commented. "Anyway, that's all I have for you guys. You can head back to the elevator and back to the motel. I'll see you guys later!"

---

Confessional:

Vladimir: The problem with Irving's alliance with Brittany and Hugh is that it's too obvious, too out in the open. That's why it benefits Hugh to form a new alliance with me and Steve Jenkins. I don't predict anyone seeing it coming. We may or may not have prepared a signal before the vote: one knock for Irving, two for Ernie. Sorry, Ernie, I did trust you to be loyal, but you're just not somebody who I feel can help me in the long term.

Shadya: This season is a test of patience the likes of which I didn't think was possible. It's everything I can do to not just kick everyone's ass on my team right now. What the hell is happening that I'm missing to where they're just going to not vote Irving out despite multiple opportunities to do so?! I need to talk to Steve Jenkins and Vladimir immediately.

---

Chris, Topher, and Lindsay all stood outside the limits of Drama City.

"Man, the Grand Gryphons are really falling in numbers, huh?" Topher laughed.

"I've been in that situation before. It's no fun," Lindsay frowned. "I hope they're doing okay."

"Eh, they'll be fine," Chris claimed. "They're big, established players. They've learned from the school of hard knocks before."

"Has Steve Jenkins learned from any school?" Topher snickered.

"Hey, that's mean!" Lindsay objected.

"If Chris won't be mean anymore, then someone has to be," Topher claimed.

"I'll be mean to you if you don't settle down," Chris threatened. He cleared his throat. "Anyway, another player has fallen victim to the vote, and the game's only going to get tougher from here. How will the dynamics of the Grand Gryphons shift in light of Ernie's elimination? Will the pushes to change the dynamics of the Fighting Wyverns bear fruit? And who will be the next person to get hoisted by the Shackle of Shame? Find out, next time on-"

"Next episode is an Aftermath, Chris," Topher interrupted.

"It is?" Chris asked.

"Yep. Every four eliminations, they're doing an Aftermath, remember?" Topher reminded him.

"That does sound right," Lindsay nodded.

"Well, alright, an Aftermath episode," Chris acknowledged. "But after that! Alliances, arguments, and alliteration, oh my! On Total!"

"Drama!" Topher and Lindsay continued.

"Party with the Stars!" the three finished in unison.

---

Votes:

Brittany - Ernie

Ernie - Irving

Hugh - Ernie

Irving - Ernie

Shadya - Irving

Steve Jenkins - Ernie

Vladimir - Ernie

---

Grand Gryphons:

Brittany - The Loyal Bombshell

Hugh - The Head Villain

Irving - The Chaotic Pirate

Shadya - The Genius Athlete

Steve Jenkins - The Vlog Icon

Vladimir - The Untrustworthy Impostor

17th: Ernie - The Lazy Law Student

19th: Isidora - The Asocial Bookworm

20th: Lilith - The Harbinger of Unrest

Fighting Wyverns:

Bailey - The Pragmatic Poet

Cyan - The Sweet Madame Blue

Dalit - The Social Media Model

Frita - The Morbid Artist

Jean-Marie - The Homeless Frenchman

Kiki - The Strategic Hipster

Kun - The Awkward Team Leader

Louise - The Friendly PE Teacher

Nolan - The Wildcard Gambler

Quentin - The Lucky Ornithologist

18th: Joseph - The True Bro

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A/N: Kind of an obvious boot? Maybe, but to be perfectly frank, Ernie was never going to make it far to begin with. I actually had him in mind as the first boot initially, but I figured that having an established potential threat go home first is something I did in my last two seasons, so I bumped Lilith down from second boot to first. The main reason Ernie stuck around as long as he did is because I found it easier to establish dynamics and relationships between him and other characters compared to characters like Isidora and Joseph who I also didn't really have long-term plans for.

Ernie is a character who only could have made it far in a season like House Party, where most of the cast barely counted as any kind of threat. In an all-stars season, he was always going to get overshadowed by bigger, more competent players from both teams, so I figured that he'd be perfect as an early boot who realistically would qualify as an all-star but would shoot himself in the foot in spite of his efforts. What did you guys think of Ernie this go around?

Also! Next episode is indeed an Aftermath. If you have viewer questions you'd want to ask the four eliminated players (Lilith, Isidora, Joseph, and/or Ernie), let me know! I just might include them in the episode.