Author's Note: I know I said this would be the race. But I have a reason. So, the rotation is two chapters of the main series followed by a chapter of the race. But that would mean that the second chapter of the main series would be an odd-numbered chapter... and this bothered me a lot more than I'm willing to admit. So here you go!
Disclaimer: I don't own Total Drama, the shuffled concept or the (most of) the characters.
And to answer some reviews:
LazloVader9943: Guess it was rather obvious that Izzy would go home last time. And we all enjoy a good bit of villain karma. So, while Topher isn't Contessa's favorite person, no one will ever be as close to how much she hates Rebecca.
KryptonianKnight: That's a very solid prediction.
Derick Lindsey: That is a bit of a recurring flaw with Topher, his inability to think things through. Yeah, I'm trying to limit the insta-eliminations. Glad you liked the Mario Kart challenge, and the double elimination will be next episode.
Crosshot: Eh not really. Olivia was dismantling an alliance for strategic reasons. Topher's doing it for the drama; And wow, I honestly did not notice that Izzy escaped the elimination methods. I was just using her canon eliminations. And to be fair, pretty much everyone's arc is done by now.
Tempokeep: I'll be honest, I'm glad you think everyone here has an equal shot of winning. And thanks for the praise.
LittleMermaid: Whoa, I'd kinda forgotten that this is the last time I'll write most of these characters. Yeah, the first chapter was a blast to write. Yeah, I honestly had to fudge the challenge a bit so Olivia would win. Otherwise I'd have to explain why Izzy was eliminated and not her. That's one flaw with canon I can definitely understand. Eh, Topher's situation can't really be explained in simple one-word phrases like 'alliance'. He worked with them. He knows he needs to keep doing so, but he's not really loyal to them. The next episode will be the double elimination. Thank you so much for your kind words though. I'm glad I can help you with your troubles.
Remaining All-Stars:
Boys: Geoff, Topher
Girls: Contessa, Courtney, Olivia
So put another dime in the jukebox baby
Episode 11: Moroccan Roll
"Last time, on Total Drama All-Stars 2!" Chris opened, the recap beginning with a pan down Mount Midoriyama ending in him addressing the castmates. "Japan! Land of ridiculously insane game shows!" various clips from the go-kart challenge were shown.
"The all-stars raced around to pop some balloons," he said over portions of Contessa and Courtney having the balloons on their karts popped. "And then, we went a climbin'!" Clips of the second challenge were shown; Geoff and Olivia's somewhat successful attempts of scaling the false mountain. "Where Olivia reigned supreme."
"And after a spicy tiebreaker," Izzy was shown talking to Contessa and Olivia, and Topher was shown talking to Geoff, "Izzy was sent home in smoke." The wildcard was shown drinking a gallon of milk, then disappearing in a puff of smoke
The recap ended and the scene flashed to the cockpit. "Who's next for the grand Toss?" Chris asked the camera. "We're down by eleven and that can only mean one thing!" he danced, the grand title tune of the season beginning unusually early. "It's Final Five time, right here on Total! Drama! All-Stars! 2!"
The camera zoomed out as usual, the final shot showing another airplane flying across in the far distance.
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[The sequence opens exactly as it did in season three, with a tilted shot of a stagelight swinging up and turning on in front of an airport control tower, followed by another light popping out of an overhead compartment along with a pair of oxygen masks; then a camera forcibly ejecting a raccoon from a wing engine and another camera bursting out of a suitcase, sending undergarments flying. A pair of white-skinned arms clap a film slate in front of the camera, which then flies down the aisle of first class seats. It passes a drink cart, then forces Chris McLean to jump to the side as the camera flies into the cockpit.]
Dear Mom and Dad, I'm doin' fine;
[Chef Hatchet is piloting the plane in its cockpit, bobbleheads of himself and the host sitting on the control panel. For a single frame he turns his head and glares at the camera before it passes through the windshield and out onto the runway, the silhouette of the CN Tower visible in the distance as the camera flies over and through several baggage tugs.]
You guys are on my mind!
[Fading through the whiteness of a baggage cart, the camera emerges close to the CN Tower. The camera flies up along it, the sun shining bright at its peak. The scene arcs downward towards a lake, and speeds forward into it with a splash.]
Ya asked me what I wanted to be,
[The bubbles from the splash fade to show Owen floating underwater seemingly naked. He notices his swim trunks float past him and covers his crotch with a blush on his face, and the camera pans up to the surface.]
And now I think the answer is plain to see!
[On the roof of the cabin of a boat woven from reeds, Dawn is meditating in lotus position.]
I wanna be...famous!
[The camera pans down and to the right to where Olivia is frantically paddling the boat as crocodiles leap out of the water on either side and snap their jaws. The boat leaves the screen, and on 'be' one of the reptiles winces; the camera moves back to the boat, revealing that it had crashed into an inflatable raft that Contessa was standing on. The raft begins to sink, and Olivia quickly grabs her into a fierce hug. The two girls blush and separate just as quickly.]
I wanna live close to the sun!
[The camera flashes to the a snow-capped mountain, immediately cutting to the top it as Brick climbs up from the side, then wipes the sweat from his brow as he helps Courtney reach the summit.]
Well pack your bags, 'cause I've already won!
[The couple stop with shock on their faces as Izzy suddenly runs past. The wildcard blindly runs straight into Jasmine, and the two tumble off the other side of the mountain.]
Everythin' to prove,
[The camera quick-pans to Mitch standing in an open field on Pahkitew Island. He catches Jasmine in his arms and gently sets her down, and she kisses him on the cheek as Izzy lands on the ground behind them.]
Nothin' in my way; I'll get there one day.
[Another pan to the right shows Topher watching with a devious expression. He rubs his hands in anticipation, only for a furry paw to quickly tap him on the shoulder. The camera pans to Scuba Bear glaring at the instigator, who promptly runs away. On the bear's other side, Terrance begins to laugh...]
'Cause I wanna be...famous!
[...Scuba Bear then turns to glare at Terrance instead, even roaring at the boy and chasing him off. The camera zooms in on a mountain in the background, and flashes over to Geoff and Katie walking down the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The party dude turns to the right and screams and the two run away, a large number of fans chasing them away.]
(Na-na nanananaa, nanana-nanaa, na-nananananaa)
[Justin and B were next, the genius driving a speedboat and the model waterskiing behind him. They speed up and out of frame and the camera shakes for a moment. The shot pans to the right to show that the boys had ran into another speedboat driven by Sasquatchanakwa, Justin now face-down in his and B's boat. The yeti makes a hand gesture that had to be censored and the camera pans up to the sky.]
I wanna be! I wanna be! I wanna be famous! (Na-na nanananaa, nanana-nanaa, na-nananananaa)
[The jet flies right past a Mayan pyramid, causing whole structure to fall apart; the jet flies over Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janero, startling a priest into crossing himself; the jet flies trough the air and the camera pans down.]
I wanna be! I wanna be! I wanna be famous! (Na-na nanananaa, nanana-nanaa, na-nananananaa)
[The pan ends on a zoomed out shot of the swim-dressed all-stars lined up on eight platforms according to their teams – the villains holding red dueling sticks on the left of each platform, the heroes holding gold dueling sticks on the right. The camera zooms in and moves between them as they clash – smirking Courtney against smirking Brick; smug Topher being shoved in the water by a smiling Mitch; vain Justin holding off a confused Owen with one hand as he admired his own reflection in a hand mirror; Geoff thrusting eagerly but being easily blocked by an unimpressed Jasmine; Katie smirking darkly as she easily knocked Dawn into the water; Olivia being knocked away by a maniacally grinning Izzy; Terrance evenly matched with B, both boys smirking competitively; and Rebecca evilly smirking as she slammed her stick against a terrified Contessa, the top pieces of the padding suddenly catching fire and making both girls look up in surprise.]
[The lyrics end and a guitar is strummed as the camera zooms in on the two flames as they flare together, and the last few whistling notes play. The fires peter out to show the cast lined up and most of them smiling at the camera, the jet behind them. Mitch is on the far left end; to the right are Jasmine, B, Owen, Terrance, Geoff, Justin, Topher and Rebecca. In front of them are Dawn, Olivia, Contessa, Katie, Courtney, and Brick. Rebecca has her back turned to the camera as the song ends, spray-painting a '2' at the end of the 'Total Drama All-Stars' logo on the side of the jet, then turns and winks at the camera.]
XXXXX
The episode opened on a shot of the Jumbo Jet flying against the morning sun before cutting to first class. The camera focused on a Olivia as she woke up with a yawn and a stretch of her arms. Sitting up in her chair, she drowsily tore off her sleep mask, then turned her heavily-lidded eyes to the side.
They immediately widened as the camera moved to reveal Contessa sitting cross-legged in a chair across from Olivia. "You're awake," she told the actress in a slightly embarrassed tone.
"Were you watching me?" Olivia asked immediately as she stretched some more.
"Yeah," Contessa admitted shyly. "I was gonna wake you ao we could talk strategy," she explained, rubbing the back of her neck, "but you just looked so beautiful sitting there I..."
"That's really sweet Tessa," Olivia told her with a smile and blush. "Creepy," she admonished with a slight frown before smiling again, "but sweet."
"Sorry again," the hopeless romantic ducked her head. "So, what should we do about the snake in economy?"
XXX
"I can't tell Tessa," Olivia told the confessional. "But I'm worried about the vote. There's five of us and we're in the minority," she explained. "And now that I know Geoff and Courtney are trying to get rid of me..." she sighed.
XXX
The camera cut to Courtney pursing her lips in annoyance, then sighing. "I hate being stuck back here," she complained. "And worse, Olivia won immunity. It's like Chris is trying to make her the winner."
The shot pulled back to reveal Geoff sitting next to her. "I don't think the producers would let that happen," he said. "B'sides, there are three of us and two of them. No need to worry about her today."
Just then, a yawn caught there attention. The culprit was none other than Topher, who the shot promptly cut to. "I'd say we did excellent work yesterday!" he announced with glee.
"The shadiest person in the game is still here," Courtney told him angrily while Geoff gave a silent but suffering sigh.
Topher blinked, then shrugged. "So she is," he admitted as he stood up, "But I'm sure you'll come up with something!" Shooting them fingers pistols, he promptly backed out of the room.
Courtney turned a suspicious glance the instigator's way and tapped her chin in thought.
XXX
"There's a reason I've been trying so hard to get rid of Olivia," Courtney told the camera. "She was the most prolific Villain on the team, not to mention the most competent. But the way Topher just said that..." she trailed off. "It takes me back to something Terrance said back in Texas. He made a deal with him and Topher backstabbed him. Then Topher talked me into voting out Terrance. And now that I think about it, he's had input in almost every vote I've cast this season..."
Her eyes widened. "And he was the one who suggested that I'd lost my touch back in Brazil! which is why I tripped Brick!" She growled. "I can't believe I've been underestimating him!"
XXX
The camera cut to Topher outside the confessional with his ear pressed to the door. He narrowed his eyes and walked away.
XXX
"Well It's a good thing I decided to stake out the confessional again," Topher rolled his eyes. "I honestly wasn't expecting her to put two-and-two together as long as I stroked that massive ego of hers. If she jumps ship and teams up with the other girls, I can kiss that million goodbye. It's time to pull out all the stops to keep this vote going the way I want it."
XXX
The scene cut back to economy class, Geoff was relaxing alone and Courtney was nowhere to be seen. "Hey Geoff," Topher said when he entered the chamber.
"What's on your mind dude?" Geoff asked with a jovial smile.
"Just thought I should warn you," the instigator said. "You see, I found this chart," he held up a long piece of parchment, "and based on the fact that it places Courtney as the winner I think it belongs to her."
The party dude grabbed the parchment with curiosity, and the music turned deep as he lowered it with a scowl. The camera cut to his view to show that a poorly drawn caricature of Courtney in crayon with a '1' next to it, Contessa as '2', Topher as '3', Olivia as '4' and Geoff as '5'.
"I mean third isn't quite as high as I hoped for but if we take her out before she can mess with us," he started, "we should have to worry about it. How about we form an alliance?"
Geoff held the parchment for a moment before shrugging dropping it and shaking hands with Topher. "Yeah," he agreed. "An alliance."
XXX
"Wow," Topher confessed with shock. "I thought it'd take some convincing to get him to accept that fake chart I whipped up. I guess he must really not like Courtney to see her as capable of such a stupid move."
He shrugged. "Oh well. One alliance down. One to go."
XXX
Topher was shown approaching first class, a devious smile on his face. He casually strolled into the compartment, and was quickly met by two angry glares.
"What are you doing here?" Contessa spat. "This is for the winner and their choice only and she didn't choose you."
Topher raised his hands in a placating manner. "Relax Contessa," he said. "I'm here to help you actually."
The girls gave each other a look then turned their glares back on him. "And why should I trust the guy who threw me off a plane?"
"You really need to let that go," TOpher said with a roll of his eyes before clearing his throat. "So, I have to tell you something about your girlfriend. Something she told me in Mexico."
Olivia paled. "Topher," she begged. "Don't."
"Don't what?" Contessa asked in concern. "What's going on with you?"
Topher frowned. "So I'm sure she told you that I was blackmailing her," he said in a false sympathetic manner. "But I think you deserve to know the truth of why."
"You threatened to tell my team about me and her to get me kicked off," she told him. "I know that already."
"That's what she may have told you," he said. "But what she said was that she was using you," Contessa gasped. "And that you just weren't worth the effort anymore," another gasp. "But I guess something must have changed her mind..." he trailed off. "Like how none of the other Villains trusted her and she needed an alliance?"
"Liv?" Contessa asked the actress with tears in her eyes. "He's lying right? You wouldn't do that to me right?"
Olivia sighed. "I did say that," she admitted "but-"
"No!" Contessa shouted. "I trusted you! I loved you! You knew what I was going through and you used me! Just like she did!"
"I swear it's not what you think!" Olivia tried to say.
"Oh yeah," Contessa spat. "Because what I think is that-" she went into a rapid fire of French that left both former Vipers stunned. "We're through! Enjoy first class!" with that she stormed off.
"Tessa!" Olivia cried desperately to no avail. She turned to Topher and gave him a hateful glare, the tears in her eyes not diminishing its effectiveness.
XXX
"What?" Topher asked in defense. "I'll get them back together, after I'm a million bucks richer." He scoffed. "I'm not a monster."
XXX
"Before you say anything," Topher told the infuriated actress. "I think I just did you a favor."
"Excuse me?!" Olivia shouted.
"Look it took entirely too little effort to convince her to turn on you," the instigator explained. "And if that's the case, then she must not have cared for you all that much. I mean you've obviously sacrificed a lot for her sake. And that's the thanks you get?"
"Get. Out." Olivia told him darkly.
"But-" he tried to say.
"LEAVE!" she shouted again pointing and audibly trying not to cry.
XXX
"Well that didn't go as well as I'd hoped," Topher admitted. "But at least the other four won't vote together. So that should keep me safe for today."
XXX
"Topher was right," Olivia confessed, her face a bitter mix of sadness and anger, "But I won't give him the satisfaction of realizing that. Now the only thing there is to do is talk to Courtney. Aside from a certain someone, she the one I like the least. And that makes her the only person I can trust."
XXX
The season's world map was shown, the plane icon flying west from Japan to northwestern Africa.
A flash took the scene to a group of camels drinking from an oasis under the sun, the Total Drama Jumbo Jet speeding past overhead and gaining their attention
\
The footage resumed at a shot of the contestants inside a rather rustic looking coffee house. "Alright cast," Chris announced, "Welcome to Casablanca!" He motioned behind him, where a barstool and a microphone sat on the stage. "Of all the cities in all the world, we just had to show up in this one," he said, earning a groan from Contessa.
"Your challenge?" he continued explaining without acknowledging the hopeless romantic. "A little talent show. The five of you are gonna give deep, and give our judge," he motioned over to the left Chef, who was dressed in a stereotypical sheik's garb, "the show of a lifetime. If the sheik, he don't like it," he paused to chuckle even in the face of more groans, "you get nothing. But! If you can rock the kasbah, then you'll get an advantage in our second challenge!"
"Now get practicing," Chris told the cast. "You have three hours."
\
"Alright, now if you do exactly what I say, this won't hurt." Contessa said as she flexed cracked her knuckles and popped her neck. The camera pulled back slightly to show that the long-banged intern was in front of her, very clearly nervous. After he stood there for a moment not doing anything, Contessa groaned. "Look, I know it's intimidation, but Chris said I could use you for my act and I really need a second. And I lose because of someone who works for the show I'm gonna sue," she threatened. The intern sighed.
The scene cut over to Topher. "Total! Total!" he said, his voice sounding almost like but quite similar enough to Chris's. He cleared his throat and started again. "This time on Total Drama!" he said in a perfect imitation. "There we go!" he cheered to himself. "Now for the skit..."
The camera panned next to Courtney as she plucked a string on a violin. She made a dissatisfied face at the badly out of tune note and tuned the string a bit. She plucked it again, this time smiling at the much better sounding note and played a quick arpeggio.
The shot cut to Geoff as he skated across the room on a skateboard. He stomped on the bottom of it and caught it in his hand with a smirk.
Olivia watched her fellow competitors with a sneer then huffed and turned around. She took a deep breath and began doing standard vocal exercises.
\
The scene flashed over to a corner of the coffeeshop as Contessa walked into it. The hopeless romantic stopped and put her hands on her hips, and seconds later Geoff skated over to her with a grin. "What happened to you?" he asked.
"Don't wanna talk about it," she said. "Who are you voting for tonight?"
Geoff scowled as he got back on his feet. "Courtney," he said. "Turns out I can't trust her after all."
"Riiight...," Contessa said slowly. "Instead of doing that," she said. "I think I have a better idea."
"Better than the biggest witch in the game?" Geoff asked skeptically. "That's a tough sell."
"I think I can change your mind," Contessa said. "So you know about me and Olivia..." her words trailed off as the camera cut to Topher. He watched the two talak for a minute, and smirked when they shook hands.
XXX
"I couldn't hear what they were talking about," Topher admitted with a shrug. "But considering how they have new enemies, it's safe to say it wasn't me."
XXX
The footage cut back to Courtney and Olivia, the former scowling as she noticed the latter approaching her.
"We need to talk," both girls said simultaneously.
Courtney crossed her arms and pursed her lips. "You first."
"I want an alliance," the actress stated. Courtney started to speak when Olivia cut her off. "Contessa said we're through. And I need a new ally. You're the only one I trust."
The prep smirked. "You do realize this puts you in a bad position." she said. "Explain why I should join with you."
"Name your price and it's done," Olivia said.
"I want a simple vote to test your loyalty," the camera pulled back as she spoke, ominous music playing and drowning out her words.
\
A flash took the scene to Chef sitting at a judge's table, the contestants and the props for their acts waiting around to the side of it. "Alright cast," Chris announced, "time to judge your talents."
"Oh yeah, I hope you ladies are ready to lose," Topher taunted with a cocky smirk on his face. In response, Olivia rolled her eyes, and Courtney crossed her arms dismissively.
"Geoff!" Chris called, earning the attention of the party dude. "You're up first!"
\
The music took a more radical tune as the scene skipped ahead to an empty stage. Geoff entered the scene from the right, riding a skateboard up and off a small ramp in the foreground, performed a kickflip, and landed off-screen. The camera cut to a shot of a stool on the other side of the stage. Geoff rode in from the right and jumped over the stool, landing on the other side and kicking the board up to his hands.
As the others clapped, Chef nodded at the party dude. "The sheik likes your performance!" Chris translated. "You're getting an advantage in part two. Next up," he turned to the remaining cast. "Is Courtney!"
\
The scene flashed ahead to the prep on stage with her violin. She cleared her throat and said "Today, I will be performing an excerpt from one of my favorite songs for you."
Chris and Chef shared a shrug as the lights dimmed and their eyes widened as she played the first two notes of Joan Jett's 'I Love Rock and Roll'
"I saw him dancin' there by the record machine," she sang as she played the instrumental on the violin, her voice taking a slight sultry tone, "I knew he must a been about seventeen. The beat was goin' strong. Playin' my favorite song."
The camera cut to the others watching: Geoff was nodding appreciatively, Contessa was tapping her foot to the beat, Olivia was crossing her arms, and Topher was looking nervous.
"An' I could tell it wouldn't be long. 'Til he was with me, yeah, me," the prep continued. "And I could tell it wouldn't be long. 'Til he was with me, yeah, me, singin'."
"I love rock n' roll. So put another dime in the jukebox, baby!" She continued, a beaming smile on her face. I love rock n' roll. So come and take your time and dance with me!"
The song ended and she bowed for Chef, who gave her a thumbs up.
"Alright," Chris said next, "Courtney gets the advantage. Contessa! Show us what you got!"
\
Another flash took the scene to Contessa's talent. During the skip, she had forgone her usual outfit for a black long-sleeved form-fitting crop top and dark brown tights and the stage was covered with blue mats. "I," she declared dramatically as the intern from before showed up in a luchador mask, "am Missy Maximus!"
Chris and Chef shared a disbelieving look. "Well, if you're supposed to be a wrestler, we're not buyin' it," the host said.
"Ya got that right," Chef added, shaking his head in disappointment.
Intense metal music played as Contessa scowled and ran up behind the intern. She grabbed the intern from behind and slammed her back on the mat. The host winced and the hopeless romantic picked the intern up from the ground, lifted him over her head, and then slammed him back on the mat again earning another wince from the audience. She then bent the intern's back backwards as she sat on the small of his back and pulled back on his chin.
She got off the intern and stood on the stool from earlier. She looked at the other contestants and shouted "ARE YOU READY FOR THE PAIN!"
Geoff's eyes widened in realization. "That's Andre Maximus's line! She's goin' for the Big Finish!" he told the others before shouting back "WE ARE READY!"
Contessa smirked, then jumped off the stool. She did a backflip in mid-air and landed on the intern one last time, then got up and bowed. "So even though the fact that most wrestling matches are staged is a bit of an open secret," she explained, "the true talent of a wrestler is the ability to do all those moves without injuring your opponent. And if you look at this intern," the young man stood up and waved with a smile, "you'll notice he's none the worse for wear."
Both host and cook clapped their hands and smiled. "Impressive," Chris said. "But it just wasn't quite enough to win Chef over."
XXX
"Papa taught me everything he knows," Contessa told the camera. "Admittedly the Big Finish is more impressive when he does it," she shrugged. "But he's like six foot eleven and four hundred pounds."
XXX
Chris shrugged impassively. "What can I say, other than Topher, it's your turn." Contessa sadly walked away, and Topher approached the stage dressed exactly like Chris, complete with wig.
"Hi," he said to the crowd in Chris's voice. "I'm Chris McLEan and I don't pay my employees." Chef let out a snicker that ended upon seeing his boss's glare. "But I..." he trailed off after seeing Chris glare at him... "am still the best boss in TV. And I'd never force someone off the show for doing a parody roast of me?"
"No points," Chris told him sternly. "Olivia! Finish us off!"
\
"My talent is existing," Olivia told the judges in a haughty manner. "I've seen a lot of people act like they know me," she continued. "But they don't. And I think some of them never did. So who am I?" she asked the audience. "I am Georgina Reginald of Santa Barbara High School. All other high school girls are just pale imitations. I mean, how would you even begin to describe me? I'm flawless. I use a diamond ring just to file my nails, and platinum silverware."
Her monologue continued, even though everyone mostly looked bored. "My hair alone is worth ten thousand dollars on the black market. In fact-"
"Enough!" Chris yelled. "We get it. You memorized the monologue from 'Rude Chicks' but you're not getting the advantage for that."
"This is ridiculous!" Olivia shouted as she stormed off. "Utterly ridiculous!
The capstone theme played as the camera cut back to Chris. "Friendly," he commented jokingly before turning to look at the camera. "And we'll be right back," he said with a wink.
\
(Commercial Break)
\
The episode returned to a pan across a desert, stopping on Chris McLean and the Final Five, Contessa vaving changed back into her regular clothes. "Here we are gang! Are you guys ready for the toughest challenge of the season?" No one looked particularly enthused. "Your next challenge is to find your way back to the finish line at the Jumbo Jet," Chris told them as an angled shot of some sand dunes nearby was shown, "a ten mile trek through the desert." The camera panned back to the castmates. "Using only your wits to guide you."
"But be careful," Chris warned, "several vicious and life-threatening traps have been set up along the way."
"Let me guess," Courtney deadpanned, "you set them up."
"Yup!" Chris grinned. "Now, since Geoff and Courtney did well in the first challenge," he clapped his hands together, "they get thirty minutes shaved off their final time," he shot finger pistols at the party dude and prep, who responded with wide and eager smiles. "It's up to them to figure out which direction the plane's in, though, so it's still anybody's game. As always I wish you good luck," with that his disappeared in a flash, indicating he was once again just a hologram.
The five all-stars lingered in the area for a moment, then slowly split up in different directions. Olivia and Courtney ran left, Geoff and Contessa went right, and Topher stood still the longest. The instigator rubbed his chin thoughtfully, looked from left to right, and frowned. "I have no idea where I'm going," he said to himself.
XXX
"Just because I'm safe doesn't mean I wanna lose this challenge," Topher told the confessional camera.
XXX
Geoff was shown wandering through the desert, his head moving from side to side. "Now how the heck did I do this with Brody?" the party dude muttered to himself as he came to a stop and scratched his head.
He looked from side to side again, then shielded his eyes from the sun and looked up. Frowning in disappointment, he lowered his hand and sighed. "Man I don't have a clue where to go." He shrugged. "Ehh, might as well just go straight ahead."
\
"Alright Topher," the instigator said to himself as he stopped to catch his breath, "time to win this challenge!" He looked from side to side and tapped his chin. "For all his great ideas," he pondered. "Chris is really lazy, so if the challenge is to find him..."
He squinted and looked out over the distance, and smiled. The camera changed to his viewpoint to show a small smudge of horizon that was darker than the rest. "Then I should go to the shade," he finished as the shot returned to normal.
XXX
"I am so owning this challenge!" Topher told the confessional camera.
XXX
"Hmm," Contessa grunted in annoyance, "I think I need to head this way." She pointed behind her, and the camera panned that direction to show nothing but sand as far as the eye could see. "Or not?" she added uncertainly. "He could have at least given us a general direction!"
Contessa looked around the area, and her face fell. "Screw it," she said to herself as she started walking off the way she'd been pointing. "Any direction's better than standing out-" as she finished her sentence, the camera moved to show her stepping on a button hidden beneath the sand. It clicked, and an explosion erupted from under her.
The camera cut to another patch of sand some unknown distance away, and Contessa flew into a dune while screaming. She stood up and quickly started spitting sand out of her mouth.
\
The scene flashed over to Courtney. She paused to sniff the air, then walked off-screen. Quick-panning over to the right, the camera landed on a patch of berry bushes as the prep came up to them, then looked around in confusion.
"Seriously?!" Courtney asked in disbelief as she gave the berries a quick glance. "What's this berry bush doing here?!"
Her eyes widened not long after her exclamation. "If there's plants growing out here," she said to herself, "then there must be a source of water nearby! And that's probably where I can find the plane!"
XXX
"I knew I'd find the trick to the challenge soon," Courtney confessed. "I used to be a CIT, I have a natural sense of direction."
XXX
The background music picked up its pace as Olivia was shown running through the desert. "I am so sick of this challenge!" the actress cried as she jumped over a bear trap. "I'm sick of this game!" she continued as she slid under a rock that had been thrown at her head from something off-screen. "I'm just sick period!" she finished, rolling forward out of her slide and pressing another button. She noticed the ticking sound, and quickly ran away with a yelp.
Then another explosion went off behind her. Olivia's eyes popped open and she turned around then sunk down on her butt onto the sand. "I miss Tessa," she admitted. "Why did this have to happen?"
The camera panned to show Topher watching from behind a palm tree with a smirk on his face.
\
The scene flashed to a close-up Geoff lying on the ground, the camera pulling back to show a rock next to him. "Aw man," He groaned as he got back up. "What hit me?" He gave the space behind him a questioning look, and pursed his lips. "I guess if I'm runnin' into traps then I must be goin' the right way."
"I hope so at least," he added as he began to walk off again, rubbing the back of his head and wincing slightly.
\
Topher wiped the sweat from his brow, then smiled. "Y'know," he said to the camera, "I'm suddenly feeling very confident about my chances." He chuckled. "More than I already was. I was a little worried that my schemes wouldn't amount to much," he added with a slight frown, "but seeing Olivia just then reassured me."
He smiled. "Now as long as I don't run into any of those traps I should be able to make good time." He sighed, then ran off.
\
"Oh yeah," Contessa said between breaths as she ran through the desert, "I'm starting to taste that sweet taste of victory!" She jumped over another button. "I'm going to reach that finish line first, then I'll make it past this vote, then I'll win the million! Maybe people back home will actually want to be friends with me!" The camera zoomed in on her grinning face, and she wiped a single tear out of the corner of her eyes.
"I mean, I won't let them after the way they treated me," she added. "But it'll still be nice to be treated... well... nice." She shrugged. "But first I just have to get out of this frickin' desert!" She sighed to herself, then continued her run.
\
The scene faded into a close-up Courtney's face scrunched up in concentration, the camera zoomed out to show her examining small patches of vegetation, "Looks like I need to go that way." She pointed off to her left.
She took a single step, then disappeared below the sand. "You have got to be kidding me!" she shouted as the camera cut to show that she'd fallen into a pit trap.
After letting out a nother scream of frustration, she began to climb her way out of the pit.
\
The scene skipped ahead as the background music picked up its pace, showing Olivia running at a much faster pace than before. The camera lingered as she ran out of fram to catch a large bear chasing after her.
The shot refocused on the actress as she shouted in fear. "What's this thing even doing here?!"
\
The scene skipped ahead to a shot of the afternoon sun high in the sky, the camera panning down and to the right to show Chris McLean standing alone by an oasis. A little ways to the left was a meager finish line flanked by tall red flags.
"For the past several hours," he narrated, "our Final Five have been navigating through the desert in a race for first place. And a few moments ago," a smile formed as the camera cut in for a close-up and triumphant music began to build in the background, "I received word that the first person is about to arrive. May I present to you the first member of our Final Four," he motioned stage right as the camera slowly pulled back, "Geoff!"
On cue, the party dude came running into view. He came to a stop in front of the host, and bent down so that his hands were on his knees as he caught his breath. "Did I...did I make it?" he asked, his expression hopeful but hesitant.
"Uh-huh," Chris nodded with a smile. "In fact, you are the first one back!"
Geoff's face lit up in excitement. "I came in first?" he repeated. "I came in first! Woo-hoo!" He began to jump up and down and pump his fists in celebration. "Oh yeah, one step closer to the million!"
XXX
"I gotta admit, at the start of the season I was sure I'd be kicked off by the Villains," Geoff told the confessional. "But now, I'm startin' to think I have an actual chance to win this thing. Woo! Woo-Hoo!"
XXX
The shot immediately cut to Chris at his podium, flanked by Security Guard Chef. "I can already tell this is gonna be a big one!" he began as the usual tense music played. "Remember, Geoff has immunity. The rest of you however, all have reasons for going home." Chris paused to chuckle as the camera panned to the front row. "Will it be Topher or Courtney, our unknown variables?" The two in question were shown looking nervous, though Topher's wasn't quite as genuine. "Or will it be Contessa, the underdog and only Hero left?"
The shot cut to the girl in question. "That shouldn't count against me!" he said.
Chris just shrugged. "How about Olivia then," he suggested, the shot cutting to the actress as she suddenly stiffened. "She did rank higher in her previous season than the rest of you, and she was pretty cutthroat one too. Might be a good idea to get rid of her while you can." Olivia glared at him. "But like always, it all comes down to the vote."
\
Olivia was shown casting her vote with a hateful glare.
\
Geoff rolled his eyes as he crossed out an unknown photo.
\
Contessa gazed at the photo she held sadly before crossing it out.
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Courtney smirked as she cast her vote.
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Topher was the last one to cast. He smiled for the camera as he gleefully crossed out Olivia's photo.
\
"Now," Chris said as the footage moved back to him and the plate of marshmallows he was holding, "for my favorite part. Geoff," he tossed the first marshmallow to the party dude who caught it with a smile, "you're safe. As for everyone else, it's not lookin' good," he explained as the camera cut to and panned across the anxious faces of Contessa, Topher, Olivia, and Courtney. "Enough to where even I can't call this one! But luckily for Contessa and Courtney," the two in question brightened up as they were tossed marshmallows, "you're safe. For now," he added with a laugh.
"And the final marshmallow goes to..." Chris continued, the camera briefly moving from Olivia to Topher. "Topher," he said with a grin as the instigator smiled and the actress looked down in despair.
"...Is what I'd say if! He didn't get four out of five votes!" the host finished, causing the actress to perk up and laugh while as she was tossed the final marshmallow.
"It worked!" Olivia cried, grabbing Contessa and kissing her full on the lips.
The shot cut away to show Topher gaping in shock, a deep note playing. "Wh-what?" he stammered. "But, I...I thought y-you broke up! You told Courtney you broke up!"
"No," Olivia said with a mocking tone, turning up to face him. "I said 'she said we're through', I never said she meant it."
Topher blinked. "But you cursed her in French!" he protested, now addressing Olivia's still-current-girlfriend."
Contessa smirked. "No I didn't. I said 'I'm sorry about this. You know I don't mean it. Please stick to the plan.' Good thing you don't speak French," she said. "The plan would've been blown otherwise."
The music spiked, and The Chris Wannabe gasped. "What plan?!"
"The plan where we'd pretend your idea to break us up worked," Olivia told him. "That way you'd be so busy patting yourself on the back for another 'successful scheme'," she said with air-quotes, "that you wouldn't even notice us getting the others to vote for you." She laughed again.
"And as an added bonus," Contessa cut in, "if you did notice, you'd probably assume we were trying to get rid of each other."
"The whole thing was Tessa's idea," Olivia said, giving the girl a lovestruck look.
"But what about the chart?" Topher asked Geoff. "Courtney was gonna betray you!"
"Come on dude," Geoff scoffed. "How dumb do you think I am? I could tell that was a fake the second you gave it to me. I mean, who'd be stupid enough to make that chart, and just leave it where anyone could find it. That'd just be weak.
XXX
"Don't get me wrong," Courtney told the camera. "I still think it's too dangerous letting both halves of a couple get this far, but between my suspicions of Topher, and all the stuff Olivia told me. It was just a no brainer to get rid of him." She shrugged. "Besides, my alliance with Geoff was to vote out Olivia. This way I keep an ally in the Final Four."
XXX
"You messed up dude," Geoff shrugged.
XXX
Olivia sighed. "Just two more to go."
XXX
"He's finally gone," Contessa smiled.
XXX
The shot cut back to Topher as he gripped the sides of his head with wide, horrified eyes. "N-no no no," he said in shock. "This can't be happening! This can't be happening!" he repeated, now standing up furiously.
"Oh but it is!" Contessa replied, crossing her arms smugly. She smirked in satisfaction, then turned around. "Chris, would you please take care of this snake?"
Chris was laughing as the shot cut to him, and he wiped away a tear. "Yeah, fine," he said. "It's just so hilarious."
\
The scene flashed ahead to Topher getting tossed out of the plane by Chef Hatchet. He landed on his stomach and slid a few feet in the sand, then turned around. "Look on the bright side," Chris told him. "You get a consolation prize!" He tossed the boy a stuffed mongoose, and Topher caught it with a look of confusion.
The shot cut to Chris as he slammed to door of the chamber. "Well that was dramatic!" he announced as the usual high-spirited end-of-episode music began to play. "Think we can top it? You bet we can! Tune in for more Total! Drama! All-Stars! 2!
(Roll the Credits)
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\
(Bonus Clip)
"I can't believe it," the Topher sulked as the clip began on wandering through the desert, "I know every reality TV trope from left to right. Top to bottom. How did this happen?"
He paused a moment, and gave the camera a questioning look. "Maybe I shouldn't have ditched Justin so soon? Done some follow up on Contessa and Olivia's break-up?"
He stared blankly at the camera, then opened his mouth. Whatever he was going to say was cut off, by him setting off an explosion and being blown up and out of view with a scream.
Author's Note Post Script: Another one that wasn't predicted. I can't really explain everything that led me to axing the villain so soon, relatively speaking. But I will say I went back and forth on this one a lot. Like most of the eliminations were locked in before I wrote the first chapter, I didn't know if Contessa and Olivia's scheme would work until the 'four out of five' line.
One thing that aided in the final decision. I may have mentioned this before, but I don't really like main antagonists to make it to the finale unless it's a really good grudge. And while Topher did have a grudge with two different contestants, I really didn't want him in the finale after the um... controversial finale last season. So since I knew I wanted a finale where both parties deserve to win, and to be honest, the logistics just weren't there for who was considered to be booted in his place, Topher takes the role of Scott in canon as the villain who didn't even make it to the semi-finals.
That said. I've had a really fun time writing this guy. I think he was one of the most criminally underused characters in canon Pahkitew and I'm really glad with what I was able to do with him.
Now I know a lot of people dislike the idea of a couple both making it to the Final Four, especially after canon All-Stars. But I think everyone here left has an equal chance of winning, unlike the aforementioned canon season. Which hopefully makes it less worrisome? is that the word I'm looking for?
Anyway there are just two chapters left, thus meaning the next one is the dreaded double elimination. Who's it gonna be? Who'll make the finale? All I'll say is, no other double elimination in this series has been done like this one will be. Make of that what you will in your predictions...
The chapter as a whole, is one of my favorites. Mainly because of the sheer amount of references I was able to shoehorn into it. That and Contessa's amazing strategy, and a few take that's to the infamous chart from Sundae Muddy Sundae. I love writing every scene with Contessa and Olivia to have the vague meaning where you think they're trying to boot each other, but turns around at the last second. And let me tell you, it was hard to keep all the double meaning to where both outcomes were possible.
And as always I'm sure I'm forgetting to mention something.
I hope you all enjoyed the episode, or some part of it.
Please stay safe and healthy during these difficult times.
And I'd also like to remind you guys that a TVTropes page for this series does exist and needs you guys adding to it.
With that I'm signing off
-TotalDramaFan14
RDAS2 ELIMINATION TABLE:
16th Place: Rebecca
15th Place: B
14th Place: Terrance
13th Place: Dawn
12th Place: Mitch
11th Place: Jasmine
10th Place: Katie
9th Place: Brick
8th Place: Justin
7th Place: Owen
6th Place: Izzy
5th Place: Topher