A/N: So we reach the second to last episode before the merge. Let's see how it goes.
With respect to the reviewers.:
Gucci Mane LaFlare: Still a ways off I'm afraid, should happen within the first half of the post merge.
Team Gophers: Yeah I figured no one would see it coming. Eva and Izzy are a great couple. I'm glad I can write Trent as more than just a love interest.
Eva awoke, dressed, and was exiting the Bass cabin when she noticed Gwen sitting on the porch sulking. Eva was not one to feel sympathy but she found herself sitting next to the goth.
There was silence for a moment before Gwen sighed. "What do you want?"
"I just wanted to let you know I kinda get where you're coming from." Eva muttered. She wasn't good at the whole comfort thing.
"Yeah, because Izzy was gone for so long." The goth rolled her eyes.
Eva pushed down the urge to yell at Gwen. Controlling her anger was hard, but she always felt strong when she managed it. "Yeah, that's why I said kinda. Even though Izzy is still here, she's busy a lot of the time. The challenges and teamwork I have to do alone. I'm not good at teamwork."
Gwen's lip twitched upwards. "I couldn't tell."
Eva wasn't good at comfort, but she was good at motivation. "You know what Gwen? Duncan might be gone, but you and I both know what he'd want. He told you himself. He doesn't want you to give up. Duncan has faith in you. Are you gonna let him down?"
Gwen was silent for a moment, when she finally spoke it was firm. "No." Eva noticed a faint glint in her eye. Good.
The sound of a loudspeaker went off. "Listen up, you little cockroaches! I want all campers to report to the Dock of Shame at 0900 hours!" Chef announced. There was a pause as everyone tried to figure out what he meant. " That means now, soldiers! Now!"
/
(The Dock)
The campers stood lined up on the dock of shame. At the end of the line was Chef wearing a drill sergeant uniform. "Line up and stand at attention!" He ordered through the megaphone, taking a correction stick in hand and walking down the line of campers. "You call this proper formation? Feet together!" He hit Katie in the shins causing her to yelp and forcing them together.
"Arms down!" He hit Eva's folded arms forcing them to his sides. . "Eyes forward!" DJ turned his head.
"Head up!" Bridgette's head was forced up by the stick, and he finished it off by hitting Ezekiel multiple times as his form was poorest.
"Oh this seems promising." Noah snarked at Trent.
"What did you say to me, soldier?!" Chef yelled.
"Nothing, I wasn't talking to you." The cynic replied.
"And you will continue to say nothin', until I tell you that you can say somethin!" Chef told him.
"Today's challenge will not be an easy one," The cook explained as he paced up and down the dock. "In fact, I do not expect everyone to come out alive." Alejandro rolled his eyes and received a smack to the back of his head for his troubles. The Spainard cried out and gave Chef a glare. "My orders are to make sure that all of the babies in front of me drop out of my boot camp except one. The last one standin' wins immunity for their team."
"Where's Chris?" Courtney asked.
Chef didn't answer. "Rule number one!" Chef barked. " You will address me, as Master Chief! Have you got that?"
"Yes Master Chief!" Everyone replied.
"You will sleep when I tell you to sleep," The cook continued. "and you will eat only when I tell you to eat! Is that clear?" He barked, the megaphone right in DJ's face.
"Yes Master Chief!" the brickhouse replied.
"Rule number two!" Chef continued holding up two fingers. "When you are ready to give up, you will walk to the end of the dock, and ring the bell!" He pointed across Eva and Gwen to a bell hanging from a wooden pole.
"Which brings me to rule number three! I'd like to get one quitter before the end of the first day, and that day will not end until someone drops out!" The cook reached the end of the docks and turned to the campers. . "And get your butts down to the beach, soldiers, now, now, now!" At his command everyone ran down the dock.
(confessional)
Eva: Please, like he's gonna tell me what to do.
Static
/
(Beach)
The campers stood in their teams. Next to each Team was a canoe in that team's respective color. A deck chair is near Chef. "Listen up!" Chef barked. "Each team must hold a canoe over their heads. I catch you takin' your hands off the canoe, and you will be eliminated! And no one eats lunch until someone drops out!" The campers looked at each other in dreadful anticipation.
"Canoes up!" Six pairs of hands lifted up each canoe.
"This is a piece of cheese!" Ezekiel exclaimed.
"It's cake Zeke, or pie." Bridgette chuckled.
"You call this a workout? I've bench pressed more weight than this." Eva scoffed.
/
The sun beamed down on the campers and several were getting tired. Courtney groaned, and Beth's stomach grumbled. "Come on, you sissies!" Chef taunted. "It's only been three hours!"
"Looks like they missed lunch today," Chris said in a surprise appearance.
"Mmhmm. Guess they just weren't hungry! Unless someone wants to quit now?" We see Chef on the Bass' canoe and Chris on the Gophers.
Ezekiel's stomach growled. Courtney glared at him. "Don't even think about it!"
Justin spoke from behind Eva. "Hey, just thought I'd tell you, how amazing your strength is."
Eva looked torn. Luckily she is saved from having to react by Gwen. "Now's not the time Justin!"
/
Night had fallen and Bridgette was struggling to keep her eyes open. "Twenty-five of us went in the jungle that night," Chef murmured from the deck chair, a campfire had now been lit by it. "Only five came back out..."
Gwen yawned. "What war were you in, anyway?"
"Did I ask you to speak?" Chef yelled at her. "Because I don't remember asking you to speak."
"Whatever. He so wasn't in a war." the goth scoffed.
It was at this point Lindsay broke. "Guys, I-I can't do this anymore." She said moving out from under the canoe. "I have no more feeling in my arms."
She trudged past Chef her arms drooping at her sides. Chef watched her walk past and smirked. "Looks like we got ourselves a quitter!" He squeaked.
"Lindsay, if you quit we'll lose eh!" Ezekiel cried out but it was in vain. The blonde reached the end of the dock and rang the bell with her head. The Gophers dropped their canoe upon themselves as the extra weight proved too much. While the Bass set their canoe down in relief.
Chef put his hand on Lindsay's shoulder. "Listen here," he said. "you have nothin' to be ashamed of." He dropped his kind tone and pulled out the megaphone. "Except bein' a little baby that let your team down!" He yelled in her face the power of his voice blowing back her hair.. "As for the rest of you," He continued turning to the rest of the campers.``head to the Mess Hall. Dinner is served!"
"Thank you." Beth sighed.
/
"Alright maggots, open your ears!" Chef yelled. "You've got ten minutes to eat before night training begins, so get to it!"
Several aggravated cries of 'night training?! And 'screw you chef!' came from the group of teens.
"Um, excuse me? Master Chief? Where's the food?" Gwen asked.
Several aggravated cries of 'night training?! And 'screw you chef!' came from the group of teens.
Chef gestured to a row of metal garbage cans beside him."You're looking at it,"
Ezekiel checked the can. "I'm pretty sure this is just garbage eh."
"Darn right! When you're at war, you take what you can get!" Ezekiel frowned and put his hand into the can, he took out a piece of what may have been food, blew on it and took a tiny bite. He gagged immediately.
"Well," Chris said, "I can see you've got this under control. I'm off to Craft Services! Coming?" he asked his co-host.
"Heck yeah, gotta get me some of that!" Chef agreed, following the host out of the room.
Gwen's hand is shown searching the trash can. She pulled out a banana peel.
"Okay, I will not be eating this." Alejandro stated,throwing away his tray.
"Me neither" Courtney agreed.
"Is Miss. C.I.T too good today's cuisine?" Noah smirked.
"I am going to be running for office one day, and no one is going to pull up a file of me eating garbage!" The type A exclaimed.
Ezekiel is sitting at a table with Bridgette. "I think you did good in today's challenge."
"Thanks Zeke. You did well yourself." Bridgette smiled.
Ezekiel gulped. "Hey Bridgette. I have something-"
"Excuse me, I'd like to have a talk with Bridgette?" Courtney intervened.
"Courtney?! Zeke was talking to me first." the blonde scolded.
"No, it's okay eh! I'm gonna go look in the garbage again." Ezekiel said, seeming simultaneously upset and relieved.
After he left Bridgette glared at Courtney. "What was so important you had to interrupt us?"
"I've been thinking, Heather might have been a b*tch but her idea wasn't bad. I was wondering if you'd be interested in an alliance with me?" The type A asked.
"Look Courtney, Zeke just got out of a bad alliance so I'd rather he didn't join a second one right away, and I'm not joining an alliance without him."
"Why not?" Courtney asked, looking put out.
"Being in an alliance means putting your alliance members above everyone else. Zeke's already been betrayed once. I refuse to leave him alone."
Courtney huffed "Fine."
/
Chef is on stage dancing to a version of thriller just different enough to avoid copyright. The campers follow his dance movements, including Lindsay oddly enough. Part way through the song, someone turned off the music. Everyone gasped.
"Eva what are you doing?!" Katie cried out.
"You said if one of us drops out we're done for the day, and I intend to hold you to that!" The iron woman yelled.
"We're done when I say we're done!" Chef barked. "Now drop and give me twenty!" Eva scoffed and proceeded to do push ups. "Anyone else got anything they want to say?"
"Uh, yeah. Can I go to the bathroom?" Gwen asked.
/
The goth stood in the restroom with a mop, bucket, and rubber gloves. She sighed, "Not exactly what I had in mind."
/
(mess hall)
Chef stood before everyone but Lindsayr seated at their respective tables, his hands behind his back."For your next challenge," Chef told them, "you will complete a 300-word essay about how much you love me. Anyone who falls asleep, or fails to complete the challenge, will be eliminated!"
We see the clock, it is currently 12:55. A spider had begun to build its web. We see it slowly build it to completion as the clock ticks away. It finishes at about three, the timer goes off. Everyone looks exhausted save Noah and Eva.
Chef began to collect the essays. He picked up Alejandro's. "I find Master Chief Hatchet's teaching methods positively repugnant. The maleficent nature of his instructions know no bounds." He ripped up the report. "Nice try. I know repugnant and maleficent are insults. I ain't stupid." Alejandro frowned as the co host continued.
He walked over to the Bass table where Justin was looking in a mirror. "Are those bags under my eyes?"He gasped.
"That's a shame. Your face is a treasure." Chef remarked. Everyone stared at him. "That is-" He began to speak gruffly again. "I don't care about your face sissy! You have not completed your essay!" Chef slammed his hand on the table, waking DJ. "You two slackers are out." He said pointing to a sleeping Trent as well. "The rest of you, get to bed and report to the playing field at 0500 hours."
"We have to wake up early again?!" Eva growled.
"Do you wanna run fifty laps around this camp right now?!" Chef barked in her face.
"Uh, no!" Gwen said, putting a warning hand on her shoulder. "She'll go to sleep."
Chef gave her a warning look but moved on. Eva raised her unibrow. "I could have run them you know?"
"I do." Gwen nodded. "But you're also our best shot at winning this challenge. If you get tired we might lose, and I don't to be alone on a team of Justin and his fans."
Eva looked at DJ, Beth, and Katie. "I wouldn't either."
/
The remaining campers stood at the edge of an obstacle course containing a wooden wall with a climbing rope, a pair of hanging ropes with ramps leading to and away, a pair of high tires, and a set of swing axes. "You will all run this course until you can all complete it in under one minute. Am I making myself clear?" He said glaring at Eva.
"Please." She scoffed.
"Go maggots go!" Chef ordered. Everyone began to make their way across the muddy pit. Eva climbed the wall first, followed by Gwen. Further on we see Bridgette jumping through a tire. Katie is crawling under the axes at the end. Gwen swings across the gap at the end, followed by Courtney.
Noah falls over the wall, straight into mud. Ezekiel skids to a halt. "Uh we got trouble, Mister Chef Hatchet eh!"
Chef approached Eva shortly behind. Noah coughs up a bunch of mud. "I'm, gonna, suffocate!" He gasped.
"Ring the bell and report to the infirmary! Your tour of duty is finished." Chef told him.
"Tch, Weakling" Eva said.
"Back on the course soldiers, now! One false move and I'll be on you like stink on a poop wagon!"
"Whatever." Eva gruffly replied.
Sometime later we see more of the campers attempting to run through the course. We see Cody struggling to climb the wall again as Eva scales it easily. A mud covered Alejandro pushes himself through a tire. Gwen trips as she runs towards the axes. Courtney gets tangled up in the swinging ropes. Beth struggles to duck under the the while Eva runs though the course quickly. She barks at Beth as she continues. "Put your back into it!" .She ran straight into Chef.
"You just bought yourself twenty more push-ups!" He barked.
"For What?!" Eva growls.
"Running into your superior officer!" Chef growled.
"I'll show you superior!" With that Eva punched him. The cook growled as he shook with anger.
"Eva you've really made him mad!" Katie cried.
"One-night solitary confinement. In the boathouse." Chef ordered.
"Big deal. How scary can it be?" Eva scoffed.
/
We see Eva in the boathouse she sighs. "I really did it this time."
/
(Mess Hall.)
The Bass are picking at their bowls of mush. Gwen looks concerned. She picks up her bowl. "I'm gonna bring her some food."
"Why? She brought it on herself." Katie said.
"So? Eva still deserves a meal, besides if I were in her position I'd like her to bring me food." The goth replied. She left the mess hall.
/
(Boathouse)
Gwen walks to the boathouse with a flashlight. She opens the door and shines it in. "Eva you in there?"
"Gwen? What are you doing here?" Eva asked.
"You helped me out this morning, so I thought I'd return the favor." The goth said.
"You brought me paste?" The iron woman frowned.
Gwen chuckled. "Yeah, not much of a meal huh?"
"I'd rather eat the bait." Eva scoffed.
"That's all Chef would serve us after our 'pathetic performance' on the obstacle course." Gwen said, rolling her eyes. "Bt you know who's really pathetic? Chef! I mean here we are busting our butts and being told to eat paste. While he tells his probably fake war stories and eats good food?"
Eva smirked. "True he does have good food doesn't he?"
Gwen smirked back. "Didn't Chris mention food at crafts and services?"
"He did." Eva nodded. "How about we get some for ourselves?"
"You ready to pull off a heist?" the goth challenged,
"more than ready." Eva smirked.
/
(Crafts and services)
Two 'bushes' walk towards it stopping just feet from it. Eva and Gwen poke their heads out and smirk at each other. We cut to the two crawling past a long table laden with delicious food.
"Twenty-five of us went to the jungle that night." Chef said as the two opened the fridge. Eva put a jar of peanut butter into the bag they'd taken with them. "Only five came back out." Gwen rolled her eyes.
"If we get caught, run away with the food." The goth instructed. Eva nodded.
"I mean, come on. " Chris told Chef. "I am nothing without my stubble."
"Amen, brother." Chef said pointing at Chris.
We cut back to the two teens, the bag now full of food. Gwen smirked and pulled out a dead fish. "This is for you Duncan." She said as she placed it in the fridge.
"Just a little present from the Killer Bass." Eva added. She grabbed one last thing, then the two ran away.
/
(Bass Cabin)
The party is in full swing. Eva and Gwen clink a pair of soda cans together. "Here's to sticking it to Chris and Chef."
"Duncan would be proud." Eva told her, the goth smiled.
Noah, Trent, and Cody are all talking to each other, the geek sitting on a lower bunk. "What's with the war stories? If it's to impress us they're failing. " Cody said.
"Physical activity is not my forte." Noah groaned.
"I'm not even planning to join the army! When am I ever gonna need this?" Trent asked.
From the side lines, Lindsay and Ezekiel sat, a plate holding a single ice cream sandwich between them. "I think you should get the last sandwich Ermando." The blonde told him.
"You can have it if you want!" Ezekiel offered.
'Lindsay shook her head. "You're my best friend Edmund, so you can have it."
"But I thought Ale-" The homeschooled boy began.
"Alejandro is really sweet and supportive. I definitely like him, but you've been with me from the beginning." Lindsay smiled.
Ezekiel beamed. "Then I'll take you up on yer offer eh!" He shoved the entire sandwich into his mouth. Then he groaned. "I shouldn't have done that." He ran out to the porch to puke.
As he began to relieve the contents of his stomach he heard Bridgette . "Zeke? Are you okay?"
Realizing the position he was in Ezekiel quickly wiped his mouth on his sleeve and turned to face her. "Yeah I'm fine eh! Just thought I'd get some air." He said with a nervous grin.
"I just wanted to make sure. Besides you still haven't told me what you wanted to earlier." The blonde said.
Ezekiel swallowed. "W-well I dunno when I'll get voted out so I figure I gotta tell you while I got the chance." Bridgette looked confused. "Ever since I met you I've had a huge crush on you!" The blonde's eyes widened. "You're just so nice and pretty! I wanted to tell ya but Alejandro was always with you. So I got too nervous." the blonde was still staring. "You don't hafta like me back. Anyone would choose Alejandro over me."
Bridgette shook her head. "Wait what? Zeke I like Alejandro but," She frowned. "I like you too, I'm not sure how much yet but-" She leaned closer to him. "I know it's enough to do this." With that she gave him a kiss on the cheek. Ezekiel's face turned bright red. Alejandro watched from the door. His eyes narrowed, Courtney gasped nearby.
"Attention, all remaining boot camp recruits," Chef barked. "the next evolution of your training begins tomorrow morning at 0700 hours! "Each group is shown listening to the announcement in fear. "And if I catch the sucker that took my desserts, your butt is mine!"
/
The final challenge began. The six remaining campers were hanging upside down from a tree. Gwen, Eva, and Katie on the left for the Bass. Alejandro, Courtney and Trent on the right for the Gophers.
"What you are experiencing," Chef said as he walked in front of them. "is an ancient form of torture.. By now, the blood has begun rushing to your head. " We see Trent who is beginning to look off. "The next stage is nausea, followed by dizziness and a flushed appearance as the blood begins to pool your eyes." Trent begins to shake, his eyes wider than normal and crossed inwards. "You may experience fainting spells." Trent fell out of the tree.
"You alright Trent?" Courtney asked.
Noah ran over and checked him. "He'll be fine."
Everyone adjusted their position on the branches. Moments later Katie sighed. "I can't hold on any more." She said falling off.
"The four remaining teens are shown again, and Courtney begins to giggle inanely as a result of the blood rushing to her head.
" Stop laughing this instant!" Chef ordered.
. "I'm sorry. I can't help it. Whoa!" She falls out of the tree in a heap. Still giggling.
"I expected more out of you, soldier." Chef admitted.
The score was one to two. Everyone waited with baited breath. "You can do it Al!" Ezekiel cheered. Alejandro shuddered, this was enough to cause him to lose his grip. He fell to the ground.
Moments later the Bass are shown holding up the two and cheering as they parade them around.
"Eva, Gwen!" Chef said, the group coming to a halt as the big man approached them. "Congratulations, soldiers. I'd go to war with you anytime."
"I'll keep that in mind when choosing my career." The goth chuckled. Eva said nothing.
"You do that, soldier!" Chef called as the team whisked them away to celebrate. "You do that." A single tear trailed down the cook's cheek.
/
(Gopher cabin)
Lindsay and Ezekiel are sitting on the porch. The blonde is incredibly excited. "Oh my gosh Edmund! You finally did it!"
"Well kinda, it was just a kiss on the cheek, and I still don't know if she wants to be my boyfriend." Ezekiel replied bashfully.
'Who cares! You know she's into you! Considering how hot Alejandro is that's amazing in itself!" Lindsay exclaimed.
The homeschooled boy frowned. "Lindsay are you sure you trust Alejandro?"
The blonde gave him a weird look. "What do you mean?"
"W-well isn't kinda weird he was flirting with Bridgette and then after Tyler leaves he gets friendly with you eh?"
Lindsay smiled at him. "Don't worry, Alejandro hasn't tried to kiss me or anything. Thanks for being concerned though."
Little did either know Alejandro was watching this exchange.
/
(Bass Cabin)
Eva and Gwen sat on the porch together. "I can't wait to tell Izzy about our heist." The iron woman confessed.
"It must be nice, having her around…" Gwen trailed.
Eva frowned. "Yeah it is, sorry."
Gwen shook her head. "No need to apologize. If you hadn't talked to me this morning I'd have never won the challenge. I wouldn't have tried."
"That's quitter talk, and you're no quitter Gwen." Eva said.
Gwen sighed. "I'm not sure how much longer I'll be here. Justin has Katie, Beth, and DJ wrapped around his pinkie. We're the outliers on the team."
Eva nodded. "We'll just have to try to win then."
/
(Dock)
Courtney was enjoying a breath of air on the dock. Alejandro walked up to her. "We need to talk."
"What about?" The type A asked.
"Ezekiel has become a hindrance to gaining allies." The Spainard explained.
"True, I tried to ally with Bridgette but she doesn't want Ezekiel to be alone." Courtney admitted.
"Then we must get rid of him." Alejandro told her.
Courtney frowned. "But Bridgette likes him. I don't know why, but she does."
The Spainard put a hand on Courtney's shoulder. "He's only holding her back you know. She could make it far, but how far can she get if she's supporting Ezekiel?" Courtney looked unsure. "You want her to get far right? That's why you offered the alliance in the first place. In the end you'd be doing her a favor."
Courtney took a deep breath. "I'm sure I could convince Cody, but that's still only three vote. We need at least four, then the most it'll be is a tie."
"Leave that to me." Alejandro smirked.
/
(bass cabin roof)
Eva and Izzy are talking about today's challenge. The ginger is excited. "That sounds amazing! I wish I could have been there!"
` Eva chuckled lightly. "I do too."
"More importantly, you planned a heist without me?! I would have helped out you know?" Izzy pouted.
"We were in the middle of a challenge. It's not like I knew where you were." Eva told her.
"I know," The ginger whined. "It's just super disappointing."
"Next time we'll get you involved okay?" Eva smirked.
"Alright, now tell me about sneaking in again!" Izzy exclaimed.
/
(Elimination)
At elimination it was down to the final two. Lindsay and Ezekiel sat next to each other, both looking nervous, both for each other and themselves. "Campers… this is the final marshmallow of the night." After a few tense moments Chris called out. "Lindsay."
Bridgette gasped. "Guys how could you? Zeke's just barely gotten away from Heather!"
"I thought everyone liked me eh!" Ezekiel frowned.
"I didn't vote for you man." Trent promised.
"I believe you eh, someone probably set me up." Ezekiel admitted, Bridgette couldn't help but notice he glanced at Alejandro. "Anyway, Bridgette I gotta give you something." He reached in his pocket and handed something to her. "I made it myself eh."
The surfer examined the object. It was a clamshell carved out of wood and made into a necklace. The blonde smiled and put it around her neck. "Oh Zeke I love it."
"I lo-like you too." Ezekiel blushed. The two leaned in to kiss, but Chris pushed them apart just before their lips touched.
"Ezekiel the boat of losers awaits." The host said.
We watch as Ezekiel walks to the boat, Lindsay and Bridgette following him. As the boat leaves Lindsay calls out. "I'll never forget you!" she turned to Bridgette. "You coming?"
"Maybe in a bit." The surfer sighed.
Lindsay walked back to the fire. Alejandro was standing there. She ran over and began crying. "Why would anyone vote out Edmund!" The Spainard began to comfort her. He leads her away from the fire, this reveals on other person left at the pit. Noah sat there, staring blankly into the flames.
A flashback is shown. Alejandro is talking to Noah. "I couldn't help but notice your relationship with Trent has evolved."
Noah swallowed. "Well we have become good friends."
The Spainard draped an arm over the cynic's shoulders. "Good friends indeed. Yet I can't help but wonder if there's something more to it? Perhaps a deeper bond?"
Noah's eyes narrowed. "What are you implying?"
"Simply that if someone wanted to keep such things a secret they'd do well to vote off Ezekiel tonight."
Back in the present Noah sighed. "Sorry Ezekiel."
A/N: To say I didn't really want Ezekiel to leave is an understatement. I knew he wasn't merging though so I had to have him voted out here. You could say he's like Noah in world tour. He got wise to Alejandro too quickly and had to leave because of that. Still I hope I gave him a good send off.
Poll for DJ's love interest is still up. DJatie is still leading. Vote if you want, though keep in mind I still have final say. Especially if I can't get at least twenty votes. I do want a fair amount.
One last question for reviewers, I can't decide who should go next. It's between two characters. So who would you want to go further? A fan favorite with plenty of canon screen time already? Or someone less popular but with far less canon screen time?