Author's Note: Greetings, my fellow readers who happened to stumble upon this story! I am Musical Essence of Runa, but you may call me Runa for short! I was actually a guest here in the site that goes by the name of MusicalEssence (I am more active on FictionPress as Candles of Shining Light). I do not read a lot of stories so you will see me only a few times, or maybe not at all. I do have tried doing stories on a different account a long time ago, but because of failures, those were officially deleted. (You are not getting that account for your information)

However, this is my first shot on doing an SYOC! I've seen a few; they have also caught my interest and motivation to do my own, so here you go!

Let's get started now, shall we? I will be seeing you all in the end of this chapter!

Total Drama: Infinite Zero

Episode 0: The Beginning of Infinity

DAY 00

Her hands drifted across the papers in front of her. Everything was set; papers, the resume, the interviews were completed, everything. She was ready, but at the same time, nervous. She was waiting for something… or rather someone, to show up and eventually guide her to her merry way. A part of her wants to be patient, to the point where this person would not arrive at all. Another part of her was impatient, the 'let's get this over with' kind of patient.

Her hazel eyes looked around frantically, left and right, up and down, and even straight forward. Brushing her long, dirty blonde hair with her fingers, she looked up on her finished resume, specifically on the top portion.

Application for Total Drama Host

Her eyes then darted towards the bottom.

Please contact: Chris McLean

But where is this Chris McLean?

She suddenly changed her mind. She wants this done. Now.

She can't wait anymore. She scratches her wrist, the creamy complexion slightly reddening. There was nothing to do-

The front door finally opens as a middle aged man enters the building. She sighs in relief, straightening her black pencil skirt from her seat, making sure the folded sleeves of the white blouse stays neatly buttoned on her elbows, and finally looks up.

"Charlize Faulkerson, correct?" The man smiles. Who knows what is behind this smile of his. He doesn't seemed like he focuses on his looks either; grey sweater, raven black hair that looks like it hasn't been combed much, and facial hairs on his chin. Charlize even thought that he forgot to shave that day. "Chris McLean." he says, introducing himself and extending a hand to her.

Oh, so this is the Chris McLean? Very… interesting…

Charlize shakes his hand. "Yes. Yes, I'm Charlize Faulkerson. I'm here to apply for the co-host position, actually. I'm not sure though if I submitted all the requirements-"

"Yes you have, do not worry. Chef Hatchet also gave me a copy of your resume." the man answers diligently, followed by a nod that makes everything feel certain.

The 22-year-old girl sighed with relief. She thought that there was something lacking- maybe something unneeded that was somehow mixed along with those files. But luckily, that does not seem to be the case.

Suddenly, Chris gestures for the door. "Follow me. We will be going to the venue of the competition."

"Will do." Charlize simply states. This could be the start of a long journey ahead of her as a junior host of a competition show.

Just a few blocks away, (which was a five minute walk away from the coffee shop), there stood a small building… a video game store perhaps. Charlize looks at it with awe, and a bit of confusion.

"So… this is where this Total Drama show thing is taking place, huh?" She asks with a sly smirk, thinking that Chris has joked her and that she wouldn't fall for it in any way. "Nice joke you got there, Chris."

"Oh ho ho, yes it is. This is were the season will take place." Chris answers, pointing an index fingers towards the video game store.

Charlize gives out a baffled look. She wasn't believing this so far. It really does seem like a joke.

As the two hosts approached the entrance, Chris opens the door for the both of them to enter.

Charlize steps in gingerly inside the store, occasionally staring at the long lines of customers waiting to purchase their video games and consoles. The store was divided into two: the left side having different consoles and gaming systems and accessories while the right side had different video games from famous gaming franchises.

Chris however, was directly focused on the elevator found on the edge. "We're going to go down." He declares, pressing the button on the elevator for it to open. The two entered, and the elevator starts to descend.

"Ah, so the season is taking place underground." Charlize puts all the pieces together. Maybe this season has some kind of underground theme?

"Not necessarily." Chris gives out a hearty chuckle. "If you will think about it in the future, seventy-five percent of this season is mainly taking place on… let's just say, virtual reality."

Virtual reality? How the hell does that even work? You can't just force several teens to play virtual reality 24/7 just for a million bucks, right?

When the elevator doors have opened, Charlize's question was now partially answered.

There stood a rather… huge lab, with fourteen… pods? Or at least that's what Charlize thinks. There were seven on each side, and a giant screen was in the middle with a bajillion buttons and levers for controls. There were two couches in the middle as well as a coffee table that looks like it just been cleaned and wiped.

"Welcome to… the Gaming Lab." Chris introduces the lab in a rather dramatic manner. "Where Total Drama: Infinite Zero was born."

Charlize looks around, her beautiful hazel eyes eyeing almost every single detail.

This is gonna be interesting.

Or at least that's what she thinks.

Hoo, this was difficult to write! XD If you guys have imagined, this version of Chris McLean is bit… nicer or something compared to the original. I'll probably keep this version throughout the season.

As for Charlize, she was a character I had in mind for a while. I wasn't sure whether I should make her a contestant OC, but I figured co-host fits the best for her. Hope you guys like her though!

You guys have probably guessed the concept by now: virtual reality. I've seen a few people do this concept and I kind of want to make my own so… voila! :D

The SYOC app will be on my profile, as well as the rules. PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO READ THE RULES BEFORE SUBMITTING. I will be accepting only 14 characters since I want to keep the cast a bit small. Good luck to everyone who plans to submit!

EDIT (12/25/20): I have received a lot of female apps, so it would be great if there are more male apps. I will be doing the cast pick most likely around... let's say, first weekend of January? I might extend it though. Anyway, also, PLEASE do NOT put just one-word answers. How am I supposed to know what your character is if most of your answers are just one-worded? I'm very pleased though at the few that managed to go into detail with their character, thanks to you guys for that!

SYOC is still open, and again, I will be doing the cast pick on January.

I will NOT be responding to PMs, but to those have already applied and are planning to apply, many thanks to you!

Please also do let me know your thoughts on the reviews! Criticism is appreciated, as I want to improve someday!

See you all soon! I cannot wait to see you guys come up with for characters! :D

~Runa