Total Drama: Clash of the Titans Chapter 12: A Fiery Final Four Face-Off, a total drama series fanfic

Total Drama: Clash of the Titans – Episode 12: A Fiery Final Four Face-Off

"Last time on Total Drama: Clash of the Titans, things got weird. Really weird. Topher, hungry for an usurping, hijacked the show and tried to make me sign away the hosting role. But I was brave and tough, so in the end, without any help at all from the players, I defeated Topher and saved Total Drama from certain doom. Oh and Sugar and Lightning became a weird gross couple, Jasmine and Courtney became a power duo, and Cody got hurt real bad and had to leave or whatever. Honestly, it was the worst episode of the season and I'd like to forget most of it even happened, thank you very much. Thankfully we've got a new episode coming your way, and with the finale just around the corner, it's gonna be an all out war of a endgame, here, on Total! Drama! Clash of the Titans!"

As the night carried on, the final four returned to the housing complex exhausted, bruised, and sweaty. Showers were definitely in order. But after how brutal that day was, from the play challenge to the invasion to flying up and nearly dying… Nobody was really in the mood to just get back to the game the next day. How much sleep would they get? A couple hours maybe? Yeah, not fun.

Confessional

"That… was a day," Courtney sighed, rubbing her sore temples. "Obviously I'm glad to be here in the final four again, and ironically with the exact same four person alliance I tried to form in the second episode until Sugar ruined it, but… Ugh. I'm not even sure what to do right now. I'm too stressed to sleep because of how close I am to winning this, and one slip up in my strategy could blow my chances sky high. But… I'm also drained and need to restore my energy just in case the next challenge is sudden death with no voting. Such is the life of a successful player, but nobody said it was going to be easy. I just need to make all the right choices moving forward. Simple, right?" She shot the camera a deadpan look.

(static)

"I feel bad that Cody's out like that," Jasmine said, dusting off her hat. "But that trio of him, Lightning, and Sugar was gonna be tough to crack so… I guess I'm relieved my path to the finale just got a bit easier. That being said, I'm also the biggest threat left by far, and even if Courtney's my only real ally, there's no telling if she'll turn on me or not. She's not stupid. She knows I'm a big obstacle for anyone in that final challenge. As tired as I am, I have to give it everything I got. No slackin' allowed. Shawn's counting on me to win this thing and I can't let him down when the finale's just two people away. Whether I win out or strategize my way there, I gotta see it through to the end."

(static)

Lightning crossed his arms, looking confident, but also a little uneasy under that layer of smugness. "As if Lightning was goin' home before the final four. Ha! You all knew he was endgame-bound the minute he stepped on the beach. Now I just gotta make that finale again and get the win, get my Pops' rings back, and get that stadium built. The only sha-problem? Lightning's got a lady to worry about. Usually Lightning's out there on the field with the guys and the ladies are waitin' for him on the sidelines with their pom poms and stuff, but this time? Nah, she's in the game too! I still gotta beat Sugar for the cash, but… Yeah, I gotta beat her! She and I are gonna get it on after I win! Sha-woo!"

(static)

Sugar did her makeup, trying her best to recover from that absolute beauty-wrecker of a day. "That was one heck of a day. Got myself a spot in the final four two times runnin' and I got myself a man like the rest of them old winners did. Now, normally I'd be over the moon about that, but… I miss my farmie already. No amount of hunk-aliciousness and a… twenty… twenty-somethin' point chance at winnin' can make up for losin' a friend like Beth." She sneered. "And of course Jasmine took her out. That girl's been on my butt like a dog on a squeaker since the start of this thing and she still ain't gone no matter how many times I send her home. Well, I'm gonna avenge my farmie if it's the last thing I do and win this thing! Mark them words!"

End Confessional

"This just in!" Chris announced on the loud speakers as everyone was about to turn in for the night. "Due to recent… developments, the next challenge will be held tomorrow evening. Mostly because I need a spa day, buuuut also because we didn't have time to get it ready tonight. So yeah, enjoy sleeping in. I think we've all earned a day off. Mostly me though. McLean out."

Courtney plopped down on her bed and groaned into the pillow. "Thank god..."

Jasmine, who'd followed her in for a little late night alliance meeting, sat down on the carpet beside the bed. "Tell me about it. The one good thing Chris has done for us this season, ain't it?"

The CIT turned over and snorted. "I guess you're right. I won't be grateful for him, but I will be grateful for the allotted eight hours of sleep I'll be getting for a change. Never again will I take it for granted."

Jasmine smiled and nodded, just… happy to be where she was. It was comforting. "Tomorrow's gonna be a big day though. For all we know, it's gonna be another double elimination."

"I had the same thought," Courtney groaned. "I have no idea what Chris will throw at us, so color me worried no matter what. I just want to get to the finale and end this season on a high note."

Jasmine's smile lingered, but her eyes told a different story. "Hey, uh, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

The Aussie sighed, bit her lip, and forced it out. "Look, if you're going to try to eliminate me before the finale, just let me know now. I don't want to get blindsided again. Sorry if it seems a little random to ask, but I know I'm the biggest threat to win challenges and you're not exactly someone who plays a 'beat the best at the end' kinda game..."

Courtney gulped. Oh shit. She could sense it… "Uh, well… I probably..."

Jasmine just gave her a tired, desperate look. One that said to throw her a bone just once at least.

"I… I can't take the biggest threat to the final two," Courtney admitted with a groan. "Not on my fifth season without a win."

Jasmine sighed. "Yeah, I-"

"But!" Courtney stressed, letting the tension linger before continuing. "With Lightning and Sugar getting all lovey-dovey, I can't risk letting them make the final three, because they'll always take each other to the end before they take one of us. So… Even if you're my biggest threat and I'm yours, we need each other or we could both lose this to a couple of undeserving weasels."

Jasmine's smile returned. "So we stick together until the top three then. Then it's every girl for herself? That's what you're saying?"

Courtney nodded along. "Exactly. If we vote out Sugar or Lightning next, and it would need to be a tiebreaker, some serious outplaying on our part, or making sure one of them is auto-eliminated by a challenge… Then no matter what, one of us makes the finale. And I wouldn't expect you to take me like you wouldn't expect me to take you."

"It's a good plan. Real solid stuff, mate. And don't worry. I'd a hundred percent take you because I'm down for the cause. Our alliance havin' two reps in the finale would be a gnarly underdog story, and I'd rather not let Lightning or Sugar sniff the finale even if Lightning's a decent guy. Can't say a nice word about the other one though. And honestly, I… just don't want to get fourth again. Wanna shake on it? To the final three guaranteed, then fight it out?" She extended a hand.

Courtney happily shook it. "Deal."

Confessional

"Ugh!" Courtney nearly stomped a hole in the floor. "This is so frustrating! Taking Jasmine to the final three is so freakin' risky. If she wins the final three challenge, even if she takes me, she's basically guaranteed to win the whole thing. But..." Her temper lessened as rational thought took charge. "If I go with Sugar and Lightning, I have to win the challenge to make the final two. And of course I just had to admit I was going to vote her off at some point, not that she didn't already expect it, but it's ammo I don't like her having. But unquestionably, the best move for my chances is making sure I get her and one of the showmancers in the final three. If I have to go toe-to-toe with Jasmine in the finale and hope for a miracle, so be it. I've never even made the finale before, so risking it all on beating a showmance? Stupidest idea of the season." But even with her confident words, her face told a different story. She was legitimately scared.

(static)

"I don't know if she's telling the truth," Jasmine explained, hunched over with a hand under her chin. "But I can't trust Sugar, and Lightning's under her weird spell, so Courtney's my only option. We've come this far together and this is… probably the longest she's been loyal to anyone this season, so it's a good sign I think. She's not dumb though, which puts me at ease for this next round. I can still lose in a tiebreaker, which… no thanks to that, but it does give me a safety net if I lose tomorrow. However… I might have to cast that net a bit wider. Couldn't hurt to try, right?"

End Confessional

Elsewhere, as in a few rooms down, Lightning and Sugar were crashing in her room, laying around on the bed together with each an arm slung over the other's shoulder.

"Can't believe we almost made it," Sugar said, nuzzling into the soft sheets. "Just a couple more days and we're finale bound. Never thought it'd be with you though."

Lightning smirked. "Heh, sha-yeah. Remember us fightin' over movies and stuff on the first day?"

"And then our eatin' battles?"

"And then Lightning not votin' with you for Sky?"

"And me gettin' all pissy about it?"

"And then Lightning's big touchdown flip that wiped the grins of all those girls' faces?"

Sugar chuckled. "Yeah. That was the best… What a journey though. Kinda had our own… whatever that story was Chris used for the Underworld thing. Went from hatin' each other to fallin' in loooove..."

His smirk dropped, and he looked… conflicted. "Uh, love? Lightning ain't really a fan of that word. Usually he uses it to talk about stuff like… How much he loves winning big games! Or how he loves protein! Or the way his fans love his every move on the field! Not really a thing he thinks of between him a lady though..."

Sugar pursed her lips and sat up, lookin' confused as heck. "Whatcha mean? You ain't never been in loooove before. Now, I do admit my love of pork rinds, grease pigs, trophies, winnin' stuff, and flush toilets is mighty strong. But the best love ya can feel is between you and another hot person."

Now it was Lightning's turn to look confused. "Uh, what other hot person?"

Sugar snickered, covering her mouth. "Oh, Mr. Lightning, you crack me up. You and your funny zingers ain't never gettin' old. Now say shuh-baaam again!"

Confessional

"Feels good to have a lady at my side," Lightning sighed. "But… Lightning's a little concerned about gettin' distracted from the money, ya know? Sugar's one heck of a chick even if she ain't a looker like me, but she's got the personality Lightning likes, so I gotta be fair and give her a chance. But… Lightning ain't gonna lose this season over sha-boobies. Nuh-uh. Not sha-ppening."

(static)

"That Lightning's a real dreamboat," Sugar swooned. "Tall, dark, handsome, a real winner like me… And he loves to eat! A perfect package if I ever saw one, and I seen a lot of packages in my day. Mostly the neighbor kids leavin' bags of dog doo on the porch and lightin' 'em on fire 'cause I went cow tippin' in their fields and shaved their dogs, but still, a package's a package no matter what's in it or how big it is, as Granny always said. Anyways, Lightning and I just gotta win a couple more challenges, take out them other goons, and boom, we're in the final two where I finally get my deserved win. Might as well just gimme the check now, 'cause no way I lose."

End Confessional

As the sun hit its peak later the next day, everyone finally woke up refreshed and ready for the biggest day yet. Sugar and Lightning feasted on gruel as Courtney, her nerves spazzing out, ate alone on the balcony outside her door, watching the two pigs downing bowl after bowl. Jasmine on the other hand went for a morning stroll, eventually stopping down by the beach where she parked her butt in the sand and gazed across the sea.

There it was. Underworld Island looming over the waves. Oh how far she'd come… First voted out, survived three challenges, lost her soulmate in a tragic accident upon returning. But she had to survive on her own for the first time in Total Drama, and it sharpened her like iron against iron. Her cutting deals with Sugar? Not exactly a move she liked or remembered too fondly, but had she played emotionally there, it could have been the end of her journey. Sky coming back? Great. Her going home in a massive Elimination Ceremony that put her and Courtney on the bottom at the final six? Not so great. But with the power of an idol and Cody's unfortunate, heroic sacrifice, she made it. So close to the end, but still far enough away where she couldn't let a foot off the gas.

Her self-reflection ended when footsteps in the sand snapped her out of it.

"S'up?!" Lightning panted, passing by on his morning warm-up jog.

Jasmine waved to the jock. "Morning, mate. Pre-challenge jog?"

"Sha-yep! Lightning's gotta keep his muscles toned and ready for this challenge. He hasn't won a single solo challenge yet and today's gonna be his day!"

"Well, good luck," she told him a bit somberly.

Even though he wasn't some super emotionally intelligent guy, he could sense the unease in Jasmine's tone. "Girl, you okay? You ain't sad are ya?"

Jasmine laid back, tipping her hat over her eyes. "I'm just nervous about the challenge, that's all. Last time I was on the show, I thought I had it locked down and then I got knocked out at the final four. By a tree at that. So… this part of the competition and I got some bad blood."

"Oooooh. Yeah, Lightnin' gets it. He's got bad blood with the six yard line. One season, he got tripped and fumbled the ball big time… Not sure if that's the same sha-deal though, 'cause Lightning still won that game…"

"Nah, it's kinda similar," she sighed. "I just hope it's not a sudden death auto-elimination challenge again. I want a vote at least. Gives me a second chance to save myself, ya know?"

Lightning nodded. "Sha-true. But…" Now it was his turn to feel uneasy. "You ain't gonna vote me off, are ya, girl?"

Jasmine peeked out from under her hat. "Well, it's not like you're my first choice. But Courtney and I wanna get through this episode in one piece and if Sugar wins the challenge… Sorry, mate, but you're the top of the list at that point."

He winced. "Awww, that'd sha-suck. But at least Lightning's got his girl Sugar votin' with him no matter what, so we got two votes, which is… Uh…" He did some quick counting on his fingers. "Half the votes! Yeah, half."

"No chance you'd vote differently, huh?"

Lightning shrugged. "Don't see why we would."

Jasmine rolled her eyes and snorted. "Well, I dunno what you see in that woman, but I ain't gonna deny that love works in mysterious ways. You're a good fit for each other I reckon."

He smiled and continued walking by. "Thanks, Tall Girl. Lightning appreciates the faith you got in us. Even though I'm winnin' the challenge, I hope you get second! Sha-bye!"

As Lightning sprinted off down the strand, the Aussie let out a tired sigh. "I'm not gettin' second. Promise ya that, mate."

Confessional

"I figured Lightning wouldn't budge on his vote," she said. "Him and Sugar are locked in tight like a joey in his mother's pouch, with the pouch being the final two they're likely promising each other. Oh well, figures it'll come down to the challenges as expected."

(static)

"Lightning feels bad for her," the jock sighed, scratching his neck. "He knows what it's like to come so close and lose it all, then come back and go home in Episode Two. Not fun, not cool, and totally not sha-bam worthy. Plus, she actually talks to me. When have ya seen Courtney doin' that? Hah! Sha-never! Just 'cause you're in a different alliance then him don't mean you gotta ghost the Lightning."

End Confessional

Later in the day, Sugar and Courtney sat alone around the courtyard eating their lunch before the challenge. Sugar, gazing off into the sky, was totally unaware that Courtney wanted her attention.

She snapped her fingers, waved her hand juuuust a little, mouthed her name… No response. But as much as she wanted to lose her temper and blow Sugar's ears out, she had to keep this talk discreet to avoid arousing any suspicions should Jasmine or Lightning come outside their rooms, return from a walk, or wherever they were at. If they saw her chatting it up with the farm queen? Oof. She wasn't ready to answer those questions.

Eventually, a passing fly brought Sugar's eyes to Courtney mid-wave and they looked at each other like a live-action version of that twin Spiderman meme, minus the pointing.

"Whatcha want?!" Sugar huffed very loudly.

Courtney grimaced. "Quiet. I'm trying to have a subtle strategic conversation here."

Sugar cocked her head. "Ooooooooh, I getcha. Well no can do, Missy. I only talk to people I like, unless I'm yellin' at 'em of course. So shut the hell up!"

Courtney nearly blew a vein, but kept her cool. She'd had lots of practice. "Shut it," she hissed. "Look, I know we don't like each other at all and we surely won't be friends any time… ever. But it's the final four, and you're gonna discount someone entirely, you aren't setting yourself up to win. Got that?"

Sugar rolled her eyes and whispered back. "That I do. But I ain't gonna care about a word you say."

"I don't need you to care. I just need you to listen." She did another check for the other two players. Nowhere in sight. Nice. "Okay, I know the game seems pretty set in stone right now. Me and Jasmine versus you and Lightning."

"Dang right."

"But here's a fun fact: I don't want to go against Jasmine in the finals. I want her out ASAP. And I know you do too."

Sugar narrowed her eyes. "You proposin' some kinda alliance?"

Courtney nodded. "Exactly. We vote Jasmine out next, then if I win the final three challenge, I take you with me. Two girls in a heated rivalry going for the win at the end basically writes itself as a season-long arc fitting for a season like this. And if you win, whatever, you can take Lightning if you want. No problem. I just want a chance at the final three."

Sugar tapped her chin. "I gotta think it over. But if you wanna play hard, I gotta respect it even if I don't respect ya as a person."

"Wow, thanks. But… no, thanks for at least considering. Trust me, I don't like it either and I'd love to see you lose, but I'm playing to win and Jasmine's the biggest roadblock left. For both of us."

Sugar nodded along, and they gave each other a thumbs up before going back to their food just in time for Lightning and Jasmine to return a few minutes later totally unaware of what went down.

Confessional

"I have no interest in voting out Jasmine tonight," Courtney said with a light grin. "Sugar's got my vote unless she wins immunity, and in that case Lightning's going into the tiebreaker instead. My little chat with Sugar was simply to ensure that, if Jasmine and I lose the challenge today, that Sugar can't be convinced to vote for me if Jasmine wants to get reckless and burn our deal. If Sugar thinks I'm taking her to the final two, which I would totally do, she has a reason to keep my coin out of the urn if it's a vote and potentially help me survive if it's an auto-elimination. It's risky though, because if Jasmine finds out I'm cutting deals with the enemy, it could blow up in my face. But the reward could soooo be worth it."

(static)

Sugar laughed to herself. "Oh man, that Courtney's one wily little critter, ain't she? Cuttin' a final two deal with me? Pitchin' a three to one on Jasmine? Talk about desperate. Just proves the bond them girlies got over there ain't holdin' a drop of water when pull comes to shove. But no way am I gonna turn down a sweet deal like that just 'cause Courtney sucks eggs. If she wants to volunteer to lose to me, she can hop on the Sugar victory train in first class and use the fancy flush toilet all she wants! Still gonna take my hunk Lightnin' to the end though. Ain't nobody breakin' us up anytime soon."

End Confessional

The sun finally started to sink towards the horizon and the final four marched up to the temple, nerves wracked and muscles tense. This was it. The showdown between dynamic duos. Courtney and Jasmine evened it up after their alliance collapsed. Sugar and Lightning hooked up after their alliance got picked off. For some, this challenge could have been do-or-die.

Upon reaching the temple's arena, they were greeted by a massive cauldron of flame and a rack with four big torches. Chris stood across the flames, smirking as usual.

"Welcome to the final four immunity challenge: an ode… to Prometheus. Legend says he stole fire from the gods to give to humanity, only to be punished by Zeus himself. Dude got chained to a rock for years, and an eagle would fly down and feast on his liver. But because Zeus was a bit of a dick, the liver grew back so the eagle got to feast every single day. Bruuuutal stuff. But don't worry about that. We're only addressing the first part of his story in today's fiery final four face off. For your challenge, you'll be carrying lit torches all over and off the island, lighting fires at designated hard to reach spots on your path to a guaranteed spot in the final three. Think of it as a throwback to Revenge of the Island's merge graffiti extravaganza, only with less Lightning desecrating my face this time."

Lightning noticed the sneer coming his way and shrugged. "Dude, please. That mountain of you was sha-tacky."

Chris rolled his eyes. "Well it's also blown up, but we're getting off track." He clicked his remote and a screen shot out of the ground, displaying a map that showed four marked locations on or around the island. "There are four flames you need to light in this challenge. First one's actually right under your nose, aka down in the labyrinth's central chamber. You've all been there at least once, so no sweat getting through the maze again, right? Once you light that flame, it's off to the beach to grab some transportation to the Underworld where the second flame will be waiting at the summit, accessible via a short cut this time. Cut right into the forest and you can't miss it. The third flame is situated in the wreckage of my mobile air command center out in the sea, so you'll need to use the transportation to get there as well. Once you light that flame, it's a glider race back to the temple where the final wok is waiting in the amphitheater behind me. First person to light it wins immunity at the vote. And yes, I said vote. No challenge based elimination this time. Oh, and if your fire goes out along the way, it's alllllllll the way back to the last wok you lit to get more. I'll give you a couple minutes to stretch and then we'll get to it."

Confessional

"So it is a vote," Jasmine sighed. "Looks like it's gonna come down to a tiebreaker unless something crazy happens. But carrying fire long-distances without it going out? A classic survival technique! I'd say my odds are pretty solid at winning this one."

(static)

"Last time I did a challenge about running around an island like this was the stupid sundae challenge," Courtney groaned. "Definitely bringing back bad memories, but I have a solid chance of winning this. I was a CIT. One of the training seminars was all about making a fire and keeping it going, plus I'm fast on my feet. I just need to get a lead and keep it. At least enough to make sure Jasmine doesn't win and force me into a tiebreaker situation."

(static)

"Draggin' fire 'round the islands?" Sugar asked herself. "Easy peasy! I ain't much of a runner, but you betcha slow and steady's gonna win this race. I just gotta make sure Jasmine ain't the winner so we can pile all them votes on her tonight. No way is she sniffin' that top three."

(static)

"Lightning's always wanted to be the torch dude at the Olympics someday," the jock sighed happily. "This ain't that different, right? Anyways, time for Lightning to strike and light this final four up with his zoomin' and blazin' speed! Sha-bam!" He ended with a typical Lightning-esque pose, accidentally smacking the camera back to static.

End Confessional

One editing trick later and everyone was lined up with their torches ablaze, having gotten fire from the massive cauldron under Chris' supervision. Each torch was lined with special chemicals and minerals to make it burn a certain color. Courtney's was a vibrant red. Jasmine's was a cool blue. Sugar's was a lime green. Lightning's was an amber yellow.

"On my mark… Get set… GO!"

With Chris giving the go-ahead, the race was on as the final four bolted for the mountainside stairs. Jasmine's long strides gave her the early lead, but Lightning and Courtney were on her tail. Sugar trailed behind. Far behind. Lightning noticed his girl struggling and ran back to give her a little pep talk.

"Come on, Sugar! We gotta win this one! Sha-victory is ours!"

Sugar pumped her legs as hard as she could, gasping for breath. "I'm tryin' but I ain't built for this! You gotta make sure Jasmine don't win, got it? That's all we gotta do. 'Cause-"

"Got it! Lightning to the rescue! Sha-zooooom!"

Aaaaand he was off before Sugar could leak some info. Drat.

Confessional

"Crud," Sugar grunted. "I gotta let Lightnin' know Courtney's down for the cause of sendin' Jasmine back to Austria to push him to the win. 'Cause if she don't win, we ain't gotta worry. But if she does, that means one of us three's gotta go. And even if I ain't a runnin' type of gal, I still got my neck brain workin' for me. Maybe it's time for a little sabotage then..."

End Confessional

Jasmine and Courtney hit the bottom of the steps side by side and entered the forest, booking it to the labyrinth entrance.

"Feeling confident?" Courtney asked.

"Totally," Jasmine replied. "We got the lead and Sugar's not a threat at all. So basically it's two against one."

"Good observation." Courtney noticed Lightning zooming up from the rear. "But that one's the most athletic one here, so don't go easy on him."

The mega jock pulled up alongside them. "S'up, ladies. Lightning'd love to stick around and chat with his fans, but he's got a final three to get to. Sha-later!"

And then he passed them with a sudden burst of speed, leaving Jasmine stunned and Courtney anxious.

Confessional

"Look, I know it really doesn't matter who wins since we're in a tie situation," Jasmine explained. "But I still wanna guarantee I make it through with immunity. Lightning, I'm sorry to deny you yet another win, but I gotta look out for myself here, mate."

(static)

"Oh my god," Courtney groaned. "The more I think about the strategy this round, the more it hurts my head. Do I make a chart? I really don't want to make a chart, but… it does clarify things quite nicely…"

End Confessional

Lightning reached the labyrinth first, running down into the darkness guided by his yellow flame.

"Lightning's in first! First to the maze! First to the final three! First to the money! Sha-woo!"

And then he realized he had no idea which way to go. The last time he was here was only, what, a couple weeks ago? You can't expect him to remember that much, okay?

"Uhhhhhhh..." He pointed down a random passage. "That way!"

One step forward and a tile clicked down under his feet.

"Hmmm, I swear I've seen this sha-fore… But where?"

Confessional

"Lightning ain't a fan of mazes and stuff." He let out an annoyed snort. "He ain't no lab rat lookin' for cheese. Though I really could go for some cheese right now… Think Chris'll gimme some for winnin' this one? He better."

End Confessional

He stepped off and lightning shot out of the wall, aimed right for him!

"AH!" He quickly dodged the blast of electricity with a smooth move, then turned to the nearest camera. "Not funny! Usin' lightning against the Lightning?! That's just cruel!"

"Less whining, more winning, Lightning!" Chris said through the intercoms. "Zeus is a big angy boy today, so you'll be dodging his attacks from start to finish! Now move!"

Jasmine and Courtney arrived soon after, looking annoyed at the news.

"Seriously? We can't just do a simple race?" Courtney watched her step as she went along. "Of course there's a twist."

"Always is," Jasmine sighed. "Just make sure not to step on anything."

As the three ran off into the maze, Sugar finally trudged into view, sweating like a pig from both the running and the green flame hovering near her face.

"Hey, I ain't that far behind, am I?" No response. "Crud. I gotta-"

ZAP!

A blast of electricity took her to the ground, fried and smoking like a pork chop on the grill. Slather her in BBQ sauce while you're at it.

"Oof."

Confessional

"This is so unfair! How am I supposed to win a runnin' challenge? Chris clearly rigged this one against me 'cause he's a stinky Jasmine fan. However… as much as I love winnin' stuff, I know when it ain't in the cards, and this is one of them times. So instead of goin' for the immunity, I can play a little dirty to make sure Jasmine ain't gonna get it..." Oh, she looked sinister alright. "Sorry, Beth. But I gotta get a little mean again."

End Confessional

Chris, watching everything from his monitors, raised a brow at Sugar's choice to leave the labyrinth without lighting her wok or, well, even attempting the challenge.

"Huh? Wonder what she's got in mind..."

On the other monitors, Jasmine, Lightning, and Courtney ran through the dark passageways, dodging bolts of lightning from all angles whenever they stepped on pressure plates. And sometimes Chris was just a dick and made them motion-activated. Because he could.

Eventually, Jasmine and Courtney arrived in the central chamber first with Lightning nowhere to be found.

"Finally!" Courtney gasped. "Let's light 'em and go!"

Flames of red and blue roared to life and the woks shot out sparks in their colors. The girls high-fived and high-tailed it back from where they came.

Chris' voice cast far and wide across the island. "And just like that, Jasmine and Courtney light their first woks and are off to the beach!"

Lightning on the other hand? Yeah. Dude was hopelessly lost.

"Stupid maze," he grumbled, dodging another zap. "What's the point of a runnin' challenge if Lightning doesn't know where he's runnin' to? Sha-rigged."

Man had no strategy, but at least he was fast. So he'd find the center eventually... right?

Meanwhile, Sugar, having heard the announcement, scurried over to the front beach where the Underworld waited across the waters. Tied to four posts on shore were four methods of transportation, arranged from most useful to least useful.

First was a small sailing ship like the ones used in the Underworld return challenge. Simple to use, quick across the water, and sturdy enough to endure any obstacles Chris might set in their path.

Next in line was a wooden kayak with a paddle. It required physical effort, but would still get the user across relatively fast.

Third was a rickety raft. That's it. No paddles, no sail, nothing. Seemed like whoever got stuck with that one would need to use their hands or swim it across.

And last and most definitely least was an inflatable pool float barely big enough to hold one person's weight. It was basically the raft but waaaaay worse and wouldn't take damage for shit.

Sugar raised her torch and approached the four boats. "Hmmm, if I ain't gonna stand a chance at winnin' this one, I'm gonna have fun makin' in harder on the rest of 'em. Except my man Lightnin' obviously. Duh… But when's he gettin' here though?"

Confessional

"Yeah, I was gonna burn them boats," Sugar bragged. "But if Lightnin' ain't gettin' there first, I can't let him get the good one before I torch the rest! I… maybe should've thought it out a itty bit more."

End Confessional

Jasmine and Courtney made it to the shore where Sugar stood with torch in hand.

"Oh, this doesn't look sus at all," Jasmine grumbled. "How'd you get ahead of us?"

"She didn't," Courtney sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Why, whatever do you mean?" Sugar said, clearly playing dumber than a rock. "I got my fire lit aaaaages ago."

"You were literally last place," Jasmine said plainly, walking towards the best boat. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a challenge to win."

"Wait a minute," Courtney said. "We both arrived at the same time. Why do you get the best boat automatically?"

Jasmine tapped her chin. As much as she wanted to be like "lol fuck you" and take the upper hand, she couldn't blow Courtney off like that at such a crucial point in the game. So she stuck out a fist. "Fine then. We can rock, paper, scissors for it. Fast and easy, and before Lightning shows up."

Sugar stood nearby with a hidden smirk. "That's right, y'all. Waste all yer time…"

Courtney glared over her shoulder. "Uh, we can hear you!"

Sugar zipped her lips and whistled all casual-like as the girls got to throwing hands.

First it was rock on rock. Then paper on paper. Then scissors on scissors.

"Oh, okay," Jasmine said sheepishly. "Didn't expect to tie so much. On three, again."

Rock.

"Oh my god," Courtney groaned.

Meanwhile, Lightning finally reached the maze's center and lit his yellow flame.

"And just like that, Lightning enters the fray with his first flame!"

"Oh yeah, score one for the Lightning! He's unstoppable!" Then he took a look around. "But how's he gonna get out though?"

Confessional

"Chris was clever, puttin' a big maze at the start of the course," Lightning said, still prideful. "That's just 'cause he knew Lightning would demolish the competition if they didn't give him a little handicap at the beginning. Once Lightning gets outta this maze, he's gonna strike! Just watch"

End Confessional

"Come on," Jasmine growled, staring at two thrown scissors. "How many ties is the world record?"

"Not interested in beating it. Sorry." Courtney threw rock.

Jasmine threw rock as well.

"Wait," she sighed. "Is there a rule about sharing the rides? Can't we just both take the ship?"

Courtney blinked.

Jasmine blinked.

Sugar coughed.

"Ugh, no, there's not!" Courtney stormed off towards the ship. "Let's just go!"

Once both girls were onboard, Sugar started to sweat. She had to think fast or Lightning wouldn't have a chance to catch up… So she snuck over, raised her torch to the boat's side, and set the thing on fire. Nailed it.

Jasmine smelled smoke as the boat pushed its way into the surf and her eyes went wide. "Oh crap! Douse it!"

Courtney freaked out, scrambling off the side to splash water onto the green flames as Sugar snickered back on shore. Once it was out, the former Titans whipped around to glare daggers her way.

"What?" Sugar asked. "Don't look at me. Y'all ain't never seen a boat randomly catch fire before? We got 'em back home all the time. The heat hits 'em and boom! Blazin' flames everywhere!"

Courtney sneered. "Yeah, and I'm sure the fire just happened to be green for no reason, huh?"

Sugar just kinda shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."

Jasmine ignored the snark fest and sailed out to sea, nearly knocking Courtney over from the sudden jolt.

Confessional

"Well that was annoying," Courtney sighed. "Anyways, I know I said I wouldn't, but… I made a chart." She pulled a parchment out of her pocket, showing each of the final four drawn as little stick figures. So, here's the deal. I have a final three deal with Jasmine I intend to honor, just to keep the target off my back for now. I also cut a deal with Sugar to take her to the final two if I win the next challenge at three, which is my best chance of winning the finale. The issue? My best case scenario is Sugar winning immunity today, because we can vote for Lightning, go to a tie breaker, and then Jasmine and Sugar both want me in the final two even if I betray one of them. But now she's basically given up to help Lightning, who'd never take me to the end! And to make things worse, if Jasmine wins immunity, I'm getting the votes for sure since they're never voting each other off. But if Lightning somehow wins, suddenly I have to betray my deal with Sugar and risk her being madder at me than at Jasmine… Ugh! Why did I overplay this round?! It's the final four! It's not that hard!"

End Confessional

Lightning finally arrived on the beach, sweating up a storm with his fire still blazing hot.

"I made it! Time to win!"

"It's about time," Sugar said. "Them girlies are on their way to the Underworld as we speak, so you gotta catch 'em! And they took the best boat too even though I tried to stop 'em by gettin' here ahead of 'em, so you gotta push it to the limit, big boy!"

Lightning blinked in confusion. "Sha-wait, they took the best boat? Girl, didn't you get here first?! Why didn't you just take the best boat for us and torch the rest, then come back for the Lightning when he arrived? That's so sha-obvious!"

Sugar blinked. "Oh. Yeah, maybe should've thought that through a bit more. But no time for coulda-shoulda crap. We got some suckers to catch up to!"

Lightning surveyed the remaining options. "Hmmmmmmmmm. Guess he'll settle for the canoe thingy. Too bad it only fits one person."

"Oh, don't worry 'bout little ol' me," Sugar snickered devilishly. "I got the perfect plan to get ahead of them two. Or… at least Jasmine. Wanna hear a little secret?"

Lightning's eyes went wide. "Secret? Sha-tell!"

"Courtney's on board to get Jasmine outta here tonight if she doesn't win invincibility. This could be our chance. We just gotta beat that girl to the last fire pit thingy and it's ugnanimous. Jasmine goes home and us two cream that Courtney girl back to law school… Or, maybe she ain't been there yet but same difference. Just make sure you win this thing!"

"Roger that," Lightning said, beginning his paddle out to sea after a quick goodbye cheek smooch. "Just make sure you don't get in the Lightning's way by accident."

"Not gonna happen!"

Famous last words?

Confessional

"Courtney? Down to boot Jasmine?" Lightning tapped his chin. "Didn't expect that, but Courtney cut my man Duncan way back when, so cuttin' throats is up her alley. Just another reason the Lightning ain't gonna trust her, but if she really wants to work with me and Sugar, I ain't gonna turn her down. Lightning ain't no… alliance turn-downin' fool! Sha-yeah."

End Confessional

Courtney and Jasmine sailed along, dodging sea mines and jagged rocks en route to the Underworld. Been there, done that.

"This is easy," Courtney mumbled. "Too easy, almost."

Jasmine kept her eyes peeled. "Yeaaaaah. I thought Chris would've thrown bigger curve balls into this section of the challenge. Last time it was getting' zapped, but the mines? We proved we could dodge them like pros at the merge."

Chris, watching from the safety of a lawn chair in the temple, sipped his coconut water and smirked. "Smart girls. Guess it's time to showcase the big twist…"

One push of a button later and something massive emerged from the waters near the Underworld.

Courtney gasped. "Is that?!"

"Oh no." Jasmine quickly scrambled for the sail's rope.

A giant fan, basically a repurposed wind turbine that spewed air rather than drawing power from it, towered like a titan over the final stretch, gradually picking up speed with each turn.

"No!" Courtney groaned. "It's gonna blow us back! Grab the oars and stroke!"

Confessional

"When did that happen in the myth?" Courtney groaned. "Chris is just making things up at this point to piss us off."

Chris' voice came through on the intercom. "Hey, there are four wind gods out there. They have feelings too, unlike you."

"Wha-I have feelings! I've had more feelings than anyone this season!"

No response.

"Chris, please!"

End Confessional

Jasmine tried to steer clear of the massive gust, but she was too late, caught defenseless as the ship was blown back towards Temple Island… and the approaching Lightning in his safe little kayak.

"This… This isn't fair!" Courtney whined. "The boat was a booby trap! It was BAIT!"

Jasmine, still straining to get control, waved a fist to the heavens. "Curse you, Chris!"

Lightning, still paddling at full speed with his torch stuck in the back behind him, was hardly deterred by the wind resistance. Ahead, he noticed the sailing ship flying back and squinted inquisitively. "Sha-dang. If Lightning didn't know better, he'd swear that boat was comin' towards him. Or he's just super duper sha-speedy! Or both!"

Soon enough, the two vessels passed each other. Courtney and Jasmine screamed in panic as Lightning cruised by, his muscles getting one hell of a workout but not stopping.

"See ya, ladies!" he called out.

Confessional

"Ha! Lightning could've told the girls they were going the wrong way, but in a challenge this intense? No way! He's gotta pull of the big W, even if it means lettin' girls go un-helped by a righteously gorgeous hero. Besides, the only girl Lightning's helpin' is Sugar. Sha-nogamy for the win!"

End Confessional

Lightning soon brute forced his way past the giant fan, offering it a smooth wave. "Thanks for helpin' Lightning keep his cool. I knew I had a big fan rootin' for me out here! Sha-nderworld, let's go!"

Beaching his kayak, he snagged his torch and high-tailed it into the jungle, eventually finding four wooden lifts, guided up the mountain by ropes and pulleys.

"Sha-sweet! VIP elevator experience!"

Courtney and Jasmine eventually slowed down and charted a course around the gusting fan. Annoying as hell, and a big set back, but not the end of the world. They were still in the running despite Lightning's sudden lead, and that drive to win pushed them to their limits until they hit the beach and booked it into the forest.

Sugar on the other hand grabbed a log for a makeshift oar and took the raft out to sea, heading for the wreckage of the McLean Air Command Center or whatever the hell it was called. She didn't care, or remember. She just had a plan and knew how to carry it out.

And Lightning, top of the leader board, rode the lift higher into the heavens, tugging his way up with the rope meter by meter. It was a slow process, but with his fire tucked safely into a convenient torch holder on the platform, he was making ground. Until…

"Just a heads up!" came Chris' voice. "Remember the whole part about the eagle swooping down to chow on the dude's liver every day and how we weren't going to include that part in the challenge? Yeah… I lied. About the eagle part, not the liver thing, because that's gross and illegal. But you should know that since our merge challenge, the local birds have grown to call this summit home. And they're very protective of their eggs, which you just so happen to pass on your way up…"

Lightning looked back to see a large nest of eggs perched on the mountainside. "Sha-crap…"

"Have fun!" Chris concluded, signing off with a loud screech.

No… That wasn't Chris. It was-

"Ahhhh!" Lightning ducked as a pair of eagles swooped in and he let the rope go, suddenly plummeting dozens of feet before he got a hold of the rope to stop his fall. "Birds, don't you dare mess with the Lightning's mojo! He's on a roll! And not an egg roll! I swear I ain't here for your protein! Ahhhhhh!"

The birds divebombed again, landing their attacks as they tore him with with talons and battered him with massive wings. Unable to hold on, he dropped the lift back to ground level and the eagles soared back into the sky, leaving a bruised, scraped-up, and groaning jock laying face first in the dirt.

Jasmine and Courtney arrived just in time, staring ominously between Lightning and the bird-encircled summit.

"Um… Know much about eagles?" Courtney sheepishly asked Jasmine.

Confessional

"I've done falconry before," Jasmine said. "Helps ya catch small animals like rabbits and stuff if they cause trouble, but eagles? Yeaaaaah that's a tall order even for a tall girl. Hopefully I can just rocket up the side of the mountain and not worry about them… right?"

(static)

Courtney winced. "Hopefully the eagles go after Jasmine instead of me… right?"

End Confessional

"Lifts only fit a person each," Jasmine said, testing the not-so-durable platforms provided. "Guess we go our separate ways for now. See ya at the top!" And with that, she was off, heaving her way to the clouds.

Courtney took a deep breath and collected herself, ready to give it her all.

Lightning let out a little groan and got her attention. "Ugh… Bossy Girl… Those eagles ain't no joke. Maybe we can work together so Jasmine can't win and I can? Sugar's countin' on us to beat her, right?"

Courtney blinked. "Wait? Did Sugar-"

"Tell the Lightning what's up? Sure did. Said you were down to boot Jasmine with us."

Courtney face-palmed. "Okay, well, I kinda intended for that to be a secret, but… yeah."

Lightning snorted. "Girl, ain't no secrets between a dude and his girlfriend. We're closer than close. Sha-closer than… Uh…"

Courtney boarded her lift and docked her torch, an annoyed, deadpan look on her face. "You've known her for two weeks. And a week ago you were yelling at each other. No way you're that close already."

"Nuh uh. Lightning's never had a girl this dope before. She actually listens to him and doesn't just admire his sexy, ripped, bulging muscles which I do admit are mind-numbingly gorgeous."

"Okay."

"Plus she wants to go with Lightning to the end! Nobody else did… except Duncan. But wooooow, wonder what sha-ppened to him, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?"

Courtney picked up the pace, her nostrils flaring with anger. "You know what? Just focus on winning the challenge instead of harassing me. Jasmine's probably gonna crush us, so pick it up. And don't tell her the plan. Can you at least do that?"

"Sure. But you gotta promise to stick to the plan. If me or Sugar goes home, you're gonna get it good from the one who survives to final three."

"No problem." Courtney gave the camera an uneasy glance.

Confessional

"Oh my god," Courtney groaned, nearly popping a blood vessel. "Why and how does this keep getting worse?! I'm literally making a fake plan in case my real plan blows up, and now the fake plan is in jeopardy because Sugar spilled the beans? Pleeeeease just let this challenge end already."

End Confessional

Jasmine ascended higher and higher until she reached the eagle zone. On cue, the pair of birds attacked. But Jasmine was a far tougher opponent than Lightning when it came to animal encounters. A couple swats and they were kept at bay.

"Eeeeasy," she said. "I'm not here to bug ya, mates! Just passin' by on my way to immunity!"

Too bad birds didn't understand English, because a couple more joined the fray and Jasmine was soon overwhelmed on all sides. Holding the lift's rope in her teeth, she dodged, ducked, jumped, swerved, slapped, and slid her way through the onslaught, doing her best not to injure the creatures.

Courtney, gazing up at the battle overhead, bit her lip. "That looks vicious." A couple seconds later, an eagle smashed into her back, clawing at her shirt and dragging her towards the abyss. "No! Get off me you feathery freak! Ahhhhh!"

Lightning was busy with his second round of attacks, having stopped pulling to fight off a couple stray birds a few feet away. "Sha-bam! Sha-wham! Sha-slam! Get away birds! Lightning ain't got time for ya this round!"

A few meters up, Jasmine made a crucial slip as one of the birds snagged her pants. With a loud "OOF!" she slipped off, the only thing preventing her from plummeting to the Earth below being her beefy hands on that flimsy rope. It kept the lift in place, but her heart? Oh, beating out of her chest like a fiery piston.

"Oh crap! Heeeeelp!"

Lightning and Courtney's eagle assailants heard the desperate cry of prey and ascended to attack the weakened giant, giving the two contenders a chance to pull themselves higher until they caught up with the leader.

"Sha-dang, these eagles aren't playin' around!" Lightning briefly paused, feeling… something as he stared up at Jasmine's hanging form.

"Don't fall," Courtney whispered to herself. "Don't fall. Don't fall."

Jasmine noticed the others rising nearby. "Uh, guys… Mind helpin' a girl out?! Hands… slipping… soon!"

Courtney nibbled at her lip, nervous about the circling eagles deciding she was a better target. Lightning chewed his lip as well, anxious about getting to the top after promising Sugar he'd pull out a win.

Jasmine's sweaty grip weakened, her body too heavy to pull back onto the platform. "Hurry!"

Courtney flinched, reaching out a hand. But it was too late.

Lightning swung his platform over with a powerful momentum, knocking several eagles of the way, and took Jasmine's hand just before she dropped. "Gotcha! Lightning to the rescue!"

Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief and climbed back on her lift. "Whew. Thanks, mate. That was… oddly selfless of you. I figured you'd be all about the win, but… Nah, you're a real one."

Lightning faltered from his smug hero pose, his lips pursed in confusion. "Lightning not going for the win? Sha-nope! He just uh… couldn't stand to see a lady in grave danger and came to the rescue. Yeah!"

Jasmine snorted and kept on ascending. "Sure thing, mate. Thanks again though. Never be ashamed of helpin' a friend in need."

Courtney winced, her back to the others as she pulled her way up alongside them.

Confessional

"I…" Courtney sighed. "I was going to save her! I swear! I just… Well, Lightning was closer, and stronger, and… I'm a good person, I promise! I saved her yesterday, from falling to her death in the skies. Remember?"

(static)

"Selfless?" Lightning pondered the word. "Self. Less. Less self. Hmm, word's pretty sha-charged with hero energy, huh? Jasmine was in danger of losin' her life, and even if she's his biggest competition, she's still a worthy rival in these brutal comps. Pfft, I ain't gettin' all soft just 'cause I got a girl at my side who listens to me about my feelings and issues and stuff. That's stuff little girls do, not big, strong heroes like the Lightning."

(static)

"Lightning started off like such an egotistical douche," Jasmine said flatly. "But he's really grown a lot recently. Still egotistical, not like anything's stopping that, but he's just a really chill, decent guy now. Win or lose, he should be proud. Not about his choice in romantic partners though. Sorry, mate, but I gotta call it like I see it."

End Confessional

Jasmine, Lightning, and Courtney all reached the summit at the same time and lit their flames. Sugar's wok stood empty as the trio darted back to the lifts and began the descent.

"And just like that, we have a three way tie for the win! Jasmine, Lightning, and Courtney all have two flames lit and are heading to the wrecked Air Command Center for flame number three!"

Across the sea, Sugar peeked out of the wreckage. It was a mess. A giant maze of shattered glass, twisted metal, torn fabric, and robot corpses, half-submerged and surrounded by relentlessly pounding waves.

"Alright," she sighed, exhausted from some unseen hard work. "Once them girls get here, they're in for a Sugary surprise."

Confessional

"Choosin' losin' was tough," Sugar explained, "but in a challenge rigged against me, I gotta snip them losses loose and play to my strengths: strategy!" Her hype quickly faded. "I just hope Lightning ain't the first one to the wreck though. That could be baaaad..."

End Confessional

Lightning breezed past the girls in the run back to the beach, setting his sights on the sailing ship.

"Sorry, ladies! Lightning's gotta boat-jack y'all!"

Courtney growled. "Don't you dare! Jasmine, book it!"

Jasmine put her legs into overdrive, catching up to Lightning and jumping to grab the ship first. Unfortunately, getting a hand on the boat first meant nothing because both of them hopped on board and struggled to be the one to raise the anchor.

Jasmine was actually quite playful with it. "Sorry, mate. This is our vessel!"

Lightning was competitive, but still having a blast. "Ha! Fat chance! This is the S.S Sha-tanic now!"

"The Titanic sunk," Courtney growled, hopping on board and attempting to toss Lightning off the side. "Jasmine, push!"

Jasmine nodded and the girls shoved in unison, accidentally knocking their torches into the sail...

Lightning almost flopped into the water, but swung himself free and danced along the edge. "Nice try, but Lightning ain't goin' in the drink today! He's high and sha-dry!"

Courtney cracked her knuckles. "Get. Off. The boat! Now! We got it first!"

Jasmine shrugged. "It's only fair."

Lightning gasped. "Oh shit! The sail! On fire!"

Courtney rolled her eyes. "Oh please, I'm not falling for-" She sniffed, sensed the smoke, and turned around, seeing the sail ablaze with red and blue flames. "Ah! No! Our sail! Jasmine, put it out!"

"Too late!" she shrieked, noticing the flames spreading across the deck. "It's toast! Jump for it!"

Lightning quickly followed instructions, hopping into his kayak as the girls dove into the water, keeping their torches lit by an inch as the sailing ship went up in flames.

"Ugh! This sucks!" Courtney slapped the water. "Now what?!"

"We swim?" Jasmine grimaced. "Yeah, maaaaybe taking one boat here was a bad move..."

"First place, here I come!" Lightning cheered, zooming off into the surf towards the wreckage in the distance. "Enjoy the swim, ladies! Sha-burn those calories!"

"We're doomed," Courtney grumbled. "How are we catching up now?"

"It'll be tough," Jasmine sighed, "but I have an idea. Back to the beach!"

Confessional

"Yeah, it's a setback," Jasmine said. "But setbacks are nothing to me. I was voted off first! That's the ultimate setback, and if I can overcome that, I can overcome one slip up in a challenge. As long as my flame's burning, I'll keep on pushing. For Shawn. For us."

End Confessional

Lightning paddled along, not even close to feeling drained. He was a one man winning machine and-

"Ah!"

Something took a bite out of his paddle.

"The heck?!"

Chris' voice echoed...

"Heheeeee... Yeah, so the airship crashed near a shark feeding ground. Just so happened to be on the way from the Underworld, so we thought we'd have fun with it! Enjoy Poseidon's wrath!"

A couple sharks jumped out and snapped at Lightning's bulging guns. The jock dodged each with a "Yeep!" and kept on paddling as the sharks kept up the assault. "Lightning ain't gonna be shark chow! Teeth off the muscles! Ah! No! Sha-back!"

Back on Underworld Island, Jasmine and Courtney emerged from the forest with a couple bizarre contraptions. They'd taken the wooden lifts, ripped them off their ropes, and tied some large leaves to the frames on one side, creating mini sailing boards.

"Lightning's probably way ahead of us by now, but we can still catch up. Let's just hope the ride over extinguishes his fire." Jasmine tossed her platform in the water and hopped on, letting the breeze blow her out to sea.

Courtney followed, anxious about so much more than just how rickety the design was.

Confessional

Courtney tapped her chin. "Heading into the final leg of the challenge, I have no idea where Sugar went. Though knowing her, she probably sabotaged ahead of us, which will be sooooo fun. Not. Hopefully she just took a spill on the beach and won't get in the way. But either way, I need to do my best to win this. I've never made it past the final four before, and all it takes is one Jasmine win to send me into the firing line. Obviously I could beat Sugar but... she's good at random things. That's somehow scarier than someone with a specific skill set to be honest."

End Confessional

Lightning power-paddled through scraps of airship and hopped aboard the twisted mess. Having no clue where the woks could be in that place, he just opted for the straight forward route: running into the first path in the wreckage he saw. And immediately, he realized his mistake. Something snagged his foot: a rope. Dragging him through the crash site, the rope whipped him into every wall, slammed him into every metal plate, tossed him through busted door after busted door, and finally hung him upside down in a spider's web of rope as a dark shadow watched from afar.

And of course, you couldn't have a hilariously epic bit of physical humor without a good ol' scream occurring throughout the entire duration.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Yeah, like that.

"Oh crud!" Sugar hurried out of hiding, biting her nails as Lightning spun around, his face green. "Should've thought that out better..."

"Sh-Sha... Sugar! The heck happened?!"

She winced. "Uhhhhh... Well, I might've set a lil' trap to catch the girls... Whoops."

Lightning gasped. "Girl! You serious right now? You couldn't even tell Lightning the play?!"

Sugar nibbled her lip, trying to tug on the ropes to free her partner. "Crud, well, I thought them two were gonna get here first on account of their big boat. Set a snare trap to catch 'em so you could catch up. Works on squirrels at least..."

"And does Lightning look like a squirrel? With a big, bushy tail and the stupid buck teeth? Huh? No! He don't! So get me outta this thing before you cost Lightning the win!"

Sugar sighed, finally pulling the right rope to send Lightning slamming to the floor. "Welp, at least you're here first."

Lightning stood, brushing himself off and grabbing his torch from the ground. "Yeah, no thanks to you. Lightning appreciates the sneaky plays, but not when they sneak up on him. Stay outta Lightning's way until he wins. Got it?"

Sugar frowned. "I hear ya. Loud as a foghorn."

Lightning's anger subsided a bit and he offered a fist bump. "Sorry for the yellin' but Lightning ain't gonna lose. He's sha-fired up and every second off the clock is killin' him."

Sugar returned the fist bump. "Then get her done. I'll hold off the girls if they get here. No way am I makin' the same mistake again... This one's yours!"

Confessional

"Man, this is why Lightning's best as a team of one!" the jock snorted. "Trustin' that girl with sabotage? Bad move. Sha-terrible! I still appreciate her for the support though, don't get Lightning wrong. He just... ain't sold on the team work thing yet, especially with a girl he likes."

(static)

"That was terrible!" Sugar groaned. "I almost cost Lightning the lead with that snare trap, and for what? So I could get yelled at for screwin' another thing up? Bull-oni! I gotta make it up to him and prove this country girl's got her farm smarts in check... Still, makin' it half a day before our first fight as a couple? That's a personal record! It might be rocky, but I'm makin' strides."

End Confessional

Minutes later, Courtney and Jasmine ran into the wreckage, soaked with clothes missing chunks in the shape of shark bites.

"Well that sucked," Courtney groaned.

"But we made it," Jasmine added. "And our flames are still lit, so let's find those woks and-"

"Hold it!" echoed a voice from within the maze of scraps.

"Crap," Courtney hissed. "Sugar's here..."

"Then it's a two against one brawl," Jasmine whispered. "Just keep an eye out for any-" A slab of hull collapsed on top of them, but Jasmine pulled Courtney to safety just in the nick of time. "Crap, she's set us up! Run!"

Sugar peeked out from behind another slab and tossed her shoulder into it, creating a chain reaction that toppled wall after wall. But Jasmine and Courtney were no slouches, dodging, jumping, and sliding over every obstacle. Of course, they were terrified and screaming, but they got the job done.

"Crud," Sugar mumbled. "Them girls are tough. Gotta go with the back up plan."

Lightning hit the water and nearly lost his flame. So close. Up ahead were flooded hallways full of closed doors, barely able to be waded through as the water reached up to his pecs.

"Hmmm, if I were one of those woks, where would I hide?"

With the torch as his only light source, he waded over to the first door he saw and creaked it open. Inside was a giant horde of waterlogged Chris-bots. Creepy. Next up was door number two, hopefully luckier than the first. But nah, just some weird make up trailer looking place. Though Lightning did take a minute to flex in the mirror. "Sha-bam..."

Door number three... was just a storage closet. Though upon opening it, a ton of roaches scurried out and spooked Lightning half to death.

"Ahh! Stupid bugs! No jumpscarin' the Lightning!"

Door number four? Well, that one was some kind of security room full of monitors and video tapes on a nearby shelf.

"Oh nice... a movie theater! Sha-kino!"

There was probably some super juicy confessional content on those tapes Lightning could have watched, content that could have blown the game wide open and spilled some serious tea, but oh well, he moved on. Mostly because it would've been a cheap writing move to create last second drama.

Confessional

"This place is a total sha-maze... again" Lightning said. "It'll take forever to check all these doors. Now why couldn't Sugar go find the woks first and point Lightning in the right direction? That would've been sha-dope."

End Confessional

Courtney and Jasmine collapsed on the other side of the chaos, emerging from the dust looking shaken up and jittery.

"That was too close," Courtney mumbled. "We nearly died. Sugar's freakin' insane..."

Jasmine dusted herself off and grabbed her torch. "True, but she ain't gonna stop us that easily. Lightning's way ahead and probably found the last woks by now, but we can still catch up."

A high heel wedge hit the ground ahead of them.

"Stop! Right! There!"

Sugar blocked the way down into the airship's halls with arms akimbo and eyes ablaze.

"You do realize you're outnumbered, right?" Jasmine asked, sounding totally fed up with this chick's crap. "Just step aside and let the people who actually have a shot to win this challenge take a crack at it. And plus... What would Beth think of you playing all dirty like this at the final four?"

Sugar's gaze dropped just a smidge. "Well... Uh... She'd want me to win, and that's what I'm gonna do! Just not this challenge, but the next one, and the one after that! Y'all've been thorns in my butt for the last few days and I ain't gonna let y'all pass. My gorgeous body is my man's human shield, takin' all the heat while he keeps immunity outta your hands!"

Jasmine cracked her knuckles. "Then so be it."

Courtney gave the camera a concerned look.

Confessional

"Fighting Sugar?" Courtney asked. "Count me out. I'm no slouch when it comes hand to hand combat, but that's against enamored men like Duncan, not raging farm freaks. Besides, wasting our time with Sugar just gives her exactly what she wants and forces my hand. Sooooo maybe I could..."

End Confessional

Courtney tried to sneak away to find another route as the Pahkitew girls prattled off, but somehow both reached an agreement.

"Hey! Don't you go anywhere!"

The CIT stopped dead in her tracks and sheepishly chuckled. "Look, can't we just-"

"No!" Jasmine spun her blue torch around and charged.

Sugar readied her green torch like a baseball bat and ran into the fray as well.

"Hahhhhhhhhh!"

"Yeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaa!"

Both torches smacked together and flames sparked everywhere, spraying the girls with blues, greens, and everything in between.

Parrying, thrusting, whirling, smacking, striking. That was the name of the game.

Courtney tried to avoid the battle altogether, but Sugar's wayward attacks dragged her into the mix as she was forced to block with her own red torch, turning the dimly lit wreckage into a flashy light show as the trio progressed down into to the airship's bowels.

Lighting opened door number whatever and found some shrine to Chris, destroyed by water and the crash. "Ugh, nothing. Chris, you sure this ain't a goose chase? Hmm, why do they call it that if the goose is usually the one chasin' the Lightning? Them birds are sha-dicks! Stupid geese, makin' Lightning ponder the English language during a challenge. Shame on them."

And still so many doors to go...

Jasmine kicked Sugar to the ground, but the farm girl used the momentum to roll with the blow and somersault her way back to her feet. "Nice try, but piggy wrestlin' preps a girl for battles like this!"

Jasmine growled, charging for a quick flaming jab. Courtney did the same, forcing Sugar to spin her torch out front to block both attacks. A quick spin later and she was at a safe distance, her torch held out defensively with both hands as the green glow highlighted the sweat on her face.

"Tired yet?" Courtney asked.

"Not... at all," Sugar panted. "Us farmies are tough cookies. And plus... I ain't got a pageant to go to any time soon, so I can go all out."

She charged again, swinging hard enough to knock Jasmine off balance, sending her stumbling down to a level below.

Courtney gasped, noticing how much tougher her fight had gotten. And then Sugar winked. Oh... right.

"That'll keep her distracted," Sugar whispered. "Nice work. The way you was fighting, I thought you were almost down to help Jasmine win. What silly thoughts go through my head sometimes, huh?"

"Oh, um, right, definitely. Can't wait to send her ass home."

Confessional

Courtney face-palmed.

End Confessional

Jasmine crawled back up, her eyes blazing harder than her torch. "I dunno what you just said, but I bet it was somethin' that'd piss me off."

And so the battle continued, torch against torch, until Jasmine finally got the upper hand. One strike knocked Sugar off-balance, another send her towards the edge, and another yeeted her into the drink with a scream.

Jasmine rolled her eyes. "There. Trash: taken out. Let's go."

Courtney followed behind Jasmine as they hurried down into the airship's twisted bowels, still cringing.

Sugar surfaced, plopping herself on a slab of steel like a seal on an ice floe, surrounded by circling sharks. "Ugh... Stupid Jasmine... Lightning, I hope you got this. I did all I could..."

Lightning left another room with a couple protein bars in hand. Even if the water damage shorted out the vending machine in the lounge, the glass was no match for his lightning fast kicks. So... free snacks!

"Lovin' the protein representation, but where the hell are those woks? Chris, man, you gotta give the Lightning a hint! I'm sha-lost!" Turning a corner brought him face to face with a red face and a blue face. "Ah!"

"Lightning, it's just us," Courtney said. "Surprised you're still here. Don't tell me-"

"It's hard?" Lightning asked. "Sha-yeah! This place is a maze. More than the actual maze. Kinda makes Lightning's head hurt."

Jasmine smirked playfully. "Guess we're all still in it then. Anyone's game."

Lightning sighed. "Guess so. Lightning thought he was on a roll with that epic lead. Ain't so sign of those woks anywhere, and Lightning checked pretty much every door."

"Pretty much," Courtney repeated. "Not all. They have to be somewhere, and I'm gonna find it!" She bolted off, or in this case, trudged through the deep water, with the others behind her.

"Hey, my lead!" Lightning gasped. "Give it sha-back!"

Guess what time it was? That's right. Scooby-Doo homage time! Courtney, Jasmine, and Lightning ran in every unopened door in the hall, crossing in and out, passing each other, defying the laws of physics and time for the sake of some visual gags. Along the way, a malfunctioning Chris-bot joined in, chasing them all down towards the cockpit... only for several more limbless machines to chase them right back out. It wasn't long before the robot horde forced them to the surface via an escape hatch, the trio collapsing in a pile once they reached safety.

"Ugh..."

"Oof..."

"Sha-blahhhh..."

Jasmine gasped. "The woks!"

All eyes shot ahead to where the Aussie was pointing. There they were. The four woks, standing there atop the peak of the wreckage. By their side were four hang gliders for the taking and matching their colors too.

"Oh you gotta be sha-kiddin' me!" Lightning snagged his torch and ran to light his wok. "They were up here the whole time?!"

"Works for me," Jasmine said. "Now's my time to pull ahead!"

Courtney joined the others in their sprint. "So close..."

All three flames blazed wildly at once and it was off to the gliders.

"Excellent," Jasmine sighed happily. "Something I know how to use."

Lightning fiddled with his glider, slotting his torch into a little holder on the side. "Time for Lightning to catch some air!"

Courtney tugged on her glider a bit, unsure about the whole thing as it looked a little... flimsy.

Confessional

"What?" She shrugged. "You try trusting a hang glider Chris provides and get back to me. Go ahead. I'll wait."

End Confessional

The trio took off one after another, sinking down towards the ocean before lifting back into the air en route to Temple Island as the sun set. Jasmine had a slight lead with Lightning just behind her. Courtney cringed as she got some hang time, worried about falling into the sea more and more with every meter traveled... but it held together surprisingly well. Still, having that torch ominously lurking under a flammable cloth? Not great.

Sugar climbed up shortly after, her flame extinguished and her body drenched with sea water. "Ughhhhhhh... Girl got me good. Not to give her credit, I mean... Hmm? Oh wow, what's that thing? Some kinda weird green flyin' pizza slice thinguhmajig?"

A glider.

Then she noticed the others soaring back to the temple and a smug smirk slid across her face. "Oh, this ain't over yet. This farmie's got one last trick up her silo."

Confessional

"There I was," Sugar began all dramatically with hands out front. "I saw them other three in the sky flyin' high to victory, but all I could think about was makin' sure my man got that win. My flame was gone, but his was still burnin' bright in that ruddy orange sky! And with Jasmine on his tail, I had to spring into action fast!"

End Confessional

It was a two horse race between Lightning and Jasmine, the two of them exchanging the lead by a hair every few seconds. First one would get a gust of wind to aid them, then they'd falter a bit and the other would gain a bit, and vice versa.

"Sorry, girl, but this win's mine!" the jock scoffed. "Time for Lightning to strike from the sky!"

"Not a chance," Jasmine playfully shot back. "I've come too far to lose this one. But you're givin' me a run for my money!"

"Ha! You mean my money!"

"Our money! As in me and Shawn sharing it!"

"That'd be dope, but not for Lightning!"

"Then may the best player win!"

Courtney rolled her eyes, growling in frustration as she failed to gain ground, er, sky on the leaders.

A whiny shriek echoed behind them.

The CIT perked up. "Huh? The heck is-"

Sugar divebombed the trio from high above, her steely gaze locked on Jasmine's glider... or at least she thought it was Jasmine's. Sugar honestly didn't give enough of a crap to remember which girl had which color, so she aimed for the red one. Because red equals bad, right?

"TAKE THIS YOU UGLY HOG MONKEY! HEEEEEEYAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

Courtney's life flashed before her eyes as her glider was smacked out of the air and sent hurdling towards the sea.

"Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

One big splash later and she popped out of the water side by side with Sugar, the former incredibly furious and the latter incredibly smug... and then royally pissed.

"Crud! I thought you were Jasmine. Oops. Prooooobably should've thought that one out a bit more..."

Courtney's eye twitched. "Nice. Going."

Sugar simply shrugged it off. "Well, at least I tried. Lotta good you were out there though."

Confessional

Courtney's eye was basically convulsing at that point. "I can't stand her. Disgusting? Vulgar? Annoying? Pointlessly violent?!" She paused. "Okay, been there before, but still, trying to work with her was a mistake I'll regret, not because it was a stupid game move, but because she's insufferable to have on your side. Lightning, I hope you're happy having the worst girlfriend ever as your partner. Anyways, no matter who wins between Lightning and Jasmine, Sugar's a hundred percent getting my vote tonight. And I'm gonna bask in it."

End Confessional

And then there were two. Lightning and Jasmine soared closer towards Temple Island, the white marble finish line glowing in the distance. Both wanted it, both leaned in, both gazed ahead like hawks ready to land on their prey...

Chris saw the two gliders approaching and stood up from his lawn chair beside the final wok. "This is it! The final leg of this race! Who's gonna light the final flame first and finally land a spot in the final three!? Finally!"

Confessional

"I have to pull off this win," Jasmine said. "Shawn's counting on me to be in that final two and losin' now? Not an option. I can't risk a tiebreaker, so even if Lightning's hungry for his first W, I gotta deny him one this time."

(static)

"Jasmine's been one heck of a player," Lightning said," but she's gotta go home if Lightnin' wants an easier shot at that sweet sha-money. If not, Sugar's gonna be in the firing line and no way is this dude lettin' his girl go through that crap! First W of the season! Let's sha-get it!"

End Confessional

Like a couple badasses, they soared through the temple's archway entrance and hopped off their gliders with torches in hand. Chris dodged the incoming projectiles, but rebounded for the big reveal.

"It's Jasmine! No, Lightning! Wait, Jasmine's in the, no Lightning's gonna take it! And Jasmine's sneaks ahead! It's gonna be a photo finish!"

Every bead of sweat. Every grit tooth. Every sore muscle. Every determined heart. Everything was set on that giant wok, to see it ablaze in either blue or yellow... And blaze it did. Both arms reached for it. Time stopped. And the wok exploded with flames...

...

Yellow flames.

"And Lightning wins immunity!"

Jasmine crumbled.

Lightning cheered to Olympus. "Sha-BAAAAAAM! First win of the season, let's sha-GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Final three again! I'm comin' for ya, money! Lightning strikes back!"

As the mega jock did a mega jig, Jasmine just laid there, exhausted beyond belief. "So... close..."

Confessional

"One inch," Jasmine said. "One inch between me and that final three. And I blew it. Good on Lightning for pullin' it off, but... Ugh, I wanted this one so bad. Now it's up to me to beat Sugar in the tiebreaker, which should be fairly easy, but I can't go in expecting a cake walk. Who knows what that girl's got up her sleeves..."

(static)

Lightning did some rapid-fire bicep kisses. "Oh yeah... Gimme some love, lefty... You two righty... Mmm, sha-yeah... Final three guaranteed!"

End Confessional

Chris gathered the final four back at the housing complex. Courtney was dreary and drenched. Sugar was smug and sopping. Lightning was hyped as hell. Jasmine was glum and grumpy.

"Wow! What an epic final four round that was! Between the chaotic placement changes, great physical gags, hilarious fails, and a photo finish, this might be one of my favorite challenges ever!"

"Oh wow, good for you," Courtney grumbled.

"I know, right?! Anyways, Lightning has immunity after such a clutch win. Dude earned it."

"Dang right I did," the jock said, doing some more bicep kissing for show as Sugar watched on with flushed cheeks, giggling to herself.

"Which of course means the other three of you who failed miserably are up for elimination tonight."

"Yep," Jasmine sighed, cracking some knuckles.

Chris smirked. "But before you vote, I just figured I'd drop another bomb..."

Everyone perked up, a mix of terror and intrigue on their faces.

"It wasn't a last place boot thing was it?!" Sugar gasped.

"Please let it be that," Jasmine snorted.

"Nope," Chris said. "Someone's getting voted off tonight. But you won't just be voting someone off one round short of the final three..."

Everyone leaned in.

"...You'll be voting someone off one round short of the finale! That's right: for the first time ever three people will be gunning for the cash head to head to head this season!"

Gasp. Gasp. Gasp. Gasp.

Courtney's eyes went wide, the faint trace of dollar signs barely visible if you squinted and applied cartoon logic.

Lightning beamed with joy. "Two time finalist?! Sha-sweet! Lightning sets yet another record!"

Sugar squealed. "Eeeeeeeee, I'm gonna make the finale! I-I really should've prepped a speech for this..."

Jasmine's heart stopped, her gaze slowly turning to Courtney, who stared back with a shy side-eye.

"So congrats again, Lightning. You have a one in three shot at winning the biggest cash prize in Total Drama history. As for one of the losers... Well, it's gonna be a rough ride to the Playa, falling juuuuust short of the big day. I'll give you some time to think this through. Big decision, ya know? Anyways, see you kiddos at the temple tonight for the most important Ceremony ever!"

Confessional

"No..." Jasmine shuddered, gasping for breath as if the walls were closing in. "Nononono... This... This could change everything. I had... I had a plan. Courtney and I shook on it, but... I gotta talk with her NOW!" Jasmine bolted out of the library, her eyes wide with pure panic.

End Confessional

Courtney and Jasmine took their seats in the courtyard, the latter sweating bullets.

"So... this doesn't change anything, does it? We shook on final three..." Jasmine's eyes were pleading on their own. "Just... I don't want to get fourth place again."

Courtney took Jasmine's hand. "Don't worry. I'm not changing anything. We shook on it and a deal's a deal, even if new info comes to light. I'm still putting Sugar's coin in the urn and you're still going into the tiebreaker." Her gaze was solid, determined, confirming. "Besides, after how Sugar acted today, as if I'm passing up a chance to knock her out just short of the finale a second time. Trust me."

Jasmine remained anxious, but forced a light smile. "Thanks. I'm just... really sweating right now. This is more pressure than I ever had in the Underworld. But... Yeah, thanks for sticking to your word. It means a lot."

Courtney smiled back. "Just spend your time prepping for this tiebreaker. There's no telling what it's gonna be, but if my history with tiebreakers is anything to go by, it'll be related to the theme of the episode. So... maybe making fire?"

Jasmine snorted. "It better be. I can light a fire with sticks and twine in twenty seconds flat. But... Good call. I gotta get ready, so see ya there. Hopefully after tonight we'll be wakin' up and watchin' the sunrise together one last time."

"Totally."

They shook hands again, just to cement the pact. Two Titans to the end against all odds.

Confessional

Courtney stared into her lap. "I... I don't know what to do. Before, when I thought there was still a challenge at the final three, I figured keeping Jasmine around was my best strategic play. But now that I'm one round away from the finale, the place I've never reached after four straight losses... I have to make it count. I'll never get this chance again. Ever. I've done so much to get here. So fucking much..." The wheels in her head started to turn faster. "If I take Jasmine to the finale with me, giving her a shot in the tiebreaker, then she probably wins out and takes the money. But if I vote her off... then I have to worry about Sugar and Lightning teaming up against me in whatever this final challenge is gonna be. It's just..." She sighed. "I don't know. But no matter what, I have to keep Jasmine complacent. If she thinks I'm turning on her, she could try turning the votes on me and I can't risk it. This has to be a clean, precise vote tonight no matter who it's for. But either way... I'm gonna make someone really mad. Again." One more sigh for the road.

End Confessional

Lightning was on his evening jog when he ran into Jasmine collecting branches along the trail.

"S'up, girl! How's Lightning's two time finale attendee glow-up lookin' today? Sha-snazzy?"

Jasmine forced a little grin. "Heh, yeah, you're really rockin' the confidence. I'm happy you got the spot, mate. Truly am. I just hope I can compete against ya tomorrow."

Lightning's fierce hype waned juuuust a little. "Yeah, that's... That'd be pretty sha-dope. Us goin' head to head in a re-match after today's epic photo finish would be one sha-crazy ending to this season, huh?"

Jasmine nodded. "Yep. But I remember what you said this morning. Go ahead and vote with your heart and head. I respect ya enough to let you make the call. I'll just have to fight like I've been doin' since the first day."

"Uh, yeah... Sha-nderstood... Well, good luck with the uh, whatever you're doin' with those sticks."

Jasmine waved him off and went back into game mode.

Confessional

"Man, part of me really wants to let Jasmine down easy about the unanimous vote comin' her way," Lightning said, anxiously scratching his neck. "Girl might not see it coming, but Courtney and Sugar would be totally pissed with Lightning if he went and spilled all that pipin' hot tea. But maybe there's somethin' else I can do to make it up to her for bein' such a worthy opponent this season... Wait a sha-second! I got an idea!"

End Confessional

Shortly before the sun set, Sugar and Lightning met up at the beach for a little romantic stroll down that familiar strand.

"I can't believe we made it to the finale together," Sugar sighed, caught in a nearly dream-like state of bliss. "Us two were enemies, now we got somethin' special." She snuggled up into his side, embracing her man like a big ol' teddy bear. But one with way more muscle and sweat.

Lightning wrapped an arm around her. "Sha-yeah... We had such a wild journey this season. Just a few weeks ago, I barely knew you existed. Now you're Lightning's number one cheerleader and his star teammate. Lightning thought he was a team of one, and uh... sometimes he wishes he was 'cause he works better that way, no offense, but-"

"None taken, big boy," Sugar said. "I know I wasn't some super helpful partner out there today. Why, I screwed up more parts of the challenge than a sheep in a square dance. But ya still pulled off the sweet first place, so ain't no bad blood, right?"

"Sha-nope. We might've fought a bit out there in the field, but when a win's on the line, you gotta bring all your emotions to the table to push you into that endzone. Sha-truth! The Lightning forgives The Sugar, hundred and fifty percent."

Sugar stopped to stare out at sea, her eyes watering at the beauty of that seaside vista. "Can't wait to wake up on finale day and come see our last sunrise out here together. Us two might've had a rocky path, but we never called it quits and did what we do best: win."

Lightning gave her a smooch on the cheek and she blushed, quickly returning the favor...

"Okay!" Chris announced. "It's time for your final Elimination Ceremony of the season! You know the drill. Cast your votes, wait for the results, and one more bust goes boom."

Jasmine shared one last glance with Courtney. Both girls nodded subtly.

Sugar and Lightning were too caught up in their gushy lovey-dovey trance to notice.

Chris cringed. "Lightning, gets your hands off Sugar and your butt into the voting confessional."

"Oh, my bad, Chris!"

As Lightning went to vote, Sugar turned, slowly as can be, and stared. Right at Jasmine. She was smug. Soooo smug. So smug her face would probably appear in a dictionary under the word someday.

"Enjoy your ferry ride," she hissed. "This time it's gonna be a one-way trip."

Jasmine ignored her. "I'm winning this tiebreaker if it's the last thing I do."

Sugar giggled to herself as Lightning returned, cool as a cucumber, giving her the chance to skip off to the voting booth.

Lightning gave Jasmine a little wink, which caught her by surprise. The heck was that about? Well, she wouldn't have much time to ponder that moment, because Sugar skipped back all happy and giddy.

Jasmine was up next, heading off with a deep breath to cast her final vote of the season, and her most powerful yet.

Sugar turned to Courtney and whispered. "This is gonna be satisfyin' as hell."

Courtney gave a small nod. Nothing more.

Jasmine returned and took her seat, oblivious to any conversations.

Courtney left to cast her vote. And she took a long time. But once she got back, she looked resolved and sure of her choice.

"I'll get the votes," Chris said, heading down the passageway and returning a couple minutes later. Nobody had said a word. A true moment of silence.

"So, here's the deal," he continued. "All the lamb we were using for the safety kabobs went bad... days ago. So to avoid anyone dying on us the night before the finale, we're doing a classic vote-by-vote reveal."

"Damn it," Sugar growled. "I wanted some free vittles to charge me up for the finale."

"And no protein?" Lightning whimpered. "So much for Lightning's DPA."

Courtney shrugged. "Cool with me."

Jasmine remained pensive.

"So without further ado..." Chris reached into the urn, pulling out a gold coin. "The first vote goes to... Jasmine."

Nobody was shocked. Not even a flinch.

"The next vote... is for Sugar."

Sugar rolled her eyes, still smiling.

Chris held the third coin in hand longer than usual.

"Third vote... is for... Courtney."

That got some reactions. Oh boy.

Jasmine's eyebrows shot up. "What the-"

"What?" was all Courtney could muster, her anxiety suddenly spiking.

"The heck's goin' on?!" Sugar yelped. "That wasn't... What?!"

Lightning winced.

Chris smirked. "That's one vote Jasmine, one vote Sugar, one vote Courtney... One vote left."

All three girls had their eyes locked on that final coin as it emerged from the Grecian urn. Courtney was confused and terrified. Jasmine was confused and hopeful. Sugar was confused and... well, just confused.

"And the final person voted out of Total Drama: Clash of the Titans... is..."

...

Chris flipped the coin over, revealing its face.

"Jasmine."

She couldn't even blink. Not a single fiber in her body dared to move. It didn't seem real. Like a bad dream she never expected to be capable of having. Yet... something inside... deep inside... She knew. Not just in the moment, but... the whole time. Her hat hung over her eyes, casting a miserable shadow across her face. Fourth place. Again.

What felt like hours was merely seconds. Then the silence was shattered.

"Boom!" Sugar cheered. "You're done as a Thanksgivin' buzzard!"

Lightning gazed into the night sky, unsure what to say.

Courtney wanted to reach out, to say something, even just a single word. But she was beaten to the punch.

"Wow," Jasmine mumbled. "Couldn't be real just once, huh?"

"Huh?" Courtney asked, not quite catching that as her heartbeat overwhelmed her eardrums.

Jasmine peeked out from under the hat with a single dreary, shimmering eye. "You really lied until the end, didn't ya? Guess everyone was right about you. You are a snake."

Courtney gulped. "I-I had to-"

"To what? Lie to my face all day? Give me hope that I'd see the finale this time only to rip it away? What's wrong with you?"

The CIT could only cringe, defensively pulling back. "J-Jasmine, I couldn't tell you or you'd-"

"Get mad? I'm not mad that I'm done. I'm mad that I was dumb. Dumb enough to trust you to honor your word. To trust you with my game. To trust you to not lie just once this season and grow a pair for once. I thought you'd have the courage to stand face to face with me and own your choice, but you can't even do that. I don't even wanna hear it. Enjoy the finale, Courtney. Hope it's everything you ever wanted and then some."

Jasmine sighed, stood up, and wandered off into the night. But before she left, she shot a finger pistol towards one of the final three. "Good luck, mate. I'll be rootin' for ya. Thanks for the hinky, I guess."

Lightning send a single wave her way, then went back to looking a little glum. Sugar on the other hand, well...

"I. Can't. Believe you!" she bellowed. "You threw a vote at the final four when I was in trouble?! The heck kinda strategy was that?!"

Lightning winced, backing off with both hands held out in case his girlfriend got violent. "Whoa, I just wanted to make Jasmine feel like someone cared about her, like you did for me and I did for you. It was gonna be a three to one anyways, so-"

"And what if it wasn't, huh? If Little Miss Prissy Pants over here voted me, I'd be hosed! What kinda stew-pid thoughts you got up there in that noggin of yours?!"

Lightning flinched, whipping away in a mix of shame and anger. "Well... We still made it."

Sugar turned away as well. "Yeah, no thanks to you!"

Courtney, all the while, sat there with bags under her eyes, zoning out all the chaos surrounding her. The emotions clouding her mind were... incapable of being captured by words.

And then Chris popped up, startling the trio. "Behold, the final three! Everyone say finaleeeee!"

Nobody replied. Yikes.

"Wow, talk about a buzzkill of a send-off," Chris mumbled. "But there you have it! Three finalists gunning for the cash! Three generations represented! Three doses of delicious drama ripe for the picking! And just one jam-packed episode left with the biggest challenge of the season still to be played! Who will take home the title? Will it be perennial fallen angel Courtney, two time finalist Lightning, or Pahkitew powerhouse Sugar? Who will fall short of fame and fortune? Who will simply survive? Find out all those answers and many more, next time, on the epic, can't-miss season finale of... Total! Drama! Clash of the Titans!"

He pressed one more button on that remote and Jasmine's giant stone bust exploded, clouding the amphitheater in dust as the feed cut.

Exclusive Final Words: Jasmine (Again)

Jasmine cried. Not straight up bawling, but... a few tears streamed down that shadow-cloaked face of hers.

"I tried... I gave it everything I had. I'm... I'm sorry, Shawn. I thought I had it. A chance at least. I don't even know what to say. Well..." She peered into the camera, wiping her tears away. "I do want to say something to each of the final three. Lightning, you played this game like a true champion. grew into a cool guy, and I hope ya take it out if I can't be there myself. Sugar... You know how I feel about you. You're pretty darn nasty and I can't say you deserve a spot in the finals, but at least you were straight with your feelings towards me."

She took a brief break.

"And Courtney. I hope you're happy with yourself at the end of all this. That's all I got to say. I'm ready to go hug my man and give him the love he deserves. G'night, mates."

Voting Confessionals

Jasmine dropped Sugar's coin in the urn. "This is it. Moment of truth. One challenge away from the finale... or another fourth place finish. It's do-or-die, and I'm gonna do."

Sugar hummed a little tune as she dropped Jasmine's coin in the slot. "Happiest I've ever been to cast a vote in my life. Enjoy the ferry ride, Jas-man."

Lightning sighed, casting his vote for Courtney. "Look, dude. It's gonna be unanimous, so why not give Jasmine a little token of appreciation, right? She deserves it. Besides, Courtney ain't been there for the Lightning this season. To her, he's just her little pawn. Well, in this game of chess, you might as well king me. Tomorrow's the big game, and Lightning's gonna take her down."

Courtney sat there for a few seconds before she even reached for a coin. It was Sugar's. "Okay. So... I've weighed my options, and it's still hard. Jasmine's gonna be the toughest opponent I could possibly face. But going to the finale with a showmance could be the dumbest move of all time shy of voting yourself off... Ugh, I just... I promised Jasmine final three, but I never planned to take her to the finale though. That's the problem. I've gone back on my word before, and this time's for all the marbles potentially..." She grabbed Jasmine's coin with her other hand. "And... if I didn't play this game as hard as I could and lose for a fifth time after everything I've been through..." She dropped Jasmine's coin in the urn. "Then it was all for nothing. Sorry, Jasmine. But this is my season, not yours. You played hard, but I played smarter. Hopefully you can forgive me for what I had to do."

Eliminated: Mike, Zoey, Owen, Alejandro, Shawn, Duncan, Heather, Gwen, Scott, Sky, Beth, Cody, Jasmine

The Final Three: Courtney, Lightning, Sugar

Reasoning for Elimination: And that's all she wrote. Jasmine is officially out after the wildest journey of the season. She went from a shocking early boot, to Underworld comp beast, to surprise returnee in Shawn's sacrificial wake, to dominant player in a strong alliance, to total underdog with no trustworthy allies, to robbed fallen angel getting fourth place yet again, one day short of the finale she honestly would have won in my head canon. But that's why she had to go, because for the sake of story, one final betrayal by Courtney, some beef between the season's main couple, and a tragic elimination of the season's biggest hero is the only way I could have seen such a dramatic season wrapping up its penultimate episode.

Jasmine was someone I really enjoyed tackling though. Writing her out of the main game super early and breaking her down was something I knew would be for the best given how far she was planned to go. It gave her a unique story and game path that nobody else took, and having her leave right here is... Well, I'm not sure how it'll be received. I intended for her to be both a clear winner contender and a major hero, but then again, a lot of people probably weren't digging her cocky attitude and more negative traits, which I included from the jump to flesh her out beyond "She's badass and heroic, pls stan!" She had her ups and downs, her pros and cons, her positives and negatives. But regardless of your feelings towards her, I hope you can appreciate her as a complex character with legit flaws.

A/N: And then there were three. The final three, one of which will be crowned the winner in the finale. I... don't know how many people called THIS ending, and I admit it looks a little bit train wrecky without context. Because no joke, seeing Lightning and Sugar in the finale of a season cast to be full of the ultimate All-Stars, and as the season's new ship nonetheless, would probably turn a lot of people off. Courtney being there makes sense. She's been denied a chance at the win for years and isn't at all a strange choice for a finalist. But the other two? Yeah, it's a bit odd. But the story is there for both of them, as well as Courtney, so no matter who wins, the winner WILL have some kind of arc that justifies their victory.

Now, about the finale itself. It's gonna be BIG, so I might end up splitting it in two parts. It might also drop later than usual, past the two week deadline I had set for weeks this season. I'm just wrapping up this episode at 3 AM on a Sunday morning with the episode dropping Thursday, but I also had half this episode written weeks ago. So we'll see. Either way, this season IS getting finished. No eternal hiatus. It might take a little more time than usual because I want to make sure it's done well, but it's coming.

Until then... Thanks for all the love and support as usual!