In the early days of Total Drama Everything, I took my competitors into an abandoned mine, where teams battled on mine carts and people got shocked to a crisp.

Today, another mine comes in for vengeance. And pain.

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Chris' recap: "Last time on Total Drama Everything 2, the two teams got their first taste of the Wizarding World when they took a large red train to Hogwarts. I assure you, Harry was more excited than I had ever seen him. First, a scavenger hunt to warm everyone up. During the search, Mega Man wound up fulfilling another task by taking two steps to the left to avoid detection by Mandy and Ivy who were planning on tackling Ruby and Sonic, the two lovebirds still forced to stay Stars won the scavenger hunt, and was given a huge advantage in a team vs. team Quidditch match, where Cynder, Deadpool, and Snake came to join in on the fun. And Nom Nom made a pretty excellent announcer. Up to her evil tricks, Ivy decided to take matters into her own hands and put Ruby in harm's way of a crazy bludger, only for Sonic to take the blow at the last second, which allowed the two speedsters to reunite and help Mega Man give Sonic a much-needed ice pack, fulfilling a second task. Unfortunately, everything turned out to be Ivy's plan, as she used Sonic's heart against him and convinced the Stars to give the Blue Blur the boot. As a bonus to the plan, she threatened Nom Nom to keep everything a secret and tricked poor Yusei. So much for their budding friendship. How will Nom Nom repair what he had damaged? Will Ivy follow through on her plan to betray Mandy? Maybe we'll find the answers right now. On Total. Drama. Everything 2!"

*theme song*

"I think this is the largest amount of good-luck messages we have ever received," Chris said, looking at the giant bag. It was stuffed with the familiar video devices.

Nom Nom was also looking at the bag. "Sure is a big response."

"Yep. You know what to do. You're not getting lunch until each device has been given out."

The koala glared at him. "Of course, 'master'," he growled.

"Darn right, I am."

Nom Nom shook his head and walked out of the cockpit, ready to deliver the messages.

"Let's see," he said, counting inside the bag. "One message sent to four people altogether….going to have to divide that one. Another from Mandy….oh God, it's that Story person again. Another Ruby, another Ivy, one for Leo, and one for….."

He sighed in frustration. "...Yusei."

"Oh, shut up," Chris said from inside the cockpit. "Just get it done."

"Right away, 'your majesty'."

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"I don't know who I hate more," Nom Nom said. "Chris, Ivy, or Yusei?"

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Since there had been so many messages, everyone had gathered in the cafeteria to receive them. Once Nom Nom entered the room, everyone went silent and looked at him.

"You guys know the drill," he said. "If you have one or more messages from home, get in line. If not, sucks to be you. Now, I need scythe girl, robot boy, the devil child, the hippie, the prince with daddy issues, and Yusei to get in line. Single file! I said single file!"

"What's up with you?" Ruby asked, noticing Nom Nom's mood.

"Nothing. Just come get your messages so I can fume in peace."

One by one, the people whom Nom Nom listed were given one or two devices to watch the videos. As they got them, the koala would glare at them, and they at the security camera, where he knew Chris was watching.

The last competitor to receive their message(s) was Yusei. And this exchange was different. This time, Nom Nom didn't glare at him. He barely looked at him at all. In fact, he could barely force himself to give him the device. Yusei took it in a similar way, and then walked away without another word.

Nom Nom looked at him as he left, shaking his head. This koala knew just how much he had screwed up.

Someone was looking at him too. Ivy had a victorious smirk on her face as she and Mandy looked at Nom Nom.

"I hope this makes you excited," Ivy said. "That jerk betrayed you last season because you were merely playing the game your way."

Mandy nodded. "I didn't even know he was starting to settle things with Yusei."

"Well, now that this is done, Nom Nom won't become a threat to our plans."

"Serves him right."

"Rest assured, Mandy. You have my word that I won't do the same."

"Good."

Gaz was walking back to the cargo hold to play on her Game Slave, when she overheard the conversation. She had to bite her lip in order to keep from blurting out the truth.

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"That little liar!" Gaz blurted out. "Mandy has got to find out the truth soon, or history will repeat itself. And there's a difference this time. Nom Nom only betrayed Mandy because she betrayed him first. I know Ivy merely wants to throw out the pawn in her game when she outlasts her usefulness. That's way worse than revenge.

"I'm going to have to tell Mandy personally if it's ever going to get into her head."

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"In the meantime, I want to see one of the messages," Ivy said, turning on one of her devices.

(Ivy's message, submitted by EggLover)

Eggman is around various robots and something that has a camera in his hands

Sr. Eggman: Hello, My name is Ivo Robotnik but everyone else call me Eggman. Listen, I have a great history, and I made some pretty good ideas with my creations. But that meddlesome hedgehog Sonic and his meddlesome friends have foiled almost everything I ever planned, so thank you for eliminating him from that Total Drama whatever show, and I hope you win, Poison Ivy.

Eggman: Also, I am planning to expand my empire and I heard about your activities against Batman, so I think we could join forces after the game, and possibly a date. Of course I heard I can't kiss you, but I think we could be a very good couple, and we can defeat everyone else in our way. But please don't bring that Mandy girl, she scare me a little, so anyways call me.

*end*

"To be this man's queen," Ivy said. "I'll consider it."

"A shame he didn't invite me," Mandy pointed out. "At least he admits I scare him."

Ivy smiled. "Now, let me see one of your messages."

Mandy looked at one of her devices and turned it on.

"Be warned," Mandy said. "According to the address on the back, it's that Story lady again."

(Mandy's message, submitted by Storygirl000)

(We open up somewhere in the void. Story is there, riding Oceana (her Kyogre, currently in Primal Reversion mode). Accompanying her are two Pheromosa, named Lusie and Roma. She looks ABSOLUTELY ticked off.)

Story: Hello, Mandy. (growling) You know, I gave Ivy a chance. I warned her what would happen if she tried anything on Ruby and Sonic. But she didn't listen, and now she has to pay the price for what she's done.

Lusie and Roma: (chitter in agreement)

Story: I'll be arriving to exact some karma and pick up Shroomy sometime soon. It might be before you get this message, it might be after. In the meantime, I think you should reconsider who you should put your trust in. There's more to Ivy's plan than meets the eye, you know.

(Lusie and Roma nod in agreement)

Story: I guess I'll see you when I arrive at the plane. (to Oceana) WARP SPEED, YOU MAJESTIC WATER BEAST!

(Oceana cries out; video goes to static)

*end*

Ivy only had one reaction: laughter. "This girl really thinks she can scare me?" she asked. "I'm a world-renowned supervillainess. All she has is a giant whale."

"So what do we do?"

"We'll give her back the stupid mushroom. But once she gets it, we'll push her off the plane. That will teach her not to mess with Poison Ivy."

"Quick question: what did she mean by 'more to Ivy's plan than meets the eye'?"

"Oh, nothing. Remember, it's a girl who doesn't know what she's doing."

"True."

(Meanwhile…)

Leo had walked into the hallway so he could watch his own message. He really wanted some privacy for this. His message had actually arrived with a box.

(Leo's message, submitted by Evenanandro1dcancry)

The video starts, and two people are seen outside a large castle. One is a thief with an eyepatch and white hair named Niles, and the other is a mage with blond hair named Odin. They are Leo's royal retainers.

Odin: Pray tell has our message to Lord Leo begun?

Niles: Yes Odin, it's started.

Odin: Excellent, Niles. Salutations, Lord Leo. I am glad the winds of fate have allowed us to converse with you once more before your return.

Niles: That has to be the most complicated way to say hello ever.

Odin: I merely wish for Lord Leo to know how I have awaited for his return. It has been quite difficult without him.

Niles: Seriously with you gone his highness-your father-has had us helping out your siblings and their retainers. Prince Xander had us doing the most menial tasks the other day, and Princess Elise wanted us to join her in the most childish game.

Odin: I quite enjoyed spending time with Princess Elise. Her boundless energy rejuvenated my spirit. I cannot await another day we'll spent with her.

Niles: Personally I found helping Princess Camilla to be the best time we've had with your siblings. There were two big reasons in particular I enjoyed her company, if you know what I mean milord.

Odin: Come now Niles, Lord Leo does not wish to waste time hearing of how enchanting spending time with his sisters has been. I am sure he wishes to discuss his matters instead as it has been ages since we last conversed.

Niles: It has been quite a while Lord Leo. Just know we have managed to see a few of your moments on the show during our time off.

Odin: Indeed we've witnessed many of your feats of glory. You have proven to be quite the competitor.

Niles: My favorite part was seeing how you won over the tennis girl, milord. Too bad she got eliminated the challenge after you got together. Then again, it is a large plane and I imagine the flight to be quite long. Who knows just how much the two of you managed to do together in that short span of time? (He winks suggestively.)

Odin: Niles you know Lord Leo would never commit such sacrilegious acts, especially in a public setting.

Niles: I'm just saying she was quite charming and good looking. Not to mention Lord Leo was after her since day one. I'd imagine after waiting so long he wouldn't wait any longer to "spend time" with her. I know I wouldn't.

Odin: Niles! How can you possibly say such slanderous things about Lord Leo?

Niles: You know I merely jest, milord. On a more serious matter though milord, please do not blind yourself in your quest to get revenge over your dearly departed.

Odin: I agree milord. Ivy is quite the cunning strategist. Stay focused on the main objective of securing victory. Fate will take care of Ivy and your sweetheart shall be avenged in due time.

Niles: The last thing we want is for you to get eliminated due to a simple mistake made out of anger or frustration, especially with how King Garon has been on edge recently. If you don't win milord there's a good chance you may be exiled from the kingdom for failing him and failing Nohr.

Odin: We must unfortunately be off now Lord Leo. However, before we go, we have enclosed a special gift to make the rest of your travels more bearable.

Niles: We know how much you enjoy tomatoes milord, but there don't seem to be any available for you. Princess Camilla helped us sneak some out of the royal kitchen to send you quite a few. There should be enough to last until the show is over but only if you limit yourself to a single tomato a day.

Odin: It has been a pleasure Lord Leo and upon your return Niles I, along with your siblings, shall host the largest banquet and a royal ball fit for a king in your honor.

Niles: Make sure to bring your special lady to the royal ball milord, as your siblings are dying to meet her and this seems like the best opportunity.

Odin: Farewell Lord Leo. May you have an eventful remaining time and we shall be eagerly awaiting your return.

Niles: There's not much competition left milord you will win I believe in you, Odin believes in you, your siblings believe in you, and I'm sure somewhere deep within your father believes in you as well.

*end*

They must have made sure these didn't get squashed or spoiled on the way here, Leo said as he took one of the tomatoes out of the box.

He smiled. Though he was a little embarrassed by his retainers' comments about him spending "alone time" with Julie, he was glad they had responded. Now he had a snack.

Or, if Ivy were to ever try to take him out, a weapon.

"I'm fighting for you, Julie," he whispered as he walked into the first-class room.

He walked to the counter, where he passed by Ruby, who was about to read one of her own messages.

(Ruby's message, submitted by SonnikuLover)

Amy is with her friends Cream the Rabbit and Big the Cat with his pet frog named Froggy.

Amy: Ruby, if you are seeing this message, good. Because I saw the last episode and I am so angry right now about our Sonikku being eliminated.

Cream: Amy, we are also upset about what happened but don't you think are you over exaggerating?

Amy: Of course not. Anyways Ruby I hope you see this video because believe it or not despite the fact that I am still kind of upset with you, I hope you win or at least go farther than that grass evil witch Ivy.

Big: Well, Ivy is horrible but she did it to torment everyone, not just only you.

Amy: No offense Big, but if Ivy harms Froggy, how you will react to that?

Big: I could make her regret that!

Amy: Anyways, Ruby we are on your side, avenge Sonikku, and when Ivy is eliminated, I hope soon, (she prepares her Piko Piko Hammer.) I will be ready.

*end*

"Already working on it," Ruby said, smiling. She wasn't about to let Sonic's elimination get in her way. She was out for the money, and the revenge. She held Crescent Rose, in compact form, and nodded at the blank screen. "Bring it on, Ivy."

Then she had turned her attention to the other device. This one had instructions on the back, telling her that it was for her, Mega Man, Ivy, and Mandy. The other three had all gotten the message, but parts of each were blocked out so no one could find out what the messenger had said about the other three.

(Ruby's, Mega Man's, Ivy's, and Mandy's message, submitted by coolgirl526)

A 16 year old girl with short, shoulder length brown hair and red framed glasses sits in a simple purple office chair looks at the screen.

Girl: Hello? Uh hi! I'm Coolgirl526, and I've been a good fan for a good while now and been cheering you guys on for a while now. I just wanted to say a few things to you to kinda warn/help you guys out.

To Ruby: Sweetheart, I know you just been dealt a hard blow of losing Sonic because SOMEONE (not naming any names) likes to be the sinker of ships. But back to the point. Honey your last name is Rose, live up to it. Now is the time to grow your thorns and grow stronger as now you have someone to fight for, Sonic. Use your pain to grow stronger and not keep you held back. Make him proud and continue fighting. Got it?

To Mandy: Mandy, Mandy, Mandy... There are things I can't say, but I hope to get them to you to the best of my ability. You know the odd things about icebergs? The things we see above the water is only the tip. The rest is always far beneath the waves. A good way to describe someone. The persona they portray on the outside can only either worsen, or get better. Watch yourself and remember, the worst kind of poison clings to the walls...

To Mega Man: Mega Man, you have been quite a curve ball. Now you are slowly becoming a glass tank. You are powerful yes, but you're walking on thin ice. You don't know when your going to fall in, but you will if you don't plan your next move perfectly. One wrong step, and you're out of the competition. Be careful and think before acting. It could save you on the long run.

To Ivy: And YOU. I can't decide on if I love to hate you or hate to love you, both for the same reason. How well you're doing as a villain. As I told someone else, there are things I can't say, but I have this nagging feeling that you're going to become stronger. But I do know that I'm thankfully seeing history repeat itself. And just like before, seeing your defeat will be satisfying. And also being a big superhero fan, I know the villain never wins. I only wish you the worst of luck.

*end*

All four recipients had different reactions to the message. Ruby grinned, her determination set. Mandy was intrigued, wondering what the girl had meant. Ivy just snickered, believing this girl was wrong.

And Mega Man had certainly gotten something from the message. So far, he had given Toph a hug, Daxter a dirty diaper, Sonic an ice pack, and had walked two steps to the left in order to gather information from Ivy undetected. He still had Double D's roses and Harry's dead mice.

Judging by what he had just heard, he would have to plan accordingly if he wanted to give the items without going in over his head.

(Meanwhile…)

Chris looked at the security cameras. "Just Yusei's message left," he said. Then he turned to the cameraman. "To everyone watching, brace yourself. This one's a weird one."

They looked at one of the cameras in first-class's broom closet, where he was hoping to watch his in private. He was hoping for some good news, and certainly didn't want Nom Nom anywhere near the screen.

(Yusei's message, submitted by Vegetalucard)

We see Crow competing in a balcony in what looks like a dueling tournament.

Crow: Now listen, brother! I know it looks like Nom Nom did ya wrong, but when it comes crashing down, and it hurts inside, ya gotta take a stand, it don't help to hide! What I'm sayin' is you gotta forgive him brother! Ya gotta forgive him or... Or Americantan will be destroyed! I got one am a supporter of them, and I don't want it destroyed brother! So if that happens, what'cha gonna do, when Crowmania runs wild on you?

The thing is it didn't sround like Crow, and the words didn't match his lip movements. It then transitions to other footage.

Jack: (in a Southern accent) Yeehaw! I am in agreement with the thangs comin' outta' Crow's mouth. So Yusei, you better saddle up on forgivin' that koala!

Leo: Me and my sister Luna agree as well.

Akiza: Uh, yeah, I'm so like, not asking you to do thaaaaaat. It's not that we like, don't want you suspicious, but like... I'm allergic to koalaaaaaaas.

Crow: But Akiza, what about Janistan brother?

Akiza: What about Flyinpaaaaaaan? (Jack looks at her)

Jack: I don't quite like your tone Akiza. Imma set y'all straight now! Y'all come back here young lady!

(Jack follows a slow-moving, edited in the video, Akiza top-speed on his duel runner.)

(We now go to footage of Muffy, which has her near what looks like Yusei's leg.)

Muffy: Yusei, gaze into my eyes! You are now at my control! You will now forgive Nom Nom!

The video then goes to Deadpool breakdancing for money.

Deadpool: Yusei, forgive Nom nom or me and the... Dog... Leader.. will wipe you from existence! Chimichanga catchphrase!

(As if the video weren't absurd enough, it then cuts to Yugi Muto in what looks like a fog effect.)

Yugi: Yusei, oooooo, You must forgive Nom nom, or I'll haunt-

(He is cut short when another voice is heard off-screen.)

?: Nom nom! Get me out of this bucket! (The voice sounds an awful lot like Chris.)

Yugi: Ignore that, it's the... drunk ghost of Joe... Joe Speed.

'Other' ghost: I'm not drunk! ... Ok, so maybe I did drink some wine before this, but just get me out!

Kaiba (who was there for some reason): Uhh, Don't let Joe distract you. I don't even have any idea why he would do something so stupid to begin with!

(The fog effect vanishes.)

'Other' ghost who is clearly Chris: Hey, Chef bet $20 that I couldn't do this, but I did. Now get me out of this bucket!

Another voice: I had no idea he'd actually do it!

Yugi: Ok, bottom-line, forgive Nom nom or I'll haunt you!

*end*

Outside the broom closet, Double D was looking around.

"Where did Yusei go?" he asked.

A mere two seconds later, the closet door burst open, and a blue-black-red-yellow blur sped out of the room and dashed to the bathroom. Somehow, he wound up going faster than Sonic or Ruby ever did. Everyone looked at the message device, which now had a cracked screen.

"Found him," Leo said as they heard barfing coming from the bathroom.

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Yusei was sitting on the toilet, shivering.

"I have no idea what I just watched," he said. "All I know is that that was several minutes of my life I will never be able to get back.

"Still, I understand the message. And whoever sent it, whether it was my friends or the ghost of Yugi Moto, know that forgetting about what happened is not as easy as you think. I want to believe it wasn't Nom Nom's fault for what happened. I truly do. But I've been on the bad end of his schemes before. He was behind most of last season's eliminations, including my own. I can't let him bamboozle me again.

"Besides, I've been through enough this season already. Has everyone already forgotten the fact that I've been dumped, injured, confused, humiliated, fooled, scared, nearly shish-kabobed, and gotten stuck in quicksand-among other things- ALL IN ONE SEASON?! And we're not even at the merge yet.

"The point is, I've already been through alot this season before the latest deal with Nom Nom. And he has an impressive legacy, to boot. To be frank, I want to believe and forgive him, but I don't know if that's possible right now."

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"Don't know what that was about," Double D said, walking past the bathroom. As he walked, he saw Gaz, who was going into the cargo hold.

"Salutations," Double D said.

"Shut up, nerd."

That was the only response Double D got. Gaz rolled her eyes as she walked into the cargo hold, leaving Double D standing there.

He was used to these types of responses from her. Gaz generally avoided her teammates in favor of playing on her Game Slave. So everyone got those responses when they tried to talk to her. But there was a difference when it came to Double D.

Whenever Double D had tried to talk to Gaz about anything, Gaz would always glare at him and call him a nerd, a geek, sockhead, etc. To everyone else, she just ignored them or simply said, "Shut up", or "Beat it".

Double D had been questioning this for a few weeks now. He wondered why Gaz always seemed to target him she hated his guts, though he didn't know what for.

Or it could be…..something more complicated than that…..

And if that was true….

Double D slapped himself. He was not supposed to think about Gaz that way!

(In the cockpit…)

"How much longer until we get there?" Chris asked Chef.

Chef didn't answer. He just whistled.

"Uh, Chef? Did you hear me?"

"I may have to admit something."

"What?"

Chef's eyes shifted in all directions. "The GPS is broken."

Silence.

Then Chris laughed. "Oh, that's funny. For a moment there, I thought you said the GPS was broken."

More silence. Chris' eyes widened.

"What? How? When?"

"The GPS is broken. Nom Nom was frustrated after being tricked by Ivy, and he kicked a bunch of stuff. I guess he hit the GPS. And this happened twelve hours ago. That's you what, how, and when."

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"Truth is, I may have shifted the blame," Chef said. "That broken GPS what Chris gets for not giving me a raise."

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"Do you at least have autopilot on?"

Chef looked at him. "Nom Nom broke that too."

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"And the autopilot is for not giving me the extra week vacation," Chef added.

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Chris was fuming. "So you mean to tell me we have been blindly flying around for twelve hours straight, with no telling on where we are, or if we're even close to our destination?"

Chef nodded. "Yeah, pretty much."

"Get me the intercom."

All of a sudden, the speaker came on throughout the entire plane.

"Everyone, prepare for a rough landing! Where we are, I have no idea! Nom Nom, I'll deal with you later!"

Then Chris turned back towards Chef. "Land! Now!"

Chef nodded and quickly took the plane on a nosedive, leaving everyone screaming.

There was no runway. Instead, Chris announced, "Everyone just jump off! Get a parachute and jump!"

The competitors were all too scared of Chris' bad mood to object, so everyone quickly grabbed a parachute and jumped off the plane.

As for the plane itself, it luckily landed on a smooth area of dirt. Chris, Chef, and Nom Nom were all shaking; they had stayed on the plane during the entire landing.

"I call that landing a perfect 10," Chris said, close to hyperventilating from both fear and anger.

(Later…)

Everyone had landed in a forested area, which just so happened to be in the middle of nowhere. Still, it wasn't long before everyone regrouped.

"That was, by far, the worst landing we have ever had," Leo said, brushing leaves off his outfit.

"What was Chris thinking?" Mega Man asked.

Ruby looked around. "No idea. Anyone know where we are?"

After a few moments of everyone sitting and wondering, Chris showed up with Nom Nom.

"Sorry about the scary landing. Somebody, who's name I will leave anonymous-" he glared at Nom Nom, who looked confused "-broke both the GPS and autopilot. So we had to make an emergency landing in the middle of nowhere. Chef's looking around right now for a place where we can have an emergency challenge until the GPS and autopilot are fixed. Speaking of which, Nom Nom, call an aircraft technician."

Nom Nom sighed and started dialing on the phone Chris handed him.

"Hey, Chris! What about over here?"

Chris and the others ran in the direction of Chef's shout. When they reached him, what they found was interesting. It was a giant mountain with a snowy cap. At the base of the mountain, the group saw what looked like railroad tracks, and a minecart sitting just outside. The tracks lead directly inside a cave, and it wasn't long before everyone realized what the mountain really was.

"You have got to be kidding," Mandy said.

"I'm not getting stuck in a giant crate again, am I?" Yusei asked.

Chris shook his head. "Since we're short on options, we might as well bring back a challenge from last season. That challenge is none other than the mine challenge. This time, there will be no kidnapping of teammates or crazy minecart battles. It's just a simple race." He then whispered something into the earpiece he had on. "There is a definite exit to this mine, and it's on the other side of the mountain. First team to make it back with all of their teammates wins invincibility. The losers, they know the drill."

He then made an axe sharpening sound and a gesture of cutting off his head.

"Of course, we only just found this place in the middle of nowhere, and we have made no modifications to it of any kind. However, that's what makes this challenge so interesting. We don't know what's in there to begin with, and neither do you guys. Could be snakes, could be cave-ins, could be broken elevator shafts. We don't know. So no worries."

"So we're just doing a rehash of last season again?" Mandy asked.

Chris glared at her. "You try and come up with a challenge after having to make an emergency landing."

Mandy rolled her eyes.

"I need a vacation," Chris said. "Anyway, I would ask you if you guys were ready, or if you had any questions, but I'm not in the mood right now. So just go in. Just go."

Apprehensively, everyone walked into the mine.

"You look like you need a nap," Nom Nom told Chris.

"Actually, that sounds good. Chef, tell the other interns to fetch me a lawn chair. As for you, Nom Nom, you go into the mine and stay there until the challenge is over."

"What? Why?"

"Because I said so."

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"I hate this stupid job!" Nom Nom exclaimed. "I hate this job, Ivy bamboozled me, what more has to happen?!"

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The first thing everyone ran into was an elevator. Since it was the only way, everyone went down to a lower level. This time, there were several warped and twisted paths.

"I suggest we all split up," Mega Man told the Stars. "That way, at least one of us will make it."

The Stars all went in separate directions. Leo looked at the rest of the Moons.

"We should do the same thing," he said. "Time to move."

Soon, every single competitor was on the go.

(Meanwhile…)

Chris was quietly snoring away on the lawn chair, while Chef watched the challenge on the security monitor.

"This should be fun," he said, switching between feeds. At the moment, he was watching Mega Man's feed.

"Mice, and roses," Mega Man kept repeating. "Mice, and roses. How the heck am I going to give those to Harry and Double D without drawing attention to myself?"

He didn't expect his mission to be this much trouble.

(Back to Chef…)

"Now this is fun," he said.

(Back in the mine…)

Yusei was running through the hallways, looking for the way out. At one point, he comes across a fork in the path, with two different ways to go to. Wanting to think for a second, Yusei sat down. As he sat, he spotted a spider on the ceiling, building a web.

"Oh, shut up," Yusei said to the spider, being too exhausted to be scared at the moment.

And he was too focused on the challenge to worry about Nom Nom. And that was saying something, because that had been eating at him ever since right after Hogwarts.

Yusei knew he wanted to believe Nom Nom was telling the truth. But after all that happened last season, when Nom Nom tried to break up him and Lammy, and gotten him eliminated?

He had no idea.

(Meanwhile…)

Nom Nom was also walking around the mine, having absolutely no idea what he did to deserve it.

"Whatever they said I did, I swear I didn't," he said to the cameraman. "I am quite positive. Though I think it must have had to do with the plane, because Chris kept glaring at me after it landed."

He stopped walking, and then sighed. "Who cares, anyway? I have bigger things to worry about."

If anyone had told Nom Nom last season that he would grow to respect his rival, he would have laughed. For two days straight. Now, all he felt was that he deserved the blame for what had happened.

"What have I done?" he asked.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

"Wait a minute…."

After Nom Nom realized it, he swore. Loudly. "I thought they had forgotten to put me into one of these things!"

"As if," Chris said through walkie-talkie. "You know Chris never forgets this stuff. And neither do the producers."

(Author's Note: No, Nom Nom isn't turning a new leaf. Despite everything that's happened, he's still a jerk. But having gained respect in Yusei, he might as well feel guilty for letting himself be tricked by Ivy. And now the show is fulfilling their promise and making Nom Nom finally sing. This song has a medium-tempo with a pop vibe in it, and is titled "I Wouldn't Change A Thing".)

Nom Nom: Don't get me wrong

A new leaf is not turning

For me.

I simply ask myself

Why did ever want to help?

The reason is plain to see

I cannot deny

I always hated this guy

And I still do

But as I have said

I don't let debts go unpaid.

I wish I could tell him that is true

Now I'm still not sure if I

Can accept what he thinks

If friends are what gets you by

The reason you won't blink

Fame, fortune, and the Internet

What else could I need?

But everything that happened this season

I wouldn't change a thing.

Everything that happened this season

I wouldn't change a thing.

"Are you ending already?" Chef asked.

"I said I would sing. I didn't say I would sing a 40-minute opera."

"Fair enough. Oh, and there's an elevator down one of the paths to the exit. Can you go make sure it runs more slowly than the others?"

Nom Nom shut off the walkie-talkie. "If I weren't dealing with the goody-two-shoes Yusei, I would have quit by now," he said as he went to find the elevator.

(Meanwhile…)

Mandy had no idea where she was going. Nor did she really care. These challenges were always stupid to her. She couldn't care less about what was in a stupid mine in a stupid mountain in the middle of a stupid forest while competing on this stupid show. That's what she kept thinking as she came to a stupid fork in the road.

Speaking of people and things Mandy thought stupid, one such person came to the very same fork.

"Look what the cat dragged in," Mandy said.

"And look what the cat regurgitated," Gaz said in reply.

Mandy scoffed. "Clever," she said sarcastically. "I'd trash talk you some more, but I have a challenge to win, so if you'll excuse me…"

She started to walk away, but Gaz stopped her, knowing very well this was the perfect chance. "How do you think Ivy's doing?"

"Mines aren't exactly her thing, but she's smart. That's what makes her a good ally. Something you sorely lack. Poor you."

Gaz rolled her eyes. "Ivy's the very reason I don't want an ally. Do you have any idea what goes through someone's head? Especially her head?"

"I really don't care. Just know that the both of us are going to take you out of this game, and there is nothing you can do about it."

With one last glare, Mandy turned to walk away.

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"Yep, you had your chance," Gaz said.

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"Ivy is using you!" Gaz called out.

This one little statement made Mandy pause. She turned around to face Gaz again.

"What was that?"

"You heard me. Ivy is using you. You may think you are equal partners dominating this game together, but you're simply a pawn to her game. The only reason you've done what you've done so far since joining forces with her is because she is letting you. And soon, she is going to betray you."

Gaz couldn't tell if Mandy was even listening. Then, Mandy asked, "Where's your proof?"

"I heard Ivy say it while in the cargo hold."

"And the proof?"

"That's what I heard."

Mandy shook her head. "And like that, you have completely lost me. I hate to burst your bubble, but the reason Ivy and I teamed up is because I blackmailed her. If she hadn't joined up with me, I would have told both teams what really happened to that big fat panda Po. I'm the one that has Ivy on a leash, not the other way around. So how about you quit trying to fool me?"

"I'm not trying to fool you. I was telling the truth. I'm trying to warn you!"

"Oh, since when did Gaz suddenly care? When did she start to care about others? Heck, I'm surprised she even has a crush right now."

SLAP!

Gaz looked at her enemy, angrier than she had ever been. "Don't ever say a word about that again!"

"Have you already forgotten who you're dealing with?" Mandy asked, rubbing her face. "My guess is, you have. Remember what I said back in Hollywood? Ivy and I know all about your crush on Double D."

"Leave him out of this!"

"Uh, no."

An instant later, Mandy kicked Gaz in the shin, knocking her down. Then, she slapped her, just like what Gaz had done seconds before.

"You're less like me than I thought," Mandy said, mockingly, as Gaz struggled to get up. "All you are is weak."

"When are you going to realize you've dug yourself into a hole?" Gaz asked. Mandy responded by slapping her again, then took some rope and tied Gaz's hand to a piece of heavy rebar.

Mandy then looked at her. "That should hold until everyone else is out of the mine. I can see it now. 'Gaz didn't care about this stupid challenge, she was too hung up on a silly rivalry.' Now who's in a hole?"

Gaz glared her most hateful glare she could muster.

"When you take the Drop of Shame home, give Grim my regards and tell him, 'told you so'," Mandy said as she walked away, leaving Gaz struggling to free her hand.

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"I think that moment right there was the closest I had ever come to smiling," Mandy said.

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Ruby was currently grateful for her Semblance. All she had to do was zoom down one hallway, make a really fast 180 if she hit a dead end, and then find another path. She was rocking this challenge.

"The closer I get to the end, the sooner the Moons can win," she said, while still running. "And the sooner Ivy can get what's coming to her. This is for Sonic."

She then hit another dead end. No matter. 180!

(Meanwhile…)

Leo had reached another fork in the path, and was trying to decide which way to go when he heard a voice coming closer. Quickly, he hid behind a rock.

It was Harry, and he looked down both paths for a second before taking out his wand. "Point Me."

The wand immediately spun and pointed up, halfway to the right. Since the deal with that spell was that it acted like a compass and had the wand point north, and since they had landed on the south side of the mountain, Harry grinned and started running down the path on the right.

Then Leo came out from behind the rock. "Thanks for the help, Harry," he said as he ran in the same direction.

(Somewhere else in the mine…)

Nom Nom had found the elevator, and was in the process of making it a little slower. A set of tools had been lain out for him, but he had no idea what he was doing.

"What the heck is this thing again?" he asked himself, holding a screwdriver.

He shook his head and looked at the elevator's buttons. "Still better than unclogging the toilets," he said.

As he fumbled with the tools, he heard footsteps coming closer to the elevator. Nom Nom did his best to ignore them. Soon, someone was standing only ten feet from him, but he still didn't look.

"If you want to take the elevator, you might want to find another one. This one's busy."

"I can see that."

Cue a few silent curses. That was definitely not the person Nom Nom wanted to deal with.

"If you must know, Yusei, I have to sabotage this elevator and make it as slow as a snail. I highly suggest you try another path."

Yusei looked at him and said, "Or you can let me get on, ride it at its normal speed, and then you can try to sabotage it. Or, from how you're doing, break it."

"Sorry I'm not a master of technology like you."

"I never said I was a master of technology. I just know enough to see that you're doing a pretty lousy job."

"At least I'm trying!"

"Like how you were 'trying' to be nice and turn over a new leaf? Good job."

Somehow, Nom Nom had only managed to keep his cool.

"I already told you I was sorry. Sorry for not telling you about the plan to get rid of Sonic. Ivy threatened me to keep it secret, and you know it."

Yusei just sighed and said, "I want to believe you were tricked. I really do. But your track record speaks for itself."

"Well, thanks for reminding me. By the way, I am actually quite proud of that record. Who else could have played the game so masterfully?"

"Ugh! You are impossible!"

Yusei then stepped on the elevator.

"Going up?" Nom Nom asked. "Make room for one more. I'm done with the elevator anyway."

Nom Nom pressed the button as Yusei begrudgingly let him onto the elevator. Soon, it started going up. Both men stayed silent.

That's when the longest minute of their lives began. It started when the light kept flickering on and off. Yusei and Nom Nom both looked at it and ignored it, thinking it was the lightbulb.

Then came the huge jolt that nearly sent the passengers falling to the floor. "Okay, that was odd," Nom Nom said.

Next thing to happen was the light just shut off. Now that the elevator had already suffered one jump, they were now concerned.

"Something's wrong," Yusei said. Both stood there in complete darkness.

Finally, another large jolt sent both Nom Nom and Yusei to the floor, followed immediately by a loud, screeching sound, and the sense of falling.

Of course, this led to two guys in an elevator going straight to the bottom, and both guys screaming.

Then, the whole thing ground to a halt. Yusei had his head covered, looking around to see if it was safe. Nom Nom was rocking back and forth in the fetal position.

"You okay?" Yusei asked.

"Yeah. You?"

"Yeah."

Both stood up, gained their bearings, and looked around. They were in semi-darkness, barely able to see each other. "What do you think happened?" Nom Nom asked.

"Well, I told you that you were rigging the elevator incorrectly."

"Let's not worry about that right now."

Yusei started to bang on the doors, wondering if they were near a level. However, he couldn't tell anything differently between bangs on that door. Nom Nom tried to push the button going up again, but it wouldn't work.

After a minute or so, both gave up. "Yeah, it's official," Nom Nom said. "We're stuck."

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"Trapped in an elevator with your old enemy," said Nom Nom. "The ultimate humiliation."

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"I hate darkness," Ivy muttered. "I hate dirt, and I hate when there's no sun. How do any living organisms survive in these conditions?"

Soon, she saw Mandy, who was heading in a direction perpendicular from Ivy.

"Know if we're getting closer?" Ivy asked.

"No, but I did guarantee the Stars' victory today."

"How did you do that?"

"I tied Gaz to rebar."

"Oh. Mandy, you are evil."

"And proud of it."

(Meanwhile…)

Gaz had managed to pick up a nearby rock and was now beating the rope, hoping to sever it with brute force. So far, it seemed to be working.

"When I find her, I'm going to kill her!" she exclaimed. "Nobody *pound* makes me *pound* look like *pound* a fool! *pound*"

As she kept trying to cut the rope, she heard whistling behind her. She turned and groaned when she saw Double D.

"Oh my, what happened to you?" Double D asked.

"None of your beeswax," Gaz snapped. At that moment, she finally managed to sever the rope, freeing her hand.

"I think it would be prudent to ask what happened that got my teammate in this situation."

Somehow, that got a response. "If you must know, Mandy tied me to that thing in hopes I would fall behind and the rest of the team would blame me."

"What for?"

This time, Gaz shook her head. "I would rather not tell. Trust me, it's for your own good."

Double D nodded, even though he remembered that the last time someone tried to do something for someone else's own good, that couple broke up.

"Then let's get out of here," he simply said.

"Okay. But if you're taking the same path I am, stay five minutes behind me. I'm not about to let people think I walked the whole thing with you. Later, Sockhead."

She went into the darkened path, and Double D grinned. That was the first time she didn't really try to ignore him. Maybe Gaz was okay.

Or perhaps more than okay. Downright awesome!

"Did I just think about someone as 'downright awesome'?" Double D asked himself. "Never again."

(Outside…)

Chris had woken up from his nap, and was back to his cheery, sadistic self. He watched as Ruby climbed out of the cave and outside. They were on the other side of the mountain.

"Congratulations, Ruby," Chris said. "You made it out first, giving the lead to the Mysterious Moons."

Ruby threw her fist up in the air and cheered. "Yeah!"

"And not a moment too soon. Here comes Harry now."

Harry smiled as he walked to the others. "So now Ruby and Harry are both here, so the teams are neck and neck. And as a special reward, both players get automatic invincibility should their teams lose."

Ruby and Harry high fived.

"Now we just have to wait for the other eight competitors," Chris announced. "And it looks like one competitor is stuck between an elevator and a hard place."

(Back in the mine…)

"Okay, so I rigged the elevator incorrectly," Nom Nom said. "Give me a break. Whenever something broke back at my house, I would usually have my servants take care of it. Why do you think I have servants?"

"Because you have a viral video with 50,000,000 views and only 500 likes somehow?" Yusei asked.

"Hey, I have zero dislikes. That counts for something. Wait, how did you know about that video?"

"I may have watched it in between seasons just for curiosity. Wound up regretting it after Leo (Note: one of the twins who's a friend of Yusei's, not the Leo in the game) teased me about it for three days straight."

Nom Nom laughed.

"Shut up."

Both said nothing else for another moment.

"You don't think the other competitors have already made it to the end, do you?" Yusei asked.

Nom Nom shook his head. "Nah."

"Still, we need to find a way out of here. If not, everyone will get there before we do. Not just because that will cost my team the challenge, but I highly doubt Chris is above leaving us both behind."

"For once, we agree on something."

The koala certainly agreed, but it didn't make things any better. In fact, he was starting to get a little antsy with loss of hope.

(Outside…)

Ivy and Mandy walked out into the sunlight, exhausted but triumphant.

"Ladies, you just gave a big lead to the Shooting Stars," Chris told them. "Congratulations."

Ivy smiled, while Mandy's expression remained unchanged.

"You know, people would be less inclined to want to eliminate you if you smiled," Chris told her.

"I really don't care," Mandy said.

A few seconds later, Leo also walked out of the mine.

"Nice job, Leo," Chris said. "That means half the competitors have made it through. The Mysterious Moons still have to wait for Double D, Gaz, and Yusei. The Shooting Stars have Mega Man and Moka left in the mine. Which team will make it out first?"

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"I wish he would shut up sometimes," Leo said.

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"I said five minutes behind me!" Gaz exclaimed.

"Hey, I went a different path to get here," Double D pointed out. "My guess is that mine was the shorter path."

Cue the Gaz glare. "If not for certain reasons, I would break your nose for having the nerve to tell me you went down the better path."

That was pretty understandable, but it led to questions. "Wait, what reasons?"

"None of your beeswax, Sockhead."

Strangely enough, Double D didn't find any malice under her voice at all.

Good for him, because he realized, in horror, that he was falling for the girl with that same voice.

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"Calm down, Eddward," Double D said to himself in a hushed tone. "Acquiring feelings for someone is normal. Nothing to worry about."

Silence.

"A lot to worry about."

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"Okay, I'm thinking of someone else," Nom Nom said. He and Yusei were still stuck in the elevator. "He's old, is a great uncle to a pair of fraternal twins, and runs a tourist trap in Oregon."

"Stan?" Yusei asked.

"Yes."

Suddenly, Nom Nom's walkie talkie turned on, with Chris at the other end. "Nom Nom, where are you? Chef asked you to sabotage the elevator three hours ago."

"Don't ask," Nom Nom replied.

"Well whatever it is you're doing, hurry it up. Mega Man just got out of the mine, and there aren't many people left in there. If you don't get out of there before the rest get out, we're leaving you behind."

Concerned, Nom Nom added, "What if I told you that I'm stuck in the very same elevator Chef told me to sabotage, and a competitor happens to be stuck with me?"

They could hear Chris sigh. "Knowing you, I'm just going to guess. Yusei?"

"Yep," they both said to Chris.

"Well then hurry up and escape, or we're leaving Yusei behind too! We're giving you three hours. Got that?"

Chris laughed as he heard the complaints from both human and koala as he shut off the walkie talkie.

"I don't care that you agreed to work with him in order to settle a debt with me," Yusei said. "Why the heck haven't you quit yet?"

Nom Nom sat down. "At this point, I have no idea."

He looked at his paws. "I guess this is it, huh?"

"What do you mean?" Yusei asked.

"I mean, Chris isn't going to come rescue us. He couldn't give two hoots. And we're in an abandoned mine Chris didn't even know existed until today. Who do you think is going to find this place, let alone find the elevator we're stuck in? Add those two together, and I think the equation comes to WE'RE NEVER GETTING OUT OF HERE!"

"Nom Nom, don't be like that. There's gotta be a-"

The koala shook his head. "Yusei, will you please be realistic for once in your life? I don't see any possible way we're going to get out of this stupid elevator. There's no way those elevator doors are going to magically open. Even if they do, are we anywhere near an opening large enough for both of us to get through? The chances of that are astronomical."

"But Nom Nom-"

"I don't want to hear it, Yusei. All I want to think about is how my fans are never going to see their cuddly cute koala ever again. I'll never be able to post another video, I'll never be able to keep my position as Cutest Bear on the Internet, and the only good thing about this is that I'll never see those three bear brother idiots ever again. Especially Grizzly."

Yusei could hardly believe his ears. The same Nom Nom who, weeks ago back in London, gave him the leg up he needed when Lammy dumped him, has now lost all hope that they would get out of the elevator. So Yusei was taking matters into his own hands. By this point, Nom Nom was too distracted to notice that Yusei was taking off his glove.

"Let's face it, Yusei. We're never getting out of here," Nom Nom said, starting to sob. This startled Yusei, for no one on this show had ever seen Nom Nom cry.

"I might as well sit here and let it come. Allow myself to die. No fighting, no nothing. Yusei, it's been a pleasure being your enemy, and-"

SLAP!

In a rare occurrence, someone had actually gotten Nom Nom to shut up. Yusei stared at him dead in the eye, while Nom Nom rubbed his face, looking at Yusei as though he had lost his mind. The duelist then spoke to him in a quiet, but firm tone.

"Nom Nom. Shut. Up."

The koala was still in shock. Anyone would if they had just been slapped in the face.

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"Don't tell Nom Nom this, but slapping him in the face was pretty satisfying," said Yusei.

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"You have to listen to me. I don't understand how you could have given up so easily. I haven't. Believe it or not, I haven't lost hope in getting out of here since we got stuck in the elevator. You wanna know why?"

Nom Nom said nothing.

"I never gave up hope because of you. Because of a lesson you taught me weeks ago back in London. I was sitting on that bus, completely broken days after one of the most amazing people I ever met ripped my heart out. And I was on the brink of giving up and quitting the competition altogether. Because after Lammy left like that and I didn't know the reason, what else did I have?"

A few seconds of silence as Nom Nom lowered his head, remembering that night.

"And who was it that reminded me that I had to move on and continue with the game? That was you, Nom Nom. You reminded me that I still had several friends in the game and a team that needed me. And though all of my friends have been eliminated since that night, I still play the game. Because I have a team to fight for. And a million dollars. Friends back home who wouldn't have wanted me to give up. You help me remember all that. If you hadn't helped me, I would never have had the stomach to take on Jack the Ripper. I would have quit the game or been eliminated by now if not for you. Needless to say, you really saved me that night. Again."

"Yeah, I know."

"And that same guy has completely convinced himself that there's no escape, and that we should just give up? Here's a hint, Nom Nom: practice what you preach."

This time, Nom Nom interrupted. "That advice was meant for you. And I'm not like you. I believe we've established that already. Unlike you, I don't have friends to fight for. Why, exactly? Because of one simple fact. I. Don't. Have. Friends. I don't even need friends. Fame, fortune, and the Internet. I've lived off that my whole life. All I need are those three things. Get that into your head. I have never had to fight for somebody because I never needed to fight for somebody."

"This isn't about friendship. This is about you not believing that we can do this. This is about you not trusting yourself. Besides, what about your fans? Don't you want to fight for them? Don't you want to survive for them? You may not realize, but you've been fighting for something and someone all along."

That was true, and Nom Nom knew. But he wasn't about to admit it.

"Besides," Yusei added as he put his glove back on, "you actually gave me an idea while you were talking."

"Really? About what?"

In response, Yusei stood up and moved to the doors. He put his hands between the middle and started pushing one end. It moved one inch; a good sign. On top of that, there was an opening on one floor of the mine near the top of the elevator cart.

"That little opening means freedom," Yusei said, smiling. "Nom Nom, I want you to push one side of the door while I push the other. It should be easier to open it."

"Yeah, but what if that door's stuck? It could be snagged on a rock or something. I'm still not sure we can do this."

Yusei just looked at him. "Nom Nom, right now I want you to forget everything that has made us enemies. At this moment, all that stuff no longer matters. Like it or not, we're in this together. So hurry up and push the door."

Seeing as there was no other way to convince Yusei, Nom Nom nodded. "I'll try." He stood up and got to the other end of the door. "I hope this works," he said.

"Just push on three. One, two, three!"

As they pushed, both sides of the door started to move further and further apart. After around a minute of pushing, they had an opening between the doors big enough for Yusei and Nom Nom both to crawl through.

"So far, so good," Nom Nom said. Sure enough, they had an opening that could get them to the floor above them. The problem was, only Yusei could climb up himself. Nom Nom was too short.

"You're going to have to give me a boost," Nom Nom told Yusei, who nodded and made his hands into a stepping stool for the koala to climb on.

"Your claws don't hurt, do they?"

"Not really."

Nom Nom stepped on the makeshift stool, and Yusei raised it so Nom Nom could climb through the opening. Once he did, he cheered.

"Yes! I'm out! I'm free!"

"Nom Nom!"

"Oh, alright."

Looking at the opening, Yusei grabbed the ledge and put his foot on a rock for a foothold. Quickly, he boosted himself up and was about to climb through. But when he did, his foot slipped and landed in a narrow gap, wedging itself.

"Uh oh," Yusei said, trying to wiggle his foot out.

"What?"

"We have a problem. My foot's stuck."

"Well that's just great. Maybe you shouldn't have chosen that particular rock as a foothold."

"Shut up."

Nom Nom tapped his foot a few times. "Can you wiggle it out?"

Yusei tried wiggling it again. "Nope."

"This is not good," said Nom Nom.

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"I am so glad I told Nom Nom to sabotage that one elevator," Chef said, laughing.

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Both Gaz and Double D finally climbed out of the mine and walked to their team. Neither said anything, but a few Moons giggled.

"Don't laugh," Gaz said. "He would have been stuck in there forever with one of us."

"Probably."

All Gaz could think was, Best excuse ever.

Mandy just glared at her. Obviously, the rope thing failed. Not only that, but there was no way Gaz would go home if the Moons were to lose, since Yusei was taking so long.

"With that, the teams are tied with one teammate left each. It's down to Moka and Yusei to beat each other to the finish line, or send their team to elimination."

(Meanwhile…)

"I never thought a foot would get this well wedged into a crevice until now," Nom Nom said. "Dude, you've officially blown my mind."

All Yusei could do was roll his eyes. "Glad to see I pleased the audience," he said. "Now do you have any ideas?"

"No, I don't."

Yusei kept trying to pull his foot out. Nothing. And he wasn't about to risk crawling back in the elevator cart in a desperate attempt to free it.

"This isn't getting us anywhere," Yusei said. Then he looked at Nom Nom. "You're going to have to go back up and get to the exit."

"And leave you here?"

"I'll be fine. Just go to the exit, tell one of my teammates that I'm down here, and then Chris will have to keep everyone here."

Nom Nom shook his head. "I work for that guy, remember? He could easily just count you as today's elimination and leave you here."

"I could be stuck here for ages. You going up and telling my team to come get me may be our only chance at getting out of this mine. Nom Nom, just go. Don't worry about me."

"I'm not leaving you."

"But Nom Nom, if you don't go, we could both be left here."

"Yusei, it's just like you said. We're in this together. So I'm not going to leave you here. We can do this."

After a moment of thinking, Yusei said, "Then let's try this. I pull my foot, while you pull me." He started to pull both his gloves off so he could have a better grip.

"Are you sure?"

"It's the only thing I can think of right now. Let's do this."

Nodding, Nom Nom grabbed on to Yusei's wrists while Yusei grabbed on in a similar way. "We pull on three," Yusei said. "This is going to hurt. One, two, three!"

Both started to pull; Yusei on his foot, Nom Nom on Yusei himself. Though it was pretty painful to Yusei, he kept trying. And this time, it was working.

Nom Nom let go so he could take a breather. "Did that do anything?"

"It's loose. One more attempt should free it. On three again."

"Got it. One.

"Two."

They said the last one in unison, "Three!'

They both started to pull with every inch of strength they had. "Almost there," Yusei said.

Finally, with one last heave, Yusei felt his foot being freed, and he quickly grabbed both Nom Nom's hand and a nearby rock and pulled himself out of the elevator once and for all.

Both of them lay there on the floor, exhausted but laughing. They sat up and looked at the elevator cart, which still sat there.

"That was fun," Nom Nom said. "We should do this more often."

"How about no?"

Neither said anything for about a minute or so, until Yusei broke the silence. "Maybe we should get out of here before they forget us."

"Good idea."

(Outside…)

Everyone watched the exit, waiting to see if either Moka or Yusei would make it out first.

"Anyone want to place a bet?" Ivy asked.

"The last time I was involved in a bet, I got an angry telegram and an ultimatum from my father," Leo said, grumbling a few well-choice adjectives about Deadpool.

Gaz was impatient. "If he doesn't show up, I'm going to be mad at him."

Soon, they heard footsteps coming from the mine. Was it Yusei? Was it Moka?

Everyone stood and watched, and it turned out to be….

…..Moka. The Stars all cheered.

"Finally," Moka said. "Did we win?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. They're still one competitor short."

"It looks like the Shooting Stars have won the challenge," Chris announced. "They get first-class, and the Moons get sent to elimination."

The Moons all groaned.

"Now we just have to see if Yusei can make it before we leave him behind.

(Later…)

Turns out, it was a full thirty minutes before Yusei and Nom Nom both walked out of the mine; it had taken them a long time to find the exit. Both were exhausted and covered in dirt.

"Did I ever mention how much I hate this job?" Nom Nom told Chris.

"Oh, I know."

"Hey, guys," Yusei told his team. However, they didn't look happy.

And Yusei quickly understood. "We lost, didn't we?"

"I think that's pretty obvious," Gaz said. "Where were you guys?"

"I can answer that," Chris said. "Nom Nom, you were supposed to sabotage that elevator to make it slower than the others. What took you so long?"

Nom Nom was trying to explain everything, but he kept getting nervous, knowing either he or Yusei would take the blame. If Yusei took it, he could be eliminated. If Nom Nom did, he could be fired.

The koala kept trying to figure out what to say. "See, the thing is…"

"Chris, it's my fault."

Gasping, Nom Nom looked at Yusei, who only grinned.

"What happened was that while Nom Nom was trying to sabotage the elevator, I tried to get on before he could finish. Nom Nom tried to pull me out of the elevator, but I pushed the button and we were already going up. Because I made Nom Nom abandon his job, the entire elevator broke down, and we both had to escape. Because of me, Nom Nom was not able to wire it correctly. And my team lost because of it. So I take full responsibility for the incident."

"Yusei, what are you doing?" Nom Nom asked.

"Saving your job."

Chris nodded. "Okay. I guess that checks out. Nom Nom, you got lucky this time. Yusei, since the Shooting Stars won, they get invincibility and first-class. Mysterious Moons, I'll see you in elimination."

Nom Nom followed both teams as everyone walked back to the plane. He knew Yusei had covered for him; he didn't correctly wire the elevator in the first place. Still, it left Nom Nom feeling sad.

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"Now this is fun," Ivy said. "I didn't even do anything this time, and now a potential threat to my game is going home. I am loving this."

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"I guess it looks like I'm going home," Yusei said. "At least it was worth it. And I can see if Muffy's eaten Jack's noodles yet."

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"I think our choice is obvious this time," Leo said.

"Yusei's a great guy and all, but his stubborn attitude at Nom Nom cost us the challenge," Double D said.

Gaz nodded. "I respect the guy, but this is what has to happen."

"I almost feel bad for him," Ruby said. "Everything that's happened this season, only for this to happen."

As the Moons talked, Nom Nom peered through the door of Economy. He knew what they were talking about. He didn't see Yusei in there. He was probably in the cargo hold, packing his bags, knowing what was coming.

"I cannot let this happen," Nom Nom whispered.

(Later…)

The five Moons all sat patiently, waiting to cast their votes. Everyone saw Yusei's expression. He was as calm as ever. As Nom Nom predicted, he knew what was coming.

"Alright, Moons," Chris said. "An impromptu challenge leads to you five sitting here, waiting for your fate. Well, it's time to cast your votes and cast off a member."

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Leo calmly stamped Yusei's passport. "Sorry, dude."

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"It's for the good of the team," Double D said, stamping Yusei.

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Gaz stamped Yusei's passport without a word.

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"Good luck, dude," Ruby said as she also stamped Yusei.

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Yusei stamped Double D's passport. "He's definitely not going home, and I have nothing against him. I just wanted to get it over with."

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After the votes were counted, Chris and Chef had the peanut bags ready. "And now it's time one unlucky Moon leaves for good. So let's do this. Ruby, as you are immune, you get the first bag."

Ruby caught the bag, and immediately looked at Yusei. He truly did know he was doomed.

"Gaz and Leo, you two also get bags." They both caught the bags.

This, of course, left Yusei and Double D. Both looked at each other and nodded, both remaining calm.

"Yusei, the team's tech guy. Double D, the team's bookworm. Both are facing elimination. Yusei, where do I begin? First, we're going to have words on how you interrupted my worker's job. And that little mistake more than likely is the reason your team is sitting here tonight. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Yusei shrugged. "Nothing, really."

"Fair enough. Double D, I really have no idea why you're up here tonight. Maybe for fun. I don't know."

"Well, at least I'm mentioned." Double D knew Yusei had wasted his vote on purpose, knowing he was doomed.

"Either way, it's time to say farewell to one of you," Chris told them.

"The final bag goes to…

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...STOP!"

Everyone turned to see Nom Nom at the door. "Don't eliminate him," he said. "I have something to say."

"What's going on?" Leo asked. Ruby shrugged.

Yusei looked at Nom Nom. "Nom Nom, don't worry about it," he whispered. "I can handle elimination."

"I know you can, but I'm not letting you," Nom Nom whispered back. "Yusei, I appreciate you taking the fall for me on this, but I can't let you do this. Besides, as you have already noticed, I hate my job."

He then looked at Chris. "It's not Yusei's fault the elevator broke. It's mine. I was told to sabotage it, but I had no idea what I was doing. Yusei got onto the elevator when he arrived, and I got on with him so I could tease him. However, my work on the elevator was sloppy, and that's what caused it to break. Yusei had nothing to do with it. The entire thing was my responsibility."

Double D tapped Yusei's shoulder. "Wait, so if that's true, why did you lie back there?"

All Yusei did was give a sad grin.

"Wait, you covered for that guy?" Gaz asked in disbelief. "The guy who got you eliminated?"

"I think something crazier than that is going to happen," Leo told her.

Chris was looking directly at Nom Nom. "So it's all your fault the elevator broke?"

"Yes. You can fire me now."

"Oh, you're totally fi-"

Nom Nom raised his paw to interrupt him. "It's no secret that I hate this job, and being fired would probably be the happiest moment I have had in a long time. But I will not accept it unless you accept my condition."

"And that is?"

"Yusei stays."

That was the next shocking moment for the team. "Is Nom Nom really…?" Ruby asked.

"If I leave, Yusei stays," Nom Nom explained. "He will not be eliminated, and there will be no further elimination ceremony tonight. He will remain a member of the Mysterious Moons, and no penalty of any kind will be brought against him. His team now knows it wasn't his fault, so I bet they feel pretty crappy right now for almost sending him home."

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"This is incredibly bizarre," Double D said. "The same guy who worked so hard to get Yusei eliminated last season that he resorted to cheating to get it done, is now saving him from elimination by costing himself his internship. This whole thing doesn't make sense, but it sure is interesting."

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"Nom Nom? Protect Yusei?" Gaz asked. "I don't get it."

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No one was more surprised to hear all this than Yusei, even after what they had gone through earlier that day.

"Also, remember the $500 you promised me for doing this job? I want it doubled to $1000."

"Aren't you already rich?" Leo asked.

"You can never have too much," Nom Nom told him.

Chris was grinning. "So, is that it? You leave, you get $1000, and Yusei doesn't get eliminated?"

Nom Nom nodded. "Yes."

"Very well. Nom Nom, you're fired."

"Good."

Chris smiled wider. "This is the most interesting elimination ceremony we have ever had. Chef, hand Nom Nom a parachute. Yusei, you're still in the game. Congratulations."

The rest of the Moons patted Yusei on the back, but Yusei was too distracted to feel relief. "Hey, Chris, may I speak to Nom Nom before he goes?"

"Sure, why not? Everyone else, head back to Economy."

The rest of the Moons walked out of the room, and Yusei walked up to Nom Nom, who was getting his parachute on.

"Didn't expect that, did you?" Nom Nom asked.

Yusei said nothing. Then, he held up his hand for a handshake.

Surprised, Nom Nom looked at the hand, then back to Yusei. "What's this about?"

"On the promise that we can be friends."

Nom Nom looked back and forth at Yusei, and at his hand. He smiled.

"Maybe one day. But not right now."

Yusei raised an eyebrow, wondering what he meant.

"There are still several things I have to figure out. I've seen friendship benefit so many people, but I don't know what it will do for me yet. How could someone like me possibly gain anything from something as potentially trivial as friendship? I just don't know. And that's only one thing I want to figure out.

"Let's promise that next time we meet, we're enemies again. However, if, possibly, I find out that a friend will give me the same benefits as everyone, then sure. Keep that hand ready until then."

Yusei smiled. "Very well. If that's what you want, that's how it's going to be."

With that said, they fist bumped.

"Good luck," Nom Nom said. "Give this game everything you have. And watch out for Ivy."

"I will. See you around, Nom Nom."

"You too."

And with one last wave, Nom Nom jumped off the plane and out of sight. Yusei stepped aside, and without a word to Chris or Chef, walked back to Economy. There, he found the rest of the team looking at him.

"What exactly happened to you two in that mine?"

"Oh, just a couple of people learning something today. Nothing more."

(Later…)

Ivy was opening the plane hatch in first-class. "I've decided to send Story a message," she explained to Mandy. "Hand me the Pokéball with Shroomy in it."

Mandy handed her the ball. Ivy then tossed it into the ocean.

"Chris has people patrolling the area in case things drop," Ivy explained. "Shroomy will be fine. But when Story sees this, she will know better not to mess with me."

"Okay, that's pretty evil. I like it."

"Mandy, there has to be at least some level of evil in order to make it far in this game. All the resources and pawns at your disposal."

"Excellent."

Mandy then walked out of first-class, heading to the bathroom. As she walked, Gaz looked at her.

"I wasn't kidding back there, you know," Gaz said. "You're just a pawn in Ivy's chess game, and you're about to be sacrificed."

"Whatever. Actually, I'm glad you're still in this, because I can dish out more pain. Remember, I'm Mandy. This is my competition."

She then walked away, leaving Gaz standing there.

"You're a fool, Mandy. And you're going to get burned!"

"Tell it to someone who believes you!"

Gaz just shook her head and walked back to Economy. "If you want to get a worse betrayal than last year, fine by me," she whispered. "Mandy, I'm done with you."

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Okay, this chapter was fun.

No one was truly eliminated, but someone was fired. Nom Nom sacrifices his much-hated internship in order to keep Yusei in the game, thus the outcome of their rivalry last season has finally come full circle. They will remain enemies, and it may take a long time for Nom Nom to accept friendship, but they had one day in which to stick together and help each other out.

Good times.

Double D is finally realizing that he has feelings for Gaz, but while Gaz feels the same, she is stubbornly refusing to admit it. Will these two ever give love a chance? Gaz, meanwhile, has tried and failed to get Mandy to listen to reason that she's in danger. Mandy may very well be rowing her own sinking ship.

Storygirl000, I want you to know that one of Chris' air patrol guards caught Shroomy before the Pokéball could hit the ground, and they will return her to you safely. But I imagine you're going to want to really make Ivy pay. You will have your chance.

Lastly, I want to thank everyone for setting two new TDE records: the highest number of good-luck messages in one chapter, and the weirdest good-luck message I have ever received, courtesy of Vegetalucard.

So, I have a fun challenge ahead….

It's back to France, where our two teams have a Battle Royale in the world of Lyoko, complete with cool outfits, weapons, and abilities. And of course, chaos ensues. A rivalry engages in what is believed to be a final showdown, but that ends up more problematic than it sounds. Two more competitors are bonding over one's love for video games. And it all leads up to one of the most shocking eliminations in TDE history (at least for the competitors).

And the next elimination will be the last one before the merge. Nom Nom will be on the poll with a chance to come back to the plane, this time as a competitor. There will be one more person on that poll. The question is, who will it be?

While you figure it out, remember to read and review, fav and follow, send in challenge ideas and locations, ask questions to the eliminated competitors, give me more audition tapes, and if you haven't, vote for your favorite competitor (the poll will temporarily taken down soon if it doesn't allow me to have two polls at once).

Keep reading, and I'll see you next time. TheMasterKat out!