Ticket here, and we are back with two boots in one part! Five are left, and by the finale only three will remain! What will go down for the next two boots! Read this part to find out for one of them!
Enjoy!
—
Vara: Snake, Ripley, T'Challa, Peach, and Zelda
Jury: Skarlet, Wade, Price, Slade, Dante, and Dylan
—
Vara: Night 26
The twenty-sixth night hits, and the five contestants arrive back, leaning their torches on the tree. We hear from a survivor of the rock draw in Zelda.
Zelda: When I heard we'll have two eliminations in two days, what was next was obvious: pick off the men.
Speaking of the men, the two walk away from the shelter to discuss what's next.
"We can't flip Ripley over yet." argues Snake to a listening T'Challa. "Those three are solid unless we can slip through a crack. Thing is, they're doing a great job of covering them." He continues, and T'Challa jumps to a conclusion. "So it will be one of us anyways. That is unlucky." he notes, the future for them very certain. "It's you against me next time." predicts the Wakandan, and Snake doesn't have a counter to that.
Snake: If he wins immunity, I'm done. Throwing Ripley under the bus is a bad idea, and if T'Challa leaves she's my only lifeline. They are tight. For now.
There is some awkward silence, but Snake fills it. "We'll have to show no mercy to survive this next one. Use any ammunition we can against eachother." notes Snake, stating the brutal truth, a truth T'Challa agrees with. "We both have quite a bit, so the jury will be left in suspense." he adds, which makes Snake crack a smile. "They won't if you win. Mind throwing the challenge?"
"No chance."
T'Challa: Snake's plans, spying, and all he's done will come back to haunt him. If I lose. Winning is different and I'll need all the help i can get later.
As for the majority of women, two sit down while the Hyrulian works on the fire.
Ripley: If we can't stick together for this cut and dry vote, I'll take the rock I drew and eat it.
Ripley takes initiative. "No matter what, we vote as a three. We have them boxed in." starts Ripley, and a hardworking Zelda replies first. "Keeping immunity away is our first step." Peach just stays silent, but deep down she is satisfied.
Peach: Dylan was a sweetheart to me, but after T'Challa won there was no other option. Snake at least checked up on me when I didn't ask.
Ripley grits her teeth. "Think this is the last round they can play idols. Don't think either one has it, so it's coming down to their politics." she mentions, which gets a brow raise from Zelda. "Who are you leaning towards taking out?" she asks. "Either one could go. It's trickier for me. I've wanted Snake out for a long time but T'Challa is dangerous too." answers Ripley. "You are right, Snake could sneak by." notes the Hyrulian.
Peach jumps in next. "I say we target him now and leave Snake for later. Besides, he is the biggest challenge threat." Ripley and Zelda look at one another. "Do we want to talk tomorrow?" asks Zelda.
"We should."
Zelda: T'Challa is a massive issue and needs to go down, but Snake has also caught my eye. I remember that T'Challa said he also lost his idol, which is very suspicious…and the fact Ripley or Peach just ignore that is shocking because Ripley is usually very careful!
—
Vara: Day 27
Let the campaigning begin.
For a short period, Snake and Ripley are at the good old cave, Ripley giving Snake his "reassurance" first.
"If he loses, he's done. Besides we may never get the shot again." she says to him. "I got your back if he tries anything." Snake moves his head to his side. "We both need to at this point. Peach and Zelda are super close. T'Challa is a threat. You know how this is." he states, and Ripley nods. "Any bond is better than none."
Ripley: I'll always be on the fence with him, but when it comes to keeping T'Challa, I might have to jump off.
Snake does continue on with the talk. "His work here says for itself. Likeable, strong, in the loop, he's just going to steamroll if we can't take him out here." he argues. "Don't you agree?"
"A hundred percent."
Snake: T'Challa is a great shield to have. He'll take the shots for me, but that doesn't mean a stray bullet won't hit me. I need to stay on my feet before he pulls the rug beneath me, because that man can campaign.
—
Next we see T'Challa and Zelda chatting about Snake on the sand, when The Black Panther spills a certain secret…
"He's been spying on us, and that's how he's been able to stay in."
"Wait really?!"
"He's been doing it since the first week."
Zelda's jaw is agape. "He's helped get Price this far because of that. More powerful than we think, but he lives up to his name. He slithers around and strikes when he needs to." he admits, and Zelda gasps. "That's scary! What if he caught talks of the dead alliance?" she begins to theorize.
T'Challa: He did say we'd use everything. Being the threat that I am, sending the dirt his way is the best way.
Back to the convo, T'Challa explains everything he saw, and what the Price and Snake duo spilled to him, including pre-merge content. "Ms Pac-Man on Mara was leading a counter to us, and Snake caught that and helped shut it down. Wesker defected at the swap, but Snake saved Price and sent him out. He even warned me that Dante left our alliance." argues T'Challa. "He will be very tough competition. If he got his way, he would be steamrolling, dragging Wade to the end, and winning"
Zelda takes in that info, before responding. "So you're flip saved us from a Price or Snake win?" she asks, and he confirms it. "Huh…we really need to keep a big eye on him then." she concludes.
"Anytime we take our eyes off he's making moves."
Zelda: T'Challa is an issue but his pitch was good. If he wins the challenge, Snake certainly not, it will get more interesting because they both have great cases to win. Staying hopeful this next one is a PUZZLE. It's his kryptonite.
—
With the differing perspectives, Ripley and Peach meet alone without Zelda there. "Zelda seems on the fence after speaking him." spills the Princess, with causes Ripley to groan. "Snake came to me too. They're both just pulling all the points out." she responds. "Well, I still want T'Challa gone. If he loses, goodbye." replies Peach. "What about you?"
"Keeping an eye on Snake. They could both easily win at the end." she admits. "Has Zelda spoken to Snake yet?" she asks the princess, who shakes her head. "She's been with T'Challa talking behind Snakes back. When they do talk, it should be interesting."
Peach: If she actually gets swayed by him, I'll question everything. You'll have my back for the other two guys but he's somehow different? If he actually DID lose his half then..oops. My mistake.
—
Later, before the challenge, the mentioned Hyrulian and mercenary are eating together by a hot fire. Snake swallows a chunk of rice before throwing T'Challa under.
"If you want to sweep to the end, then he's your biggest obstacle. We'd be idiots to let him stay if he loses again." he pushes. "That and none of us can beat him. He got the credit for the Dante move, he has the most respect, and he has the most necklaces. He has it all." Zelda hums to herself while he goes on. "Has he done anything else?"
"You ever wonder how Dante found out about Slade?"
She puts the pieces together. Dante PROTECTED T'Challa, which protected Snake too. T'Challa saved Snake's rear and he can take credit for that too!
"Oh my. When I first met him I didn't see "villain," but after everything that's come out he does have a dark side." responds Zelda, and Snake continue to jump on that wagon. "He said Dante was closer to him on your swapped tribe. If he can get trust, break it, and still be liked, then he can't get anywhere close to a jury." he argues, which definitely makes her consider his side.
Zelda: Snake is also making valid points, but he could also be misleading me. HE was spying on everyone himself, so warping information may be his strong suit.
—
Immunity Challenge
At the challenge area, there are five podiums with a rectangular slide puzzle on each one.
The Description goes as follows: A LIME is on the ground, with a tree FULL of limes next to it. Limes are really important to the Maldivians, like this challenge to a few involved.
Jeff throws his arms up, and we know what time it is.
"Come on in!"
The five castaways enter, the necklace around T'Challa once again. Jeff has the stand next to him, and knows the drill already. "I'll be taking that back." he says, and the Wakandan unhooks his necklace and hands it over to Jeff, who sets it on the stand, and faces the five again. Only one with a spot in the final four.
"Immunity is back up for grabs." he begins. "For today's challenge, it's simple, you will race to solve a slide puzzle. The first person who solves it and calls my name, will win immunity and a guaranteed spot in the final four. Take your spots, and we'll get started."
The five head to each podium, assigned by color. Zelda is Purple, Peach is Pink, Snake is Gray, Ripley is White, and T'Challa is black. Jeff oversees the puzzle, on the same level as them.
"Safety on the line! Survivors ready? GO!"
They are off, moving pieces ahead and experimenting with the scrambled image. Ripley gets some progress first, with Zelda and Snake not far behind. As for T'Challa, he is behind with Peach.
T'Challa: A puzzle wasn't my strongest area, but quitting is weak.
He makes a few new connections, beginning to form the bottom of the tree first. As for Ripley, her lime is formed BUT she has a few problems connecting the tree. This allows Zelda to slip through and make up for time, and now they are tied! Peach gets her lime, and moves onto the tree, with Jeff giving commentary for the first time in these merge challenges.
"Peach is dead last."
"I know."
"If you know then SWIPE woman!"
Snake starts to catch up to the two women, but Ripley and Zelda maintain their leads on everyone. It's getting down to the wire between those two, as Jeff peers in. "Zelda and Ripley, outclassing everyone in this challenge!" he exclaims, catching Snake's mutters. "Snake, talking to himself at the worst time!"
Snake: "Jeff, getting sassy at the worst time."
T'Challa and Peach make more progress, but it's not enough to catch up to the two women ahead. Ripley has a couple more tiles to go, while Zelda has more to go. Ripley moves another tile over, and reviews her picture to see if she has it…
…she noticed that she misplaced the tree branches! She scrambles to correct her mistake, but Zelda, with less pieces in the way, is able to correct hers first! Once she thinks she has it, she calls for the host!
"Jeff!"
He walks over, reviews the puzzle, and declares the decision.
"Zelda is right, AND WINS INDIVIDUAL IMMUNITY!"
She breaths a sigh of relief, taking her second challenge win. Ripley has half-frown on after that mistake, and Snake just…doesn't care. T'Challa bites his lip, knowing he's in danger tonight.
T'Challa: Zelda winning makes her a threat, and if I win my clash against Snake, then that's dirt I have on her later.
The five head towards the stand, where Jeff hooks the necklace around Zelda. She has a smile on her face, number two of hopefully more. "Congratulations Zelda, cannot bed voted out at tonight's Tribal Council." he praises, before turning to the four not safe. "As for the rest of you, one will be sent to the jury tonight. Head back to camp, I'll see you there." With that, the five depart from him yet again. We hear from Zelda once again before transitioning.
Zelda: I'm really optimistic about my chances! One of the guys will be leaving, and both will give me trouble. For me, it's about who's best…well, for me!
We also hear from Ripley, who just took a huge L.
Ripley: That woman is going to be a pain in the neck. That's two puzzles now?
—
Vara: Day 27
The five Vara hit camp yet again, Zelda getting props for her win.
"I knew you could do it!" (Peach)
"Smart play." (Ripley)
"Nice job." (Snake)
"Enjoy it while it lasts." (T'Challa)
The man who made the last comment is happier on the outside than he is on the inside.
T'Challa: Laying it all out against Snake. All of it. This is a last resort, and even if he has the upper hand, I'm throwing my best uppercut.
The other target for the night stretches his shoulder out.
Snake: We'll be debating in front of the jury. It's so whoever "wins" can get credit and look stronger. I have the upper hand, but need to watch the people around me because they could detonate me at any second.
He looks around himself in the confession, to see no one there.
Snake: Ripley can also ruin me if she lets them know I planned their idols sacrifice. We don't know what's going to happen for sure until Tribal tonight, so it's best to stay vigilant.
—
The two targets for the night sit alone with wood at their side, while the women make the final call. T'Challa decides to kick this one off.
"How did the slandering me?" he questions. "It's tough competition. Did they know I was everywhere on the island?" He gets a nod back after that. "Zelda was not happy about that." Snake just shrugs after that response, picking up the machete to have a go at the wood. "That's a 'her' problem." he responds, which makes him crack a smile.
"Glad to see you are lightening up." comments T'Challa, who catches a look from his competition. "Are you just bored of the strategy?" he asks, pushing the topic. "Nope. Just never was a comedian. Dylan is better at that." T'Challa can't disagree with that. "Even if aren't the comic, there's something there day to day." continues the King. "Walk me through it."
Snake obliges. "Bosses call me 'smart,' and some of my co-workers said I was 'cynical.'" he says, knowing very well that he was hiding the extent of his background. "My way is just get the work done and go home. Trivial drama is a waste of time." he says, pausing for a moment. "Our argument wasn't trivial, millions are on the line."
T'Challa exhales. "We'll just take it out tonight." he says, smiling to try and relieve some tension. "Let's see who's the last man standing."
"Let's."
Snake: War makes me feel alive. I'm smarter and stronger in the heat of the moment, and he's going to find that out.
T'Challa: After the fall, there's two men left. Let's see who stands last.
—
Tribal Council: Night 27
The six Vara members arrive to the Tribal Council area with their torches. The fire pit is there, and so is Jeff sitting in front of his podium across from the stumps.
"Dip your torches into the fire. Fire represents your life, and when it's gone, so are you."
They dip them in, as Skarlet, Wade, Price, Slade, Dante, and the unlucky Dylan sits across from them on the jury bench. They catch Zelda stroll in with the necklace around her, and the teen's eyes widen. Wade starts whispering to Price, while Dante lays back and crosses his legs.
The nightly ritual is finished, so Jeff kicks off Tribal. "Welcome back to Tribal Council. Zelda, how does it feel to have the necklace?" he asks. "Creating that puzzle was a relief! Safety anytime w near the end is great, and after all they can't get rid of you with the necklace." she responds. Straight response, so Jeff switches it up to Ripley now. "Ripley, she may be safe, but someone will go home. Tell me, what are the dynamics looking like ever since the rock draw?"
"The women are calling the shots tonight. The guys had to scramble and were pitching their hearts out today." she reveals. "On paper it's easy, but our choices are not set in stone. They could still turn it around right now." she teases.
"Instigator." Dante whispers to himself.
The two men hold their heads high, as Snake speaks up. "Me first." All eyes are on him now. "Vote me out, you hand him the money. Giving him a chance to stay hurts everyone, he's the Goliath and we're the Davids. Three challenge wins, successful manipulation, flipped the game, he can claim it all…what would we have sitting next to him?" asks Snake, pushing his point forward. "Even if I made it to the end, he would still have me beat."
T'Challa scratches a brow as Snake goes on. "There's two challenges left, and one HAS to be endurance. He can go for a long time. We don't know what the next challenge even is but if it leans towards strength and speed? It's going to T'Challa. He's a machine with equity." he claims, and that's when his adversary jumps in to defend himself. "Snake, are you done?"
"I can say it again."
"No need, my turn."
The jury and women watch with intent, as the cat makes the case against Snake. "He can say all this now, but never forget how slippery this man has been. He's snuck around camp SPYING on all of you and playing you to your face! He's also a threat to win the final challenge but luckily I'm here to take the bullets." he argues, gesturing towards Snake. "He's also never been left out, always has someone to back him up, and half the time he's known who's leaving. This man is stealthy, and if you look away, he'll sneak right past you."
T'Challa takes a glimpse at Price. "Look who he's been with too! He wants to talk about winning chances, but they walked in with the most. Price is over there, and Snake is still in the game."
"You're still a bigger threat."
"That's what you want them to think."
Zelda leans towards Peach and whispers in her ear. Ripley just watches this blatant teamwork go down. While they decide, Snake and T'Challa are on the end of their ropes in the debate. "If you want to let T'Challa win out, vote for me. If you want a chance, keep me." finishes Snake, which is followed up by T'Challa. "He'll only slip by if you let him stay. That's what he does." the host looks around at all the five, nobody else ready to really follow that.
"Are we ready to vote?"
"Yes, Jeff." (Peach)
The host shrugs at that. "Alright, time to vote! Snake, you're up first."
Snake rises from his stump and makes a b-line for the voting booth.
—
Snake: Wade sends his regards. (T'Challa)
T'Challa: Time to rip the fangs from the snake. (Snake)
—
After all of that voting is done and over with, the tribe members get to their stumps, taking a seat during their wait.
"I'll go tally the votes.." With those words, he leaves his podium and goes straight to the booth. He takes the voting urn, and heads back to his podium. Setting it down, vote reads are about to begin.
"If anyone has a hidden immunity idol, and they would like to play it, now would be the time to do so." The men's eyes target eachother, but neither move. Snake "smiles" at T'Challa, which puzzles him. Snake smiling? What world was he living in?
Still though, no idols get played, and Jeff advances with the elimination. "I'll read the votes.." He removes the lid and grabs the parchment, hiding it behind so neither can see who leaves. The two men look on, while the women kick back. "First vote…"
— Snake.
— T'Challa.
— Snake. (He's puzzled at the second vote)
— T'Challa. (He already sets a hand on his torch). That's two votes Snake, two votes T'Challa, one vote left…
The jury peers in, one vote left to end someone's time.
"The fourteenth person voted out and the seventh member of our jury…T'Challa. Bring me your torch."
He rises with his torch, departing with some words. "Nice job, Snake." he says first, before turning to the women. "Great job. We shouldn't have taken our eyes off you." With that done he heads to Jeff, setting his torch down.
"It was fun."
The host raises his snuffer.
"T'Challa, the tribe has spoken."
He snuffs his torch.
"Time for you to go."
The new jury member makes his exit, leaving and soon leaving the view of everyone. Once he's done, Jeff turns back to the final four. "Three of you got your wish. Let's see where this leaves you. Head back to camp, I'll see you tomorrow." he closes, dismissing the four.
The remaining contestants leave with their lit torches as the jury looks on, soon to see another member join their ranks.
—
T'Challa's Final Words
T'Challa: It was fun getting to know everyone, and I wish them the best. After my run, the next Wakandan to come on has a high bar to reach. Hope I can see it happen.
—
Votes:
Snake— T'Challa, Zelda
T'Challa— Snake, Ripley, Peach
—
Episode 14A Count:
7– T'Challa
5- Zelda, Snake
3– Ripley
2– Peach
—
Eliminated Count (so far):
65– T'Challa
55– Dylan
64– Dante
52– Slade
50– Price
46– Wade
32– Skarlet
24– Wario
20– Wesker
14– Wii Fit Trainer
11– Ms Pac-Man
17– Penelope
12– Toad
5– Jigglypuff
—
One boot down and one to go! A massive figure and challenge threat leaves first!
Let's talk about him: T'Challa had a great pre-merge, always in the loop and even taking charge of New Vulsa due to his social game and relationship with Dante. He did all that while being able to hide behind Price and Snake, however that would soon change. While he was on the right side starting the merge, that would soon change when he overthought and flipped against Wade. Price would suffer because of his mistakes, but he did mend bridges, even if not 100%.
He did recover by throwing Slade under to Dante, which would open him up to take a villainous turn and get rid of Dante. T'Challa was interesting to write for me because yeah, he's a hero and just not really hateable, but he also got dirty when he needed to, whether it was a good move or not. I also just liked his scenes with Dylan, and that brief tension with Snake.
With that done, he's out and someone else will join the jury. But who? Find out in 14B, as the finale gets closer!