Ticket here, and we are back with the FINALE! This will be in two parts, days 29–30, and part two will have days 31–32!
The Final Tribal Council will get its OWN chapter too! Then we will have the winner reveal! After that, Maldives Madness is done unless I feel like adding bonus content.
With that out of the way, enjoy this part!
—
Vara: Snake, Ripley, and Peach
Jury: Skarlet, Wade, Price, Slade, Dante, Dylan, T'Challa, and Zelda
—
Vara: Night 28
The three remaining castaways walk back in three different moods: Snake has a smirk on his face, escaping his elimination yet again. Peach has a glare on, set to go off any minute. Ripley leans her torch on the tree, knowing that it was time to defend herself.
Ripley: Zelda was going to cut me and was going to go on a spree and take the game. Snake was the only one who was going to give me a chance to get to three. Peach can cry all she wants, but this is what happens when you go behind my back.
It didn't take long for Peach to jump on her.
"He was RIGHT THERE to vote for! We could have taken him out! I-i just don't get it!" she exclaims, and Ripley puts both hands up. "I saw what you two were talking about, It was a game move."
"Not to me!"
"Oh but you can just cut me out and it's fine."
Peach facepalms. "I was lying to her! She wanted you out more than me! Why did you jump to conclusions?" she asked, deflecting it back. "Didn't sound like you were lying to her. I literally heard you say i was the backup if Snake lost." Peach freezes up, trying to find the words. "That was Zelda!" she blurts out, but her former ally is not buying it. "You have a distinct voice. Don't come at me with that crap."
Snake is looking at them back and forth.
Snake: Perfect. These people keep eating eachother, and knowing how Peach is with betrayal, I can work my way around again.
"If you wanted her out, why didn't you just WAIT?" questions the Princess. Ripley can't help but groan. "Because she was a physical threat! Why would I wait to cut a challenge threat until the last minute? Most of the time that never works!" she responds. "SNAKE is a challenge threat, but you still kept him in!" deflects the princess. "He has no immunities. Zelda had two, and was headed for three." says Ripley, leaving Peach in a sour mood.
"You made the move too early!"
"There was FOUR of us, what do you mean?"
Peach stumbles on her words, but just turns around. "We'll finish this tomorrow…" she mutters headed to the shelter. Ripley turns to Snake, ready to make another fire. He winces as Ripley's eyes droop.
Peach: I'm not mad at her because of friendship, I'm mad because she just ruined my plans! Everything's been coming up Ripley, oh HER plans can work but MINE? No Peach, the gods want you to lose!
—
Vara: Day 29
It's a new day, but the moods are still the same. Peach sits in the sand with Snake, venting her frustrations.
"Ugh…sorry I wrote your name last night but I really thought she would stick with us." she admits. "She just jumped the star when you two took Zelda out. She still had a chance in the final immunity, she didn't have to do that…" she spills, turning to Snake. "Do you feel what I do about her?" she asks him. "She's not thinking straight."
"..what?"
"Look at the pattern. Slade was methodical, then went nuts. T'Challa was playing great, then he stole your idol twice. Ripley is on her toes, then decides to give me a chance to win." points out Snake. "Ooohhh.." she realizes. "We don't have the nutrients we need, so our IQ pretty much decreases." he reveals. There is one hole that Peach doesn't get. "Wait…so how are you still the same?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"If the island is affecting everyone, how are you still…Snake?"
"Oh it's gotten to everyone."
The two continue to talk, with Peach getting to vent more. It's nothing we haven't heard before though.
However, the later the conversation goes, the more Snake gets an idea. "..What makes Ripley intimidating is that despite the conditions she can still win if she get started there. Ever since Wade left she's mostly gotten her way. With that Zelda move she has more respect too. We'll struggle against her." he says, laying it down. Peach's head slowly starts to rise, getting words out.
"Is this a final two?"
"For both of our sakes, we need to go to two. Together." he suggests. Her eyes light up, but in her mind comes that sprinkle of doubt. "She's on thin ice, right?"
"..You could say that."
"I'll help you take her out. We can both get credit for it."
While we don't see Peach's answer (to keep it a mystery), we do see what Snake's trying to do.
Snake: If I lose, then I'll need a peach in my back pocket. Ripley did her wrong, no blackmail needed.
—
Laying in the shelter, is one Ripley. Her loneliness is interrupted by Snake, who takes a seat next to her.
"Now's the time." he puts it bluntly. "But you already knew that." She rises from her back, and makes a comment. "We'd be idiots if we didn't." Snake turns to her after that. "That and we'd just be all talk. All of it for nothing. Jury wouldn't like getting blocked." he notes, to her agreement. Two things are certain: They'll be cutting each other, but another will be taking Peach to the end.
The Peach factor.
"Don't know where her heads at. Usually I do, but the Zelda move did some damage." notes Ripley. "We BOTH know I'm going to try repairing that. Just gotta hope you don't sway her before I do." she puts bluntly. "Wouldn't count me out. She's vulnerable."
"Revealing your strategy?"
"Stating the truth."
She shrugs that off. "Funny, you're going to bend it to her anyways. Make her feel at home I'm assuming?" she asks. "Just doing what has to be done. We're both throwing all our points at a pink, flowery wall. It's just a matter of who sticks and who falls."
"..weird analogy, but I see where you're going."
Ripley: Had a brief talk with Peach, but that's not enough. I'll give her some space, I should know to as someone who's been around her since day one. But tomorrow? we're setting this in stone.
—
Vara: Day 30
Washing off dirt in the waters, Peach gets to hear from Ripley again, strategizing for the first time since the firemaking duel.
Peach: We talked yesterday, she did the classic apologizing, and today she wants us to get "back on track." Zelda was a sister to me! But…she would want me to stay calm. This is no joke!
"He talked me into doing it. He was pushing really hard, and made it sound like it made sense. That man is a puppet master and could have ran this without Price." states Ripley, making Snake look like the final boss. "He has more friends than us. I know I backtracked throwing Zelda into the fire, but I only did that because she won more immunities than him."
Peach has something to say, but she decides to keep that on hold. "You did what you had to do." she states. "Are you good?" asks Ripley, but Peach shuts that down. "Yes, I am fine. If Snake is that big of a threat, then your apology is accepted and we can take him out." Ripley doesn't push further, and "takes it at face value."
"Good to hear. If you still need to talk, let me know." she says, and Peach hums. "I will. Thank you for coming to me about that. Emotions are just getting really high."
Ripley: Minus the duel, I've covered her for a long time out here, and if she can do that back, I'm winning.
—
What the Princess said about emotions running high rings true, as she is sitting on a log in the middle of nowhere. Neither of the two are with her, she's in solitude.
Peach: I have a bad feeling…even if I get to the finals, I may lose to them anyway. They've done more than me, they've been upfront, and I haven't. It's very hard b-because I've come out here to show people I'm a fighter, and I've done that, but the jury doesn't think it's good enough.
She pauses in her confession, the emotions getting to her. Her frown is turned upside down however, as her mouth moves up and her brows down.
Peach: But that's why I have to win. If I can decide the fate of the snake or the rat, then I'll be in the running to pull a few votes. I was crowned the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, and I will make sure the same happens here.
—
Immunity Challenge
Jeff stands alone, as three stepping stools and a giant idol in the center, is behind him.
"Come on in!"
The three left enter the area, seeing the endurance challenge behind Jeff. Ripley unhooks the immunity necklace, handing it into Jeff. "Thanks." he says, before heading to the necklace stand and hooking it on. After he does that, he turns to the final three, ready to explain the rules of the challenge.
"This is the last immunity up for grabs." he opens. "The final challenge is a classic: 'Hands on a Hard Idol'. In this challenge, you will balance on a small log, keeping one hand on the Tribal Immunity Idol at ALL times. If at any point, you take your hand off, raise your foot, or lose your balance on the log, you are eliminated. Last person standing wins the final immunity of the season, and has a GUARANTEED spot in the final two, where they will have a chance to explain to the jury why they should win the million."
That excites them. The next part, not so much.
"However, one of the losers will have their journey cut just short." says Jeff, drilling it in there. "I'll give you a few minutes to stretch and we'll get started…"
—
Prep is over, but the three's time in this challenge is far from it. All of them are balancing on the log, entering their first endurance challenge yet.
"Big immunity up for grabs." forces Jeff. "Survivors ready? BEGIN."
The challenge has begun, none of the three sweating just yet. They remain steady for a while really, with not much happening at the start.
Elapsed Time: 30 Minutes
The shakiness starts to kick in later. Ripley's arm is shaky, but she starts conversation to numb the pain. "What's your go-to meal for a lazy night?" she asks the two.
"Noodles."
"Thought you were a steak type of guy. Anything else?"
"Anything."
"..anything?"
Peach jumps in next to halt her confusion. "On a rough day, I'll have someone make a cake for me." she answers, and gets looks from both. "You must be high in the food chain." comments the last man left. "Not when it's a good day." she hits back. "Slaves or not, a cake on a lazy night is impressive." says Snake. "Sounds good, I'd like one." states Ripley, and Peach goes on to distract from pain.
"What would you want on it?"
"How much do you have?"
"You have no clue about how many resources we have."
Elapsed Time: 1 Hour
While Ripley is squeamish the most, Peach and Snake are getting sweaty. The heat begins to pound them, as Peach gets shaky before the guy does. He's perfectly still, but given his "exercise routine" it's in character.
Elapsed Time: 1 Hour and 50 Minutes
The condition of the three worsens. Ripley begins to sway, while Peach desperately clings onto the idol. Snake is still collected, and stable enough to continue. As for Ripley, she has a different story going on. What some could say is a guaranteed win for her, depends on the challenge. She desperately keeps her hand on, despite having balance problems….
…the problems become too much, as she raises her foot on instinct! She quickly goes to put it back, but Jeff caught it! "Ripley." he points out. "Out of this challenge." With that being said, she steps down, her hopes of winning immunity crushed. She heads over and takes a seat next to Jeff.
Peach is teetering, but manages to stay in this…those performances in the Olympics probably helped.
Elapsed Time: 2 Hours and 20 Minutes
Peach and Snake are still in it. The mercenary turns to the princess and sees sweat on her face. Her eyes widen the more the challenge goes on. That woman wanted this bad. Noticing her drive, Snake had another idea in mind.
Snake: She's been cold to her ever since I beat Zelda. She doesn't forgive easily. That burn's still fresh. I came in wanting to win but after Ripley dropped? My game-winning pitch to the jury came to mind: Give it to Peach, build trust, and weaponize it. After what I've heard, this is a job that can, and will be done.
He starts to smirk.
Snake: Endurance is easy, so if she declined, I was locking it in.
He opens his mouth for the first time in a while. "We can help eachother." he says, getting her attention. "I can step down and give you the security you need. Even if you fall, I'm not voting you out. Ripley is our enemy." The mentioned woman holds back her temptation, not in the challenge anymore.
Ripley: Ok. He could deal with her then but I knew that when that challenge was over, I'd deal harder.
"..If you step down, will you have my back?"
"I'm toast if I don't."
Peach pauses, as Snake starts pretending to wobble. "Are you in or are you out?" he asks. She stands still, partially trying to stay in it, and also juggle this new deal. Betray Ripley and take Snake? Or betray Snake and take Ripley?
After some time, she gets an answer out, one that may or may not be the truth. "In." Straight to the point. Having faith that his gambit worked, Snake removes his hand from the idol, and steps down. Peach gasps, knowing full well what just happened.
"PEACH WINS INDIVIDUAL IMMUNITY!"
She steps off her stump, and literally jumps for joy! Ripley gives half hearted applause while the princess rushes to the necklace stand, snatching it off! "Very happy, anyone would after going through torture for two and a half hours." comments the host, as Peach hooks the necklace around herself.
Jeff steps to her side, as the other two look on. "Congratulations Peach, you have a spot in the final two and a 50% shot at the money." he says, praising her before setting his sights on Ripley and Snake. "As for you two, one of your games will come to an end at tonight's Tribal Council, becoming the last member of the jury. Head back to camp, I'll see you there."
Now was prime-time for Ripley and Snake. Both have a good shot at winning, but only one will survive. We hear from Ripley, who is less than optimistic about her chances.
Ripley: First she was passive aggressive, now she strikes a deal with Snake. This isn't looking good, but he stepped down so I'm not out of it yet.
—
Vara: Day 30
The three arrive back to camp, with Peach having a smile on her face for the first time in a while. She hooks her necklace on the post, while Ripley and Snake sit by the fire.
"Are you ready?" asks the woman, knowing that this was their last chance. "Whoever wins, wins." he says, seemingly indifferent about the matter.
Snake: Giving Peach the win will go down as either one of the smartest moves ever, or one of the worst. It all comes down to how I can manipulate her.
After that confession, Peach gets one of her own where we get insight.
Peach: I'm leaning one way, but the other can still pull me over to help. The jury is not out.
—
Walking along a trail, Ripley and Peach meet again, with Ripley throwing any point she has at her former ally. "He has so much to his name already: He won the firemaking challenge, he's made it here without needing immunity, and has effortlessly turned us against eachother." argues Ripley, as Peach listens onward. "Plus, the guy's an underdog. Juries love underdogs. Do you know how they'll react when Snake tells them he stepped down and used you?" she asks, pushing on with her pitch.
Peach just winces, as Ripley grows agitated with her not answering. "We can't beat him." she says, with finality. She hopes for Peach to answer, and she gets her wish. "The more you talk, the more worried I am about him…
Peach: She is handing me great points but she broke my trust. But she's right…but then the Zelda situation…At this point I may not even know who to vote out until Tribal!
—
Her time with hearing pitches isn't done yet. She and Snake stand in front of the water, the sun lowering as he campaigns.
"Ripley's all talk, I'm all action." states Snake, slamming her down with words. "She says she trusts you, and then throws Zelda into fire. I gave up a guaranteed shot for you. Her priorities are elsewhere." he continues, turning to look her in the eyes. "Besides, cutting her could go better. She's known you longer, so if you combine her, Zelda, and possibly Skarlet, that's three votes. Locked in."
"Why Skarlet?"
"She isn't warm and comforting."
She shakes her head, that point making sense. In the short time she knew Skarlet, she was mostly strategy and trash talk. The person she was talking to though continues his. "But..if Ripley wants to talk about control, she can't say I'm the puppetmaster. She's been on the right side of the numbers since Wade was kicked off. She's sent home everyone on that bench. All that, and the first time she's in danger is the final vote." he points out. "That's a jury winner."
"Mhmm."
"Here's a secret too: The men would vote for her to win. All of them. If she gets there she wins, but she wanted to slander me so she could sneak by."
That reveal makes the princess second guess, but her face is puzzled when she connects the dots. "You're right…" she admits, her jaw starting to drop. "If you want to make a game winning move, now's the time. Biggest threat left, you keep me here and that move is yours." he suggests, and Peach starts to form a smile.
"I could do something…"
She starts to tilt her head though. The conversation goes on but it's the generic 'I got your back' spiel.
Peach: When I thought Ripley had the upper hand, Snake came in and struck her hard! I know trusting him is risky, but that part about Ripley being a threat gets to me…BUT then again he could be lying to me…
She sighs in frustration.
Peach: I'm going to overthink this, aren't I?
Cut to Snake's confession.
Snake: Insecurity is one #£|| of a motive. There's a chance this works out, but if it doesn't, this will be one of many regrets in my life.
—
Tribal Council: Night 30
The three 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, Dylan, T'Challa, and the newest member in Zelda sit across from them on the jury bench. She sees Peach with the jury necklace and can't help but smile. Price whispers to Dante. "Think he's done for?"
"Not unless he pulls a rabbit out of his $$."
They set their torches down and take their seats, with the last elimination of the season commencing. Jeff, of course, gets to Peach first. "Peach, you don't even have to worry about what's going down…weeell one small thing: you are the tiebreaker." he points out. "How high is the pressure on YOU tonight?" he asks, and the princess clears her throat.
"It's not fun having to pick between these two because they are both very smart. Their pitches were interesting, and to be quite honest very good." she admits. "It's frustrating to see who the jury likes more, when these two keep making the point that 'oh Ripley, oh Snake will win,' this that and the other." she says, letting out frustration. "Even then, it must not be as crushing as the pressure on the two sitting around me." she admits, deflecting any further questions.
Jeff decides to target Ripley first. "Ripley, let's talk about pressure. How are you feeling right now?" he asks her, and she exhales. "In the hot seat. I went against Peach last time and I don't know if she'll forgive me." she admits. "She also has done strategizing, which gives me that hope that Snake will go instead of me." That catches Jeff's attention. "You think just because she did some strategy, Snake will go?"
"His win is as clear as day. Even someone who's done a little would know to kick him off."
The host sets his sights on Snake next. "Let's talk about the pressure on you. Not only are you at risk of leaving, but she just called you out." Snake huffs. "No surprise, Jeff. All these Tribals have been lately is someone calling the other out. Ripley isn't confident Peach is with her, because I may already have her on my side. She went from taking out common enemies, to falling in that spot." he points out. Jeff switches back to Ripley.
"Snake is not backing down. Do you believe you are the 'common enemy' tonight?" he asks her, and she shoots straight. "That just depends on what Peach thinks. Is she still burned? Or has she healed? We're about to find out." Jeff smiles at that answer.
"You're right because it is time to vote. Ripley, you're up first."
She rises from her stump and heads for the booth, looking to make this shot worth it.
—
Ripley: This ends now. (Snake)
Snake: You should have taken me out when you had the chance. (Ripley)
Peach: This is for the sake of my chances. (?)
—
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, Jeff 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.
"I'll read the votes…" he says, removing the lid and reaching in for the votes. Ripley and Snake stars eachother down, before facing Jeff. He reaches in and grips the three pieces of parchment, and pulling out, about to reveal the fates of the unluckiest one.
"First vote…"
— Ripley.
— Snake.
Snake puts a hand on his chin, while Ripley takes a deep breathe. Jeff flips over the final piece of parchment…
"The sixteenth person voted out, and the ninth and final member of our jury…Ripley. Bring me your torch."
The jury is shook. Price jumps up, T'Challa's jaw drops, Skarlet scoffs, and Wade shakes Dante, and gets promptly shoved off. Zelda looks Peach in her eyes, and shakes her head in disapproval. That makes her frown.
As for Ripley, she grabs her torch and heads to Jeff. "Let's see where it gets you." she says, directed to the princess, before stopping at Jeff's feet and setting her torch down.
"Bad move."
Jeff raises his snuffer.
"Ripley, the tribe has spoken."
He snuffs her torch.
"Time for you to go."
Ripley leaves the area, no words yet. Snake and Peach watch her go, as Snake puts a hand on her shoulder. "You did good." She mutters to herself, but picks herself up when Jeff addresses the final two. "Congratulations on surviving, but the game isn't done yet. You will have one day to either relax, or prepare for the final Tribal Council. Then on Day 32, you will make your case to the jury on why you should win the million and have the title of 'Sole Survivor.' I hope your ready, because a jury is not easy to please."
Both definitely knew that.
"Head back to camp, have a goodnight." closes Jeff, and the two grab their torches and leave the set. Walking into the night, both had a chance at winning the game, the last thing they needed to do was to put their games into words…which can either solidify someone's status, or drop it completely.
—
Votes:
Ripley— Snake and Peach
Snake— Ripley
—
Ripley's Final Words
Ripley: Final report from the Maldives: The other castaways known as Peach and Snake have made it to the finals alive, destroying my flame in the process. Should be making it to Ponderosa tomorrow, and hopefully the food will pick me up again. This is Ripley, signing off, the last one voted out of this game.
—
Total Confessional Count:
72– Snake ( + 5)
66– Peach ( + 6)
—
Eliminated Confessional Count:
70– Ripley ( + 5)
56– Zelda
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
—
We have our final two! Sadly for Ripley, she was cut out last minute.
Let's talk about Ripley: At the start, she found herself in the minority on Mara, however Toad was there, disrupting the peace and making a fool of himself. After he was voted out, T'Challa and Dylan joined the Price/Snake/Wesker trio, and took out Ms Pac-Man, who was seen as a big part of the alliance. While she didn't have much power at the swap, she was able to push Slade, Skarlet, and even Wesker infront of her so she could lower her threat level.
At the merge vote, she didn't get her way BUT the next vote was crucial: She and the women left made a pact, and convinced Dante, T'Challa, and Dylan to flip. She caught Price and Snake discussing dragging Wade to the end, and used Wade as the common enemy to get the ball rolling. Minus the Dante vote, she was always in the loop and unfortunately fell after Snake weaponized the firemaking move.
A very slow start, but soon she would become a big threat to win. Sadly for her, that was not the case here.
On the flip side: Snake, Peach, only one can win! Who would YOU vote for? Drop your answer if you'd like, and I'll see you on the next part of this finale, featuring the aftermath of this vote!