Thank you to all my readers!
I do not own the song 'We Are The Champions', by Queen.
Day 2
The Kera Tribe
Yue winced as warm sunlight poured over him. Feeling strangely stiff and achy, he opened his eyes. For a second he just stared into the blue sky above, confused, but not particularly alarmed that his house had no roof. Obliviously he reached for his blankets, hoping that when he opened his eyes a second time, he wouldn't be dreaming anymore. But instead of his blankets, his hand found sand. Yue sat up sharply and with a few glances around, his memory returned. Not relaxing any and actually feeling slightly worse he stood and decided, with a steady look at his sleeping tribe, that he would take a walk to clear his head. Glad he had opted to sleep next to the fire and not in their crowded shelter, Yue stole away unnoticed, or at least...that's what he thought. Yue had walked awhile now, and feeling sure he was alone, approached the water's edge and sat before it. Listening to the claming lap of the ocean wash up at his feet and then slip away relaxed him and chased away the nagging thoughts of what a nightmare it was going to be today. A moment before she spoke he sensed her presence, but the sound of her voice still made him cringe.
"Sun bathing?", Ruby inquired plopping down uninvited and burring her feet into the sand. Yue sent her a sharp look out of the corner of his eye.
"Sorrrry...touchy touchy, someone a little tired and crabby from sleeping on the cold hard beach?", Ruby persisted, unconcerned that she could very well get more than a sharp look this time. But Yue did nothing. For five minutes they sat in silence, Yue trying to recapture the peaceful feeling he had held before Ruby had intruded upon it, and Ruby busing herself with digging her feet deeper into the sand, but finally she got bored.
"How can you just sit there doing nothing?", she questioned, sounding as though she found it highly ridiculous.
"I am doing something...I'm trying to block the annoying sound of your voice out of my mind", Yue answered briskly. Ruby made a face, but before she could protest, Yue continued, "What do you want Ruby? I doubt spending the morning doing nothing with me is high on your priority list." Ruby shut her mouth and examined the back of her hand, "Want? What? I can't spend time sitting her with you?" Yue gave her another sharp look. Ruby let out a big sigh, "Fine, if you really want to know...", Ruby paused, waiting to hear Yue change his mind, but his objections never came.
"What do want with being the tribe leader?", she began innocently ( Or as innocently as she could...) This caught Yue's attention and for the first time he turned his head to look at her.
"I mean why would you want that target on your back? One false move and that's it, so long, bye bye, why put yourself at risk from the start?"
Yue turned his attention back to the water and allowed himself and small smile, "No chance Ruby, I simply make a better leader, so if you think I'm going to give that power up to you and let you run us into the ground think again, nice try though." Ruby drew in a deep breath, which was the only thing holding her back from attacking the hot shot next to her. Hands in fists with her face as red as her hair she stood and then stormed away spatting a sharp, "Fine", behind her. Moments later Yue back to feeling peaceful again...at least for a little while longer. Ten minutes later Yue returned to camp feeling confident he could take on his tribe once again. Expecting his tribe to still be asleep, Yue was surprised to see the camp buzzing with activity as he approached. A fire had been started and it looked like new wood had been found. The strange man who only talked in grunts and his friend had seemed to have found a nice patch of sand to sit on and were deep into a conversation ( Yue could not see how this was, but didn't dwell on it for long because then he spotted Rini and Raye. ) Looking positively mischievous Rini was leaning over Serena, dangling what appeared to be a piece of seaweed above her open mouth. Raye stood nearby, trying to contain her laughter and Hotaru stood next to her, watching this all rather uncomfortably. Yue shook his head and make to walk over there and intervene, but arrived too late and standing just feet away got a front row seat to see Serena shoot up from the shelter, coughing and sputtering, then, upon seeing Rini and Raye ( who were in hysterical fits of laughter ) decided to take her revenge and chased them down the beach. Hotaru remained where she was looking tried and embarrassed. Yue felt a twinge of sympathy for her, he could only imagine how often she had to witness such antics. Turning his attention from the now empty shelter, Yue's gaze fell on the gathering at the water's edge. Having obviously gotten over their sore feelings at each other, Beast Boy and Cyborg were in the water acting out Jaws together, Beast boy the Shark, Cyborg the helpless victim. Tracy sat before them, drawing the scene as it took place. Sasami and Meouth made up the audience, Sasami cheering at Cyborg's great acting as he was being eaten and Meouth booing at them. Down the beach Mimi was strolling along picking up seashells. Yue looked back to the fire and the pile of newly cut wood next to it, someone had to have done it and by the looks of it he was pretty sure it was none of his sun basking tribe mates, so who was missing from this fun in the sun scene? As if answering his question T.K, Joe, Henry, Takato, and the boy with the vibrant orange hair stumbled out from the jungle with some coconuts, talking and laughing, except for Joe who seemed annoyed and at the sight of Yue abruptly looked to the ground and fiddled with his fingers distractedly.
"Oh hey", they greeted.
"Hey", Yue replied, "Did you guys start the fire and gather the fire wood?" Joe looked up from the ground.
"Yeah", T.K nodded, "We figured we'd switch off." Yue was about to nod, when Joe spoke up, "That's okay, isn't it?" Yue nodded as he had planned to do before Joe's sharp interjection, "It's whatever works for everyone." Joe's eyebrows shot up, "So it isn't okay..."
"That's not what I said...",Yue protested glancing at the rest of them with growing confusion...what was going on here? They shifted uncomfortably, looking as if even mentioning it wasn't worth their breath. Finally they settled for staring expectantly at Joe. This made him turn pale and fidgety.
"What?", Yue persisted, growing impatient. Just then Spinner floated up.
"Well good morning Yue", he greeted, apparently not aware that Joe was just about to be forced to tell him why he was acting so strangely. Yue glanced at Spinner.
"Good morning", he answered simply, turning his attention back to Joe, not wanting him to get off track.
"Next time you will invite me, won't you?", Spinner went on, his dropping by was obviously not a coincidence. Becoming aggravated by how confusing everyone was acting, Yue reluctantly looked back to Spinner, "Invite you to what?" Spinner crossed his stubby arms, "I saw you and Ruby relaxing at the water's edge this morning and I was offended to find that I wasn't invited, you will invite me tomorrow, won't you?" Yue was filled with irritation, "For one, Ruby was not invited, and if you know how you can possibly relax with her around, please, pass on your wisdom, because I have never been able to." Yue sharp tone hung on to the air. Spinner floated silently for a few moments and then nodded and floated away, obviously having no such wisdom. Taking a few claming breaths, Yue turned back to Joe for the last time. By now Joe was petrified, and next to him even the other boys seemed to take back making him tell Yue.
"You know what?", T.K said laughing sheepishly, "Why don't we just forget about? You know Joe, he can be a real pain sometimes. You just gotta ignore it, his problem, you know?" Everyone nodded with strained smiles, Joe so much that he was in danger of giving himself whiplash. Yue was getting a headache. Stiffly they inched past him and then hurried away to another part of the beach.
"Aw, what's the matter? Not making any friends?", Ruby smirked, suddenly appearing, leaning against a near by tree. Yue looked sharply at her, "What do you know about? Not spreading rumors are you? Because if you are Ruby..." Yue threatening tone did not faze her.
"Please, you don't need me to turn them against you...just know that I warned you first", Ruby said, and apparently finished, she made to walk away. In one quick motion Yue caught her wrist, "And what is that is supposed to mean?" Ruby returned his icy glare and jerked her wrist free, "Why isn't obvious? These people need a leader not a dictator, you just can't help being bossy." And with that she left, her words filling the air around him, but never the less, a thin smile played on his lips, It's not going that easy Ruby. Relaxing again, pushing any insecurities that developed away, Yue went to join the others. Most were done with having fun and now had a case of empty stomachs.
"Can too cook!", Serena was arguing as he got there.
"I wouldn't let her near those coconuts if you value your breakfast", Rini said seriously to T.K who was holding the coconuts helplessly. Secretly Hotaru and Raye nodded gravely just out of Serena's vision. Yue took the coconuts from his hands, "What was the last thing you cooked, not burned, Serena", he asked evenly. Serena went silent as pink tinged her cheeks, "Lita says I have a lot of potential!", she protested. Yue nodded, remaining ever calm, "Well I'm sure that this Lita is right, whoever she is, but we have a challenge to win today and we can't risk going with empty stomachs because something or other happened to the food. You can cook on days when there are no challenges." Many opened their mouths to object ( including Serena ) but Yue's words had been final, he was already making coconut shavings.
"If I may", Tracy spoke up, "I'm pretty good with food." Ten minutes later Tracy was cooking up a mouth-watering meal ( with what little they had )
"We need more water, who will go?", Yue asked, watching over Tracy carefully.
"More water!", Serena exclaimed, "We dragged five jugs of it back yesterday and you say we need more!" Yue turned away from Tracy, picked up one of the jugs and turned it over. Nothing came. Not a drop. Serena stared on in disbelief.
"Someone ( and believe me when I find out who they will pay...) has taken it upon them self to either dispose of our precious drinking water or drank it all up sometime either early this morning or late last night", Yue further explained, "So who's going?" Serena sat down promptly and crossed her arms. She was not going.
"Joe, Meouth, Beast Boy, Cyborg, and I will go", Ruby volunteered unexpectedly. All of them looked to her confusedly, but she waved them away.
As suspicious as Ruby volunteering to do anything was, Yue had no choice but to allow her to go. Silently he watched the five of them go in wonder of what she was up to. Ruby looked back to catch Yue's uneasy expression, a smug smile spread across her face, she was getting under his skin, just what she had wanted. Joe looked to the young woman who was leading the way with distaste, had he asked to go? No. But was he going? Yes. The others around him looked equally displeased.
"So what's the deal? You think I want to go on this little adventure?", Meouth piped up irritatedly.
"I have a deal to propose", Ruby stated simply, not even bothering to look back at them, keeping a steady pace towards their tribe's well. The others exchanged surprised looks, she had a deal to propose to them? Immediately they were skeptical, why wouldn't she try and make a woman's alliance? Why would Ruby, of all people pick them for an alliance, it seemed unlikely.
"Now I know you must be surprised, but really I don't see it as all that shocking that I picked you, your very good additions to this game, you just don't know it yet", she continued mysteriously, trudging onward.
"I'm listening...", Cyborg spoke up. Ruby smiled to herself, "How much do you like Yue?" For a few moments all that filled the silence was the rustle of brush, the snapping of twigs, and the hum of hidden jungle life.
"I don't like him one bit", Joe finally said. Ruby nodded, "I noticed, that's why I asked you to come along. And Beast Boy and Cyborg, look at the way he over ruled your arguments last night during the games and then cheated himself, that couldn't of made you too happy with him." Cyborg and Beast Boy were thoughtful for a few moments, "No, no I wasn't happy about that", Beast Boy nodded.
"And Meouth", Ruby continued, never pausing for a moment, "You seem like an independent person, I doubt you like anyone controlling you..." Meouth shifted oddly, almost as if recalling something he wasn't telling them, but then nodded like the others, "No one rules over me."
"We then, I think it's safe to say that we've all got something in common, our dislike of Yue, and if I'm correct that's pretty good grounds for a strong alliance...what do you say? In this alliance we all would rule as one power, none above us, free to make our own decisions." Again there was a pause, but not nearly as long as the first, "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm in", Joe agreed. Ruby, pressing on, smiled radiantly.
"Me too", Cyborg said soon after, though he sounded slightly hesitant.
"Yeah, count me in", Beast Boy piped up. Alls that was left was Meouth.
Strange...Ruby thought to herself, I was sure he'd be the first to accept. They reached the well, for the first time since leaving camp Ruby faced the people she was now aligned with. Joe was now glowing a great sense of confidence, Cyborg and Beast Boy also seemed more at ease with their newly found security, but Meouth's face was clouded with thought.
"...I call my own shots", he began giving Ruby an intense stare.
"Done deal", Ruby nodded, speaking the words as if they were written in stone. The air cleared and lightened, with Ruby grinning from ear to ear, she took each water jug one at a time and filled it to the top.
"There we go", she sighed, brushing off her hands. For a moment the jungle was silent again as she stared at them expectantly.
"Well...we best be going", she hinted sweetly, inching her way back.
"Oh...right", Joe said, suddenly realizing that she wanted them to carry back the jugs. A bit grudgingly they picked them up and struggled to follow after Ruby's brisk pace, but not for long. Halfway back Joe claimed that he was in some kind of terrible of harm from carrying an extra jug ( Ruby's jug...) and could not continue this way. Annoyedly Ruby was forced to carry her own and Cyborg took Joe's. With no alliance proposals to fill the empty air, Joe then seemed to take it upon himself to fill the void and at every opportunity pointed out random facts about the leaves he stepped on, the ants filing by, and the mosquitoes trying to bite him. By the end Ruby was already starting to regret the contract she had just bond herself in. Tracy had just announced breakfast served when Yue spotted Ruby and her strange company on the horizon. Panting Ruby dropped her jug at Yue's feet. An amused smile played on his lips, "Thank you Ruby, you can leave it with Tracy", and with that began passing out the cooked coconut shavings. Ruby glared darkly at the back of his head, but lugged it a few more feet to Tracy who gladly accepted hers and the others. Once everyone was gathered and happily munching down their breakfasts, Yue took that moment to speak.
"We have an important day ahead of us, but I am confident that we can pull through if we truly try to work together. We are a tribe to be reckoned with." Ruby exchanged unimpressed looks with those aligned with her, but the rest of Kera seemed to be aroused by this. Confident even. Ruby made a disgusted noise. Small talk was made amongst them for the rest of the meal. Cyborg complained to himself about needing some meat to live on, Beast Boy who sat right next to him seemed to be enjoying every organic coconut shaving. Sasami, while not totally enthusiastic about her meal, ate it anyways, as did Mimi. Joe, T.K, the orange haired boy, Henry, Takato, Yue, Raye, and Tracy ate heartily, while Serena, Rini, Ruby, and Spinner picked meekly at the food before them. Hotaru, who had found a comfortable seat next to the strange-cloaked man and his friend, ate without complaint, as did they. Once every one was finished ( or done picking...) Spinner suggested tree mail be brought.
"We'll get it", the girl with the strange friend volunteered, the cloaked man beside her grunted in agreeance. There were no protests so off they went.
"...So has anyone spoke to him yet?", T.K asked hesitantly. Everyone shook their heads.
"What do youthink he is anyways?", Ruby joined in. Everyone shrugged.
"How do you think she knows him?", Mimi wondered. Everyone looked thoughtful, but came up with nothing.
"How do you think she knows his language?", Joe piped up, obviously still sore about yesterday. Everyone shook their heads uncertainly. Just then the sound of sand being tread was heard and the tribe went silent. Panting, but smiling the girl arrived with her friend closely following.
"Here it is", the girl continued extending the mail to Yue.
"Thank you", Yue replied politely and then un-scrolled it.
"Teams of one become two, let's see what each can do. Climb up, climb down, race to the finish, stand your ground. Finish first, not last, and receive a reward that's made to last." Yue's voice cut the air and filled it with excitement and nervousness. Their first challenge would soon be upon them.
"We'll have to split into two", Spinner said observantly, working through the cryptic message with ease. Ruby and Yue nodded silently, working through it themselves.
"Since it hints that we'll be climbing something, my guess is walls", Ruby added.
"...followed by a stand off at the finish", Yue finished. The three of them were so absorbed in figuring the tree mail out they forgot they weren't alone, working together like usual through something Master wanted to them to de-crypt. Joe cleared his throat, apparently feeling a little insulted that his intelligence wasn't called on. The three of them looked up blankly, coming out of their thoughts.
"Oh right...what do the rest of you think?", Yue asked absently, already returning his attention back to the piece of paper in his hands.
"Well I know what the reward will be, food!", Serena announced confidently, weather it was her semi-empty stomach speaking for her or not, no one knew. Suspiciously, those who had only picked at their breakfasts, agreed without a second thought or without giving notice to the fact they had just agreed with a suggestion that Serena had made. Yue nodded, "Food is a good guess." Serena beamed and Rini glared.
"Well let's go then", Spinner said promptly, after having put as much energy as he was going to into the mysterious tree mail. It was agreed and as neatly as they could the Kera tribe made for their raft.
"Umm...Yue, Ruby...may I have a word?", Spinner beckoned, hanging back from the others. Ruby and Yue exchanged confused glances, but hung back with the guardian curiously. Turning serious and capturing an air he only ever used around Master, Spinner faced his two companions, "Give it your all today...Master said too." Yue and Ruby exchanged glances again, but these were now suspicious.
"Well thank you Spinner for that tid bit, but how do you know what Master wants?", Ruby inquired, her eye's focus on him with a dangerous glint. Spinner looked away from her intense stare only to find the same cold gaze blazing from Yue's eyes...something wasn't right here, they were supposed to be relieved, not angry.
"Well-", he stammered, the cool composure that he had attained earlier slipping, "Well- Master told me of course..." Another exchanged look. This wasn't looking any better.
"What!", Spinner finally burst out, unable to continue playing these games.
"Do you know how much sleep I lost last night thinking about just what I was going to do at this challenge today?", Ruby answered, speaking in dangerously low tones, meant to be intimidating, unfortunately they were.
Gulity. Of course I knew, I was enjoying hearing you both toss and turn in your troubled thoughts, but it was all in fun...Spinner thought to himself.
"Oh get over it", he finally objected in his defense, "We have a challenge to get to so let's go...Honestly, sometimes you both can be soooo touchy..." And with that evasive trick, the guardian floated off in a suspiciously fast pace to the safety of the rest of his tribe. Ruby and Yue glowered after him, but found such a grudge was pointless and reluctantly put it behind them and joined the others, much to Spinner's relief.
"Well let's go, what's the hold up?", Yue protested when he and Ruby reached their tribe who was just standing around.
"I'm working on it", Cyborg persisted from his position over the raft.
"Oh right, the holes", Ruby said, giving a sharp look towards Meouth who pretended not to see it.
"Almost done melting the rubber back together", Cyborg announced. When he finished there was a small bit of cheering and then they all filed into the raft and Kera set off for the reward challenge beach. Though longing for it, Yue found no silence in their on their voyage, only bickering in the form of Serena, Rini, and Raye. Serena ( who at first refused to paddle ) began paddling wearily, merely splashing the top of the water, her pitiful strokes were not over looked by Rini behind her. Rini made a small gasp and Serena jumped, "I think I saw a large shadow pass by...could it be a shark?" Serena said nothing, but pulled her paddle even further out of the water ( if that was possible, the tip was barely grazing it as it was ) Rini smirked to herself, but she wasn't finished yet...
"You know", she continued in a low tone, "I heard some sharks are pretty smart, one guy was even pulled into the water by his paddle and then...eaten by the hungry shark." Serena shivered despite sun beating down on her, "Ha, I bet you just made that up, since when do you study anything...", Serena protested, trying to feel assured herself that, in fact, the squirt did know nothing about sharks, let alone anything else. Yue sensed troubled, the raft oddly silent with everyone listening closely to what was coming next. Mimi squirmed in her seat, happy not to be paddling this time.
"You know she does have a point, sharks are in fact very intelligent creatures", Joe piped up, obviously unable to help himself. The color began to drain from Serena's face. Yue rubbed his forehead, his headache was getting worse. Mimi was now making strange squeaky noises from her spot in the middle of the raft. Yue turned around in his seat, "Tell you what Serena, if by some amazing feat, a shark does in fact attack you I will be the first person in the water to save you, so until then paddle." The color flushed back to Serena's cheeks and embarrassedly she began to stroke the water again ( still hesitantly though...) One would have thought this would have silenced Rini, but for the rest of the trip she and Raye gasped everyone and a while, causing both Mimi and Serena to jump. Ruby was smiling to herself and staring at the back of Yue's head with a curious expression, "Oh my hero", she purred just quiet enough so that only Yue heard. Yue clenched his paddle tighter and gritted his teeth, she had better hope no shark attacked her because he was certainly not jumping in after it. The island couldn't appear soon enough and by the time they landed on the beach Yue was more than ready to put some space between himself the rest of his tribe. Once out of their raft, Kera's bickering was suddenly replaced by a hushed nervousness. With a short uneasy walk through the jungle they stepped out into a brilliant sunlit clearing, recovering from their shock, a smiling Jeff swam into view along with fifteen imposing walls and the gathered tribes of Gajah and Badak. Several faces in Kera turned pale and reluctant ( ie: Serena, Mimi, Rini, Hotaru, Takato, Sasami...Meouth ) the whole thing seemed a lot more fierce than they had imagined. Yue took a moment to collect himself, he couldn't go into this with a scattered mind. Closing his eyes he dove easily into a light meditation, just enough to clear out the day's frustrations. When he opened them again he was glad to see that not all his tribe mates were wishing the ground would open up and swallow them. Ruby, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Joe, the orange haired boy, Henry, Raye, Spinner, Tracy, and the girl and her strange friend, all had the healthy glow of determination about them. Further relaxed by this, Yue faced his completion. Almost instantly, his eye's found Sakura. Yue allowed himself a small smile back at the beaming grin she was sending his direction, she would always be his true master to him, and he wouldn't have it any other way. Ruby caught this exchange and the almost non-existent flash of pride across his face and then in turn gave Sakura a sweet wink. Yue turned his head in time to catch Spinner and Kero send each other blazing glares across the beach. But their's were not the only exchanges being made, Serena ( momentarily coming out of her petrified state ) was sending googly-eye'd looks towards a dark haired man on Badak who was smiling affectionately back at her. Rini, hopping up and down at Serena's side, gave her a swift shove and then proceeded to smile innocently at the man too. Moving on Yue's gaze briefly fell on Meouth's face, and while still looking pale, his features were now mingled with a different sort of nervousness, the guilty kind. Following a hunch, Yue looked over to where Meouth was deliberately not looking. A woman with long red hair and a man with short blue hair on Badak were smiling dumbly over at him, even waving their hands trying to get his attention. Obviously Meouth didn't want anybody to know he knew them, but why? Yue decided to think on that later. T.K, standing next to Meouth, had an odd expression on, very odd...almost...almost mirroring Serena's lovesick looks. Before Yue could even ponder why this was, the answer presented itself.
"Kari!", he cried at virtually the same time another boy from Gajah cried. Realizing this they both sent each other looks of utter hatred. Yue blinked in surprise, If looks could kill... This did not last long though, and seconds later their attention was settled back on a girl from Badak who was blushing such a deep red that it was obvious even to Yue all the way on the other side of the beach.
"My love-", the boy from Gajah tried again, looking passionately at her.
"What makes you think she's yours?", T.K suddenly objected with just as much passion. All of Kera looked to T.K in surprise ( as if they weren't already looking at him that way...)
"Is that a challenge T.K? Bring it on!", the other boy exclaimed, seeming more than ready to take on anything T.K could dish out. Suddenly the Gajah boy was being restrained by two of his tribe mates.
"Sorry about that sis...", one of the boy's captors called, looking embarrassed all the while pouring all of his strength into keeping his hands around the boy's mouth while the other captor held him down. The boy, who was trying everything in his power to be set free, looked like a mad man with the way he was flailing around. Yue felt a similar pang of sympathy for them as he did earlier for Hotaru.
"You think I'm crazy? That's crazy...", Meouth murmured to Tracy as they both watched the boy further spaz out. Tracy nodded with small eyes. Yue, stealing a glance at T.K, saw his face seemed to be tinted pink. Looking back to the girl they had called Kari, he saw her face had only flushed redder ( if possible )
"Ahem, well if that's it, shall we get to the challenge?", Jeff spoke into the embarrassed silence. Everyone nodded.
"Good. Now I'd like to introduce some new rules before I explain the reward challenge today. Because most of you posses magical abilities, a few things have been changed. You all will be able to use your strengths to help your team along, but what you will not be able to use them for is to harm the other teams in any way. If this should happen anytime whatsoever during the challenge your tribe will lose by default. It doesn't matter if you were just about to win, you lose, that's how it is. Do I make myself clear?" Slow nods came from all three tribes.
"Okay", Jeff continued, "I will also, at the start of each challenge, tell you what is magically permitted and what's not. Now, how about what you have to do today? As you can see there are fifteen, twenty-foot walls standing behind you. On my go you will break off into teams, ten going, ten staying. The ten staying will wait for the team of ten going to partner up and rush up to a wall and climb to the top where they will find a wooden board. Each team of two will return with a board and then help the others assemble them all together. Now there's a catch for the teams of two retrieving these boards, one will stand in front of the wall and one behind it, the only way to get to the top is to step on the boards your partner will slip through to you, communication is key to getting up quickly. Once all five boards are put together, the ten staying with take their newly built wall and hold it up. Only the two teams who build their wall the fastest will continue. The ten going will then race to an opposing wall and will have to get through it some how. There are two lines laid down on either side of the wall, you cannot step over the line or your team loses, you can not jump over the wall or your team loses, you can not crawl under the wall or your team loses. You can only push the opposing team over the line, push them out of the way, or use magic by force not harm. Once past it, be the first to touch your flag to win. Make sense? Wanna know what you're playing for?" Everyone cheered.
"How about your very own island food service? Once a week from now until the end of the game your tribe and the people in it will be able to select a food to be sent to your camp, that includes cake, pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, you name it. Sound good?" Everyone cheered again.
"Good, there will be no flying permitted in this challenge, all the rest is fair game, Survivors ready?...Go!" The small pit that had been steadily growing in Yue's stomach clenched at these words. This was go time, time to give it his all and prove that he can win, not only to himself, but to his tribe. Of course there was also the added bonus of shutting Ruby up, if even just for a little while. Light on his feet Yue took off at an amazing speed, he would not be one of the staying. Suddenly he noticed Ruby running along side him. Yue's eyes widened in surprise. Ruby's eyes flashed back at him, "What? Scared? Don't think you can handle me?"
"Please", Yue replied assuredly, "It's you who should be worried if you can handle me." Ruby returned his confident expression with one that seemed to say that she more than could. The branching off was in effect immediately, with Yue and Ruby racing for their wall ( a good deal a head of the others, hey Jeff didn't say the couldn't use their magic to run fast, right? ) Hotaru and Rini, The cloaked man and his friend, Cyborg and Beast Boy, and finally ( after finding themselves the only ones left running without partners ) Serena and Raye. Approaching their wall both he and Ruby nearly collided in attempt to be the one climbing the wall. For a moment they stood still, staring each other down, neither willing to give it up, but it passed, and as if he had never stopped, Yue took off for the back and began shooting planks through the wall almost faster than Ruby could climb. He would not lose over a stand off with Ruby, though he was sure that she would love him too. Yue had barely blinked and Ruby was down with the board and gone again, quickly he joined her.
"Care to let your partner know when you've finished?", he called sharply, matching her astonishing speed, pace for pace.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't think you needed a babysitter", Ruby spat back as they reached Kera's mat. Those who had stayed were staring at them with wide eye's. Ruby and Yue exchanged glances,
"What?", Yue asked, not in the mood for games. T.K was the first one to find his voice ( Spinner was there and of course not surprised by this, in fact, he had thought they were rather slow today, but he decided not to say anything since they were the first pair back and continued to focus on status of the rest of his tribe )
"It's just- Jeff just said go- everybody has just reached their walls...", T.K stammered amazedly. Ruby let out a slow smile, "Well I am the best." Yue sent a sidelong glare at her and then looked back to T.K, "We used magic. Only flying was off limits."
"Oh. Well that was still pretty fast", T.K replied with the rest of Kera nodding behind him. Ruby sent Yue a glare of his own for taking the mystery out of it. Just then Rini and Hotaru burst on to the scene, dropped the board onto of Yue and Ruby's and collapsed to their knees.
"There. Woof, that was a tough one", Rini said between pants. Hotaru nodded beside her, "But we are the second ones back not bad I should say", she smiled.
"That's very good", Yue praised offering up a rare smile of his own. Just then Cyborg and Beast Boy arrived at their mat, and tossing their own board into the pile, high-fived each other and did a little dance, "Yes! First!", Cyborg cried, obviously to pumped up to realize his company. "Yeah!", Beast Boy cried, dancing along side him, but in tearing himself away from his victory dance for a second, saw what his best friend did not see.
"Uh, Dude...", he began tugging on Cyborg's arm as he did the robot for the fifth time.
"What BB my man", Cyborg said smiling as he went on dancing.
"Uh, look..." Cyborg stopped dancing confusedly and looked around.
"Actually we were here first if we making this a matter of record", Ruby corrected with a sweet toss of her hair. Yue sent a not a glare, but a look of disgust her way this time.
"And recordly speaking, we were second so that makes you-", Rini was cut off by a crestfallen Cyborg, "Third? We're third? Even behind the five year olds?" Rini turned red in the face and was about to object to that last statement when the strange cloaked man and his friend approached. Out of breath, but smiling, the girl tossed their board down.
"Well at least we beat them...", Cyborg said out the corner of his mouth. Beast Boy nodded.
"Great", Yue appreciatively, they only needed one more. Spinner, who had been watching the real action the whole time finally called their attention to the challenge and away from each other, "Only Serena and Raye are left", he announced. Suddenly everyone was watching very closely. With only eye's for the wall with the red faced blonde and the red faced brunette ( as even now they were fighting...big surprise ) Yue saw nothing else and only hoped that they would get over it and come quick enough.
"-Well if didn't have to paddle I would have the strength to push this last plank through", Serena exclaimed, swinging the particular plank wildly as she tried to get her point across to Raye who was just short of reaching their game altering board. Both of their faces were as red as Kari's had been from fighting.
"I'm sick of your lame excuses Serena! Just go over there and put the stupid plank in so I can get this board to come down there and hit you with it", Raye cried back. Serena crossed her arms ( which was difficult because of the plank ) and sat right where she stood.
"Well in that case then, I'm not putting it in for you period", she said stubbornly. For that moment Yue could have swore he and Raye were on the same plane as both of their eye's burned bright with flames.
"Serena! If you don't put that dumb plank in right now, I'm going to come down there anyways with a plank of my own!", Raye threatened. It could have of been the tone she used, or maybe it was the fact that Raye steadily seemed to be catching on fire, but whatever it was, Serena finally wavered.
"Fine, fine! You don't have to getting so worked up!", she grumbled as she walked up to the wall and pushed the last plank in with the slight strain of her arm. In a flash of slowly receding flames, Raye swiped up the board and tore down the wall, quickly followed by Serena ( though she kept her safe distance...) As soon as the board left Raye's fingers Jeff's voice cut the air, "Enough! Gajah, you're out!" Kera was momentarily stunned. Yue stole a moment to look sadly over at Sakura, who by the looks of it was dealing with a fight rivaling Rini and Serena's ( and more recently Raye and Serena's...) Once again he felt a pang of sympathy. What was with these feeling? Was the island making him go soft? Though the next moment he was over it, over all his tribe had beat hers. Ruby was grinning ear to ear, even helping piece together their wall, "Well it's looks like it's us against Master after all." Yue and Spinner couldn't help but smile at her eagerness to prove to Master she could beat him. Hurried fingers rushed to put together the last pieces of the Kera wall. Shouts were coming from the Badak mat, the pressure was on.
"Done! Finished!", Ruby cried when the last piece was snapped into place. Breathlessly Kera split apart again, ten to hold up their wall, and ten to take down Badak's. With amazing speed again, Ruby and Yue were the first ones to take on Badak's wall. Behind it loomed unfamiliar faces, strict with determination, their Master would not be against then so to speak after all. Somehow, this made it all the more easier to charge at them with all their might. Seconds later Yue and Ruby were joined by, Cyborg and Beast Boy, Serena and Raye, Rini and Hotaru, and the strange man in the cloak and his friend. From there a long game of endurance began,
"Push!", Ruby cried, her forehead glistening in the sun after at least fifteen minutes of strain against the Badak wall. Yue was sure that hadn't gained much ground if any. Slowly the heat and consistent attempts at driving back the other tribe began to wear on them. Yue longed to see how things were going at the Kera wall, were they making any progress? He certainly hoped not. Hotaru finally fell moments later, no energy left to push back any longer. Rini's face flashed with fear, but the girl just insisted she needed rest.
"That's enough...", Raye suddenly said, her teeth gritted in effort, then, she stopped pushing and stepped back. Both Ruby and Yue's face were alarmed, they a lot invested here, what was she doing!
"What are you doing!", Ruby cried in disbelief. Raye did not answer, instead she raised her hand with her eye's shining she cried out, "Mars Star Power!" A burst of light suddenly lit the beach with such brilliance that for a moment no one could see anything. When finally the stunning white faded an entirely different Raye stood on the sand before them. Something stirred inside Yue, he sensed strong magic, but it wasn't coming from Raye...where had he felt this before...he almost had it...Master! His Master was about to act! If Raye was going to do anything at all but stand there and show her new outfit and heels then she had better do it now! Urgency must have been in the air, because in that next moment Raye cried, "Mars Celestial Fire Surround!" With another flash and an uncomfortable heat wave, rings of fire were summoned from nowhere flying at top speed towards the Badak's wall. It was all Yue could do to get out of the way fast enough. The sound of hungry flames devouring wood sounded as Yue looked back up to where the Badak wall had once stood, but now scorched wood soon to be ashes, littered the beach. There was an uncertain silence and then, "And Kera wins reward!" A sudden burst of cheering filled the beach. The ten who had been holding up Kera's wall raced to celebrate their victory with their fellow tribe mates. Yue smiled satisfiedly to himself as he watched the rest of Kera jump around and hug each other. Tracy and Meouth were actually shaking hands, Serena had Rini in some kind of affectionate head-lock, Cyborg and Beast Boy were dancing again, The cloaked man and his friend were hugging, Mimi was just about hugging everybody in sight, T.K, Joe, the orange haired boy, Henry, and Takato were all laughing a patting each other on the back. Ruby was engulfing Spinner in a hug and in the moment almost hugged Yue, but then realized what she was doing and settled for a very stiff handshake. More hugs and pats on the back were sent around before Jeff spoke again, "Well done, and I think it's safe to say you deserve this." Taking the menu he was being handed, Yue felt himself smiling wider than ever before. With a few more congratulations, Jeff sent them off, "That's it, head back to camp!" Feeling the best they had all day, Kera boarded their raft and headed back to their beach. Again the raft wasn't silent, but it wasn't bickering filling the air this time, it was Mimi leading them all in a passionate version of 'We Are The Champions'. Even Yue joined in. The accelerating feeling of winning their first reward challenge had everyone's spirits up. Reaching their camp they unloaded, talking happily of their win.
"Well...open it", Ruby urged Yue as they had all gathered around their campfire to relish in their reward, a menu filled with delicious food. Yue looked up at his tribe's eager faces and broke the seal, clearly he read aloud:
"Congratulations, each person on your tribe may now pick, one meal, one desert, and one drink of their choosing to be delivered to them on the day of the next reward." Gasps of delight were heard through out the tribe. Cyborg's eye's practically turned into two big juicy steaks.
"Here are your choices for the main course", Yue continued while everyone around him mouth's watered, "Steak with mashed potatoes, ( Cyborg nearly fainted ), Pizza with your choice of toppings and breadsticks ( It was Beast Boy's turn to look faint ), A cheeseburger with fires ( several faces looked approving ) Spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread ( Raye sent Serena a look who glared back at her ) Any soup and salad of your choice ( Serena and Rini made faces at this option ) A seafood sampler ( Meouth looked like he liked the sound of that ) Meatloaf and mashed potatoes ( a few more approving nods ) Chicken Fettuccini alfredo with garlic bread ( Mimi finally looked like she agreed with something ) and finally...Mac and cheese?" Serena and Rini smiled brightly.
"Well I don't know about you, but I'm officially hungry now", Tracy said, his stomach growling as he spoke. Everyone nodded, they had just participated in a grueling challenge and it was lunchtime. Yue nodded, "Tracy and I will handle lunch while everyone fills out what they're ordering." No one argued and instead eagerly accepted the papers and pens he began to pass out. Once they were all set, Tracy and Yue faced the difficult task a head of them, creating an appealing lunch following all those great dishes.
"We need some fish and fruit", Tracy said, addressing the situation seriously. Yue agreed, silently he scanned his tribe for anyone who remotely looked like they could fish.
"Beast Boy, Cyborg, are you finished?", he asked. Cyborg looked at him surprised, "Are you kidding, I was done five minutes ago!"
"Me too, what do you need?", Beast Boy wondered, a bit of drool still present on his cheek.
"Come with me", Yue answered simply. Exchanging confused looks they followed. Out of earshot of the others, Yue explained, "Can either of you fish?" Cyborg and Beast Boy grinned, "Sure."
"Great, I'll leave you to your own devises and when you catch something, be sure to bring it to me and Tracy", Yue said, already heading back for the campfire. They both nodded and headed for the water's edge.
"Find anyone to gather the fruit?", Yue questioned Tracy when he approached.
"Actually they volunteered", Tracy said motioning to the cloaked man and his friend.
"So you and...um...", Yue began suggestively.
"Chihiro and No-face", Chihiro answered smiling warmly. The strange man beside her grunted.
"Chihiro and No-face, good. Any fruit you can find would be a great help", Yue replied throwing a few more braches into the fire. They both nodded and went off into the jungle in search of fruit. Meanwhile the rest of Kera was finishing up on their choices. Most looked satisfied. Idol conversation began.
"So...", Ruby began, looking innocently at T.K, "Who was this Kari at reward today?" T.K shifted in his seat, his face growing pink by the second, "Well...um...just somebody I know", he answered lamely. Though Ruby saw right through this, Mimi took it upon herself to elaborate, "Just someone you know? Humph. How I wish Kari could see you now...", Mimi scolded, causing T.K to squirm in his seat even more ( which was something he never did ), "No. Kari is more than just someone he knows, he would like to be her boyfriend I suppose, but there have been some complications...", Mimi went on, speaking with such an understanding of the situation, that Joe, the orange haired boy, and T.K himself were staring at her with astonished expressions.
"Cue the guy at the reward...", Ruby said, following this closely. Mimi nodded, "Exactly. Davis is his name. Now I'm not one to take sides, so I'm not going to bad mouth him, but he is the only thing standing in T.K's way. I guess the most important question would be, who does Kari like? Well I've asked before and I don't think even she knows", Mimi stated with a sigh. T.K had now turned crimson from his love life being pulled a part, plain for everyone to see.
"Very interesting situation...", Ruby murmured thoughtfully, "I guess you'll just have to prove to her that your the better one for her. You know, things rarely move me, but your problem has really captured my heart, why don't you let me help you? I know all the ins and outs of love, you'll have her hanging all over you in no time." Mimi brightened with this suggestion and T.K only turned redder.
"That's a great idea!", Mimi chimed in, "I'm no stranger to love either, I can help too!' If it was possible to wish the sandy patch of sand he sat on into quick sand, T.K would have, but instead he sat there like a fish out of water, opening and closing his mouth with the intention of protest, but never able to get out a word. With giddy gleams in their eyes, Ruby and Mimi immediately began debating his faults, why something had to be wrong with him, or why wouldn't she want him, right?
"...Kinda short", Mimi said holding her chin in thought.
"Ugly hat...", Ruby added, sizing him up as well.
"Ears are kinda big...", Mimi continued with an emphazing gesture.
"Kinda small build...", Ruby pointed out, her face grim with focus. T.K. stared on in horror as the list went on.
"Big feet..."
"Squinty eye's..."
"Knobby knees..."
"Big knuckles..."
"Has reddish skin..."
"Elbowy elbows..." Everyone had small eyes.
"What's wrong with my elbows!", T.K exclaimed, bending them in dismay.
"Has good hair though", Ruby commented, ignoring T.K completely. Mimi nod, "Yes he does have good hair, that just may save him..."
"Okay that's enough", Spinner finally spoke up, though his voice was calm, a slight hint of discouragement was at play there too. Ruby crossed her arms and frowned at him, "Were just trying to help Spinner, but I wouldn't expect you to understand, your greatest love is yourself." Spinner took no offense to this, he was much to use to it.
"Your sure that's not you your talking about?", he answered casually, and just like that the attention was now mercifully taken off T.K. Ruby made a sour face, "Excuse me?" Just then something drew their attention to the water, someone was cheering down there. Curious, the group went to investigate. It was quite an impressive sight. Cyborg stood at few feet into the water with a very high-tech looking net in hand while a suspiciously green dolphin was chasing a bunch of fish his direction, when they got close enough Cyborg tossed the net into the water and presto, fish caught.
"Yeah!", Cyborg cheered while the green dolphin did a few tricks, "This could be enough BB, why don't we pay a visit to Yue and Tracy?" With a nod of it's odd-looking head, the dolphin shot off through the water and when it surfaced a soaking wet but grinning Beast Boy emerged. A soft round of applause greeted them as they made their way up the beach.
"Oh, I didn't know anyone was watching", Beast Boy said sheepishly.
"That was great!", Serena cried, obviously still thinking of the cute, but slightly odd, dolphin.
"Aw it was nothing", Cyborg replied waving away the attention modestly.
"I take it you pulled in a good haul", Yue said suddenly, having left the fire, attracted by the commotion.
"We did our best, I think the amount is decent", Cyborg carried on, handing over the net ladden with fish. Yue looked it over carefully and then nodded, "Good work you two, we'll have these cooked in no time", and with that left to help Tracy with the preparations. Just as Yue returned, Chihiro and No-face were also getting back and amongst them, two armfuls of tropical fruit.
"You can set them right there", Tracy told them brightly as carved his fifth coconut from it's shell.
"Excellent", Yue said as he approached.
"You're welcome, some were harder to get then others, but we managed", Chihiro smiled. Tracy picked one up and examined it, "I've never seen anything like this...do you think it's edible?" Yue looked up from the fish he was dumping out, "I don't remember being told there was any poisonous fruit here, but if you don't trust it, don't serve it." Tracy nodded and set it aside, then went about gutting more coconuts so their shells could serve as bowls. Chihiro and No-face rejoined the rest of their tribe who were now talking quietly amongst themselves. Mimi and Ruby sat huddled together, casting odd looks at T.K every once and awhile. T.K sat as far away as he could from them, desperately trying to keep a conversation going with Joe and the orange haired boy. Down the beach Beast Boy and Cyborg were back in the water putting on a show for Rini, Sasami, Serena, Raye, and Hotaru. Back in his acclaimed guise as a dolphin, Beast Boy was pretending to save Cyborg from a nasty shark ( BB played both parts in a very intense scene )
"Go free Willy! Go!", Serena cried, her voice carrying through out the beach. Back on higher ground Takato and Henry were kicking back talking about something that made them laugh. Meanwhile Ruby and Spinner seemed to have resumed their earlier argument and were at it again. Chihiro and No-face took a seat of their own and had not been talking long when lunch was announced. Tracy and Yue handed out the steaming coconut bowls of fish with a side of ripe juicy fruit. Yue had just finished when he noticed something, "I have one bowl left, where's Meouth?" Everyone looked around, but the talking cat was nowhere in sight.
"Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing him when me and No-face returned to camp", Chihiro said, trying to recalling anything she had seen him doing. A look of dawning lit everyone's face as they finally learned the cloaked man's name, then they quickly tried to cover it up.
"Hmmm", Yue said, walking back to the fire where he and Tracy had been cooking. Suddenly Yue froze and the sound of gasping was heard. A second later Meouth came scrambling across the sand, making frantic gestures to his throat.
"Can't breathe...", Meouth gasped, falling to his knees in panic. Alarm arose among the tribe. Mimi and Serena let out small squeaks of concern. Steadily the cat's face was turning blue, his eye's bulging he gripped his throat and continued to gasp in shallow breathes. More distressed cries came from Mimi and Serena, now joined by Sasami, Rini, and Hotaru.
"What's wrong with him?", T.K wondered looking to Yue with wide eye's. Yue looked to Tracy, "I don't know, I found him this way." Meouth's struggle was getting more urgent.
"Somebody do something!", Serena cried burring her face in her hands.
"Is he choking?", Chihiro questioned, her eye's filled with panic. Remaining ever calm, Yue shook his head, then approached Meouth. Picking him up from his dramatic pose on the sand, he held hand above his throat, looking to see if any of his magic could help. Nothing was happening. Yue's expression finally held a slight indication of worry. Spinner floated up helplessly, he was at a loss as well. Meanwhile things were not getting any better.
"Can't breathe...", Meouth gasped again. Joe's eyes suddenly lit up, "It's an allergic reaction!"
"An allergic reaction!", everyone cried confusedly.
"Yes, yes, I've seen this before", Joe went on hurriedly.
"Well what do you do!", Serena exclaimed hysterically. Joe's brow furrowed in thought, trying desperately to recall what he had seen done, "Um, um, a shot, he has to get a shot."
"Well don't have any shots", Yue said sharply. In one motion he gripped Meouth again, "What did you eat?" Meouth only continued to flail his arms and grip his neck. Mimi began to sniff tearfully, time was running short.
"Try CPR! The Heimlich maneuver! Anything!", Serena wailed.
"It's okay, it's okay! I think I remember hearing that sometimes, if it's not too severe, the reaction will start to fade", Joe persisted flusteredly, angry that at a time of need his brain wasn't functioning properly. They all stood helplessly, hoping that Joe was right. Fortunately it seemed that he was. Little by little the puffiness of Meouth's neck began to go down, his gasps were less and less shallow, and the blue color left his face.
"What could he have eaten?", Ruby wondered as the panic started to fade. Meouth was laid on the sand with everyone crowded around him, watching him slowly get better. That's when it suddenly dawned on Tracy, "Of course! The fruit! The fruit we didn't trust!" Yue's head snapped up in realization, "You're right, he must have stole it and ate it."
"What fruit?", everyone asked.
"It was a fruit we brought back. We didn't know it was poisonous...", Chihiro trailed off looking guilty. Yue gave her a light smile, "It's not your fault, we set it out for a reason, and this sneak shouldn't of been poking around", he continued, giving Meouth a stare that nearly sent him back to gasping. A few people shifted, not sure whether or not to direct the blame on Meouth so quickly, the girl and her cloaked friend had been the ones who brought it back...a dark shadow of suspicion was cast over them. More time past when Tracy's stomach growled loudly, "Oh, I totally forgot about our lunch, is anyone still hungry?" Though their stomachs growling as well, many looked reluctant to eat after this episode. Finally though, they all gave in, but only Tracy and Yue ate their fruit. Just as the sun was setting and everyone had finished their meal, Meouth came around. Slowly he lifted his head and looked around. His breathing had somewhat returned to normal, but something else was wrong...
"Good to have you back", Yue greeted, though it was hard to tell if he was genuine or not. Meouth opened his mouth to talk, but then he knew something was wrong. His tongue tingled and felt as heavy as lead, what was wrong with him?
"I- shessh- shoveee- hiii-huuung", he desperately slurred. Everyone exchanged stricken looks, "What?", they all asked.
"I- shed- I- shessh- shove- hiii- huung", he repeated frantically. Everyone exchanged glances again, this time they looked grimmer. Joe shook his head, "I was worried about this..."
"Suurriied! Suush- shisss- unnng- ifff- heee!", Meouth exclaimed ( well atleast the best he could do with a mouth full of tongue )
"Meouth calm down", Yue commanded, "Now what happened?", he persisted, looking to Joe.
"Well I'm no expert on the subject or anything...", Joe began, hoping someone would then stop him, but no one objected, he knew more on the subject than anyone else there, "Um well, you see this is the aftermath, his tongue is swollen as a side effect. Sadly I'm afraid this will just have to clear up it's self." Meouth's eyes about bugged out of his head, "Suush!"
"This really is terrible, I really am sorry...", Joe went on sympathetically.
"He got what he deserves. What were doing stealing food anyways? If you're the one using up all our water...", Yue went on threateningly, his eye's blazing at Meouth, who for once was happy not to be able to speak. Spinner intervened, "We don't know that for sure Yue. It's been along day, why don't we all untwined a bit?" Beast Boy's face lit up, "I have just the thing!" Mysteriously he dragged Cyborg away down the beach. While waiting, many tried to take Spinner's advice, though some were having trouble. Serena sat huddled with Rini, Hotaru, Sasami, and Mimi, still traumatized from what happened, and even let Chihiro join them ( No-face kept a respectful distance ) Yue sat looking thoughtful, there was a lot for him to mull over. Ruby on the other hand looked as if she had very little to think about as she sat picking out the sand from her finger nails. Spinner and Joe were further trying to get Meouth to tell them what happened. Henry, Takato, the orange haired boy, and T.K were discussing the day's events. Raye was talking to Tracy about something and kept glancing at the fire. Just then Cyborg appeared on the beach again, carrying a huge boulder in which he sat down and then disappeared again. Coming back for a second time, he held yet another boulder and stacked that one on top of the other. Beast Boy joined him now, carrying a bunch of smaller rocks. Carefully he placed them so that they made stairs leading up to the top of the boulders. With a nod at Cyborg, he ascended his makeshift stairs and stood before them with excitement. Everyone's curiosity was peaked now. Cyborg transformed into a strange computer.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the 1st annual Reward Award Show!", Beast Boy announced, "With your agreement this award show will take place after every reward challenge, honoring those who did their best at that particular challenge. In each category some of you will be nominated and then it's up to the rest of the tribe to vote for who they think best deserves to win that category. Finally at the end of the show, the person who has the most awards, and even those with up to three less, can be nominated to win the best award, the teamwork award. The person who wins this showed great sportsmanship during the challenge and helped his or her fellow tribes mates to do their best, therefore, contributing to the tribe's win. If you do win this award in addition to the others, you also win a small reward yourself, because if you hadn't helped the tribe, we wouldn't have the reward anyways. In today's case you might get to take a small portion from each person's meal and then go on a picnic with one other lucky person. Sound good, everybody agrees?", Beast Boy finished, looking at them all eagerly. Kera was stunned to silence, Beast Boy had just come up with this? By himself? Recovering, Yue thought this over and was surprised to find he was favoring it. It would support a better effort from everyone and ensure that teamwork was a top priority.
"I vote yes", Yue spoke into the still air. Beast Boy broke into a large grin, "Any other takers?" Well with Yue kicking things off, it was kinda hard not to agree. Slowly, one by one, each raised their hands.
"Great! Now get ready, we'll head straight into the nominations", Beast Boy continued, empowered by their support, "Nominated for 'Fastest Speed' is...Yue and Ruby!" Everyone clapped, Yue looked down modestly, and Ruby waved and smiled.
"Now it is time to vote, who will win the first reward? Yue or Ruby? Line up at Cyborg and cast your votes now!" A steady stream of people line up at Cyborg and selected who they thought ran the fastest, when they were all finished they gathered in front of Beast Boy again. Looking oddly serious, Beast Boy accepted the piece of paper he was handed from Cyborg and read aloud, "And the winner is...( Cyborg provided a drum roll here )...Yue!" Loud applause sounded and Yue cracked a small smile. Ruby fumed where she stood, "Stupid biased people..."
"Yue would you please come up here?", Beast Boy beckoned. A bit hesitantly, Yue did as he was asked and walked up the steps and then stood next to Beast Boy who placed a makeshift award around his neck ( made of seaweed and a seashell ) There was more applause and then Yue walked back to the group.
"Next category is 'Best Team', those nominated are...Rini and Hotaru, No-face and his friend, and Cyborg and myself." Another round of applause. Rini pulled Hotaru close and both of them grinned, No-face bowed and Chihiro blushed, Beast Boy smile sheepishly and Cyborg popped out of his computer form for a second to bow.
"Voting starts now", Beast Boy announced. Again Kera lined up and voted. Waiting eagerly in front of Beast boy again, they held their breaths as he was passed the piece of paper.
"And 'Best Team' goes to...( drum roll again )...Rini and Hotaru!" Rini squealed with delight and Hotaru beamed surprised, the applause was strong. Beast Boy called them up much like Yue and awarded them warmly. When the excitement finally passed and the tribe had quieted again, Beast Boy began again, "Next category is 'Best strength at the wall', either pushing or holding their ground, the nominees are, Raye, Ruby, Yue, Cyborg, Myself, and Tracy." A polite applause sounded, obviously everyone thought that had good strength at the wall.
"Cast your votes now!" Like the times before everyone visited Cyborg and then returned to their spots in front of Beast Boy.
"And the winner is...( always faithful, a drum roll sounded )...Raye!" Raye looked surprised as she was getting pats on the back and encouraging smiles. Stunned she was welcomed up to Beast Boy and award. Eventually she got over it though and when she rejoined her tribe she spent plenty of time dangling her award in Serena's face.
"And next is the award for 'Best Fight And Then Make Up...", Beast Boy continued, "Those nominated are, Yue and Ruby and Serena and Raye." Yue and Ruby exchanged looks as well as Serena and Raye, what make up? Beast Boy sensed this vibe and explained, "Well not exactly a make up, but you still went on..."
"Oh." Everyone nodded and then headed to vote. Coming back many were smiling, they enjoyed voting for the best fight. Those nominated were not to thrilled with this category.
"And the winners are...( drum roll )...Yue and Ruby!" The loudest applause rang out yet, but it was also filled with amused smiles. Hanging his head Yue approached Beast Boy with Ruby taking along, beaming around like she had just won 'Brightest Beauty'. They both accepted their awards, Yue hurried away, but Ruby took her time, relishing in the attention.
"Finally", Beast Boy continued, "The last award has arrived, The 'Teamwork' award. If you win this one, you win the grand reward, the reward for helping win the reward. Those qualified are Yue, with the most rewards, two, and then Rini, Hotaru, Raye, and Ruby, with one each. Please vote now." A hushed silence settled over the camp as the serious voting began, whoever they picked would be getting a little bit of each of their meal, they had better be deserving... Once the votes were tallied, Cyborg handed Beast Boy the piece of paper, the tension in the air was thick, "And the winner of 'Best Teamwork', is...( a nervous drum roll )...Yue!" A roarous applause erupted as Yue smiled widely. Ruby nearly exploded. Walking with a spring in his step, Yue visited Beast Boy for the last time.
"Congratulations, you contributed the most to our win and as thanks you get a picnic for two on the day of the next reward challenge. Who will you be taking?", Beast Boy wondered, hoping that he himself would be taken. Yue's eyes scanned the area, who would he take? Though he didn't have to ponder long, his answer came the next moment when he locked eyes with Spinner.
Yes, Spinner...Yue thought satisfied, imagining having time to complain about Ruby and talk about how to vote her off.
"Spinner", he answered firmly. Everyone clapped again and Spinner gave him an apperceive nod. Ruby did explode this time, and though not quite literally it was pretty close... For the first time in front of her tribe she changed into her true form.
"Biased! You're all biased!", she cried storming towards Yue, who's eyes widen in surprise.
"Ruby", Spinner warned, coming into her path.
"Out of my way...", she threatened. Spinner remained firm, but in the next moment Yue appeared beside him, "It's okay, I've got this handled." Seething she stood there, staring him down.
"Got this handled do you? Think again!", and with that shot a powerful blast towards him. Yue merely held up his hand and the blast broke against his shield and fizzled out.
"Your too angry Ruby, your focus is clouded, you can't possibly attack me with any strength like that", Yue reasoned calmly. The light at this point in the sky had long since faded and the first stars were appearing, in the growing dark Ruby's eyes burned. The rest of the Kera tribe had parted in shock and Ruby and Yue stood alone in the clear.
"Give it up...", Yue continued to prompt, remaining ever clam. Ruby didn't look like she was ready to just give up, but Yue had a point...what had she intended to do? Finding that the only way out of this cleanly was vanishing altogether, she did just that, leaving Yue to smirk, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Wow...", Serena murmured, "I had no idea she could, do anything." Everyone nodded silently.
"Well it's not that much...", Yue persisted, shaking his head of his thoughts.
"It's pretty late, is anyone ready for bed?", Tracy asked as Rini yawned. More nods, as if what happened just moments before had drawn all sound from the island. With only the waves lapping softly at the beach, Kera climbed into the shelter to get a good night's sleep. Yue stayed up and stared into the fire. After a few hours the fire dwindled and so did his energy, slowly he closed his eye's and Yue let sleep take him. Ruby was nowhere to be seen.