Author's Note: Hey there readers. My writing style is going to be a little bit different for this chapter and most likely going forth. At least, I think is a bit different. Happy reading!


Blazing Gaffers

Boys - Pharoah, Buck, Maverick, Edgar

Girls – Janet, Lucy, Niu, Georgia, Sua

Freezing Grips

Boys – Knick, Christopher, Jett

Girls – Saraphina, Melissa


"Last time on Total Drama Lights, Camera, Finale," Chef narrated. Flashbacks occurred. "The two teams went into another VR challenge. This one was Noir mix Rock and Roll. Both teams figured out ways to enter cameo Jeremy's hotel room to find him at an underground concert. There, Edgar performed a song with a spectacular voice to woo the virtual crowd and win the challenge for the Blazing Gaffers. Oh, and he got together with Janet. I guess that's something special. Before the elimination ceremony, Melissa reveals to Knick that Daniela voted for him last time the Freezing Grips lost, which made the Crowstillo Alliance get rid of Daniela the stuntwoman."

The flashbacks ended. Chef is shown outside the film lot, standing in front of its entrance. "Fourteen contestants remain in Total Drama's epic conclusional season. Who will make it to the next lap of this race? Find out now on Total… Drama… Lights, Camera, Finale!"


The theme song for Total Drama has an orchestral vibe to it while still being groovy. A camera pops out of the entrance to the Crowstillo Caverns from Crowstillo Island. Another camera pops out from a carnival booth. Then one shows itself from a clothes racket at the film lot. A smooth transition occurs on Camp Wawanakwa's high cliff. The camera drone dives into the water around the cliff, creating a splash.

Dear mom and dad, I'm doing fine

The full cast of Total Drama Island is shown inside the dodgeball court. Everyone is throwing dodgeballs at each other. It looks to be the Screaming Gophers on the left side of the court facing the Killer Bass on the right side of the court. Teens throw and get hit. Owen throws a fastball.

You guys are on my mind

The fast-moving dodgeball transitions to a tire. The camera pans out to show Duncan driving the Action Cast in a tram. He looks to be annoyed by Courtney's talking. This distracts him and crashes the tram with him and the cast into something off-screen. The smoke released from the tram enlarges.

You asked me what I wanted to be,

The smoke disappears to show the jumbo jet soaring in the sky.

and I think the answer is plain to see

The World Tour Cast jumps out of the jumbo jet with parachute bags. Alejandro winks at the audience before deploying his parachute. Quick zoom on the parachute.

I wanna be famous!

The parachute descends to show Cameron in his robotic suit fighting Lightning who has armor and carrying a mannequin leg with spikes at the 'coliseum' Chris build. The rest of the Revenge Cast are sitting at the bleachers cheering for either combatant. The fight ends when Cameron charges a ball of electricity on his iron suit's right fist and shoots at the camera. Though, it is clear it is for Lighting from the athlete's person of view.

I wanna live close to the sun

It is night and the blue madness full moon is glowing brightly. Mike inhales and turns into Mal. Someone throws Mr. Coconut at Mal's head off-screen to bring Mike back in control.

Go pack your bags, 'cause I've already won

The camera pans to the right to show who throw Mr. Coconut. It is Zoey, who is smiling happily at getting her boyfriend back. The rest of the All-Stars cast is running away in the background from rabid fluffy rabbits.

Everything to prove, nothing in my way

Another transition displays itself. The Pahkitew Cast is inside the labyrinth of the artificial island running away from the scuba-bear and a mechanical orange cat. The cat stops to breathe fire from its mouth.

I'll get there one day

The fire stops and the next part shows the finalists of Crowstillo Island trying to complete the obstacle course. The rest of the cast is cheering for their favorite at the peanut gallery. Knick, Saraphina, and Casey take out one of their accessory clothes and throws it at the camera.

Cuz' I wanna be famous

The trench coat, scarf, and jacket fall from the camera lens. The Back to the Islands Cast is shown at Boney Island's Fun Zone using anti-mutant guns with orange liquid in them to turn the mutants from the show into normal animals. Jeremy accidentally shoots some liquid at the camera.

Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na

The cameraman wipes off the orange liquid with a small handkerchief. Once done, at a cliff of Crowstillo Island, Yves and Knick are shown doing a sword battle against King Crowstillo. In the background, the rest of the Radiant Cast faces off Henry in his robotic suit. Henry activates a laser cannon from the suit's left arm and unleashes a laser blast.

I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be famous!

Once the laser blast disappears, the Sleek Slushies from the Calamity Cast are riding the roller coaster at the carnival. Some are frightened, some are having fun. Marty turns on his camera so he can take pictures of all the carnival rides he can see. He flashes the camera that is recording him.

I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be famous!

Once the bright flash ends, the Glided Chris Awards stage is shown where all finalists from the previous nine seasons are getting ready to have a picture taken. All finalists, Chris, and Chef whistle. Once the song is over, the picture is taken and the intro ends.


The episode started with Melissa and Jett jogging around the film lot. They had been doing this for quite a while since they are sweating. Once they saw the crafts and services tent, the two Freezing Grips decreased their speed. They walked in front of the tent.

"I'll get us water," Jett said as he wiped the sweat from his forehead with his right arm.

"Thank you," Melissa expressed gratitude as she did the same action to wipe off her sweat.

Jett quickly came back with two bottles of water. He gave one to Melissa.

"I'm surprised you wanted to jog with me," Melissa confessed as she opened her bottle. "I know you are always running around but a jog?" She cracked a joke before drinking some water.

Jett let out a small chuckle. "Well, I wanted to spend some time with you. Plus, we need to talk about our Pre-Merge Alliance. I know you don't want to be competitive but…"

"Spill," Melissa smiled bigger. "I realized if I want to win this last season, I have to get competitive. But, thanks to you I have been figuring out how to ease it to fully use it to my full potential."

Jett drank some water happily before answering. "Glad that I am giving a positive influence, somehow." He took a sip from his bottle before continuing to speak. "Anyway, about our Pre-Merge Alliance. From the Blazing Gaffers, we have Niu, Edgar, and Maverick. Buck is a temporary member because of Niu."

"That is four. Which means they will need someone to vote with them when they lose," Melissa said, analyzing the situation.

"I'm hoping the merge gets here soon if not today. At least then we will have better numbers to vote off our enemies," Jett wished.

Melissa drank more water. "Having the merge at fourteen? That will be the largest merge ever in Total Drama history. No way is Chris going to do that."

"Hey, largest merge ever. We both know how much that man loves kicking things up a notch," Jett admitted that it could be possible.

"Even so, we have one issue. That issue being Buck," Melissa pointed out. "He's not a pre-merger, but he is Niu's boyfriend. If somehow all the pre-mergers make it to the final seven, what will we do with Buck?"

"Simple, we convince the other contestants to vote for Buck when it is convenient for us. I'm sure that hillbilly would be considered a threat for making it to the final four twice," Jett answered. He drank the remaining water in his bottle.

"I guess that's a good idea," Melissa did not seem convinced. She does not want to vote off Niu's boyfriend because of the alliance. It feels wrong to her to betray the trust of someone. Melissa smiled so Jett does not ask about the small sight of a frown. "Want to go for another jog?"

"Nah, I'm good. Going to head to the showers. You can accompany me. I will warn you, I am sweaty," Jett said gently.

"Hasn't stopped me from doing this," Melissa replied as she put a hand on Jett's shoulder. "You look hot when exercising."

"I do?" Jett blushed.

Melissa giggled. "Geez, don't be so gullible Jett. I'm just messing around with you."

"But do I look hot when exercising?" Jett wondered with a playful smile.

It was Melissa's turn to blush. "Let's just head to the showers," The athletic nerd dodged the question.

Confessional – Jett – Freezing Grips

"Melissa is cool, I guess. I totally don't think she's an amazing attractive athletic girl that I want to make out with. Nope, not at all."

He slapped his forehead, wanting to forget what he said.

Confessional – Melissa – Freezing Grips

"Jett is confusing for me. He's been acting nicer but is still hard to tell sometimes what truth is and what is not. Sometimes it looks like he is being genuine, but other times he is not. Then there are other times it feels like he wants to ask me out, yet he also makes it feel like he is just playing me. Either way, I'm glad we are working together. He has been lifting up my spirit since that dance in the musical horror challenge."

She blushed. "I wouldn't mind doing that dance with him again."

End Confessionals

Pharaoh, Lucy, and Janet were at the wild west set inside the saloon.

"This brings back memories," Janet recalled of the time Christopher pressure pointed her. "Not happy memories, but still memories."

"What are we here for again?" Pharaoh wondered as he looked around the serving bar area to see if there are drinks around.

"Knick wants another Crowstillo Alliance meeting," Lucy reminded. "He was in a good mood too when he told me about it. Hopefully, it has remained that way."

Sara, Christopher, and Knick entered the saloon with smiles on their faces.

"We're invincible on my team," Knick said to the alliance members from the Blazing Gaffers' side. "Besides Sara, Christopher, and I the only other Freezing Grips are Melissa and Jett."

"That's great. If you keep losing from now on it doesn't matter," Pharaoh got content.

"Wait, Melissa and Jett are still around? Does that mean Daniela was sent home?" Lucy asked for confirmation.

"Yeah, turns out Melissa was able to convince Daniela to vote for Knick once. Which then Melissa told Knick so she can save herself," Sara explained.

Janet narrowed her eyes at Knick with discontent. "You know, if you allowed Daniela to join the alliance, she would not have tried to eliminate you."

"We can't be sure about that. For all we know she would still go behind my back," Knick replied to the space geek, believing his decision is still correct.

"Besides Janet, Daniela would have figured out being in the Crowstillo Alliance will not benefit her due to the fact she is from the BTTI cast," Christopher added to make Knick's reasoning more sense.

Janet admitted in her mind that does add up nicely. "Alright, you two have a point."

"Now that we know we are safe from getting voted off in our team, we need to talk strategy with you three," Sara said to Lucy, Pharaoh, and Janet. "There are only three of you in a team of nine. Those are bad odds. Which means you three have to do some convincing on teammates to vote for others."

"Oh, oh, I got somebody that can help us," Janet replied happily as she raised her hand high like a little kid.

"Great job Janet," Christopher congratulated. He went to high-five his alliance member.

"You two are slacking," Knick smirked at Lucy and Pharaoh.

"To be fair, we have been winning so much it never occurred to us to do that," Pharaoh pointed out. "Besides Georgia has been a target on the team since our first elimination ceremony."

"And so far, she's still here," Sara spoke disappointedly. "Hoping the merge comes soon."

"Likewise, we need to get rid of the last remaining threats," Lucy agreed. "Those being Georgia, Buck, and Niu."

Pharaoh looked at her girlfriend confused about why she mentioned Niu and Buck.

"Our side is Melissa and Jett," Knick stated. He put his hands together. "Alright, now that all of us know what to do the meeting is over. Great job staying in the game everyone."

Confessional – Pharaoh – Blazing Gaffers

"I wonder if Lucy wants to target Buck and Niu for what Niu tried to do by using our secret as a couple to her own advantage. If that's the case, I don't know," The fake royal admitted, unsure if that is a good idea. "I rather just go after Niu since she is the one who wanted to do it in the first place, not Buck."

End Confessional

Buck, Edgar, and Maverick were exercising on the obstacle course. As they went through climbing the wall, tire jumping, monkey bars, and crawling under barbed wire Sua and Niu watched. Both ladies sat on the ground.

Sua noticed the engrossed attentive look Niu has on her face. "Is there something wrong?" The idol asked concerningly.

"Oh, is not a big deal," Niu brushed off the answer. It did not even take five seconds before the goal digger decided to officially answer. "Buck and I have different tactics when it comes to advancing the game. He is laid back and goes with the flow. Not causing any drama whatsoever. Just to have fun. Which is what I love about him. But we are a couple. And people are going to try and separate us at some point. I wanted to do a different strategy to obtain victory."

"Are you happy going that route? Sua questioned as the two girls continued watching the boys' exercise.

"Not really, but I feel like I have no choice given the circumstances," Niu pouted. "I know Buck is going to be mad but…"

"Don't," Sua interrupted. "You worked hard to get the man you wanted. Do not go and ruin it just to advance in the game. He does not like those strategies. You don't like those strategies. You will be only destroying the relationship."

Niu listened and comprehended the advice the idol gave to her. She smiled at her teammate with bliss and glee. "Thanks Sua, glad you're concerned about others."

"We're teammates, why wouldn't I be concerned? Sure, in Carnival Calamity I wouldn't have cared at all about this since I was dealing with getting hurt constantly but I've changed since then. Mostly changed."

Niu let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, I've noticed you haven't accidentally been getting yourself hurt for a while now."

At the obstacle course, the boys decided to sit on the monkey bars to take a short break.

"How did it go yesterday, Edgar?" Maverick asked the emo with a big smile.

"I helped the team win the challenge," Edgar spoke almost emotionally. "So, I'll say it went well."

Maverick let out a laugh. "I'm not talking about that. Talking about the date I set up for you and Janet."

"Date? Janet?" Buck got confused. "What do you want to discover her blackhole?" He joked.

Maverick and Edgar's eyes widened. They opened their mouths from the shock of what the MacGyver said.

It took a few seconds for Buck to realize the joke he made. This time his eyes widened. "Oh gosh, Niu has been infecting me."

"It took some encouragement, but we are officially together," Edgar answered Maverick's question with a small smile.

"Awesome dude!" The promoter was glad. "Share a fist bump with me."

Edgar slowly fists bumped Maverick. "Thanks for helping me out Mav."

"No problem dude, is good to help others," Maverick appreciated.

"I can toast to that," Buck agreed. "If I had a drink with me."

The three boys shared a laugh.

"Hey Mav, have you gotten interested on anyone this season? Love is pretty much seasonal at this time of year," Buck kept on cracking jokes.

"I have, but they were on the other team. Didn't want to risk looking like an enemy," Maverick confessed. "I'll talk to them after the show and see what happens."

"That's pretty smart," Edgar complimented.

Confessional – Maverick – Blazing Gaffers

"For those watching that want to know, the two I am interested in are either Raymundo or Kristie."

End Confessional

Georgia was once again plotting ways to stay in the game inside the Blazing Gaffers girl's trailer. She decided to put on the outfit that she used in her previous two competed seasons instead of the one she is using for this final season. Which is just her having taken off her accessories and wearing only her blouse with tight long black pants, black shoes, and white gloves.

"Going to have to go all out today," Georgia told herself as she adjusted her gloves. "The Freezing Grips are down to five members. Three of which are from the Crowstillo cast. This means most likely they'll team up to get rid of Jett or Melissa. Unless they go after Knick. Is hard to admit it but I rather have that cockroach stay than daddy issues."

She looked at a standing mirror to see her looks and outfit. Even highlighted her curves by having her hands slide on them.

"I guess some convincing is in order. Christopher never said I could not manipulate him into wanting who I want gone," Georgia smirked. "I will make sure that I will win this game."

The speakers all around the film lot turned on. Chef's voice is heard. "Attention Blazing Gaffers and Freezing Grips. It is an honor to announce that the teams are officially disbanded. Congratulations to all for making the merge. Expect a lot of double eliminations to come in these final challenges."

Everyone heard what Chef announced. The bulky cook continued to speak. "Speaking of challenges, the next one starts in an hour. All of you better get your butts to the crafts and services tent before Casey feels like not giving breakfast. Which can be at any moment."

Chef turned off the speakers.

Georgia looked at herself in the mirror again now conflicted. "This changed everything."

Confessional – Buck

He sighed with satisfaction. "Three-time merger. Feels great making it back here again. And I've done it without causing that much drama on the show. Sure, I had my moment with Violetta and Simon. Then the whole Yves situation but I wasn't really a part of that. Point is, you don't need to cause a mess to make it far in a game like this. Plus, I got a sweet girlfriend. This final season could be my run."

Confessional – Knick

He chuckled triumphantly. "Once again, I have proven to everyone that I can reach the merge despite myself being a target pretty much the whole run. Now I just have to make sure the Crowstillo Alliance stays strong until the final six. Considering how the other contestants haven't aligned with anyone, I say this will be easy."

Confessional – Sara

"Feels great to be back in the merge again." She showed a bicep to demonstrate how strong and proud she is making it this far.

"After my last run, I needed to at least merge. Honesty, if it wasn't for Knick creating the alliance, I probably would have been a goner already." She put her arm down and placed a hand on her hip.

"Not only I'm still here, but Christopher is also here as well. Sure, we had a bit of an issue regarding the competition a while ago, but this has only made us stronger as one. It is funny, this sort of feels like redemption for him and me despite us being on a season about redemption."

Confessional – Edgar

"Man, from first boot to being a merger and having a girlfriend. This almost makes me want to jump around and cheer. Almost, I'm not going to do it." He delivered a small smile for his accomplishment.

"And I am also in a Pre-Merge Alliance. Everything has been turning out great so far. Though I don't know how to tell Janet I'm in an alliance. Maverick is understanding and Buck is a good guy, but Jett? He will not be happy if he finds out Janet and I are together."

Confessional – Sua

She moved around on the chair happily while striking poses before speaking. "Is incredible that I am the only merger from last season to return to the merge again. Is quite an impressive accomplishment. Considering that I am practically alone with no partner, I might get into that alliance Georgia was trying to convince me to do. Though, I should consider my other option being Niu and Buck. Those two I have helped and communicated the most throughout the team phase."

End Confessionals

Inside the craft and services tent, the Crowstillo Alliance sat at the table to the viewer's right. They remained eating pancakes with syrup on a plate with a bowl of fruit to the side and water. The Pre-Merge Alliance with Buck sat at the table to the viewer's left. They were eating the same meal as the others.

Casey served breakfast to the last two contestants that arrived. These are Sua and Georgia, who held their respective tray. Casey winked at the two before turning around to wash dishes. Georgia and Sua had no idea what to think of the wink toward them. They shrugged, turned around, and noticed how one table has the Crowstillo cast members while the other has the Pre-merges that are now officially mergers. Except for Buck.

"Well, well, well, could these two groups be any more obvious?" Georgia spoke clear enough to get everyone's attention.

"What do you mean?" Sua did not understand.

"There are two big alliances," Georgia deadpanned. "One with the Crowstillo ladies and gents. And the others are doing their own thing. What is it called? The Idiotic Morons? Or the Lesser Skilled Players?"

"Is called the Pre-Merge Alliance," Melissa gritted her teeth, not liking being insulted at all.

Jett sighs, knowing that the group has been discovered.

"You are in an alliance and never told me?" Buck looked at her girlfriend baffled. "You're keeping secrets from me?"

"You don't worry about it Buck," Niu got nervous upon the discovery truth. "I made sure none of the members will ever vote you off."

"That's not the issue. When were you going to tell me about the alliance?" Buck inquired to know.

"Well, I can go check my schedule to see when that moment was going to happen," Niu replied to her boyfriend a bit nervous as she twisted her ponytail with her finger.

Jett glared at Georgia for the reveal that she did.

"Why are you looking at me like that? You should have made it more subtle instead of having the whole group at one table," Georgia told the runaway it was his fault.

Chef and Meredith arrived inside the tent. "Fifteen minutes, outside the film lot, and next to the river. Don't be late none of you," Chef gave a command. He walked out of the tent with Meredith following him. Not before she gave a bright smile and waved to the contestants.

Confessional – Georgia

"Now I know he has a bigger alliance than just me. Great, just great. How am I supposed to pull this off of making it to the finale? I have no trustworthy allies. And the one I could potentially trust is Sua. Who has not asked me about joining the alliance."

Confessional – Jett

"I wanted to tell everyone what Georgia did to Lilith so bad at that moment, but I still need her at least for this voting ceremony tonight. She can break a tie if it ever comes down it, but now Buck has some beef with Niu. Are you kidding me? She is protecting him from elimination. Is not like she blackmailed anyone to do her bidding."

End Confessionals

All the remaining competitors, Chef, and Meredith arrived at the river next to the film lot. The contestants observed the tunnel that is now part of the river. The tunnel has been painted pink with red hearts all over it.

"Ewe, it looks like those love tunnel rides at carnivals," Sua gazed at the passageway with disgust.

"Right you are Sua," Meredith confirmed. "Today's challenge is the romance genre mixed with racing genre."

"Okay, I get the racing part, but why did you mix it with romance?" Knick asked Chef astonished and confused.

"The challenges were already made before the producers decided to have Chris, Casey, and I take turns as hosts. So, I got stuck with this challenge," Chef explained.

Maverick turned to his left and saw seven boats that look like giant swans on the ground. "What's with the swan boats?" The promoter wondered.

"The swan boats are a part of today's challenge boy get those eyes checked. What else would those boats be doing here in the first place?" Chef answered with a retort. "Now everyone, pipe down and listen up because I'm only explaining the challenge once."

"Wait, what about Meredith giving facts of the film genres?" Christopher wanted to know.

"I've decided to stop doing that until I get better with my cinematography history," Meredith confessed sadly. She quickly regained a smile. "So, I'm going to provide other historical facts. I did manage to find something intriguing about racing films. So, I will settle with that and provide a different fact."

"Yeah!" Janet clapped excitedly.

"How joyful," Jett muttered sarcastically.

"This could be false, but it is possible the film Barney Oldfield's Race for Life was one of the earliest race car films ever made back in 1913, directed by Mack Sennett and starring Mabel Normand," Meredith spoke happily.

"Now for my second fact, is about the swan boats. In 1877, Robert Paget and his group industrialized a catamaran, which contained a paddle wheel arrangement that was foot-propelled. To cover the captain, Robert suggested a swan. The idea came to Robert from his familiarity with the opera Lohengrin. That opera is based on a medieval German story in which Lohengrin, a knight of the Grail crosses a river in a boat drawn by a swan to defend the innocence of his heroine, Princess Elsa," Meredith finished.

"Fascinating," Janet's eyes sparkled.

"Barf," Jett still did not like Meredith's facts.

"You're barf," Meredith insulted. "You're disgusting, revolting, and icky on the inside."

Jett hid the pain from the words said to him.

"Alright Meredith settle down is my turn," Chef said calmly to the intern. His intensive gaze gets back onto the cast when he looked at them again. "Partners of two. Just like a couple. Each 'couple' will ride and pedal a swan boat across the river inside the tunnel. Along the way, there will be three puzzles to solve. One on each arch-shaped bridge. Once completed the three puzzles, the rest of the challenge is simply getting out of the other side of the tunnel."

"Sounds simple enough," Georgia believed.

"How will the couples, or I should say partners will be decided?" Pharaoh asked Chef as he blushed, thinking of teaming up with Lucy.

"Oh, all of you can decide on that," Chef grinned with an unsettling look. "Seven couples, or partners for some people. Enough for the seven swan boats. One minute to choose."

Christopher immediately lifted Sara up to put her on his shoulder to inform Chef that he selected his partner.

"Oh my, aren't we eager," Sara said sultrily.

Lucy and Pharaoh high-fived each other to show they are teaming up. Georgia frowned and looked away from them. Niu hugged Buck despite what happened in the tent. The MacGyver had mixed feelings about partnering up with his girlfriend. Jett watched Edgar stand close to Janet. He saw the two blushing and smiling at each other, making him scowl.

"Partners?" Melissa asked as she approached Jett from behind. She perceived the scowl on her alliance member's face. She gets concerned. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"I'll explain to you on the way," Jett answered. He turned around and grabbed Melissa by her arm. "Let's get a lead on the rest of them." The two competitors went to the area where the swan boats are.

Georgia, Maverick, Sua, and Knick looked at each other. All four of them knew they did not have that special partner to team up with like the rest of the remaining contestants.

"Want to partner up Sua?" Maverick approached the idol.

Realizing they were going to end up as partners Knick and Georgia approach the two calamity cast members.

"Sure, I don't mind," Sua answered the promoter happily.

"But Sua, what about us?" Georgia wondered.

"What about us? I made my decision. I'm not teaming up with you," Sua responded without care while still smiling. "The odds are stacked against me, but I will prevail without you. Yes, I will admit I liked your skillset because it reminds me of my time competing last season, but I don't want to be that way anymore."

Georgia narrowed her eyes at Knick.

"Trust me, I won't be enjoying any second of being your partner for today as well," Knick spoke honestly.

"Ugh, just follow my lead and we'll get along," Georgia made clear.

"More like my lead," Knick stated. He smirked. "Listen to the better player."

"Excuse me?" Georgia felt insulted.

Chef chuckled mischievously, which catches the attention of everyone except Jett and Melissa, both of who are putting a swan boat in the river.

"By the way, the winning couple gets to watch a romantic film at the Glided Award Ceremony tonight," Chef talked about the prize for first place.

"That's great," Lucy said joyfully.

"That's right, that team gets the prize while the next five get immunity," Chef continued talking.

"Next five, got it," Christopher understood.

"Wait," Edgar said perplexed by something. "Does that mean the couple that does not cross the finish line before the first six are not immunity?"

"Correct, and that couple or partnership is automatically eliminated," Chef proclaimed excitedly. He watched the contestants open their mouths in shock and disbelief. "Why are you folks looking at me like that? I did say to expect double eliminations to happen in the merge."

"Yeah, but we never expected them to happen so soon," Sua confessed.

"Then you better get your butts on those swan boats because one team is already on one," Chef warned.

"Huh?" Several contestants said as they turned their heads to their left. They see Jett and Melissa peddling their swan boat.

"See ya at the finish line suckers," Jett taunted his foes while flipping the bird at them. This was censored.

"That was unnecessary," Melissa scolded.

Jett shrugged as a response. The two partners entered the tunnel.

The rest of the competitors ran to the area with the swan boats. Christopher, barely using his full strength lifted a swan boat and tosses it into the river.

"Get in," Christopher said to his girlfriend as he took the left side of the swan boat. He placed his feet on the pedals.

"Don't have to tell me twice," Sara stepped onto the boat and takes the right side. The couple peddled away into the love tunnel.

"Buck, help me push this," Niu told her boyfriend with kindness.

Buck simply has his arms crossed as he did not help when called. Niu looked at her boyfriend, noticing the miffed expression on his face.

"Buck, please, I know us to need to talk about the alliance I am in, but in case you forgot if we arrive last both of us will get eliminated," Niu pleaded as she watched the rest of the groups of two get on their swan boats and peddle their way into the tunnel.

Buck gave in and helped Niu push the swan boat into the river. He then got onto the left side of the swan boat to peddle without saying a word.

"Oh boy," Niu was not liking where this is going as she got onto the right side of the boat. Despite the friction at the moment, the couple peddled away in perfect sync into the tunnel.


Once all the seven teams were in the tunnel, they saw how lit the area is on the walls. There were numerous cables with lights turned on. All the lights were quite colorful. The two colors that stood out were red and pink. There existed many lights that formed the shape of a heart. It was not the literal heart it is the other heart.

"Wow, this place is amazing," Janet was stunned by the scenery and atmosphere of the love tunnel. "Are you seeing all these pretty lights, Edgar?"

"Uh, trying to concentrate on peddling the boat," Edgar said to his girlfriend. "I could use the help," He added once he took a glimpse of Janet not peddling due to her being distracted by the pretty lights. This sadly got several other teams to pass him and the space geek.

"Oh my gosh, some of the hearts blink off and on," Janet continued to be amazed. "Are you seeing this Edgar?"

"I see them everywhere Janet," Edgar deadpanned.

Being second to last place was Maverick and Sua. This is because Sua is struggling with peddling.

"Have you ever ridden a bike before?" Maverick asked the idol.

"Never could afford one and even though I can now I'm too busy to do that in my dance group," Sua explained.

"Luckily is just not one person and two tires," Maverick smiled. "If you need me to slow down and teach you how to pedal I will."

"But then it will take longer to pass the others," Sua pointed out.

"Better to teach you now than have us potentially crash into something," Maverick countered.

"All right, thanks," Sua gave gratitude.


Jett and Melissa arrived at the first bridge above the river that is attached to the tunnel.

Melissa noticed there is no way to walk onto the bridge. "Looks like we're climbing."

Jett groaned and rolled his eyes. "Leave it to Chris to hire construction workers that don't know the simple concept of making stairs." The two contestants parked their swan boat near the bridge.

Melissa jumped and held onto the bridge. She climbed up until her complete body is on the road. Then she extended her hand to Jett. Jett grabs her hand and Melissa pulls him up onto the bridge. Jett then helped his teammate get up.

The two smiled at each other, their faces being close just like during the water bottle drinking. Melissa tilted her head to her right to see more of what is behind Jett.

"Have you been waiting for this moment?" Jett smirked.

Melissa grabbed the blonde's head and chin. She tilted his head to see what she is looking at. It was a small table on the bridge. On the table are various mantel clocks. What is interesting about them is that they are a combination of two mantel clocks glued to a flat brown surface.

"Well, this is definitely a puzzle all right," Jett told Melissa as the two walked to the table. He grabbed the combo mantel clock.

"Wonder what we are supposed to figure out here," Melissa looked at the clocks, seeing the hour and minute hands spinning around.

Jett chuckled because of a memory. "I remember stealing some of these at an antique shop. Though, the clocks were separated." He saw Melissa being focused on the hands spinning. "Would you like to see my clock?" He cracked a joke.

Melissa punched Jett on his shoulder for that comment. She continued to observe the mantel clock combination.

"I didn't hear a no," Jett teased.

Just then, Sara and Christopher arrived and parked their swan boat. The couple climbed the bridge with ease thanks to their fit bodies. They found the puzzles on the table. Christopher grasped a mantel clock combination.

"Isn't this the type of clock your uncle has in his house?" Sara asked the kung fu warrior.

"Yep, though the hands don't spin around like this all the time," Christopher observed.

Knick and Georgia arrived at the bridge having a nice, lovely conversation.

"Couldn't you have gone faster? Maybe you should consider trying a sport because you're seriously lacking in the athletic field," Georgia tried giving advice, but it came out feistier.

"Maybe I would have pedaled faster if you didn't talk about yourself," Knick retorted. "Seriously, do your parents not let you speak in the house?"

Guess it was not a lovely conversation. They parked their swan boat. Both noticed they have to climb the bridge.

"I'm pretty sure I have the better body strength to climb first," Georgia boasted with her eyes closed. "As an actress, I have trained my body to…" Once she opened her eyes her partner is not on the swan boat. "Hey, where did you go?"

"What does it look like I'm climbing here," Knick rhetorically replied as he slowly gets onto the bridge. "Care to join? There is surprisingly enough room for you."

"Are you implying that I'm fat?" Georgia felt like that was an insult.

"Depends," Knick stated as he got onto the bridge. He stood up. "Can you climb up here?"

Georgia boiled her hands into fists and scowled. "You are lucky we need to stick together for this challenge."

"You didn't think I knew that?" Knick kept on pestering before going to get a mantel clock combination from the table.

Confessional – Georgia

She had her arms crossed with annoyance. "If there is one thing that I dislike so much about Knick is when he knows he can be a cocky snarky pain. He does not have to do it, but he insists on it."

End Confessional

Lucy and Pharaoh were shown wondering how to solve the mantel combination puzzle just like the others. Buck and Niu have been on the bridge as well. Buck was not looking at his girlfriend the whole time while Niu tried to figure out the puzzle that is in her boyfriend's hands.

"The way the hand clocks spin irate me," Niu spoke calmly. "I think we need to make them stop doing that." She brought both hands in each clock to twelve midnight. Suddenly, one of the clocks opened up, revealing a note inside.

"Congrats, head to the next bridge for your second puzzle," Niu read the note once she grabbed it. "Come on Buck let's go!"

Buck put back the mantel clock combination with a frown. He went back onto the swan boat with Niu.

The other pairs tried the same method as Niu, but no clocks opened up to expose a letter inside. Maverick and Sua climbed up the bridge.

"Is possible the timers are randomized," Knick stated to Georgia, holding the puzzle in his hands.

Melissa decided to put the hands of the clocks at four o'clock am. One of the clocks opened with a note inside. "I solved it lets go," Melissa told. She ran off quickly to her swan boat.

Jett put back the puzzle on the table. He noticed that there is one of these puzzles that has not been touched. He could sabotage Janet and Edgar. He slowly walked to the puzzle and…

"I said let's go Jett," Melissa grabbed the blonde's left arm and took him away.

Christopher and Sara figured out their puzzle and quickly ran to their swan boat.

Confessional – Melissa

"Some methods of playing the game I do not appreciate. I don't like it when somebody sabotages others. Even when competitiveness kicks in a bit I still like having a fair match. Though, I probably would have done what Jett was about to do if I was desperate. Guess I'm not one to point fingers at, sorry."

End Confessional

Georgia figured out her and Knick's puzzle by having the clock hands reach ten o'clock am. One of the clocks opened to reveal a letter.

"Took you long enough," Knick commented.

"Shut up and head to our swan boat," Georgia instructed. Once Knick turned around and walked away, the actress grabbed the remaining puzzle that has not been used and breaks it apart on the table. She chuckled deviously to herself.


Thanks to Niu figuring out the puzzle first, she and Buck had the lead in the challenge so far.

"Maybe once the challenge is over, we can come here and spend time alone together," Niu provided an idea. She blushed on imagining the possibility of being alone with Buck.

"I don't feel like it," Buck denied dejectedly.

"Oh," Niu was the only word that came out of her mouth. After some silence, Niu stopped pedaling. This caused her boyfriend to stop as well.

Buck looked at his girlfriend with confusion. "You know we are in a…"

"The challenge can wait," Niu interrupted without gazing at the MacGyver. "Are you really going to be upset with me throughout the whole day?"

"I'm sure I'll get over it once it stops stinging like a swarm of bees," Buck guaranteed.

"Instead of continuing to be on this mindset of me keeping an alliance a secret had you ever asked yourself why I did it in the first place?" Niu began to pedal again.

"No," Buck answered as he started pedaling as well. The swan boat moves again.

"And have you asked me my side of the story? To hear and listen to what I have to say," Niu spoke calmly yet sternly.

"No," Buck said once again, his irritation of what happened fading.

"Have you ever thought that maybe I got into the Pre-Merge Alliance to not only protect myself but to protect you? You've made it to the final four twice. If I didn't join the alliance, I have no doubt they were going to target you," Niu explained her reasoning.

Buck kept quiet to listen and comprehend everything being said to him.

"Buck, I get it. You don't like people going behind others' backs. But I did this for us because I like you and I want to protect you. You told me that I need to be freer when it comes to my scheduling and be laid back. But you also need to learn that life isn't about sitting around waiting for opportunities. You get those opportunities when you make them happen," Niu almost finished discussing. "Besides, if I told you from the start, you would have the same reaction at that moment as what you are doing right now."

Buck understood everything. He dropped his annoyance and frowned. "Tarnation, you really do know how I behave."

Niu blushed as the couple kept on pedaling.

"I believe you should have told me from the beginning about the alliance even though I would have reacted as I did this morning," Buck believed. "However, I also have myself to blame for not asking you why you did it instead of being grumpy as my uncle Derick."

"Yeah, I can see how both of us need to communicate better. But that's part of improving our relationship," Niu smiled. Buck did as well.

Not too far behind the couple in the race were Melissa and Jett.

"Any reason as to why you wanted to sabotage Edgar and Janet?" Melissa asked her partner enquiringly. "Especially considering Edgar is part of our alliance."

"I saw those two look at each other before we headed off onto our swan boat. Edgar smiled at Janet. And from what I remember, he does not smile," Jett enlightened.

"They're probably good friends," Melissa shrugged as she kept on pedaling.

"Or more than that. Which I will not tolerate in the alliance. If that's the case Janet will easily convince Edgar to side with the Crowstillo Alliance," Jett believed. "Have you ever heard the phrase a happy wife equals a happy life?"

Melissa giggled at that. "I see your point. But I don't think sabotaging them is the right way to go with this. If one of our other members catches you in the act the whole alliance will split up."

"Good point," Jett approved. He looked behind him, noticing Georgia and Knick not too far away from them on their swan boat. He grinned with delight at seeing the actress. "I guess I will use a different method."


At the first bridge, Janet and Edgar were struggling to climb up. Lucy, Pharaoh, Maverick, and Sua already finished their puzzle and are getting out of the bridge.

"This is pathetic," Edgar said pessimistically as he got on the bridge. He extended his hand for his girlfriend to grab it.

"Why do you say that?" Janet wondered as she grabbed Edgar's hand.

Edgar pulled Janet up onto the bridge and grabbed her shoulders to keep her balanced.

"Because we're in last place and we have to climb two more bridges. Sure, I've been working out but we both are not the most athletic members here in the merge," Edgar answered doubtfully.

"That's fine. As long as we solve the puzzles quickly, we'll leave last place behind us," Janet saw positivity.

The couple ran toward the table with the mantel clock combinations. They noticed all of them have been used except for one that is destroyed.

"Ah crud, they sabotaged us," Edgar picked up the broken puzzle. "How are we supposed to go to the second one now? Chef is going to see the footage of us not completing this."

Janet ponders in her thoughts as she put a finger on her chin. All the clocks have been opened, but what if she decided to close one of them? The space geek took one and closed it. Next, she spins the clock hands to the time it was on. The mantel clock combination opened again.

"Done," Janet presented her accomplishment to her boyfriend with a sweet smile.

Edgar is dumbfounded by this yet nevertheless impressed. "That was smart."


Buck and Niu have parked their swan boat at the second bridge. They are happy they were able to settle the issue they had. Buck climbed up first and then helped Niu get on the bridge. Once the two stood up, they saw seven tables on the bridge. Each table had a large jar filled with jawbreakers. Next to each jar is a keyboard with the numbers zero to nine and an enter button.

The couple went to the jar with pink jawbreakers inside. Buck began pressing numbers for a random code while Niu bent her back a bit to get a closer look at the jar.

"I'm thinking that we need to figure out how many jawbreakers are in this jar," Niu hypothesized.

Buck got electrocuted from entering the wrong number. Niu saw his dirty blonde hair spiked up, which caused her to cover her mouth and giggle.

"Didn't think we would ever have a challenge with Chris' fetish again," Buck joked while still twitching from the electricity.


On the river, Georgia and Knick were still behind Jett and Melissa.

"Pedal faster," Georgia insisted the journalist would do as she said. "I want to win."

"Did you forget that the first six teams to pass the finish line receive immunity? And the team who makes it first must spend time together watching a movie tonight," Knick reminded, not speeding up for his partner.

"So, you are not trying to win?" Georgia could not understand her partner's logic.

"I'm trying not to lose," Knick stated. "Would you really want to watch a movie with me?"

"It would be a grand opportunity to make upcoming strategies," Georgia saw from a different perspective.

Lucy and Pharaoh passed them in the race since that couple is pedaling faster on their swan boat.

"Those two are in sync," Knick perceived.

"Yeah, sync," Georgia pouted.


As Niu and Buck kept trying to decipher the number of pink jawbreakers in the jar, Melissa and Jett arrived at the second bridge. After they quickly parked their swan boat and climbed, they went for a jar with blue jawbreakers in them.

"I remember this game during my elementary school years," Melissa said happily to Jett. "Is simply guessing how many items are in a small space."

Jett looked at the keyboard next to the jar. "I'm guessing this is where we type the correct number. Though, I'm afraid to find out what happens when one enters the wrong number."

Buck is heard screaming in the background in pain from another electrical shock.

"Glad I got my answer," Jett smirked, having fun hearing Buck's agony.

"This is going to take a while," Melissa admitted as she does her best to count the blue jawbreakers.

"You got this Mel," Jett believed and encouraged. "After all, you are a calculating nerd."

"When it comes to sports," Melissa responded back while still looking at the jar. "Which technically I'm not anymore."

"Just pretend they're tennis balls or something," Jett suggested.

"T-tennis balls?" Melissa stuttered. She froze in place from fear.

Jett waved a hand in front of her. She did not move an inch. "Wow, I guess there was one thing Fenton rubbed off on you."

Sara, Christopher, Lucy, and Pharaoh arrived on the bridge.

"Let's take the red one," Christopher pointed at the jar with red jawbreakers inside. Sara nodded and followed him.

"You still have that rope on top of your head?" Lucy asked Pharaoh with a smile as the couple walked to a jar. Electricity was shown in the background. Meaning Buck entered the wrong number again.

"Yep, always under my Nemes crown," Pharaoh confirmed to the detective. He took out his crown and gave the rope on top of his head to his girlfriend. Then he put his Nemes crown back on.

"Thanks," Lucy gave gratitude. She wrapped the rope around her hand. Then she started entering the wrong number on the keyboard in front of the jar. She was not getting electrocuted.

"Whoa, smart move using the rope to block the electric shocks," Pharaoh flattered joyfully.

"Yep, now I just have to keep pressing wrong codes until the keyboard short circuits and lights up that green bulb," Lucy explained and pointed at the small green bulb on the keyboard.

"We make a good couple, don't we?" Pharaoh mused. He planted a kiss on Lucy's cheek, causing the detective to blush.

To their dismay, Georgia saw the kiss as she walked with Knick on the bridge. It was hard for her to swallow this. She was told they were getting close. She expected it, but it still hurts to see. All she thought was that peck. A simple peck on the cheek. Pharaoh moved on, but she could not.

Knick bumped his shoulder onto Georgia's shoulder to get her attention. "Get over it. You have yourself to blame," Knick said to her partner. He headed to the nearest jar without anyone looking at it.

Georgia dejectedly followed her partner. She hid the right side of her face with her hand so that Pharaoh does not see her sorrowful and regretful facial expression.

The last two teams parked their swan boats. Once again, Janet and Edgar were in last place since they had a harder time climbing than Maverick and Sua.

"Guess how many are in the jar game," Maverick said as he approached a jar. "I remember setting these up for various kid birthday parties."

"Does that mean you know how much is in this jar?" Sua asked hopefully as she lightly poked on the jar filled with yellow jawbreakers.

"Uh, I always put a random amount of the same thing in the jar," Maverick answered bashfully as he rubbed the back of his head.

Sua gave a poker face to the promoter.

"Not to worry, I have an idea," Maverick assured her his plan will work. A few seconds passed.

"Go on," Sua insisted calmly.

Maverick opened the lid of the jar and swallowed all the jawbreakers. "There, zero in the jar. Press the number and hit enter."

"Mav, pretty sure that's not how it works," Sua is disenchanted by what her partner did. She pressed the number zero and the enter key. The green lightbulb on the keyboard lights up.

Sua is flabbergasted by this. "I stand corrected."

"Let's go!" Maverick said to the idol with excitement now that both have taken first place in the race so far.

As they head to their swan boat, Lucy finally short-circuited the keyboard she was typing on. Pharaoh saw the lightbulb go green.

"You did it," Pharaoh praised. He grabbed Lucy's hand. "Let's go, no time to waste."

Jett watched the two finished teams get on their selected swan boat. He grumbled with dismay. He looked at Melissa who is still frozen in place.

"Come on Mel, snap out of it. Two teams already left. I know you don't want to relate yourself to sports anymore but do it just this once," Jett pleaded.

Not getting a response, Jett thought of a way to get Melissa to snap out of her trance. He removed his gray beanie so he can hide the kiss on the lips he did to Melissa.

It took a few seconds for Melissa to snap out of her trance once feeling Jett's tender lips on her soft warm lips. She immediately pushed the runaway away from her, accidentally sending her partner into the river.

She huffed and puffed from the sensation. She gazed at the jawbreakers in the jar and analyzes them like tennis balls as Jett advised.

Jett swam to his swan boat and gets on the right side. "Thank goodness I practiced swimming when invading properties with pools," He mentioned relieved. "And now everyone watching this show knows that."

Melissa hopped onto the left side of the swan boat.

"What was the correct number?" Jett asked his teammate sincerely.

"Just peddle," Melissa stated.

"Oh, alright then," Jett flinched from the sudden mood change.

Confessional – Jett

"Did I do something wrong? I'm pretty sure Melissa enjoyed the kiss. I certainly enjoyed it. It had this sweet tangy flavor."

End Confessional

Niu finally figured out how many jawbreakers are in the jar she and Buck were looking at. She typed the number and then pressed the enter key. The lightbulb on the keyboard lit green.

"The correct answer is sixty-nine?" Buck asked himself, finding it hard to believe that is true.

Niu giggled. "That's what I'm going to do to you while watching the movie," The goal digger said with a sultry look. She grabbed her boyfriend's hand and the two ran to their swan boat.

"That's for the team that gets first in the challenge," Buck reminded, feeling uneasy.

"Oh, I know," Niu gave a debauched smile. "It will be an extra special reward."

Buck did not how to respond to that. He simply got onto the swan boat with Niu and the two peddled away.

Christopher, not wanting to continue delaying time on this second puzzle karate chopped the keyboard in half. He barely flinched from the electricity going through his body. The bulb on the keyboard lit up green.

"We're in the clear. Great job babe," Sara congratulated. She kissed the kung fu warrior on his cheek.

Georgia watched the couple head to their swan boat jealously.

"Jealously is not a good look on you," Knick advised as he pressed a number on the keyboard. That number was four hundred twenty. He got the bulb to light up its green color.

Georgia glanced at the number. "How do four hundred twenty jawbreakers fit in that jar?" She asked.

"Is better not to question it," Knick replied without giving an answer. "Come on, we are already far behind."

"Any luck Janet?" Edgar asked her girlfriend as he saw Knick and Georgia get on their swan boats.

"Almost done," Janet responded as she gazed at the jar. "I'm imagining these jawbreakers as stars in space. Tiny in such a big vacuum of wonder."

Edgar was getting deeply nervous, trying to hide it. He and Janet were in last place again. Wanting to get this over with rapidly, he opened the jar's lid and ran to the swan boat to place the jawbreakers on there. His next move was to go back to place the jar on the table. He pressed the number zero on the keyboard and hit enter.

"I guess that works too," Janet smiled.

Edgar grabbed Janet's arm to take her to the swan boat.

"Whoa, it feels like you're scared of us getting eliminated," Janet joked.

"That's because I am terrified," Edgar spoke truthfully.

Confessional – Edgar

"How does Janet keep that bubbly cheerful attitude even though we are currently in last place? I'm quivering by just the idea we have not passed anyone yet."

End Confessional

Maverick and Sua kept pedaling their swan boat, content with being the team in first place at the moment. Both of them can hear one of their stomachs growling. Maverick clenched his stomach, covered his mouth, and stopped pedaling.

This made Sua pause her cycling. "Maverick, what's wrong?" The idol asked concerningly.

Maverick started puking the jawbreakers he swallowed into the ocean.

"Oh gosh Mav no. Hold it in," Sua implored. She looked behind her to see the other teams coming their way.

Maverick continued vomiting the jawbreakers.

"How many jawbreakers did you swallow?" Sua asked, her worriedness growing for not only her partner but for the lead.

Lucy and Pharaoh passed Maverick and Sua. Jett, Melissa, Buck, and Niu also passed them.

"Gah," Maverick spat out the last jawbreaker in his system. "Okay, okay, I'm good," He told Sua with a thumbs up.

Confessional – Maverick

"Alright, so maybe swallowing all those jawbreakers was not the best idea," He realized his error and then laughed embarrassed.

End Confessional

Pharaoh and Lucy parked their swan boat at the last bridge. After they climbed to stand on the bridge, they saw a girl sitting on a chair at a wooden table. On top of the table were three cups upside down.

"Hey there lovely couple, welcome to the final puzzle. Hosted by me," The cute and adorable girl said with anticipation and kindness. She playfully twisted her short curly orange hair.

"Oh hey, I remember you. You're the one who came during Carnival Calamity's Ferris wheel challenge," Lucy reminisced, seeing the girl's black eyes, white skin, and freckles on her cheeks. "Embarc, right?"

"You have a sharp memory detective," Embarc confirmed. "Check me out," She said as she stood up from her chair. Her height is now five feet and eleven inches. She still had a flat chest and butt.

"You definitely grew since your last appearance," Lucy acknowledged.

"Surprise your outfit still fits you," Pharaoh added.

"I simply bought larger ones," Embarc smiled. She was wearing an oversized blue sweater with green stripes, short brown shorts, and black sandals. "Now time for the last puzzle this lovely couple must partake in. Well, it really isn't much of a puzzle, but Chris wanted it to be called that."

Pharaoh and Lucy's cheeks blushed.

"How do you know we are together?" Pharaoh asked.

"That's a silly question," Embarc giggled happily as she swayed her hips. "I've been watching the show. Though if I wasn't, I would totally figure it out anyway." She got closer to the couple. "The passion and dedication you two have give it away. And let me say, there's a lot of passion and dedication."

"Thanks," Lucy gave gratitude. "So, what's the final task?"

"Oh, I almost forgot," Embarc was reminded. She sat back on the chair. She took an orange ping pong ball out of her short brown shorts pocket and puts it under a cup. "The final 'puzzle' is this. All both of you have to do is correctly guess the cup that has the orange ball inside. Each partner guesses once. If both are incorrect, that means both need to wait until all the other cute couples get a turn."

"Is there an easier way to pass?" Lucy requested.

"You two can make out with passion," Embarc answered excitedly. "And when I mean passion, I mean a lot of passion. I'm talking about you two inserting…"

"We don't need the details," Pharaoh assured. He looked at his girlfriend. Their facial expressions showed that they are not ready to do that. He looked back at Embarc. "We'll just take the guessing game."

There was a small pause.

Embarc gave a teasing smirk to the couple. "You sure you two don't want…"

"Embarc," Lucy and Pharaoh said at the same time deadpanned.

"Whoopsie, sorry," Embarc apologized with her adorable smile before moving the cups around at a rapid pace.

Lucy picked the cup in the middle and Pharaoh picked the cup on the left. Embarc lifted both cups and neither had the ping pong ball.

"Looks like you two will have to wait for the rest of the teams," Embarc informed.

Confessional – Lucy and Pharaoh

Both of them stood. "I just realized we could have made out given that we were the only ones on the last bridge at the time," Pharaoh regretted going for the guessing game.

"True, but we aren't ready to do what Embarc wanted," Lucy spoke truthfully. "At least not yet. Also, isn't it weird that Embarc enjoys a bit too much of a couple making out?"

End Confessional

Jett and Melissa arrived on the bridge.

"What's the puzzle?" Melissa kindly asked Lucy and Pharaoh.

"You two either guess which cup has the ping pong ball or make out to impress me," Embarc answered.

"Hmm, I've seen this trick on the street before," Jett informed. "They're practically scams. All Embarc is doing is…"

Melissa pushed Jett to her lips by grabbing the back of his head.

"Oh, my," Embarc observed with glee. Even taking out binoculars to get a closer look. "Nice, nice. But there should be a bit more to it."

This made Jett grab onto Melissa's butt. Melissa did not like this at all and pushed Jett into the water purposely this time.

Embarc clapped and giggled. "Well, isn't he a naughty boy? You two can pass."

Melissa turned around and walked to her swan boat.

"Oh Melissa," Embarc called for the athletic nerd to stop and give her attention. "You and Jett have a couple of things that can blossom into a beautiful rose, but I don't recommend dating each other until solving certain issues."

Melissa listened and headed back to her swan boat.

"I thought you would just ship people and call it a day," Pharaoh told Embarc.

"Pfft, I still ship Jelissa, I just want to make sure both know neither is ready for commitment," Embarc replied joyfully.

"Did you have to grab my butt?" Melissa crossed her arms with displeasure as she waited for Jett to swim back to meet her on the swan boat.

While Jett swam, Buck and Niu parked their swan boat.

"You could have put your tongue in my mouth, or grabbed me by the waist, but you just had to draw the line," Melissa kept on getting irritated.

Jett got onto the swan boat. "Relax, you liked it and it got us a pass," He said to his partner, not finding any reason for the athletic nerd's hostility.

"I liked it!? I pushed you in the water you idiot," Melissa insulted. "You don't just grab a girl's butt because you feel like it. Do you have any idea how uncomfortable I got back there?"

Jett never heard Melissa insult someone like that unless she was competitive. This means she was being serious about what he did.

"Sorry, I got too eager," Jett apologized sincerely.

"Heck yeah, you did. I ought to slap you in the face right now for doing that," Melissa felt. "In fact," She readied a hand and slapped Jett hard. Real hard on his cheek to point it left a red hand mark.

Jett did not do any action after the slap. He knew he deserved it. After all, they are not dating.

"Let's just peddle already. I can see Niu kissing Buck from over here," Melissa insisted, still angry at what the runaway did.

Confessional – Jett

"Just when I was starting to get good at this game, I had to keep shooting myself in the foot. Is this how Tamera felt last season? Ugh, I do feel bad for what I did to Melissa, but how am I going to make it up to her?"

Confessional – Melissa

"I will admit kissing Jett felt great. I can't deny that. But what wasn't great is the next thing he did. We are not a couple. We are not dating. You can't touch a girl's behind especially when you keep giving mixed signals!"

End Confessionals

"I think that's enough Niu," Lucy said to the goal digger. She and Pharaoh were looking away from Niu and Buck kissing but heard the smooching sounds.

Embarc watched Niu take out Buck's belt and her cheeks flushed greatly. "You two can pass. Ya hear me? Get on your swan boat now."

Niu put back Buck's belt in his blue skinny jeans. The MacGyver had to let out a laugh. The couple went to their swan boat.

Embarc fanned herself with her hand. "Phew, for a moment it felt like Niu was going to do what I was thinking she was going to do."

Maverick and Sua arrived on the bridge and ran toward Embarc.

"Two ways to pass. Make out or guess which ping pong ball is in one of the cups," Embarc explained.

"Ping pong," Sua rapidly decided.

After shuffling the cups, Sua and Maverick picked the wrong cups.

"You two stay behind Lucy and Pharaoh. We have to wait for the other teams to show," Embarc instructed. "Speaking of teams, here comes one of the best couples ever in Total Drama."

Christopher and Sara approached Embarc with glee.

"Just a quick kiss on the cheeks and you two can pass," Embarc said to the couple as she put her hands together like an innocent schoolgirl.

Christopher and Sara shrugged at the same time. They give a quick yet sweet kiss on the lips.

Lucy and Pharaoh watched the couple go to their swan boat with utter disbelief.

"How come we have to make out in order to pass easier and they only got a simple kiss?" Pharaoh questioned Embarc.

"Have you seen this show?" Embarc rhetorically asked. "As if those two needs anything to prove about their unbreakable love for each other."

"Makes sense," Maverick agreed.

Confessional – Maverick

"Man, I kind of got a bad hand for this challenge. No offense to Sua, but because she is not into romance or any sensual desires, we have to go for the ball guessing. Which isn't great when Embarc is probably doing something where the ball can never be found underneath the cups."

End Confessional

"I am not kissing you," Knick said to Georgia with disgust, he and her standing at the table where Embarc is sitting at.

"Ugh, come on," Georgia whined with annoyance. "Why do you have to make this hard for us? We are already not getting first place."

"I have a girlfriend," Knick stated.

Georgia rolled her eyes. "Oh please, Yves has probably made out with a bunch of guys in your relationship. Pretty sure she even had a private one with Buck at some point."

Knick pushed Georgia off the bridge, sending her into the river.

"Oooooo, I love enemies to lovers arc," Embarc cooed, putting her hands on the table and leaning in front a bit. "Too bad this is Total Drama's final season."

"Can I pick the cup that has the ball now?" Knick asked dryly.

"Nope, you shoved your partner into the river. That's not gentleman-like," Embarc answered happily as she wagged her finger.

"I'm not going to play you're twisted shipping game," Knick stated indifferently.

"Oh, then I guess I could tell Chris you can be eliminated now," Embarc teased.

"Never mind," Knick quickly backtracked.


Around the entrance of the film lot where the finish line is above the river, Chef was calmly drinking coconut water from a coconut on a chair.

"Ah, I can get used to this," Chef said to himself relaxed.

"First place!" Chef heard Jett's voice of excitement.

"Paradise ended too soon," Chef commented. He got out of the chair and headed toward Melissa and Jett.

The two Pre-Merge Alliance members hopped out of the swan boat.

"Jett and Melissa, congrats on being the first two to complete the challenge. Your reward is a movie night experience at the Glided Chris Award Ceremony. The movie you two will be watching is called, A Rose in Winter," Chef congratulated.

"A little cheesy, but I can get by it," Jett said, fine with the prize. Melissa on the other hand walked away still upset.

"What's with her?" Chef asked Jett.

"I grabbed her butt," Jett answered sorrowfully.

Chef shook his head side to side with disappointment. "You don't grab a girl's butt until reaching second base."

Niu and Buck crossed the finish line. They stopped pedaling and hop onto the ground.

"Niu and Buck, congrats on getting second in the first merge challenge," Chef informed as he left Jett alone.

"I wanted the movie night," Niu frowned.

"Is okay, we can do something else in the meantime. We can make some doohickeys," Buck suggested happily. "Got plenty of stuff we can create."

"Sure," Niu agreed, her bright positive smile returning. She grabbed Buck's arm to lower his head so she can whisper into his ear. "And then maybe later I can play with your doohickey."

"Niu, stop," Buck said as his cheeks flushed. Niu simply laughed as she let go of her boyfriend.


Back at the third bridge, Edgar and Janet were communicating with Embarc. Since Knick pushed Georgia into the river, Embarc gave him and the actress a penalty of doing the ball guessing game last.

"You want us to do what?" Edgar asked Embarc to repeat what he heard.

"A quick kiss on the lips," Embarc retold to the emo and Janet.

"Okay, how come they also get a quick kiss?" Lucy got into the conversation.

"Yeah, this seems unfair," Pharaoh agreed with the detective.

"For two people who have dated before, neither of you knows much about relationships," Embarc indirectly insulted. "Just look at Janet and Edgar. Their form of love is new. A chick just hatching out of an egg. One is a nervous wreck believing any small mistake will cause a breakup and the other has a hard time understanding the values of different tastes."

"Wow," Was the only word Janet mustered out of her mouth.

"That is terrifyingly accurate," Edgar got scared of Embarc.

"Now cuties, pucker up those lips and kiss," Embarc told the new couple. "Slowly," She added while putting her index fingers together.

Knick scoffed. "There's no way those two will…"

Edgar and Janet slowly got close to each other to deliver a short quick kiss on the lips.

"I stand corrected," Knick admitted being wrong.

"Our turn," Lucy insisted and puckered up with Pharaoh. The fake royal returns the favor.

Georgia turned around, unable to see her ex finally found another person to enjoy time with.

Confessional – Edgar

"I was hoping Janet and I would keep our relationship a secret with only Maverick, Buck, and Niu knowing because I'm worried Melissa and Jett would not like the fact that I'm dating a Crowstillo Alliance member. Guess I have to face this head-on and put big boy pants."

Confessional – Janet

"I wished Knick, Lucy, and Pharaoh did not see me kissing Edgar. The Crowstillo Alliance is definitely going to talk to me about this."

Confessional – Knick

He did not look content with what he saw. "That was a passionate kiss. No doubt Edgar and Janet are together. Which cannot last. I'm not having a Romeo and Juliet ruin the Crowstillo Alliance."

End Confessionals

Time passed. Edgar and Janet were shown inside their swan boat pedaling outside the love tunnel. They saw Chef approaching them. So, they hopped out of the boat and landed on solid ground.

"Congrats on arriving you two," Chef said.

Edgar and Janet look around, wondering about something or someone.

"Where's Sara and Christopher?" Janet asked concerningly.

"They arrived more than ten minutes ago and went to the campsite," Chef answered.

Lucy and Pharoah were the next to get out of the tunnel and be safe from elimination.


Ten more minutes passed as the two remaining groups at the third bridge still could not guess the ball inside the correct cup. Embarc could tell on the competitors' faces they are getting tired of this.

"Hey, you four go ahead," Embarc allowed to pass. "No one here is going to smoochville and solving the correct cup is getting exhausting."

"Thank you so much Embarc," Sua expressed gratitude with her lovely smile.

"Oh good, that means I can do this," Georgia grinned sinisterly. She pushed Sua off the bridge and the idol is sent into the water.

"Sua!" Maverick exclaimed. As he tried to make sure she is doing all right, Knick grabbed him by the back of his unbuttoned long blue and black sleeve flannel shirt.

"One less opponent to deal with," Knick stated, causing fear in the promoter. With all his strength, he threw Maverick into the water, opposite side from where Sua was sent. He inhaled and exhaled, a bit exhausted after doing the throw.

"Do your huffing and puffing later, we got some sabotage to do," Georgia said as she pulled on Knick's arm. She and the journalist hop onto the swan boat that belonged to Maverick and Sua for the ride.

"I have a feeling what you want me to do," Knick told the actress, a bit of enjoyment in him to ready sabotage. He pulled on one of the pedals. With the help of his partner, they heaved and broke all the pedals on the swan boat.

Sua and Maverick watched this unfold as they swam to their swan boat. Knick and Georgia hopped onto their own carefully.

"Nothing personal Mav, just playing the game," Knick stated to the promoter.

"Guess you should have joined me in an alliance when you had the chance," Georgia ridiculed the idol. "Too bad."

Knick and Georgia peddled away while the actress laughed in victory. This lasts until Georgia swallowed a fly.

Sua and Maverick got onto their swan boat and gazed at the broken pedals.

"This is it. The end of our run," Maverick said to Sua, bestowing a frown.

Sua laid her head on Maverick's shoulder. Both knew they will be eliminated from the competition.

Confessional – Georgia

"Probably the only good moment I had with Knick during that challenge. Not only did I got rid of Sua for not accepting my alliance offer; I also took care of…"

She heard various knocks on the confessional door.

"It's Jett, I have a plan to get rid of a certain enemy of ours for when the opportunity arises," The blond hair boy said from outside. "Don't try to delay it because remember that I have dirt on you."

Georgia groaned with irritation. "Let me finish my monologue."

End Confessional

Inside the crafts and services tent were the Crowstillo Alliance affiliates at a table. Five members drank some Crowstillo wine in their cups while Sara sipped orange juice.

"Well done Crowstillo Alliance," Knick praised his team as he held up his drink above his head. "We survived our first merge challenge. With Maverick gone from the Pre-Merge Alliance, all of us are one step closer to showing just how we Crowstillo cast players roll."

"Yeah!" Knick's teammates shouted in unison as they raised their cups.

The members finished drinking the remaining Crowstillo wine in their cups except for Sara who kept her orange juice half full. Lucy and Pharaoh looked at Janet humming to herself and then each other. They nodded at the same time, knowing what must be done.

"Hey Janet, when are you planning to tell the alliance about that kiss with Edgar?" Lucy asked inquisitively.

"Kiss?" Sara wondered before drinking the last remains of orange juice in her cup.

"Um, Edgar and I are in a relationship," Janet told the truth immediately. "I know that jeopardizes the Crowstillo Alliance, but maybe we all can think of something to deal with this."

"We could just target the other pre-mergers. Once all seven of us remain in the game with Edgar we can break off the alliance," Christopher advocated.

All the members except Knick agreed with this idea by smiling or nodding. The alliance leader kept a poker face on to not show emotion.

"Thanks you guys, it means a lot to me," Janet gave appreciation.

Chef entered the crafts and services tent. "The lame-o-sine has arrived for Maverick and Sua. If anyone wants to give their goodbyes now it will be a good time," The co-host informed.


The scene changed to show Maverick and Sua standing next to the lame-o-sine. The contestants still in the game showed up to give hugs and handshakes.

"I'll go in first to keep that thirteenth placement for you," Sua told Maverick as she opened the passenger door of the limo. "Placement-wise does not matter to me. Though it is a shame I couldn't win the prize again for my dance group. Especially now that our manager recently retired."

Maverick's eyes lit up at the opening. "Did you just say your manager retired?"

"Yeah," Sua confirmed.

"Choi Sua, we got business talking to do," Maverick smiled blissfully.

The eliminated contestants entered the lame-o-sine. The two waved at the remaining competitors before Maverick closed the door. The chauffeur in the lame-o-sine drove away.

Confessional – Buck

"Now that I know about the Pre-Merge Alliance, I am now a temporary member of it. Though, I am in some sort of a pickle. When it comes down to it, I feel like my time on the show isn't lasting much. I'm not part of the Crowstillo cast nor a guy who was a pre-merger before. Georgia is in that same butter grinding in a barrel incident. This worries me about not just how Georgia is going to play the game, but how Niu would react if I get eliminated. I know I said earlier this could be my run to the final two, but that before finding out about the two alliances in the game."

End Confessional

It was night and Melissa was watching 'A Rose in Winter' movie by herself at the Glided Chris Award Ceremony. Until Jett came along carrying two large bags of popcorn and two large soda cups.

"Is there a seat taken?" Jett joked to get Melissa to laugh.

Melissa did not respond and continued watching the movie. Jett frowned as he walked onto the bleacher and sat next to her.

"I got you popcorn and soda," Jett smiled again as he put the food next to the tan girl. "Can't go wrong with the movie combo."

Melissa kept silent as she grasped her popcorn and soda to eat and drink.

"Look I know I messed up. Tell me what I need to do to make you stop this silent treatment," Jett pleaded in a relaxed tone. "I don't like seeing you like this."

Melissa swallowed the popcorn inside her mouth and sipped a little of her drink before chatting. "You're lucky I like you to not press a charge. Even though Chris wouldn't care."

Jett chuckled tensely. "When you mean by like, do you mean by friends or…"

"I like you more than friends," Melissa interrupted, still watching the movie as she spoke. "What you did today was abruptly fast. I have been getting over Fenton using me and I am not the type of person who goes gun blazing into a relationship like that after what happened."

"I understand," Jett comprehended. "We can take it slow. I am in no rush."

Both premergers, now mergers gazed into each other's eyes.

"Look at you. Being a gentleman," Melissa smiled a bit.

Jett put his food down on the bleacher. "Better gentleman than Axel?" Jett joked and insulted.

Melissa giggled, finding it funny. She put her food down on the bench as well. She turned to her side and placed her arm over Jett's shoulder, touching his back.

"I wouldn't mind starting this relationship with a kiss on those soft lips of yours," Jett flirted as he did the same maneuver as his crush with just using the opposite arm.

"To seal it? Fine, but don't expect this to happen too often," Melissa gave in sweetly. She tilted her head to the right as Jett tilted his head to the left. Both made out, completely forgetting about the movie in front of them.

Then, Melissa remembered something about Jett which caused her to pull away with dismay and sadness.

"I can't do this," The athletic nerd admitted. She stood up and ran away as she began to cry.

Jett watched this unfold. What did he do this time?

Watching from afar were Chef and Embarc.

"See? I knew they weren't ready to start a relationship," Embarc told the bulky man. She was seeing the action with her binoculars.

"Girl, you are all kinds of weird," Chef admitted.

"Finish the episode if you want me to leave," Embarc replied as she watched Jett dejectedly leave the bleacher with her binoculars.

"Good idea," Chef beamed. He looked at a camera. "Our first double elimination of the season! Which alliance will take down the other throughout this battle of the final twelve players competing for one last epic prize? Will any couple crumble under the pressure of the game? Find out next time on Total… Drama… Lights, Camera, Finale!"


Merge

Boys - Pharoah, Knick, Christopher, Buck, Edgar, Jett

Girls – Janet, Lucy, Saraphina, Niu, Georgia, Melissa


PLACEMENTS

13th - Maverick

14th – Choi Sua

15th - Daniela

16th - Buford

17th - Kristie

18th - Raymundo

19th - Simon

20th - JJ

21st - Axel

22nd - Tamera

23rd - Lilith

24th – Henry


Author's Note: The merge is here! Hope you enjoyed reading. I had a lot of fun writing this one. LittleRedline came up with the racing mix romance challenge. I added the puzzles to spice things up a bit. I also brought Embarc back because how can I not bring my shipper into a romance theme challenge?

As for the double elimination, as Chef said, expect them to appear during the merge from now on.

Speaking of eliminations, Maverick and Sua have left the competition. As much as I love writing Sua, she did not have much going for her heading into the merge. With her not being a Crowstillo cast member or premerger, she could not fit into either alliance. Another issue is that most of the characters remaining have their relationship dynamics going on, which can push Sua to the sideline. Knick and Georgia have more stuff going for them to stay. Plus, Georgia is a better wild card to keep since she has ties to Jett and Christopher. Even if Sua made the alliance agreement with Georgia, the actress would realize she is too much of a wild card to be left in the game and backstab her. At least Sua accomplished being the only Calamity cast associate to merge twice.

As for Maverick, a bit of the same thing happened to him. After helping Edgar get together with Janet, there was not much left for him besides continuing to help out his friend's relationship and play a minor role in the alliance. So, he pretty much got the same treatment as Sua but with being in an alliance. Sure, he could have played a more strategic game heading into the merge now that I typed this, but I practically have all plots and eliminations planned already. At least he merged and can pat himself on the back for accomplishing that.

If you like, leave a review or PM me your thoughts on this chapter.