Ticket here! Three people are out, and as we approach the fourth, the game is starting to pick up. What new information will be revealed? Who is on who's side? What does the future of each tribe hold? Find out in a few moments, on Survivor!
Side note: If anyone has any reviews, I'll address them in an authors note at the beginning OR end of each chapter.
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Mara: Price, Snake, Peach, Ripley, T'Challa, Ms. Pac-Man, Wesker, and Dylan.
Vulsa: Zelda, Skarlet, Slade, Wii Fit Trainer, Wade, Wario, and Dante.
15 are left, who will be voted out next?
—
Vulsa Tribe: Night 6
Everyone arrives back, leaning their torches, now lit-less, on the tree. Dante gets the fire going, while Wade looks at every single Vulsa member, silent at first.
Wade: "Wade, don't call them ou—" why shouldn't I? What do I have to lose anymore? Zelda jumped ship, which good for her, she's actually playing the game. NOT good for me, because I'm a man on an island. Zelda probably won't help, Dante is just chill to everyone, and you know what they have in common? They won't help me.
"So…should I pack my bags after the challenge?" he asks. That gets everyone's eyes on him. "Don't say that." says Zelda. "Don't say what? Look, I'm obviously going home next thanks to the Slade Brigade. I either get an idol, or die trying." Slade actively steps in. "You voted for me. You did this to yourself."
"Don't gaslight me!"
"Take responsibility."
"The mafia boss is telling me to take responsibility. Ok." He applauds. "Since you like to run the show, just admit you want control. Admit you only care for yourself." Slade remains calm when approaching Wade. "You shouldn't call me selfish. Your closest ally left and you are talking about yourself. Not about the memories with her. Do you even care? You are only putting a bigger target on your back by doing this. Wait until the morning when your head is clearer to take a shot at me." Wade cocks his head, and Slade just turns his back on him and crouches next to Dante.
"Yeah, go back to your alliance. Who's in it, huh? Oh yeah, let's see, Skarlet is in it." Wade starts counting with his fingers, when Skarlet heads for him. "Who else? Oh yeah, Wario is there, and the Trainer has to be there too! Sorry Zelda, you can't wiggle in to this one!"
"Watch it." says Skarlet. Wade snaps his head at her. "I'll be watching my demise while everyone sits around complacent. You didn't watch it when you harassed P did ya?" The eyes are on Skarlet now. "She was coming for me, and I was warning her."
"Oh, "warning her" huh?"
"I have a right to defend myself, Wade. You do too, but you are doing it completely wrong."
"Time for a lecture from the cool kids!"
Dante manages to make the fire, but Wade takes up the attention instead.
Dante: Wade has balls of steel to be dragging these people that much. I'm just here to kick back and look at the fireworks.
Back at the argument, Wade points a finger at Slade again. "I had no chance at a good defense since Slade jumped down your throats." The DC villain slowly turns his head. "For the last time, you made your bed. All you can do is campaign, but to be honest your game is weak." Wade snaps his head at Slade next. "You only say that because you're on top!"
"We'll argue in the morning."
Wade huffs, puffs, and stomps his way to the shore, with everyone looking on. "Why does he take criticism so seriously?" asks Zelda.
Wade: I don't HATE anyb— well except for Slade because he hated on me first, I'm just trying to live. By "live," I mean blow everyone's $#|t up!
Immediate cut to a Slade confession where he has the immunity idol in hand.
Slade: It's going to get worse for Wade when he realizes who found the real idol, and made the fake one. He actually thinks an aggressive uprising will do something to me, but I'm much more valuable to the tribe than he is. He should try again later and see what happens, but with how he is it's only going to be the same result.
—
Vulsa Tribe: Day 7
Rising from the water, is Dante with no fishing equipment required. He has a stingray on his spear and approaches the shore, where Zelda and the Trainer look on amused.
Dante: I've picked up the "provider" role. I can get us fast food and stick around for a while because everyone is hungry. I'll turn into a beast when I'm actually in danger.
He takes a few steps on the sand. "Tonight we're having Stingray on a Stick." he says. "I've never had stingray before. I wonder how it will taste…" replies Zelda. The Trainer chimes in. "Stingray often taste like lobster, with a metallic hint!"
Dante leaves the two alone, headed back into the water.
Dante: Let's talk strategy. Everyone likes me, check. I'm safe in sound right now, check. I have a final 2 deal, no. I thought about it and Wade would make a great goat in the end. Problem is, the Don wants him to go. I knew things would get shaky, but Slade and Skarlet are the best positioned people here. I said it before, I'll say it again, this alliance is temporary.
—
Later one of the outsiders, Zelda, is roaming the shore with Slade.
"I'm curious, where do I stand with the tribe?" she asks. "You aren't in as much danger as you think. Wade is a liability, and some relationships aren't as steady as you think. You won't be going anywhere Zelda." responds Slade. "It's good to know. Thanks…"
After a few seconds of silence, Zelda raises a question. "Why do you think of Wade as a liability?" Slade slowly turns his head to her. "The blowup probably didn't help his chances, but I never got a clear answer why." Slade huffs before he answers. "He's a loose cannon. He tried to throw out your chance to advance himself last night. Someone that emotional isn't trustworthy. Can either of us really handle someone like him?" A question raised, a question answered.
"Maybe not. He is a wildcard…but there's someone else I'm worried about." she starts. "Skarlet doesn't seem to like me. We saw what happened to Penelope, and if Wade goes it does not need to happen to me." Ok Zelda brought the heat. Slade 'hmmms' and raises one eyebrow at her. "Skarlet may be hostile but she isn't stupid. If I protect you, she is likely to follow."
Zelda: When you say someone who's your number one will follow you, that raises a red flag. I've been around dictators and while I can play nice now, he will have to go.
—
Mara Tribe: Day 7
The first thing we see on Mara is Snake grabbing branches, and approaching a hole.
Snake: Information is key. When it's not given to me, I'm going to take it. That's why I decided that spying is necessary.
He sets the branches to the side of the tree and looks around. Nobody's peeping on him, so he rushes to get more.
Snake: My box is on standby, but blending in is a better tactic.
Cut to him climbing into a tree, setting additional leaves and branches up to cover the holes. He watches as Peach and Ms Pac-Man walk by, having a brief conversation.
"It's exhausting work. Watching over everyone AND being a leader is no joke." says Peach. "I get that. Sometimes all we need is a break." replies Ms Pac.
Snake: Whoever opposes me needs to keep both eyes open.
He flips his eyepatch up to reveal a scar across his eye.
—
Later on Mara, Ms Pac-Man and Dylan retrieve water. Ms Pac has the bucket.
"How do you feel about everyone right now?" she asks. "Well, I didn't mind everyone. We were kuumbaya…minus Toad. Why? Are you trying to talk strategy with me?" he asks. "Yes. I'm not going to treat you like an idiot." she states bluntly. "You know about the splits, right?" she asks. "Yeeaaah they are too obvious. You, Peach, Ripley. Price, Snake, Wesker." confirms Dylan.
Ms Pac and Dylan head on back, carrying the water. "Here's my thing about those guys. They're gonna be all about 'strength,' 'strength,' and 'strength' early…and no offense, but you don't LOOk like the strongest here."
"Saw that coming."
"You see how the guys would exclude you?"
"I'll need more evidence considering twenty people will be walking up to me."
She continues despite the snark. "Sure, you and T'Challa could get in but you would be on the bottom. Those 4 guys had time alone, so they are probably closer than you think." Dylan faces her. "That's…true. What's my cut if I join your side?" he asks. "We'll go to the final five! The only thing is, you need T'Challa, and I don't know if he'll be up for it. We may have to go to a tie…" Dylan shakes his head, understanding on the outside.
Dylan: I would love to be a girlboss for a month. We have a common enemy, Price, and they seem more kind. It's the perfect plan! Alllmost perfect. One problem…i need T'Challa. I don't want to be the guy who makes us draw rocks, because if I'm unlucky, I'm a target, my partnership with T'Challa goes down the drain, and I'm not even making it to the merge. My friends would make fun of me for being a pre-merge boot.
—
Vulsa Tribe: Day 7
After the conversation with Slade, Zelda goes to Dante, once again attending to the fire.
"This may come out of nowhere, but do you trust Slade?" she asks. Dante gets a few sparks while he makes fire. "What's the matter? Did he bully you or something?" he asks back. Zelda crouches next to him, lowering her voice. "We had a talk, and something seems off about him."
"He wanted to be the top dog so I think it's a case of micropenis."
"Oh my god…"
Dante turns to her. "Jokes aside, you might want to keep an eye on the guy. We need him for these challenges, but when you feel like blindsiding him, I'm open to talk." Zelda starts to smile. "And if you want to work with us, I'm open too. It seems we're the only two that can see through him. Wade does too so maybe we can take him along with us."
"He's tanking himself. If we go to elimination again, he's obvious. But after that we might work something out." Music to her ears. "Thank you Dante." He gets to her feet and leaves, leaving Dante alone.
Dante: If you ever meet my brother Vergil, he'll do the mysterious loner act and tell you that I am the courageous brother. If I saw a dead end ahead I wouldn't be as calm as Zelda. She's not stirring $#|T with a smile like me, she's not messing around like Wade, she has a head on her shoulders and if I have to team up with an outsider..she's high up on my list. I'll think about Wade but he has to actually survive, which probably isn't going to happen.
Wade marches along the trail behind him in confession. Dante takes one look and faces the camera again.
Dante: Scratch that, never.
—
Wade's march comes to a close, as he spots the Trainer out in the woods. She faces his direction.
Wade: That Trainer saw I was upset, and had the courtesy to let me vent! It's not shocking SHE'S hearing me out since her whole gimmick is "Vulsa Strong," "Vulsa Forever," "Vuls—" you get the point.
"If Slade wasn't such a jack $$, I wouldn't be this way! But nooo, "me Slade, me hate Wade, me jump down everyone's throats, me angry!" You're with him, has he ever had any fun?" asks Wade. "He just takes his role seriously. That's all." replies the Trainer, sitting across from him. "Everyone is stressed. We aren't our usual selves and that's alright. It's what we signed up for." Wade groans at that. "You're not wrong, but nobody wants to lose either, not this early! I'm not the nicest guy in the world but having the answers with nobody listening is one of the most depressing things ever other than world hunger and poverty."
Wade looks all around the two. The Trainer is a little puzzled, but that's the least of her worries when Wade turns back to her. "How's YOUR relationship with Slade? Do you feel like an actual member or just a number?" The Trainer pulls back a little. "An actual member. We all decide the vote together…" Wade puts both hands up. "A final five, huh? How about we go to the finals period?" After that question he leans in. "It's a better deal. How about it?" The Trainer clears her throat, taking a few seconds to answer as Wade keeps his eyes on her.
"Ok. That's a sudden offer…"
"I'm sorry if I caught you off guard with it, I jus—"
"Just give me time to think about it." Wade sits there for a few seconds, and gets up. "Ok." He brushes his legs off. "Get back to me when you want to work something out.." he walks away, with a pep not in his step.
Wii Fit Trainer: We have no working relationship and he's suggesting the finals? He's harming the tribe, and while he did his part with strength, it's time for him to go if we lose again. We will be better off without him.
Wade: She's not with me, is he? I know I'm in a hole I can't get out of but COME ON! How are these underdogs so calm all the time?
—
Mara Tribe: Day 7
Back on Mara, Price and T'Challa roam in the forest with more firewood in hand.
"I gotta address something." starts Price. That gets the King packing the firewood's attention. "What is on your mind, Price?" Price hoists the firewood closer to his pit. "Have you noticed how close the women have gotten?" he asks him. "I was told about it. It would not be shocking if they were in an alliance. It's common for people with similar experiences to stick together." answers T'Challa. They get closer to camp, and one of them sees this as opportunity. "If they are teaming up, we should to." Well that's one way to keep his attention. "T'Challa, if you or Dylan join them, you'll only be four and five."
"Why wouldn't we be four and five?"
"Snake, Wesker, and I aren't close like them. From day one two of their group got along well. Peach and Pac. They talked about being moms. Ripley and Peach pushed for Toad. Those three are too tight, and there would be no escape for either of you." That reply gets BP thinking.
Price: I used to distrust people. It was so I never felt betrayal. I'm hoping he doesn't go down that road because it will make him spiral.
Not long after that T'Challa has an answer for him. "If I join you, promise you will not cross me."
"There's no chance I cross you."
"Loyal until the end?"
"If you're with me, I'm not stabbing you in the back. That's not how I roll."
What a relief for T'Challa to hear. There was another factor to think about though. "There will be one more person we'll need to convince." Price nods. "Dylan? If my pitch doesn't do it, Snake or Wesker will. They seem to be about logic." T'Challa exhales. "Dylan is young, so we'll need to hope he doesn't overthink."
T'Challa: Price is trustworthy. He is a threat to win, but turning on him now is not what I want to do. A tie is not necessary either. I'll see Dylan's perspective, he'll see mine, and we'll decide together, whether the talk lasts a few minutes or ends last minute.
—
The sun sets as Wesker chows down on some rice. Next to him, Price and Ripley talk about life or something, he didn't care. For Wesker, his spot was on his mind.
Wesker: Price and Snake, T'Challa and Dylan. If the five of us stick together for a while, I could be the swing vote later. It's perfect. I choose not only one of their destinies, but my own too.
Wesker eavesdrops on the two's conversation.
"Science wasn't easy for me when I started, but the more I studied the better I got." says Ripley. Price scratches his facial hair. "A scientist and an astronaut? That's dedication." Wesker grabs a couple of coconut bowls and hands them to them both. "Rice, on the house."
"Thanks, Wesker."
"Not a problem."
The three roast some more rice on the fire, each with a different agenda.
—
Peach and Ripley are alone at the water well, discussing the vote.
"If Pac can't convince him, we'll have to make the campaign of our lives." states Ripley, with Peach saying her piece after. "We'll have to campaign anyway. He and T'Challa must know they are deciding. They could have different points of view and it will complicate it." Ripley leans on the well. "Well we just fight harder than they do."
Peach: If our alliance is split up, that's not good. We are running out of weak links already! None of us can get anywhere without the numbers!
Ripley: We have to make sure none of us are going anywhere. If we lose, we have to put it all on the line. If we win, we still have to keep everyone under control, but those guys are going to have a hard downfall.
—
That's all for Episode 4A! While we have a split on Mara, Vulsa seems obvious this time. Will Wade bite the dust? Will Mara go to Tribal and have a split decision? Which tribe will even be GOING to Tribal Council? Find out in Episode 4B!