Ticket here! Welcome to Episode 5A of Maldives Madness! As stated in the last chapter, a twist could be coming that shakes up the game…but first, we have to check in on both tribes, and see what's happening.
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Mara: Price, Snake, Peach, Ripley, T'Challa, Wesker, and Dylan
Vulsa: Zelda, Skarlet, Slade, Wii Fit Trainer, Wade, Wario, and Dante
14 are left, who will be voted out next?
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Mara Tribe: Night 8
The seven Mara arrive back to camp, leaning their torches on a tree. "Good game ladies." says Price, heading to start the fire. T'Challa crouches down to help him out.
T'Challa: The men had clearer reasoning. It helped that the women didn't push a "loyalty" code. Yes, Price may be lying but we at least know what we might get. Snake's reasoning also made more sense to us, so we went their way.
—
Elsewhere in the night, Peach and Ripley discuss what just happened.
"I feel like a letdown.." says Peach. "All of that work, and we couldn't save her.." Ripley comes to her side. "I get how you feel, but they aren't going to leave us alone. We have to pick ourselves up and get us back in this. Even if we have to kiss $$ and volunteer ourselves." Peach turns to her ally. "I REALLY hope you're right."
Peach: I have people rooting for me at home, and this is the example I set for them? I like being a princess because I care about my community, but when I'm not doing good enough to support them, I just, I don't like it! Ripley is right, we will get back into this, and I'll do my kingdom proud.
—
Mara Tribe: Day 9
The sun is up at Mara's island, as Snake and Dylan scamper around in the forest. Snake is tossing sticks aside behind a bush, as Dylan watches. Snake begins whispering..
"This isn't the only spot you can use, but we're close to the shelter." Snake crawls into the hole and covers himself as an example. Ripley and Wesker walk by, and Dylan takes cover. Ripley is the one who speaks.
"I'm not super bitter about it. It sucked to lose her, but swearing revenge isn't going to help me, you know?"
"Yeah. It's better you don't because Price and Snake are running the show."
Wesker: I see what she's doing, kissing up to the power players, waiting for scraps. You're on the bottom, there are no scraps for you…but i can do you a favor and push my "alliance" as targets.
The two get more distant, as Dylan slowly rises up. "Ok.." he whispers. "We're clear." Snake gets up from his spot. "That's how you do it, but be as silent as possible." instructs Snake. A few of those words alarm Dylan though. "Sooo…how about that?"
"Ripley is sucking up and Wesker is ducking up."
"Ducking?"
"He's using us as his shields. We'll take care of him later, it's too soon to break up the alliance."
Dylan: Snake is definitely something. It's weird how I DON'T want to tell on the guy after this even though my family is yelling at me to do it. I'll take his good side over the bad.
Snake: Wesker is on my radar now. But it's clear Ripley needs to go. She's the brains of that trio, and while Peach is a butterfly, she'll get her wings clipped soon enough.
—
Speaking of Peach, she is fetching water with T'Challa.
"If you ever want to work together, I'll do it." she starts. "Being stuck with only women is detrimental because everyone always looks out for an alliance." T'Challa raises his bucket. "You are keeping your options open." he says. "I respect that. But even if we work together, the majority will oust us both." Peach runs a hand through her hair. "I will be a number for you. There is nowhere else to go."
Peach: T'Challa seems like the most respectable. Maybe he's been around or is royalty…but that's not big to me, what IS is having another person to depend on!
The King dwells on that for a few seconds, before coming to a conclusion. "I'll throw you a bone and go after Ripley first. It's clear she's the next target. After that, I will do what I can for you." That puts a smile on her face. "Thank you T'Challa. I will not forget this."
T'Challa: Ripley is next on our list. However staying in Peach's good graces could do me well, especially since Dylan's been paranoid over a twist.
—
Later, everyone on Mara gathers around, as Price pulls the treemail out.
Price: Our mail has been scarce for about the whole d mn time. It seemed like a long one so whatever this is, it's serious.
The commander has the mail in hand, and proceeds to read it. "You've made it this far, but it's time for a switch. If you are good enough, you'll get off without a hitch. Head to the challenge area and find out what's next." After he's done reading, Dylan jumps up. "I knew it!" he exclaims. Price folds the mail, and looks right at Dylan. "Knew what?" he asks. "Ok, so we are at even numbers right? And we all join up at like, top ten..what if we are getting swapped? It makes sense!" he exclaims, as all eyes are on him. "A swap. Heh." says Snake. "Interesting if true."
"Four are gone already, and what if, four leave for the swap. I'm just saying my theory." says Dylan. "If it's a swap, we just hope Lady Luck is on our side." replies Price.
Price: Luck isn't just a part of the experience, luck is a part of life. I've been dealt good cards, I've been dealt bad cards. I just need the right hand.
—
Vulsa Tribe: Day 9
Meanwhile on Vulsa, the tribe is feasting on their sandwich reward from yesterday. While the sandwiches are a day old, it's better to them compared to the same old rice and coconut routine.
"This is a welcome change.." says Zelda, taking another bite of her sandwich. Wario is wolfing his sandwich down, as everyone tries NOT to watch him.
Wario: Finally some protein! Wario's starving so much out here that I can eat a bus full of children!
He lifts his shirt and bounces his belly up and down.
Wario: So much weight, gone!
—
Later, after the feasting is finished, Wii Fit Trainer grabs the treemail.
Wii Fit Trainer: We actually received mail, which was weird. We get it for challenges, but I never saw anything about a challenge on it.
She reads off the clue, all of Vulsa paying attention. "You've made it this far, but it's time for a switch. If you are good enough, you'll get off without a hitch. Head to the challenge area and find out what's next." Vulsa looks around, and Wade has a smile on his face.
Wade: "Challenge area" and "switch"? If it's not a swap I'll be super disappointed. I'm wasting away here!
"This could screw over someone." states Skarlet. She looks over at Wade, who can't hide his smile. "Be cautiously optimistic." As the speculation goes on, Trainer folds the mail and sets it in the bag.
Wii Fit Trainer: Whatever this twist is, I hope it doesn't wreck us all.
—
Challenge Area
Vulsa arrives to the challenge area first, with Jeff waiting for them. "Hello Vulsa." greets Jeff. "Before we begin, get a new look at the Mara tribe…" just like that, Mara enters, this time with the same numbers as Vulsa. "Ms Pac-Man voted out at the last Tribal Council." There isn't much shock from the other team.
"Alright…" begins Jeff, who pulls a bag of buffs from his pocket. "Drop your buffs. We're switching tribes." Wade jumps in joy, while Peach puts a hand to her heart. Price smirks at Wade's apparent happiness while Skarlet groans.
Jeff approaches both tribes with the bag. "You each will draw a buff, and when everyone is done I'll assign the tribes." One by one, all fourteen castaways draw. Once that's wrapped up, Jeff steps back. Seven have Blue colored buffs, while another has Yellow colored buffs. "If you have Blue colored buffs, step to the left, you'll be going to the Mara camp. If you have a Yellow buff, step to the right, you'll be going to the Vulsa camp."
Price, Snake, Wesker, Ripley, Skarlet, Slade, and Wade all step to the left, Blue buffs on. Meanwhile Dante, Wii Fit Trainer, Wario, Zelda, T'Challa, Dylan, and Peach step to the right, Yellow buffs on. "Have a look at your new tribes." demands Jeff. "These are the people you will be staying with until the merge. Head to your new camps, I'll see you tomorrow."
The new Mara and Vulsa tribes head their seperate ways. We hear from a couple people from each new tribe.
Skarlet: Great. We go from powerful to powerless…if there is one thing I know about politics, it's that we have to cause chaos and make a distraction.
Wade: YES! YES! THIS is what I've been waiting for! I don't care if it's now or later, I'm sending this power couple out!
Wario: It's a new day for Wario! Let's get crackin'!
—
New Mara: Price, Snake, Wesker, Skarlet, Slade, Wade, and Ripley
New Vulsa: Dante, Wii Fit Trainer, Wario, T'Challa, Dylan, Peach, and Zelda
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New Mara: Day 9
The seven new tribe members arrive to Mara's camp. Price directs attention to the stack of firewood.
"That's where we put the fire." he states. "I'll take care of it. It's your camp after all." says Slade. "Respect the confidence." begins Price. "Anyway…"
Next is the shelter. There is a wooden roof (feat. The Tarp) with an elevated floor plan. "Hope you like sleeping on wood. This is what we could come up with." states Price. "I slept on a rock once, this is no biggie!" exclaims Wade. "We practically slept on the ground." says Skarlet, and that's when Wesker jumps in. "We had a triangle shape for a little too until we actually fixed it."
Wesker: We need to relate to these new elements. They may not want to work with us, more importantly me, so if they don't feel like it then they will face the consequences.
Lastly they come to the supplies next to the shelter, featuring the flint, machete, and pots and
pans. The water well map is also there. "We have quite a bit, like the tarp. Sitting out in the cold must have been lovely." Wade speaks up.
"Yeah, definitely."
"Hope for a smoother sail. We could get a storm again."
Wade: Ok, Price is the head honcho, the main man of Mara and…he's already outdoing Slade! You see guys and gals, he SEEMS to actually care about our well being. It really helps that Slade wanted my head on a stick, thank god that maniac doesn't have power anymore! What I'm about to do, is why you never cross Deadpool.
—
Immediate cut to Price, Snake, and Wesker talking with Wade by the water well.
"Let's break the ice: Slade and Skarlet need to go." begins Wade. Price chuckles at the bluntness, and Snake and Wesker listen in to Wade. "They were running things and let me tell you, they are BAD for business. They made this big alliance and did smart strategy and $#!t. If we lost everyone, those two would be the last standing I'm confident!"
"So you want us to get rid of em." implies Price. "I will stick with you guys if you get rid of them. That's a promise." says Wade, who puts his hand out for a shake. Snake and Wesker look at each other, and back at the Marvel anti-hero. "Everyone has a common interest here. If we get Ripley in, they are getting split up." says Snake. Wade applauds the three. "Alright! Let's get it going!"
Snake: How quickly Wade turned his back on them is a red flag. We're still concerned more about the power players on Vulsa, so we'll take care of them and worry about Wade next.
—
New Vulsa: Day 9
The new tribe members arrive to Vulsa, with Dante leading the way.
"Alright, everything you need is here except for the well." He points to the left. "Shelter is right there, supplies are to its right." He points lower. "Fire is right there. I can whip up a fire so don't worry about it." he ends it right there. T'Challa speaks up. "I am one of the providers for my tribe. Will you need any help with that?"
"You'll have to keep up first."
"Challenge accepted."
Dante: My old gameplan isn't working so it's out with the old and in with the new. We call this "Wheelin' and Dealin'" and I'm going all in.
—
Later, the only three Mara have a talk in the forest.
"Let's get past the awkward phase. There is more of them then there is of us." starts Dylan, who turns to Peach. "We have no reason to come for you right now, so can we please patch this up?" After the request, the princess has an answer. "We have no choice. If they see us going after each other they may team up on us."
"So it's a yes."
"Yes."
"Ok, the three of us are on the same page, great. Who do we want to go after though?" T'Challa answers first. "Dante and Zelda are strong, and don't seem very hostile. It would come down to Wario and the Trainer." he suggests. "I'm ready to go for either one." states the Princess. "Nice…cool." T'Challa and Peach shake their heads in "agreement."
Peach: I don't have anything going with Dylan, but I can't just turn down an alliance no matter how temporary. If i want to survive, this is what I have to do.
—
New Mara: Day 10
The bottom of new Mara, Slade and Skarlet, sit in the sand. The waves of the Indian Ocean move in front of them.
"We'll work with what we have." states Slade, scooping up sand with his fist. "I don't see Mara cracking just yet. We'll need to throw one of our own out. You know who.." Skarlet looks into his eyes as he clenches the sand between his fist. "It sucks to be powerless. If this swap ends our reign, it won't be pretty." she says, wiping some sand away.
Skarlet: When we had hope, hope was smacked away. I'm not fond of how that works. I starved on the streets of Outworld. No power, no capital, nothing. If the Maras decide to target us, that feeling is simply going to crawl back.
Her ally Slade looks dead ahead at the ocean. "We can buy ourselves time. Remember our idol." Skarlet moves her eyes to Slade's pocket, a bulge being right there. "We'll still need a second idol. They'll still pick us off no matter if we play our current idol or not." Slade sets his gaze on her. "We'll have to campaign. Unlike the others on the bottom we are smarter, and have better points."
Slade: Wade was an easy scapegoat then, but this time he will be more of a challenge. Proving our worth to the tribe and pinning the target on his back, is the best option we have.
As the two continue to talk, a third person enters the scene in one Albert Wesker.
Wesker: I'm extending my branches. Plain and simple. If there is a route where I use Slade and Skarlet, I will take it. Not only will no one believe them, but they won't have a choice but to trust me either. This is how you play the game.
He takes a seat next to them, looking around as he does. "This will seem very sudden to you." he begins. "But I'm open to work with you." That gets their attention immediately. "Look.." starts Wesker. "These dynamics don't just concern you. The top of the food chain isn't as tight as you think." Skarlet looks at him deadpan. "Explain." Wesker obliges, pushing his sunglasses up. "Price and Snake are in a close partnership. Ripley and I are the odd ones out, and it wouldn't come as a shock if Wade kisses up to them. The issue is, Ripley may go with the devil she knows, and Wade doesn't seem to trust you."
"More than 'trust.'"
"Clearly. However I'm still deep inside the majority. We can help eachother out." That was music to their ears. "If you need me again, let me know. I have breadfruit to cook." he states, getting up and leaving the two behind.
Wesker: If I can plant the seeds of doubt in their head, I'll have both sides fighting for my vote. I need all the support I can get, and this will help me. If I can manipulate an entire department, these people will be no problem.
—
New Vulsa: Day 10
On the Vulsa tribe, three of the four are in the ocean, keeping themselves up as they talk.
"I have an idea what to do about those Mara. Anyone have a pitch of their own?" asks Dante. "It would be easier to take them out one by one. We should stick with our tribe, and meet back up with Slade and Skarlet at the merge." suggests Wii Fit Trainer. Wario scoffs, and that gets both of their attention. "They won't make it." he begins. "We should deceive the Mara! That's what we should do!"
"Deceive them?"
"Yes Trainer, lie! Kiss their $$! We can't stay with one group forever!"
Wario: Wario isn't stupid! Brains exist in my head!
The Trainers eyes widen at the plan. "What if they survive? They won't turn against us!" Dante chimes in after that. "Neither of you are..WRONG, but we're risking ourselves anyway. Join Mara, betray someone, stick with Vulsa, lose out on allies. Honestly, we should take more allies on the other side." He and Wario look at the Trainer, who gulps. She takes a few seconds to respond.
Wii Fit Trainer: Vulsa Strong is the way to go, but those two can't see it! But deceiving, yeah, I'll lie to their face and PRETEND to go with the plan. I just need to speak to Zelda, and then convince the other two they need to stick with us.
"I'm for it." says the Trainer. Wario smiles, and Dante smirks. "Alright. No bickering, no fighting, we don't need that right now." states Dante.
Dante: Out of everyone, I'm babysitting them. You know what? I've made it through MUCH worse, and I'll make my way through this too.
—
As the sun sets, everyone is gathered around the campfire, chewing on breadfruit and leftover sandwiches. The topic of bands come up between Dylan and Dante while T'Challa and Zelda cook rice.
"Since you like Michael Jackson, here's some fun facts." starts Dylan. "He has 39 Guinness world records. Not many people have the honor, he was just that good. Did you know he sold out Wembley Stadium 7 times? Could have sold it out for 20 too." Dante nods at that. "You really did your research, huh?" he asks. "My work friends call me a music connoisseur. Not exactly like that but it sounds cool."
"Oh really? Alright "music connoisseur," question. What do Metallica, Guns 'N' Roses, and AC/DC all have in common?"
"Oh that's easy."
Dylan: Talking about music, is literally just the start. Not only is Dante like, cool, but I think he's in command and if we can get to like each other, we'll make it to the merge. I'm one hundred percent confident.
—
Well then, we have new developments indeed! Mara and Vulsa have strategies that could impact people in their tribe AND out of it! In the 5B, tribal lines get questioned, and targets start to emerge! Hopefully the episode comes out before i leave for college!