Alright! Like I said, a quick update! Thanks so much for all the support on the last chapter, I really appreciate it. You guys are the prime motivation for me to crank out words.
IMPORTANT: After this chapter will be the first Aftermath, which I'm actually really looking forward to writing. The Peanut Gallery will be revealed and the first five eliminated campers will be interviewed.
Remember, this is the last time you can vote on the poll to choose the Peanut Gallery!
8th place in the poll currently has 27 votes. 13th place has 24. It's so close, and remember only ten can get in! Vote for your favorites or they might just miss out!
This challenge will hopefully be much easier to write. Fingers crossed!
Now, without further ado…let's get into the chapter!
The drizzly rain that had plagued the campers on the day of Sky's elimination had finally faded, but the mood across the camp was definitely stormy. The sun peeked over the horizon as the door to the boys trailer opened. Out came Shawn and Owen, looking fresh and ready to start the day.
"So," Shawn said as the two began their walk through the woods. "What's new, Owen? We haven't been able to chat much the past couple of days because of the Rest Day and the rain yesterday."
"Oh y'know, things have been going good!" Owen said happily. "This might be my favorite team I've ever been on, even more than Team Chris is Really Really Really Really Hot!"
Shawn chuckled, "I appreciate that man, we do have a pretty sweet group going on. I might even trust you guys in the Z-pocalypse!"
The two walked deeper into the woods, enjoying the fresh air and taking in the sunlight. To the left of them, up high, a tree rustled. Owen and Shawn looked unconcerned as a large figure dropped out of the tree, landing right next to Shawn.
"Good morning, Jaz," Shawn greeted, "sleep well?"
The Amazonian Ozzie brushed a couple of leaves off her hat. "Well enough. How about you guys?"
"Not great," Shawn admitted. "Lightning was in a pretty terrible rage last night."
"Yeah, I can't believe Sky got eliminated," Jasmine agreed. The three continued to walk. "Y'know babe, with Sugar not competing and me outlasting Sky, you're the only one from our season I haven't out placed."
Shawn gave her a cocky little smirk. "I wish you the best of luck."
"You guys are so adorable!" Owen gushed. The thought of couples seemed to remind him of something, and his happy expression was replaced with a sombre one.
Shawn noticed, and looked at his friend curiously. "Everything okay, Owen? You suddenly look all bummed out."
Owen heaved a great sigh, slowing to a stop. "Well, Noah told me something weird the other day," he admitted.
Jasmine and Shawn exchanged slightly bewildered looks.
"Uhh, what'd he say?" Jasmine asked curiously.
Owen's face got a little color in it as he stared at the ground. He seemed to be fumbling for his words, but eventually was able to get out a "Well…y'see, he said that Izzy and I," he chuckled nervously, "well, he said Izzy and I made out when we were super drunk!"
Jasmine and Shawn's confusion only grew.
"Okay?" Shawn told him, "and then what?"
Owen also seemed confused. "What do you mean 'and then what'! Thats ridiculous! I don't remember dong that!"
"Uh, you definitely did make out." Shawn told him bluntly, a small smile on his face. "Like…a lot."
A flush started creeping up Owen's large neck. "Wha…huh…I…" He suddenly smacked his forehead. "Great Michigan Mozzarella! Why hasn't she said anything to me?"
"Well if you were too drunk to remember, maybe she was too?" Jasmine suggested helpfully. "Why don't you just talk to her about it?"
"Aw jeez, I dunno if I could do that," Owen exclaimed nervously, "I mean, we haven't been together in years! We've both had relationships since then too."
"You should go for it!" Shawn argued, "what's the worse that can happen?"
Owen gulped. "You obviously don't know Izzy very well."
The rest of the boys were still getting up in the trailer. Rodney was sitting at one of the lawn chairs at the big wooden table, sipping from a glass of water. Duncan was next to him, tying his shoelaces.
Over on the beds, Noah was sitting on his bunk with his blankets wrapped around his head, bags under his eyes.
"Time for another great day," Beardo said happily, reaching up from his top bunk and fluffing out his afro."
A loud thud got everyones attention. Lightning had thumped down from his top bunk, startling the others. The big jock straightened up and leveled a glare at the chubby soundboard. "You dare say the day after Shorty leaves is a great day?" He accused. "Sha-unreal!"
Beardo winced, "Uh…I didn't mean it like that, Lightning."
"Save it, Tubby!" Lightning snapped.
"Listen, man," Duncan warned, coming to the defense of his teammate. "Don't involve us in this. Team Nuclear had nothing to do with your stupid girlfriend getting voted out."
Quick as a flash, Lightning was in Duncan's face. The much taller young man was snarling down at him as the delinquent glared back. "What did you just call her?" Lightning growled.
Duncan stared up at him, a little wary but unafraid. He held his ground. "Your girlfriend obviously messed up if she got eliminated. Its just a game. Deal with it like a man."
"You better watch your mouth, Punkboy," Lightning warned.
Duncan just scoffed. "I met dudes half your size that were twice as scary in prison. Back off."
Lightning said nothing, opting to bump Duncan out of his way with a broad shoulder as he exited the trailer.
Duncan watched him go, rubbing his now sore shoulder. "Jeez, good look dealing with him today," he told Rodney and Noah.
As Rodney chuckled nervously, Noah was staring pensively at his hands, his mind racing.
(Confessional: Noah.)
"Alright," Noah says, a slightly nervous expression on his face. "It's time for Phase Three…well sort of. I need to enact it the next time we lose, which hopefully won't be a for a while. Extra time will give me a better chance at thinking of a way to pull this off with minimal damage." He's silent for a second before raising an eyebrow at the camera. "What's my end goal, you ask? Simple, and I've already mentioned it several times. Ally with Lightning. He's the most threatening person in the completion. No one else really gives him a run either, except for maybe Shawn or Jasmine. He'll be an invaluable ally…and an excellent meat shield. With everyone targeting him, especially if he makes the merge, he'll be great to have in the forefront while I slip by unnoticed." He sighs, "but in order to make that happen, I'm gonna have to get a little nasty…which is a lot of work, unfortunately."
(End Confessional: Noah.)
"Whoopie!" Izzy cheered, leaping from her bed and doing an exuberant front flip onto the wooden table. "It's time for another excellent day!" She turned her head to Zoey, "Apprentice, today we need to work more on your training!"
"Training?" Jo asked curiously, "you guys working out? Can I join?" She seemed to realize her eagerness and coughed a couple of times, "I mean, not that I like having workout buddies or anything…"
Izzy shot Jo a goofy grin, "We have secret training, Jo-mama! No one else allowed, sorry! It's a team Alpha secret!"
Not looking to pleased with her nickname, the jockette left her bed and swiped up her toiletry bag. "Whatever, if you freaks wanna be all secretive…"
"Ugh, I dunno if I'll be up for training after having to deal with the team today," Zoey admitted, looking a little tired as she brushed out her waist length cherry-red hair.
"What do you mean?" Bridgette asked, forgoing a brush. Her hands worked on autopilot with a hair tie, putting her pretty blonde hair into her signature ponytail.
"I bet Lightning wasn't too happy that you kicked off Sky." Gwen guessed. "They were cuddling when we watched that movie couple days ago."
"Bingo," Zoey confirmed, "though I would've preferred to vote off Lightning, I guess the team had other plans…"
"Can't say I blame you, though," Gwen told her friend, "I mean sure, Lightning can be a bit of a prick, but he's so strong."
"I dunno," Bridgette offered, exchanging her light blue pajama top for her light blue hoodie. "Letting Lightning get to the merge is kinda risky."
Zoey let out a disgusted scoff, an unnatural sound from her normally kind mouth. "That is not going to happen," she said with fierce determination. "He's next to go on the team, I don't care what anyone says."
Izzy, who was now juggling two of the lawn chairs, let out a little chuckle. No one paid her any mind.
Sammy, meanwhile, was on her bunk with her arms wrapped around her knees. The now familiar conflicted expression etched on her normally nervous face.
(Confessional: Sammy.)
"What I did…" the nice twin starts out the Confessional still in her pajamas. "My actions yesterday led to Sky, someone I respect, getting eliminated! And broke up a couple!" She slaps her forehead. "Ugh! I feel awful!" She lowers her hand and moves it across her body to grab the elbow of her other arm, a nervous habit. "But at the same time, I know it was a really good move for my team. They're now a total mess and will be easier to beat in challenges." She lets out a huge sigh. "I don't know what to think…"
(End Confessional: Sammy.)
Half an hour later, all the contestants had convened in the Mess Hall for a nice breakfast of slightly burnt pancakes. Owen, safe to say, was in heaven.
"Eating pancakes," the fat boys lips were trembling as he sat down with his team, his plate comically overflowing, "in the Mess Hall," a shuddering breath wracked his body, "reminds me of the good ol' days of Total Drama Island," a lone tear slid down his cheek and plopped onto a pancake as he squeaked out a sob. "Pardon me!"
"You and I remember Total Drama Island very differently," Gwen told him with a wry smile. "I also remember those pancakes tasting like crap." A sizzling pancake caught her in the face, courtesy of Chef. "Ow!"
Duncan pried the pancake off her face and dropped it onto the goths plate. Gwen winced as she rubbed her slightly singed face. "C'mon," the ex-con said playfully, "we had some good times back then. Remember when you gave a convicted killer a concussion?"
"That was hardcore!" Izzy agreed.
"Oh my god Gwen, remember when we had a bet on who wrote those mysterious love poems? I thought it was Geoff and you thought it was Trent?" Bridgette chuckled, "oh man, we were pretty dumb, huh?"
"Hey, it wasn't too far-fetched of me to think that Trent wrote those, him being a lyricist and all," Gwen defended herself, though she too was smiling. "Geoff on the other hand…"
All the Generation I campers except for Noah shared a laugh. "I'll never forgive him for blue-balling me," the bookworm grumbled to himself.
"God, and it turned out to be that dork." Duncan said fondly, crossing his arms. "Who woulda thought that Doris had a way with words?" He shook his head, "I wonder what the little squirt is up to now."
"I have about two dozen guesses, and none of them are kind," Noah quipped.
"Like I said," Duncan repeated himself, "we had some good times back in Total Drama Island."
"The best times," Owen agreed, "like when we all got stranded and confessed our sins!" He was instantly double smacked in the face with two pancakes, one each from Duncan and Gwen.
"We swore we'd never talk about that again," Duncan told Owen, deadly serious.
"What was said in that cabin stays in that cabin," Gwen agreed. The two exchanged a look and a smirk at their pancake aim.
There was a bizarre sucking noise as Owen inhaled both pancakes off his face and down his gullet. "Right, sorry," he said sheepishly, once his face was pancake-free. His appetite now wet, he dug into his plate. The pancakes began to disappear off his plate at an alarming rate.
"Man," Beardo said, addressing his team as everyone began to eat in earnest. "Y'all have so much history."
"You sound jealous," Jo noted.
"Hell yeah I'm jealous!" Beardo's voice held a surprising amount of gusto, "I've struggled all my life constructing relationships with people. Every time I try, I feel like I," he mimicked a plane falling through the air and crashing disastrously. "Blow it."
"Well you haven't blown it yet," Duncan pointed out, as blunt as ever. "I mean sure, we're not buds or anything, but you're an ok dude."
"I think that's the first time I've ever heard you genuinely compliment someone," Gwen noted, looking at the delinquent in surprise. Duncan shrugged in response, not looking too bothered by her words.
"Wow. Thanks, Duncan," Beardo said, looking very pleased indeed. "I appreciate that!"
"Look at Duncan being all nicey-wicey," Jo mocked, "it's All-Stars all over again."
Duncan winced at the memory, "Let's change the subject."
Jo laughed and stuffed her mouth with a bunch of pancake. "Vnder ut tuddeh khlenjuh gun brr," she attempted to say, little bits of pancake landing in Beardo's afro.
"Uh…come again?" Sammy asked, sharing a revolted look with Gwen.
"Dude, you got a little pancake," Duncan told Beardo, motioning to his afro.
"Hm? Oh, thanks," Beardo said. He shook his head, and the crumbs went flying. Everyone scattered to avoid the tainted morsels.
"Eww!" Sammy and Gwen screeched, moving their plates out of the way at the cost of getting dusted.
Jo swallowed and laughed. "Haha! Nice one, Beardo."
"Sorry," the big guy apologized sheepishly.
"I said, I wonder what the challenge is gonna be today," Jo repeated.
"Hopefully something that doesn't involve jetskis," Gwen grumbled.
(Confessional: Beardo.)
Beardo sits Indian style in the Confessional, humming an upbeat tune. "Y'know, when I first saw this team, I was really worried that all the strong personalities would make it tough to make friends." He beatboxes a noise that sounds like a huge bomb. "Y'know, us being Nuclear and all. But it actually ain't been so bad recently! It started off rough, but Gwen and Duncan seem to be on civil terms. Sammy's an angel, and Jo…" he chuckles a little, "well, she's abrasive, that's for sure. But I think deep down she means well….really really deep down."
(End Confessional: Beardo.)
"And even though I was so behind, I was able to get Top 8 and get into the finals," Bridgette concluded her Surfing tourney story to her enraptured teammates.
"That's unbelievable," Shawn said, "you went through two boards and a jellyfish horde and still beat out that asshole Jerry?"
"Yeah," Bridgette grinned, a rare expression of pride on her face. "I wouldn't have made it without Liza's help though."
"That was seriously cool of her to help you out," Owen told her happily. "Did she make the Top 8 too?"
"She did," Bridgette told him, "I ended up actually making the podium and getting 2nd in the Finals. Liza got 3rd."
"Who won?" Jasmine asked curiously.
"Some American guy," Bridgette remembered. "It was his first tournament and he's like mega-famous now. Some young prodigy. He smoked all of us."
"What a great story," Shawn complimented.
"She and Geoff are the coolest," Owen gushed. "They've traveled all over the world and have so many great stories!"
"That's right, Geoff was on that show you were on, right?" Jasmine dunked a chunk of pancake in some syrup and took a big bite. "That race one?"
"Mhm," Owen said, his mouth also full. He swallowed and wiped his mouth with the back of his arm. "He won it!"
Jasmine let out a low whistle. "So, you guys must be rolling in the big bucks, huh?" She asked Bridgette.
Brigette flushed a little, "I mean, not really. Sorta. He and Brody split the prize 50-50, so they each walked away with 500 grand. He and I went on a nice trip to France, but other than that he's been surprisingly smart with it."
"I know, I saw him a couple months after the Race and he seemed different," Owen piped up. "In a good way, though."
Bridgette nodded, a fond smile on her face. "I think getting that much money was a bit of a wake up call for him. Made him realize that he should probably start learning how to be an adult." She turned to look at Shawn, "speaking of, you're a winner too. What did you do with the money?"
"Well, I tried to give Jazz half of it," Shawn explained, "but after the awkwardness that happened in our finale, we had to compromise at 20%. I thought I'd have to spend all of my money on the bunker, but Jazz and I ended up building it our self and it was way cheaper." Shawn shrugged, "so we went on a backpacking trip across Europe. Saw some cool mountains, ate some great food."
"It was amazing," Jasmine supplied helpfully.
"That's great you guys," Owen gushed.
Jasmine let out a goofy giggle-snort, "if you had told me when I was younger that I'd meet my dream guy on a reality TV show, I'd have clocked your jaw in. But here we are."
"If you had told me five years ago that a girl would stop me from performing my zombie cloaking routines, I'd have called you braindead," Shawn agreed.
"Zombie cloaking routines?" Bridgette asked, a little curious.
"Basically having zero hygiene whatsoever." Jasmine but in.
"Hey, it wasn't no hygiene," Shawn defended himself, looking a little embarrassed. "I brushed my teeth…and flossed."
"Crikey. In that case you were basically sterile," Jasmine said sarcastically.
Bridgette chuckled. "Geoff went from two showers a week to four after we started dating. Something about men just make them inherently more…gross."
"We just don't think about that stuff," Owen told his team. "It's not intentional!" As if to prove his point, he let out a loud belch.
Bridgette wafted her hand in front of her face. "Right…"
"Eh-herm!" Came a new voice from the entrance to the Mess Hall. Everyone turned to see Chris standing there in all his hostly glory. "Good morning, campers," he greeted. "Ready for another challenge?"
"Bring it!" Rodney said confidently.
"Oh, it will be brung," Chris assured him. "If you will all follow me to the auditorium."
"Oh no," Gwen groaned, "don't tell me its another talent contest?"
"You'll have to wait and see," The host fired back, a smooth grin taking over his face. "Let's go."
The group arrived at the auditorium. The team logos flashed to life over their respective groups. "Today's challenge will be done in two parts." Chris explained as the camera panned over all the contestants.
The auditorium itself was currently blocked off their view by a large curtain, so none of the campers could see what was behind it.
"Izzy, stop that," Chris scolded. The zany redhead paused in her efforts to sneak away from the group and get behind the curtain.
"Sorry," Izzy said, not looking very sorry at all.
"Now, as I was saying," Christ continued, "the first part of the challenge will crown one team the winner, and they will not have to participate in Part Two. The two teams that duke it out in Part Two will fight for safety. The losing team boots someone. Capice?"
The campers all echoed various noises of acknowledgment, so Chris grabbed the curtain that was covering the auditorium. "Now, let's see what you guys will have to face! It's…" he tore the curtain down. "Total Drama Trivia!"
Noah clapped his hands triumphantly. "Finally, something I can get behind."
Chris held up a little bag. "Before we begin, we need to even out the teams a little bit." He approached Team Nuclear. "Five rocks in here. One's white, the rest are black. The person who gets the white rock sits out the challenge."
All five members of Team Nuclear stuffed their hands in the bag and pulled out a rock.
Duncan, Gwen and Beardo revealed black rocks. Sammy and Jo exchanged a look before opening their hands.
"Looks like I'm sitting this one out," Sammy said, holding up the white rock for all to see. Her tone suggested relief.
"Fine by me," Jo said, tossing the rock back into the bag as Chris approached Team Alpha.
"Imagine me actually not wanting to get out of a challenge," Noah remarked, sticking his hand in and grabbing a rock.
"I'd be happy to sit this one out," Rodney said nervously, his enormous wrist momentarily getting stuck in the bag. "Last time we had a challenge like this, I didn't do too well."
"I don't think you'll have to worry about rabid chickens this time, bud," Izzy grinned.
The members of Team Alpha revealed their rocks.
"Oh come on," Noah complained, holding the white rock. "Dammit!"
Zoey didn't look too stoked either. "Dang, your memory is great. You would've been awesome in this challenge."
"I know," Noah complained. "Just promise you won't hold my unwilling lack of participation against me."
Lightning snorted. "No promises."
Noah sighed.
"Don't worry, Noah!" Izzy said happily. "I've got this in the bag!"
"Alright. Noah and Sammy, take a seat on the bleachers," Chris told the two. "The rest of you, follow me onto the stage."
The auditorium was hardly recognizable. It looked like a set straight out of Family Feud, with three sets of four podiums lined up in a row. At the center of the stage, there were three single podiums facing each other. Chris walked over to a gold podium, situated above the others.
"Welcome our teams to the first ever Total Dram Trivia!" Chris's voice was suddenly cheesy and a little greasy. "Welcome our competitors today, Team Oddball!"
Canned applause rang throughout the auditorium as the members of Team Oddball waved awkwardly at the nonexistent audience.
"Team Nuclear!"
More canned applause, and only Beardo waved to the imaginary crowd.
"Anddddd, Team Alpha!"
Izzy blew kisses and Rodney waved happily. Zoey looked a little awkward while Lightning just scowled.
"Now, let's get this show on the road. If you'll choose a podium."
Team Alpha lined up with Rodney on the far left. Izzy was second in, Lightning third, and Zoey on the far right.
Team Nuclear had Duncan on the far left, with Beardo second in, Gwen third, and Jo on the far right.
Team Oddball chose to put Jasmine on the far right. Owen was next, then Bridgette, and Shawn on the far right.
"Alright, let's have the first group of contestants up," Chris grinned. "Shawn, Jo, Zoey, come on dowwwwwn!"
The three campers left their podiums and met each other at the podiums set up in the center. They faced each other, a little unsure of what was going on.
"Here's how it works," Chris said, "each podium here has an electronic keyboard. When you hear th question, type in the answer and submit. The first person to guess correctly will receive two points. The second person to guess correctly gets one. Last gets zilch!"
"What happens if the first person who guesses is wrong?" Jo asked.
"Then the two points will go to the first person to get it right." Chris explained. "And there is no penalty for typing in a wrong answer. If everyone gets it wrong, no one gets any points and your turn is still over. Understood?"
The three nodded.
"Now, the name of the game is: Placements and Eliminations!"
"Excellent," Jo was confident, "this is right up my alley!"
"First team to reach 5 points wins the challenge and won't have to compete in part two." Chris told them, "so its a pretty quick round. Alright, here's the question. Give me the number of contestants that, excluding this season, made it to the merge in every season they competed in. They must have competed in more than one season to be eligible!"
Jo, Shawn and Zoey instantly started scribbling. Shawn slammed his button first, followed by Zoey. Jo was just behind them.
"Alright, Shawn is up first, how many did you say?"
"Seven," Shawn replied. On the screen above the podiums, a little box appeared that said "Shawn: 7"
"Seven?" Jo repeated, surprised.
"Zoey, how about you?"
"I said six," Zoey said, now looking a little uncertain.
"That's what I said too," Jo admitted. "Duncan, Owen, Zoey, Alejandro, Mike and Scott."
Zoey slapped her forehead, "Oh, I forgot about Alejandro!"
Jo looked surprised. "Who'd you have that I didn't?"
"Cameron," Zoey replied.
Jo's face fell. "Ah, damnit…"
"Shawn is correct," Chris confirmed. "Owen, Duncan, Alejandro, Zoey, Mike, Scott and Cameron are the only contestants to make the merge in every season they competed in more than once. Two points to Team Oddball. Alpha and Nuclear, zero."
The Oddballs clapped and cheered as Shawn rejoined the podium. He gave them a thumbs up.
"Let's have the next group up: Bridgette, Gwen and Lightning!"
The three jogged up to the podium, all looking determined.
"Alright you guys, ready for the question."
"Bring it!" Lightning exclaimed, his tone and facial expression determined.
(Confessional: Lightning.)
"Just because Lightning is mad at his team for betraying him doesn't mean he ain't gonna give his all in the challenges," Lightning says sternly, arms folded over his chest. He strokes his goatee. "He'll wait until after to get to the bottom of what happened. But for now, it's game time."
(End Confessional: Lightning.)
(Confessional: Zoey.)
"It looks like Lightning isn't going to throw the challenge, which is a relief," Zoey guesses. "I was hoping he'd be the one to sit out, since he's not that smart to begin with." The redhead lets out a tired sigh. "Guess I got unlucky, though."
(End Confessional: Zoey.)
"Alright. Who, out of every contestant that has competed more than once, has the best average placement of them all?"
The three were silent for a second, thinking hard about the answer. Gwen was first to jot down an answer. Bridgette was next, followed by Lightning.
"Alright, reveal your answers," Chris announced. "Gwen, you first."
"My kickass friend Zoey, of course." Gwen revealed with a smile.
"I guessed Zoey as well." Bridgette agreed.
"Lightning guessed Zoey as well," Lightning finished, looking deeply unhappy at his last place entry.
"Zoey is correct. Her average placement of 2.5 after coming in 3rd and 2nd is quite impressive," Chris narrated. The host clapped his hands. "Oddballs lead with 3 points to Nuclear's 2. Alphas are behind at 0. Next group, come on up!"
"Sha-dang," Lightning cursed. "Lightning can't believe he fumbled like that. Unacceptable!"
"Dont' sweat it," Izzy reassured him, "Izzy's got this!"
"Izzy, Beardo, Owen, come on down!"
The three waltzed up to the podiums.
"Aw-haw, yeah! So stoked to be here," Owen's enthusiasm was as evident as ever. "How're you doing today, host man?"
"Doing fine, Owen," Chris said pleasantly, "Now, tell the viewers back home a little about yourself!"
"Well, I have two brothers back home, and they're rooting for me big time! I'm gonna win that new car!" Owen said happily, "I also hold the record at my high school for most toilets destroyed in a day….and a week," he turned a little thoughtful, "two weeks, month, semester," he rang off, ticking his fingers as he went, "six months, year, two years, four years…" he trailed off with a little chuckle. "But yeah, anyways, ready to win this new car!"
Chris looked a little taken aback, "Uh, new car?"
"Well sure," Owen said happily, walking over to the host and slinging an arm around him. Chris now looked a little uncomfortable.
"Uhh, Owen, what're you doing?" He whispered to the big lug.
"I dunno, I was trying to go along with it and went too far," the big guy whispered back.
The two stood there, Owen's arm still around his shoulder. The campers stared at them awkwardly.
"I say," Owen finally spoke up, an awkward chuckle escaping his lips. "Chris, your shoulders are rock hard and stiff." He gave the shoulders of the host a friendly little pat. "You work out?"
"Eeugh!" Chris wiggled away from Owen. "Owen! Go back to your podium, man!"
Izzy snapped her fingers, "rats! Just as it was getting good and steamy!"
A chuckling Owen returned to is podium, embarrassed. "Heheh…sorry about that…"
Chris recomposed himself and looked down at the card in his hands. "Swiftly moving on," he grumbled, "Including this season, out of everyone who has competed in more than one season, who has suffered the least standard, unaltered eliminations in the history of Total Drama?"
"The least? Beardo questioned. "Wouldn't that be everyone that got eliminated once and only once?"
"Would it?" Chris giggled impishly. "This is a hard one, so take your time."
This time the contestants were quiet for a couple of minutes. Owen mumbled to himself as he counted on his fingers. Beardo scratched his chin whiskers, pondering and lost in thought. Izzy methodically chewed on her bottom lip, fingers on her temples and eyes scrunched tight.
Eventually, Izzy snapped her fingers and typed in a long answer. It was another couple minutes before either Owen or Beardo put something in.
"Man, I'm just guessing," Beardo sighed.
"Me too," Owen admitted.
"Alright Izzy, who did you guess?"
"It was a tie," Izzy said smugly. She revealed her answer. "DJ, Sierra, Mike, and Cameron!"
"I just guessed," Beardo admitted, "I said Sierra."
"Jeeze, I said Tyler." Owen chuckled.
"That's not even a little close," Rodney smacked his forehead.
"Izzy is surprisingly correct," Chris announced. "DJ was instantly eliminated in Total Drama Island, quit in Action, and was auto eliminated as a team of one in World Tour. Likewise, Sierra was auto eliminated in World Tour, and was eliminated by the other team in All-Stars. Mike was auto eliminated by Scott in Revenge of the Island, and a finalist in All Stars, and Cameron was a winner in Revenge of the Island, and eliminated due to injury in All-Stars!"
"Woot woot!" Izzy grinned, "score one for Izzy!"
"Izzy and Nuclear are the only team to get points. They are now tied with Team Nuclear at 2. Oddball has a narrow lead with 3. Let's get Jasmine, Rodney and Duncan up here.
They looked between one another as they approached the stage. Notably, Rodney looked a little nervous. Jasmine and Duncan were confident.
"Alright you guys, lets get right into it," Chris said. "Jasmine, you could win this for your team right here and now with a correct first place answer."
"Let's go, Jazz!" Shawn cheered.
"You got this!" Bridgette agreed, looking nervous.
Jasmine cracked her knuckles. "I do."
"Your question is…in the Total Drama Pahkitew Island merge, who was the only person to be eliminated by a normal vote?"
All three wrote something down quickly and submitted.
"Oh wow, that was close," Chris said appreciatively. "We're gonna need a sec to look at who rang in first. For now, though, reveal your answers."
"Dave," all three said simultaneously.
"You're all correct," Chris agreed. "Now, it only matters who rang it in first." He held up a hand to his ear. "And I just got the results. The person to ring in last, thus receiving zero points, is…Duncan!"
Duncan rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Whatever."
Rodney and Jasmine exchanged a competitive look.
"The person who rang in first was…"
At the Oddball podium, Bridgette was crossing fingers on both her hands. Owen rubbed her back in a comforting manner.
"Jasmine!" Team Oddball erupted into cheers.
Rodney sighed and snapped his fingers. He rejoined Team Alpha, where he received condolences from his teammates.
"With a total of 5 points, Team Oddball wins the first part of the challenge, and all its members are safe from elimination!"
"Let's go!" Owen cheered. Bridgette wrapped him in a big hug as Jasmine ran back to her team and hugged Shawn.
(Confessional: Bridgette.)
"Safe another day!" Bridgette squeals, pumping her fist in excitement. "Let's go!"
(End Confessional: Bridgette.)
"Team Oddball, you guys are dismissed. You're welcome to stay and watch the challenge or go off and do whatever you like." Chris told them.
"Fancy a walk in the woods, babe?" Jasmine asked Shawn.
Shawn stepped down from his podium and shot Jasmine a thumbs up. "Let's do it."
Owen and Bridgette opted to stay and watch, so they took their seats on the bleachers with Noah and Sammy.
"Alright teams, it's time for part two, which is a little different than part one." Chris told them. "The trivia questions will test how well you know your teammates! You'll be given a face about one of your teammates, and you'll have to answer which teammate it applies. If you guess wrong, the other team has a chance to steal the point!" Chris clapped his hands. "Format will be the same. One person from each team comes up at a time and it's 5 points to win. If someone gets a question wrong, the only one that's able to guess is the person they are facing. No help from any other teammates!" He clapped his hands. "Alright, let's pick who goes first…let's call Rodney and Gwen to the stage!"
The two large lads lumbered up to the podium. Rodney gave Gwen a polite wave, and Gwen shot him a weird look. Rodney flushed and looked down.
"Alright guys. Remember, the questions can refer to anyone on your team, even those who have been eliminated." Chris told them. "Now, Team Alpha, you'll get your question first. Rodney, who has placed the worst on your team in all their seasons competing?"
"Uhh," Rodney tapped his finger against his chin, "I'd have to say…Lightning, right? He was the second person eliminated in All-Stars."
"Correct," Chris told him, "one point to Team Alpha."
"Lightning can't believe he holds that record," the athlete grumbled to himself.
"Gwen, your question is the same," Chris said, "who is-"
"Tied between Beardo and Duncan," Gwen answered instantly. "Are all the questions going to be the same for each team?"
"Just this first one," Chris assured her, "but unfortunately, your answer is incorrect!" He turned to Rodney, "Will Rodney be able to snag Gwen's point for a formidable 2-0 lead?"
"Wait, how is that wrong?" Gwen argued, "they were both kicked off first!"
"Well I guess Duncan, since he was eliminated before the first elimination ceremony!" Rodney said confidently.
Gwen slapped her forehead.
"Good guess," Chris complimented, "but unfortunately, that is also incorrect." At Rodney's confused look, the host explained what he meant: "While it is true that Duncan was technically disqualified before the first elimination, he was brought back and ended up placing 5th. Beardo was the correct answer."
"Aww, shucks," Rodney sighed.
"Don't worry, Rodney!" Zoey called, clapping as the two returned to their team podiums, "one point is still good!"
"Duncan and Lightning, come on down," Chris called them up.
The two leveled a glare at each other, still remembering the hostility from the morning.
"Team Alpha. Which of your team members absolutely hates eels?"
Lightning looked a little stumped, and remained quiet for a few seconds. "Errr, Lightning doesn't really know," he admitted, "Zoey?"
Zoey and Noah both smacked their hands to their foreheads.
"Incorrect," Chris tutted. He turned to Duncan, "Duncan, want to steal?"
"Noah, obviously," Duncan bragged.
"Correct!"
The delinquent turned to the bleachers, "Did you hate eels before you met Alejandro, or was he the cause?"
"Definitely the cause," Noah admitted.
Duncan chuckled. "Nice." Turning back to the host, his face became more determined. "Alright, what's my question?"
"Duncan, who on your team can drink a whole melted stick of butter?"
"Eew," Rodney gagged. "That's horrible!"
Duncan just laughed, "Oh man, that's nasty. He turned around to survey his teammates. "I honestly don't know, but I'm just gonna go ahead and guess…Jo."
"Hey!" Jo protested.
"Correct!" Chris clapped his hands. "Two points for Duncan brings his team to a narrow lead!"
Duncan leveled a wolfish grin at Lightning. "Sorry for sending you right after your girlfriend, bro," He mocked. He left the podium and rejoined his team. An annoyed Jo prodded him in the ribs. "What made you guess me?" She asked him, a little cross.
Duncan shrugged, "I dunno. Beardo would be too easy, I know Pasty doesn't have the stomach for it, it definitely wasn't me and I'd put money it wasn't Sammy. That left you or Dirt Boy, and I just guessed you." He gave her a wary look, "why did you even do that?"
"I read this bum article on the internet that it was supposed to help for exercising," Jo grumbled. "That was not a pretty couple of days…'
Duncan laughed at that, and while Jo looked annoyed at first, she allowed herself a begrudging smile. "Yeah, I guess that is pretty funny," she admitted.
"Alright, Nuclear leads Alpha 2-1," Chris said, rubbing his hands together happily. "The stage calls Zoey and Beardo!"
Once the two had joined Chris at the front, Chris turned to Beardo first. "Okay Beardo," he paused, noting the sweating boy. "You okay, man? You look a little nervous."
Beardo gulped, "I'm fine…just a little worried since I don't know anyone here too well."
"Just do your best, man," Chris told him, not sounding super caring at all. "Now, who on your team, on the show, has been shown naked the most amount of times?"
Beardo surveyed his teammates. He knew he and Sammy hadn't been shown in the nude at all. "Uhh…Scott?"
"Nope!" Beardo's face fell and Chris turned to Zoey. "Zoey?"
Zoey looked just as stumped, "Gwen?"
"Wrong again! The correct answer is Duncan!" Chris told them. "No points for that question. Now, for Zoey's question. Who on your team has caused the most eliminations in a single season?"
"Oh jeez, that's a tough one," Zoey wrung her hands together nervously. "Uh…Sky?"
"Incorrect! Beardo?"
"Zoey?"
"Hey!" Zoey exclaimed, looking a little offended.
"Sorry!" Beardo apologized quickly, "I just guessed you cause you always make it so far!"
"Wrong again! The correct answer was Lightning!"
"I should've known," Zoey said darkly.
"And that's zero points for either team! You guys suck," Chris told them. "Back to the podiums with you, trash."
Beardo walked dejectedly back down to his podium, where he was sharply smacked on the back by Jo.
"Don't sweat it, Beardo," she told him gruffly. "We still got the lead."
"I know, I just want to contribute," Beardo said sadly.
"Ok, last up we have Izzy and Jo!"
Jo cracked her knuckles. "Piece of cake."
"That's my line!" Izzy cackled.
"Jo, who on your team has had objectively the most humiliating elimination?"
Jo rubbed her chin. "Definitely not me…" she held up her other hand and began to lower fingers. "Duncan…nah. Gwen? Nah…Hmm, the other three though…I guess I'd have to say Scott. Getting put in that trauma thing was pretty humiliating."
"Our audiences back home…agree!" Chris agreed. "Point for Team Nuclear. It's now time for Izzy's turn."
"Noah!" The redhead bellowed.
Said bookworm raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Izzy?"
Izzy giggled, "Oi! I wasn't talking to you! I was giving Chris my answer!"
Chris raised an eyebrow. "But you haven't heard the question yet."
"Doesn't matter. B: Noah. Final answer," Izzy said, smiling widely.
"That's…correct." Chris stammered, "what the hell?" He leveled a suspicious glare at the ginger. "Did you sneak a peak at the cards?"
"No, silly! I read your mind!" Izzy told him happily. She then nonchalantly turned her back on the host and raised her arms over her head. "Woohoo! Point to Team Alpha! Let's go, guys!"
Chris shot another suspicious look at the retreating red head and did a quick shuffle of the cards in his hands. "Alright, we're switching up the pairs. Lightning and Beardo, you're up. The score is 3-2 with Team Nuclear leading."
"Come on guys," Noah called to his team. "Focus up. You got this. All we need is a double steal to pull ahead and then the game is basically ours."
"Ok, Lightning you're up first." Chris told him. "Which teammate was voted "Most Likely to Have No Enemies" in high school?"
"Ugh, probably Zoey," Lightning spat.
"Incorrect!" Chris told him. "Beardo?"
"Uh…Sky?"
"Also incorrect! The correct answer is Izzy!"
"Izzy?" Duncan said incredulously, "all Izzy has are enemies. She was wanted by the freakin' RCMP!"
"I may or may not have threatened everyone into voting that for me," Izzy giggled. "High school was a crazy time, lemme tell ya."
"If Lightning bothered to learn anything about me," Zoey said, loud enough for Lightning to hear, "He'd know I wasn't liked at all in my hometown."
"Excuse the Lightning for not knowing your whole backstory," Lightning snapped back. The two exchanged a heated glare.
"Time for Beardo's question. Beardo, who on your team has an unnatural fondness for My Little Pony?"
Beardo raised an eyebrow and a small smile played at his lips. "Oh, I know the answer to this one." His eyes fell on his alliance mate. Jo!"
Jo had buried her head in her hands in shame. "I told you that in intoxicated confidence!" She said miserably.
"Haha, Jo likes girly things," Chris taunted. "Beardo is correct. Team Nuclear now has 4-2 lead. Team Alpha is gonna have to come up with something seriously epic if they want to come back. One more point for Team Nuclear and they are safe."
(Confessional: Noah.)
"This isn't looking good," Noah moans, annoyed. "If we lose, things are going to get really messy…"
(End Confessional: Noah.)
"Alright, will Rodney be able to turn the tables against Duncan? Let's find out." Chris said, bouncing on the balls of his feet like an eight-year old. "Come on up, guys!"
The two men joined him and shot each other a determined look.
"Alright Rodney, you're up first," Chris said. "Rodney, out of everyone on your team, who is the one to have had the most relationships."
"On the show or just in general?" Rodney asked for clarification.
"In general."
"Y'know, some time ago I probably would've said me," Rodney chuckled, a little embarrassed, "but I don't think one-sided relationships count."
"Right you are," Chris confirmed. "Now, what's your answer?"
Rodney thought it over. Sky, Lightning and Izzy all seemed like pretty good bets, so he was going to have to guess.
"I guess…" A bead of sweat dripped down his back. "Uh…Izzy."
"Your answer is…" Chris trailed off, enjoying seeing Rodney squirm. "Correct! Point for Team Alpha!"
Team Alpha erupted into applause.
"Nice job, man!" Izzy cheered.
"Keep focused, Rodney!" Noah encouraged. "You have to steal this point!"
Rodney nodded determinedly at his team, leveling a cocky grin at Duncan.
"Looking awfully confident there, Farmer Brown," Duncan noted. "All I have to do is get this question right and you're toast."
"Maybe," Rodney offered, "but will you get it right?" His tone was surprisingly intimidating, and Duncan looked unnerved for just as second before masking it with his normal nonchalance.
"Duncan, to potentially win it for your team," Chris told him dramatically. "Out of everyone on your team, who hates you the most?"
"What?" Duncan spluttered, "what kind of question is that?"
"You heard me," Chris said smugly. "Who is it?"
Rodney grinned.
(Confessional: Rodney.)
"This is great!" Rodney says hopefully, hunched down to avoid his head scraping the ceiling. "The answer is obviously either Scott or Gwen, but it's a mixed bag on who it actually is. If he gets it wrong, I just guess answer the other one and BAM!" He smacks his fist into his hand, and it makes a surprisingly loud noise. "Tied up! All thanks to Rodney!"
(End Confessional: Rodney.)
"How do you even measure that?" Duncan was still protesting the question. "That's completely subjective!"
"Oh trust me, we know the correct answer," Chris smirked. "So what'll it be."
Duncan shot a nervous look at Gwen, who was pointedly looking down at her feet. The punk gulped. He really, really didn't want the answer to be Gwen. Scott hated him plenty, he knew that, but Gwen? She was a lot less obvious. In his mind, he thought they were on decent terms. But, the nagging voice in the back of his head reminded him, you've thought that before, and ended up on the Boat of Losers.
"You gonna answer sometime today, D-man?" Chris asked him, growing impatient.
"I'm thinking," Duncan snapped. Gwen seemed genuinely sorry when she apologized, he told his nagging voice. We're going to trust her.
Sounds like a good way to get back on that Boat. The voice replied. Duncan hated that voice. He decided to trust Gwen.
"Scott," he answered. "Scott hates me most."
Gwen jerked her head up, looking at Duncan in surprise.
"Duncan, a bold answer," Chris pointed out. "Risky to say the least. But is it right? Scott is…NOT…" Rodney cheered as Duncan and Gwen both gasped in unison. "The wrong answer! Point to Team Nuclear! They win 5-3!"
All of Team Nuclear erupted into cheers except for Duncan and Gwen, who both just looked relieved.
Most of team Alpha were disappointed. Zoey and Lightning were the notable exceptions, and were glaring at one another.
"Team Alpha, you'll be booting someone later today," Chris told them. "Two in a row, huh? Tough break…but you aren't done yet!"
Team Alpha looked confused. "What do you mean?" Zoey asked.
"It's time for another PCP, or Post-Challenge-Prize!" Chris announced. "This one is super short and sweet though. "It's another risk-reward. You'll gain one positive thing, but also a penalty."
"What's the positive thing?" Izzy asked, looking excited.
"5000 buck-a-roonies," Chris told them, and everyone still at the podium gasped.
"Whoa, can we get in on this?" Jo asked from Team Nuclear.
"I'm afraid it only applies to the losing team," Chris told her.
"That's a pretty big prize," Noah pointed out. "What's the drawback."
"The drawback is pretty severe," Chris admitted, "But it will only be revealed after you've chosen to take the PCP or not."
"Hey, I don't do drugs!" Izzy joked.
Chris rolled his eyes. "Hilarious. Now, Team Alpha, what'll it be?"
"I'm not risking it," Noah declined.
"Me neither," Zoey decided.
"I'll take it!" Izzy said happily.
"Me too, eh," Rodney told Chris.
Lightning was the last to choose. "Lightning declines." He eventually said.
"Alright, Izzy and Rodney, you guys are $5,000 richer," he congratulated them. "However, it's not free money. The cost is…a severe hindrance in the next challenge!"
The reaction he got was…muted, to say the least.
Noah sighed, looking annoyed, but other than that everyone was pretty neutral.
"Uh, did you guys not hear me right?" Chris asked. "That's pretty big news."
"Whatever," Lightning shrugged, "Lighting will pick up their slack."
"True that," Rodney agreed.
"If you're still here, that is" Zoey muttered under her breath.
Chris was obviously put out. "Whatever," he grumbled. "See you guys later at the Bonfire Ceremony. Get outta my sight."
(Confessional: Izzy.)
"Am I worried about a challenge hinderance?" Izzy asks the camera rhetorically. "Not when ya girl is making it rain baby!" She splashes invisible bills all over the place. "Hahaha!"
(End Confessional: Izzy.)
(Confessional: Beardo.)
"Damn," the rotund young man curses, "this mighta been a challenge I wouldn't have minded losing!"
(End Confessional: Beardo.)
Jasmine and Shawn had found a sunny clearing and were currently lying in the grass, holding hands. A comfortable silence floated between them.
"Oi, babe, I didn't tell you about Sammy yet, did I?" Jasmine said, the corner of her mouth pulling up in a slight grin..
Shawn looked over at her. "What about her? She ok?" He asked, a little concerned.
"More than, actually," Jasmine sat up and brushed a little big of dirt off the back of her thighs. "Turns out the whole balloon fiasco that turned out to be nothing was all orchestrated by her yesterday."
"Orchestrated by her?" Shawn didn't understand.
Jasmine nodded. "Yeah, apparently she knew the balloon she knocked into the water was one of Team Alphas, and she did it so they couldn't get their last letter."
Shawn's eyebrows disappeared up into his beanie. "Wow, that's…impressive," he finally said, a little grin on her face. "How devious of her."
'I know!" Jasmine chuckled. "I could barely believe it when she told me! But hey, it was damn good plan."
"Seriously, and I bet no one suspected a thing," Shawn laughed. "She's so innocent."
"Gwen interrogated her a bit," Jasmine recalled thoughtfully. She lay back down in the grass with her hands behind her head. "But Sammy saw her off pretty easy."
"Are you worried about her?" Shawn asked. "I mean like, her turning into Amy or something?"
Jasmine shrugged her shoulders. "Not really. She seemed to feel pretty guilty about it, which is good. As long as she doesn't let it overcome her she should be fine. I'm trying to be as supportive as I can be."
"You're such a good friend, babe," Shawn grinned.
Jasmine blushed and leaned over, kissing him on the cheek. "Thanks."
The two continued to enjoy the sunlight.
Zoey, Rodney and Izzy were having a meeting in the Mess Hall. It was empty except for them. They were currently having a heated discussion on who should be eliminated.
"It's time to take Lightning down," Zoey said vehemently.
Rodney disagreed. "I just don't trust Noah," Rodney told the two girls. "I think sending him home would be much safer, and better for the team."
"Noah?" Izzy repeated, surprised. "Where did this come from?"
"I don't like the way he backed us into a corner yesterday," Rodney explained. "It left a really bad taste in my mouth. I even voted against him last night!"
Izzy and Zoey both looked shocked by this, but said nothing.
"Seriously, he's bad news," Rodney told him. "To pull a move that big…this early on…it just doesn't seem good."
"I don't understand," Izzy said, raising an eyebrow at the farm boy, "why not just vote for Sky? Your vote didn't even matter. Sky was still going to go home regardless."
A dull flush crept up Rodney's neck. "I…I had a hard time voting for someone who was my first kiss." He admitted. "I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I decided last minute."
The three were quiet for a minute.
"I still think Lightning should go," Zoey said stubbornly. "Sorry Rodney, but that's who I'm voting for. If you've got any sense, you vote for him too."
"I don't understand your weird hate towards him," Rodney pointed out, a little annoyed. "He's not that bad of a dude, Zoey."
"Not that bad?" Zoey stood up and slammed her hands down on the table, startling the other two. "Do you have any idea how it felt to come from a town where I was tormented by a bunch of dumb jocks, only to get eliminated in Revenge of the Island by another dumb jock! I could barely even go back home! My whole town was pro-Lightning and reveled in the fact that he got me eliminated!" Her hands curled into fists on the table. "So don't you lecture me on 'he's not so bad' when you don't know how his actions have affected my life!"
Rodney gulped, having scooted back in his chair a little. "S-sorry," he apologized. "I didn't know."
Zoey finally seemed to realized she was standing with her fists clenched on the table. She looked surprised and quickly retook her seat. "Uh…" she gave the other two an awkward glance. "No, I'm sorry for my outburst," she said shamefully. "You couldn't have known, I was out of line."
Izzy, however, looked excited. "Don't apologize, silly! That's what your training has been working towards! Own that strength!"
Zoey shook her head. "I can't let that side of me overpower me." She told Izzy calmly.
"I know, but we're working to control it!" Izzy said, hopping up from her seat and running over to Zoey. "C'mon, let's go train!"
Zoey reluctantly got up from her seat and let herself be led out into the forest by Izzy. "Sorry again," she apologized to Rodney, who smiled gingerly back at her.
"No sweat," he called to her as they left. Once they were gone, he let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding in. "Jeeze," he muttered, "she's scary."
(Confessional: Izzy.)
Izzy is giggling maniacally. "Wow, that whole passage of conversation was like, so enlightening! Teehee, but what am I gonna do with all this information?" She rubs her hands together. "I think I have just the plan. But first," she springs to her feet and kung-fu kicks the wall, making the whole Confessional shake. "It's training time!" She dives out of the Confessional.
(End Confessional: Izzy.)
Duncan was sitting on the couch in the Rec Center, a cold beer between in his legs and video game controller in his hands. He was playing an old school zombie shooter on the old game system. To be honest, he was enjoying himself very much.
"Level complete!" The game announced, and Duncan put the controller down next to him as the scores began to play on screen. He took a nice sip of beer and nestled it back between his legs.
The door opened behind him and he looked over his shoulder at the new entrant.
"Hey," Gwen greeted, Beardo right behind her.
"What's up, guys," Duncan greeted.
"Is that Zombothon III?" Gwen asked, her eyes lighting up."
"Hell yeah it is," Duncan grinned, returning his gaze back to the screen and picking up his controller.
"I've never played that one," Beardo said, joining the delinquent on the couch. He noticed the six pack of beer on the floor next to him. "Uhh, mind if I have one?"
"Hm?" Duncan looked over to see what Beardo was talking about. "Oh, go for it. Just do me a favor and throw the rest in the mini fridge. Don't want 'em getting warm on us."
Beardo nodded and pulled one out of the six pack before grabbing the cardboard case and heading over to the mini fridge.
"What, you're not gonna offer me one?" Gwen asked, her tone full of mock offense as she sat on the adjacent couch.
Duncan looked at her curiously. "I didn't take you for the beer type."
"Oh? What's my favorite drink then, in Duncan's expert opinion?" Gwen raised an eyebrow.
"I dunno," Duncan smirked at Gwen's tone, "I always took you for an old fashioned type. Some kind of sophisticated whiskey drink."
"If you had said fruity pink drinks I would've kicked you in the nuts, so good answer," Gwen told him. "Nah, I'm a red wine kind of girl, but beer is fine for a more casual setting."
"Beardo, toss Gwen one," Duncan called to the beatboxer.
Beardo gave a "ding ding" in response and pulled one more out before putting the remaining three in the fridge. He walked over to Gwen and handed her the beer.
"Thanks," Gwen said, twisting the cap off the bottle and taking a sip. "Hmm, not bad."
"Yeah, most of the stuff in the Tuck Shoppe ain't too bad," Duncan said, "I was surprised."
"Maybe Chris got sponsored by a liquor store," Beardo joked.
Duncan snorted and Gwen giggled.
"You guys trying to play co-op?" He asked the two, nodding his head at the other controllers tucked in the TV stand.
"Hell yeah, I'm always down to crack some zombie skulls." Gwen said happily, heading over to the stand and bending down in front of the TV.
Duncan pointedly kept his eyes on the screen as Gwen collected a couple of controllers and headed back to the couches.
"You want in?" Gwen asked Beardo.
Beardo looked a little nervous. "I dunno, the only Zombothon I've ever played was the most recent one. I don't wanna be a hinderance."
"Relax, dude," Duncan told him, "If you played Zombothon VIII, then III will be a piece of cake. It's way more basic."
"Besides," Gwen added, "Don't stress so much about being a hinderance. I noticed you sweating it in today's challenge."
"I know," Beardo sighed, taking a sip of his own beer. "I just get so caught up in my head."
"All that's gonna be good for is making you blow it big time," Duncan advised, setting up the game for three players. "I know its a competition, but we're not gonna tear your head off for one little mistake. As long as you don't cost us the win, we have no reason to tear your throat out."
"I'll try and keep that in mind." Beardo smiled. He made the classic 'shotgun cocking' noise. "Now let's splatter some brains."
Lightning was currently doing pushups in the boys trailer. Sweat poured down his face as he pumped through his workout. His face was a miserable mix of anger and sadness, and it was clear he was using the workout to try and forget his feelings.
This continued for some time, but eventually the door to the trailer opened and Lightning paused from his workout.
It was Noah. He was looking down at the young man on the floor, eyebrow raised. "Hey," he greeted.
"What do you want?" Lightning grunted, going back to his pushups.
"I, uh, I wanted to talk to you about what happened last night with the elimination." Noah told him. It was safe to say he captured Lightning's attention, as the boy stopped his push ups and pushed himself into a standing position.
"What is there to talk about?" Lightning scowled. "You all ganged up on Sky. She told Lightning how you wanted to team up with us, but then you go ahead and vote for Sky!"
"I had to," Noah protested. Upon Lightning's snort, Noah rolled his eyes. "Seriously! I would've been fine with teaming up with you guys, but then Zoey approached me!"
Lightning frowned. "Zoey?"
"Yeah, she wanted to break you two up because you guys would be so strong together." Noah told him. "And since I hadn't heard any verdict from you guys, I was a little hesitant about saying no." He looked Lightning up and down critically. "I mean, you didn't want to team up with me before you and Sky were together. Would that have changed just because you guys were together?"
Lightning glared at Noah, but eventually let the glare drop. "No," he admitted. "Lightning didn't want to team up. But we still went with your proposed plan! We voted for Zoey!"
"It wouldn't have mattered," Noah said easily, "No offense to Sky, but I'd back Zoey in a 3-3 tiebreaker. Zoey, Izzy and Rodney were all voting for Sky."
"Something about what you're saying don't make no sense," Lightning accused. "Lightning's no fool, he knows Zoey doesn't like him. Why would she want to take down Sky instead of Lightning?"
Noah shrugged, "Beats me. Maybe the others convinced her you were a bigger asset to the team than Sky was. Maybe Zoey's way more bitter than we thought and she voted off Sky just to hurt you."
Lightning's eyes widened. "You think she'd do that?"
"No," Noah admitted, "but I don't know here very well. With Izzy working on bringing out her commando side, she's way more of a wildcard than I'd like. It's certainly a possibility."
Lightning flexed his fingers into fists. "Zoey…grrr…"
"Anyways, that's why I think we need to vote her out tonight. I know you initially thought I was the one who betrayed you, but I only did what I thought I had to because you guys weren't going to work with me," Noah said, sounding rather convincing. "Which, by the way, you admitted to doing anyways."
Lightning let all that sink in for a minute. "Sha-damn," he finally said, looking a little sad. "The Lightning is way more alone on this team than he thought."
"I've got your back," Noah assured him. "It just sucks that Rodney and Zoey want you gone so bad. I think I can convince Izzy to vote for Zoey tonight, and we'll have a 3 vote majority. Sound like a plan?"
Lightning nodded, steely determination returning to his face. "Like a dang good one, too. Zoey's gonna pay."
Noah looked relieved. "Okay, good." He stood up to leave, but paused. "By the way, I don't mind if you talk to Zoey about this, but don't be surprised if she denies everything. I don't think she feels good about eliminating Sky, and might try and pass it off to me because, as much as I hate to admit it, I was the defining vote that sent Sky home for sure." He looked at Lighting, "which I am sorry about. I liked her."
"There's nothing for me and Zoey to talk about," Lightning growled. "Except for me to talk trash when she walks down the Dock tonight!"
Noah nodded, "I'll see you later."
Lightning reclined on his bed, conflicted expressions flitting across his face. "Sha-later."
(Confessional: Noah.)
Noah looks at the camera, apathetic. "Yeah, pretty much everything I just told Lightning was a lie." He shrugs, "but he's too blinded by anger to ask the right questions, so that means I can get him to do what I need him to. If all goes well, Zoey leaves tonight and Lightning trusts me. We lose Rodney next time we lose, and then Izzy if we have to, but hopefully the three of us can merge together. If Owen and Izzy hook up and we all make the merge, we'll be pretty much unstoppable."
(End Confessional: Noah.)
(Confessional: Lightning.)
"Sha-dang, Lightning thought Noah was only after an alliance with the Lightning because he's the best," Lightning admits, "but he seems to be a pretty decent dude! Manning up about his part in Shorty's elimination to his face takes guts. I respect that."
(End Confessional: Lightning.)
Izzy and Zoey were out in the woods, breathless and sweating. Both girls were lying on the ground, recovering from their intense training session.
"You've improved so much, it's almost scary!" Izzy told Zoey, impressed.
"Thanks," Zoey panted, running a hand across her sweaty brow. "All these emotions I've been feeling…it makes it easier, somehow."
"Well, that was fun," Izzy said, flipping onto her feet and wiping herself of dirt and sweat, "but Izzy has some errands to run! See ya later!"
Zoey waved to her fellow redhead as Izzy took off into the woods.
"Thermal scanning activated," Izzy whispered to herself, sharp teeth bared in a grin as she sped through the woods. "Searching for target…" she hooked a left and the campground loomed up ahead. "Target locked…" Continuing her sprint, she ran around the corner of the bathroom building and pounced on the poor soul that had just left.
"Izzy!" Noah groaned, hitting the dirt in his typical wimpy fashion. "What the hell?"
"Noah! We need to talk," Izzy told him, eyes flitting back and forth as if worried she'd be overheard. "Into the bathroom we go!" She dragged the bookworm into the girls side and stuffed him into a stall.
"Hey, be a little more gentle," Noah complained as he sat himself on the lid of the toilet. "What's this all about anyways?"
"Izzy learned some very interesting things today," Izzy told him, her tone unusually serious. "I was chatting with Rodney and Zoey earlier, and apparently Rodney is a big ol' fashioned…" she mimed unsheathing a dagger and stabbing someone in the back, "double agent!"
"Double agent?" Noah repeated, his eyebrow raised. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that he didn't vote for Sky yesterday!" Izzy told him. "He voted for you!"
"Me?" Noah repeated, shocked. "What?!"
"Yeah yeah!" Izzy nodded her head rapidly. "He went on and on about how he doesn't trust you, and how he couldn't bear to vote for his first kiss Sky, and how it was all last minute and stuff! It was wild!"
Noah ran his hand through his hair, his mind racing. "Shit." He finally said.
"Yeah, that about sums it up," Izzy said with a giggle.
"Does he want to vote for me again?" Noah asked. "Did he convince Zoey?"
Izzy shook her head. "Nah, Zoey got all outbursty on him after arguing with him. He wants you gone, Zoey wants Lightning gone. Blah blah blah. I think she changed his mind, and they're both voting for Lightning."
"What about you? Who are you voting for?" Noah asked.
"I haven't decided yet," Izzy told him. "On one hand, I'm not the biggest fan of Lightning. On the other hand, I know you've been scheming and I like that side of you!" She leaned against the stall door and prodded Noah's ribs with her foot. "So, whatcha gonna do?"
"Well if Rodney's not actively targeting me…that's good," Noah muttered. "Okay, here's what I think should happen." He looked up at his teammate. "How would you feel…about eliminating Rodney?"
"Well since I'm guessing your original plan was to vote of Zoey, someone I consider a friend, I would say I much prefer that," Izzy told him politely.
"Ok…" Noah rubbed his chin. "If I can just convince Lightning to switch his vote to Rodney, we can just 3-2 vote him instead…" He shook his head. "I can't believe he went against the plan like that."
"You're just mad he voted for you!" Izzy teased.
Noah shook his head. "I'm really not," he told her. "What I can't believe is that he went against a carefully constructed plan…at the last minute…on a whim! You said it was because he didn't want to vote for Sky cause they kissed while they were plastered?"
Izzy chuckled and nodded.
Noah shook his head. "Unbelievable. That level of unpredictability is too dangerous. At least Zoey and Lightning will keep each other busy."
"Okay, sounds good." Izzy said happily. "Rodney it is."
"I need to go convince Lightning, though," Noah said. "Do me a favor and hang out outside our trailer. Just keep out of sight. This might be tough."
"Huh? Why would I need to come?" Izzy questioned, "I've got plans, y'know?"
"I'm sure," Noah rolled his eyes. "Just trust me."
"Fine," Izzy whined. "Let's do it now!"
"Now," Noah agreed, "we're running out of time."
(Confessional: Izzy.)
Izzy rubbed her hands together and gave an evil chuckle. "Muahahaha. Zoey, you're welcome!"
(End Confessional: Izzy.)
Lightning was still on his bed thinking when Noah burst in again, out of breath.
"Sha-Jeez, dude. Where's the fire?" Lightning asked him.
"We need to talk about tonight's elimination," Noah panted. "We need to change the target."
Lightning did not look thrilled. "To who?" He asked skeptically.
"Rodney," Noah said, sitting down at the wooden table. "Turns out he's a wildcard that just does what he wants. Its too risky."
"Wildcard? Lightning doesn't understand."
Noah sighed impatiently. "He went against the plan last night. He did his own thing. That's unpredictable and dangerous. Who knows what else he could do!"
"So what you're telling Lightning is that Rodney didn't vote for Shorty?" Lightning clarified.
"Yes," Noah said.
"Then why the hell would I vote Rodney out!" Lightning shouted, startling Noah. "He's the one fool that didn't gang up on us!" He shook his head. "Nuh-uh. Lightning's voting Zoey and that's final."
Noah looked at a loss for words. "But…" his mind raced, "But he didn't vote for Sky because they kissed! Izzy told me that," He said quickly. "Maybe its because Rodney caught feelings for her?"
Lightning paused at that, and Noah looked hopeful. That hope faded though, when Lightning shook his head. "Nah. Rodney's weird, but he's a cool dude. He wouldn't make a move on a taken lady."
"Lightning, don't be an idiot," Noah complained. "Listen to me, you-" The bookworm was interrupted when, quick as a flash, Lightning and gotten up from his bed. He crossed the trailer in two strides and grabbed Noah by his collar, lifting him into the air with ease.
"You listen to me," Lightning snarled, and Noah paled. "I am voting for Zoey. Final. And don't you call me an idiot. Understand?"
Noah gulped and nodded.
Lightning calmed down a little bit, and took a deep breath. "Look, Lightning understands you're concerns. He doesn't trust Rodney either," he said forcefully, finally setting the bookworm down in his chair. "But Zoey has to go. Its just the way its gotta be."
Sensing his dismissal, Noah shakily rose from the table and dusted himself off. "I apologize for calling you an idiot," He finally said, "that was uncalled for."
Lightning rubbed the back of his head. "He's sorry for losing his temper. It's just been a rough couple of days."
"I understand," Noah said honestly.
Outside the trailer, Noah let out a long exhale. Izzy popped out of a nearby bush and beckoned him over. "How'd it go?" She whispered.
Noah looked at the setting sun. "Not good," he admitted. "Pretty much as terrible as it could've gone."
Izzy's face fell. "Does that mean a Zoey-Rodney tiebreaker?"
"I guess so," Noah sighed, looking thoughtful, "unless…"
"Ooh, Izzy likes unless," Izzy supplied helpfully.
"Well, it'd be risky, and it would all be on your shoulders." Noah told Izzy.
"Let me hear it."
"You just need to convince Rodney that you don't trust me, and that you're down to vote me off." Noah explained. "That way…"
Izzy snapped her fingers. "If Lightning votes for Zoey and Zoey votes for Lightning, and Rodney votes for you…that means me and you would be enough!"
"Bingo," Noah agreed. "Think you're up for it?"
Izzy chuckled darkly. "Oh, my dear Noah Boa." She smirked at the bookworm. "Consider it done." She reached into her cleavage and pulled out a smoke bomb, vanishing from sight.
Noah let out a deep sigh. "This day was about as bad as I expected." He began his walk towards the Tuck Shoppe. "Who knew Lightning talking in first person could be so terrifying?" He shook his head. "I need a fucking drink."
Rodney whistled as he made his way to the Mess Hall for dinner. The sun was setting and twilight was upon the island. HE felt someone attempt to tackle him into the bushes, but he merely swayed a little and looked down at his would-be assailant. "Izzy? What's up?"
"We, my friend, need to have a chat," Izzy grinned up at him.
(Confessional: Rodney.)
Rodney taps his fingers to his temples, his brow scrunched up as he thinks. "Man, that's a pretty good plan…but its risky! Is it worth it?" He sighs, "I wish I had time to go over it with Zoey…"
(End Confessional: Rodney.)
Dinner came and went in an uneventful fashion. Before they knew it, Team Alpha found themselves situated at the campfire.
"Interesting," Chris said, "very interesting indeed." He revealed the four marshmallows on the signature tray. Firelight bounced around the area as the crickets chirped.
The members of Team Alpha exchanged nervous glances.
"Well, guess we better get right to it," Chris shrugged. "Izzy, you're safe."
Izzy grinned and flashed Chris the rock and roll sign. She caught her marshmallow with her mouth.
"Also safe is…Lightning!"
Zoey growled under her breath as the uber jock caught his marshmallow. Lightning didn't look too thrilled, but accepted it nonetheless. He was more interested to see who was getting the boot.
"Noah, Rodney, Zoey, none of you have received marshmallows. The next marshmallow goes to…Noah."
Noah remained expressionless as he caught his marshmallow. Rodney raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.
"Zoey, Rodney, this is the final marshmallow of the night. Whoever doesn't get it is toast." Chris said poetically. "Done-ZO. However, one of you is safe. That person is…
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Zoey."
Zoey breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Thank God," she muttered, catching her marshmallow.
All eyes turned to Rodney, who was slack jawed.
"Me?" He spluttered. "But I thought I was getting along so well with everyone! What did I do?"
He received silence. Stone cold silence.
"Yes, a terrible shame," Chris said, grinning. "Time to Walk the Dock, Farmer Rodney."
Rodney hung his head and stood up. He walked over to get his bags from the intern and turned to face his team.
Zoey finally shook herself out of her relief bubble an stood up. "Well, I didn't vote for you Rodney," She told him warmly.
Rodney looked a little placated by that. "Well, that's good I guess," he smiled at her. "I guess I'll be rooting for you, then."
Zoey walked up to him and gave him a hug. "Take care, okay? I know a lucky lady is out there just waiting for you!"
Rodney laughed and scratched the back of his head. "I hope so! Welp, cya guys, you backstabbers!"
"Bye, Rodney!" Izzy waved.
"Cya, man." Lightning saluted.
Noah said nothing.
"Just watch out for Noah," he warned his team, turning his back and beginning to walk the Dock. Noah rose an eyebrow. "Something about him man, he's just slippery!"
Zoey turned to glare suspiciously at Noah as the hulking farm boy clambered onto the Boat, making it sink a couple inches deeper into the water. He waved one final time before the boat sped off.
"Noah, Lightning, Zoey, Izzy. You guys are safe. You may go," Chris said solemnly.
Team Alpha dispersed, and Chris turned to the camera. "Poor Rodney ends up being blindsided! Tough break, kid. Anyways, who will be voted off next? Will Owen work up the nerve to talk to Izzy? Will Jo end up on the outs with her team? What the hell will happen on Team Alpha?! Find out next time, on Total! Drama! Generations!"
Boat of Losers Clip:
Rodney heaved a great sigh. He was forced to sit on teh ground in the middle of the boat, as his size would cause the boat to lean if he was towards the sides. "Man, that really sucks to get eliminated at the same point as last time." He lamented sadly. "But, at the very least I'll walk out with 5000 bucks." He smiled a little, "and I made some friends, which is cool."
He was silent for a moment as the boat slowly made its way towards Playa Des Losers. "What sucks the most is I have no idea why I'm sitting here. At least last time I knew I blew the challenge." He shook his head. "At the beginning, I thought it was sweet that I was on a team full of powerhouses...but now, I realize I might've been a bit out of my league. I was totally blindsided." He realized the boat was slowing down and looked up at the twinkling lights of the playa. "Hey, Chef, what is this place?"
"Your new home, Gigantor." Chef said gruffly. "Playa Des Losers."
"Huh, cool," Rodney said, the camera following his gaze up to the Playa.
Voting Confessionals:
Izzy: Muahahaha, things are descending into chaos! I vote for Rodney to protect Zoey!
Lightning: Zoey's going down! She will pay for what she did to Sky!
Noah: I vote for Rodney. You can't let your emotions and whims get the best of you, man.
Rodney: I don't really know what to do...I guess Izzy's plan is good. I vote for Noah!
Zoey: Rodney, Izzy and I are on the same page. Lightning will finally be out of here.
Votes:
Rodney - 2 votes: (Izzy, Noah).
Zoey - 1 vote: (Lightning).
Noah - 1 vote: (Rodney).
Lightning - 1 vote: (Zoey).
Team Alpha: Zoey, Lightning, Izzy, Noah.
Team Oddball: Jasmine, Shawn, Bridgette, Owen.
Team Nuclear: Gwen, Duncan, Jo, Sammy, Beardo.
Eliminated: Anne Maria, Brick, Scott, Sky, Rodney.
Reasoning for Elimination:
Ah, Rodney. I would bet not many are surprised by his early outing. Canonically, he's my least favorite character. However, I wanted to push aside that bias coming into this story and at least try to give the big doofus something. He was never meant to go far. He's emotional and impulsive, and with a cast this tough that was bound to bite him in the ass. If he had just stuck to the plan, it would be Zoey sitting in the Boat. Hell, if he had even kept his big mouth shut so Izzy didn't blab to Noah, it would be Zoey sitting in the Boat. Alas, it's Rodney. At least he will leave with some friends in Lightning and Zoey, and Izzy doesn't hate him either. In my eyes, he redeemed his TDPI performance. Now he can rest at the Playa.
Ok, so that was a little faster than a week. What can I say, I'm cruising thanks to your guys's support :).
Now, final reminder. The POLL for the Peanut Gallery will close one week from today, so May 6th at 11:59PM EST. You have until then to vote! The top ten people will be introduced as the Peanut Gallery in next chapters Aftermath, and will have access to all sorts of...choices. Muahahaha.
What did you guys think of the chapter? Sorry if it seemed a little rushed, this is already over 13,000 words and I didn't want to drop 15-17k words on you and I also really didn't want to split it into two chapters. Personally, I'm really pleased with how I wrote Team Alpha. I know some characters like Jo, Bridgette and Sammy didn't do much this chapter, but their time will come, I promise.
Who do you think will be eliminated next? Will Team Alpha be able to recover, or will they crumble? Are Shawn and Jasmine unstoppable for the foreseeable future?
Thanks for reading, guys!
Ciao.