Sorry for the delay, guys! Summer at my job is fucking BRUTAL. I'm working a lot of hours. Hopefully the next update won't take so long, but no promises...
Time for the next episode! Are you guys as excited as I am? Shit is really gonna start to get intense from here on out. We're down to our Final 10 already (The real final 10, not the Final 10 we were left with after Izzy got booted). With Gwen gone, things are sure to be shook up. I'm excited to write this challenge too. Hope you guys will like reading it. I did a very similar one in another story of mine ;).
Alright, let's get to it!
"Last time, on Total Drama Generations!" Chris's voice was heard over the footage of the Jumbo Jet sailing through the open skies. "We had our first ever challenge in our new style for the season; a lame homage to our mediocre spin-off in Transylvania! The teams were divided up into teams, and the powerhouse testosterone fest of Lightning, Duncan and Scott won immunity!" Lightning, Duncan and Scott are shown celebrating. "Gwen thought things were all buddy buddy with Sammy, but was quickly proven wrong when she was blindsided in a tight vote!" Footage of Gwen's shocking elimination played, complete with Bridgette and Owen crying and Sammy's aloof goodbye. "Also, our resident schemer Noah was caught snooping by Scott, not to mention the vague threats the dirt farmer had been peppering him with all episode. What's in store for Noah now that Scott's on to him? How will Duncan react to being snubbed once again by Gwen, and how will Jasmine fare being stuck in Loser Class with the most heinous couple in Total Drama history?! Find out, right here, right now, on the most dramatic episode yet! This is…Total! Drama! Generations!"
The shot cut to him in the cockpit of the Jumbo Jet, and he winked at the camera, "hope you guys enjoy the new little theme song we got for ya!"
(Cue Rock and Roll Music)
The original eight mergers: Noah, Jo, Lightning, Jasmine, Owen, Gwen, Bridgette and Duncan, are reclining on the beach in their swimsuits in the sun. Suddenly, a huge shadow covers them all, and they look up in shock to see the Jumbo Jet.
Dear Mom and Dad, I'm doing fine.
The Jet lands right next to them with a huge thump, and the hatch door opens to show a smiling Sammy, a smirking Scott, and a pensive Dawn looking down at the campers on the beach.
You guys are on my mind.
As the eight mergers look up at the newcomers/returnees, Chris appears next to the three returnees and throws a rope ladder down. He winks at the eight and gestures for them to climb up.
You asked me what I wanted to be…
The eight on the beach exchange competitive smirks, and begin to climb up the ladder one by one.
…and now I think the answer is plain to see,
A smash cut to the Jumbo Jet flying through the air, with Chris and Chef's smiling faces visible through the cockpit. Chef grumbles something to Chris, and Chris laughs.
I wanna be…famous!
Scott and Sammy walk down a spooky castle hallway together, looking around nervously. A sheet-covered 'ghost' pops out of the wall, and Sammy and Scott hug each other and scream. Once they realize there's no threat and that they're hugging, they both blush and quickly move away from each other, small smiles on their faces.
I wanna live close to the sun…
In a dense, tropical jungle, Jasmine swings from tree to tree on a vine, a confident smile on her face. However, the next tree in front of her has several angry baboons on it, and she screams as she plummets into them. They turn into a cloud of flailing limbs and dust, but Jasmine emerges victorious, roughed up and smirking.
Go pack your bags 'cause I've already won!
It's nighttime in a neon city, and the streets bustle with cars and people. Owen approaches a hotdog vendor, but when he pulls out his wallet, only butterflies come out. He sighs in disappointment, but is saved from his hunger when Noah shows up and gives the hotdog vendor some of his own money. They each get a hot dog, and touch them together in a toast.
Everything to prove, nothing in my way…I'll get there one day…
On a sunny, beautiful beach, Dawn appears to be sitting on top of the water, meditating in the ocean waves. An ominous shark fin approaches her, but Dawn merely reaches out a hand to stroke the fin as it passes. The shark lifts its' head out of the water and cuddles her while Dawn smiles serenely.
Cause I wanna be…famous!
Bridgette and Lightning look around on a gorgeous grassy plain, somewhere in the English myre. The wind sweeps their hair and clothes back as they take in the rolling green hills. A ravenous sheep appears behind them, and they both scream and run off screen.
Na na na na na na na na na na na na, na na na na na na!
In a desert, Jo is running through the sandy dunes, sweaty and annoyed. She leaps over a cactus, but falls into some quick sand. She gives the camera a deadpan look as she slowly begins to sink down into the ground.
I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be famous!
Gwen and Duncan are climbing a mountain in a blizzard, tied to each other belay-style. Duncan is slightly ahead of Gwen, and she glares at his back. His ice pick slips out of the wall, and he falls. Gwen reaches out on reflex and grabs his arm, preventing his fall. He gapes at her, and she sighs as she pulls him back up to her level. He smiles at her, and she looks away.
I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be famous!
Back on the Jumbo Jet, Alejandro and Heather sulk in Economy Section, until an idea lights up Heather's face. She whispers something to Alejandro, and they both grin devilishly.
In the Dining Hall, all eleven mergers stand in a circle, facing one another with tense shoulders. The camera does a quick pan to each of their faces: Duncan is bored, with an eyebrow raised nonchalantly. Jo is glaring, a confident smirk on her lips. Bridgette is nervous, biting her lip in worry. Dawn is pensive, her expression unreadable and neutral. Lightning is confident, with a competitive grin on display. Sammy has steel in her eyes, and looks determined. Noah is apathetic, his signature dry look on full display. Owen is relaxed and smiling, laidback as always. Gwen is sulking, looking very much over it. Jasmine's gaze is cold, unwavering and predatory. Scott has a cocky sneer on his face, and a superior look in his eyes.
Whistling notes.
The camera pans out of the plane to show the Jumbo Jet flying once more.
It was still the night of Gwen's elimination. The plane soared through the dark sky, eastbound.
The plane was in shock. Even Chris had been surprised that goth girl Gwen had been the first eliminated from the merged group. An eerie silence had spread throughout the plane as the ten remaining campers got ready for bed in the rusty, nasty bathrooms.
Well, almost everyone was silent.
"Man, did you see the look on her face?!" Jo laughed through her toothbrush.
The five girls were in the midst of preparing themselves for sleep. Jasmine, Jo and Bridgette were in front of the cracked and foggy mirrors, brushing their teeth. Dawn was in one of the stalls and Sammy was showering.
Jasmine shot a concerned look at Bridgette, who's eyes were still puffy and red from Gwen's departure. "Put a sock in it, Jo. Have a little decency."
Jo just rolled her eyes. "It's just a game, Tea Girl. Gwen's fine. But you know what's finer? That blindside!" She spit out a glob of toothpaste into the sink and wiped her face with her sleeve.
Jasmine spit her own toothpaste into the sink, unbothered by Jo's grossness. "Tea Girl?"
"You know, Jasmine? Like Jasmine tea?!" Jo scowled, shooting a toothpastey sneer Jasmine's way. "Don't make me explain my zingers to you."
"Maybe if they were good zingers you wouldn't have to explain them," Bridgette said cattily.
Jo gave Bridgette an appraising look as the surfer rinsed her mouth out with the tangy water and began to put away her toiletries. "Whoa-whoa, looks like the hippie is bringing out the snark, eh? You really must be upset!"
Dawn emerged from the stall, and drifted over to the sink to wash her hands. "Cease these harmful words, Josephine," she told Jo firmly as she ran her hands under the water. "Bridgette is distressed, and there is no valid reason to antagonize her right now."
Jo walked over to the moon child and gave the top of her head a light noogie, mussing up her hair and greatly annoying Dawn. "Alright then, Mrs. Lovegood. Have it your way." She grabbed her toothbrush and tucked it behind her ear. Humming a tune, she left the bathroom without another word.
"Crikey," Jasmine noted, watching a frowning Dawn put her hair back in place, "she's even more insufferable when she's in a good mood."
"That was Jo in a good mood?" Sammy asked from the shower, only the top of her head and her feet visible.
Bridgette glared at the shower curtain, something that didn't go unnoticed by Dawn or Jasmine. Seconds later, the ring of rusty metal was heard as Sammy turned off the shower. A few more seconds went by, and the nice twin emerged from the stall, a light pink towel around both her body and hair.
Dawn and Jasmine exchanged an awkward look as Bridgette continued to glare at the girl heavily involved with Gwen's elimination. Sammy took notice of this, and approached Bridgette.
The two stared at each other for a few seconds.
"I know you're probably upset with me," Sammy told Bridgette, a nervous edge to her voice. "I'm sorry that you're mad…but I hope you can understand why I did what I did."
"I don't understand," Bridgette said instantly, putting her hands on her hips. "Gwen felt awful for what happened with your elimination. She was…" her voice trembled, and she took a deep breath. "She was so happy that you had come back, because she could make things right with you." Angry tears prickled the corner of her eyes, "and you just voted her off instantly! You didn't even give her a chance!"
Sammy's eyes were glued to the floor and her teeth were gnawing at her bottom lip. "You don't understand, Bridgette..."
Jasmine approached Sammy and wrapped her in a warm embrace. "I know it's tough, Bridgette," the Aussie told the angry blonde. "But it is just a game. Gwen had to go sometime, yeah?"
Bridgette huffed, and returned to putting away her toiletries. "Whatever…I still think it was messed up you didn't tell her to her face. She…she had stuff she needed to take care of before she left. Because she was blindsided, she didn't get the chance."
Jasmine and Sammy looked confused, and their confusion only grew when Dawn sighed.
"She did not have that talk, did she?" The moonchild asked.
Bridgette shook her head.
"I told her she should have it as soon as she was able," Dawn tutted. She began to drift out of the bathroom. "This game is unpredictable and wild. You never know when your time is up…"
Bridgette scooped up her things and headed out after Dawn, her feet slapping against the sick tiles as she walked.
Jasmine and Sammy were left alone, and Jasmine released the twin from her embrace.
"Don't worry about them, Sammy," Jasmine told her confidently. "They're just sore because they got the wool pulled over their eyes."
"I'm not worried," Sammy told her. "Really. I get why Bridgette's upset, but I did what I did. I don't regret it." She gave her friend a shrug. "It just sucks that Scott's in First Class tonight, I wanted to talk to him about some stuff."
Jasmine tried to mask her annoyance with only partial success. "Yeah…well better to be stuck in First Class than Loser Class like me…" she said, a bit pointedly.
Sammy's eyes widened. "Ohemgee, I totally forgot you got stuck back there! That sucks Jasmine! Yuck, and with Alejandro and Heather?" She fake-gagged, and Jasmine let out a snort-chuckle.
"Yeah, it'll be tough, but I'll manage. If those two have any brains they'll know to leave me alone," Jasmine laughed.
(Confessional: Dawn.)
"There is much turmoil amongst the girls," Dawn says placidly, her gaze piercing the camera as she sat lotus-style on the toilet. "Each of the four women have a burning desire to prove themselves, not only to their enemies, but also to their friends…" she shakes her head. "I know already that I am not meant to win this game. But there are things I must do here. Bridges I must help mend and forge. The Great Earth Mother let me into this game for a reason, and I intend to fulfill her mission."
(End Confessional: Dawn.)
(Confessional: Bridgette.)
"I'm gonna win for you, Gwen," Bridgette vowed. "I'll avenge you!"
(End Confessional: Bridgette.)
(Confessional: Jo.)
Jo sighs happily to herself, "what a good day!"
(End Confessional: Jo.)
"You slimy motherfucker!"
Duncan stormed into First Class with a loud expletive. Scott and Lightning, who were at the bar sipping drinks, turned to look at the delinquent.
Scott's eyes widened as he realized Duncan was heading straight for him, and he was just able to get his arms in front of his face as Duncan reared back his arm and sent a punch straight at his head. Scott caught the punch with his forearm, but was still knocked sideways off the bar stool and onto the ground.
"Sha-dang, man!" Lightning cried. "Chill out!"
Duncan ignored the jock, and wasted no time sitting heavily on Scott's chest. The farmer grunted in pain as Duncan's body weight crushed his midriff, and focused on keeping his arms blocking his face.
"You think you're so slick, huh?" Duncan spat, rearing his arm back again. "Tricking us like that? Sending her home like that?" He tried to unleash another punch, but found his arm restrained. Lightning had caught him by the crook of the elbow. "Let go of me!"
With just one hand, Lightning effortlessly lifted Duncan off of Scott. He dragged the punk over to the other side of First Class, and tossed him into a plushy chair. "Get ahold of yourself, man!" Lightning scolded. "Lightning get's it, he was pissed too when they eliminated his girl. But you can't just go apeshit on someone like that!"
"Gwen is not my girl," Duncan said through gritted teeth, his tone bitter.
Lightning sighed, "fine, if talking won't get anything done…he jogged over to the bar and grabbed a random bottle of alcohol. "Heads up!" He tossed it underhand at the punk.
Duncan reached out and caught it easily, looking down at the glass bottle. "Tequila? Really? You couldn't have grabbed whiskey or something?"
Behind the frowning Lightning, Scott slowly got to his feet, nursing his bruised arm. "You really are a crybaby, you know that, right?"
"Shut it, Dirt Boy, or I'll hit you again."
Scott rolled his eyes. "Every time you get outplayed in this game you throw a tantrum. You did it when you got eliminated earlier this season, and you did it just now."
"I don't recall you being all sunshine and roses when your ass got blindsided," Duncan tossed back sharply.
"Yeah, but I didn't call my ex-girlfriend a bitch, and I didn't get violent," Scott said snidely. He headed behind the bar and grabbed some ice from the ice machine. He wrapped some in a napkin and pressed it to his arm. "Besides, this wasn't even really my plan. I was down to boot Bridgette, but Sammy wanted Gwen gone."
"That little….ugh."
(Confessional: Duncan.)
"Great, so it's my fault Gwen's gone," Duncan says miserably. "The only reason Sammy was so pissed at Gwen is because I forced her to vote her off back when we were on Team Alpha! If I hadn't done that, Gwen would probably still be there." He buries his face in his hands, and his voice quavers slightly when he speaks next, "this sucks…"
(End Confessional: Duncan.)
"Welp, better get this over with," Jasmine grumbled to herself. To say that the giant woman was not looking forward to this night would be an understatement. Being stuck in Economy Section was bad enough, but being stuck there with Alejandro and Heather? She would've rather been in solitary confinement.
She entered the damp, creaky room, ducking under the door frame to avoid smacking her head. She had changed into her pajamas in the bathroom; a simple blue t-shirt and grey sleeping shorts. She had kept her shoes on to avoid messing her feet up on the wonton metal floors. Her hat remained perched on her head for now, and she had her pillow taken from her cabin tucked under her arm.
"Since when does Little Miss Survivalist need a pillow?"
"Perhaps that time on Wawanakwa has made her soft."
Jasmine heard the villainous couple before she saw them. Tucked in a back corner of Economy Section, Heather sat on a bench, her expression as dour as their conditions. Alejandro was lying down with his head in her lap, his gaze predatory as he surveyed the newly arrived Jasmine.
"I don't want any trouble with you two," Jasmine rolled her eyes, picking a spot as far away from those two as possible. "I know you're both miserable to be here, but don't try to bring me down with ya."
"We wouldn't dream of it," Alejandro assured her. "Though I confess that it is good that you get to be back here with us."
"Oh yeah?" Jasmine's tone oozed skepticism, "how d'you figure?"
"Ugh, you don't have to tell her," Heather scoffed, "just because you're not in the game doesn't mean you have to be a goody two shoes."
"Goody two shoes?" Alejandro repeated, lifting his head off of Heather's lap to give her a wounded look. "Mi amor, please...I just think Jasmine is a fierce and loyal friend who deserves to know the truth."
Now Jasmine's interest was piqued despite herself, and she crossed her arms as she settled down on the bench across from Alejandro and Heather. "Whaddya mean?"
"I speak of Sammy," Alejandro sighed, rising into a sitting position and casually wrapping an arm around a still crabby Heather. He pulled his girlfriend close, and smirked as Heather leaned into his side and rested her head on his shoulder, "or, more specifically, Scott."
Jasmine's eyes narrowed. "What about that little bugger? I knew something was up with him…"
Heather turned her face into Alejandro's neck, burying her face in his mane to hide her devilish grin.
"I fear your suspicions are quite founded," Alejandro said, adept at hiding his true emotions as always. "Heather and I, as hosts of the show, were able to see all the footage from the Playa, along with what Scott himself said in the Aftermath before Sammy joined us."
Jasmine's lip curled into a sneer. "He's playing her, isn't he…"
"I'm afraid so," Alejandro sighed. "He's grown bitter after his two loses, and will stop at nothing to win. He's using Sammy's naivety against her, and is manipulating her."
Jasmine smashed her first into the wooden bench, cracking the old wood. "I. Knew. It." She hissed, "when I get my hands on that bugger…"
Heather chose that moment to interject with a mocking scoff. "Jasmine please," the Queen Bee told her snidely, "I know there wasn't exactly a lot of strategy in your season…but you need to play this smart."
The anger in Jasmine's eyes cleared a bit, and the rational woman's eyes sharpened on Alejandro and Heather. "Wait a minute…why are you two telling me this? Why are you helping me out?"
"Ah, she is smart," Alejandro told Heather warmly, as if Jasmine wasn't even there. He turned back to the Pahkitew Island contestant, "it's simple. Scott outlasted both Heather and myself in All-Stars. Such a lame game player should not have done such a thing, so I am absolutely down to blow up his game."
"Uh, we are down," Heather interjected, poking her boyfriend in the ribs. "Don't get all egotistical on me, jerk."
Alejandro winced and rubbed his ribs, "of course, of course…What Heather says is correct. If you want to defeat someone who plays the way Scott does, you have to outfox him."
"Which shouldn't be hard," Heather scoffed, "he's a Grade-A doofus."
"Think about it," Alejandro said, rising to his feet. "I'm sure someone as smart as you could come up with some good way to save your friend."
Heather stood up as well, and the two began to walk out of Economy Class.
"Where are you two goin'?" Jasmine asked suspiciously.
"A late night snack," Heather said shorty.
"Oh Heather, I was unaware that's what you had nicknamed my lips," Alejandro purred.
Smack.
Heather smirked as Alejandro rubbed his sore cheek, "correction, a late night smack."
Jasmine gagged.
(Confessional: Alejandro and Heather.)
Alejandro and Heather are sitting next to each other, giving the camera a smug look.
"Just because we're not in this stupid game doesn't mean we can't wreak a little havoc," Heather says haughtily.
"Indeed," Alejandro grins. "It's so easy to get people to believe something they already want to believe. Jasmine is a blinded fool." He wraps an arm around Heather, "Something about manipulating these peons with Heather by my side, with no fear of our own games blowing up…it's exhilarating."
Heather pokes him in the ribs again. "Peons? Okay, Mal."
Alejandro's eyes widen, and he forces back a gag. "Ugh, I must scrub that word from my vocabulary lest I be compared to such an edgy wannabe."
"I'll see if the kitchen has some scissors, we can give you two matching haircuts." Heather tells him playfully.
"A humorous jest…"
(End Confessional: Alejandro and Heather.)
(Confessional: Jasmine.)
"Alright, first chance I get I'm having a serious talk with Sammy," Jasmine frowns. "I knew Scott was up to something!"
(End Confessional: Jasmine.)
Back in First Class, things were silent as the camera panned across the fancy room.
First shown was Duncan, snoring away. Drool trickled down his mouth, and the half-empty bottle of tequila was still clutched in his hands as he slumbered away in the fancy First-Class seat.
Next was Lightning, who had a mask over his eyes and a calm smile on his face as he snoozed away. His hands were folded behind his head, and his chest rose and fell slowly as he slept peacefully.
The last of the winners to be shown was Scott, and the camera zoomed in on him as he peeped an eye open, surveying his sleeping teammates. Satisfied with their levels of unconsciousness, he slowly rose from his chair and crept over to the bar area.
"Where are ya?" he muttered quietly, scanning the bottles of liquor on the shelf. Upon finding a nice bottle of bourbon whiskey, his eyes lit up. He went up on his tiptoes, reached up and removed the bottle from the shelf. Then, he reached back up and felt around. Unfortunately, he wasn't quite tall enough to see if there was anything at the very back of the shelf. Cursing under his breath, he nimbly leapt up onto the bar and took a look. His face lit up in the dim light. He leaned over the bar and reached into the back of the selves, pulling out something.
Unfortunately for him, he lost his footing, having overextended himself, and fell to the ground with a loud crash.
Duncan was too drunk to wake up, but Lightning jumped to his feet in alarm.
"AGH!" The jock screamed, "who turned out the lights!? Who blinded the Lightning!? How could someone do this to him!?"
Scott quickly got to his feet, and pocketed whatever he had found. He then walked over to the panicking jock, who was now huddled in a corner.
"Earth to Dumb Jock," Scott said, his tone snarky. He reached down and grabbed the front of Lighting's sleep mask and stretched it forward, letting go so it thwap'd right back into his eyes.
"Sha-OW!" Lightning cried. "Wait, Lightning could see for a second!"
Scott crossed his arms and waited patiently as Lightning ran calculus equations in his head, trying to figure out how this could be possible. After a good ten seconds, Lightning jumped to his feet in joy. "SHA-REEKA!" He eureka'd, ripping off the mask and posing like a superhero. "Lightning had a mask on!"
By that time, Scott had already resettled himself in his chair. "Are you finished?" He asked Lightning. "I'm trying to get some sleep."
"Didn't you hear that loud thump?" Lightning asked, cautiously going back to his seat and settling himself back in it. "Lightning coulda sworn he heard some big crash."
"Dunno what you're talking about," Scott shrugged, "you must've been dreaming."
Lightning put his sleep mask back on. "Hmmmmmmmmzzzzzzz…." And just like that, he was fast asleep.
Scott shot the camera a wicked grin.
(Confessional: Scott.)
Scott reaches in his pocket to procure his find. It was none other…than the Chris McLean Invincibility Statue. He chuckles to himself and tosses it up in the air, catching it. "First class corn-and-rye, eh? Or whatever that stupid hint Jo got was?"
He chuckles again, though this time it's a shade more sinister. "Yeah, I know about her clue. I also know all the drama between Duncan, Bridgette and Gwen, what Noah's been up to with Lightning, and everything else that went down while I was off the island." He smirks, "because while we were staying at that stupid Aftermath Show Set, Playa Des Losers whatever, I found the control room for all the footage from the episodes! Thanks for the idea, Al." He pockets the idol and rubs his hands together. "It's why Sammy and I did so well in that return challenge too, I saw the questions early and let her in on the scoop. Now, she doesn't know as much as I do. She's great and all, but I gotta keep all this knowledge I have underwraps. If the others knew that I knew everything, I'd be gone for sure. But with this baby," he taps his pocket where the idol is, "my options just got a whole lot more open."
He's quiet for a few seconds, thinking. "Initially I wanted Duncan outta here after Gwen, but things changed when I caught Noah-the-rat sneaking around the Cargo Hold. Snoopers gotta go, but I gotta find a way to keep him from blowing up my alliance with Jo, Jasmine and Sammy. We really need to keep it hidden. Fortunately, I know just the way to make Noah a target while keeping myself out of it. Aynuauynaunya…." He laughs sinisterly to end his confessional.
(End Confessional: Scott.)
The shot cut to the next day, with all ten remaining contestants in the Dining Area, waiting for Chris to show up.
Owen looked over at Duncan, who had his head pressed against the cold metal table. "You okay, Duncan? You look kind of rough…"
Duncan peeled his head off the table to reveal bloodshot eyes and a chalky white face. "Ugh…" was all he could utter before thumping his face back down.
"Looks like Dunc had a little too much tequila last night to drown the ol' sorrows," Scott smirked from next to the punk.
"His aura is very…pungent right now," Dawn noted, slightly concerned.
"If only Shawn or Izzy were here," Owen said sadly, "they had a hangover cure that could knock the hangover off my Uncle Seamus!" The big guy gave a solemn nod, and turned to Sammy, who was right next to him. "Uncle Seamus is a crippling alcoholic."
"O-oh…" Sammy blinked, not sure how to process this information. "Um…sorry?"
"Nah, it's alright!" Owen giggled, "well, except his 4 DUI's, 14 accounts of public intoxication, 32 counts of public nudity, 1 account of trying to serenade a dead possum, and the incredible stress and pain he's put half of my family through."
"Owen," Came a new, scolding voice, "please stop making everyone uncomfortable with your family drama."
Everyone turned to see Chris entering the Dining Hall, hands folded neatly behind his back and a pep in his step as he joined the contestants at the large table.
"Sorry," Owen said sheepishly. Noah reached over and pat him on the back a couple of times.
"Is it almost time for out next challenge?" Bridgette asked, glaring over at Scott, "because I'm ready to kick someone off."
Scott just rolled his eyes, not looking particularly threatened.
"Love the enthusiasm, Bridgette," Chris shot her finger guns, "and yes, the next challenge is about to begin! We are beginning our descent into Seoul, South Korea!"
"Somewhere, somehow, Harold just had an Otaku-gasm," Noah said dryly.
"Seoul? Cool," Jasmine smiled, "a little…urban for my tastes, but I like to see all sorts of places."
"This is so cool," Sammy gushed, giving Jasmine a little hug, "I can't believe I get to see all these new places! I'd never even left Canada a couple of days ago!"
With a loud thump and jostle, the plane touched down onto asphalt.
"Whoa!" Jo said, stabilizing herself and glaring at the host, "I thought you said we were just beginning our descent!"
"You haven't lived until you descend 35,000 feet in just over a minute," Chris told her with a wink. The plane screeched to a halt, and Chris gestured to the Elimination Area. "Alright, we'll be taking the Drop of Shame door, if you please."
(Confessional: Noah.)
"Seoul is cool," Noah admits, "they're like the number one most technologically advanced city in the world. Hopefully our challenge has something to do with that, and isn't some brutish physical challenge like the last one."
He rubs his hand on the side of his face with a sigh, "but I have a more pressing issue. I got duped last night, and I'm starting to worry it was intentional. If that group in the Cargo Hold somehow knew I was listening in on them and misled me, I'm in big trouble. I need to talk to Scott."
(End Confessional: Noah.)
(Confessional: Bridgette.)
"Alright," Bridgette says determinedly, "time to win immunity and kick Scott's but! He's going down after what he did to Gwen!"
(End Confessional: Bridgette.)
(Confessional: Scott.)
"I can't decide what's more important right now," Scott admits, "there is so many easy targets to choose from. Noah's a big one, considering he knows about our alliance…but the problem with targeting him is he'll just spill the beans before he's eliminated. Duncan's gonna have a vendetta against me, so he's a problem too. And of course, I gotta keep my eye on Jo. You can never allow yourself to relax around her, she's too cutthroat. Jasmine and Lightning are challenge beasts. Pretty much everyone but Sammy, Bridgette and Owen gotta go, and they gotta go fast."
(End Confessional: Scott.)
The contestants found themselves walking down the crowded streets of Seoul. The ten contestants plus Chris were gathering many funny looks, given the fact that they were a group of non-Asian people surrounded by cameraman and microphones.
"All this attention is making me uncomfortable," Jasmine admitted, looking around awkwardly. "And I feel like such a giant."
"You kidding? This is the best!" Lightning exclaimed, oblivious to the fact that the stares he was receiving were neither admiration nor adoration. He kissed his bicep and waved to random passerby.
"So, where exactly are we going?" Bridgette asked, increasing her pace to match with the host.
"You'll see in a second," Chris told her, "it's just up ahead."
Sure enough, a super fancy building loomed ahead of them once they turned the next corner. The entire outside wall of the building seemed to be an LED screen, and different advertisements for video games flashed across it.
"Whoa," Noah blinked, looking at the building in shock. "Cool."
"Video games?" Lightning scoffed, "man, this challenge better not be about video games."
"You can say that again," Jasmine grumbled.
"What's wrong with video games?" Owen asked curiously, "they can be really fun!"
Lightning scoffed, "no surprise that youlike them, Tubby. Video games are just for people that can't do real sports."
"Don't be judgmental, Lightning," Dawn chided her friend.
"Lightning's just saying…"
The group entered the building and were instantly greeted by a group of kindly looking older men and women. All had crisp white lab coats on despite the fact that video games lined the inside of the wall of the building.
"Welcome to Netmarble's Advanced Testing Site!" The head man said, his accent thick but his English passable. "You are the Total Drama crew, correct?"
"Correctamundo, my good man," Chris said amicably, "we're here for the challenge!"
The man nodded, "I am Professor Sung. Please follow me."
He turned on his heel and headed through a large double door in the back of the room, and the group followed him.
"Alright contestants, you're in for a real treat today," Chris told them as they walked. The room they entered was full of advanced machines that none of them could even begin to imagine what they did. Dozens of men and women were working on them, some decked out in engineering equipment. Others had lab coats and clipboards, and others still looked like laid back gamer peeps.
"What is this place?" Sammy asked in awe.
"South Korea is well known for its' technological prowess." Chris explained, "and we've been given an opportunity to test out a very special piece of equipment!"
The ten campers were confused by this, but followed Chris and Professor Sung in silence. Eventually, they reached a door and Professor Sung stopped outside it. He pulled out a small stack of papers from his lab coat and began passing them around. From his pocket, he procured some pens.
"You must sign these NDA's," Chris explained as the campers gave them brief look-overs. "Basic stuff. Can't talk about the technology, yadda yadda."
No one had any issue with this, so they scribbled down their signatures and entered the room.
A huge machine was in the center of the room. Ten chairs were attached to it.
"Wait a second…" Jo squinted, "is this…"
"That's right," Chris chimed in excitedly, "It's a prototype for the very first, intensive Virtual Reality experience!"
"Virtual Reality?" Jasmine repeated, "okay, that might be kinda cool."
A screen dropped down and showed a map of Seoul. Chris whipped out a pointer and pointed to a location on the map. "We are currently here, in Jeong-Dong. Your goal is simple. Once you get strapped into the Virtual Reality machine, you must sit atop the Golden Throne in Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is a couple miles away."
"That's it?" Scott asked skeptical.
"Will this Virtual Reality machine help me with my hangover?" Duncan groaned, still pale and sickly.
"That's it," Chris said in response to Scott, "As for your hangover, no idea D-man. Guess you'll just have to see. Okay, everyone strap in."
"So the first person to sit on the throne wins invincibility?" Noah clarified as he settled into the chair. Aides bustled up to him and strapped a weird device that looked oddly like a toilet plunger to his head. Goggles were also fashioned around their eyes, and suction cups placed all along their bodies.
"I can't see anything," Scott complained.
"No duh, we haven't started yet!" Bridgette snapped.
"Nope, anyone that can survive long enough to sit on the throne will win immunity," Chris said with a cheeky grin. The aides gave him a thumbs up, and he nodded. "Alright, off you go!"
"Wait a minute, did he say survive?" Sammy asked nervously.
Professor Sung flipped a switch…and nothing happened.
The ten campers waited…and waited…and waited.
"Uh…is something supposed to have happened?" Owen finally spoke up.
"I do not know, I still can't see anything," Dawn answered. "I don't like this."
"Screw this, Lightning's outta patience!" Lightning snapped. He broke out of his straps and tore off his goggles. "Yo Game-Doctor's, this stuff's broke!" He looked around the room, and screamed.
The others were startled by the scream, and managed to get out of their straps and remove the goggles too.
They were met with a grizzly site. Blood stained the walls, the floor, and even the ceiling. Lumps of ruined flesh in bloody lab coats were scattered around the room.
Most of the contestants gasped in alarm or screamed, but a certain moonchild was eerily calm.
"Relax, everyone. The Virtual Reality program is working," Dawn told the room calmly.
"For real?" Jo placed her hands on her head like she was trying to remove invisible goggles, but nothing happened. "Wait, how can I…oh, our real hands are strapped down, huh?"
Jasmine waved a hand in front of her face, squinting hard at it. "Okay…this is freaky."
"More like awesome," Noah corrected, an unusual grin on his face. "This is crazy!" He inhaled deeply. "No smells, though…"
"I think that's probably for the best," Bridgette said with an uncomfortable look at all the gore around them.
"So what is this, some kind of slasher challenge?" Scott asked, looking around the room. "Some big psycho killer is gonna hunt us down and 'kill' us?"
Owen shivered, "brrr, I hope not! That would be so scary." He turned back to the machine, and noticed a certain contestant had not yet gotten out of his straps. "Hey, Duncan, can you not break free, pal?"
Bridgette heard him and looked over. It was true, Duncan still had his arms strapped down and the goggles over his eyes. He remained motionless.
Lightning jogged over and ripped the goggles and straps away from the punk…but there was no response from Duncan. The jock reached down and grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him roughly. "C'mon, man! This ain't no time for a nap!"
He proceeded to rag doll Duncan around on the table he was originally strapped to until Jasmine walked over and shoved him outta the way. "Enough, mate. Jesus." She bent down and opened one of his closed eyes. Pursing her lips, she placed two of her fingers on the pulse point on his neck…then shook her head. "No pulse."
Owen let out a wail and quickly glomped a startled Noah. "Noooo!" He wailed, "Duncan was killed by the Virtual Reality Machine!" He sobbed, "how could this happen…HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN!?"
"So why isn't this stupid machine working?" Duncan asked, upright in the clean and spotless testing room as a bunch of workers bustled about.
"I'd have to guess that there's still too much alcohol in your system," Dr. Sung replied, squinting down at his clipboard as he flipped through some pages. "The system couldn't connect you fully, so it terminated the connection as a failsafe."
Duncan rubbed at his bloodshot eyes. "Well that's some bullshit." He turned to Chris, "What now?"
Chris just shrugged, "Guess you're out of the challenge. No immunity for you today!"
Duncan just rolled his eyes. "If my head didn't hurt so much I'd argue with you." He settled back down on the bench. "Wake me up when the stupid challenge is over."
Back in the destroyed, bloody virtual world, the nine contestants plugged in to the machine properly were staring down at Duncan's still body.
"What…what do we do?" Sammy asked nervously. "I mean, he's not like, actually dead?"
"There was probably a problem with the machine," Noah guessed, "It's still in the testing phases after all." He turned around, "but if you wanna sit here and stare at his corpse, that's fine. I'm out."
One by one, the others contestants began to turn away and head for the exit, so they missed as Duncan sat up. They did hear the loud, low groan that spilled from his lips though, and whiled around as the punk staggered to his feet, head slumped.
"Duncan!" Owen grinned, "holy Grecian Geckos am I glad you're okay! I was a little worried!" He jogged up to his pal and slapped him on the back.
Duncan lifted his head…to reveal milky, lifeless white eyes. His complexion had gone grey, and he groaned again as he reached his arms out to shamble towards Owen.
"Ahh!" Owen grabbed the nearest thing, a metal tray, and slammed it over Duncan's head. Duncan stumbled to the ground, a comical dent in his head, and did not move.
The smarter contestants were able to piece it together rather quickly.
"That's what Chris meant when he said survive!" Scott exclaimed, smacking his forehead, "we're in a freakin zombie apocalypse!"
"How overdone," Jo grumbled, turning her back on the others and heading for the door. "Well, no use sticking around here. A throne is in desperate need of her queen. I.E, me!"
Jo opened the door leading out into the hallway, and froze.
In front of her, nine zombies turned as the noise of the door alerted them. They began a quick shamble down the hall towards her, and Jo quickly slammed the door shut. She turned to the others, a little pale, and sighed. "Welp, we got zombies coming."
Lightning, Scott and Jasmine quickly ran to help Jo barricade the door. Groans and thumps could be heard as the zombies in the hall collided agains the door. Fortunately for the survivors, the combined strength of Lightning, Jo, Scott and Jasmine held the door rather easily.
"They don't seem super strong or anything," Jasmine noted as she leaned against the door.
"We have a more pressing issue here," an annoyed Scott said, "is there any other way outta this stinkin' room!?"
"Just windows," Sammy noted.
"Good enough," Owen hollered, hoisting another metal tray. He hucked it at a nearby window, and it shattered. "Let's get the heck outta here!"
Noah grabbed a nearby broken pipe and tossed it to Jo. "Barricade the door to buy us some time."
Jo nodded and jammed the pipe between the handles of the door.
The four left the door, and began their escape.
"Let's go, little-pal!" Lightning cheered, grabbing Noah by the scruff of his sweater-vest and leaping out the window. His athletic trainers smacked onto the concrete. They were followed by Jo, Bridgette, Owen, Jasmine and Dawn.
Sammy was about to leap out the window, but Scott pulled her back at the last second.
"Hold on a sec," he told his crush.
Sammy shot a concerned look over at the door, which was startled to crack at the hinges. "Uh…better make that a quick sec," she told him nervously, "I don't think that door is gonna hold…"
"I just don't want you to think I'm bailing on you, that's all," he told her with a small grin. "I gotta hang with Lightning and Noah this challenge. I got some work to do on them…"
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I gotta find a way to prevent Noah from squealing on our alliance, and I have just the plan." He winked at her. "Don't get all eaten up, okay?"
Sammy flushed a little and grinned back. "Right back atcha."
As if on cue, the zombies burst into the room. Their speed matched that of a slow jog, and they ambled over to the duo as they climbed, one-by-one, out the window.
"Took you guys long enough," Jo grunted, "what, were you two making out in there?"
"Har har," Scott rolled his eyes. He looked around the street they were on. "Damn, it's nighttime, huh?"
It was true. Bright moonlight shone over the rundown city. The neon lights and colorful buildings were now tattered and dark, and eerie noises rang throughout the city.
"How are we supposed to know which way the palace is?" Bridgette asked.
"Figure it out," Jo smirked, sprinting away from the group.
"Wait, where are you going?!" Jasmine called after her.
"This is the merge, Amazon!" Jo called over her shoulder, "I don't need any deadweight dragging me down again!"
Bridgette and Owen glared at her back as she left.
"Put, who's she calling deadweight?" Bridgette blew her bangs out of her eyes. "Jerk."
Dawn sighed deeply. "They are coming," she whispered, quite ominously.
Noah, who was next to her, rolled his eyes and leaned his head in. "Speak up, Dawn, we can't hear you if you whisper."
Dawn rolled her eyes and leaned her lips close to Noah's ear. "I said they're coming!" She said loudly, making the bookworm jump.
"Who's coming?" Owen asked as Noah held his ear.
"Does the ground feel like it's moving to you guys?" Lightning asked.
Down the street, the ground began to rumble as hundreds and hundreds fo zombies turned the corner. They ambled towards the group, who screamed in terror and turned to run the other way.
"Yeah, methinks we gotta stay away from that," Noah panted as he ran.
Lightning reached down and scooped Noah up. "C'mon, dude! Let's get outta here!" He raced ahead of the group and turned the corner of the street, only to be met with an equally large horde.
"Oh snap!" The jock screeched, skidding to a halt. "We're sha-trapped!"
Scott joined the two and pointed to a nearby alleyway. "There's an escape, let's go!"
The three boys dashed down the alley.
"Screw an alleyway, I'm going over rooftops," Jasmine grunted. Claustrophobia was a pain.
"Good idea," Sammy agreed, "let's go!" The two entered the nearest building and began climbing stairs towards the top.
"What should we do?" Owen panicked, turning to Dawn and Bridgette to find…just Bridgette standing there. "Wait, where'd Dawn go?!"
"No idea, and no time to wonder," Bridgette exclaimed. She noticed an underground subway entrance and pointed to it. "I'm going down there!"
Owen looked down the alleyway, then towards the building Sammy and Jasmine entered, then the subway entrance that Bridgette had just disappeared down. The indecision built in his gut, and he gripped his head in panic. "Why can't I make a decision!"
The zombies leapt on him, and the Fatboy disappeared in a flailing pile of dead limbs.
(Confessional: Owen.)
"Curse my indecision," Owen laments, "that was so scary!"
(End Confessional: Owen.)
(Confessional: Scott.)
"Perfect," Scott smirks, "I got the two bozos by themselves. This is like taking candy from a stupid, strong baby and a smart, weak baby."
(End Confessional: Scott.)
(Confessional: Dawn.)
"I fear things are about to get quite tumultuous," Dawn sighed, "but I shall be here to pick up the pieces for my friend."
(End Confessional: Dawn.)
Scott, Noah and Lightning had managed to escape the hoard, and walked down an empty street.
"Wait a minute," Noah said as he walked, "there's something in my pocket," he frowned and reached in and took out a tablet. "Whoa, when did this get in here?"
Scott and Lightning checked their own pockets and pulled out similar tablets.
Noah clicked a button, and a 3D map popped up.
"Oh, sweet!" Lightning cheered, "this challenge just got EZPZ!"
"The destination is this way," Noah pointed north east, "since multiple people can win immunity, I guess there's no problem in working together."
"Sure," Scott shrugged, "no problem here."
(Confessional: Scott.)
"No problem working together, but no way can I let Noah win immunity today," Scott smirked, "twerp's gotta go."
(End Confessional: Scott.)
(Confessional: Noah.)
"Like I trust Scott," Noah scoffs, "but I'd rather keep him close this challenge so I can keep an eye on him. Something weird went down last night and I still think I got played. And I think Scott is the reason for that."
(End Confessional: Noah.)
Jasmine and Sammy emerged onto the rooftops.
"One of the few good things about packed cities like this," Jasmine said happily as she walked to the edge of the building, "is that you can easily make your way from building to building since everything is so close together."
"But how do we know where to go?" Sammy asked anxiously.
Jasmine whipped out the tablet with a self-satisfied smirk. She opened the 3D-map. "With this little beaut."
Sammy covered her mouth with her hands. "Ohemgee, where did you get that?!"
"In my pocket, I reckon we've all got one," Jasmine told the cheerleader. She smirked as Sammy checked her own pockets and pulled out one of her own, "I noticed right after we left that room, but I wasn't about to tell everyone about it now, was I? Let the others struggle. We're the only ones that need immunity."
"Well, it'll be good if Scott and Jo can get immunity too since they're in our alliance," Sammy corrected, opening her own map.
"Yeah, but they're our outer alliance. The core is you and me," Jasmine re-corrected.
"Umm, Scott's in my core," Sammy pointed out.
Jasmine took a deep breath. "Yeah, about that, Sammy…you're not gonna like what I have to say." A rare showing of nervousness from the giant woman made Sammy uneasy.
"Wh-what do you mean?"
The two leapt to the next building, and walked across the roof to the other side.
"I had a conversation and got some information," Jasmine said carefully, "and they told me that-AGH!"
The rotting roof gave out under Jasmine, and the big girl was sent plummeting to the ground.
"Ohmygosh, Jasmine!" Sammy cried out, rushing to the hole made by her friend and peering down it. In the dim light below, Jasmine was fighting off several zombies with a desk chair.
"Just go, I think I'm done for," Jasmine shouted up at Sammy, creaming one in the head and felling it permanently. However, three more seemed to take it's place, and Jasmine was slowly but surely getting overwhelmed.
"I can't just leave you," Sammy called down desperately.
"It's just a video game, girlie, it's alright," Jasmine assured her. A zombie snuck under her guard and chomped her on the wrist. "Ah! Little bugger." She caved it's head in with her other fist, but the damage was done.
Sammy, seeing Jasmine get bit, turned away. "I'll win for you," she said determinedly, watching her step now as she leapt to the next roof.
(Confessional: Jasmine.)
"What rotten timing," Jasmine sighs, "just as I was about to clue her in about that bastard Scott."
(End Confessional: Jasmine.)
Scott, Noah and Lightning had found a quiet set of streets, and were working on not making too much noise as they walked. Lightning was a little ahead of the others, wielding a baseball bat he found in his hands like a sword.
Scott and Noah walked step for step, and the dirt farmer took this opportunity to lean in to Noah and whisper in his ear. "Let's talk, Eel. Get rid of your boy."
Noah raised an eyebrow and looked at the smirking farmer, but did as he was bade. "Lightning, can you take your trusty bat and scout ahead? I trust you to dispatch all the zombies."
Lightning looked back at the two. "Consider it scouted, little dude! Lightning will crush all the zombies!" He sprinted ahead, leaving Noah and Scott alone.
Noah slowed his pace and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Alright, what's up? And spare me the impoverished farmer analogies if you don't mind."
"Fine," Scott told him. "Bottom line is you're busted. I saw you in the Cargo Hold last night."
Noah's stomach dropped, but he kept his expression neutral. "I kinda figured after Gwen went home. How'd you know?"
"None of your business," Scott smirked, "but I find myself in a tough situation. My alliance is tough, and I wouldn't wanna have it getting out that we're working together."
"Keep me in the game and you've got nothing to worry about," Noah said quickly.
Scott rubbed his chin, "mutual blackmail, eh? I could see it working. We won't target you as long as you keep your mouth shut." He glared at the bookworm, "and keep it shut to everyone. Even Owen."
"Fine," Noah agreed, reaching out for a handshake. "I wouldn't exactly call it a gentleman's agreement given my current company, but it's close enough."
Scott hocked a virtual loogie into his hand and shook Noah's. "Alright then, looks like we got ourselves a deal."
"Sha-AHHHH!"
Noah and Scott perked up to see Lightning sprinting around the corner back towards them. The cause for his panic was apparent when hundreds, and I tell you hundreds of zombies shambled around the corner after him.
"Run for your lives!" Lightning screeched, descending on the two boys very quickly. He scooped Noah up like a sack of potatoes and took off down the street.
Noah's mind raced. "Wait, we might be better off hiding," he said from atop Lightning's back.
Scott did his best to keep up with the two, but he was a fair distance away.
"Hiding, good idea!" Lightning looked up to see a balcony on the second story of a nearby building. "Get ready, dude! Lightning's going long!"
"Huh? Wait a second," Noah protested, "I don't think thats the best-AHHHH!" He was unable to do anything as Lightning scooped him off his own back and tossed him up towards the balcony. He was able to hook his arms over the ledge, and scramble up onto it.
"Stay put!" Lightning hollered as he continued running. "Lightning'll come back for ya! Stay sha-live!"
Noah looked down at his fading back, safe for now. "Alright," he called after the jock. "I'll give you half an hour!" Scott sprinted by him then, followed by the horde. He crouched down and leaned against the balcony, exhaling deeply. "Phew."
(Confessional: Noah.)
"I do continue to impress myself," Noah smirks, "getting Lightning to be my ally was a total pain in the pre-merge, but it's paying dividends right now." He looks around the Confessional, "also is just me, or am I being physically carried a lot the past couple challenges?"
(End Confessional: Noah.)
(Confessional: Owen.)
Owen burps out barbecue tongs. "Whoa! I was wondering where those had gotten to!"
(End Confessional: Owen.)
"Who knew that playing things smart could get you far in this stupid game," Jo smirked.
The tough girl was currently in a clothing tore, and was borderline rotund as she threw on more and more bulky sweaters and jackets.
"I can't go down if they can't bite me," she continued, satisfied with her layers. She hefted a pitchfork, unearthed from the rubble of a fallen building, and twirled it around. "It's showtime, baby."
She emerged from the decrepit, dead store and immediately disposed of several zombies milling about on the street. She pulled the map out. "Alright, let's get this zombie-killing train on the tracks."
She kept moving, disposing of any zombies that were in her way. Every once in a while there would be a larger group that would attack and overwhelm her, but the dozen or so layers of clothing prevented their rotting teeth from penetrating her skin.
"Alright, two blocks to go until this Yungbokun-whatever Palace," she huffed. "I wonder if this is like the old games where it gets harder the closer you get."
Fortunately for her, that didn't seem to be the case. The streets leading up to the Palace were definitely a little more zombie-infested, but nothing too extreme. Before she knew it, she found herself entering the first layer of the Palace.
Gyeongbokgung Palace had four courtyards, each surrounded by a smaller wall.
"Oh, now this is a little tougher," Jo remarked, seeing how packed the outer courtyard. "Never thought I'd copy the meathead, but let's charge this!" She tucked her shoulder and barreled through the courtyard, ready to take on the zombies.
Scott panted as he ran. "Where the heck did Lightning go?" He asked outloud. He had seen the big jock yeet Noah up onto the balcony, but had lost him shortly after.
As he turned a corner with the horde right on him, a dumpster to his right shot open, and a dark-skinned arm reached out and yanked the farmer into it's depths.
"Ahhh, let me go, foul zombie!" Scott shrieked, thrashing around.
"Dang! Chill out, Farmer Ginger! It's just the Lightning!" Now enclosed in the dumpster, the two boys were only just visible in the dim light.
"Oh, Lightning, thanks, I guess," Scott said. The two jumped as the force of the zombie herd passing through shook the dumpster. "Uh, anyways, I wanted to talk to you about your little pal Noah."
Lightning shifted on the garbage bags to make himself more comfortable. He squinted at the farmer. "What about him?"
"I'll keep it blunt," Scott said, feeling his heart rate increasing as he prepared himself for the conversation. "Noah sent Sky home and pinned it on Zoey. He's been playing you all season."
Lightning stared blankly at Scott for a second, before bursting out laughing.
Scott didn't look fazed by the laughter, and waited for the jock to laugh himself back into silence.
"Dang, dude, you're getting worse at lying," Lightning told him, wiping a tear from his eye.
"I'm serious, man," Scott said calmly.
"Pfffffft, you got booted out like second," Lightning scoffed. "You weren't even there for Shorty's elimination."
"No, but…" it was time to unleash the big guns, "when I was staying at the Playa, I got my hands on the footage and saw everything."
Lightning's eyes widened. "Huh? No way. You lie, bud."
"Everything, man," Scott assured him. "I saw the conversation you two had in the forest on the Rest Day. You know, the one before you watched the movie and put your arm around her?"
"Wha…how do you know about that?!"
"Because I saw it. I saw everything, and I saw Noah scheme and manipulate to get Sky eliminated. Then he got you to turn against Zoey so you could carry him in the merge, which is exactly what you've been doing."
Lighting's mouth was wide open. "That…Lightning don't believe you!" Lightning told him angrily, "just because you know about some stuff doesn't mean the other stuff actually happened! You could be fabricating, or whatever the word is!"
Scott scratched his chin, "actually, I think fabricating works there."
Lightning angrily burst out of the dumpster. Fortunately for him, the horde had moved on by now. The jock leapt out onto the street and sprinted back towards where he had left Noah. "Buzz off, Scott! You ain't welcome to travel with the Lightning anymore."
"Just ask Noah who your second shadow is," Scott called after Lightning. He received no response.
(Confessional: Lightning.)
Lightning gnaws on his lip, "There's no way Scott's telling the truth," he says, though it sounds more like he was trying to reassure himself. "That's…that's just crazy!" He gives the camera a concerned look, "right?"
(End Confessional: Lightning.)
(Confessional: Scott.)
"He wasn't as receptive as I'd hoped, but oh well," Scott shrugged, "it's to be expected."
(End Confessional: Scott.)
(Confessional: Bridgette.)
"Alright, I've made it to the merge," Bridgette says, "but I lost Gwen right away, which sucks big time." She lets out a little sigh, "But this is my chance to really shine. I really want to be smart and win some challenges! I gotta win immunity at least once, just to prove to myself I'm a competitor!" She leans her chin on her fist and gives the camera a glum little look. "I'm the worst placing woman that's played more than once in TD history! How humiliating is that?!" Her face grows determined, and she smacks the side of the Confessional with her fist. "But now, I get redemption!"
(End Confessional: Bridgette.)
Bridgette had managed to navigate through the underground subway tunnel to escape the initial horde. She had walked down the tracks to the next station and emerged back onto the street. After a while, she had located the map and had been navigated towards the Palace.
"Alright, I can do this!" Bridgette grinned. "I'm gonna win immunity for you, Gwen!"
After some running and some dodging of zombies, the girl found herself approaching the palace. She entered the first courtyard to see dozens of zombie corpses littered around.
"Whoa," the surfer commented, "looks like someone's already been here. Probably Jo or Lightning."
She entered the second courtyard to see a similar amount of felled zombies. However, there were still some alive ones, and they began shambling after Bridgette. "Uh-oh," Bridgette mumbled, quickly slipping past the zombies and into the innermost courtyard. Up ahead, the entrance to the palace loomed….along with many more zombies. Bridgette gulped and ran ahead, doing her best to dodge zombies.
Unfortunately for her, her clumsy trait reared it's ugly head, and her foot caught under the ribs of one of hte downed zombies. She hit the ground with a startled cry, and was quickly descended on by the horde. She fought and thrashed valiantly, but it wasn't long until she was devoured.
Jo heard some screams from behind her, but paid them no mind as she shouldered open the throne room.
"First place, baby!" She boasted, "let's…go?" She stared up at the shiny golden throne, only to see someone else already sitting on it.
"Josephine," Dawn greeted calmly, "I expected to see you here."
"Palm Reader!? How the heck did you get past al the zombies?!"
"I took a shortcut," Dawn said calmly. She left the gorgeous, golden throne and gestured for Jo to sit.
Jo quickly jogged up the stairs and sat on the throne. There was a flash of light, and the throne glowed warmly.
"Congratulations, camper" Chris's pre-recorded message rang throughout the throne room, "you have won immunity!"
Jo continued to lounge on the throne, looking around the empty room. "How come there are no zombies in here?"
"I believe this place is a safe haven," Dawn replied, getting into the lotus position and closing her eyes, "The zombies cannot access this place. We are safe until the challenge is over."
"Sweet."
(Confessional: Jo.)
Jo obnoxiously clasps her hands to her face in mock surprise. "Oh wow," she exclaimed with equally obnoxious faux-shock, "did I win the first challenge that I wasn't shackled down with deadweight!? Who, and I mean who on this great green Earth could have seen that coming?!"
The door opens, and Chris sticks his head in. "Technically, Dawn won since she got there first. So happy to intrude on your borderline self-masturbatory celebration, by the way."
Jo slams the door, catching Chris's head between the door and the wall, and Chris shrieks in pain.
(End Confessional: Jo.)
Dr. Sung frantically flipped through his clipboard while an unimpressed Chris glared at him.
"I have no idea how she got to the throne room." Dr. Sung said in amazement, "we were tracking her location and she just…appeared! Is she some kind of technological genius and hacked the program?"
"I'd wager that my grandma can use technology better than she can," Chris rolled his eyes. "The girl's just freaky. I don't think she cheated though, so her immunity stands."
Sammy had continued to cross rooftops until she ran out of buildings. Having successfully descended the fire escape, the nice twin was now making her way towards the palace, which was just about visible in the distance.
"Hey! Wait up!" Came up a voice from behind her.
Sammy turned to see Scott running up to her, a goofy grin on his face.
"Scott!" Relief flooded Sammy's face, and she and the farm boy embraced in a quick hug. "You're okay!"
"More than okay," Scott smirked, separating from Sammy but keeping his hands on her shoulders. "Things went great. With just a little luck, we can guarantee Noah's spot is blown up in this game. The icing on the cake would be getting him gone today, too. But last I checked the twerp was still in the challenge…"
Sammy smiled at him, and Scott removed his hands from her shoulders. They continued walking towards the palace in comfortable silence, shoulders occasionally bumping into each other.
"Jasmine said something weird," Sammy spoke up.
Scott raised an eyebrow, "Oh? What happened to her, anyways?"
"She fell through a roof," Sammy said vaguely, "but she said she had something serious to talk about, but we couldn't get to it before she fell…"
Scott shrugged, "I wouldn't be worried about it. Let's focus on surviving this dumb challenge and getting immunity."
They turned the corner, and bumped into something fleshy and undead. Sammy stumbled and lost her footing, and the zombie descended on her quickly with a hoarse shriek.
"Eeeek!" Sammy closed her eyes and shielded her face…but no bite ever came. She opened her eyes to see Scott in front of her, his arm bitten after he had intercepted the bite.
"Dammit," Scott cursed, "get outta here, Sammy!"
Sammy didn't need to be told twice, and quickly scrambled to her feet. She ran past the two as the zombie tackled Scott to the ground and bit his neck.
Sammy sprinted down the street, avoiding the occasional zombie…only to turn the next corner and smack right into the huge horde that Lightning, Noah and Scott had evaded.
"Oh…okay then," was all Sammy could gulp out before she was buried in zombies.
(Confessional: Sammy.)
"Did you see Scott sacrifice himself for me?" Sammy asks with a shy blush, "that was so romantic!"
(End Confessional: Sammy.)
(Confessional: Scott.)
"Did you see me sacrifice myself for Sammy?" Scott asks with a dopey grin, "that was so romantic!"
(End Confessional: Scott.)
Noah looked down from the roof of the building. After waiting a while for Lightning and Scott to come back, the nerd-o had decided-o to head to the roof of the building to scope things out.
"I do not have the ability to leap from building to building," Noah said flatly, and quite unnecessarily.
"Good thing Lightning is back, then!" Came a new voice.
Noah looked to the side to see Lightning scaling the building with his bare hands. The jock clambered onto the roof and gave Noah a cautious look.
Noah took notice of this, and raised an inquisitive eyebrow at his partner. "What's up?"
"Nothin'," Lightning said, a little too quickly, "let's get she-moving. We got immunity to score."
"You want to scale the roofs?" Noah asked incredulously, "I can't do that!"
"IT's not that far," Lightning scoffed, "and Lightning ain't gonna carry you the entire way!" As if for emphasis, he leapt to the next roof, and beckoned Noah to come. "C'mon!"
Noah took a deep breath and leapt across. He made it successfully.
"See, knew you could do it," Lightning nodded his head in approval. The two turned to walk across the roof of the next building, towards the edge of the other one.
"Watch your step," Noah warned, looking at the roof carefully, "it doesn't look particularly stable."
Lightning nodded, and the two leapt to the next roof.
A breeze blew across the dark night, ruffing their clothes and hair. Faint zombie noises could be heard in the distance.
Noah was uncomfortable. The silence the two had was usually comfortable, but there was undeniable tension in the air.
Finally, Lightning could hold it no longer. "Did you eliminate Sky?" He asked quietly.
Noah froze dead in his tracks. Shock was evident on his face, but he recovered quickly and knit his face into his usual apathetic expression. "What? You already know I voted for her."
"No," Lightning frowned, "did you pin it on Zoey?"
Sweat began to form on Noah's face, and he anxiously rubbed it away. "What? I-…no, of course not, Lightning." He laughed nervously, "where'd you get that ridiculous notion?"
"Don't matter," Lightning mumbled, unable to look at Noah, "but…"
"C'mon," Noah interrupted hastily, walking to the other side of the building. He peered down to the alleyway separating the two buildings to see zombies milling around. He jumped the building, but slipped on the dismount. "AHH!" He flung himself as far forward as he could, but was only able to grip the edge of the building with his fingers. His body collided with the side of the building, and he was left hanging by his fingers. "LIGHTNING!" He screeched, "HELP!"
"Oh snap!" Lightning ran over and easily cleared the gap. He landed on the building Noah was hanging from and quickly reached down to grab Noah by the wrists.
Noah relaxed, waiting to be pulled up…but it didn't happen. Lightning continued to leave him hanging, his muscled arms holding his scrawny body with ease.
"Uh, Lightning? I think this is the part where you pull me up," Noah said with a nervous look at the ground. "The fall might not kill my virtual self, but those zombies down there definitely would." He looked up to Lightning, but paled when he saw the steely determination in his eyes.
"Did you mastermind Sky's elimination and blame it on Zoey?" Lightning repeated, his voice dangerously calm.
"Ugh, no I didn't, Lightning! Stop being a dick and pull me up!"
Lightning bit his lip. "Something in Lightning's gut…something don't add up. Why'd you suddenly get Rodney out right after? Did he figure your plan out?"
"No, nothing like that. He was just a liability! Pull me up!"
Lightning continued to glare down at the dangling Noah. "Who…who's Lightning's second shadow?"
Noah couldn't help himself. His jaw dropped, and he blanched. "Wha…how do you know about that? What…how…huh?"
That was all the confirmation Lightning needed. "Lightning didn't want to believe it…but it's true, ain't it?"
"Let me explain, dude," Noah pleaded. "Just pull me up and-" His eyes widened as his fingers suddenly clutched air. Lightning got further away and the ground rushed towards him in one fell swoop, and all he could think was he threw me down…before he hit the pavement and everything went black.
(Confessional: Lightning.)
Lightning is deathly calm. "People. Gonna. Pay."
(End Confessional: Lightning.)
(Confessional: Noah.)
Noah has his face buried in his hands, "oh no…ohnoohnoohno…"
(End Confessional: Noah.)
Jo was bored. "When will this stupid challenge end already? Shouldn't any potential survivors be here already?"
"I sense one spirit making their way towards us," Dawn said serenely, having not moved from her meditative state since she initially sat down. "And they are moving towards us fast." Her eyes opened, and she hopped to her feet. "Oh dear…their aura is quite tumultuous…"
"Tumults-what now?" Jo raised an eyebrow. "Whatever. The inner courtyards are packed with zombies, there's no way they make it."
SLAM!
SLAM SLAM!
SLAM SLAM SLAM!
The throne room door burst open, and a bloody and bitten Lightning stormed into the throne room. His eyes were clouded by rage as he slammed the zombie he had been using as a battering ram into the ground over and over.
"Whoa, Lightning," Jo was surprised. "What the hell is the matter with you?"
Dawn ran over to the jock, her footfalls oddly aloud in the huge, ornate room. She crouched down next to him and put a hand on his arm. "Lightning," she said firmly, "look at me!"
Lightning ceased the bashing of the zombie's head and turned to stare at Dawn.
It took only a couple seconds of eye contact for Dawn to tut sympathetically. "So you have found out…haven't you?"
"You knew too, Creepy Girl?" Lightning croaked out, weakening rapidly now that the adrenaline was gone and the zombie infection was starting to set in. "Why…why didn't you tell me?"
Dawn smiled slightly at his rare use of the first-person. "It was not my place to do so." She touched his face gently, "now hurry. You are weakening. I know how much winning means to you. We can talk back on the plane."
Lightning looked to the throne and stumbled to his feet. Dawn helped guide him to the throne, and the jock was just able to seat himself upon the golden chair.
The light flashed again…then everything went dark.
Lightning, Dawn and Jo woke up at the same time, and instantly removed their goggles from their eyes.
"Well done, you three!" Chris told the ex-Toxic Rats. "Lightning, Dawn, Jo, all three of you have won immunity today, and thus can't be eliminated. Enjoy First Class."
"Alright, First Class!" Jo cheered…though she was the only one to do so. Lightning was frowning and Dawn was pensive as usual.
"What's the matter, little buddy?" Owen asked, nudging his longtime friend with his elbow.
Noah was pale and still wide-eyed. "I'll tell you later, big guy…let's just…let's just get back to the Jet."
Dr. Sung approached them all and bowed. "Thank you all for testing our machine for us. The data we got is invaluable…as will the exposure be when this episode airs."
"It was pretty sweet," Jasmine admitted, "though I'm a little relieved Shawn wasn't here for this one…he woulda had a panic attack…"
"Naw, he woulda beasted it!" Owen said optimistically, "just like he crushed those Chris bots back on Pah-tekky-too Island!"
"Um…it's Pahkitew," Sammy corrected meekly.
"Enough chitter chatter," Chris said sternly, "Dr. Sung, thanks again for providing us with the challenge. Now allow me to take my troubled young weinerschnitzles back to the Jumbo Jet."
They filed out of the building and headed back towards the Jet.
The shot cut to the Jumbo Jet flying through the evening sky. Chris and Chef sat in the cockpit, chatting idly.
Another cut showed Owen and Noah walking into Second Class.
"What's the matter, Noah?" Owen asked, concerned, "you seem really shaken up!"
"I'm screwed, Owen," Noah said instantly, turning to his friend with genuine panic in his eye. "I…I messed up big time!"
Owen looked alarmed at seeing his normally stoic friend so panicked, and quickly guided him to a seat. "It's okay, little buddy," he said gently, "tell me what happened."
"I…it's not a pretty story," Noah admitted.
"Spill it," Owen told him, still gentle but a little more stern.
"Well, when I was on Team Alpha, I realized that Lightning would make a really good ally come the merge…" Noah began his tale, "but Sky was on the team too, and crushing on Lightning. I knew Lightning was starting to crush on her too, so I…kinda…"
"Orchestrated her elimination?" Owen guessed, "what's so bad about that?"
"If only it was just that," Noah sighed, "I kinda…pinned it…on Zoey."
Owen blinked. "Oh."
"Yeah…"
"And…lemme guess, Lightning just found out?"
"Yeah…"
"Oh jeez. How did that happen?"
"That's the thing, I have no idea," the desperation was back in Noah's voice, and he began to pace back and forth. "He referenced something I used in a Confessional, Owen. A Confessional. How the hell did he know that? It was totally shocked. I couldn't recover from it. He pieced it together from there…he's surprisingly smart when he's pissed off.."
"Jeeze Louise who eats String Cheese," Owen clapped his hands to his face, "is there's a Confessional leak? How is that possible?"
"I made that Confessional like back in the second challenge," Noah continued to pace, "if he overheard me, there's no way he's just bringing it up. Someone had to have told him…"
"Maybe it was one of the returnees?" Owen suggested, walking over to the snack cart and swiping a bag of chips. He opened the bag and inhaled it's contents in one big gulp. "Hmmm, barbecue is the best!"
Noah stopped pacing. "Owen, say that again…"
"Ummm, barbecue is the best flavor?"
"No, before that!"
"Oh, that one of the returnees clued him in?"
Noah clapped his hand to his forehead. "No way…if Scott somehow found out..." His eyes widened, "and that would explain his comment!" He clapped his hands together rapidly, startling Owen, "Can't you see, Owen!? It all makes sense now!"
"I don't see it," Owen admitted, "and I don't think I've ever seen you this fired up…"
"Scott knew about it somehow…maybe Sky found out on the Aftermath or something," Noah resumed his pacing, "and he told Lightning! He's had it out for me ever since he's been back…but especially since the alliance thing…"
"What alliance?"
"THE ALLIANCE!" Noah repeated in a shout, making Owen jump. "OF COURSE!"
"For the love of Lisa Loeb, Noah! Gimme something to work with, here!"
"Scott, Sammy, Jasmine and Jo are working together," Noah said quickly, "I caught them at a meeting last night, but I got caught catching them. Or at least, Scott caught me."
"What?! Jasmine is working with them?!" Owen yelped, "without me?!"
"Don't worry, they probably didn't clue you in because they were targeting Gwen. I doubt you woulda gone along with it, right?"
"Probably…"
"Exactly. Scott made a deal with me during the challenge that if I kept my mouth shut, he wouldn't target me with the alliance! But then he goes and gets Lightning to turn on me! Lightning's gonna want me gone big time!" His eyes widened, "which means…which means I'm hosed…" he thumped down in a seat and buried his head in his hands. "All that work…"
Smack!
Noah yelped out, feeling Owen's swat smack him on the top of the head. He rubbed his head as he looked at his friend in surprise, who was now glaring down at him with his arms resting on his tubby hips.
"Don't you dare quit on me, Noah!" Owen snapped, unusually stern. "You're the smartest guy I know, okay? Figure out a way to stay. I believe in you!"
Noah stared at his friend, still shocked. "Owen…I don't know what to say."
Owen gave him a big ol' grin. "Don't say squat, little buddy. Just scheme your way to safety!" He offered Noah a fist bump.
Noah stared at the fist, and a determined smirk grew over his face. He smacked Owen's fist with his own. "Let's do this."
(Confessional: Noah.)
"No way am I going down without a fight," Noah says determinedly, "it's go time."
(End Confessional: Noah.)
Lightning was sulking in a squashy arm chair in First Class.
"Greetings, Lightning," came Dawn's airy voice. The moonchild settled herself in the chair across from him. "How are you feeling?"
"Lightning's fine," Lightning said, obviously not fine.
Dawn gave him a skeptical look.
Lightning stared stubbornly right back at her.
Dawn continued to look.
So did Lightning.
"Okay, Lightning's sad," Lightning snapped, "happy? Sheesh!"
"Not particularly," Dawn said vaguely.
"How could you not tell Lightning?" He asked again. "Ain't we friends?"
"Oh Lightning, of course we are," Dawn told him sadly, "but it was not my place to tell you that. You needed to figure it out on your own."
Lightning was quiet for a moment. "I…I feel like such a fool," he said in a shaky voice.
Dawn didn't say anything, and merely waited for him to continue speaking.
"And I really liked him, too," Lightning continued, "he was my pal. Yet he was lyin' to me the whole time. It…it hurts."
Dawn stood up and crossed the distance. She sat on the seat next to him and leaned over, wrapping her tiny arms around his massive chest. "It will be okay, Lightning. I trust you know what happens next?"
Lightning sighed and lifted one of his arms to return the hug. "Yeah…Lightning knows."
"If you ever want to talk more, I am here. I know talking about your feelings is hard for you," Dawn told him gently. "I am proud of you, Lightning. You've come a long way."
Lightning's lip quivered. "Man, Lightning is so happy you came back to the game, Creepy Girl."
Dawn laugh was tinkly and delightful, and Lightning couldn't help but crack a smile himself.
(Confessional: Dawn.)
"That is one major thing I was able to oversee," Dawn says cryptically, "there are several more to come…then my time on this show shall pass. I only fear that this incident is the tamest of them all.."
(End Confessional: Dawn.)
Scott and Sammy were chatting in the Dining Hall when Noah rushed in.
"Scott," he said instantly, "a word?"
"Let's talk, Braniac," Scott smirked. At Noah's look to Sammy, his smirk widened. "Relax, Sammy here knows everything we do. We can speak openly."
"Fine. I know you were behind Lightning figuring stuff out," Noah told him, "but as far as I'm concerned, the deals still on. If I go home, even if it's not explicitly from your alliance's votes, I'm blowing the alliance up."
Scott glared at him. "You got some balls threatening me, Pipsqueak."
Noah got up in his face and glared at him. "Try me, Dirt Boy."
"Um…let's calm down, guys…" Sammy said nervously.
"Whatever," Scott scoffed, "I don't want my alliance getting blown up, so the deal's on for now. I can't control people's votes outside the alliance, though."
"Well do your best," Noah sneered, turning and walking away.
(Confessional: Lightning.)
"Well, Lightning told everyone what Noah did," Lightning grunts, "but so many people don't really seem to care! This some bullshit!"
(End Confessional: Lightning.)
(Confessional: Noah.)
"I talked to my allies about voting for Scott," Noah sighs, "And anyone else who would listen. I dunno what's gonna happen in this ceremony."
(End Confessional: Noah.)
(Confessional: Duncan.)
"So Noah did some scummy shit?" Duncan is still hungover as hell, "ugh, don't really care…Scott still got Gwen out last challenge."
(End Confessional: Duncan.)
The shot cut to the Elimination Area, with everyone seated at the same spots they were last episode. Chris stood at the podium, and had nine barf bags lined up on it.
"Alright guys, time to vote!" Chris told them. "But before I do, we have a couple of things to discuss. First off, the Chris McLean Invincibility statue can only be played before the barf bags are handed out!"
Gasps rang out amongst the crowd.
"What? That makes it way weaker!" Jasmine protested.
"How interesting," Scott rubbed his chin.
"Them's the rules, no whining," Chris said firmly. "Now, if anyone wishes to play the Invincibility Statue, now is the time…"
Chris looked around…but no one played the idol.
"Alright then," Chris smirked. "Jo, Dawn, and Lightning. As winners of the challenge, you each get to pick someone to go to Loser Class!"
"Noah," Lightning said instantly. Noah didn't look surprised.
"Meh, I pick Duncan," Jo shrugged.
"Gee, thanks," Duncan groaned, "that'll be great for my hangover."
"I choose Scott," Dawn said quietly.
"Meh, fine by me," Scott shrugged, "Loser Class is actually pretty cushy!"
Chris nodded. "Okay, Noah, Scott and Duncan are stuck in Loser Class."
(Voting Confessional: Noah.)
Noah stamps Scott's passport. "Hopefully I did enough. This blindside would be epic if I pull it off."
(End Voting Confessional: Noah.)
(Voting Confessional: Lightning.)
"You betrayed the Lightning," Lightning says glumly as he stamps Noah's passport. "Now you gotta pay."
(End Voting Confessional: Lightning.)
As Duncan took his seat as the last to vote, Chef arrived with the results and handed the passports to Chris. The host took them and smirked as he read through them. "Is that so? Huh, whaddya know." He dropped the passports behind him and picked up three barf bags. "Alright guys, you know the drill. Dawn, Lightning and Jo, you guys are all safe."
The three winners happily caught their barf bags.
Chris hefted two more barf bags. "Owen, you got no votes against you. Sammy, you're safe as well."
Owen caught the barf bag, but was too nervous to properly be happy. His eyes were glued on Noah.
Sammy caught hers with a smile.
Chris surveyed Duncan, Bridgette, Noah, Scott and Jasmine. "The next barf bag goes to…Jasmine."
Jasmine nodded and caught the bag.
"Bridgette, you're safe too!"
Bridgette grinned and caught her bag.
"And despite doing absolutely nothing all day except mope and whine, Duncan is safe too." Chris tossed Duncan a bag. "Which leaves us with Noah vs Scott. Juicy, huh?"
Scott didn't look all the worried, but Noah was gnawing on his lower lip feverishly.
"Alright, the final barf bag of the night goes to…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
…
Scott!"
Noah gasped, but ultimately didn't look too shocked.
Scott caught his barf bag and chuckled. "Such a shame, squirt. Smell ya later!"
Noah stood up and crossed his arms. "Before I leave, I have an announcement to make," he said, glaring at Scott.
"Ain't no one gonna believe you, liar!" Lightning snapped.
Noah winced. "Wait, before I get into that. Lightning…I'm really sorry. It was all game at first, but I guess I kind of grew to see you as a friend…kinda. I wish things could've been different."
"Get bent," Lightning crossed his arms. "And get jumping. Lightning needs the trash to get taken out."
Noah nodded solemnly. It's not like he was expecting any real forgiveness from Lightning anyways. He turned to Owen, and gave him a salute. "Good look, man. I'll be rooting for you."
Owen saluted back, his expression unusually steely. "I'll win for you, little buddy," he said firmly.
"Anyways, as I was saying…" Noah walked over to Chris and took the parachute he was offered. "Watch out for Scott and Sammy. He's working with Jo and a couple of the others. They have a big alliance, and that's why Gwen was booted last night."
Duncan and Bridgette perked up at this, and quickly turned to glare at Scott.
"So yeah, kick rocks, Scott. You're a slimly little cheater." Noah put on the parachute and approached the ledge. "I dunno how you knew about what I said, but…" he paused, and a lightbulb went off on his head. "Wait, that's it! You must've-" he was cut off as Scott reared back his arm and hurled his bag of peanuts at Noah's face. The peanuts hit their mark, and the startled Noah took a step back into open air. He fell out the plane with a shriek, and quickly disappeared from view.
"Welp, there goes another fan favorite," Chris remarked, looking down into the evening sunset before slamming the door closed. "Alright, the nine of you are safe…for now. You may go."
The nine stood up and headed off. Lightning looked noticeably more relaxed.
Chris turned to the camera with a wink. "Noah's gone, eh? That's sure to provoke some angry emails. Who will get booted next? How will the alliances play out? Find out right here, next time, on Total! Drama! Generations!"
In an underground metal control room, a skinny, Korean soldier scurried into the room. They were speaking in Korean, but subtitles flashed on the bottom of the screen.
"Supreme Leader," the soldier said nervously, "we've an unauthorized vessel flying over North Korean soil!"
The Supreme Leader, shrouded in shadow, crossed his legs. "Find out what type of vessel it is. Write it down. If they dare cross our soil again, they will be…punsihed."
Drop of Shame Clip:
As Noah free-falls through the air, he gives the camera a distraught look. "Damnit...I knew it was a long shot, but I really wish I could've gotten Scott outta here." He pulls his chute, and the parachute erupted. "All that work, only to be foiled by some greasy hick coming back at the merge. What an asshole." He rolls his eyes, "he thinks he can get eliminated third, then chill at the Playa until the merge? Well, hopefully Owen teams up with Duncan or something and they can take him down. Scott may be a formidable player, but Duncan and Owen are seasoned veterans. I think they can take him."
He's silent for a few more seconds as he slowly drifts towards the Earth. "I'm gonna have a lot of apologizing to do when I get to the Aftermath Set, huh? Sky and Zoey are gonna be pissed." He gulped. "Emma, I may need you to come rescue me!"
Passport Stamps:
Noah - 6 Stamps (Dawn, Jasmine, Jo Lightning, Sammy, Scott)
Scott - 4 Stamps (Bridgette, Duncan, Noah, Owen)
Remaining Contestants: Bridgette, Dawn, Duncan, Jasmine, Jo, Lightning, Owen, Sammy, Scott.
Eliminated: Anne Maria, Brick, Scott (1), Sky, Rodney, Zoey, Sammy (1), Izzy, Beardo, Shawn, Gwen, Noah.
Reasoning for Elimination:
Ah man, put the pitchforks down, Noah-stans! I know, cutting him in 10th place is brutal for me too, but it has to be done.
Noah served as the pre-merge antagonist. I'd never really seen him as a sort of neutral/tilt antagonsit in the way that I wrote him. He's not doing things to be a villain, he's just brutally and apathetically doing whatever he has to get his plan to work...but he's Noah. He could never go full fledged villain if only for the fact that's its too much work. He had one strategy he cooked up in the first episode (ally with Lightning) made some moves to make it happen, and then tried to ride it out as long as he could. Unfortunately, he didn't account for Scott not only coming back, but cheating and reviewing all the footage from the episodes too. Noah's goose was officially cooked.
I'm happy with how I handled him though. I felt like he had good interactions and storylines with Izzy, Owen, Jo, Lightning, Sky and Zoey. I think he was pretty well rounded and had a believable exit, too. I know people will be bummed, especially since he made it to 6th in the original draft, but I'm excited to write true comp fic without Noah. This will be my first time!
Welp, sorry for the wait guys. I hope it was somewhat worth!
- What do you think of Noah's elimination?
- Now that Scott has the idol, is he untouchable?
- Who will be the next to go?
See you guys next time, thanks again! Ciao!