Day 5: Grey: Neutrality, depression, complex morality, loss.

Summary: Zoey tries to deal with the fact Mal has taken over and her guilt for not noticing sooner but she knew she couldn't deal with the issue alone.

Author's Note: I try not to make my stories too angsty so let me know how I end up doing with this one. Also whether Mike is truly gone or not depends on how sad you really want this story to be.

Zoey was in her hotel in Playa De Losers, choking back sobs as she sighed. The recent season of Total Drama All Stars was a total bust and she literally won the million dollars and now almost every single contestant in the first and second generation were together in Playa De Losers, the only one who wasn't invited was Ezekiel and Mike/Mal.

Mal had taken full reign of Mike in the final challenge and continuously went full force in trying to win against Zoey in the final challenge. He almost tried to drown her at one point, thankfully she was able to fend him off with enough adrenaline and reach the sword, thereby winning the million.

Mal tried to attack Zoey again for the million but surprisingly Alejandro and Heather were able to hold him off until Chris got the police to arrest Mal for his attempt to drown Zoey.

Mal's last words to Zoey crushed her inside as he spoke, "I may have lost the million but I gained control for good. Face it Zoey, Mike is gone and he will never come back!"

Zoey sighed, Mal didn't seem to be wrong, Mike was Mal for quite a while, and she didn't think he'd be coming back for quite a while.

Maybe if she had noticed Mike was Mal sooner, things might have been different.

She felt like such a fool, Mike was gone and it was all her fault.

She then heard a knock on the door, she sighed, "Who is it?"

"It's me. Cameron." The voice said, Zoey didn't need to be told twice and opened the door up for the bubble boy who showed immediately signs of concern.

"Oh… h-hey Cam. How've you been?" Zoey wiped her eye a bit as she forced a smile.

"You were crying earlier, weren't you?" Cameron asked.

"N-No. Why would you think that?" Zoey asked a bit defensively.

"I overheard you from the outside. Zoey, you do realize it's okay for you to be sad about this right?" Cameron explained.

"Yeah… but I feel like I failed Mike." Zoey admitted.

"I'm confused." Cameron raised an eyebrow giving Zoey a questioning look.

"If I had figured Mal out sooner, maybe he would've been eliminated earlier allowing Mike to return quicker. Oh Cameron, this is all my fault!" Zoey cried out.

Cameron couldn't stand seeing his friend in pain, it felt awful watching her be upset over something that she had no control over.

"It's not your fault Zoey." Cameron said comfortingly, "Even if you found Mal out sooner, logistically he probably would still be in control of Mike."

"So basically Mike was doomed from the start?" Zoey asked sadly.

Cameron realized what he just implied and facepalmed before speaking nervously, "Technically yes but no. Mike and his personalities can't just disappear, that's illogical. He'll most likely return but Zoey, you did not fail Mike. Mal taking over his something you had no control over."

"I… guess you're right Cam." Zoey said in thought before hugging the bubble boy, "Thanks buddy."

"You're welcome Zoey. Come on, let's join the others. We might as well celebrate your victory over Mal and they are probably worried about you." Cameron told Zoey before they walked out of the hotel room, Zoey still felt saddened that her boyfriend would not return anytime soon but with friends like Cameron, she just might be okay.

Author's Note: Bittersweet, but it had to be that way. Sorry if I saddened you too much.