DISCLAIMER:
Hello there, chapter 16 released. The fifth challenge is on and is a past challenge with a twist. Who will be the shooter for each team? And which team has the best climbers? Find out next on this chapter.
And if you want, please leave a review of the story, that way I can know better what do you think about it. Or if you enjoy it, but reviewing is not your style, please mark it as a favorite. Both things motivate me to continue. Now let me answer the past chapter reviews.
LovelyLuly: As always, thanks for your help with the typos. Your idea about thinking in POV is working well. Thanks for the tip.
guest: I'm glad you are enjoying the story so far, Let's hope Cody can reach long, but we will have to wait and see.
guest: Thanks, well Alejandro and Duncan are not exactly an alliance, but right now they need each other.
geo: Hehehe, sorry about the errors, English is not my main language, so there are some errors here and there, but I am glad you are enjoying the story. Let's see how many of the things you mention will happen ;)
guest: But there will be only 7 of these old challenges on the story ;).
Harmony735: I am happy you are enjoying the story. Thanks for your support, reviews mean a lot for me.
I also want to thanks Shronut from Reddit who is making posts reviewing the chapter, thanks for taking the time to read the story and write about it.
Total Drama belongs to Fresh TV, its creators, and associates companies. I don't own anything from the properties used in this fic.
Cut down the tall poppies Part 2
The teams began to climb the 1,001 feet cliff, an improved version of the one that existed in the now submerged island of Wawanakwa. For the challenge, they must jump into the shark-infested waters, and climb the cliff again from the outer side, while a member of the opposite team shoots sponge balls at them.
But many members of both teams were worried about different matters that were not related to the challenge.
"See ya sha-losers. Lightning will be the first one to reach the top," said Lightning running as fast he could. He was wearing blue trunks as his swimsuit.
"As if," said Sky, running behind him, wearing a one-piece cream-colored swimsuit.
"Challenge accepted, no one beat my hi-score on running," said Charlotte, practically starting at the same time as Sky. She wore a white bikini.
"Hey! you cannot race toward the top like that! At least not without also going against me," said Brick running behind them. He is wearing camouflage shorts and a white tank top, with his sunglasses.
Topher, Shawn, and Dramaman were walking behind them. The pretty boy using a blue speedo, Shawn swimwear were green trunks and a tank top (with his toque of course), and Dramaman wore a full-body neoprene swimsuit in yellow and red with the TD on the chest.
"What happened Draman? You don't want to challenge them?" said Topher smirking at the wrestler. The masked man shook his finger in negative.
"Draman?" said Shawn raising an eyebrow.
"Is his nickname, Mick come with it, is better than Dramaman," said Topher pointing at the spiked haired guy that was trying to catch up with the foxes.
"Mick?" said Shawn, as surprised at this nickname as he was with the other.
"Yep, yesterday we come with these nicks while cleaning the cabin. If you want, we can give you one. What do you think about Sho?" said Topher winking.
"Shawn is ok, thanks," said the conspiranoic, scratching his head.
Confessional: Shawn
"Look, I am not against bonding or friendships or anything like that. But that Mike guy has been in the team 6 days and he already has a nickname? It's suspicious," said Shawn with a stern expression. "Also, Sho, as pet name sounds like Short or Chop, is not a good nickname. If I get one, I would like to be called Yukon."
Some steps ahead, Jay came closer to Sammy as soon as Sky went ahead of them. The skater was using black and purple trunks with his cap, and Sammy, a blue one-piece swimsuit.
"What's up, Sammy, are you ready?" said Jay, walking next to the twin.
Sammy flexed her arms, smiling. "Honestly, I am a little nervous, but I think I can do it. I mean, after all my training, I can do anything!"
"Training? Are you still training with Shawn?" asked Jay, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes! These last days, I have kept training with him. And slowly but surely, I felt stronger and faster. That Amanda will be surprised when I surpass her," said Sammy hitting her palm with her fist.
Jay cursed his luck, he wanted to train with them. But they woke up too early in the morning and the training was a hassle. But maybe there were other ways to get closer to her without needing to get in too much trouble.
"You are too focused on your sister, dude. You should relax a little, all work and no play is not good," said Jay putting his hands behind his head.
"You mean like all work, and no play makes Sammy a dull girl," said Sammy, chuckling.
"Yes, whatever floats your boat. But you have to let your hair down, what about going to swim tomorrow," said Jay winking. Sammy was a little disappointed he didn't catch the reference[1].
"Maybe we should focus first on winning today's challenge before doing plans for tomorrow," said Sammy, looking at the cliff.
Jay shrugged. "We will cross that bridge when we the times come. See! You are worrying a lot. Just take it easy."
"I'm not sure. I think we need to make our best effort for the team," said Sammy, there was something that bothered her about Jay way of seeing the challenge.
"Team? You mean those dudes, like the masked freak or that traitor Topher?" replied Jay narrowing his eyes.
"HEY! Dramaman is my friend. He may be weird but is really considerate, and Topher didn't tell me anything about you, so he is not a traitor. It is not cool to slander other people, especially at their back," said Sammy glaring at the skater and then walking faster, leaving him behind.
Jay hit himself in the head, he just botched it.
Confessional: Jay
"Stupid, stupid, stupid, Jay, you are so stupid, dude. You already had her and had to mention that stupid pretty boy. It seems if I want Sammy to kiss me, I have to be more daring and bold," said Jay clicking his tongue and putting his hands on his trunks pockets.
Mike, on his green trunks, caught up with Zoey in her green bikini and Dawn in a pink swimming suit that looked more like shorts and a short sleeve t-shirt than a swimsuit.
"Hello, Zoey, Dawn," said Mike grinning, "it seems it will be a hard challenge."
Zoey's eyes sparkled, "Mike, why you didn't come yesterday? I was waiting for you."
"Sorry, I was with my friends in the cabin and when I realized it was already too late. Are you mad?" said Mike with a sheepishly smile.
"Maybe," replied Zoey pouting and turning her face away from him.
"Oh no! Zoey, I'm sorry, I-" Mike become agitated as Zoey put her finger over his mouth.
Zoey smiled tenderly. "hehe, Sorry, I am not mad. I was only pulling your leg."
"Ufff, thank goodness. You really worried me. You know you are my everything," said Mike blushing.
"Oh Mike, don't say such things in front of Dawn," replied Zoey, also blushing and putting her hands on her cheeks.
But Dawn ignored them while walking in deep thought.
"Hey Dawn, are you ok?" asked Zoey in a worried tone, but the moonchild didn't reply.
"DAWN!" Mike shook Dawn by the shoulder. She winced surprised and looked with the mouth half-open at the couple.
"Uh, I am sorry, I was distracted, what did you ask me?" said Dawn blinking a couple of times.
"Dawn, you have been acting strange since we started going up the cliff, are you ok?" said Zoey, putting a hand on Dawn's shoulder.
Dawn looked ashamed to the ground. "Sorry, I didn't want to worry you. I was thinking about something that happened this morning, but it was nothing of importance."
"Could it be that you have a crush on someone?" said Mike waggling his eyebrows.
Dawn blushed. "What? No, of course not. Why do you say that?"
"Oh! C'mon, Dawn, there are a lot of good looking guys here, and we are young, it will not be so rare someone meets your fancy. After all, I find my half orange here," said Mike grasping Zoey's hand.
Zoey winked at her friend. "He is right. There are Topher and Alejandro that are very handsome, Brick that is so sweet and Cody, I love his smile."
"C'mon guys, stop teasing me," said Dawn hiding her face on her shirt.
"And there is also Duncan. He is cool," said Mike smiling.
"That joke was not even funny," said Dawn glaring at Zoey's boyfriend, "he is one of the worst human beings I have known. Even Scott at least was a beetle whisperer," said the moonchild, pouting and raising her face offended.
"Don't get angry, Dawn, it was just a joke," said Mike, running behind her.
Zoey chuckled at Mike's reaction and went behind them. "Yes, Dawn, and he is not so bad. You just have to know him better."
"I would rather not. My aura is stained with only meeting with him every now and then. I don't want to imagine what would happen if I try to befriend that monster," said Dawn wincing at the idea.
The three friends kept laughing while others glared at them.
Confessional: Zoey
"I was joking, but I really would like that Dawn and Duncan could get along. We will be a great team. But what can I do to help them? I need a great plan. This will need all my brainpower," said Zoey, massaging her temples.
"That Zoey, I hope she doesn't betray us for her boyfriend," Heather told Cody. The Queen bee was using a red bikini that showed her toned body.
Cody smiled, showing the gap on his teeth. "You worry too much about alliances and all that. We will be fine, I think Zoey is not that twisted." He was wearing a yellow and blue trunks.
"How can you be so sure? It will be not the first time someone threw challenges in the name of love," said Heather raising an eyebrow.
"Because I am an expert in relationships, did you forget? They don't call me the Codemeister for nothing," replied the brunet guy waggling his eyebrows and adjusting an imaginary shirt.
Heather smirked. "Haha, that was a great joke. But sadly, it didn't convince me."
"Just wait. Time will give me the reason," said Cody said, shrugging, "also you get more buffed on the downtime, I mean wow, you were never weak, but now you seem more fitter."
"What is so rare about it? I am a winner, and to win, you need to improve your body, take care of it, groom it. Your body is your temple after all," she said, making a triumphant grin.
"Maybe I should also train a little, but my fans could become furious if I ruin my sexy and slender body," said Cody flexing his arms as he walked.
The Queen Bee chuckled, looking impishly at him. "You mean, Sierra and your mother?"
"You will be amazed at how much fan mail I receive from the show and the Drama Brothers," said Cody raising his head proudly.
"Of course, keep deluding yourself," said Heather, tossing her braid.
"Do you always have to be so mean?" asked Cody, but his tone was more of curiosity than reproach.
Heather raised her head, offended. "What do you mean? I am kind to you! And only because we are acquaintances."
"I thought we were friends?" said Cody, raising an eyebrow.
"Friends is a big word, but yes, we are more than acquaintances. Maybe you can be my lackey," added Heather winking.
Cody lowered his shoulders, disappointed. "Are you serious?"
"No, but it was only to teach you you are not the only one that can joke around here," answered Heather, looking at him with a small smile.
"But I was not joking," said Cody sighing as Heather laughed.
And farther ahead of them was Alejandro and Beth, the Spaniard was using a red speedo that showed his sexy and strong body, and Beth was wearing a pink one-piece swimsuit with some ribbons at the hips.
"Hey, Beth, que guapa![1]" said Alejandro showing his best smile.
"Hello, Alejandro. Sorry I didn't understand what you said," said Beth blushing. Because she thought he was praising her.
Alejandro waggled his eyebrows. "I mean, you look pretty in that swimsuit."
"Oh, Alejandro, you are such a charmer," said Beth laughing, "but your swimsuit, it's not too skimpy?"
"It would be a sin not show off this body of mine, don't you think?" asked Alejandro putting his arms behind his head and putting his chest out.
"Don't do that," said Beth blushing into a more red tone, and covering her face.
"Sorry. Also, there was something I want to talk with you," said Alejandro, his playful smile replaced by a stern expression.
Beth was surprised by the sudden change in the Spaniard behavior, so she only nodded without saying anything.
"I want to take revenge for Lindsay," said Alejandro with a pained expression.
Beth looked at the ground. "You mean to help me eliminate Lightning? Is he not your friend?"
Alejandro shook his head. "Yes, at least I consider him my friend. But what he did was terrible. I mean poor Lindsay, she only wanted to befriend him."
Beth nodded, but she was in trouble. Alejandro practically was proposing an alliance, but she was already in an alliance with Duncan. What should she do? Then she had a great idea, she could be in both alliances.
Beth's eyes sparkled, "If you want to help, I really want to send him off. But with just the 2 of us, it seems impossible."
"Don't worry, my dear. I think more people will like to help us than you think," said the Spaniard, looking at Cody out of the corner of his eye.
"And tell me, can you jump off the cliff? If you can't, I can jump with you or support you as the shooter," said Alejandro looking tenderly at Beth.
"Thanks, if I am with you, I think I can jump," said Beth looking at the ground, Alejandro smirking behind her. He wondered if Beth would tell Duncan about this.
Confessional: Beth
"I know I shouldn't trust Alejandro. He is a player and used girls all the time. But he broke with Heather and has been very supportive after what happened to Lindsay. Maybe he really changed," said Beth twiddling her fingers and blushing.
Lightning was running as fast as he could, but the small Cree girl passed him a few meters before the top, reaching first the submit. Then the jock arrived second, after him Charlotte, and then Brick.
"Hehe, it was a nice race. I accept my defeat," said Brick smiling and breathing quickly.
"You did a great job, for an NPC[2]," said Charlotte smiling, but looking at Sky.
"Thanks, but I am from the army, not the navy," said Brick. He didn't know why she called him a Naval Personel Command.
Lightning narrowed his eyes at Sky, bowing to look her at the eyes. "Hey, short girl, you are damn fast. But you only win because Lighting was not being serious."
Sky felt her blood was boiling, but she was a pro, she would not fall for petty provocations. "That's good to know because I also was not running at my top speed. I was at half my top speed."
Lightning looked with contempt at her. "Yeah? I was running at 40% of my top speed."
Sky frowned and started to speak louder, "That's funny because I was running at 25%."
The jock smiled triumphantly. "see 40% is higher than 25%, Lightning wins, SHA-BAM, Oh yeah," Lightning said, starting to dance like a football player after a touchdown.
Sky dropped her shoulders and looked with wide eyes at the Athlete, "What? But that doesn't make any sense, I mean-"
"Don't be a sore loser. Next time Lightning will give you a rematch," said Lightning, still dancing.
The rest of the contestants arrived at the submit while Chris got off from a helicopter. The most popular on the teams could fly with him, but Dawn and Sammy preferred to walk.
"Ok teams, choose cannoneers and the order to jump down the cliff so we can get started. Remember that this is cut down the tall poppies, so the first to jump are at a disadvantage," said Chris looking with mocking eyes at both teams
The atmosphere was heavy on the foxes' side, and the discussion started in the most bitter way possible.
"Lightning will be the cannoneer because he wants to reduce to bits the competition," said Lightning smacking his chest.
"Are you serious? You are one of our best athletes, you should be climbing, and let shot one of our worse athletes like Beth or Dawn," said Courtney, trying to be calm at the jock nonsense. She is wearing her gray two-piece swimsuit that covered her arms and thighs but showed her belly, with her hair in a ponytail.
"Lighting is always serious, and he cannot trust you losers with the pistol, so Lightning will strike down the opponents himself, Sha-bam," said Lightning flexing his muscles.
Beth smiled, she didn't want to jump, but if Lightning offered himself and failed, it would be easy to vote him out. It sounded mean, but it was for Lindsay.
But Duncan had other plans, "Fine, if you are afraid of confronting the other team climbing the cliff, go ahead, run away. Maybe we can ask Chris for one of those chicken hats."
Lightning vein started to pulse on his temple, and he pushed the delinquent. "Are you saying that Lightning is afraid, punk? Because THE Lightning is not afraid of anything, not even the things that scare Lightning."
"Oh, I didn't say so, it was that masked guy who said it, but whatever," said Duncan, smirking. He was wearing black trunks and a bandage on his arm.
"So that puny and skinny sportsman wannabe is picking a fight with The Lightning? Ok, Lighting will jump down there and show him who is the coward," said Lighting hitting his palm with his fist.
"Well, now that the Sha-idiot is out of the way, who is taking the cannoneer role?" asked Heather looking at the others, "short weird girl?"
"Oh no, I would prefer to not shot another living being. Even if it's with sponge balls," said Dawn shaking her hands.
Heather smirked. "If that's the case then-" but before the Queen Bee could offer herself, someone else raised his hand.
"I can do it. I have good aim, I am sure I can do it well as the cannoneer," said Cody waving his hand enthusiastically.
"Wait a moment, I also want to shoot at them," said Duncan pointing at himself.
"Duncan back off, Cody is the better option. You can climb better than him," said Courtney folding her arms. "Is there some other candidate?"
Heather clicked her tongue, it was obvious that she can also climb better than Cody. And Beth's aim was terrible. One time she failed to hit her barn with a snowball.
"Then it is decided, Foxes, let's win this," said Courtney smiling and lifting her arm. The rest of the team following her.
Confessional: Heather
"Just for the record, I know I am a better leader than Courtney, but I let her manage the circus because I need allies, trustful allies. Cody and Courtney are the kinds of people that fulfill that condition quite well. And also her plans are not half-bad even if I can do a better job," said Heather smiling proudly.
On the ferrets' side, the discussion was not as intense as with the foxes, but they also didn't know who should be the cannoneer.
"Ok, who should take care of the sponge pistol?" said Shawn looking at his allies, "I can do it, but I am also a good climber."
"I am ok with anyone doing it except Samey," said Amy looking daggers at her sister, "she would only mess up the shots." The twin was wearing a one-piece swimsuit like her sister but in red.
"Why do you always have to be mean like that. This time I didn't say anything," said Sammy glaring at her sister.
Amy glared back at her. "Because it is true, remember the snow fights, you always missed the more important shots."
"That's not true, you never let me take the important shots, and you forced me to make your snowballs," shouted Sammy.
"Why did you raise your voice like that, Samey? We are just trying to decide who will use the pistol. Calm down," said Amy, in a softer tone.
Sammy was furious. She fell in Amy's trap again, so she just folded her arms and remained silent.
"Let's calm down dudes, I think I am the more suited to be the cannoneer, I had great reflexes," said Jay making as if shooting at his teammates.
"But you can also climb. I think we must put someone like Lilly who is not good climbing, or Charlotte, that seems to be the best shooter," said Topher, narrowing his eyes at the skater.
Lilly shook her head wildly, "Oh no, I can't shoot anyone. There is no way I can do that." She was wearing a yellow one-piece swimsuit.
Charlotte smiled, "Of course I am the best shoot. It seems your observation skill is maximized."
"I am more than just a pretty face," said Topher winking.
"Hey! There is no way we can be sure she is a better shot than me dudes. I mean, she is only a gamer," said Jay shrugging.
"What do you mean by that N00b? You want to see what gamers can do, you second rate Tony Hawk," said a furious Charlotte, cracking her knuckles. Sky, Mike, and Dramaman jumped to stop her.
"There is no need to be like that dude. If you want to shoot just shoot, I will jump," said Jay, hiding behind Shawn.
"Well, then let's go and get them ferrets. Let's show those foxes which is the best team," said Sky, surprisingly the rest of the ferrets cheered with her, even Amy.
Confessional: Charlotte
"I don't like that Jay, not only because he is a noob that disrespects gamers. But there is something about him. He seems cool and rad like a pro, but always is looking to go AFK. I will expulse him from this guild at the next chance," said Charlotte folding her arms
"Well then, Charlotte is the cannoneer for the ferrets and Cody for the foxes. I don't want to put pressure on you, but your role is the most important, try to not fail those shoots," said Chris, winking.
"And remember, you can only shoot at the player who is nearest to the top, if you hit someone who is behind them, that player will be exempted from the challenge. Of course, hitting your own teammates will not give you anything except an angry teammate that can vote for you on tonight's campfire ceremony," added the host chuckling.
"First jumpers step to the front, and when you are ready, you can jump into the water. The challenge starts NOW," said Chris lowering his arm and stepping away from the border of the cliff to look at the campers jumping at the shark-infested waters.
The first to go for the ferrets was Dramaman, and for the foxes was Lightning, but before the wrestler could walk to the border, someone grabbed his hand.
"Please, let me go first. I want to beat that arrogant jerk," said Sky, her eyes full of determination.
Dramaman faced at their hands and then at her face, and nodded, letting her jump first.
"Thank you, I owe you one," said Sky stretching.
"You again, shorty gal, want a rematch against the Lightning?" Said Lightning, glaring at her.
"I already beat you once, I will beat you again," said Sky, glaring back at him.
Both jumped into the water, with great forms, the sharks already waiting below. Lightning punched one of them on its snout, while Sky just fell on top of another one, bouncing and using the momentum to start climbing the hill.
"Oh no, little cheater. You can't beat Lighting with that sha-circus tricks," said Lightning, swimming and climbing as fast as he could.
On the top, Dramaman went to the border, on the other side was Brick, he was without his sunglasses.
"Sorry, my friend, but it seems this time we are enemies," said Brick saluting.
"That's what worries you? Right now, I am more worried about the sharks than about you, no offense," said Dramaman to his former teammate.
"Don't be afraid if something happens, I will save you," said Brick smiling confidently.
"And who will save you? Better not think about that," said Dramaman in a lower voice.
Both jumped, Brick kept his diving form, but Dramaman was falling, making twists on the air. Both men were screaming all the way down into the sea.
After the splash, Brick looked around and was almost bitten by a shark. He began to swim in panic away from the cliff, then another shark appeared in front of him, so he turned away fast as he could. Both sharks clashing against each other.
Dramaman fell directly on the mouth of a shark that swallowed him. The shark began to look satisfied and rubbed its belly with a fin, when the wrestler suddenly came out of its mouth, swimming quickly and climbing so fast that in a moment, he surpassed Sky and Lightning, to the surprise of both athletes.
Confessional: Dramaman
"Real Sharks? Are they out of their mind? I was almost eaten down there. I was so scared that I acted on pure instinct, and when I realized it, I had climbed more than half of the cliff. Next time I will be cannoneer," said Dramaman shuddering at the memory of being swallowed.
At the top, Mike went for the Ferrets, so Zoey decided to jump next for the foxes.
"Well, it seems that we are going against each other. I will do my best for you, Zoey," said Mike smiling tenderly.
"That's is a little sad because I will not lose against you, Mike. The foxes will win this challenge," said Zoey looking defiantly at her boyfriend.
"That's why I fell in love with you," replied Mike with a lovestruck expression. "I mean, aside from your personality, kindness, and enthusiasm."
Zoey giggled and both jump of the cliff, their forms were good but not that great, and both screamed along the way, hitting the water with some force (especially Mike.)
But on the water Zoey shown being a great swimmer, going fast around the sharks and reaching the cliff so fast that none of the predators could chase her.
Mike recovered quick, he already had a shark on his trail, but the guy with spikey hair swam for dear life and jumped out of the water like a gymnast, grabbing the wall, and started to climb.
Looking at his teammates and opponents ahead, Mike licked his lips and whispered to himself, "Mike is going for the gold."
While this happened the next two divers went into their positions, it was Courtney for the foxes and Shawn for the ferrets.
"Hey, princess! You can do this! You have jumped from worse places before," shouted Duncan grinning, it was not clear if he was cheering or mocking her.
"I don't need you to tell me what is obvious, Duncan," protested Courtney. She was so annoyed that she forgot to be scared.
Shawn looked at her and said in a neutral voice, "I don't want to imagine those other places."
"They were not so bad, but try jumping from a cargo plane without a parachute. That is scarier than this," said Courtney shrugging.
"Yes, I can relate. Looking back to other challenges, this is not that scary," replied Shawn, in how many seasons the campers should jump from a plane or a blimp without a parachute?
Courtney jumped as Shawn took off his torque, jumping a few seconds after her, Courtney form was not bad, and Shawn from was perfect. But unfortunately, Courtney fell on top of a shark.
Shawn looked impressed as to how the now counselor took care of the poor sharks, hitting and kicking them. The conspiranoic used his chance to start climbing the cliff.
"*huff*, *huff*, you are not so though, right? Sharks, I really hate them," said Courtney, that had knockout all the sharks. She then swam to the cliff and also started to climb it.
Confessional: Shawn
"I want Courtney on my apocalypse survivor team, I mean, if she can fight sharks, she definitely can fight zombies. So she would be the speed fighter, Jas the brawler, Dave the brains and Sammy the mascot. Mmm? Maybe we could use Max as the guy who dies first?" said Shawn looking at the roof and rubbing his chin.
On the side of the cliff, the first 8 campers were already climbing, Dramaman first, then Sky, Lightning, Brick, Zoey, and Mike. On the top, Cody and Charlotte were pointing at the climbers.
"All the targets are out of range, it's impossible to start the game right now," said Charlotte pointing at the sea.
"Well is a 1001 feet cliff, it will take some time for them to climb up here. Are you nervous?" said Cody smiling at the E-gamer.
"Of course not, I have played with my raid team for 12 hours to beat N'yogoth on hell difficulty. That's stress. This is just a child game," said Charlotte smiling smugly.
"Oh, you play World of Battlecraft? It's a fun game. What's class do you play?" said Cody grinning.
"It's not fun, these videogames are not like games you play to enjoy or just hobbies, they are professional activities you practice to hone your skills and improve yourself. That fun mentality is what makes all the noobs, like that idiot think that videogames are just games," said Charlotte pointing at Jay.
Cody made a sad smile and looked at the e-gamer. "I think you are wrong, you can improve and also have fun. Can you really spend 12 hours playing a game that you don't enjoy?"
"What I think or what I feel is not relevant. You just had to do it, to prove yourself and rank higher," said Charlotte looking fiercely at Cody.
"I am not a pro like you, but I have played videogames since I was 4, and if you don't enjoy it, it is better to change your game. Life is too short to spend time doing things you don't enjoy," said Cody, it was not the first time he gave that advice.
Charlotte chuckled, "With that outlook is not a surprise you never went pro" she then looked at him with a more relaxed expression, "Warrior, I play as a sword and shield warrior."
Cody also smiled, "Well, I play as an engineer, with a golem specialization."
The codemeister and the e-gamer kept talking about the game, they had some time before the first climber would be at shoot range.
Confessional: Cody
"Charlotte seems like a fierce competitor. I got curious about the newcomers after talking with Lilly, and I have to say they are nicer than they look. But are not true fans of the show, at least not like Sierra. Maybe except for the wrestler, after all, he uses the show colors," said Cody, shrugging.
At the top, Duncan walked to the border, kicking a blue squirrel down the cliff. Next to him was Topher, who was putting some kind of cream on his hair.
"What happen pretty boy, are you putting some dressing, so the sharks enjoy eating you?" Asked Duncan, smirking.
"No, this is a swim cap cream to protect the hair from the water. Even if I don't want to spend much time swimming, it is better to be prepared," said Topher looking coldly at Duncan while putting some more cream.
"Whatever, but I would spend less time taking care of my hair and more jumping, or they will eliminate you," said Duncan jumping off the cliff, folding his arms as if nothing was happening.
Topher looked daggers at Duncan, left his cream, and ran to jump, but he stumbled on the way and fall of the cliff instead of jumping.
Duncan touched the water first, there were no sharks in the vicinity.
"Well, it seems princess took care of them now I can-" but before the delinquent could end his monologue, a scream interrupted him, suddenly Topher fell on the top of Duncan's head, both disappearing under the water.
"hehehe, it seems that both hard heads meet each other," said Chris grinning, "Next divers, hurry up."
"Well, my turn," said Sammy walking to the border.
"Sammy, you can do it, kick those foxes," shouted Jay.
"Try to not embarrass yourself, Samey," shouted Amy.
Sammy rolled her eyes, but will not reply to her sister, near the border, was Dawn, who bowed to her rival.
The moonchild showed a small smile."Hello, I wish you good luck."
"Thanks, good luck to you too," said Sammy, smiling.
"I can see in your aura that you have a lot of suffering and resentment on you, but believe me, there is no one entirely good or entirely bad in this world," said Dawn, before jumping.
"What? What did you want to say with that?" said Sammy, who, like Topher, stumbled and fell from the border.
"And I just told her to not embarrass herself," said Amy shaking her head.
Dawn was held for some little birds, that began to help her went down slowly while Sammy fell like a hammer, screaming and twirling in the air.
"Wow, That hurts, that Duncan is really-" but before Topher could say something, Sammy fell over him, hitting him in the head and both sinking in the lake.
Duncan chuckled as he began to climb the wall, "Better you than me, pretty boy. Well, time to show all that I learn while invading homes and escaping the police," having said that, he stuck out his tongue and started climbing the cliff.
On the side of the cliff, Lightning was starting to climb faster, upset by the wrestler's advantage.
"Do you really think that you can beat the Lightning, masked freak? Just wait. Lightning doesn't lose to anyone, we will see who is the coward," shouted Lightning, speeding up.
"Hey, I am your opponent, remember?" shouted Sky climbing as fast as she could.
Dramaman looked below and started to go faster when a red sponge ball hit him in the side of his face, throwing him from the cliff.
"Noooo!" shouted Sky as she saw her teammate fell from the cliff.
"Yes, bullseye," shouted Cody, happy, as a barrage of green sponge balls began to fly toward Lightning.
"ouch, ouch ouch. Stop it! Lightning can't keep climbing if he had to protect himself from these annoying balls," said the jock, covering his face with one of his arms.
Dramaman was falling into the water when a friendly hand grasped him and helped him to climb the cliff again.
"Well, Draman, I hope next time you don't come by surprise," said Shawn smiling.
"Thanks, Shawn, you save me," said Dramaman in a nervous voice.
Shawn kept looking at him for a moment, "No problem, now let's hurry, we have to catch with the first place."
While the first divers were already in the last part of the challenge, some hadn't jumped the cliff.
"Well, Jay is your turn," said Amy in a cold voice.
"What, no way dude, you have to jump, or Sammy will beat you," said Jay showing a friendly smile.
"We are not competing like that, and I have been watching you, so you will go there and jump. We will not lose because someone didn't dare to jump the cliff," said Amy in a harsh tone.
"Ok, ok, take a chill pill. I am jumping," said Jay throwing his toque to the ground and walking to the border, there a nervous Beth was already waiting.
"Well, it seems is our turn, partner," said Beth making a broad smile that showed her teeth.
Jay gave her a dirty look, "We are on opposite teams, so please don't try to be friendly."
Beth glared at him, "you don't have to be a prick just because we are opponents."
"Ignore him Beth, usually the strongest their bark, the weaker their bite," said Alejandro while walking to the border, "Chris, can we jump together?"
"I allow it, but only two teammates at a time," said Chris, nodding.
"What? Why didn't you said that earlier, we could save a lot of time," protested Heather stomping her foot at the ground.
"Because nobody asked," said Chris grinning, "now hurry up, the sharks are waiting."
Alejandro took Beth in arms, as a princess, and without looking at Jay, jumped, the girl with glasses screaming all the way.
The dive would be perfect, but along the way, Alejandro fell over Dawn and her bird friends, this ruined his jump, and the 3 hit the water with a big splash.
As they emerge from the water, two sharks began to circle them, but after a moment, they become charmed with the beautiful face of the Spaniard and leave them alone.
Alejandro proceeded to escort the two ladies at the cliff, letting them climb first.
Then a big object fell from the mountain, hitting the water like a rock and splashing the three campers.
"What was that?" said Beth wringing out his hair, "It was that jerk? Or Heather?"
"Mucho me temo que ninguno de los dos [2]," said Alejandro looking worried at the person who fell into the lake. It was Lightning.
Dawn, Beth, and Alejandro knew that they have to hurry up. Right now, the ferrets had the advantage.
Author Notes:
[1] All work and no play makes Sammy a dull girl is a reference at the proverb, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," popularized by the movie the Shinning, which is were Sammy learned it.
[2] que guapa = You look beautiful in a more informal way.
Mucho me temo que ninguno de los dos: I am afraid neither of them.
[3] Charlotte calls him a Non player character in videogames is a background character that helps the players. But Brick don't know about videogames and thing she is calling him a naval officer.
The challenge is on, the teams are 0-0, and there are 4 campers left to jump. Who will win and who will get eliminated? Can the foxes recover after Lightning fall? Or the ferrets will also fail to reach the top? Find out in the next episode.
Now the challenge is on, I tried to make it a little fast passed because a lot is happening everywhere, so I don't spend too much time with the sharks. I hope that didn't bother anyone.
Immunity idols unused: 3
D.A.M. Eliminations left: 6
Favorite Foxes: Alejandro, Beth, Brick, Cody, Courtney, Dawn, Duncan, Heather, Lightning, Zoey.
Fan Ferrets: Amy, Charlotte, Dramaman, Jay, Lilly, Mike, Sammy, Shawn, Sky, Topher
Eliminated: Cameron, Jasmine, Max, Lindsay.
As always, thanks for reading and I hope you like it.