DISCLAIMER:
Hello, episode 28 is released. What will happen now after the team swap? Will Beth's triangle survive? And how will the twins cope that they are on different teams? Find out here on Total Drama Tyranny of the Masses.
And I think almost nobody liked the aftermath because I had few reviews last week. Anyway, remember if you like the episode, leave a review so I can know it. Or at least mark it as a favorite if you're too shy to share your feelings. Now let me answer last week's reviews.
DuncneyFan: I'm glad you liked it, I really enjoy writing Anne Maria. And about the BFFF I like to give them some shadows, I mean they're the best friends but can also roast each other a little ;).
And as always, a HUGE shoutout and THANKS to Geofics, that is helping me with proofreading of the episodes. I always repeat it because it's true. Thanks a lot.
Total Drama belongs to Fresh TV, its creators, and associates companies. I don't own anything from the properties used in this fic.
Just follow the instructions Part 1
Last time on Total Drama, Tyranny of the Masses, we had our third blast from the past challenge, a previous challenge chosen by the public with a twist. This time, the teams had to participate in the 7th Total Drama talent show, and the twist was that they could perform their 5 acts in pairs.
They performed all kind of acts, from the funny (Mike's monologue) to the thrilling (Zoey's archery), disgusting (Shawn's musical) and sublime (Courtney's song), from dangerous (Beth's juggling) to extraordinary (Twin's cheerleading) and of course the everyone-found-it-awesome-but-it-was-not-so-much (Topher's impersonation).
In the end, the foxes won thanks to Alejandro and Heather's rumba, samba, or whatever it was, which was AWESOME and hot, so hot that it may be censored out of the actual episode. So the ferrets had to send someone home, and the one chose was Charlotte, for messing with DAM and being the less popular of the bunch.
But that was not all. We have the second and last team swap of the season, in which we broke Beth's love triangle with Duncan and Alejandro, demoting the farm girl to the ferrets. And we pulled apart the twins, bringing Samey to the foxes. Can Samey survive without her sister? And what will happen to Beth? Will she find a new love? Find out right now here on Total Drama Tyranny of the Masses.
Beth woke up in the morning. It was before sunrise as always. On the farm she got used to waking up early because she enjoyed helping her grandma make breakfast. After her grandma died 9 years ago, Beth kept doing it but helping her mother instead. And even if she was out of the farm, she kept waking up early like a clock.
It was a strange feeling waking up in this cabin. Her 3 new teammates were still sleeping. The redhead that tied with her in the quarry challenge, the gymnast Cree girl, and one of the twin cheerleaders. She should try to make friends later. Right now, it was better to let them sleep.
Beth changed her clothes and left the cabin. It was a shame she had to leave Alejandro and Duncan on the foxes, but at least she didn't have to choose one of them, and that was lucky for her.
Alejandro was attractive, polite and helped her in her moment of need after Lindsay left. But a part of her was still cautious, deep down suspecting that he's just playing with her. And after seeing him dancing yesterday with Heather, that suspicion became stronger.
And Duncan, there was a strange fate between them since the ending of the Action season. He was rude, but the competition between them was great, even if he was better physically. In the end, she lost, but it was ok. She did her best.
After that, they stopped to have contact. The next time she met him was at the Gemmie awards, but they didn't have a chance to talk, especially after he was selected as part of the World tour season and she wasn't. Then was all the turmoil with him dating Gwen and cheating on Courtney, he became more jerkish and distant. The last she heard was that Duncan went to prison after destroying Chris's mansion during the All-star season.
But now, he reappeared, and he had changed. There was something in him that reminded her of the days in Action season. And when Duncan talked her into an alliance, it was like he was just looking for an excuse to work together. It was different from Alejandro's alliance. Duncan made her feel needed.
But now there was no use in thinking about that, at least until the merge. And if both could make it that far. Both? Now that she thought about it, there was a chance that she'll be eliminated before the merge, especially because she didn't know anyone on this team. Maybe Mike a little, but that was definitely not enough. She needed to win challenges if she wanted to stay in the game.
She went to the bathrooms to take a shower and noticed Dramaman going out. She had already seen him other times, he was always the first one to take a shower in the morning, and only he and Shawn woke up earlier than her.
"Good Morning Dramaman, you're an early bird as always," said Beth waving at the masked wrestler.
He faced her, hesitating for a moment, "Good Morning, welcome to the team."
"Hehe, yes, thanks. It's kind of weird, you know. But as they say, yesterday enemies are today's friends." Said Beth giving him thumbs up.
"Yes, maybe," said Dramaman, shrugging. "I'll not go so far as to say friends because, in the end, only one can win the prize. I'll say we're more like acquaintances with a common goal until we reach the merge."
Beth shook her hand. "Don't be so cold. There is no reason we can't be friends and compete for the money. I have a lot of friends that were my former opponents."
"I think you're on the wrong show. But we can be friends if you want. Just don't be surprised when you're eliminated," said the wrestler in a snarky tone.
"Great!" she said, oblivious to his tone. "Also I never have the chance to say this but I love your outfit. The mix of red and yellow is awesome!" Beth's smile then turned into a frown, "But it may be better with red and yellow instead of yellow and red."
"But yellow and red are Total Drama colors," repeated Dramaman in a tone that sounded just like Chris McLean.
Beth blushed, but her eyes sparkled. "Ooohh! Now I understand! You're like a Total Drama wrestler, so you're named Drama-man! Hehehe, It's kind of weird- I like it."
"Well, that makes one of us," repeated the wrestler in the same snarky tone. "I have to go train, see you later."
Confessional: Dramaman
"She said she likes the mask and the concept of Dramaman, really? I mean, I always thought this was the worst marketing idea ever. But maybe it can have some success with certain people. The world sometimes surprises me and never for good," said the wrestler, folding his arms, sitting in the middle of the confessional
It was cold. She was wet and cold. The uproar of the storm hitting the cave was deafening, but at that moment, she could only focus on her sister's hand.
"I will make you eat those words. And when I win, you will stop calling me Samey," she said, shaking her hand. But at that instant, Amy fell away, her blue eyes filled with pure terror, as the blackness engulfed her.
Sammy woke up, nauseated. That nightmare again, it was the third time since that happened, more than a week ago. The younger twin looked at the bunker in front of her, to see Amy sleeping safe and sound and realize again that it was only a horrible nightmare. But this time, Amy wasn't there.
Well, truth to be told, Sammy was the one that was not there. It was true, yesterday she swapped teams, and from today on she'll be a favorite fox. That meant that she had to compete against Amy, a golden chance to beat her! But also meant she has to play against Shawn, Sky, and … Topher.
She let out a big and sad sigh. In just a night, all become so complicated.
"Sighing will drive away happiness[1], especially a big sigh like that," said Heather while putting on makeup. They were the only ones in the cabin.
"Oh, Sorry. I did it without thinking," said Sammy covering her mouth and blushing.
Heather smirked and turned to look at the blond girl. "Also, don't apologize like that. You did it without thinking. Apologizing too much let's people think you're weak, so they'll try to take advantage of you."
"Oh, it's true. Sorry I never realized that. Oops, again sorry I, arghh," said Sammy, panicking.
"Don't worry. At first, it needs some practice." Said Heather, putting away her makeup case. "By the way, we were never formally introduced. I'm Heather. Nice to meet you. You are Samey, right?"
"Actually, my name is Samantha, but everyone calls me Sammy. But don't sweat too much about it." The younger twin replied. She was indeed, Heather.
Anyone that watched Total Drama, even for a few episodes, knew her. She was the Total Drama Queen, the meanest of the first generation, and the world tour season winner. And unexpectedly, she was much more kind than she imagined.
"Ok, Samantha. I realize how hard it must be for you to be apart from your sister. But you're a favorite fox now. I hope you do your best to win the challenges." Said Heather, looking at the twin intently, as if she could look into her soul.
"Honestly, just the opposite. I'm relieved to at last be away from my mean sister. Now I have a chance to beat her," said Sammy hitting her palm with her fist. She then added in a lower and more insecure tone. "Or at least to try."
"Oh, you don't get along with your big sister? I can relate. My older sister was also always abusing me and treating me as a servant, just because she was a few years older." Said Heather looking at the younger twin's eyes.
Sammy's face beamed, "Exactly, I'm the same. Why does she feel entitled to make my life miserable just because she was born a few minutes before? Making me bring her lunch, telling me how to dress, what to eat, what to do with my hair."
"Exactly! But you need to stand before her, or she'll keep abusing you the rest of your life," said Heather, her voice more passionate than before.
"I'm doing it, little by little, I'm confronting her," said Sammy showing a small and proud smile.
"Don't fool yourself!" said Heather in a stern tone. "little by little, she'll never respect you. You have to be fierce, trust in yourself, and make her recognize that you're the better one."
Sammy looked at her with a nervous expression. "But I'm not sure-"
"WRONG! That kind of attitude will not get her respect and will not free you from her. If you want to really stand up for yourself and teach her to leave you alone, you need to bare your fangs and bite," said Heather in a louder tone, interrupting her.
"Win her respect? Oh no, that is too much. If she stops trying to control my life that'd be enough," said Sammy, looking at the ground.
"That's exactly the problem. THAT'S NOT ENOUGH! Samantha, you have to go for everything. There should be not enough. You're the better twin. It's just that you don't know it yet," Heather offered her a hand. "Let me help you. I'll teach you how to stand up by yourself."
Sammy hesitated, it was Heather, but there was something on her words that just felt right. So she took her hand. "Ok, I'll accept your help."
The Queen Bee smiled while shaking hands with the twin, but what was on her mind was something only Heather knew.
Confessional: Sammy
"I'm the better twin? Like really? I mean, Jasmine and everyone told me we were equal and that I should stand up against her. But this is the first time someone said I'm the better twin." Sammy chuckled, drying a tear from her eye. "Can you imagine Amy's expression if I was the better twin? I know it's not possible, but it would be wonderful."
In the forest, Alejandro was running with Brick. He started to jog with him some days ago after the quarry challenge. They don't talk too much, but the cadet was grateful for the company.
But today, Brick was worried about his friend. Friend? Yes, after these days, he could consider Alejandro a friend, even if Zoey said he should be careful with him. He was worried because the team swap took Beth away and wanted to be sure everything was ok with the Spaniard.
They stopped to rest on the other side of the forest as usual. There they drank from their water bottles and replenished them in a river nearby.
While opening his bottle, Brick decided to ask him. "Al, are you ok?"
Alejandro looked at him, raising an eyebrow, ending his sip before answering. "Yes, my friend. I'm a little disheartened. You know I don't want to compete against Beth, but there's no other alternative."
"Don't worry, you'll be together again in the merge." Said Brick trying to comfort him. "But, are you sure that's what you want?"
The Spaniard raised his face, looking at Brick with wide eyes. "What do you mean? It's not like I can throw the challenges. That will not be fair for you and the rest of the team."
"No, I don't mean that. I mean, if you're sure about Beth? It's because yesterday, you know…" said Brick, blushing. After a moment, he regained his composure and continued. "When you danced with Heather yesterday, it wasn't normal. It was too intimate. It was like you and her were the only people in the world. It was beautiful. Are you sure it's over between you two? Because if it's not over, the honest thing would be to wait before pursuing her. Otherwise, it would not be fair for Beth, for Heather, or for you."
There was a small silence, and Alejandro chuckled, giving a playful gaze at Brick. "Thanks, my friend. You know, I'll take your words to heart. I just hope Beth doesn't think that as well."
"I'm not sure, soldier. Anyone seeing you two dance would think the same. It was a great dance," said Brick, his eyes sparkling as he remembered Alejandro and Heather's rumba. "Maybe it would be for the best if you talk with her."
They then kept talking some more, replenished their bottles, and continued jogging. After that, Brick went to speak with Zoey, and Alejandro tried to find Beth.
Confessional: Brick
"I'm sorry for Beth. But I hope Alejandro can work things out with Heather. I mean you can't dance like that if there are no feelings for each other." Brick's eyes became misty, but he did his best to not cry. "Sorry, I'm weak against love stories."
Alejandro found Beth at the entrance of the woods, talking with Shawn. It didn't seem to be any other person around them.
"But what you said doesn't make sense, Shawn. Why would any government research the Zombie virus if it'll destroy the world?" Beth narrowed her eyes at the conspiranoic.
"Because they think of using it as a weapon to destroy enemy countries. Thinking they can control it, but they're underestimating the disease R0[2]. They're ignorant enough to think it can be kept at less than 1, but that is a mistake. It'll go out of control, and only those who are prepared will survive." Said Shawn folding his arms, tired of explaining this again to Beth.
"But that doesn't make any sense. You don't want a disease you can't control. Why would they do that?" asked Beth again. She really can't imagine that the government would do something so foolish.
Shawn sighed, his nostrils dilated, and glared at her. Luckily Alejandro came to the rescue.
"Sorry to interrupt you. Can I talk with Beth for a moment?" asked Alejandro with a charming smile.
At that moment, Shawn's face beamed, and he ran away from Beth. "Don't worry, I have some business to attend in the forest. See you later."
Beth waved at him. "That Shawn's quite a character. But I think he's taking the Zombie apocalypse idea too far." She then looked at Alejandro, raising an eyebrow. "Anyway Al, we're now in different teams. I think it's for the best if we didn't see each other. At least until the merge." Beth said blushing.
"Oh? Sorry about that, Beth, but I really wanted to see you," said Alejandro with a sad expression. "Can't we at least talk a little?"
"Well, if you insist." Said Beth, grinning, but her expression turned into a sour frown when she remembered yesterday's challenge. "Al, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, señorita, I'll be more than glad to help you," said Alejandro with a beautiful smile.
Normally Beth would be charmed by that smile, but the image of him dancing with Heather was burned on her mind. "Are you still in love with Heather?"
Alejandro smirked. It was just as Brick said. "Beth, are you jealous?"
"Yes, I mean, that dance yesterday was so special. It's not the kind of dance you can do with someone that's not in love with you. It was too intimate. But you're supposed to be on bad terms. So be honest, are you just using me to make her jealous?" This question was on Beth's mind since yesterday, but she needed to know the answer.
"That's not a fair question, Beth. You know I have some past with Heather, and what you said was because we used to love each other. Do you really think I'm just using you? Don't you trust me? Because I trust you, even if you deceived me." Said Alejandro, his tone sweet as honey, but his gaze cold as ice.
"I- I never have deceived you," Beth stuttered, twiddling with her fingers.
"No?" said Alejandro in a hurt tone. "I know you're talking with Duncan behind my back, and even in an alliance with him and Courtney."
Beth blanched. She couldn't believe Alejandro knew. "It- It's not an alliance. We're friends, just friends. And also it's Duncan, Zoey and me. Courtney isn't in our group."
Alejandro's gaze warmed, and he began to smirk. "So it's Zoey? I was sure it was Courtney."
"Of course not," said Beth in a harsher tone. "I can't trust her after she betrayed me during the Action season. She's just a mean and manipulative person obsessed with winning. Only Heather's worse than her."
"I can't blame you. Nobody can force you to forgive them, especially after you trusted them, and they betrayed you. But maybe they have had a change of heart, don't you think?" said Alejandro, playing tenderly with Beth's hair.
"I don't know, but I don't think so." Said Beth in a sad tone. "After all, Heather's as rude as always, and Courtney isn't better, being bossy all the time during the challenges."
Then Alejandro noticed someone in the bushes, so it was time to end the conversation. "Anyway, I hope we can talk later. Maybe after both of us reach the merge. I wish you the best of luck."
Beth's eyes sparkled. "Thanks, Al, good luck to you too." She wanted to kiss him, but the memory of his dance with Heather stopped her.
He went away, leaving Beth more confused than before.
Confessional: Beth
"Al's so wonderful. But for some reason, I can't forget about him and Heather. I can't believe he's using me, but I must be careful. Maybe I should talk with Duncan about it. But if he's honest, I'll be betraying him. Ugh, this's so complicated. What should I do?" said Beth holding her head and looking worried at the camera.
On the foxes side, Courtney was sitting in the Dinner Hall, making some numbers. Right now her team was down to eight, so even with three votes with Heather and Cody, they still need at least one to warrant a tie and two to control the elimination.
But there was also Zoey, she was her friend, right? The word made a shiver go down her spine. She wasn't used to having friends. Only acquaintances, people that she wanted to use, or that wanted to use her. That was the path to success.
But now it was different. She really wanted to try to forget about that and be a true friend. That's why she didn't want to form an alliance with Zoey as Lightning suggested. After all, she would be using her, isn't it? Why did friendship have to be so complicated?
And then was Brick, Sammy, and Alejandro. Brick was already in the Spaniard's claws. And after what Al did to Heather, he was also out of the question. So Sammy was the obvious person to get as an ally.
But Courtney was cheating at solitaire. She wrote on the list the name she was avoiding. Duncan. He was supposed to be his essential ally, after what he said the first night. But, should she trust him? Did he really change? Or was he using her as Heather suggested? She scratched the name again.
Then someone sat in front of her, probably Zoey or Duncan, but when she raised her face, she found someone else.
"Hello, Cody. How can I help you?" asked the former C.I.T. putting away her list. Trying to dissimulate her surprise.
Cody smiled at her. "Not much. I was supposed to play poker with Heather, but she had other plans today, so I was looking around. I only found you here and Duncan on the docks."
"And you decided to come and talk with me instead of Duncan, should I feel flattered?" said Courtney in a snarky tone.
"Hehehe, honestly, I don't like Duncan. And after playing with you yesterday, I became intrigued. I knew you had a great voice, but I didn't have an idea that you could sing pop like that. Or that you knew Elton John songs," said Cody, making a big grin that showed the gap on his teeth.
Courtney tilted her head. She should be angry. She was a second fiddle for him because Heather was busy and Cody didn't like Duncan, and he also supposed she didn't know pop songs for some reason she surely didn't want to know. But there was something about the whole situation that was amusing instead of annoying.
"There was something in that song that simply connected with me. When I heard it was just as if it was written for me." Said Courtney, making a small smile.
"Really!?" said Cody, looking with sparkling eyes at the Latin girl. "It happened the same with me. After I didn't make it to the Action season and was also rejected by Gwen, I heard this song, and I really think, man, I want to stand up, to show that I'm still standing." His words were full of so much passion that Courtney couldn't help it but chuckle. Cody winked at her when he realized she was laughing.
"You know, even if we were together for more than a month on the same team during World Tour, it's like I never got to know you," said Courtney, looking into Cody's eyes.
Cody rubbed his neck. "Honestly, I always felt you were kind of hard to approach. You were always arrogant, uptight, so full of yourself, and treated me like the team's weak link. Maybe I was, of course. But no one likes to feel scorned."
There was a moment of silence, AWKWARD silence. Cody realized that he said too much. He looked at the door. Maybe he could run out of the hall before she jumped over and started pummeling him? NO! The door was too far away. Courtney would catch him before he could exit.
So there was only one alternative, he bowed and apologized. "Courtney, ehm I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"
"NO! stop right there," Courtney interrupted him. She then took a deep breath, "You're right. I didn't trust you during our time as a team. I thought of you as a liability, not as a teammate. And I'm sorry about that. You did your best during the season and didn´t deserve that kind of treatment."
The brunette boy looked at the floor, ashamed but happy. "There's nothing to apologize for. It was something that happened, what? 2, 3 years ago? I don't know why I brought it up. But thanks, I never thought I would hear you say that." He then grinned and looked at her eyes. "You have changed, Courtney."
The Latin girl was surprised, those words, Cody couldn't know how those words resounded on her. "You're too kind, Cody. Well, reminding me of my past faults was mean. But except for that, thanks for your kind words." She said in a snarky tone.
Cody looked at her with wide eyes, not sure what to say. "I already told you I'm sorry."
"Hehe, sorry, I was only pulling your leg. See, you're too kind." Said Courtney laughing. It was the first time Cody had heard her laughing like that.
"You got me." Said Cody, also laughing. Then he made a circular movement with his hand, a deck of cards appearing on it. "Do you want to play poker? If you don't know how I can teach you."
A smug smile appeared on Courtney's face. "Of course I know how to play, but only one game."
Confessional: Cody
Cody looked at the camera with wide eyes. "Well, I'm surprised. I never dreamed that I would talk about this with Courtney, and much less that she would apologize for how she treated me in World Tour. I don't know what happened, but I prefer this Courtney over the old one."
Confessional: Courtney
Courtney kicked the wall of the confessional, scowling. "10 games 8 losses, really? He surely cheated with some of his fancy card tricks. Just wait, next time I will recover those 15 dollars."
At night, one of the campers entered the ferret's cabin. He first looked around to be sure there was no one inside. Fortunately, Mike was with Amy, and Dramaman and Shawn were in the woods. Topher entered quickly, with a strange package on his arms.
He took the strange contraption from the sheet that was protecting it. It looked like a crude touchscreen with some cables here and there. He remembered Charlotte's word last night.
"Look under the girl's cabin for a power-up. It will help you to win the game" He remembered what she said. But can really this piece of junk be useful?
Inside the sheet was a crude map of the island, with a lot of points marked with X, and a letter. The crude calligraphy should be from the e-gamer. But at least Topher could understand what it said.
This minimap marks the location of the nodes to connect to the main island computer. Topher looked at it. It didn't look like a minimap, more like a normal map.
Once connected, use the routine named disconnect cameras to be sure there is no one filming you. Then use the routine access. It will log you on the file system with enough privileges to access most of the videos. I hope you can level up enough to use it. Because if you are reading this, it was game over for me. Good luck, and remember to give me part of the money when you clear the game.
Once again, the host wannabe looked at the machine? Computer? Piece of junk? How was he supposed to call it?
Topher ignored it, and it was too late to try to use it, so he wrapped it again and put it under his bunker. After Jay and Max's elimination, each boy had his own bunker except for Shawn and Dramaman. So it was a secure place, or at least it should be enough.
He was thankful to Charlotte because all this distracted him from his grim reality. Last night Sammy was switched to the foxes. Just when it looked like he could, at last, apologize to her and try to-
"Try to what, Topher?" said out loud the host wannabe. What does he want from Sammy?
"Who are you talking to?" someone asked. Topher stood up, startled, hitting his head against his bunker.
"Sorry, did I scare you?" it was Mike, his sudden entrance taking his teammate by surprise.
Topher rubbed his head with a pained expression. "Mik? Don't worry, it was only that I didn't recognize your voice."
"Eh? that's weird, hehehe, I just sound like myself." Said Mike rubbing his arm. Then he looked left and right, raising an eyebrow. "Are you alone?"
Topher stood up, grooming his hair disheveled after he hit the bunker. "Yes, I was just, uhm, practicing my Chris imitation. Yes, because next time, I want a perfect score." He lied, but maybe the lie was good enough. "and you, weren't you with Amy?"
"Yes, we went swimming a little at the lake, there were no sharks, and the water was warm, you should have come with us." Said Mike with a big grin, taking off his shirt and putting on his pajama's shirt.
The dirty blond guy chuckled. "Sorry for laughing. But every time I see you taking off your shirt, I expect you to turn into Vito."
"hehem, yes, I know what you mean," Mike laughed, but it was a short and empty laugh, different from his casual one. Topher was confused but decided to not pursue the matter. There was something more important he wanted to ask.
"Mike, when did you realize that you were in love with Zoey?" asked the host wannabe.
The spiky-haired guy turned around, blinking a couple of times. "Wow, that is a great question Toph." He then frowned and put a hand below his chin. "It was love at first sight. She was beautiful and kind, but that is only an impression. I think I really knew she was the one after she accepted me when I told her about my disorder."
"That it's too deep, man. I doubt I ever felt like that for someone," said Topher, making a sad smile.
"Maybe it was not the best example. But you should tell Sammy what you feel, go ahead, talk with her, know her better, and let her know you. If she's the girl, both will fall in love before you realize it." Said Mike smiling and winking.
Topher gave him a light smack in the shoulder. "Thanks, man, I'll try it.' He was really grateful to have trusted his secret to him and Dramaman.
Confessional: Topher
"Ok, it's my time, using the viewers as my witness, I'll tell my feelings for her, here on international tv," said Topher in a theatrical tone. He then blushed and closed his eyes. "Mmm, stay tuned to find out next time, when your handsome host is ready to say it."
On the foxes' side, Sammy came back after talking with Shawn. Just as Heather told her it was a bad idea to be seen with them, at least until the merge. Even then, the younger twin had a bad feeling in the void of her stomach as if she was betraying her friends. But it was necessary if she wanted to beat her sister, right?.
"Hello, Sammy," a female voice took the younger twin out of her thoughts. It was Zoey. "Can you come with me for a minute?"
"Yes, of course." Said Sammy with a sheepish smile.
Sammy followed Zoey into the dinner hall, wanting to forget those thoughts at least for a moment. As soon as she entered the darkened room, she was surprised by a sudden cheering.
"Welcome, SAMMY!" shouted the foxes, reunited in the dinner hall.
The dinner hall had some food Zoey and Brick brought thanks to their status as favorite campers. The hall was adorned with some decorations made by Zoey. This time the 8 foxes were there, including Heather, standing on the first row smiling, and Duncan, sitting in the last row, clapping without much enthusiasm.
"All this is for me?" asked Sammy, her eyes sparkling.
"Welcome to the foxes, Sammy," said Zoey, hugging her.
The younger twin looked at them with a surprised expression. "It's the first time anyone's thrown a party for me. I mean, for me alone."
"Forget about your mean sister. Today you're the star. But from now on, it depends on you," said Heather, giving her a glass of juice.
Sammy nodded, her eyes teary but with a sincere and big smile.
Then another teammate came to welcome her. "Sammy, it's a pleasure to be in the same unit as you once more." Said Brick, saluting and winking at her.
"Brick!" The younger twin hugged him. "I'm also so glad to be teammates again."
"Yes, but it's a shame we have to compete against Topher and Dramaman. Argh-" Said the cadet, frowning sadly. But then someone hit him.
It was Heather, who elbowed him quickly. "Please, this's a party. Let's leave sad conversations for later."
The party was a success. Brick was with Sammy and Heather, Zoey was talking with Cody and Courtney, while Duncan was alone looking at the rest of the guests.
"What are you doing bromingo? I thought you'll be talking with Courtney." Said Alejandro, sitting next to the delinquent.
"I was watching, just like you," said Duncan, smirking. "But it seems like Heather is trying to make a puppet out of the new one. Are you ok with that?"
Alejandro raised an eyebrow. "I play my game, and Heather plays hers. Don't worry, I already had this anticipated. I'm more worried about some other things."
"More than the girl that hates you getting one more vote? I'm not sure if you're sarcastic or you're losing your touch." Answered Duncan, looking at the Spaniard's eyes.
"I'm more worried about our little alliance. You're more distant, and most of the time, I don't know what you're doing," said Alejandro, his green eyes cold as ice.
The delinquent smirked, "I'm just relaxing around, you know being out of the pen is really something to be grateful for." He then stood up. "I've had enough of the party and I'm tired, so I'm going to hit the sack."
As Duncan walked to the door, he heard the melodious voice of the Spaniard, "Have a good night bromigo. And please, don't betray me. I don't want to eliminate you."
The delinquent just gave him a thumbs-up without looking back. But as he walked toward the door, someone stopped him.
"Hey! Hello, I'm Sammy. Nice to meet you," said the younger twin, still excited about her party.
The delinquent looked down on her. "Grow a spine and look for me in 2 or 3 years, cheerleader." He then continued his way out of the dinner hall.
Sammy stood there, looking at him with wide eyes. Then someone put an arm across her shoulders.
"Ignore him. He's always like that," said Heather glaring at him. "But he's the kind of person you have to learn how to confront. You can't let that green-haired punk just walk over you.
Courtney also watched the scene. It was strange. Duncan usually would just ignore her, right? Maybe she didn't know him as well as she thought.
Confessional: Sammy
"I'm so happy with the foxes, I was afraid to be an outcast, but everyone has been kind to me. Well, almost everyone." She said chuckling. "It's a shame I have to compete against Shawn and Sky, but it's only a game."
The next day, Sammy woke up, Zoey and Heather were still sleeping, so she changed into her tracksuit and went out of the cabin.
Even if she wasn't a ferret anymore, she wanted to keep doing her zombie apocalypse routine. She already skipped it yesterday, so she needed at least to do her jogging today. Sadly Brick already went out earlier, so she was alone.
On the way to the woods, she found Duncan carving a tree. She was about to ignore him, but she remembered Heather's words. So it was better to confront him and made him apologize for being rude yesterday.
The younger twin walked determinedly towards Duncan, but looking at him with the sunlight, he was intimidating. The green mohawk, the piercings on his ear, brow, and nose, and the flame tattoos on his forearms made him look dangerous.
But she was the NEW Sammy, so she wouldn't be intimidated. "You must feel like a bad boy, carving a tree." She said in a harsh tone.
Duncan looked at her with the same disdain as yesterday. "Good Morning, cheerleader."
"Oh, yes, sorry. Good morning." Said Sammy. She was taken by surprise by Duncan's reply. She expected some kind of insult.
"And I'm just doing what I want. Also, carving isn't something bad boys do. It's just a damn tree." He said, blowing at the carved skull to take off some sawdust.
"That's true. But you know, using a blade like that is what a delinquent does." Said Sammy. Then she remembered why she was talking with him. "Anyway, I want you to apologize for last night."
"Why? Was yours the toothbrush I used to clean my blade?" said Duncan smirking.
"Yuck! NO! I mean, I hope not." replied the younger twin putting out her tongue. "About the party, when we got formally introduced, and you told me I was spineless. I want you to take that back and apologize."
The delinquent turned around, looking into her eyes. She never noticed his eyes were of the same blue as her and her sister but his gaze much colder. "I'll when you show me you aren't a spineless girl that needs someone else to make her decisions."
"I make my own decisions. Maybe before I was like that, but right now, I don't depend on my sister anymore. I'm my own person." Said Sammy putting a hand over her chest.
"Really? Who said that?" asked Duncan, narrowing his eyes at her, he was intimidating
"Jasmine told me, and also Sky and Shawn." Replied Sammy. She was scared but didn't turn away from him.
Then their argument was interrupted by the sound of an airhorn, transmitted through the loudspeakers.
"Good Morning, campers. Please come to the docks for today's challenge. also, and I hope you are getting along with your teammates." Said Chris in his joyful (and hateful) voice.
Duncan patted the younger twin head. "See, you're still a lapdog. You just changed masters. Think about it." He then began to walk toward the docks. "I hope today's an easy challenge. My wrist still hurts after my speed carving act."
But Sammy didn't want to end the conversation. "That's a lie. My friends are nothing like my sister. They don't order me around or abuse me." She said, clenching her fist and following him.
"Cheerleader, I never said they were bad friends. I only said that you're the one that is using them, not the other way around," said Duncan without looking at her.
"But, but…" Sammy kept quiet. He was only bullying her, right? She had grown a lot. She wasn't the old Sammy anymore, right?
But before she could ask him, both reached the docks, looking with open mouths at what was in front of them.
"You have to be fucking kidding me. Again?" said Duncan, blinking a couple of times.
In front of them was a big mountain. It was like the cliff they jumped off during the 5th challenge. Only this time, there was a gorge between the tallest part of the hill and them. Also, why did Chris call them to the docks instead of the hill? It seemed that there were no hopes for this to be an easy challenge.
Author Notes:
[1] Heather said a Japanese proverb ため息をつくと幸せが逃げる, is a Japanese proverb that practically is translated as she said. For my head cannon, Heather is of Japanese descent.
[2] R0 or R naught refers to the reproduction ratio of a disease, that means how many people one person can infect. If it's less than one, the disease will disappear after a time.
And the challenge is about to start. What will happen? Can Beth and Sammy do a good job against their former teammates? And what with the Moutain and the gorge? A new and dangerous challenge approach in the next episode of Total Drama Tyranny of the Masses.
It's the dawn of a new challenge. I wanted to establish the new team's dynamics before starting it. I hope you enjoy the shades of many characters. What was your favorite character in the episode?
Immunity idols left: 3
D.A.M. Eliminations left: 4
Favorite Foxes: Alejandro, Brick, Cody, Courtney, Duncan, Heather, Sammy, Zoey.
Fan Ferrets: Amy, Beth, Dramaman, Lilly, Mike, Shawn, Sky, Topher
Eliminated: Cameron, Jasmine, Max, Lindsay, Dawn, Jay, Lightning, Charlotte.
As always, thanks for reading and I hope you like it.