DISCLAIMER:
Hello, episode 30 released. Who will win the challenge, and who will lose? Who will be eliminated tonight? Find out here on Total Drama Tyranny of the Masses.
And as always, thanks to everyone for reading. And if you want, please leave a review with your thoughts. I love to know what you like or if something made you laugh. Or if reviewing is not your thing, at least mark the story as your favorite. Now before starting, let me answer last week's reviews.
Harmony735: Chapter 28 is more development and 29 more preparation. I am glad you liked them. I hope this episode is a surprise.
WhatThrHeck23: Thanks for reviewing the past episodes. About episode 2 yes, the eating contest is also one of my favorites.
Aleheather4ever: I'm glad you like their interactions in the past chapter. About them ending together or not is too soon to reveal it.
Guest: Well, Beth is only on the other team. She can still make her moves ;).
DuncneyFan: Duncan, since Island had some kind of fate with the raccoons, but maybe hitting that one was an error.
And as always, a TITANIC shoutout and THANKS to Geofics, that is helping me with proofreading of the episodes. This is not a Déjà vu I repeat it in all episodes because I mean it. 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 3
The 9th challenge is on, and our interns are too tired to create the props for this one, so we decided that the competitors make them instead. Working in pairs, each team will have to construct a boat, a bridge, a stairway, and a hang glider in an awesome relay race. The catch? They only can start building once the relay baton is with them.
In this test of skill, speed, and trust, the first pairs had already sailed. Alejandro and Heather for the foxes, and Dramaman and Topher for the ferrets, will have to cross shark-infested waters to give the baton to the bridge builders. Who will win, and who will send someone home? Find out next here in Total Drama Tyranny of the Masses.
On the lake, 2 boats were struggling to arrive at the coast of Pahkitew island. The better built with Alejandro and Heather on it, and the other one, that was making water, with Dramaman and Topher on it. But the water wasn't the worst of the 4 campers' problems.
"Ugh! Typical Chris. Can't we have a water challenge without involving sharks, or eels or jellyfish?" said Heather tossing her braid.
Alejandro chuckled. "You should know the answer better than anyone here, chica." He was rowing the boat as steady and quick as he could, trying to get faster to the coast.
"Just because I have been on 5 seasons doesn't mean-" but the Queen Bee was interrupted by a shark bumping on the boat. She stumbled and fell into Alejandro's arms.
They gazed into each other's eyes. Heather blushing before breaking away from him. "Thanks, but either way, we need to do something with those overgrowth tunas."
Just as if on queue, the shark hit the boat again.
And on the ferrets' boat, things looked grimmer.
"Can't you row faster, Dramaman?" said Topher, trying to bail as much water as he could. The situation was so dire that his hair was disheveled.
Dramaman replied in a distressed tone. "I'm rowing as fast as I can, but I'm more an intellectual man."
"What? But aren't you a wrestler?" asked Topher, looking at him with wide eyes, throwing more water off the boat.
"Long story," answered the masked man, crouching to avoid a shark jumping out of the water over the boat. He then kept observing the predator carefully.
The boat shook. All the shark hits had created more cracks, so more water was flooding it.
Topher bailed more quickly, looking at the wrestler with worried eyes. "Well, intellectual man, we need an idea, or we'll sink."
The wrestler looked at the water, then at the boat, and then the water again. At that moment, the shark hit them again.
"Take the baton and an oar, I have an idea," shouted the masked man.
Topher stood up and reached Dramaman's place, stumbling, his hair falling over his face. He adjusted the baton to his belt and took the oar.
"I hope this works," said Dramaman, taking a deep breath. "Maybe I'll regret it, but what you told me earlier makes me want to try to win this challenge. So keep rowing."
Topher was about to reply when suddenly the wrestler jumped into the water, over the shark.
"DRAMAN!" shouted the host wannabe, as his friend was struggling with the shark that ignored the sinking boat.
Topher hesitated, but if he stopped, he would waste Dramaman actions. So he kept rowing while the boat kept sinking.
On the other boat, Heather and Alejandro watched all that happened.
"¿Esta Loco[1]? I don't think he can beat a shark," said Alejandro covering his mouth with his hand.
Heather scoffed. "I don't think even he's stupid enough to think that?"
"Of course," Alejandro smirked impishly. "He's just luring it away from the boat."
The Spaniard turned quickly and tried to grab the Queen Bee's hand, but he was surprised by a sudden shove on his back.
"Don't worry Alejandro, I'll deliver the baton. So please, don't get hurt," said Heather in a snarky tone.
Alejandro glared at her at first but then smirked. She really learned a lot from him. Now he just had to fight for his dear life against a shark, again. Luckily he's Alejandro Burromuerto. He could charm even a shark.
But for some reason, this shark seemed like a tough client.
Confessional: Dramaman
The masked man had bandages around his chest, arms, and on his forehead over the mask. "You might think I was too stupid or crazy, and that is a miracle that I'm alive. But to be honest, I knew I could survive against it. The problem is that Chris will kill me, but-" Dramaman shrugged, "I don't care."
On the island, next to the gorge, the bridge-building teams were waiting for the baton. On one side was Mike and Amy for the Ferrets, and on the other bridge for the Foxes was Zoey and Brick.
On Zoey's side, they were now just waiting. All the parts of the bridge were out of the container and organized. And Brick checked the pair of metal beams that would work as the core of their bridge 3 times.
The indie girl was sitting under a tree, grabbing her legs, looking distressed at Amy and Mike.
The cadet wasn't good with this kind of thing but also couldn't leave her like that.
"The battle plan is ready. Now we just need to wait for Alejandro," he leaned against the tree next to Zoey. "Are you alright?"
The redhead jumped a little, startled by Brick's voice.
"Eh? Oh, Brick, sorry I was distracted. Did you say something?" asked Zoey, forcing a smile on her lips.
Brick lowered his unibrow. "Cadet, I think something is worrying you. If you want to talk about it, we can try to find an answer together."
"I'm fine, thanks, Brick," Zoey lied, cringing as Amy hugged Mike's arm again. "I was just wondering how long it will take Alejandro and Heather to bring the baton."
"Well, I'm not sure. But luckily, our opponents' baton is still not here, so we remain tied," said Brick watching in Mike's direction. "And it seems that Mike and Amy are also waiting for now."
Zoey narrowed her eyes at the blond twin. "I would prefer if they could wait a little further away from each other. She's clinging to him too much."
The cadet tilted his head. "Don't worry, Amy is just friendly with Mike. She may say some harsh things but she's a good girl, like her sister."
"I wish I could be as confident as you, Brick." Zoey sighed, burying her face on her knees.
"And even if Amy had feelings for him, and believe me, she hasn't, Mike is head over heels for you. So don't get down about something like he's leaving you for her," said Brick scratching his cheek and blushing. He wasn't used to talking about this stuff.
She kept hugging her knees, it was just the same thing Dawn said, but she still felt so insecure. That cheerlead was pretty, confident, and had that beautiful natural blond hair. And she instead was quite ordinary, not smart nor talented, even her hair was just average brunette under the red dye she used to feel special. She hated to feel like this, but she couldn't stop.
"Zoey, did you hear me?" asked Brick, blinking a couple of times in a worried tone.
But before she could reply, they were interrupted by the voice of Chris. "And the first leg is almost over. The foxes have reached Pahkitew island and are running toward the gorge while the ferrets are still struggling to reach the coast."
Confessional: Zoey
"I know what everyone says, of how I'm so good and that Mike loves me. But for some reason, every time I see him with her, my heart hurts, and my self-confidence fades." Said Zoey hugging her knees and burying her face on them.
All the contestants' attention was on the coast, as Chris said, the Foxes boat was there, and Heather was running up the cliff in the direction where Zoey and Brick were talking.
"Where is Alejandro?" asked Brick, watching around trying to find the Spaniard.
The Indie girl looked around for a moment and then focused on the Queen Bee. "I don't know, but we better concentrate on the bridge. Heather will be here in a few minutes." She then looked at the Asian girl with wide eyes. "Wow, look at her run. She's really trying."
Mike and Amy were also looking at Heather, but their feelings were the opposite of the foxes.
"Ugh! Where are Dramaman and Topher? C'mon, I can't believe they were beaten by Miss and Mister Satan after their divorce," said Amy stomping her foot on the ground.
"Don't worry Amy, I'm sure they're almost here," said Mike covering his eyes with his hands, miming binoculars, trying to find their boat in the lake. "Look over there, it's our boat!"
The older twin looked in the direction Mike was pointing, and he was right. In the lake was a small orange boat that was almost under the water. Over it was Topher rowing desperately.
"Why is our damn boat sinking?" said Amy, raising an eyebrow.
Mike narrowed his eyes to see better. "It seems the boat is almost full of water. And where is Draman? I only see Toph."
After several anguishing minutes, the host wannabe reached the beach. But it was too late. Heather, huffing and puffing, had already reached Zoey and Brick.
"Here…" said Heather trying to recover her breath. "You better build the bridge quickly."
"Yes, ma'am, we'll not waste your effort," said Brick, saluting and receiving the baton.
"And what happened to Alejandro?" asked Zoey looking worried at the lake.
"He's ok, so stop worrying and start building," said Heather in a harsh tone.
Zoey wasn't the biggest fan of Alejandro, but she couldn't help but worry about her teammate. Even then, it was true that they didn't have time to waste, so she decided to not pursue the issue and help Brick.
Constructing the bridge was trickier than it looked. They had to put a base (the strange square structures) over each of the two rails and connect them. Once the base was in place, they put the steps over it and at its sides the handrails.
Even then, they had a quick start, building almost a third of the bridge before Topher arrived at the ferret's bridge.
The host wannabe put a hand over his side, heavy breathing and sweating a lot, his hair disheveled and falling all across his face. "Huff, here is the baton."
"You're late, Topher. What happened?" asked Amy, taking the baton from his hands.
"Yeah man, you look horrible. And where is Draman?" asked Mike looking at his friend lowering his eyebrows.
Topher shook his head, "He stood behind so I could bring the baton. Don't worry about him. Just start building the bridge," said Topher, forcing himself to smile.
Amy nodded and ran toward the parts of the bridge. Mike hesitated and after a moment also ran behind her. They started to build the bridge, in the same way as the foxes. But it was clear Brick and Zoey were better at it. Amy couldn't lift the bases alone, so she carried the steps and the handrails and helped Mike with the other pieces.
While both teams were fighting to complete the bridge, Topher went back to the beach. His boat had sunk into the water. So the host wannabe took his oar and ran toward the Foxes' boat, jumping on it.
"You have some nerve trying to steal our boat," Topher heard someone telling him in an icy tone.
The handsome host wannabe turned around and found it was the Queen Bee, her arms folded and frowning at him.
"I'm just borrowing it for a while," said Topher, looking at her eyes, "I need to go back to find my friend."
Heather smirked. "Great, I'll allow it, but I'll go with you."
"What? Why? I mean, of course, it's a deal, but why do you want to come?" asked Topher, confused by THE drama queen suddenly wanting to go with him.
"I just forgot something on the lake," said Heather sitting on the boat while Topher rowed back into the lake.
Confessional: Topher
"Heather, the most famous Total Drama contestant. I should say she's intimidating, but the journey with her was unexpectedly pleasant. She's harsh with her words but was a good listener and talkative. I didn't expect that looking at her on TV," said Topher, while grooming his hair and smiling at the camera.
The race to build the bridge was on. The foxes were winning it with more than half of the bridge built, while the ferrets struggled with only a third built.
"Ugh! Damn steps are too heavy," said Amy while dragging one step of the bridge near to Mike, so he could put it in place.
Mike took it and put it over the base, adjusting it. "Don't worry, we just have to bring it to Sky and Lilly, and maybe we can make a comeback." He said that because he knew that they couldn't beat Brick and Zoey.
Or at least that is what he thought.
Zoey was putting a step on the bridge. They were so advanced that if they jumped, they could reach the other side.
"Maybe we could jump and give the baton to Cody and Courtney," said Brick as he went to get the handrails for the next step they put on the bridge.
The Indie girl shook her head, "Didn't Chris say that we should finish building it before relaying?"
Brick scratched his head. "I think you're right, hehe. Well, at least there are only 3 more steps, and we're done."
But then both hear a whoosh coming for the side of the bridge, and suddenly something hit Zoey in the cheek, knocking her to the ground.
"Zoey! Are you ok?" shouted Brick running to her side. While he ran, the cadet was hit by something on the arm. It was a sponge ball, like those used in the 5th challenge.
Brick held Zoey in his arms and winced when he saw her face.
"I'm ok. It only hurts a little," said Zoey, but her cheek was red and swollen. "Does it look too bad?"
"Eh? N-No, of course, no, only a little red," lied Brick looking at her with wide eyes.
Zoey smiled, or at least she tried to smile. "That's a relief. I don't want Mike to see me with an ugly bruise on my face.
"Y-yes, of course, you wouldn't want that," said Brick stuttering. "Anyway, it's a little swollen, so you may want to wait before seeing him."
Now both teams were bombarded with sponge balls, but none hit them like it hit Zoey. Brick and Zoey were covered in hits while Mike avoided almost all the balls, and Amy stood away from the bridge, only gathering the parts next to Mike, with bruises over her arms and legs.
But even with the new hazard, the foxes ended building his bridge first.
"Great job, ma'am, now we only need to bring this to the next team, and our mission is-Argh" said Brick, holding the baton, just when a ball hit him in the crotch. The cadet fell to the ground whimpering, while the baton slipped off the bridge.
Confessional: Brick
Brick is frowning at the camera, with his arms resting on his legs. "Let's be clear, even in warfare, there are some rules. An attacking a man jewels is the lowest of the low. I just hope it was an accident and that in future challenges, you avoid such coward tactics. Thanks"
Zoey jumped and tried to extend her arm as much as she could to grab the baton. She jumped off the bridge, holding it on the last moment, hooking her feet to the handrail. Fortunately, she and Brick did a great job, and the handrail supported her full weight.
"ZOEY!" Mike shouted, but before he could run to her side, Brick had helped the redhead get back into the bridge.
Amy rubbed Mike's back. "Don't worry, she's alright. Now let's finish the bridge quickly so you can go to her side," said the older twin, smirking.
"You're right Amy, thanks," said Mike. He was really grateful to Amy for helping him keep calm.
Then, before both could get started, a ball hit Amy in the middle of her forehead, knocking her down.
Meanwhile, Zoey ignored this development and brought the baton to Courtney and Cody.
"Zoey! Are you ok?" said Courtney, looking at Zoey's bruise while taking the baton.
The Indie girl covered her cheek with her hand. "A ball hit me on the face. Does it look bad?"
Courtney twisted her mouth, and Cody looked at the ground. "Well, you may want to put ice on it."
Zoey's eyes went wide, and she blanched. The expression on Cody and Courtney's faces was more than enough to tell her it looked pretty bad.
"Thanks, I'll do it. Good Luck with the stairs," Zoey replied. She then went back as fast as she could to the infirmary, covering her cheek all the way.
But for her two teammates, there was no time to worry about her. In the stairway portion of the challenge, only the framework and the supports for the steps were in place. They had to put the steps on them and fix them. At first sight, it seemed easier than the bridge. But soon, they will find that it was just the opposite.
Courtney carried the step and climbed the first 5 steps to put it in place, then she kneeled down to fix it to the supports.
"Maybe it would be easier if I bring you the steps, and you fix them," said Cody, holding a step in his arms. "That way, only one has to climb up and down the stairs."
Courtney put her hand on her chin. "Ok, that's a good plan, but I'll carry the parts," said Courtney standing up. "I'm in better condition than you."
"Sure? I am sturdier than I look," said Cody flexing his arms.
"I'm sure, also we need to be ready for this challenge's surprise. Chris could start shooting us sponge balls or something like that," said Courtney while walking to get the next step.
Meanwhile, at last, Mike and Amy built their bridge. Sky went toward them to receive the baton as quickly as she could.
"What took you so long? They already build a third of their stairs," said Sky in a fretful tone, taking the baton from Mike
"We did the best we can, now it's your turn," replied Amy before Mike had the chance, glaring at the gymnast. She had a big bump on her forehead.
"Of course. As always," said Sky, putting the baton in her pants and running to the steps. Mike and Amy just keep looking at her, Mike with hope and Amy still glaring.
The Cree girl took a step, put it on the supports, adjusted it, and ran for the next one. Lilly was carrying them to the stairway.
"C'mon," said Sky running in her place. "Can't you go a little faster, Lilly? Please?"
Lilly looked at her with sad eyes, puffing. "This is as … fast as I can go."
The gymnast's facepalmed and then went for another step. There was no hope for them to catch up with the foxes. But then she heard something that was probably their last hope. It was a screech.
From the air, a group of eagles began to dive and attack Cody.
"Hey! Stop it!" said Cody, trying to shoo the bird, but it was so aggressive that he had to go down the stairs. Luckily the eagle went away.
From the loudspeakers, they could hear Chris laughing. "Sorry, I also forgot to tell you that once you have built 75% of the stairs, we'll free some eagles to make the challenge more interesting. Don't worry, they'll only attack those on the stairway. Have fun!"
Cody raised his head and looked at the eagles flying in circles around the stairs.
The voice of Courtney took him out of his thoughts. "How did he train those birds?"
"Really? Instead of thinking how to avoid them, you're wondering how Chris trains them?" said Cody raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe that way, we could figure out how to avoid them. Anyway, what is your idea?" She answered, trying to look calm. But even now, her blood still boiled when she heard him questioning her. How much time will pass until she can accept opinions that differ from hers? At least now she realized it.
Both stood silent, thinking about it. "Maybe one of us can put the step in its place while the other shoos the eagles away." Said Cody with a thoughtful expression.
"Fine by me. I'll distract them while you put the step in place." Said Courtney stretching her arms and back.
The foxes began to make haste and carried the next step to its position while climbing their stairwell. As soon as they reached the place for the new step, the eagles dive over them.
But before they reached them, the Latin girl swung the step in her hands swiftly and smashed both eagles against the side of the mountain. Knocking them out.
"ARE YOU CRAZY!" shouted Chris, his voice distorted by the loudspeakers, "You can't do that! The Animal's Rights Organizations will kill us."
Courtney dusted off her hands with a smug smile on her face. "Sorry, it was self-defense. You should think about that before putting innocent animals on the challenge."
"And she's the one calling them innocent after smashing them into the wall," said Cody in a lower voice while fixing the step into the supports.
While the foxes proceed smoothly, the ferrets were also making their best effort to try to catch with them, both carrying the steps as fast as they could. But it wasn't enough.
Sky finished adjusting her step and went down the stairs, but she felt an intense pain in the lower part of her back when she reached the bottom. She kneeled down for a moment while Lilly ran at her side.
"Are you alright?" asked Lilly, leaving the handrail she was carrying and crouching next to the Cree girl.
Sky took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Of course I'm ok. I just got dizzy after running down the stairs too fast."
"But you seemed to be in a lot of pain." Said Lilly in a cracking voice, frowning sadly.
"If I said I'm ok then I'm ok," replied Sky glaring at the redhead, not wanting to admit her problem. The treehugger winced at the reply, something that Sky noticed.
The Cree girl then tried to defuse the situation. "Sorry, I just got nervous because we're behind, and honestly, I would want you to try harder."
"I'm already doing my best," said Lilly looking sadly at the floor.
"Sorry, I'll be blunt. That isn't enough." Said Sky coldly, "please just try a little more. I'm sure you can do it."
Lilly just nodded and picked up the rail she was carrying and started to climb up the stairs.
Sky sighed and ran toward the steps, she didn't want to sound too harsh, but someone needed to tell her that sooner or later. She picked up her step and then heard a screech.
Sky face beamed. It meant they were already building the last part of the stairway. But then she realized that Lilly was in danger. There was no way that she could defend herself from the birds.
But to her surprise, the treehugger was chuckling. One of the eagles was flying over her and the other standing on her arm.
The shocked gymnast began to climb up the stairs, not believing what she was watching.
"Oh, Sky, look, these little ones seem to be friendly, so don't worry. Also, I'm sure they'll help us to finish building the stairs."
Sky only nodded, leaving the step in its place before fixing it to the supports.
Confessional: Sky
The Athlete was frowning at the camera. "Ok, Lilly is the worst kind of teammate. She's kind of useless but kind-hearted and tries her best, but her best isn't enough. But you don't want to expel them because they try hard. AUGH! That's the reason I don't like to team with people like her."
But while the ferrets advanced, the foxes were attaching the last handrail.
"And we're done," said Cody, giving a high five to Courtney. "Now, let's give the baton to Duncan."
Courtney ran the last step and took the baton to the delinquent that was already waiting.
"Here, now hurry up. We still have the advantage," said Courtney giving Duncan the baton.
"You won't wish me good luck?" Asked Duncan waggling his unibrow.
Courtney rolled her eyes. "Just win, ok?"
"Only because you asked," replied the delinquent, smirking.
He then ran toward Sammy and all the parts of the hang glider.
"Ok, cheerleader, help me build this death trap. We need to make haste to finish before Beth and the stoner," said Duncan, putting the baton on his belt and taking some tubes.
"Hey! His name is Shawn, and he's not a stoner, I think," said Sammy in a harsh tone, but then softened as she ended her sentence.
Duncan rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Your friendship is wonderful, but right now, he's on the opposite team. Now can you pass me that piece over there?"
Sammy glared at him but went and took some pieces. She was still angry about him insulting Jasmine, saying she was like Amy, and now Shawn. But soon she forgot about that, remembering something more important.
"We'll be fine, right?" asked Sammy, her voice trembling.
"About jumping on a handmade hang glider from some Asiatic country? Yes, of course. Worst case, we'll only plummet to the floor," said Duncan in a snarky tone. "Why the heck did you enter this show if something like this scares you?"
Sammy stomped her foot and glared at him. "I'm not scared. I'm just cautious." She then hesitated before she kept talking. "And I entered to escape from my sister."
Duncan put together two tubes and then looked at her, chuckling. "What? You entered the show to escape your sister? The one that is down there? You suck at planning, you know?"
"She just followed me to ruin my chance on the show. She's always trying to make my life miserable. But someone like you can't understand that," said Sammy glaring at him.
"Nope, I don't understand you, and I think I also don't want to," replied Duncan while putting the other two pieces together. "I enjoy horror movies more than soap operas."
Sammy didn't say another word, she just went to take more parts. She couldn't believe he could be so cold.
But Duncan wasn't aware of this. He had his own worries. I hope that the damn piece that fell with the raccoon wasn't an important one.
Meanwhile, at the ferrets' side, Shawn was waiting for Sky and Lilly while trying to ignore Beth. He only hoped to end the challenge so he didn't have to work with her again. This challenge had been really hard on the conspiranoic. He was trying to focus on Sky building the stairwell.
But the voice of Beth took him out of his thoughts. "And how can they keep moving after death?"
"What did you say?" asked Shawn, blinking a couple of times. For the last 20 minutes, Beth had been making silly questions about the apocalypse. Shawn wasn't sure if she was mocking him or not.
"Yes, how can the zombies keep moving if they're dead?" asked Beth, putting her hand under her chin. "I mean to move they need energy that comes from the food and is transferred through the blood to the body. But if you're dead, blood doesn't flow, so they wouldn't get nutrients and would be paralyzed."
Shawn sighed, "The Z-virus keep reproducing, and that is what keeps the dead body functioning as a kind of automata via his nervous system."
"But then they wouldn't need to eat. Why would zombies try to eat the living?" asked Beth, narrowing her eyes at the conspiranoic.
"The virus doesn't control the body. It just keeps it functioning. So the zombie acts on some primal instincts, and eating is one of them," explained Shawn, smirking. Maybe she was really interested.
Beth tilted her head. "But that still doesn't make sense. If the virus just needs the body, making it attack other things will only increase the chances of being destroyed. It would be smarter to just stay in one place."
"The virus isn't an animal, it's a virus, it doesn't have intelligence, it only infects and reproduces," said Shawn in a harsher tone.
"Yes, of course, because a virus that reanimates the dead is logical, but an intelligent virus is science fiction," replied Beth folding her arms.
Shawn narrowed his eyes at her, but then he heard Sky's voice. "Shawn, we're done. Take this!"
The gymnast quickly ran to the cliff's top and went to Shawn and Beth, handing the baton to the zombie expert.
"Leave it to me," he replied, smiling and running with Beth to the parts of the hang glider.
Shawn took some parts and began to build the hang glider, while Beth looked worried at the fox team.
"They had already half of it built. We need to hurry up," said Beth, adjusting her goggles.
The conspiranoic adjusted his toque and replied in a harsh tone. "I know. Bring me more pieces."
Beth didn't like his tone, but she did as Shawn asked. The final stretch of the challenge had begun.
Confessional: Beth
The brunette girl was frowning angrily at the camera. "What is Shawn's problem? I know we're behind, but getting mad at me will not help us to win. I would like him to be more mature and not take out his frustrations on innocent people," she then closed her eyes and nodded.
Sammy was adjusting the sail to the wings. There were just a few pieces away from finishing building the hang glider, and then Duncan noticed that the piece missing was one that joined one of the harnesses to the glider.
He gazed at the ferrets. The stoner was damn quick at building the hang glider. There wasn't enough time to go down and search for the damn piece. Duncan sneered. This was a huge fail. But there was only one thing to do. So he took out his knife and took off his shirt.
"The Sail is ready," said Sammy in a nervous tone. "So we're ready when you finish with the-" the twin then blanched and looked at him with wide eyes, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
Duncan cut his shirt and was tying the second harness to the hang glider. "I'm giving the final touches to this damn thing. So get ready to jump."
"What are you saying? Why are you using your shirt as a rope?" asked Sammy in a worried tone.
"Because the piece is loose, so I'll be more at ease if we use something extra to secure it." Lied the delinquent. There was no piece at all.
Sammy's jaw dropped. "But, it's safe, right? We'll not fall to our deaths, right?"
"Don't worry, it's good. Now get in position and put the harness on. We're gonna jump," Said Duncan while carrying the hang glider to the edge of the cliff. He then began to adjust his harness.
"Are you wearing the harness that isn't tied with your shirt?" asked Sammy, looking with wide eyes at the delinquent. "That isn't fair! Switch, or at least let's decide who uses it fairly."
The delinquent continued adjusting his harness, sighing. "You're the lighter of the two. It would be more secure if you use the weak harness."
"But, but-" Sammy stuttered, she didn't have arguments, but she was also afraid. But again, her team, her new team, was expecting her to win, and Sammy just can't let them down.
The younger twin, defeated, began to adjust the harness. She had never flown on a glider before, but how the harness moved wasn't reassuring at all.
"When you're ready, we jump to our deaths," said Duncan, smirking and holding the control bar. The tattoos on his arms stood out more than before.
Sammy took a deep breath but didn't find the words. She just nodded.
Then both ran toward the edge and jumped into the night.
Beth and Shawn turned to look at the foxes when they heard Sammy scream.
"We have to hurry. They're already jumping!" said Beth looking at the foxes pair. She was assembling the harnesses to the body of the glider.
Shawn glared at their opponent's glider. "There are still a few pieces left to put on the glider. But once I end setting the sail, and you the harness, it must be enough so we can try to jump."
Beth nodded and tried to hurry up, putting the harness in place, but it could be too late.
Meanwhile, Duncan and Sammy were flying. After falling some distance, the wind went into the sail, and they could start flying toward the goal.
Sammy screamed a lot at first but now felt better. The cold wind on her face over and the sunset on the sky. "You know this isn't so bad. It's actually fun and awesome."
"I agree with you completely," said Duncan. He was strangely grateful for this. After being in prison, this kind of sight made you really treasure being free. "Now let's put the weight on the bar and win this damn challenge."
Both put their weight and began to fly toward the goal, but the wonderful moment came to a sudden end, with the sound of ripping clothes. The fix on Sammy's harness broke down.
In a moment, Sammy was falling. I should have known it would end like this. It was a short life, 17 years. At least I fell in love even if I'll never know how he felt about me. Darn it, I wish to at least beat Amy this time. Will she miss me? Probably not. Thought the younger twin as she started to fall.
Just then, she felt a strong arm around her waist, holding her with such strength that Sammy was afraid she'll get hurt.
"HOLD ON!" Shouted Duncan, covering her head with his other arm, as the hang glider spiraled out of control, crashing a few steps from the goal.
She felt the delinquent body cushioning her fall before all went black for the younger twin.
From the cliff, both foxes and ferrets looked in shock at the crashed glider.
"What happened?" asked Cody in a worried tone, blinking. "Hey, Courtney. We should go and check on them"
But Courtney was already running down the cliff. That stupid Duncan, he's alright. He would not be hurt in a silly accident. We have been in worse challenges. He's alright. She was trying to not think about any other possibility. She was swiftly followed by Brick and Zoey, that just got back from the infirmary.
On the ferrets' side, Amy and Mike were also running down the cliff.
"That's why you can't let Samantha do a dangerous challenge. I swear if that punk hurt her, I'll kill him," said Amy, her expression contorted in anger.
Mike just ran with her in silence, praying for them to be ok.
On top of the cliff, Beth watched them in disbelief.
"I can't believe it. Chris said this was safe," said the brunette girl.
Shawn was finishing putting the Hang glider together. "There is always some uncertainty factor in these challenges. Anyway, come here. We're jumping now."
"Are you crazy? Don't you see the other team just crashed?" said Beth, looking at the conspiranoic with wide eyes.
"Yes, I see that. And that is why we still have a chance to win," replied him in a cold tone.
Beth looked worried one last time at the crash site and then ran toward Shawn. They have a challenge to win.
After a couple of minutes, the ferret's hang glider was ready to fly. Shawn and Beth adjusted their harness and jumped from the cliff.
Sammy woke up, she was dizzy, and her back hurt a little, she was still carried, and there was a sound of something being dragged.
When she looked up, she saw Duncan, his face red and full of veins. He was bleeding from a wound on his eyebrow. He walked in the sand as fast as he could toward the goal, pulling the hang glider with him.
"What happened?" said the younger twin looking at him with wide eyes.
Duncan ignored her question. "Stop talking. I need your help. Can you walk?"
Sammy just nodded. The delinquent smirked, "Great, then help me to pull this across the goal, hurry."
Both foxes began to drag the rest of the glider across the sand. The goal was in front of them, but the ferrets were already flying toward them.
"It's impossible. They're already coming," said Sammy, pushing the control bar with all the strength she could gather.
The delinquent took a deep breath and shouted, using all the strength he had left to make the last pull. The glider moved across the sand, leaving trails and throwing sand everywhere. Sammy also shouted, using all her strength. After some anguishing seconds, both crossed the goal line, just seconds before the other hang glider also crossed it.
Duncan and Sammy fell in the sand, while Shawn and Beth landed their glider. The rest of the contestants were running across the beach.
Chris looked at both pairs with a smug smile. "It seems it was a close finish. But the foxes crossed the line first. So the foxes win the challenge!"
"What!? But they crashed!" shouted Beth glaring at the host.
"Yes, So? The rules were that you have to cross from the cliff to the goal with the hang glider. And the foxes crossed it. So they win, and you have to choose a ferret to go home tonight."
Duncan stood up and threw Sammy into the air while cheering. The younger twin was surprised but also cheered with him after their impossible comeback.
The foxes and the ferrets run toward the goal to check on both the winners and the losers. Only Courtney and Amy decided to not go there. After all, nothing happened during the crash, and it looked like everyone was unscathed.
Confessional: Sammy
"I was totally surprised. I mean, we crashed, I survived, and we won. I just can't believe it. And all thanks to Duncan." Sammy's smile turned into a serious frown. "I still don't like him, but at least as a teammate, he's trustworthy, but I'm honestly impressed because he didn't give up after the crash. He sure wants to win the million."[2]
Topher was sitting on one of the picnic tables near the dining hall, waiting for his friends. They weren't an official alliance, but the three became close with the days in the show, and it was useful for them to decide their votes together. After a moment, Dramaman and Mike appeared and sat at the table.
"Well, it sucks that we lost," said Topher looking sadly at the table.
Dramaman nodded, "But we were so close to winning, we just needed a bit more luck."
"Anyway, there is no use in dwelling on the past. Did you guys already decide who has to go home?" asked Mike, showing a small smile.
"Probably Topher or I are the most honest options. After all, it was because we dragged behind that the foxes had so much advantage." Said Dramaman, adjusting his gauntlets.
Topher glared at him. "Don't joke about that. We did our best. We should probably vote for Beth. She seems to be dating Alejandro, so she'll be a problem in the merge." Said Topher, remembering what Heather told him.
"What!? No! Beth's a great girl. I'm sure that even if they're dating, she'll not be manipulated by him." Said Mike looking at them with wide eyes. "I think we should vote Shawn."
Dramaman hit the table with his open hand. "What are you saying, Mik? Shawn is our best player! Eliminating him is basically throwing the challenges until the merge."
"Yes, but he'll also be a threat in the merge. He's Topher's season winner, remember?" explained the guy with the Spiky hair. He didn't say that Amy was the one that suggested voting for Shawn
"I think we should go for Beth. Shawn is still an asset," replied Dramaman. It was also true that Shawn was his friend.
"No, Draman, we should vote Shawn," said Mike, frowning at the masked contestant.
Topher stood up, interrupting the discussion. "There is no use in arguing. Let each of us vote for whoever we want. And no grudges about who is eliminated."
Mike nodded and offered a hand to Dramaman. "Sorry, man, Toph is right. Vote for whoever you want, and good luck."
"Same to you," said Dramaman, shaking hands with Mike. Topher just smiled. This was the type of team he wanted.
Confessional: Mike
"It's nice to have friends. Since Cameron was eliminated and I was switched to the Ferrets, I was afraid I would be alone. It's a shame I can't tell them that the idea of voting Shawn came from Amy. It wouldn't be fair for her after trusting in me," said Mike rubbing his arm.
Confessional: Dramaman
"We're not an official alliance, we're just friends. But I can't vote Shawn, even if Sky'll vote for me. So I'll vote for Beth with Topher," said the masked man nodding. "I hope we have more votes for her than Mike for Shawn."
On the stumps near the campfire were sitting the 8 remaining ferrets, on one side Lilly, Beth, Amy and Mike, then Topher and Dramaman and then Sky and Shawn. Shawn frowned at Beth, Sky at Lilly, and Amy watched Shawn with a malevolent smirk on her lips.
Chris looked at them, enjoying the heavy atmosphere over the team.
"Well, Ferrets, I should say it wasn't a surprise after seeing how you started the challenge. Anyway, good fight, you're bad at making things, but I'm sure you are quite good at voting," said Chris making smiling and waggling his eyebrows
"Thanks, Chris," said Beth with a shy smile. The rest of the ferrets were either glaring at Chris or not caring about what he was talking about.
Chris shook his head. "Thanks, Beth, at least someone seems interested in this. Well, you know the rules. In my hand, I have a plate with 7 marshmallows, so one of you'll not receive one of these white wonders. That person will put the vest of failure and will take the chopper of shame out of the island, and they can't come back EVER."
Topher raised a hand. "Wonderful as ever, except for the EVER. You sounded a little tired, maybe it's your age," said the host wannabe, the rest of the ferrets laughing. "Can we start voting?"
"Very funny Topher, please keep trying to be a host and not a comedian." Said Chris narrowing his eyes at the pretty boy. "Now, go into the cabin and start voting."
Vote confessional: Amy
"Ok we need to clean the house as much as possible before reaching the merge, so bye-bye. I won't miss you, hobo," said Amy, glaring and pressing the button on her screen.
Vote confessional: Beth
"I wasn't sure, but you were very mean to me, so I think it's better if we go different ways. There" said Beth pressing a profile on her tablet.
Vote confessional: Sky
"Ugh, I'm not sure she was trying her best, but she's a load. But maybe she can become better with time, but again I need to think about the team. Well, here goes nothing." Said Sky closing her eyes and voting
"Ok, As I said you're better voters than builders," said Chris chuckling. "And as always, you ferrets surprise me. So let's start giving these beauties."
Chris threw some marshmallows. "Think fast Amy, Sky, and Mike. You're safe for this round." Amy almost dropped her marshmallow, but Sky and Mike caught them without a problem.
"Nice reflexes! Now I also have treats for Topher, Dramaman, and Lilly, talking about surprises," The three caught their marshmallow, but Lilly also almost dropped it, even if this time, he didn't throw them by surprise.
The host smirked with only one marshmallow on the plate and looked at the two remaining campers. "And the last one is between Beth, who was quite slow helping with the hang glider and Shawn, who built the hang glider but failed to win the round. Your team really is cold-hearted."
Shawn sighed and folded his arms while Beth took her glasses and cleaned them. Trying to not show her anxiety.
"So tonight the last marshmallow is for . . ."
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"Beth."
The brunette girl jumped happily while Amy waved at Shawn with a triumphant smile. Sky looked at the conspiranoic with a sad expression.
But Shawn only stood there, the toque covering his eyes. He remembered that old conversation with Dramaman in the cave.
Shawn kneeled in the cave to have a better look. It was NOT what he was looking for, but it was definitely worth his trust.
"You found it this morning?" said Shawn glaring at Dramaman.
The masked man nodded. "And only you and I know about it.[3]"
The Conspiranoic smiled and took something out of his vest. "Wait, I want to use this immunity idol."
All the presents gasped, except Sky that let out an excited cheer, and Dramaman that just nodded.
"What a turnback! The first immunity idol. Well, it seems that the one out is Beth."
The brunette girl seemed shocked for a moment and then shrugged. "Well, it was fun while it lasted."
She waved at Amy and Lilly. "Girls, nice to meet you. I really wanted to stay a little longer with you."
Lilly waved at her with tears in her eyes while Amy just nodded with a neutral expression.
"Well Beth, come with me. You have a flight to catch," said Chris smiling, the brunette girl following him.
On the docks, sitting near the lake was Duncan. He quickly stood up. He had a bandage on his eyebrow,
"I can't believe they kicked you so soon. I expected to compete again against you for the million." Said Duncan, smirking.
"Liar, you never planned to take me to the final." Said Beth with a beautiful smile, but tears in her eyes.
Duncan shrugged. "You're really good at judging people."
Chris then gave her a pink-colored vest of failure to Beth. "Here, the interns were working on making it. As Lindsay recommended, we think you should use it."
"Wow, thank you Chris," said Beth while putting on the harness.
While she put on the vest, she looked at Duncan. "Now that your rival is out, I'll not forgive you if you lose."
"I wasn't planning on, at least until I fulfill my promise," said the delinquent.
Then suddenly she jumped on his arms and kissed him.
"Sorry, Duncan, it was wonderful, but we aren't meant to be." Said Beth, and as if queued, the chopper of shame hooked her away.
Duncan stood there, looking at her going away, putting a hand on his lips.
"What will happen with Alejandro and Duncan after Beth is out of the game? Who will win, the bad twin team, or the worst twin team? And will our international partners keep providing us with wonderful and cheap props for the show? Find out or not on the next vexing episode of Total Drama: Tyranny of the Masses."
Alejandro was on the cliff, looking at Beth being taken away by the chopper.
"Are you sad your new girlfriend was eliminated?" said a person behind him.
The Spaniard shrugged. "It was expected. I really wanted to be together on the merge. It seems I'll need another 'assistant'"
"Then work quickly. We need to complete the preparations during the team phase," they said before turning their back and walking away.
"Of course," said Alejandro, throwing a flower down the cliff and smirking. "Adios amiga mia, y gracias."
Author Notes:
[1] Translation
¿Esta Loco? = is he crazy?
[2] Yes, dear reader, Sammy probably would not be too grateful if she knew that it was also Duncan's fault that the glider didn't have the piece. But again this is about the character POV.
[3] Flashback to chapter 8 "Are this also sucky outdoors?"
And the challenge is over. What will happen now that Beth is out of the competition? What will happen in the ferrets now that they are down to 7 members? And who is the mysterious person who was talking with Alejandro, and what is their plan? Find out in the next episode of Total Drama Tyranny of the Masses.
Sorry to all Beth fans, this was one of the hardest eliminations. I want that the immunity idols are game-changers, and this one was the chance to do it. Eliminating one of the pivotal characters on many plotlines. I hope it was shocking and unexpected.
Votes
Shawn 4 (Immunity)
Beth 3
Lilly 1
Immunity idols left: 2
D.A.M. Eliminations left: 4
Favorite Foxes: Alejandro, Brick, Cody, Courtney, Duncan, Heather, Sammy, Zoey.
Fan Ferrets: Amy, Dramaman, Lilly, Mike, Shawn, Sky, Topher
Eliminated: Cameron, Jasmine, Max, Lindsay, Dawn, Jay, Lightning, Charlotte, Beth.
As always, thanks for reading and I hope you like it.