DISCLAIMER:
Welcome once again, episode 34 is released. What will happen now? Will the secrets strain the relationship between the campers? And what about Cody's elimination? Can things stay the same, or a change is inevitable? Find out now here on Total Drama Tyranny of the Masses.
And don't forget, if you like the story so far, mark it as a favorite, or if you feel fancy, leave a review. I'll not only try to respond to them in the next episode, but they also help me improve both this story and my future ones. Now let me answer this week reviews.
Guest: You're totally right. The merge is getting closer, but I'll not spoil it when it is here. And about returnees, I'm not sure if there will be any. Did I mention it in the story so far? ;)
Tempokeep: Heather and Alejandro working together? That's an interesting theory. Also, thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoy the challenge.
Harmony735: Sorry, this week I was busy with another one shot I wanted to publish, but here it's at last.
quinnietftw: Maybe Zoey's problem is not what it seems. Hopefully, we will find about it in this episode.
Marie2080: Right now, Dramaman identity is unknown. But it doesn't mean he's a character of the series. What do you think?
Aleheather4ever: I'm glad you're concerned about Heather and Cody's friendship. But we still don't know who voted for him. And for what Cody said in the last episode, they have been friends since WT.
DuncneyFan; Yes, this last year wasn't good for Courtney. We will found some answers to your question soon.
And as always, a REALLY Enormous shoutout and THANKS to Geofics, who as always helps me proofread the episodes. I know this small shoutout is not enough to convey my gratitude, but let me say it again. Thanks a lot.
And finally, next week is Christmas, so Merry Christmas. I want to send you my best wishes and positive vibes to everyone out there (and don't let a small thing like not celebrating Christmas stop me from wishing you the best ;) )
Total Drama belongs to Fresh TV, its creators, and associates companies. I don't own anything from the properties used in this fic.
Racing to the end, now in 3D Part 1
Last time on Total Drama, Tyranny of the Masses, we visited the Chrisdome for a challenge of brain and brawns. The contestants had to correctly answer a quiz show about their opponents' secrets, where every correct answer gave you points. And astonishingly, they got more questions right than I expected.
But that wasn't all. A correct answer gave you the chance to bet the points earned in the arena for a chance of double or nothing. Winning against the challenge in the arena of the Chrisdome doubled your points while losing meant you got nothing. After 20 rounds, the dirty laundry was exposed, and the ferrets ended up winning the challenge.
And on the foxes elimination, the one that got booted was Cody, after failing a lot in the challenge. But that was the only reason? What does he mean in his warning to Courtney? And What will happen with the campers after their secrets are revealed? Find it right now here on Total Drama Tyranny of the Masses.
It was a little after 10:30 am, almost all the ferrets were already outside. Amy woke up and decided to get out of bed early today. Since Beth's elimination, only she, Lilly, and Sky were living in the ferret's girls' cabin. That wasn't a problem because Sky was outside almost all day, and Lilly also enjoyed the woods more than the cabin.
She changed into her red cheerleading uniform and after brushing her hair and putting on a little make-up, went to look for her allies. She needed to find both Mike and Lilly, especially Mike. After yesterday's challenge, he will probably need a friend to talk to, and she's a great listener. Well, maybe not so great, but at least a good listener if she wanted. After all, she always had to hear about Samey's problems.
Samey's problems, Amy thought about that as she went out of the cabin. Now her younger sister will surely ask her about why she lied about her injury 2 years ago, and how she knew about Blue Dreamer, her secret identity as an online poet. C'mon, she's the older one, of course she knew about her sister's silly hobbies. And about the injury, damn it, she didn't have an explanation, at least not for now.
Amy was looking for Mike when she found Lilly, sitting at the stairs of the cabins. The redhead was crying, her first instinct was to leave her alone, but she couldn't do that, right? They're friends.
"Good Morning Lilly," said Amy sitting at her side.
Lilly answered in a low voice that mixed with her sobbing, made it unintelligible.
Amy rolled her eyes and gave her a handkerchief. "C'mon, try to relax a little and tell me what happened. This is about you sending 20 audition tapes to the show, right?"
"No, it isn't about that. And I sent 53," replied Lilly, while cleaning the tears on her face.
"Then? Did someone bully you? Because only I can bully you," said the older twin, frowning.
Lilly shook her head wildly. "No, nobody bullied me. The problem is that the foxes, *sniff*, the foxes eliminated Cody," as she said those words, the treehugger began to cry again.
"Oh?" exclaimed Amy, "that is a shame, I mean, we didn't talk too much, but he seemed like a cool guy," she lied, but the older twin needed to make Lilly feel better.
"It's so unfair. I never got the chance to know him better. He was so kind on those chances I had to talk with him. And I didn't get the chance to thank him or to say goodbye," said Lilly while crying.
"Yes, it's a shame. But there is nothing else we can do for him. C'mon, let's go to the cafeteria to eat something," said Amy. She was hungry and still needed to look for Mike, who should be about to finish cleaning the boys' cabin.
Lilly sobbed a little more, putting her forehead against her arms. "Please go alone. I'm not hungry right now."
"You have to eat something, or you will be too weak for the next challenge. You can cry for him all you want in the dinner hall," said the older twin offering a hand to the treehugger.
"I don't care. I don't even care if I'm eliminated next. After all, Cody isn't here anymore," explained Lilly, still crying.
Amy rolled her eyes. Why was she so weak? Just like Samey, if they're sad, they can't do anything. She was also sad on many occasions and never stopped doing what she must. Then she had an idea!
"C'mon crybaby. Come with me. There is something I need to show you," said Amy holding Lilly by the arm and helping her to stand up.
The older twin pulled the redhead with all her strength and, at last, could pull her back into the girl's cabin. There she let Lilly sit on the bed while she searched for something.
"Amy, that bag you're searching in is my bag," said Lilly in a low and polite tone, while Amy looked inside Lilly's backpack.
"Really? Sorry I took it by mistake, as my suitcase is also a pink backpack with butterflies," replied the older twin in a snarky tone.
Lilly nodded. "Ok, no problem. But now that you know, can you stop? If it doesn't bother you, of course."
"In a minute," said Amy, rolling her eyes. She didn't know why she wasted her snarky remarks on her oblivious friend. "Here, I found it!"
The treehugger tilted her head, not understanding what Amy found in her things.
"Take this. What does it say?" Amy took a small notepad and opened it on a specific page. It was an autograph.
"To my #1 fan Lilly, from Cody," said Lilly with tears in her eyes.
Amy nodded triumphantly. "And you think he would be happy if you, his number one fan, give up so easily?"
"No?" replied Lilly, more asking than answering.
"Exactly, NO!" said Amy glaring at her friend. "So you have to stand up on your feet and do your best until the end. Do it for Cody."
Lilly looked at the floor, about to cry again "But I can'-"
"DON'T tell me you can't! You've already survived 10 challenges. Just do what I tell you, and we will reach the top. And of course, Cody will be proud of you," said Amy interrupting her, her eyes focused on her friends.
"He will be proud of me?" replied Lilly looking at Amy with wide eyes, her lip trembling.
The older twin smirked, "Of course, so don't go giving up so easily." She then walked to the door. "Now, let's go to eat breakfast. It's almost noon."
The treehugger stood there smiling. "he will be proud of me," she repeated, holding Max's device tightly on her handbag.
Confessional: Amy
The older twin folded her arms. "Ugh! Why do they have to be like that? Giving up on the first problem. If I were like Samey or like Lilly, I would be at home watching losers competing for one million instead of competing against losers for one million."
On the foxes' side, Courtney was walking into the dock. She avoided both Duncan and Heather after yesterday's elimination, Cody's words still engraved on her brain.
"Duncan or Heather betrayed us."
But that didn't make any sense. Why will either Duncan or Heather save Alejandro over Cody? It was a bad move. Yes, strategically, Cody was weaker and less clever than the Spaniard, but also a better ally.
As she walked on the dock's wood planks, she found another person sitting there, watching at the lake.
"Good Morning Zoey, what are you doing here?" asked Courtney. It was weird, but she considered Zoey almost a friend after all that happened during the show. Forget that, she was a friend. She needed to stop classifying people in friendish or not.
The redhead was holding her knees and resting her head over them. She turned to look at Courtney. "Good Morning, I was just thinking."
"Thinking about what? Yesterday's elimination?" asked the Latin girl, but she didn't believe that Cody and Zoey were close friends.
"No, it's not about the elimination," said Zoey in a low voice.
"Then, about the silly questions? About you having low self-esteem? Just ignore them. What do they know about you?" exclaimed Courtney putting a hand on the Indie girl's shoulder.
But Zoey just shook her head, frowning with a sad expression.
"Then it was about Mike living in a shelter home?" asked the Latin girl, rubbing her friend's shoulder.
Zoey winced. "Yes, No. I mean, it isn't about that, ugh!" Zoey sank her head on her knees.
There was a small silence. Courtney wanted to press the issue, to ask her about what was happening. But decided just to keep rubbing her back and wait for her to be ready. She was really bad at understanding other people's feelings.
At last, the indie girl talked. "I-I'm a mean and bad person. Mike deserves to date someone better than me." She said in a trembling voice.
"Don't be silly. You're a wonderful and kind person. Why do you say that?" asked Courtney, hugging the redhead across the shoulders.
"I AM NOT!" shouted Zoey, her eyes filled with tears. "Yesterday, when I learned that Mike lied to me about his grandparents, I wasn't angry. I was happy. Because Mike, the perfect Mike, made a mistake. He wasn't so good and wonderful. He made mistakes like me. I was glad because he was regretting lying to me. And I realize that's just twisted."
The Latin girl stood there looking at her with a serious expression, "and?"
"And? What do you mean by and? I'm a horrible and twisted person that is glad that her boyfriend was lying to her! How can I look at his face after feeling like that?" said Zoey crying on her knees.
"That's a lie. You were glad because you felt insecure in your relationship, because he can make all the decisions you can't. You simply envy that he can fly freely, and you can't fly because of your own fears and complexes. But believe me, you're not a bad person, and you deserve each other," said Courtney looking with a sad smile at the Indie girl.
Zoey kept silent, thinking about what she said. "How can you be so sure?"
"Quick question, you have to choose between Mike and the million dollars. What would you choose?" asked Courtney in a quick and strict voice.
"Mike, of course," replied Zoey, drying her tears.
"And between the million and Cameron?" asked Courtney as quickly as the first question.
And again Zoey replied immediately, "Cam, but I don't undert-"
"That, girl, is proof that you're not the horrible person you think," interrupted Courtney. "You still have your priorities right. This was just a moment of weakness because you want to feel closer to Mike," said Courtney interrupting her. "Now, if you still feel guilty, talk to Mike, apologize and tell him what you feel."
Zoey smiled for the first time in the conversation. "Thanks, I mean, thanks a lot. I was really tormenting myself about that. You're right, I wasn't happy because he lied to me. I was happy because I felt closer to him."
"I'm glad to help," said Courtney leaning on the dock and looking at the sky.
The Indie girl also leaned next to her, "And you? What are you doing here? I mean, I'm grateful, but I doubt you were looking for me."
The Latin girl kept silent for a moment and then spoke to her. "I'm running away. I know I have to stop running, but at least I'll keep going for a little bit."
"Well, then I'll be with you until lunch. After that, I'll go and talk with Mike," said Zoey, smiling. "And if you want to talk about it, I'm all ears."
Courtney blinked a couple of times and then sighed. "Well, let me tell you, but believe me, it isn't pretty."
The two foxes kept talking until lunch. Zoey couldn't believe what Courtney was telling her but tried to help her make the correct decision.
Confessional: Courtney
"I must say I'm impressed with Zoey. The girl, at first sight, seems like an uber optimist without a care in the world. But she's very smart and worries a lot about her friends and relations, she only needs a little self-confidence, and she will be ok. She's at least smarter than me. Zoey chooses the guy instead of the million," said Courtney looking with a lonely expression at the camera.
In the woods, Dramaman was working out. He helped Topher and Mike to clean the cabin and was now with his after lunch exercises. He didn't meet with Shawn, Sky, or Sammy during the day, but he was used to working out alone, so he kept doing his warm-up before starting his routine.
"Hello, aren't Shawn or Sky around?" Sammy's voice took the wrestler out of his thoughts.
He looked at the younger twin. She looked worried, dressed in her red tracksuit but frowning.
"No, sorry I haven't seen either today," he answered, without facing her.
"Oh, that's a shame. I'm so confused, and I need advice. Do you have a moment?" said Sammy, sitting at the foot of a tree.
Dramaman cringed. He wasn't good at giving advice. In fact, he was the one that needed advice. But he can't just leave her like that, can he?
"I'm not sure I can help you, but at least I can hear you," replied the masked man with a defeated expression, that luckily, Sammy couldn't see under his mask.
"You see, something happened, and I don't know what to do," said Sammy, looking at him, worried. "Yesterday was a weird day, and I'm not sure of anything anymore."
Dramaman began to felt cold sweat across his skin. Advice about fitness or routines was fine, but he was in trouble if she needed something deeper.
The younger twin continued, "First was during the challenge. You know my sister was always this mean and selfish person. I always believed she was there to get me, to make my life miserable."
"Yes, one can pretty much think that after watching how she treats you," said the masked man. This was as bad as he feared.
"So, why did she help the club to go on the summer trip if she couldn't come with us? I mean, it was easier to blame me for the canceled trip," said Sammy in a distressed voice.
"Maybe she had other friends in the club that she wanted to help?" asked Dramaman, his voice less deep than usual.
Sammy shook her head, "That doesn't make sense. She's selfish and treated all her friends like lackeys. But even then, what about my poems? I began writing poetry online as Blue Dreamer to escape her and express myself without fear of being mocked. If she knew, why didn't she try to expose me or to make me feel embarrassed about my poems?"
Dramaman stopped warming up and sat facing her, "Did you want her to mock you about that?
"Of course not!" replied the younger twin, frowning worried, "but she always used every chance she had to do it. I'm just shocked she didn't do it this time."
"Maybe she isn't over your case all the time. Or maybe she didn't feel like mocking you about your poetry," replied the wrestler.
"It was never like this the past 17 years," said Sammy, pouting, "she always belittled all that I did."
Dramaman sighed, "then the only way to know for sure is asking her."
Sammy stood silent a moment and also sighed. "Yes, you're right. Maybe I have to confront her about this. That is the only way I'll have an answer."
The masked man smiled. It was over. After all, it wasn't that bad. He was now about to continue with his routine when Sammy interrupted him again.
"Now, the true problem was after the challenge," said Sammy in an ominous tone. This wasn't good for Dramaman social anxiety.
The younger twin talked about what happened after the challenge, and before the elimination. Dramaman listened to her, but after all, there was little he could do for her.
"My advice is the same as with your sister. It's better if you talk with her directly," said the wrestler after she ended.
"Well, at least it will be easier to talk with her than with my sister. Unlike when I talk with Amy, I feel empowered when talking with her. She knows exactly how I feel and tells me exactly what I need to hear. It's like a shorter, Asian version of Jasmine," said Sammy making a big grin.
Dramaman nodded. "Be careful. She may be trying to manipulate you."
"Don't worry, she's not that kind of person. She should have her reasons. I'll just ask her as you suggested," said Sammy, also standing up. "Thanks again. Next time I want to talk to you about my goal. I think I found it."
The masked man waved at her. "Nothing would make me happier."
Unknown to both, someone was hearing them talk from the shadows while trying to connect a mysterious machine to a tree.
Confessional: Topher
The pretty boy was grooming his hair and hit his hand, lowering his eyebrows. "Draman and Sammy were talking, I mean, I couldn't hear them, but they were just talking. I don't have anything to worry about. I mean, just look at him, and I don't want to be mean, but look at him. There is no way she would fall in love with him, right? Also, we're friends, and he knows I like her. He wouldn't betray me, right?"
It was darkening, so Brick was running back to the cabins. It wasn't fear, but darkness always made him nervous (who are we trying to fool, he is terrified of the darkness.) So he tried to go as fast as he could.
He was late. He tried to figure something to get Alejandro and Heather to talk again, but he couldn't find either Alejandro or Sammy, and it was already late.
He knew there was no need to be scared. The more dangerous creatures were the bears. Even then, the shadows seemed like watching his every move as if something was stalking him, waiting for him to make a mistake to jump over him.
Then suddenly, something fell at his side from the top of a tree.
"AAAHH! GET AWAY FROM ME," shouted Brick throwing punches and kicks as hard as he could.
"Espera, espera, calmate[1]! It's me, Alejandro," shouted the Spaniard avoiding the hits the best he could. Fortunately for him, Brick's accuracy worsened when scared.
The cadet kept huffing, looking at him with wide eyes. "Oh, It's you, Alejandro. Are you all right? I'm so sorry I didn't know it was you."
"I imagine as much," said Alejandro, adjusting his shirt, "you need to learn to control your fear of darkness before you hurt someone."
"How do you know I'm afraid of darkness?" asked Brick looking at him, frowning.
Alejandro's reply was just looking at him, narrowing his eyes and raising an eyebrow.
Brick rubbed his neck, "Yes, you're right. But it's not as bad as before, I now don't we…" the cadet blushed and coughed, "nevermind, just that right now isn't as bad as it used to be."
His friend kept looking at him and shrugged.
"And you, Alejandro, what are you doing here so far away from the cabin at this time?" said the cadet smiling at the Spaniard. He was happy to have some company after dark.
"I was examining the forest. Maybe we could have another challenge in the woods, and it's always useful to be prepared," replied Alejandro, smiling.
"But it's not too late to do that? I mean, you can't see too far away at night," asked Brick, putting a hand under his chin.
Alejandro blinked a couple of times, "Yes, of course, that's why I'm going back right now.
"Oh yeah, of course," Brick said absentmindedly, then he talked again. "But didn't Chris say that the island was artificial and they could change it at will? Didn't that make scouting useless?"
"Well, maybe not all trees are artificial," said Alejandro, then he frowned at Brick, "And what with the questioning? Do you think I'm lying?"
The cadet panicked, waving both hands in front of him, "No, of course not my friend. I was just surprised because you always seem so confident that it seemed weird for you to forget a detail like that. I'm not implying anything else. Sorry if I offended you."
"Oh no, mi amigo. I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to sound like I was offended," said Alejandro putting his arm across Brick's shoulder. "Now, let's make haste, the day is ending, and we will surely have another challenge tomorrow."
Brick nodded, smiling, and then he also hastened. Alejandro was a good man, and it was great to have some company at night. But for some reason, the cadet felt that someone was following them hidden in the darkness.
Confessional: Brick
The cadet was with his arms folded and smiling at the camera. "I'm so happy to have someone like Alejandro on the team. The guy is dependable and straightforward. I understand that Zoey has her reserves around him. But so far, he has never done anything that seems doubtful or dishonest. Maybe he changed after the last season."
It's almost 1:00 am. The fire at the campfire was still burning. Next to it was Duncan, smoking another cigarette. It's been more than 20 days since he met with Courtney there on the first night of the show.
The delinquent reminded the meeting as if it was yesterday.
Duncan was sitting in the same place at the front of the campfire, smoking a cigar. It was 1:00 am, and Courtney didn't come. He was about to go back to the cabin, but when he stood up, he found her there, looking at him.
"Let's finish quickly with this. If it's about an alliance, forget it," said Courtney, her black eyes reflected the flames. She only knew that Duncan wanted to talk with her at the campfire.
The delinquent looked at her with a straight face, no signs of his ever-present smirk. "No, it is not about the game. I came to tell you that I'm sorry."
Courtney kept looking at him with wide eyes and the mouth slightly open, "What?"
"I'm really sorry," he repeated, his blue eyes fixed into hers.
"I heard that. Exactly for what reason are you apologizing?" replied the Latin Girl, not understanding what he was saying.
Duncan took a deep breath and continued. "I'm apologizing for everything. I was a dick with you, cheated on you, ignored your feelings, and never tried to talk or apologize honestly with you about it. I'm truly sorry, please forgive me."
"Why? That does not make any sense. Why now?" said Courtney with a trembling voice, her hands closing on fists.
"Because after going to prison, real prison, I looked at myself in the mirror and didn't like the reflection. You didn't deserve to be hurt like that," the delinquent said, his voice lower than usual.
"You, you…" Courtney said, her voice cracking, "you're lying. After all this time, you think I'll believe you? NO! I can't forgive you, Duncan, I can't trust you," she said while glaring at him, her eyes full of hate.
Duncan looked at the ground and then again at her eyes, now smirking. "I understand you don't trust me, but let me try to make amends and repair some of the damage. I will give you the million dollars."
"You will what?" Courtney asked, blinking a couple of times.
Duncan extended his hand to her."I'll make you win this competition.".
Both stood there silently. Courtney thinking about the proposal, but it didnְ't made sense. It was too much for her to process. She was furious. This was another trick of him to fool her. It has to be.
The Latin girl smacked his hand. "You're crazy! I'll never forgive you. And I'm not coming back with a lying, cheater, and backstabber scum like you. Even for one million or one billion," The former C.I.T made an effort to not cry, even if this opened old wounds again.
Duncan looked distressed at her but regained his composure quickly. "Pri- Courtney, don't get the wrong idea. I don't want to go back together. I only want you and me to be at peace and remember our relationship as a happy moment, not a mistake. Let's bury the hatchet. I don't want to fight with you every time we see each other."
The delinquent then began to walk to the cabins, "think about it, even if you don't forgive me, I'll make you the winner."
But Courtney still has more to say about it. "I hate everything about you. You always do whatever you want, not caring about what other people think or feel. You don't care about me. You only want to be forgiven," she shouted, tears running across her face, her fists trembling.
"That may be true in the past. But right now, I know what I am doing, and for whom. After winning this, we will not talk again if it's what you want," said Duncan walking next to her and in the direction of the cabins.
"You are already here?" the voice of Courtney took him out of his memories.
Duncan threw the butt of his cigarette into the campfire, "I didn't want to keep you waiting."
"And you are still smoking? How many cigarettes do you have left anyway?" asked the former C.I.T, wrinkling her nose.
"Not enough. I hope to be eliminated before I run out of them," said the delinquent, hitting his pocket. "Now tell me what happened? Why did you drop out of the University?"
Courtney sat in a stump across the campfire, looking at him. "What is so weird about it? While I was studying, I began to have doubts about being a lawyer, and I decided to stop until I made up my mind about what I want to do in the future."
"But you always wanted to be a lawyer! Your plan was to jump into the supreme court before being 30 and then start your political career," answered Duncan looking at her with wide eyes.
She didn't know what to say, especially as he remembered her plans so well after so much time. "I had my reasons, in this last year, I realized so many things. Maybe it's part of growing up. You began to question your beliefs, and the world you thought was simple becomes more complex than you could imagine," said Courtney. There was no arrogance or anger in her voice, just sadness.
"I never thought I'd hear that from the overachiever," said Duncan looking at the night sky, "but you're right. Nothing is as simple as we believed."
Courtney didn't want to continue with the conversation, and she had said enough tonight. So now it was fair that she made her questions as well.
"And you? How is it that you still have that old tattoo on your arm? I thought you had removed it," said the former C.I.T looking at the heart on Duncan's right arm with a '3+4' on the center.
When they used to date in the past, they got identical heart tattoos on their arms. It was Duncan's idea, a way to show their love. It was also Courtney's first and last tattoo.
"I thought about it, but for some reason, I didn't do it, and Gwen was never bothered by it. So I let it be," said Duncan looking at it.
Courtney tilted her head, "And what does the 3+4 mean?"
"It's just jail lingo. I'm sure you don't want to know," replied the delinquent winking, and also blushing a little.
But the Latin girl was too busy with other thoughts to notice this. "Anyway, I wanted to ask you. Did Cody talk with you yesterday?"
"Yes, he had a plan to try to save his ass, and honestly, it was good, but we were outsmarted," said Duncan looking at the flames.
Courtney remembered Cody's words, Duncan or Heather betrayed us. She still couldn't decide on who she trusted.
Courtney looked at him. "What was the plan?"
"He told me he had 3 or maybe 4 votes for Alejandro. But if I vote with him, we will have 5, enough to send the Spaniard back home," said Duncan, smirking. "Now even if you couldn't convince the 4th vote, with mine we will have four vs. four votes. Enough for a tie, that would give him at least a chance to stay on the island."
The former C.I.T put a hand on her chin. "But that is impossible! Yesterday Cody was eliminated without a tiebreaker, so he had at least 5 votes against him."
Then Courtney felt a shiver run down her spine. The words of Cody made all the sense. Either Heather or Duncan voted for Cody.
Duncan continued, unaware of Courtney's reaction, "but he was eliminated without tiebreaker, that means that aside from Alejandro, Zoey and Brick. Two more people voted for him. I vote for Alejandro. That left you, the twin, and Heather. Did you vote for Alejandro?"
Courtney was shocked. That didn't make sense! If what Duncan says is true, Cody, Duncan, and she were the ones that voted for Alejandro, which means that Heather betrayed her alliance. On the other hand, Duncan could have betrayed Cody and now framed Heather for betraying them.
But again, did Duncan know that they were in an alliance? That didn't matter. She had to choose who to trust between Duncan and Heather. Maybe if she hasn't talked with Zoey about this, she would choose the other option, but it was too late.
She will surely regret it in the morning.
"I voted for Alejandro," said Courtney in a serious tone.
Duncan nodded, "I supposed as much. That's why that guy asked me to tell you this if he lost the tiebreaker. Of course, we assumed he would have a tiebreaker."
"Then, we should be careful. If we lose again, probably one of us will be out of the game," said Courtney, still gazing at the flames.
The delinquent nodded, "My proposal is still there. If you want, we can form an alliance."
"I'll think about it," said the former C.I,T. now that she chose to trust him, maybe it was the best course of action if she still can trust him in the morning.
"That is enough for me," said Duncan standing up, "there is something else you need to know?"
Courtney stood there, there was a question she wanted to ask him, but in some part of her mind, Heather's words still stopped her. She didn't have the courage to ask him that. Maybe if she can trust him a little more.
"No, let's go back to the cabins. It's starting to get cold out here," said Courtney standing up, forgetting all about the question.
"As you wish, princess," said Duncan, also standing up, "if you wish, I can give you a cigarette to warm your body."
Courtney frowned at him, saying in a louder tone. "Are you crazy? Just one cigarette is enough to drive spikes in your heartbeat, and you began to become addicted to the nicotine."
"That sounded just like you," he said, smirking.
She sighed. the Latin girl had a lot of thinking to do about what she learned tonight.
Confessional: Courtney
The former C.I.T is frowning with her arms folded. "I decided to trust that ogre, but just because I think there is something fishy about Cody's elimination. So if he does something weird or out of the line, I will cut him out."
Confessional: Duncan
He is leaning against the side of the confessional, smirking. "The dice are thrown. If Princess lied, and she voted that twerp, then I'll be going home at the next elimination. If not, we have a chance to arrive at the merge. Now I need to talk with Red about this development."
It was morning again, and Shawn had already ended his morning routine and was getting ready to go out into the mountains again. He hadn't seen Dramaman or Sammy today but didn't have the time to wait for them. As days advanced, he was becoming restless.
He was eating his breakfast, foraged by himself, before going out. But before he could finish it someone greeted him.
"Hello, Shawn. I wonder how you wake up this early every day," said Sky walking from the cabins.
Shawn shrugged while throwing some berries into his mouth, "It's just discipline. You should try to sleep less as well. Once you get used, you will not only need less sleep, you will be better prepared for the apocalypse."
"Sorry, but for professional gymnasts sleeping is as important as our routine. I need 8 hours of sleep a day. Some friends need more or less, but for me, 8 is the sweet spot," replied Sky smiling.
"Anyway, want some berries? I also found some nuts and wild mushrooms," said the conspiranoic offering a sack full of food to the Cree girl.
Sky took a handful of food and began to eat, "Thanks," she then looked at him, "Are you still looking for the man Dawn mentioned?"
"Of course, that man without an aura may be him, or at least they may know where to find him. Just think about it. What if below Pahkitew island is a hidden society of aura-less people that get abandoned by the system, and started an anarcho-government free of Canadian surveillance," said Shawn in an impassioned tone, looking fiercely at her.
"Or it can just be she was mistaken and didn't see anything in the first place," said the Cree girl, sighing with frustration. "Shawn, we have checked all the woods and the mountains, and there are no signs of anyone living here. Maybe he's not on the island."
He glared at her, "You can give up if you want, but I won't. I already told you I'll not stop until I find him or his corpse."
"DON'T SAY THAT AGAIN!" shouted Sky, now also glaring at him. "He's alive and well. He probably wants to forget everything about the show, so he went outside of the public eye, and didn't want anything to do with you … or with me."
"He went into hiding, you say? Even from his parents?" asked Shawn, raising his toque to look better at her.
"Ma-maybe?" replied the Cree girl, hesitating a lot more, "or maybe his parents lied to us when they said he never came back."
"That's just wishful thinking. And if the seer said she saw someone on the island that isn't a camper, then I believe her," Shawn then walked again toward the mountains. "But I'll not force you if you want to give up, do it. I will keep looking for him by myself if necessary."
Sky ran behind him, "I never said I was giving up! I just hope that this aura less person can guide us to Dave."
But as both walked again toward the mountain, small white drops began to fall over them.
She took one on her hand and watched it, "It's a snowflake?"
Confessional: Sky
"After 20 days on the island, I'm starting to be afraid that Shawn is right, and something happened to Dave. Of course, not about an underground city.*sigh* I just want to find him and apologize. I promise that after that, he'll not have to deal with me ever again," said Sky, then sighing again sadly.
As the morning continued, Heather was shuffling a deck of cards at one of the picnic tables behind the diner hall. Her expression was neutral. Her shuffling was quite ordinary, in contrast with Cody's extravagant techniques. She was at that when Sammy sat across her, dressed in her red cheerleader outfit.
"Hello, Samantha, what a long face. Did you have problems sleeping last night?" asked the Queen Bee with a small smile on her face.
"Actually, I sleep pretty well, thanks for asking." Said Sammy with a nervous chuckle. "I needed to talk with you yesterday, but I couldn't find you. Where were you?"
Heather put a finger under her chin, "That's weird. I was at the dining hall, then I took a shower because someone threw a food tray at my head. And then went to sleep."
"I probably miss you then," said the younger twin with a worried smile, twiddling with her fingers. "You know, there is an important matter I need to discuss with you."
"Samantha, first, you need to be more assertive! If it's important to you, then there is no need to ask me permission or announce 10 times that we need to talk. Just say what is on your mind. Now while we talk, do you want to play some poker?" said Heather shuffling the cards and dealing five cards to each of them.
"Yes, I'm sorry I know I have to be more direct, but I'm not used to it," said Sammy taking her cards nervously.
Heather rolled her eyes. "And stop apologizing for everything. People will look down on you if you apologize too often."
"Yes, of course. I'm so-" Sammy bit her tongue and then continued. "I'll try to not do it. And I'm sorry (Heather rolled her eyes), but I don't know how to play poker."
"Really? That's a shame. Poker is a game of smarts and wits, but not smarts like chess or other nerd games. This is a game where your goal is to read your opponent while not letting them read you. A game as real as society," said Heather smiling widely. "and is not that hard. Let me explain it to you.
After some minutes, Heather explained to Sammy the basics of poker, and they played some practice games.
"I lose again," said Sammy while groaning, "Why? You seemed so worried with that hand, I think you had a pair at most."
The Queen Bee chuckled, "That is the true nature of the game, letting your opponent doubt about your hand, not sure if you are frowning because you had a bad hand, or because you want them to think you had a bad hand. You are lucky I pitied you, and we're not betting, or you will be on your way to becoming a second Cody."
Cody, at the mention of his name, Sammy, remembered what she wanted to talk about with the Queen Bee. "Now that you mention him, there was something I wanted to ask you. Cody was your friend, so why did you ask me to vote for him yesterday?"
"Wait, you voted for him?" asked Heather tilting her head, "well, of course you did. It was logical."
Sammy was taken aback by Heather's reaction. "But yesterday, you came to talk with me, and you say that Cody was the one that had to go after his performance at the challenge."
"What? Of course not! I told him he SHOULD go because he failed. But that was just from an objective point of view. Then I told you to vote for whoever you wanted," said Heather shooking her head.
"But we talked about how Cody failed a question and a challenge. He was the one that deserved to be eliminated," replied Sammy in a distressed tone.
The Queen Bee nodded, looking with narrowing eyes at her. "And you're right. That's why I will not reproach you for eliminating my friend. It was your decision, and I respect it."
"But I voted for him because I thought that was what you wanted," said Sammy looking sadly at the ground.
"Samantha, you're such a great girl," said Heather, standing up and rounding the table to hug her. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you wanted to vote with me. But understand my position. I didn't want to ask you to vote with me because it would be like forcing you into an alliance just because you're the new one. I'm hurt because Cody is gone, but I'm glad to have such a good friend like you. In the future, I will share my vote with you."
Sammy's heart skipped a beat at her words. But before they could keep talking, the sound of a loud air horn in the island speakers interrupted them.
"Hello Campers, it's challenge time! Please met me at the entrance of the forest so I can explain the rules of today's challenge." Said Chris McLean in an excited tone, just like a sports host.
Heather let go of Sammy and faced in the direction of the woods. "It seems our match is interrupted. Next time we should play with real bets."
"I'm afraid it will be some time before I can play against you betting real money," said Sammy twiddling with her fingers.
"Don't worry, I'll wait," said Heather smirking, as both started to walk to the starting point Chris mentioned.
Confessional: Sammy
The younger twin is smiling with a hand on her chest while sitting on the confessional. "I'm so glad to have talked with Heather. I really thought she voted Cody out of the island yesterday. I'm just sad because, for that misunderstanding, I probably helped in eliminating him. I'll have to find a way to repay him and Heather for my mistake.
Both ferrets and foxes joined at the entrance of the woods. There was a big gate with the Legend 'START' like at the start of a race. Chris was standing on a rectangular pedestal, with shades and a white tracksuit with both arms open.
"Welcome, campers! For today's challenge, we have something very special prepared. The Omni-race," said Chris facing the competitors.
"The Omni-race?" asked Mike, raising an eyebrow, but he wasn't the only one wondering about the host's words.
Chris nodded and pressed a button on his phone, while Logan and another intern carried a screen.
"The Omni-race is a 7 stage race in 3D. Each team member has to compete on a leg and complete it so the next one can start," said Chris pointing to a red dot that came from his mobile to the screen.
"First you have to run across the forest until you reach Pahkitew lake. Then you have to swim across the lake as the second leg, and climb the mountain's wall to reach the entrance to the fourth leg," said Chris as the screen showed a map of the island.
"That isn't a little too much?" asked Sammy raising a hand.
Chris smiled, and the image then changed to a closer view of the mountains and a strange human-made construction that seemed like a lot of giant tubes and pipes. "But that isn't all. Once there, you have to cross the Dark 3D maze without getting lost and arrive at the frozen summit in which you have to run over the ice to reach the sixth leg. There you have to cross the gorge jumping from one stone pillar to the next, without falling to your death."
Chris chuckled while the contestants looked at him with wide eyes.
"Our deaths? It's one of your sick jokes, Chris?" asked Courtney, putting her hands on her hips.
"You'll have to wait to find out. And last and not least, the antigravity leg. You have to cross across the bridge to the goal UPSIDE DOWN, using these boots with super velcro(tm) to warrant you'll not fall," said Chris, chuckling.
"And these 'super velcro boots,'" said Zoey making air quotes, "are secure? I mean, the last leg is at the top of the mountain."
The host pressed his mobile again, and the image changed to an intern wearing the super velcro (tm) boots walking with a donkey also wearing the other 2 pairs of boots. "As you can see, we tested the boots with some interns and animals, and the boots can support even 900 pounds."
The image continued as both the intern and the donkey advanced hardly across the bottom part of the bridge, walking upside down. But the intern accidentally took both legs off the surface, falling and hanging from the donkey reins. Chris turned off the image. The contestants looked at him with blank expressions.
"Hehe, well, just remember to always have a foot attached to the surface. And don't worry about the intern, he's ok. Right now he's on leave due to an unrelated accident," said Chris smiling.
The campers were nervously whispering among themselves, not convinced by the hosts statement.
"Well, I don't care if you believe me. The challenge starts once you decide which leg every one of you will run, and the seven are in their positions."
The foxes and the ferrets glared at each other. This time an error could cost the challenge. So choosing the correct runner will be the key to winning or losing. Now they should put their differences aside if they want a chance of winning.
Author Notes:
[1] Alejandro translations:
Espera, Espera, calmate = wait, wait, calm down. That's the literal translation but it will be more correct to say wait a moment and calm down.
And the challenge is on. Who will take each leg? Will the winner be decided from the first moment? And which team will lose their 6th member?
Find out in the next episode of Total Drama Tyranny of the Masses.
This episode was really heavy plotwise, with many dramas between the characters and some big revelations. Right now, both Duncan and Heather said they didn't vote Cody, and the tension between the twins is at an all-time high. I hope you enjoy it.
Immunity idols left: 2
D.A.M. Eliminations left: 4
Favorite Foxes: Alejandro, Brick, Courtney, Duncan, Heather, Sammy, Zoey.
Fan Ferrets: Amy, Dramaman, Lilly, Mike, Shawn, Sky, Topher
Eliminated: Cameron, Jasmine, Max, Lindsay, Dawn, Jay, Lightning, Charlotte, Beth, Cody
As always, thanks for reading and I hope you like it.