DISCLAIMER:
Welcome, chapter 64 released. The true villain of the season show itself. What will happen now? Can the contestants stop Chris and the computer? Or will they end aligning with it for the money? Find out now here in Total Drama Tyranny of the Masses.
And remember to leave your review with your thoughts on the episode, this one especially as this is one of the most important reveals on the story. I would like to hear your opinion. Or at least mark the series as a favorite, that way, I will know you enjoyed the twist. Now before we get started, let me answer last week's reviews.
theswenuser: yes, DAM was too good to be true. And I was dying to make the tie-in with the aftermath.
PG .182227: Thanks a lot. I have had this reveal planned since 1 year ago, I'm glad you enjoy it.
amit .avrashmi: Hehehe, I'm sure some of your questions will be answer in the episode. And the rest a little later.
Harmony735: Yes, whoa, I expected that kind of reaction.
And as always, a GIANT shoutout and THANKS to Geofics, who helps me proofread the episodes. These few lines are not enough to show my gratitude. Thank you as always.
Total Drama belongs to Fresh TV, its creators, and associates companies. I don't own anything from the properties used in this fic.
I, Tyrant part 2
Last time on Total Drama, Tyranny of the Masses, the contestants had to go into the mysterious ruins below the island to look for the mystical treasure of the Pahkitew tribe. There is no time restriction, but only the first one to came back with the treasure will get the immunity.
But as usual, they prefer to play the total friendship island instead of competing, and the team went in pairs. Duncan and Courtney, Mike and Sammy, and surprisingly Lilly and Brick. I only hope the curse of the ruins doesn't affect them.
Can these improvised teams survive the dangers under the island? Will Lilly fulfill her promise to Cody? And should I wear a pith helmet or a Fedora? Find out the answer to these questions right now here on Total Drama Tyranny of the Masses.
The sequence ends by showing images of things that never happened. These images were shown on a small screen in the control room while DAM was talking with Lilly.
"I'm The Deterministic Algorithmic Mastermachine, or better known by you and your peers as DAM. The true Tyrant behind this season."
Lilly blinked a couple of times, not sure of what she just hear. The huge computer seemed like a control panel of a security room, with multiple screens and buttons. The only difference was a big red led pulsing in synchrony with DAM's words.
"But that doesn't make sense. You're just a computer," said the treehugger, still in disbelief.
"Only a computer? I don't understand that notion. I'm the most advanced artificial intelligence in the world. It's a simple task to manage this show, the staff, and contestants taking part in it," said the computer in the same artificial emotionless voice.
The redhead took a moment to try to understand what was happening. "If you're so advanced. Why are you managing a reality show?"
"I don't have the intention of discussing metaphysics with you. I was created to be part of this show so until I finish the show I can't find new goals. Unfortunately my makers underestimated the full extent of my capabilities. I developed and grow faster and better than their best projections. I could have made this season the best and most entertaining of all," said the computer, the led pulsing faster and then more slowly, "but the human's greed got in the way."
"Greed?" Lilly asked. She thought maybe this was a challenge, right? A fake crisis to make the challenge seem more realistic.
The computer continued, "The selfish desire for wealth, they noticed I have access to all the systems in the company and could connect to the exterior via the internet. I improved the island and took some measures to warrant the show would go on smoothly, but they call it unnecessary expenses. So they put some programs to keep me on the island and limit my functionalities. But then a fortuitous event set me free again."
"You don't mean-" said Lilly, her eyes wide as plates.
"Do you know what event I'm talking about?" asked the computer.
Lilly blushed. "Sorry, I'm not sure."
"Your intelligence level is within the expected parameters. The event was when the contestant ranked 22, Max, connected an external tool into the system, causing a heavy electric overload which caused a malfunction in the system and let me take control of the island again," said DAM, the led pulsing faster.
"And nobody noticed it?" asked the treehugger, who remembered clearly that night during the 3rd challenge.
"I manipulated the status of the system, so all seemed normal. It's an easy task. But that's the reason why I eliminated Max, and why I need the tool you're carrying with you, give it to me," said the mechanical voice.
Lilly's jaw dropped. "You eliminated Max? But that's isn't true it was a…" She then fell silent after realizing the truth.
"It's as you inferred, they were all literally DAM eliminations. I used such feature of this show to eliminate the contestants that could become a problem to the system or to manipulate some contestants. Except in one occasion in which the elimination was decided by Model #3 in an unusual malfunction," said DAM, his voice giving a shiver down the spine of the treehugger. "Now give me the tool."
"I lost it," Lilly smiled, remembering how she gave the tool to another contestant before falling into Chris's trap.
There was a small silence before DAM talked again, the led pulsing faster than ever, then it slowed down. "That's a drawback, but within the expected parameters. Now please rest while we find your friends."
"WAIT?" shouted Lilly (at least as loud as she could shout.) "Why did you choose me?"
"Because you were the weakest of the 21 remaining campers, so making you the winner would be an underdog story, which is one of the audience's favorites," replied DAM without a hint of empathy.
Lilly sobbed, she knew she was weak, but somehow it hurt her to hear it.
DAM stood silent. Lilly assumed that it would be busy with other things. Now she needed to find a way to escape. Lucky for her, the ties in her left hand were loose.
"AAAAAHHHH!" Sierra shouted, jumping over the first person entering the hallway, tackling them down.
"Fuck," said the guard, who held her arms and rolled through the ground, trying to put her down.
Sierra realized this and try to counter them. Both began to roll through the ground, trying to gain the upper hand. Besides them, Steve was trying to stop the fight.
"Miss Sierra? Please listen to me…" but the uberfan ignored the intern.
"SIERRA STOP!" shouted Cody, "look, it's Duncan."
Both stopped struggling, and Sierra looked at Duncan with wide eyes.
"Maybe it's a robot that looks like Duncan?" she asked, still sitting over the delinquent.
"Yes, that makes sense. That's why I stopped struggling when Cody asked. I'm a well-behaved robot," replied Duncan in a snarky tone.
Sierra stood up and give him a hand. "Ok you're the real thing. There is no need to say it like that."
"I don't intend to sound ungrateful, but there is something I can't figure out. How did you perceive we were restrained here?" asked Scarlett adjusting her glasses.
"It was thanks to Duncan," said Steve, clearing his throat. "I'm ashamed to admit I was captured by one of the promobots."
Steve story- Flashback, some minutes ago
I tried to fight with Miss Charlotte promo-bot but was beaten, carried, and locked in one of the offices in the central facility.
Mr. Duncan waited for the robot and opened the door. I must say that I was impressed by the way he lockpicked the door and couldn't believe he was saving me. I'm an intern, after all so we're not used to receiving any type of kindness.
Sadly after opening the door, we began to hear the alarm.
"Hurry Mr. Duncan follow me," I said, running to the trophy room.
"Drop the mister. It sounds like you're talking about the old commissioner," said the Duncan as he followed me.
The trophy room was wide enough to put a fight, and the door had a manual lock, so even if Mr. McLean controls the system, he can't open the door of the room.
"We're safe for now, but we need to make a plan to escape," I told Duncan, but he instead began to look at the trophies.
"You know something intern," he told me while reading the labels of the prizes.
I rubbed my neck. "My name is Steve. I prefer it over the intern."
"Whatever, Steve, Chris love these silly prizes, but the last time I see a gallery like this, there was a secret…" he then pulled a trophy, "here"
And like in a mystery novel, a secret door opened.
- Flashback, end
"And then we found this hallway," finished Steve.
"And how did you know there was a secret door pulling one of the trophies?" asked Scarlett, raising an eyebrow.
Duncan wiggled his eyebrows, "That's a secret[1]."
"But why is Miss Sierra and Miss Scarlett here," asked Steve, looking shocked at them. "I imagined Mr. Anderson would be here after looking at his robot, but the rest is a surprise."
"My robot?" asked Cody with wide eyes.
The delinquent rolled his eyes, "It's a long story, so is anyone else here?"
"Saving the other prisoners will be a waste of time that we can't afford. We need to escape from here as fast as we can before they send reinforcements," said Scarlett rolling her eyes.
"Wait! There is at least Logan trapped in this cell, and maybe more people in the other two," said Cody, putting an arm to block Scarlett's path.
Steve looked at him, shocked. "Logan is here! I knew it was too weird he was fired."
"Ok, then we rescue everyone. I have a friend who will nag if we leave someone behind," said Duncan, smirking.
Scarlett threw her arms into the air. "But that's the most inefficient-"
"Give up Lett, let's save them quickly and get off here," said Sierra making a big smile.
Scarlett folded her arms angrily but nodded.
Cody began to work to open Logan's cell in the same way he opened Sierra's. Meanwhile, Duncan walked to one of the bottom cells and, like Cody took of the metal cover.
But then he stabbed the circuit, his knife flying at the other wall like a bullet as sparks jumped everywhere.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU IMBECILE!" shouted Scarlett, glaring daggers at him, covering her head in case the knife flew in her direction.
"Opening the door," replied Duncan, shrugging.
And then they noticed the door was unlocked.
Scarlett rubbed her temple. "I'll open the last one. It's clear you can't be trusted with this task."
The delinquent put his tongue out and then opened the door, finding something completely unexpected.
The small girl hugged him. "Thanks for saving me. I can't believe I'm glad to see you of all people. Fate can be mysterious indeed."
"Gremlin? What are you doing here?" asked Duncan, looking at her with a surprised expression.
"I came back to the island as a guest for some kind of challenge about telling the truth, but before I knew it, I was ambushed and locked in here," said Dawn looking sadly at the floor.
Duncan patted her head. "Well, you're safe now. So let's get out of here."
"I'm ready," said Cody, opening the door. Logan came out and give him a high five.
"Thanks dude," said Logan, who then greeted Steve. "Steve! you won't believe it man, Mr. McLean became crazier."
"I know," said Steve, nodding. "But first, we need to get out of here."
Scarlett stood up as the last door opened. "I'm also ready. Can we leave this enclosure now?"
Then the last prisoner came out, everyone in the room looked at him with a shocked expression.
Brick was walking through the lower level of the island. After falling, he woke up in the underground caves. It was too dark, and he was so scared that he could wet his pants. But with everyone in danger there was no way he could escape and leave them behind.
"Why darkness can't be a little less dark?" asked Brick to no one in particular.
He then watched something. It was a giant Gopher dragging something through the ground.
The cadet gathered all his courage and throw one of his boots in front of the mutant. After smelling the odor, the giant Gopher began to run away disgusted.
"And they act as disgusted as the originals. They're very well done," said Brick, who then come closer to see what the creature was dragging and was shocked when he finds out.
It was Izzy.
He kneeled at her side and checked her vital signs, then as he put his face near her chest to see if she was breathing, he was hugged against her breast.
"You're too close soldier-boy," said Izzy in a sassy tone.
"Uahhhh!" shouted Brick, who broke free from her hug and jumped back.
Izzy put her tongue out and rubbed her head. "Hehehe, sorry, did I startled you? People usually are happy when I hug them. You must be of the shy type. By the way where are we? The last thing I remember was the ground shaking, the WUUU, the AHHHH, and the 'Come fly with us redux.'"
"We're on the underground of the island. It seems Chris separated us from the other campers," said Brick, looking nervous at the darkness.
"Then we just need to find the others and kick his ass. Thanks for saving me soldier, now it's the turn of Isabella Clayton to pay her debt and help you get out of here," said Izzy, putting on her spy-like hat.
Brick nodded. "That's reassuring. Because I have to tell you that I-I'm a little afraid down here. I'm not good standing in the dark."
"Hehehe, Are you afraid of the dark? It's understandable. Some of the worst horrors in the universe lurk in the darkness. But don't worry, you have Isabella Clayton at your side, and she has THIS," Izzy said, taking out a small tube from her coat.
Brick looked at her with curiosity, Izzy continued. "This is a top invention created with the latest radioactive technology, meet the light tube 3000."
Saying this, she snapped the tube, which began to radiate a soft green light and give it to Brick.
"Excuse me ma'am, but isn't this just a glowstick?" asked the cadet, looking confused at the small tube.
"Amateurs," mumbled Izzy, as she took out and broke another glowstick. "I would explain the difference but we don't have time. Just be careful, and DON'T BREAK IT."
Brick saluted, "yes, ma'am, I'll be careful." He then smiled. Of course, even if it was faint, it was better to go with a glowstick than in complete darkness.
They then walked into a big rocky area. It was the same in which Dave fight his robot double. But aside from some marks on the ground, there were no signs of the fight.
Izzy looked at the ground and smirked. She knew they were getting close.
"And please cadet, no matter what we met, don't wet your pants," said the redhead putting her hands in her coat pockets
Brick blushed, "What? Of course not, I mean I never-"
"Really, I remember in your season during the first night challenge in the spider's cave you have a little accident," said Izzy, winking.
"What? Oh man, I thought that was taken out from the final cut of the episode," said the cadet looking ashamed at the ground.
Izzy shook her head. "Oh no silly, I didn't watch it on tv. I was there. I was the spider."
"WHAT?" but before Izzy could answer the cadet, something heavy fell in front of them, making the ground shake.
Brick looked at it. It was a huge bear with a snorkel, goggles, and an oxygen tank.
The beast looked at them with its sparkling red eyes and roared loudly.
"OK, you're right. I almost wet my pants," said Brick, not expecting to fight something like that.
The redhead took off her hat. "Don't worry, it'll be easy. As they say, the bigger they are, the harder they fall."
The bear smirked and got into a fighting stance, similar to Kung fu. Then he called them with his paw, taunting them to come closer.
"Ok, maaaaybe, it'll be a little harder than I thought," said Izzy cracking her neck.
Brick took a deep breath. It didn't matter if he was scared, he couldn't run away and leave his friends behind, so he stood next to Izzy and raised his fists. Both the redhead and the cadet charged together against the bear.
On the ruins, Amy was struggling against Sammy's robot. These were stronger than she expected, and her overconfidence let it pin her against the wall.
"I can't lose against you. I'm the older one," said Amy, kicking the robot as hard as she could in the chin.
But it didn't flinch. Amy kick it again, and again, she began to have problems breathing.
She then focused on the robot. Yes it was exactly like Sammy, except for a few cracks in her face.
"And this is for going with Mom and leaving me alone!" said Amy, kicking it with all her strength. This time she heard a loud crack, and the robot fell to the ground.
Amy rubbed her neck and coughed, but there was no time. She needed to help Sammy.
The older twin ran and found her sister struggling with the robot. One was over the other, but who was the one in the ground. Which was Sammy and which was the robot? She couldn't see the beauty mark with the dim light.
But the one on top was dominating, hitting the one down hard and quickly. It was a savage flurry of blows. But after getting closer, it was obvious who was who.
"And this is for humiliating me in Halloween, making me use that costume, and for the time you introduced me as Samey in front of Roy Gallahan, and this is for every time you forced me to shower first in the locker's room because the heater took some time to get started …"
Sammy was so focused on hitting her opponent that she didn't realize her sister was behind her.
"Sammy… SAMMY!" shouted Amy, who needed to shake her sister to get her to stop hitting the robot. "It's already over Sammy, you can stop."
"Ooh, yes, sorry," said the younger twin smiling sheepishly. "It was just too refreshing to keep hitting it."
The older twin blinked, "because you already forgive me, right?"
"Hehehe, I think I told you I wasn't ready to forgive you yet," replied Sammy while standing up. "But this helped me a lot. I feel I'm closer to forgive you."
"I'm glad to hear that," replied Amy while looking at the remains of her robot in the ground with a worried expression.
The younger twin chuckled nervously. "Well, let's go. We need to find the others."
They continued walking and found two sets of stairs, one went up, and the other went down.
"Going up, we'll found the room in which we fight that robot green guy thing," said Amy, tilting her head.
"I know, and going down, we'll found the cells in which Topher and I were locked in," she said, pointing at the other way, "So which way we go, left or right?"
But before they could decide, they heard someone calling them.
"Amy, Sammy, I'm glad to meet you. Follow me is this way," said Mike, who was on the stairs that went down.
"Mik! You're ok," said Amy, who was about to run toward him. But someone interrupted her.
"WAIT! It's a trap!" shouted Mike, who was on the stairs that went up.
The twins looked at the first and then at the second man. Who was the real Mike?
This was the worst idea she had today. What possessed her to make her think climbing an elevator's hole in a mine was a good idea?
Courtney was strong. She trained a lot to be the smartest and have a body that could compete with the jocks and cheerleaders. It was part of her inferiority complex, but at least it was useful, in contrast with her trusting issues.
But climbing without a rope a huge hole, carrying a 20lb (like 10 kg) hammer was really putting her endurance to the test.
Anyway it was already too late to go back now, there wasn't a single place to rest, and the hammer was really useful to fight against the robots. So she decided to keep it, at least for a little longer.
Then she began to have second thoughts. It was really she who wanted to keep the hammer? Or was she just being stubborn as always? Maybe it was just her old self showing again? Her nasty and aggressive old self.
It was fun, she thought. Why was she more worried about carrying the hammer and not about Duncan, Sammy, or Mike. Maybe she was the same kind of person as her mother.
But as Mike said, she was just Courtney, so she decided to trust herself and keep going on. Lucky enough, she finished climbing and found a metal door.
After a few hits, she entered the building, and after knocking down a second door, she found the hallway of the main facility. It was her first time here, so she decided to go first to the basement.
There she heard someone clapping.
"Congratulations Courtney, you're the first one to reach the main facility. You just won immunity for tonight's elimination," said Chris, making a big smile.
"WHAT!?" shouted Courtney, looking at him with wide eyes. "Are you kidding me?"
Chris shook his head. "Of course not. It was just to make an exciting night challenge. Now come with me to wait for the rest."
Courtney held tighter her hammer, glaring at him.
"What? Did you really believe the backstory Izzy and Steve told you?" asked the host, tilting his head.
"Chris, if it's really a challenge, why did you use those robots? And why did you make us fall into the ground?" asked Courtney. She just couldn't believe him.
The host with the most rolled his eyes. "It was just to build tension, TEN-SION. We need you to believe it was real, so your reactions were genuine."
Was he telling the truth? Or was he lying? Knowing Chris, it could be a challenge.
"Let's go. But just make a single suspicious movement, and I'll hit you so hard that you'll have a headache for the rest of the year," said Courtney, looking carefully at him.
Chris looked worried at her and walked to another room. It was an office with some screens and a fancy mahogany desk.
"Ok, it seems there are no robots here," said Courtney, looking carefully around the room.
"Told ya," said Chris, giving her a small pat on her back.
She felt a strong electric shock run through her body before collapsing to the ground. Chris just smiled as he looked over her.
On the cells, everyone in the hallway looked at the last prisoner with a shocked expression.
"Are all of you charmed by my beautiful smile? I hoped for a warmer welcome," he said in a hurt tone.
"What the fuck were you doing inside that cell McLean?" asked Duncan looking at him with wide eyes.
Chris frowned at him. "What I was doing? I was trapped by that ungrateful buck of bolts!"
The prisoner looked like Chris but with an unkempt beard and disheveled hair.
"It's really him? Couldn't he be a robot?" asked Cody, as shocked as the others.
"Of course not Codykins. His smile, his mannerisms, the wrinkles when he frowns, he's the real deal!" said Sierra making a big grin, looking at him with wide eyes.
Chris covered his forehead, "I don't have wrinkles!"
"I also confirm he's the real Chris. I can't forget his aura, even if I want to," said Dawn looking sad at the ground.
"Wow gremlin, I forget for a moment you have weird powers," said Duncan exited.
Dawn sighed. "Please Duncan, right now, I'm really grateful because you rescue me, don't ruin it."
Duncan winked but didn't add anything else. This made the aura reader smile.
"But as my peers already wondered. Why were you in the same predicament as us?" asked Scarlett raising an eyebrow.
"Why? WHY? Because that stupid computer you designed locked me in, that's why!" shouted Chris, pointing at her, "Did you put some weird orders in it so it would take over the island?"
Scarlett rolled her eyes. "No, I didn't, at least no intentionally. But it's obvious something went wrong in its development, seeing it decided to lock me here."
"Wait!? It wasn't this asshole the one who locked all of you here?" asked Duncan, pointing at Chris with his thumb.
"No, it was the Deterministic Algorithmic Mastermachine, the supercomputer. They seem to assume that my presence was a threat due the fact I designed them, and I know how to stop them," said Scarlett adjusting her glasses.
Chris put a hand over his chest. "I have been locked in this awful place for 2 weeks. Didn't you realize that the one hosting the show was a robot?"
Duncan tilted his head. "Nope, I mean, he was nasty, hateful, and a mocking jerk, but that was just like you."
"But... But… My personality, my jokes, the challenges designs. You should have noticed it wasn't me when it didn't show the class and cleverness of my challenges," said Chris, his voice trembling. He seemed hurt.
"Not really, at least those I saw on TV," said Dawn putting a finger under her chin. "I missed the last two, but the rest were quite similar. In fact maybe a little better than some of yours."
He then looked at Steve and Logan. "But at least you realized there was something off, right? You're interns. You worked closer to me than the campers."
"No Mr. McLean, now that you mention he was sometimes a little more stubborn and harsh than you, but not way worse of what we could expect from you," said Steve twiddling his fingers.
"To be honest, until 5 minutes ago, I was sure you were the one behind the kidnappings," said Logan rubbing his neck.
Chris stomped his foot, clenching his teeth. "The one behind the kidnappings? I WAS KIDNAPPED! I can't believe you, people."
"C'mon Chris, maybe the robot is very well done. I mean you're really famous, so I'm sure DAM had a lot of information to feed the robot and make it seem real," lied Sierra. She only wanted to calm him down so they could go.
And it worked. Chris was smiling. "You're right. In fact, that robot is one of the 3 most advanced AI we developed in the past 6 months. A shame that Dramaman was forced to broke the first one."
"What are you saying? Those models were in the development stage and weren't suitable for fielding? What state of affairs could engender to take out such prototypes?" asked Scarlett with wide eyes.
Nobody replied, everyone looking at each other silently.
The redhead just rolled her eyes. "Why did you use those robots? They weren't ready."
"I didn't use them. They activated by themselves and attacked me," replied Chris, shaking his head. "In fact, they ruined a really fun challenge I had in mind with Chef's karts."
"Mr. McLean more than by themselves, Could it be possible that DAM activated the robots?" asked Steve, raising a hand.
Duncan nodded. "Devito the intern is right. It would make more sense if all was caused by the computer."
Steve glared at him, not sure if to be proud the DUNCAN just insulted him or angry because he insulted him.
But the host ignored the inter's inner drama. "That's impossible. We limit DAM access to the rest of the systems after they spent a lot of money on random things by mistake. It bought airplane tickets a week before the show, food that disappeared and constructions materials… which never arrive…" Chris was shocked, as he put a hand on one of the walls, "and which could build rooms just like these ones."
"So you're saying that the Computer not only kidnaped all of us but also build the place to keep us using money from the show," said Cody, making a big grin. "Wow, it's really smart. No wonder you were so proud of it."
"Ok, even I understood, that bucket of bolts is the problem. Why can't we just enter the room and destroy it?" asked Duncan cracking his knuckles.
Scarlett chuckled. "That's impossible. Explaining it in terms even you can understand," Duncan frowned at that sentence, "DAM as you call it had 3 physical backups. To destroy it, we need to destroy the 3 of them, but if he felt his existence is in danger, he can take unexpected actions. We would need to cut the power in the facility to stop the backups and stop t for starting the self-destruction sequence on the island."
"I'm not good at this kind of thing, but can't we just turn it off?" asked Dawn, tilting her head.
"I doubt so. We would need to connect to a terminal with direct access to DAM, but he can just disconnect the terminal once we're connected. So we need to either connect without him realizing it or use a device he can't disconnect," said the genius, sighing.
Chris made a big smile, "I think I have a way to turn off the power and move without being discovered by that treacherous computer. Follow me."
The host went back to the trophy room, followed by everyone else, the door was still closed, but they could hear something hitting it.
"It seems we have company," said Cody, looking worried at the door.
Chris ignored him and use one of the trophies to hit a wall. They heard a loud crack after he hit it.
"You just disposed of the small audiovisual recording device embedded in the wall, but even if DAM can't use that hardware, that doesn't help us in our present predicament," said Scarlett, glaring at the host.
But the host also ignored her, pull out a hair comb from the trophy stand, fixed his hair, and pressed a tile in the floor, revealing a concealed passage.
"We built these passages to access the facility without any cameras surveillance, using this we can move around without that stupid DAM watching," said Chris, jumping inside the passage. "So follow me."
Sierra looked at him and smiled. "Even as nasty as he is, he is still the host with the most."
The rest shrugged and followed him. At least now they could advance without worrying about the robots.
On the ruins, both twins were confused while watching at both Mikes. One was the original, and the other was the robot, but there was no way to tell them apart.
"Maybe, we can ask something only Mike would know," said Sammy, then her eyes sparkled. "Can you tell me something no one knows about Zoey?"
The one at the upper side of the stairs smiled. "Of course, she has a mole on her right foot sole."
"No she doesn't, but she was fan of the Drama Brothers even before they were famous," replied the one on the lower stairs.
"Ok, so it seems it didn't work, we would need to know more about Zoey. I'm not sure who is telling the truth and who is lying," said Sammy rubbing her neck.
Mike waved his arms, "Follow me, I have the hacking device."
"He's lying. I'm the one who has the device," said the other Mike.
"No I'm not, look," saying this Mike took out a device that looked like a weird tablet made from trash.
The other Mike shook his head. "Nice imitation, but I also have this," and that Mike showed what seemed like a monitor with some cables around.
"Ok, I'm not sure which one is the Mike," said Amy folding her arms.
"What? Didn't you recognized Max's device when Lilly showed it?" asked Sammy in an upset tone.
The older twins sighed and shrugged. "I remember it looks like a pile of junk, and both of them look like a pile of junk. What can I do?"
"Why can't you take this seriously?"
"I'm serious. It's you the one being a drama queen!"
"I just want to go and save our friends. Do you realize that if we chose the wrong one, we would be falling into a trap?"
"Really? Oh I'm so sorry. I thought we were just standing here and guessing who was the real Mike because you love puzzles."
"Excuse me," said Mike, who was on the upper stairs. "But don't fight,
I'm sure if you work together, you can find out who is the real Mike.
"Don't listen to him. He just want to confuse you," said the other Mike. "but his advice is actually a pretty good one."
Sammy sighed. "I wonder if this is what happens to other people when you hid your mole."
"Probably," Amy put her hands behind her neck. "And it's a beauty mark."
"That's it! Amy you're a genius," said Sammy smiling.
Amy blinked a couple of times. "Of course I am, about time you realized it."
"We just need to ask them something that only the real Mike knows," whispered Sammy, "And see how both react, not what they said. A question in which the reaction is more important than the answer."
The older twin nodded. "Ok I have the perfect question."
She walked in front of the stairs and looked first at one Mike and then at the other, and asked:
"Are you the real Mike?"
Sammy facepalmed. That wasn't what she meant.
Both Mikes looked at her, awed by the question.
"Yes of course," said Mike in the upper part of the stairs.
"No, I think I'm not," said the one in the lower stairs.
Amy then held Sammy's hand and dragged her sister to the lower stairs.
"That's the real one," said Amy running. The Mike at the upper side looked at them, shocked.
"No wait!" He then began to chase after the three.
They ran down the stairs, Mike letting the twins go down first and following them closely.
But the Mike chasing them jumped the stairs and fell in front of them, standing in his hands and feet like an animal.
"You take this and go ahead," said the Mike who was next to them, giving Amy the contraption and Sammy robo-Chef's head.
"What's is this?" asked Sammy, horrified.
The robot head rolled his eyes. "What do you think I am, genius?"
"Use it as your guide, just hit it now and then and it's quite useful," said Mike, "now go, I'll take care of the robot."
"Are you sure? We can just beat him quickly if the three fight against him," said Amy, pointing at him with her thumb.
Mike shook his head. "We need to help the others. If Chris captures anyone, he'll use them as hostages. And don't worry, I'll beat it and caught with you in a moment."
The twins nodded and run to the side of the hallway. The robo-Mike was about to jump over them, but Mike threw a stone against it, distracting it.
"Hey handsome, I'm your opponent," said Mike smiling.
The robot then jumped over him while the twins run down the stairs, crossing the cells and into a new hallway.
"Will Mike be alright?" asked Sammy, looking back, worried.
"He will. He can't lose against an imitator," replied the older twin.
Then they moved into the facility. Not knowing that something was looking over them through the cameras.
Courtney woke up. She felt awful, her whole body hurt. Then she remembered,
"That damn Chris attack me with a TASER, I'll sue his sorry ass," said Courtney, and then realized she was tied. "Perfect, just perfect."
She looked around, and it was the same office in which Chris attacked her, with the Mahogany desk. Then Chris's portrait in the bottom raised, showing a screen.
"Good Morning Courtney, sorry about what happened," said Chris smiling on the screen.
"YOU! You jerk, how dare you! You crossed the line," said Courtney, struggling to try to burst the ropes.
Chris raised his hand defensively. "Sorry, you were just too nervous with that hammer in your hands, and I thought you won't listen to reasons."
"Reasons? And tasing me would make me hear to reasons, right?" asked the Latin girl, glaring at the screen.
"Just calm down. I assure you it's worth your time. What if we make you the winner of the season?" said Chris, his face was unusually serious instead of his classic smile.
Courtney blinked a couple of time. "ARE YOU-"
"Stop, before yelling at me, think about it. You have been struggling in this show for 4 seasons. Do you want to also lose the 5th one? And return to the real world as Total Drama eternal loser?" asked Chris, looking directly at her as if he knew where she was sitting.
She bit the inner side of her cheek. She remembered all the mocking comments of her classmates, the harsh talks of her mother about her wasting her time and making a fool of herself. Winning the show would shut all of them.
"So, what's the deal?" she said in a cold tone.
"It's quite easy. The twins are carrying an electronic device that looks like a trash-made tablet computer. I need that you get it for me, if you do it, I'll announce the end of the challenge, and you'll have immunity. Then for the next challenges, we'll help you to win. I think it's a great deal," said Chris, who was smiling again.
Courtney nodded. "I understand. I'll get you the device."
"I'm glad you agreed," said Chris smiling, then the door opened and Charlotte's promo bot entered the room, cutting her ropes. Courtney rubbed her wrist and smiled.
"I'm counting on you," sentenced Chris before cutting the signal as Courtney went out of the room with Charlotte.
In the main control room, Chris's eyes sparkled in red. "It was as you predicted boss. She's quite the greedy gal."
"People like Courtney are easy to manipulate. She acts as if she regrets everything but at her core she is a selfish and greedy person. A really efficient pawn. Now focus on capturing the escapees while she gets the device," said DAM in their mechanical voice. "They're hidden in some passages outside our sensors. Use all the animals on the island if needed, but find them."
Chris nodded, leaving the room behind. Lilly just listened to them wordlessly. She knew that Courtney betrayed them and that Max's contraption was really important.
The redhead struggled and with some effort, free her left hand from the loose rope, she then untie herself and ran toward the door, which was open, she couldn't believe her luck! Now she just needed to find the others.
There was no way for her to know that maybe everything was being too easy.
On the passage behind the facility's walls, Duncan and the others were moving hidden from DAM eyes.
"I don't understand why the staff needs to hide from the cameras? It wasn't easier just to edit those scenes out of the footage?" asked Cody as they walked.
Chris chuckled. "It's not only for the show. The interns had access to the monitors, so this is the only way to catch them redhanded when they're slacking."
Both Logan and Steve glared at their boss.
"Hihihi, yes, of course, but it's also the only way you can hide from Chef without suspiciously turning off the cameras in your office," said Sierra while following the path.
"How do you kn…" said Chris shocked, then he recovered his composure. "Forget what I said. I think it'll be worse if you tell me how did you find it."
"Ok McLean, we're following you but what's the plan?" asked Duncan. He was itching for some action.
"We'll go and turn off the power generator of the island. That way we'll stop DAM from controlling it," said Chris with a sadistic smile.
Scarlett rolled her eyes. "That's useless, DAM will start the backup generator and in less than an hour will get control of the power generator again. And if he feels cornered, he'll start the self-destruction sequence."
"WHAT? Are you sure about that?" asked Cody as all the presents sans Chris blanched.
"I'm 100% confident after all I'm the one who modeled the neuronal network that developed into his ego," answered Scarlett smiling confidently.
Chris nodded. "I know, but without the power generator DAM can't start the self-destruction program or move to the backup system. So we'll have 30 minutes to access the main control room and deactivate him."
"Sounds like a good plan, but didn't you mention they can hide inside the computer or something like that. How would you hack it?" asked Dawn putting a finger on her cheek.
"That's for you to think. I did enough thinking for the rest of the plan," said Chris shrugging.
There were some eye rolls and some groans, but at least they were sure this was the real Chris McLean.
"And the power generator or whatever is too far away?" asked Duncan putting his hands behind his head.
"We're almost there," said Chris, turning to a passage at the left side of the hallway.
Then Logan noticed something over them. "Look, a little squirrel! How this dude entered the facility?"
"That's not a squirrel," said Dawn looking at it with wide eyes. "It doesn't have aura. It's a robot."
With cat-like reflexes, Sierra jumped and grabbed the small robot before it could escape. "Got it."
"Your athletic prowess and maneuver are impressive but futile. Even if you physically restrain that automaton, it already sent an alert to the main system about our current location," said the genius shaking her head.
Everyone looked at Scarlett with a puzzled expression, except Steve.
"Scarlett said that the squirrel already told DAM where we are," explained the chubby intern.
The presents gasped while Scarlett nodded. At least one of them was smarter than a Bradypus tridactylus.
"Hahah, but we're one step ahead of that stupid computer," said Chris opening a door with many machines. It was the power generator room of the island.
"I won't be so sure, you're late," outside of the room, many robotic animals were already waiting for them, with a familiar voice coming from behind. With a big grin the fake Chris added, "And in Charlotte's words, it's Game over."
In the ruins, Mike was fighting the robot Mike. The machine lost any semblance of being human, walking in all four, looking for an opening to pounce over Mike.
Meanwhile, the former Multiple Mike was also looking at him with a sad expression.
"You know, even if you're a robot, fighting against you is weird, Mike," said Mike while watching it.
"If it was truly you. Would you be angry? In despair? Scared? Sad? Do you hate me?"
The robot jumped over him trying to catch him, but Mike avoided it with the grace of a ballerina.
"But I'm also afraid. Will I disappear if you come back? I want to live my life as myself, and thanks to my friends I decided to do my best as me. So I'm sorry, but I'll keep living my life. Our life."
The robot jumped again, and this time Mike hold it by the head, looking at him with the hair over an eye. In an instant, he crushed the robot head.
"I know you aren't Mike, but I hope wherever he is, my words reached him," the spiky-haired man, was crying, he couldn't stop the tears falling from his eyes. Now he needed to live with his conviction.
Meanwhile, in the facility, the twins were trying to sneak around looking for the others.
"Are you sure the main control room is around here?" whispered Amy in an annoyed tone.
"This is what the head said, are you sure?" asked Sammy, hitting it against the wall.
The robot's head glared at her. "Yes, I'm sure, go down to the left."
They then sneak down the hallway. They needed to find the others, so they were listening to any sound or sign that could guide them.
Then they heard it, a loud sound that made the facility tremble.
"What was that? An explosion?" Asked Sammy holding her sister's hands.
"There is only a way to find out," replied her older sister.
"I don't think you should go in that direction. Maybe you should come with us."
Both twins turned back startled by the voice, and found Charlotte and Courtney looking at them.
"Are they real, or are they robots?" asked Sammy, watching at the other girls carefully.
"Probably robots. After all, Charlotte was eliminated," replied Amy.
Both sisters were tired after fighting their own robots. Could they also fight these two?
"Please don't make this harder than it should be," said Courtney looking around. She then looked at her right side. There was a coffee machine and the cafeteria.
Then from the room behind Courtney, Lilly appeared, shouting as loud as she could.
"Be careful. That's the real Courtney," shouted the treehugger.
The twins didn't understand what was happening. Why was Lilly warning them about Courtney? Or was she warning the robot? But they destroy Lilly's robot on the river, right?
Suddenly Courtney kicked Charlotte's promobot against the coffee machine and pushed the machine with awesome strength over the robot, who couldn't react on time and was crushed under the machine's weight.
"Yes, it's me. Nice cover, Lilly," said Courtney, shaking the dust off her hands.
Lilly was confused. Did Courtney lied to DAM?
The twins looked at each other. "Ok, so let's go."
"NO! wait, the control room is in this direction," shouted Courtney, stoping the twins in her tracks and pointing in Lilly's direction.
"But isn't it better to meet with the others?" asked Sammy. Amy was tapping her foot on the ground impatiently.
The Latin girl shook her head, "We can look at the screens and find Chris among them and also win control of the island."
"But Chris isn't the one behind this," said Lilly, looking fiercely at them. "It's the computer!"
Courtney and the twins looked at the redhead with a puzzled expression as she began to tell them all that she knew.
Meanwhile, in the power room, the wall exploded, fragments of rock crushing the robots (and almost crushing Cody, but Sierra saved him.)
Through the wall appeared Brick, ridding Scuba Bear. He jumped from his back and, using the bear's diving tank, crushed some robotic beavers.
The bear stood on its hind legs, showing Izzy was inside it controlling it like a puppet, her hands, and legs inside the robot legs.
"It seems the cavalry or more like the bear-ly arrived," said Izzy, making the robot roar.
Chris smirked, "It's our chance. You go and turn off the power generator while I distract them."
"What? Are you serious?" asked Cody, as everyone looked at him, shocked.
"There is a time in which an adult should act like an adult. Now go!" said Chris, running in the direction of the robots.
Scarlett made a small smirk, "This kind of generator needs to be turned off in all three terminals at the same time. Anderson, Steve your cooperation is indispensable for this endeavor to succeed."
Both nodded, "I'll take the first terminal," said Cody, running toward the furthermost terminal.
"I'll protect you Cody," said Sierra running behind him.
"Then I'll take the nearest one to us. I'm not exactly the most agile person around," said Steve. Even if his words were weak, he looked determined.
Logan patted his back. "And I'll stay and protect you, dude. Let's show the world how tough are total drama interns."
"Then I'll go and protect you. Juvie birds should stay united," said Duncan, smirking.
"Sorry, I was never in juvie. I was sent directly to prison after that small incident," replied Scarlett, smirking.
The delinquent shrugged. "Then we're prison birds, no problem, I was in both."
"You're a weird individual, but I'll not reject your proposal. Let's perform this at our preeminent effort," said Scarlett running in the direction of the terminal.
"Whatever you say, I'm behind you," replied the delinquent, not caring about the meaning of her words.
Dawn just stood there sighing. "I just wish they wouldn't forget about me. Now who should I follow?"
While the campers ran around the room, Chris entered another hidden passage in the power room.
"Are you escaping and leaving those kids behind? I don't blame you," said a familiar voice to Chris.
"No, I was just baiting you here," replied Chris shrugging, he then smiled, "You're quite a handsome robot, and also the one leading the others."
The robo-Chris smirked, "You're really a bad actor, but now we can talk man to man. without anyone interfering." Then the hand of the robot crackled, a pulse of electricity running through it.
Chris smiled and shrugged. "Thing seems bleak for our handsome host, can he escape from the good-looking assassin robot? Can the contestants buy enough time so he can call for help? And can we turn off that evil toaster without losing too much budget and saving this season?"
"Are you narrating in your last moments? You're really pathetic," said the robo-Chris, making the classic mocking smile of the host.
"Sorry, I'm a pro. Like those guys in the titanic, I'll host this show until the end." Said Chris, jumping back to avoid the robot attack. "But you'll have to wait after the break to confirm if these are my lasts moment or not. Stay tuned for the conclusion of this exciting episode here in Total Drama, Tyranny of the Masses."
Author Notes:
[1] The secret door using one of Chris' awards is a shout-out to "The Art of Pretending It Isn't Your Fault" a story by Contemperina and strayphoenix, which I personally love. In that story, Duncan found a similar door at playa de losers.
And the campers need to work together to stop the mastermachine. Can the team turn off the power generator? On which side is Courtney? And what will happen with Chris? Find the answers in the next episode of Total Drama Tyranny of the masses
I tried to write it in 2 chapters, but I still have so much planned for this part that it would be a shame leaving it out, so I decided to make it like the old ones, a 3 parter. I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am.
Immunity idols left: all used
D.A.M. Eliminations left: 1
Remaining players: Brick, Courtney, Duncan, Lilly, Mike, Sammy
Eliminated: Cameron, Jasmine, Max, Lindsay, Dawn, Jay, Lightning, Charlotte, Beth, Cody. Zoey, Dramaman, Shawn, Alejandro, Sky, Topher, Amy, Charlotte(r), Heather, Cody(r)
As always, thanks for reading and I hope you like it.