Melissa sniffled, as she stared at the Revolving Doors of Shame.
"I'm really sorry Melissa," Kalino stated. "We just thought that-"
"-Why didn't you tell me?" Melissa asked.
Kalino, caught off guard, flinched. "What?"
"Even if I don't fully understand why you decided Aiden," Melissa explained, "I can't judge you for voting; someone had to go. But you couldn't have warned me? Couldn't even give me a notice or ask me how I was voting?"
Melissa wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "Maybe if I had known, we could have enjoyed our last moments together…had a date or something…"
"We didn't want to hurt your feelings," Vance answered. "You know, since you're so…"
Melissa walked off, not even glancing at her teammates.
The Eagles stood around for a moment, before departing. Only Cynthia and Weston remained.
"I think we might have broken Melissa," Weston admitted.
Cynthia stared at the twin.
Weston gulped. "I have a feeling your mad, but I can't tell."
"Why did you vote Aiden?" Cynthia asked.
Weston gulped. "I heard Vance's name was up, and we're actually kind of, sorta friends now…so someone told me voting Aiden would help save him."
"And you decided not to tell me," Cynthia stated.
"I just didn't want to hurt your feelings," Weston stated. "I'm sorry."
Cynthia stared. "I can't blame you. Not when I did the same thing to Melissa by voting Hayden."
Weston sighed and hugged Cynthia, nuzzling her cheek with his own. "I promise from now on we'll talk about each elimination…are you still mad?"
"You're lucky you're cute," Cynthia stated.
Melissa slouched in the confessional, her lip quivering. "I'm going to miss Aiden, but I'm not going to give up just because he went home. These past votes have showed me how little any of my teammates trust me, or think much of me… and I don't know if I can trust any of them. I mean Cynthia is still my friend…even if she wants to keep me in the dark. And her boyfriend voted off mine."
Melissa sunk even further in the confessional. "I think its fair to say that if we lose the next challenge its me…unless I can find a way to save myself."
Meanwhile, the Fizzled Fireworks were enjoying their reward from the last challenge, a shopping spree to the mall.
Seraphina was leaving a bracelet store while Ignacio was walking and talking with Lita outside of a nearby pretzel stand.
Lita took another chunk out of her pretzel. "Is it wrong I'm spending all my money on food?"
Ignacio laughed. "That's what they're here for."
Lita finished off the rest of the pretzel in one gulp. "Well in that case let me see if I can find some cheese fries…"
Seraphina walked over to the hunk as he watched Lita walk away. "How's the shopping?"
Ignacio jumped back for a second and blushed. "Oh uh…good. I bought some new clothes, since my clothes tend to…you know. How about you?"
Seraphina smiled, looking left and right, before opening her hand. Inside it were three charm bracelets and a button. "I got Lita, Ness and myself matching friendship bracelets."
"I didn't take you for the type," Ignacio admitted.
"I'm not a jewelry person," Seraphina replied. "But I didn't really want anything here. I thought the girls would like them...and I'd maybe like something to remember them by."
"And the button?" Ignacio asked.
Seraphina put the bracelets back in her shopping bag, revealing the button to be a sky blue unicorn. "It reminded me of Xidorn so I thought maybe he'd like it."
"I'm sure he will," Ignacio replied. "And hey listen, don't worry about us voting you off because of your relationship. Nobody thinks it's a big deal."
Seraphina looked away. "Oh, yeah that's not a concern anymore."
Ignacio pursed his lip. "Is everything okay? Did something happen?"
Seraphina shook her head. "Its…a bit of a long story."
Ignacio sat on the park bench and patted a seat next to him. "I got time. Especially for a teammate."
/
Riley and Griswold were goofing off in arcade, playing a fighting game. Riley mashed the buttons in quick succession, causing her character to shout random Japanese words and launch a fireball, turning Griswold's lady ninja into ashes. "Player One Wins!"
"Heck yeah I did!" Riley cheered.
Griswold chuckled, grabbing his sides. "Why I do keep playing games with you?"
"Cause I'm addictive," Riley retorted, pulling out another quarter. "Hey, did you talk to Lita yet?"
Griswold shifted his eyes back and forth. "Well…no. But I will, I promise!"
Riley sighed and shook her head.
Griswold frowned, glaring for a second. "Why do you care anyway? Its my relationship."
Riley raised an eyebrow. "Sorry I'm just trying to help. I'll keep my nose out of it then. Even if this makes no sense."
"What makes no sense?" Griswold asked.
"You dude," Riley replied. "Acting like this! You're so confident at challenges and talking to people usually; why does dating make you uncomfortable?"
"Maybe its cause I've never dated before," Griswold explained.
"You've never been on reality TV, but that wasn't a problem," Riley countered. "I think its something else."
Griswold sighed and sat leaned against the wall. "Yeah; I usually feel like I can do anything, but… when I try to talk to girls I feel small…I feel like I'm that little guy I was in middle school. I wasn't good enough then. Maybe I'm not good enough for a relationship now."
Riley sat down besides Griswold. "Okay, now I get it. You feel like you're still that guy who couldn't do anything."
"I am that guy," Griswold said. "I'm big enough to be a wall…but that doesn't matter in a relationship. And without that, I'm still the loser I was…"
Riley flicked his nose.
Griswold rubbed his nose and stared at her. "Uh…ouch."
I don't care for pity parties," Riley replied. "They're the only parties I don't like. I don't know why you're saying that BS, because it isn't true man. I mean, a loser? You're a starting linebacker, leader of this team, and you have a great hair."
"But in the past I was-"
"-different," Riley interrupted. "Yeah, everyone's different in the past. But we change and grow. I don't care who you are in the past Gris, I care about who you are now."
"But without my growth spurt-"
"Sure you're a big guy," Riley yelled. "But you're more than that. I call you Gris-Bear not just cause you're big, but cause you're kind and caring like a teddy bear. You're fun, hilarious and smarter than the average bear too. And that's who you are now. You have to know that man."
Griswold jumped up. "You're right. This is ridiculous. I am confident. I'm not my muscles; I'm a grizzly bear, a bulldog and a fizzled firework!"
"That's what I like to hear," Riley cheered.
The two bumped fists.
"Thanks Riley," Griswold stated. "You're always there for me. You're the most amazing bro I have."
"Cause you're totally amazing Brosalina," Riley replied. "And I'm glad you're my bro. Now come on, best two out of three."
"Fine," Griswold laughed. "Let me get some broritos first; we're going to need them."
Riley smirked as the jock left, Easton walking up behind her dressed in survival gear.
"What's with the get up dude?" Riley asked.
"Just in case I need it," Easton replied, looking over his shoulder.
"Something is going on with Cynthia and my brother," Easton stated. "I'm ninety nine percent sure that she is actually a monster, and I've seen tons of horror movies. So I know this is going to end with a showdown when she reveals her true form; so I'm preparing to step in and save my brother."
"What are you and Gris up to?" Easton asked.
"Just having a pep talk," Riley replied. "Man, I love that guy."
Easton raised an eyebrow, causing Riley to laugh. "Dude, not like that. We're homies. Griswold is not my type."
"Why not?" Easton asked.
"I mean sure we like the same things, and he is funny, fun and totally sweet," Riley admitted. "But he is in a relationship. Plus, Gris is not the kind of guy I date."
"Well maybe you should look for a different kind," Easton stated. "Because the person you described sounds pretty great."
Griswold walked over with burritos. "Woah, digging this look Easton. Hope you don't mind I got you a brorrito."
"You know I don't!" Easton chuckled.
"So what are we talking about?" Griswold asked, passing out burritos.
Riley rolled her eyes at Easton. "Nothing. Now let's chow down so I can beat you again!"
/
In a shoe store, Pascal was admiring new shoes in a mirror as Ness watched on, sighing and blushing. A shopping attendant stood by.
"Geez these shoes sure as so spiffy," Pascal stated.
"You sure do look nice," Ness sighed. "Uh, with the shoes."
"A lot has happened since this show started," Ness admitted. "I think my luck is actually changing! I mean, here I am with the celebrity I've always crushed on. And with my birthday almost here, I figure I better use what luck I have…before things get ugly. I mean I believe, so I will achieve!"
Ness blushed even redder and giggled. "Wish me luck!"
"Wonderful choice sir," the attendant remarked. "How about a new hat while we're at it?"
Pascal froze, staring at the mirror and his orange knit cap. "Uh, no just the shoes."
The attendant nodded and left. Pascal grabbed his hat and held it in his hands, studying it and feeling its texture. In the inside brim was the initials AP.
"You know I've never seen you without that hat," Ness admitted. "Even before the show, at concerts or in your music videos. Where did you get it?"
"It was actually a gift," Pascal stated. "From Amanda Picklestein. On the show, after we won our first challenge, she knitted it for me."
Ness smiled a little. "You know, she really does miss you. I don't know what's between you guys, but it seems like you had a lot of history. She's afraid to say something, but she's worried you guys are no longer friends."
Pascal placed back on his cap. "I'll uh…talk to her. But there was something important I want to ask you Ness."
Ness gasped, starting to breathe rapidly. "Y-y-yes?"
"We spend a lot of time together," Pascal explained. "I really enjoy it. I mean, the others are nice but you're really the only person I'm close with on this team."
Ness started to sweat profusely. "I really enjoy spending time with you too."
Pascal beamed. "So I was thinking…do you want to form an alliance?"
Ness' face froze in a smile, the jinx pausing before exhaling. "An…alliance?"
"You know for voting," Pascal stated. "I want both of us to go far and you're someone I really trust, so how about it?"
Ness blushed again and smiled. "Well then yes. Let's do it!"
"Yippe Skippy!" Pascal cheered, glomping the sweaty girl. "It'll be great!"
"I bet," Ness replied. "And I promise, I won't ever vote for you."
"Ooh same," Pascal stated.
"Um..there's something important I want to ask you," Ness stated.
Pascal let go of Ness, who now couldn't look the singer in the face. "Sure, what's up?"
Ness turned almost halfway through her chair. "Uh…I don't know if I can say it."
"Hey its no big deal," Pascal replied. "I want to know! You can tell me."
Ness gulped and shut her eyes. "O…okay. So, um, we spend a lot of time together and I...I really like you. I think you're really cool and kind and have had a crush on you since you started performing. Do you maybe want to... go out on a date with me?"
Pascal stared at her with wide eyes. "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…"
"Ness just poured her heart out to me," Pascal stated. "And I didn't know what to do. I didn't like her, but she just seems so hopeful and pitiable. I didn't want to tell her no…"
"Ness," Pascal stated. "I...I like you..."
Ness gasped and started to smile.
"But…"
Ness' smile immediately dropped.
"Not romantically though," Pascal continued. "You're really nice and cool-"
"-But not good enough," Ness finished, turning away.
"No, no, no," Pascal exclaimed. "I don't want to hurt you, but I don't want to lie to you either. I'm sorry, I just don't feel that way about you."
"But I couldn't," Pascal continued. "I don't like her like that and...something in the back of my head was...I don't know. Thinking about it, I'd have that relationship like Kalino suggested. But to use Ness' feelings like that? I don't know if I could ever sleep again."
Ness tried to hold back the tears.
She failed.
"It's fine, I totally understand. I'm sorry to bother you."
"Ness-"
"I just need to…um lady things," Ness blurted out. She ran out of her chair, holding her face in her hands.
/
At the park bench…
"…So that's what happened between me and Xidorn," Seraphina finished.
"Wow," Ignacio replied.
Seraphina scratched the back of her head. "So...did I do the right thing? Was the rumor really the worst thing ever?"
Ignacio was a quiet for a moment. "Well...I feel like on certain reality shows that would be seen as a game move If it worked I'm sure people would applaud you for your strategy."
"And this show?" Seraphina asked.
Ignacio shrugged. "I am not very familiar with this franchise, but Griswold says its unusual. The real thing is, do you think what you did was right?"
Seraphina scowled. "I don't know! I mean, would you have done that?"
I can't honestly confirm nor deny I would," Ignacio confessed. "I want to win this show to make a better life for my family, but…I don't know. But I do know, you are aware of how you feel about it."
"I guess...I do feel it was the wrong thing to do," Seraphina replied. "I don't know why though. I mean it didn't even work, and I just wanted to protect Xidorn."
"You didn't think he'd be okay on his own?" Ignacio asked.
Seraphina looked up at the ceiling. "I wanted to. I mean I know he's not a kid. But I couldn't believe it would all end fine; it felt stupid to. I just knew people would target him for us. Its one of those things that is too good to last, so it can't! It has to end badly, you know?"
Seraphina looked at Ignacio, who scratched his chin. "I'm not Dr. Phil or anything, but I think this goes a little deeper into your psyche. If you think it's going to be bad, then will it not be? Are you making a self-fulfilling prophecy?"
"It did end badly," Seraphina admitted. "Thanks for letting me vent Ignacio."
Ignacio smiled. "Happy I could assist. So…what now?"
Seraphina shrugged. "I guess…I have some thinking to do. But I have to say something."
/
Late that next morning at the Pentagram, most of the newcomers waited in line at the cafeteria. Rhonda strolled by, sipping a soda can.
"Hey Rhonda when is breakfast being served?" Xidorn asked. "Its almost eleven thirty."
Rhonda shrugged. "We haven't made breakfast for a while. Melissa's been doing it. I'll talk to Toby about cooking you some sausages or something."
"Rhonda!" a voice called off in the distance. "You got a package! From Canada! Isn't that crazy?"
Rhonda raised an eyebrow and walked off. A unified groan emitted from everyone's stomachs.
Ignacio rubbed his chin as he stood with the bros. "Something has flummoxed me."
"I have some Pepto in my room if it'll help," Easton suggested.
Ignacio shook his head. "I mean, I'm confused about Rhonda. Have anyone heard of her before this show?"
The others shook their heads. "Didn't she say she was on a sketch show and Youtube?"
"Yes, I conducted research on that using resources in the Internet café," Ignacio admitted. "Her videos don't have many views, and you wouldn't know she or her cohorts were on that sketch show without the credits. Wasn't the original host rather famous?"
"In Canada," Griswold replied, "where the original was filmed. He had some film success and other failed attempts, but Total Drama made him a household name. Though it was his 'child' so to speak."
"So no one else is curious how Rhonda became host of this reboot?" Igancio questioned. "How she contacted and convinced an entire network to put her in charge of a revamp of an acclaimed show, especially given she's relatively youthful."
"How old is she?" Easton asked. "Heck, Vance looks older than her…though he kinda looks older than everyone…"
"Most reality show hosts aren't that famous till hosting," Griswold pointed out. "And dudette's clearly a fan; maybe that persuaded them. I heard she had to go to Canada and help with the newer seasons there to get this job; apparently the Canadians liked her."
"I suppose," Ignacio yielded. "Still, I feel the network would want someone with more experience, meet more Hollywood standards. I also question how she had the connections to secure two fashion icons for the last challenge. We lack a sufficient amount of information on her, and her toadies for that matter…"
The four's stomachs growled again.
"No point in stressing with an empty stomach," Riley said. "Who is up for broritos again?"
"Yeah!" Easton and Griswold cheered, high-fiving each other. Ignacio laughed and nodded.
/
The others waited in line as the bros left. Pascal eyed the exit Rhonda left and the line. He sighed, set his tray down and jogged out.
He stopped next to a mail cart, where Amanda Picklestein was sorting a letter.
"Amanda Picklestein," Pascal called. "Hey, I thought I heard your voice."
Mandy turned and forced a smile. "Oh, hey Pascy-Wascy. What's up?"
"Not much," Pascal replied. "Breakfast has been cancelled, and I thought that…maybe we should get lunch and you know, catch up. It's been awhile."
Mandy sighed and shook her head. "No, I wouldn't want to bother you. I have to pack anyway…"
"Pack?" Pascal asked.
Mandy turned her back and pushed the cart away. "Sorry Pascal…maybe we'll run into each other again. Don't let me stop you from enjoying your time here."
/
Still in the line, Vance tapped his foot and pulled on the tips of his mustache. "Well where is Melissa anyhow? You don't think she's still upset, do you?"
"We just voted off her boyfriend without warning," Xidorn replied.
"Yeah," Vance said, "but is she still mad?"
Xidorn sighed, as Melissa walked into the kitchen.
"Oh there you are!" Weston cheered. "What's for breakfast?"
Melissa picked up a book, and then looked up at the guys. "Sorry, I scheduled a reading for blind people at the retirement home. Just because they can no longer see, doesn't mean they still can't enjoy stories."
"But what about our grub?" Vance asked.
"I'm truly sorry," Melissa replied. "I'm just not really in the mood for baking today."
Vance's jaw dropped and he started to sniffle. "You mean…no pastries today?"
Kalino sighed. "Melissa, we're sorry about Aiden. You know it was nothing personal."
"Not talking to someone about two of the three past votes feels personal," Melissa admitted. "I'm not trying to take it that way-"
"-We didn't want to hurt your feelings," Weston said. "Really!"
"We just didn't want you to get hurt," Kalino explained. "I mean it was tough, and that on your heart we thought would be tooooooo much."
Melissa shook her head. "My life isn't one big ray of sunshine. I mean you know how many people tell me I'm evil for believing in Allah? How many times people have egged my house for not celebrating Easter? Or how many of my fellow Muslims criticize me because I believe I don't have to wear a hijab? Or do you think that I've never seen death or sadness when I volunteer at a hospital or a homeless shelter? I know the world is a big scary place. So next time, don't try to protect me or spare my feelings."
Melissa walked off, the Eagles in line looking dejected while the Fireworks whispered amongst themselves.
/
Lita, Ness and Seraphina stepped out of line. All of them wore their matching bracelets.
"Whelp, looks like we're getting pizza," Lita stated.
Ness scratched her head. "Mmmhmm."
"You alright sweetie?" Lita asked. "You've been quiet all day. Is what happened with Pascal at the-"
"-No," Ness interrupted. "I'm…I'm totally over that. I'm just…admiring this bracelet Seraphina got us."
"Right?" Lita asked. "It was such a sweet thing to do girl."
Seraphina blushed. "Its nothing really, I just wanted to give you guys something for being great roommates…and great friends."
Ness and Lita smiled. "That's it girls, group hug time!"
Lita pulled Ness and Seraphina in an embrace.
I'm really worried," Ness admitted, shifting her eyes back and forth. "Today is officially my sixteenth birthday, which means something really horrible is going to happen. But its really quiet…too quiet…"
A crackling noise was heard over the loudspeakers. "Attention newcomers! Report to gaming room at five tonight. Or else."
Ness' eyes grew wide as she swallowed a lump in her throat.
Seraphina frowned. "Okay, that's weird. The next challenge shouldn't be until a couple of days or so."
"Maybe its some new kind of twist," Lita predicted.
"You know Seraphina maybe you should do a reading or something," Ness suggested, her voice shaking just a bit. "Give us a prediction of what's coming."
"If you want me to I can," Seraphina replied.
"You know we're always up for some physic something," Lita stated, Ness nodding.
Seraphina sat down at a table, pulling out her tarot cards. Closing her eyes and shuffling the deck, she laid out a single card. Flipping it, the card depicted an archaic painting of a hunched figure, struggling to carry ten poles. What looks to be a small town is in the distance, but the figure cannot see beyond the load in his arms.
"The Ten Of Wands," Seraphina stated. "This card means great adversity is head."
"So it is a challenge," Lita sighed.
"Likely but it may mean much more than that," Seraphina clarified. "The card implies an internal pressure, struggle within ourselves."
"Like indigestion?" Lita asked. "Dang, I knew I shouldn't have had all that mall food."
/
In their secret office, Rhonda sighed and chugged the rest of her drink. A parcel sat at her desk, the stamp having a maple leaf. "Everything's ready, right?"
"Weeeee!" Jenny giggled, spinning in a wheelie chair with Elaine.
"Ugh," Rhonda groaned while banging her head against the table.
"Relax," Jenny replied. "I got everything taken care of on my end. What about you?"
Rhonda smiled a little. "We're sold out."
"Sold?" Toby asked, looking up from his phone.
"We're strapped for cash, so I figured ten dollars a seat wouldn't be a bad idea," Rhonda admitted. "Still, I'm a bit nervous about this. I've come up with at least seventeen ways this could backfire…now eighteen."
"Rhonda we've been planning this since the snow challenge," Jenny stated. "Hey, remember that readers? When I said I had a plan? Yeah, we actually remembered the plot we set up this time!"
Rhonda nodded and opened her package, pulling out a letter and stuffed manatee.
"What'cha you got there?" Jenny asked.
Rhonda smiled to herself as she read the letter, wiping away a tear. "Its something from an old friend…"
Jenny and Toby looked at each other. "Since when does she have friends besides us?"
"I don't even think we count," Jenny whispered back. "Well okay Rhonda, I got slacking off to do. See you soon for my totally awesome, full-proof plan!"
Toby rolled his eyes. "Its not like your plans haven't failed or backfired. Except for every occasion."
"YOUR MOM!" Jenny yelled. "Listen, we need to stir up the drama. I've created a drama bomb. Tonight, we're setting it off…"
/
The day went on and eventually five o'clock came. The newcomers arrived in the game room. The lights were off, only a few candles lit. As he entered, Xidorn flicked the light switch, but to no avail.
"Come in. We've been waiting."
Jenny sat in an unopened recliner, petting Elaine, while Toby stood behind her. The newcomers gathered on a carpet in the center of the room.
"Oh hello Ms. Jenny," Melissa greeted. "Where is Ms. Rhonda?"
"You'll see her soon enough," Jenny replied. "But first, is everyone here?"
Seraphina sighed and reluctantly stepped into the room. "I have a bad feeling about this."
Jenny smirked, reaching for the recliner's lever and slowing pushing it down. "Oh please. I mean…"
"Ahhh!"
The floor disappeared from under the newcomers, sending them falling down a trapdoor into complete darkness.
"What could possibly go wrong?"
/
Moments later, the newcomers moved around.
"Uhh…" Griswold moaned. "What happened?"
"Um, is anyone else having some trouble moving?" Melissa asked, struggling back and fourth.
Suddenly the room lit up from all sides, blinding the newcomers. As their eyes adjusted to the lights, the teens noticed there were in the torture chamber in the center of the catacombs.
The room had been modified with spotlights hanging from the wall, while interns operated large spotlights to the left and right. Immediately, they discovere they were restrained into rows of electric chairs; blue for the Eagles and red for the Fireworks.
"What the heck is going on?"
"This is part of the challenge right?"
"How did we even end up perfectly landing in chairs?"
"Did I leave the stove on?"
"Aw quit being babies," a certain redhead's voice announced. We're just getting ready to play…"
"...Who's Really On My Team?" a crowd shouted, clapping and cheering.
Seraphina squinted, seeing shapes of people in the darkness. "What? Did they get an audience for this challenge?"
Ascending from the ground to the right of the newcomers was a podium, where Jenny waved at the glaring teens. The crowd erupted in applause. Toby sat in a lawn chair behind the podium, staring at his phone with Elaine on his shoulder.
"Thanks for dropping in newbies," Jenny said, pausing for the audience's laugh. "You ready to start the challenge?"
"I'm guessing it involves ambushing us in this contraption?" Ignacio asked.
Jenny rolled her eyes. "Duh! For today's challenge, we're going to do a sort of game show. I'll ask a question to each team about someone. You'll answer who it is. Answer correctly, and you score a point. The team with the most points at the end wins. Simple, right?"
"That still doesn't explain locking us in here like opossums in a whiskey barrel," Vance stated.
"Its to prevent cheating," Jenny explained. "This challenge is about seeing how well you all know each other. So if the question is about you, you can't answer. If you do, your team loses a point.
"You can't try to give hints or talk with your team about it either, or your team loses a point. These chairs will prevent that, or you from trying to guess by looking at your teammates."
Each chairs' right arm flipped, revealing a joy buzzer at the end.
"To answer just hit the buzzer," Jenny continued. "First person to hit it gets to answer, but only that person can answer. Some answers may have more than one right person; if you can give more than one right answer, then you'll score a point for each answer. Ooh, and answer wrong and your team loses a point!"
"It honestly sounds easy enough," Xidorn admitted. "So what's the catch?"
Jenny pretended to gasp. "Catch? Isn't a trapdoor enough of surprise? That does remind me though, if neither team answers a question in a round, we'll do a challenge to award someone a point. Pairs from each team will compete against each other in a small challenge, a little game of…"
"...Dump The Chumps!" the audience cheered.
"Do what?" Griswold asked.
"Since there are no further questions," Jenny continued, "let's get started. And folks at home, feel free to play along. See if you know the answers! Fireworks, you're first. Whose favorite musician is Faith Hill?"
Riley slammed the buzzer. "Everyone knows that my bro, Gris Bear!"
"Correct!" Jenny announced as the audience clapped.
"Guilty as charged," Griswold laughed.
Lita tugged on her scarf. "I didn't know Griswold liked Faith Hill…"
"Eagles, whose hometown is in Wisconsin?" Jenny asked.
Cynthia pressed the buzzer. "Melissa."
"Correct!" Jenny cheered. "Now then…"
/
In post-production, the episode was edited to have a montage. It started with scenes of Jenny asking questions…
"Who loves listening to One Rejection?"
"Who enjoys smashing watermelons with jackhammers?"
"Who dreams of owning monkey butlers?"
"Who is from Nebraska?"
"Who can't handle their caffeine?"
"Who mends clothes as part of their church?"
"Who is on the school's track team?"
"Whose favorite book series is the Helga Porter series?"
"Who dreams of becoming a high school science teacher?"
"Who speaks Portuguese?"
"Who says they look great in a prom dress?"
"Who favorite console is the Gamecube?"
The montage then displayed a cut of different contestants answering.
"Ness!" Lita stated.
"Cynthia," Weston swooned.
"That's so Riley!" Griswold stated.
"I believe that was Kalino," Melissa stated.
"Pascal," Ness remembered.
"Melissa," Kalino stated.
"Easton!" Riley shouted.
"Ooh, Xidorn!" Weston stated.
"Ignacio!" Lita shouted.
"Weston," Cynthia stated.
"Griswold," Seraphina laughed.
"Kalino plays that all the time," Vance stated.
/
The montage ended, focusing back on Jenny. "Correct! With that, we're tied! Fireworks, which of your teammates lists The Notebook as one of their favorite movies?"
Griswold slammed the buzzer. "That's an easy one; Lita."
"Wrong!" Jenny shouted. "On one of the easy questions too."
Griswold titled his head. "Huh?
Lita sighed and hid her face in her scarf.
Zzzzzzzztttttttttt.
An electric wave went through The Fizzled Fireworks' chairs, shocking all of them.
"Oops, did I forget to mention punishments are given for wrong answers?" Jenny asked. "Ha ha, must have slipped my mind."
"So then whose favorite movie is it?" Griswold asked.
"Don't know, don't care," Jenny replied. "What matters, is that the Fireworks just lost a point."
"I actually really enjoy The Notebook," Ignacio admitted, wiping away a tear. "I know it's flawed but...it touched me emotionally okay?"
"Let's move on to the Molting Eagles!" Jenny announced.
"Pssh," Vance scoffed. "Y'all just give us the win already. I mean this here challenge ought to be for babies its so easy!"
"I couldn't agree more," Jenny replied, smirking and pulling out a set of red notecards. "Let's make it a little more challenging. Eagles, who on your team doesn't actually know how to read?"
The Molting Eagles stood motionless. Vance's eyes grew wide and he looked back and forth, as if trying to look at his teammates. Xidorn cast a glare at Jenny, flipping her off.
"Ooh, times up," Jenny giggled, turning to another notecard. "Looks like the Fireworks have a chance to catch up. So Fireworks…hahaha! Ha, sorry, I'm just..haha…there's a photo with this question. So, who use to be extremely, morbidly obese when they were a kid? Hahaha…"
Lita blushed and further buried her head in her scarf. The other Fizzled Fireworks looked around, scratching their heads or raising their eyebrows.
"Times up again," Jenny sighed. "Here's an easy one for the Eagles; who is dating each other on your team?"
Weston gulped. Melissa put her hand on her heart, but refused to move towards the buzzer. At the last second Kalino yawned and pressed the buzzer.
"Mannnn I'm pretty sure it's Weston and Cynthia," Kalino stated.
"Correct," Jenny stated.
Nearly everyone gasped and tried to cast a look towards the couple in question.
"Wait seriously?" Easton asked.
"Its true," Weston admitted. "Cynthia and me are a couple."
"A really cute one too," Melissa added.
"You're actually dating Cynthia?" Easton asked. "Like, by choice?"
"Shut up!" Weston shouted. "Yes, I'm dating the most amazing girl in the world. I'm glad it's official, cause I'm proud to be with Cynthia!"
"I'm happy and proud to be with Weston too," Cynthia stated.
The newcomers responded either by sighing 'awwww' or giving a concerned look.
"Aw shucks," Weston giggled. "So uh...yeah, shut up and suck on an egg Easton!"
Easton crossed his arms and faced away. "Its your funeral."
"How did you know Kalino?" Melissa asked.
"I thought everyone knew," Kalino replied. "I mean, there always sucking face in the broom closet."
Weston blushed. "Hehehe well…"
"Eww cooties," Jenny gagged. "Let's get going already. Fireworks, who's father walked out on their family?"
The Fireworks shifted around.
"Once again time is up," Jenny complained. "Let's hope the Eagles can do better; who has had their house egged on Easter before?"
Cynthia pressed her buzzer. "Melissa."
"Correct!" Jenny shouted.
Melissa sighed and shook her head. "I suppose you're enjoying this Miss Jenny, shaming and humiliating everyone."
"Are you kidding?" Jenny asked. "I'm actually having fun while doing my job! Let's keep rolling! Fireworks, this person's best friend and crush ended up marrying their dad! Who is this?"
Seraphina sighed and a few seconds before the end pressed the buzzer. "I'm...I'm really sorry. Ness."
"Correct," Jenny replied.
Pascal sighed. "Oh Ness, I-"
"-Can we not talk about it," Ness shouted. "Please."
"Sure thing," Jenny said, "After all it is the Eagles' turn. Eagles, who grandfather told them to go to hell on their deathbed?"
None of the Eagles ended up pressing their buzzers.
Jenny scoffed. "Lame! Fireworks, whose family is so poor they can't even afford a TV?"
None of the Fizzled Fireworks answered.
"Alright then," Jenny scoffed. "Speaking of poor, Eagles who on your team is the poorest?"
None of the Eagles answered.
Jenny smirked. "No answers this round folks. So it looks like its time for…"
"...Dump The Chumps!" the audience shouted.
"But we still don't know what the titular name alludes-"
A trapdoor appeared in front of Ignacio's chair, which jerked forward and dumped him down. Ness, Cynthia and Xidorn followed.
/
The newcomers found themselves piled on top of each other, this time on the burned remains of the theater.
"Welcome newcomers," a familiar voice greeted. "Are you ready to play..."
"...Dump The Chumps!"
"We're still unaware of what that means," Ignacio murmured.
The rookies looked up to see Rhonda, dressed in lime green tuxedo, which made almost everyone curious if the eighties had called and asked for it back yet.
In the auditorium was another audience of fans that sat in the singed seats. The newcomers could see them more clearly now, noticing many had 'I Heart Total Drama' T-shirts or other fan memorabilia. The camera lingered on two fans in the front row, a purple haired girl and a brunette who slouched in her seat.
"About time this started," the purple girl stated. "I was afraid it'd be another thing Rhonda cancelled."
"I was hoping it was cancelled," the brunette girl sighed.
"Thanks for dropping in newbies," Rhonda joked. The only reaction from the audience was the brunette girl coughing. "It sounds like the cat's out of the bag upstairs. But we'll be doing the same thing for this challenge!"
Rhonda threw two sacks towards each pair. The sacks fell to the ground as bunches of black cats fell out.
"The pair to fill back up their bags with the cats..." Rhonda announced.
Cynthia pulled out a knife.
"...alive," Rhonda added, "scores a point. Go!"
Cynthia lowered her knife.
Ness swooned as she bent down in front of a black kitten. "Aww! Come here sweetie, we do-"
"-Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!" the cat hissed, jumping on to Ness' face and began clawing her.
Cynthia held the bag as Xidorn shivered and looked away, while simultaneously trying to put a cat in the sack.
"Look at what you're doing," Cynthia stated.
"S...sorry," Xidorn whimpered. " I'm just... really scared to make eye contact."
Cynthia only stared and didn't blink. The cat screamed and clawed its way out of Xidorn's arms.
"Wait a minute," Xidorn said, " this gives me an idea."
"Ahhh!" Ness screamed, as more and more of the cats attacked her.
"Hold on Ness," Ignacio stated, trying to throw the cats in a bag. "I'm trying to get them all here. Good plan to lure them to you."
"This wasn't a plan," Ness groaned.
Ignacio picked up a black cat, which hissed and scratched the hunk, completely clawing away his shirt.
"Hubba hubba!" the purple fangirl cheered, adding a whistle. Ignacio tried to cover himself and dropped bag, releasing the cats on Ness.
"We have a winner!" Rhonda announced, as Cynthia chased the final cat into Xidorn's bag, which shook with fright.
"Talk about scaredy cats," Rhonda joked. The purple girl imitated cricket chirps. "Anyway, the Molting Eagles score a point!"
"Woo!" Xidorn cheered, holding his hand out. Cynthia turned to the truth teller, who gulped. The floor fell from underneath them, and the Eagles disappeared. The other cats were escorted away by interns.
Rhonda smirked. "And so that means its time to…"
"...Dump The Chumps!" the audience cheered.
What does that mean!" Ignacio shouted. "Someone just give me an explanation!"
On cue, a giant bucket hovered overhead the Fireworks, tipping over and pouring cat litter over them.
"How's that for an explanation?" Rhonda asked.
Ness coughed up a chunk of litter. "Please tell me this isn't used."
"Only the best for you," Rhonda replied with a wink. A trapdoor opened up underneath the two.
/
Ness and Ignacio fell back into their chairs.
"What happened?" Griswold asked, sniffing the air. "What is that thing?"
"Don't ask," Ignacio groaned.
"Yeah, I'll do the asking," Jenny insisted. "Fireworks, who's gotten a full ride to the college of their choice when they graduate?"
Griswold slammed the buzzer. "Easton."
"Correct," Jenny replied, as Weston rolled his eyes.
"Now Eagles," Jenny said, "whose family thinks they'll never amount to anything?"
Kalino glared at the redhead.
"Times up," Jenny stated. "Fireworks, who works a job to support their family after immigrating here?"
Lita groaned as she pressed the button. "Ignacio."
"Correct," Jenny replied.
"Its fine," Ignacio stated. "I'm not afraid to admit I'm not rich, nor that I help my family when they need it."
"That's very touching," Jenny said. "But I don't care. So Eagles, who on your team was almost held back in high school for failing math?"
The Eagles looked around for a moment.
"That's Weston," Easton whispered to himself. "I helped him study for weeks for the final so he'd pass…"
"Excuse me!" Jenny shouted. "I heard that Easton! You gave away the answer! That's cheating, so now your team loses a point!"
"Oh come on!" Easton yelled. "The Eagles didn't even hear me!"
"Whose the super cool host here?" Jenny asked.
"Not you," Toby stated.
"YOUR MOM!" Jenny yelled. "You know, I'm actually going to take away a point for the Fireworks and give it to the Eagles! So meh!"
Easton groaned as the Fireworks sighed. Weston sighed too, while the other Eagles shrugged.
"Now Fireworks," Jenny stated. "Who secretly resents their sibling?"
No one reacted for a moment. Easton hovered over the buzzer, but pulled away. Cautiously, Pascal tapped his buzzer. "It's Easton, right?"
"Wrong!" Jenny screamed. "I said secretly, and that's no secret. So Eagles, who was named after a song?"
"What kind of a question is that?" Seraphina asked. "I mean you ask us about our secrets and past, and then ask whose named after a song?"
"These questions are about information that shows how well you really know each," Jenny replied. "Information that is either shocking or someone keeps as a secret for some reason. Its not my fault you don't know; I mean you've been together for around a month and are 'so called' friends. Maybe you don't know each other as well as you thought."
The teens were silent for a moment.
"So I take the Eagles don't have an answer," Jenny replied. "Fine then. Fireworks, whose parents died in a car crash when they were only a baby?"
Again, no one answered.
"Way too catch back up," Jenny said. "Eagles, whose never been home since they ran away as a kid?"
The Molting Eagles didn't react.
"No answers again," Jenny chuckled. "Then its time to…"
"…Dump The Chumps!" the audience cheered.
The floor opened up again as Riley and Griswold fell through this time, followed by Kalino and Melissa.
/
The pairs each landed in their own separate piles of bananas on the burned stage.
"It sounds like things have been going bananas," Rhonda chuckled. "So its time for a banana based challenge! First pair to get rid of their pile first wins. But for the losers we'll…"
"…Dump The Chumps!" the audience cheered.
"Now no monkeying around," Rhonda teased. "And…go!"
The four newcomers began peeling and eating bananas. Griswold and Riley were chugging them down, while Kalino and Melissa struggled.
"This is a pretty tasty challenge," Riley admitted. "I actually-ow!"
Riley turned her head and was pelted by another banana. Kalino was tossing bananas towards the two jocks.
"What gives?" Griswold asked. "That's totally cheating!"
"Oh dear," Melissa said, trying to finish another banana.
Kalino shrugged. "Sorry dude, but there's no rule against it."
"That is true," Rhonda admitted.
Griswold smirked. "Alright then."
The linebacker jumped up and grabbed his entire pile of bananas, tossing them on top of the Eagles.
"And with that, the Fireworks score a point!" Rhonda announced as the audience cheered.
Riley and Griswold pounded their fists, before the floor disappeared under them.
"So once again," Rhonda said, "its time to…"
"…Dump The Chumps!" the audience cheered.
Above Kalino and Melissa a barrel was suspended, shaking with howling sounds emerging from it.
"Oh no," Melissa gasped. "Please don't let that be-"
"A barrel of monkeys," Rhonda replied. "Specifically a barrel of hungry howler monkeys."
Kalino and Melissa looked down at the bananas as the barrel tipped over. "Ahhhhhh!"
/
Moments later, Melissa and Kalino dropped back into their seats, their clothes in tatters and covered with mysterious brown stains.
"About time," Jenny yawned. "Alright, I'm getting the vibe you guys are not enjoying this as much as I am."
"What gave you that idea," Kalino stated, brushing a banana peel off his torn sleeve.
"Also I'm really tired," Jenny stated. "This was way too much work for me. So let's do one final round. I'll select one random question and if you get this question right, you earn three points. Eagles, you're up first."
Jenny shuffled her notecards then drew off the top card and immediately broke into a grin.
"Oh no," Xidorn whispered.
"Don't worry," Jenny said. "Its actually rather simple; who has a hidden immunity flash drive?"
The Molting Eagles and even the Fizzled Fireworks eyes grew wide.
"Then its time for the Fireworks," Jenny announced. "Alright, here's another simple one Fireworks…who have you been saying happy birthday to today?"
Ness almost gasped, stopping herself by biting her lip. The other Fireworks weren't sure how to react.
"Well someone is not having a happy birthday," Jenny giggled. "Since neither team answered it looks like its time for…"
"…Dump The Chumps!" the audience cheered, as all the teens screamed and fell through the floor...
/
...onto the burnt stage.
Rhonda rubbed her hands together. "Welcome to the Sudden Death match. For the Eagles, we'll take Vance and Weston…while for the Fireworks, we'll have Pascal and Seraphina!"
"Great," Pascal and Seraphina muttered under their breath.
"Its about time for this challenge to be over," the purple girl said. "Its gotten so long no one is going to finish reading it."
"They shouldn't bother starting it," the brunette girl replied.
"For this challenge," Rhonda explained, "you'll prepare to have some very fine dining. You'll feed your partner a small three course meal…"
"Woohoo!" Vance cheered. "I'm always for some free grub."
"…Using your feet," Rhonda finished.
The newcomers and even some of the audience nearly threw up.
"We know you're still growing kids," Rhonda said. "So we made sure this meal has plenty of protein for you. First to finish wins. Oh, and try not to vomit; the food you spit back up is still the food you have to eat…so you'll have to eat it again."
At that point, Melissa ran backstage and retched.
Interns grabbed the competitors and chained each to a pole not too far apart. They left silver platters by the newcomers' feet while taking off their socks and shoes.
"Eww," Pascal grimaced.
"Eh, your feet are just as gross as the rest of you," Seraphina stated.
"The winners will get three extra points," Rhonda stated. "And the team with the most points will win a special reward! Yet the losers will face elimination, while we…"
"…Dump The Chumps!" the audience cheered. On that cue, a trashcan suspended on a high wire moved to the center stage. The newcomers glanced at it. The knowing few of them cringed.
"Now then," Rhonda said, "Enjoy your first course…of escargot salad."
Kicking aside the lids, the first tray contained a Greek salad covered in snails.
Smirking, Pascal picked up salad leaves in his toes and shoved in it in the psychic's face. "Here comes the train! Open wide."
Seraphina didn't react and instead started eating as quickly as she could while trying to pick up a snail for her partner. The Molting Eagles were off to a slow start, as Vance struggled to pick up any salad.
"What in tarnation!" Vance screamed as a snail slipped out his toes. "These little fellows are too slippery."
"Hee hee," Weston laughed as a snail crawled on his heel. "And they tickle!"
Pascal almost gagged. "Wait they're still-mmphhh!"
Seraphina smirked as she shoved snails in the singer's mouth. "Be careful Pascal. I'd hate for you to vomit."
"And the Fireworks almost finished with their first course," Rhonda announced, as Seraphina and Pascal moved towards the next dish. "Let's see if they can handle course two…roasted road kill opossum."
Pascal kicked away the tray to reveal a skinned and cooked opossum, a tire track still imprinted on it.
"Mmm," Weston sighed, sniffing the air while slurping up a snail.
"Come on now partner!" Vance stated. "We got to catch up!"
Pascal smirked as he kicked Seraphina in the chin, dropping an opossum leg across her face and on the stage floor. "Whoops, sorry Seraphina. My leg slipped."
Seraphina smiled and reached for it. "Oh no problem, old buddy. It happens."
Seraphina swung her foot at the singer, right in the crotch. The singer let out a high pitched yelp. "Like how my foot just slipped. Sorry about that."
"You could stop me from having kids," Pascal winced.
"The world can thank me later," Seraphina stated, trying to kick Pascal's shin.
Meanwhile, Weston nibbled on an opossum leg. "Mmm, tastes like chicken!
"Looks like the Eagles are taking the lead. And they're going for dessert…"
Weston kicked off the lid, revealing a cup of something dark brown with a spoon sticking out.
"You ever had that dish of chocolate ice cream, with cookie bits and gummy worms?" Rhonda asked.
"Ooh a cup of dirt!" Weston exclaimed. "I love those! We get to have that?"
Rhonda smirked. "That was the plan…till someone ate all the ice cream."
Rhonda looked to stage left, where Jenny and Toby were scarfing down bowls of ice cream.
"So we decided to go with actual cups of dirt!" Rhonda announced.
Pascal grimaced as he kicked off the Firework's own lid.
"We have to catch up," Seraphina sighed, dropping to the floor. She tried to use both feet to balance the cup…
Vance trembled as Weston dangled a spoon between his toes. "Is…is that all? D…dirt? Psh, why we use to eat dirt clods as a kid back on the farm all the time."
Vance took the spoon to his lips as Rhonda shifted her eyes. "It actually isn't all. Like I said, it's a protein diet. So instead of gummy worms…"
Vance looked down at the cup, where a worm wiggled its head out. Vance's mouth dropped, failing to notice the incoming spoon. The cowboy accidentally swallowed it, the spoon becoming lodged in his throat. The rodeo star hacked violently. Weston tried reaching out his feet his friend, but he wasn'r having an easy time.
Seraphina meanwhile shoved Pascal's face in the cup. "Chug! Chug! Chug!"
"Don't worry Vance I got you!" Weston shouted, lashing his feet out, accidentally hitting the cowboy in the stomach.
"Uh oh," Weston stated, as the cowboy kneeled over. He proceeded to upchuck all over the floor. The spoon flew out of his throat, landing and sticking on the younger twin's face.
"Eww!" the audience gagged, many running out of the room. Melissa once again ran backstage, with Ignacio and Lita following after her.
"Look on the bright side Eagles," Rhonda stated, "you don't actually have to eat the vomit!"
"Yay!" Weston cheered, tossing the spoon away.
"Because the Fizzled Fireworks have finished their course!" Rhonda announced, motioning to Pascal who kicked aside the empty cup and looked ready to heave at any moment. Seraphina held her stomach in pain but smirked at the singer.
"Yay!" Weston repeated, before dropping his expression. "Wait…"
"Congrats Fizzled Fireworks," Rhonda stated, interns untying the chained contestants. "You've earned the three extra points. Which means the winners are…The Molting Eagles!"
"WHAT?" the Fireworks shouted.
The spotlights fell on the Eagles, Kalino and Xidorn hoisting a dazed Vance on their shoulders. Their dejected looks changed to confused ones as the audience cheered.
"Yay?" Weston asked. "I think."
"But we won the three course meal!" Pascal insisted.
Rhonda nodded. "You did. And your team got three extra points to your final score. But the Molting Eagles still have one more point than you."
Seraphina glared. "So those three points were-"
"-basically meaningless," Rhonda stated.
Pascal forced a smile. "So what you're saying is…I ate dirt…FOR NOTHING?"
"I mean I wouldn't say for nothing," Rhonda replied. "Our audience seemed to enjoy it."
The audience laughed and cheered, though quite a few were too grossed out to stay.
"As winners, the Molting Eagles will enjoy a three course dinner under the stars tonight," the hostess stated, ignoring the glare from Vance and his deputy Xidorn.
"As for the Fizzled Fireworks," Rhonda said, "you get your own 'reward' for being the losers. Its time for us to…"
"Dump The Chumps!" the audience erupted, members from before having joined and formed a crowd.
The Fizzled Fireworks looked above the trashcan tipped over. The Fizzled Fireworks were assaulted with pepper, ketchup, mustard, relish, mayonnaise, coleslaw, barbecue sauce, sprinkles, and pickle juice. Finally, the biggest tub appeared and dumped pig's blood on the losers for a solid minute.
The audience roared and hooted, as the Fizzled Fireworks stood there with miserable expressions.
"Thank you for enjoying today's challenge folks!" Rhonda announced. "As for you Fireworks, I'll see you at elimination tonight."
/
Soon, the Fireworks trudged through the halls. No one said anything for a moment.
"Today sucked," Easton stated after awhile.
"So much," Ignacio agreed, the other Fireworks nodding.
Griswold sighed and turned to his teammates. "Look, today was bad. I know its not just the dump that's messed with us. The real sore spot is…all those things Jenny said."
The Fireworks shifted uncomfortably.
Riley sighed. "The one about the parents in the car crash? Yeah, that was me. I'm sorry for not telling you dudes, just not something I bring up in conversation."
"I don't know how you would," Griswold admitted. "I'm sorry Rye. I know what you mean. I was the one whose dad walked out…"
"That might have been a two for one," Seraphina spoke up. "Mine did too."
The two gave a soft smile at each other. The silence lulled for a moment.
"No one has to reveal anything about themselves," Griswold stated. "If you want to get it off your chest, then I understand and will be happy to listen. But I won't judge if you don't; certain things we keep to ourselves. But I don't want this challenge to change anything; I don't think less of anyone here. I'm still happy to be a Firework, through and through. This was bad and I'm not looking forward to elimination, but I am still behind this team and still glad we're team members."
The Fireworks smiled a little.
"Well, I'm headed to the showers," Ignacio stated.
"Second that," Lita laughed, the others nodding.
The Fizzled Fireworks dispersed to their bathroom. Riley patted Griswold on the back, and the bros fist bumped. But Griswold looked back, staring at Lita.
Pascal walked next to Ness. "Hey."
"Hey," Ness sighed.
"Ness I am sorry about what happened at the mall," Pascal blurted out. "And with your dad...you don't deserve that."
"Its fine," Ness said. "Really. I understand. Just…can we still be friends though?"
Pascal smiled. "Yes! That's what I want."
Ness forced a smile and Pascal returned it. Seraphina and Lita watched from their door, glaring at the singer. Pascal waved goodbye to Ness, and caught the girl's glances.
"I was not looking forward to elimination tonight," Pascal stated, now apparently squeaky clean. "Mostly because I knew I was on the chopping block; Ness promised not to vote for me…but her roomies were obviously gunning for me. Even if I did survive, I'm without a power alliance. And that phony Seraphina will take any chance she can to eliminate me. But that's when I came up with a plan…"
The scene changed to the game room, with Riley, Easton and Griswold playing pool. Pascal stepped in and forced a smile. "Hey guys."
"Oh, sup Pascal," Griswold greeted. "What's happenin'? Want to join us for a game?"
"Thanks but I have to help Kalino with something in a bit," Pascal replied. "I just wanted to see how everyone is, you know after today."
"Aww thanks man," Easton replied. "Doing better."
"Glad to hear," Pascal replied. "I believe our team will do better next time, and if you believe it you can achieve it! So…you guys decided who to vote tonight?"
Riley shook her head. "I'm undecided. I don't want any of our peeps going. We've been through almost a month together! You?"
Pascal rubbed the back of his head. "Well…me and Ness are close, and I promised her I would vote with her and her roommates. I'm not thrilled with who but I promised so…"
Griswold raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"They think someone who blew the challenge should do it," Pascal 'explained'. "Especially since it was so close. Since Easton did give the other team a point…"
"Me?" Easton asked. "They're voting me?"
Pascal shrugged. "It's a tough choice. I just wanted to hear what you guys thought, maybe another option…"
"If they do that," Easton realized, "then with you they only need one vote for majority. Do you think Ignacio will too?"
"I doubt it," Griswold replied. "But that means a tied vote. Back in the original, ties were broken by a challenge, and the winner stayed."
"Griswold is right!" Pascal added. "I've broken a few tiebreakers myself on other shows. If it is a tie, you'd just have to defeat them Easton. But you'd need to be against someone weaker, or really unlucky."
Griswold raised an eyebrow at the pop star.
"Listen I'll try talking to Ness again," Pascal explained. "Maybe stop her from voting you out. I just wanted you to have a fair warning. I'm sorry, I really hope you don't go."
Easton nodded. "I appreciate you being a pal Pascal. I won't forget it."
The singer dashed off, smirking to himself…
Easton banged his head against the pool table. "I really screwed up today."
"It was a slip of the tongue bro," Riley replied, hugging his shoulder. "It happens. The roomies are crazy if they think you're going home. We're not going to let our bro go home!"
"She's right," Griswold stated. "We'll talk to Ignacio about this. I'll talk to Lita, I've been meaning to anyway."
"You know what Pascal said is true," Easton admitted. "If it is a tiebreaker challenge, then the best person for me to go up against would be…"
/
"…Ness!"
Lita and Ness gasped, Pascal now talking to the three girls. Seraphina's eyes grew wide, but shifted into a raised eyebrow.
"They said they were voting Ness?" Lita asked.
Pascal nodded. "Easton suggested it. He's worried he's a target. And he said that Ness'…unfortunate luck makes her a challenge liability."
"How do we know anything you're saying is true?" Seraphina questioned. "That doesn't sound like the others."
"Ask them if they thought about voting off Ness," Pascal replied. "Listen, I'm telling you this because I don't want Ness to go home! I was hoping if we combined our votes, we could ensure that…"
"If we all vote together that would be half of the team," Lita admitted. "I can try talking to Ignacio too. I'm certainly going to ask Gris what the heck he is thinking! I mean Ness, a liability? Honey please…"
Ness looked down at the floor and sighed.
"Its not like she lost us the challenge," Pascal agreed. "No one really did. I mean Easton's conflict with Weston hurt us…"
"That's true," Ness realized. "He gave them the extra point they needed to win. Yet he's voting for me; maybe he should go home instead."
Pascal snapped his fingers. "That's a good idea Ness! We should vote off Easton for his role in the challenge. Ignacio might see the reason in that, and vote with us!"
"Oh, um thanks," Ness replied.
"I'll bring the idea up to him," Pascal explained. "Don't worry Ness, I promised not to vote for you. I intend to keep that promise."
"Thank you," Ness said smiling.
Pascal nodded, giving a smirk to the glaring psychic and dashing out the door.
Seraphina gritted her teeth and held up a fist. "That filthy rat why I ought to…"
Ness slumped on the bed, hiding her face in the pillow and whimpering...
"Oh sweetie," Lita said, as she and the psychic sat on side of her. Lita rubbed the jinx's back. "Don't you worry, we aren't going to let you go home."
Ness turned her head. "But…"
"Lita's right," Seraphina stated. "We've come this far, and the three of us are not going to get split up now! We have your back Ness. In fact, if it comes to it tonight, I want you to use this…"
Seraphina pulled out the blue flash drive from her pocket.
"But Seraphina," Ness gasped, "Xidorn gave that to you for you to use!"
"Well I'm giving it you," Seraphina replied, placing it in the blonde's hand. "As far as I'm concerned, this flash drive is for all of us."
Ness turned to the wall. "But…what if I do deserve to go home?"
Lita and Seraphina looked at each other confused than turned to the blonde. "What are you talking about?"
I'm talking about that I'm a jinx!" Ness screamed. "My bad luck brings nothing but destruction…and it might have done that to our team. I mean, what good have I done for this team? In the first challenge I had to be saved by an Eagle, then failed my trial. I made Ignacio's speedo…that broke in the challenge. And today…I didn't even tell you guys it was my birthday."
"It was your birthday?" Seraphina and Lita asked in unison.
Ness wiped away a tear. "I…I didn't want you to know."
Lita put her hand on her friend's shoulder. "Sweetie, its fine. We love you! We'd want to celebrate the day-"
"-But I don't," Ness interrupted. "Every year my birthday is horrible. Even the day I was born…I didn't want to celebrate today. The point is, maybe I should go."
"Okay so you've had some missteps," Seraphina stated. "But you're not the weakest link! Who was able to get into the Eagle's snow fort? Or win the interpretative dance challenge?"
Ness shook her head. "That was just…chance, not skill."
"So Ignacio's speedo broke," Lita stated. "We wouldn't know how to sew without you in that challenge. May I remind you who was the one brave enough to volunteer to eat bull testicles? And black licorice?"
"Who helped us win the scavenger hunt by coming up with a loophole?" Seraphina added. "Or won the Awake-a-thon?"
"But that was just-"
"-that was you," Lita stated. "And that's why you deserve to stay! This team is stronger, not weaker for having you. You ain't going home. Even, if we have to vote for Easton…"
Ness nodded and faintly smiled at her friends, who joined together for a group hug.
/
Soon after, Lita and Griswold were walking in the halls. Spotting each other they half-heartedly waved and ran to the other.
Lita sighed and smiled. "Hey Gris-Bear! I've been looking for you…"
Griswold rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, me too. We need to talk."
Lita's eyes grew wide. "Did I do something wrong?"
"Huh?" Griswold asked. "What did you say?"
"I said…uh, what's up?" Lita replied with a forced chuckle.
"Is it true you're voting for Easton?" Griswold asked.
Lita furrowed her brow. "Is it true you're voting for Ness?"
The two stared at each other for a while, before turning and look away.
"About today's challenge," Griswold spoke again, "The Notebook isn't your favorite movie?"
Lita turned further away. "No…the truth is, I hate it! I've seen it with almost all of my relationships and I never like it."
"So why did we watch it?" Griswold asked. "Why did you say you like it?"
"Because couples are suppose to watch it together," Lita sighed. "Its suppose to be that romantic movie couples cuddle to and enjoy with each other. I wanted us to do that, to be that couple…"
Griswold sighed. "Lita, we need to break up."
Lita gasped. "What?"
"I'm sorry," Griswold admitted. "I really am, but its not working out. I've never had a relationship before. You're cool Lita but…I don't think I dated you because I liked you; I liked the idea of being in a relationship. We tried…but I'm not happy. Are you?"
Lita sighed and looked down. "No. I've been feeling it coming…but I thought if we just kept going then maybe we would work…"
The two stood there looking at their feet for a moment. Eventually, the two walked away.
"That was awful," Griswold stated. "I almost want to take it back, but I know I did the right thing. I'm going to take a break from relationships for a long time…"
Lita wiped away some tears from her scarf. "I can't believe it! I told myself not to drive this one away! I mean Griswold is the perfect guy. I tried to make him like me…to have that relationship…but I couldn't get him to care for me like that."
Pascal rubbed his hands together. "My plan was risky, but I think its paid off! I've turned the two factions on my team against each other, and avoided being the target. I've also convinced Ignacio on why Easton is the choice."
He chuckled to himself. "So Easton will go home…and the bros will be in need of an ally; me! There's my alliance! Since Ness and I promised to never vote for each other, the girls can't have the numbers, even if Igancio sticks with them. Which means I can target Seraphina next…and go to the merge with potential meat shields. Even combine my inter team alliance with the bros."
Pascal scratched his head. "Worst case scenario, Ignacio flips and creates a tie. But I doubt that. Even still, it'll be a tiebreaker challenge like in the original seasons. If Ness somehow does go home…well I didn't break my promise. And Seraphina still won't have the numbers. It's brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!"
The Fizzled Fireworks sat in the Haunted Internet Café, everyone quiet and avoiding eye contact.
"Its been awhile Fireworks," Rhonda greeted. "Almost too long, don't you think?"
The Fireworks replied with glares or depressed looks.
Rhonda pouted. "Fine, don't talk to me. Let's just get voting."
Pascal cast his vote for Easton. "I'll tell your twin you said bye."
Griswold cast his vote for Ness. "I really hate doing this. But, bros are loyal to each other. Me and Easton have been close. He has my back, and I have his. Sorry Ness."
Easton cast his vote for Ness. "I don't like this, but you're targeting me and I probably have the best chance of beating you in a tiebreaker challenge. I understand you're doing the same thing. Honestly, I hope we do the challenge so we can compete for the right to stay. Makes it a bit more fair."
Lita cast her vote for Easton. "I appreciate you not revealing the details about me and my brother at the challenge. This feels ungrateful. But you targeted my homegirl. And I can't let her go home."
Ness cast her vote for Easton and sighed. She opened her palm, revealing the immunity flash drive. "Do you ever think fate is telling you something's suppose to happen?"
Ness' expression became serious as she closed her hand and shoved the flash drive in her pocket. "I'm not wasting Seraphina's flash drive on myself. More importantly…if I am meant to go home, then I'll go home tonight. That's how the universe wanted it to be."
Ignacio bit on his nails for a moment, moving between Ness and Easton's icon, before ultimately dropping the mouse and rubbing his temples. "Uhh…I have no clue what option to take. Strategically neither is targeting me, nor is a liability. Pascal tried to explain why voting Easton is a more suitable option…but I admit to zoning out. I've taken notice of Pascal's tendency for exaggeration."
Ignacio turned at the screen. "Personally, I like both of them. I consider Easton a friend, a 'bro', and I admire his commitment to the mathematics. However, Ness is kind and helped recently with my own issues…"
Ignacio nodded and clicked on an icon.
"The votes are in," Rhonda announced. "If I call your name, you will receive a cup of peppermint flavored coffee. I think its nasty but people drink it. Anyway, the first coffee cup goes to…Pascal."
The pop star smirked as he caught his cup.
"Ignacio."
The model caught his cup, avoiding the eyes of his teammates.
"Lita…Riley."
The two shared a look before catching their cups.
"Griswold and Seraphina."
Everyone turned to the middle, where Ness and Easton sat and stared at Rhonda.
"Easton, Ness. There's only one coffee cup left. And it goes too…"
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...neither of you; we have a tie."
The other Fireworks gasped.
"It's up to a challenge now," Easton stated. "Good."
"Challenge?" Rhonda asked. "What challenge?"
"For the tiebreaker," Ness explained.
"Who said we were doing a tiebreaker challenge?" Rhonda questioned.
"What?" Pascal exclaimed. "But in past seasons-"
"-Yeah, but not this season," Rhonda interrupted. "The tiebreaker may be decided by a challenge, but it could be decided by a number of other methods."
"So what is the tiebreaker?" Seraphina asked.
Rhonda smirked. "We'll have a revote; everyone but the bottom two will vote again. The bottom two will be the only choices available to vote. You can't use immunity flash drives either; you had your chance and you blew it."
The Fireworks nodded and began to move.
"However," Rhonda announced, "if the bottom two are still tied after the revote, the bottom two will be granted immunity and one of you will be eliminated instead."
All the Fireworks froze. The room became dead silent, some of the newbies trying to make eye contact with their teammates while others tried to avoid eye contact.
"Through a luck based decision," Rhonda explained, "one of the six of you will be eliminated and go home in their stead, where you can never come back to the show and will have lost the prize of two million dollars. On that note, let's vote!"
Ignacio drummed his fingers against the wall. "What I do, what I do! Uhh...let's ponder this dilemma scientifically, review the facts and contemplate all my options. Now theoretically, how will everyone else vote?"
Seraphina immediately clicked Easton's face. "Ness deserves to be here, and I'm not going to let her be eliminated. Even if I have to go home instead."
"Easton, you're my bro," Riley stated, clicking Ness' face. "Through thick or thin. This time ain't no different."
Pascal chewed on his beanie, yanking it with is teeth. "Ahh…"
The Fireworks reseated themselves in the cafe. Jenny passed Rhonda a note, who read it, nodded and pulled back out the last cup of coffee.
"A decision has been made," Rhonda stated. "The last cup of coffee goes to…
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
"...Easton."
Rhonda tossed the twin a cup of coffee.
The short blonde nodded and stood up.
"And Ness."
The jink's eyes grew wide. She was so caught off guard she failed to register a cup of coffee headed straight for her, Rhonda having hidden it in her podium.
"Congrats Easton and Ness," Rhonda announced, "you have received immunity. Griswold, Ignacio, Lita, Pascal, Riley, Seraphina; one of you will now be going home."
"How did this happen?" Ness asked her teammates.
"We weren't gonna let our girl go home," Lita replied as Seraphina nodded.
"We aren't going to let our bro go home either," Griswold added.
"Mmhmm," Riley agreed.
"This still doesn't make sense," Ignacio stated. "I switched my vote from Ness to Easton, no offense."
"I get it," Easton admitted, "it was a tough call."
"But if that's true," Seraphina said, "then for the votes to be tied, someone else would have to had switched their votes."
All at once, the other Fireworks turned their heads to a blushing Pascal. "Heh, heh...I uh...well…"
"You mo*********** snake," Lita whispered.
Ness looked away. "Pascal, you promised that no matter what you…"
"Ness I-"
"-Save it," Ness replied, struggling to hold back the tears. "I'm not even surprised."
Rhonda cleared her throat. "If you all would follow me through the Revolving Doors of Shame for the next part of this choice."
/
Outside on the sidewalk six fireworks were positioned facing the sky, and looked ready to blow up. They were each a different color, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple, and each a different size ranging from miniature to bulbous.
Rhonda handed a match to the six newbies.
"Each of you must decide upon a firework and use this match to ignite it. All of these fireworks are designed to fail to launch, fizzling out. Except for one firework, which will shoot off into the sky and be extinguished in one quick motion. Whosoever firework successfully goes off will not be a Fizzled Firework, being eliminated from this team, leave the show for good and say goodbye to the two million dollars. Choose wisely."
The six stood silent and stared at the fireworks.
"Did I mention you only have thirty seconds to choose a firework or be automatically eliminated?"
Griswold ran forward and chose the red firework.
"It's the color of my football team," Griswold mumbled, "and it hasn't let me down yet…"
Seraphina's eyes rolled into the back of her head. She sat in a lotus position on the ground.
"Eenie, meanie, minnie, moe," Riley said, going between the fireworks.
"Let's see I have a one in six chance of being wrong," Ignacio stated. "Well one in five now, so that's four fifths chance of being right…"
"If he hollers let him go…"
Lita tugged on her scarf, before deciding upon the purple firework.
"So that makes one in fourth…"
Pascal turned his head back and forth, looking for a sign. His beanie fell off his head. As Pascal caught it he smiled and dashed towards the orange firework.
Seraphina's eyes rolled to the front of her head, the psychic jumping up and claiming the blue firework.
"And the very best one is you," Riley finished, her finger landing on the yellow firework.
Ignacio sighed and quickly ran to the green firework, lighting its wick.
The Fizzled Fireworks stood back as the fuses burnt out. There was a short pause…
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...before the orange firework shot off into the sky and rained down a display of orange sparks. The other fireworks released a bit of smoke before collapsing in on themselves.
"I'm afraid it's the end of the road Pascal," Rhonda announced. Jenny passed out cups of coffee to the remaining Fireworks, who chugged the drink in relief despite its flavor.
Pascal sighed and walked forward for a moment. He turned back, only to see Ness already headed towards the hotel.
Seraphina wiped away a tear.
"It's okay Seraphina, you're safe," Griswold stated.
Seraphina sniffled. "I know, I'm just...I'm just so happy that Pascal's nasty ass is finally gone!"
"Amen!" Lita added. "Don't let the door hit you, where the good lord split you."
"You know I can hear you," Pascal shouted from the bus stop. "I'm like five feet away."
"I know," Seraphina replied. "And seeing your sadness is even sweeter than this cup of coffee you didn't get!"
/
The Public Transportation of Losers pulled up and Pascal limped on board, trudging to the back of the bus and falling into the seat.
"Pascy-Wascy?"
Pascal looked up and saw Amanda Picklestein in the seat across from him.
"Mandy?" Pascal asked. "What are you doing here?"
"I quit being an intern," Many sighed. "I'm taking this bus out of here. Why are you here?"
"I lost," Pascal grieved, slouching further in his seat.
"Oh Pascy-Wascy…"
"No, no I deserved to go home," Pascal admitted. "I was a jerk, a monster. I didn't mean to be so horrible, I just...I wanted to win for once, especially the show I've watched since I was a kid."
Mandy nodded and looked down.
Pascal looked up, his hat falling off his head and beside him in the seat.
"I'm sorry."
Pascal raised his eyebrow. "What?"
"I'm sorry I came here," Mandy stated. "And...I'm sorry I won our old show. If I had known how important it was to you I-"
"-I'm the one who needs to apologize," Pascal said. "You didn't do anything. I got jealous and I let it consume me. When instead I should have been happy that my best friend won."
There was a silence for a moment.
"Mandy," Pascal said, "you're a little talkative and overexcited, but I realize I like that about you. I'm the same way. I'm sorry I hurt your feelings, you didn't deserve that. I'd take it all back if I can. You know, on every show I competed on I was thinking about you, maybe in jealously. But I've realized that all this time I still care about you; that's why I still wear the hat you made me."
Mandy smiled. "It suits you."
"Yeah, I think it does," Pascal laughed. "I'm actually really happy I have it; even today, I am glad I wear it."
The Public Transportation of Losers swerved at a turn, causing Mandy to slip right next to Pascal.
"Mandy," Pascal said, "do you wanna go out? Like, on a date?"
"Does this answer your question?"
Mandy stood on her tippy toes and jerked Pascal into kiss, the two eventually making out.
"Heehee," Pascal giggled and fell back against the seat. "What have I gotten myself into?"
"Oh my gosh I can't believe this is happening!" Mandy cheered. "Isn't that crazy? I think its crazy. What do we now? Where should we go on a date? I mean I don't really care where but I want it to be magical so its burned in our minds forever and oh I have to introduce you to my dad! And my mom! And my sisters and brothers and aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews and cousins and friends and acquaintances and, oh! Should we have cutesy nicknames for each other? And a couple name! What about Pasclstien? And I blah blah blahblahblah…"
Pascal facepalmed. "What have I gotten myself into?"
Author's Note
Woo! Re-reading this chapter was a blast. I really enjoy it and I hope you did too. Honestly, all chapters moving forward I think holds up better the earlier chapters and I'm just generally more fond of.
I mean this chapter has a lot I like. A lot of drama and some character moments for a lot of characters.
I also love the challenge. It's not that mind-blowing, but it leads to a lot of fun and a lot of foreshadowing from before. I think it's very character driven, which is fun as a writer. Plus, the Dump the Chump parts help break the flow and add some wacky hijinxs. It's a sadistic and twisty challenge for an honestly sadistic and twisty chapter. How Total Drama.
All the questions in 'Whose Really On My Team' were designed for readers to know the answers too, with the exception of a few. All the answers to all the questions will be known by the end of the story though.
Of course my favorite part might be the elimination. I actually love Pascal, he's a hoot to write. I was sad to see him go, even debating about eliminating him. But what a note to end on. I don't like how sadistic future seasons got in Total Drama, but I hope you were cheering at this villain downfall. Maybe not though; past readers enjoyed Pascal.
This is also goodbye to Mandy, who was probably obnoxious but she was also fun to write. When I made the gag of Pascal's rival I got the idea for Mandy and wanted to introduce her. I mean you can't name a character Amanda Picklestein and not have her show up. Still, I'm glad she's not here too long. As another writer pointed out, introducing new characters is fun, but it doesn't reflect well on the main cast if a non-contestant steals the spotlight.
Mandy and Pascal hooking up was meant to either seen as a happy ending for Pascal after continuously failing, or a punishment by being tied to a chatterbox, depending on the reader's interpretation.
What else? I feel like I didn't comment on this before so maybe a reminder; who the heck is Elaine again? She's Toby and Jenny pet vulture. I don't blame you if you forgot. I forget her all the time. I introduced her way back in the second chapter and took forever to make her their pet till last chapter. Still, I love her.
You might also noticed two audience members got some focus and be wondering what their deal is. The short of it is, they're references to my most famous characters from an unfinished fanfic on the Total Drama Fanfiction Wiki. They were who I was known for until Genesis, so they occasionally show up in my fics as a tribute. It made sense for them to be a Statler and Waldorf for this challenge.
I've talked a lot, but this was a long chapter. A lot happened. I could say more, but I'll leave it with a tease for next chapter. Now that everyone's secrets are in the air, what better to do than some trust building exercises?
Appendix: Elimination History
Bethany (Eagles)- 22nd
Diamonique (Eagles)- 21st
Casper (Fireworks)- 20th
Tessa (Fireworks)- 19th
Zipporah (Fireworks)- 18th
Hayden (Eagles)- 17th
Frannie (Eagles)- 16th
Aiden (Eagles)- 15th
Pascal (Fireworks)- 14th