On the roof of the Pentagram Hotel, the Molting Eagles sat at tables enjoying a classy Italian dinner, their reward for winning the last challenge.
Vance slurped up pasta noodles as waiters brought more plates out. "That's it! Keep it coming! And bring more breadsticks!"
Melissa laughed as she took another spoonful of soup. She smiled as Cynthia took a seat next to her. "Oh Cynthia! You didn't have to come sit with me, you can sit with Weston."
"He has time for his friends," Cynthia replied. "I want to make time for mine."
Melissa hugged the girl. "You're too sweet."
"I wanted to apologize for not telling you about the Hayden vote," Cynthia said. "It won't happen again."
"Thank you," Melissa replied. "I'm not mad, but I appreciate it."
"I don't care about people," Cynthia admitted. "But I guess Melissa and Weston are an exception...I'm glad I met them."
The sky suddenly lit up as an orange firework went off. The Molting Eagles gasped and clapped.
/
Ness sat in her bed, staring at the ceiling. Slowly, Lita and Seraphina inched into the room.
"Hey sweetie," Lita greeted. "Can we hang with you?"
"I was just going to bed," Ness admitted.
"That's cool," Seraphina said. "But we thought if you wanted to...you could enjoy some cake."
Ness turned to see Seraphina and Lita pull a rich chocolate cake from behind their backs. Sixteen candles were lit on top of it.
"We know you hate your birthday," Lita said. "But we're glad to have you here, so we wanted to show that."
Ness wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "You got me a cake?"
"After you told us about your birthday earlier," Lita explained, "we snuck off to bake you one."
"And after almost burning down the kitchen we asked Melissa for help," Seraphina admitted.
"But we made sure nothing you were allergic to is in it," Lita stated. "Can we cut you a slice?"
Ness shrugged. "I guess so."
Lita nodded and sat it on the drawers. She cut three slices while Seraphina put them on paper plates. The three girls sat on the bed and dug in, sighing in delight.
"Melissa has got some skill," Ness admitted.
"Amen," Seraphina replied. "Ness, we're sorry about what happened with Pascal. He was a jerk, you didn't deserve that."
"He was nice to me...I thought," Ness replied.
Lita brushed hair out of her smaller friend's face. "Ness, you're amazing! Some guy will wise-up and realize it, or screw it, I'll marry you myself."
Ness and Seraphina laughed. "I'll officiate you two if I can."
"Seraphina please, you can marry us too," Lita joked. "I know you want to! We're just too good for everybody else."
"Griswold might get jealous," Ness teased.
Lita rolled her eyes. "Psh, he can be jealous. Like **** him, **** all the other losers out there."
Ness laughed. "You know, you guys might've made this my best birthday yet."
"Maybe we need to change the date of your birthday," Seraphina suggested. "Let's celebrate it tomorrow! We can have a girls day at the mall."
"Yes!" Lita cheered. "We can get you a nice gift then too."
Ness blushed. "Oh...what the heck! Let's do it!"
The three roomies embraced each other, accidentally spilling their cake on the bed.
/
The next day, Weston walked into the kitchen. Melissa and Vance were already there, standing awkwardly.
"Hey Melissa," Weston greeted. "Vance said you wanted some help pie tasting?"
"Um...well...look Weston," Melissa stated, pulling a coin out of his pocket. "I have a shiny nickel."
Vance stole the coin and tossed it in the open freezer. "Go fetch partner!"
Weston crossed his arms. "Do you really expect me to chase a nickel?"
Melissa blushed. "Well…"
"No, it was a dumb plan I reckon," Vance said, looking down. "It wasn't even a nickel; just a quarter."
The two looked up to see Weston had ran off into the freezer. "A whole quarter? That's like four baby dollars!"
The two Eagles high-fived. Easton came walking back into the kitchen with Griswold and Riley behind him.
"Why are we going to the kitchen when we're going out for broritos again?" Easton asked.
Riley and Griswold shared a look. "Uhh…"
Griswold grabbed Easton, tossing him into the freezer and slamming it shut. "Sorry about this bro; hopefully you'll thank us."
Easton stood up and immediately glared upon seeing his other half. "Weston."
"Easton."
"Vance this was a nickel," Weston shouted.
"I think I'm owed an explanation," Easton stated, trying to push the door open.
"And I think I'm owed twenty cents!"
"We're awfully sorry to do this," Melissa stated, "but you two need to talk, and since you wouldn't do it own your own, we thought we could help."
"It was defiantly my idea though," Vance added.
"You mean definitely, right?" Griswold asked.
"Get comfy in there you two," Riley said. "Cause until you make up we aren't letting you out."
"So the sooner you two hug it out, the sooner you can get warm," Vance stated.
Easton sighed and turned to face Weston's glare. "Well…"
"I don't have anything to say," Weston stated. "I wouldn't want to burden you."
"For someone who has nothing to say you certainly don't mind talking," Easton replied.
Riley pressed her ear against the door. "I think they're speaking to each other!"
"Easton was in danger of going home because of his and Weston's fighting," Riley explained. "But even more than that, you shouldn't hate your brother; they're your family."
"When my parents died, all of my eight brothers pitched in to help raise me. Of course we didn't always get along, but we always made up; we're always there for each other. I don't want Easton or Weston to lose someone like that over a silly fight."
"I appreciate the help with this," Vance stated. "Xidorn thought it was 'dumb' and 'would make things worse'."
"I was happy to help a teammate in need," Melissa replied.
"I want you to know that we still consider you a teammate..."
Melissa smiled.
"...we just kept you in the dark about a lot of stuff and voted off your boyfriend," Vance continued. "No hard feelings."
Melissa raised an eyebrow, yet tried to keep her smile. "Thanks?"
In the freezer, the two twins were now arguing.
"I don't care if it was manipulated or not," Weston replied. "You still think I'm a burden and told your teammates I was an idiot."
"That's not what I meant," Easton explained. "I wouldn't say those things to hurt you; but you don't think about that, about how I feel."
"Like how I didn't think about starting a relationship with Cynthia?" Weston asked. "I know you don't approve, not that I care."
"I'm sorry if I don't like that you're dating a serial killer," Easton replied.
"I finally found someone who likes me for me," Weston stated.
"Who doesn't like you?" Easton asked. "Everyone likes you!"
"No, everyone likes you!" Weston stated. "You're the smart one, the reliable one. The one who's doing something with your life."
"Everyone likes you," Easton yelled again. "Everyone thinks you're funnier, more interesting. Mom, dad, our friends; they all care about you. They don't give a crap about what I do."
"No they like you better," Weston shouted, trying to be louder. "Don't you get it-
"You don't get it!" Easton screamed. "Its obvious-"
"-You're the superior twin!" the two shouted in unison.
Riley fist pumped outside the freezer door. "I think they finished each other's sentences again."
"Everyone thinks I'm just your dummy sidekick," Weston stated.
"Everyone thinks I'm unnecessary when you exist," Easton stated.
"This is actually going a lot better than a I thought," Griswold admitted.
Clank.
Griswold took a step back as the door vibrated a little bit. "Or not."
Riley threw open the door, the twins tumbling out while punching each other. Quickly Griswold and Melissa pulled them two apart, holding each back.
"Calm down dude," Griswold stated. "Don't do this!"
"Don't start Gris!" Easton shouted. "You locked me in there with him."
"We just wanted you to talk," Griswold replied. "To stop fighting and be brothers again."
"Easton is not my brother," Weston stated. "He's not anything to me anymore."
The younger twin stormed off.
Easton froze there for a moment, before turning away and sulking out. "Right back at you!"
"There was more hurt than I realized," Riley admitted. "They've been bottling it up for such a long time...this is going to take a lot of work to fix, and it won't be easy."
The others nodded.
/
Melissa left the kitchen, only to run into Seraphina.
"Ooh, good morning Seraphina," Melissa greeted.
"Mornin'," Seraphina greeted. "Hey, thanks for help with the cake yesterday. Ness loved it...till we spilt it in the bed...but still ate it…"
"I was happy I could help," Melissa greeted. "No one should have a bad birthday."
"I was actually looking for you," Seraphina admitted. "Could I ask you something?"
"Of course," Melissa replied. "If there's anything I can help with, I want to."
"I just wanted some advice I guess," Seraphina said. "I know you and Aiden had issues, we saw them at the Awake-a-thon...but you ended up dating. How did you make it work? You were so different."
Melissa sighed. "It's weird to think he only left a few days ago."
"I'm sorry," Seraphina replied. "You don't have to-"
"-Like I said I don't mind," Melissa said. "I think with me and Aiden...we had our differences. But we had so much in common, that the differences just seemed so small. We realized that was more important than the differences...does that make sense?"
"A lot, yeah," Seraphina replied. "Thank you."
Melissa winked. "I have faith you and Xidorn will make it work."
The two girls said their goodbyes and parted ways.
/
Early in the hours of the next morning, the contestants slept peacefully…until an air horn played over the P.A. "Hey everybody! Be in the lobby now for today's challenge!"
Still dressed in their pajamas, the contestants groggily crept to the lobby.
"Morning everyone!" Rhonda greeted. "You sleep good?"
"For five minutes," Griswold sighed.
Seraphina yawned. "Why are we doing this challenge now? "Wasn't it every three days?"
"I have to finish this show by a certain point, " Rhonda replied. "Before this hotel opens to the public."
"Didn't you plan out the schedule beforehand?" Easton asked. "That usually helps."
Rhonda tried but failed to hide a smile. "We have a very flexible schedule, lots of production changes…nothing to worry your heads about yet. Instead, you ought to worry about your next challenge."
"Are you going to tell us what this challenge is?" Xidorn asked. "Or just throw us down another trap door?"
"We've been doing challenges rather similar to the ones your predecessors faced," Rhonda explained, "so it's time for another variation on a fan-favorite challenge…"
"So you just copied and pasted another old challenge?" Seraphina asked.
"Its called a call-back and a celebration of this franchise's rich history," Rhonda replied.
"Then why'd she yell at us for using it," Jenny whispered to Toby.
"We've noticed that some conflicts have been forming between your teams," Rhonda explained. "We want to help mend those bonds...through extremely dangerous events! So prepare for trust building!"
The contestants stared at Rhonda, Toby imitating cricket noises.
"Really?" Rhonda asked. "You don't have a problem blabbing earlier, but now nothing?"
"Is that before or after breakfast?" Kalino asked.
"Didn't you already eat?" Xidorn asked.
"Not second breakfast," Kalino replied.
Rhonda facepalmed. Jenny smirked and tip-toed over to her technical superior. She whispered things in her ear, causing an ugly grin to appear on the hostess' face.
"I like it," Rhonda replied. "Alright newcomers, let's get cooking…"
"Does anyone else think that Rhonda is becoming meaner and meaner?" Griswold asked. "Sure she was intense at the start, but friendly. Maybe we rubbed her the wrong way, but she's a little too sadistic. Jenny might be having a bad influence on her…"
Later, the newbies had changed into their swimsuits and found themselves standing outside of the Pentagram hotel. They stood on a makeshift dock, a large aquarium tank in front of each team.
"For your first challenge, you'll be making a delicious soup," Rhonda announced. "Kung-fu soup! Allow me to share the recipe; noodles, vegetables...and seven of the deadliest fish in the world!"
Rhonda smirked and rubbed her hands together, pointing to the water below. "We've stocked this tank with electric eels, piranhas…"
The contestants gulped as a horde of piranhas tore into the flesh of an eel, who shocked them in response. However both were killed as they were stung by a purple jellyfish.
"Toxic jellyfish, swordfish, the poisonous fugu blowfish…"
A blowfish popped up, only to be deflated by a charging swordfish. The swordfish smirked, only to pass over dead.
"...Man eating sharks…"
As if on cue, a great shark jumped out into the sky and flashed a toothy grin. It tied a bib around around its neck before sinking back into the water...only to be grabbed by giant octopus tentacles.
"...and a killer octopus. Fun fact, it's called kung-fu soup for a reason; a single bite of an ill prepared bowl of this soup feels like taking a beating from Jackie Chan. One person from each team will prepare the soup and serve it to another team member."
"Melissa will be cooking for the Molting Eagles, while Kalino will enjoy the meal."
"Good luck partner," Vance said. "If you die who do you want me to give your Gamecube too?"
"Take a chillaxative bud," Kalino replied. "Melissa is cooking; she's like a pro-chef."
"Good point," Rhonda admitted. "In that case, you'll cook and Melissa will eat."
Kalino facepalmed as Melissa gave him a sympathetic look.
"For the Fireworks...I think it's time to see how much our ex lovebirds trust each other," Rhonda announced. "Lita will cook, while Griswold will eat."
"Exes?" Seraphina asked. "You broke up and didn't tell me or Ness?"
"It's not important," Lita replied. "It happens. It's not going to affect how either of us do in this challenge."
"I'm sure," Rhonda replied. "I was going to have the ingredients ready...but since you all seem so eager to nitpick, the rest of you will fish for the ingredients and bring them to our chefs in the kitchen. If there's a tie, whoever brings the most fish wins."
Toby dropped a ham into the water. It sank into the water...before resurfacing as a bone. A shark eagerly chomped into it and dove back underwater.
Jenny snickered. "Gee, I sure how the soup is prepared good. It'd be shame if Gris or Melissa became sick and had to be voted out to keep the team strong."
Griswold rolled his eyes while Melissa gulped.
"Do I think Kalino would poison me?" Melissa asked. "Oh goodness no. I'm not certain I trust him though...he's kept me out of the loop quite a bit. I'm not sure he knows how to cook either. I had to help him microwave a Kids Cuisine meal once."
"I didn't actually need Melissa to help me with that Kids Cuisine meal," Kalino replied. "The microwave was just...like a whole room away."
The remaining teens stood outside the tank, while Toby delivered each a set of fishing gear.
"So now what?" Weston asked.
"Psh, I go fishing in the crick all the time back home," Vance bragged. "This will be easier than hog-tieing a...hog."
Vance placed a bit of cheese on a fish hook and flung the line into the tank. With a sploosh it sank into the ocean. In seconds the line tugged.
"Told you," Vance replied. "Have I ever been wrong?"
"You want the list handwritten or typed?" Xidorn teased.
Before Vance could reply he found himself tugged by the line. The cowboy was yanked forward, falling into the tank and into the arms of a man-eating shark.
"To be fair, there are not sharks in the crick," Vance admitted. The shark itself being dousing him in barbecue sauce. But as it prepared to snap, Xidorn maced it in the face. The shark pouted, tossing Vance in Xidorn's arms and swimming off.
"Thanks for the rescue deputy," Vance replied. "But how did you do it?"
"Oh that's easy," Xidorn replied. "Shark repellent."
"I was a fan of the original Total Drama when I was a kid," Xidorn admitted. "I stopped watching after some of the later seasons…not to jump on the All-Stars hate bandwagon, but I wasn't crazy about it. I knew we'd have sharks on this show, given its history, so I figured I'd need this. Not to mention Batman always carries it."
The Fizzled Fireworks were trying to come up with a plan; their net had been torn, their rods snapped in half and their bait depleted, with nothing to show for it.
"We need a new strategy," Easton said. "Anyone have any ideas?"
"What if we just like shattered the tank," Riley suggested. "We could do that, right?"
"No, no you can't!" Rhonda shouted off the sidelines.
"Well," Ness said. "It's not a great plan...but we could use me as a bait. Animals aren't always my biggest fan...and I think these fish really don't like me."
Ness looked down into the tank; in the octopus' tentacles it held a photo of Ness. It then held up a lighter, burning the picture and tossing towards the Fireworks.
"How can it even light a fire underwater?" Seraphina asked.
"I'm not comfortable with that idea Ness," Ignacio stated. "You could be brutalized...worse than usual."
"I might have a plan," Seraphina admitted. "But I don't know if you'll like it Ignacio…"
/
The Eagles themselves were trying to think of a plan, just as unsuccessful.
"We're out of bait," Vance admitted. "What else do fish like?"
Weston jumped in place, raising his hand. "I know! I know! Fish love water! If we get some water…wait..."
Xidorn and Vance shared a look.
"Ooh!" Weston exclaimed. "I have another idea! Why don't we send in our secret weapon, my sweetheart!"
"Huh," Vance said. "We should just done that in the first place."
"To be honest I was trying to be merciful to the fish," Xidorn admitted. "But I guess we're out of options...where is Cynthia?"
Xidorn jumped as he felt breathing on the back of his neck. Cynthia appeared behind him, having grabbed her chainsaw.
"Use these for the carcasses," Cynthia stated, dropping a roll of black trash bags. She revved her chainsaw before jumping into the water.
Weston swooned as chunks of fugu blowfish and octopus floated to the top of the tank. "She's like a little mermaid...a mermaid Cthulhu."
/
The Fizzled Fireworks had a plan of their own…
Ignacio sighed as he he stood out in front of the tank, pulling down the top of his wet suit. Immediately, the fish started throwing themselves out of the tank and at the hunk. Using the remains of their poles as spears, they moved the smaller fish into the net.
"Nice plan Seraphina," Easton said. "Its working really well!"
A shark, with hearts in its eyes, threw itself out of the tank. Ignacio ducked and it flew right into Ness, knocking her off the platform.
"A little too well," Easton said.
/
In the kitchen, Kalino and Lita were getting to work. Kalino whistled as he precisely chopped a fugu blowfish into sushi-style pieces. Weston rushed in with a dripping trash bag.
"Here's more fish Kalino," Weston said. "Oh, and Cynthia got us each one of these."
He dropped a large shark tooth onto the kitchen counter. "We can put it under our pillow for the tooth fairy!"
"Nicceeeeee," Kalino replied, high-fiving the twin.
Riley meanwhile drug the net of fish and plopped it next to Lita. "How's the cooking Lightning Lita?"
"It ain't no thing," Lita replied. "Hmm...do you use an egg beater for soup?"
Riley shrugged. "My diet usually consists of fast-food, leftovers or mini pizza bagels."
Lita laughed as she held up a jellyfish. "I feel. I haven't been able to find any jelly in these things...meh, I'm sure it'll turn out alright though."
"Hey I hope you don't mind me asking...but you okay?" Riley questioned. "You know...after you and Gris…"
"He told ya?"
"Yeah...I didn't see it coming honestly."
"I did," Lita replied. "It was obvious Griswold didn't love me. We just didn't fit right."
"Oh...guess I missed that. So you didn't love him either?"
"No, I loved him," Lita replied. "Loving someone just isn't always enough."
Riley nodded and walked away as Lita stirred the soup.
/
Soon, Rhonda and her cohorts have gathered into the dining hall. Griswold and Melissa sat at opposite tables, both with weary looks on their face. Lita and Kalino walked out, placing bowls in front of their teammates. Melissa gasped as she stirred the soup; it looked like ordinary, delicious soup. Griswold stirred his soup; it looked like fish guts floating in water.
"Bon appetit!" Rhonda laughed.
"This looks amazing Kalino!" Melissa exclaimed. She sipped a bit from her spoon and sighed deeply. "It tastes amazing too! Thank you!"
"What are teammates for?" Kalino replied.
Melissa started drinking from the bowl. "Mmm...I didn't know you were such a skilled chef."
"Eh, I rarely cook," Kalino stated, "never made soup before either, but it seemed easy enough."
Melissa raised an eyebrow, but shrugged and finished slurping her soup. Everyone turned to look at Griswold, still stirring his soup.
"Well?" Rhonda asked.
"Don't worry Griswold," Lita stated. "I know I'm not a chef so-"
Griswold slammed his fist on the table. "I admit that its...fishy looking. Uh, no pun intended. But I trust Lita, even if we are exes! I have faith in her and in my team. So here goes nothing…"
Griswold threw his head back as he chucked down the soup in one gulp.
"Huh," Griswold said. "It's not bad actual-"
He immediately blew chunks onto the table.
"Aww yeah!" Vance cheered. "Eagles win!"
"Not quite," Rhonda said. "The goal was to see if you trusted your teammates, not whether you prepared the soup right. Since both teams finished we'll go to our tiebreaker, seeing who caught the most fish…which was actually the Molting Eagles so uh...I guess you were right. Congrats Eagles."
The Molting Eagles burst into cheers, patting Kalino and Melissa on the back.
"Way to go guys," Xidorn cheered. "You kicked butt. You too uh...Cynthia…."
Cynthia held a thumbs up as she sharpened her knife with a shark's tooth.
"Don't get too cocky Eagles," Riley said. "We still got another round. Gris Bear, Lita, Iggy Pop, you all did great."
"Riley's right," Jenny said.
"Aww thanks Jenny," Griswold replied.
"Not about y'all, you lost," Jenny replied. "Its called sucking hardcore."
The Fireworks glared at the co-host.
"But we do have another round," Jenny giggled. "So let's found out if you trust your teammates to fight beside you…"
/
The scene cut to outside the looming Pentagram Hotel, where an area of sorts had been built from trash, and now stood outside the gates. In the center was a large pool of mud. A raised circular platform shot out of it, also drenched in mud. The two teams each sat in a separate section of wooden bleachers.
"Aww sweet!" Riley cheered. "I've been wanting another wrestling challenge! I'm guessing Tobster made this sweet arena."
Toby smirked a little. "Guilty as charged."
"Guilty of being a loser," Jenny said.
Rhonda cleared her throat. "As you guessed Riley, this is a wrestling challenge, but its tag team wrestling! You'll be tethered to your teammate with a short chain, and have to knock your opponents off the platform to win. We'll give you each a jousting stick to use, but other than that it's hand-to-hand combat. No other weapons."
Everyone turns to look at Cynthia. She stops carving the bleacher and stabbed her knife inside it. "I don't need a knife to make someone bleed."
"I don't think anyone doubts that," Rhonda replied. "For the first round...let's see...we'll have Seraphina and Griswold for the Fizzled Fireworks versus Xidorn and Kalino."
Griswold rubbed his chin as he eyed Kalino. Kalino waved at him.
"Kalino played pretty dirty at the last challenge," Griswold said. "I don't know, I'm just getting an off feeling about this guy…"
Seraphina forced a smile and tried waving at Xidorn. He sighed and looked away.
"Hey man, I think you're girlfriend is trying to talk to you," Kalino stated, following him to the arena.
"We're not really together anymore," Xidorn replied, clipping the chain on his leg.
"Aww sucks dude," Kalino said.
"I don't really want to talk about," Xidorn replied.
"Worried about fighting Xidorn?" Griswold asked.
"You can take him," Seraphina said.
"You know that's not what I meant," Griswold replied.
"I don't think mud-wrestling will make things better," Seraphina said.
Griswold sighed and rustled her head.
"Enough talk!" Rhonda yelled, sitting like a Roman empress. "Commence the fighting!"
Jousting sticks in hands, the pairs stood, waiting for the other to make a move. Suddenly, the platform shifted and shaked. In his hand, Toby titled a control stick.
"Did I mention this platform moves?" Rhonda asked.
Seraphina rolled her eyes, groaning and charging forward to strike at Kalino...only to reach too far and be yanked back into Griswold.
Kalino stuck out his tongue. "Neiner, neiner."
Griswold smirked, then charged full steam ahead. Seraphina screamed, before falling face forward into the mud and drug behind the brickhouse. Xidorn and Kalino gulped, swerving to the right and sliding behind the linebacker.
Xidorn poked the mud covered psychic. "You alright?"
Seraphina held up her head and coughed up a puddle. "Yeah...haha, I'm just glad it's only mud."
Xidorn giggled as he helped her up.
Kalino meanwhile, was dodging Griswold's swings.
"You're...enjoying this...aren't you?" Griswold panted.
Kalino yawned. "Honestly I think it's going on a bit too long mannnn. But let's change that…"
Dodging another swing by ducking, Kalino pantsed Griswold.
"Think of the poor children!" Lita screamed, jumping on top of Ness to cover her eyes.
Griswold blushed and noticed Riley doing the same as she looked away. He dropped his jousting stick as he tried to cover himself.
Kalino held a thumbs up as he kicked away Griswold's jousting stick. "Hey, its not a bad look man."
Griswold glared and prepared to strike, but the platform teetered to the the right. Kalino used his jousting stick like a baseball bat and whacked Griswold in the face. He fall back, pulling Seraphina with him off the platform.
"Yeah," Griswold stated, now covered in mud. "**** that guy! I got my eye on him..."
"The Molting Eagles score!" Rhonda announced. "Can the Fireworks ever catch back up? Let's find out in round two! Lita and Ignacio will duel Vance...and Cynthia!"
Lita gulped as she slowly approached the platform.
"Are you nervous Lita?" Ignacio asked. "I thought you'd be looking forward to another 'smackdown' with Vance."
"I'm just a tiny bit utterly horrified," Lita replied.
Ignacio followed the path of her eyes to Cynthia's own unblinking eyes.
"I see," Ignacio said. "Your serial killer phobia. Well...uh, I'll take care of Cynthia. You focus on trouncing Vance."
Lita squeezed the model. "Oh Ignacio, you're just the best!"
Ignacio blushed and stammered gibberish as the model found himself pressed into her chest.
"I've been terrified of Cynthia since we faced each other in the first challenge," Ignacio admitted. "But I couldn't let Lita down...I hope she'll speak at my funeral."
At the same time, Vance was shaking in his knees.
"You're not worried about facing Lita again are you?" Xidorn asked.
"Why would I be?" Vance asked.
"Because she curb stomped you in the first challenge, remember?" Kalino asked.
"Yeah, she owned you!" Weston continued.
"You cried a little," Xidorn said.
"It was so sad," Melissa recalled. "It's okay if you're scared again Vance, I would be too."
"She had the advantage because I wasn't going to fight her," Vance defended. "But I'm not making that mistake again."
"Really?" Xidorn asked.
"I realize that was sexist," Vance explained.
"Wow Vance," Xidorn admitted. "I'm really proud to hear you say that!"
Vance smirked. "So I'm going to embrace feminism by punching women too!"
Xidorn facepalmed.
"What I'm worried about is fighting with…"
He turned to end of the podium where Cynthia seemed to be staring straight at him, as if is greatest fears were revealed in her unblinking eyes.
"Ooooh," the cowboy shuttered.
"Cynthia wouldn't hurt a fly," Melissa stated. "Well actually...what I mean is that she's a good person."
"Yeah, she doesn't usually bite," Weston added. "Except me, but that's different…"
The other Eagles' raised their eyebrows, except for a thumbs up from Kalino.
"Look at it this way mannnnnnnnnn," Kalino said, "I'd rather be fighting with Cynthia than against Cynthia."
Before Vance could reply, he found himself chained to Cynthia.
/
As the two groups got on the platform, it already started to teeter.
"Fight!" Rhonda cried out.
Lita and Ignacio nodded as they moved in separate directions, cornering their opponents.
"Hey there...uh Cynthia," Ignacio greeted. "How are you?"
"Bored."
"Good thing I peed before this challenge," Ignacio whispered. "So uh...there's not a possibility my magic hotness will divert your attention, is there?"
"I have a boyfriend," Cynthia replied.
"It's okay Cynthia!" Weston shouted. "Ignacio is a dreamboat, I would understand."
"Don't think I'm going easy on you this time girly," Vance greeted.
"I didn't know you had any other setting," Lita replied. "Show me what you got sugar."
Vance let out a battle cry and charged forward, swinging his jousting stick..only to be held back by Lita's hand on his head.
Cynthia stepped closer to Ignacio, holding out her pinky finger.
"What...what is that for?" Ignacio asked.
Cynthia inched forward. "In a little bit, you'll regret asking that."
"Hey Vance," Lita asked. "Idiot says what?"
Vance rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Okay, first off that is plain dumb with capital B, like really Lita? Second...wait what?"
Lita punched him square in the jaw, then punched him in the gut. "Two for flinching!"
Suddenly the platform began to move up and down, then side to side, before spinning in circles. Lita tried to gain her balance as Vance lunged at her. He slipped and tried to grab onto the knockout… but pulled off her bra.
The others gasped, trying and failing to avert their gaze. Toby's jaw dropped, as did the controller, which smashed on the floor.
"Won't someone think of the children," Seraphina shouted, covering Ness' eyes.
Vance froze. "Wooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…"
Lita rolled her eyes, grabbing Vance by the waistband of his speedo and chucking him away. Cynthia stood over a wounded Ignacio, still holding out her pinky finger, when she found herself yanked backwards. The two Eagles landed in the pool of mud below.
"Uhh...I guess the Fizzled Fireworks won that," Rhonda admitted.
"Aww yeah!" Lita cheered, picking up Ignacio and hugging him. "We're on the scoreboard. Thank you for fighting Cynthia Iggy, I wish I could repay you."
"I think you already did," Riley teased.
Lita let go of the supermodel, who flopped red face first into the mud, looking like a dead fish.
"I'm just surprised Ignacio wasn't the one to lose his clothes in this challenge," Seraphina admitted.
"So I showed some ta-tas," Lita said. "We won, didn't we? If that's what it takes to get two million dollars, then they'll be seeing them again."
"It's twice for the final round," Rhonda announced. "This time, let's try to win while keeping our clothes on. Let's finish with Easton and Ness...against Weston and Melissa. Time to find out which twin will come out on top!"
The two twins immediately shot each other glares. They raced up to the platform, their partners rushing after them.
"Begin!" Rhonda announced.
Easton and Weston immediately went at each other. The two clashed with their jousting sticks; Weston swinging quickly, but Easton keeping his balance and blocking each time. Melissa and Ness meanwhile found themselves awkwardly squashed next to each other.
"How are you doing today Ness?" Melissa asked.
"Pretty good all things considered," Ness replied. "By the way, thank you for baking that cake. It was delicious!"
"My pleasure!" Melissa said. "Happy belated birthday too!"
"Think you're so better than me," Weston growled. "Are you better than this!"
He tried to swing lower, but Easton blocked.
"Says the guy who doesn't care about how he treats me," Easton replied. The older twin flicked his jousting stick, pushing Weston back.
Weston screamed, swinging like a crazy in every direction. Easton stood his ground and with a quick swing knocked his brother back. He charged forward, pushing his twin over the edge of the platform, sending Melissa following.
"Woo!" Easton cheered, raising his jousting stick. Ness was laying in the mud behind him.
"With that," Rhonda said, "we have a winner! The Fizzled Fireworks win this round!"
The Fizzled Fireworks cheered and clapped.
"You know," Toby stated. "If you read this past challenge with jousting sticks as innuendo, the whole thing takes on different meaning…"
"With that," Rhonda interrupted. "Let's get to the final challenge…"
/
The newcomers, out of their swimsuits and no longer covered in mud, now stood over the sidewalk of a busy Washington street. It was the large inclining road from the first challenge, the Pentagram Hotel seen in the distance at the end of the hill. From up the sidewalk, Toby, Jenny and Rhonda pulled two toboggans with wheels also from the first challenge.
Rhonda dropped on the ground, heaving and huffing deep breathes. "The final...trust...challenge. It's a partner's sled...race, where one of you will steer...blind...folded. The other...gives...directions. Why am I so out of shape?"
Riley jumped in place, raising her hand. "Ooh! Ooh! Pick me! Pick me!"
"We all know why Rhonda's out of shape," Jenny said.
"No," Riley said. "I want to do this challenge! I didn't get to do wrestling again, I at least want to do this one!"
Rhonda forced herself off of the ground. "You want to do the deadly race through traffic blind?"
Riley nodded. "Sounds fun!"
"At least somebody has some enthusiasm," Rhonda stated. "Alright you can be blindfolded, while Ness is your partner!"
"Ooh yeah!" Riley cheered. "Me and Loch Ness got this!"
"Let's make it girls versus girls then," Rhonda said. "Cynthia will steer, Melissa will direct."
Melissa smiled and glomped her eerie bestie. "We have this in the bag."
"A body bag," Xidorn whispered to Vance.
"We roll in five," Rhonda said. "Everybody else, head back to the Pentagram."
/
The other teens started to walk back to the Pentagram, grumbling at having just gotten here.
Kalino grabbed Xidorn's sleeve and pulled him to the back. "Can we talk?"
"Of course," Xidorn said. "Is there something on your mind?"
"Not to be a dog and stick my nose in your business," Kalino said, "but I got to know...do you really want to be done with Seraphina?"
"No," Xidorn admitted. "Talking to her at the challenge was nice...but I'm still hurt."
"Trust me," Kalino said, "if you care about her, don't let her slip away. Sometimes there's a time limit you have to be with someone and make it work...and you can never go back to that place where you were in love once its up."
"I...I can understand that," Xidorn said.
"I mean did she cheat on you or something?" Kalino asked.
"Nothing like that," Xidorn replied. "She just told a big lie for this game...she said it was to help me but I think she crossed the line."
Kalino rubbed the back of his head. "I gotcha. This is just me, but I wouldn't let it come between you two."
"Really?" Xidorn asked.
"Sometimes we do things we regret," Kalino said. "It sounds like it was for a good reason."
"I don't think so," Xidorn replied. "She didn't trust me enough, why should I trust her?"
"Give her the chance to earn it," Kalino replied. "I mean if I betrayed someone's trust like that...well, I'd want a second chance. Everyone would."
Xidorn kicked the ground. "Am I being selfish?"
"Not necessarily," Kalino replied. "But I wouldn't call it a dealbreaker. If it's really love, it's a learning experience for both of you about each other. It's a tiny hurdle on the way to happiness."
Xidorn pulled Kalino in for a big hug. "Thank you. Really, thank you. You have a way with words with Kalino."
"Yeah, I get it," Kalino replied. "So what lie did she tell anyway?"
"Oh it's silly…"
Kalino sat silently in the confessional for a moment, before exhaling heavily. "So apparently that little rumor that got Frannie sent home...was spread by Seraphina. Huh. Who'd have guessed."
The surfer sighed, slouching in the seat. "Maybe I would have fallen too hard for Frannie, would've got distracted. Now I only have one goal; win this thing. What Seraphina did doesn't change that."
Kalino sat up and smiled. "Though I do plan on returning the favor. Let's see if her tarot cards can predict which of her close friends I take down first."
"Go!" Rhonda shouted.
The two sleds pushed off, the Fireworks wobbling towards traffic while the Eagles dashed forward.
"Left!" Ness screamed, Riley narrowly swerving. ."Right, Right! Left! Ahh, look out! Incoming old lady!
A crunching noise was heard as they passed by. "Aah my hip!"
"Incoming mom!"
"Aah my baby!"
"Incoming Rhonda!"
"Aah, my few remaining shreds of dignity!"
"Whoops," Riley laughed. "You don't think she noticed I almost hit her, do you?"
"Almost?" Ness cried. "Aah, fire hydrant! Right, right!"
/
Melissa and Cynthia swerved back and forth through the street.
"Left!" Melissa called. Cynthia swerved easily out of the way of a car.
"Right!" Melissa stated, Cynthia dodging again.
"Trash can dead ahead!" Melissa said.
From behind her back Cynthia grabbed her chainsaw and slashed the can in half. The two girls high fived as they took the lead.
/
At the Pentagram, Toby and Jenny watched the race through binoculars.
"It looks like things are getting too tame," Jenny stated.
Out of her pocket, the mischievous redhead pulled out another of Toby's contraptions. This time it was a TV remote with an antennae and covered in duct tape.
"How were you able to legally do any of this again?" Seraphina asked. Secretly she hoped to distract the redhead from her latest scheme.
Instead, Jenny pressed all the buttons on the gadget first. "Ooh, the coppers don't care about any of this! They have bigger issues to worry about."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow. "Bigger issues?"
"Haven't you heard?" Toby asked. "The subway system has been temporarily closed after a horrible crash. Say the mad horse caused it."
All the newcomers turned to look at Vance, who bent down and pretended to be tying his laceless boot.
/
"Weeee!" Riley laughed, the sled spinning in circles as cars swerved left and right to avoid the teens. "Look Ness, no hands!"
Ness covered her eyes as her face turned green. "I don't think I can. At least it can't get any worse."
Suddenly a boom was heard. Ness immediately dropped her hands as explosions started going off.
"Where do they keep getting all these land mines?" Ness cried.
/
"Where do you keep getting all these land mines?" Seraphina questioned, Jenny going crazy pressing the buttons.
"Rhonda said it's because of the original show," Jenny explained. "The show always had that questionably legal angle, you know? But as the seasons went on it became deadlier and deadlier as the host became nastier and nastier. It had coat following with sadists as result."
"Cult following," Toby corrected. "Which anyone with a sixth grade vocabulary would know."
"YOUR MOM!" Jenny snapped.
"I'm noticing a pattern with these seasons," Seraphina said. "So the explosives?"
"Generous donations from sadistic fans who want to support a new version of their favorite program," Jenny replied.
"Why couldn't they just write stories on the internet like the other nerds?" Vance asked.
Xidorn pouted. "You said you liked my Overwatch fanfiction."
/
As the race continued, the explosives proved to be hardly any obstacle for Cynthia and Melissa, who seemed to move with inhuman precision.
"We're almost there!" Melissa cheered.
The same couldn't be said with Riley and Ness, the jinx trying to pat out on a fire on the bro's wolf hat.
"Do you think we're close Ness?" Riley asked.
"I don't even know if we're on the same street," Ness admitted.
"Oops," Riley laughed. "Hey, maybe we'll get lucky and catch up."
Before Ness could reply, an explosion went off. Riley and Ness screamed as their now burning were launched far into the air...landing a little ahead of Melissa and Cynthia.
"Wooo!" Riley cheered. "I guess we did get lucky Ness."
Ness coughed out black smoke. "Yeah...I...I guess so…"
"Uh oh," Melissa said. "They flew right in front of us!"
"Flew?" Cynthia asked.
"I have no idea either," Melissa replied.
Cynthia nodded. She leaned forward, Melissa following suit, putting their weight forward. Swerving from traffic lane to lane, they swooped in next to the Fizzled Fireworks.
Rhonda, now having joined the onlookers, watched with her binoculars. "They're entering the home stretch and they're neck and neck!"
Melissa whispered in Cynthia's ears. The eerie girl nodded, and in flash pulled out her chainsaw. Ness shrieked as Cynthia sawed the half sled. With a kick, she send Ness flying into a dumpster.
"I'm really sorry about this," Melissa called.
"What's going on Loch Ness?" Riley asked. "Ness...you alive back there?"
With the loss of weight, Riley easily slid forward and crossed the finish line, followed by the Eagles.
Riley lifted her blindfold. "Uhhh…"
"Well since all of the Fireworks didn't cross the finish line," Rhonda stated. "The win has to go to Cynthia and Melissa, meaning the Molting Eagles win today's challenge!"
The Molting Eagles cheered, Melissa glomping Cynthia again as the male Eagles high-fived each other.
Ness came running up to the finish line, immediately frowning upon seeing the Eagles.
Riley patted the blonde girl. "Hey don't worry Nessie, it couldn't be helped. We at least had fun on the ride here, yeah?"
Ness smiled slightly. "Yeah, a little."
"Hopefully you'll have even more fun at tonight's Internet Cafe Elimination ceremony," Rhonda announced. "I'll see you there Fizzled Fireworks, where another one of your teammates will get the boot."
Rhonda turned to the celebrating Molting Eagles. "Later tonight, we'll give you the special reward you won Eagles."
"Another five star dinner under the stars?" Weston asked.
"Nope," Rhonda replied. "For today's challenge you proved you trust each other pretty well...for now. But as another test, each of you will be picking another Eagles' reward!"
The Eagles looked at each other in confusion.
Rhonda stepped forward, now holding a magician's top hat in her hand. "In here are six pieces of folded paper, each listing three possible rewards. Each of you have been randomly assigned a teammate. You'll draw a list, then pick a reward from the list for your teammate in the confessional after the elimination tonight. "
"Interesting idea," Xidorn admitted. "Allows a lot of choice involved."
"Yeah, we stole it from another fanfiction," Jenny replied. "Err...were 'inspired'."
Rhonda rolled her eyes. "We have permission. Some of these rewards are fabulous...others not so much. The lists are meant to be secret, so you can't tell anyone of the other options. You'll just have to trust your teammate gave you the best option."
Rhonda allowed each Eagle to draw a list, but warned not to open it until their alone.
"Now here's the choosers; Cynthia will pick for Xidorn, Xidorn will pick for Weston, Weston will pick for Vance, Vance will pick for Melissa, Melissa will pick for Kalino, and Kalino will pick for Cynthia."
"You have tonight to think and decide. Choose wisely, you might regret it later..."
/
Xidorn was in his usual TV watching room, reviewing his list as a movie played in the background. "Hmm…"
"Hey, can we talk?"
Seraphina stood in the doorway.
"Yeah, I was hoping to see you," Xidorn said with a smile.
The psychic took a seat on the couch. "Invasion of the Living Pants, that's a good one."
"I'd ask you to join...but you have business tonight," Xidorn replied. "How's that?"
"It's between two people who I don't want to go home," Seraphina stated. "So, nothing new. Listen...I want to say I'm sorry for spreading that stupid rumor. I should have talked you."
"I appreciate it," Xidorn replied. "I don't want to be rude...I get you did it for me, but I don't understand why you didn't talk to me? For a relationship to work we have to talk…"
"I gave into my fears and doubts," Seraphina admitted. "I didn't believe you could stay and we could keep dating...and I made it so we couldn't."
"So do you not have faith in me?" Xidorn asked.
"I just don't have faith in the world," Seraphina said. "Sometimes I think...I used to be an optimist. I was like you Xidorn."
"Why'd that change?" Xidorn asked.
"I learned not to trust," Seraphina replied. "From my mom raising me, to not be able to control my powers and being rejected because of them...too many bad things happened."
Xidorn pulled Seraphina closer to him. She rested on his shoulder. "You know, I used to be more cynical. Then I realized I was kind of acting like my grandfather. He was a nasty guy...once I lied about breaking a window and he broke my arm."
"God," Seraphina said. "I'm sorry Xidorn…"
Xidorn shrugged. "He was a piece of work...but I still loved him. He passed away a couple years after; on his deathbed he didn't have kind words...that made me realize I didn't want to be that. I wanted to feel happy about myself, by being honest and being the best person I could be. "
Xidorn sighed. "Life kind of taught me the opposite lesson Seraphina...I have faith life has those things for me. Like corny movies, the stars, food, good friends, good memories and experiences...I have all that, and my grandfather can't change that."
Seraphina wiped away a few tears. "You're too good for me Xidorn."
Xidorn laughed. "I'm just a geek in a suspenders. Seraphina...I still really like you. I know that we are different though…"
"We're really the same too," Seraphina said. "I want to focus on that. I mean even in the way you're different...I like the differences. I...I want to have faith in us, that we can work. I want to be an optimist...it might just take awhile."
"I believe in you," Xidorn replied.
"That reminds me," Seraphina stated. "I got you something."
Seraphina reached into her pocket and pulled out something. She grabbed Xidorn's hand and put it in his palm; the unicorn pin.
Xidorn laughed. "Oh my god, I love it! It's so cute!"
"I saw it at the mall," Seraphina said. "It made me think of you, and not just the blue hair."
"So what, do you believe in unicorns?" Xidorn joked.
"Yeah...yeah I do," Seraphina replied.
"It's time Fizzled Fireworks," Rhonda announced over the P.A.
Seraphina groaned. "I have to go...but I hope I'll see you again."
Seraphina stood up, as did Xidorn. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close to him. The two kissed for a moment.
"Naturally the outcome we wanted to avoid transpired," Ignacio sighed, shoving his hands into his sweatshirt pockets. "No one wants to vote off each other...we're a family. But the wounds are still open from last night...and I'm once again a swing vote between Ness and Easton.
"Both sides think the other has a reason, and both Easton and Ness are valuable to the team in their own way. I really like both of them. But I'm not going to risk another tie…"
"Welcome to elimination again Fireworks," Rhonda announced. "Given how things went last time, I'm a little concerned for you. When I call your name, you will receive a cup of delicious cinnamon mocha coffee...except one of you, who most of your peers have deemed worthy of getting rid of. The first cup goes to...Ignacio."
"Griswold...Seraphina…"
The brunettes shared a look.
"Lita...Riley…"
The two caught their coffee cups, and each turned to their friend.
"Once again, Easton and Ness are in the bottom two," Rhonda stated. "But this time there is no tiebreaker; one of you will be going home. The final coffee cup goes to…
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
"...Ness. I'm afraid it's over Easton."
Easton sighed. "It was fun while it lasted."
"I'm sorry," Ness replied. "I wish-"
"-Don't sweat it," Easton interrupted, bringing in the unlucky girl for a hug. "You did what you had to. Stay strong."
Ignacio stood up, rubbing the back of his head. "I feel I have to apologize to you too. I admire your intellect and consider you a friend...but I also value Ness. I couldn't decide."
Easton smiled. "I'm not going to hold it against you; you were in a tough spot. But I have to ask...why?"
"The truth is…"
In the final episode, Ignacio's earlier confessional was edited here.
"But I'm not going to risk another tie. So...let's leave it up to luck."
Out of his sweatshirt, the model pulled a quarter. "Heads I vote Ness, tails I vote Easton."
Flipping the quarter with his thumb, Ignacio held his palm open and let the quarter rest upon it.
"That appeared the only fair way to decide," Ignacio admitted.
"That makes sense, that should technically be an equal probability," Easton replied, hugging the model. "I appreciate being given a fair chance. You're still a bro in my book."
Ness stared at her coffee cup. "I was...lucky?"
Easton fist bumped Lita and Seraphina as he made his way to the Revolving Doors of Shame. He stopped before them, hugging Griswold and Riley.
"Thanks for being my bros in this game," Easton stated. "Couldn't have asked for better."
"Of course man," Griswold sniffled. "We're gonna miss you."
"Take it easy brocep," Riley stated, fist bumping the twin.
Easton nodded and headed towards the Revolving Doors Of Shame.
"Is...is there anything you want us to tell your brother?"
"No. Nothing at all."
Author's Note
Sorry for the delay folks. I'm hoping to make up for missing the past couple of weeks by posting the next chapter soon and a chapter this weekend.
So of you may recognize the reward for winning today's challenge. It's inspired by a brilliant idea from The Legend of Total Drama Island, as was the five star dinner reward the Eagles won and were enjoying at the start. Thanks to Gideon for letting me you both of them.
As for this chapter, it was fun. While the specific challenges are different, the trust challenge is originally from Total Drama Island. Points to everyone who remembered the kung-fu soup was from the kung-fu challenge in Total Drama Action. Why that is imprinted in my brain I don't know, but it a fun way to callback to canon in a different way then just doing a canon challenge.
The elimination was...probably not that surprising. Unfortunately, Easton feels like to me the least utilized character. That hasn't changed on a re-read. Ironically, he felt like the Sadie to me. He's around for a while and has a clear storyline...but doesn't do a whole lot. On the wiki Genesis originates from I go into more detail, but I think Easton has a really interesting story. I just wish I wrote it. Other characters just got focus. Still, he had a few moments and a couple of fans.
I'm looking forward to next chapter, starting with those special trust rewards...
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
Easton (Fireworks)- 13th