Reminder: As last Author's Note said, this chapter is a crossover with another fanfiction and a collab with the author of that fanfiction. It will provide spoilers.
After the stormy weather the last few days, the skies had cleared up. It was warmer, but not as scorching. Even quite breezy.
"Mannnnn what perfect weather," Kalino said to Ignacio as the two sunbathed outside of the Pentagram.
They both sat in beach chairs, lounging about. It was such nice weather that a lot of people were out and about in D.C., so Kalino decided it would be a perfect time for him and 'Iggy' to go out.
"I'm not sure how much Kalino's plans are helping me feel more comfortable in my skin," Ignacio admitted. "I'd like to say they are…but I'm not sure. I will say, it has been surprisingly fun hanging out with him. Last time didn't seem so bad, and I've been feeling pretty swell recently, so why not…"
Ignacio blushed as a he heard another whistle at him and Kalino…as they sat out in bright pink speedos.
Kalino clicked his tongue while Ignacio sank further into his chair.
"I just wish I had known what we were doing beforehand," Ignacio replied. "Still…it's been pleasant. Kalino's much more articulate and thoughtful than he seems. I've just been enjoying myself these past couple of days."
"Summer breeze makes me feel fine," Kalino sang. "Going through the Jasmine in my mind..."
Ignacio exhaled, meditating more as he sank further in his chair.
"You know today is perfect sailing weather," Kalino stated.
Ignacio chuckled. "What?"
"Today just makes me want to get in a boat and go sailing the seven seas dude. Maybe if I win I'll buy a lighthouse. Or maybe a boathouse! Just living at a lake, fishing."
"I thought you would buy your own private island?"
Kalino shrugged. "Maybe it's too expensive. Or maybe that would be too hard. I don't know. I am little worried after taxes…and something I have to do…I won't have enough. I just want to go to sailing now, getting lost in the ocean. That's what I want right now."
"Too bad the nearest beach is almost an hour away," Ignacio replied.
Kalino nodded and sighed. He kept singing to himself. "Feel the arms that reach out to me when the day is through. Summer breeze makes me feel fine..."
/
Everyone had been feeling good these past couple days. Everyone but one newcomer.
Melissa hummed a sad tune to herself as she took out her mini mint chocolate manatee macaroons.
"At this point I've baked my way through most of my cookbook," Melissa admitted. "I suppose I'm lucky I can even bake. I'm just not good at this cutthroat stuff. It's too sad. I wouldn't mind splitting the two million with everyone left honestly. I was feeling better with the Girls' Alliance I had made…even if I still felt bad about Xidorn…but…"
Ness and Lita walked into the dining hall, sniffing the familiar smell of baked goods in the air. They shared a look before entering the kitchen.
"Hey Melissa," Ness said. "Do…do you need any help?"
Melissa smiled and shook her head. "No, no. Baking is just…it's therapeutic almost. What do you do when you're down?"
"I eat your food," Lita joked, though she had already stored some manatee macaroons in her bra.
Melissa turned back to the bowl she was mixing and tried to hum a happier tune.
"Would talking make you feel better?" Lita asked. "You know, about the whole Diamonique thing."
"It might make us feel better too," Ness suggested.
Melissa sighed, dropping her smile. "Diamonique wasn't here for long…but we had been friends since the first challenge. I'm not sure why the boys voted her out…it didn't seem like her fault.
"Out of most of the Eagles I felt like she deserved a second shake. Even between Aiden or Hayden; they kind of messed it up for themselves. Diamonique wasn't even given a chance. So I was ecstatic she came back for a new chance…and to have another friend when I needed one."
Melissa wiped away a few tears. "It's not that I was backstabbed by an alliance member or an old teammate; it's that I was being used by a friend."
Ness and Lita hugged her.
"It was a crappy thing to do," Lita said.
"I've almost accepted we have to vote out friends," Melissa replied. "But I don't accept what she did. To Cynthia or me. But even still…it's sad to see her go. I can't blame everyone for being so chipper. But I almost feel bad for Diamonique…if I wasn't so hurt by that…that selfish, stinky liar."
Lita tried to hold back a laugh. "I think that's Melissa's version of cursing. It sucks that Diamonique was…let's be a honest, a real *****. There's a difference between strategy and sleazy. I'm bummed the Girls' Alliance has kind of weakened but…
"It's hard not to be in a good mood. I just won immunity last time! Heck yeah! Me and Jaspy boy took home the gold. The hunky butler has massaged all my knots away. Plus, Diamonique was the most easy vote since this merge started. Everyone just feels relaxed because of it. You can't help it."
Lita frowned suddenly. "Although I do have a couple things weighing on my mind…"
Ness hugged Melissa tighter. "Diamonique may have been fake…but you still have friends here."
Melissa smiled.
"I think you've been cooped up in this kitchen in this ugly hotel for too long," Lita said.
Ness smirked. "Are you suggesting what I'm hoping you are?"
Lita nodded. "It's time ladies, for a girl's day out!"
Ness giggled and Melissa blushed. "I don't know, I was still going to bake-"
"-It wasn't a question," Lita replied. "It was a command. Now let's book it!"
Lita grabbed Melissa and pulled her away. "But, but, but I still have cookies in the oven!"
"Let's hope they catch on fire and burn this place down," Lita joked.
/
Vance paced outside in the hall, twirling his mustache in his hand. He had been for almost ten minutes since dinner ended. Finally, he sighed and pushed open the door to Rhonda's office.
"Hey Rhonda…"
Rhonda looked up from her computer. Most of the newcomers rarely went out of their way to find her.
"What's up?"
"I have something I have to ask, or maybe say..."
"For the last time Vance, there is not a secret barn hidden in the hotel. Nor is-"
"-Not that."
Vance held his cowboy hat in hands. "You remember that one challenge the other day? With the serial killer and stuff?"
"You mean when I was kidnapped by an insane old lady and almost died?" Rhonda asked.
"That's the one," Vance replied. "So we went here to investigate and well…I find this file…
Rhonda's eyes grew wide. "Oh no."
"I know. I know who you really are. I know who you were."
Neither said anything for a few minutes.
Rhonda held her head in her hands. "I didn't want that file here. I told them it was stupid, but the company said we had to keep a record of it…of me. I…now what? Why come here with this?"
Vance shrugged. "I just felt I had to let you know."
"Have you…told anyone else?" Rhonda asked.
Vance shook his head, forcing a laugh. "I'm sure everyone would like to know. It would explain a lot about you. But…that's not my place to say. That don't feel right."
Rhonda had to force a smile. "Thank you Vance. Really, thank you."
"So…it is true then? I didn't read it all but…you were on a bunch of reality shows? But you competed on them with fake names and disguises?"
Rhonda sighed. "Yeah. I was a showjumper a few years ago."
"So why did you…'become' Rhonda?"
"It's complicated…hard to understand."
"If anyone can understand lying about your identity, it's me," Vance replied.
Rhonda sat in silence for a few moments.
"If you don't want to, you don't have to," Vance replied. " I just…I want to understand. Understand why that file said that 'Rhonda' isn't a real person!"
Rhonda collected her thoughts for a few minutes. "I've loved Total Drama since I was little. Despite how much I may have hated a later season or I went in a different direction, I always came back to it. So when I was fourteen, I lied about my age. I started doing reality shows…and sucking.
"And when you suck, you don't get back. But I was desperate to be a part of it…I faked my name a few times. Camped outside a few producers' houses. Was an intern here and there to get inside info. I became a secret showjumper. I competed as Colleen, Vicky, Marissa…I can't remember them all. I still sucked; I was worse than Pascal."
"So those fashion judges," Vance recalled. "You met them through showjumping?"
"Chip and Flutina were guest judges on a show I interned for," Rhonda explained. "Heck, I met Jenny and Toby through it. And most of the producers, once they finally figured it out, knew me. Knew I was dedicated and had experience. Even had me work on the new Canadian season and have 'hosting' lessons."
Vance shook his head. "You had a deal then, huh? You could became host…but you had to become a different person one last time. You had to become…'Rhonda'."
Rhonda nodded. "They couldn't let some reality show contestant failure host…so here I am."
Vance still stood there, wanting to say more. "So, there were photos in the file. You looked kind of different. Did they-"
"That was part of the deal," Rhonda stated. "I had to become a little more marketable. I had to have a new face. I had to legally change my name. I had to become a different person permanently."
The word hung in the air for a moment.
"But didn't you do some the other stuff? A sketch comedy show and stuff?"
Rhonda shrugged. "I did those with Jenny and Toby to try and build a reputation. I almost decided to stick with them…but I had already given up everything to host this show. Even my name. What was one more thing?"
Rhonda stared at the cowboy as he stood there shocked. She didn't even mean to say so much, but she hadn't really talked about this before. Not with Jenny and Toby, the only other ones who knew. It was almost as cathartic as it was scary.
"I have one last question," Vance finally said.
"Yeah?"
"Are you okay with that?"
Rhonda looked blankly at the cowboy. Then…she shrugged. "I don't know. It doesn't really matter…it's done. Who I was before is basically dead; I am Rhonda now.
"Listen Vance, you can't tell anyone my secret. Nobody. You won't just ruin my career. You could end the show. You could cause the entire crew to lose their jobs. You'd be breaking fans hearts all over the world. Just please…don't tell anyone. Please."
"I don't plan on it," Vance replied. "I just had to know the truth. Sounded too crazy…but it also made sense to me."
Vance turned and started to leave. But he stood in the middle of the doorway. "But…I feel bad for you. Really. I don't think you should do it. I think you should tell everyone the truth about who you are. You should be who you are."
Rhonda just stared at the cowboy.
"Take it from someone who's spent his life living a lie," Vance said. "You can't believe someone really cares for you if they don't know who you are. You can't really care about yourself. It plain sucks. That's all I really wanted to say."
/
The next day was pretty simple. It was supposed to be a challenge day, but Rhonda was occupied with some sort of issue with the executives and the hotel. The challenge was pushed to tonight.
Riley left the lobby bathroom. "Dang thing is still clogged. I've already told those co-hosts two times."
"Who are you talking to?"
Riley blushed and turned to see Lita leaning against the check-in counter.
"Hehe, I've kind of gotten use to talking to myself," Riley admitted. "What with the confessional and cameras and junk."
"Same. What are you doing here?"
"Was trying to use the john, then grab a burrito or something. What's up with you?"
Lita took a deep breath. "I wanted to talk to you."
Riley raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"
"About some things I said a while ago," Lita said. "Some stupid things I haven't apologized. About you…and Griswold."
"Oh," Riley laughed. "Don't worry about. I already forgot about that!"
"I still should apologize," Lita replied. "After the go-karting challenge I was just angry. But still doesn't make up for trying to attack you like that. And really…I think you and Gris should date."
"Really?" Riley asked.
"Yeah," Lita said. "Y'all would make a cute couple. If you've found someone to be happy with, you should be with them. I want y'all to be happy."
Riley smiled and patted her friend's back. "Thanks Lightning Lita. That means a lot to me. You know, the right guy for you is still out there."
"Maybe," Lita replied. "But it's not like he's just going to walk by me right now."
Jasper walked by the two. "Hey Riley. Hey Lita."
"Hey Jasper," Lita replied with a wave.
Riley stared at the girl.
"What?" Lita asked.
"Really?" Riley asked. "She actually doesn't see it? ''Really''? That's way worse than me and Gris, right?"
"There's something else I want us to talk about," Lita said. "But not here. In my room in an hour. With all the other girls."
"All the other girls?" Riley asked.
Lita nodded.
"You mean…"
"Yup. Even Tessa. ''Especially'' Tessa. It's time to see if we can bury this hatchet."
/
Around the time of the girls' meeting, Kalino was leading Ignacio to a room. As per usual, Kalino was baring it all.
"Where are we going?" Ignacio asked.
"A new way to help you overcome your body anxiety," Kalino replied.
"That didn't answer my question."
Kalino smirked, stopping and opening the door to a broom closet. He winked and flipped on the light switch, holding the door for the model. It was a standard broom closet, if not very spacious. But Kalino pointed to the ceiling. Next to the lightbulb hung a little chain, the kind to pull and flicker on the lights.
It hit Ignacio immediately. Why was there a chain to turn on the light ''and'' a light switch? Kalino raised an eyebrow and motioned to Ignacio.
Ignacio pulled it. The back wall of the closet lifted up like a gate.
The two walked through, entering a room with pristine white floors, fancy statues and marble columns. While most of the hotel had a mix of late Victorian style and the Beaux-Arts style of the 1800s, this room was more reminiscent of an ancient Greek style than either. It was a modern Greek bath house.
Of course this ''was'' the Pentagram, so the room still had an eeriness to it. It wasn't just the large amount of space it had, or how it seemed to be yet another secret world in the Pentagram.
It was the Greek statues. They weren't of Greek Gods or heroes. The statues were Greek tragedies. They were the nymphs who were being pursued by the Gods for existing. They were the punished dead in Tartarus, who had offended the gods so much they were given ironic punishments for eternity. They were the horrors and sins that Pandora had released from her box. Even Prometheus was featured, waiting for his liver to grow back before the vulture came to eat it again. His punishment for teaching humanity to make fire.
"They probably did cult stuff in this room," Kalino joked. "Probably while wearing fancy party masks."
"What is this room?" Ignacio asked.
"It's the Pentagram spa," Kalino replied. "It has bath houses, a room for massages, mud baths and of course…a sauna."
/
The remaining newcomer girls had gathered inside the penthouse suite, enjoying club sandwiches courteous of their hunky butler. Naturally, Lita ordered a side of cheese fries.
The girls sat in silence, barely eating. Sitting as far across from each other on the bed as possible were Lita and Tessa. Riley, Ness, and Melissa snacked quietly between.
"So…Jasper isn't coming back is he?" Riley said.
"He had something he was doing," Lita replied. She didn't look away from Tessa, who was trying not to meet her gaze.
Lita sighed. "Alright here it is. I called this meeting because…I want to apologize to you Tessa."
Everyone shot their heads up at the knockout. Especially Tessa.
"I mean I guess I'm not apologizing," Lita admitted, "because with how you acted I was right to be mad. And not trust you. And not like you. But I shouldn't have let you made me so angry in general. You did save me twice, even sacrificing yourself to save me last challenge…"
Lita blushed. "So thank you. I probably wouldn't have won invincibility if you hadn't done that."
"No, you still would have," Tessa said while shaking her head.
"Thanks," Lita replied. "I guess I'm just trying to end this all. But before I can do that I just have to understand…why? Why did you hate me so much from day one?"
Tessa blushed. "Well I…I don't have a good reason."
"Obviously," Lita replied, scowling. "But you had a reason, right?"
"I don't know," Tessa finally admitted. "I didn't start thinking, 'let me be a jerk to this girl' right here. I just…didn't like you."
"I'll pretend to be shocked," Lita replied. "But ''why''? You didn't like most anyone, but you especially didn't like me. I think I deserve to know why."
Riley frowned. "Maybe this is a conversation that you two should be having by yourself. Cause right now it feels you're trying to humiliate T."
Lita turned to look at the other girls; Melissa and Riley just seemed uncomfortable. Ness did too, but also just a little curious. She shrugged at her friend.
"Maybe you're right," Lita said.
"Who cares at this point?" Tessa replied. "I mean maybe everyone deserves an answer. Lita, I guess subconsciously, you reminded me of one of my old bullies. The head mean girl at my high school; pretty, popular, flirty."
Tessa sighed and threw up her hands. "I thought I was just defending myself from bullying that wouldn't have come. That's not a great defense, but it is what it is. I don't know if I can give a better explanation than that. I was just stupid."
"I think that was a fine enough explanation," Lita replied. "Because now I'm convinced you're for real. You aren't the same Tessa."
"I'm not?" Tessa asked.
"Of course," Lita snickered, "cause you wouldn't admit all that if you were old Tessa. So you're new Tessa, and I want to try to be new Lita. So I'm willing to start over. What about you ladies?"
Melissa already nodded. Ness squirmed a bit but nodded.
"Would I like to be friends with Tessa?" Ness asked. "Sure. But I just can't forget who she was. I'm surprised that Lita agreed to this meeting…but she said she felt like last challenge had made her want to be a better person then she thinks she has been recently. I guess she feels like if she deserves that, so does Tessa.
"That seems fair. Tessa has been nicer, helped Lita, and stuck up for Riley…but I just don't know. Pascal, Diamonique…trusting them mostly felt right and that didn't work out. Trusting Tessa doesn't feel right at all. She was such a bully! Lita and Seraphina got most of it. But maybe just cause we were friends, Tessa didn't like me either. She certainly didn't mind mumbling mean, judgmental comments under her breath about me.
Ness crossed her arms and pouted. "So I don't know. I guess I'll give her a chance. Maybe I could be wrong..."
"Awww!" Melissa squeed. "This is getting me all warm and fuzzy."
She jumped on the larger bed, pulling the two former enemies into a group hug. She motioned for the other two girls to join and they did.
"You know there is another reason I wanted us all here," Lita admitted.
"A group hug?" Melissa asked.
Lita shot Melissa a playful look, causing the sweetheart to blush. "Oh dear, I forgot! Well…we've been thinking…"
Riley raised an eyebrow. "We? You've all already talked?"
"It's a girls' alliance isn't it?" Tessa stated.
Riley fell out of the bed onto the floor. "Wait…WHATTTTT?"
"I figured Diamonique had pulled something since the Xidorn vote," Tessa said. "She's kind of sneaky like that."
"It wasn't Diamonique's idea," Ness giggled.
Tessa raised an eyebrow till she saw Melissa blush. Then she fell off of the bed onto then floor. "Are you kidding me?"
Melissa shrugged. "It's a bit of a story. But since we are all on good terms, I think we should join forces."
"So what, we all make the final five?" Tessa asked.
Melissa nodded. "Isn't it kind of sweet? All of us putting aside our differences for the bonds of sisterhood and friendship! Then we duke it out in fierce, but friendly, competition to become Genesis Queen. Like a tribe of Amazonian warriors!"
"Well…" Riley said.
"You not up for this Riley?" Lita asked.
"I just don't know how I feel," Riley said. "It sounds totally awesome, but I don't know if I want to vote out Ignacio."
Ness and Lita shared a worried look.
"I don't how I'm going to do that either," Ness admitted. "Ignacio is such a sweetheart."
"And he really wants to win for his family," Lita sighed. "Not to mention I don't feel great about voting out Jasper. The guy's such a great listener."
Melissa and Ness giggled.
"I've missed Lita in the room," Ness said. "I know she's missed me…but I also know she's been enjoying sharing a room with Jasper. Not just because of all the nice stuff. She didn't even mention the hunky butler! That's like the best part."
Ness blushed. "Lita's been up all night with Jasper. Uh, not like that! Eating meals with him, watching movies, and just talking. It's really cute…I just don't think she knows why."
"I wouldn't want to vote out Vance," Melissa said finally. "Not soon anyway."
"Vance?" Riley and Tessa asked.
"I want to vote him off just so I don't have to hear him," Lita stated."Or look at him. Or acknowledge him."
"So I'm guessing this all-girl alliance has failed harder than we failed the Bechdel test?" Tessa asked.
Melissa shook her head. "I don't want to vote for Vance, but I have to eventually. We all have to vote for Ignacio or Jasper at some point."
Tessa smirked. "We could at least all vote for Kalino together and send him home next."
Melissa sighed, but the other girls nodded.
"It's settled," Lita said. "Girls' Alliance it is; we'll worry about the guys when we get there."
All five of the ladies joined their hands together in a circle.
"I hate that we'll probably be voting out the Eagles first," Melissa admitted. "But the boys shut me out. Even though I'm worried about my chances with all the female Fireworks in the final five, I'd rather go with my friends than be a number to people who don't respect me."
"This couldn't have gone more amazing!" Tessa cheered. "I mean Lita and I made up and for once I might not have to be worried about being in the bottom two constantly. And we might finally vote off Pizza Rat? Yes, yes, yes! YESSSS!"
"I don't know how I feel about a girls' alliance," Riley stated. "I mean I'm usually the one in with the dudes, not the dudettes. It feels wrong to vote off my bro too. Ignacio is an Ignacibro! I'm not entirely sure I could do it when the time comes. But I do admit the idea of us all in a final five sounds super sweet. Though…I'm not entirely happy that Lita and Ness have teamed up with Melissa behind my back. I guess the Fireworks are really gone…"
That wasn't the only meeting going on though. Kalino and Ignacio, towels around their waist, entered the sauna together. Ignacio raised an eyebrow to find that Weston, Vance and Jasper were already sitting there.
"Dang," Kalino said. "How'd you beat us here?"
"We followed the signs," Jasper said.
"Signs?" Kalino asked.
Jasper nodded. "Wait…did you just discover this spa?"
The other guys forced a smile.
"I found this place before I was eliminated," Jasper stated.
"It's not a contest," Vance said. "The point is we're all here!"
"But why are you here?" Ignacio asked.
"I invited them," Kalino replied. "Duh!"
"Aww, are we crashing your date?" Vance teased.
"Don't tell Lita," Weston laughed.
No one picked up on Jasper's glare.
"It's part of your next training," Kalino said. "So sit and let's get on our spa day boys. We're here to get sweaty and pampered."
Ignacio sighed but sat down with the rest of the guys as they all started enjoying the sweat lodge.
"I was hoping this would be a quiet experience," Ignacio admitted. "But Kalino, Vance and Weston are all thick as thieves. So they talked a lot. Jasper and I are rather reserved by nature, but even we got to conversing. It was kind of like when Gris, Riley, Easton and I would get burritos together.
"I admit I don't have many male friends. Most guys just don't like hanging out with me because girls tend to fawn over me. They don't realize I detest it as much as they do."
"Alright men," Vance said, "let's settle this once and for all. Who do you think is the hottest chick that's been here?"
Weston raised his hand.
"It's not Cynthia," Vance stated.
"Scary can be hot," Weston pouted.
"I need a non-delusional person's answer," Vance said. "So spill it. Who?"
Ignacio and Jasper both blushed and looked away.
"Aww, too shy?" Vance asked. "I mean I know it's not as easy as figuring out I'm the hottest guy, but you have to be thinking about somebody..."
"Lita," Jasper said.
He blushed redder as all the guys looked at him.
"I…uh…just mean she was cast as that," Jasper replied. "So shouldn't it be her?"
Vance shook his head. "No way! Sure Lita's easy on the eyes, but her personality is more rotten than a goat's udder under an August summer sun."
"I never took you as someone who cared about personality," Ignacio admitted.
"I like a winning personality to match my own," Vance replied. "It's one of my best traits, like my devilish good looks or humility."
"Humility?" Ignacio asked.
"People tell me I'm so humble all the time," Vance replied.
"Were they being sarcastic?"
Vance frowned. "Wait a minute…"
"I think Lita has a great personality," Jasper defended.
"Meh, Lita just isn't that attractive to me," Vance admitted. "It's her attitude."
"Not that's she creamed you in challenges?" Jasper said. He smirked, maybe for the first time on camera.
"Hardly," Vance replied. "I'd say the hottest girls are Melissa or Riley."
"Really?" Kalino asked.
Vance nodded. "They just strike you in the heart. I've been trying not to seduce them too hard here, just to avoid the drama with Aiden and Griswold."
Ignacio rolled his eyes. "Truly a saint among men you are Vance."
"I hear stuff all the time like that too," Vance replied. "Wait…"
"Who'd you pick?" Jasper asked Kalino.
Kalino blushed while Weston snickered. "He totally picked Frannie."
"I don't want to talk about that," Kalino stated.
The guys all turned to Ignacio. The model blushed. "I'm not particular to anyone. Certainly not anyone at this hotel or anyone that you know or could talk to or is here or anything like that…"
"He's totally sweet on someone," Kalino whispered to Weston. "It's soooo obvious it's someone here."
"Why are we talking about this?" Ignacio asked. "It's a little cliché. It's not like the girls are sitting around and ranking us."
"Cause I'm already their number one," Vance replied, laying back.
/
"Ignacio is the hottest guy," Ness argued. "It's just objectively true."
"I just think Aiden is way cuter," Melissa replied. "He just has a brighter smile and it shows off his dimples!"
"Two words," Riley said. "Griswold's. Beard."
"Come on Lita," Ness pleaded. "You usually like to weigh on this."
Lita blushed but shook her head.
"I don't know why," Lita admitted. "But I thought about bringing up Jasper. He was kind of attractive when we went into the hot tub yesterday in his jams…but that's silly. Plus it feels a little weird talking about a friend like that. A secretly kind of hot friend."
"What about you Tessa?" Melissa asked. "Between Ignacio, Aiden, and Griswold whose the hottest?"
Tessa rolled her eyes. "I've never found any of those guys that hot …uh, no offense."
She forced a smile at the three glares she received. "Sorry, I just think this is one of the stupidest conversations ever. I don't want to put women back five years. I bet most of the guys wouldn't even have this conversation…"
/
"I don't like anyone," Ignacio said.
"Okay," Weston replied. "But like…you do."
"It's written all over your reddddddd face," Kalino teased.
"Ignacio's face is usually red," Jasper teased.
"Even you Jasper," Ignacio sighed. But he was smiling.
"He's not blind," Vance laughed. "Who is it? Riley? Lita? Ness? Tessa? Melissa?"
"Rhonda?" Jasper added.
All the guys burst into laughter.
"I was kind of surprised when Kalino invited me to this thing," Jasper said. "I don't get invited to things. My parents forgot to invite me to their wedding vow renewal. But Kalino has been someone whose actually paid attention to since I came back.
"He'll sometimes sit to eat with me if I'm alone or tell me a joke when he sees me. I kind of think its because he wants me to vote with him. Still flattering. Especially from someone so cool; I mean Kalino is just a cool name.
"So I was kind of thrilled to be invited to this. And to fit in. I mean I made them laugh. Intentionally!"
"This has been great lads," Kalino stated. "But..."
The other guys raised an eyebrow.
"I've been thinking about something," Kalino admitted. "For the last twenty minutes or so. I was just thinking this was kind of a guy's day. You know, like the girl's have. Then I got worried."
"About?" Weston asked.
"Didn't the girls go on a girl's day yesterday," Kalino reminded.
"Yeah," Jasper replied. "Lita came back to the room that night after having gone with Ness and Melissa to the mall."
Kalino sighed. "Is that…I don't know…worrying you guys?"
"How?" Ignacio asked.
"I just feel like Melissa is getting close to the roomies," Kalino replied. "We know she voted for Xidorn. She admitted that's how she felt. And I have a feeling that your fellow Fireworks told you it was a last minute decision?"
Ignacio sighed and nodded. "I admit I was hurt I wasn't part of it, but I didn't mind it. It seemed like the right move."
Weston scratched his chin. "So the girls are hanging out, voting together...are they working together?"
"That's what I'm worried about," Kalino stated. "I got the feeling when Diamonique turned to them she was close to them."
"I suppose I could see that," Ignacio admitted. "But it could have easily as been seeking support from a fellow female. A desperate attempt to evoke girl power as a saving grace."
"Maybe they have one, maybe they don't," Kalino admitted. "I don't think we should give them a chance. Let's form a dudes' alliance."
No one replied, trying to read everyone's reactions. Eventually though, Ignacio shook his head.
"I just don't think I could vote out my old teammates," Ignacio stated.
"I certainly don't want to be the reason Melissa went home," Vance said.
Jasper nodded.
"So you plan on losing to them?" Kalino asked. "You have to vote them out eventually. I mean Iggy, you four can't all go to the final two. And would they take you? Would Melissa take you to the finals Vance, even over her new besties? Could you win against her?"
"I could win against anyone," Vance replied.
"This is all pointless conjecture anyway," Ignacio stated. "There's one flaw in your theory of a girls' alliance. Her name is Tessa."
"Everybody hates Tessa," Weston stated. "Especially Lita."
"Well..."
Everyone turned to look at Jasper...which rarely happened.
"Tessa saved Lita last challenge," Jasper stated. "Like sacrificed herself. Lita was asking me last night if she should forgive Tessa."
"She never mentioned this to me before," Ignacio whispered.
"So what did you tell Lita to do about Tessa?" Vance asked.
"She should do what she felt was best," Jasper admitted.
"If Lita can forgive Tessa, all the girls could," Weston said. "They could be talking about it right now!"
"Let's not get paranoid," Ignacio said.
"Kalino and I weren't always so close," Weston admitted. "We were kind of just two Eagles. But towards the end of the team phase we got closer. Sometime after Vance and I became buds. He's pretty chill and thinks I'm hilarious. He always likes my ideas. It's nice to have someone who supports your ideas!
"I think him, Vance and me in the final three is the best option. I'm not sure if I'd join forces with Ignacio though; he was Easton's friend. Not that I'm still mad at Easton just...I don't know."
"It would be unwise to do a guys' alliance," Ignacio stated. "I mean sure we act like the teams are a relic of the past, but our old teammates are still who we trust most. I guess except Tessa and Jasper. Regardless, if I joined the guy's alliance it would be two Fireworks and three Eagles. Three Eagles who are all best buds. I'd be playing for fifth.
"...Although I don't know if I should be concerned about the girls. I'm not sure how I'm getting to the end honestly..."
Kalino laughed and shrugged. "It was just a thought. Maybe I'm just blowing smoke. We don't have to do a guys' alliance if y'all aren't down. But we do have something we have to do."
Kalino threw off his towel. "It's time."
Ignacio's eyes grew wide. "Time for what?"
"You've been making progress," Kalino stated. "But now it's time for your real test. To really push yourself. It's time to streak."
"Oh no. Oh-"
Vance whooped and threw off his towel. Weston joined in. Jasper blushed, but lowered his towel too.
"Don't worry," Weston said. "We're not letting you do it alone! It's a group streak! That way it's less embarrassing."
"I think that would just make it worse," Ignacio stated.
"Will make it worse," Vance stated. "Cause we're doing it! So are you!"
Vance stood up, revealing it all, and ran up and snatched Ignacio's towel out from under him...revealing he was wearing loose swim trunks. Ignacio forced a smile.
"Dude the point of the sauna was to be in your birthday suit in a safe, public setting," Kalino said.
"I got this swimsuit on my birthday," Ignacio stated. "Technicality."
"Are you really not going to do this?" Kalino asked. "Even with us all supporting you?"
Ignacio sighed, stood up...and blushed as red as he's been as he kicked off his trunks. The guys clapped and cheered.
"It's not like we haven't seen you naked before," Weston said. "In fact we've seen you nude lots of times. Like-"
"-Not helping," Ignacio stated.
/
"Ahhh! My eyes! I need disinfectant! I need bleach! I need counseling!"
The other four girls turned to Tessa as she covered her eyes and scoffed. They came to the window and immediately saw her why she was now having a moment.
"Are the guys...streaking?" Ness asked.
"Ignacio is even there!" Riley laughed. "This is too hilarious. We should totally join in!"
"Over your dead body," Tessa replied.
"Is Iggy being blackmailed into it?" Lita teased. "He has to, right?"
Lita lifted the window and whistled out at it. She giggled as Ignacio blushed just as she expected, though she also blushed when a few of the guys noticed her. Riley was bawling while Tessa refused to look. Melissa just smiled but closed her eyes. And Ness...
"If you ever question there's a higher power, this is proof," Ness stated.
The other girls shot Ness a look, causing the littlest newcomer to blush. But she didn't look away.
/
It was past dinner, as the newcomers gathered in around in the dining hall, just chatting. Chatting and waiting for the challenge that was supposed to come. It was getting late and they still hadn't heard or seen Rhonda. What had the higher ups sprung on her, and them, this time?
They didn't realize they were about to find out...
/
Through the Pentagram doors, a handsome young man led someone dressed like an intern, ten teens and a camera crew through the lobby.
A green-eyed blonde girl shivered. "Does anyone else find this place…"
She turned to look at a portrait with shifting eyes, then a lump moving in the rug, and finally a vulture circling them in the sky.
"...creepy?"
"I was going with tacky," the leader said. He walked up to the front desk, running his finger across it and blowing away dust. "Are you sure this is the place Mana?"
The intern with fabulous hair nodded. "I hope so…"
The handsome man dinged the bell...and waited. After a few seconds he rang it again. No response. He picked up the bell and chucked it down the hall.
"My eye!"
Vance walked up from down the hall, rubbing his eye. "Who in tarnation threw a bell?"
"Mana you didn't tell me this was Western themed!" the leader stated. "Where's my hat at?"
"So all Americans are cowboys," a short smiling girl gasped.
"Not all of them Malia," a cowgirl muttered.
"You do remember Colin wasn't, right?" a brunette in cheetah print asked.
"It might have been an improvement," another blonde said. She had red streaks in her hair.
"We're here for our rooms," the handsome man stated.
"Well go get them then," Vance scoffed.
"We're staying at this hotel," a boy in a cap added. "Unfortunately."
"Oh," Vance replied. "You the new interns or somethin'?"
"Do I like an intern to you?" the girl with red streaks asked. "This Cherrylicious face is TV made!"
"For a crime show maybe," the brunette added.
From down the hall, Melissa and some of the others walked up.
"How many bellhops does it take to get a room in this place?" a girl with glasses asked.
"You didn't see all the bags Cherry brought," the boy with the cap teased. The girl with streaks, Cherry, glared at him.
"Cool, new interns!" Weston cheered.
"I'm here for a room," the handsome man stated. "I need your best suite. Run a bubble bath in your master suite, rose petals decorating the room and your finest scented candles lit. I'll take a three course meal delivered by room service. And six rooms for them."
"How generous," Tessa stated.
"That sounds like a wonderful stay," Melissa said. "But um...this hotel is unfortunately closed?"
"Closed?" he asked. "But I was told I'd be staying here!"
Melissa paused and stared at the young man's face for a moment. "I'm sorry...have we met before? You seem very familiar?"
"I doubt it," the man replied. "But I'm sure you've probably seen my face. I am the host of-"
"Oh my god, it's you!" Ness squeeed, jumping up and down.
the man smirked. "Yes, yes it's me. Autographs are twenty dollars, thirty for a self-"
Ness ran forward and pushed him aside, walking up to a brunette boy carrying a guitar case.
"You're Andre!" Ness exclaimed, blushing deep red. "I can't believe it! I've listened to your debut single like a hundred times."
The hairy teen with the guitar, Andre, blushed. "Really? I've never actually met a fan before..I think you might be my first one."
Ness giggled and blushed even redder, stepping back and tripping over Cherry's luggage, faceplanting on the floor.
"Maybe I need to learn to play an instrument," Ignacio mumbled.
"Who is this again honey?" Lita asked, helping her friend from off the floor.
"It's Andre!" Ness giggled. "Remember I was telling you about him, from Total Drama Frozen! The Canadian version of Total Drama. Wait if you're here then that means…are you all the cast of Total Drama Tides?"
"Duh," Cherry replied. "Have you been living under a rock?"
"Kind of," Riley admitted.
Melissa snapped her fingers. "Wait a minute, Zac right?"
"Finally!" the handsome man, Zac, exclaimed.
"You're Hayden's little Canadian boyfriend, right?" Melissa asked. "
Zac's eyes grew wide. "Hayden? You've talked to Hayden? Is he here?"
"Preferably shirtless after a workout?" An attractive boy added.
One of the arrivals adjusted her glasses. "I thought it was suspicious that you were all teens. But the fact you know Hayden can only mean one thing; you're the cast of the American Total Drama."
"Also they have people filming us all over," the boy in the cap added.
"Oh yeah," A short blonde boy said. "Damien's right. I didn't notice those cameras."
"Wait, they were on this show the whole time?" Weston asked. "I'm worse with names than I thought."
"No Weston," Vance replied. "It's worse than that they're...Canadian!"
"Can we backtrack a little," Kalino said. "Hayden was dating the Canadian Rhonda?"
"Do I look frumpy and sad to you?" Zac asked.
"How do you know this Andre guy if it's a current season," Ignacio asked. "Just you know, out of curiosity…"
"Andre was on the last season," Ness said. "I heard he got on the new season! I'm totally rooting for you by the way."
Andre blushed again. "Well, so far so good. I am at the final ten."
"We're at the final ten too," Ness said.
"Woah, so you guys are like parallel versions of us," Alfie, the short blond boy, said.
The cowgirl shook her head. "Alfie that's not-"
"Woah!" Weston exclaimed. "Like our mirror world counterparts! Who's Canadian Weston?"
"Can someone explain what's going on here?" Damien, the boy in the cap, asked.
Zac turned to his intern. "Mana."
"So this hotel is really-"
"Mana."
"By the way, your hair is-"
"MANA. Why are we at the location of Rhonda's show?" Zac asked. "Because if her little troop of teens is here, then that can only mean-"
"-What's all the commotion?"
Rhonda exited the stairway and immediately froze. "No. *********. Way."
Zac and Rhonda immediately locked eyes.
"Zac," Rhonda stated.
"Rhonda," Zac replied. "You look nice for someone who's supposed to be dead."
"And you look mature," Rhonda replied. "Is that a gray hair?"
"Don't even joke," Zac gasped.
"Rhonda!" Malia, the short smiling girl, cheered. Most of the other Tides teens cheered too. The Genesis newcomers raised an eyebrow.
Mana ran up to Rhonda, glomping her. "Rhonda! You have no idea how much I missed you."
Rhonda was startled for a second, before bursting into a smile and hugging him back. "I missed you too Mana!"
"I get what's going on here," Zac said.
"I'm glad someone does," Tessa said.
"You arranged this whole trip Mana," Zac stated. "Just so you could see your old buddy Rhonda."
Mana rubbed the back of his head. "That's not exactly what I-"
"You lied to me that this was hotel so you could trick me to coming here," Zac said.
"I mean you could have actually checked out the hotel," Damien said. "You know like done an Internet search or-"
Zac turned to Damien, immediately silencing him with a glare.
Rhonda groaned. "The producers said that we would be temporarily offering rooms to some special guests...they failed to mention it was you. Why are you even staying here?"
"We're hiding from an army of evil pirates," the cowgirl said. "Again."
"That sounds hardcore!" Riley cheered.
"All we've done is capture a serial killer's ghost," Vance pouted.
"I'm still a bit confused," Lita asked. "So you know these people Rhonda?"
Rhonda nodded. "Before I could get the job as Genesis' host, the network wanted to prove I could host and gain some experience. So I worked as a co-host on Canada's current Total Drama season. This old man is their host Zac, who I worked under until Genesis started."
Zac rolled his eyes. "You conveniently left out the part where you cast my American boyfriend on your show to spite me and then let me think you had been killed while you left."
"It sounds bad when you say it like that!" Rhonda replied.
"How do you make it sound good?" Tessa asked.
"Wait, who's the guy with the pretty hair?" Weston asked.
Zac smirked. "I'm Zac, former executive producer of TD, now beloved host-"
"-I was talking about the guy still hugging Rhonda," Weston said.
"I'm Mana," the guy greeted. "Rhonda and I kind of co-hosted together under Zac. It's wonderful to meet Rhonda's friends."
"Friends isn't how I'd describe it," Ignacio said.
"More like the opposite of how I'd describe it," Kalino stated.
"So in that reality, Rhonda was an alternate Jenny?" Weston asked.
"Weston sweetie," Melissa said. "Canada is not an alternate universe."
"I think they pronounce it as North Mexico there," Riley added.
"The only good thing about being here is that I get to see Hayden," Zac sighed. "Where is he?"
The Genesis cast shared a look.
"Awkward," Vance whispered.
"I'm guessing it's fair to say your boytoy has been eliminated," the girl with glasses stated.
"WHAT?" Zac asked.
"It's sad but true," Melissa sighed.
"They did say this was the final ten," the cowgirl said.
"I only count like nine of these wannabes," Cherry stated.
Jasper raised his hand. "You probably missed me…"
"Wait...you're a contestant?" Alfie asked.
"You're a person?" Cherry asked. "I thought you were a potted plant."
"I get that a lot," Jasper sighed.
"You mean you All American Rejects voted out Hayden last episode?" Zac asked.
"More like...several episodes ago," Vance stated.
"REALLY?" Zac asked. "My sweet Hayden is way too good to be voted off before the merge like some loser?"
"Thanks Zac," Damien sighed, as he, Cherry, Tessa and Jasper glared at the host.
"So not to cut this happy, weird reunion short," the cowgirl said. "But...are we staying here?"
"I'd rather die," Zac replied.
"By pirates out for our head?" the girl in cheetah print asked.
"There blades were pretty pointy," the green-eyed blonde added.
"I don't care what the network says," Rhonda said. "If you think I'm letting you stay here and micromanage me Zac then-"
"Ooh please Rhonda," Malia begged. "I've always wanted to live and act wild like a crazy American teenage girl."
"Crazy and wild?" Tessa asked. "My day today consisted of doing laundry."
"I'm just happy to see Rhonda again," Damian stated.
Mana nodded, still hugging her.
Rhonda blushed. "Well...even if it means giving Zac a room, if it means you sailors get to stay here then welcome to the Pentagram!"
The sailors cheered as Zac rolled his eyes.
"You mean it?" the blonde girl asked.
"Of course," Rhonda replied. "You know I love all of y'all!"
"Love?" Vance asked.
"I didn't know Rhonda was capable of that anymore," Lita asked.
"It ''is ''like a parallel world," Ness said. "One where Rhonda is nice and liked?"
"It must be the evil universe," Tessa shuddered.
Between the applause, Cherry coughed. "Um, aren't you going to introduce us?
"I would love to meet this new cast you've been telling me about," Mana replied.
"Oh right," Rhonda said. "Newcomers, meet the sailors of Total Drama Tides! This is Alfie."
The short blonde boy in denim sniffed the air. "Do I smell...sweets?"
"And Andre…"
The hairy brunette guy nodded, setting down his guitar. Ness clapped quietly.
"Cherry…"
The blonde with red streaks in her hair blew a kiss towards the male newcomers before talking a selfie of them behind her.
"Damian…"
The short, Asian teen in the ball cap winked at the cast. To longtime Total Drama fans, he looked familiar...
"Malia…"
The shortest sailor, an Indian girl with a bright smile, waved at the others. Cherry elbowed her.
"Oh," Malia replied, blowing an awkward kiss at them in imitation of Cherry. The It-Girl nodded in approval.
"Sam."
The attractive blonde teen, who was staring at Ignacio, came to attention as his name was called. He blushed and waved.
"Sarah…"
The green-eyed blonde girl did an overdramatic bow, though she seemed a little worn out.
"Trixie…who's sporting a new look?"
The cowgirl blushed, tipping her hat. "It's a long story."
"Viola…"
The brunette in cheetah print shrugged, not bothering to smile.
"And finally Yasmin."
The girl with the glasses didn't look up from her journal, taking notes on everything around her.
"Interesting to see who all made the final ten," Rhonda admitted. "But I'm super happy for you guys!"
"What about us?" Lita asked.
"Huh?" Rhonda said. "Uh, yeah. These are our final ten newcomers of Total Drama Genesis, America's first Total Drama season!"
"And probably last," Zac whispered.
"Ignacio…"
The model shyly waved at all the stares, Cherry, Malia and Sam more intense than the others.
"Kalino…"
Kalino flashed a peace sign at them.
"Lita…"
Lita winked at the newcomers, the guys and Viola blushing.
"Melissa…"
"A pleasure to have you with us!" Melissa greeted.
"Ness…"
Ness blushed and waved, trying not to trip while standing.
"Riley."
"S'up," Riley greeted, pointing finger guns at them. "Welcome to America dudes."
"Tessa."
Tessa forced a smile and waved.
"Vance."
"Howdy," Vance replied, tipping his cowboy hat...and knocking it off.
"And Weston."
Weston didn't react, counting the others while trying to figure out who was whose alternative universe counterpart.
Lita shook her head. "Rhonda you forgot-"
"And Jasper of course!" Rhonda added with a forced laugh. Who could get forget lovable Jasper? Certainly not me."
Jasper tried to smile and wave...but none of the sailors seemed to notice him.
"Where is he?" Sarah asked.
"Is he behind that potted plant?" Damian asked.
"Thanks anyway," Jasper whispered to Lita.
/
"Now that the overly long intros are done," Zac said. "I guess we should figure out where we're staying."
"We were supposed to do a challenge today," Rhonda said. "But I guess we'll postpone it for another day."
"Woooo!" the Genesis cast cheered.
"Glad to know you're so lenient as a host," Zac said. "Good thing I'm here to give you advice."
"You're one to talk," Rhonda replied. "Mana and I had to host an elimination ceremony while you canoodled with Hayden in the hottub!"
The two hosts walked off squabbling, as the sailors and newcomers stood there awkwardly chatting amongst their own groups.
/
The camera panned away from the doors where the two hosts had just exited. A familiar duo walked down the staircase into the lobby, Toby's whistling filling the empty air where yelling had just taken place.
"Do you think that's him?" Toby whispered to Jenny as they closed in on where the teens waited.
"His hair isn't that fabulous." Jenny assured him. "Right?"
"Right!" Toby confirmed. The pair shared a nervous glance before jumping off of the final step to face the crowd.
"So… Uh Rhonda might kill us for this but since she's going to be occupied for most of the night now," Toby started before Jenny excitedly cut him off.
"And well, since there are so many of you again! And we have all these party supplies….." The pair pulled out fire crackers and set the room aglow. "We're throwing a FIESTA!" Jenny looked at the Canadians who seemed confused. "That means party."
Melissa frowned, "But I haven't had a chance to prepare enough baked goods for such an event!"
The scene cut to show an image of the hotel kitchen being buried with baked goods, before cutting back to crowd.
"I'm sure we'll manage Melly!" Weston eagerly cheered biting into a chocolate chip muffin. "My detective's intuition says there's more than enough!"
"Does he remind you of someone?" Damien whispered into Yasmin's ear as he looked at Weston and then at Alfie.
"Clearly lack of brain power is a trait that gets you far in this show," Yasmin noted. "No matter what country you're from."
"Not cool brah. Not cool," Kalino shook his head in disappointment. "Aren't you supposed to be extra nice or something?"
"KALINO!" Ness half-shouted. "You're in the presence of royalty! You can't speak to them like that."
Sarah looked around excitedly, "Is Zaina here!? I really need another girls night!"
"It's Heather's little brother! Damien!" Ness cheered wrapping her arms around Damien. "Your sister was one of my idols… Well not really, but she was so important to the first season!"
"He's Heather's little brother?" Alfie asked confused.
Andre shrugged. "I thought he looked familiar."
Sam turned to the co-hosts of Genesis. "Lead the way to the party!"
Lita grabbed onto Sam's hand. "Finally someone who knows what's up!"
Jenny and Toby looked up at the teens. "Mana! Could you help out? We just need some more streamers from upstairs in room 711." Jenny asked innocently, while she and Toby hid their grins.
"Oh uh.. Sure? Why not! I'll be right back!" Mana cheerfully agreed, while the duo shared a fist-bump once he was out of sight.
"Good luck taking Rhonda away from us now," Toby snickered.
/
The pair led the teenagers to a large room they hadn't been to before. Flashing lights, and music filled the space. Along the edges of the room tables were filled with food and totally non-alcoholic beverages.
"You sure Rhonda won't miss these?" Toby asked looking around the room.
"They were meant for the finale night… We'll just replace them before then!"
"Dance with me Vi!" Sam begged. "I could use it."
He dragged her onto the dance floor. ''No Excuses'', by Meghan Trainor blasting off of the walls.
Viola stared at the teen. "Do I look like I dance?"
"This is America! Brosky." Riley laughed as she placed a pair of hot pink shades over Viola's face. "Everyone dances!"
The teen did the moonwalk as she left the pair.
"I LOVE IT HERE!" Sam announced loudly, as the other teens erupted into a cheer.
Off to the side Ness was dancing in place beside Lita who was truly letting loose.
"I've never been to a real party before!" Ness giggled. "My parents always thought it would be a bad idea. But nothing bad has happened!"
"Oh girly, the party's just starting!" She teased getting closer to Ness to help her loosen up.
Ness blushed as Lita's body got closer to hers. "Are you going to ask Jasper to dance?" She shouted over the music. "I saw the look you gave him at the last challenge!"
Lita eyed Jasper, who was eating from the bowl of pretzels at the far end of the room.
"Why would I do that?" She sighed. "It's not like the last boy I liked really worked out for me. I don't need to embarrass myself on television twice!"
Ness paused. "I feel like it's been more than twice…"
"Ness! That's besides the point! Just because he's really cute, and kinda sweet and a great listener…. Well uh, doesn't mean he likes me!" Lita smirked. "Are you going to ask Ignacio to dance?"
"I can't do that!" Ness blushed. "I'm not ready for that!"
"Then I guess we'll just dance with each other!" Lita said before being interrupted by Andre asking Ness to dance.
Ness blinked. "M-M-Me?" She asked, but Lita instantly shoved her into Andre's arms as the pair drifted to the center of the room, becoming the first inter-show dancing partners.
Andre looked around the dusty elevator. "Ah yes… Let's make America great again." He chuckled. "But Ness seemed really nice... And she was a fan of mine, and there's no way there won't be a challenge here, so I need all the help and info I can get." He shrugged. "I'll win this whole thing for you Dania!"
Sarah sighed as she poured herself a glass of sparkling water. "Elyar… I don't know what I'm doing here. You never trained me for this. I thought it was all just for fun." She pouted staring at the watch on her wrist. "I'm not actually a secret agent. I was able to help Zaina with everyone else's help… But it's just me now."
"You don't have to be just you! No bro's left behind!" Riley chimed in, offering Sarah a fist bump. "So are you going to introduce me to your imaginary friend, or am I not cool enough for that just yet?"
Sarah gave a weak smile. "Elyar was my first friend on my season."
She let out a puff of air. "And I promised I'd do something for him… but it's just…."
"Complicated," Riley confirmed. "I know the feeling! I feel like everyone here is on the edge of making out in the broom closet!"
"Oh no," Sarah let out a groan. "You're reminding me of my first summer at band camp."
She shook her head trying to get the image out.
"Dancing will help," Riley offered. "Besides if you stay here any longer I'll feel like America failed you, and we just can't have that now can we!"
Sarah smiled. "You're honestly an adorable little human."
"Eh, I'll take it!" Riley chuckled dragging Sarah out to the dance floor.
/
The scene cut to show Melissa piling baked goods onto a plate in the kitchen. "Thanks again so much for helping me Weston! I'm sure everyone will appreciate all of the cookies we baked!" She sniffed the air, "I put an extra dash of love in this batch!"
She looked down at the teen who had inhaled the cookies.
"SUGAR!" Alfie cheered.
"Wait…. You're not Weston. How could I have gotten this muggled up." Melissa sighed. "But I am so glad you love the cookies!"
/
Elsewhere Cherry was detailing all of the things that were wrong with Trixie to who she thought was Alfie. "If she ever loved you, she wouldn't have just broken up with you. Like that's not a Cheryliscious thing to do, and like she totes was just using you for that weird fetish athlete book thing. Like what the bleep."
Cherry turned to the camera. "In Canada, we bleep ourselves, because like swearing is wrong." She flashed a smile.
"Which one was Trixie again?" Weston sighed looking out at the dancing teens, "I don't think Cynthia would like it if another girl loved me."
Cherry blinked. "Well who in the cherry are you?!"
"I'm Weston!" The twin offered his hand to the girl.
"Ok, like bye?" Cherry rolled her eyes, leaving in search of her allies. Weston waved awkwardly at his new friend.
/
The camera panned to wear Yasmin stared at a painting. "This is oddly specific and out of place for a haunted hotel." The scholar noted looking down at her notebook. "It has to just be a coincidence though…"
"The Kraken dragging down the ship." Kalino nodded. "A true classic. People fear the Kraken, but I think he's a sign of growth."
Yasmin stared at the relaxed surfer. "How so. It's a mythological creature of mass destruction."
"And after destruction comes rebirth." Kalino exhaled. "It's all about finding that inner zen."
He stripped off his shirt and sat cross-legged on the floor.
"Pardon? But no," Yasmin stated. "There is nothing peaceful about this. In fact this must just be the producers messing with me."
"Find your chill." Kalino offered grabbing onto Yasmin's hand. "You need it."
"She honestly does," Damien teased as he walked past the pair with Tessa.
Yasmin glared at Kalino's hand. "No touching!"
She swatted his hand away. "I don't have time for this kind of interaction."
Yasmin climbed onto Kalino's back and reached for the painting. "I need to inspect this further."
She kicked the side of Kalino and said, "Take me to the nearest laboratory."
"Pardon here, lassy, but I don't think that Kalino is your personal steed."
Kalino sighed as Yasmine's legs tightened their grip around his torso. "How about we double the chill for you?"
He pulled out a bath bomb from… Well the narrator isn't entirely sure, and held it in front of Yasmin. "I bet you haven't had a bath in a long time. Rhonda has an ultra-top secret spa here, that we're not supposed to know about if you want to try it!"
Cherry raced over grabbing the bath bomb. "LIKE DIBS!"
She cheered, her eyes going wide, gripping the bath bomb like it was her savior. "It's been like totes too long since I had an opportunity to relax my pores!"
Cherry gave the peace sign as she raced out of the room, following the scent of lavender bubbles.
/
It didn't take long for Cherry to find the 'ultra top-secret' spa. In fact she followed the arrows along the walls of the hotel. The spa was spacious, with steam blurring the air.
"C to the H to the E!" Cherry sang to herself as she began to strip off her clothes.
A not-so-silent gulp stopped Cherry in her tracks.
"Hello? Is this like where the totes not cool serial killer is waiting to like axe me in half because like, could you at least cut off a few extra pounds before you like leave so people will forever see me as the Cherrylicious babe, and not the chunky monkey the show is turning me into?" She begged pulling at the 'fat' on her stomach.
"No. That was last challenge, it's just me," Jacob...Jasper sighed. "Did you really not see me?"
Cherry's eyes went wide. "Well like. Why are you still here?"
She gasped covering up her cherrylicious goods. "Also, like why are the butlers in the spa?"
Jared banged his head against the wall. "It's Jasper. You know the guy who…" He paused, trying to think of a way to describe himself. "Well, I'm a newcomer on Genesis."
"Is that… Like the best you got?" Cherry asked, shaking her head. "Come on, like you must be something more than that?!"
She scoffed. "What kind of wannabes did they like recruit for the American show."
"They meant to get my brother but there was a mistake," Jasper explained.
"Oh." Cherry frowned. "Like don't tell anyone I did this but." The It-Girl wrapped her arms around the boy, forgetting her lack of clothing. "Like everyone deserves to be someone."
After a brief hug she shoved Jasper out of the spa. "Now like leave. I need to like shine."
Jasper stood out the door awkwardly. "But uh...that's the men's changing room…"
/
The scene cut to show Damien and Tessa pouring themselves a glass of the punch. "Aren't you that big-shot gold medalist Tiffany or something?"
Tessa stared the shorter teen. "Aren't you demon-Heather's dweeb brother?"
"Touche." Damien shrugged raising his glass for cheers.
"What are we toasting for?"
"Making things better," The sailor offered a smile. "I'm here to help my sister. You're… well I don't know why you're here." He paused. "This is my second chance at this. I can't screw it up again, not until I prove them all wrong."
Tessa sighed. "I'm kind of here for the same reason."
"This your second chance too?" Damian asked. "How did an Olympian get voted off from her team?"
"By being the worst," Tessa admitted. "I was almost as bad as Heather."
"Allegedly was," Damian stated sternly.
Tessa forced a nervous smile and nodded. Damian returned to his chipper self and the two clinked their glasses.
Tessa raised an eyebrow as she sat in a different confessional than usual; a giant clamshell. "I guess we can use this as an alternate confessional while the Tides cast is here? It's somehow less tacky than our elevator at least…"
Tessa shifted in the clam. "I loved Total Drama when it started. I still watched after that terrible fifth season...even if I still did relate to a few of those players in it. I admit there's a quite a few past players I disliked, but honestly? I've always hated Heather. She was the mean, popular girl. The original antagonist. After being eliminated the first time, I kinda realized that one of the main reasons I hated Heather is…
Tessa groaned. "...because she reminded me of my own bullies. I don't really believe Heather was falsely edited, but I want to believe Damien. But I do that my own 'Heather' moments weren't; they were very real."
"Is it true your school has special flag twirlers when you say the Pledge of Allegiance?"
Lita laughed. With Ness gone, Lita was now being asked questioned by her new dance partner, Malia.
"Not at my school," Lita replied.
"Do you release the Eagles before or after the fireworks on 4th of July?"
"Girl, who told you all this stuff?" Lita asked.
"Zac," Malia replied. "He's dating an American, so he should know."
"Either Hayden has some weird traditions or your host was just joshing you," Lita said.
Malia blushed. "Oh. Darn, being American seemed really fun and silly."
"I don't think we're that different," Lita said. "I mean America and Canada aren't exactly twins, but maybe we're more similar than we are different."
"Really?" Malia asked. "I think we are pretty different."
"We're both the prettiest girls on shows, aren't we?" Lita teased.
Malia blushed and giggled. "Of course! Speaking of, where did you get that scarf? I've been thinking I should get one; they're very chic!"
"This thing?" Lita replied. "Uhh...from a thrift store. That's all. It's not a big deal."
"Darn," Malia said. "I know scarves are all the rage in America along with bear cubs in your purses...or was that another lie?"
"Why ask me all these questions?" Lita said, shaking her head.
"I guess I just thought it's because you look like what I thought a wild American girl was," Malia admitted.
"Excuse me?" Lita asked.
"I just meant...free and pretty," Malia replied.
Lita forced a smile. "Thanks sweetheart, but really you're gorgeous. Who says you don't have some freedom? You're far from home!" You sail the seven seas! You're in a whole other country!"
"The land of the free," Malia giggled.
"Point is you can do whatever you want," Lita replied. "So let's live it up. If you want to get wild...then let's get wild."
Malia nodded as Lita motioned her to follow.
/
At the other end of the room, Ignacio sat by himself. He watched as Andre and Ness dance. Ignacio stood up and started to walk over...only to run into Sam.
"Oops," Sam said as his drink spilled on Ignacio's shirt. "My bad, I was watching that shirtless meditating guy and...woah."
"It's fine," Ignacio replied. "It happens all the time actually."
"I guess you better take it off," Sam replied. "Get it in the wash before it stains."
"What were you drinking?" Ignacio asked.
"Uhh...grape soda," Sam answered. "It's the worst really. But if you get it cleaned soon."
"I guess I should go change," Ignacio replied.
"No time!" Sam shouted. "You need to take it off now."
Ignacio blushed. "Then I'd be shirtless and what would I-"
"You can borrow my shirt," Sam replied, already having taken off his shirt. "I can even put yours in the wash if you need me to!"
"Do you even have knowledge of its location?" Iggy asked.
"You could show me," Sam replied. "And while we wait for it to wash, maybe you, me and that Kalino fellow could stop by the spa and-"
"Pardon me, I left an excuse in my room I need to go attend to," Ignacio stated, before running off.
"Wait!" Sam called. "I can help you with that too! Did I mention I just broke up and am so single?"
/
Alfie strolled out of the kitchen with sweets in his hand...but stopped as Weston stood right in front of him, also carrying a handful of sweets. The two stopped, starring at each other. Alfie raised his hand and Weston did the same. Weston titled his head and Alfie did the same. Both started mimicking each other.
"Is this a mirror?" Alfie finally said.
"I think so," Weston replied.
"A magic mirror!" Alfie gasped.
"No way," Weston said. "But wait...do I usually look that short?"
"And what happened to my hair?" Alfie asked.
"Wait...are we seeing parallel realities?" Weston asked. "Which means…"
"Your alternate universe me!" The two exclaimed.
"I've seen some crazy stuff on this show," Alfie said. "But this is amazing. Wait...do you think we can travel?"
Weston's eyes grew wide. He slowly tip-toed over, until he could reach Alfie's hand. Alfie 'pulled' Weston through, and the two fell on the floor.
"It's not just a mirror, it's a portal!" Weston exclaimed.
Tessa shook her head. "This maybe the saddest thing I've seen today."
"Just today?" Damien asked.
"So what should we do now that we've traveled worlds?" Weston asked.
Alfie scratched his chin. "Well…"
/
Two minutes later, Aflie and Weston were stuffing their faces with sweets.
/
Trixie starred forlorn at Alfie as she poured herself a glass of punch.
"Pardon me mam."
Trixie turned to see Vance smiling at her.
"Are you from Tennessee?" Vance asked. "Cause you're the only ten I see!"
Trixie raised an eyebrow. "Is that supposed to mean something?"
Vance facepalmed. "Of course. You foreign gals don't have a Tennessee. Let's see...are you angel? Because you are the answer to my prays."
"Wow," Trixie forced a laugh. "Has that line ever worked before?"
"All the time," Vance replied.
"It's hilarious," Trixie said.
"It's funny because it's true," Vance replied. "I can tell you and I are kindred spirits."
Vance tipped her cowgirl hat.
"It's going to be a hard pass," Trixie replied. "I'm getting over a breakup...and have standards."
"There's only one sure fire way to get over heartbreak," Vance replied.
"Yeah, and I can't find any ice cream," Trixie replied.
"Come on," Vance replied. "Have you ever been with a rodeo star before?"
Trixie blushed. "I mean...no. But I'm not trying to date athletes anymore just to date them."
"Even ones with cute mustaches?" Vance asked.
Trixie smirked. "Tell you what bub. How about we arm wrestle for it. You win, I'll dance with you. You lose, and you go away."
"I'd hate to hurt you," Vance replied.
"Or lose?" Trixie teased.
Vance glared, shoving the punch bowl off the table and slapping down his arm. "Let's go!"
Trixie got in position and the two went out it. Immediately, Trixie slammed Vance's arm down.
"Rematch!" Vance shouted.
"Sure," Trixie replied. "I can beat you all night…"
The two went at it and once again Trixie almost had Vance pinned...till he coughed on her face.
"Ack!" Trixie cried out, before Vance took her down in the moment of surprise.
"Yeehaw!" Vance cheered.
"That doesn't count," Trixie sighed.
"A win's a win darlin," Vance replied. "So how about a square dance?"
"You really know how to treat a girl, don't cha?"
/
BOOM.
All the teens ran outside as they heard the sound of an explosion. As they exited the hotel they saw the sky being lit up by a colorful fireworks display. Lita and Malia, the two culprits, bumped fists at the others watched them.
"Ooh pretty," Sarah sighed.
Off by herself, Viola sighed and rolled her eyes. "I can't believe it."
"I know! Isn't it just a wonderful way to cap off the night?"
Viola turned to Melissa standing there. She held out a plate of fresh, heart shaped snickerdoodles. "I noticed you haven't been eating much. Would you care for a cookie...Viola isn't it?"
Viola shook her head. "I'm not hungry for...that."
"Is there anything you are hungry for?" Melissa asked. "I'm sure it's been rough out at sea, probably having to cook for yourself."
"Are you a maid at this hotel or just have a mom complex?" Viola said.
"Oh no, I just like helping people," Melissa replied. "You know, sharing a little love with everyone. Baking is just the easiest way."
Viola cringed. "That's the scariest thing I've ever heard. And I've almost been killed by pirates. A few times actually…"
Viola turned and shook her head at the fireworks. "Do they even have a permit for this?"
"Probably not," Melissa said. "Ms. Rhonda won't be happy that Lita and your friend did this. Still, it does fit the rather special occasion. Fireworks are kind of like an explosive night rainbow!"
"No wonder I hate them," Viola admitted.
"Hate?" Melissa asked. "Isn't that a bit of strong word?"
Viola nodded. "You're right. Despise is more like it. You know we see fireworks all the time on Tides. They shoot off fireworks of our face if we're safe at elimination."
"Ooh," Melissa gasped. "How charmingly unique."
Viola rolled her eyes. "They're an omen. The more you see your face up there, the more false hope it gives you. If you don't see your face, that means it's it. You don't even go out with a bang. You're just gone. Like Fleur or Grayson or Hannah."
Viola turned and walked off to the hotel, not waiting for Melissa to reply.
/
The next morning, the newcomers and sailors ate breakfast together.
"This place did seem a little scary," Sarah admitted. "But it's pretty amazing you get to live in this hotel."
"Not as cool as living in a pirate ship," Riley replied. "Finding ancient treasure, fighting bad guys, playing the accordion and singing sea shanties…"
Sarah giggled. "We don't usually do that last part. It certainly wasn't what I was expecting when Rhonda asked me to join…"
"Another improvement you have on us," Ignacio stated. "A better host."
"Are you kidding?" Damien asked. "Zac is the worst. He's not kind or cool like Rhonda."
"Rhonda and cool in the same sentence?" Kalino asked. "You only see that if 'is not' is in-between them."
"I don't know how you all knew Ms. Rhonda," Melissa stated. "But she's changed. Even when I met her before the show, she seemed enthusiastic and sweet but now she's desperate, meaner-"
"-I refuse to believe that," Damien said. "At least she's not an egomaniac like Zac."
"Zac is actually a sweet guy," Sarah stated. "I think maybe this show or job has changed him too. Maybe it changes everyone…"
"Attention sailors and...whatever the rest of you are again," Zac said over the P.A.
"Speak of the devil and he shall appear," Viola said.
"Your challenge is in ten minutes," Zac stated.
"Give me back the speaker!" Rhonda screamed.
"Over my, ahh! Don't touch the hair!"
The P.A. cut to static.
/
Mana motioned for Jenny and Toby to follow him into Rhonda's office, where the two hosts were facing away from each other with their arms crossed.
"I have a plan," Mana whispered, not noticing Jenny and Toby's glares. "Um, everything is almost set up for today's challenge."
"Thanks Mana," Rhonda replied.
"Mana tell Rhonda not to talk to my intern," Zac stated. "And also, stop being buddy-buddy with her!"
"But-"
"Like that party you threw last night," Zac said.
"That was you Mana?" Rhonda asked.
"Well-"
"Yup!" Jenny replied, pushing Mana forward. "Mana snuck into your secret supplies and used everything we were saving for the finale. Tsk, tsk."
"Wonderful idea Mana!" Rhonda stated.
"Wait...what?" Jenny asked.
"That stuff's easily replaceable," Rhonda replied. "But that party was a brilliant idea to get more footage for the crossover special the network wants us to do."
Mana blushed. "I can't take all the credit; Jenny and Toby helped too."
"Oh don't be modest," Rhonda said. "They wouldn't do actual work like that."
"On second thought maybe we should get rid of her," Jenny whispered.
"There is one thing you need both to approve before the challenge," Mana said. "It's in a broom closet down the hall, all the way inside. That also requires us to take a chair."
"Okay," Rhonda replied. "Makes sense."
Toby facepalmed.
/
Minutes later, Mana propped the chair against a door knob as Zac and Rhonda screamed for inside of the closet.
"You don't think they'll be too upset, do you?" Mana asked.
"MANAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Toby shrugged. "It'll be fine."
Author's Note
Sorry, no elimination yet. A reminder that this crossover was originally one whole chapter, but I'm splitting it in two. I like to think in-universe it's because it's the combination of each show's two whole episodes.
I'll save most of thoughts on the chapter for it's official end, but I wanted to give a little more context on Tides.
Total Drama Tides is the second season of Canadian's latest version of Total Drama. The past season, Frozen, was centered on winter. Four campers from that season returned to compete with twenty new contestants. Tides is themed around the summer and is about summer romances, teen drama and adventures and discovery while sailing the seas. Hopefully, you deduced that.
A rundown Tides cast and their labels, as created by Lil' Oddy:
Zac- The Attractive Host
Mana- The Intern
Alfie- The Candy Lover
Andre- The Washed-Up Musician
Cherry- The Basic White Girl
Damien- The Legacy
Malia- The Parents' Favorite
Sam- The Pretty (Thirsty) Boy
Sarah- The Singer
Trixie- The Puck Bunny
Viola- The Pessimist
Yasmin- The Scholar
Next time, a challenge and a surprise elimination...
Appendix: Elimination History
Bethany (Eagles)- 22nd
Diamonique (Eagles)- RETURNED
Jasper (Fireworks)- RETURNED
Tessa (Fireworks)- RETURNED
Zipporah (Fireworks)- 21st
Hayden (Eagles)- 20th
Frannie (Eagles)- 19th
Aiden (Eagles)- 18th
Pascal (Fireworks)- 17th
Easton (Fireworks)- 16th
Seraphina (Fireworks)- 15th
MERGE
Cynthia- 14th
Griswold- 13th
Xidorn- 12th
Diamonique- 11th