All the newcomers had gathered for lunch. Melissa sang as she made grilled cheeses, the sandwich bread cut into smiling faces.

"One you'll have sadness, two you'll have joy, three get a present, four get a boy, five receive silver, six receive gold, seven's a secret that's never been told…"

She strolled out, sliding a plate of fixins to another newcomer. Tessa raised her glass and clinked it with Riley. "Ahh, isn't this wonderful?"

"Today does feel a little different," Melissa admitted.

"Dudes it feels magical," Riley sighed.

"It's because we've taken care of the hotel's rat problem," Tessa laughed.

"The hotel had rats?" Jasper asked.

"I surmise she's referring to Kalino," Ignacio said.

Tessa raised her glass again before throwing her head back and chugging her juice.

"Do you have to be so smug about it?"

Vance glared at the Olympian from the end of the table.

"I'm not trying to be smug," Tessa replied. "I just can't kind hide I'm happy he's gone. I don't think it's wrong to feel that way, he was a snake and a liar."

"I have to admit I did snicker at few of the losers' confessionals," Ness stated.

"It's like a dark cloud has been blown away," Melissa admitted.

"I get it," Vance replied. "I'm upset he hurt a bunch of people...but he was still my good buddy! We had fun times. I can't help missing the little guy."

Ignacio nodded. "I owe a lot to him actually. He helped me overcome my issues. I didn't know if he had an ulterior motive, but I don't believe he did."

"He was a Molting Eagle," Melissa replied. "I do feel a little bad voting off an old teammate."

"Even though he did some pretty rough stuff he had nice moments," Vance said. "He was my friend."

The other newcomers sat silent for a few minutes as they started their lunch.

/

The next day...

Jasper and Tessa exhaled together as they enjoyed a deep tissue massage in the luxury suite.

"Don't stop until all the knots this show has given me are gone," Tessa sighed.

"This is heavenly," Jasper stated. "I'm so glad we won that challenge!"

"Not to mention you've officially won the most challenges," Tessa replied.

Jasper shook his head. "It's so weird. I've never done anything like that before."

"What, set a record?" Tessa asked.

"No, accomplish something," Jasper said.

Tessa raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"I'm serious," Jasper admitted. "I don't know if I've ever won before this show, except maybe by default. I'm not good at anything."

"There has to be something you're good at," Tessa replied. "I mean, what you do with your free time?"

Jasper shrugged. "I watch TV sometimes, go on walks, study, read articles online. Sometimes I nap."

"Have you tried doing something new?" Tessa asked.

"Yeah," Jasper said. "A lot of times actually. But usually I'm just okay or bad at it. And it's kind of boring doing it alone."

Tessa rubbed her chin. "Alright, we need to prove you wrong and find something you're good at and enjoy. But we're going to need help…"

/

Meanwhile Ness was walking through the hotel when she heard a screeching noise. She turned and entered the library to see Ignacio with a guitar.

"What'cha doing Iggy?"

"Oh, just practicing guitar," he replied.

"I didn't know you played," Ness said.

"I've been teaching myself recently," Ignacio replied. "I think I have a talent for music."

He strummed the chords of the guitar, only for all the strings to break. "Well…"

"Be careful," Ness giggled. "If you learn music you won't be able to keep the girls away."

Ignacio blushed. "You don't say."

"By the way, I never did say thank you," Ness stated. "So, thank you for using the flash drive on me."

"Of course," Ignacio replied. "It's like I said, I didn't get that flash drive under fair circumstances."

"I mean it is a gameplay element," Ness said. "You earned it. You shouldn't waste it-"

"-It wasn't a waste," Ignacio corrected. "And you can't give me grief for it; you did the same thing."

"Okay, okay," Ness admitted. "I guess you're right."

"I promise I won't throw my game away," Ignacio stated. "But you have to promise the same. And you need to stop believing you're giving us bad luck."

""I am bad luck though!" Ness argued. "I mean five chandeliers have already fallen on me today. And this hotel only has three."

"Alright, maybe bad things happen to you," Ignacio said. "But you're not a bad thing to other people. I mean you've brought a lot of goodness to me, Lita, Seraphina...I think I'm lucky that I got to meet you."

Ness sniffled a little bit and blushed. "Ignacio…"

"Listen, Ness I have to tell you that-"

Suddenly a chandelier fell through the roof and landed on Ness, knocking her out cold.

"It's not important."

/

Tessa and Jasper strolled into the kitchen, where Melissa was washing dishes.

"Hey Melissa," Tessa said. "Do you think you could give us a hand?"

"Oh I'd love to," Melissa replied. "How can I help?"

"Jasper doesn't believe he has a talent because he's a sourpuss," Tessa teased.

"I'm just not unique or special," Jasper admitted.

Melissa giggled. "Nonsense! I personally believe that everyone has something they're good at. We just have to find your talent and then foster it."

"It's fine," Jasper said. "I don't want to waste anyone's time."

Melissa bopped Jasper's nose. "Helping someone is never a waste of time. We'll find out what you're good at; how hard can it be?"

/

Thirteen hours later, Melissa, Tessa and Jasper were suffocating under a pile of stuff, their eyes bloodshot.

"It can be pretty hard," Jasper mumbled.

"No, we found something didn't we?" Melissa asked. "We…we had to…what about baseball? How many balls did you hit in the batting cage?"

"Five," Jasper replied.

"And what's the average?"

"Five," Jasper replied.

Melissa sluggishly pulled herself up, shoving objects away.

"What about board games?" Melissa asked. "You won one, right?"

"I came in second every time," Jasper admitted. "Same with video games."

"How was that pizza you made?" Melissa asked.

Tessa took a bite and shrugged. "It's...okay. It's pizza."

"Your ballet performance?" Melissa asked.

"Alright," Jasper replied. "I fell a fair number of times."

"Swimming?" Melissa asked.

Tessa read a stopwatch. "He had about average speed."

Melissa pulled out a bow and some arrows. "Archery is very in. How did that go again?"

"I hit hit three of the six targets," Jasper replied.

Melissa pulled out a canvas from the pile. "How about we look at your painting again?"

The painting was an average landscape with a sun, some hills and some trees.

"It's pretty," Tessa encouraged.

"I guess," Jasper shrugged.

"Let's see...what about knitting?"

Jasper held up a beige green scarf of about average length.

"The banjo?"

Jasper strung the chords of, missing a couple notes.

"Didn't you try juggling?"

Jasper juggled three balls in the air, but couldn't get a fourth and dropped them all pretty quickly.

"Fishing?"

Jasper reeled in a fishing line, with just a tiny fish at the end.

"Photography?"

Jasper held up some normal looking photos, like anyone could take with a phone.

"Magic?"

Jasper tried to do a card trick but dropped a few cards.

"Bird watching?"

Jasper held up a score card that only showed a few basic birds, like pigeons and crows.

"Gardening?"

Jasper picked up a potted plant with a few small sprouts, though one or two had died.

"What about that mix tape you made? It was popping, right?"

Jasper played the tape, which had some generic electronic beats. It could have been any pop song on the radio.

"There has to be something we did? River Dancing? Tokastatu Acting? Civil War reenacting? Music ranking? Water polo? Improv comedy? Pedicures? Directing? Corn Shucking? Paper mache? Truffle hunting? Sonnet writing? Equestrian sports? Pennyfarthing…"

Each time Jasper shrugged and revealed he was somewhat okay at it.

Melissa's hair was completely disheveled as she dug through the pile, tossing aside any kind of object. "No...no...no, there has to be something! Everyone has something! You have a talent, a passion Jasper I promise. We'll just have to keep looking, and looking, and looking, and looking, and looking…"

"It's okay Melissa," Jasper said. "I appreciate you trying. I had fun."

"I think we could all use some rest," Tessa sighed. "Let's all go get some sleep and-"

"-No!" Melissa cried, jumping up. "I'm not giving up on you Jasper! I know you have a talent and we're going to find it. Even if it kills me!"

"Melissa-"

"KILLS ME!" Melissa growled. She sprang up, screaming and foaming at the mouth like a wild animal. She threw Tessa back into the pit of stuff, then lifted up Jasper and threw him over back. She ran down the hall screaming and smashing things.

Tessa facepalmed. "I could've just kept getting a massage, but no…"

/

Minutes later, Tessa ran outside. She passed knocked down street lamps and turned over cars. Around a tall skyscraper, the other newcomers had gathered, along with fire trucks and police cars.

Tessa groaned. "Please don't tell me-"

"Yup," Riley replied, pointing up at the building. Melissa was carrying Jasper by her teeth as she scaled the building.

"Why has Melissa cracked?" Ness asked. "Was it the stress of the game?"

"Um...yeah, I think it was," Tessa said.

"At least she still gave us muffins before going on rampage," Vance said.

"What muffins?" Ignacio asked.

"Uh...the ones I ate," Vance replied.

A police captain stood upon his car. Through a megaphone, he yelled, "Attention girl in pink! Please remain calm, we have a tarp ready to catch you! Please just jump down gently and-"

Melissa growled. She tore off a flag pole from the building and launched it like a javelin through the tarp.

The cop sighed. "If we didn't have enough problems with that rampaging horse now we have a monstrous teenage girl!"

"Anything you want to say about the horse Vance?" Ness whispered.

"Horse?" Vance asked. "I have no idea what you're talking about. What's a horse? Is it a food?"

Tessa ran forward to the cops. "Officer please, my friend is being dragged up there!"

"Friend?" the cop asked. "Where?"

"He's in her mouth obviously!" Tessa said.

The officer peered through his binoculars. "What are you...wait! That's a person? I thought she was just chewing on a soggy piece of cardboard."

Tessa groaned and shoved the cop aside. She grabbed the megaphone. "Melissa, this is Tessa! I know you want to help Jasper, but this is not helping!"

Melissa crawled to the top of the skyscraper. She howled and beat her chest. Suddenly, a convey with helicopters on it pulled up.

Vance tried to hold on to his hat as the copters lifted off. "What in tarnation is going on?"

"We're sending in the choppers," the cop replied. "They'll take this girl out, one way or another."

"What?" Ness asked. "She's not going to get hurt is she?"

"That depends on how she responds to tranquilizer bullets."

Melissa growled and swatted at the copters as they circled around her.

"Melissa, please calm down," Jasper said. "This isn't like you, and not just because it's given you crazy, angry strength."

Melissa roared, swinging Jasper back and forth.

Ness covered her eyes. "I think the sun's about to get real low…"

"Uhhhh…" Melissa groaned as five different tranq darts shot into her. She face-planted on the roof...and dropped Jasper.

"I told you he was about there!" Tessa screamed.

"Oh yeah," the cop replied. "Forgot about him. Oops."

Tessa chucked the megaphone.

"Ahhhhhhhh!"

Jasper was falling fast before landing in an open awning. "I'm okay! I'm-"

The awning then fell apart and landed on the concrete. "...Never mind."

Vance placed his hat over the heart. "It wasn't the helicopters. It was beauty that killed the beast. That and a bunch of tranquilizers."

"Why don't they use the tranqs on that horse?" Ness asked.

"We tried, but we couldn't hit it," the cop groaned. "Last time we tried he stole them and used them on us. Kidnapped us and tied us from buildings with bungee cords. God, who or what unleashed this horse!"

The newcomers all shared a look and slowly tiptoed away.

/

The following day, the final seven were gathered into the lobby. Rhonda and her cohorts were waiting there.

"I'm so sorry about last night," Melissa said.

"It's okay," Jasper stated. "You've already apologized five times. I'm not feeling that hurt. How are you feeling, coming off all those tranqs?"

The camera panned out to reveal Ness was pushing Melissa, who was strapped on a board. "I'm feeling dandy! I think I can almost move my toes again."

"Shhhh," Toby hushed.

"We've got a lot to do for this challenge," Rhonda stated right away. "So let's get it to. You'll need to change into a motion capture suit. Then each of you are going to a separate room in the hotel for today's challenge."

"Why are-"

"-NO TIME!" Rhonda shouted. "I'll explain more over the PA whenever everyone is there in places."

/

Minutes later, Jasper walked into the casino den. Near an outlet, there was a red chair. In the middle of the seat was some kind of headset and gloves. Jasper picked it up.

"Woah."

"Alright everybody," Rhonda stated over the PA. "Today's challenge is extra special; it's virtual reality gaming!"

Riley threw up her hands, already wearing the VR gear in the game room. "Sweet!"

"It'll be like the movie Ready Player One," Rhonda continued. "But less terrible. A high tech Japanese gaming company said they were inspired by our a show while developing this game. They've given us the chance to play-test the latest in their virtual reality gaming technology!"

Ignacio shrugged as he put on his headset. He sat in the back row of the opera house. "I'm not much a gamer, but a challenge is a challenge. And it is a little exciting."

"The challenge is simple, win the game," Rhonda stated. "You should figure out how by playing."

Tessa crossed her legs on the chair inside the luxury suite. "Anything less vague?"

"This'll probably take the rest of the day," Rhonda said. "But there are ways you can stop if you need a break. We also expected to do this at the final six, but because of an unexpected return, it's a little different. The developers have made it work for seven players, but there might still be a few bugs in it."

Melissa, still strapped on a board as she was wheeled to the kitchen by Toby, tapped her chin. "Oh dear, I hope they're friendly bugs."

"We have a controller you can use till the tranquilizers wear off," Toby stated, fastening the headset to her and giving her a controller.

"Thank you Mr. Toby," Melissa replied. "You really are a sweetie deep down, aren't you?"

Toby groaned and stomped off, though he was blushing slightly.

Ness sat in the TV room or common area. Her gear was on.

"Good luck.."

Ness gulped. "I'll need it. And then some..."

"...and have fun."

"Alright!" Vance hooted in the library. "This better be a hog-killin good time."

"You may now put on the VR headsets; the game starts now."

The seven newcomers slipped on their headsets. There was a flash…

/

"Huh?"

Jasper walked around what looked like a tavern. It was filled with strange characters, from knights in armor to muscle bound men with axes strapped to their bare chests. Jasper looked down to realize he was wearing some sort of dark blue uniform, with a black cloak and hood.

"This must be some kind of fantasy roleplaying game," Jasper said to himself.

He looked around the tavern. Every step he took, an old man from the bar followed him with his eyes. Jasper gulped and kept walking.

/

"Wake up dear!"

Ness blinked as she found herself standing in a small room. It had nothing more than a bed and a mirror. She walked up to the mirror and raised an eyebrow. She was dressed similar to Jasper, but in a tan and beige variation. She had semi-pointy ears like an elf. She looked down at her feet to see she wasn't wearing shoes. In fact, her feet seemed more like soles. The tops of her feet were now extremely hair as well.

"Weird," Ness said, looking over her feet.

"Wake up dear!"

Ness turned and opened the door. She exited to a small room connected to a kitchen. Inside was a short woman that had the same hair color as Ness. She had the same hairy feet too.

"Good morning dear," the woman greeted. "Now I can't have you sleep all day."

"Um...hi?" Ness said.

"I need you to go deliver these goods to the mysterious hermit that lives at the edge of the village."

Ness raised an eyebrow as the woman handed her a basket of goodies. The goodies disappeared as soon as Ness touched them.

"Ahh! Um, is that suppose to happen?"

"They're in your rucksack dear," the woman replied. "You can open it anytime by clapping your hands."

Ness clapped her hands. The basket floated around her in a circle. "Trippy. So, who are you?"

"Good luck dear!"

The woman turned away and started washing a dish.

"No seriously, who are you?"

"Good luck dear!"

Ness frowned. She shrugged and exited. Outside she could see she was outside of a stone hut in a small village. There were other short creatures tending to small squash gardens or smoking pipes. Nearby was a forest of some kind. A peaceful, pastoral played around her.

Ness walked over and approached a creature. "Another beautiful day in Halfling Village! Who'd ever want to leave?"

"Is that where we are?" Ness asked. "Or, what we are? A halfling?"

The stranger smiled vacantly. "Another beautiful day in Halfling Village! Who'd ever want to leave?"

Ness raised an eyebrow. Above her a message was displayed; QUEST: DELIVER GOODS TO HERMIT.

"Are you seeing that too!"

"Another beautiful day in Halfling Village! Who'd ever want to leave?"

"I don't play a lot of video games," Ness admitted. "I bought a couple of consoles before, but they always break when I start them. Once I tried to play arcade games at Cluck E Cheese; it took the first responders a couple hours to put out the fire and pull me from the under arcade cabinet. I just feel a little out of element here."

Riley was in the middle of stretching, when she found herself in a desert. A slight sandstorm blew.

"Dang," Riley stated. "This sand looks so realistic, but I don't even feel it."

Riley looked around her surroundings; it was just a barren desert.

"I guess that's all they could bother rendering…"

"Aren't you coming initiate?"

Riley raised an eyebrow. "Uh, hello? Somebody there?"

"Come on! Come on!"

Riley shrugged and walked towards the voice; as she stepped through the waving sand she found herself suddenly in a city. It was clearly based-off ancient Middle Eastern cities. Riley looked around as she walked through a bazaar. Vendors sold everything from vegetables to weapons. Strangest of all was that everyone were anthropomorphic cats, of different breeds and furs.

"This is the beta version?"

Riley stopped as she looked at a vendor of mirrors and gasped. She was now a grey furred cat-folk, complete with a tail, ears and yellow eyes. She wore some kind of brown, worn-out robes with a hood and a laurel around her head.

Riley gasped. "I'm so kind of Jedi meets Cats: The Musical...that's so cool! Do I have claws?"

Riley holds up her hand, or paw. She squeezed her fist and let it go, releasing claws. "HECK YEAH!"

"Initiate?"

Riley looked up to see a lion man, dressed in the same kind of robes.

"Aren't you coming?" the lion asked. "We have to make it to the temple for the ceremony."

"Of course I'm coming," Riley replied. "But uh...what's the ceremony for?"

The lion roared with laughter. "How else are we going to keep up the barrier around our kingdom? The city needs all druids, even fresh meat like you!"

Riley smirked. "So basically I'm a druid cat in a fantasy video game in this magic cat city. Alright, lead the way expositing Simba!"

/

"You have got to be kidding!"

Tessa scowled. She was standing in a bride's dress in front of an altar. Tessa's hair was a supernatural blonde, almost silver white. Likewise her ears were pointed. She was clearly an elf. Across from her stood a lithe elf groom. She was in some of sort of treetop church, filled with other elves.

"I already did a wedding in the last challenge," Tessa stated. "I'm not marrying this loser!"

The other elves gasped.

"My name is Vajeon Qinnelis," the groom replied. "And you would dare refuse this arranged marriage?"

"Whatever pixie sticks," Tessa replied. "I'd rather make toys for Santa than marry some uptight jerk I don't know! What are you going to do about it?"

/

Seconds later, Tessa was thrown out out of the treetops and landed on the ground. "Ouch."

"You are banned from the secret treetop city of elves for breaking our customs!" an elf elder shouted.

"And this is why I don't play video games," Tessa groaned. "I hope everyone else is having as tough a time…"

/

"Yee-haw!"

Vance snorted as he trotted forward. No, he wasn't riding a horse; he was half horse. Vance had become a centaur, his lower half that of strong, white steed. His hair, and beard, had grown out and flowed widely in the wind. He wore no shirt, exposing his hairy chest. An axe was tucked into a belt around his waist. His centaur body was clearly still in the works, his lower half occasionally glitching.

Two monks in black robes followed behind him. "Yeah, so like we were saying we summoned you from another dimension-"

"-I'm a horse y'all!" Vance shouted as he jumped up in the air. He accidentally tripped and stumbled down a ledge, falling and falling till he landed in a stream.

"Are you sure we summoned a legendary hero?" the other monk asked.

The first monk shrugged. "It's too late now; we're out of eye of newt anyway. He'll have to do."

/

Ness entered an old hut. She slowly pushed the door. An old halfling woman sat rocking in a chair, staring into the fire.

"Um...hello?" Ness asked. "I have something for an...old hermit? No one would give me a-"

The old woman holds up her hand. A star tattoo is emblazoned on her hand. "You have this on your hand, don't you?"

Ness raised an eyebrow. She looked down at her hand where a similar tattoo was it. Ness touched it and it glowed. "Oh, I do? Was that always here?"

"It's a magic mark," the hermit stated. "It means that you have the ability to perform magic, to cast spells and summon allies. If you wish child, you too could be a mage."

"A mage?" Ness asked.

"Come on, look into the fire…"

/

"I like shorts! They're comfy and easy to wear!"

Jasper passed the last table and sighed. "So no else has anything interesting to say?"

Jasper turned and looked at the bar. The old man was still staring him down. Finally, a glowing arrow pointed to the seat next to the old man.

"Ohhh," Jasper said. "You wanted me to talk to the creepy guy?"

Jasper walked over and took a seat.

"So, you looking for a job?" the old man asked.

"Huh?" Jasper asked.

The old man turned to the bartender. "Bring a drink for me and my friend here."

"So...are you going to give me some kind of guidance?"

The bartender set down to mugs of foaming brown drinks.

"Enjoy some juice kid," the old man said.

The old man chugged the glass of obvious beer.

"I can tell you're a thief kid," the old man said.

"Is that my class?" Jasper asked. "These games have stuff like that, right?"

"You're looking for a big score," the old man said. "Some kind of job for someone to use your skills. Why else would you be at a bar."

"For a drink of…'juice'?"

"Don't sass me kid."

"Wait...you can understand me?" Jasper asked.

"Are AIs aren't that advanced, but sometimes we can respond to you players," the old man replied. "Not all NPCs though. Now listen, I'm willing to give you a job. I've got one big score, the last before I retire. And I need a man with your…'skills'."

"I have skills?" Jasper asked. "This game is awesome!"

"But it's a dangerous mission," the old man replied. "We'll be stealing something from the Witch Queen."

"Witch Queen?"

/

A man in armor grunted as he whipped his horse. The horse whined as it pulled a cart of prisoners in shackles.

"Well, this is a fun game," Ignacio sighed.

Ignacio sat while shackled to the ground...but he looked very different. Ignacio was an orc, with grey skin, sharp teeth with two tusks, pointy ears, red tribal paint, and big scars across his left eye and chest. He wore no clothes except a red loincloth.

"Silence prisoners!" the driver yelled.

The prisoner across from Ignacio shook his head. "They're probably going to execute us."

"Execute us?" Ignacio asked.

"The King's Crusaders carry out the Southern King's justice however they see fit," the prisoner sighed. "Surprised to see an actual orc here."

"I guess you're talking to me," Ignacio replied.

"Most of your kind are busy working for the Witch Queen," the prisoner said. "They been waring with the Crusaders for ages, but now with her leading them they're actually trouble. Do you serve her?"

"Never heard of her," Ignacio replied.

"I suppose the Crusaders think that being an orc is enough reason to arrest you," the prisoner said.

"Am I right in theorizing this Witch Queen is important to the plot?" Ignacio asked. "Who is she?"

The prisoner chuckled. "The Witch Queen is a dark mistress, probably the worst evil the realms have seen since Voron, the ancient demon. She's united many evil creatures under her; dragons, goblins, trolls, harpies, orcs."

Ignacio frowned. "Thanks."

"All kinds of nasty monsters like you. And she has only one goal; to conquer all of Todramatius."

/

"Todramatius?" Jasper asked.

"That's our world boy," the old man replied. "Rumor is, she plans on doing it by using the Chalice of Voron."

"Whose this Voron guy again?"

"Voron was an ancient demon, who invaded the land with his armies from the Infernal Realms. He used his mystical chalice to cast terrible curses. He was only defeated by a party of legendary warriors known as the Final 7."

/

In an enchanted forest, Melissa was hearing her own story. Melissa's 'transformation' was perhaps the most strangest; she was now a fairy, only a few inches tall. She flew with pink butterfly wings and seemed to be wearing a dress made from a flower bulb. She glowed pink and trailed pink fairy dust behind her.

She followed a slightly larger, purple glowing fairy in a long gown and wearing a crown. They flew over a field of flowers, fairies fluttering from blossoming buds. The farther they got however, the more the flowers wilted. The grass faded brown.

They approached a giant tree. Its branches bloomed with flower buds, but it was clearly looking sickly. Many branches were already empty.

"The Final 7?" Melissa asked.

The fairy queen nodded. "The Final 7 were seven strong warriors who were the last stand against Voron. Only one of them survived the fight and vanquished Voron. They hid the chalice. Legends say that when dark times strike again, The Final 7 would be reincarnated to save the realm! The hero who defeated Voron would save us again."

"So that's what this game is about," Melissa said. "To win the game we have to defeat this Witch Queen!"

"It is true Melissa. One of The Final Seven was a fairy cleric. The Great Tree predicted that it would be born among our ranks."

The fairy queen rested a hand on the sickly tree. "We have waited for this chosen one. But now the Witch Queen's evil poisons the very land. Her dark magic is killing The Great Tree and without it...our homeland will wither and no fairies will be born."

"That's so cruel," Melissa gasped. "And terrible for the environment."

The Great Tree has chosen you," the fairy queen stated. "I'm afraid you must leave and stop the Witch Queen."

"Of course," Melissa replied. "If it'll help the Great Tree!"

"Thank you. But to stop the Witch Queen, you'll need to destroy Voron's chalice..."

/

Riley was eating a sandwich with the lion man.

"So where is this unholy grail?" Riley asked.

"No one knows; that's what hidden means," the older druid laughed.

"That's helpful," Riley replied.

"The Witch Queen is using her army to search for it as we speak," the lion said. "Unfortunately, the only way to destroy Voron's Chalice is in the lava of Mt. Malady."

"Why is that unfortunate?"

"Because the Witch Queen's castle sits on Mt. Malady."

"Aw, bummer," Riley replied. "But I guess that's where I need to go if I'm going to fight the final boss and win this thing! So thanks for the exposition brobbit, now when do I start kicking ass?"

"You're not seriously considering leaving?" the lion asked. "This is the last city of the cat folk! Our ancestral home!"

"What do you mean?" Riley asked.

"You know initiate," the lion asked. "The reason we all hide. The Witch Queen has been killing off all our people ever since it was prophesied a catfolk would be an ancient hero. This city is our only safe haven."

"That's...heavy," Riley admitted. "But if we don't go to war with this evil queen lady then how can we ever really survive? We'll just be hiding and waiting...until we can't fight her any longer. Till she…"

BOOM.

This was a scream as the entire city shook. Fire rained down from the sky as cat folk started running.

"...shows up here."

/

Ness looked out from the fire. "So that's the quest of this game. What does me being a mage have to do with it?"

"Only once in a hundred years is a halfling born with a magic mark," the old woman explained. "Just like the one of the fabled Final 7."

"Wow, you look good for over hundred," Ness blurted out. "Um I mean...so I'm the reincarnation then?"

The old woman nodded. "I can teach you how to use your magic and you can fight the Witch Queen. But if you do this you can never return here. This world will be too simple to return to with what you've seen and the people will shun you as someone who has changed. Are you willing to give that up?"

Ness immediately nodded. "Sounds good."

"Wait, what? Really?"

"I mean it's not like I actually know those people," Ness answered. "If they're rude enough to hate me for saving the world, then forget them. And some are a little...off."

Ness turned to look out the window where the random NPC was standing closely. "Another beautiful day in Halfling Village! Who'd ever want to leave?"

Ness shuddered and pulled down the blinds. "I especially won't miss him."

/

Ignacio sighed as was marched up to a guillotine. A page unrolled a scroll and read, "For the crime of conspiring against the Southern King, you are hereby sentenced to execution."

"Wow, no trial," Ignacio said. "What a great king you have. Is there a reason why I'm dying at the start of this game?"

"Silence you dirty orc," the commander shouted. The other King's Crusaders cheered as his head was lowered.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

A beastly growl echoed throughout the air; the air whipped like a razor's edge. The page screamed, falling back and trying to run. But he was quickly grabbed...by a dragon's talons. In seconds the beast had swallowed him in one gulp. It flew off, firing its burning breath and swinging its clubbed tail into the Crusaders' outposts.

"Runnn!" the Crusaders shouted.

Everyone dispersed. Ignacio raised an eyebrow as he slowly backed out the guillotine and started running down a path. "Dragon ex machina. I assume the goal is to defeat this Witch Queen. But how?"

"Orc!"

Ignacio froze. The commander of the King's Crusader and Ignacio's fellow prisoner each stood outside of a building. They both held their hand out.

"Come with me," the commander said. "If you help us escape I can get you pardoned. You could even join the Crusaders!"

"You want me to join my executioners?" Ignacio asked. "You're kidding, right?"

"That's right!" the prisoner shouted. "Join me orc and we can fight together in the Rebellion! We can defeat the Southern King and this Witch Queen and her monsters!"

"I'll pass," Ignacio replied.

"What? Why?"

"You're clearly prejudice against orcs," Ignacio replied. "And rather rude anyway."

"You have to join one of our factions!" the commander yelled.

"And if I don't?"

The dragon dropped from the sky. It burned both men into ashes in seconds. It turned to Ignacio and snarled.

"Oh...that's what."

The dragon flashed its teeth, but Ignacio raised his hands. "Wait! You don't want to kill me! We're on the same side."

"Is that so?"

From the back of the dragon's head, a...familiar figure walked down. She was an old, hunchbacked, slimy, green skinned, gray-haired, warty, decrepit crone. Yet she also looked and sounded suspiciously like…

"Rhonda?" Ignacio asked.

The crone wore dark robes and a crown of thorns on her head. She moved using her black staff as a cane, wheezing as she shuffled towards Ignacio. "Do you not know to bow in the presence of greatness!"

"Wait...you're the Witch Queen!" Ignacio gasped. Quickly he kneeled.

/

In Rhonda's office, several monitors displayed the newcomers progress in the game. Jenny was rolling on the floor laughing and pointing on the screen.

Rhonda scoffed. "It's not that funny."

"It's HILARIOUS," Jenny bawled. "The video game developers made you they're hideous villain! That's what they meant when they said Genesis inspired them! HA HA HA HA!"

"The resemblance is uncanny," Toby stated.

The Witch Queen held out her hand. "Come to me my pet!"

"Cawww!" A two headed vulture landed on the Witch Queen's hand. The heads clearly looked like Jenny and Toby.

"Wait a minute," Jenny said. "Pet? PET? Did they make us your pet? I'm the main character of this fanfiction!"

"Since when?" Toby asked.

Rhonda snickered. "You weren't even important have to have a speaking voice in the game."

/

"You claim to be my soldier yet you don't even recognize me," the Witch Queen stated.

"I've never seen you in person my liege," Ignacio replied. "And I had trouble making out your figure...from the glare of all the burning people."

The Witch Queen stroked her pet's two heads with her talon fingers. "What do you think my ugly? Do you believe him?"

The Jenny head nodded while the Toby head shook itself.

"I was scouting for you my queen," Ignacio said. "But I was captured by your enemies."

"Why would I assign an orc on a scouting mission?" The Witch Queen asked. "I'd send one of my living shadows or a changeling at least."

"I was...sent to retrieve one of your changelings," Ignacio replied. "So I was scouting for him...her...it. But they were killed. They did tell me that the Southern King is planning to fight you with his armies. He's planning a siege soon!"

"Really?"

"And the Southern King...said you look unflattering in that dress," Ignacio added.

"HOW DARE HE?" the Queen gasped. "The foolish mortal! We've waited too long to ravage the Southern lands. Are you sure he plans to attack?"

"I am but an orc," Ignacio replied. "What reasons do I have to lie? We all serve you my queen."

"True you are," the crone replied. "Come my servant, we have much to do."

"We do?" Ignacio asked.

"Of course," she cackled. "You and the other orcs must begin training so we may plan our siege on the Southern Kingdom!"

Ignacio gulped, but nodded and followed the villainess.

"So I don't believe the game wanted me to align myself with its' malefactor," Ignacio admitted. "But it was this or be digested by a dragon. Not to mention if the quest is to defeat the Witch Queen, it might be easiest to do it right under her nose…"

And so our fabled newcomers began their hero's journey. It was a perilous quest, with truly shocking plot twists…

Jasper held the old man in arms, an arrow piercing the old man's body. "No, you can't die on me. I didn't even get to know your name!"

"The developers...never...gave me one...cough…"

The old man's eye rolled into the back of his head. His body faded out of existence.

"No!" Jasper cried. "He was one job from retirement! Nooooooo!"

/

...and a cast of strange characters. Our famed heroes would find friends, new and old…

Ignacio trembled as he approached a giant wolf. He turned to the orc standing over his shoulder.

"Why do we ride giant wolves into battle?" Ignacio asked.

"It's tradition," the orc replied. "And it looks rad."

"How do I get a mount to bond with me?"

"You have to beat it in combat. It will fear you enough to let you ride it."

Ignacio scratched his chin. "Hmm...I'm not so sure about this."

Slowly, Ignacio approached the wolf. The wolf snarled but Ignacio dropped a piece of mutton in front of him. The giant wolf sniffed it cautiously, but ate it. Ignacio pulled out more mutton and waved it in the wolf's face. He began to salivate. He caught it in his mouth as Ignacio threw it.

"What are you doing?" an orc asked.

Ignacio petted behind the wolf's ears, who started wagging his tail. "Domesticating. It's less dangerous, and I speculate it will make the wolf more loyal."

"It's worth trying I suppose," the other orc replied. "We'd certain lose less soldiers. Any other ideas you got new guy?"

"Well, does anyone else have a problem with the Witch Queen calling us servants?" Ignacio asked.

"Are you talking crap about the queen?" the orc asked.

"Never, I just mean we're more soldiers or employees, right?" Ignacio asked. "Servants is degrading. We risk our lives for her. It would just feel nice."

The other orcs nodded.

/

Tessa walked through a dark forest. She was now dressed like a ranger, wearing green gear and brown gloves. A quiver of arrows was slung over her shoulder, with a bow in her hands.

"I'm actually doing pretty good at this," Tessa admitted to herself. "I should take up archery in real life."

A bush near her started to shake. Tessa held an arrow to it and readied her aim. "Alright, you want to do another fight kobold? Because I'm getting first strike!"

Riley fell out of the bushes. "Anyone else thinks it's weird this game has turn based combat?"

"Riley!" Tessa cheered, throwing her arms around her friend. "So you're a cat?"

"And you're an elf," Riley laughed. "They fit us, huh?"

"I'm going to take that as compliment," Tessa replied. "How do you like the challenge so far?"

"It's been kind of rough," Riley admitted.

"Tell me about it," Tessa sighed. "I was almost in an arranged marriage, I'm banned from an elf city, and I've been fighting the same enemies for like an hour just level grinding so I can fight a giant beholder head in a cave. How about you?"

"My home city was wiped out in front of me and now I'm the last of my people," Riley replied.

"Oh...that sucks."

"Yeah, it's a downer alright," Riley admitted. "But I'm going to get mad revenge on this Witch Queen for it. Melt her stupid face with my druid magic!"

"So you can shoot fire or something?" Tessa asked.

Riley shook her head. "Nah, I got more nature magic powers. I can totally shapeshift into animals though! Check it."

Riley stood out, holding her hands out. She started growling...then growing as her growls turned into a roar. Suddenly, she had transformed into a owlbear monster. "Ta da! I'm half owl, half bear, all fierce!"

"So you're a cat that can turn into a bear that's also an owl?"

"I don't question it."

The two stood there quietly for a moment.

"I guess we are competing against each other," Tessa sighed.

"So should we engage in combat?" Riley asked. "You can take that first shot then."

Tessa smirked. "Wait, who says we have to fight each other? I mean what if we worked together together to defeat the final boss and destroy the chalice! Then we'll both win invincibility!"

"Can we do that?" Riley asked.

"The rules don't say we can't," Tessa replied. "Rhonda will probably like it. If not then at least one of us will still win it."

Riley lowered her paws, transforming back into herself. "Let's do it Sweet T!"

The two high fived.

TESSA THE RANGER JOINED YOUR PARTY.

RILEY THE DRUID JOINED YOUR PARTY.

/

But not everyone our heroes met were friendly. There were monsters and challenges that were far more dangerous than our heroes could've expected. But our heroes rose to the occasion…

Melissa floated in the sky, toggling through her options in the combat menu. Across from her stood two goblins carrying clubs. They growled.

"We're going to squash you fae!"

"Good luck dears," Melissa replied.

The goblins raised an eyebrow. Melissa finally sighed and pointed her wand at them. A small flame flew from it and struck the first goblin's pointy nose. He cried out; 5 damage.

"Our turn!" He replied.

He charged forward, but Melissa dodged. She dodged the second goblin as it threw its club. The club regenerated in his hand.

"We're gonna grind up your bones with our teeth," the other growled.

"Oh dear," Melissa replied. "That's not very healthy for them. Not to judge your eating habits…"

Melissa pointed her wand at the first goblin again. This time fairy dust came out and the goblin glittered; 5 HP restored.

"Did…did you just heal me?"

Melissa nodded. "I felt a little bad about that attack earlier…"

"I said I was going to squash you! You don't heal enemies!"

"Are we enemies? I don't even know you."

"…Kid, anything that you fight in combat is an enemy. Especially if they're going to eat your bones."

"We're the canon fodder," the second goblin added. "You're suppose to defeat us really easily. I mean, my skill is actually -2!"

"That seems even crueler!" Melissa replied. "Are you sure we have to fight?"

"Yeah," the first goblin said. "That way we can eat you!"

Melissa scratched her chin. "What if I could cook you something even more tasty than fairy bones?"

"Hmm, sounds crazy but my wife always says I need to try new things. Plus, I don't think this fight will get anywhere if we don't."

"We got a goblin potluck in a few hours," the second goblin said. "Bring your best dish. Whether we like it or not, you'll bring something we can eat..."

/

Ness was in some sort of ice level. She was now wearing a wizard hat and had long flowy robes. She opened a spell book. In front of her were white furred monkeys or 'ice monkeys'.

"I cast Greater Fireball!" Ness stated.

Her magic mark glowed as a giant fireball burst from her hands and singed the ice monkeys into ashes.

+38 EXP

LEVEL UP!

"Eeeee!" Ness cheered. "Sweet, maybe I can learn a new spell!"

/

Vance peered inside a cave. He twirled his mustache as he sat a hoof inside...and was immediately swarmed by bat monkeys. "Get off ya dirty mammals!"

Vance immediately transitioned to the combat menu. He grinned and tossed his axe at the first bat monkey. It landed; 10 damage.

"It's like shooting fish in a barrel," Vance snorted.

The bat monkey hissed and flew at Vance. It bit him in the rear end, sinking in its fangs. 10 HP was stolen.

"Stay away from my beautiful pony bottom ya flying rat!" Vance shouted, braying his legs.

He pulled a healing potion out of his satchel and chugged it; 10 HP was restored. "Suck on that you vampire primates!"

The next bat monkey hissed and also drained 10 HP. Vance sighed and pulled out another potion restoring 10 HP. Then the third bat monkey hissed...

/

Jasper was in some sort of lava world, fighting fire monkeys. He studied his command menu options.

"Alright, let's try 'STEAL'," Jasper said.

He jumped forward then blurred like a shadow, swiping at the lead fire monkey. He then jumped back to his side of the fighting menu.

YOU GOT A BANANA.

"It's always bananas," Jasper sighed. "Come to think of it, why am I always fighting monkeys? I mean there was normal monkeys, she monkeys, metal monkeys, giant monkeys, king monkeys, sea monkeys, monkey lime pie...This game is just recycling the same enemy sprites, isn't it?"

From the ground a monkey popped out and started clawing at Jasper's back. "Ahhhh!"

YOU WERE AMBUSHED BY AN UNDERGROUND MONKEY. 20 DAMAGE.

/

"Vicavorausan or deaavh!" Ignacio cried out in Orcish. He charged forward on his wolf, slashing the Southern King with a blade twice the size of his body.

CRITICAL HIT.

The Southern King cried out as he faded away.

+76 EXP

LEVEL UP!

The other orcs clapped as Ignacio looted the Southern King's corpse. He blushed. "Oh please, it was nothing."

"Are you kidding?" the orc asked. "You just defeated the mid-game boss. Where did you get that sword?"

"Oh, I did a side quest for my Vorpal Sword," Ignacio replied. "I had to defeat an ancient Jabberwocky in the Mad God's dimension. It increases my chance for a critical hit by 70%."

"Impressive."

"Thanks. Now let's see if the Southern King has part of the map for Voron's Chalice!"

Ignacio whistled and his wolf mount rushed forward. The other orcs shared a look.

"What do you think of this guy Vavagor?" another orc asked.

The lead orc shrugged. "This guy has a very weird way to do stuff, but his ideas have been very efficient. And he fights like a true warrior!"

"But what about some of his...other ideas. Like a union or whatever? He's clearly anti-Witch Queen."

"I don't think he understands why we serve her," Varagor admitted. "I can see where he's coming from but...well, it doesn't matter. I'll have a talk with him."

"Do you really think we can trust him?" a female orc asked.

"I don't know. I want to, but he's different. Something odd about him. There's only one thing I know for sure...he has the finest butt of any orc I've ever seen."

All the other orcs nodded in agreement.

/

And as our heroes roamed all over the lands, they prepared for battle anyway and every way they could…

Ness was flipping through her spell book as she walked through a small village.

"Help! Help!"

Ness turned to see an old woman with a cane standing nearby. "What's wrong mam?"

"I've lost my cat Toodles," she cried. "Could you help me find him?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Ness stated. "But I'm actually trying to save the world here. This feels like an inappropriate time."

"But you'll get EXP!"

Ness raised an eyebrow. "For finding a cat?"

"And I'll pay you ten whole coins!"

Look, maybe I can help you search for a minute or two but-"

NEW SIDE QUEST: LOST KITTY!

"Wait, I wasn't-"

"Oh thank you adventurer!" the woman said. "I believe Toodles ran off into the deep, deep part of the woods.

Ness sighed and buried her face in her spell book.

/

"Thank you for helping me hero," a farm girl said.

Vance smirked and winked. "Don't worry, I'll round up your loose little chickens."

"Cluckys," she corrected. "They're not normal birds brave, hairy centaur. They're very tricky. And most important you can't-"

"-I may not really have farm experience," Vance stated. "But I am a legendary hero from another dimension! I think I can round up a couple of pea-brained poultry…"

/

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

Vance ran (galloped?) as an army of chickens moved like a wave, giving blood-curdling clucks as they pecked and chased after Vance.

"I tried to warn you!" the farm girl yelled. "If you attack them too much, they'll...ahhhh!"

She was drowned out as they waved toppled over her. One of the lead Cluckys started shooting fireballs at Vance.

"WHY WOULD SOMEONE PROGRAM THIS," Vance screamed.

/

Later, Ness approached a bustling medieval metropolis near a seashore.

"I need to find the nearest inn," she said to herself. "That way I can restore myself, while pausing the game. I probably should eat some lunch while it's pause-"

"Help! Help!"

Ness groaned. She turned to see a familiar old lady with a cane standing nearby.

"Please help, my cat Toodles-"

"-No," Ness stated. "I've done this side quest three times already! And every time your cat turns out to be under a bed in the inn! But every time I have to go through the forest before it re-spawns. Why is this side quest always available?"

"But it'll give you EXP-"

"No!" Ness yelled. "I am trying to SAVE THE WORLD."

"But who will save Toodles," the old lady cried. "He's my world."

"Nooooooo…."

/

Tessa and Riley were perusing in a clothing shop on a swamp level. Tessa searched through an armor bin and pulled out a chain-mail bikini.

"Ugh, how does this give me +2 defense?" Tessa gagged. "My body will literally be more exposed! Not to mention it looks chaffy. Are you ready to leave yet Rye?"

"Hang on!" Riley shouted from a changing booth. "Apparently they've got jobs you can take in this game! They're like classes you can switch into and gain new skills!"

"Aren't you happy as a druid?" Tessa asked.

"Yeah, but a few new skills wouldn't hurt. Some min-maxing, ya know? What do you think about-"

Riley jumped out, encased in thick, black armor. "A few levels in dark knight? Or…"

Riley ran into the changing booth and game back in some sort of Arabian Nights belly dancer costume. "A level or some in dancer? I could give you an extra turn with a sensual dance. Ooh, or what about-"

Riley ran back into the booth and came out in a...cat mascot costume. "A...cat? What even is a cat class?"

"You are not being a cat dressed in a cat suit," Tessa stated. "Now come on, we have to slay the rakshasa so someone will finally repair that broken bridge. Open-world game my butt…"

"I feel like this costume is appropriating my dead culture," Riley sighed.

"But it comes with the Cute Charm ability!" the shopkeeper added.

/

Until at least the final battle was mere hours away...

Ignacio punched a training dummy in the orc training facility. He sighed, wiping sweat from his forehead before departing. He smiled and petted his sleeping wolf mount.

"Hey Ignacio."

Ignacio turned to see Varagor. "Hey Varagor. Have a new side quest for me?"

"No, no," Varagor replied. "I just thought we should talk. Privately."

Varagor motions Ignacio to follow. The model turned orc paused, but slowly followed Varagor. The orc lead him into a storage room, then locked the door.

"Varagor?"

"Calm yourself. You know me too well to know this isn't an ambush."

"You're honorable," Ignacio admitted.

"As are you," Varagor said. "I think. But I know you're trying to undermine the Witch Queen."

"Whatttttt?" Ignacio replied. "No, I'm not…how could I…why would-"

"-You bring it up quite often amongst our brothers and sisters," Varagor replied. "About how she treats us unfairly, sees as expendable and tools. And now I hear you've been doing quests for the trolls and saying the same stuff."

"But she does treat us terribly," Ignacio said. "We're pawns to her at best. You see that, don't you?"

Varagor sighs. "She's not a good person. But you don't understand why we follow her, do you?"

"Well I-"

"You're not from here," Varagor stated. "I don't know from where, but our orcs would understand. If we help the Witch Queen we can give ourselves better lives."

"What do you mean?" Ignacio asked.

"The humans and elves have no respect for us," Varagor said. "We're just ugly monsters for them to kill. They've waged wars against us, attacked out clans and savaged our homelands. If The Witch Queen succeeds and conquers the land she'll give us a place in the new world order."

Ignacio said nothing for a moment. "I had no idea. I'm truly sorry. But we're acting like the monsters the other races think we are."

"We can't change their opinions."

"Not like this. Do you really think the Witch Queen has different opinions? Does she respect us?"

"It doesn't matter. She can help us."

"How do we know she'll keep her promise? She's just using us. I mean she's an evil sorceress! She wears all black, she cackles, and she casts curses! She even has the hobgoblins bring her a new puppy everyday, just to kick it! If we keep choosing to serve her and she gains the power of the chalice…we won't have a choice."

Varagor sighed. "I…I don't know. I don't know what to do Ignacio. We need a better life than this. I've lost many friends to other races. But I've lost friends in this war. All we know how to do anymore is war…"

Ignacio put his hand on Varagor's shoulder. "We need to learn a better way."

There was a sudden knock on the door. "Sir!"

Varagor opened the door to see a nervous looking orc. "Bragh, what-"

"-The Witch Queen; she's here."

/

Moments later, the orcs were lined up as the Witch Queen eyed them. Varagor stepped forward and kneeled. Ignacio and the other orcs followed suit.

"My queen, what can we do for you?"

"I am in need of the one they call…Ignacio," she sneered.

The orcs step out of the way as Ignacio approached. He bowed. "My liege."

"I've heard of your exploits orc," she said. "Even how you conquered the Southern Kingdom in my name. I was right to spare you."

"It is honor to be in your presence again," Ignacio replied.

"I have need for you warrior. Come with me."

Ignacio nodded and followed. He shot his comrades a look before disappearing.

/

Ignacio followed the Witch Queen slowly, always behind her and not in front of her. They marched down a long corridor. Finally they approached a large iron door.

"Heh heh heh. You've done well fighting for me, but I need you to prove yourself to me."

"Prove myself?" Ignacio asked.

"I'm thinking of promoting you to one of my generals. You'll be by my side for the battle."

"To retrieve the chalice?"

The Witch Queen cackled. "We've found where the chalice is. A foolish elf and catfolk are bringing it to us as we speak."

"Wait, so you're going to let the heroes bring it to us?" Ignacio said. "But we had the map and knew its hiding place…which means you leaked it."

"Of course, it makes it so much easier," she replied. "After all, they want to destroy us. So they'll bring it here."

"Straight into a trap," Ignacio said.

"They can't hope to defeat our entire army. Especially you…if I can trust you."

Ignacio raised an eyebrow.

"I haven't forgotten your origins warrior. I need you to prove your loyalty to my greatness. So…"

The iron door raised itself. There was a roar of applause. Ignacio stepped through it and found himself in a coliseum. The stands were packed with different creatures from the Witch Queen's army.

The Witch coughed and waved her hands, disappearing in a cloud of smoke. She teleported into a balcony overlooking the arena. She sat down on an iron throne as her pet raven rested on her staff. "Prove that you are committed to the Dark Army!"

Ignacio gulped, but raised his fist in the air. "I want nothing more! Vicavorausan or deaavh!"

The crowd burst into cheers.

"Good! Then execute our prisoner in trial by combat…"

The other iron door raised. Ness softly stepped out, trying to hide her face in her wizard hat.

"Ness?"

"A so-called legendary hero! This pathetic halfling mage was captured trying to steal pieces of our map. Now prove your devotion to me. Kill her."

The crowd roared.

Ness took a deep breath and lifted her hat. She almost fell over as she saw her ex-teammate. "Ignac-"

"-I will finish this," Ignacio replied. "But first uh…you should send us to resting stations."

The crowd went silent. The Witch Queen coughed. "Excuse me? If I did that the mage's HP and mana would be restored!"

"Yes," Ignacio said. "But…how can I truly prove myself if my opponent isn't at their strongest? I want to put on a good match. To show that the glory of the Dark Army does not falter!"

The crowd started cheering again.

The Witch Queen shrugged. "Very well. Minions! Unlock the resting station near each side. Then we'll do the blood sporting!"

Ignacio nodded at Ness as she was escorted back to her side. She sighed as she was thrown into a dungeon room. She approached a bed and sat in it.

RESTORING. GAME PAUSED.

"Ness?"

Ness lifted her VR headset and saw Ignacio standing across from her. "Iggy! What are you doing here?"

"I figured we could talk before…you know. It's not against the rules to co-conspire after all."

Ness smirked a little. "That is true. Care to explain why you're serving the game's bad guy?"

"It's a long story, but basically I'm playing double agent," Ignacio replied.

"That's brilliant!" Ness said.

Ignacio blushed. "I guess. Now, I've got a pretty strong sword and can summon my own mount. What spells do you know?"

"Ignacio, we can't team up," Ness stated.

"It's not against the rules of the-"

"I mean we can't in the game," Ness replied. "We're surrounded by the Witch Queen's forces! Even if we somehow make it out of the coliseum, her palace has her entire army."

Ignacio sighed. "Then I'll throw the match."

"Ignacio-"

"She said it was trial by combat," Ignacio interrupted. "If you win, she has to let you-"

"-Do you believe she'll keep that promise?" Ness asked.

Ignacio sighed. "No. At best she might make a loophole to immediately kill you. She's pretty cunning for someone based off Rhonda."

"I noticed that too!" Ness giggled for a moment. She frowned. "But…I can't win anymore. As soon as I got captured it was over."

"Note to future players of this game," Ness said. "If an old lady offers a quest to get her cat; kill her on sight. Trust me."

"I'll throw the match," Ness continued. "Make it look like a good fight. And you'll keep your position."

"I guess that's best," Ignacio admitted.

"I want you to compete," Ness stated. "Last challenge-"

"I know," Ignacio said. "I am still trying to win the show, I promise. I just don't want to…'kill' you."

"It's not like it actually hurts."

"But it still doesn't feel right. I don't want to see you die...especially by me."

Ness smiled. "Thanks Iggy. But I'll be okay. Come on, we don't have a lot of time before the other players could get involved."

/

Back in the game, Tessa and Riley were ascending up Mt. Malady.

"So what's our plan exactly," Tessa said. She fired in arrow into the mountainside. It was attached to a rope and hooked inside it, creating a climbing rope. She tied it to her waist, scaling another patch of the ground. Riley had meanwhile transformed into a mountain goat-frog and was skipping up the craggy mountainside.

"Destroy this cup," Riley stated. "Probably have to fight that nasty Witch Queen in a final boss battle too."

"But it'll be crawling with monsters," Tessa stated.

Riley chuckled. "I mean yeah, but it's just like every level. Battle some goons, find a healing point, solve a couple puzzles, then repeat till a boss fight."

"I guess," Tessa stated. "But I think as Plan B, you turn into a bird and throw the chalice into the lava as quick as you can."

"What about you?" Riley asked.

"I'll hold them off," Tessa replied. "Or serve as a distraction."

Riley shrugged as she transformed back to normal. "I guess we both couldn't throw the chalice anyway. But, be careful and try to stay alive Sweet T. We're a team!"

Tessa smiled and nodded.

/

"Wooooo!"

The dark forces in the coliseum cheered as the battle raged on.

"Greater Fireball!" Ness cried, casting a spell. A large plume of fire expelled from her hands, knocking Ignacio in the chest; -15 damage. Ignacio was at half-health. But he didn't look as scratched up as Ness.

"Squash the halfling!"

"Show them they can't push us around anymore!"

Ignacio sighed. Ness shook her head, tilting her hat over her eyes. He ran forward, brandishing the Vorpal Sword.

CRITICAL HIT.

Ness smiled softly before falling to her knees. Her sprite faded away.

GAME OVER.

The crowd burst into cheers. Ignacio sighed, before forcing a smile and waving at the crowd.

From her perch at the top of the coliseum, the Witch Queen clapped. She stood up, raising her hand. The crowd instantly went silent.

"Congratulations to Ignacio. He has proven himself. He has proven our strength, our determination. He has proven the Dark Army will fall to no prophecy!"

The crowd erupted into cheers. She quieted them once again.

"At this very moment, a band of fools brings the Chalice of Voron up the mountain. They believe they can destroy it right under our nose. They believe they can defeat us. But I know the strength of the Dark Army. These heroes are delivering us their own doom! Gather your arms; prepare for War! This fight was only the first hero's blood we will spill! Until I have the chalice...and all of Todramatius bows to me!"

The Dark Army roared, monster after monster storming to the entrance. The orcs chanted battle cries, while the goblins cackled madly and the bugbears growled. Clubs, axes, and blades were grabbed from every position. Wraiths and lichs rose from their graves. Dragons and harpies took to the skies. The final battle had begun.

/

"Uh, Rye do you hear that?"

Riley looked up from playing with her tail to Tessa, who was managing her inventory. "Huh? Hear what?"

"Drums," Tessa replied. "I hear drums…"

Tessa was drowned out by the sound of trumpets. A band of orcs played war drums and trumpets, as The Dark Army marched, encircling the mountain.

"That's a lot of turn based combat," Tessa stated.

From atop the tallest tower of her castle, the Witch Queen screamed, "Surrender the chalice and I may let you live."

"Oh my god, is that Rhonda?" Tessa asked.

"I said-"

"S'up Rhonda!" Riley greeted. "What are you doing here?"

"There goes your chance for surrender," the Witch Queen replied. "Don't bother saying your prayers to the Gods, they won't be answered!"

Tessa picked up her bow. "Really? First off, none of this game's writers can write dialogue. I mean what fanfic writer wrote this garbage? Second, we've beat all of your forces up to know."

"Yeah, you basically don't have any points on the scoreboard," Riley stated. "Besides, we're the heroes! We don't lose!"

"So you plan to defeat my entire army," the Witch Queen cackled. "How? With your own army?"

"Oh, hello Ms. Rhonda!"

Melissa flew up towards Riley and Tessa. "Hi dears! How have you enjoyed the game so far?"

"Silence!" The Witch Queen screamed. "Kill them all!"

"Oh dear, was I interrupting?" Melissa asked.

"Just the final battle," Riley said. "Guess we got to squad up ladies!"

"I'll try my best," Melissa said. "But I'm only Level 1."

"Wait…you're still Level 1!?" Tessa asked.

"I did max out my cooking skill," Melissa replied.

"How have you gotten this far?" Tessa asked. "Haven't you had several random encounters?"

Melissa nodded. "Yes, but I haven't actually defeated any myself. We start talking, I listen to their problems and try to help or share my bake goods! I've made quite a few friends that way! I was even the best woman at the wedding of two gelatinous cube monsters."

"Well, do you have anything useful to help us with?" Tessa asked.

"I suppose I could ask a few of my new friends to help," Melissa stated. "I'm sure they wouldn't mind for a good cause like overthrowing an evil empire."

SUMMON: GOBLINS

SUMMON: DROW

SUMMON: GORGONS

SUMMON: OOZES

SUMMON: MINDFLAYERS

SUMMON: DRACOLICH

Riley gasped. Melissa continued to summon more and more allies, until there was an army of monsters.

"Hey Melissa," the goblin from before greeted. "I finally brought that pot back. My wife loved your vegetable soup. Who knew you could eat vegetables?"

"Aww, thanks Romir," Melissa replied. "Tell Janet I adored her toad broath! It was delicious!"

"I mean I assumed it was delicious," Melissa admitted. "I couldn't actually taste it, but the graphics were very well made and visually satisfying for my tummy!"

"What the heck!" The Witch Queen screamed. "Some of you traitors were in my army! How could you side with a fairy?"

"I just couldn't kill Melissa," the mindflayer admitted. "I mean she made food way better than her brains. And I love eating brains!"

The Witch Queen pointed at the Dracolich. "I literally raised you from the dead to fight for me!"

"Sorry," the undead dragon replied. "But I'm giving up evil to start my own chain of nail salons for dogs! Melissa helped me come up with the idea actually. Millennials will eat that shit up!"

"Everyone, if I can ask you all one last favor," Melissa said. "Please help me and my friends defeat evil and save the world!"

Melissa's monsters cheered and charged towards the Witch Queen's own army.

"So you managed to gather an army," the hag sneered. "So what? My army is bigger and stronger! You-

"-cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck…"

"Um, what is that?" Ignacio asked.

Tessa gasped and pointed to the sky. "Look, the Cluckys! Vance has come with the Cluckys!"

Vance whinnied as he galloped up the hill at full-speed. In the sky a storm of Cluckys followed him.

"Run, run for your lives!" Vance cried. "They're the toughest enemies in the game!"

"How bad could they-"

A few Cluckys grabbed Vance by the ponytail and hoisted him into their sky. In seconds, Vance was devoured and his bones fell like rain.

GAME OVER.

"Oh," Ignacio stated. "That's how dangerous."

The Cluckys descended from the sky onto both armies and a three way war ranged on, the Cluckys not caring who they attacked.

"Well, this isn't going to plan," Tessa stated. "Riley, I think it's time for Plan B."

"I think so," Riley agreed.

Riley ran, arms spread out and jumped, shift shaping into an eagle. Tessa tossed the Chalice of Voron from her rucksack and into the sky, where Riley caught it with her talons.

She soared towards the center of the castle, at the volcano's opening. Before she could drop it however, the Witch Queen's two-headed vulture attacked. She dropped the chalice and Ignacio caught it on top of his wolf mount.

The Witch Queen cackled, firing lighting from her fingertips at Riley. "How cute, but ultimately pathetic."

Riley cried as she plummeted from the sky and crashed to the ground.

"Riley!" Tessa screamed.

The Witch Queen stroked her pet's two heads. "Wonderful work my ugly."

Riley transformed back into her normal form and coughed. "I guess, I didn't get to avenge the cat-folk after all...I hope one of you can avenge me..."

GAME OVER.

"Hahaha," the villainess cackled. "I warned you fools not to mess with me. That was just an example of your final fate-"

"Awkkkkkkk!"

The Witch Queen's pet cried out as an arrow pierced both its head, before it faded away.

"That was just a warning shot for what you did to Riley," Tessa stated. "The next arrow is going through your pointy, fat nose!"

"Orc, hand me the Chalice of Voron!" the Witch Queen cried.

Ignacio looked to his hand...only to see the chalice was gone. "What?"

"STEAL!" Jasper yelled, revealing himself.

YOU GOT AN EVIL CHALICE.

"Thief," the Witch Queen screamed. "What invisibility spell is that?"

"It wasn't a spell," Jasper stated. "I've been standing around you for along time. Nobody noticed. It's cause I'm a thief class, right? Or did you...no one noticed I've been here the whole time, huh?

"How long have you been here?" Ignacio asked.

"Since you all got here," Jasper sighed. "But it's too late now! This game is over."

Jasper tossed the Chalice of Voron into the lava lake. "YEET."

"Woooo!"

"Suck on that Witch Queen!" Tessa cheered.

"Congrats Jasper," Melissa said.

"Wait...why isn't the game ending?" Ignacio asked.

The mountain suddenly started to quake.

"Hehehehehehehehe!" the Witch Queen cackled. "You foolish fools of foolishness! You've done exactly as I wanted all along!"

"What?" Jasper asked. "Weren't we supposed to-"

"The legends got it wrong all along," she explained. "Voron's chalice was able to use such black magic for it contained a part of Voron's soul!"

"So?" Jasper asked.

"So you've freed the demon's soul," she explained. "Voron, The Lord of the Infernal Realms, has returned to conquer this world and make it a living heck! HA HA HA!"

"I think what she means," Ignacio says. "Is that she's not the real final boss. The true final boss is Voron himself."

"Well this stinks," Jasper said.

Black smoke started to rise from the crater, before forming and taking shape as a demonic winged, devil who towered over the mountain. "I...HAVE RETURNED!"

"Oh great master," the Witch Queen cried. "I have worked to free you from your imprisonment! I will take my reward for my humble service."

"Sure," Voron replied.

He pointed his fingertip and smited the Witch Queen, instantly vaporizing her.

"Your reward is the end of your pitiable existence."

Voron laughed a thunderous laugh, rising to the air. The sky turned red while the cloud trembled as they turned stormy and black. Mt. Malady began to erupt as fire and dead toads rained from the former heavens.

"I guess I accidentally caused the end of the world," Jasper sighed. "My bad everyone."

"We've all mistakenly caused an apocalypse once or twice," Melissa admitted. "Or felt like we have."

"Oh gods," Varagor said. "We served that fiend and now we've brought ruin to the world. You were right Ignacio; we lost our choice."

"Ignacio?" the other newcomers asked.

"What we do now Melissa?" the goblin asked her.

"What else can we do but fight Mr. Voron," Melissa stated. "I promised I would save the fairies and the Great Tree! And I want to fight to save all of you. To save this world and all the friends I've made."

"For the mentor who actually noticed me," Jasper said.

"For Riley!" Tessa cried.

"Vance too," Melissa added.

"Oh, yeah I guess we can throw him in there too," Tessa said.

"For Ness," Ignacio said. "For the orcs. For all those souls we've lost in this war."

Ignacio turned to face the Dark Army. "I speak now not just to my fellow orcs, but to all the warriors of this army who I have fought for and beside. The world may have called us monsters, but we know we are more than that! We are people, races, cultures, families. We must join forces to form an army to save all that we care for."

"Join forces with the heroes," an orc shouted. "Are you crazy?"

"No," Ignacio replied. "I'm hopeful. And I'm tired. We are the heroes of our story, aren't we? That's why we fought for the Witch Queen. But that bloodshed only made us villains. It is time my brothers and sisters to redeem ourselves, to fight for our future and show everyone that we are more than monsters. Including ourselves. This will be our last battle; if we win we shall foster peace. If we lose, then we shall die nobly. Vicavorausan or deaavh!"

Ignacio raised him fist in the air as he shouted those last words. Then Varagor and the orcs raised their arms and repeated, "Vicavorausan or deaavh!"

The other members of the Dark Army joined suite and followed Ignacio as he charged into battle with the Demon Lord. The other newcomers and their army, and even the Cluckys, looked at each other and then charged.

The Demon Lord turned from the skies to see the army coming to him. He chuckled. "How cute. I'll reward you same as that witch."

With a flick of his hand, he sent a thousand fireballs towards the army.

"Ahh!" Melissa cried as she was hit.

GAME OVER.

"Even the 7 heroes of the past could not finish me," Voron stated. "I'm destroying you fools left and right. What makes you think you can defeat me?"

"Simple," Ignacio replied. "This is turn-based combat. And you just used your turn. Now our entire army gets to attack you!"

Tessa fired off as many arrows as her bow would let her.

"Sneak attack!" Jasper cried, stabbing a blade in the demon; 1 damage.

The two early trolls tossed their clubs but missed.

Each member of the army fired an attack, none doing more than five damage against the demon lord. But slowly, more and more damage began to pile on him, chipping away at his HP. At the same time, the fireballs continued to rain as a stage effect, destroying members.

"Ahhh!"

"Varagor!" Ignacio cried.

"Vicavorausan or deaavh…" he whispered, giving a soft smile.

"Crap," Tessa sighed.

GAME OVER.

"Same," Jasper said.

GAME OVER.

Voron sighed as the Dracolich launched it's most powerful attack; 7 damage. He had clearly taken damage, with his wings torn and his body scratched up. Yet still he smiled.

"I admit your army has damaged me more than I thought possible. But there's only your turn left orc, and you can't do enough damage to finish me off before I can attack next turn."

Ignacio smirked. "I wouldn't be so sure of that."

Ignacio jumped off his mount, brandishing the Vorpal Sword and stabbing it into Voron. Voron's eyes grew wide and he opened his mouth to scream, but was silenced by another noise.

CRITICAL HIT.

Voron started to fade as his body exploded. Ignacio landed onto Mt. Malady, panting as the skies returned to blue and the storm dissipated.

CONGRATULATIONS. YOU WIN!

/

Ignacio threw off his headset and slumped his chair, sighing in relief.

"Congratulations Orcnacio!" Rhonda announced over the P.A. "Thanks to your Vorpal Blade and uniting the two armies, you defeated the final boss and won the game! Not only have you won invincibility and the luxury suite, but you've also won a free copy of the game when its officially released."

"That is pretty nice," Ignacio said.

"Console and VR gear sold separately."

Ignacio frowned.

"As for the rest of you so-called heroes, you've got to make a decision. Tonight your party dwindles to six."

/

Ignacio strolled down the hall, only to be glomped from behind.

"Eeeeee!" Ness squealed. "I heard, congratulations Mr. Winner! Legendary hero of Todramatius."

"Thanks," Ignacio laughed. "Listen, I have to share the luxury suite with someone. If it's not too weird a request, would you-"

"-Me?" Ness asked.

"I did kill you," Ignacio replied. "So it feels fair."

Ness blushed. "Okay, okay. But only so you don't feel obligated...and it could be a lot of fun."

The two blushed and nodded, awkwardly parting ways.

/

In the kitchen, the girls' alliance gathered together. Ness, still blushing, walked in.

"Sorry I'm late," Ness said. "So, the vote tonight."

"We're voting off Vance, right?" Tessa asked.

"Why would we vote for Vance?" Melissa replied.

"Because he sucks," Tessa said.

"That's true," Riley stated. "Not to mention he's totally against our girls' alliance."

"I don't know," Melissa said. "Vance isn't a threat. He hasn't won a challenge."

Ness nodded. "It's obvious who we have to vote off; Jasper."

"No way!" Tessa replied. "I'm not voting off Jasper."

"He has won the most immunities," Melissa said. "I hate to do it after yesterday's...mishap."

"But we do need to vote him off while we can," Ness stated. "That's now."

Riley shrugged. "I guess that makes sense. I mean if it weren't for the game getting hijacked by that demon jerk, Jasper would have won again today."

Tessa shook her head. "I'm not doing it. I'm voting Vance."

"I just don't think we should do that," Melissa stated.

"Think, or want to?" Tessa asked.

"Huh?"

"When it came to your male friends you and Ness said you couldn't vote Ignacio or Vance," Tessa said. "But you expect me to vote off my friend? I think that's hypocritical."

"Vance hasn't won any challenges," Melissa stated.

"And he isn't exactly a social threat," Ness said.

"I admit Vance is my friend, but this is strategy," Melissa said. "Now is the time to target Jasper."

Tessa crossed her arms and shook her head. "Nope. Not doing it. You can vote for whomever you like, but I'm voting Vance. If you want a majority, you should do the same."

Tessa stood up and strutted out. Riley sighed and shrugged. "I'll talk to her dudettes. I get where she's coming from, but I'm fine with whatever we decide."

Melissa and Ness shared a look.

/

Later, Ignacio entered the library only to see Vance waiting for him. "Just the man I wanted to see."

Ignacio raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

The cowboy patted the chair across from him. "Take a load off partner. I've got a proposition to discuss with you."

Slowly the model took a seat, checking his seat first. Vance pulled out index cards from his pockets and began to read from them. "Though you and I have a lot anemoneisty with each other, we are outnumbered. This game is matronlyarchy.

It is in Sarah…Saharan…serene…serendipity that we have to work together," Vance continued. "I knew I shouldn't have written this in pen."

"I'll vote with you," Ignacio said.

Vance raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You are right that it would be beneficial," Ignacio stated.

Vance crumpled up the notes and tossed them away. "So I didn't need to write all that who-blah?"

"No," Ignacio said. "It is clear the girls are tight."

"Glad to see you've come to see reason," Vance said.

"But I'm only willing to do it if it's Tessa," Ignacio stated.

"Hmm, I ain't got any complaints with that," Vance said. "That's who I was thinking anyway; she's the girl that made it farthest in the challenge anyway. But I don't know if Jasper will vote with us. He's taken a fancy towards her."

Ignacio shrugged. "That's the deal. I'm voting Tessa."

"I heard ya," Vance stated. "I'll do some talking…"

"Perhaps I should have been more flexible with Vance," Ignacio admitted. "But I wasn't going to target Riley or Ness. I doubt Vance will vote Melissa. And I'm not as worried about a girls' alliance; those Fizzled Fireworks bonds are still there, and I'm sure I can convince my former teammates to keep me around. Especially when I did the same."

Rhonda walked out from the back of the counter of the Haunted Internet Café, carrying a plate of six coffee cups. The seven newcomers stared at her. Or more accurately stared at the tray.

"Alright, alright," Rhonda said. "You've all voted and I've read the results. And this time we have the right amount of coffee cups. Six of you are moving on to the next level. But for one of you, it's game over."

Rhonda tossed the first cup of coffee to Ignacio. "But that's not the case for today's big winner! Congrats again Ignacio."

Ignacio voted for Tessa. "For once, this vote isn't personal. I recognize you've been a nicer person and I appreciate it. You should be proud you've changed. Unfortunately, you're a threat."

Ignacio blushed and sipped the cup…before spitting it out. "Ugh, this is the worse flavor yet."

Rhonda smirked. "It's a bullywug milk cappuccino! Also enjoying this treat is Riley and Ness."

Riley effortlessly caught her cup. Ness failed to catch hers.

Riley voted for Jasper. "Sorry Brosiden. You were tough, but a little too tough. Like strong beef jerky. Let's just hope Sweet T stuck to the plan. "

Ness voted for Jasper. "I know you're a big fan of the show too, so I hope you can leave happy knowing you were voted out for being the biggest threat."

Rhonda took two of the three cups left. "Everyone left got a vote. But lucky for you Melissa and Vance, it wasn't enough to send you home."

Melissa, still strapped to a board, failed to catch her coffee cup. "Does anyone else think throwing hot coffee at us is a bad idea?"

Vance tipped his hat at Ignacio.

Vance voted for Tessa. "You're the strongest lass left. I'd admire you…if you didn't have a mouth bigger than a possum's yawn."

Jasper and Tessa turned to each other with wide eyes.

Jasper pointed at himself, but Tessa shook her head.

He nodded and mouthed 'same' to her.

Jasper voted for Melissa. "I have no idea why anyone else isn't voting for you. Maybe it's because you're so nice? I do think you're nice…but you're also the scariest player left; you're the frontrunner of this game."

Tessa voted for Vance. "I do feel a little bad about this…but then I think about how better it'll smell without your walking flatulence. Sorry."

"How quickly things change," Rhonda said. "Our past winners are now in the bottom two. I'm afraid it's over for one of you…"

Tessa and Jasper shot each other one last look as Rhonda lifted up the final coffee cup…

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"...You're safe Jasper."

The boy caught his coffee cup. He frowned and turned to Tessa.

Tessa sighed and shrugged. "I've been in the bottom two so much it was bound to happen eventually."

Riley started sniffling. "Why? It shouldn't have turned out like this..."

Melissa is shown moving the mouse back and forth...before settling on Tessa's face. "I'm so sorry to break our alliance Tessa, especially when it was my idea. But you were so stubborn, I feel like you aren't as committed. Vance told me about the plan, and I am aware that are five Fireworks left. I think this might be my best game move...I'm really sorry."

"I can't believe right after we become friends you have to leave," Jasper said.

Tessa smiled a little and hugged her friend. "I know, but out of the two of us I'm glad you aren't going."

Ness ran over and hugged Tessa. "I'm glad you and Lita and I could start over."

"Me too," Tessa replied.

She turned to Riley, who was wiping away tears in her sleeve. "Hey. What happened to no pity parties?"

Riley laughed while still wiping her face. "You got me. I just wish you didn't have to go."

"It's not like I really joined the show for the money anyway," Tessa stated. "I'm surprised I had as much of chance as I did."

"Then why did you join?" Jasper asked.

Tessa blushed and looked away. "I did it...to make some friends. So thanks everyone. I'm glad I got to comeback and hang out with you guys."

This time, Tessa waved goodbye as she left the Revolving Doors of Shame with her head held high.

Author's Note

Man, I really enjoy that chapter. I'm a fan of high fantasy and gaming, so this was a fun chapter to write. It was also fun just to do a lot of worldbuilding. The video game world wasn't that complex, but it was fun to imagine and explore, especially subverting the always chaotic evil race and mook tropes. Most of the monsters fantasy settings are cooler than the playable races if we're being honest.

It was also fun to come up with everyone's race and class; I think they all reflected their characters pretty well. If Kalino had made it this far, I thought of him being a lizardfolk bard. Just a lot of moments I like from the characters, some silly and some surprisingly earnest. I really love Ignacio here too.

So you may have already figured this out, but Tessa was not planned to return. Diamonique and Jasper were since the start, but not Tessa. Before returning, I'd have said Tessa was my least favorite character. All my notes on her previous elimination remain. She didn't make sense and didn't really work for me. It felt like maybe she had a complex backstory, but didn't deliver enough. A few wiki readers enjoyed her then, but I just didn't.

I knew I wanted to redeem her and figured I'd wait till I got to an All-Stars type story where I could do that. But like...it has taken me this long to write Genesis, how long will that take?

I thought about having a challenge where everyone was paired with their worst enemy. Lita would have to work with Tessa, but Tessa would now try to apologize. But that felt unsatisfying. That wasn't enough time to redeem her, and it would feel like it happened offscreen. I realized even that waiting for a future story wouldn't feel as connective. She couldn't make amends to the people she needed too.

So as last minute decision, I had Tessa return. Like return before the merge. The timing and characters for it was then. I'm really glad I did, because Tessa 2.0 grew on me! I just feel like she's doing something in every chapter, so way she's growing as a person. I had originally thought I'd eliminate her as soon as I could, but she stuck around. I even considered a double elimination, but I wanted her to have her own focus. Plus, I'd have to cut this challenge and it's too fun to do that.

Till next chapter, I hope you're doing well and staying safe!

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

Lita- 10th

Weston- 9th

Kalino- 8th

Tessa- 7th