A/N: Happy way-too-early (late?) Halloween, everybody.
"Last time on Total Drama House Party..." Hatchet stood in the foyer for the recap. "Whatever challenge we woulda had for the day was interrupted when somebody decided to break the Chris-Bot, thus endin' the twist for the season. I decided it'd be fun to watch the kids figure out who it was, so I let 'em investigate for half an hour before they partook in an open discussion where they all argued their points of view as to whodunnit. Only a few left the challenge without bein' suspected, and in the end, the perp was caught and it turned out to be Judy. Judy was sent home that night, leavin' us with eight. How will Franklin react to his ally bein' eliminated? Will Erica succeed in gettin' her rival Rachel eliminated? Will Ernie survive another round? Find out ya fool! Only on Total! Drama! HOUSE PARTY!"
David and Sonamjit went out to the backyard, as was decided by Ernie that night.
"This... is why... Ernie... needs to go..." Sonamjit seethed.
"It's not so bad sleeping out here," David told her. "You just have to get used to it."
"It's not... that..." Sonamjit responded. "Did you see... him... in the challenge?"
"So, he figured Judy out," David said. "He's a smart guy. Awful social game, but he's not nearly as dumb as he makes himself seem."
"Exactly..." Sonamjit said. "He's... a threat... If we're not careful... he could find... a way... to get us... eliminated..."
"I think you're overestimating him a bit," David admitted. "Like I said, his social game is garbage. How's he going to get the votes to get us out?"
"Well how'd he... get the votes... to get me out?" Sonamjit asked.
"Well, that was different," David admitted. "You girls had a majority alliance. I had no choice but to align with Ernie. And Lauren's... you know how she is."
"Hardly..." Sonamjit scoffed. "I shared... the game with her... for three days..."
"Eh, still. I wouldn't worry about Ernie," David shrugged. "I'm going to bed. Good night."
"The night... will only be good... once Ernie... is gone..." Sonamjit said.
Confessional:
David: Ernie may have been a threat on Team Chill, but that's mostly because the options were so limited back then. Now that we've merged, I can align with and vote out anyone I want, and Ernie's left as a target.
Sonamjit: I... just want... closure... dammit...! Is that... so much... to ask...?!
Franklin, Mac, and Rachel went down to the basement.
"Well, I'll be honest," Rachel said. "Despite having lost an ally and a friend tonight, today's challenge was the most fun I've had all game."
"Really? More fun than when Barry was around?" Franklin asked.
"I mean, that's different," Rachel said. "When Barry's around, my heart races and I feel... warm inside. Not fun per se, but it's an amazing feeling."
"I'd like to know what that's like someday," Mac said wistfully. "Too bad the girl I like never showed any signs of liking me back."
"Who is this girl anyway?" Rachel asked.
"I keep telling you. It's a secret," Mac grinned.
"You'll never get anywhere with her if you can't even own up to your feelings," Franklin told him.
"Pot, meet kettle," Rachel said under her breath.
"I know," Mac said to Franklin. "But hey, the girl I fell for isn't really around, so it's whatever."
"So she's been eliminated?" Franklin asked.
"Maaaaaaybe," Mac grinned.
"You'll never get anywhere with him," Rachel told Franklin. "Just drop it and let him confess of his own volition."
"I did say I'd confess in the finale," Mac chuckled. "I'm assuming every eliminated contestant will show up in the finale, so I think I can do that."
"Well, good luck with her," Franklin said.
"Thanks. And good luck with your girl too," Mac grinned.
"...What girl?" Franklin asked, a bit taken aback.
"Oh, you know, short, stout, has a handle and a spout... no, wait, that's something else," Mac answered. "All I'm saying is you should go for it. I think Bailey likes you, dude."
"Trust me when I say it'd be for the best that I don't," Franklin said. "She doesn't deserve to get wrapped up with me and my past."
Confessional:
Mac: I dunno, I think Franklin and Bailey would be cute together. He's so tough and serious and he's probably killed someone, while she's all demure and sweet and wouldn't hurt a fly. I love it when opposites date each other.
Rachel: I think Franklin thinks Bailey is out of his league. He's probably just won't admit it. (she chuckles) What is it with guys trying to act like vulnerability is so uncool?
Ernie, Bailey, and Erica made their way to the first place rooms.
"So, um, not that I'm not grateful, but why did you choose us to join you?" Bailey asked Ernie.
"Why not?" Ernie shrugged. "I never really met you two, and I don't have any, like, allies or anything to choose."
"So you settled for the bottom of the barrel? I see how it is," Erica remarked.
"I could have left you to go outside if I wanted," Ernie reminded her.
"Yeah, Erica. Ernie was kind enough to let us sleep in nice beds in a clean room," Bailey reminded her. "At least be grateful to him."
Erica sighed. "Fair enough."
"I swear this has, like, nothing to do with me picking you, but I'm still, ya know, down to vote out Rachel," Ernie said as he scratched his head.
"As you should be," Erica added.
"So, ya know, if you two have any spots open for an alliance, that'd be cool," Ernie said nonchalantly.
"I don't think we do," Bailey said. "Sorry."
"Eh, suit yourself," Ernie shrugged. "But hey, if you, like, change your mind, you know where to find me."
"How would I know that?" Bailey asked, confused. "It's a big house."
"Eh, you know what I mean," Ernie said.
Confessional:
Bailey: I would like to be as secure in this game as possible, but I already have four allies in Franklin, Erica, David, and Mac. That's already a majority. Adding Ernie would just be excessive, and it could even make me a target if anyone found out that I have so many allies.
Ernie: Well, you can't say I didn't try. Guess all I can do now is, like, try to make Rachel a bigger target than I am. (he scratches his head).
Erica: I guess the best part about all these threats being in the game is that it keeps the target off of me. I know I'm not going to be winning any challenges or orchestrating any blindsides or anything anytime soon, so why vote me out? Besides the obvious, I mean.
David went to the mess hall for some breakfast.
"Morning, Yolonda," David greeted as the chef entered from the kitchen.
"Hey, David, sugar," Yolonda greeted back.
"So, what's for breakfast today?" David asked. "Because I've been craving country potatoes recently. Is that weird?"
"Okay, look," Yolonda whispered. "While you guys were distracted with the trial thingy yesterday, I did some snooping."
"Really? Did you find anything out?" David whispered back.
"I investigated the door to my uncle's room," Yolonda continued. "It looks like it has some sort of retina scanner for a lock."
"Which means...?" David asked.
"It'll only open it if it scans my uncle's eye," Yolonda explained.
"...So we're screwed, then?" David asked.
"Not exactly," Yolonda said. "There's a printer in the staff room. If I can print out a picture of my uncle, it might work."
"Really?" David asked. "That almost seems too easy."
"Well, it's worth a shot," Yolonda said. "I'll do it during the next Playground challenge while you guys are gone."
"Cool. When will that be?" David asked.
"I'm not allowed to say," Yolonda told him.
"But you're allowed to break into Hatchet's room?" David responded.
"That's different," Yolonda said. She began to speak at normal volume again. "So, country potatoes, you said?"
"Uh, totally!" David cheered. "You're the best, Yolonda."
"Thanks, sugar," Yolonda smiled.
Confessional:
David: Yolonda's seriously amazing. She's hot and she makes me whatever I want for breakfast.
Yolonda: ...And I have a great personality too. Wow, David. Sexist much?
Erica paced back and forth in front of the door to the game room.
"Guh... I miss Tetris. But I can't go in after that stupid wedding with Barry..." Erica contemplated.
She paced a bit more.
"That was the worst thing I've ever had to go through. ...Okay, second-worst, but whatever," Erica continued to say.
All of a sudden, Rachel walked into the game room.
"Oh hell no!" Erica snapped as she stomped into the game room. "Rachel! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"Well, I was going to play Pac-Man or something else that requires one hand, but I guess I'm not allowed to for whatever reason," Rachel remarked.
"You can't be in here!" Erica snapped.
"Why not?" Rachel asked.
"B-Because!" Erica answered.
"Well, I can't argue with that," Rachel snarked. "If you want to play Tetris, I won't stop you."
"I don't," Erica insisted.
"Then what's the issue?" Rachel asked. "I know you can't stand me, but you don't own the game room."
Erica suddenly wore a big smirk on her face. "But this is where Barry and I got married."
"...What?" Rachel asked flatly.
"Yup. On the day he was eliminated, I kissed him in this very room," Erica continued. "We got dressed up and Hatchet had a Bible with him and everything. It was very official."
"Was this for the challenge?" Rachel asked. "You do seem to have a fear of showing any sort of positive emotion."
"Sh-Shut up!" Erica said defensively. "Play your Pac-Man. See if I care!" With that, Erica stormed out of the room.
Confessional:
Erica: Rachel is incredibly smug. Acting like she knows me. She doesn't know me. She's the pretty girl with a boyfriend and no freaky defect. I'm the girl whose very appearance makes guys want to flee the room.
Rachel: Erica is incredibly smug. Acting like the world owes her something. The world doesn't owe her anything. She's the one who makes everyone out to demonize her before she meets them. I at least get to know people before I make snap judgments about them.
Franklin and Bailey met up at the balcony.
"So... Judy's gone," Bailey pointed out.
"She is," Franklin nodded. "Which is why I'd like to make a final two deal with you, right here, right now."
"Really?" Bailey asked timidly. "That'd be... nice."
"The two of us have to look out for each other," Franklin said. "As far as I'm concerned, we're the only two people who really deserve to win. You've come so far since the start of the game, and I... let's just say that money would make my life a whole lot easier."
"I really want one of us to win too," Bailey agreed. "I think I'm really starting to get the hang of this game. I have three other allies besides you."
"Really?" Franklin asked, intrigued. "Good for you. I'm still technically aligned with Rachel and Sonam, but my loyalties are set first and foremost with you."
"Does your alliance have a target in mind?" Bailey asked.
"Ernie," Franklin nodded.
"My alliance wants to get rid of Rachel," Bailey said. "Which might be problematic for you."
"If we get rid of Ernie, Sonamjit will vote however Rachel and I decide. I think Rachel's leaning towards Erica after Ernie leaves," Franklin told her.
"Oh. Well, um, Erica's actually in my alliance," Bailey explained.
"Just to make sure, who all is in your alliance?" Franklin asked.
"Erica, David, and Mac," Bailey answered.
"Which basically leaves Ernie as a compromise," Franklin deduced. "I guess I should have seen this coming. The problem with the two of us being aligned with everyone is that we'll have to start cutting our allies really soon."
"I suppose so," Bailey realized.
"We can lose Rachel after Ernie leaves," Franklin offered. "She seems to have quite the target on her back already."
"Sounds good to me," Bailey smiled. "And, Franklin. Thanks."
"For what?" Franklin asked.
"For being my friend since the beginning," Bailey answered.
"This is kind of out of left field," Franklin said, a bit confused.
"Oh... sorry..." Bailey said with a nervous smile.
"It's no problem," Franklin smiled back.
Confessional:
Bailey: I'm glad I happened to befriend Franklin on day one. (she blushes) He's a better friend than a girl like me could ask for.
As David ate breakfast, Erica sat across from him.
"Uh, hey," David greeted. "Is there, you know, alliance stuff you wanted to talk about?"
"No. I'm just pissed," Erica huffed. "I don't like you, but I hate Rachel more."
"Wait, what did I do?" David asked.
"You judged me for my taste in music," Erica glared.
"Everyone does that," David said. "Can you honestly tell me you haven't thought less of someone because they listen to Ke$ha?"
"Ugh. Whatever! Just listen to me rant about how awful Rachel is!" Erica insisted.
"Okay...?" David responded.
"She thinks she's so much better than me because she got a boyfriend and because she has skin tone," Erica said. "Like I'm a worse person because of something I couldn't control."
"Are you sure those are the reasons?" David remarked.
"Well what other reasons could there be?" Erica asked.
"Well, you go behind her back and say bad things about her, for starters," David said.
"Only because she thinks she's so much better than me," Erica said. "Do you not understand?"
"No, I understand perfectly," David said. "Look, all I'm saying is that she won't be any nicer to you if you keep saying this kind of stuff about her."
"She wouldn't be any nicer to me if I cured cancer and built a kitty orphanage," Erica said.
"Well, I don't know what else to tell you," David said. "Have you tried the country potatoes? They're really good."
"Forget you," Erica said as she left the scene.
Confessional:
Erica: I feel like I'm the only one who sees how mean Rachel really is. Or at least I'm the only one who cares, because she's probably sucked everyone else off to the point where they don't care. Still, it's totally unfair. And I'm not about to suck anyone off to get things to go my way, so nobody better suggest that.
David: Is she allergic to potatoes? Did I miss something?
Sonamjit and Mac met up in the rec room.
"Ugh... David... never... shows... up..." Sonamjit complained.
"He's a breakfast kind of guy," Mac said. "You know, can't go on without a big hearty breakfast."
"What... a pig..." Sonamjit said.
"Aw, he's alright," Mac assured her. "Besides, it gives us the chance to get to know each other better."
"...What...?" Sonamjit asked.
"I mean, we're friends, aren't we?" Mac asked. "Why not get to know each other better, right?"
"What's there to say?" Sonamjit asked.
"Like, um, why'd you sign up for this show?" Mac asked.
"I wanted... to spread happiness... to others..." Sonamjit said. "What a fool... I was..."
"Why is that foolish?" Mac asked curiously.
"Because negativity... always wins..." Sonamjit said.
"No it doesn't," Mac said with a shake of his head. "Owen won Season 1, didn't he? And look who was in the final five with him. A bully, a mean girl, a goth, and a girl who picked fights all the time. And he beat them all!"
"Owen... got lucky..." Sonamjit said.
"Mhm. Yeah. I think I get it now," Mac nodded.
"Get what...?" Sonamjit asked.
"Why you really became a clown," Mac answered.
"Oh... do tell..." Sonamjit said sardonically.
"This emo thing is the real you," Mac explained. "You're a huge pessimist, and you tried to be a clown to convince yourself that happiness is something worth pursuing. But even that didn't work, so now you've just given up."
There was a pause before Sonamjit finally spoke up.
"...I'll... talk to you later..." Sonamjit said as she left the room.
"So does this mean the alliance meeting's over?" Mac asked.
Confessional:
Sonamjit: Mac... Tch... What does he know...?
Mac: I was honestly just guessing. Just trying to find out more about my friend, you know?
Ernie relaxed alone in the hot tub room.
"...I'm bored," Ernie thought aloud. "I miss when, like, Kiki was here and would talk to me. Why did I vote her out again?"
Ernie got out of the hot tub and grabbed some snacks from the food table.
"Ah, right, she was, like, a threat, and Lauren was, ya know, a bigger target," Ernie remembered. "A lot of good that did. Lauren got voted out right after."
Ernie ate a mini-quiche.
"Kiki was cool," Ernie said. "But she probably would have, ya know, backstabbed me. Nobody loses their phobias that easily, and at the end of the day, I'm still a guy."
Ernie sighed.
"Kiki, if you're, like, watching this, I am sorry I blindsided you," Ernie said to the camera as he scratched his head.
Confessional:
Ernie: I think technically David was aligned with Kiki and me at the time, so getting a majority against him would probably have been impossible. The merge is so much better than the team phase, guys. It gives you options.
It was late at night, and the contestants had gathered in the foyer at Hatchet's request.
"So, we do have a challenge today?" Rachel asked.
"That's right," Hatchet nodded. "We just had to wait for it to be night for it to work."
"Why?" Ernie asked. "This is, ya know, cutting into my sleeping time."
"I was gettin' to that!" Hatchet snapped. "Do y'all know what today is?"
"...Friday?" David guessed.
"As a matter of fact, it's Friday the 13th!" Hatchet informed them.
"So the challenge is based around that?" Bailey asked.
"There's somethin' I never told y'all about this mansion," Hatchet told the contestants. "It was built on top of the grave of Horatio McLean, Chris's great-great-great-great grandfather."
"Wicked," Mac said with a twinkle in his eye.
"On Friday the 13th, folks who stay in this house have mentioned seein' the ghost of Horatio lurkin' about," Hatchet said. "So your challenge is to not get caught by Horatio."
"So either you're putting our lives at risk at the hands of a ghost, or you're not even attempting to hide the fact that the ghost is fake," Erica remarked. "Either way, you're doing a terrible job as host."
"I did not ask you!" Hatchet barked.
"So, it's basically a mix of the Awake-a-Thon and the spaghetti cannon challenge?" Franklin asked.
"Hey, I didn't decide when Horatio decides to become active," Hatchet said.
"Sure..." Sonamjit muttered. "Horatio's... not even a... scary name..."
"I didn't name him either!" Hatchet snapped. "The challenge starts now. Unlike the Awake-a-Thon, you're gonna wanna spread out, so get out of the foyer. Whoever's the last person standin' will win invincibility. Now go!"
Confessional:
Erica: What, was one ghost in this episode not enough? (she gestures at her pale white face)
David: Ghosts are pretty metal. I can tell I'm gonna like this challenge.
Bailey: I don't do well with the feeling of being watched. You never know when the ghost might show up, and that makes me anxious.
The contestants all agreed to go off alone so it would be harder for Horatio to catch everyone.
Ernie strolled through the hall all by himself.
"Tch. I remember the days where I could totally fail the challenge and still be immune," Ernie said to himself. "Forget what I just said about the merge being better. Now I have to work to stay in the game. Ugh."
Ernie found one of the house's many bathrooms to his left.
"Interesting..." Ernie said as he walked into the bathroom. "I wonder..."
Ernie shut the bathroom door and locked it.
Confessional:
Ernie: My strategy was to, ya know, hide in the bathroom for the entire challenge. I think I remember hearing that one kid from Team Flame doing that for that other challenge, and he made it out alright. Besides, it's not like the ghost is gonna, like, phase through the door and steal my soul or anything.
Erica sat by herself in the game room, playing Tetris.
"I'm getting so bored with this game," Erica decided. "All I wanted this morning was to play it, and now here I am having no fun with it."
Erica stood up and turned the game off.
"Maybe I should get glasses," Erica pondered. "It's not like they can make me look any worse, and I'd kind of like better vision."
Erica began to pace around, seriously thinking about her idea.
"Actually, colored contacts could make me just a bit less freaky," Erica thought aloud. "Eh, Mom wouldn't allow that. 'You're beautiful just the way you are. I wish you'd see that.' Ugh. Gag me."
Erica sat back down across from the TV she'd used to play Tetris.
"That raises a good point. If I could see better, I'd really see how ugly I am. And how much prettier everyone else is than me," Erica huffed. "But then Tetris is the only game I'm any good at because of my bad vision. Why does everything have to have a downside?"
Erica sighed.
"I wish I had Barry's optimism," Erica said. "What I'd give to be half as blissfully ignorant as he is..."
Confessional:
Erica: I hate my parents for a number of reasons, but one of the many reasons I hate my father is because he was albino too. Not only was he able to hook up with someone despite that, but he was nice enough to pass his genes on to me. Thanks, ass-hat.
Franklin hid himself in the armory.
"At the very least, if the quote-unquote 'ghost' does show up, I'll have a way to defend myself," Franklin smirked. "So would the ghost, of course, but somehow I doubt some old white dude is more experienced with weapons than I am. And yet look who ended up with all the land."
Franklin chuckled to himself.
"For the record, I am not racist," Franklin said to the camera. "I wouldn't have a close white friend if I was."
Franklin began to blush.
"No, stop thinking like that," Franklin scolded himself. "Do not get her wrapped up in your life. She won't be able to handle... you know."
Franklin shook his head.
"And now I'm talking to myself," Franklin pointed out. "This is going to be a long challenge.
Sonamjit made her way into the rec room and hid behind a beanbag chair.
"Catch me now... bitch..." Sonamjit sneered to herself.
All of a sudden, the door closed on its own.
"...That's cute..." Sonamjit said shakily. "Trying to scare me..."
The lights turned off.
"You're hilarious... Hatchet..." Sonamjit chuckled nervously.
The CD player began to play a scratchy, haunting tune.
"It's all... a trick... it's all... a trick... heheheh..." Sonamjit told herself.
Sonamjit heard a bump in the room.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEK!" Sonamjit squealed as she dashed up to the door, only to find that it was locked.
All of a sudden, her screeching stopped.
David entered the kitchen.
"Yo, Londa?" David asked. "You in here? I'm hungry."
There was no response.
"I also, uh, enjoy your company," David added.
Still nothing.
"Are you not here or are you just ignoring me?" David asked. "Gah, what am I saying? If she's ignoring me, she still wouldn't answer."
David entered the kitchen.
"Oh thank God, nobody's here," David said with a sigh of relief. "I was afraid I'd pissed her off. The last thing I need on my mind is insecurity."
David suddenly had an idea.
"So, does this mean I can raid the fridge?" David asked as he opened the refrigerator, only to find a single sandwich sitting on a plate. "What the...?"
David took the sandwich.
"Eh, food is food," David shrugged as he ate it anyway.
Confessional:
David: I should probably question why that's all there was in the fridge, and why it was neatly there on a plate and everything, but it's whatever. (he pauses, looking dazed) What just happened?
Rachel went out to the backyard and hid in a spot that couldn't be seen through the glass sliding door.
"Don't have time to get a plastic bag for my cast, so I can't go back to the sauna like I did in the other challenge," Rachel said to the camera. "I also don't have time to undress, for that matter."
Rachel began to ponder something.
"I wonder if it's a good idea to be talking when a ghost is after me," Rachel thought aloud. "I mean, he probably can't hear me, since the door is closed, but still."
Rachel adjusted her glasses.
"I wonder why I was in the bottom two the other day," Rachel said. "I know Erica has it out for me, and I know I'm in a strong alliance, but Franklin's a bigger threat than me anyway. Plus Sonamjit's more annoying than I am."
Rachel came to a realization.
"Holy crap. Erica's probably in an alliance. I mean, a bad attitude hasn't stopped Sonam from being in my alliance, so Erica... shoot," Rachel facepalmed. "We might need to get rid of her sooner than later. But then there are bigger threats like David and Ernie to consider."
Confessional:
Rachel: Who knew so much thinking could be done when all you have to talk to is yourself?
Mac opted to stay in the middle of the foyer. He cracked his neck excitedly.
"Oh boy. I get to tussle with a ghost. How sick is this?" Mac asked rhetorically. "Who else can say they did that? Besides the rest of the final eight."
Mac cracked his knuckles.
"Whoa, final eight. I just now realized how cool that is," Mac grinned. "I'm guaranteed to have outranked twelve other people in this game. Even though I only outranked three at first."
Mac cracked each of his fingers.
"I wonder if people like Chappy and Kiki hate me for making it farther than they did by returning when they played so hard and didn't return," Mac wondered. "Aw, whatever. If they have a problem, they can take it up with my ol' one-two! Heeheehahaha!"
Mac heard a loud creaking sound.
"Come on, ghost! I'm right here! Let's kick each other's asses already!" Mac shouted.
Nothing happened.
"Aw come on!" Mac complained.
Confessional:
Mac: Kiki probably wouldn't be a challenge to take on, but Chappy probably will. He's got several inches and probably a hundred pounds on me. But hey, let it never be said I don't enjoy a challenge. Heeheehahaha!
Bailey nervously wandered through a different hall.
"Oh boy... this is so nerve-wracking..." Bailey told herself. "First I nearly got injected, and now this. I almost wish I could give myself up to the ghost and get it overwith."
"That can be arranged..." a scratchy voice from behind her said.
"Yeep!" Bailey jumped as she turned around. She found a short, pale, elderly man with greying black hair and a toothy grin.
"Come here..." Horatio said raspily.
"I changed my mind!" Bailey insisted as she ran away from Horatio, who gave chase.
Bailey ran around the corner and stopped to catch her breath.
"Curse my physique..." Bailey panted.
"Hello..." Horatio said as he suddenly appeared behind her.
"Ahhh!" Bailey squealed as she ran off again.
Horatio chuckled to himself as he walked in the opposite direction.
Confessional:
Bailey: I've made the decision to try and lose weight, starting tomorrow. I believe this house has a gym, so it shouldn't be difficult to start the habit of exercise.
Erica continued to play Tetris in the game room, when the game turned itself off.
"Hey! What the hell?!" Erica shouted. "Who said you could do that?! I didn't give you permission to turn yourself off, game!"
Erica facepalmed.
"And now I'm talking to the game. Ugh. I need some sleep," Erica grumbled.
Erica heard a bump behind one of the arcade cabinets.
"Oh, so this must be the alleged ghost," Erica scoffed as she walked toward the cabinet. "Almost makes me wonder which eliminated contestant they inevitably got for the role."
Once Erica reached the cabinet, she was surprised to see that the ghost was not there.
"What the?" Erica asked. She then felt a hand cover her mouth from behind.
"Hello..." Horatio said with a twisted grin. "And goodbye..."
Franklin sat in the same corner where the Chris-Bot had been destroyed the previous day.
"Yesterday's challenge was an interesting one," Franklin thought aloud. "Who'd have thought that such an out-of-nowhere twist would result in one of my closest allies going home?"
Franklin chuckled to himself.
"And yet I still feel secure in this game," Franklin said. "I have Sonam, Rachel, and, most importantly, Bailey on my side. Plus Bailey has allies of her own. The two of us are practically running the game."
Franklin paused briefly.
"I wonder how the game would differ if Bailey hadn't returned," Franklin pondered. "Either way, I'm very grateful that she did. If there are any gods out there, they have my thanks."
David sat at one of the dining room tables, looking tired.
"I could use some sleep," David said. "I don't know what it is, but for whatever reason I'm super tired tonight. Which is weird. I've pulled all-nighters before."
David sighed.
"Wish I'd remembered to bring my charger for my iPod. Maybe then this wouldn't be an issue. Wasn't an issue during the actual Awake-A-Thon," David tsked.
David scratched his head.
"I wonder what Yolonda's up to right now," David wondered. "Like, is she asleep right now, or is she the ghost, or what? Where does she sleep, now that I think about it? I mean, Hatchet has his own room, but where does she go?"
David looked into the closest camera.
"Yo, Londa! If you're watching this, answer me!" David said. "...I just realized how stalkery that could sound. I'm not a stalker, I swear!"
As David was distracted with the camera, his back was turned to the dining room entrance, where Horatio happened to enter.
"Geez, I really should get to sleep," David decided.
"That can be arranged..." Horatio snickered.
"Oh, really? Sweet," David said. "I don't think I need invincibility right now. Let's get this challenge overwith."
Horatio gave David a strange look before approaching him.
Rachel stayed in the same spot in the backyard.
"I wish I could take a dip in the pool," Rachel thought aloud. "Not sure why, but I really feel like doing so."
Rachel drummed her fingers against the wall.
"Then again, anything is better than nothing. Which is what I'm doing right now," Rachel griped. "Hatchet needs to come up with better challenges. Makes me wonder where Chris is, actually. I'm not sure if Hatchet ever told us."
Rachel stroked her chin.
"Actually... why would Chris let Hatchet host a season alone in his own mansion?" Rachel wondered. "Maybe I'll ask Hatchet sometime. Or Yolonda if Hatchet doesn't want to talk, which I could see happening."
Rachel snickered.
"I smell a scandal," she said.
Confessional:
Rachel: Maybe Chris got arrested. Knowing all the stuff he does on this show, it wouldn't surprise me.
Mac now lie on one of the foyer couches.
"I'm boooooooooooored!" Mac whined. "When's the ghost gonna get heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere?"
Mac stood up and punched the nearest wall.
"Ow! Heehee!" Mac chuckled. "This is fun. I should punch walls more often."
Mac unleashed a flurry of punches on the wall.
"Heeheehahaha! Yes! Aw, that's awesome!" Mac cheered.
"What is all this noise..." Horatio's voice said from behind Mac.
Mac turned around to see the ghost. "Oh hey. Are you the ghost for the challenge? Because if your car broke down, I don't think you're necessarily welcome here. Hatchet's choice, not mine."
"You need to be taught a lesson..." Horatio leered as he approached Mac.
"Bring it on, gramps!" Mac smirked as he went for a right hook. To his surprise, Horatio ducked quickly, enough for the punch to miss entirely. "Whoa! Who even are you?!"
"You will submit..." Horatio droned as he approached Mac.
Mac tried a number of other tactics to fend Horatio off. Uppercuts, kicks, chops. None of the connected, as Horatio had dodged each and every one of them. Once Horatio had gotten close enough to Mac, he punched the boy in the gut.
"Heeheehee! You got me pretty good," Mac remarked. "I thought ghosts were supposed to go through mortal human beings."
Horatio delivered a swift chop to Mac's head, knocking the boy out.
"Such a troublesome child..." Horatio said with a shake of his head. He then turned around to watch Bailey peeking from one of the halls.
"Um... hello," Bailey said with a nervous wave.
"I remember you..." Horatio said. "And now it's your time..."
"Um, but-" Bailey began to object, but was cut off by Horatio dashing up to her and covering her mouth with his hand. She promptly passed out.
"Heh... Two for the price of one..." Horatio chuckled.
Franklin paced back and forth in the armory.
"Why does this house even have an armory?" Franklin pondered. "Eh, dumb question. This is Chris's mansion after all. He has a fetish for violence. Or at least that's what I've heard. I should really watch more of this show."
Just then, Franklin heard the door open.
"You know, a real ghost wouldn't need to open a door," Franklin sniggered.
"That's what they want you to think..." Horatio said as he slowly entered the room.
"So, what's the deal here?" Franklin asked. "Am I out, or do you have to catch me first?"
"I am to catch you..." Horatio said.
Franklin grabbed a nearby sword. "That could be difficult."
"You wouldn't kill an old man..." Horatio said.
"I thought you were already dead," Franklin smirked. "Besides, I've killed an old man before."
Horatio paused briefly before continuing to shamble towards Franklin. "I was that man..."
"No it wasn't," Franklin said with a shake of his head. "I remember that man's face well. It wasn't y-."
As Franklin was speaking, Horatio covered the young man's mouth with his hand, causing him to pass out.
"Children like you shouldn't be playing with weapons..." Horatio said ominously.
Rachel, still in the same spot in the backyard, scratched at her cast boredly.
"I can't wait to get this thing off," Rachel said. "Injuries suck. Which is why I'm glad I don't play sports. I wonder how Mac deals with this kind of stuff."
Just then, Rachel head the glass sliding door open, so she kept quiet.
"This is the only available room I have yet to check..." Horatio said. "I know you are out here..."
Rachel began to sweat as her heart rate doubled. She put her hands together as if to pray, or at least as best as she could considering her casted arm..
"You cannot hide from me forever..." Horatio warned. "I will find you..."
Rachel's breathing became louder and louder, until Horatio turned around and walked in her direction.
"I see you..." Horatio hissed.
"Crap!" Rachel shouted as she ran off. Horatio gave chase, but before he could grab Rachel, a voice froze him in his tracks.
"Attention, everyone!" Hatchet's voice rang from the PA system. "Your time is up! Everyone return to the foyer!"
"You got lucky..." Horatio told Rachel.
"Whatever, Ziggy, or whoever you are," Rachel said.
The eight contestants returned to the foyer, as did Horatio.
"What's this about a time limit?" David asked. "You never mentioned a time limit."
"I said that Horatio comes out on Friday the 13th," Hatchet said. "It's now midnight, meanin' it's now Saturday the 14th!"
"Well that's convenient," Mac chuckled.
"So... who won...?" Sonamjit asked.
"Well, since both Rachel and Ernie managed to make it through the challenge without gettin' caught, they both win Invincibility!" Hatchet announced.
"Seriously?!" Erica snarled.
"Seriously," Hatchet said.
"I don't remember seeing the beanie kid once," Horatio commented.
"I locked myself in the bathroom," Ernie said with a shrug.
"You know. IN! The! BATH! Room!" Mac added.
"You watch... too much YouTube..." Sonamjit commented.
He then turned to Ernie and Rachel "Now, I want each of you to pick one person to sleep outside. Y'all will sleep in first place, and everyone else will sleep in the basement."
"David," Ernie decided.
"Erica," Rachel added.
"You would pick me," Erica spat.
"You'd pick me if you were in my situation. Don't even try to deny it," Rachel retorted.
"That just leaves the most important question of all," Franklin said. "Who was Horatio really?"
"Well who do you think I was?" Horatio asked.
"Preston," Franklin answered.
"That would make sense," Bailey nodded.
"Well that's wrong!" Hatchet said. "Horatio is just a homeless man we found on the street."
"I'm still getting paid, right?" Horatio asked.
"I don't go back on my word!" Hatchet answered. "And for those wonderin' how he took you out so easily, we gave him some chloroform before the challenge started."
"What about the sandwich?" David asked.
"What sandwich?" Hatchet asked.
"You know. The sandwich in the fridge," David continued.
"Last time I checked, the fridge was empty," Hatchet said.
David's eyes widened. "Ahhh! Ghost fridge! Ghost sandwich! You're all ghosts, aren't you!?"
"No, that would make me normal," Erica remarked.
"Anyway, since I know y'all're tired, I'll give you a half hour before the vote," Hatchet told the contestants. "Get to it, maggots!"
Confessional:
Sonamjit: Ernie... is immune... Therefore... we need... a new target... But who...?
Ernie: Pro tip: Sometimes napping through a challenge can, ya know, pay off.
Bailey: How unfortunate. The only person not aligned with Franklin or with me can't be voted for tonight. I wonder who will go home in his place.
David: I'm telling you, that sandwich didn't come from nowhere. This is really sketchy, dude.
Hatchet: We actually did leave that sandwich there. I just wanted to mess with him. Hehehehehe!
Rachel, Franklin, and Sonamjit all met up in the armory.
"We'd better be careful here. We might get framed for murder if we leave any prints in here," Rachel joked.
"Hilarious..." Sonamjit said dryly. "Now... who should we eliminate...?"
"I suggest David," Franklin offered. "He's a physical threat, and a friendly one at that. He could prove to be a real issue for us if we don't take him out soon."
"I'm leaning more towards Erica," Rachel said. "She's wanted me out for a while now, and I think she's gotten some others on her side. Might as well cut the head off the snake."
"Hm..." Sonamjit considered. "Both... are options... though I dislike Erica more..."
"Don't play personally," Franklin said sternly. "That's what got you eliminated in the first place, remember? You don't want to be like that, do you?"
"Erica's also a strategic move," Rachel said. "If we take her out, there's less of a chance we'll lose one of our numbers. That number being me."
"But you're immune tonight," Franklin argued. "There's no chance of you going home."
"Exactly," Rachel said. "We should get her out while there's no chance of me leaving."
"Either way... we'll need... more votes..." Sonamjit said.
"Ernie would be more inclined to vote for David," Franklin said. "And if we let it slip that it's between Erica and David, Erica will probably vote for him too."
"The same works in reverse," Rachel argued. "If we tell David that, then he'll likely vote for Erica, and I'm willing to bet Mac would vote alongside him."
"You guys... can settle this..." Sonamjit droned. "I'll go... see what the others... are thinking..."
"Good call," Franklin nodded.
Confessional:
Sonamjit: David is... my ally... however... I do not trust him... He never... shows up... for alliance meetings... That said... Erica... is not my ally... and she's gunning... for someone... who is... Hopefully... Franklin and Rachel... can decide... so there's no... split... in the votes...
Rachel: We agreed on David. I won't be immune forever, and with David as the threat he is, it'd be best to take him out while we can.
Erica, Bailey, David, and Mac all met up in the game room.
"So, we can't vote for Rachel or Ernie," David pointed out. "So who can we vote for?"
"Sonam or Franklin, basically," Erica answered.
"Geez, that's a tough one," Mac admitted.
"Why? Franklin's a bigger threat. He's the obvious choice," Erica pointed out.
"Well yeah, but I totally ship Bailey and Franklin, and voting him out before they're official just seems wrong," Mac said.
"If life were that fair, then Barry would still be here and be single," Erica snorted.
"B-Besides, Franklin and I are only friends," Bailey said, her face flushed.
"I'd rather vote out Franklin," David said. "If he's gone, it'd be that much easier for me to rock the challenges."
"Like you did today?" Erica snarked.
"Like I did the other day on the obstacle course," David said. "I'm no slouch, you know. And neither is Mac for that matter."
"My friend back home has scoliosis, so he's a literal slouch," Mac chuckled.
"Ahem, not that I'm defending Franklin, but I'd prefer to vote for Sonamjit," Bailey said. "She's far more rude than Franklin is."
"Yeah, but then that'd leave Erica as a bigger target," David pointed out. "No offense."
"Whatever," Erica said.
"You traitors..." a voice from the door said. The foursome turned around and saw Sonamjit standing there, rage in her eyes.
"Uh, it's not what it looks like," Mac said.
"And what do you mean 'traitors'?" David asked. "You're in an alliance with Franklin and Rachel. What's wrong with us being in two alliances?"
"Wait, what?" Bailey asked. "You two are aligned with Sonamjit?"
"Well yeah," David said. "But who isn't in more than one alliance at this point?"
"I'm not," Erica sneered.
Bailey paused.
"Really?!" Erica snapped.
"It's just Franklin," Bailey admitted.
"Tch... Of course it is..." Sonamjit said with a shake of her head. "Why should any of my allies be loyal to me...?"
"I was always loyal to you. Honest!" Mac insisted desperately.
"I have... half a mind... to vote for one of you two... goofballs..." Sonamjit threatened her allies.
"Er, why not vote for Bailey?" David asked. "Yeah. She just admitted she has like five allies. That's more than half of the merge. She's a threat."
Bailey frowned.
"Wow. Looks like Sonam was right. You are a traitor," Erica said with a leer.
"Like Mac, I was always loyal to Sonam," David said simply. "And Bailey was probably always loyal to Franklin. No one was ever on your side."
"Oh shut up!" Erica snapped.
"I don't like this! This is not fun!" Mac squealed as he fled the room.
"Mac's right. There's no sense in arguing," Bailey said. "We all have our loyalties. And we all have our own agendas. Let's quiet down. Please."
Confessional:
Mac: Geez, things got intense in there. And not the fun kind of intense where people get the crap knocked out of them.
Erica: Tch. Who needs those ass-hats anyway? I'll make a new alliance. With blackjack and hookers! Only that's a terrible idea, because Nolan's eliminated and Rachel's awful, so no blackjack or hookers. I'm so tired.
David: I'm just hoping Sonam doesn't take this too personally.
Franklin and Bailey met up on the balcony.
"So, Rachel and I thought David might be a good vote," Franklin said. "Would that be fine with you?"
"It should be," Bailey said quietly. "Considering David's probably not even loyal to me."
"Really?" Franklin asked.
"Apparently he and Mac were also in an alliance with Sonamjit," Bailey nodded. "Wasn't she one of your allies?"
"She was," Franklin said. "Interesting."
"Want to switch the vote to her?" Bailey asked.
"Eh, let's not," Franklin said with a shake of his head. "We don't have much time, and I don't want to hunt down Rachel and tell her to vote for one of our allies. After all Sonam doesn't know that I know she's playing two sides."
"That's a valid point," Bailey said. "To think, all of this could have been avoided if Ernie or Rachel hadn't won the challenge."
"Fate's funny like that, isn't it?" Franklin smirked.
"Do you believe in fate?" Bailey asked.
"I don't know what I believe anymore," Franklin shrugged.
Confessional:
Bailey: I think we have the votes to get rid of David. It's weird, having to vote for my own ally, but it's what must be done.
Erica found Ernie sitting on one of the couches in the foyer.
"Boy do I have a proposition for you," Erica greeted.
Confessional:
Erica: This'll teach people not to double-cross me.
The eight contestants sat on a couch in the foyer. Hatchet came down the staircase carrying an ice box. He set the ice box down as he stood across from the contestants.
"It's time for eight to become seven!" Hatchet announced. "I'll keep it short so we can get to sleep. You get a soda, you're safe. You don't get a soda, you leave through the Door of Shame."
"Rachel."
"Ernie."
"Mac."
"Franklin."
"Erica."
"Sonamjit."
This left David and Bailey without sodas. Hatchet had one left.
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"David."
"Aw, that was close," David said with a sigh of relief.
"What?!" Franklin snapped. "Who voted for Bailey?!"
"Evidently, most of us," Ernie remarked.
"How... why..." Franklin seethed. "What possible reason is there to vote for such a sweet, innocent-"
"It's okay, Franklin," Bailey said with a smile. "And to think, I didn't even vote for myself this time."
"But-" Franklin started.
"It's all part of the game," Bailey said. "I'll miss you, but we'll see each other again within a week."
Bailey stood up and gave Franklin a hug.
"I'll miss you too," Franklin said. "Of everyone in this game, I'm the most glad I met you."
Bailey blushed heavily as she went for the Door of Shame.
"Good luck, everyone," Bailey said. "Don't forget to have fun. It's only a game after all."
With that, Bailey left the game for the second time.
"Alright, I'm sure we're all tired, so let's get to bed," Hatchet said. "Dismissed!"
Confessional:
Erica: This is what happens when you betray my trust. Don't forget it.
"The season's nearin' the end, and we're down to about a third of our startin' number," Hatchet told the camera. "How will Franklin cope with the loss of his closest friend? Is Erica actually startin' to get competent? Who's really loyal to whom? You're gonna hafta be patient for the next episode of Total! Drama! HOUSE PARTY!"
Votes:
Franklin: David's the biggest physical threat in the game right now, so it'd be best to get rid of him tonight.
David: Hate to have to do this, Bailey, but I have to keep Sonam's trust. After all, you broke mine.
Bailey: It seems David is the most prudent choice for elimination tonight.
Mac: Sorry, Bailey. You seem like a nice kid, but this really is the best option for my game.
Sonamjit: Between... David... and Bailey... at least... David... tried to get on my... good side... unlike Bailey... who tried to take those... on my good side... so goodbye Bailey...
Rachel: Franklin raises some good points. In light of this, I vote for David.
Erica: Do you want ants, Bailey? Because leading me on like this is how you get ants! ...I watch a lot of cartoons. And I'm tired. Shut up.
Ernie: So, not only does Erica, like, want an alliance, but she claims Bailey is the biggest threat in the game right now. I mean, I have nothing to lose, so I vote for Bailey.
A/N: I don't know if Bailey haters were just not as vocal during premerge or if Bailey's focus on strategy this time around turned people off to her, but it seems Bailey wasn't as well-received upon her return, and I understand why. The idea with Bailey was to take a character who started out completely socially inept and end up becoming the biggest social threat in the game through character development. I don't regret bringing her back, and I feel like I executed her story as well as I could.